A UFO expert has levelled accusations at the Pope, alleging that he is concealing “extraordinary” alien secrets within the Vatican. Steve Bassett, a UFO lobbyist in Washington, insists that it’s evident the Catholic Church is aware of the existence of alien life and has concealed evidence in their archives. As the executive director of the Read more
Odd Spot
Food drive call full of beans
Thursday, August 29th, 2024
When the call went out for donations to a Christchurch food drive, it was answered with a deluge of baked beans! Sumner woman Nicola Wood donated 23 cans to the food pantry at Linwood Avenue Union Church. “Baked beans are back in fashion,” said Christchurch Labour list MP Tracey McLellan who has been collecting on Read more
Two priests and a baby
Monday, August 26th, 2024Two Steubenville priests made headlines this month, when the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that they have legal custody of a two-year-old boy, who is living at their downtown parish rectory. A judge will consider the boy’s situation at a custody hearing in October, with the child’s mother reportedly seeking to regain legal care of her son. Read more
MSD asks a blind man to provide his driver licence for identification
Thursday, August 22nd, 2024A legally blind New Plymouth man who is gutted about plans to carve up Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled People, and shift some of its responsibility to the Ministry of Social Development told Checkpoint: “Lord have mercy on the disabled community”. Harry, 72, went into his local Ministry of Social Development office in New Plymouth Read more
Would Jesus park in a bike lane?
Thursday, August 15th, 2024
A dispute over weekend parking in bike lanes has left a group of inner-city congregations in Philadelphia dealing with a tricky urban dilemma. If all goes well, worshippers at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia will be able to park on the streets near the church in peace. They just may have to walk a little bit Read more
Tiny church going cheap and comes with a hops garden
Monday, August 12th, 2024The tiny town of Tuapeka, about an hour and a half out of Dunedin, has more than its fair share of World Famous in New Zealand moments. Firstly, it’s got the only public river punt ferry in the Southern Hemisphere at Tuapeka Mouth, run – when river and weather allow – by ferryman and UK Read more
Models of boats donated for answered prayers hang in basilica in Marseille, Olympic sailing host
Thursday, August 8th, 2024Little model boats hang from the ceiling and maritime paintings adorn the walls of the basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde, which from the city’s highest hill overlooks the bay of Marseille, where sailing regattas are being held for the 2024 Olympics. They’re votive offerings — some more than 200 years old — that Read more
Nothing odd in anointing the sick
Monday, August 5th, 2024
A recent NZ parish newsletter highlighted an invite for the sick to be anointed. There is nothing odd about that. The invite was included in the pastoral outreach section, which, for example, invited people in need of prayer to register on a “prayer chain” or those who are sick and housebound to reach out if Read more
Viral TikTok trend has brides shocking their husbands with brand new look on wedding day
Thursday, August 1st, 2024A new TikTok trend has gone viral, and it involves brides undergoing a major change to their appearance after saying, “I do.” Here’s how it works. A bride will get her hair done for the wedding ceremony, get married and then have a hairstylist cut off a significant amount of hair before the reception. Continue Read more
Indian court blocks rule to divide eateries by religion
Monday, July 29th, 2024Activists have joined political leaders in condemning police in two states for demanding eateries display the names of their owners amid criticism that it creates a religious divide, particularly during the ongoing Hindu pilgrim season. India’s Supreme Court on July 22 temporarily suspended the rules imposed last week by police in the northern states of Uttar Read more