The world produces enough food to adequately feed every single person. People are not poor because there aren’t enough resources to go around. Among the major reasons poverty exists are unemployment, underemployment, lack of health care and education, hunger, homelessness, undocumented immigration status, climate change and war. But a strong case can be made that Read more
Compared with most countries we do rather well in New Zealand with our varied and differentiated public media. National Radio, certainly, is outstanding and on the whole newspapers present a fair range of views on contested matters. The exception seems to be anything to do with religion. The churches appear to be regarded as a Read more
Only twice in history has a pope asked for the resignation of an entire episcopate: Last week, when the entire episcopate of Chile offered their resignations to the pope, and in 1802, when Pope Pius VII removed both the orthodox, validly installed bishops of France and the rival slate of schismatic bishops never recognized by Read more
The John 9 gospel story about the man born blind, is a long reading that makes us want to sink into our seats. The healing episode is quite short. Jesus noticed a man blind from birth, and after a few words with the disciples, made a wet mixture of clay and spittle and anointed the Read more
On the first day of class, each of us seated in the medium-sized lecture hall shared why we had decided to pursue a master’s in public health and what we intended to do with the degree. Most students talked about wanting to work for clinics in underserved communities or for humanitarian programs abroad. However, one Read more
Negative reaction to John Murphy’s confession of having watched the Royal Wedding was interesting! I too, watched, without the slightest twinge of an uneasy conscience, one of the most fascinating television presentations that I have ever watched. I sent texts to many of my friends in the dead of night, which, alas, mostly went unanswered. Read more
Wednesday, the Vatican issued a letter, Oeconomicae et Pecuniariae Quaestiones on economic and financial matters. Quite unlike many recent communications on those issues, it was elegantly written – almost a joy to read. It is a serious and constructive contribution to the debate and, in its earlier sections, it is, if not quite original, a vital Read more
Jacinda Ardern came into politics to reduce child poverty, but her ‘families package’ will not bring help soon enough to the children who need it. About one in eight, or 12%, of New Zealand’s children are in poverty, a problem that has been festering for 30 years. As housing costs have soared, lack of affordable Read more
“Shocked” and “You’re a disgrace”, were two reactions from a couple of friends when I confessed to watching the Royal Wedding. Yes, the wedding was a “who’s who” and fashionista’s delight. But it was the address and the animated picture of Bishop Michael Curry, the first black presiding bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church Read more
Richard Dawkins, the world’s best known atheist-for-hire, was recently in New Zealand, preaching at events in Auckland and Christchurch and hoping to rally the troops and win new converts. As a Bible-loving Christian who believes in God, angels, heaven and hell, I guess people would assume I’m angry or nervous about having the High Priest Read more