The last weeks have seen a ghastly roll call of terror attacks in the obvious places: Syria, Libya, Iraq and Lebanon, as well as Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia and Pakistan. Also suffering are places where we have only in recent years seen such violence: Nigeria, and in many parts of central Africa, in Russia and across Read more
The day Prime Minister Helen Clark was berated and humiliated at Waitangi for daring to speak on the marae should have been the day all iwi resolved to reassess the rules subordinating women on marae and in wharenui. It should have been considered urgent. Perhaps the indignity of that day was generally dismissed as mere Read more
“Women in the church are more important than bishops and priests,” the pope insisted in July. “That’s what we have to try to explain better, because I believe we don’t have a way of making that explicit theologically.” Here’s the key point: When Francis talks about “more space” for women, it’s less about creating new Read more
The humorist Robert Benchley said, “A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance and to turn around three times before lying down.” Going round in circles may or may not be beneficial, though it seems an apt description of much of what we do. And our runaround is not always, or even often, followed by relaxation. Read more
He doesn’t like what he has come to stand for. He knows that he’s fortunate to be born in the right time and place, with the right gender and skin colour, to make him one of the privileged in this world. He knows that he’s the beneficiary of a history that has given him wealth Read more
The German bishops are engaged in a dispute with the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith over allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive the Eucharist. The congregation’s prefect is repeating the well-trodden path of common Catholic practice – the only place for a married Catholic is in a sacramental marriage and the Read more
“Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem…” (Luke 2:4) As we remind ourselves each year, Joseph and Mary made their long journey, compelled by a census. It became a journey of joy as Mary gave birth to a baby whom we call the Read more
Since reading Pope Francis’ new document, The Joy of the Gospel, I have a huge amount of hope for the future of the Church’s work with the young. It raises many points that would mean, if we do it right, we’re much more open, available and welcoming to young people. While I think the Pope’s Read more
It’s taken a long time for us to let you go, Madiba. For several years, even as your health faltered irreparably and rumours of your increasing fragility could no longer be denied, the world refused to release its hold. We said prayers, sent love and held vigils until we had brought our Madiba — a Read more
Prompted by Pope Francis, for the first time in history, Catholics throughout the world are being asked our opinion in preparation for a synod. Like many others, I have been answering the questionnaire put out by the Vatican in preparation for the Extraordinary Synod on the Family to be held next October. In fact, even Read more