Once every five years the priests in New Zealand meet nationally for a professional development week. This time it was in Christchurch. And the experience was seismic. No priest or Bishop could have left that week unshaken. The two input speakers – each very different from the other – shook us to the core. Take Read more
Bishop Charles Drennan of the Diocese of Palmerston North was this year’s keynote speaker at the Archdiocese of Sydney’s clergy formation conference. The topic given to Bishop Charles was: “Icons of Christ: developing personally and professionally as leaders of local faith communities for the new evangelisation. Bishop Charles noted that leadership is currently a hot Read more
For over 25 years the bishop of Palmerston North, Charles Drennan, has volunteered for a month at the Raphael Ryder Cheshire Centre in Dehra Dun, India where he works with tuberculosis patients, special needs adults and children whose parents had leprosy. Drennan left for his most recent visit at the beginning of November. “Sometimes I’m asked Read more
Forrest Chambers is in Rome to participate in the World Meeting of Popular Movements from 2 to 4 November. On Saturday 5, the Holy Father Francis will receive the participants in audience in the Paul VI Hall. The attendees will include Don Luigi Ciotti, founder of the Abel group which fights against abuse by the Mafia Read more
Bishop Charles Drennan, the New Zealand delegate at the Synod on Families, has been sent a letter from an expert on the Council of Trent expressing the view that the church cannot change its teaching on the dissolubility of marriage. The moral theologian is responding to an argument put forward by Cardinal Walter Kaspar proposing that it is Read more
The Parihaka story is set to be shared in schools across the country. The 26-page booklet was the brainchild of the Bishop of Palmerston North Diocese Charles Drennan, who wanted to ensure the Maori account of the injustices suffered by the people of Parihaka were acknowledged. The resource contents were put together by Caritas Aotearoa Read more
The Bishop of Palmerston North, Charles Drennan, was among a number of politicians, lecturers and religious leaders who spoke to a crowd of about 500 gathered in the city’s Square at the third anti Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) event to be held in the city in the past year. Drennan said there was growing Read more
Terrorism and fanaticism can never be justified. But should our reaction to the slaying of staff at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo be limited to abhorrence? Stamping of feet and shouting of slogans – unity – is a woefully inadequate response. We are not Charlie We are not Charlie, and we need to explain Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference has elected the Bishop of Palmerston North, Charles Drennan, to represent them at this year’s Synod on Family. Cardinal John Dew has been confirmed as the substitute. He will serve as the representative at the synod should Bishop Drennan be unable to attend for any reason. The Vatican has Read more
Traditional classrooms at a Palmerston North Catholic primary school have been transformed into a flexible and safe learning space. After almost four years of planning, construction has been completed on a revamped block of buildings at St James’ School. Bishop Charles Drennan, of the Palmerston North Diocese, blessed the refurbished rooms on Wednesday at a Read more