In a display of silence, the John of God Brothers headquarters, based in Rome, did not open the door to Marylands survivor Darryl Smith. Smith, a long-time voice for sexual abuse survivors, was sexually abused as a child while at John of God Brothers residential schools in both New Zealand and Australia. Pleased that finally Read more
A man who suffered sexual abuse as a child at the hands of the Brothers of St John of God is upset. Darryl Smith (pictured) was one of dozens of boys who suffered “extreme abuse and neglect” at Marylands School. Complaints show the school’s abusive reign ran from 1955 to the late 1980s. Now 59, Read more
Green Island’s community garden sits on a generous piece of land behind St Peter Chanel church. Fruit and vegetables are raised by volunteers. They reap what they sow – and others from the community are invited to enjoy some too. The community project began back in 2015 when Catholic Bishop of Dunedin Michael Dooley was Read more
Survivor trauma, systemic failures and a failure to act on a complaint of sexual abuse are the reasons Dunedin bishop, Michael Dooley is changing Kavanagh College’s name to Trinity College. The change takes place on January 1, 2023. The move by Dooley comes after a report shows former Dunedin bishop, John Kavanagh, did not act Read more
The Vatican has ordered a further investigation into the behaviour of Fr Fivins Chittilappilly. Chittilappilly had been working in New Zealand as an assistant priest in Mercy Parish South Dunedin since January 2020. However, following a complaint of sexual harassment from an adult woman, towards the end of last year, he was stood down from Read more
The Catholic bishop of Dunedin, Michael Dooley, is endorsing a new Catholic virtual platform developed in Australia. “Using the technology available enables us to support and inspire each other. The more we can do together, the better we can make connections, that will enliven us and enable us to carry out the mission of Christ,” Read more
Nearly 150 years after its first issue, the NZ Tablet has published its last one. Bishop Patrick Moran founded the magazine in Dunedin in 1873 with the immigrant Irish Catholic population in mind. Moran was noted as a strong-minded and literate speaker and the paper gave him the opportunity to voice his views on religion, Read more
Ash Wednesday on Sunday is a possibility. Cardinal John Dew and Bishop Patrick Dunn identified the option in messages to pastoral leaders and people in their respective dioceses. “If the Alert Level changes back to Level 1 on Wednesday night, we will look at having the belling and distribution of the ashes at Masses next Read more
Bishop Michael Dooley has returned to Dunedin diocese and has resumed his duties as bishop after taking some time away. On May 3, Bishop Dooley wrote a letter addressed to his “dear brothers and sisters in Christ” announcing that he would spend some time away from the diocese for personal and spiritual renewal. Read more Read more
Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley is taking some time away from his diocese for personal and spiritual renewal. In a letter dated May 3 and addressed to his “dear brothers and sisters in Christ”, Bishop Dooley said that he was looking forward to returning after his time away “with new energy and focus”. Continue reading