Caring for people living with mental illness is something many of us may have to do at some stage. On 9 October, the Catholic Church in New Zealand marks “Support Life Sunday.” Dr John Kleinsman, Director of the Nathaniel Centre for bioethics, says it is important this year’s campaign helps people hear those who have Read more
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are inviting all Catholics in New Zealand to join with them and others across the globe to pray with Pope Francis as he consecrates Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. New Zealand’s bishops are asking Catholics to offer special prayers for everyone caught in the Ukraine war by Read more
Pope Francis has appointed Bishop of Hamilton Stephen Lowe as the new Catholic Bishop of Auckland. The appointment was announced in Rome at midnight New Zealand time and means the dioceses of Hamilton, Palmerston North and Christchurch are without bishops pending Pope Francis announcing new appointments. Bishop Lowe replaces Bishop Pat Dunn, who has served Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference says evidence shows that engaging in conversion practices causes people harm and suffering. The bishop’s conference made the comment in a submission to Parliament’s Justice Committee on the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill. “Any harmful, coercive or abusive practice under any name is abhorrent to the Church and the Read more
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops have welcomed Pope Francis’ approval of changes to the Church’s Code of Canon Law which toughens and extends sanctions against sexual abuse. Bishop Stephen Lowe, secretary of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference, says the new code makes it clear that bishops must take decisive action when abuse is reported to them. Read more
The Catholic bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand will discuss the new lay Catechist ministry at their meeting in October. Pope Francis announced the new ministry this month. NZ Catholic Bishops Conference secretary, Bishop Stephen Lowe, says the bishops have received many questions since the pope’s announcement. Many of these have been about the formation of Read more
New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference has deferred the national hikoi prior to this August’s renewal of Aotearoa New Zealand’s dedication to Our Lady Assumed into Heaven. The bishops have decided to postpone the hikoi in which a specially-commissioned artwork will be displayed. Bishop Stephen Lowe, (pictured) Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, says the bishops revised Read more