Two Catholic Agencies are bringing winter warmth to Christchurch residents. Caritas is helping provide warm winter clothing for Christchurch residents left out in the cold following the February earthquake. Caritas is partnering with the St Vincent de Paul Society and a Christchurch clothing company for the project. Through donations received nationally on behalf of Christchurch Read more
The people of Christchurch will need help to rebuild their heritage churches, especially since these religions are fading away. The religious leaders’ cheque books are, however, conspicuously closed. The Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury should be making a contribution because the Anglican and Catholic Churches are some of the wealthiest organisations in the world and if it is Read more
John Lennox, who calls himself a Christian apologist, recently made a public speaking tour through New Zealand. In a number of his lectures he addressed the question many have been asking themselves, “Where was God at 9 minutes to 1?” Lennox was appalled at some of the answers people come up with. “I have no simplistic answers and Read more
The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, Barry Jones, was on his way to Hokitika when the February 22 quake hit. He was out of mobile range until Arthur’s Pass, where he turned round and came back. An unreal event: he didn’t feel the shake but returned to a blitzed city. When we spoke, Jones was still Read more
Bishop Jones seems to be open to the idea that the earthquake and subsequent demolitions and closures might give the diocese a chance relocate some parish churches. When asked if the Catholic diocese is considering these kinds of issues he said “We are, absolutely.”Our churches have all been built in communities that wanted churches where Read more
This editoral addresses the need there is to care for the Urban Rescue Teams, Firemen, Policemen who worked on the front line in Christchurch. Some of them then went straight on to Japan. They appeared as giants bestriding the rubble. They did work that was demanding both physically and emotionally. They they were well trained, Read more
This month’s reflection from Pat Lynch begins with with a message of active support and good will to our Christchurch colleagues who continue to adjust to the tragedy of February 22nd and continues with some thoughts on how he views the Kiwi approach to life. “It is salutary to look back over the last generation Read more
The on-going effect of the Christchurch earthquake opens the way for the girls of Marian College Christchurch to attend the all-boys St Bede’s, College in Christchurch. Marian College, a Catholic girls College with approximately 450 students, has been severely affected by the earthquake and will likely not be able to operate on it’s present site for the Read more
Yes, it was glorious, but a great weakness has been horribly exposed – stone buildings are deadly in an earthquake zone. The Anglican cathedral in the heart of Christchurch has become a forlorn, desolate tomb; felled by a destructive double-act of God. The massive earthquake of 4 September was the first blow which no doubt weakened Read more
Minister of Earthquake recovery, Gerry Brownlee says he would like to see resources go into re-building the Christchurch Cathedral, the Catholic Basilica, the Provincial Chambers and the Arts Centre. In a briefing yesterday afternoon, Mr Brownlee is reported to have said that if he had his way most of Christchurch’s heritage buildings would be bowled Read more