A spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte has responded to the launching of a 33-day period of religious activities aimed at stopping extrajudicial killings in the country, by expressing a desire to build a better relationship with the Catholic Church. Harry Roque said that as of September 30, authorities have been investigating 2,243 incidents with “drug-related motives”. He added Read more
The opposition party in French Polynesia is ridiculing President Édouard Fritch’s proposed visit to Pope Francis. The comment comes just hours after confirmation that Fritch will join a Pacific Islands Forum delegation to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican next month. The forum coincides with the COP23 climate change conference in Germany. The pro-independence opposition party, Tavini Read more
MidCentral District Health Board instructed a Palmerston North social worker not to attend a social justice workshop. The forum was run by the Palmerston North Catholic Diocesan Justice, Peace and Development Commission in collaboration with Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand as part of Social Justice Week activities. As part of a general election candidates’ debate, social Read more
The Fiji Police Force has been looking to faith-based organisations which it believes could help address domestic crime. The Director of Operations, Maretino Qiolevu, raised the issue when he addressed the Interfaith Search Fiji panel discussion, to which the Force was invited in Suva last week. “We have been reaching out to religious organisations. We Read more
Revenue Minister Judith Collins says she has no plans to crack down on charities running businesses and avoiding tax. Companies like Sanitarium are often accused of not paying their fair share of tax because they’re owned by charitable organisations or churches, which are meant to use the profits for charitable purposes. Continue reading
Ever wondered why Britain has never had a Catholic prime minister? There’s no constitutional barrier preventing it. So why hasn’t it happened? The most likely answer is that there remains a residual suspicion of Catholics that dates back to the bloody power struggles between Catholic and Protestant contenders for the throne several centuries ago. Continue Read more
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces’s (RFMF) assurance that it will accept the results of next year’s election has been welcomed, but there remain concerns about its the RFMF’s impartiality. Since 1987, there have been military three coups in Fiji within a year after elections. In an interview last week, RFMF chief of staff Colonel Read more
Vanuatu’s new president Tallis Obed Moses says there is only one religion in the republic and it is Christianity. He said the country’s motto of ‘Long God Yumi Stanap’ simply meant that Vanuatu is a Christian nation. RNZ correspondent said Moses’s stance it falls into line with the Vanuatu Christian Council’s position that the freedom of Read more
The Cook Islands’ government has given a handout of $US360,000 to the Catholic church to rebuild a college and secure land on which a lease is about to expire. Some criticised the government for spending large amounts of money helping churches, suggesting there are greater priority areas. Continue reading
The Catholic Church has been accused of running an illegal hotel in Mosgiel. The Burns Lodge at Holy Cross Centre advertises itself as a venue capable of hosting up to 120 paying guests, as well as weddings, conferences and other events. Continue reading