Parliament could get a new prayer after the election in September. A review of standing orders, the rules that MPs must adhere to, was published this week, putting the prayer back on the agenda. The review recommends MPs be asked their views on changing the prayer read by the Speaker at the opening of a Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Church and State’
Bibles in Schools issue goes to Human Rights Commission
Friday, July 4th, 2014
A parent has taken concerns about religious teaching to the Human Rights Commission in the latest effort to remove the lessons from state school time. Red Beach School north of Auckland has been in a long-running dispute with parent Jeff McClintock over its Values in Action lessons, which are 30 minutes a week and teach Read more
Samoa – Govt considers paying teachers in church schools
Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has promised that the government look at the long overdue proposal from church schools to have their teachers paid for by the government. He made this promise while delivering the keynote address at the celebration marking 150 years of work by the Missionary Sisters of the Read more
Solomon Islands Churches committed to stem corruption
Friday, June 6th, 2014
“We need to reclaim the prophetic voice of the Church to actively carry out its contribution in helping stem the tide of apathy and hopeless in our country’s political sphere,” says Anglican Church of Melanesia Archbishop David Vunagi . He was speaking at the opening of a three day church conference on Rethinking the Household Read more
PNG Bishops write open letter to political Leaders
Friday, May 23rd, 2014
The Catholic Bishops of Papua New Guinea have published a wide ranging open letter addressed to the political leaders of the country. In the open letter they recognise the value of the good relationship the Catholic Church has with Government in Papua New Guinea. They say it is one of mutual respect and express the Read more
Church and State join forces to establish teachers college
Tuesday, April 15th, 2014
The diocese of Alotau, in cooperation with the provincial and national government, will soon open a teachers’ college. Both parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement to this effect on 3 April. Alotau is the capital of Milne Bay Province, in the south-east of Papua New Guinea. It is located on the northern shore of Milne Bay. The Read more
Samoan Catholics call meeting to discuss political parties
Friday, April 4th, 2014
This weekend Samoan representatives from 25 Auckland parishes will meet in south Auckland to discuss political parties and Christian values. Some commentators are saying this will be a litmus test for Labour support. South Auckland electorates are traditionally Labour thanks in large part to church-going Pacific Islanders. The meeting is a response to small group of Read more
Solomons opposition party will return schools to church control
Friday, March 21st, 2014
A Solomon Islands opposition party says it will encourage greater involvement of churches in education if it forms the new government following the national elections later this year. The People’s Alliance Party says the involvement of churches in education was reduced in 1970 when they were allowed to administer only secondary schools. Before that churches Read more
Will religious symbols be banned in schools?
Tuesday, March 4th, 2014Concerns are being raised that all religious symbols could be abolished from schools following the removal of Bible studies from an Auckland school timetable. Some parents are worried that New Zealand could follow the lead of France and enforce a strict secular educational environment. It comes two weeks after St Heliers School announced it would Read more
Methodist Church will stay neutral
Tuesday, March 4th, 2014
Methodist church communications secretary Reverend James Bhagwan says his church was impartial and does not endorse any political parties. Bhagwan said the church would stay neutral and it should not be seen to be favouring anyone. “But at the same time we are pastorally speaking to our members, encouraging them to pray before each major Read more