The pandemic we are in the midst of is unique and it is dangerous. It is not the “common cold” that some people write to me about. Worldwide there have been over 250 million cases and just over 5 million deaths – this pandemic is unique and dangerous. As of last week, in New Zealand Read more
Catholic priests are receiving an “overwhelming” number of requests from Covid patients for exorcisms to eradicate the infection. “During the pandemic, priests around the world have had more requests for psychiatric help from parishioners,” said Father Luis Ramirez, one of the 15th exorcists’ convention in Rome organisers says. “There is more awareness of exorcists and Read more
The pandemic’s effects on mortality have been uneven as life expectancy dipped in most places last year, shaving 28.1 million years off the cumulative longevity in 31 countries. But residents of a handful of places that successfully kept Covid-19 at bay — including New Zealand and Taiwan — actually lived longer. Read more
Most Holy Father, Inspired by your messages on interdependence and sharing, we humbly bring to your attention the issue of vaccine inequality plaguing our planet and ask you to support action to address the unequal distribution of global vaccines between high and low-income countries. Over 6 billion doses have been administered worldwide, but 70% of Read more
Hundreds of homeless families in Victoria, Australia, who have been staying in state-funded hotels during lockdowns will be found a permanent place to live. Housing Minister Richard Wynne says the state government’s $66-million investment will go towards supporting 250 families, including 400 children. They will be able to stay in hotels after next February’s cut-off Read more
Up to 50 per cent of pregnant women in parts of Auckland remain unvaccinated despite being at high risk of hospitalisation, complications and having a premature baby if they catch Covid-19. Doctors and midwives around the country are gearing up for an influx of unvaccinated pregnant women infected with the virus as Delta continues to Read more
While some people bunkered down during the Covid lockdowns, Gerarld Arbuckle wrote a book! The award-winning author’s new book is about the Church in a post-COVID world. In “The Pandemic and the People of God“, internationally renowned theologian and anthropologist and New Zealand-born priest, Gerald Arbuckle SM, weaves together insights from life, anthropology and theology Read more
Worries that the COVID-19 vaccine could cause infertility are among the reasons people give for avoiding vaccination. While there’s no evidence any of the COVID-19 vaccines cause problems with fertility, becoming severely ill from the disease has the potential to do so, reproduction experts say, making vaccination all the more important. “There is evidence to Read more
A health leader has blasted anti-vax church leaders for spreading harmful messages. Māori and Pacific health executive director Hector Matthews made his views clear at a hui discussing Māori vaccination efforts. The hui in Ōtautahi (Christchurch) included Māori health agencies, the Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare and other government officials on Tuesday. Matthews said some Read more
Since the 1950s, the world has experienced a six-fold increase in the number of people living in cities. City dwellers now outnumber rural residents globally and in many individual countries. But the COVID-19 pandemic has begun to disrupt the trajectory, scale and form of urbanisation. Cities, by virtue of their size, have recorded more deaths Read more