Revivalist churches in Papua New Guinea are promoting prayer as a substitute for medication to those with HIV, according to human rights groups. But The mainstream churches in PNG are working with the United Nations and non-government organisations to help people access services. Catholic archbishop John Ribat is a member of the Christian Leaders Alliance. Read more
A company owned by the Gloriavale Christian Community, on the West Coast, expects to drill a new oil well this spring with a rig that has recently arrived from Korea. Ocean Harvest International Ltd (OHIL) is planning the new well on the Niagara structure near Greymouth. Gloriavale’s geological consultant, Murry Cave, said oil had been Read more
At least six MPs, including Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples, and Internet Mana leader Hone Harawira were among those attended the official opening of the Destiny Church’s ‘City of God’ headquarters in Manukau last Friday evening. Church spokeswoman Anne Williamson told the New Zealand Herald that Destiny had no intention of inserting itself into this year’s election Read more
Richard Lewis yesterday thanked his new congregation and family before delivering his first sermon since splitting from the controversial Destiny Church, where he spent 13 years as Bishop Brian Tamaki’s right-hand man. Mr Lewis addressed around 80 people at the Dream Centre in Manukau. He told them he was there because he was “compelled to Read more
The Church of Scientology of New Zealand will be spending $16 million restoring and converting a heritage-listed Auckland building into its New Zealand headquarters. It is the church’s only New Zealand property. The New Zealand arm The church of Scientology purchased the former Whitecliffe Art College campus in 2007 for $10m using an interest free Read more
An Auckland heritage-listed building bought by the Church of Scientology for more than $10 million six years ago may finally become the religious organisation’s new home. At the time of the sale, church secretary Mike Ferris said the church would fully renovate and restore the building, built in 1927, over two years and expected 100 Read more
Chicago is calling Christchurch filmmaker Cody Packer, whose documentary on a reclusive West Coast religious community has garnered widespread critical acclaim. Packer’s film Gloriavale has won Best Documentary at the 2012 Chicago CineYouth International Student Film Festival and will be shown at the Chicago International Film Festival in October. Packer, 20, and fellow Christchurch Polytechnic Read more
Even though the Destiny Church has reduced finances and a declining membership, its leader, Brian Tamaki, has announced plans for its new “City of God”. He has called on Church members to leave behind houses, jobs – even family members – to join him at a “City of God” he is building in South Auckland. Read more
Controversial plans for a South Auckland Destiny Church community are set to come to light early next month. The church’s annual conference is titled the City of God and promotional material for the event feature leader Brian Tamaki in front of Auckland’s city skyline. In a video Tamaki calls the development “the new Jerusalem”. Continue Read more
Green’s drugs spokesman Kevin Hague has alleged in the New Zealand Parliament that the Church of Scientology is using tax-payer money to promote an anti-psychiatry agenda and messages against medication used to treat mental illness through charities disguised as social service organisations. Mr Hague said he had watched members of the church on Auckland’s Queen Read more