A print era, that is.

Print edition will be missed

"I liked the NZ Catholic because I could catch up with current news about Catholic NZ ... seminarians, Vinnies, ordinations, school successes, photos and so on. They aren't in mainstream media" Mary told CathNews.

"I hope the new publication will cover the range of news."

"I loved the letters" said Veronica.

These points are backed up by former editor Pat McCarthy who regrets the loss of NZ Catholic.

NZ Catholic was the only consistent source of national news coverage for Catholics. It recorded events, issues, opinions and the highs and lows of Catholic life.

McCarthy is concerned that a potential news vacuum will encourage further fragmentation of the Church

He said NZ Catholic's quality was recognised by over 100 awards from its peers in the Australasian Catholic and interdenominational press.

Communication builds community

McCarthy told CathNews that his understanding of Catholic media's importance developed while he was managing editor.

He elaborated - "Communities come into existence through communication, and the Catholic Church needs Catholic media to hold it together."

David McLoughlin expressed concern. He is journalist who has worked in media for many years and is also a member of the Australasian Catholic Press Association.

He wrote to CathNews - "I find the diminishing and fragmentation of both Catholic and secular media of great concern.

"In a world of rapid change, I believe it is very important that as many people as possible have access to reliable, professional journalism to give them accurate and timely news and other information about what is happening locally, nationally and internationally.

"Professional, curated news can of course be found online, and there are many very good online news services including Catholic ones."

However, he told CathNews that he is worried that surveys in New Zealand and overseas indicate fewer and fewer people trust mainstream professional news services.

He finds it alarming that many people get their news from social media which he describes as "a fragmented, largely uncurated whirlpool".

"I don't think these are good developments" he said.

To allay this vacuum and social media "whirlpool" McCarthy wants to see an online national news service.

However, as well as a visionary he's also a realist.

"The institutional Church is unlikely to provide this in a time of general retrenchment. So it must be done independently - as with major Catholic media outlets in the United Kingdom, North America and Europe.

"Such a service will never pay its way. News is not a commodity but a public good, something essential for a community's life, and its value is not related to whether or not it makes a profit."

McCarthy says he has circulated a proposal for establishing such a service and that expressions of interest have come from around the country.

He notes however that major financial backing will be necessary.

Bishop Lowe upbeat

However the publisher of NZ Catholic, Bishop Steve Lowe, is upbeat about the possibility of the new digital format.

He says the first edition could be expected before the end of the year.

"We intend developing a new monthly digital publication with enhanced use of video" he says.

"This will allow us to continue to share news, comment and reflections to inform, record and inspire our community in the Diocese of Auckland and beyond.

"This role will focus initially on producing videos that include prayer, homilies, event highlights, appeals, teaching, explaining and helping to encourage a healthy dialogue [that] our world so desperately needs."

Farewell and thank you

"At this time, it is right to give thanks for the work of the NZ Catholic staff, past and present" says Lowe.

"They have been amazing.

"They have told the stories of our Church and society. They have published the joys and the sorrows of people's lives.

"They have sincerely used the written word to point to Jesus Christ the Word.

"Thank you also to the contributors from across the country and the promoters in parishes.

"Your stories of people and communities will remain a treasure of the Church's history in New Zealand."

Possible printed version

NZ Catholic understands that people who cannot access the free digital content will be able to receive a printed version of the new digital NZ Catholic.

There is no mention of the cost.

Source

• NZ Catholic
• Interviews

When approached for comment, David McLoughlin, Communications Adviser for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, said nothing in the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal decision or in any NZ media says or suggests any Catholic involvement in this case.

In the decision, the teacher specifically says his stance is based on his "Christian belief," not his religion, which is not stated.

Auckland Secondary Schools' Principals Association president Greg Pierce said schools were required to use students' legal names for formal reporting purposes. But for daily, practical use, most schools preferred to use students' chosen names and pronouns, he said.

Catholic schools are not exempt from requirements to protect and support trans students.

Integrated schools, most of which are Catholic, are entitled to have a special character but were still bound by human rights legislation, Ministry of Education general manager Sela Finau said. That included the right to freedom from discrimination on the basis of sex, which has been interpreted to include gender identity.

Dr Kevin Shore, who leads the Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools, said Catholic bishops had provided clear directions and guidelines supporting trans students to ensure they are safe and supported.

However, in a statement, Right to Life, a Christchurch-based pro-life group, is questioning the justice of the decision of the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal.

Right to Life says that the teacher's human rights of free speech and freedom of religion have been violated.

They also maintain the tribunal's decision also violates the student's right to be educated in a safe environment.

"Right to Life upholds the biological truth that the student is a female, having been created by God with forty-six XX chromosomes.

"There is no medical procedure on earth that can change her gender from female to male," say the group.

Teacher deregistered

A New Zealand teacher was deregistered after refusing to acknowledge a transgender student's preferred pronouns and name, citing religious beliefs.

The teacher, whose identity remains undisclosed in the Disciplinary Tribunal decision, informed the 14-year-old student that gender transition conflicted with his Christian faith.

While not contesting the student's account, the teacher denied any wrongdoing during the tribunal proceedings.

'Teachers have a responsibility of care and part of this is affirming the birth sex of every child, the gender they were created as, which is an inseparable part of their identity,' he told the tribunal.

"God knows best and this behaviour will have negative consequences."

The teacher further asserted that individuals seeking to transition should seek "help and deliverance."

The teacher's submissions caused the tribunal to have 'significant concerns' about his ability to continue working as a teacher.

"They (the teacher) begin with objection based on Christianity, move to verbatim scripture, and then continue on to link the conduct with 'the devil', homosexuality and even abortion" the decision reads.

'The Tribunal is left with the firm view that Mr (teacher's name) is not fit to be a teacher. The conduct on its own calls this into serious question,' the decision reads.

In response to the incident, Finau emphasised that all schools are legally obligated to cater to students with diverse needs and create a safe and inclusive environment.

Although the legislation does not specifically address the use of preferred names and pronouns, the ministry published guidelines last year to provide schools and educators with direction on this matter.

Sources

NewsTalk ZB

Daily Mail

New Zealand Herald

Supplied: Right to Life