I understand Christianity because Jesus was especially concerned with people on the margins of society. The sick, the poor, and the outcasts were high on his priority list. Thus, churches (being the extension of Jesus’ ministry), should focus their efforts on those exact same people. But the data says that is not happening. Just the Read more
To mark World Day of the Poor on Sunday, Pope Francis challenged Christians to be lighted candles of hope in the midst of darkness. Walking the talk and supported by generous local businesses, Caritas and the Sant’Egidio community, Francis hosted a lunch for 1,300 poor and homeless. As well as lunch, other initiatives for the Read more
Research shows people who struggle with reading and maths as teenagers suffer lasting disadvantage, especially if they are women or Māori. The New Zealand Work Research Institute at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) found low scores in maths and reading tests at age 15 were associated with worse incomes, qualifications, and crime and health statistics Read more
The Catholic Diocese of Auckland is celebrating its reception of their 2022 NZ Sign Language Employer award. The diocese received the NZ Sign Language Employer Award for including NZ Sign Language at all staff meetings and events and for its inclusive workplace environment and advocacy for the deaf. “The award acknowledges the amazing effort that Read more
Copies of the Homeless Jesus statue have spread around the world in the last eight years. The statue is a life-sized representation of a person lying asleep on a public bench. The image is the creation of Canadian artist and sculptor Tim Schmalz, who specialises in art addressing religious themes. He presents the sleeping figure Read more
Pope Francis opened Holy Week celebrations the Palm Sunday ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica. “For the second time we are living in the context of the pandemic. “Last year we were more shocked, this year we are more tried, and the economic crisis has become heavier,” he said after reciting the Angelus at the end Read more
A New Zealand religious leader is calling on members of his congregation to focus on what is necessary for life rather than being caught up with pious denials; particularly during Lent. He says he was cheered by a recent reading at Mass where a group is bewailing the fact that their “good deeds” go unnoticed Read more
Pope Francis, Sunday, marked the Church’s World Day of the Poor by hosting 1,500 homeless and disadvantaged people for lunch. The menu included lasagna, chicken in a cream of mushroom sauce, potatoes, sweets, fruit and coffee. Some 150 tables were set up in a Vatican hall where Francis normally holds his weekly indoor audiences with Read more
An estimated one in 100 New Zealanders are homeless with 24 per cent of the total homeless population being children and there are warnings this number could be higher. According to 2013 census data, which was collated by the University of Otago, Wellington’s Dr Kate Amore in her Severe Housing Deprivation in New Zealand study, Read more
The Tax Working Group chaired by Sir Michael Cullen is due to produce its interim report this month. This will consider the issue of whether New Zealand should continue not to tax most capital gains (tax the fruit from the tree, but not any growth in the tree that bears the fruit). The Labour Party, Read more