Christianity is seen as a national identity in our country, says the prime minister of the Solomon Islands Gordon Darcy Lilo. “In towns and villages many people acknowledge the sovereign hand of God over our nation and acknowledge his plan for our destiny,” he said. “The vast majority of Solomon Islands population are Christians.” He Read more
Pope Francis has said divisions between Christian churches are a scandal caused by disagreement and human ambition. In an audience with the Church of England’s Archbishop Justin Welby in Rome on June 16, the Pope said: “The goal of full unity may seem distant indeed, yet it remains the aim which should direct our every Read more
259. Spirit-filled evangelizers means evangelizers fearlessly open to the working of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Spirit made the apostles go forth from themselves and turned them into heralds of God’s wondrous deeds, capable of speaking to each person in his or her own language. The Holy Spirit also grants the courage to proclaim Read more
284. With the Holy Spirit, Mary is always present in the midst of the people. She joined the disciples in praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14) and thus made possible the missionary outburst which took place at Pentecost. She is the Mother of the Church which evangelizes, and without her we Read more
Pleroma Christian Supplies and Pleroma Social Services are now working from purpose-built premises. It is the first time in nearly 40 years, both trusts have enjoyed tailor-made facilities. Kopua Abbot, Brian Keogh and kaumatua Rev John Flavell blessed the new building on 1 April. Abbot Brian spoke of the meaning of “Pleroma”. He stressed the Read more
In October 2014, there will be a meeting of the Synod of Bishops in Rome to examine “Pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelisation”. To assist them prepare for the Synod the Bishops of New Zealand have asked Catholics across New Zealand to respond to a marriage questionnaire. The New Zealand Catholic Read more
Pastor Su’e Su’e, his wife Antonina and their children have moved from Samoa to begin a Samoan-language church in Whittier, Alaska. The newly founded church is Malamalama Fou, which translates as “New Light Church.” In August, the first-time pastor and his family moved up to Alaska. “We did everything by faith,” said Su’e, “Everything is Read more
Don’t cry for the Catholic Church in Argentina or anywhere else in Latin America. The church may have lost privileged status in many nations, and is dropping some market share to a rapidly growing Pentecostal movement. But the combination of increasing religious freedom and competition is also fuelling a Catholic renewal movement, and equipping the Read more
Pope Francis spoke English in public for the first time on October 18, when he sent a video message to a conference on evangelisation in the Philippines. On the same day he met representatives of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy and praised their translation of liturgical texts. In the video message to Read more
With promotional events like “Wine and theology evenings” and “Beer and barbeque” church services, congregants of New Zealand’s Presbyterian Church are now embracing alcohol as an evangelism tool to attract more members and increase their bottom line according to a new study coming out of that country. Highlighting new research by religion expert, Dr. Geoff Read more