Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tolaga Bay celebrated 100 years this month with a special mass of thanksgiving led by Bishop Richard Laurenson from the Hamilton Diocese. About 70 people attended the mass including the Filipino choir which led the singing. Parish priest Mark Field said it was a good turnout on a perfect spring Read more
While numerous abuse allegations about a priest were upheld, New Zealand civil law meant it was almost a decade before his defrocking. The man faced complaints from more than one woman before being defrocked (removed from the clerical state). The former priest – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was defrocked last month. Read more
Abuse in church contexts “has been a widespread problem” that is now being dealt with, according to Professor David Tombs, the Howard Paterson Chair of Theology and Public Issues at the University of Otago. It’s been prevalent in the Catholic Church, in other churches and within wider society, he says. Tomb’s view is shared by Read more
The new Catholic Bishop-elect of Hamilton, Fr Richard Laurenson, does not wear clerical black. He puts his avoidance of black down to Josie, his cat. Late Wednesday night, Pope Francis appointed the 55-year-old Laurenson (pictured) the new Catholic Bishop of Hamilton. Trust is fundamental Laurenson says he is looking forward to his new role with Read more
The retiring Bishop of Hamilton, New Zealand, has been a bishop for 38 years, serving in three dioceses, The Cook Islands, Auckland and Hamilton. He has been a priest for 52 years. “Looking back over nearly 38 years as a Bishop in three different Dioceses, I am grateful for the wonderful support and loyalty that Read more
Fr. Stephen Lowe has been appointed the third Bishop of Hamilton in New Zealand. He replaces bishop Denis Browne who has retired. He is at present Director of formation at the National Seminary, Holy Cross College. Hearing of the announcement Bishop Browne said, “I am delighted that Hamilton will receive a Bishop with such pastoral Read more
The diocese of Hamilton, in New Zealand, has gained consent to demolish Euphrasie House. The Hamilton East Community Trust (HECT) is fighting to prevent the demolition of the 74 year old building. The former convent, rebuilt in 1939, used as a boarding house for girls attending Sacred Heart College until it closed in 2011, is Read more
The Reverend Mike Ryan, the first ordained permanent deacon of the Catholic Church in New Zealand, died in Rotorua last Tuesday. “I lost a very dear friend this week. We had known each other for only a few years but we got together regularly to talk about life and faith and all sorts of other Read more