In an interview with Newstalk ZB’s Kerre McIvor former minister Steven Joyce said politicians’ short-comings were being “weaponised” and those levelling accusations and exposing the actions needed to press pause. “Nobody is perfect, and there are aspects of everybody’s lives that they’re not proud of. I would just say to the people that bring these Read more
Outgoing Labour MP Clare Curran says she is afraid an MP will kill themselves before the news media takes a serious look at itself. She said political reporting had evolved into a level of commentary that was destructive, and while MPs were reflecting on their own culture, she hoped the media would too. “What is Read more
In a message the Vatican translated into eight languages, Pope Francis has sharp words for politicians he says are stoking racism. Migration has become a top political issue in many countries including the United States, Italy, Australia and Germany. Francis’s speech was released in the lead-up to the 2018 World Day of Peace which will Read more
Hundreds of Catholics and politicians gathered to discuss the problems and the future of Europe at the end of last month. They called the event “(Re)Thinking Europe.” Pope Francis was one of the many speakers. A theme emerged from what they had to say: Religion is still essential to Europe. Read more
When Sir John Key knelt to receive his knighthood in mid-August, he reflected on what he had achieved as prime minister, while also regretting that he hadn’t solved child poverty and other social issues. Sir John says “No one wants to see children that are hungry or families without homes.” He believes that his government Read more
Sarah Higgins’ funeral took place on Thursday at the Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Moukaraka, on the northern side of the Hokianga Harbour. Higgins died suddenly on the weekend and her body was taken home to her parents near Pawarenga, in Northland. The 25 -year-old was a real estate agent for Barfoot Read more
An American bishop says the current Church practice of denying Communion to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics is unacceptable. Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, said the challenge for the Church is to maintain and proclaim Jesus’ teaching about the indissolubility of marriage, while providing spiritual care for those who fall short of the Read more
The prefect of the Vatican’s supreme tribunal, the Apostolic Signatura, says a “false sense of dialogue” has led to “grave scandal” on many Catholic college campuses in the United States. Cardinal Raymond Burke, said it is impossible to reconcile the Catholic identity of a Catholic college with decisions to honour political figures who have taken Read more
An American archbishop has said a Catholic who publicly advocates same-sex marriage and then receives Communion is engaged in “a double-dealing that is not unlike perjury”. Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit said that Catholic politicians who advocate legal recognition of same-sex marriage should not receive Communion. The archbishop’s statement closely followed a similar opinion from Read more
The Prime Minster John Key, and the leader of the opposition Phil Goff both spoke about their beliefs at the Family First Conference. Neither believes he is going to heaven. Goff believes there is “a force that is beyond mankind” – but “I don’t believe in an afterlife.” Key said “I can’t tell you what Read more