The Vatican launched a rare review of a German Catholic diocese on Monday following accusations its bishop spent lavishly on a new residence, putting him out of step with the new “church of the poor” promoted by Pope Francis. The inquiry is officially called a “fraternal visit” to Limburg diocese by Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, the Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Poor’
When God breaks into your house
Tuesday, September 10th, 2013
I never thought I would want to thank the person who burgled my apartment building. This summer, I wish I had. It was a Saturday morning, and I awoke to a neighbour’s cry before the sun had fully risen. From the exchange outside my apartment, I could tell someone had broken into our building. I Read more
The trouble with the poor
Tuesday, September 10th, 2013
The trouble with the poor is that they are messy. There is a secluded area between the church and our hall, a passage, occasionally we find someone has got a few cardboard boxes together and has slept there and if it has been raining leaves a sodden blanket, cardboard there to be cleaned up, often Read more
‘Lying and messy’ poor sent by God to test us, Catholic priest says
Friday, September 6th, 2013A priest has launched an un-Christian attack on the poor and homeless and described them as ‘lying and messy’ people sent by God to test his faith. Outspoken Father Ray Blake said one who regularly turned up at his church pleading for money was ‘an irritating little ——‘. He accused the beggar of making a Read more
Auckland Justice & Peace Commission concerned about gambling
Friday, September 6th, 2013
The Gambling (Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill passed its final reading on Wednesday night. In its original form, the Bill would have required gaming machine proceeds to be solely distributed locally. It would also have forced machine operators to track players and provide pre-paid cards. But these provisions were scrapped during the select-committee stage, to ensure the Read more
Is World Youth Day worth it?
Friday, August 2nd, 2013
My Facebook newsfeed in recent days has been filled with exciting stories and photos about World Youth Day (WYD)—which ended today with a Mass in Rio. Yet again, we have had some amazing quotes from Pope Francis on his visit to Brazil reminding us about the church’s social and ethical obligations towards the poor. However, Read more
Hunger makes people work harder — yeah right!
Friday, July 19th, 2013
There is no better way to channel the mind-bending logic of 18th century thinkers on poverty (men who we can assume were not poor themselves, by virtue of the fact that history remembers them) than to simply quote their words. Meet Philippe Hecquet, a well-known French doctor speaking in 1740: The poor … are like Read more
Caritas Lenten Appeal tops $1,000,000
Friday, June 21st, 2013
Caritas Director Julianne Hickey says the generosity of New Zealanders will bring joy to the hearts of many, as this year’s Lenten Appeal tops one million dollars for the first time. The Appeal is run by Caritas on behalf of New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops to support the Church’s work of promoting social justice and full Read more
Bishops urge G8 leaders to consider the poor
Friday, June 7th, 2013Catholic bishops’ conferences in the G8 nations have urged G8 leaders “to take steps to improve nutrition, reduce hunger and poverty, and strengthen just tax, trade and transparency policies for the common good of all”. “In a world that has made great strides in improving food production and distribution, far too many of God’s children Read more
AS Government officials’ frequent flyer miles given to the needy
Friday, May 24th, 2013
American Samoa plans to take away frequent flyer miles from government workers who travel on behalf of the US territory and give them to medical patients who need to travel overseas for treatment. Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga says the territory will use the the frequent flyer miles to help medical patients travel off-island when needed, Read more