In his traditional Easter message, Pope Francis has prayed for people suffering from war, violence, abandonment and disease around the world. An estimated 150,000 people were gathered on Easter Sunday in St Peter’s Square. The Pope delivered his traditional blessing and address Urbi et Orbi, “to the city and to the world” from the balcony Read more
On Maundy Thursday I was struck by these words from a hymn (133, Common Praise). We strain to glimpse your mercy-seat, and find you kneeling at our feet. In the action of having our feet washed or in washing the feet of another, we acted out concretely the love and very presence of Christ. Christ, then, the Read more
Pope Francis has emphasised the “fundamental” importance of women in the Catholic Church, saying they have a privileged role because of their ability to pass on the faith through love. He said women have always had a special mission in the Church as “first witnesses” of Christ’s Resurrection, and because they pass the faith on Read more
Searching for Sugar Man is a strange story. On the face of it, a documentary about a musician famous in one country and completely unknown in his own. Within the layers it becomes an Easter tale. David Letterman called it jaw droppingly fascinating and that about sums up this movie about Sixto Rodriquez, a musical political from Read more
‘Why on earth do people use crosses to mark road deaths,’ asked my friend as we were setting the world to rights over a glass of vino. ‘It seems strange,’ she said, ‘it’s not as though they’d all be believers.’ Her question penetrated. I turned to talk to her but instead found myself looking back Read more
A warning from Pope Benedict XVI about lack of faith among Catholics in France has coincided with new research revealing a decline in fervour among Catholics in the United States and a weakening of belief among Catholics in Ireland. Speaking to visiting French bishops, the Pope described ignorance of religion, even “among the Catholic faithful”, Read more
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, on the site where Jesus was crucified and rose again, may close for a day in protest over a disputed $NZ2.8 million water bill. Such a move would bar thousands of pilgrims and visitors from the church that is considered to be the most holy Christian shrine Read more
An experience of archeology gives rise to a reflection on the resurrection of the body. The writer, Bill Tammeus, finds “there is something reassuring about finding the atoms that make up 2,000-year-old pottery shards, something that says that in God’s economy, matter matters,” and “we comfort ourselves with the understanding that what God created and called Read more
Soon after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, our Prime Minister, John Key, spoke of the resurrection of Christchurch. He meant the rebuilding and regeneration of the city. As a Christchurch man himself, this came from the heart. In talking of resurrection, he wanted to give people hope amidst the terrible damage the city had sustained. Read more
Holding a tall lit candle, Pope Benedict introduced light to a pitch-black and packed Vatican Square, Easter Saturday night. Picking up from the darkened surrounds, the Pontiff wove his homily around the theme of darkness and light. “Life is stronger than death. Good is stronger than evil. Love is stronger than hate. Truth is stronger Read more