State and church tension has been reignited in France over the dismissal of a high-profile principal. This has aggravated the debate over religious expression in French schools. Following weeks of protests, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris has spoken out in defence of this freedom of expression. Principal dismissal sparks tensions The dismissal of Christian Espeso, Read more
As a nation, we’re still figuring out what to do with Matariki. Regional anniversary days or King’s birthdays are easy. Many have their own rituals and routines: beach, boat or bach for the weekend is the aspiration for most of us. In one sense, Matariki is a long-overdue move towards a confident national identity. Most Read more
Secularism has been brought into the international spotlight by the ban on hijabs for French athletes at the upcoming Paris Olympics. France’s unique approach to “laïcité” — loosely translated as “secularism” — has been increasingly stirring controversy from schools to sports fields across the country. The struggle cuts to the core of how France approaches Read more
In a pastoral message released in December, Cardinal Gerald Lacroix of the Archdiocese of Quebec announced a dramatic transformation in how the Catholic Church in the province should understand itself. Faced with declining resources and a faithful but increasingly small cohort of weekly Mass attendees—between 2 and 11 percent of the province, according to The Read more
A 70-year old French nun has been banned from living in a rest home because it cited a strict ban on religious garb and “ostentatious” signs of religion. The home said she must remove her religious habit if she was to live at the publicly-funded residence. Although the nun’s application to live at the home Read more
Another year, another row over French secularism and the hijab in France. This time, the debate erupted after a far-right politician asked a woman who was accompanying her son and other children on a school trip to a regional council headquarters to remove her headscarf when entering the building. It is a reminder that, for Read more
Belgian Cardinal, Jozef De Kesel discusses with “New Europe” the role of the Catholic Church in modern Europe. Today’s Europe, where pluralism and secularism have changed the dynamic between Europe’s citizens and their relationship with one of the continent’s oldest institutions. What do you think it means to be Catholic in Europe today? What are Read more
After the response to the Christchurch murders, many Australians have looked more attentively to New Zealand for wisdom. Maori religious culture provides a way of exercising public religion. Public events include traditional Maori blessings, in which all are expected to join. Read more
Religion and overt expressions of it have crept into Rugby in New Zealand says Gregor Paul. It is common now, almost a show in itself for players to have wrist bands covered in religious iconography. The cross, albeit badly drawn with marker pen, is worn across Super Rugby on any given weekend. Some players, when they Read more
The Vatican’s second-ever international conference examining the rise of atheism and secularism will be held in late May. The first conference was held in 1969 during St Pope Paul VI’s leadership. This year the Vatican is joining forces with a University of Kent research initiative to host the “Cultures of Unbelief” conference. Scholars from a Read more