For those who want to make a difference, but perhaps feel helpless about it, here is a chance to act on your dream. The Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s Programmes team may be able to match your skills to situations in the Pacific and elsewhere that could give you an opportunity to make good use of Read more
An Indonesian bishop says he will suspend a priest who has decided to run for political office. Bishop Ludovicus Manullang of Sibolga in North Sumatra said he would suspend Fr Rantinus Manalu. The priest is to run for public office in local elections next year. Fr Manalu is known for his anti-corruption stance and support Read more
Over 37 years-ago when Annunciation House – a sanctuary and home of hospitality that has served over 100,000 refugees, homeless poor and undocumented workers – was started in El Paso, Texas, founding director Ruben Garcia and a few friends wanted to place themselves among the poor, to see where the poor would lead them. He Read more
In a crackdown to stamp out unsafe and, at times, inhumane labour practices, all foreign fishing vessels must now be reflagged with the New Zealand flag. This legislation is the first of its kind in the world. It makes New Zealand a world leader in addressing this global problem said the national director of the Read more
Daniel Berrigan, a poet and Jesuit priest who for decades was among the most prominent voices for absolute pacifism in the American Catholic church, died on Saturday at 94. The cause was a cardiovascular ailment, said Father James Yannarell, a priest affiliated with the Fordham Jesuit community. Berrigan, who clashed with various American administrations, was Read more
New Zealanders and their pets have consumed more than 600 tonnes of seafood sourced from a Thai conglomerate condemned for its use of slave labour. Some indentured workers have even been locked in cages. Figures released by the New Zealand Customs Service under the Official Information Act show seafood giant Thai Union has been a consistent Read more
Donald Trump has been pictured crucifying Jesus Christ in a hard-hitting campaign against him by an Auckland church. St Luke’s in Remuera has put up an Easter-themed cartoon which aims to show how Trump’s views contradict the messages of Jesus Christ. St Luke’s minister Glynn Cardy said Christ would have been considered a “loser” by Read more
In September last year, Wellington’s Anglican and Catholic Bishops asked the Red Cross how they could help the Syrian refugees coming to New Zealand. They were asked to kit out homes, and people have been giving from right across the region. So far religious groups in the lower North Island have gathered household supplies for Read more
Since the early 2000s, Bishop Viard College has welcomed the refugee community of Porirua. “Their refugee backgrounds add life and experience to the school,” said Jane Bourke, a whanau leader at the college who has an interest in refugee students. Three Burmese students who joined at the end of last term are the latest additions Read more
I am thinking now that I have to speak very gently. I need to tread warily and allow you the chance to absorb what I want to say. There are things that can tear us apart. There are people who are more interested in turning us on each other. It is so easy to distort Read more