France’s Catholic Church has refused to sign a media declaration that challenges faith groups to give unreserved support for free speech. The declaration, proposed by the group Reporters without Borders (RSF), came after French religious leaders last week backed free speech, but stated it had to be exercised responsibly. The issue comes in the wake Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Church recognises the urgency of responding to the threat of ISIS in the Middle East, but it is important that powers under the anti terror laws were not misused in other situations. New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops and Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand say the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill is being rushed Read more
Critics are saying the new anti terrorism laws are being rushed through Parliament too quickly. There was widespread support in parliament at the first reading stage of the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill which passed its first reading on Tuesday by 107 votes to 14. There is some concern being expressed however at the limited time available for Read more
The president of the Federation of Islamic Associations (FIANZ), Anwar Ghani, is calling on the Prime Minister for a meeting after contacting his office 10 days ago. On Sunday Ghani told ONE News his organisation contacted the Prime Ministers office in hopes of a private meeting to raise concerns and to tell John Key to Read more
A magazine of the militant Islamic group ISIS has called for a war against the Catholic Church. With the headline “The Failed Crusade”, the photo-shopped cover of the latest issue of Dabiq shows a black ISIS flag at St Peter’s Square. The article issues threats against Rome and the Vatican, threatening to “conquer” Rome and Read more
Former Israeli president Shimon Peres has asked Pope Francis to head a United Nations of religions to counter religious extremism. In an interview with Italian magazine Famiglia Cristiana, Mr Peres said religion is a predominant justification used for wars today, whereas in the past nationhood was the main motivation. So he proposed a “United Religions” Read more
A top Vatican official at the United Nations has linked the recruitment of young people by Islamist terror groups with Europe having failed its young. The Holy See permanent observer at the UN office in Geneva, Archbishop Silvio Tomasi, said Europe needs to ask itself some hard questions. “Europe should ask itself why it has Read more
The Vatican has said there is no reason for concern following speculation in Italian media that Islamic State jihadists are targeting Pope Francis. Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi told the Catholic News Agency on August 26 that “this news has no foundation”. The rumours spread following an August 25 article in Italian newspaper “Il Tempo”, Read more
Islamic militants have blown up a shrine traditionally regarded as the burial place of the Old Testament prophet Jonah. ISIS militants ordered everyone out of the mosque of the Prophet Younis (Jonah) in Mosul in Iraq on July 24, before blowing it up. The mosque was built on an archaeological site dating back to the Read more
The Roman Catholic and Anglican Archbishops of New Zealand are calling for people to pray for the release and protection of the schoolgirls kidnapped in northern Nigeria. Anglican Archbishops Philip Richardson and Brown Turei, and Roman Catholic Archbishop John Dew, said last Sunday was an opportunity for churches across the country to pray for, and Read more