New Zealand

Economists say finish $240m Christ Church Cathedral rebuild

Christ Church Cathedral

Economists say the Christ Church Cathedral rebuild should go ahead. In a report for Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd (CCRL), economists from the NZ Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) say despite escalating costs, it’s worth finishing the $240 million project. The Government should help close the funding gap, their report says. After analysing the pros Read more

Children’s Commissioner wants cross-party help to end child poverty

children's commissioner

The Children’s Commissioner has spoken about the problem of child poverty in New Zealand. A recent Growing Up in New Zealand survey shows New Zealand child poverty has become worse over the past four years. Improving this has to be a cross partisan aspiration, says Chief Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad (pictured). She notes the Read more

Analysis and Comment

The optimism of Timothy Radcliffe

Timothy Radcliffe

Fr Timothy Radcliffe, the Dominican friar, was chosen by Pope Francis to lead the three-day retreat for all participants prior to the first assembly last October of the Synod on Synodality. This was a position of great trust given the eyes of the Catholic world were gazing at this potentially earth-shattering event. Who is Fr Read more

Theologian: The future of the church is local

church

In Europe, the number of church members is declining – but Christianity remains strong worldwide. However, the structures do not remain stable, but are constantly changing. Thomas Schlag is Professor of Practical Theology at the University of Zurich, where he heads the Centre for Church Development, where he conducts research into participation and church development. Read more

The perils and necessities of saying ‘I don’t know’

Gender dysphoria

When I was studying political science in graduate school, I was surrounded by students who were much smarter than me. Most of my fellow students at the University of California Berkeley went to Ivy League schools as undergraduates. They were well read, articulate and confident. When they asked where I went to school, I responded, Read more

Survey: New priests are young and involved in their community

survey

The incoming class of seminarians who will be ordained in 2024 is young and involved in their community, an annual survey released April 15 found. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops commissioned the Center for Applied Research (CARA) at Georgetown University for an annual survey. From January to March of this year, CARA surveyed almost Read more

Whanganui parish priest going to priests’ pre-Synod gathering

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference has selected Whanganui Parish Priest Fr Craig Butler to attend a pre-synod world meeting of parish priests at the Vatican. Butler (pictured) will represent New Zealand’s Catholic priests at the gathering from 28 April to 2 May. He and 300 confreres from across the globe will share views and Read more

  • Oddly

    • The challenge of transhumanism

      The term “transhumanism” has been gaining prominence in recent times, sparking debates about the future of humanity and the ethical implications of new technologies designed to modify the human body. Transhumanism is a scientific and cultural movement that proposes the Read more

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  • Bishop will most certainly forgive Sydney attacker

    Assyrian Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel will “most certainly” forgive the teen who stabbed him several times during a church service in Sydney on Monday, says a neighbouring clergyman. Emmanual and another priest injured while trying to defend him were rushed to hospital after the incident. The 16-year old offender was arrested at the scene. “I Read more

  • Record baptisms – France has something going for it

    baptisms

    France has experienced a remarkable surge in baptisms, with over 12,000 individuals baptised during this year’s Easter Vigil, reflecting a long-term upward trend. Despite ongoing discussions about rising secularism, the French Catholic Church has witnessed a steady increase in adult baptisms over the past decade as revealed in a French Bishops’ Conference report. Among the Read more

  • Brain death dispute endangers organ donations

    Brain death

    Catholic bioethicists are raising concerns over the absence of a unified understanding of brain death. They say the impact on organ donation is profound. The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) issued a statement on April 11 titled “Integrity in the Determination of Brain Death: Recent Challenges and Next Steps”. The NCBC highlighted a breakdown in Read more

  • World meeting of parish priests preparing for Synod on Synodality

    World Meeting of Parish Priests

    A world meeting of parish priests will later this month prepare for this year’s Synod on Synodality. The priests at the April 29–May 2 Rome-based meeting will reflect on the theme “How to Be a Synodal Local Church in Mission”. The invitation The synod’s General Secretariat has invited several parish priests to attend the second Read more

  • Pope backs Peruvian villagers against church land grab

    Peruvian villagers

    Pope Francis has voiced his support for a group of Peruvian villagers. The villagers claim they are facing attempts to seize their land by companies associated with a prominent South American church organisation. The villagers, part of the San Juan Bautista de Catacaos farmers community in northern Peru, allege they have been targeted through legal Read more