Catholic teaching on sexuality needs a new perspective, says German Bishop Helmut Dieser. “Same-sex feelings and love are not an aberration, but a variant of human sexuality,” he says. Homosexuals have a right to church support and blessing. Dieser (pictured), who is the spokesman on abuse issues for the German bishops’ conference, says the current Read more
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are again stressing the importance of bishops to the Palmerston North and Hamilton dioceses. At their November meeting the bishops re-emphasised the need for two bishops to the Pope’s diplomatic representative to New Zealand, His Excellency, Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa (pictured). New Zealand bishops are appointed through the Dicastery for Evangelisation headed Read more
In our Faith, we have created many names for the second person of the Trinity. They are names that reflect our adoration. Jesus is Christ our Saviour, Redeemer, Lamb of God, Word made Flesh, Prince of Peace, Fountain of all Holiness… Such names are deeply etched on our minds and hearts. If someone mentions “Sacred Read more
October 31 was Reformation Day. On that day in 1517 Martin Luther may or may not have nailed his 95 Theses on indulgences to the door of the Wittenberg church. He certainly did send them to the Archbishop of Mainz, thus initiating a movement that became the Protestant Reformation. When I was a schoolboy, I Read more
Speaking to reporters on the plane returning from a four-day trip to Bahrain, Pope Francis, Sunday, praised the women he has appointed to managerial jobs in the Vatican. They have had improved things there, he said. One he mentioned by name was Sister Raffaella Petrini, who as the deputy governor of Vatican City is effectively Read more
The Presbyterian Church community in Dunedin is looking in to a historic paedophile ring operating within the church community. The Church has appointed a senior King’s Counsel (KC) to investigate allegations that arose during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care hearing last month. The Church has agreed terms of reference with the Read more
Catholic charity Good Shepherd NZ and the BNZ say from now on all Good Loans will be interest- and fees-free. A partnership between the bank and Good Shepherd NZ is making the major policy change possible. In one loan option, the BNZ is supporting interest-free Good Loans of up to $7,000 to eligible families and Read more
Photos of three men who have been publicly accused of historical sexual abuse by multiple survivors have been removed from display by Kavanagh College. The three men, Brs Richard Glen, Francis Henery and Victor Sullivan, have died. In March, Dunedin bishop Michael Dooley (pictured) announced a name change for the College. Dooley’s move came after Read more
It takes a long time to appoint a bishop, says Steve Lowe, Bishop of Auckland and Secretary of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference. Lowe is responding to a piece by Luke Coppen in The Pillar, suggesting the Vatican has forgotten about New Zealand’s need to find two bishops. Coppen points out that the Diocese of Read more
Ministers of religion in Western Australia are now legally required to report child sexual abuse, even if the information was gained during confessions. Under new laws now in force, failure to make a mandatory report is an offence with a maximum penalty of $6000. A minister of religion will not be excused from criminal responsibility Read more