Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley is taking some time away from his diocese for personal and spiritual renewal. In a letter dated May 3 and addressed to his “dear brothers and sisters in Christ”, Bishop Dooley said that he was looking forward to returning after his time away “with new energy and focus”. Continue reading
New Zealand
Abuse survivors worried they lack a voice at inquiry
Monday, May 11th, 2020The Royal Commission investigating historic abuse in care has quietly suspended meetings of the group of survivors set up to advise it. The inquiry told survivor advisory group members in December that meetings would not be happening for the “foreseeable future”. Instead, the Royal Commission says it’s seeking advice from individual members and smaller working Read more
Hospice NZ asks court about legality of euthanasia-free service
Thursday, May 7th, 2020
Hospice New Zealand has applied for an urgent court hearing on whether it will be able to provide a euthanasia-free service should the proposed legislation be approved in a referendum scheduled to take place at the same time as the general election. The application – lodged by Hospice on April 9 – asks the High Read more
The pink haired lady, the Church, and the magic potion
Thursday, May 7th, 2020
Associate professor Siouxsie Wiles, known by many as the pink hair science lady, warns that the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing is peddling a disinfectant they claim can cure 99% of all illnesses including COVID-19. “And before you think we are immune to this in New Zealand, according to their website, we have Read more
Bishops ask parish priests to consult as they prepare for Alert Level Two
Thursday, May 7th, 2020
The New Zeland Catholic Bishops have suggested that parish priests consult with each other and with their parish councils about how they can provide the sacraments and pastoral care when COVID-19 Alert Level Two is announced. The bishops believe that each parish will need its own approach to ensure continued the safety of both the Read more
Aid charities advised to innovate to survive Covid-19
Thursday, May 7th, 2020The chief executive of Save the Children Australia has advised international aid charities to innovate now to survive Covid-19. Paul Ronalds was presenting virtually at an event hosted by New Zealand’s Council for International Development. Read more
NZ govt urged to apply more scrutiny in West Papua
Thursday, May 7th, 2020West Papua Action Auckland said the government should be engaging with Indonesian authorities more after a shooting attack at mining company PT Freeport Indonesia’s offices in Papua province killed a New Zealander Graeme Wall on 30 March. Continue reading
Contact your diocese’s education office if attendance dues an issue
Monday, May 4th, 2020
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops and the NZ Catholic Education Office have written to the families of pupils attending Catholic schools urging them to contact the education/school office at their local Diocese if they have problems paying attendance dues because of issues related to the COVID-19 Lockdown. The letter says the bishops are “mindful of Read more
All students and staff at Marist College asked to get tested
Monday, May 4th, 2020
All students and staff at Auckland’s Marist College are being urged to get tested for Covid-19. Vouchers that will enable them to get a test will be given out this week. The decision was made over the weekend, school principal Raechelle Taulu, the board of trustees chairman Stephen Dallow and Dr Julia Peters of the Read more
New CEO for Catholic Education Office
Monday, May 4th, 2020
Dr Kevin Shore has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of the NZ Catholic Education Office. (NZCEO) Shore will be Chief Executive of both NZCEO and the Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools (APIS). APIS serves a network of 70 non-Catholic “special character”, faith-based schools – private schools that have been integrated into the state Read more