An offshoot of a “cult-like” American church present in Palmerston North has former members fearing for those still involved. Palmerston North’s Victory Christian Church is one of seven international branches of the Faith Christian Church in Tucson, Arizona, which former parishioners have raised concerns about. The University of Arizona is investigating the church’s on-campus dealings Read more
New Zealand
Dunedin’s Dominican Priory cleaned, repaired to attract buyer
Tuesday, March 17th, 2015Work has begun tidying and repairing the long-neglected former Dominican Priory in Dunedin, as the Catholic Church makes another attempt to sell the historic building. Scaffolding and a skip have arrived outside the priory for what Catholic Diocese of Dunedin general manager Gerald Scanlan said was ”a bit of a clean-up”. The 138-year-old building has Read more
Family of 14 leave West Coast’s Gloriavale commune
Friday, March 13th, 2015
A family of 14 has left the West Coast’s Gloriavale Christian commune to make a new home in Timaru. Last Monday, a Facebook post circulated with details of the family’s plight, asking people for donations of housing, food, money, clothes, household items and a vehicle. The Facebook page has since been deleted. “This family came to Read more
- Gloriavale - a world apart http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11300893 Families leave Gloriavale Christian Community
- Gloriavale leader's daughter on life outside the commune - TV3 Interview
- Will Gloriavale's West Coast commune survive?
- Gloriavale religious commune: 'No one is here against their will'
Joint venture into rural spirituality
Friday, March 13th, 2015
The University of Otago and the Bishop’s Action Foundation (BAF) have signed an agreement to undertake collaborative research in public theology, the sustainability of rural communities and helping communities flourish. BAF is an Anglican charitable trust based in New Plymouth to create and support initiatives that meet community needs throughout Taranaki. It works through a community Read more
Cardinal Dew – many would be disappointed if old ways returned
Friday, March 13th, 2015
Wellington’s Cardinal, John Dew, has been quoted in David Gibson’s U.S.Catholic blog which has also appeared in the Washington Post, Pope Francis has history, but not time, on his side in reform push. “There would be some people who would want to return” to the old ways, said Dew. But, “if things were to be Read more
NZ abortion rate falls, but harassment continues
Friday, March 13th, 2015The Abortion Supervisory Committee, in its annual report released this week, said there was a “sharp decline” in the number of 15-19 years olds having abortions. The committee said this was an encouraging trend. It partially attributed this decline to greater use of contraceptive implants. However, the committee also said anecdotal evidence suggested many women Read more
Euthanasia law divides folks with disabilities
Friday, March 13th, 2015Christchurch man Ken Joblin, who has been blind since birth, said a euthanasia law would make people with disabilities feel less valued. “For people like me, who live with disability, there are times in our lives when we’re not feeling all that great, and if it is for extended periods of time we would be Read more
Monsignor Arahill retires after 59 years
Friday, March 13th, 2015On Sunday February 15, several hundred parishioners of St Michael’s parish, Remuera, gathered with Monsignor Brian Arahill and his family and friends to farewell him as he retired from 59 years of active ministry in Auckland diocese. There were speeches from Bishop Patrick Dunn and parishioners, and items and accolades from parishioners and staff and Read more
St Mary of the Angels – first phase of restoration begins
Tuesday, March 10th, 2015
The $3.1 million so far raised by Wellington donors has allowed the first phase of work, to bring St Mary of the Angels to 100 per cent of code, to begin on March 18. The first phase involves strengthening of the church’s foundations and shear walls. And now that a third of the project’s estimated Read more
Euthanasia advocate – people should be allowed to return God’s gift
Tuesday, March 10th, 2015
The architect of voluntary euthanasia legislation in Holland is touring New Zealand saying if life is a gift from God then it may be returned by the owner. Dr Rob Jonquiere has spoken at several gatherings in New Zealand over the past two weeks. He was brought here by the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of New Read more