Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has produced several videos showing organisations that are living Catholic social teaching in their work. These are among the resources Caritas has created for the annual Social Justice Week, which runs from September 14-20 this year. The campaign focuses on Catholic social teaching and the Church’s tradition of justice. One of Read more
New Zealand
Former brother drops judicial review against NZ Justice Minister
Friday, August 1st, 2014Former St John of God Brother and convicted abuser Bernard McGrath has dropped a judicial review bid against Justice Minister Judith Collins. Australian authorities are trying to extradite McGrath from New Zealand to face 252 child sex charges. He is currently on bail. A Christchurch District Court judge put the final extradition decision in Ms Read more
Review of state school religious instruction ruled out
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
New Zealand’s Education Minister Hekia Parata says she is not considering a review of the Education Act, which allows religious instruction in state schools. Christchurch mother Tanya Jacob and the Secular Education Network are pressing for changes to the law in this regard. They have laid a complaint with the Human Rights Commission. Ms Jacob Read more
All Black Kevin Skinner farewelled at requiem Mass
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
All Black rugby hard-man of the 1950s Kevin Skinner was farewelled at a Catholic requiem Mass in Henderson in Auckland on July 25. New Zealand rugby nobility were at Holy Cross Catholic Church to pay tribute to Skinner, who played 20 tests and 63 games for the All Blacks between 1949 and 1956. Skinner died Read more
NZ’s Catholic bishops issue 2014 General Election statement
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops have written a statement on the 2014 General Election, with particular emphasis on remembering the poor and vulnerable. According to the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference website, the statement is written for Catholics to read and reflect upon. It begins with a quote from Pope Francis: “The goal of economics and Read more
NZ bishops’ committee sends message to Muslims
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations has sent a message to Muslim communities in New Zealand. Sent to mark the Muslim feast of Eid-al-fitr, which ends the Ramadan period, the message encourages prayers and work for peace. The text of the message reads: “Dear friends, “Eid al-fitr draws near. On behalf of the Read more
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand gives $20,000 to help Gaza
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has contributed an initial $20,000 to support a humanitarian response to the emergency in Gaza. Caritas Jerusalem is providing medical assistance, food and other necessities to the thousands of vulnerable people affected by the escalating conflict. More than 775 people have been killed during Israeli attacks, with more than 100,000 Palestinians Read more
Bishop Patrick Dunn celebrates 20 years as a bishop
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014Bishop Patrick Dunn of Auckland celebrated the twentieth anniversary of his ordination as bishop on July 25, the feast of the apostle James. On July 25, 1994, he was ordained as auxiliary to assist Bishop Denis Browne in Auckland. At a Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral last Friday, Bishop Dunn dwelt on two things he Read more
Anglican & Catholic bishops organise forum on child poverty
Friday, July 25th, 2014
The Catholic and Anglican Bishops of Wellington, New Zealand, Archbishop John Dew and Bishop Justin Duckworth, have organised Forum on Child Poverty. The aim of the forum is to highlight the issue of child poverty in New Zealand. An estimated 270,000 children (1 in 4 children) in New Zealand live in poverty. Click here to Read more
Supporting at risk youth in Whakatane
Friday, July 25th, 2014
Mate Tangitu (left), Wahanu Advocate and Marie Terei (Kaumatua Support) are members of Roopu Haurongo, (Breath of Life) a group that supports the whānau of at-risk youths in Whakatane region. Te Roopu Haurongo receive referrals from the Police, Child Youth and Family and the local community of young people who are getting into trouble or facing Read more