Catholic bishops in the Netherlands have decided to cancel Christmas Midnight Masses once again this year as a precaution to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Dutch bishops announced on Dec 1 that no Catholic Masses or other parish functions will be allowed to take place after 5 pm, with public venues required to close Read more
The Constitutional Court of Colombia has overturned a lower court’s decision that forced Colombian influencer Erika “Kika” Nieto to take down a video in which she expressed her Christian belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. “No one should be censored or fear criminal penalties for expressing their beliefs,” said Santiago Guevara, Read more
A former MediaWorks employee who alleges she was sexually assaulted twice while working for the company says she is “devastated” after it declined her bid to make a late personal grievance claim – despite the broadcaster’s public support of survivors. Under New Zealand’s employment law, there is a 90-day time limit for an employee to Read more
The criminal court case surrounding Hillsong Church Global Senior Pastor Brian Houston has been postponed until 2022 as the global evangelical church network leader faces allegations that he helped cover up his father’s sexual abuse of a minor. Australian news service Eternity News reported that the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney deferred the pastor’s Read more
There has been “steady” interest in the sale of Teschemakers Resort, with its collection of old school buildings, a cottage and a chapel, real estate agent Robin Hyndman says. The former Catholic girls’ boarding school-turned accommodation, wedding venue and conference centre, south of Oamaru, has been owned by Penguin Pacific Ltd since 2017. Marketed through Read more
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has on Friday blamed foreign interference over his government’s decision to switch alliances from Taiwan to Beijing for anti-government protests, arson and looting that have ravaged the capital Honiara in recent days. But critics also blamed the unrest on complaints of a lack of government services and accountability, corruption Read more
Health leaders are urging thousands of unvaccinated pregnant women to get vaccinated after the first official data from England found Covid jabs are safe and effective. The analysis of more than 350,000 deliveries by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows women who have had a Covid vaccine are no more likely than unvaccinated women Read more
The suicide rate in Thailand, especially among teenagers, is on the rise, with experts attributing it to increased stress and despondency fueled by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and resultant economic problems. According to data from last year, the nationwide suicide rate has risen to 7.37 per 100,000 people from 6.64 the year before. Among Thai Read more
Poor mental health is almost three times more prevalent among people in New Zealand who experienced four or more “adverse childhood events” compared with people who experienced none, Auckland University research suggests. The study covered eight types of childhood adversity: Emotional, physical or sexual abuse, and growing up in a household where there was violence, Read more
Townsville Bishop Tim Harris has mandated all Townsville Diocese agency employees and volunteers, excluding staff of Townsville Catholic Education schools and colleges, be vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 17. “The safety and protection of our parishioners, employees and volunteers continues to be a high priority. We’ve seen witness to this over the past 18 months Read more