A mother of a 5-month-old is pleasantly surprised that a woman would officially baptise her child in a Catholic parish church. The Baptism occurred last Sunday at St Hedwig’s Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Essen, in the Ruhr region of Western Germany. I had no particular expectations on this issue. Still, the fact that Read more
The Catholic Church throughout New Zealand made serious mistakes in its approach to Māori, and using te reo during Eucharist helps us become more inclusive even in our daily lives. The comments about parish sacramental celebrations come from Palmerston North’s Bishop emeritus, Peter Cullinane, in an article published in Tui Motu. Citing examples of the Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Education Office continues to be approached by schools and proprietors of schools who have been negatively impacted by the implementation of the New Zealand Equity Index (EQI). What seems apparent is that a number of schools in more impoverished and disadvantaged urban areas have lost significant funds from their operational grants, Read more
Every summit of bishops called by Pope Francis has been ripe with expectations about the possible reforms — and novelties — that it might introduce in the over 2,000-year-old institution. The pope’s latest effort, the Synod on Synodality, now underway and continuing through the end of 2024, has already fomented ardent debate on some of Read more
Catholic schools will still be able to teach the Catholic faith, a Director of Religious Education at a prominent Catholic Secondary school told CathNews. Her comments followed an article published on the weekend suggesting religious education was being replaced by religious studies. The article went on to suggest religious studies would primarily focus on the Read more
The Vatican has opened a new investigation into a disgraced cardinal’s alleged spying on Pope Francis. Becciu is already on trial on charges of financial mismanagement and corruption. However, on March 17, Becciu testified in the Vatican Court that he was innocent of the embezzlement, abuse of power and witness tampering charges. He said he Read more
More palliative care investment is needed in New Zealand, says Royal College of GPs medical director Dr Bryan Betty. He’s concerned about ACT Party leader David Seymour’s desire to widen the End of Life Choice Act criteria. Seymour argues the change is necessary, as many who want assisted suicide are “missing out”. Seymour says this Read more
It is a tale of two clubs, separated by decades. Retired Anglican Bishop and writer John Bluck hoped to launch his new book at Auckland’s prestigious Northern Club. That was until the club got wind of the title. He finds it all pretty funny, to be honest. What exactly did they say? He pulls a Read more
Wairarapa parishioners in Carterton were disappointed to see their parish house hauled away last week. Former parish council member Asrina Hutchinson told Stuff it was sad to see the building go after it played such an important role in the community over the years. “It was a very happy place and very much a parish Read more
Back in the late 1960s and 1970s, detractors of St. Paul VI dubbed him the “Hamlet Pope” for his alleged waffling and the perceived fashion in which he would agonise over difficult decisions. Whether that image of the pontiff was fair or not, it stuck, so much so that it featured in the opening paragraphs Read more