The Church Resources Ltd board, the current publisher of CathNews, recently made this decision.

The move follows the closure of NZ Catholic in June and the promise of a new publication.

Forward looking - a new chapter

This change marks a new chapter for CathNews, which has played a unique role in delivering news, analysis, and commentary of interest to the Catholic Church community.

The decision also aligns with broader changes within the Catholic media landscape in New Zealand.

The NZCBC's request to take over CathNews was the fourth received by the publication.

The announcement comes as CathNews reports impressive readership statistics: 4,490,401 articles were read between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024.

However, while transferring the asset, NZCBC Executive Officer Damian Dempsey confirmed that the Bishops Conference did not require the current CathNews writers. This left Church Resources Chair Fr Kevin Conroy SM with the difficult task of informing the lay staff that they would lose their jobs just before Christmas.

Thanks to writers, contributors and readers

For quite some time, CathNews has been shaped by the dedication of its writers, Juliet, Ronan, and behind the scenes, Gerard, who for some time were instrumental in producing CathNews twice weekly.

These people brought diverse life experiences and talents to the publication, often supporting each other to ensure continuity.

The team worked from various points within New Zealand, Australia, multiple parts of Asia, several European countries, and the US. CathNews never missed a publication, even during COVID.

Earlier, Pat McCarthy and Michael Otto also played significant roles as writers.

It is essential to say that just because they wrote about a topic from a particular perspective does not mean they wrote personally. They were doing their job.

Fr Denis O'Hagan SM also played a critical role in CathNews, helping establish its credibility and serving as its first editor. Denis had a particular interest in the gospel in broader society, and his passing earlier this year was a significant loss to the publication and its readers.

Several contributors, including Dr Joe Grayland, Professor Thomas O'Loughlin, Dr Phyllis Zagano, Joy Cowley, and occasionally Dr Christopher Longhurst, enriched CathNews with their experience and significant insightful commentary on the Church and society.

However, the unsung heroes of CathNews are its readers and those who have told their friends about it.

CathNews was compiled and managed on the 'charge of a regularly near empty rechargeable battery'. It was never advertised, so its growth was primarily by word of mouth.

Therefore, a thank you to the readers who enjoyed the publication sufficiently to promote it.

Others to thank are numerous people who offered comments and substantiated stories.

New Zealand is a small place where everyone knows our name, so most of these CathNews commentators wished to remain anonymous and changed their names and, occasionally, even their gender!

Regardless of name or gender, these real people with real perspectives gave gravitas to stories. Thank you.

There may still be a lesson in Denis O'Hagan's only opinion piece for CathNews, which we are re-publishing again today.

One distinct difference between publishing a newspaper and publishing online is the feedback statistics provide. CathNews heard you.

An occasional look at the list of countries where CathNews was read shows the reach of interest and the opportunity this medium presents, so a particular 'shout-out' to international readers recommending this New Zealand service to their friends, particularly in Australia and the United States.

Another highlight was the forward thinking of some priests who included seamlessly selected news in their parish newsletters.

Interestingly, on one occasion, the seamless syndication was promptly terminated when the priest shifted, and the communication role was transferred to a layperson.

CathNews enjoyed the support of a major sponsor. Without its significant backing and encouragement, CathNews would never have happened. On behalf of the readers, a sincere thank you. The sponsor always likes prayers.

CathNews was never Catholic News

While some referred to CathNews as "Catholic News," it never aimed to fit this mould. Instead, CathNews provided news and analysis of interest to the Catholic Church while addressing broader societal concerns, including AI, child poverty, housing, and modern technology.

A parish priest more than once suggested that CathNews only report on Catholic-specific issues and avoid controversial topics.

For those with similar views, we recommend reflecting on paragraph one of Gaudium et Spes.

CathNews was never limited to "news from inside a walled garden" but explored issues relevant to the Church in the modern world.

However, some critics felt CathNews was too liberal, not loyal, did not go far enough, or was not spiritual enough.

The publication carved a niche by maintaining editorial independence. Its mission was to inform and promote thoughtful reflection, and as such, it served as a possible seedbed for prayer.

To reference Pope Francis, there's room for 'everyone'.

Readers must opt-in to get the new CathNews

In January 2026, under NZCBC management, CathNews will undergo editorial changes.

While some readers may embrace the shift, others may not.

Following CathNews's privacy policy, existing readers must opt-in to receive the new version.

Opting out is not sufficient.

NZCBC CathNews

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

 

Flashes of Insight

As CathNews transitions, a small global initiative, Flashes of Insight, is in its planning stages.

It will target forward-thinking readers.

A weekly publication will offer concise reflections and in-depth commentary on critical issues. Details about how to subscribe will be announced soon.

Flashes of Insight will remain free.

Today's edition

Today's edition of CathNews is a little different. In effect it's virtual fish n chip paper, it's yesterday's news.

The stories on today's page are a range of popularly read stories that cover an range of topics that CathNews have covered over the past thirteen years.

Spark has also been unable to assure their customers that they will receive today's edition.

Complaint 'sparks' investigation

The issue first came to light when a CathNews reader complained about the missing newsletter.

Initially, the focus was on potential issues with the user's computer. However, when multiple readers reported the same problem, it became clear the issue was more significant.

CathNews uses a professional email list service that serves over 300,000 international clients including major companies like Microsoft, Dell and Amazon.

According to a CathNews investigation, the newsletters were successfully sent to all subscribers, including those using xtra.co.nz email addresses.

Josh, a representative from the email list provider, confirmed that the emails had been sent but were rejected by Spark's system due to concerns about potential spam content.

"This is a content-specific bounce, and I unfortunately don't have any more information about why they have rejected this" Josh explained.

He added "I have reviewed the messages with higher bounce rates and do not see anything I can suggest to resolve this".

 Spark's response frustrates customers

The New Zealand telecommunications giant refused to take responsibility for the issue preferring to 'point the finger' at the email list manager.

Spark could also not explain why only xtra.co.nz addresses were flagged while other email domains received the newsletters without issue.

Many customers expressed their frustration with Spark's stance.

Mary, a long-time Spark customer, commented "I pay Spark to receive my email, not filter email that I've signed up to receive".

Another subscriber, James, added "I'll get on to Spark, and it should be sorted before Christmas... ah, but which one?"

Some progress was made late last week when a customer complained directly to Spark. After a simple investigation while the customer was on the phone, a Spark representative acknowledged the issue and said the emails would be released.

No time frame was given.

A call for action

Many are asking for more transparency in how emails are filtered, with some suggesting that flagged emails should be sent to spam folders, allowing users to decide whether to keep or delete them.

"Rather high-handed on the part of Spark, in my opinion. I think they should go no further than identifying as possible spam and drop the material into my spam folder (as they do with lots of emails) and let me decide!" said one correspondent.

"Who do they think they are? My email is my email. I don't want Spark's values filtering my legitimate interests" says Tracey.

Spark apologised to customers in May last year after another delivery problem saying that, after four days, it had fixed most of the foul-ups caused by "routine maintenance" that went haywire.

CathNews rarely publishes obituaries; however, Denis, CathNews' first editor, was ‘known' to readers for nine years.

Mission at home

As a Marist and priest, Denis O'Hagan primarily considered himself as an ‘at home' missionary.

Although he spent some time working in the local church in Western Samoa, which he thoroughly enjoyed, the home mission in a modern New Zealand context also attracted him.

Trying new boots for size

Some years after returning to New Zealand and when presented with the idea of CathNews, he saw the potential.

He also saw many of the pitfalls, but he was not beaten.

He required little convincing to get involved and given his manner and considerable experience in working with Church authorities and political structures these additional skills were a considerable bonus in getting the project off the ground and sustaining it over a long period of time.

His passion for social communication and engagement with people was a challenge he embraced.

When CathNews started Denis was 65, an age many people consider hanging up their boots, not trying on new ones for size.

As well as his administrative insight Denis also set about acquiring a new skill set to prepare himself to be the editor of a twice-weekly, entirely online publication.

This involved blending communications, immersing himself in new Internet technologies he was unfamiliar with, and combining these with a deep understanding of the Gospel, Church teaching, theology, history, and modern society.

Editorial training and writing came courtesy of UCANews.com, and journalist Fr Michael Kelly SJ.

A public-space product using a publication style that had not been done before in the New Zealand church, and Denis generously loaned his name, credibility and a wealth of Church experience to it.

Denis' approach was to treat Catholic readers as adults. While sensitive to them, he did not favour hiding all sorts of tricky issues and was known to say that CathNews is not the news. It just reports it in a way that is of interest to New Zealand Catholics.

He believed in focusing the news in line with the first paragraph of the Church document "The Church in the Modern World" (Gaudium et Spes).

"The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.

"Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community composed of human beings.

"United in Christ, they are led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the Kingdom of their Father, and they have welcomed the news of salvation, which is meant for every person.

"That is why this community realises that it is truly linked with humanity and its history by the deepest of bonds." Gaudium et Spes Number 1.

New times, new missionary approach

Denis entered the seminary before Vatican II. New Zealand society and the World were different.

In Church terms these were times when one priest would offer Mass in Latin with his back to the people.

He learned the Latin Mass but was ordained into a Vatican II Church, where sometimes several priests celebrated the Mass together, facing the people and speaking English.

These were times of significant change in the life of the Church, times he negotiated well. While wondering about some modern-day challenges, Denis did not dwell on what was, seeking to restore it. Instead, his eye focused on today's people, their challenges, and the future.

The Church in the modern world was Denis' ‘ministry beat'.

Colleague and teacher

For some time, Denis worked alongside CathNews' writer Juliet Palmer.

She came to CathNews, having mainly worked with hardcopy.

Juliet says she found working with Denis accommodating in learning new skills for a new work environment. She said his instructions and ideas for writing a story were helpful, and he was gentle with his critiques.

"He was lovely to work with, reliable, happy, accepting, comfortable.

"It was a wonderful blessing to work with him."

Other contributions

Before being involved with CathNews, Denis led the New Zealand Society of Mary in New Zealand for six years.

As a leader, he understood that Marists were not financially invested in the Congregation to earn a return but were emotionally invested, and their passion led them to contribute.

He knew that, like those he worked with and among, he was not perfect. He also knew he would not be perfect by the time his life was over, but it never stopped him from wanting to improve.

Four years ago, he celebrated his 50th jubilee of priesthood and his 75th birthday.

At the occasion, Tim Duckworth, the current leader of the Society of Mary, spoke of Denis O'Hagan, saying that Denis walked the talk as a leader.

"Denis' compassion and kindness made a big change in our group. We became wiser, more gentle and caring of each other," he said.

"By the time I finish as Leader, if I can be half as kind and compassionate, I will be happy."

Denis' other significant contributions to the Church and New Zealand were remembered over the past few days and at his requiem Mass, celebrated Monday at St Mary of the Angels church in Wellington, New Zealand.

Here, we have chosen to focus on his work as readers knew him, the first editor of CathNews New Zealand.

Death

Around five weeks ago, Denis collapsed in the pool at Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre and was taken by ambulance to hospital.

After undergoing scans, the doctors discovered that he had metastatic melanoma, which, among other things, included tumours affecting his brain.

Rest in peace, Denis.

At a social occasion on Saturday night, Denis O'Hagan said he didn't remember much of his ordination day.

One thing he however remembered was his cousin, at one point an undertaker, saying, "Just let me know if you need a hand at any time".

The former leader of the Society of Mary in New Zealand, Denis O'Hagan was CathNews' inaugural editor.

As well as continuing to write at CathNews, he also works as chair of the LOGOS Marist Youth Development Organisation and volunteers at the Compassion Soup Kitchen.

People at the gathering spoke warmly of Denis O'Hagan's various ministries as a secondary school teacher, college rector, school chaplain, parish priest, Marist administrator and leader, retreat house director and editor.

One such is the Society of Mary's recently elected new leader, Fr Tim Duckworth.

"By the time I finish as Provincial, if I can be half as kind and compassionate, I will be happy", Duckworth told the gathering.

Duckworth said as Provincial Denis O'Hagan walked the talk.

"Denis' compassion and kindness made a big change in our group.

"We became wiser, more gentle and caring of each other", Duckworth said.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Michael O'Hagan described his younger brother as a wonderful friend, brother and inspirer of people.

Having officiated at family weddings and funerals, Michael O'Hagan said people value that Denis "speaks the truth, not the doctrine, and is guided by what is right rather than the rule".

Michael O'Hagan said his brother is very familiar with the ‘beyond world' but with his feet firmly on the ground.

He described him as a bridge between them both.

On Sunday people joined Denis O'Hagan at Mass in Newtown where for many years he had been a parishioner and visiting priest.

A keen proponent of taking the Church to public spaces, Denis O'Hagan recently stood down as editor of CathNews and announced he plans to retire from the pressure of writing the twice-weekly New Zealand publication.