Thousands of the 27,000 New Zealanders who ceased receiving the 12-week COVID-19 Income Relief Payments (CIRP) have not returned paid work. The Salvation Army says although the application period for CIRP ended last week, only one in ten people who have finished their CIRP are in work. Some people have been able to transition onto Read more
A Polish gym has dubbed itself a church in a bid to stay open under new anti-virus restrictions that have seen the fitness industry scramble for creative loopholes. “Because fitness classes aren’t allowed, starting today we’re offering religious gatherings for members of the Church of the Healthy Body,” the Atlantic Sports club said on Facebook. Read more
In the spiritual realm, crucifixions and resurrections are not separate, and, as Jesus demonstrated, what is resurrected is always greater than what has died. We have all experienced this way of growth in some form or other. We need to be emptied in order to be filled. Ignatian teacher Margaret Silf writes in her book Read more
The economic downturn caused by Covid-19 has had an uneven impact, in part reflecting the unprecedented nature of the crisis. The housing market and many domestic-orientated industries are doing well. And for many households and businesses, the economic downturn has so far had little impact on job security, incomes, or spending. For some, the increased Read more
A sexual assault trial for the former papal envoy to France went ahead despite his absence on Tuesday. Archbishop Luigi Ventura (75) had produced a doctor’s note saying it was too dangerous for him to travel from Rome to the trial in Paris during the coronavirus epidemic. Lawyers for the accusers of the retired papal Read more
Changes to global fertility rates could be on the way. Some countries are likely to experience a spike in births, while others are likely to see fewer births. Few women want to have a child in a time of uncertainty. In the rich world many are delaying starting a family or adding to it. But Read more
Concerns about New Zealand’s post-Covid inequalities are piling up. There is disquiet that the monetary response to Covid-19 is fuelling inequality by driving up share-markets and house prices. Recent Stat’s NZ data shows high-spending households are benefiting from zero inflation on the mix of products and services they buy. In contrast, price rises are still Read more
Pope Francis’ Christmas liturgies at the Vatican will be offered without public participation this year, as countries continue to react to the coronavirus pandemic. According to a letter seen by CNA and sent by the Secretariat of State to embassies accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis will celebrate the Vatican liturgies of the Christmas Read more
Helping churchgoers make safe, digital donations during the Covid-19 pandemic has proved a boon for Kiwi company Pushpay, which doubled its first-half profit. After-tax profit jumped to US$13.4 million (NZ$19.6m) in the six months ended September 30, up from US$6.5m last year, while revenue rose 51 per cent to US$86.6m. Founded in Auckland by Christians Read more
Catholics bishops in England and Wales want the Government to justify closing churches in the latest lockdown. All places of worship must end acts of collective worship. There are exceptions – for limited-attendance funeral ceremonies, to broadcast acts of worship, for individual prayer, for formal childcare/school and for essential voluntary and public services, eg food Read more