New Zealand Catholic Opinion

On June 12, Omar Mateen, 29, walked into a gay nightclub in Orlando,Florida, and shot and killed 49 people in the second-worst mass shooting in United States’ history.* The fact that this happened...

One of the most fraught ethical issues of our day is privacy. On a personal level we feel betrayed if a friend broadcasts secrets we have shared. But we...

There has been much clamour recently over the call from the Abortion Supervisory Committee to review the law about abortions in New Zealand. Activists have been forthright in demands to...

by Brendan Malone Whenever people ask me what I think is the biggest challenge we face today in regard to abortion, it can be tempting to think in terms that are far too narrow. For...

by Dan Stollenwerk I hate it too. And who wouldn’t? A cardinal sleeping with seminarians — an open secret; priests raping children — and bishops quietly moving them to outlaying parishes; parishioners finally...

by DOROTHY COUP When I happily tell people I have 20 grandchildren, their response is often: “I bet Christmas is expensive. How do you afford it?” Then they give a...

by Emma O’Connell Ever had to employ the intercession of a saint? When my husband and I got married four years ago we thought we’d quickly and naturally fall pregnant...

One of the unfortunate things about government in New Zealand is the low turnout in local body elections.  All the indications are that the turnout for this month’s elections tested record low percentages. That...

Under the heading “Don’t aim Mass translations too ‘low’”, Tony Molloy emphasises the need for language that stretches our minds and hearts, “making us reach beyond our everyday selves”...

For the past few weeks I have been visiting the NZ Catholic offices in Ponsonby as a hopeful future journalist, looking to learn the ropes and see firsthand the inner workings of a newsroom. I...

One of the striking images from US President Donald Trump’s recent visit to the Vatican was of him and his wife standing hand in hand gazing up at Michelangelo’s...

by Mike Baird There’s a community of people I’ve come to know since my work shifted into the CBD.  I meet them on my way to and from the coffee shop. They’re walking...

Editorial Is there a problem with the Vatican’s chosen theme for Church World Day of Peace 2016? The selected theme, announced earlier this month, is “Overcome indifference and win peace”. How can...

The diversity of the list of new cardinals announced by Pope Francis this month expresses the universality of the Church, an important theme in this pontificate. The College of Cardinals...

In December 2009, a current National Member of Parliament sent a handwritten Christmas card to Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, which said: “Thank you for your letter . . . urging me to vote against...

by Bishop Peter Cullinane Where would the followers of Christ begin to think about this year’s General Election? I suggest our thinking needs to come out of our discipleship; otherwise we...

by LYN SMITH Why is everyone talking about Catholic Social Teaching these days? Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a term we appear to hear more frequently since Francis became Pope...

On the Feast of St James I shall celebrate the 23rd anniversary of my ordination as a bishop. It is not a major celebration, but it is another...

Becoming a mother can be an identity crisis for the modern woman. A generation or two ago women seemed to more naturally turn their minds to the natural progression...

The possibility of ordaining older married men of proven virtue (viri probati) in exceptional cases to celebrate the Eucharist is likely to be discussed at the synod for the...

In the fading days of summer, Kiwi Catholics know that another season looms — Lent, with its increased focus on prayer, almsgiving and fasting, in preparation for Easter.  St Augustine described fasting and...

Fr Anthony Malone, OFM, is an associate judicial vicar for the Tribunal of the Catholic Church, based in Auckland. This means that, as a canon lawyer, he helps resolve matters...

by JIM CONSEDINE Pope Francis has made mercy the central theme of the Extraordinary Holy Year, which begins in December 2015. “It shall be a Holy Year of Mercy,” he...

The following is a New Year 2017 reflection by the Bishop of Auckland, Bishop Patrick Dunn. If I was given a wish for 2017, it would be for that elusive...

by Ross Bay Several weeks ago a couple of dozen people gathered in the St John’s College chapel for a memorial service for Philip Potter, who was general secretary of the...

by Fr Ronald Rolheiser Several years ago, the movie Argo won the Academy award as the best movie of the year. I enjoyed the movie in that it was a...

by Lucy O’Donoghue My husband and I met online. One hundred per cent purely online. Hey! It beats meeting in a bar! And yes, it’s the truth! We met on catholicsingles.com...

by Jim Consedine In Christchurch in the past five years, there has been huge disruption to daily routines and placement. People have been seeking out places of refuge — an ancient biblical concept — to meet...

In the wake of the fire which seriously damaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris last month, NZ Catholic asked its publisher, Bishop Patrick Dunn, to share some...

This is the second half of an article called “What does ‘hope’ really mean?” by Bishop Peter Cullinane. A good starting point is the New Testament Scriptures. The disciples...