Sunday, August 3, 2003

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FROM THE CATHOLIC PRESS

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'NZ Catholic' No 167, July 27-August 10, 2003 http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz (There's a temporary glitch on the paper's home page. Please click the link "Top Stories" to see the headlines).

"Bishop of Christchurch has brain haemorrhage " Bishop John Cunneen is seriously ill in Christchurch Hospital after collapsing outside his car in suburban Christchurch early on the evening of July 17. He had pulled over when he noticed his car veering to the left, and was helped by passers-by...

"Groups set to fight assisted suicide bill " Church leaders, the pro-life movement, church groups and individuals are gearing up for a major fight against the Death with Dignity Bill...

"Abortion proposal disturbs " The Right to Life movement has given notice of its intention to mount a "vigorous campaign" to amend a section of the controversial Care of Children Bill...

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Solomon Islands - Catholic religious determined to help restore peace and reconciliation where people still suffer because of civil war http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2003/0307/28_539.html Honiara (Fides Service) The Catholic religious of Solomon Island are committed to help stop ethnic fighting by fostering reconciliation and help rebuild a culture of peace and non-violence. This resolution was taken during a "Forum for Religious" meeting for the second time this year....

Caritas keeps eye on Solomons http://www.cathnews.com/news/307/179.php Caritas Australia has sent representatives to the Solomon Islands in a bid to ensure the presence of the Australian-led peace-keeping force in the troubled country does not exacerbate the existing climate of gun violence....

Poland - Eight thousand Catholic scouts and guides from 19 European nations at Eurojam for the first time in Poland, where scouting was banned until 1989 http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2003/0307/31_572.html Zelazko (Fides Service) More than 8,000 scouts and guides between 11 and 16 years of age are taking part in the 6th International Rally of Catholic Scouts from 1-12 August in Zelazko in Poland...

Sounding Board: "Why I don't parish shop " U.S. Catholic 2003 http://www.uscatholic.org/2003/11/sb0311.htm Countering the current trend to shop around until you find a parish that fits you, Peter Feuerherd makes the case for sticking with your neighborhood community. He argues that everyone loses when Catholics see churches as one more consumer choice....

"Los Angeles Cardinal says Bob Hope died a Catholic " http://www.cathnews.com/news/307/169.php Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles issued a statement on Monday expressing his joy that entertainer Bob Hope died a Catholic....

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NEW CDF DOCUMENT & LOCAL REACTIONS

Congregation For The Doctrine Of The Faith "Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons"

Short link: http://tinyurl.com/imqm Actual link: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_d\ oc_20030731_homosexual-unions_en.html

"MP supports call to reject gay marriages" (audio interview) Newstalk ZB 01/08/2003 http://xtramsn.co.nz/musicandvideo/0,,6081-2558001-25,00.html United Future MP Gordon Copeland tells Newstalk ZB's Tim Dower why he supports a call by the Vatican to condemn moves to legalise gay marriages

"NZ Gay MPs disapprove of Vatican's call to lawmakers to oppose same-sex marriages; United Future MP backs the call " NZ City 2 Aug 2003 http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/default.asp?id=33896 [Brief comments by MPS Chris Carter, Tim Barnett and Gordon Copeland]

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

"Tapu Misa: The treaty conversation that just goes round in circles " NZ Herald 30.07.2003 http://tinyurl.com/iuon Robert Consedine is a middle-aged Pakeha of Irish Catholic whakapapa, who grew up in Addington, Christchurch, where he did not come into contact with many Maori. His awakening didn't come until the 1981 Springbok Tour, when in the course of civil disobedience he discovered how difficult it was for a white, middle-class male to get arrested. What he went on to find about the country's history propelled him into the work he does today: educating his fellow Pakeha about the Treaty of Waitangi and our colonial history....

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CATHOLIC WEB TV (Wellington Archdiocesan Media Centre)

"Coffee Break" http://www.catholictv.net/news/coffee56k.html

A new series of informal conversations between Fr Peter Roe SM and a guest, over a cuppa. This week, Peter's guest is Kim von Lanthen, a corporate manager at ANZ Bank.

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JOSHUA CATHOLIC MEN'S FELLOWSHIP

Newsletter Aug.-Sept. 2003 http://www.joshuamen.orcon.net.nz/news/news.htm

Contents summary:

Editorial - "Remember - Interesting word that. Have you recently reflected on something from your past; on how it happened, how you reacted, what you experienced, what you learnt from it, etc? This word was brought up at the Christchurch Joshua retreat by Father Bruce McGill. It has brought me a lot of enjoyment ever since. I m taking the time to REMEMBER and appreciate things as never before ....

Retreat shines under the mountain : Scott Base in Antarctica would be proud of the welcome that Mt Taranaki gave the 100 men who gathered from all over the North Island. The theme Restoration N Revival fittingly described the transformation in the men as the weekend progressed. The rain and penetrating cold of Friday was replaced by a spectacular display of grace and beauty on the Sunday. Strangers became friends. Friends became brothers and then brothers became disciples....

Draw Near To Worship September 5-6 2003 St Joseph s, Takapuna, Auckland A free conference sharing and experiencing wisdom, knowledge and healing worship...

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EVENTS

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August 14-16 2003 New Zealand Catholic Schools' Convention Wellington Festival and Convention Centre http://nzceo.catholic.org.nz/2003convention.shtml

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September 2003 'NZ Catholic' newspaper's National Art and Faith Competition Closing date: September 19 2003; works to be in by September 30; exhibition opens October 3. For paintings of a spiritual nature demonstrating the vitality, joy and hope found in Christian beliefs. Three categories, including one for works relating to Mary the mother of Jesus, and one for icons. Prizes to the value of $4,750 Entry forms from "Art Competition", NZ Catholic, PO Box 147-000, Ponsonby, Auckland 1034. Tel: (09) 360 3069; E-mail: catholic@iconz.co.nz