********************************************************

'NZ CATHOLIC'

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

From issue no. 234, Feb 26 - March 11 2006 ...

Bishops suggest boycott of TV3 news, advertisers (full text)
Auckland - Catholics opposed to the screening of the Bloody Mary episode of
South Park could consider boycotting TV3 news, New Zealand’s bishops have
said....

Christchurch pastoral plan released
Christchurch - Bishop John Cunneen has unveiled a new pastoral strategy for
Christchurch diocese, grouping parishes into 11 pastoral areas...

Allen: Church faces three "megachallenges"
Auckland - John Allen says the Catholic Church is currently facing three
“obvious megachallenges�: Identity, a shift in the Catholic population and a
fragmentation of the Church...

*****************************************************

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Catholic Church launches new plan
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/0,2106,3583638a6530,00.html
An ageing priesthood and lack of trainees have forced the local Catholic
Church to undergo a radical reshape. The Diocese of Christchurch has
launched a plan that includes "sharing resources" -- such as priests and
religious classes -- between parishes, and could lead to the closure and
deconsecration of smaller parish churches...

Schools turn away hundreds
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/0,2106,3578749a6530,00.html
Canterbury integrated schools continue to turn away hundreds of students,
including some who qualify for admission on religious or special character
status...

No power, but ‘charming’ life (photo)
Otago Daily Times
http://tinyurl.com/nnjvx
Marie Grunke leads a simple life. She has lived without electricity for
nearly a decade in her 140-year-old stone cottage in Oamaru. “I live a very
charming, quality lifestyle and I love it. I can’t believe how simple it is.
I’ve taken some control back in my life,� the Catholic nun (67) said this
week...

************************
The Bernard McGrath case
************************

Witness weeps on describing abuse details
Otago Daily Times
http://tinyurl.com/eax9v

Brother lured boy with lollies, court told
Otago Daily Times
http://tinyurl.com/j5g4k

Witness makes new abuse claims
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/0,2106,3582414a6530,00.html

Trial opens old wound for church
NZ Herald
http://tinyurl.com/j9cxo

***************************************************************

THE 'SOUTH PARK' EPISODE

Protest Website:
http://www.stopc4.org.nz

The Catholic bishops' pastoral letter:
http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz/viewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=553

Catholic protestors converge on TV3 and C4 headquarters (video report)
http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/tabid/67/articleID/4259/Default.aspx

Hundreds in TV3 prayer protest against controversial cartoon (photo)
NZ Herald
http://tinyurl.com/fuoo3

Catholic cartoon anger grows
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/0,2106,3577781a6009,00.html
Catholic Church in New Zealand spokeswoman Lindsay Freer has said the
publication of the Muhammad cartoons had opened up the debate over press
freedom of expression versus its responsibility to uphold "good taste and
decency". While the media had the power to push boundaries, they needed to
question whether it was necessary to deliberately offend people "just
because they could", she said...

Church urges boycott of TV3, C4
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/0,2106,3577686a6000,00.html
[Comments by Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey]

Race Relations Mulls South Park Boycott
NewstalkZB
http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,11964-5424305,00.html

Church outrage as cartoon to air tonight
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=000DD2A7-F9ED-13FA-A5A883027A\
F1010F

Bloody Mary show attracts six times usual audience
NZPA
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3582068a10,00.html

Church unrepentant on Virgin Mary row
The Press, 24 Feb 2006, Edition 2, Page 4.
[Not available on the paper's free Website]

Catholics vow to continue boycott
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411365/664720

TV chief rejects bishops' boycott call over 'tasteless' cartoon
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=100&ObjectID=10369212

Catholic call for media guidelines
http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,11964-5437783,00.html

Cartoon's no joke - Bishop
Manawatu Standard
[Comments by Bishop Peter Cullinane. Not available on the paper's free
Website]

South Park as bad as the Muslim cartoons - bishop
Waikato Times
[Comments by Bishop Denis Browne. Not available on the paper's free Website]

Open Season on Christianity. A Little Respect Is Harder to Find
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=85063
Christchurch, New Zealand, FEB. 25, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The recent
publication of cartoons satirizing the prophet Mohammed brought many calls
for greater respect of Islamic beliefs. Christians could rightly wonder when
they, too, will receive some respect. As controversy over the drawings
continues, a television station in New Zealand chose this moment to show a
"South Park" episode ridiculing the Virgin Mary and the Pope...

Church prepares petition (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/timaruherald/0,2106,3582390a6010,00.html

Tighten TV rules on taste, says [Race Relations Commissioner] de Bres
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=000D9667-8BB1-13FD-AF1C83027A\
F10258

TV cartoon labelled 'disgusting'
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,3581980a6004,00.html

Canwest Decision Quashes Right To Free Protest
Press Release: Family Life International
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0602/S00275.htm

CanWest loses advertiser over South Park
NZPA
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3580826a1860,00.html

Bleeding Virgin Mary Stand Off Intensifies
http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,11964-5424861,00.html
NewstalkZB
[Comments by a represntative of the NZ Jewish community]

Why South Park's shocker is OK, by Rosemary McLeod
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/0,2106,3584588a6442,00.html

Kerre Woodham: Unholy row a TV ratings blessing
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=0001F1F8-F79B-13FF-A5D983027A\
F1010E

South Park show a minor miracle, by Times reporter Mary Anne Gill
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,3581993a6579,00.html

Frances Grant: 'Bloody Mary' merely mediocre
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=0004B3E5-4CB5-13FC-BAED83027A\
F1010E

Editorial: Attention grabber
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/timaruherald/0,2106,3581259a6573,00.html

Churches v churls
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/southlandtimes/0,2106,3581082a6566,00.html

Editor: Offensive content defies all principles of taste
Bay of Plenty Times
http://tinyurl.com/gy3ue

Your say: 'Bloody Mary' screens
[Letters from readers of Fairfax Newspapers]
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3580974a4621,00.html

Let's get it right ..., by Patricia Veltkamp-Smith
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/southlandtimes/0,2106,3581085a16343,00.html

Puerile pot shots at Virgin Mary, by Jane Bowron
The Dominion Post
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3581811a1869,00.html

Editorial: Offended? Then use the remote
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=0002568B-C2A6-13FA-A5A883027A\
F1010F

Offended? Vote with your remote
Nelson Mail
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/nelsonmail/0,2106,3580925a6508,00.html

Brian Edwards comments on South Park episode
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsfeature.asp?storyID=90209

South Park's 'Mary' episode revolting, says PM
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10369363

Editorial Licence to satirise
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/0,2106,3578744a6528,00.html
It should hardly be a surprise that the South Park "Bloody Mary" episode
will be deeply offensive to many New Zealanders, writes The Press in an
editorial...

Fans Defend 'Bloody Mary' Episode
http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,11964-5427822,00.html
NewstalkZB

Readers' Views: South Park
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/466/story.cfm?c_id=339&ObjectID=10369285

South Park’ bad taste but raised serious issues, lecturer says
Otago Daily Times
http://tinyurl.com/effrp
[Comments by University of Otago religious studies lecturer Dr Greg Dawes
and Bishop Colin Campbell]

A switch in hand
Otago Daily Times
http://tinyurl.com/kz2l3

John Roughan: Best humour is love-based
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=000A2FDE-B232-13FE-A33883027A\
F1023D

Publicity promotes puerile programme, by Gordon Brown
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dailynews/0,2106,3583416a6552,00.html

South Park what was all the fuss about, man?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/southlandtimes/0,2106,3582406a6011,00.html
[Includes comment by Fr Father Hamesh Wyatt]

World news of the Church, regularly updated ...

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

*********************************************************************

"THE WORD FROM ROME"

http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/

A weekly column by the National Catholic Reporter's full-time correspondent
in Rome, John L. Allen Jr.

This week ...

Interview with New Zealand Cardinal Thomas Williams; Benedict's first
cardinal appointments; Thumbnail sketches of the new cardinals.

********************************************************************************

EVENTS

Wellington Eucharistic Convention, Saturday and Sunday 4-5 March 2006, St
Patrick's College, Silverstream, Upper Hutt.
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 4, from Ted Jordan tel (04)
528 8679, and on the Website:
http://www.divinenet.org.nz/convention_2006_02.htm

Mariapolis 2006
The annual gathering of the Focolare Movement in New Zealand.
Feilding Agricultural High School, North Street, Feilding. Wednesday 19 -
Sunday 23 April 2006
Programme and registration form from: Focolare Centre, PO Box 11-826,
Wellington. Tel: (04) 384 4559 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
(04) 384 4559 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, (04) 479 7713
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (04) 479 7713
end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
*******************************************************************************

EMPLOYMENT

[Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the
Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies ]

[Vacancies in Catholic Youth Ministry are advertised on the Job Bank page of
the National Council for Young Catholics: http://ncyc.org.nz ]

Parish Resource Person for Youth and Young Adults, , Catholic diocese of
Christchurch
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' issue no. 234, Feb 26 - March 11 2006, p.23, and
from Claire Dooley, Director, Catholic Youth Team, PO Box 4544,
Christchurch. Tel: (03) 366 9869 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
(03) 366 9869 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; fax: (03)
379-8724; e-mail:
cdooley@chch.catholic.org.nz Applications close 10 March 2006.

Director, Catholic Enquiry Centre, Wellington
http://www.catholic-enquiry-centre.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' issue no. 234, Feb 26 - March 11 2006, p.22, and
from Micah Partners, tel. (04) 499 4749
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (04) 499 4749
end_of_the_skype_highlighting; mobile: 021-552- 929
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 021-552- 929
end_of_the_skype_highlighting; fax: (04)
499 7375; e-mkail: contact@micahpartners.co.nz; PO Box 499, Wellington.
Applications close 17 March 2006.

********************************************************

'NZ CATHOLIC'

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

Bishops suggest boycott of TV3 news, advertisers
Auckland â€" Catholics opposed to the screening of the Bloody Mary episode of
South Park could consider boycotting TV3 news, New Zealand’s bishops have
said...

The bishops' pastoral letter on the South Park episode (full text):
http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz/viewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=553

********************************************************

'WEL-COM'

The newspaper of Archdiocese of Wellington and Diocese of Palmerston North

Full-text stories from the February 2006 issue at http://www.welcom.org.nz
...

Archbishop Dew's column: Collaboration, the way forward
It is just 16 weeks before the next Synod of the Archdiocese of Wellington.
I ask for your prayers for the success of the synod and for the ongoing
planning to enrich the life of our Church. We are ‘salt and light
together’...

Lay pastoral leader in our parish/pastoral area - what does it mean?
The appointment of Cushla Quigan as the first lay pastoral leader to
minister in a pastoral area raises many questions for all of us .Why do we
need a lay pastoral leader ...?

Archbishop heralds new era in parishes
Sunday 5 February 2006 was highly significant in the history of the
archdiocese when Cushla Quigan was installed as lay pastoral leader in the
parish of Petone. Cushla’s appointment is a first for the archdiocese...

Three women disciples celebrated this month
The Uniting Church celebrates three significant women in the apostle Paul’s
ministry tomorrow. Without the work of Prisca, Dorcas and Phoebe in Rome,
Corinth and Joppa, it is likely that Paul would have had a much more
difficult job gaining a hearing among the many strains of Judaism that were
abroad during the first century after Jesus’ death. Here Sr Elizabeth Julian
gives some background into why the New Testament writers have singled out
these women...

Reflecting on our faith through the Caritas Lenten reflection programme
Lent is traditionally a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is an
opportunity to re-examine our lives and to reflect on our commitment to our
faith and to our neighbours...

CSS moving into new fields as director leaves
The director of Catholic Social Services leaves the service in good shape
after a series of changes in the past decade which have aligned it more
closely with community needs...

A tribute to school principal Jacqueline Dromgool QSM
Those involved in Catholic Education in Wellington were delighted to learn
of the Queen’s Service Medal awarded to their colleague, Jacqueline
Dromgool, in the New Year’s Honours List...

****************************************

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Music key ingredient of teacher’s lengthy career (photo)
Otago Daily Times
http://tinyurl.com/bfgwl
For more than 70 years, Oamaru piano teacher Kath Henderson’s hobby has also
been her job â€" and she cannot imagine doing anything else. Over the years,
she has organised concert parties, sing-a-longs for the blind, taught
boarders at St Kevins College and played the accompaniment for many groups
and at many events...

A humble man
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/0,2106,3575653a6016,00.htm/
l
Kafoa-Mo Talau Ngauamo was looking forward to the birth of his fifth child
in May. But the New Lynn father of four drowned while trying to save one of
his sons at Green Bay Beach on January 30. His death has shocked the
congregation of St Mary's Catholic Parish in Avondale, where he and his
family attended Mass...

Muslim head girl at Catholic school (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3572595a7694,00.html
The appointment of a Muslim student as head girl of St Mary's College has
raised eyebrows among some who feel the top spot should be reserved for a
Catholic...

Islamic Federation supports head girl
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=89783
The New Zealand Islamic Association is describing criticism of a Muslim
being chosen as head girl at a Catholic school as a storm in a teacup...

Civic identity Fred Thomas dies
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/0,2106,3571198a6497,00.htm/
l
Former Takapuna mayor and "visionary leader" of the city, Fred Thomas, has
died. Arthur Frederick Thomas, 81, died at home after a short illness on
February 7. North Shore mayor George Wood described Mr Thomas as one of his
most distinguished civic predecessors...

Parents 'duped' over school fees
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/0,2106,3570090a6479,00.html
Some integrated schools are charging parents thousands of dollars while
pocketing the same taxpayer funding as struggling state schools, education
lobbyists say...

[The following story is not available on the newspaper's Website. It can
read at public libraries and via the libraries' free 'Newztext' service for
borrowers]

What the 12 schools have to say
The Press (Christchurch) 15 Feb. 2006, Edition 2, Page 15.
[The Press asked the 12 Canterbury schools under ministry scrutiny about
their financial position, including
Roncalli College, St Thomas of Canterbury, Catholic Cathedral College and
Sacred Heart Primary School ]

Solomon Islands still recovers from social unrest
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/drupal-4.4.1/?q=node/view/7027
[The Catholic Church in the Solomon Islands, with the assistance of Mahitahi
Trust Board of New Zealand, has established a Youth Development Project
which brought two volunteers from New Zealand to train coaches of netball
and soccer]

Vatican Fetes Museums On Its 500th Birthday
http://xtramsn.co.nz/travel/0,,12734-5401175,00.html
Five hundred years ago on Tuesday, Pope Julius II had a Roman-era statue
that was unearthed near the Colosseum moved into one of his palace
courtyards. Thus were born the Vatican Museums. To celebrate, the Vatican
unveiled events to mark the 5th centenary of what is arguably the world's
most prestigious museum complex, housing almost everything from mummies to
Michelangelo.

The good Catholics [a review of A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell]
http://www.listener.co.nz/default,5469.sm
This book dramatises a little-known statistic: the relatively high survival
rate of Italy's Jews in the years of the Holocaust. Even during the Nazi
occupation, the country's Catholic majority were prepared to risk their
lives hiding Jewish refugees. Russell follows a number of refugees from a
range of backgrounds, as well as the people who help them, and the Nazis who
hunt them...

*****************************************************

FROM THE OVERSEAS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICES

Muslim cartoon controversy prompts SBS reversal on South Park
http://www.cathnews.com/news/602/92.php
[Australian TV channel] SBS TV has "deferred" an episode of the cartoon
series South Park that caused outrage in church circles in the US and New
Zealand...

Olympians Welcomed With the Word
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=84361
Turin, Italy, Feb. 12, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Participants in the Winter
Olympics are being welcomed with the gift of the Gospel, compliments of the
dioceses of Turin, Pinerolo and Susa. The dioceses are distributing copies
of St. Mark's Gospel in parishes, hotels and lodgings in Turin, as part of
the Church's program to promote the area's historical, cultural and
religious heritage. In addition, the dioceses constructed a religious center
in the Olympic Village to offer athletes and their delegations a place for
reflection...

Olympic Event: "Heart to Heart" Meeting With God
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=84366
Turin, Italy, Feb. 12, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Participants in Turin's Winter
Olympics will have the opportunity to have a heart-to-heart meeting with
Jesus. An initiative of the Archdiocese of Turin, called "Heart to Heart,"
has opened three churches in the city for daily Eucharistic adoration. In
this interview with ZENIT, Salesian Father Fabian Gheller, a member of the
project's organizing committee, explains the goals and hoped-for results of
the initiative...

Reality and fiction: Opus Dei press conference to present Harambee programme
2006, to denounce deformed image of the Catholic Church as presented in the
film “The Da Vinci Code� soon to be released
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=6717&lan=eng

The Lord of History is on the side of the humble, says the Pope
http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=5395
Vatican City (AsiaNews) â€" The “Lord of Historyâ€� is “on the side of those
who
come last�. Even though his plans are often “hidden by the murkiness of
human events in which the ‘haughty, the powerful, and the rich’ triumph�,
“his secret power is bound to reveal itself and show who God’s true chosen
are�.

More world news of the Church, regularly updated ...

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

*********************************************************************

"THE WORD FROM ROME"

http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/

A weekly column by the National Catholic Reporter's full-time correspondent
in Rome, John L. Allen Jr.

This week ...
Behind the changes at the interreligious council; The Vatican and
communications; Australia and RU486; The church and the media; The coming
consistory; Pope Benedict and collegiality; Update on the murder of Fr.
Andrea Santoro.

********************************************************************************

EVENTS

Wellington Eucharistic Convention, Saturday and Sunday 4-5 March 2006, St
Patrick's College, Silverstream, Upper Hutt.
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 4, from Ted Jordan tel (04)
528 8679, and on the Website:
http://www.divinenet.org.nz/convention_2006_02.htm

*******************************************************************************

EMPLOYMENT

[Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the
Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies ]

[Vacancies in Catholic Youth Ministry are advertised on the Job Bank page of
the National Council for Young Catholics: http://ncyc.org.nz ]

Live-in support person, Mt Tabor Community, Auckland.
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Feb. 12-25 2006, p. 23, and from Lorr, tel: (09)
420 6184

Lay pastoral co-ordinator - St Anne's Parish, Wanganui East
Lay pastoral worker - St Mary's Parish, Wanganui -
http://www.stmaryswanganui.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 23, and from Palmerston
North Diocesan Office, Private Bag 11 012, Palmerston North. Applications
close 20 Feb. 2006

Fund-raiser, Christian Blind Mission International
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Feb. 12-25 2006, p. 23, the NZ Herald (
http://tinyurl.com/ah5tq ) and from National Director, CBMI (NZ), PO Box
99-820, Newmarket, Auckland 1031. E-mail: inquiries@cbmi.org.nz
Applications close 22 February 2006.

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

Full text stories from the Website and the current issue ...

Award-winning Vatican journalist coming to Auckland
The man dubbed “the most authoritative Vatican writer in the English
language� will speak in Auckland next week, thanks to NZ Catholic and
Catholic Communications. John L. Allen, Jr, the prize-winning Vatican
correspondent for United States publication National Catholic Reporter and
CNN’s Vatican affairs analyst, will speak at 7.30pm on Friday, February 17
at St Columba’s Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby...

Opportunity for pro-lifers to “share the truth�
Auckland â€" Media coverage of a new medical study on the emotional and
psychological effects of abortion on the lives of young women offers a rare
opportunity to “share the truth with those around us�, according to Brendan
Malone, the media and education officer for Family Life International.

Workshops on Missal attract crowds
Auckland â€" New Zealanders are very interested in the translation of the
Roman Missal into English, based on the large crowds who attended recent
workshops in three cities.

MP complains to police about “Dr Death�
Wellington â€" United Future MP Gordon Copeland is seeking a police
investigation into the New Zealand activities of Australian euthanasia
campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke.

****************************************

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Catholics want more tolerance
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=89436
A New Zealand Catholic agency is calling for people of all religions to get
to know each other better, in the wake of the publishing of the
controversial Mohammed cartoons...

Every right carries a corresponding duty
http://tinyurl.com/dvr3d
[Letters to the editor of the Otago Daily Times on the cartoons controversy,
including from Lyndsay Freer, Director of Catholic Communications NZ]

NZ media apologize for causing offense with Muhammad cartoons
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/international/news/20060208p2g00m0in029000c.html
Wellington, New Zealand -- The two newspapers and two television stations in
New Zealand that carried cartoon images depicting the Prophet Muhammad
apologized for causing offense during a meeting Wednesday with a national
Islamic federation. Representatives of the nation's Roman Catholic and
Jewish communities as well as academics and the Commonwealth Press Union
also took part in the meeting...

NZ Muslims hurt by cartoon re-print
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411366/657018
Protesters in Auckland said they were hurt and saddened by the decision of
some media outlets to publish cartoons of the prophet Mohammed. The
protesters have received support from the Catholic Church...

Radio New Zealand. 'Nine to Noon' with Lynda Clarke (audio file)
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/ntn/insulting_religion
Insulting religion: interview with Catholic Communications' Director
Lyndsay Freer on the forthcoming "Bloody Mary" episode of 'South Park'.

It's a bloody disgrace!
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaynews/0,2106,3569634a15620,00.html
Religious leaders have banded together in a bid to stop a shocking episode
of South Park screening on the music channel C4. Ten church leaders, from
the president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference to the
president of the Council of Christians and Muslims, have pleaded with C4
owners CanWest for the episode to be dropped. [NB: This article includes a
detailed description of offensive references to Mary]

Lessons in church for pupils of new school (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/bohcn
Wanaka’s Catholic Church threw open its doors yesterday to pupils of the new
Holy Family School. The 26 children from year 1 to year 6 began the first
day of school in the Brownston St church with an informal welcome attended
by parents and parishioners...

Living the French dream (photo)
Wairarapa Times Age 07.02.2006
http://tinyurl.com/dkhgl
In 1984, Victor de Villalier described his French village, which he
painstakingly created deep in the foothills of the Mangatarere Valley, as a
truly blessed place. A devout Catholic, the buildings were blessed by a
priest and a shrine to St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and
the environment...

Superman in a religious rescue bid
Otago Daily Times
http://tinyurl.com/8c9dd
London: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Superman and he is bringing
his otherworldy powers to British schools to teach godless children about
Christianity. The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that religious
education teachers were being encouraged to use the cartoon superhero as a
modern-day model for Jesus Christ to give youngsters an insight into
morality and religious thinking...

How I swapped my inner city lifestyle for a different habit (photo)
Sydney Morning Herald
http://tinyurl.com/dvxhq
She streaks her hair, carries a mobile phone and likes going to the pub with
her mates, but 22-year-old Anne Marie Gallagher is making an extremely rare
career choice. This very model of an inner Sydney girl has chosen the
convent, her spiritual search aided by the internet...

********************************************

FROM THE OVERSEAS CATHOLIC PRESS & NEWS AGENCIES

Adelaide diocese ready to host annual Catholic “World Day of the Sick� 11th
February
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=6672&lan=eng
Adelaide (Fides Service) - Everything is ready in Adelaide for the main
celebration to mark the 14th World Day of the Sick on 11 February feast of
Our Lady of Lourdes with the theme this year of “Mental Health and Human
Dignity�...

Cardinal calls mentally ill 'faithful images of God'
http://www.cathnews.com/news/602/59.php
Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan told his World Day of the Sick audience in
Adelaide yesterday that while the mentally ill patient "escapes
classification as a normal person", he or she remains "an image of God"
deserves every normal respect...

As Olympics begin, Catholic involvement seen in Turin, on slopes
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0600716.htm
Rome (CNS) -- Snow, ice, skis and skates: Those are just some of the
essential ingredients that have come together for the XX Olympic Winter
Games Feb. 10-26 in Turin, Italy. The Catholic Church is also getting into
the mix, adding its own sacred riches and traditions to an event that's
brimming with Olympic spirit...

A volunteer in Turkey remembers Fr Andrea Santoro
http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=5317
Antakya (AsiaNews) â€" It was Sunday and I had just finished teaching
catechism to the 12 children of our parish here in Antakya, the ancient
Antioch, in southern Turkey, when Father Domenico stopped me in the garden
and told me that the bishop just rang. “Father Andrea has just been shot
dead less than an hour ago....�

************************************************************************

CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS NZ

Media release: A Catholic Church perspective on freedom of speech (06 Feb
2006)
http://www.cathcom.org.nz/media.php
In a socially responsible society which aims to promote an inclusive and
tolerant culture, our freedoms both personal and collective must observe
boundaries of decency, good taste and fairness. There are limits to free
speech when it promotes hatred or derision based on race, religion or
gender. Therefore it is necessary to draw a distinction between critical
analysis in the media, whether that takes the form of serious comment or the
use of humour, and gratuitous insult...

*********************************************************************

CARITAS AOTEAROA NZ

http://www.caritas.org.nz

Peace and Understanding Required by all Peoples (9 February 2006)
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand welcomes the outcome of the meeting of media
and religious leaders convened by Race Relations Commission Joris de Bres.
In particular we welcome the apology by media for the offence caused,
alongside the recognition by religious leaders of the rights and
responsibilities of freedom of speech....

******************************************************************

"THE WORD FROM ROME"

http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/

A weekly column by the National Catholic Reporter's full-time correspondent
in Rome, John L. Allen Jr.

This week ...
Murder of priest gives insight into Christian-Muslim relations; Pope to
visit Turkey; Laura Bush visits Benedict; Jesuits begin to prepare worldwide
confab; Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith holds plenary assembly

********************************************************************************

EVENTS

Wellington Eucharistic Convention, Saturday and Sunday 4-5 March 2006, St
Patrick's College, Silverstream, Upper Hutt.
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 4, from Ted Jordan tel (04)
528 8679, and on the Website:
http://www.divinenet.org.nz/convention_2006_02.htm

*******************************************************************************

EMPLOYMENT

[Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the
Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies ]

[Vacancies in Catholic Youth Ministry are advertised on the Job Bank page of
the National Council for Young Catholics: http://ncyc.org.nz ]

Live-in support person, Mt Tabor Community, Auckland.
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Feb. 12-25 2006, p. 23, and from Lorr, tel: (09)
420 6184

Religious Education Adviser, - Primary schools, Catholic Eeducation Office,
Diocese of Palmerston North
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 23, and from Geoff Lott,
Manager, Education Office, Private Bag 11012, Palmerston North. Tel: (06)
358-8079, ext. 852. E-mail: glott@pndiocese.org.nz Website:
http://www.pn.catholic.org.nz/?sid=159 Applications close 17 February 2006

Lay pastoral co-ordinator - St Anne's Parish, Wanganui East
Lay pastoral worker - St Mary's Parish, Wanganui -
http://www.stmaryswanganui.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 23, and from Palmerston
North Diocesan Office, Private Bag 11 012, Palmerston North. Applications
close 20 Feb. 2006

Fund-raiser, Christian Blind Mission International
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Feb. 12-25 2006, p. 23, the NZ Herald (
http://tinyurl.com/ah5tq ) and from National Director, CBMI (NZ), PO Box
99-820, Newmarket, Auckland 1031. E-mail: inquiries@cbmi.org.nz
Applications close 22 February 2006.

*******************************************

'NZ CATHOLIC' - WAITANGI DAY SPECIAL ISSUE

For Waitangi Day (February 6), the 'NZ Catholic' newspaper has published a
special issue on the Treaty of Waitangi (1840), the historic agreement
between Maori and the British Crown which marked the founding of the modern
nation of New Zealand. In this issue ...

Setting the scene: Aotearoa pre-1840 ... Fears alleviated, chiefs sign
Treaty ... The three articles of the Treaty of Waitangi ... The
controversial "Fourth Article" on religious freedom ... The Treaty: is it a
sacred covenant? ... Easy way for parishes to honour Treaty ... Church has
several obligations under the Treaty ... Varied responses over 166 long
years ... Pompallier - controversial, influential at Waitangi meetings ...
But were Pompallier's opinions about the Treaty of Waitangi correct? ...
Maori Christians retain their heritage ... January 13 touted a 'national
Catholic day' ... Church has spoken often about Treaty ... Treaty is a
'blessing' for Aotearoa New Zealand ... Treaty progress requires
information, trust .. Partnership on show at Korokoro cemetry .. Catholics:
part of the Treaty solution or part of the Treaty problem ... Schools must
expand bicultural focus ... Open dialogue and question Treaty stereotypes
... A beginner's guide to Treaty settlements

**********************************************************

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Trade officials on alert after media show Mohammed cartoons
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/0,2106,3562478a6005,00.html
[Don Brash compares the cartoon controversy with the 'Virgin in a condom'
incident]

Cartoons 'test of Islamic tolerance'
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/0,2106,3561260a6000,00.html
"If we allow Christianity and more particularly the Catholic Church and the
Pope to be satirised, and we do, should Islam be treated differently?"

The selective mockery game, by Rosemary McLeod
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3559677a16077,00.html
[This article begins with a detailed description of an offensive reference
to Our Lady in the forthcoming television programme 'South Park'. I have
included it in 'News & Notes' because the writer is sympathetic to
Christians who see their faith ridiculed, and argues that the mass media
wouldn't dare do the same to certain prominent non-religious groups and
persons. ML]

Vatican: Don't mock any religion
http://www.washtimes.com/upi/20060203-024326-2031r.htm
The Vatican Friday criticized western media for inflaming the Muslim world
by running derogatory cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed...

Deus Caritas Est (editorial)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/0,2106,3560016a6528,00.html
There is little sign of God's rottweiler in Pope Benedict XVI's first
encyclical, a surprisingly insightful and sensitive treatise on the nature
of love that has caused many to rethink their opinion of the new Pontiff,
writes The Press in an editorial...

Departed nun to be honoured
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/southlandtimes/0,2106,3560002a6568,00.html
Southlanders have a chance to pay tribute to Sister Gregory, a Sisters of
Mercy nun who lived in the province most of her life and died at the age of
90 in Dunedin last month. Sr Gregory's Requiem Mass was celebrated in
Dunedin by her cousin, Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Dunedin,
Southland-born Father Len Boyle...

Brothel GP considered G. Island job
Otago Daily Times
http://tinyurl.com/bgfm7
The family doctor planning to open a brothel had previously inquired about
joining the practice of a Dunedin doctor who does not prescribe the
contraceptive pill because of her Catholic beliefs...

Studios not allowed (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/8vjdx
Planners for the Dunedin City Council are recommending no further
residential redevelopment of the historic former St Josephs hall in Rattray
St...

Priest says farewell to parish ‘family’ (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/8gwvg
Cromwell priest Fr Mervyn McGettigan said goodbye at the weekend to
congregations which have become more like family in the past seven years. Fr
McGettigan (71) has spent the past seven years looking after the parishes of
the Cromwell and Wanaka Catholic churches...

Religious leaders want South Park episode banned
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3555596a1869,00.html
Christian and Muslim church leaders have rallied to stop a South Park
episode that depicts the Virgin Mary bleeding from going to air...

Prepare to be amazed
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dailynews/0,2106,3561481a6551,00.html
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat promises to be a sensational
show at the Bowl [New Plymouth] next weekend.

100 by the grace of God (photo)
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=36583
[The life of Sister Mary Theophile, Superior of the Missionary Sisters of
the Society of Mary in New Zealand during the Second World War.] [This
Website might not be functioning for a brief period on Sunday afternoon.
Normal service should be restored after 3 pm.]

Vatican may have found Pope John Paul's "miracle"
http://tinyurl.com/brdos
Vatican City, Jan 30 (Reuter) - The Vatican may have found the "miracle"
they need to put the late Pope John Paul one step closer to sainthood -- the
medically inexplicable healing of a French nun with the same Parkinson's
disease that afflicted him...

Inquisition was a mistake but legally justified, claims Vatican official
http://tinyurl.com/89fbg
The Vatican is preparing for fresh controversy over the Inquisition after
allowing an official to appear in a television documentary to offer a
defence of the "Holy Terror".

Reporters often not prepared to write about religion
http://www.adn.com/24hour/opinions/story/3126780p-11831629c.html
... During an interview, Father Richard John Neuhaus referred to the pope as
the "bishop of Rome." The reporter said, "That raises an interesting point.
Is it unusual that this pope is also the bishop of Rome?" ...

****************************************************

FROM THE CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCIES

Nuncio in Iraq: The Situation Is Insecure. Interview With Archbishop
Fernando Filoni
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=83800
Baghdad, Iraq, FEB. 1, 2006 (Zenit.org).- "Thank God, we survived," said
Archbishop Fernando Filoni, apostolic nuncio in Iraq, after a car bomb
exploded near the nunciature in Baghdad on Sunday...

"Europe for Christ!" -- a Project to Restore Hope
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=83661
Rome, JAN. 30, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Historian Martin Kugler, author of a
thesis on "Christians' Resistance to Nazism," and his wife, Gudrun
Kugler-Lang, have launched a project called "Europe for Christ!" The
project's objective is to embolden Christians in order to help them
influence the development of Europe. In this interview with ZENIT, the
director of Kairos, a non-profit enterprise advising organizations, explains
the project in detail.

****************************************************

THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS

Oceania Christian Brothers Face The Future With Energy
http://www.edmundclt.org/oceania_conference.htm
350 Christian Brothers from Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia â€"
the biggest conference of Brothers ever assembled â€" gathered at St Leo’s
College of the University of Queensland from January 3 to 10. The assembly
was titled A New Heart for a New Land â€" yumi wantaim, and was organised as
part of the Brothers’ desire to shape the future of the Congregation in
Oceania...

The Edmund Rice Network and the Christian Brothers in New Zealand:
http://www.edmundrice.org.nz

************************************************************************

"THE WORD FROM ROME"

http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/

A weekly column by the National Catholic Reporter's full-time correspondent
in Rome, John L. Allen Jr.

This week ...
African Catholicism; Notre Dame president on striking the proper balance
between Catholic identity and academic freedom; On Catholic education:
Fisichella, Jenkins, Jenky; The latest on Lefebvrites; The future of the
Holy Land; Jesuits called to elect new superior

*************************************************************************

EMPLOYMENT

[Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the
Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies ]

[Vacancies in Catholic Youth Ministry are advertised on the Job Bank page of
the National Council for Young Catholics: http://ncyc.org.nz ]

Live-in support person, Mt Tabor Community, Auckland.
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 23, and from Lorr, tel:
(09) 420 6184 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (09) 420
6184 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Religious Education Adviser, - Primary schools, Catholic Eeducation Office,
Diocese of Palmerston North
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 23, and from Geoff Lott,
Manager, Education Office, Private Bag 11012, Palmerston North. Tel: (06)
358-8079, ext. 852. E-mail: glott@pndiocese.org.nz Website:
http://www.pn.catholic.org.nz/?sid=159 Applications close 17 February 2006

Lay pastoral co-ordinator - St Anne's Parish, Wanganui East
Lay pastoral worker - St Mary's Parish, Wanganui -
http://www.stmaryswanganui.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 23, and from Palmerston
North Diocesan Office, Private Bag 11 012, Palmerston North. Applications
close 20 Feb. 2006

****************************************************

'NZ CATHOLIC' Issue 231, Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2006

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

On the feast of Saint Francis de Sales, patron of journalists, New Zealand’s
national Catholic newspaper launched its re-designed website:
http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz . The site offers an abundance local and
international news together with daily Mass readings and links to syndicated
columnists. For founding Editor Pat McCarthy, “the aim was to develop a
vision for the NZ Catholic site that would be complementary to the newspaper
and support its mission. Most of the content of NZ Catholic newspaper will
not appear on the website and most of the website content will not be in the
paper�. For his part Webmaster James Bergin believes the website will be a
huge asset to Catholics throughout New Zealand. “This website is a big step
forward for the Catholic Church in New Zealand. Every NZ Catholic now has an
invaluable information asset that I’m sure will continue for many years to
come to help spread the message of Christ and his Church�. (adapted from a
report by Fides Service)

'NZ Catholic launches new website' (photo)
http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

In the print edition of issue 231 ...

NATIONAL
Abortion’s mental health risk seen ... Samoans mourn beloved cardinal ...
Papal medal for 90-year-old who still serves daily Mass ... Bishops look at
English translations ... “Tasteless� TV show opposed ... Auckland clergy
changes ... Was this John Paul II’s cap? ... Bishop receives high honour ...
Nun’s community service acknowledged with QSM ... Layman for new role as
bishop’s deputy for pastoral plan ... New book from bishop ... Fr
Fitzpatrick dies in Dunedin ... Waimea West celebrates 150th jubilee ...
Jail term for abuser ... Columbans celebrate ERO File

FEATURES
Revamped website goes live ... White Christmas on “the Ice� with sun at
midnight Mass ... Mysterious builder of staircase was not St Joseph ... Lay
community takes on a new challenge ... Enquiry Centre is outreach to
“unchurched� ... TV hymn programme to get new presenter ... New premises for
Pacific Bible Society ... Sworn to guard the Pope ... Artist says “thank
you� for agency’s support

OPINION
Ronald Rolheiser: The litmus test for being Christian ... Bernard Moran:
Epitaph for the 18,211 ... Areti Metuamate: An email to Bishop Max Takuira
Mariu from a young friend ... Editorial: Insult to Mary not a laughing
matter ... Letters, ... Malcolm Evans ... Vatican Letter: Extreme makeover,
Vatican edition

INTERNATIONAL
Courageous, caring priests are needed ... Millions of children exploited or
abandoned ... Chinese soften view of Church ... Judas not being absolved ...
EU states threatened ... Archives now online ... Abortion restriction
supported ... First encyclical will be on love ... “Active� lay role backed
by Pope ... World Day of Sick to be in Adelaide ... Bishop calls for
celibacy debate ... Way is clear for 43 beatifications ... “God never leaves
us alone� ... Dissident parish is suppressed ... Holy See ratifies protocol
... Red tape for sandwiches ... US bishop urges self-rule for Iraq ...
Killed at Christmas ... Pope lists threats to peace ... Theme chosen for WYD
in Sydney ... The Pope: Finding Christ is the secret ... Ali Agca is out of
jail ... Attempt to sue Pope fails ... Catholic politician shot at Mass ...
Crime took a holiday ... Family and life again defended ... Divorce “not a
sin�

REGULAR FEATURES
Think Page, Books, Monitor, Tape Deck, Net Scene, Clips, Scripture, Papal
Prayer, The Doolans, Family Talk, Photo Prayer, That Word!, Holy Lives, Kit’s
Corner, Cryptic Crossword, Caption Contest, Who Said?, 40 Years Ago, Wit’s
End.

Advertising Feature: Sisters of St Joseph

**********************************************************

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Thousands drop in for another Parachute festival
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3554002a1860,00.html
They come for the atmosphere. Young families, couples and grandparents say
it's what brings them back to Christian music festival Parachute...

Hardcore for Jesus
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/0,2106,3553702a6578,00.html
[A Catholic couple have a negative view of the Parachute Festival]

The Church’s first Polynesian Bishop Cardinal Pius Taofinu’u returns to the
House of the Father
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=6573&lan=eng
Apia (Fides Service) - “He was a man of inculturation, a charismatic leader
who led the local Churches of Oceania to maturity� said Fr. Jan Hulshof,
Prepositer General of the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers), recalling
Cardinal Pius Taofinu’u, a member of the Society of Mary and former
Archbishop of Samoa-Apia who died on 19 January at the age of 82..

Learning to obey and be humble
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=35712
Petero Mataca would have died at the hands of his father if fate had not
intervened in the form of an aunt.
He was only four years old when he accidentally set the family bure on fire.
That was a turning point in his life.
Today, he is the Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Fiji with a
congregation of about 84,000 people...

Call for Da Vinci ban (full text)
New Zealand Herald
Controversial Catholic group Opus Dei has called for the forthcoming film
The Da Vinci Code to be given an adult rating to prevent children being
influenced by its "insidious lies" about the Catholic Church. "Just as we
protect children from explicit sex and violence, it would seem to make sense
to protect them from violence that is more subtle and thus more insidious,"
spokesman Marc Carroggio said. "Any adult with a minimum of education can
distinguish reality from fiction. But when history is manipulated, you
cannot expect a child to make proper judgments."

"Da Vinci Code" -- a Blessing for Opus Dei?
http://www.opusdei.org/art.php?w=32&s=282
Marc Carroggio, who oversees Opus Dei's relations with the international
media, is interviewed about his perspective on the film The Da Vinci Code
that will come out in theaters later this year...

Hell is a state
http://www.signandsight.com/features/530.html
A talk with Catholic exorcist Pedro Barrajon about demons, the nature of
evil and exorcism today...

Pope urges Vatican tribunal to speed up rulings on marriage annulments
http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=world_home&articleID=2156003
Vatican City (AP) - Acknowledging concern about the plight of divorced
Catholics, Pope Benedict appealed to a Vatican tribunal Saturday to issue
"rapid" rulings on annulment requests...

Tiny army 500 years old (photo)
Otago Daily Times
http://tinyurl.com/dcv3g
Vatican City: The Swiss Guard, the world’s smallest army, celebrated its
500th anniversary as protectors of the world’s smallest state on Sunday with
a regal Vatican City celebration blessed by the Pope...

****************************************************************

ASIANEWS.IT

Remembering the Shoah to understand Israel, by David-Maria A. Jaeger
http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=5226
On the day dedicated by the international community to the memory of the
Holocaust, it is also necessary to remember Nazis and the silent connivance
of the West. Whatever the criticisms against Israel be, its legitimacy
cannot be denied. A testimony...

Palestine, Catholic Fatah member elected to parliament; a path to peace is
still possible
http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=5233

*****************************************************************

'DEUS CARITAS EST' ('GOD IS LOVE')

The full text of Pope Benedict's first encyclical:
http://zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=83355

- Summaries of the encyclical -

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=5213

http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=83409

- Commentary on the Encyclical -

- - From the Catholic press and news agencies - -

“Deus caritas est�: God’s eros and agape, medicine for the world, by
Bernardo Cervellera
http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=5214

Benedict XVI's Surprising Encyclical. Interview With Father Thomas Williams,
Theology Dean
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=83417

Movie Director Liliana Cavani on New Encyclical. "Without Love There Is No
Life"
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=83478

- - From the secular press - -

Praise in Germany for Benedict's first encyclical
Expatica.com (Germany)
http://tinyurl.com/98p7a

The Pope's Labor of Love
Der Speigel (Germany)
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,397319,00.html

Pope surprises Catholics with warm words on power of love
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1694948,00.html

**********************************************************************

CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS NZ - MEDIA RELEASE

http://www.cathcom.org.nz/media.php

Pope Benedict's first message to mark World Communications Day 2006 (5 Jan
2006)
On Tuesday 24 January (the feast of the patron saint of journalists, St
Francis de Sales) Pope Benedict issued his first message to mark the 40th
World Communications Day. This will be observed on Sunday 28 May, 2006...

************************************************************************

"THE WORD FROM ROME"

http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/

A weekly column by the National Catholic Reporter's full-time correspondent
in Rome, John L. Allen Jr.

This week ...
The first encyclical; What the encyclical says about Benedict; Reactions to
Deus Caritas Est: Cordes, Wolfensohn, and George; Copyrighting the pope's
words; The family and economics; Australian government honours Fr. Gerald
O'Collins sj

********************************************************************************

EMPLOYMENT

[Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the
Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies ]

[Vacancies in Catholic Youth Ministry are advertised on the Job Bank page of
the National Council for Young Catholics: http://ncyc.org.nz ]

Live-in support person, Mt Tabor Community, Auckland.
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 23, and from Lorr, tel:
(09) 420 6184 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (09) 420
6184 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Religious Education Adviser, - Primary schools, Catholic Eeducation Office,
Diocese of Palmerston North
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 23, and from Geoff Lott,
Manager, Education Office, Private Bag 11012, Palmerston North. Tel: (06)
358-8079, ext. 852. E-mail: glott@pndiocese.org.nz Website:
http://www.pn.catholic.org.nz/?sid=159 Applications close 17 February 2006

Lay pastoral co-ordinator - St Anne's Parish, Wanganui East
Lay pastoral worker - St Mary's Parish, Wanganui -
http://www.stmaryswanganui.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan. 29-Feb. 4 2006, p. 23, and from Palmerston
North Diocesan Office, Private Bag 11 012, Palmerston North. Applications
close 20 Feb. 2006

********************************************

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Catholic Church in both Samoas mourning the loss of Cardinal Pio Taofinuu
Radio New Zealand International
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=21709
The Catholic Church in both Samoas is mourning the loss of Cardinal Pio
Taofinuu. The cardinal died at the age of 82 after midnight last night in
Apia. Cardinal Pio was the first Pacific Islander to be ordained Cardinal...

Ban corpse exhibition, says Church
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=00057621-447C-13CF-A73583027A\
F1010E
Critics want a controversial exhibition featuring skinned human corpses to
be banned before it reaches New Zealand. Michael McCabe, director of the
Catholic Church's Nathaniel Centre for bio-ethics, said the exhibition
crossed a moral and ethical line and should be banned.

$6000 raised for setting up new school (photo)
Otago Daily Times
http://tinyurl.com/c8k6t
Hundreds of vintage items and collectibles were snapped up by keen buyers at
yesterday’s vintage fair fund-raiser for Wanaka’s first Catholic school.

Volunteers needed for refugee families
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/manawatustandard/0,2106,3541084a6869,00.html
Volunteers are being sought to help welcome and work with Congolese refugee
families due to arrive in Palmerston North in March. The RMS Refugee
Resettlement group will help settle the newcomers.

Sensitive C4 nervous at screening church send-up
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=0001543E-D435-13CC-81D583027A\
F1010E
C4 is weighing up whether to go head-to-head with the Catholic Church again
by screening an episode of South Park featuring the Virgin Mary...

[The following story is not available on the newspaper's free Website. It
can be read at the public library and via the libraires 'Newztext' service
for borrowers]
Popetown survives further criticism
The Dominion Post â€" News â€" 16 Jan 2006 â€" Page 8 (also in: The Timaru
erald â€" News â€" 16 Jan 2006 â€" Page 2)
Another complaint from upset viewers regarding the cartoon series Popetown
has been rejected by the Broadcasting Standards Authority. A Te Awamutu
couple complained the cartoon which screens on C4 and set in a fictional
Vatican city, was grossly offensive to members of the Catholic Church and
other Christians...

**********************************************************************

CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS NZ - MEDIA RELEASE

Bishops from around English-speaking world meet in Auckland
http://www.cathcom.org.nz
A member from each of eleven Conferences of Catholic Bishops was in New
Zealand this week, for one of the twice-yearly meetings of the International
Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL) which was hosted in Auckland...

*********************************************************************

FROM 'ZENIT' NEWS AGENCY

Hospital in Nazareth: A Bastion of Healing and Hope
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=82871
Nazareth, Israel, Jan. 16, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Friar Serafino Acernozzi
thinks that the Holy Family Hospital in Nazareth is doing more than just
heal bodies. "We are a living proof that coexistence is possible," said the
prior of the hospital, a facility run by the Brothers of St. John of God and
by the nuns of the Child Mary congregation. "No one tends to love or hate
genetically. Man fears only what he doesn't know," Friar Acernozzi
affirmed...

In Nazareth, Handicapped Kids Are Right at Home
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=83087
Nazareth, Israel, JAN. 19, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Father Marco Riva, an Italian
priest of Don Guanella's Work for handicapped children, talks excitedly
about his venture in Israel. Every day, in the center of Nazareth, a town of
100,000, a special school opens its doors to Arab children of the Holy Land.

***********************************************************************

SUMMER READING AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

These books can be borrowed from many public libraries, or requested via
Interloan. Shelf numbers may vary.

The confession, by Sheldon Siegel.
Fiction: Mystery/Detective SIEG
Summary: Mike Daley doesn't go to confession much since he left the
priesthood twenty years ago and became a lawyer, but that doesn't stop his
old friend Father Ramon Aguirre from trying to get him there. "It wouldn't
kill you to go to church once in a while," he says. But it does kill
someone. For several months, a ruinous sexual harassment suit has been
building against the San Francisco Catholic archdiocese, and when the
plaintiff's lawyer is found dead, an apparent suicide, an almost audible
sigh of relief is heard in certain quarters. But that is before the police
find evidence of murder.

Shadowplay : the hidden beliefs and coded politics of William Shakespeare,
by Clare Asquith.
822.33 SHA ASQ
Summary: In sixteenth-century England many loyal subjects of the Crown were
asked to make a terrible choice: serve their monarch or their God. Clare
Asquith traces the common code used covertly by dissident writers in the
sixteenth century to discuss the tribulations of their time, and reveals
that the acknowledged master of this forgotten art form was William
Shakespeare.

Bloody Falls of the Coppermine : madness, murder, and the collision of
cultures in the Arctic, 1913, by McKay Jenkins.
364.1523 JEN
Summary: In the winter of 1913, high in the Canadian Arctic, two Catholic
priests set out on a dangerous mission to do what no white men had ever
attempted: reach a group of utterly isolated Eskimos and convert them.
Farther and farther north the priests trudged, through a frigid and bleak
country known as the Barren Lands, until they reached the place where the
Coppermine River dumps into the Arctic Ocean. Their fate, as well as the
fate of the people they hoped to teach about God, was about to take a tragic
turn.

Land and place : spiritualities from Aotearoa New Zealand = He whenua, he
wähi, edited by Helen Bergin and Susan Smith.
248 LAN
Note: Companion collection to "He kupu whakawairua :spirituality in Aotearoa
New Zealand :Catholic voices. "Our focus now moves from personal Catholic
stories to the land of Aotearoa, the place where we live"

************************************************************************

"THE WORD FROM ROME"

http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/

A weekly column by the National Catholic Reporter's full-time correspondent
in Rome, John L. Allen Jr.

This week ...
First encyclical nearly ready; The hard work of ecumenism; Prospects for a
consistory ; Duties shift from State to other congregations; The annulment
process: New twist in evolution debate; Short takes on ecumenism and wealth

*******************************************************************************

EVENTS

Parachute Music Festival, Mystery Creek, Hamilton, 28-31 January 2006

http://websites.parachutemusic.com/festival/2005/default_noflash.asp

********************************************************************************

EMPLOYMENT

[Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the
Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies ]

[Vacancies in Catholic Youth Ministry are advertised on the Job Bank page of
the National Council for Young Catholics: http://ncyc.org.nz ]

Adviser, Archdiocesan Office of Justice, Peace and Development, Wellington
Website: http://wn.catholic.org.nz/justicepeacedevelopment.html
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2005, p. 5 and from: Lorraine McArthur,
Director, Archdiocesan Pastoral Services, Catholic Centre, P O Box 1937,
Wellington 6015. E-mail: l.mcarthur@wn.catholic.org.nz; tel. (04) 496
1706 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (04) 496 1706
end_of_the_skype_highlighting;
fax: (04) 496 1768 Applications close 23 January 2006.

****************************************************

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Hunger to help earns 2005 award
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/nelsonmail/0,2106,3536927a6007,00.html
Nelson's Luigina Del Favero has more hungry mouths to feed than most. For
the past decade she has fed thousands of people as a volunteer cook at
Loaves and Fishes and helped countless others as a St Vincent de Paul
member...

Jubilation as Brown Joeys celebrate life of loving service
The Australian http://tinyurl.com/cjnef
In Mount St, North Sydney, last Friday, at the headquarters of the Sisters
of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart - the order formed by Mary McKillop in 1866
and otherwise known from the colour of the sisters' habits as the Brown
Joeys - 42 nuns celebrated the 50th anniversary of taking their vows.
Imagine that: 42 women joining a single religious order in a single year and
adhering for half a century to undertakings to be poor, chaste and
obedient...

The Pope chooses theme for World Youth Day 2008
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=6504&lan=eng
Sydney (Fides Service) - “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you; and you will be my witnesses� (Acts 1:8) is the theme the
Pope Benedict XVI has chosen for the 23rd World Youth Day to be held 15 - 20
July 2008 in Sydney, Australia. Welcoming the theme with full approval,
Australia’s Catholics are accelerating preparations for the great event
which will bring young Christians from all over the world to the ‘Newest’ of
the continents...

From Anglican to married Catholic priest, by Gregory Elder
http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/religion/ci_2896968
I am pleased and humbled to announce that my bishop, the Most Rev. Gerald R.
Barnes of the Diocese of San Bernardino, has received permission from Rome
to ordain me to the Catholic priesthood. I will be the first canonically
ordained and married Catholic priest in the history of this diocese, or
province, of the Catholic community. Perhaps a word of personal history is
in order here...

********************************************************

WORLD NEWS OF THE CHURCH

From 'The Tablet' (UK)

Rome offers reassurance to anxious Neo-Cats
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/cgi-bin/citw.cgi/past-00264

Reject ‘culture of death’, says Pope
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/cgi-bin/citw.cgi/past-00264#ROME

Archbishop upbraids Benedict over Zimbabwe
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/cgi-bin/citw.cgi/past-00264#AFRICA

Priest granted trial after 20 years
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/cgi-bin/citw.cgi/past-00264#AMERICAS

JPII’s would-be killer to go free
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/cgi-bin/citw.cgi/past-00264#EUROPE

*************************

From Catholic Communications NZ

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

Catholic rebels see slow reconciliation with Rome ... Gay activists protest
outside Vatican ... US bishops call for ‘responsible transition’ in Iraq ...
Survey says Christians more generous if taught to give ... Life Office hails
ban on suicide messaging ... Civil authorities obliged to care for families,
elderly, sick, and unborn, says Pope ... Catholic doctors highlight
'dysfunctional' finding on pill ... Human Fragility Points Up God's
Grandeur, Says Pope

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'INFORM' - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

In the December 2005 issue ...

Reliquary of St Therese of Lisieux ... Letter from Bishop John Cunneen ...
Deceased founders and benefactors of the cathedral ... Bill and Jan
Woffenden: a question of faithful service ... Little Company of Mary's new
initiative: Mary Potter Volunteers ... The Institute of Charity: A Rosminian
lay group ... Around the parishes ... Mercy Sisters - A new congregation ...
Divine Mercy ... Diocesan Youth Team news ... Catholic Women's League ...
Around the schools ... Report from World Youth Day ... Quote of the month
... "God works in strange ways": the story of a Sister of Nazareth

*****************************************************************

MARIST BROTHERS' NEWSLETTERS

***************************

Marist Family Newsletter, December 2005

http://www.maristbrothers.org.nz/Marist%20Family%20News.htm

Ideals Are Like Stars
The Wise Men came following a star to find the Infant. This reflection from
St Paul’s College magazine, also urges us to follow the ideal...

News of the Brothers: Lawrence Bennett (Auckland); Tainga Moanriba
(Kiribati); Tim Leen (Fiji); Gerard Mahony (Sacred Heart College,
Auckland); Sam Eathorne; Kevin Dobbyn; Chris Maney; Bryan Stanaway; Brian
Mackenzie

Layman Robin O'Neill affiliated to the Province ... Oceania survey for the
Marist International Mission Asembly ... The Grove Community: New residents

Moving: Brothers Tim Leen, Gerard Mahony, Sam Eathorne, Kevin Dobbyn, Chris
Maney, Bryan Stanaway, Mr Alan Parker (Co-ordinator of Lay Partnership),
Brother Brian Mackenzie

2005 Jubilees - New Zealand Province ... Transition. The end of the year
will see the Brothers leaving ministries in Tonga, Fiji, Kaitaia, Panguru
... Recent deaths ... Dignity of Difference - a reflection by Jonathon Sacks
... Christmas Blessings

***************************

Schools' Champagnat Newsletter, November 2005

http://www.maristbrothers.org.nz/Champagnat%20News.htm

Our Lady of the New Advent: icon and prayer ... The candles of the Advent
wreath. A prayer while lighting the candle.

For those who surf the internet………...
The New Zealand Marist Brothers’ website http://www.maristbrothers.org.nz
includes background material on our Founder, St Marcellin Champagnat, the
history of New Zealand Marist education throughout New Zealand and the
Pacific, links to Marist Young Adult and worldwide Marist sites, contact
persons and addresses of schools ...

A Prayer in Times of Need ... From here and there : news of Marist schools
... St Paul’s College Golden Jubilee

Memorare - Remember, O Most Loving Virgin Mary, by Br Tony Butler
There are several prayers to Mary which have long held a special place in
the hearts of the Catholic people. These prayers include the 'Memorare', the
'Hail Holy Queen' and the 'We Fly to Thy Patronage', and they are special to
those who follow Mary in the Champagnat way...

The Marist Pillars. Schools in their planning could be selecting a Marist
Pillar or Characteristic for 2006. There are five of these...

************************************************************************

THE NATHANEL REPORT

The Nathaniel Centre. The NZ Catholic Bioethics Centre

http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/?sid=5

In Issue seventeen

Personhood and Human Dignity (full text)
Some are predicting that the traditional view of the sanctity of human life
will collapse because of scientific developments. Michael McCabe reflects on
the increasing tension between secular and traditional Judeo-Christian
morality...

Also in this issue ...

Editorial: Decisions, decisions …
We make many small decisions daily, often without a lot of thought.
Collectively they reveal a pattern. Wisdom calls us to take stock of the
collective effects of our decisions. The new Universal Declaration on
Bioethics and Human Rights is the result of global stocktaking of recent
biotechnological and medical advances.

Spirituality, Suffering and Dementia
The impact of dementia on patient and family presents significant challenges
for carers. How best can we respect the human dignity that remains in its
fullness even when particular predicates of personhood are clearly lacking?
Michael McCabe discusses the need for a holistic understanding of suffering
that embraces the spiritual.

End-of-Life Care
In Australia there are moves in public hospitals and in the Catholic
health-care system to encourage planning for one's future healthcare needs.
In this article Australian bioethicist Elizabeth Hepburn (IBVM) reflects on
a new document being prepared by a committee of the Australian Catholic
Bishops' Conference.

The Pursuit of Wisdom
We live in a knowledge based economy that values information but pays scant
attention to wisdom. Dr. Anna Holmes reflects on the differences between
knowledge and wisdom and the need to bring wisdom to the work we do.

From CD 2 MP3 4 Free? The Principle of Moral Cooperation
It is common for us to find ourselves in situations where doing “good�
simultaneously involves us in causing harm. At times we are called to make
compromises and at other times we are called to make a stand. The classical
principle of Moral Cooperation can assist us in resolving such dilemmas.

************************************************************

TUI MOTU INTERISLANDS

An independent Catholic magazine

http://www.tuimotu.org

In the December 2005 issue ...

Editorial: Christmas (full text)
"A child is born. No event in life surpasses a baby’s birth for sheer
wonderment, thankfulness and delight. It is no surprise, therefore, that
throughout the Christian world Christmas is the feast of feasts..."

About the cover: The Marian College Triptych (photos)
The triptych is in the chapel of Marian College, Christchurch. It was
painted by one of the teachers, Ken Frame. The three painted panels of this
portable altarpiece depict the three major events in the life of Mary...

Also in this issue ...

What yet might be â€" Mike Riddell ... Thoughts on Advent â€" Joy Cowley ...
Sexuality and a truly human civilisation â€" Neil Vaney ... De Paul House:
Haven for the homeless â€" Annie Gray ... Letter to the Holy See â€" Humphrey
O’Leary
... Book reviews: â€" Kathleen Doherty, Elspeth McLean, John Kleinsman

***************************************************************

NEWS OF THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL

http://www.svdp.org.nz/?sid=3

Honorary Human Resources Advisor
We welcome Ruth Tansley to the Society as the Honorary Human Resources
Officer. Ruth feels in terms of employment, that the Society has to follow
the same procedure as a big organisations like Telecom ...

How you made a difference
Volunteer hours worked by Vincnetians last year equated to 50 full time
workers, each of whom would have helped seven people and vistied five others
each working day...

Youth Camp a HUGE success
2005 was a busy year for the National Youth Team, with 2 camps being held in
the North and South Island. In July we held the South Island Vinnies camp
with the North Island Youth Co-ordinators ...

PANASCO 6
The Vincentian Vocation is a Globalising World, will be theme for this
Panasco 6 held in Perth Western Australia, 20-24 January 2006. Invited
countries are: Australia (host), Bangladesh, Brunei ...

***********************************************************************

"THE WORD FROM ROME"

http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/

A weekly column by the National Catholic Reporter's full-time correspondent
in Rome, John L. Allen Jr.

This week ...

"Commitment to truth is the soul of justice", Benedict XVI says; Ali Agca
and the plot to kill a pope; Pope meets with the Neocatechumenal Way;
Ethical issues facing Benedict XVI

*******************************************************************************

EVENTS

Parachute Music Festival, Mystery Creek, Hamilton, 28-31 January 2006

http://websites.parachutemusic.com/festival/2005/default_noflash.asp

********************************************************************************

EMPLOYMENT

[Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the
Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies ]

[Vacancies in Catholic Youth Ministry are advertised on the Job Bank page of
the National Council for Young Catholics: http://ncyc.org.nz ]

Adviser, Archdiocesan Office of Justice, Peace and Development, Wellington
Website: http://wn.catholic.org.nz/justicepeacedevelopment.html
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2005, p. 5 and from: Lorraine McArthur,
Director, Archdiocesan Pastoral Services, Catholic Centre, P O Box 1937,
Wellington 6015. E-mail: l.mcarthur@wn.catholic.org.nz; tel. (04) 496
1706 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (04) 496 1706
end_of_the_skype_highlighting;
fax: (04) 496 1768 Applications close 23 January 2006.

Presenters, 'NZ Catholic' newspaper
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Dec. 18-24 2005 p.15, and from Dennis Augustine,
Promotions and Advertising Manager, 'NZ Catholic', PO Box 147-000, Ponsonby,
Auckland 1034. Tel. (09) 360 3049 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
(09) 360 3049 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; e-mail:
advertising.nzcatholic@iconz.co.nz