Category: Uncategorized

Beyond fundamentalism

When the three gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke are studied side by side, many startling contrasts emerge. Have you ever noticed that Mark has Jesus on the cross for six hours from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon? Luke will tolerate only resurrection appearances in Jerusalem and there is no return to Nazareth as in Mark and Matthew.

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Book review: A Woman’s Place: House Churches in Earliest christianity

The authors of this book have set out to identify some of the anomalies around the study of women in the early church. They approached this task by noting three polarities found in these times, patriarchy as against discipleship of equals: public life versus private and ascetic versus domestic lifestyles of those times. This work testifies to the authors searching investigation into Greco-Roman antiquity and early Christianity.

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Launch of a legacy

Some of church music’s foremost luminaries are coming together next Sunday (13 May) to launch The Maxwell Fernie Trust. Dame Malvina Major and organist Douglas Mews are among those who will perform in a concert to highlight the new trust set up to support and encourage the tradition of Gregorian chant and Latin sacred polyphic music which Maxwell Fernie fostered.

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Oz bishop misses mark in assault on understanding of conscience

Bishop Anthony Fisher’s recent lecture, Conscience and Authority, is based on a similar lecture in 1991 by the then Cardinal Ratzinger, (Conscience and Truth). Both lectures try to diminish the importance given to the role of conscience in the moral and religious life of Catholics, that had emerged in the Declaration on Human Freedom and other documents of Vatican II.

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Bioethics and theology in conversation

A reflection on the formation of conscience at a recent conference of the Pontifical Academy for life in Rome challenged participants to immerse their experience in that of the poor.

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Understanding conscience

Deep within our conscience we discover a law which we have not laid upon ourselves but which we must obey. Its voice, ever calling us to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in our heart at the right moment….

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Embryonic Stemcell Research at the nub of existence

Can human gametes and embryos be used for research in New Zealand? I believe that is the question you are considering. While I have no doubt you are aware of the enormous responsibility given you in this task, and that you seek only the best and truest outcomes, I wish, as an ordinary New Zealander, to stress my concern that what you are considering has, as yet, unforeseen consequences for all life.

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Gametes and embryos in human reproductive research

Life and physical health are precious gifts that have been entrusted to us. We have a responsibility to take care of them while taking into account the needs of others and the common good. Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society work assiduously to support all persons to live fulfilled lives. To this end the Catholic Church recognises the importance of, and is committed to, ongoing research into human health and wellbeing.

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Teachers new to Catholic schools

‘school-parish relationships in the missionary context of Aotearoa New Zealand’. Those who gathered enjoyed the experience and in answer to the question, ‘What was of particular interest or value to me?’ made the following observations

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