The New Zealand Parliament has twice voted against a bill to allow for legal euthanasia (1995 – vote 61-29; and 2003 – vote 58-59). On Wednesday, a new bill passed its first reading (76 to 44). What agility do we have in discussing ethics? Leaving Roman Catholic clergy formation to one side for the moment,
Right to Die? NZ and Euthanasia Read More »
On the recent Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, I happened to be doing some work on one of my favourite black Madonnas: Our Lady of Montserrat (image above). Yes – I have visited and prayed there. She is in the style of the ‘Throne of Wisdom’. Mary becomes, as it were, the throne
Container of the Uncontainable Read More »
On Saturday, there was an article about Pope Francis in our city’s secular press. Again. Nothing too unusual for this Christian leader who has managed to attract the attention even of non-Christians and the often-anti-christian media. But this time, the article was complete with complex Greek and Latin word analysis! And it’s not even a
Pope Francis and Changing the Lord’s Prayer Read More »
Let us pray (in silence) [that God’s coming casts light into our hearts] Incline your ear, O Lord, [or Incline your ear, O God,] to our pleading, and by the grace of your coming to us enlighten the darkness of our hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour, who
Resources for Advent 3 Read More »
Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The Immaculate Conception is not about sex. The Immaculate Conception is not a celebration of the way that Jesus was conceived – it is often confused with the story of the Virginal Conception of Jesus by Mary and Joseph. This regularly happens in conversations, in
Immaculate Conception of Mary Read More »
The above very funny, two-and-a-half-minute police-recruitment video (with real police, not actors) reached 14 million people with its message of needing more police and especially from diverse backgrounds. It is working. So where are the churches’ versions? Encouraging people to consider church as a job/career/vocation? Encouraging people to join church? The videos about women in
On Saturday, I appreciated the review of French Philosopher Fabrice Midal’s new book, The French art of not giving a f*ck. And when I saw it for sale in a bookshop, I bought it straight away. This professor of philosophy at the University of Paris has practised meditation for 25 years and taught it for
Christian Art of Not Giving a #~*& Read More »
Slow Advent (join): As Slow Food is to Fast Food – so Slow Advent is to most people’s Fast “Season of Advent”. You can add your own ideas for celebrating a slow Advent at that link. Let us pray (in silence) [that our way is prepared for God’s swift coming] Stir up your power, O
Resources for Advent 2 Read More »
