Caritas accepting donations towards Cyclone Nargis relief
Catholic humanitarian agency Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is accepting donations towards relief in Burma/Myanmar where cyclone Nargis has killed at least 22,500 people, with over 40,000 still missing.

Free access to morning after pill sends wrong message says bishop
Bishop Peter Cullinane, spokesperson on bioethical issues for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference said we should be seriously concerned about reports that the Auckland District Health Board might be making it even easier to access the morning after pill: "is it our aim to encourage sexual activity outside of marriage or to discourage it?

Putin successor Medvedev gets Patriarchal blessing
President Vladimir Putin's successor, Dmitry Medvedev, was inaugurated in the Kremlin with pomp, circumstance, and prayers from Patriarch Alexei II of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Buddhist monks step in to help cyclone victims
The saffron-robed monks who spearheaded an uprising last fall against Myanmar's military rulers are back on the front lines, this time providing food, shelter and spiritual solace to cyclone victims.

Franklin Graham Preaches to 12,000 in Mainland China
Franklin Graham preached to some 12,000 people in mainland China on Sunday at the largest church in the country. The event was described as historic for the magnitude of listeners in attendance, given that China has often been criticized for repressing religious freedom.

Newspapers say Pope may apologise to Australian clergy abuse victims
SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) - While in Sydney for World Youth Day, Pope Benedict XVI may apologise to victims of clerical sexual abuse, according to Sydney's largest circulation newspapers.

Pope and Anglican primate discuss ecumenism, US visit, Muslim dialogue
ROME (CNS) - Two months before opening the Anglican Communion's Lambeth Conference, the Anglican primate was in Rome to commission his new representative to the Vatican, to meet privately with Pope Benedict XVI and to convene a Christian-Muslim dialogue.

Pope expresses deep sadness over cyclone's destruction in Myanmar
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI expressed deep sadness and "heartfelt sympathy" after hearing news of "the tragic aftermath" of Cyclone Nargis, which killed tens of thousands in Myanmar.

CARITAS reaching those in need in Burma / Myanmar
Catholic aid agency Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is working through Catholic Church partners on the ground in Burma/Myanmar to ensure aid gets to people who need it.

Pope urges Israel to ease Palestinian suffering
Benedict XVI says Israel will be a "shining example of conflict resolution" on the day when the peoples of the Holy Land live in peace in two independent, side-by-side states.

Tax evasion 'costs the lives of 1,000 children a day'
The lives of 1,000 young children a day are being lost to disease and poverty in poor countries because of illegal trade-related tax evasion, says a new report from Christian Aid.

Caritas Pledges US$50,000 to Myanmar Relief
Catholic humanitarian agency Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has pledged an initial US$50,000 (NZ$64,000) to an international Caritas response to the Burma cyclone.

New priest 'finds his feet' in city
The new parish priest of St Patrick's will hold his first mass in Invercargill tomorrow, but already the waiting line for baptisms is growing.

Caritas Accepting Donations Towards Cyclone Nargis Relief
Catholic humanitarian agency Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is accepting donations towards relief in Burma/Myanmar where cyclone Nargis has killed at least 22,500 people.

'Caring' Alex has designs on success
Alexandra Riley's passion for architercture stems from designing and building houses for her Barbies as a child. Now, her dream is to study architecture and use her skills to help Third World countries.

Absolution pitstops for Sin City party
"Bless me father for I have sinned. It has been 20 minutes or 2km since my last confession and I'm racked with guilt after falling into temptation on the way to the Sydney Opera House with a tall, dark and hyphenated pilgrim from Italy."

Pope to thank volunteers after WYD08 - SOCOG chief Sandy Hollway invites all to get on board for another major event
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will hold a special audience with the 8,000 people who volunteer for World Youth Day (WYD08) to thank them for their hard work and dedication.

Youth day shortfall hits hotels
The arrival of Pope Benedict in Sydney for World Youth Day is looming as an unholy disaster for the luxury hotels of Sydney.

MP says return to Iran unsafe for Iranians who become Christians
WELLINGTON - Independent MP Gordon Copeland has called on the Government to halt the deportation of Iranians living in New Zealand who have converted to Christianity.

South Island couple find love through Catholic matchmaking service
CHRISTCHURCH - It's a dream come true for David Breen and Cathleen Drinnan. Having met through the online Catholic dating service Catholic Matchmaker last October, they rapidly fell in love, became engaged and will marry in Christchurch on May 17.

New Catholic Enquiry Centre premises blessed
WELLINGTON - Blessing the new Wellington premises of the Catholic Enquiry Centre on April 22, Dunedin Bishop Colin Campbell said the work of promoting the faith was now "a much harder task that we're all engaged in". He noted the largest growing "religious" group in the last census was that of non-believers