The 15th Station is our monthly news podcast. We get a panel of Kiwi Catholics together to provide a Catholic perspective on the news and current events of the month.
Station XV: Episode 153 — The Podcast Becomes an Unruly Teenager
Elections on either side of the Pacific Ocean are in the spotlight (and under the microscope) as the panel celebrates 13 years of The 15th Station. Anna, Don, James and Gavin start with the upcoming New Zealand election, and some developing stories there, before switching to the war of words between US President Donald Trump and his opponent, Joe Biden. In other news, Pope Francis has called for the Church to take a leading role in Lebanon as the country responds to this month’s deadly explosion. And finally, seeking a ray of sunshine under a COVID-19 shadow, some kids at a New Zealand Catholic school are trying to make quarantine a bit easier. Thanks for sharing 13 years, or even just this one episode, with us.
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Station XV: Episode 152 — Mosque, Matters, Marijuana, Murals
The reversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, with Friday prayers returning on July 24, leads this month’s episode, which is dominated by stories from New Zealand. A pro-life billboard has been criticised for trying to hijack the Black Lives Matter movement, while the debate over plans to legalise marijuana in New Zealand begins to heat up. The panel of Anna, Don, James and Gavin also discuss the role of women in seminary formation. Would it have made a difference in seminaries that seem to have been linked to abusive priests? Maybe a little bit of an art critique can lighten the mood — or not.
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Station XV: Episode 151 — Family; Floyd; Fees; Frivolity?
In New Zealand, the new Leader of the Opposition has touted his faith and family values as key focus points for him as the country counts down to a September election. Around the globe the focus continues to be on COVID-19 and on the discussion over the relationship between policing and race. Anna, Don, James and Gavin discuss the death of George Floyd and the major protests — and riots — that ensued. On the COVID-19 front, Catholic schools in New Zealand are supporting parents with fee relief, while some priests have been struggling with the lockdown and what it says about them and their ministry. At least one priest has found a unique approach to social distancing and blessings, using a water pistol to continue a long-held tradition. Innovative or inappropriate?
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Station XV: Episode 150 — COVID, Courage, Conscience, Confession
In a bumper 150th episode of The 15th Station, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic dominates the show. This month, the focus is on the return to public worship in New Zealand (or lack thereof), as well as the courage of priests and medical staff in providing bodily and spiritual care to COVID sufferers. Anna, Don, James and Gavin also look at attempts to refuse to administer euthanasia if legislation is passed in New Zealand and consider Pope Benedict’s latest biography. Maybe what we all need is a bit of confession by delivery. Enjoy the show — and stay safe out there.
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