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 145 — Sorrow, settlement, synod, Scripture
It’s truly a bumper episode of The 15th Station for our Christmas episode, as the panel considers some of the big stories from home and abroad. The White Island volcano tragedy leads the show, as New Zealand tries to deal with another disaster. In Australia, one debate over religious freedom has concluded, with a rugby player and his employers reaching a settlement over a social media post paraphrasing Scripture. In Germany, the Church has embarked on a “synodal journey” that is offering both hope and concern, depending on who you ask. And back in NZ, plans are coming together for the construction of a new Catholic cathedral in Christchurch. From the 15th Station family (Anna, Donald, James and Gavin) to you and yours, we wish you a happy and holy Christmas.
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Station XV: Episode 144 — Canberra, Rome, Amazon, Wellington, Whangamomona
The Station 15 crew was in the courtroom for one of the biggest announcements in the Church’s legal history, as the High Court of Australia agreed that it would hear arguments why Cardinal George Pell’s child sexual abuse convictions should be overturned. It wasn’t quite that exciting for the New Zealand bishops, but they recently made their Ad Limina visit to Rome, meeting with Pope Francis and his key advisers. The bishops were there as the much-reported Synod on the Amazon unfolded, but it was hard to find the facts among the hysteria. Back in New Zealand, there’s a push from a Maori organisation to get Pope Francis to apologise for the Church’s role in colonising the country back in the 19th century. Things have been a bit quieter in Whangamomona, where a 100-year-old Catholic church has seen its last hurrah — as a place of Catholic worship, at least. A typically diverse episode awaits.
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Station XV: Episode 143 — Resignation, Canonisation, Ordination, Consultation and Condemnation
The resignation of Palmerston North Bishop Charles Drennan for inappropriate behaviour with a young woman was a great shock to the Church in New Zealand — and the Station 15 panel. That big story leads this episode, which (as always) traverses the globe. This month, the panel ventures to Rome via Oxford, with the canonisation of St John Henry Newman, and then to the Amazon via Rome, as a Synod of Bishops considers the life of the Church in the Amazon. Back in New Zealand, abortion legislation is on the political agenda. But is the Government playing fair? It’s certainly not fair to steal a church’s air conditioner, but is it OK to condemn that person to hell? Yes, it’s an episode as diverse as it sounds. Enjoy 🙂
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Station XV: Episode 142 — Appeal, Schism, Renewal, Technology
Cardinal George Pell’s unsuccessful appeal on his conviction for historical child sexual abuse leads this month’s episode. Anna, Don, James and Gavin consider the outcome and what might come next. Pope Francis has spoken about the prospect of schism within the Church, while in New Zealand a Marist priest is more focused on renewal. And technology — the Australian bishops’ statement on social media and the emergence of robotic preachers — rounds out the show. Thanks for listening and tell a friend 🙂
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