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 172 – Mediation, Vocation, Resignation, Termination
In a world watching in horror at what’s unfolding in Ukraine, the panel opens the episode with a discussion of Pope Francis’ attempts to broker peace in the region. In New Zealand, the priesthood looks set to get a boost from young Vietnamese students, while a priest in the US has resigned from his parish after revelations of invalid baptisms over many years. Elsewhere, new research has found that countries that pass euthanasia laws see related increases in other forms of suicide — a warning for jurisdictions passing such laws. After all that, we need a little classical music to calm the nerves. Can Pope Francis help?
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Station XV: Episode 171 – Data, Papa, Papa, Data, Pater
It’s not the most uplifting line-up of stories, but the panel tackles a range of important topics this month. In New Zealand, data has been released on abuse within the Church, as well as on the number of people accessing euthanasia now that it has been legalised. On the other side of the world, Pope Benedict has sought forgiveness for the way the Church handled abuse, including while Archbishop of Munich, and Pope Francis has prayed for peace between Ukraine and Russia. Anna, Don, James and Gavin conclude on a musical note, marking the death of Australian Mercy Sister Janet Mead, whose rock version of the Our Father was a hit in the 1970s.
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Station XV: Episode 170 — Peace and Pets, Witness and Weather
New Zealand’s largest diocese has a new bishop — a worthy story to kick off a new year for The 15th Station. Pope Francis has also been busy to start 2022, speaking out against violence against women, and also encouraging couples to be generous, choosing children over pets. Looking back to 2021, it was another grim year from Catholic missionaries in some countries, with 22 killed while serving overseas. And a new report tries to assess how the weather affects church attendance, and what impact that might have on crime rates. A diverse line-up for Anna, Don, James and Gavin to tackle.
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Station XV: Episode 169 — COVID, Communion, Canada, Christmas
It’s a globe-trotting Christmas edition of The 15th Station, as the panel starts in New Zealand, assessing the country’s liturgical restrictions under COVID-19, before heading to the United States and the long-awaited and much-discussed document on the Eucharist. In Switzerland, the Church has initiated research into the abuse crisis from the 1950s onwards, while in Canada the bishops have spoken out strongly against moves to legalise prostitution — citing the New Zealand experience in their letter. Just a warning that the discussion on the prostitution push is quite “adult”, so might not be great for kids. Our final story on Santa Claus (and if he’s real) might also be difficult for children, but for different reasons. We wish you all a happy and holy Christmas season.
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