Station XV: Episode 175 – Persecution, Pelosi, Palliation, Prayer
The episode is a real mixture of joy and sadness, as we traverse the globe for this month’s stories. Starting close to home, there’s news of the appointment of a Bishop of Christchurch, but in Africa, the news of another attack on a Catholic church and dozens of worshippers is maddening and sickening. In the US, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s decision to ban House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from receiving communion has created a stir, while back Down Under there are concerns people won’t get the health care they need because of fears about euthanasia. Maybe we just need to pray about it and have a stiff drink — like the Venezuelan man in our light story. Enjoy the show, and keep up with your own prayers for our world.
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Station XV: Episode 174 – Constitution, Cardinal, Children, Concern, Commandments
The Catholic world has (as always) had some big news stories over the past month, led by the leaked US Supreme Court opinion foreshadowing an overturning of Roe v Wade. Elsewhere, the arrest of a 90-year-old cardinal sent shockwaves through some parts of the Church (and the wider society), and Pope Francis has again spoken about God’s care for LGBT Catholics. In New Zealand, there are concerns about attitudes towards blasphemy, but deeper concerns about Bible editing skills. All in a (tardy) episode, due to COVID-19.
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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 149 — Lockdown, Law, Legislation, Lady Deacons?
It’s a truly bumper Easter episode of The 15th Station, as the international COVID-19 pandemic and the acquittal of Cardinal George Pell on historical sex abuse charges headline the show. Anna, Don, James and Gavin also discuss the new abortion laws in New Zealand and the Pope’s decision to establish a commission to consider the female diaconate. After a heavy first four “courses”, the cooking exploits of a US priest round out the show. Happy Easter and thanks for listening.
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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 141 — Happy birthday, unhappy topics
As The 15th Station team celebrates its 12th birthday, it’s not an entirely happy occasion as topics like abortion, an earthquake-ravaged cathedral, mass shootings and clerical sexual abuse all feature in one way or another. Although that probably reflects some of the more regular topics that the show has covered during those years. Join Anna, Don, James and Gavin as they review those stories and reflect on 12 years of podcasting. And thanks for being part of the Station 15 family over these years.
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Station XV: Episode 133 — Christ, Christmas; Jesus, Justice
In our December episode, there’s a little Christmas spirit, but there’s a little bit of the Grinch as well. In New Zealand, new research has found that churches — Catholic and Protestant — aren’t all that popular, but Jesus remains so. In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte is trying to find out if suggesting people kill Catholic bishops is popular. But don’t worry; it’s just “hyperbole”. On either side of the Tasman Sea, justice is being considered following an overturned conviction for an Australian Catholic bishop and in New Zealand on abortion laws. But, as Christmas approaches, shouldn’t we all be worrying about whether Santa is real or not? Just another month — and another year — for The 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 124 — Criticism, Canada, Christchurch and Chile
As the euthanasia debate heats up in New Zealand, so has criticism of some of the advocacy, including material found in a Catholic cathedral. In Canada, people of faith have much to be critical about in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s edict about government funding for a summer jobs program. In Christchurch, a city still recovering from devastating earthquakes several years ago, a new church has offered a ray of sunshine, but it’s not so positive for Pope Francis when one looks at his work to tackle child sexual abuse — highlighted again on his recent trip to Chile. As always, Anna, Don, James and Gavin offer something a bit lighter after an intense but important discussion about some of the big Catholic stories of the month.
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Station XV: Episode 123 — Instruction, Inquiry, Immigration and Identification
As 2018 gets under way, Pope Francis has been very clear in his advice to Vatican ambassadors — uphold the family and protect all life. He’s also been clear about people’s obligations to refugees and asylum-seekers, while acknowledging that some people can fear “the other”. In New Zealand, there’s a call for an inquiry into child abuse to include religious organisations, and in Australia, a new sculpture is causing a little confusion, but also raising awareness. Join Anna, Don, James and Gavin for the first episode of the year.
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Station XV: Episode 119 — Electing, Protecting, Translating, Counting and Baptising
As New Zealanders prepare to vote in their national election, the issue of abortion — and the views of the Catholic Prime Minister — were put front and centre. Meanwhile, Pope Francis is seeking to empower local bishops’ conferences and protect the planet, through separate initiatives. In the US, religious affiliation numbers are seeing a drift away from Christianity and a rise of Latino Catholics. We’re not sure any of those faithful Catholics would choose to baptise their children in a sporting trophy, but an NHL champion has. Enjoy the show
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