Station XV: Episode 139 — Cardinal, Pope, Politician, King
Cardinal George Pell was convicted last December on child sexual abuse charges. The panel discusses his appeal process, which unfolded this month (without an outcome) and what might happen next. In Italy, changes to the translation of the Our Father have caused some consternation — mostly in English-speaking countries, where no change is expected. In New Zealand, a proudly Catholic MP has worn his faith on his sleeve in his first speech in Parliament, while the Maori King, visiting the Vatican, has invited Pope Francis to come to New Zealand. Maybe that can happen with the Holy Spirit’s help, assuming said Spirit isn’t too busy assisting drivers in Europe. That’ll make sense when you listen to the show.
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Station XV: Episode 136 — Sentence, Summit, Sacrifice and Signature
The conviction and sentencing of Australian Cardinal George Pell dominates this month’s episode, with Anna, Don, James and Gavin grappling with the complexities of the case and a range of emotions. The show also looks at the Vatican summit on child protection and the Pope’s Lenten message for 2019. The panel considers the dearth of “local” vocations to the priesthood in New Zealand and wonders what to make of Donald Trump signing Bibles in Alabama. Spanning the globe and a broad range of topics on this month’s 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 135 — Expectation, Celebration, Protestation and Cooperation
With the presidents of bishops conferences from across the world descending on the Vatican next week, the panel looks at the upcoming child protection summit and what we might expect. Pope Francis has returned for the summit after spending five days in Panama for World Youth Day, which attracted hundreds of thousands of people. In the South Pacific, serious concerns have been raised about the treatment of asylum-seekers currently living in Papua New Guinea, while in Fiji, the appointment of Catholic school principals caused a rift between the Church and the government. Thankfully, there’s news that religious people are more likely to be happy, so Anna, James and Gavin can at least rejoice in that. Enjoy the show.
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Station XV: Episode 131 — Convention, Confession, Confusion and Consternation
It’s a fairly heavy — and sombre — episode of The 15th Station this month, as Anna, James and Gavin survey the fairly challenging landscape for Catholics in most parts of the world, as the sexual abuse crisis continues to loom large over this era and this papacy. Pope Francis has called a meeting of the presidents of bishops’ conferences, while the Church in Australia has responded to the forensic examination it (and other institutions) received during the Royal Commission. In New Zealand, voices are being raised to defeat euthanasia legislation and there are new stats about annulments — but what do they mean? And, in the Czech Republic, what do spooky, ghostly figures in a Catholic church mean?
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Station XV: Episode 130 — Abolition, Resignation, Sanctification, Vocation and CELEBRATION!!
There are many serious topics on this month’s agenda, but the episode starts with a celebration of 11 years of The 15th Station. The reminiscing gives way to the important discussion of a change to the Church’s official teaching on the death penalty and the resignations of two senior Catholic leaders. Despite the challenges the Church is facing in many places, Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn has urged young people to strive for holiness, which is what an Irish priest is also hoping will be a fruit of Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to the country this month. Join Anna, James and Gavin for our birthday episode — and if you want to give us a birthday present, tell your friends about the show 🙂
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Station XV: Episode 129 — Confession, Concession, Courts and Confusion
The Catholic Church in New Zealand and Australia is under pressure to change the way it approaches the seal of Confession, with governments in both countries wondering if removing the seal would stem child sexual abuse. Bishops in both countries have a clear answer: “No.” In the US, President Trump is pushing ahead with his second Supreme Court nominee in Catholic Brett Kavanaugh. Another president, Filipino Rodrigo Duterte, is also making headlines for his name-calling and his curious theology, while the NZ bishops are also wondering how their theology is helping (or hurting) the Church’s evangelisation efforts. A Baptist church, however, is just wondering how they can show the face — and body — of Jesus to the world, literally. Join Anna, James and Gavin for this month’s episode of The 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 128 — Conviction, Courage, Communion and Commando (priest)
The conviction of an Australian archbishop of failing to disclose child sexual abuse leads this month’s show, with Anna, James and Gavin seeking to navigate the complex case of Archbishop Philip Wilson. In New Zealand, in Rome and in South America, there’s a call for courage — among Kiwi seminarians, but also among those seeking to find solutions to the priestly shortage in places like the Amazon. Pope Francis has called for the German bishops to think again about their plans to allow inter-Communion for the spouses of Catholics, while in the US, a priest is showing off his spirit, as well as his physical gifts, in the show Ninja Warrior. It’s another eclectic journey through the Catholic Church.
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Station XV: Episode 127 — Crosiers, Cardinal, Criticism and Climate
There’s more cause for celebration in New Zealand, with a second bishop ordained in quick succession. Bishop Michael Dooley is a local boy who has swapped his farmer’s crook for a bishop’s crosier. Across the Tasman in Australia, Cardinal George Pell has been ordered to stand trial on historical sexual offences, making him the highest-ranking cleric to be charged. The Cardinal entered his “not guilty” plea in a clear and firm voice. In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has chosen to unleash his power on an Australian religious sister, who has been speaking up on behalf of the poor and the marginalised. Meanwhile, the bishops of Oceania — Australia, New Zealand and many Pacific island nations — have also called for protection for those who are in danger, including from climate change. All in a month’s work for the panel of Anna, James and Gavin on The 15th Station.
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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 120 — Sadness, Solidarity, Social and Celebrity
Tragedy has struck again, this time in Las Vegas, where the local Catholic bishop urged locals and tourists alike to band together in solidarity to support the mourning, the injured and the suffering. Pope Francis has acknowledged the inadequate response to the scourge of clerical sexual abuse, saying the Church was too late to recognise the gravity of the situation. The Pacific bishops are trying to avoid being too late to support the local economies and a New Zealand-born Australian bishop wants to make sure it’s not too late to reach people’s hearts and minds via social media. If that fails, the power of music and the Eucharist might work — or at least that’s maybe what some Colombian worshippers concluded. Enjoy the musings of Anna, Don, James and Gavin in this month’s episode.
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