Station XV: Episode 126 — Exhortation, Examination, Information and Profanation
Pope Francis has issued his third apostolic exhortation, calling on people to consider how they can lead a life of holiness under the title of (in English) “Rejoice and Be Glad”. There’s not much rejoicing in New Zealand, as child abuse again dominates headlines, but an investigation in that country appears set to exclude churches from its scope, despite Catholic and Anglican leaders calling for their inclusion. Back in Rome, a gathering of young people has produced a document that — to a large extent — calls for the Church to better explain why it believes what it believes. In the US, Facebook has acknowledged some errors in deleting Catholic content, while in Brazil, it is others who are calling out the errors of the ways of a parish that went a bit overboard in modernising the liturgy. Join Anna, James and Gavin for a journey through a month of Catholic news and insights.
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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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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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Station XV: Episode 118 — 10 Years, 118 Shows, One Church
As The 15th Station celebrates its 10th birthday, there’s time for a little trip down memory lane and a chance to welcome back some friends — old and new. But it’s not all reminiscing, with several big stories to discuss. In New Zealand, there’s celebration to be had as three new priests were ordained for the Diocese of Christchurch. New Zealand is also currently grappling with the possibility of euthanasia, but a new report doesn’t recommend it as the right way forward. There’s also social change on the Australian agenda, with same-sex marriage about to be considered by the people and the Parliament. In the northern hemisphere, a US bishop is calling for humane treatment of migrants. And in Wales, a case of mistaken identity meant it was free drinks all round. Join James, George, Anna, Gabriel and Gavin for opinions and reflections.
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Station XV: Episode 117 — Election, Collection, Reflection and Connection
Pope Francis has offered the influential world leaders at the G-20 summit some important reflections, including on their responsibility to look after their own people, as well as their brothers and sisters around the world. The New Zealand Catholic Bishops similarly urged their flock to consider the most needy when New Zealanders vote in the national election later this year. There are two big stories from Australia in this month’s episode. The most recent Census has shown that the number of people stating they have “no religion” has increased significantly, meaning Christians are now barely a majority in the country. And in news that grabbed headlines around the world, former Archbishop of Sydney and Melbourne, Cardinal George Pell, has been charged with historical sexual abuse offences. Also in Australia, a motorcycle club is taking to the streets to connect with others and share the story of Jesus. A typically diverse and fast-paced episode awaits. Enjoy the show.
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Station XV: Episode 113 — Praise, criticism, tragedies and comedy
It’s been a manic first (almost) month in the Trump presidency, and the US bishops have been both praising and criticising the President. In Australia, the bishops have been more focused on repentance, as damning statistics emerge about the extent of sexual abuse in the Church there. Back in New Zealand, there’s more analysis of the changing religious landscape and, internationally, there’s conjecture about a new translation of the Mass. But what would Jesus tweet? Catholic comedian Stephen Colbert offers his thoughts. Join Don, James and Gavin for the latest episode of The 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 110 — Voting, Governing, Ordaining, Building and Writing
The remarkable and unexpected election of Donald Trump highlights this month’s episode, with stories about the voting patterns of Catholic and Evangelicals and the hope for shared priorities with the Catholic Church and the President-Elect. Pope Francis’s affirmation of the Church’s teaching on women’s ordination and the news that the Christchurch Cathedral could be fully restored — at the cost of $100 million — also feature on the show. But the big question of the month is “What happened to a New Zealand teddy bear at the Vatican?” Enjoy the show.
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Station XV: Episode 96 — On Syria, sins, shopping and scaring
The Syrian refugee crisis has dominated the world news, and it rightly leads this month’s episode of the podcast, including the reaction of the Pope and Catholic bishops around the world. Thankfully, governments around the world have responded to pressure from those leaders, and there is increasing support for those in such difficult circumstances. Other big stories from around the Catholic world include the Pope’s announced changes to absolution laws and annulment procedures, the New Zealand Government’s changes to Easter shopping laws and Donald Trump’s ideas about “scaring” Pope Francis. If that’s got you stressed out, maybe a relaxing nap atop a 55-metre-high wind turbine might be just what you need. Enjoy the show.
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Station XV: Episode 94 — Liturgy, Laudato and Latin America
Pope Francis has been moving — literally — and shaking, as always, with his trip to South America and the release of his much-anticipated encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’, dominating Catholic headlines across the globe. They dominate much of the discussion on The 15th Station as well, but a couple of New Zealand stories also feature on this month’s show. After some discussion, the New Zealand bishops have decided they won’t be pushing for a new translation of the new translation of the Mass. In a rural part of the South Island, meanwhile, they’re wondering if they’ll have Mass at all. As for Katy Perry, she’s just trying to buy some Catholic land. All that and more, with Don, James and Gavin.
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Station XV: Episode 86 — On synods, struggling, science and shonkiness
The Synod on the Family — or Part 1 of the Synod, at least — has continued to dominate headlines in the Church, including in New Zealand, where the lone Archbishop, Wellington’s John Dew, continues to be a strong proponent of changes to the pastoral care of Catholics who have divorced and remarried. Don, James and Gavin pick up the conversation on the controversial topic, and also discuss the unrest among some senior bishops and cardinals, as well as the allegedly groundbreaking moment of a Pope saying evolution might be real! Quelle horreur! There’s also the actually groundbreaking comments of Prince Charles on persecuted Christians and the latest “Jesus was married” conspiracy. Enjoy the show — and if you do, why not invite a friend to listen too?
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