Station XV: Episode 100 — Royalty, Recognition, Reprimands and Reminiscing
Eight-and-a-half years after it all began, the little podcast that could reached its 100th episode this month, and it was a full studio and a full show to mark the occasion. The Queen sends congratulations to people who turn 100; she didn’t send a message, but she does feature on this episode thanks to her Christmas message. Two other acclaimed women — the Virgin Mary and Mother Teresa — are also discussed, as well as a lesser-known, but very important, woman, as Sr Margaret Lancaster is recognised for her work in the area of palliative care. Join Shannon, Helen, James, Don, Gabriel and Gavin, as well as a few celebrity voices, on our 100th episode. And there’s not a hoverboard in sight.
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Station XV: Episode 99 – Wall to (almost) wall Pope Francis
It’s fair to say Pope Francis is dominating headlines around the world, so he’s doing the same on The 15th Station. Whether it’s the opening of the Jubilee Door – and Year of Mercy – or his calling for swift action in response to the Paris climate talks, Francis continues to be a media rock star. And apparently he’s also something of a musical rock star, with a new CD launched featuring the Pontiff. There’s other discussion of music on this month’s show, with James, Don and Gavin wondering if there’s such a thing as “objectively good” Church music. Merry Christmas from The 15th Station family and we’ll speak with you all in January for Episode 100!
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Station XV: Episode 98 — Scandals, Surveys, Synods, Saints and Sinners
Pope Francis isn’t going to let the Vatican leaks and the associated scandals slow down his papacy — and he’s told some of Italy’s Church leaders as much in a major speech. It’s maybe that attitude or just Francis’s demeanour, but his recent trip to the United States has seen his popularity — and people’s comfort with their own faith — improve. That’s happened while bishops and cardinals have been battling over what the Synod on the Family really said about Communion for the divorced and remarried. Perhaps we all just need to download a new app to help us find (or stay on) the path to holiness.
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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 95 — Pope, Polls, Polar Priests and Pasta
Pope Francis’s summer has surely been soured (#sarcasm) by new polls in the United States that show his popularity is waning across the board — with conservatives and progressives alike not as enamoured with the Pontiff as they were a year ago. The poll comes a few weeks before his visit to the US. When it comes to Antarctica, though, there won’t be any more visits from Catholic priests, with money and a lack of demand seeing an end to New Zealand priests ministering on The Ice. In other news, the divorced and remarried debate continues and a Kiwi priest with a colourful past gets an important international gig. But it’s the papal declaration on the secret to happiness that has Lucy, Don, James and Gavin really excited. Enjoy the episode.
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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 91 — Easter joy, Easter sorrow and translation madness
The Station 15 crew is basking in the post-Easter glow, but the Pope’s Easter message and its plea for peace around the world highlights the great challenges that are being faced by many, including Christians in various parts of the globe. Despite those challenges, the Church continues to grow, but some experts are predicting quite a change in the religious adherence of people over the next several decades. Maybe that will help us better understand people of other religions or none, but it’s too late for a New Zealander who’s been jailed in Myanmar for causing religious offence. Meanwhile, some people hope it’s not too late to have another attempt at an English translation of the Mass. All this and more with Helen, Gabriel, James, Don and Gavin in a busy episode of The 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 90 — Confrontation, assassination and reconciliation
Lucy, James and Gavin offer their musings on the big Catholic stories of the month, and in New Zealand, the biggest story was the New Zealand bishops quickly and publicly pledging their support for the Government’s decision to send military personnel to the Middle East to help train those who are fighting against Islamic State/IS/ISIS/ISIL. As the violence and barbaric acts escalates, the bishops said people “can no longer watch on from the sidelines”, and echoing comments from Pope Francis on the threat of Islamic State. The Pope makes two other appearances in the show, talking about the possibility he could be assassinated, and also for his decision to allow a homeless man to be buried inside the Vatican. Back in New Zealand, there are concerns about the sanctity of the confessional. All that and more in this month’s episode of The 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 89 — Kids, botox and 20-minute homilies
It’s hard to believe it’s almost Lent, but Lucy, Don, James and Gavin have got their penance in early with the latest jam-packed episode of The 15th Station. Pope Francis weeks-long unpacking of families in today’s world features prominently, with his comments that couples who choose not to have children are selfish and his green light for fathers to smack their kids causing a double stir. A Vatican document that suggested elective cosmetic surgery was a “burqa of the flesh” also raised eyebrows. Back in New Zealand, there are fears Mass in Maori — the language of indigenous New Zealanders — may die out, and there’s also anger at the inclusion of an offensive t-shirt in a museum exhibition. Can a 20-minute homily fix it? Find out in this month’s show.
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Station XV: Episode 88 — Elevation, consternation and celebration
A first for the Church in New Zealand in 32 years – the elevation of a Kiwi bishop to the College of Cardinals – leads the first episode of The 15th Station for 2015, but there are plenty of stories for James, Don and Gavin to mull over. Pope Francis’s critique of “deviant forms of religion” and his ruling on Chaldean priests who fear returning to Iraq are also discussed, as is the leader of Catholic education in New Zealand’s recognition as a knight, becoming Sir Brother Patrick Lynch. Meanwhile, some Argentinians are making a song and dance about Pope Francis. Enjoy the show – and share the link with a friend as a New Year resolution.
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