Station XV: Episode 163 — Consultation, Cardinal, Canada, Canon Law
Pope Francis has just announced that there will be a three-year buildup to the next Synod of Bishops, inviting Catholics around the world to share their thoughts on Church affairs. Will it be a valuable process? Or just set people up for disappointment? In Germany, there was a mix of excitement and disappointment when Cardinal Reinhard Marx offered his resignation, but Pope Francis didn’t accept that offer. Anna, Don, James and Gavin tackle those topics, as well as the news of more than 200 bodies being found at a Canadian residential school the Church helped run and changes announced to canon law. In the light story for the month, the panel marvels at a Scottish shed that’s a spiritual home for Catholics — in many parts of the world. Enjoy the show and, if you like it, tell your friends about The 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 161 — Sorrow, Surety, Suffering, Shrine
New Zealand’s Royal Commission into abuse in care continues to dominate the Church’s agenda, with Cardinal John Dew issuing an apology on behalf of dioceses and religious orders. In Rome, there has been some clarity offered around the Church’s inability to bless same-sex unions, as well as a plea for greater openness to support people affected by environmental challenges. Back in New Zealand, the country will be re-dedicated to Our Lady Assumed into Heaven on her feast day this August, following a pilgrimage through the country. And in “entertainment news”, it appears the Borat sequel might have had a positive impact on one Christian community that was the butt of the mockumentary’s jokes. Another month, another journey around the Catholic world with Anna, Don, James and Gavin.
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Station XV: Episode 159 — Division, Rejection, Conversion, Confusion
The candidacy and election of Catholic Joe Biden has divided opinion within the Church, so his inauguration was destined to be similar — and it certainly was. Anna, Donald, James and Gavin discuss the various statements issued on inauguration day, and the subsequent fallout. In Rome, Pope Francis has spoken out against those who have rejected Vatican II, saying they are outside the Church, and he has also made a ground-breaking appointment to a Vatican body. In New Zealand, the Prime Minister is set to pursue a controversial ban on “gay conversion therapy”, but the panel wonders what that even means. The Vatican’s social media managers are also confused — about the Pope’s Instagram account. A show packed with new and analysis, as always.
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Station XV: Episode 158 — Capitol, COVID, Coadjutor, Chesterton
The violent protests at the Capitol building in Washington, DC shocked the world, including many prominent Catholic leaders, as well as our panel. What does it all mean? Who was at fault? Anna, Don, James and Gavin seek to answer some of those questions, as well as some serious moral questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, and the advice of the New Zealand bishops. Staying in New Zealand, the Archdiocese of Wellington has a new Coadjutor Bishop, with Bishop Paul Martin SM getting the call from Pope Francis on New Year’s Day. The panel also discusses Pope Francis’ comments on worship, made on the Feast of the Epiphany, and if you’re looking for gifts for next Christmas, we might have a suggestion. Enjoy the show — and Happy New Year!
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Station XV: Episode 157 — Commission, Coronavirus, Cardinal, Christmas Card
In a year when COVID-19 has dominated people’s lives, it’s fitting that it features in the final episode of 2020. Pope Francis has warned that the pandemic shouldn’t be exploited for political point-scoring, but the panel concludes that the horse might have bolted on that front. The New Zealand Royal Commission into Abuse in Care has held its first hearings into faith-based organisations, and it hasn’t been easy listening (or reading). Anna, Don, James and Gavin also discuss the elevation of the first African-American to the College of Cardinals and his take on the new US President, before they mull over Pope Francis’ planned trip to Iraq next year. If that slate of topics hasn’t scandalised you enough, this Christmas card might 🙂 Wishing all our listeners a blessed and safe Christmas.
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Station XV: Episode 155 — Papal Ponderings, Politics, Prayer, Pell and Pews
Pope Francis’ new encyclical on fraternity and solidarity leads this month’s episode of The 15th Station, with the document seen as particularly important in a time of pandemic. In New Zealand, the upcoming general election — in terms of the bishops’ statement and the Opposition Leader’s faith — is on the agenda, as is the unfolding drama around Cardinal George Pell and a recently-resigned cardinal. A little bit of light entertainment is needed after all that, and a church in the southern US provides just the remedy. Stay safe, and we hope you enjoy the conversation.
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Station XV: Episode 154 — Euthanasia, Election, Eucharist, Encyclical, Escape
With the New Zealand election coming up in a few weeks, the referendum on euthanasia leads this month’s episode of The 15th Station. In a related story, priests in New Zealand have been warned that they shouldn’t endorse specific political parties, while being free to speak out on important issues. Cardinal Sarah has encouraged bishops around the world to resume public Masses as soon as it’s safe to do so, while Pope Francis is preparing for the publication of a new encyclical. And if there’s anyone in need of rescue, maybe some priests or seminarians can help out. Enjoy the episode — and stay safe.
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Station XV: Episode 153 — The Podcast Becomes an Unruly Teenager
Elections on either side of the Pacific Ocean are in the spotlight (and under the microscope) as the panel celebrates 13 years of The 15th Station. Anna, Don, James and Gavin start with the upcoming New Zealand election, and some developing stories there, before switching to the war of words between US President Donald Trump and his opponent, Joe Biden. In other news, Pope Francis has called for the Church to take a leading role in Lebanon as the country responds to this month’s deadly explosion. And finally, seeking a ray of sunshine under a COVID-19 shadow, some kids at a New Zealand Catholic school are trying to make quarantine a bit easier. Thanks for sharing 13 years, or even just this one episode, with us.Â
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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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Fr Anthony Trenwith — Homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fr Anthony Trenwith, Administrator of Holy Family Parish in Kerikeri and Te Parihi o te Ngakau Tapu at Waitaruke, shares his homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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