Station XV: Episode 74 — The Pope, the Cardinals and Lesus Christ
Is the Church about to become a democracy? And a democracy that has women cardinals, no less? Your answers to those questions will depend on which news sources you’ve been reading over the past few weeks. Pope Francis is surveying dioceses and parishes to get some insight into family life in preparation for next year’s synod on the topic, and there’s been conjecture he’ll appoint women cardinals at his first consistory in February. What we do know is that a Latin American cardinal thinks New Zealand should have a louder voice in Rome, a $20,000 bathtub isn’t a great idea and someone forgot to proofread some new Vatican coins. Join James, Don and Gavin for this month’s show.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Station XV: Episode 71 — It’s our birthday; let us eat cake
It’s hard to believe that it’s six years since The 15th Station sprung into life in a small office in Auckland, but the crew invites SQPN legend Steve Nelson into Rendition Studios to share in the birthday celebration. The remarkable events of World Youth Day in Rio, and the subsequent unremarkable comments on the flight back that generated headlines around the world, dominate this month’s episode. James, Don, Shannon, Steve and Gavin also talk about Lumen Fidei, the joint Francis/Benedict encyclical, a doctor who has an interesting philosophy on prescribing contraceptives and the impending canonisation of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII. Even the light story has an unusually serious discussion. Thanks for listening to this episode, and any of the other 70 shows in this podcast and however many of the other shows in the network. You guys are great.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Station XV: Episode 66 — Habemus Papam!!
There’s really only one story to talk about this month, and it’s the election of Pope Francis. What a momentous occasion for the Church and what great interest it received from around the world. James, Marcus, Shannon and Gavin talk about the announcement, the man himself, the name he chose, their (very) early reactions, the big priorities he faces and even find some time to mention a light story, with a US TV show seeking to demonstrate the ignorance of the average Joe or Joanne on the street asking what they thought of the new Pope — days before he was announced. Enjoy the show, and tell your friends 🙂
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Station XV: Episode 64 — Saints, sinners and silliness
The panel kicks off the new year with a debate on the ongoing process of the expected canonisation of Blessed John Paul II. Is it happening too fast? How do we judge that? And what’s the purpose of sainthood? The billboard deemed not to have caused “widespread offence” is also discussed, along with the new reproductive health bill in the Philippines, passed against the Catholic bishops’ wishes. The Catholic ethos of Les Miserables and a wacky petition to have the Catholic Church designated a hate group round of the first show of 2013. Welcome back for the sixth full year of The 15th Station.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The View from Down Here: October 19, 2012
Another week, another debate (or two) and another show packed with a couple of New Zealanders’ views on what is unfolding in the US presidential election. Did Obama win the second debate? Was Biden’s performance forceful or overly aggressive? And what to make of the bishops’ rebuttal of Biden’s comments on the contraception mandate? Those stories and much more in this week’s show as Brendan and Gavin chew the fat. If you want some analysis on one of the second presidential debate’s most contentious moments — the moderator’s on-the-run fact checking of Obama’s use of the phrase act of terror — click here. Or if you want to have some fun with the electoral map and see how the race might pan out, click here. Less than three weeks till the election and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The View from Down Here: August 8, 2012
It’s been another sad week in the US, with the massacre of several people at a Sikh temple. Brendan and Gavin offer their View from Down Here on the tragedy, as well as a host of other stories including the start of the Health and Human Service mandate on birth control — click here for George Weigel’s article mentioned in the show — and Clint Eastwood endorsing Mitt Romney. The new San Francisco archbishop and an increasingly nasty war of words between Republicans and Democrats also feature.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Station XV: Episode 57 — Of budgets and butlers
The big international stories of the month fell on either sides of Atlantic, with Catholic organisations in the US sue the Obama administration over aspects of its health care reforms while, across in Rome, the Vatican was dealing with a series of documents allegedly leaked by the papal butler. In the Antipodes, Budgets and the ongoing debate about same-sex marriage grabbed headlines. But fear not, we’ve also got our trademark light story for the month.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The View from Down Here: May 22, 2012
With there now being a two-horse race for the presidential campaign, President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney have started what will be a lengthy battle of advertisements making the case for their nomination — or against their opponent. Brendan and Gavin discuss the contrasting tones of the ad, and the continuing trend of President Obama’s campaign to insert its collective foot in its mouth, as it did with this ad. Or you can click here to see the Romney ad, “Day One”. The guys also talk about threats against a Catholic parish in Massachusetts over same-sex marriage and the controversy that keeps on going — the contraceptive mandate as part of the president’s health care package. No shortage of meaty stories in this week’s issue.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The View from Down Here: February 21, 2012
In the newest show in the Station 15 stable, Brendan and Tim Malone, from Christchurch, NZ, speak with fellow New Zealander Gavin Abraham, now based in Australia, on some of the big stories in the United States that straddle the divide of Catholicism and politics. In this inaugural episode of The View from Down Here, the guys talk about the controversial Health and Human Services mandate on providing contraception and sterilisation free to women, as well as a first look at the Republican primary contest, as the GOP looks for the person to take on President Barack Obama in November’s election.
We’d love to get your thoughts on the show; please add your comments below.
PS Apologies for the slightly dodgy sound quality; we’ve got some new equipment that will improve the quality for future episodes.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Familia – Episode 18
In this edition of Familia we explore the following questions…
– Does a contraceptive act of sexual intercourse fulfill the Canon Law requirements for Consummation?
– How far is too far when talking about physical intimacy before marriage?
– What is ‘custody of the eyes’, and why is it so important?
– Is it normal to feel like a real ogre when disciplining my kids and can you offer any tips in this area?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS