Station XV: Episode 176 — Sacrifice, Synod, Census, Sisters
Pope Francis has urged Catholics to better understand the sacrifice of the Mass — which is something the Station 15 panel can certainly get behind. The Pope has also made headlines with the commitment to appoint women to the panel that appoints bishops (announced before we recorded, followed through after the recording). Closer to home, New Zealand dioceses have published the fruits of their local consultation for the Synod of Bishops on Synodality and, across the Tasman, new data shows the number of Catholics in Australia is falling. Maybe some ardent prayer — come rain or shine — is the way to go…
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Station XV: Episode 174 – Constitution, Cardinal, Children, Concern, Commandments
The Catholic world has (as always) had some big news stories over the past month, led by the leaked US Supreme Court opinion foreshadowing an overturning of Roe v Wade. Elsewhere, the arrest of a 90-year-old cardinal sent shockwaves through some parts of the Church (and the wider society), and Pope Francis has again spoken about God’s care for LGBT Catholics. In New Zealand, there are concerns about attitudes towards blasphemy, but deeper concerns about Bible editing skills. All in a (tardy) episode, due to COVID-19.
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Station XV: Episode 173 – Truce, Trinity, Transfer, Transgression
Once again, the horror and violence in the Ukraine leads this month’s episode, with Pope Francis calling for a truce over the Easter feast. In New Zealand, there’s a sense of disappointment as the Vatican rules a cure that had been considered a miracle due to the intercession of Mother Suzanne Aubert could be explained by medical intervention. There’s a different sense — one of regret and sorrow — in Dunedin, as the Church renames a college that had been named after a bishop deemed to have not acted appropriately on allegations of abuse some decades ago. We end with some good news — a new pathway for refugees and asylum-seekers — and some weird news, as someone climbs the spire of a New Zealand cathedral while under the influence. A typically mixed bag. We wish our listeners a happy and holy Easter.
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Station XV: Episode 172 – Mediation, Vocation, Resignation, Termination
In a world watching in horror at what’s unfolding in Ukraine, the panel opens the episode with a discussion of Pope Francis’ attempts to broker peace in the region. In New Zealand, the priesthood looks set to get a boost from young Vietnamese students, while a priest in the US has resigned from his parish after revelations of invalid baptisms over many years. Elsewhere, new research has found that countries that pass euthanasia laws see related increases in other forms of suicide — a warning for jurisdictions passing such laws. After all that, we need a little classical music to calm the nerves. Can Pope Francis help?
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Station XV: Episode 170 — Peace and Pets, Witness and Weather
New Zealand’s largest diocese has a new bishop — a worthy story to kick off a new year for The 15th Station. Pope Francis has also been busy to start 2022, speaking out against violence against women, and also encouraging couples to be generous, choosing children over pets. Looking back to 2021, it was another grim year from Catholic missionaries in some countries, with 22 killed while serving overseas. And a new report tries to assess how the weather affects church attendance, and what impact that might have on crime rates. A diverse line-up for Anna, Don, James and Gavin to tackle.
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Station XV: Episode 168 — Life, Listening, Laws, Las Vegas
Much of this month’s episode focuses on the South Pacific, with new euthanasia laws in New Zealand, proposed religious freedom laws in Australia, a Tongan cardinal and a possible papal visit to the Pacific finding their way into the lineup. How can priests provide pastoral care for people accessing euthanasia? How can the Church stand up for those affected by climate change? Should Catholic organisations be allowed to only hire Catholics? Will Pope Francis come to the ends of the earth? And why was Mother Teresa in Las Vegas six decades ago? Some answers await as Anna, Don, Gavin and James tease out those topics.
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Station XV: Episode 167 — Council, Conversion, Communion, Conclave
This month’s episode travels the world, taking in the devastating French abuse report, the historic Plenary Council in Australia, New Zealand’s attempt to ban “conversion therapy” and the ongoing debate about politicians and holy Communion. Anna, Don, James and Gavin end up in Italy — and the prospect of a new papacy, suggested by Francis himself. It’s heavy going, but a bumper episode awaits.
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Station XV: Episode 166 — Attack, Assisted Dying, Afghanistan, Activity
The terror attack on an Auckland supermarket leads this month’s episode, with the New Zealand bishops condemning the attack, praying for the injured victims and urging the pursuit of peace. Across the Tasman in Australia, faith-based health care workers are worried about the impact that assisted dying laws will have on them, while back in New Zealand, support is being sought for incoming Afghan refugees. In the United States, the bishops are calling for more civility in public discourse. After another heavy show, maybe we need some time to kick back and relax. Foosball, anyone?
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Station XV: Episode 164 — Eucharist and University, Hospital and Hero
The US Bishops and President Joe Biden continue to be pitted against one another, with an upcoming document on the Eucharist seen as a shot across Biden’s bow. But is it just a teaching document on a key topic? Anna, Don, James and Gavin discuss that, as well as the ongoing story of Canadian residential schools and the Catholic Church, hopes for a Catholic university in New Zealand and Pope Francis’ recent surgery. Maybe we just need a hero. Will Spider-Man do? Thanks for listening to The 15th Station.
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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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