Station XV: Episode 150 — COVID, Courage, Conscience, Confession
In a bumper 150th episode of The 15th Station, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic dominates the show. This month, the focus is on the return to public worship in New Zealand (or lack thereof), as well as the courage of priests and medical staff in providing bodily and spiritual care to COVID sufferers. Anna, Don, James and Gavin also look at attempts to refuse to administer euthanasia if legislation is passed in New Zealand and consider Pope Benedict’s latest biography. Maybe what we all need is a bit of confession by delivery. Enjoy the show — and stay safe out there.
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Station XV: Episode 149 — Lockdown, Law, Legislation, Lady Deacons?
It’s a truly bumper Easter episode of The 15th Station, as the international COVID-19 pandemic and the acquittal of Cardinal George Pell on historical sex abuse charges headline the show. Anna, Don, James and Gavin also discuss the new abortion laws in New Zealand and the Pope’s decision to establish a commission to consider the female diaconate. After a heavy first four “courses”, the cooking exploits of a US priest round out the show. Happy Easter and thanks for listening.
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Station XV: Episode 148 — COVID, Cardinal, Celebration, Commemoration
The news has been coming thick and fast on the COVID-19 pandemic, including as it relates to Masses and other public gatherings. Anna, Don, Gavin and James try to keep up with it all in this month’s episode. They also look at what happened at the High Court of Australia last week with Cardinal Pell’s attempt to overturn his sexual abuse convictions. In happier news, a new Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland has been ordained, with his deacon father assisting at the Mass — a rare occurrence indeed. Elsewhere in New Zealand, the first anniversary of the Christchurch mosque shooting has been marked. All that, plus some Lenten advice, on this show.
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Station XV: Episode 147 — Exhortation, Celebration, Consecration and Conversion
Two big moments from Pope Francis — his new apostolic exhortation Querida Amazonia and his decision to turn a Roman palace into a homeless shelter feature in this month’s episode of The 15th Station. Two New Zealand issues fall in between those: Cardinal John Dew’s case for religious freedom and the decline in the number of religious sisters in the country, although that picture is complicated. What’s also complicated is a decision to grant “ethical vegans” the same rights as people of faith. Join Anna, Don, Gavin and James for a typically robust discussion.
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Station XV: Episode 146 — Bushfires, Books, Baptism and Barenaked Worship
The devastating bushfires that have ravaged many parts of Australia lead this month’s episode. The Church and its agencies are working closely to support people and communities that have been affected. Listeners looking to offer support can donate via the St Vincent de Paul Society‘s website. The big story out of Rome is a new book on celibacy, which features the writings of Cardinal Robert Sarah and Pope Emeritus Benedict. Why’s it so controversial? Listen to what the panel thinks. Don, James and Gavin also discuss infant Baptism, a debate over school funding in New Zealand and the “Come As You Are” approach of one US church. Thanks for listening and for your prayers and support.
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Station XV: Episode 145 — Sorrow, settlement, synod, Scripture
It’s truly a bumper episode of The 15th Station for our Christmas episode, as the panel considers some of the big stories from home and abroad. The White Island volcano tragedy leads the show, as New Zealand tries to deal with another disaster. In Australia, one debate over religious freedom has concluded, with a rugby player and his employers reaching a settlement over a social media post paraphrasing Scripture. In Germany, the Church has embarked on a “synodal journey” that is offering both hope and concern, depending on who you ask. And back in NZ, plans are coming together for the construction of a new Catholic cathedral in Christchurch. From the 15th Station family (Anna, Donald, James and Gavin) to you and yours, we wish you a happy and holy Christmas.
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Station XV: Episode 144 — Canberra, Rome, Amazon, Wellington, Whangamomona
The Station 15 crew was in the courtroom for one of the biggest announcements in the Church’s legal history, as the High Court of Australia agreed that it would hear arguments why Cardinal George Pell’s child sexual abuse convictions should be overturned. It wasn’t quite that exciting for the New Zealand bishops, but they recently made their Ad Limina visit to Rome, meeting with Pope Francis and his key advisers. The bishops were there as the much-reported Synod on the Amazon unfolded, but it was hard to find the facts among the hysteria. Back in New Zealand, there’s a push from a Maori organisation to get Pope Francis to apologise for the Church’s role in colonising the country back in the 19th century. Things have been a bit quieter in Whangamomona, where a 100-year-old Catholic church has seen its last hurrah — as a place of Catholic worship, at least. A typically diverse episode awaits.
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Station XV: Episode 143 — Resignation, Canonisation, Ordination, Consultation and Condemnation
The resignation of Palmerston North Bishop Charles Drennan for inappropriate behaviour with a young woman was a great shock to the Church in New Zealand — and the Station 15 panel. That big story leads this episode, which (as always) traverses the globe. This month, the panel ventures to Rome via Oxford, with the canonisation of St John Henry Newman, and then to the Amazon via Rome, as a Synod of Bishops considers the life of the Church in the Amazon. Back in New Zealand, abortion legislation is on the political agenda. But is the Government playing fair? It’s certainly not fair to steal a church’s air conditioner, but is it OK to condemn that person to hell? Yes, it’s an episode as diverse as it sounds. Enjoy 🙂
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Station XV: Episode 142 — Appeal, Schism, Renewal, Technology
Cardinal George Pell’s unsuccessful appeal on his conviction for historical child sexual abuse leads this month’s episode. Anna, Don, James and Gavin consider the outcome and what might come next. Pope Francis has spoken about the prospect of schism within the Church, while in New Zealand a Marist priest is more focused on renewal. And technology — the Australian bishops’ statement on social media and the emergence of robotic preachers — rounds out the show. Thanks for listening and tell a friend 🙂
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Station XV: Episode 141 — Happy birthday, unhappy topics
As The 15th Station team celebrates its 12th birthday, it’s not an entirely happy occasion as topics like abortion, an earthquake-ravaged cathedral, mass shootings and clerical sexual abuse all feature in one way or another. Although that probably reflects some of the more regular topics that the show has covered during those years. Join Anna, Don, James and Gavin as they review those stories and reflect on 12 years of podcasting. And thanks for being part of the Station 15 family over these years.
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