Station XV: Episode 140 — The Conundrum Episode
It’s an episode of head-scratchers and what analysts often refer to as “wicked” policy problems. How should we — society generally, and Catholics — respond to the plight of desperate people seeking a new home? How should bishops respond to changing demographics and the needs of the faithful? Should the Church allow its facilities to be memorial sites for survivors of child sexual abuse? The seal of Confession and attempts to sanctify a crime-ridden city seem somewhat straightforward by comparison. Join Anna, Donald, James and Gavin for our latest episode.
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Station XV: Episode 139 — Cardinal, Pope, Politician, King
Cardinal George Pell was convicted last December on child sexual abuse charges. The panel discusses his appeal process, which unfolded this month (without an outcome) and what might happen next. In Italy, changes to the translation of the Our Father have caused some consternation — mostly in English-speaking countries, where no change is expected. In New Zealand, a proudly Catholic MP has worn his faith on his sleeve in his first speech in Parliament, while the Maori King, visiting the Vatican, has invited Pope Francis to come to New Zealand. Maybe that can happen with the Holy Spirit’s help, assuming said Spirit isn’t too busy assisting drivers in Europe. That’ll make sense when you listen to the show.
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Station XV: Episode 137 — Future Church, future leaders, future laws, future Easter
It’s Holy Week, and the panel reflects on Pope Francis’ call for Catholics to be humble in their lives and to know when it’s appropriate to keep silent. Campaigners against euthanasia in New Zealand have certainly not been quiet as they seek to bring an end to efforts to legislate for the practice. Back in Rome, Pope Francis has written to young people and given them encouragement to embrace the faith, something Cardinal John Dew is trying to do in Wellington as the Church goes through some significant changes. The non-robotic group of Anna, Don, James and Gavin usher you through those topics and more.
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Station XV: Episode 136 — Sentence, Summit, Sacrifice and Signature
The conviction and sentencing of Australian Cardinal George Pell dominates this month’s episode, with Anna, Don, James and Gavin grappling with the complexities of the case and a range of emotions. The show also looks at the Vatican summit on child protection and the Pope’s Lenten message for 2019. The panel considers the dearth of “local” vocations to the priesthood in New Zealand and wonders what to make of Donald Trump signing Bibles in Alabama. Spanning the globe and a broad range of topics on this month’s 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 135 — Expectation, Celebration, Protestation and Cooperation
With the presidents of bishops conferences from across the world descending on the Vatican next week, the panel looks at the upcoming child protection summit and what we might expect. Pope Francis has returned for the summit after spending five days in Panama for World Youth Day, which attracted hundreds of thousands of people. In the South Pacific, serious concerns have been raised about the treatment of asylum-seekers currently living in Papua New Guinea, while in Fiji, the appointment of Catholic school principals caused a rift between the Church and the government. Thankfully, there’s news that religious people are more likely to be happy, so Anna, James and Gavin can at least rejoice in that. Enjoy the show.
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Station XV: Episode 132 — Investigation, Implementation, Immigration and Invocation
After lobbying from the Catholic Church and others, the New Zealand Government’s inquiry into child sexual abuse in institutions will include faith-based organisations. In the US, the Bishops have delayed implementing new abuse protocols after the Vatican asked them to wait until after the February gathering of presidents of bishops’ conferences. Also in Rome, the Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment concluded with calls for the Church to listen more carefully to youth and for young people to trust Church leaders — despite acknowledgements some leaders haven’t always been worthy of that trust. Anna, Gavin and James also consider the case of a Melbourne mum in immigration detention that can’t have her child baptised in a nearby church. In Florida, meanwhile, a church has been barred from serving as an election place in future after the pastor got a bit too political. All in a month’s work for the 15th Station crew!
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Station XV: Episode 126 — Exhortation, Examination, Information and Profanation
Pope Francis has issued his third apostolic exhortation, calling on people to consider how they can lead a life of holiness under the title of (in English) “Rejoice and Be Glad”. There’s not much rejoicing in New Zealand, as child abuse again dominates headlines, but an investigation in that country appears set to exclude churches from its scope, despite Catholic and Anglican leaders calling for their inclusion. Back in Rome, a gathering of young people has produced a document that — to a large extent — calls for the Church to better explain why it believes what it believes. In the US, Facebook has acknowledged some errors in deleting Catholic content, while in Brazil, it is others who are calling out the errors of the ways of a parish that went a bit overboard in modernising the liturgy. Join Anna, James and Gavin for a journey through a month of Catholic news and insights.
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Station XV: Episode 125 — Two Bishops, One Pope, 1,900 Young People and a Persecuted Minority
The Catholic Church in New Zealand — especially on its South Island — is celebrating the ordination of one bishop and the appointment of another. Considering there are only two bishops there, that’s a big deal. The five-year anniversary of Pope Francis is also a big deal, but how are people assessing that period? And how do young people assess the Church and its engagement with those under the age of 30? There’s more news of terrible persecution of Christians, with Rome highlighting their plight at the Colosseum. And singer Ed Sheeran doesn’t want the Colosseum, but he does have eyes for a new chapel on his UK property. Anna, James and Gavin gather for this month’s episode. Thanks for listening.
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Station XV: Episode 123 — Instruction, Inquiry, Immigration and Identification
As 2018 gets under way, Pope Francis has been very clear in his advice to Vatican ambassadors — uphold the family and protect all life. He’s also been clear about people’s obligations to refugees and asylum-seekers, while acknowledging that some people can fear “the other”. In New Zealand, there’s a call for an inquiry into child abuse to include religious organisations, and in Australia, a new sculpture is causing a little confusion, but also raising awareness. Join Anna, Don, James and Gavin for the first episode of the year.
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Station XV: Episode 120 — Sadness, Solidarity, Social and Celebrity
Tragedy has struck again, this time in Las Vegas, where the local Catholic bishop urged locals and tourists alike to band together in solidarity to support the mourning, the injured and the suffering. Pope Francis has acknowledged the inadequate response to the scourge of clerical sexual abuse, saying the Church was too late to recognise the gravity of the situation. The Pacific bishops are trying to avoid being too late to support the local economies and a New Zealand-born Australian bishop wants to make sure it’s not too late to reach people’s hearts and minds via social media. If that fails, the power of music and the Eucharist might work — or at least that’s maybe what some Colombian worshippers concluded. Enjoy the musings of Anna, Don, James and Gavin in this month’s episode.
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