Station XV: Episode 109 — Elections, Episcopacy, Elevation, Ecumenism and Exorcism
The longest — and most negative — presidential campaign in history is coming to a close. Don, James and Gavin talk about the Pope’s advice for US voters: Study the policies, pray and vote your conscience. Where does that leave voters? The panel also discuss a new bishop in Australia, who’s actually a New Zealander, the new group of cardinals and what that says about Pope Francis’s vision for the Church, and also the ecumenical efforts of Anglican and Catholic leaders, including two Kiwi bishops. And this month’s light story isn’t all that light; in fact, it’s pretty dark. Does the world have enough exorcists? Enjoy another diverse episode of The 15th Station.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Station XV: Episode 108 — Popes, Saints, Veeps and Zuck
The canonisation of Mother Teresa — now St Teresa of Calcutta — was the big news story of the month, and it takes top billing in this episode of The 15th Station. But news of two Popes isn’t too far behind, after an interview with Pope Benedict was released, prompting a flurry of media stories. For Pope Francis, it was him being chosen as the world’s most inspirational leader by former NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark and his meeting with Mark Zuckerberg that features on the show. And, with less than two months until the US election, Democrat VP candidate Tim Kaine raised eyebrows with his prediction the Catholic Church might eventually join the ranks of those who support same-sex marriage. Find out if Don, James and Gavin disagree.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Station XV: Episode 105 — Negligence, Tolerance, Intolerance and Holiness
Somewhat recurrent themes on The 15th Station — clerical abuse and the state of the US presidential race — show their face again in this month’s episode. Pope Francis has taken steps to make the removal of negligent bishops more straightforward, despite some counter-productive efforts in the US on statutes of limitations. Former NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark says the country offers a model for religious tolerance at about the same time Donald Trump is accused of lacking in that virtue. The holiness of a French priest who served in New Zealand and the humour of Jim and Jeanne Gaffigan might save us.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Station XV: Episode 104 — Pope, Pope, President, Pope and Pasta
Pope Francis can’t seem to stay out of the headlines, but it’s mostly for positive reasons that he’s in the media in the first place. Pope Francis’s gesture — which he says wasn’t political — to bring 12 Syrians back to Rome from the Greek island of Lesbos captured headlines and people’s hearts. His call for tough action on paedophiles was well received, but many want actions rather than words. The new Filipino president’s words, including a pretty unkind swipe at Pope Francis, were also in the news, as was discussion of women deacons. But was the media coverage more hopeful than truthful? Check out a transcript of what the Pope actually said. Maybe James, Don and Gavin could get more information from the Pastafarian lovebirds married in New Zealand. Yes; you read that correctly. Enjoy the show.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Station XV: Episode 102 — Madonna, martyrs, madness and metal
There are many reasons for doom and gloom when considering this month’s lineup of topics — none more so than reflecting on the murder of four Missionaries of Charity in Yemen. They are “today’s martyrs”, Pope Francis said, and it’s hard to disagree. In New Zealand, Bishop Patrick Dunn has spoken out against Madonna, who he said engages in highly offensive conduct in her current concert. In the US, causing offense seems to be something of a pastime for presidential hopeful Donald Trump. Pope Francis and leading Catholic academics have been highly critical of the billionaire’s rhetoric and policies. Is the criticism fair? Lucy, Don, James and Gavin consider those questions, and also do their best to think about Iron Maiden’s greatest hits.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Station XV: Episode 81 — Harmony, Celibacy, Inequality
Pope Francis has been grabbing headlines again this month, not only for his trip to Israel and Palestine, but also for his hosting of a prayer meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican. That leads this month’s episode, and Helen, James and Gavin also talk about inequality in New Zealand, the inhumane treatment of refugees and asylum seekers trying to find a new home in Australia and about a group of women in Italy who want the Pope to drop the pesky celibacy rule that’s stopping them from being able to marry the priests they’ve fallen in love with. And if that’s not enough, we’ve got the Football World Cup, Christ the Redeemer and a betting agency to round out the show. Send us feedback at podcast@station15.co.nz
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The View from Down Here: Election recap
Brendan and Gavin perform a verbal autopsy on last week’s presidential election, looking at the impact of Hurricane Sandy, the campaigns each candidate ran, the changing demographics of the electorate, the economy, the role of the media and so much more. Where does the conservative movement and the Republican Party go from here? Was this a disaster for the party? Was this a ringing endorsement of President Obama and the progressive agenda? With the election now in the rear-view mirror, we’re also having a think about the future of The View from Down Here and we’d love to hear from you about what you’d like. We’re leaning towards a monthly show with an ongoing focus on US culture, religion and politics from a Kiwi perspective. Email us on podcast at station15 dot co dot nz and let us know if that sounds good, or if you have other thoughts.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The View from Down Here: ELECTION PREVIEW
After months and months of anticipation and expectation, we’re now less than 48 hours away from the first polls closing as the US elects its next president. Three New Zealanders try to read the tea leaves from thousands of miles away, looking at the state of the race at this late stage, analysing how last-minute events can — or did — change the race and finally making a prediction on who will win. Join Brendan, Tim and Gavin as they break it all down with a distinctly New Zealand flavour. And if you think some Catholic leaders are being tough on the Democratic Party and its policies, watch this video we mentioned in the show. Enjoy the election, y’all. Whatever the outcome, we’ll be back to analyse it next week and see who was right and who was wrong.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The View from Down Here: October 25, 2012
With under two weeks to go until the presidential election, that naturally dominates this week’s show, covering the story from many angles — the final debate, the polls, the campaigning, the reaction in swing states and the Al Smith Dinner, to name but a few. But Brendan and Gavin also find time to talk about a couple of other important stories, including an analysis of the “War on Religion” in the US and the canonisation of the first Native American saint (see awesome photo) and another woman whose ministry to lepers in Hawaii laid the path for her canonisation. Enjoy the show, and check back next week for another View from Down Here.
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