Station XV: Episode 190 — Six, Synod, Shift, Strickland, Sister
After a long wait, New Zealand now has a full complement of six bishops, with a new Bishop of Hamilton named. Bishops have also been busy in Rome for the Synod of Bishops, while one US bishop in particular now has a lot more time on his hands. His episcopal leadership has undergone what might be called a “paradigm shift”, if that term isn’t reserved exclusively for a new approach to theology. Meanwhile, in France, a religious sister just shifted someone who was protesting the construction of a new religious building. Join Anna, Cam, Don and James for a fast-paced trip around the Catholic world.
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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 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 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 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 138 — Sri Lanka, Paris, Israel and the Vatican
There are some heavy topics to cover this month, with Anna, Don, James and Gavin discussing the horrific Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, the heroism that emerged from the Notre Dame fire and the battle over religious freedom in Australia. Pope Francis has also issued new guidelines on investigating and reporting child sexual abuse. Do they go far enough? And this month’s “light” story shows that even good deeds can sometimes have negative unintended consequences. Thanks for joining us for another episode of The 15th Station.
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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 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 134 — Security, Celibacy, Identity and Charity
The Church in the United States, New Zealand and Germany is grappling with a number of big issues, with the southern US border and the impending New Zealand Royal Commission into child sexual abuse headlining this month’s show. The German bishops are looking at the issue of celibacy, framing their rethink of the discipline as a response to the abuse crisis. In New Zealand, Catholic schools are trying to find authentic, pastoral responses to the issue of gender dysphoria, while back in America, a priest is enjoying spreading some Christmas joy — all year long. Join Anna, James and Gavin, and the returning Don, for this globetrotting episode.
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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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