Station XV: Episode 131 — Convention, Confession, Confusion and Consternation
It’s a fairly heavy — and sombre — episode of The 15th Station this month, as Anna, James and Gavin survey the fairly challenging landscape for Catholics in most parts of the world, as the sexual abuse crisis continues to loom large over this era and this papacy. Pope Francis has called a meeting of the presidents of bishops’ conferences, while the Church in Australia has responded to the forensic examination it (and other institutions) received during the Royal Commission. In New Zealand, voices are being raised to defeat euthanasia legislation and there are new stats about annulments — but what do they mean? And, in the Czech Republic, what do spooky, ghostly figures in a Catholic church mean?
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Station XV: Episode 129 — Confession, Concession, Courts and Confusion
The Catholic Church in New Zealand and Australia is under pressure to change the way it approaches the seal of Confession, with governments in both countries wondering if removing the seal would stem child sexual abuse. Bishops in both countries have a clear answer: “No.” In the US, President Trump is pushing ahead with his second Supreme Court nominee in Catholic Brett Kavanaugh. Another president, Filipino Rodrigo Duterte, is also making headlines for his name-calling and his curious theology, while the NZ bishops are also wondering how their theology is helping (or hurting) the Church’s evangelisation efforts. A Baptist church, however, is just wondering how they can show the face — and body — of Jesus to the world, literally. Join Anna, James and Gavin for this month’s episode of The 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 128 — Conviction, Courage, Communion and Commando (priest)
The conviction of an Australian archbishop of failing to disclose child sexual abuse leads this month’s show, with Anna, James and Gavin seeking to navigate the complex case of Archbishop Philip Wilson. In New Zealand, in Rome and in South America, there’s a call for courage — among Kiwi seminarians, but also among those seeking to find solutions to the priestly shortage in places like the Amazon. Pope Francis has called for the German bishops to think again about their plans to allow inter-Communion for the spouses of Catholics, while in the US, a priest is showing off his spirit, as well as his physical gifts, in the show Ninja Warrior. It’s another eclectic journey through the Catholic Church.
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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 124 — Criticism, Canada, Christchurch and Chile
As the euthanasia debate heats up in New Zealand, so has criticism of some of the advocacy, including material found in a Catholic cathedral. In Canada, people of faith have much to be critical about in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s edict about government funding for a summer jobs program. In Christchurch, a city still recovering from devastating earthquakes several years ago, a new church has offered a ray of sunshine, but it’s not so positive for Pope Francis when one looks at his work to tackle child sexual abuse — highlighted again on his recent trip to Chile. As always, Anna, Don, James and Gavin offer something a bit lighter after an intense but important discussion about some of the big Catholic stories of the month.
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Station XV: Episode 122 — Christchurch, Christ’s prayer, Christianity and Christmas fun
In the final episode of 2017, there is cause for celebration, but also cause for concern. In New Zealand, Catholics welcomed the appointment of a new Bishop of Christchurch. But there was also fear that attempts to legislate euthanasia might be successful in the country, though there are many hurdles before that can happen. In Europe, Pope Francis is wondering aloud if the Lord’s Prayer might be confusing people, while the new Polish leader wonders how Christianity might again shape Europe. But when it comes to pure fun, our Anglican friends seem to have it sorted, with a toboggan ride in an English church. Just another fun Christmas episode of The 15th Station. Wishing all our listeners and your loved ones a happy and holy Christmas.
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Station XV: Episode 121 — Protesting, Praying, Poverty and Poor Choices
The Catholic and Lutheran Churches have marked 500 years since Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of a German cathedral, reflecting on the shared faith and expressing a desire for unity. In the new New Zealand Parliament, there’s talk about a reformation of the opening prayer, removing references to God and Jesus Christ. In Rome, Pope Francis will celebrate the first World Day of the Poor with several hundred people living in poverty, while in Wellington, the Sisters of Compassion are waiting for a miracle — or two. And finally a Hollywood star reflects on his hopes that God is a movie fan, but also forgiving of poor role choices. Join Anna, Donald, James and Gavin in this month’s episode of The 15th Station.
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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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Station XV: Episode 116 — Francis, Fatima, Faith and Fairness
All eyes will be on the Vatican later this month when Pope Francis plays host to President Donald Trump, with the discussion predicted to cover some uncomfortable territory for the latter. Closer to home, New Zealand Catholic education leaders are looking at how best to support “unChurched” young people in their quest for faith. Across the Tasman Sea in Sydney, it was supporting pregnant women that inspired pr0-life advocates to fight proposed abortion laws. Back in Europe, Pope Francis has canonised two of the Fatima visionaries on the 100th anniversary of the first apparitions. In between time, the Holy Father found time to record a TED talk, in which he spoke about the importance of leaders who had generosity and fairness in their hearts. Join Anna, Don, James and Gavin as they navigate those stories in this month’s episode.
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Station XV: Episode 114 — Priests, poverty, parishes, policy and a pooch
Pope Francis — not for the first time — features prominently in this month’s episode of The 15th Station. He’s going to examine the possibility of ordaining married men to help address priest shortages in some remote parts of the world and he has also challenged us to be more generous in the way we respond to those who are asking for our charity. Back in New Zealand, plans have been unveiled for an Archdiocesan Synod in Wellington, to be held later this year, looking at the present and future of the Church there. In the US, Catholic bishops and ministry leaders remain deeply concerned about President Trump’s approach to refugees and asylum seekers. But a “Franciscan” dog might be able to bring a smile to our faces to wrap up the show. James and Gavin welcome a new podcaster, Anna, to this episode. Enjoy the show!
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