Station XV: Episode 113 — Praise, criticism, tragedies and comedy
It’s been a manic first (almost) month in the Trump presidency, and the US bishops have been both praising and criticising the President. In Australia, the bishops have been more focused on repentance, as damning statistics emerge about the extent of sexual abuse in the Church there. Back in New Zealand, there’s more analysis of the changing religious landscape and, internationally, there’s conjecture about a new translation of the Mass. But what would Jesus tweet? Catholic comedian Stephen Colbert offers his thoughts. Join Don, James and Gavin for the latest episode of The 15th Station.
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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.
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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.
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Station XV: Episode 98 — Scandals, Surveys, Synods, Saints and Sinners
Pope Francis isn’t going to let the Vatican leaks and the associated scandals slow down his papacy — and he’s told some of Italy’s Church leaders as much in a major speech. It’s maybe that attitude or just Francis’s demeanour, but his recent trip to the United States has seen his popularity — and people’s comfort with their own faith — improve. That’s happened while bishops and cardinals have been battling over what the Synod on the Family really said about Communion for the divorced and remarried. Perhaps we all just need to download a new app to help us find (or stay on) the path to holiness.
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Station XV: Episode 94 — Liturgy, Laudato and Latin America
Pope Francis has been moving — literally — and shaking, as always, with his trip to South America and the release of his much-anticipated encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’, dominating Catholic headlines across the globe. They dominate much of the discussion on The 15th Station as well, but a couple of New Zealand stories also feature on this month’s show. After some discussion, the New Zealand bishops have decided they won’t be pushing for a new translation of the new translation of the Mass. In a rural part of the South Island, meanwhile, they’re wondering if they’ll have Mass at all. As for Katy Perry, she’s just trying to buy some Catholic land. All that and more, with Don, James and Gavin.
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Station XV: Episode 93 — On Popes, the planet, populations and pitying (the fool)
In this month’s episode, the upcoming papal encyclical on ecology and the environment, to be released on June 18, takes top billing. As Vatican-watcher John Allen points out, there are likely to be a number of false claims in the media when Laudato Sii is released. The panel — James, Helen, Don and Gavin — also talk about the changing demographics of Kiwis, new measures to hold bishops accountable for failing to protect children and the “Yes” vote to same-sex marriage in Ireland. And the show ends with a reflection on TV’s 1980s hard man Mr T and his Christian faith. Enjoy the show.
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Station XV: Episode 90 — Confrontation, assassination and reconciliation
Lucy, James and Gavin offer their musings on the big Catholic stories of the month, and in New Zealand, the biggest story was the New Zealand bishops quickly and publicly pledging their support for the Government’s decision to send military personnel to the Middle East to help train those who are fighting against Islamic State/IS/ISIS/ISIL. As the violence and barbaric acts escalates, the bishops said people “can no longer watch on from the sidelines”, and echoing comments from Pope Francis on the threat of Islamic State. The Pope makes two other appearances in the show, talking about the possibility he could be assassinated, and also for his decision to allow a homeless man to be buried inside the Vatican. Back in New Zealand, there are concerns about the sanctity of the confessional. All that and more in this month’s episode of The 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 86 — On synods, struggling, science and shonkiness
The Synod on the Family — or Part 1 of the Synod, at least — has continued to dominate headlines in the Church, including in New Zealand, where the lone Archbishop, Wellington’s John Dew, continues to be a strong proponent of changes to the pastoral care of Catholics who have divorced and remarried. Don, James and Gavin pick up the conversation on the controversial topic, and also discuss the unrest among some senior bishops and cardinals, as well as the allegedly groundbreaking moment of a Pope saying evolution might be real! Quelle horreur! There’s also the actually groundbreaking comments of Prince Charles on persecuted Christians and the latest “Jesus was married” conspiracy. Enjoy the show — and if you do, why not invite a friend to listen too?
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Station XV: Episode 80 — Saints, popes, bishops, sisters and podcasters
What podcast in the past three weeks would be complete without discussion of “Four Popes Sunday” — the canonisation of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II by Pope Francis, with Pope Benedict on hand? Not this one, so Helen, James and Gavin lead with that momentous story, and continue the show with discussion of a bishops’ gathering in New Zealand, a meeting between the Vatican and some American religious sisters and an historic meeting of a New Zealand leader and Pope Francis. We also talk about drug trafficking. A typically diverse and entertaining show, we think you’ll find.
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Station XV: Episode 78 — Alarms, anniversaries and alcohol
It’s March 15 — so we’re in the week marking the anniversary of the election of Pope Francis. The interview the Holy Father conducted recently is a topic for discussion, along with the latest statistics on Catholics in New Zealand — nominal and practising — and the promotion of Cardinal George Pell to head the Vatican’s new economic secretariat. James, Helen and Gavin also talk about a small New Zealand town fighting the departure of a group of religious sisters, as well as the drinking habits of those who live at the Vatican. Thanks for listening; tell your friends.
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