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 187 — Laity, Religious, Bishop, Cardinal, Seminarian
Some significant developments in the Synod on Synodality dominate this month’s episode, with the release of the Synod working document and the announcement of the Synod participants — including dozens of lay people — offering much to ponder. There has also been movement at the episcopal station in New Zealand, with a new bishop named, and on the global stage, Pope Francis has named 21 new cardinals. Maybe a current seminarian, who captured a bit of fame at World Youth Day in Rio, has a higher calling in his future? Join Anna, Cam, Don and James for a lively chat.
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Station XV: Episode 185 – Continent (of Oceania), Calvary, Cardinal, Convent
If you’re looking for a list of the countries in the Pacific, you’ve come to the right place as the panel discusses the Oceania Bishops’ response to the Synod of Bishops working document, Enlarge the Space of Your Tent. The Oceania response uncovered differences between the countries as they prepare for the Synod assemblies, which will have a more diverse membership than ever before. Diversity appears to be an issue for one Australian government, though, as it moves to take over a Catholic hospital, while in New Zealand it’s time for some semblance of retirement for Cardinal John Dew. That should give him more time to spend on Instagram, maybe keeping up with Sr Elizabete, the myth-busting nun in Brazil.
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Station XV: Episode 183 — Pope, Project, Politics, Pamela
There’s a bit of a revolving door for the panel this month as we reflect on 10 years of Pope Francis, with most suggesting it’s been a mixed bag (including The Washington Post). In Germany, the Church appears to be pursuing some practices that veer away from Catholic teaching, but in Australia it’s just all-out offence that is the concern. The Scottish bishops are trying to insert some sanity back into politics, while Pamela Anderson shares her prayer habits. Thanks for joining Anna, Don, James and Gavin for another chat around the virtual water cooler.
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Station XV: Episode 179 — Abstinence, Bahrain, Campbell, Dioceses, Enlarging
Don, James and Gavin metaphorically join Pope Francis on his Middle East trip, assessing the impact of his time in Bahrain. In New Zealand, men attending a retreat have been urged to stand up against relativism by a former bishop, while in other parts of the country they’re trying to find new bishops. The Vatican has published the next document in the Synod on Synodality journey, put there doesn’t appear to be any talk of reinstating abstinence from meat on Fridays. Maybe it would save the planet….
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Station XV: Episode 177 — 15 Years Young
As The 15th Station team celebrates 15 years of podcasting, it’s a typically global issue as this month’s stories take us to the New Zealand capital, to Canada, Germany and Italy. There are some uplifting stories, some confronting ones and an absolute head-scratcher — so not too dissimilar from many of the 177 episodes over the years. Join Anna, Donald, James and Gavin as they reminisce about the show’s history, but also tackles some of the big stories of today.
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Station XV: Episode 176 — Sacrifice, Synod, Census, Sisters
Pope Francis has urged Catholics to better understand the sacrifice of the Mass — which is something the Station 15 panel can certainly get behind. The Pope has also made headlines with the commitment to appoint women to the panel that appoints bishops (announced before we recorded, followed through after the recording). Closer to home, New Zealand dioceses have published the fruits of their local consultation for the Synod of Bishops on Synodality and, across the Tasman, new data shows the number of Catholics in Australia is falling. Maybe some ardent prayer — come rain or shine — is the way to go…
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Station XV: Episode 163 — Consultation, Cardinal, Canada, Canon Law
Pope Francis has just announced that there will be a three-year buildup to the next Synod of Bishops, inviting Catholics around the world to share their thoughts on Church affairs. Will it be a valuable process? Or just set people up for disappointment? In Germany, there was a mix of excitement and disappointment when Cardinal Reinhard Marx offered his resignation, but Pope Francis didn’t accept that offer. Anna, Don, James and Gavin tackle those topics, as well as the news of more than 200 bodies being found at a Canadian residential school the Church helped run and changes announced to canon law. In the light story for the month, the panel marvels at a Scottish shed that’s a spiritual home for Catholics — in many parts of the world. Enjoy the show and, if you like it, tell your friends about The 15th Station.
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Station XV: Episode 159 — Division, Rejection, Conversion, Confusion
The candidacy and election of Catholic Joe Biden has divided opinion within the Church, so his inauguration was destined to be similar — and it certainly was. Anna, Donald, James and Gavin discuss the various statements issued on inauguration day, and the subsequent fallout. In Rome, Pope Francis has spoken out against those who have rejected Vatican II, saying they are outside the Church, and he has also made a ground-breaking appointment to a Vatican body. In New Zealand, the Prime Minister is set to pursue a controversial ban on “gay conversion therapy”, but the panel wonders what that even means. The Vatican’s social media managers are also confused — about the Pope’s Instagram account. A show packed with new and analysis, as always.
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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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