Station XV: Episode 193 — Pope to Papua (New Guinea), Paris, Patrick
Pope Francis’ first trip to the Oceania region headlines this month’s episode, as the Pontiff prepares to visit Papua New Guinea, as well as East Timor, Indonesia and Singapore on the longest trip of his pontificate. It’s also been a long time coming for a new document on human dignity, in which the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith tackles some major social issues. In France, the number of adults becoming Catholic has been surging. What might be the cause? Are they showing courage? That’s what Pope Francis is calling Christians to exhibit. And we’re sure the Holy Father doesn’t want people stealing anything. Join Anna, Cam, Don, Gavin and James for this unpredictable journey through the Catholic world.
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Station XV: Episode 186 — Compact, College, (New) Caledonia, Cardinal, Christians
This month’s show is anything but compact, but we start with news of a Vatican compact on the family, encouraging its flourishing in society. In the Pacific, Catholic education is growing in New Zealand, but has been under threat in New Caledonia. Sadly, the US is grappling with more gun violence, but a cardinal has proposed a possible way forward. Some might say he’s dreaming, but what might he be dreaming about? Researchers are trying to find out — well, maybe not the cardinal’s dreams, but the dreams of Christians. Join Cam, Don, Gavin and James for this month’s trip around the world.
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Station XV: Episode 184 — Christchurch, Colonialism, Commission, Coronation
In this month’s episode, a couple of controversies lead our lineup — an attempt to block the construction of a new cathedral in New Zealand and the repudiation of a 15th-century doctrine. Things don’t get much less complicated as the panel discusses the resignation of a key child protection figure, but most people can get behind the new King and some furry friends, right? Listen to find out, as we welcome a new member of the panel, with Cameron joining James, Don and Anna on our Easter episode. Enjoy.
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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 161 — Sorrow, Surety, Suffering, Shrine
New Zealand’s Royal Commission into abuse in care continues to dominate the Church’s agenda, with Cardinal John Dew issuing an apology on behalf of dioceses and religious orders. In Rome, there has been some clarity offered around the Church’s inability to bless same-sex unions, as well as a plea for greater openness to support people affected by environmental challenges. Back in New Zealand, the country will be re-dedicated to Our Lady Assumed into Heaven on her feast day this August, following a pilgrimage through the country. And in “entertainment news”, it appears the Borat sequel might have had a positive impact on one Christian community that was the butt of the mockumentary’s jokes. Another month, another journey around the Catholic world with Anna, Don, James and Gavin.
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Station XV: Episode 157 — Commission, Coronavirus, Cardinal, Christmas Card
In a year when COVID-19 has dominated people’s lives, it’s fitting that it features in the final episode of 2020. Pope Francis has warned that the pandemic shouldn’t be exploited for political point-scoring, but the panel concludes that the horse might have bolted on that front. The New Zealand Royal Commission into Abuse in Care has held its first hearings into faith-based organisations, and it hasn’t been easy listening (or reading). Anna, Don, James and Gavin also discuss the elevation of the first African-American to the College of Cardinals and his take on the new US President, before they mull over Pope Francis’ planned trip to Iraq next year. If that slate of topics hasn’t scandalised you enough, this Christmas card might 🙂 Wishing all our listeners a blessed and safe Christmas.
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Station XV: Episode 156 — Referendum, Result, Report and Recipes
The election of just the second Catholic president in US history hasn’t been universally welcomed even within Catholic circles, while in New Zealand, the euthanasia referendum has certainly disturbed many Catholics. Two diverse but also highly disturbing events — the terrorist attack in Nice and the report on former cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s inexplicable rise up the Church’s ranks — also feature in this month’s episode. In the countdown to Christmas, there’s at least a little to cheer about in the form of a new Vatican cookbook. Stay safe and God bless.
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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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