News & Views

  • Diary of a Pilgrim – Part II

    The Basilica of St Sebastian – the first stop in Rome. There are four different groups of pilgrims participating in the same pilgrimage and this is the first time they meet.The way to this basilica is beautiful for the travellers who are driven, but certainly not easy for the bus drivers. The roads are small

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  • Diary of a Pilgrim – Part I

    Diary of a Pilgrim (Part I)

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  • Welcome to Pope Leo XIV

    Within only a couple of days the cardinals chose the new pope: Robert Francis Prevost.We learned that he was US American and that he chose the name Leo XIV. Since Pope Francis has been sick and especially since he passed away, we heard about many possible candidates to become the new head of the Catholic

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  • Eulogy for Pope Francis….

    For several weeks we were praying for Pope Francis as he was seriously ill. Given his age, his health and the huge responsibility that was certainly burdening him, we knew that we were praying for him not to suffer and to be at peace when it was time for him to go. For him to

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  • Ecumenical Walk 2025

    Good Friday is a time when Christians of different denominations have come together for many years.After Cyclone Tam impacting Auckland with strong gale-force winds and heavy rains on Maundy Thursday, the organisers of the Ecumenical Walk in Beach Haven / Birkdale decided to go ahead with their endeavour and trust that it would be safe

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  • Naw-Rúz, the Bahá’i New Year

    Naw-Rúz is the first day of the Baháʼí calendar year, and one of eleven holy days for adherents of the Baháʼí Faith. It occurs on the northern vernal equinox, usually on the 20th or 21st of March.This year, the Baháʼí community on Auckland’s North Shore invited to Te Kamaka Marae which is part of the

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  • Freedom of Religion and Belief

    Scholars, religious leaders and people involved in their communities and in Interfaith dialogue came together from around New Zealand, Australia and the USA to discuss the theme of “Freedom to Do, to Be, and to Become: Enhancing Individuals’ Opportunities to Believe and Live as They Choose Within the Framework of the Law”[1].While it seemed like

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  • World Day of Prayer 2025

    “I Made You Wonderfully” – the theme based on Psalm 143: 19 was chosen by the Cook Island women who prepared the resources for the World Day of Prayer 2025.The painting that was used to promote this year’s theme and focus country seems to tell the story of traditional women in the Pacific: women weaving

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  • Interfaith Creek Clean-Up

    Beautiful sunshine, a diverse community, lots of laughter and the good feeling about having accomplished good deeds – the Auckland Inter-Faith Council organised a successful creek clean-up. All our Faiths share a deep concern for the environment, and particularly for clean waters.A few years ago, the Auckland Inter-Faith Council (AIFC) held an event on the

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  • Picnic for Peace

    Peacenic – a Picnic for Peace. This annual event is a popular event organised by the Council of Christians and Muslims in cooperation with the Pearl of Island Foundation and supported by the Puketepapa Local Board. This year, the invitation was explicitly widened to include people of other faiths. So, it was great to see

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