Catholicism
Does the Beard Maketh the Man?
Dr. Eleanor Rycroft is a Lecturer in Theatre at the University of Bristol and has been looking at the question of when did beards suddenly become important? Audio
All that sparkles: the life of Queen Henrietta Maria of France
Auckland University associate professor Erin Griffey has become the first woman from New Zealand to be made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London for her work on Queen Henrietta Maria. Audio
Patricia Lockwood on growing up as the daughter of a charismatic Catholic priest who is also a manic-depressive narcissist
Patricia Lockwood talks to Kim Hill about a very particular Catholic upbringing in her memoir Priestdaddy, and its portrait of her father as a charming but damaged man. Audio
Chile's 34 bishops resign over sex abuse report
In an unprecedented move, all of Chile's 34 Catholic bishops have resigned after failing to act on the issue of sexual abusive priests. Pope Francis summoned them to Rome after a receiving a… Audio
Pope responds to Oz sex abuse report
Pope Francis says the findings of Australia's child sex abuse royal commission "deserve to be studied in depth".
The history of Catholicism in NZ
Victoria University's Grant Morris uses history to explain why Catholicism is the only traditional Christian denomination which is not in major decline. Audio
Vatican bans gluten-free bread for Holy Communion
Gluten-free bread must not be used to celebrate the Eucharist during Roman Catholic masses, the Vatican has ruled.
Tradewinds for 21 February 2017
New Zealand's foreign minister on Melanesian tour; the Kiribati Catholic Church is keen on tourism development but not on reviving the Russian Empire; Pacific workers join the rebuild of Christchurch.
…Priest takes Catholic Church to Human Rights Commission
Father Alex Kapiarumula is alleging serious claims of racial harrassment, deception and exploitation by the Catholic Church. His lawyer Craig Tuck says his client has nowhere to go. Video, Audio
Pope allows priests to forgive abortion
Pope Francis has declared that priests have the permanent right from now on to forgive abortions.
Ban on female priests is forever - Pope
Pope Francis says he believes the Roman Catholic Church's ban on women becoming priests will never be changed.
Terence Davies: quiet passion and sunset song
Kim Hill talks to Terence Davies, acclaimed screenwriter and film director, who is a guest at the 2016 New Zealand International Film Festival, presenting screenings of his two latest films, Sunset… Audio
Hey Sister!
Mickey Myers first met artist and activist Roman Catholic nun Sister Corita Kent when she was nine. That first interaction sparked a lifetime of mentorship, friendship and creativity. Mickey has… Audio
Stephen Hough: piano, performance and the priesthood
Kim Hill talks to composer, poet, painter and columnist Stephen Hough who was named one of 20 Living Polymaths by The Economist, and one of the 25 greatest pianists of all time by Classic FM. He… Audio
Pope says Trump not Christian, Trump responds
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is hitting back after Pope Francis said his views on immigration are "not Christian". Audio
Gay priest: 'inhuman' treatment of gay Catholics
A senior Vatican priest, stripped of his post after admitting being in a gay relationship, has launched a scathing attack on the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope apologises for Vatican scandals
Pope Francis makes a surprise plea for forgiveness over recent scandals 'either in Rome or in the Vatican'.
Bishop Drennan discusses Pope's letter on the environment
Catholic Bishop of Palmerston North, Charles Drennan, on the Supreme Pontiff's environmental encyclical. Audio
Voices of Faith - Steve Cournane and Rocio Figueroa
There will be a significant New Zealand presence at an international gathering in the Vatican focusing on the role of women in the Catholic church. The event is called Voices of Faith. A song called… Audio