The View from Down Here returns with a full slate of topics to cover, including a quick update on the state of the Republican primary season, the US soldier accused of killing 16 Afghanis and some analysis of President Obama’s performance, including his new campaign video outlining his achievements thus far, his role in rising gas prices and the constantly moving HHS mandate on contraception. An action-packed discussion, that’s for sure.

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It’s another intriguing episode of Station 15, as we explore the role of bishops in industrial disputes, Jesus’ ability to heal diseases and the Pope’s upcoming trip to Cuba, not to mention one of the most frivolous court cases you might ever hear about. Just another month in the life of The 15th Station.

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On the eve of Super Tuesday, the three self-proclaimed experts on American politics and culture break down the current state of play in the Republican primary contest as Mitt Romney looks to continue the momentum he gained in a series of victories from Michigan to Arizona to Washington last week. Will he be able to do so? Or will Rick Santorum bounce back? What about Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul? The panel also discusses the way Catholics have voted in the primaries thus far, Rick Santorum’s criticism of JFK, a group declaring war on the US Government and a new movie assessing if America is broken and, if so, how to fix it. Just another week in The View from Down Here.

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In the second episode of The View from Down Here, Brendan, Tim and Gavin revisit the Republican primary contest and, in particular, look at Ron Paul, the congressman from Texas. Is he being ignored by the media? Does he have a chance to win the nomination? Can — and should — Catholic voters support him? We look at a pundit’s view of that, and also deconstruct an opponent of Rick Santorum who tries to portray the former Pennsylvania senator as not a very good Catholic. Finally, we look at the way atheists are fighting for their rights to not be offended by such outrageous words as “Amen” and “prayer”.

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In the newest show in the Station 15 stable, Brendan and Tim Malone, from Christchurch, NZ, speak with fellow New Zealander Gavin Abraham, now based in Australia, on some of the big stories in the United States that straddle the divide of Catholicism and politics. In this inaugural episode of The View from Down Here, the guys talk about the controversial Health and Human Services mandate on providing contraception and sterilisation free to women, as well as a first look at the Republican primary contest, as the GOP looks for the person to take on President Barack Obama in November’s election.

We’d love to get your thoughts on the show; please add your comments below.

PS Apologies for the slightly dodgy sound quality; we’ve got some new equipment that will improve the quality for future episodes.

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The panel this month analyses the contentious provisions in President Obama’s health care legislation requiring Catholic hospitals and institutions to provide health insurance covering contraception and sterilisation procedures*, efforts by Auckland businessmen to open a 15-storey brothel in the central city and the Pope’s concerning admission that Christianity risks oblivion. But, in the good news of the month, Station 15/Icon Media has become an affiliate of the international Catholic podcasting network, SQPN. We’re really excited to be part of the SQPN stable, an extension of the great relationship we’ve had with Father Roderick Vonhogen over the past three years or so.

* This episode was recorded before President Obama’s announcement of changes to the health care legislation in response to the bishops Church’s concerns

The post Station XV: Episode 53 — New legislation, new brothel (?) new partnership appeared first on The 15th Station.

In the first episode of 2012, the panel chats about Pope Benedict’s speech to bishops from New Zealand and the Pacific, his speech to the dozens of ambassadors to the Vatican and the surging Catholic candidate for the Republican presidential candidate. We also talk about the “head-hunting” of an Australian priest to be the new rector of the New Zealand diocesan seminary. For some additional reading, here’s a link to a piece on former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. And for some additional listening, here’s an ABC Radio interview with Msgr Peter Jeffrey.

The post Station 15: Episode 52 — Pope speaks to NZ bishops…and the world appeared first on The 15th Station.

In this month’s episode of The 15th Station, the two-man panel of James and Gavin connects from each side of the Tasman Sea to discuss some of the big stories of the past month. The New Zealand bishops are in Rome for their ad limina visit, there’s talk of a full diocesan seminary in Auckland and we reflect on what Catholic News Service has found to be the biggest stories of 2011. There’s also time to chat about a complicated situation in New South Wales about admission protocols for a Catholic school in New South Wales, but we finish with a story that even brought a smile to the Pope’s face. On behalf of the team that makes The 15th Station possible, we wish you all a Happy and Holy Christmas and best wishes for a great 2011 — with more Station 15 podcasts as your New Year’s Resolution.

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In this, the 50th episode of The 15th Station, the panel discusses the upcoming New Zealand general election, including the views of the two main parties’ leaders on a contentious moral issue, as well as changes to the closeness of Catholics to Britain’s throne, a call for better homilies and plea from bishops in the US to parishioners that they don’t “pack heat” when they head to church. Never a dull moment on the 50th episode of New Zealand’s first Catholic podcast.

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In this month’s episode of The 15th Station, our transTasman panel talks about Pope Benedict’s recent trip to his homeland, the uncertainty over Christchurch’s Catholic cathedral and the hype surrounding the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. We also touch on two very different stories: A priest in Ireland returning to ministry after being falsely accused of rape and an Anglican church in Wellington portraying Jesus as an rugby-ball toting All Black. All in a month’s work.

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