The Vatican has upheld a ban on a controverisal religious community in New Zealand that was previously given the green light under Pope Benedict XVI, ending a year-long appeal.
On 10 August 2025, Bishop Michael Gielen of the Diocese of Christchurch informed the faithful that the Holy See had "rejected in its entirety” the appeal lodged by the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Transalpine Redemptorists.
The Catholic order, which is modelled on the rule of St Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists, and whose priests and brothers were told to leave the diocese in July 2024, is reported to have been investigated over allegations of abuse and unauthorised exorcisms.
