Media Release, 16 May, 2013

The Australian Catholic Life Council today released a short video series “God So Loved The World” as a pastoral resource to educate, inform and provide information about life issues.

This pastoral series of videos was developed in collaboration with Respect Life Offices around Australia, bioethicists, theologians, doctors, academics and pastoral carers to provide a response to difficult issues such as abortion, euthanasia and reproductive technologies.

Taking an educative and explanatory approach, the series shares the Catholic Church’s position on bioethical issues, choosing to focus on abortion, euthanasia and reproductive technologies.

The series is available online at www.godsolovedtheworld.org.au

Chair of the Australian Catholic Life Council Bishop Eugene Hurley in recommending the series said that people need to move away from legalistic language and become more pastoral about how they care for those facing life and death challenges. Continue reading →

Media Release, 16 May, 2013

A new website designed to provide information on the way the Catholic Church will approach its engagement with the Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse has been launched today.

The website provides material from the Truth Justice and Healing Council, which has been established by the Catholic Church to help the Church response to the Royal Commission, on how it will operate and the work it will do.

Mr Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Council, said the site would be a valuable resource for both the Catholic and broader community that will be regularly updated with new information. Continue reading →

PENTECOST PASTORAL LETTER 2013
A PERMANENT NAZARETH:
FAMILY LIFE IN THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
BISHOP CHRISTOPHER PROWSE
CATHOLIC BISHOP OF SALE

Dear Friends in Christ,
It was in 2010 that the Catholic Diocese of Sale began considering a pastoral plan for the diocese in the years ahead. This valuable time has enabled us to reflect on the past 125 years of Catholic life in the diocese with gratitude to God whilst beginning to plan ahead for the future in the hope of the Holy Spirit who always leads and animates the Church.

Our reflections together have been in response to the guiding principle of Blessed John Paul II that all such pastoral efforts are based on “knowing, loving and imitating” Jesus Christ but specific pastoral priorities are to arise from local communities (Novo Millennio Ineunte, John Paul II, 2001, 29).

I have published two Pastoral Letters to set parameters and encourage our reflections (Finding Home in Jesus, 2010, and Everything for the Gospel, 2011)

After considerable opportunities for prayerful diocesan discussions, organised via the Diocesan Pastoral Council, two general areas of pastoral priority have arisen. Continue reading →