Media Release, 23 July, 2013

The National Catholic Education Commission has today welcomed the commitment of all state and territory Catholic education Commissions to the Commonwealth Government’s funding arrangements now known as the ‘Better Schools Plan’.

This ongoing constructive engagement with the Australian Government enables planning to commence to implement the ‘Better Schools Plan’ funding arrangements arising from the Australian Education Act which was passed on 26 June.

Catholic schools will now have greater clarity on Commonwealth funding in 2014 and will be able to plan accordingly.

Catholic education is confident that under this legislation no school will be worse off and these funding arrangements will deliver significant increases over time for every child in the Catholic system. Continue reading →

In 2006, the inaugural Young Catholic Women’s Interfaith Fellowship began. Seven years later, another group of 17 women are getting formation in this revolutionary and radical program run by the Australian Catholic Church. Check out this short clip to see what they are up to! More information at www.opw.catholic.org.au

22 July 2013
Media Release

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office call for Australia’s asylum seeker policies to be inspired by the centrality of human dignity and the obligation to care for our brothers and sisters who, in their desperation, ask for our welcome and assistance.

“Each and every one of us must rise above indifference and have the courage to open our hearts to asylum seekers, to listen to their hopes, to empathise with their despair, and to welcome them into our community.” said Bishop Gerard Hanna, Australian Catholic Bishop’s Delegate for Migrants and Refugees. Continue reading →

The announcement of the Holy See that Pope Francis has appointed me as the new Archbishop of Hobart occurs while I am attending World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. I regret that I cannot be in Australia at this time.

I receive the news of my appointment as the eleventh bishop of Hobart with joy and expectation.
My years as priest and bishop have been within the Archdiocese of Sydney. I look at my appointment to Tasmania with the intention of making this beautiful island my home and its people my people.

As Archbishop I embrace the call of Blessed John Paul II at the turn of the millennium to “start afresh from Christ”. I invite you to join me in the time ahead to seek a deeper relationship with Christ that he may shape our thoughts, words and actions. Christ is our sure foundation and the hope that inspires us to embrace and live our Catholic faith to the full. In and through Christ the Catholic faith is our treasure and our joy.

The great mission of the Church in our time is the New Evangelisation. All Catholics are called to discover our task in the world of enabling individuals and cultures to be transformed by the power of the Gospel. I want to make the New Evangelisation the pastoral strategy to my service among you. Continue reading →

Media Release
Embargoed until 8:00pm EST, 19 July, 2013

Bishop Julian Charles Porteous, until now an Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, has been named Archbishop of Hobart by the Holy Father Pope Francis.

Archbishop Adrian Leo Doyle has led the Tasmanian Archdiocese since 1999, and is deeply loved by the people of Hobart.

“It has been a great privilege for me to have been the Archbishop of Hobart for the last 14 years, and I am grateful for the friendship, loyalty and support given to me during that time”, said Archbishop Doyle.

President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Archbishop Denis Hart welcomed the announcement on behalf of the Bishops.

“I warmly welcome the appointment by Pope Francis of Bishop Julian Porteous as Archbishop of Hobart.”

“Since his priestly ordination Bishop Julian has shown great zeal for the spread of the faith, outreach to youth and fostering of vocations through rallies, seminars and constant teaching.” Continue reading →

Media Release, 15 July, 2013

Mr Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council, has welcomed the announcement by the Federal Government it will provide $45 million for additional support services for child sexual abuse victims and survivors who want to be part of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The funding, which will be shared by 28 support services around Australia, will help people submit evidence and attend hearings. Continue reading →

Media Release, 10 July, 2013

Caritas Australia has thanked thousands of generous supporters right across Australia who joined in solidarity with the world’s poor during Project Compassion 2013.

Caritas Australia’s major fundraiser, run over the six weeks of Lent, once again broke a fundraising record. In 2012, more than $10.7 million was raised; while this year, nearly $11 million was raised for the poorest of the poor.

Every year, Project Compassion brings together thousands of Australians in solidarity with the world’s most marginalised people and 2013 is no exception, with hundreds of Catholic schools, parishes and individuals taking part in the annual Lenten appeal. Continue reading →

Media Release, 9 July, 2013

Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council, has welcomed the Royal Commission’s call today for public comment on Towards Healing – the Catholic Church’s principles and procedures for responding to complaints of abuse.

Speaking shortly after the release of the Royal Commission’s second issues paper, Mr Sullivan said Towards Healing is evidence of the church’s professional approach to the scourge of sex abuse.

“Towards Healing has been reviewed a number of times since it was first introduced in 1996,” Mr Sullivan said.

“The Towards Healing protocols have radically improved the Church’s handling of sex abuse allegations and its treatment of victims of abuse.

“If Towards Healing had been in place prior to the 1990s, we’d have fewer scandals and fewer people would be living with the impact of abuse.

“We welcome this opportunity for further examination of these protocols.

“We will be making a submission and we encourage others to participate in this review. Continue reading →

Media Release, 10 July, 2013

Over 1800 young Australian pilgrims and 16 Australian Bishops are set to participate in WYD Rio from 23-28 July which has the theme “Go and make disciples of all nations!” (cf. Mt 28:19). This will be the first WYD for the newly elected Pope Francis and is expected to draw several million youth from around the world to celebrate the event.

Close to 40 Australian groups are making pilgrimages to WYD Rio. The largest is the Archdiocese of Sydney, host of WYD 2008 in Sydney. Over 450 will travel with Cardinal Pell and three auxiliary bishops from Sydney. Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, Bishop of Parramatta and Director of WYD08, is leading the second largest pilgrimage with over 250 pilgrims.

In addition to the larger delegations there is wide representation from around the country including a group of Indigenous pilgrims from Darwin and a Vietnamese group from South Australia. Continue reading →

Media Release, 9 July 2013

Australian Young Christian Students (AYCS), part of the End Child Detention Coalition, has called for all sides of politics to give special consideration to children who are currently detained in Australia’s immigration system.

Annie Purbrick, 16 year old spokesperson for AYCS welcomed Immigration Minister Tony Burke moving the last 12 child asylum seekers off Manus Island, but explained there is a great deal of work still to be done.

“Children are a particularly vulnerable group and should not be subject to Australia’s harsh treatment of children who have turned to us for help,” said Ms. Purbrick.

“It remains vital for their health and wellbeing that asylum seeker children and their families be processed here in Australia without being subjected to extended periods of detention. Continue reading →