Media Release, 2 April, 2014

Archbishop Denis Hart appointed to Pontifical Council for Culture

The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop of Melbourne and President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) Archbishop Denis Hart to the Pontifical Council for Culture.

Established by Pope John Paul II on 20 May 1982, the Pontifical Council for Culture works to establish dialogue between the message of the gospel and the culture of modern times.

The Council seeks to address problems of unbelief and religious indifference, which are seen in modern society.

The Council also touches on other important areas of society: science, the arts, the economy, different mediums of communication, and the value and care of the artistic and historic patrimony of the Church.

Pleased by the appointment, Archbishop Hart said: “I am honoured by this appointment as a further experience of how we can all engage with the modern world, bringing to it the fruit and attractiveness of the Gospel. I will be happy to contribute.”

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, is President of the Pontifical Council.

On 25 March 1993, Pope John Paul II united the Pontifical Council for Culture with the Pontifical Council for Dialogue with non-believers to establish a single dicastery responsible for dialogue with the modern world.

For media queries, please contact Aoife Connors on 0450 348 597 or media@catholic.org.au

 Media Release, 1 April, 2014 

The Catholic Church in Australia is calling on the Federal Government to reinstate funding for the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS) today, 1 April, 2014.

The Government announced the decision to cut taxpayer funding for the immigration assistance service yesterday, 31 March.

“Despite a worldwide increase in the number of applications for asylum, due to the ongoing and devastating Syrian humanitarian crisis, the Government continues to show contempt for the basic human rights of asylum seekers,” said Bishops’ Delegate for Migrants and Refugees, Bishop Gerard Hanna.

The Government announced that asylum seekers, who arrive in Australia by boat or air, would no longer have access to the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS).

“Whenever a person’s life is threatened, it is just and fair that they should be able to make a valid application for protection. The Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme enabled asylum seekers to do this,” Bishop Hanna said.

“The vital service enabled vulnerable, persecuted and often traumatised people, who have limited or no english ability to make an application for a protection visa.”

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office believes the Australian government has failed to uphold the human dignity of people seeking protection. Asylum seekers will now only be entitled to free legal advice from organisations that choose to provide immigration advice and application assistance on a pro-bono basis.

“Without independent, government funded legal advice, asylum seekers will have little chance navigating Australia’s complex refugee process and will not be equipped to prepare highly complex applications, which the Department of Immigration demands,” Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office National Director, Fr Maurizio Pettenà said.

For media enquiries, contact Aoife Connors on 0450 348 597 or media@catholic.org.au

Media release, 31 March, 2014

Bishop Michael Putney,
Photo from the Catholic Diocese of Townsville

Letter of Condolence

Attached to this post is a letter of condolence from Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, to Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, on the passing of Most Rev. Michael Putney, Bishop of Townsville on 28 March 2014.

Cardinal Koch pays tribute to Bishop Putney, describing his brother bishop as “a committed and much appreciated member” of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Funeral Arrangements 

Bishop Putney’s vigil mass will take place on Sunday April 6, at 7pm in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Townsville.

On Monday April 7, Bishop Putney’s funeral mass will take place at 11am in the Emmaus Hall, Ryan Catholic College, Townsville.

Letter of condolence to Archbishop Hart (PDF 37kB)

Media Enquiries:
Aoife Connors
Acting Communications Director
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
02 6201 9859
0450 348 597

Media release, 28 March, 2014

Most Rev. Michael Putney, Bishop of Tonwsville

President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart, expressed sorrow today on the passing of Most Rev. Michael Putney, Bishop of Townsville.

“It is with great sadness that we record the death of Bishop Michael Putney, the dedicated leader of Townsville Diocese. He has been a great and priestly shepherd, a gifted theologian and ecumenist, and a significant contributor to the work of the Australian Bishops,” Archbishop Hart said.

Bishop Putney was admitted to the Mater hospital in Townsville on 21 March 2014, as his condition had deteriorated. He passed away peacefully in hospital at 1am on 28 March 2014.

Bishop Putney was diagnosed with cancer in December 2012. In recent months his illness and health deteriorated.

Expressing condolences Archbishop Hart said: “For the bishops of Australia I extend sympathy to the priests and people of Townsville, and Brisbane where he was auxiliary bishop, and to his many friends.”

“Bishop Michael Putney is a great loss to the Universal Church, and he leaves us with many rich and inspiring memories. May he rest in peace,” Archbishop Hart noted.

On 20 March 2014, Bishop Putney launched his book ‘My Ecumenical Journey’. Despite his illness, this was a joyous occasion for Bishop Putney having dedicated much of his life to promoting and understanding ecumenism in Australia and beyond.

Bishop Putney was ordained a priest in 1969 and ordained a bishop on 27 July 1995, as Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane. He became the fifth Bishop of Townsville in January 2001.

During his time as bishop, he served as a member of the Permanent Committee of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Chair of Bishops Commission for Mission and Faith Formation.

Bishop Putney was a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and Chairman of the National Council of Churches.

In 2013, Bishop Putney became a member of the Order of Australia on the Queens Birthday Honours list.

Funeral arrangements are currently being finalised in the Diocese of Townsville.

For media enquiries, please contact Aoife Connors on 0450 348 597 or media@catholic.org.au

Media release from the Diocese of Townsville, 28 March, 2014

Bishop Michael Putney

Fr. Michael Lowcock, Vicar General of the Diocese of Townsville regretfully wishes to inform the community of the death of Bishop Michael Putney, Bishop of Townsville.

“Bishop Michael was admitted to the Mater Hospital on Friday, 21 March for a procedure to drain a build up of fluid on his stomach which has been produced by the cancers in his stomach,” Fr Michael said.

“He remained in hospital until he passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday morning, 28 March 2014.”

Bishop Michael’s health had deteriorated in recent weeks and in recent days had welcomed Apostolic Nuncio in Australia Archbishop Paul Gallagher for his annual dinner and also launched his book titled “My Ecumenical Journey” which was launched by Anglican Primate Archbishop Phillip Aspinall.

Bishop Michael Putney was 67 years old and was ordained as a priest in 1969 and ordained a Bishop on 27 July 1995 – Auxiliary Bishop, Brisbane.  He was announced as the 5^th Bishop of Townsville in January 2001 and was installed in March that year.  Prior to his cancer diagnosis in December 2012 Bishop Michael was a member of the Permanent Committee of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Chair of Bishops’ Commission for Mission and Faith Formation, Catholic Co-Chairman of International Methodist / Roman Catholic Dialogue, Member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and Chairman of the National Council of Churches.  In 2013 Bishop Michael was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queens Birthday Honours list. Continue reading →

Written by David Ahern, Kairos Catholic Journal and images by Casamento Photography

Bishop Bosco Puthur, Eparch of the Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle of Melbourne of the Syro-Malabar

Family groups, many in traditional Indian dress, gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral on the evening of 25 March for the installation of the first Syro-Malabar Eparch in Australia, Bishop Bosco Puthur, and the formal establishment of the Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle in Melbourne.

Special celebrants, dignitaries and the Syro-Malabar faithful attended from around Victoria, Australia and overseas. Celebrants included Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry, Archbishop Paul Gallagher; Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archdeacon Fr Francis Kolencherry; Vicar General, St Thomas the Apostle Eparchy, Archbishop Denis Hart; Archbishop of Melbourne and President of Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Mgr Greg Bennet; Vicar General, Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Dozens of priests and bishops from the Latin and Syro-Malabar rites and parish priests from the Melbourne Archdiocese participated in the Mass and installation, with St Patrick’s Cathedral at near capacity. Continue reading →

Media release, 26 March, 2014

Pamphlet about Catholic Church teaching on asylum and migration

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO) launch a pamphlet today on what the Catholic Church teaches about the pastoral care and rights of asylum seekers and migrants.

The pamphlet is titled: ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ (Matthew 25:35). It represents a summary of 100 years of Catholic social teaching on the issue of migration.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Fr Maurizio Pettenà, National Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO), said the Catholic Church has a well-defined teaching on asylum and migration, which the pamphlet summarises.

“We want to make the Catholic Church teaching on the issue widely accessible, through the pamphlet, to Australian Catholics and those interested in what the church is saying on this particularly controversial issue.”

Guest speakers at the launch will include: Najeeba Wazefadost; Winner of the 2011 Young Woman of the West Award, Aloysious Mowe; Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, and Bishop Gerald Hanna; Australian Catholic Bishops Delegate for Migrants and Refugees. Continue reading →

Bishop Bosco Puthur, Eparch of the Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle of Melbourne of the Syro-Malabar

At the direction of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, a new Catholic diocese in Australia will be formally established and its first Eparch installed on Tuesday 25 March at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne.

The new diocese will be called The Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle in Melbourne. It will provide a permanent presence and pastoral care for the 40,000 Syro-Malabar Indian Catholics living throughout Australia, who worship according to the Eastern tradition in full communion with Rome.

One thousand people are expected to attend the Mass and installation of the new Eparch, Bishop Bosco Puthur, along with Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal George Alencherry, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Archbishop of Melbourne and President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart and other bishops from around Australia. Continue reading →

Written by Neil Helmore, Communications Coordinator, Diocese of Townsville

Apostolic Nuncio in Australia, Archbishop Paul Gallagher with Townsville Catholic Bishop, Most Rev. Michael Putney

Over 80 invited guests gathered in Townsville last Thursday, 20 March 2014, to launch the new book by Townsville Catholic Bishop, Most Rev. Michael Putney.

Guests from all areas of Church life from across many denominations including the Anglican Primate, Archbishop Phillip Aspinal and Apostolic Nuncio in Australia, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

Bishop Michael has dedicated most of his life to the promotion and deeper understanding of ecumenism both in Australia and around the world.

“My interest in ecumenism was initially just an interest in one of the new developments in the Church, which I gave assent to with genuine enthusiasm,” he writes in his introduction. However, something pivotal occurred which meant that this particular stream of renewal became a deeper and more comprehensive part of my response to the Second Vatican Council.”

The book ‘My Ecumenical Journey’ is made up of previously published and un-published papers and addresses and represents a large sample of Bishop Michael’s theological work in the area of ecumenism, especially over the past couple of decades.

Continue reading →