Category Archives: Press Releases

Families behind razor wire – a sad day for a fair nation

Curtin Detention Centre from www.theaustralian.com.au

Media Release, 10 May, 2013

The Chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, Bishop Christopher Saunders, has expressed deep concern over the proposed detention of children and families in remote immigration facilities.

“There is something particularly uncaring about locking away children and families in a starkly isolated facility such as Curtin in the Kimberley”, Bishop Saunders said. “I have seen first-hand the conditions of this place and the physical and mental trauma experienced by older detainees who had already suffered greatly.

“The Minister says that families and children will be detained for migration checks for the shortest possible time. But the Government gave similar undertakings in 2008, and recent figures reveal that the average time adults and children are spending in detention is almost five months. Continue reading →

Caritas Australia says Foreign Aid is Money Well Spent

Mercy Works Partners in PNG

Media Release, 8 May, 2013

CARITAS Australia, the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church, has backed a letter from Australia’s business leaders, calling for the Prime Minister and Opposition leader to strengthen their commitment to international aid.

On the eve of the Prime Minister’s planned visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG), Caritas CEO Jack de Groot said foreign aid saves lives and makes a huge difference, particularly in the Pacific region.

PNG is one of the largest recipients of Australian foreign aid money, receiving over $490 million in the 2012/13 budget.

“Countries in the Pacific are our nearest neighbours and we share a history and partnerships. Supporting countries such as PNG with foreign aid is not only the right thing to do, it’s in our best interests as a nation,” Mr de Groot said. Continue reading →

Bishops Conference releases eBook and Parish Resources for 47th World Communications Day

Word Made Flesh and “Shared” Among Us

Media Release, 29 April, 2013

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Communications Office has released an eBook and parish resource to coincide with the celebration of the 47th World Communications Day, which takes place in Australia on Sunday, May 5.

In one of his final acts as Pope, Benedict XVI authored the statement “Social Networks: portals of truth and faith; new spaces for evangelization”, recognising the gifts of social networking in sharing the message of Christ.

In response to the Holy Father’s message, the Communications Office of the Bishops Conference commissioned 30 Catholic Media Professionals from around Australia to contribute chapters to an eBook entitled “Word Made Flesh and “Shared” Among Us.”

The authors, including four bishops, gave heartfelt testimonies about their use of social media.
Coming from a wide range of backgrounds and professional experiences, each of the contributors reflected generously on how social media had helped them to spread a message of hope.

The eBook is available now for free download to iPads, iPhones and Android devices at www.catholic.org.au and can be read in iBooks and a range of eReader apps. It can also be downloaded at www.amazon.com for $1.99.

Bishops’ Delegate for the Media and Chair of the Australian Catholic Media Council Bishop Peter Ingham said that this unique project is a real testimony to the way in which Social Networks can be used for the greater glory of God.

“Each contribution to this eBook is a specific example of those who, often unconsciously, have become online missionaries, spreading the Gospel in the new “Areopagus” (public square) that is now something of a digital continent.”

“Like the Holy Father says in his World Communications Day Message: “In social networks, believers show their authenticity by sharing the profound source of their hope and joy: faith in the merciful and loving God revealed in Christ Jesus”.

The eBook and Parish Resource are available by clicking the relevant buttons on the front page of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference website www.catholic.org.au


For media enquiries please contact Beth Doherty on 0407 081 256 or media@catholic.org.au

Royal Commission hearings into Child Sexual Abuse

Francis Sullivan, photo by Beth Doherty

Mr Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council, has welcomed the start of Royal Commission hearings into child sexual abuse saying no past victims will be stopped from telling their story to the Commission because of past confidentiality agreements.

“The Royal Commission is the opportunity for the Church to face the way it has responded to the victims of child sexual abuse.

“This is a watershed moment in which we re-commit to the pastoral care of victims, apologise for our actions and face up to the shameful history of sexual abuse in the Church.

“The Commission will bring to centre stage the needs of victims and others damaged by members of the Church who abandoned and abused the very people they were supposed to protect and care for. Continue reading →

Truth Justice & Healing Council members announced

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference logoCatholic Religious Australia logoArchbishop Denis Hart, President of The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and Sr Annette Cunliffe RSC, Chair of Catholic Religious Australia, have today announced the members of the Truth Justice and Healing Council (TJHC).

The TJHC will oversee the Catholic Church’s engagement with the Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse.

Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Council, welcomed the announcement saying the 13 member Council is made up of men and women with professional and other expertise, especially across child sexual abuse, paedophilia, trauma, mental illness, suicide and public policy.

“The Church and members of the TJHC are determined that the truth be told and that the Church assists victims and those damaged by abuse as children receive justice and to embark on a sustainable process of healing. ” Francis Sullivan said.

“Councillors have been chosen for their obvious expertise and their willingness to give frank and independent advice.”

“This Council will guide the Church as it goes through the Royal Commission, and will approach the task with openness and compassion.”

” We accept that the Royal Commission may well reveal embarrassing and shameful episodes from our past, but it is necessary in order for the truth to heal and for the community to see that our engagement is genuine and sincere.”

” Our task also involves advising the Church on the best practice changes to protect children and prevent sexual abuse.”

” This is a crucial task as the Church demonstrates through its actions that the welfare and safety of children are the highest priority.”

The Truth Justice and Healing Council will hold its first meeting in Sydney in mid April. Continue reading →

Habemus Papam: Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio SJ: Pope Francis: statement from Archbishop Hart

Pope Francis the 1st

Statement of Archbishop Denis Hart

As Archbishop of Melbourne and President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, I joyfully welcome the glad news of the appointment of Pope Francis.  For two weeks the Catholics of the world have been without the spiritual father of their family.

We have been looking forward to this special moment when our new Holy Father, chief teacher and shepherd would be announced.

The announcement brings great joy and hope and readiness to walk with him on the way to Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio SJ was born in Buenos Aires in 1936, ordained a Jesuit priest in 1969 and subsequently was novice master, teacher of literature and psychology, has been Archbishop of Buenos Aires since 1998 and a Cardinal since 2001.  He was Jesuit Provincial in Argentina from 1973 to 1979.  He is known for a commitment to doctrine and social justice, and is a humble man of simple lifestyle.

His appointment is a sign to the Catholics of Latin America and the whole world of the invitation given to all to follow Jesus closely.  He has served as member of a number of offices in the Holy See”

Continue reading →

Australian Catholic Youth Festival draws closer

Fr Christian Fini OMI launches Youth Festival

By Malcolm Hart

The Australian Catholic Youth Festival will be held on December 5-7, 2013 in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Festival will invite young people from Year 9 to 25 years of age to come together for an encounter with the Catholic Church in Australia.

To prepare for the Festival, the National Steering Committee has announced a timeline for information releases and briefing meetings. These dates will provide assistance to coordinators as they prepare to promote and develop plans to attend the Festival. Continue reading →

Cardinal rejects smear

Cardinal George Pell

11 March 2013

Fairfax media today carried a story, repeated by other media outlets, alleging that Cardinal George Pell is “tainted by sex abuse scandals” and “long dogged” by allegations of sexual abuse against him.

These statements are utterly false and seriously defamatory. They have no basis in fact and deliberately misrepresent the outcome of a 2002 inquiry by a retired Victorian Supreme Court judge which completely exonerated Cardinal Pell of allegations made against him.

At all times, including in sworn evidence before the Southwell Inquiry, Cardinal Pell denied the allegations. Continue reading →

Support for hosting asylum seekers in the community

Media Release, 28 February

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office fully support the current policy of hosting asylum seekers in the community on bridging visas and in community residence determination. We have great respect for the decision to increase Australia’s humanitarian intake to 20,000 each year and also believe it is appropriate for Australia to defend the right of all people to seek asylum.

“Asylum seekers are not criminals and should not be treated as such. The suggestion that serious crimes committed by one asylum seekers gives grounds for treating all asylum seekers as criminals is greatly concerning” said Fr Maurizio Pettenà, Director of ACMRO.

“The hosting of asylum seekers in the community is an entirely appropriate, effective and humane way for Australia to respond. We have thousands of Australians who have volunteered their time to help asylum seekers and in the process have developed wonderful friendships” said Fr Pettenà. Continue reading →

New-look Young Catholic Women’s Interfaith Fellowship underway

Fellowship participant

Media Release, 26 February, 2012

Seventeen women from right across Australia have embarked on a journey of faith and leadership development as they take up the new-look Young Catholic Women’s Interfaith Fellowship.

The Fellowship, which has been relaunched with a new structure this year, will see the women, from 12 dioceses, undertake a formation program which includes theological studies, interfaith engagement and leadership development.

It is a project of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) and is being sponsored by various religious congregations, institutions and Church agencies. For the first time, the academic component of the Fellowship will be undertaken through The Broken Bay Institute (BBI).

Chairman of the ACBC Commission for Church Ministry, Bishop David Walker, said the Fellowship, which first began in 2006, acknowledged and supported the essential place of women in the Church and the important role they can play in interfaith relations. Continue reading →