A combination of data analysis, prayer and reflection has helped the Plenary Council 2020 process move from the voices of more than 222,000 people across the country to a number of National Themes for Discernment.

More than 75 people met last week to listen to and understand the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the submissions received during the 10-month Listening and Dialogue phase of the Plenary Council. Continue reading →

Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett greets Deacon Kopel Gibuma at his Ordination Mass. (Photo supplied)

The first ordination of a Torres Strait Islander into the Catholic priesthood in Australia was celebrated with a culturally-symbolic ceremony in Far North Queensland last Sunday.

In St Francis Xavier Church in Cairns, Lismore Emeritus Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett ordained 55-year-old Fr Kopel Gibuma to the Catholic priesthood to minister in the Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross (OLSC). Continue reading →

The convent in its heyday, in the early 1900s. Photo: Courtesy of the Broken Hill Family History Group

After a 40-year hiatus, the historic St Joseph’s Convent at Broken Hill has finally returned to Catholic Church ownership.

The convent, which was built in 1889 for the Sisters of Mercy, was recently bought back by the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes in private negotiations that began after it passed in at auction. Continue reading →

Mary Jamieson (seated, second from right) wearing her Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal at a recent meeting of the CSSA board

A long-time Catholic Social Services Australia employee has been awarded a papal honour for her services to the Church and to the Pope.

Mary Clare Jamieson, CSSA’s director of corporate services, was bestowed the symbol of honour of the Exalted Cross – Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for services to the Church and to the Pope), which is instituted for persons distinguished for outstanding service and zeal. Continue reading →

Paul O’Callaghan, the chief executive officer of Caritas Australia, the Church’s international aid and development agency, tendered his resignation yesterday.

Mr O’Callaghan’s decision to step down comes shortly after the successful conclusion of Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s major annual fundraising and community education project. Continue reading →

Holly Roberts

Two young Australians will join an international delegation in Rome next month to identify concrete ways to implement Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Christus Vivit.

Huw Warmenhoven, 25, from the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, and Holly Roberts, 22, from the Archdiocese of Adelaide, are both excited about the opportunity, having recently been told of their selection to represent Australia’s Catholic youth by the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry. Continue reading →

Melbourne Auxiliary Bishop Mark Edwards OMI, Maronite Bishop of Australia Antoine-Charbel Tarabay and Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse at Our Lady of Lebanon Church

Leaders of Eastern Catholic Churches say having Latin rite bishops join them in their liturgical celebrations shows the unity of the universal Catholic Church.

During their biannual Plenary Meeting in Melbourne, bishops from across Australia celebrated Sunday Mass with the Chaldean, Maronite, Melkite, Syro-Malabar and Ukrainian Catholic communities on May 5. Continue reading →

Philipp Ozores

Australia’s Catholic bishops have heard about the increasing threat to religious freedom from the secretary general of the papal foundation Aid to the Church in Need.

Following the brutal bombings perpetrated against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, in which more than 350 people died and more than 500 were wounded, Australia’s bishops have been updated about efforts to support these communities to rebuild physically and pastorally. Continue reading →

The Listening and Dialogue phase of the Plenary Council 2020 process has changed the way people within the Church communicate with one another, three key figures have explained.

The Plenary Council’s opening phase concluded in March, with more than 220,000 people sharing their stories and considering the question, “What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?” Continue reading →

Former New South Wales senator Ursula Stephens will take over as the new CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia on July 1, it was announced this morning.

Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv, chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice – Mission and Service, this morning welcomed Dr Stephens and, on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, wished her well in the new role. Continue reading →