The provision of safe and affordable housing is a basic human right. Catholic Social Teaching asserts that every person possesses inherent dignity, is of great value, and worthy of respect and protection. To treat people with dignity means affording them their basic human rights which include the right to the basic needs of life – such as food and shelter.

Having a safe, permanent and affordable home provides the stability necessary for an individual or family to meaningfully participate in their community.

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The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) has been officially launched at the start of World Refugee Week, which runs from June 14 to 20.

Backed by leading Catholic peak organisations and convened by Jesuit Social Services, CAPSA aims to change hearts and minds across Australia in support of the abolition of harsh asylum seeker policies.

The initiative wants to build on work being done in Catholic schools, parishes, and organisations across Australia. Continue reading →

Interview by Amelia Morris in advance of the 2015 eConference organised in partnership between the ACBC and Broken Bay Institute. The 2015 eConference, will tap into interfaith issues surrounding the three Abrahamic traditions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Religion: Catalyst for Violence or Peace? Probing the Abrahamic Traditions for Answers

For some, the idea of one person being both a Professor of the New Testament and Professor of Jewish Studies seems extraordinary but for Professor Amy-Jill Levine from Vanderbilt University (USA), her two positions are intrinsically tied. Continue reading →

On Tuesday 23 June, The Broken Bay Institute, in partnership with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference will kick off its 11th National eConference – ‘Religion: Catalyst for Violence or Peace? Probing the Abrahamic Traditions for Answers’.

The 2015 eConference will tap into interfaith issues surrounding the three Abrahamic traditions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam and will explore the potential for these traditions to cultivate peace in a world that associates religion with violence. As one of the most anticipated events in the Australian Church calendar, this will make a significant contribution to this most critical need in our world at this time. Continue reading →

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office is calling for action to help the tragic situation for persecuted Rohingya people fleeing Myanmar.

The Rohingya people are fleeing Myanmar to escape government persecution and the denial of their citizenship. Many are stranded at sea in unstable boats off the coast of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia with limited food and water supplies.

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The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Communications Office has just released a new book, aimed directly at assisting parishes in their engagement with social media.

Tweet others as you would wish to be tweeted: a Scripture-based guide to social media for the Church was written by Catholic journalist Beth Doherty specifically with parishes in mind. Continue reading →

As the debate about ‘same-sex marriage’ gains momentum nationally, the Australian Catholic Bishops believe it is important to highlight the meaning of marriage.

Given the implications of redefining marriage, today we are issuing a pastoral letter to the Catholic community.

You will be aware this week, in the context of the Irish referendum, both the Labor Party and the Greens have announced they will introduce draft legislation to allow two people of the same sex to marry.

Marriage is both a personal relationship between a man and a woman, and the protective institution for their children. Marriage includes an emotional union, but it goes further than that. It involves a comprehensive bodily and spiritual union of a man and a woman. Continue reading →

Bishop Greg OKelly sj

Caritas Australia CEO, Paul O’Callaghan has welcomed the appointment of a new Chair of Caritas Australia, Bishop of Port Pirie, Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ AM DD and Deputy Chair, Bishop Peter Stasiuk CSsR AM DD.

Bishop O’Kelly has also been appointed to the Chair of the Bishops Commission for Justice, Ecology and Development. From 2012-2015 Bishop O’Kelly was appointed Deputy Chair in the Commission overseeing the work of Caritas Australia.

“We are delighted that Bishop Greg is taking up the leadership of Caritas Australia. He brings a wealth of experience to his role and already has substantial knowledge of the work of Caritas,” Mr O’Callaghan said. Continue reading →

New Bishops Commission for Family, Youth and Life with Executive Secretary, Ms Alison Burt.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference voted to divide the capacity of the Bishops’ Commission for Pastoral Life by establishing a new commission for family, youth and life during their plenary meeting this week.

‘In order to reflect the growing importance of the Church’s care for youth, and support for marriage, as well as care for the lives of all especially the very young and elderly, the Bishops’ Commission for Pastoral Life has been divided, so that the new commission will give greater attention where it is needed most,’ said Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Continue reading →

The Bourke family with Bishop of Darwin Eugene Hurley

Hailing from the Diocese of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Matt and Cathy Bourke have been named as the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference official delegate couple at the 8^th World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia from 22-27 September 2015.

From St Martin de Porres Catholic Aboriginal Community, the Bourke family with their four children, three boys and one girl, will travel to Philadelphia as part of an Australian pilgrimage. Matt and Cathy Bourke have been active members of the Community for a number of years. Continue reading →