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

Death of Bishop Joseph O’Connell

Bishop Joseph O’Connell, photo from www.cam.org.au

Media Release, 28 April, 2013

Bishop Joseph O’Connell, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Melbourne has died at Caritas Christi Hospice, Kew on Saturday 27 April 2013. He was 81.

In 1949 Bishop O’Connell commenced studies for teaching, but at the beginning of 1950 he entered Corpus Christi College Werribee to study for the priesthood and was ordained by Archbishop Justin Simonds in St Patrick’s Cathedral on 28th July 1957.

Bishop O’Connell obtained a doctorate in Canon Law in July 1961 from the Gregorian University, and lived at St Peter’s College in Rome while studying.

He worked in the parishes of West Melbourne and Yarraville, combining this with work in the Archdiocesan Tribunal, becoming Vice Officialis on 13 November 1968.
He was named Auxiliary bishop by Pope Paul VI on 12 February 1976, being consecrated by Archbishop Frank Little on 31 March of that year.

Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said that Bishop O’Connell’s contribution to Canon Law and a care for migrants will be among the things he will be remembered for.

“His contribution to jurisprudence and tribunal practice has long been esteemed. As Episcopal Vicar for Religious from 17 March 1969 he provided much assistance”, he said. Continue reading →

Executive Director appointed to National Catholic Education Commission

Media Release, 24 April, 2013

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Ross Fox as the Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC). Mr Fox, at present Director of Policy, Research and Communications with the Catholic Education Office, Melbourne, will take up his NCEC appointment in Canberra on 1 July 2013.

Ross was educated at UNSW (Bachelor of Engineering, First Class Honours) and Oxford (Honours MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics). He has a depth and range of practical and consultancy experience in a diversity of situations – from McKinsey & Company in Sydney to a remote Indigenous community in WA to a senior executive policy position in the Melbourne Catholic Education Office. He has also worked in industry and as a political and school education advisor and negotiator at state and federal level along the way. He is active in local parish life and has a strong practical faith commitment. Continue reading →

St Mark – A Crucified and Risen Messiah eConference website now LIVE!

Mark eConference

THE Official Website for the next Broken Bay Institute eConference http://mark.vivlive.com is now live!

You can now register for the St Mark – A Crucified and Risen Messiah eConference which takes place in 3 weeks time.

Follow the link http://mark.vivlive.com and click on the REGISTER button.

We strongly encourage you to both REGISTER your site or your individual participation as we often receive enquiries from people that would love to participate with others, it also enables us to keep you informed with information as it comes to hand as well as TEST your equipment that you intend to use on the day, this can be done simply by viewing the Welcome Message. Continue reading →

The Great Grace – Receiving Vatican II today: Conference 20-23 May, 2013

Great Grace Conference

Venue: Australian Technology Park, Redfern, Sydney
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the commencement of the Second Vatican Council, a national conference will be held in Sydney.
‘The Great Grace’ will be a wonderful opportunity for Catholics involved in all fields of Church life to come together and gain a renewed appreciation of the ‘great gift’ of Vatican II. Featuring international speakers Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Archbishop Allen Vigneron, Archbishop Arthur Roche and more.
Lay people, clergy and religious all welcome.

For more information visit www.thegreatgrace.org.au or call (02) 9281 0284.

Caritas draws attention to Darfur as crisis reaches 10 years

Mother and daughter in Darfur, photo by Caritas

Media Release, 23 April, 2013

CARITAS Australia, the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church, has urged the world not to forget the people of Darfur in Sudan’s western region as the conflict now exceeds 10 years.

CEO Jack de Groot said Darfur remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises over the last decade, with millions of people still in need of humanitarian aid.

“Many Darfuris continue to struggle on a daily basis just to get by,” Mr de Groot said.

“At Caritas we centre all our work on children, women and men, the most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice. At this time we urge the world to not forget the continuous suffering being experienced by people of Darfur. Continue reading →

Death of Bishop William Murray

Bishop Murray, photo by Mike Thorpe

Logo, Diocese of Wollongong

Media Release, 22 April, 2013

NOTE: Mass of Christian Burial for Bishop William Murray (Emeritus Bishop of Wollongong) will be held at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong, 11.00 am on Wednesday, 1 May 2013. Following the Mass, Interment will take place in the burial site adjacent to the Cathedral.

Bishop William Edward Murray, Emeritus Bishop of Wollongong, died peacefully at 5.10pm on Sunday 21 April 2013, at the Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home, Randwick.

Bishop Peter Ingham of Wollongong spoke of Bishop William (Bill) as a dedicated priest and bishop who served the Wollongong diocese for 22 years.

“Between 1975 and 1996 when he served was a time of great change and development for the Church. He made provisions for the vast expanding Macarthur area with the establishment of new parishes, to provide for the growing needs of the community.”

“He had a sharp sense of humour, and cared for the people of the Diocese. His final years were difficult for him having suffered a stroke which crippled his body and impaired his ability to speak”, said Bishop Ingham. Continue reading →

Truth Justice and Healing Council holds first meeting

TJHC Chair and CEO

The Truth Justice and Healing Council held its first meeting in Sydney earlier this week with discussions ranging across document procurement for the Royal Commission, systematic issues related to the protection of children and future communications about the Council’s work and the Commission’s progress.

Mr Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Council, said it was pleasing to take the first official step as a group and to get down to work. Continue reading →

Consecration of Australia to the Holy Spirit in the Year of Grace

Year of Grace

On May 19, which is the official end of the Year of Grace and the Feast of Pentecost, you are invited to pray together with the Bishops of Australia the following prayer. This is a prayer of Consecration to the Holy Spirit.


Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Holy Spirit, we consecrate today to You, at the end of this Year of Grace, Australia – Saint Augustine

-Thankyou to Deacon Matt Ransom for providing this prayer

Fr. Antoine Tarabay O.L.M appointed Bishop of Maronite Diocese of Australia

Fr. Antoine Tarabay OLM

Media Release, 17 April, 2013

Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed the appointment by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, of Fr. Antoine Tarabay O.L.M. (Lebanese Maronite Order) as Bishop of the Diocese of St. Maroun (Maronites) in Australia.

“For the Australian Bishops, I warmly welcome the appointment by Pope Francis of Fr. Antoine Tarabay to the Maronite diocese of Australia”, said Archbishop Hart. Continue reading →