Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am writing to you on behalf of all the Bishops of Australia, giving thanks to God for your faith and witness. We now share with you a message of hope.
We call the Catholic people in Australia to a Year of Grace, to span the time from Pentecost 2012 to Pentecost 2013. Like the disciples at the first Pentecost, we commit ourselves to start afresh from Christ. Continue reading
“One Body in Christ” – Release of a New Resource for Welcoming People with Disability
Media Release
16.11.11
The Australian Catholic Disability Council and the Disability Projects Office of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference have released today a new resource for parishes and Church communities called One Body in Christ, Welcoming People with Disability. Continue reading
By Archbishop Mark Coleridge, photos by Loui Seselja
I have no illusions about the challenges we are facing, but I have high hopes for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. Both the challenges and the opportunities were on show last Saturday at the Archdiocesan Assembly attended by over four hundred members of the Archdiocesan community. They came from far and wide, from every corner of this far-flung and very diverse Diocese; and it struck me that in some ways this was the “core leadership” group. Continue reading
By Marita Winters, Director, Catholic Enquiry Centre and the National Office for Evangelisation
Recently I’ve been part of several dinner conversations on the state of the Catholic Church.
Does that sound familiar?
During one, there was comment on the average age of the few participants at a vigil Mass -the estimate given was “at least mid-60’s”. During another there was discussion around the overwhelming participation for registration for a parish Sacramental program one week and the return to half-empty seats the following week. Continue reading
Media Release – Caritas Australia
9 November, 2011
Millions of families in Myanmar are the hidden face of Thailand’s flood devastation, confronted with financial ruin as relentless waters cripple the Thai economy.
Large numbers of Myanmar’s impoverished population rely heavily on so-called “remittances” _ money sent back from bordering nations like Thailand by loved ones working illegally, often in the construction industry. Continue reading
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Director, Office for the Participation of Women Secretariat for Church Ministry Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) is the permanent assembly of the bishops of Australia, exercising together certain pastoral offices. A vacancy exists in its Secretariat for Church Ministry, based in Canberra, for the position of Director, Office for the Participation of Women.
Reporting to the Chairman of the Bishops Commission for Church Ministry, you will lead a small team to provide executive support to the Bishops Commission for Church Ministry, the Australian Catholic Council for Lay Pastoral Ministry and the Council for Australian Catholic Women. You will be responsible for the management and delivery of projects as required by the Bishops Commission for Church Ministry and for ensuring that the Office for the Participation of Women meets the operational expectations of the Mandate. Continue reading
Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Convention 2012
After the highly successful Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Convention (ACYMC) in Melbourne 2010 which hosted over 400 youth ministers from parishes, diocese, schools and communities around Australia, the BCPL is preparing to host another in 2012. 
Continue reading
Media Release November 3, 2011
The Bishop Commission for Pastoral Life (BCPL) in partnership with The Broken Bay Institute (BBI) is offering a number of scholarships to the value of $10,000 for study in Catholic Youth and Campus Ministry in 2012-2013.
Over the past decade Australia has experienced a significant increase in the standard and professionalism of Catholic youth ministry. From local parish initiatives, school formation programs and World Youth Days (WYD), the requirements and expectations of youth ministers have been ever increasing. Continue reading
Media Release
2 November 2011
The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office offers condolences to the victims of the
terrible tragedy of those who lost their lives off the coast of Indonesia yesterday.
Director of ACMRO, Fr Pettená said “This tragedy heightens the need to provide legal pathways
and more space within our humanitarian program. Australia has been content to resettle around
13,500 refugees per a year for over a decade, while this is generous in comparison to many
countries; it is simply not enough”. Continue reading
By Kimberly Davis, Director of the Office for the Participation of Women (OPW).
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s first invitation to leaders of the world’s religions to gather in Assisi, Italy. Assisi was originally chosen because of St Francis’ deep connection with people of other faiths even in his time. It was this invitation by John Paul II which first saw a deep sharing between people of different faiths and a celebration of people of good will in a traditional Catholic heartland. Continue reading