Members of the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry and the new advisory council met last week.

The newly formed national advisory body to the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry met with the bishops that comprise the Commission in Sydney last week.

Due to eased travel restrictions, seven of the nine members of the new Council for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry were able to attend in person, with seven of the Commission’s eight bishops present over two days at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. Those unable to attend in person joined the event online.

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The four-year journey of discernment for the Fifth Plenary Council took a step forward this week, with Council Members invited to reflect on proposals emerging from the Council’s first assembly, held last October.

Towards the Second Assembly: A Working Document for Members offers a focus for Members’ continuing prayer and reflection, especially during the coming month. It includes proposals drafted as part of the process of preparing resolutions for the Council’s second assembly in July.

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Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge has expressed indignation at what is happening in Ukraine and called for a rejection of the madness of war and a return to reason, saying “the peace of the world is at stake”.

“We express our deep compassion for the people of Ukraine and our solidarity with all people of Ukrainian heritage here in Australia,” Archbishop Coleridge said.

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The first ever historical analysis of diocesan pastoral councils in Australia is seen as an important contribution to an ongoing conversation about the role of such councils in the life of the Church now and in the future.

As part of its response to The Light from the Southern Cross, a national review of diocesan and parish governance and management, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said it would gather information on the theological foundations for diocesan pastoral councils and their history in Australia.

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At the request of dioceses, the period for local submissions for the global Synod of Bishops process has been extended by two weeks, with responses now being received until March 13.

Hundreds of submissions from across the country have been made through the online Synod of Bishops portal, along with responses that have also been sent directly to dioceses.

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Participants for the seminar for new bishops and other bishops leading sessions gather before attending an event at the Apostolic Nunciature. Photo/Catholic Voice.

Seven bishops ordained in the past couple of years have gathered in Canberra this week for the inaugural seminar for new bishops to assist them as they continue to develop in their ministry.

The idea of the seminar arose during a review of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, with bishops backing a proposal put forward in 2018. Small cohorts of new bishops in 2019 and 2020 stopped the seminar from proceeding, and the planned gathering for 2021 was postponed due to COVID-19.

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Bishop Karol Kulczycki SDS and Pat Garcia wear World Day of the Sick lapel ribbons

As the pandemic enters its third year, the World Day of the Sick this Friday will pay tribute to the valuable work that Catholic health institutions undertake not just in Australia, but around the world.

In his message to mark the 30th World Day of the Sick on February 11, Pope Francis spoke directly to health care workers, recognising the importance of their work as infection rates and deaths from COVID-19 continue to rise.

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Hundreds of individuals and groups have already made submissions to the local consultation phase of the global Synod of Bishops, but Australian Catholics have three more weeks to share their stories.

In October last year, Pope Francis launched the international journey towards the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

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Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service, says at least 20,000 more humanitarian places are needed for people fleeing Afghanistan.

Catholic bishops were among those to advocate for a generous response from the Australian Government, supported by faith-based and community groups, to welcome Afghans looking to escape after the Taliban seized power last year.

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Archbishop Charles Balvo (Wikimedia Commons/Dan1)

Pope Francis has announced that American Archbishop Charles Balvo, a veteran of the Vatican’s diplomatic service for more than 30 years, will serve as the next Apostolic Nuncio to Australia.

Archbishop Balvo, currently the Vatican’s ambassador to the Czech Republic, was born in New York City and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of New York in 1976.

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