Fr Hans Zollner SJ
The Catholic Church in Australia is among the top five countries worldwide in adopting processes to safeguard children and vulnerable people, according to a key Vatican advisor.
Fr Hans Zollner SJ, one of the leading Church experts in safeguarding minors and on areas concerning sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church and beyond, said Australia had made great strides forward and had much to teach the wider Church. Continue reading
Fr Fabio Baggio CS and Fr Maurizio Pettena CS, director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office
Policies addressing migrants and refugees should always respond with mercy and solidarity, according to Fr Fabio Baggio CS, Under-Secretary of the Migrant and Refugee Section, a Vatican office directly guided by Pope Francis.
“Our shared response may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate. This is part of a common action that should be actively promoted by all the local Churches,” Fr Baggio said. Continue reading
Dozens of Catholic organisations across Australia have installed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander acknowledgement plaques on their buildings since their approval by the Bishops in May.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has endorsed the wording on the plaques for use in schools, parishes and organisations nationally. Continue reading
Mark and Tink Boyd
A large contingent of Australian couples and families have made their way to Ireland to participate in the World Meeting of Families.
Mark and Tink Boyd, from Yeppoon, in central Queensland, are leading a group of almost 40 pilgrims from Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT. Continue reading
More than 5000 young Catholics are expected to converge on Perth next year for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF).
As the largest Catholic gathering in Australia, the ACYF promotes and engages the life and voice of young Catholics, equipping them to live out their faith in the world. Continue reading
The hopes and concerns of young Australian Catholics were given a voice at an Australian Catholic Youth Council workshop in Sydney yesterday.
In preparation for the upcoming General Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, Australia’s Synod delegates Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP and Melbourne Auxiliary Bishop Mark Edwards OMI listened to attendees and discussed a wide range of issues. Continue reading
A connection between Gospel values and the core tenets of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life – family, spirituality and culture – is attracting more of Australia’s First Peoples to the Catholic faith.
Australia’s First Peoples now constitute more than 130,000 of all Catholics in Australia and the numbers are increasing, according to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC), a peak advisory body to Australia’s bishops. Continue reading
Bishop Mark Edwards
Ten years since the first national gathering of youth ministers soon after World Youth Day in Sydney, delegates will meet in Parramatta in September to identify areas for future growth and to contribute to Plenary Council 2020 discussions.
More than 300 delegates who work with young people in parishes, schools, communities, universities and vocations are expected to attend the Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Convention (ACYMC). Continue reading
Catholics in the Western Australian diocese of Geraldton have provided a strong rural voice during the preparation phase of the three-year Plenary Council 2020 process.
The Geraldton Diocesan Conference 2018, drawing on Psalm 118, adopted the theme of “Lamp for the Steps and Light for the Way: Listen to God and each other as we light the way forward.” Continue reading
Peak Catholic groups are concerned the Modern Slavery Bill 2018, currently before federal Parliament, could become a “toothless tiger” if their recommendations to the inquiry are not adopted.
Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) and other Church groups have made submissions strongly supporting the legislation, but have urged politicians to make changes to protect the vulnerable. Continue reading