Australia
The Latest
Australian archbishop: Synod on Synodality cannot ‘reinvent the Catholic faith’
“It's the one Church, it’s the one faith, and we want to keep celebrating that even amidst our cultural diversity,”... Read more
Australian archbishop calls for faith protections in wake of shelved religious bill
“It is regrettable that such important legislation is not proceeding,” Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli said in a statement. Read more
Australian bishops release companion guide to address assisted suicide
In Australia, all six of the country’s states currently allow assisted suicide, or “voluntary assisted dying.” Read more
Australian bishop hails U.S. Eucharistic Congress as model for global Catholic renewal
The Sydney auxiliary bishop, observing the Indianapolis event, sees it as inspiration for Australia’s hosting of the 2028 International Eucharistic... Read more
Australian Mass attendance dropped during pandemic restrictions, but young adults show up
A new report by the Church in Australia shows a drop in Mass attendance in 2021 while also highlighting an... Read more
Australian archbishop faces criticism over pastoral letter on human dignity
Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart in Australia released the four-page document titled “We are Salt to the Earth” on May... Read more
From Australia to the Vatican: ‘Aboriginal Mass’ seeks official recognition
The liturgy has been celebrated for over 50 years in the Diocese of Broome, where some 13,000 Catholics live in... Read more
‘I forgive whoever has done this’: Australian bishop who survived stabbing speaks out
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, who was attacked at an Australian church earlier this week, told his attacker: “You’re my son,... Read more
Australian archbishop, religious leaders urge calm after violent attack on Sydney bishop
“I urge the faithful to not respond to these events with fear, avoiding places of worship because they are worried... Read more
Australian police arrest male suspect following stabbing attack at Sydney church
In a first statement, New South Wales police urged the community to avoid the area, saying several people were stabbed,... Read more
Pope Francis expresses sorrow as Sydney knife attack shocks Australia
“Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the violent attack in Sydney, and he sends the assurance of his... Read more
Pro-life advocates fight against euthanasia expansions across Canada, Australia
In Canada, euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal for nearly a decade and in Australia all six of the... Read more
Requiem Mass for Cardinal Pell celebrated on first anniversary of his death
The chapel of the Domus Australia in Rome was filled to capacity for the Mass, which was celebrated by Cardinal... Read more
Catholic Church loses bid to have abuse lawsuit thrown out in Australia
The Court of Appeal agreed with last year’s Supreme Court ruling, ordering that the father of the now-deceased alleged victim... Read more
Thousands mourn Cardinal Pell at Sydney funeral: ‘Be not afraid’ was his motto
Civic leaders, friends, and members of Cardinal George Pell’s family remembered the Australian cardinal’s dedication to the Church. Read more
Christians excluded from Australian sports? Bishops raise alarm after exec resigns
One day after being appointed chief executive of an Australian rules football club, Andrew Thorburn stepped down from the role... Read more
Australian Anglicans split over same-sex marriage
An attempt by the Sydney archdiocese to affirm that marriage is only between a man and a woman was narrowly... Read more
Australian bill would allow legalization of assisted suicide, euthanasia in territories
Lawmakers in the Australian Parliament have proposed a bill to allow two of Australia’s ten territories to legalize euthanasia and... Read more
Final Australian state allows euthanasia and assisted suicide, rejecting religious exemptions
New South Wales has become the sixth and final Australian state to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide. Its legislation forces... Read more
Australia’s Catholic bishops elect new leader
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth is the first member of a religious order to lead Australia’s bishops’ conference. Read more
