Australia

The Latest

Pro-life rally opposing NSW abortion bill.

New South Wales parliament delays final abortion bill vote

Aug 20, 2019

A final vote on a bill to decriminalize abortion in the Australian state of New South Wales has been delayed... Read more

St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Via Shutterstock

Melbourne archbishop ready to defy law over seal of confession

Aug 14, 2019

The Archbishop of Melbourne has said he is prepared to defy a proposed new law that would force priests in... Read more

A pro life demonstrator holds a sign as she rallies outside NSW Parliament Aug. 6, 2019 in Sydney, Australia.

Archbishop Fisher 'deeply saddened' by advancement of NSW abortion bill

Aug 9, 2019

The Archbishop of Sydney has expressed his disappointment at the passage by the lower house of the New South Welsh... Read more

Pro-lifers hold vigil as debate begins on New South Wales abortion bill

Aug 6, 2019

As the parliament of New South Wales opened debate on a bill to decriminalize abortion in the Australian state Tuesday,... Read more

At watershed moment, assisted suicide could expand in Australia

Aug 6, 2019

Legal assisted suicide could expand in Australia, as the Western Australian government has introduced legislation to allow people deemed terminally... Read more

Bill to legalize abortion delayed after pushback in New South Wales

Jul 30, 2019

A bill that would decriminalize abortion in the Australian state of New South Wales has been delayed at least a... Read more

The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where pharmacists will prepared and mix the drugs for assisted suicides in Victoria.

First permit issued under Australian state's assisted suicide, euthanasia law

Jul 24, 2019

The first permit for medically assisted death in Victoria was issued in recent weeks, within a month of the going... Read more

Parliament House, Canberra.

Australians debate merits of religious discrimination bill

Jul 10, 2019

The religious discrimination bill proposed by Australia's coalition government is being well received generally, though some conservative members of parliament... Read more

The flag of Australia.

Australian government proposes religious discrimination bill

Jul 6, 2019

Australia's coalition government has proposed the introduction of legislation that would make it unlawful to discriminate against people on the... Read more

Cardinal George Pell outside Rome's Hotel Quirinale, March 3, 2016.

Due to backlash, Pell to live in 'secure compound' if appeal succeeds

Jun 24, 2019

While Cardinal George Pell of Australia is appealing his sexual abuse conviction in court, he and his supporters are making... Read more

Bishops decry introduction of assisted suicide, euthanasia in Australian state

Jun 19, 2019

The four Latin rite ordinaries in Victoria have written a pastoral letter denouncing the state's “new, and deeply troubling chapter... Read more

Cardinal George Pell arrives at Melbourne County Court on Feb. 27, 2019.

Prosecution falters during Cardinal Pell appeal hearing

Jun 6, 2019

The lead prosecutor arguing to sustain the conviction of Cardinal George Pell struggled Thursday in presenting the Crown’s case.  Read more

March 17, 2016. Cardinal George Pell speaks with CNA at the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on March 17, 2016.

In opening arguments, Cardinal Pell’s lawyers set out case for appeal

Jun 4, 2019

The legal team for Cardinal George Pell set out its case for appeal at the Supreme Court of Victoria Wednesday... Read more

Cardinal George Pell.

Cardinal Pell prepares for appeal hearing

Jun 3, 2019

Pell's appeal is set to be heard by a three-judge panel of the state of Victoria’s Supreme Court on 5-6... Read more

The flag of Australia.

Australian bishops adopt new Safeguarding Standards

Jun 3, 2019

Last week the Australian bishop' conference and Catholic Religious Australia adopted new standards to combat the sexual abuse of children... Read more

As Australian Catholic school abandons tests and grades, critics are concerned

May 19, 2019

A Catholic school in west Sydney has done away with grades, class levels, and tests to promote a more personalized... Read more

The March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 27, 2017.

Australian pro-lifers lose challenge to abortion clinic buffer zones

Apr 10, 2019

Australia's high court on Wednesday threw out cases brought by pro-life activists challenging “buffer zone” laws in Victoria and Tasmania... Read more

Parliament House for the state of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia. Stock photo via Shutterstock

Victoria parliament considers ending daily Our Father

Mar 20, 2019

The parliament of the Australian state of Victoria is considering a proposal to end the convention of beginnings daily sessions... Read more

Australian bishops’ conference calls for minimum wage hike

Mar 18, 2019

The Catholic Church in Australia is calling for an increase to the minimum wage in the country, saying that it... Read more

Cardinal George Pell outside the Hotel Quirinale in Rome, March 3, 2016.

Cardinal Pell's appeal process to begin in June

Mar 6, 2019

An Australian court announced Wednesday that Cardinal George Pell's application for leave to appeal his conviction of sexual abuse will... Read more