Church in Australia
The Latest
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
Archbishop warns of religious freedom erosion in Australia, calls for ‘saints for our time’
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher raised the alarm over Australia’s incremental erosion of religious freedom and called for committed action. Read more
As Catholic Church in Australia ends plenary council, members hope for lasting impact
The Catholic Church in Australia has concluded its Fifth Plenary Council. After months of debate and discussion on Church governance... Read more
Self-sabotaging Catholicism won't help Australia, archbishop says of plenary council prep
At a time when Catholicism in Australia faces crises such as a loss of faith and declining religious practice, a... Read more
Australian bishops begin nine-month Plenary Council
The Fifth Plenary Council of Australia kicked off Sunday with an opening Mass in Perth to begin its first assembly... Read more
Australia’s Catholic bishops issue plenary council working document
Australia’s Catholic bishops on Thursday issued a working document ahead of the first assembly of a landmark plenary council in October. Read more
Bishops call for renewed emphasis on faith as Australia marks 200 years of Catholic education
Australia‘s Catholic bishops marked the 200th anniversary of Catholic education in the country this week, calling for continued renewal of... Read more
Australian Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson dies unexpectedly at age 70
The Australian Archbishop Philip Wilson died unexpectedly on Sunday at the age of 70. Read more
Australia celebrates 10th anniversary of St. Mary MacKillop’s canonization
Australia is celebrating the 10th anniversary this year of the canonization of the country’s first and only saint, St. Mary... Read more
Australian Catholic students urge bishops to 'reject unambiguously' women's ordination
Australian Catholic students have sent an open letter to the country’s bishops ahead of the upcoming Fifth Plenary Council of... Read more
After criminal acquittal, Cardinal Pell likely to face several civil suits
The High Court of Australia this week overturned Cardinal George Pell’s conviction for five alleged counts of sexual abuse, and... Read more
Melbourne cathedral vandalized after Cardinal Pell acquittal
St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne was vandalized overnight Wednesday, hours after Cardinal George Pell was acquitted by Australia's High Court... Read more
Australian bishops keep schools open as churches close
Catholic schools in Australia will remain open after pressure from the federal government and the intervention of the Archbishop of... Read more
Australian bishop rejects calls to dismantle seminaries
A Catholic bishop in Australia has dismissed media reports that Church leaders are considering a radical overhaul of priestly formation. Read more
Australian bishops adopt new Safeguarding Standards
Last week the Australian bishop' conference and Catholic Religious Australia adopted new standards to combat the sexual abuse of children... Read more
Cardinal Pell's appeal process to begin in June
An Australian court announced Wednesday that Cardinal George Pell's application for leave to appeal his conviction of sexual abuse will... Read more
Pell lawyer will remain on legal team, despite report he would quit
Robert Richter, Cardinal George Pell's defense lawyer, said Tuesday that he has not quit the prelate's legal team. A Melbourne... Read more
Australian archbishop faces questions over handling of abuse allegations
Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane is being investigated by his former archdiocese over his alleged handling of information on child... Read more
Archbishop Wilson's conviction of not reporting abuse overturned
A district judge overturned Thursday the conviction of Archbishop Philip Wilson for failing to report allegations of child sexual abuse... Read more
Tasmania may criminalize priests for upholding seal of confession
Catholic priests in the Australian state of Tasmania could face jail time if they fail to report sexual abuse disclosed... Read more
