Home > Media Releases

• New Environmental Education Resource Released by Catholic Earthcare Australia - 13 Oct 2008
  A new environmental education resource based on the IUCN International Year of the Reef has been released by Catholic Earthcare Australia, Jacqui Remond announced today.
• Catholic women from the bush to the beach link up by phone for stimulating speakers - 13 Oct 2008
  Catholic women from all over Australia are being invited to pick up the phone and join in an exciting new initiative where they can listen to a guest speaker and then join in conversation with the speaker and other women.
• Archbishop Mark Coleridge tells synod - New evangelisation calls for more powerful missionary preaching - 8 Oct 2008
  The Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn was one of the first Bishops to address the general sessions of the Synod on the Word of God in the Life of the Church.
• Bishop Michael Putney addresses Synod on The Word of God in Oceania - 8 Oct 2008
  The Synod opened with a report on the Word of God from each continent. The report for Oceania was delivered by the Bishop of Townsville, Most Rev Michael Putney.
• Catholic Bishops call for action to achieve justice for the poor in Australia’s affluent society - 17 Sep 2008
  Australia's Catholic Bishops have used their 2008 Social Justice Sunday Statement to issue an urgent call for action to achieve justice for those afflicted by poverty in our affluent society.
• Death of retired Bishop of Bunbury, Bishop Peter Quinn - 25 Aug 2008
  The former Bishop of Bunbury, Bishop Peter Quinn has died, aged 80.
• Fertility Education a “must do” for women - NFPP - 20 Aug 2008
  Fertility education should be right up there with pap smears and breast scans as one of the “must dos” for good sexual and reproductive healthcare, Cheryl Curnow of the Natural Family Planning Program said today.
• First ever Australian Catholic Media Census - be a part of it! - 15 Aug 2008
  Many of us are aware of the important role played by Diocesan publications, or the publications produced by various religious orders. But do we have a real idea of what other Catholic groups or organisations are doing in the media field, whether it be print, television, radio or the web?
• Survey of World Youth Day pilgrims finds out who went and why - 14 Aug 2008
  ‘Pilgrims’ Progress 2008’ is a research project being conducted at Australian Catholic University, with the support of World Youth Day Administration, focussing on the pilgrims who attendedWorld Youth Day in Sydney in July. The project is studying the experiences of pilgrims before,during and after World Youth Day, partly to provide feedback to those who organised the event,and also to build an understanding of the spirituality of the pilgrims, as a foundation on which improved ministry to them and to other Catholic young people can be constructed.
• Monsignor Jude Okolo, counsellor at Canberra’s Apostolic Nunciature, appointed Nuncio to Chad and Central African Republic - 3 Aug 2008
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Philip Wilson, today warmly congratulated Monsignor Jude Thaddeus Okolo, counsellor at Canberra’s Apostolic Nunciature in Canberra, on his appointment as Apostolic Nuncio to Chad and the Central African Republic.
• Church’s Professional Standards Committee meeting welcomes Papal apology to victims of abuse - 31 Jul 2008
  The Catholic Church’s National Committee for Professional Standards today welcomed Pope Benedict XVI’s recent apology to victims of abuse by Church personnel as an important step in the ongoing process of healing the deep wounds inflicted by such abuse.
• Catholic Bishop welcomes reforms to immigration detention policy - 29 Jul 2008
  The Federal Government’s announcement today of a new policy to restrict the use of mandatory detention for asylum seekers was a welcome move to a more humane system of testing protection claims, the Catholic Church said today.
• Church leaders committed to providing psychological treatment services - 25 Jul 2008
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Philip Wilson today confirmed that the Bishops and Religious Leaders remain firmly committed to providing appropriate clinical services to priests, religious and Church personnel in need of psychological treatment.
• World Youth Day week in Photos - 23 Jul 2008
  A photographic collage of World Youth Day in Sydney. Photos by Alphonsus Fok and David Tang.
• Press Release of the Holy See Press Office at the end of the proposed meeting with the Holy Father of a representative group of persons who have been abused by members of the clergy - 21 Jul 2008
  As an expression of his ongoing pastoral concern for those who have been abused by members of the clergy, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today celebrated Mass with a representative group of victims.
• Pope Benedict XVI - Address of farewell and thankyou to volunteers - 21 Jul 2008
  Text of Pope Benedict's address to volunteers and organisers of World Youth Day
• Pope Benedict XVI - Farewell Address at Sydney Airport - 21 Jul 2008
  Text of Pope Benedict's farewell address at Sydney Airport
• Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko - address at conclusion of World Youth Day Mass - 20 Jul 2008
  Text of Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko's address at the conclusion of the World Youth Day Mass
• Cardinal George Pell - Address to the Holy Father at World Youth Day Mass - 20 Jul 2008
  Text of Cardinal George Pell's address to the Holy Father at the World Youth Day Mass
• Pope Benedict XVI - Angelus Dominus and announcement of Madrid for WYD 2011 - 20 Jul 2008
  Text of Pope Benedict's words spoken before the Angelus and his announcement of Madrid as the next host city of World Youth Day in 2011.
• Pope Benedict XVI - Homily at World Youth Day Mass - 20 Jul 2008
  Text of Pope Benedict's homily at World Youth Day Mass - Southern Cross Precinct - Sunday July20
• Pope Benedict XVI - Address at Evening Vigil - 20 Jul 2008
  Address of Pope Benedict XVI at Vigil Gathering - Southern Cross Precinct - July 19
• Pope Benedict XVI - Homily at Mass with clergy and religious - 19 Jul 2008
  Text of Pope Benedict's Homily at a Mass with clergy, religious and laypeople, with the dedication of the altar, at St Mary's Cathedral
• ACBC President, Archbishop Philip Wilson - comments to the Holy Father at luncheon with Australian Bishops - 19 Jul 2008
  Text of Archbishop Philip Wilson's comments to the Holy Father at luncheon with the Australian Bishops, St Mary's Cathedral House.
• Pope Benedict XVI - Address at meeting with disadvantaged youth - 19 Jul 2008
  Text of Pope Benedict's speech at meeting with disadvantaged youth - University of Notre Dame - July 18.
• Pope Benedict XVI - Address to Interfaith Meeting - 18 Jul 2008
  Text of Pope Benedict's address to Interfaith Meeting
• Pope Benedict XVI - Address at Ecumenical Meeting - Thursday Juy 18 - 18 Jul 2008
  Text of Pope Benedict's Address to an Ecumenical Meeting
• Pope Benedict XVI - Address at Admiralty House - July 17, 2008 - 17 Jul 2008
  Text of Pope Benedict's address at the official welcome ceremony, Admiralty House, Sydney
• Pope Benedict XVI - Address for arrival at Barangaroo - Thursday July 17 - 17 Jul 2008
  Text of Pope Benedict's address to WYD pilgrims at Barangaroo
• Archbishop Philip Wilson, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - Welcome to the Holy Father at Barangaroo - 17 Jul 2008
  Holy Father, It is my very great honour to welcome you to Australia on behalf of all who are gathered here in your presence and the many others with us through the media and in spirit. I greet you in the love and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Bishops of the world on WYD pilgrimage with their young people - 16 Jul 2008
  Four hundred Bishops from around the world have come as pilgrims to Sydney’s World Youth Day, accompanying the young people from their Dioceses.
• Cardinal George Pell - Homily for WYD Opening Mass - Barangaroo - Tuesday July 15, 2008 - 15 Jul 2008
  Text of Cardinal George Pell's homily at the WYD Opening Mass
• ACBC President urges all to get involved in WYD – wherever you are - 15 Jul 2008
  The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Philip Wilson today welcomed the official opening of World Youth Day celebrations in Sydney and urged Catholics across Australia to become involved in the events in whatever way they could.
• Rewired offers parishes, schools, youth ministries a program to help keep the Spirit of WYD alive - 10 Jul 2008
  The excitement of World Youth Day is building and parishes, schools, movements and youth ministry teams are being invited to tap into that excitement in a lasting way with a new program aimed at connecting young people more deeply with Jesus Christ and their parish community.
• Chief Executive Officer appointed for National Catholic Education Commission - 1 Jul 2008
  Bishop Gerard Holohan, Chairman of the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education, announced today the appointment of Dr William Robert Griffiths to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the National Catholic Education Commission.
• Catholic parishes urged to “Celebrate the Living Spirit” for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday - 27 Jun 2008
  Catholic parishes across Australia will be invited to take up the theme “Celebrate the Living Spirit” in celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Sunday on Sunday, July 6.
• Catholic Bishops reach out to those who have been away from their faith - 13 Jun 2008
  The Catholic Church is to undertake its biggest ever outreach this weekend with a nation-wide newspaper advertising blitz in which the Bishops issue an open invitation for Catholics who may have been away from their faith to reconnect with the Church community.
• Profile of Catholics in Australia - 5 Jun 2008
  The latest snapshot of church life in Australia shows that Mass attenders are on average older, better educated and more likely to be female, married and born overseas than Catholics in general. This is the picture from the 2006 National Church Life Survey (NCLS), based on a random sample of around 70,000 Mass attenders from 229 Catholic parishes from every Australian diocese.
• Catholic Film Office lauds Prince Caspian - 26 May 2008
  The director of the Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting has lavished praise on the soon to be released “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.”
• Bishop John Aloysius Morgan dies at age 98 - 22 May 2008
  Australia's first Catholic military bishop and former Auxiliary Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn John Aloysius Morgan has died. He was 98.
• News from the May 2008 Plenary meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - 20 May 2008
  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference held its Plenary Meeting at Mary Mackillop Place, North Sydney from May 2 to May 8, 2008.
• Catholic Bishop welcomes Govt move to abandon Temporary Protection Visas - 14 May 2008
  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference today welcomed the Federal Government’s Budget announcement that it will abandon Temporary Protection Visas, saying it was an important step in restoring integrity to Australia’s protection visa system.
• ACBC appoints new Chair for the National Catholic Education Commission - 9 May 2008
  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has appointed Mrs Therese Temby to the position of Chair of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC).
• Catholic Bishops call for national day of prayer for Burma cyclone victims - 8 May 2008
  The Catholic Bishops of Australia have called for a national day of prayer this Sunday, in solidarity with the people of Burma who are suffering so greatly from the tragic effects of Cyclone Nargis.
• Archbishop Philip Wilson re-elected ACBC President - 8 May 2008
  Archbishop Philip Wilson was re-elected as President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference during the ACBC Plenary Meeting which concluded in Sydney today.
• Apostolic Nuncio tells Bishops he has come to be a companion in their pastoral ministry - 3 May 2008
  The recently arrived Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, has thanked the Bishops and the people of the Church in Australia for their warm welcome and said he saw his role here as that of a companion.
• Catholic Bishops take to YouTube to launch new Pastoral Letter on Internet Safety - 27 Apr 2008
  Australia’s Catholic Bishops have issued a Pastoral Letter on Internet Safety and, for the first time, they have accompanied their Letter with an introductory video which they have posted on YouTube.
• Major Youth Leaders Gathering planned for post-WYD - 14 Apr 2008
  A major Youth Leaders Gathering for Catholic youth leaders and those active in youth ministry around Australia is being planned for November this year to tap into the enthusiasm and the spiritual awakening among many young people in the period after World Youth Day.
• Vale Archbishop Little DD KBE - 8 Apr 2008
  The former Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Thomas Francis Little died peacefully in his sleep last night at his home in Camberwell at the age of 82 years.
• Grandparents passing on the faith - 8 Apr 2008
  Australian members of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Ron and Mavis Pirola of Sydney, have spoken at the Council’s Plenary Assembly in Rome of the inspirational care being provided to children by their grandparents, often in difficult circumstances.
• Archbishop Wilson nominates the family as a key focus for 2020 Summit - 31 Mar 2008
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Philip Wilson, said he was honoured to have been selected to take part in Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s 2020 Summit and that family life and the well-being of people would be his key focus during the discussions.
• Grandparents under the Spotlight at Rome Assembly - 25 Mar 2008
  Grandparents will be the focus of the coming 18th Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family, to be attended by Cardinal George Pell and grandparents-of-eight, Ron and Mavis Pirola of Sydney.
• Easter Message from Archbishop Philip Wilson, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - 19 Mar 2008
  Easter Message from Archbishop Philip Wilson, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
• Monsignor John Murphy to visit Christmas Island Detention Centre this Holy Week - 17 Mar 2008
  The Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, Monsignor John Murphy, will make a pastoral visit to the Christmas Island Detention Centre as part of a week-long stay on the Island where he will also help the local community to observe Holy Week and celebrate Easter.
• Archbishop Wilson sends condolences to Chaldean Catholics following killing of the Archbishop of Mosul in Iraq - 14 Mar 2008
  The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Philip Wilson, today expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the Chaldean Catholic community following the killing of the Archbishop of Mosul in Iraq.
• New Apostolic Nuncio arrives in Australia - 11 Mar 2008
  The new Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, the Most Reverend Giuseppe Lazzarotto has arrived in Canberra after being welcomed to Australia by Church representatives during a brief stop-over in Sydney.
• Women’s contribution to the life of the Church celebrated on International Women’s Day - 7 Mar 2008
  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Office for the Participation of Women today celebrated International Women’s Day with a special Mass and lunch at the ACBC secretariat in Canberra.
• Eastern Catholic Churches in Australia and New Zealand meet - 7 Mar 2008
  The four Bishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches, Most Rev. Peter Stasiuk (Ukrainian), Most Rev. Issam Darwish (Melkite), Most Rev. Ad Abikaram (Maronite) and Most Rev. Gabriel Kassab (Chaldean) and Fr. Zakaria Gayed from the Catholic Coptic Church in Australia, have held their annual meeting, at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Church in Lidcombe, NSW.
• Australia’s Catholic Bishops welcome political agreement in Kenya and pray for a just and lasting peace - 1 Mar 2008
  Australia’s Catholic Bishops today welcomed a political agreement reached in Kenya and expressed hope that it would help achieve reconciliation among the country’s people, and forge a just and lasting peace.
• New Director appointed for Catholic Earthcare Australia - 28 Feb 2008
  Mrs Jacqui Remond has been appointed as the new Director of Catholic Earthcare Australia, Bishop Christopher Toohey announced today.
• Archbishop Wilson meets Vatican officials in Rome - 15 Feb 2008
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Philip Wilson has recently returned from Rome where he met with a range of Vatican officials and dicasteries.
• National Apology to the Stolen Generations an historic and hope-filled moment for Australia - 13 Feb 2008
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Philip Wilson has hailed today’s National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were removed from their families under past government policies as “an historic and prophetic moment in the life of the Australian nation”.
• Parishes invited to celebrate International Women’s Day with special prayers and reflections - 12 Feb 2008
  Catholic parishes are being invited to celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday, March 7 with the assistance of a kit filled with resources to help parishioners pray for all women who contribute to the Church through a great diversity of roles and tasks.
• ACBC delegate to take part in international women’s congress in Rome - 5 Feb 2008
  The Director of the ACBC Office for the Participation of Women, Kimberly Davis, will have the opportunity to network with women from around the world at a Rome congress this month to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter on the dignity and vocation of women, Mulieris Dignitatem.
• The Jammed is named Australian Movie of the Year by Catholic Film Office - 4 Feb 2008
  The jury of the Australian Catholic Film Office (ACFO) has awarded its 2007 Film of the Year to Dee McLachlan’s “The Jammed.”
• Holy Father accepts resignation of Bishop Jeremiah Coffey - 2 Jan 2008
  His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation submitted by His Lordship the Most Reverend Jeremiah Coffey as the Bishop of the Diocese of Sale, having attained retiring age.
• New Apostolic Nuncio for Australia - 22 Dec 2007
  The Holy See has announced that Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto is to be the new Apostolic Nuncio to Australia.
• A Christmas Message from ACBC President, Archbishop Philip Wilson - 21 Dec 2007
  On Christmas Day in 1939, King George VI reminded the world that it was facing a terrible war. Although we’re not in exactly the same position now, the fact of the matter is we are at war, and there are Australians confronting the seemingly insurmountable challenges of conflict.
• ABC to televise Pope Benedict XVI’s celebration of Midnight Mass on Christmas Day - 17 Dec 2007
  Pope Benedict XVI’s celebration of Midnight Mass will once again be beamed into homes, hospitals and nursing homes across Australia via an ABC telecast this Christmas Day.
• Catholic Church reaches out to movie-goers this Christmas - 5 Dec 2007
  The Catholic Church in Australia will be reaching out to movie-goers in this Advent and Christmas season by launching its first ever cinema advertising campaign, to debut in movie theatres across the nation on December 6.
• A statement from the Catholic Bishops of Australia on a way forward for Indigenous Australia - 30 Nov 2007
  The Catholic Bishops of Australia today urged the new Federal Government to commit itself to addressing the fundamental causes of entrenched disadvantage in Indigenous communities.
• Parishes invited to recognise the gifts of all in celebrating International Day of People with Disability - 29 Nov 2007
  Catholic parishes across Australia are being invited to celebrate International Day of People with Disability by promoting and recognising the gifts of people with disability within the Body of Christ.
• Empowering women to embrace motherhood the key to new educational strategy - 26 Nov 2007
  A series of “radically pro-woman” symposiums aimed at empowering women to embrace pregnancy and motherhood, and supporting them when facing difficult circumstances, is the first step in a comprehensive new strategy aimed at reducing Australia’s high rate of abortion.
• Catholic Bishops offer prayers, congratulations to incoming Labor Govt - 26 Nov 2007
  The Australian Catholic Bishops today offered their prayers and congratulations to Kevin Rudd and the Australian Labor Party on their victory in the Federal Election.
• Catholic Church welcomes breakthrough in ethical stem cell research - 21 Nov 2007
  The discovery by scientists that potent stem cells can be obtained from human skin was a welcome breakthrough in the search for ethical ways to combat serious disease, the Catholic Church said today.
• Holy Father accepts resignation of Bishop Hilton Deakin - 13 Nov 2007
  His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation presented to Him by His Lordship Most Reverend Hilton Deakin from the office of Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, having attained retiring age.
• Catholic prison chaplains’ congress calls for more humane treatment of prisoners around the world - 1 Nov 2007
  A meeting of the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care in Rome recently called for a more humane treatment of prisoners in many countries, with particular emphasis on the vulnerable, such as the mentally ill, drug addicts, foreigners and elderly people.
• Draft phase of Missal translation completed - 1 Nov 2007
  Today, All Saints’ Day, the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), sent to the Bishops of its eleven member Conferences (Australia, Canada, England & Wales, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Scotland, South Africa and the United States of America) its draft translation of the Appendices to the Third Typical Edition of the Missale Romanum, which was published by the Holy See in 2002. Thus, the draft phase of the Commission’s work of translating the Missal has been brought to completion, some five years after the publication of the Latin original.
• Faithfulness through Dialogue - 30 Oct 2007
  Address by ACBC President, Archbishop Philip Wilson
• Migrant chaplains to hear from Immigration Minister and Shadow Minister at 2nd National Conference - 26 Oct 2007
  Migrant chaplains and their pastoral associates from across Australia will gather for their Second National Conference this week, during which they will hear from both the Immigration Minister and the Shadow Minister.
• First ever lay National Director for Catholic Mission - 26 Oct 2007
  Catholic Mission is to have its first ever lay National Director, with the appointment of Mr Martin Teulan to the position.
• Nuncio remembered as dedicated diplomat, good friend and man of faith - 17 Oct 2007
  The late Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli was remembered today as a dedicated and highly experienced diplomat, a warm and personable man with a great sense of humour, and first and foremost, a man of great faith.
• Govt’s rationale for African refugee cut deeply concerning - Catholic Bishop - 11 Oct 2007
  The Federal Government’s revelation that it based its decision to cut the intake of African refugees on perceived problems with their ability to settle in to life in Australia was deeply concerning, a Catholic Bishop said today.
• Pope Benedict XVI appoints new Auxiliary Bishop for Archdiocese of Sydney - 4 Oct 2007
  His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Reverend Father Terence John Gerard BRADY as Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney.
• Catholic Bishops express solidarity with those suffering because of the Equine Flu crisis - 4 Oct 2007
  Australia’s Catholic Bishops today expressed their prayerful solidarity with all people whose livelihoods are suffering so terribly due to the Equine Influenza crisis.
• Bishops urge Catholics to explore new paths for defending human rights - 3 Oct 2007
  The Catholic Bishops of Australia today said that by imposing a new policy in favour of abortion, Amnesty International had taken a tragic turn and effectively created a human rights organisation which excluded Catholic members.
• Bishops focus on justice and peace in 2007 Social Justice Statement - Who is my neighbour? - 17 Sep 2007
  On behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Bishop Christopher Saunders today presented the Social Justice Sunday Statement for 2007, Who Is My Neighbour? Australia’s role as a global citizen. This year’s Statement deals with global issues of justice, development and peace.
• Bishops answer questions on Divorce and the Church in new booklet - 13 Sep 2007
  Australia’s Bishops are reaching out to those who have suffered the distress of marital breakdown and divorce with a new easy-to-read booklet which outlines the Church’s teaching in this difficult area and offers pastoral care and support.
• Archbishop Wilson calls on Amnesty International to reverse new policy on abortion - 11 Sep 2007
  The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Philip Wilson today called on Amnesty International to reverse its new policy promoting access to abortion.
• AIRC decision discriminates against low paid workers with families – Catholic employment relations body - 16 Aug 2007
  The Australian Industrial Relations Commission’s decision on the Federal Minimum Wage discriminates against low paid workers with family responsibilities, the Catholic Church’s employment relations body said today.
• A reflection on the positive value of priestly celibacy by ACBC President, Archbishop Philip Wilson - 14 Aug 2007
  Each year throughout the Church in Australia, we celebrate National Vocations Awareness Week which promotes and fosters all vocations. In my letter this year, I want to speak about celibacy or chastity which is so much part of the vocations to Priesthood and the Consecrated Life.
• ACBC President seeks personal insights from political leaders - 12 Aug 2007
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Philip Wilson sought a personal, rather than a political, insight when he had the chance to pose a public question to John Howard and Kevin Rudd last week.
• Bishops' Election Statement 2007 in printable brochure format - 7 Aug 2007
  With Federal Parliament set to resume for what is likely to be one of its last sittings before the Federal Election, Australia’s Catholic Bishops today issued a statement urging Catholics to consider the common good when casting their vote this year.
• Catholic Bishops urge voters to consider the common good at election time - 6 Aug 2007
  With Federal Parliament set to resume for what is likely to be one of its last sittings before the Federal Election, Australia’s Catholic Bishops today issued a statement in which they urged Catholics to consider the common good when casting their vote this year.
• Archbishop Wilson to attend political leaders’ event - 2 Aug 2007
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Philip Wilson will attend a landmark event next week when Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd speak live to the nation’s Christians via webcast.
• Prayer initiative flows as Council for Australian Catholic Women asks ‘Who is my Sister?’ - 16 Jul 2007
  The Council for Australian Catholic Women met in Sydney recently and had the opportunity to listen to and reflect with women from parishes and dioceses across Australia with particular emphasis on exploring the question, ‘Who is my Sister?’.
• Sr Myree Harris to represent ACBC at Vatican Conference on Homelessness - 12 Jul 2007
  Sr Myree Harris RSJ has been selected to represent The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference at the First International Pastoral Meeting for The Homeless to be held by the Vatican in Rome in November.
• Pope Benedict XVI issues directions on the use of the 1962 Missal - 7 Jul 2007
  Pope Benedict XVI has issued a Motu Proprio (formal direction) on the use of the 1962 Roman Missal in which he clarifies the place of the pre-Vatican II Mass in the life of the Church.
• AFPC decision-making unfair on low-wage families with stay-at-home parent - 6 Jul 2007
  The Catholic Church’s employment relations body today questioned the reasoning of this week’s Wages Decision by the Australian Fair Pay Commission.
• A Statement from the Catholic Bishops of Australia on dignity and justice for Indigenous Australians - 5 Jul 2007
  The Catholic Bishops of Australia welcome the high priority the Federal Government has now accorded to addressing the appalling problems facing people in remote Northern Territory Aboriginal communities.
• Vatican approves General Instruction of the Roman Missal for Australia - 3 Jul 2007
  The Vatican has approved the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) which was submitted by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
• Changes are needed to make Work Choices fairer – Catholic employment body - 30 Jun 2007
  The Catholic Church’s employment relations body has today called for further changes to be made to the Work Choices legislation in order to promote fairness in Australian workplaces and achieve a proper balance between the rights of employers and the rights of workers.
• Catholics and the 2006 Census – a brief look - 27 Jun 2007
  The 2006 Catholic Census population was 5,126,844, up from 5,001,624 in 2001 - an increase of 125,260, or 2.5 per cent.
• Communication the key for new National Co-ordinator of Permanent Deacons - 26 Jun 2007
  The newly appointed National Co-ordinator of the Permanent Diaconate in Australia, Rev Paul Simmons, says communication will be his top priority as he seeks to support deacons in their role as bridge-builders in the Church.
• Call for parishes to celebrate Aboriginal and Islander Sunday on July 1 - 4 Jun 2007
  Catholic parishes have been challenged to celebrate Aboriginal and Islander Sunday with fresh vigour and energy on July 1 this year, under the theme ‘Love one another as I love you’.
• Pastoral Letter on the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum by ACBC President, Archbishop Philip Wilson - 24 May 2007
  On Sunday 27 May we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the festival when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it is also referred to as the “Birthday of the Church,” marking the beginning of the Church’s mission to share its renewed and abundant life with all humanity. Sunday 27 May 2007 is also the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum on Indigenous people and the Australian Constitution.
• Catholic Church backs initiative for inactive Catholics - 18 May 2007
  An initiative to develop programs aimed at inviting Catholics back to the practice of their faith will be the first task of the new National Office for Evangelization on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
• News from the May 2007 Plenary Meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - 15 May 2007
  A summary of news items from the ACBC Plenary Meeting, May 2007
• Catholic Bishops express concern for and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe - 10 May 2007
  The Catholic Bishops of Australia today concluded their Plenary Meeting by expressing their deep concern for the people of Zimbabwe who are suffering oppression and deep hardship.
• Students gain new ‘hands-on’ resource for learning about media and faith - 9 May 2007
  Catholic school students across Australia will have the opportunity to become ‘cadet reporters’ and learn more about the life of Jesus in a new multi-media resource sponsored by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
• Climate Change and Pastoral Commitments - A Paper from Bishop Christopher Toohey - 7 May 2007
  Catholic Earthcare Australia Chairman, Bishop Christopher Toohey recently gave a presentation to the Conference on Climate Change and Development in Rome, initiated by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
• Challenge for WYD lies in listening to the young people who attend - Nuncio - 4 May 2007
  The Church in Australia will be on show during World Youth Day 2008, and the challenge lies not only in how the event is staged but in how the Church listens to and acts on the experiences of the young people who attend, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli said today.
• Australia has important role to play as bridge builder in Middle East – ACBC inter-religious congress hears - 2 May 2007
  Australia could play an important role in building bridges for peace in the Middle East, a landmark congress of Christians, Muslims and Jews heard today.
• Archbishop Hart welcomes two new Auxiliary Bishops for Melbourne - 30 Apr 2007
  The Archbishop of Melbourne, Most Rev Denis Hart, today welcomed the appointment by Pope Benedict XVI of two new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
• Pope Benedict XVI appoints two new Auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese of Melbourne - 30 Apr 2007
  His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Reverend Father Timothy Costelloe, SDB and Reverend Monsignor Peter John Elliott as Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
• Bishop calls on politicians to help put work into proper perspective - 26 Apr 2007
  In a Pastoral Letter issued for the Feast Day of St Joseph the Worker (1st May), Bishop Christopher Saunders, Chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC), has called on Government to regularly release data on the terms and conditions of Australian Workplace Agreements.
• Shaping the Future of the Church - Keynote address by Archbishop Philip Wilson to 2007 Catholic Church Administrators' Conference - 23 Apr 2007
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Philip Wilson's keynote address poses two key questions. First, what is happening in western culture today, especially as regards faith and religious practice? And second, as Catholics who strive to be faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ and his living memory in the tradition of the church, we must ask: how can we faithfully proclaim the gospel in this culture?
• Catholic body calls for wage sufficient for low paid families - 20 Apr 2007
  The Catholic Church’s industrial relations advisory body has called for the Australian Fair Pay Commission to increase the federal minimum wage to assist low paid workers and their families.
• Pray for Rain says Archbishop Philip Wilson - 20 Apr 2007
  The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson, is calling on all Australians to pray for rain as the drought continues to cause widespread devastation.
• Catholic Bishops invite Christians, Muslims and Jews to meet together and discuss The Role of Religion in Achieving Peace in the Middle East - 18 Apr 2007
  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is bringing together key people from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish religious traditions for two groundbreaking events focusing on understanding and achieving Peace in the Middle East.
• Going to Church this Easter and want to learn more? Dial 1300-4-FAITH - 4 Apr 2007
  Easter is traditionally a time when churches are at their fullest and for those who might attend a Catholic Church this Easter and seek to learn more about the Catholic Faith, help is at hand simply by dialling 1300-4-FAITH.
• Disconnected Catholics Report - April 2007 - 3 Apr 2007
  The full pdf version of the Disconnected Catholics report - April 2007
• Disconnected Catholics research enters consultation phase - 3 Apr 2007
  Catholic dioceses, organisations and other interested people will have the opportunity to respond to a research project which explored why some Catholics have stopped going to Mass.
• Port Lincoln youth honoured to deliver reading at Papal Palm Sunday Mass - 1 Apr 2007
  Adam Crouch of Port Lincoln, who was in Rome for the 9th International Youth Forum, was yesterday given the honour of delivering a reading at the Pope’s Palm Sunday Mass.
• Bishop Patrick Murphy remembered as a committed disciple of Jesus and a foundation-builder - 27 Mar 2007
  Bishop Patrick Murphy, the first Bishop of Broken Bay, was remembered today as a hard-working and committed disciple of Jesus who laid the foundations for the Diocese upon which successive generations will build.
• “Witnessing Christ in the World of Work” Forum - 26 Mar 2007
  Two young Australians have been selected to represent the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference at the 9th International Youth Forum in Rome this week.
• Death of Most Rev Patrick Laurence Murphy DD - 19 Mar 2007
  The former Catholic Bishop of Broken Bay, Most Rev Patrick Laurence Murphy DD, has died after a long illness, aged 86.
• Death of Most Rev Patrick Laurence Murphy DD - 19 Mar 2007
  The former Catholic Bishop of Broken Bay, Most Rev Patrick Laurence Murphy DD, has died after a long illness, aged 86.
• Catholic Bishops propose less confronting Citizenship requirements - 26 Feb 2007
  A Commission of Catholic Bishops has urged the federal government to modify its proposed changes to citizenship requirements so that language and knowledge requirements are met gradually, rather than being judged by a test.
• Australian Catholic Disability Council meets in important first for the Church - 23 Feb 2007
  A small gathering in Sydney this week marked an important first for the Catholic Church in Australia, with the inaugural meeting of the Australian Catholic Disability Council (ACDC).
• Archbishop John Bathersby and Anglican Bishop David Beetge respond to report on Anglican-Roman Catholic unity - 21 Feb 2007
  Made public today was a note signed by Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby and Anglican Bishop David Beetge, co-presidents of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), regarding an article published yesterday in the British newspaper "The Times" on the IARCCUM document: "Growing Together in Unity and Mission."
• 2007 Young Catholic Women’s Interfaith Fellowship begins - 15 Feb 2007
  Nine outstanding women from around Australia have been selected to undertake the second Young Catholic Women’s Interfaith Fellowship program.
• Love and Marriage – popular booklet answers questions about marriage in the Catholic Church - 14 Feb 2007
  Love and marriage are often in the air around St Valentine’s Day and couples who are being married or who wonder about what marriage in the Catholic Church means can have many of their questions answered through a simple, very popular, booklet.
• Appointment To Office For Employment Relations Announced - 24 Jan 2007
  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has announced the appointment of Mrs Susan O’Connor as Director, Office for Employment Relations (OER).
• Papal Medal for Elisabeth Cowie in recognition of 25 years dedication to clergy - 19 Dec 2006
  Long serving Australian Catholic Bishops Conference employee, Elisabeth Cowie, has been recognised for her dedication to Australia’s clergy with the awarding of a Papal Medal.
• Fr Frank Devoy reappointed executive director of Australian Council for Clergy Life and Ministry - 18 Dec 2006
  Fr Francis Devoy has been appointed the executive director of the Australian Council for Clergy Life and Ministry for a three year term from 2007 to the end of 2009.
• Citizenship must be taken seriously, but not placed out of reach – Catholic Bishop - 14 Dec 2006
  Citizenship is the making of a commitment to Australia, and it is important to take it seriously, but without making its impossible to acquire, particularly because of language or age, Bishop Joseph Grech said today.
• News from the November Plenary Meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - 8 Dec 2006
  A summary of news items from the ACBC Plenary Meeting
• “We Have a Story” – collection of stories from people with a disability, an inspiration and a blessing for the Church - 4 Dec 2006
  A new book containing a collection of stories from people with disability, their families and faith communities would be an inspiration and a blessing for the Church in Australia, Bishop Max Davis said today.
• Bishops welcome new research - 1 Dec 2006
  New research exploring why some Catholics have stopped going to Mass would be a valuable tool in forming pastoral strategies to help people return to the practice of their faith, Australia’s Catholic Bishops said today.
• Pastoral Letter to those suffering from the Drought - 1 Dec 2006
  We write this letter to you as we are gathered together in Sydney. There are Bishops from rural Australia, from all the capital cities, from the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory and from every state of Australia.
• Statement from the Australian Catholic Bishops on the detention of David Hicks - 1 Dec 2006
  Mr David Hicks has been detained without trial at Guantanamo Bay since 2001, with no ability to contest the accusations against him. There is now heightened concern for his physical and mental health, in conditions which reputable human rights agencies have said are tantamount to torture.
• Faithful must be equipped to live their faith – Apostolic Nuncio - 29 Nov 2006
  The faithful must be prepared and equipped to live their faith by the provision of sound education in both schools and in adult life, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli said today.
• Australia’s Bishops gather for Plenary Meeting - 27 Nov 2006
  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference will hold its twice-yearly Plenary Meeting in Sydney this week, from November 27 to December 1.
• Church Leaders Promote National Day of Prayer in Time of Drought - 15 Nov 2006
  Heads of Christian Churches meeting in Sydney last week acknowledged and supported the various calls from church groups and other Australians for prayer in this time of severe drought, including a National Day of Prayer on 26 November.
• Bishop's Film and TV man called to Rome - 25 Oct 2006
  The director of the Australian Catholic Bishops offices for film and television, Fr Richard Leonard SJ, has been appointed a visiting professor at the Jesuits’ prestigious Pontifical Gregorian University at Rome.
• Archbishop Philip Wilson welcomes creation of the Chaldean Eparchy of Oceania - 21 Oct 2006
  The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Philip Wilson, today welcomed the creation by Pope Benedict XVI of the Chaldean Eparchy of Oceania.
• Pope Benedict XVI, creates the Chaldean Eparchy of Oceania, and appoints the Most Reverend Djibrail Kassab, the first Bishop - 21 Oct 2006
  The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has created the new Chaldean Eparchy of Oceania with the title of “St Thomas the Apostle of Sydney of the Chaldeans” and has appointed His Lordship, the Most Reverend Djibrail Kassab, the first Bishop of the new Eparchy, transferring him from the See of Bassorah. The Prelate retains his title of Archbishop “ad personam”.
• Opening Remarks of Bishop Anthony Fisher OP to the Senate Community Affairs Committee, Inquiry into Legislative Responses to Recommendations of the Lockhart Review, Senate Committee Room, Canberra, 20 October 2006 - 20 Oct 2006
  Mr Chairman and Senators: On behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops I thank you for the opportunity to address this Senate Inquiry. The issues raised by the bills you are examining, and the Lockhart Report behind them, are of great importance. Parliament’s decisions on such key questions will have a profound impact upon how human dignity is acknowledged and human life is reverenced in Australia.
• Catholic Church sends message of good will to the Muslim community to mark the end of Ramadan - 20 Oct 2006
  The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Philip Wilson today sent his best wishes to Australia’s Islamic community ahead of the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
• A Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Legislative Responses to Recommendations of the Lockhart Review - 19 Oct 2006
  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Senate Inquiry into this very important matter. The issues addressed by the Lockhart Committee, and some of those ignored by the Committee, are of great importance for our society.
• Pope Benedict XVI calls for renewed purpose in meeting the challenges facing indigenous Australians - 7 Oct 2006
  Pope Benedict XVI has today called for a renewed purpose in meeting the challenges facing Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, in a personal message delivered to an indigenous gathering in Alice Springs.
• Launch of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ 2006 Social Justice Sunday Statement - 14 Sep 2006
  The Catholic Bishops of Australia have called for a renewed effort from all Australians in achieving dignity and justice for indigenous peoples, in their 2006 Social Justice Sunday Statement, launched today in Sydney.
• Award-winning American sociologist to talk about emerging trends in the Church - 6 Sep 2006
  Dean Hoge, well-known sociologist from the Catholic University of America, will visit Australia in October.
• Eastern Catholic Church Association Formed - 29 Aug 2006
  The Eastern Catholic Bishops of Australia and New Zealand have formed an association which will meet annually to discuss various issues which affect their Churches in the region.
• Catholic parishes to take stock in National Church Life Survey - 25 Aug 2006
  Well over 500 Catholic parishes from across Australia are taking part in the 2006 National Church Life Survey, the largest inter-church event this year.
• Bishop calls for justice for David Hicks - 22 Aug 2006
  It is time for the Australian government to increase efforts to secure a resolution to the case of David Hicks, the Chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, Bishop Christopher Saunders, says.
• Catholic Church Television Australia - September program schedule - 21 Aug 2006
  September program schedule for Catholic Church Television Australia on Foxtel digital
• Homily at the Installation of Bishop Mark Coleridge as the Sixth Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn - 17 Aug 2006
  Archbishop Mark Coleridge in his first homily as Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn has called for a new kind of lateral thinking in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus.
• Catholic Bishop welcomes government’s withdrawal of offshore processing bill - 14 Aug 2006
  The government’s withdrawal of its Off-Shore Processing Bill was a significant event for those who believed in the fair and humane treatment of asylum seekers coming to Australia, Bishop Joseph Grech said today.
• Archbishop Philip Wilson expresses hope that ceasefire will be the start of a lasting peace in the Middle East - 14 Aug 2006
  The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Philip Wilson, today expressed hope that the ceasefire in the Middle East would hold and allow all parties to work towards a lasting peace in the region.
• Executive Secretary appointed for Bishops’ Commission for Pastoral Life - 7 Aug 2006
  The Chairman of the Bishops’ Commission for Pastoral Life, Bishop Eugene Hurley today announced the appointment of Mr Bruce Ryan as executive secretary of the Commission.
• Caritas Australia launches Middle East Peace Sunday - 4 Aug 2006
  Caritas Australia today announced August 13 2006 as Middle East Peace Sunday, in light of the ongoing conflict that is affecting millions of men, women and children across Lebanon, Gaza and Israel.
• Archbishop Philip Wilson pleads for peace in Middle East and calls for prayer - 2 Aug 2006
  The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Philip Wilson today issued a plea for peace in the Middle East conflict and called for sustained prayers from the Catholic community.
• Pope Benedict asks Catholics to pray for peace this weekend - 21 Jul 2006
  Pope Benedict XVI has asked Catholic Churches across the world to designate this Sunday, July 23 as a special day of prayer and penance for peace in the Middle East.
• New Director for Catholic Enquiry Centre - 21 Jul 2006
  The Catholic Enquiry Centre is entering a new era in its mission of reaching out to people and helping them come to know Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church.
• New Appointments made for ACBC Office for the Participation of Women - 18 Jul 2006
  Collaboration among women and men, clergy, religious and lay people will underpin the operations of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference newly named Office for the Participation of Women, according to its new Director, Kimberley Davies.
• Pope Benedict XVI appoints Father Greg O’Kelly as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Adelaide - 7 Jul 2006
  Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Father Greg O’Kelly SJ the Auxiliary Bishop of Adelaide, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli announced today in Canberra.
• New focus on the gifts of people with disability and their families in the life of the Church - 30 Jun 2006
  The restructure of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has given a new focus to the many gifts and blessings that people with disability and their families can bring to the life of the Church, Bishop Max Davis said today.
• Bishop Mark Coleridge honoured to be appointed Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn - 19 Jun 2006
  Bishop Mark Coleridge today said he was honoured and humbled at his appointment as Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn by Pope Benedict XVI.
• Pope Benedict XVI appoints Bishop Mark Coleridge as the new Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn - 19 Jun 2006
  Pope Benedict XVI has appointed His Lordship, Bishop Mark Coleridge as the new Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli announced this evening.
• July program schedule for Catholic Church Television Australia on Foxtel digital - 13 Jun 2006
  View the latest programming schedule for CCTVA, shown on Aurora Community Television, Channel 183, Foxtel and Austar Digital.
• Retired Bishop of Maitland, Bishop Leo Clarke dies - 6 Jun 2006
  The Catholic community of Maitland-Newcastle is preparing to farewell retired Bishop Leo Clarke, who died on Saturday, aged 82, after a long illness.
• Parishes encouraged to take part in World Meeting of Families celebration - 30 May 2006
  Parishes across Australia will soon start receiving kits to help them participate in the World Meeting of Families celebration with Pope Benedict XVI being held in Valencia, Spain in July.
• June program schedule for Catholic Church Television Australia on Foxtel digital - 24 May 2006
  View the latest programming schedule for CCTVA, shown on Aurora Community Television, Channel 183, Foxtel and Austar Digital.
• The Da Vinci Code – A review by Fr Richard Leonard SJ, Director of the Australian Catholic Film Office - 18 May 2006
  Fr Leonard reviews the movie which has made all the headlines.
• Catholic Bishops write to Prime Minister urging him to reconsider changes to asylum processing laws - 17 May 2006
  Australia’s Catholic Bishops have written to Prime Minister John Howard urging him to reconsider proposed legislation to process all boatpeople asylum claims offshore
• Catholic Bishops and Islamic leaders meet together for lunch and dialogue - 11 May 2006
  In a landmark meeting, the Catholic Bishops of Australia invited a group of Islamic leaders to their Plenary Meeting this week, to have lunch together, to engage in Interfaith Dialogue and to visit the tomb of Blessed Mary Mackillop.
• Catholic Bishops give thanks for safe rescue of miners - 9 May 2006
  The Catholic Bishops of Australia, meeting in Conference at Mary Mackillop Place in Sydney, today express our joy at the safe rescue of the trapped miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell.
• Archbishop Philip Wilson elected as Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President - 5 May 2006
  Australia’s Catholic Bishops today elected Archbishop Philip Wilson as the new president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
• Nuncio reflects on the emerging style of Pope Benedict XVI - 5 May 2006
  The emerging style of Pope Benedict XVI as a Pope of Dialogue, could offer a model of ‘reaching out’ which had relevance for all Episcopal ministry, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli said today.
• Catholic Church welcomes government funding for adult stem cell research - 2 May 2006
  The federal government’s announcement of a $22 million grant to Griffith University to establish a dedicated adult stem cell research centre was a wonderful boost for cutting edge, ethical science, the Catholic Church said today.
• The Da Vinci Code – an invitation to learn the truth - 1 May 2006
  The Da Vinci Code has been one of the best-sellers in popular fiction in recent years. It is about to open in Australia and around the world as a movie. Those who have read the Da Vinci Code might have followed some of the controversy it has stoked regarding the true nature of Jesus Christ and the Church that he founded.
• Changes to asylum processing a step backwards – Catholic Bishop - 19 Apr 2006
  The federal government’s move to process all asylum seekers offshore was a step backwards and placed Australia’s international obligations at risk, a Catholic bishop said today.
• May program schedule for Catholic Church Television Australia on Foxtel digital - 18 Apr 2006
  View the latest programming schedule for CCTVA, shown on Aurora Community Television, Channel 183, Foxtel and Austar Digital.
• National count of Mass attenders to take place in May - 4 Apr 2006
  It’s time again for Australian Catholics to stand up and be counted – literally! The National Count of Attendance will be conducted in all parishes and other Mass centres throughout Australia during May 2006.
• Archbishop Carroll welcomes Catechism Compendium - 3 Apr 2006
  The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Francis Carroll, today warmly welcomed the publication of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which will be available for purchase in Australia from Monday, 3 April.
• Catholics commemorate first anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II - 2 Apr 2006
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Francis Carroll today paid tribute to the late Pope John Paul II as millions across the world prepare to commemorate the first anniversary of his death.
• Church echoes concern on minimum wage - 26 Mar 2006
  The Catholic Church’s industrial relations body today backed growing concerns that the minimum wage could be eroded under the new WorkChoices regime.
• Catholic Church welcomes moves to block pornography, violence from home computers - 23 Mar 2006
  Policies to make Internet Service Providers (ISPs) block violent and pornographic material before it reaches home computers were a significant step forward in protecting children from the dangers of cyberspace, the Catholic Church said today.
• April program schedule for Catholic Church Television Australia on Foxtel Digital - 8 Mar 2006
  View the latest programming schedule for CCTVA, shown on Aurora Community Television, Channel 183, Foxtel and Austar Digital.
• Archbishop commends Church Resources award for most popular religious website in Australia - 26 Feb 2006
  Church Resources has received the Hitwise award for the No. 1 Australian web site in the Religion category for 2005.
• Apostolic Nuncio launches Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on the Church and the Media - 16 Feb 2006
  
• Go Tell Everyone - Bishops' Pastoral Letter on the Church and the Media - 16 Feb 2006
  Downloadable PDF version of the pastoral letter
• Vatican Correspondent John Allen speaks on the first year of Pope Benedict XVI's pontificate - 16 Feb 2006
  Renowned Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter and CNN, John Allen Jr was guest speaker at a luncheon for the media, held to mark the launch of the Bishops' Pastoral Letter on the Church and the Media.
• January program schedule for Catholic Church Television Australia - 23 Dec 2005
  Tune in to the Aurora community channel (Channel 183) on Foxtel and Austar digital for regular Catholic programming
• Pope Benedict XVI appoints special envoy for Adelaide’s World Day of the Sick celebration - 23 Dec 2005
  Pope Benedict XVI has named Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, as his special envoy to celebrations for the 14th World Day of the Sick, to be held in Adelaide in February.
• Death of Archbishop Eric D'Arcy - 12 Dec 2005
  A statement from Archbishop Adrian Doyle on the death of the former Archbishop of Hobart, Dr Eric D'Arcy.
• Pope highlights mental health care emergency as program is announced for World Day of the Sick to be held in Adelaide - 9 Dec 2005
  Pope Benedict XVI has nominated mental health and human dignity as the focus of the fourteenth World Day of the Sick to be hosted in Adelaide from February 9 to 11 next year.
• We Have a Story - Summer Edition 2005 - 5 Dec 2005
  Welcome to the first edition of “We Have a Story”, the quarterly newsletter of the National Network for Disability and Spiritualty. The main purpose of this newsletter is to provide resources, stories, assistance, advice and up to date information on how we, as Church, can promote and encourage the full participation of people with disability and their families.
• Parish Resource Kit to Celebrate International Day of People with a Disability - 4 Dec 2005
  The Catholic Church in Australia will celebrate International Day of People with a Disability this year with the release of a parish resource kit to encourage and assist the full participation of people with disability and their families in parish life.
• Look Both Ways named Australian Film of the Year by Australian Catholic Film Office - 2 Dec 2005
  The jury of the Australian Catholic Film Office has awarded its 2005 Film of the Year to Sarah Watt’s “Look Both Ways”.
• A letter from the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference to Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong - 26 Nov 2005
  We, the Catholic Bishops of Australia, respectfully appeal to you and your Cabinet to reconsider granting clemency to Australian national Van Tuong Nguyen.
• Catholic Bishops call for changes to workplace legislation - 25 Nov 2005
  The Catholic Bishops of Australia today called for changes to the Federal Government’s employment law reforms to help moderate the impact on the poor, the vulnerable and families.
• A statement on terrorism by the Catholic Bishops of Australia - 25 Nov 2005
  We, the Catholic Bishops of Australia, meeting in Conference, condemn all acts of terrorism and pledge to intensify our efforts to promote a culture of respect, dialogue and peace in our community.
• A statement from the Catholic Bishops of Australia to mark the 40th anniversary of Nostra Aetate - 25 Nov 2005
  This year marks the fortieth anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the statement of the Second Vatican Council on relations between the Church and non-Christian religions. It was an epoch-making document, and we cannot let the anniversary pass without expressing our gratitude for all that it has made possible and our hopes for the future to which it points.
• Australian Catholic Bishops’ statement on RU486 - 25 Nov 2005
  Recent controversy over the abortion drug RU486 has reopened the public debate over abortion. That the question of abortion keeps surfacing in Australia reflects deep unease in our community about the fact that one in four pregnancies ends in abortion – somewhere around 90,000 a year. Research shows that nearly three quarters of Australians think that this rate is far too high.
• December program schedule for Catholic Church Television Australia - 23 Nov 2005
  Tune in to the Aurora community channel (Channel 183) on Foxtel and Austar digital for regular Catholic programming.
• Christians and Muslims urged to strengthen their engagement in building good relations - 3 Nov 2005
  Christians and Muslims must strengthen their engagement in building up good relations among people of different religions, to promote cultural dialogue and to work together for lasting peace, the Vatican said in its message for the end of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan.
• Catholic Church body calls for change of direction in tax debate - 30 Oct 2005
  The low paid have been the losers in tax reform over the past 40 years and the trend is set to continue unless there is a change of direction in the current taxation debate, the Catholic Church’s employment relations body said today.
• More time needed on Anti-Terror laws - 28 Oct 2005
  The Australian Catholic Social Justice Council is calling on the Federal Government to allow more time for the scrutiny of its Anti-Terrorism legislation.
• Catholic Church Television Australia - November program schedule - 17 Oct 2005
  Tune in to the Aurora community channel (Channel 183) on Foxtel and Austar digital for regular Catholic programming.
• Continuing concerns about workplace changes - ACCER - 10 Oct 2005
  The Federal Government’s detailed outline of its proposed new system of workplace relations did not appear to address fundamental concerns about fairness and balance, the Catholic Church’s employment relations body said today.
• Synod of Bishops Intervention - Archbishop Adrian Doyle - 7 Oct 2005
  Intervention from Archbishop Adrian Doyle at the Synod on the Eucharist, Rome, October 2005.
• Cardinal Hamao to speak at major Sydney conference on migrants, refugees and itinerant people - 5 Oct 2005
  Cardinal Stephen Hamao, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People will give a challenging opening address on the pastoral care of people on the move at a major national conference in Sydney.
• Archbishop Carroll extends prayers, sympathy to those hit by Bali terrorism - 4 Oct 2005
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Francis Carroll today extended his prayers and sympathy to those affected by the weekend’s Bali bombings.
• Catholic women in Australia tell their stories in new anthology - 23 Sep 2005
  Catholic women from across the nation are sharing their deepest stories of faith and spirituality in a new anthology which is being billed as a love story – between Australian women and the Eternal Lover.
• Catholic Church Television Australia - October program schedule - 23 Sep 2005
  Programming for Catholic Church Television Australia, shown on Aurora Community Television Foxtel Digital and Austar Digital,Channel 183
• A submission from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference to the Lockhart Review of the Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002 and the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 - 23 Sep 2005
  The subject matter of the Review is of great importance to the integrity of our nation and our community as well as to science.
• Church body considers workplace reforms in light of Catholic Social Teaching - 9 Sep 2005
  The Catholic Church’s workplace relations body has issued a discussion paper on the federal government’s proposed changes to industrial relations laws in which it examines the proposed changes in light of Catholic social teaching.
• Catholic Archbishop offers prayers for victims of Hurricane Katrina - 6 Sep 2005
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Francis Carroll today expressed his prayerful solidarity with victims of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent devastation in New Orleans and surrounding areas.
• Sydney World Youth Day a blessing for all Australians – Archbishop Francis Carroll - 21 Aug 2005
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Francis Carroll today warmly welcomed the official announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that Sydney will host the 2008 World Youth Day celebration.
• Catholic youth form biggest pilgrimage ever to leave Australia - 3 Aug 2005
  More than 2,000 young Australians will leave for Germany this week to celebrate their Catholic faith with Pope Benedict XVI, in what is believed to be the biggest religious pilgrimage ever to leave Australian shores.
• Bishops’ Taskforce on Abortion launches consultation with women. - 1 Aug 2005
  The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Taskforce on Pastoral Responses to Abortion has launched a consultation with women in a bid to hear directly from them some of the experiences surrounding a difficult pregnancy or abortion.
• Nobel Peace Laureate to open Catholic Earthcare Australia conference - 29 Jul 2005
  Nobel peace prize winner and renowned ecologist, Professor Wangari Maathai will visit Australia in November to open a major Catholic Earthcare Australia conference on climate change.
• August on Catholic Church Television Australia on Aurora Community Television Channel 183 on the Foxtel Digital and Austar Subscription Services. - 20 Jul 2005
  
• Palmer Inquiry highlights immigration detention inadequacies - Catholic Bishop - 15 Jul 2005
  "The report of the Inquiry by Mr Mick Palmer into Immigration Detention has highlighted serious mental health issues within the immigration detention regime," Bishop Joseph Grech, Chairman of the Bishops' Committee for Migrants and Refugees, said today.
• In the Year of the Eucharist Catholic Mass now broadcast daily - 27 Jun 2005
  Catholic Mass will be broadcast on television every day from July 3 on Aurora Community Television, Channel 183 on the Foxtel Digital and Austar Subscription Services.
• Vatican TV comes to Australia - 27 Jun 2005
  Australian television audiences will soon be able to see a regular roundup of the activities of the Pope and the Vatican in “Octava Dies” (Eight Days) to be broadcast by Catholic Church TV on Aurora Community Television.
• Catholic Bishop welcomes changes to detention system - 20 Jun 2005
  Prime Minister John Howard’s announcement of changes to immigration detention laws is a welcome step towards a more humane treatment of asylum seekers, a Catholic Bishop said today.
• Do you have good news happening in your parish? - 3 Jun 2005
  Catholic parishes around Australia will soon be receiving a Parish Media Kit aimed at equipping parish communities to share their good news with skill and confidence.
• Parish Media Kit - pdf version for downloading and order form for booklets - 3 Jun 2005
  
• Church body seeks meeting with Minister over workplace laws - 27 May 2005
  The Australian Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (ACCER) has sought a meeting with the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to outline itsconcerns with the government’s proposed workplace laws.
• Immigration bills signify a welcome change to detention policy – Catholic Bishop - 27 May 2005
  Changes to the Migration Act proposed in two Private Member’s Bills signify a compassionate and welcome change to Australia’s detention policy and deserve the support of all MPs, a Catholic Bishop said today.
• Jewish-Catholic bonds of friendship continue to grow in Australia - 24 May 2005
  "The spirit of warmth and openness between the Catholic Church and the Jewish community, which developed dramatically under Pope John Paul II, has set a firm foundation for the bonds of friendship and co-operation to grow stronger and deeper", was the conclusion reached by the participants in the 8th "Annual Conversation" of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Committee for Ecumenism (ACBC) and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) held in May 2005.
• Catholic Church welcomes Minister's reconsideration of East Timor asylum cases - 20 May 2005
  The Catholic Church today welcomed a decision by Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone to reconsider the cases of about 50 East Timorese asylum seekers who had been threatened with deportation.
• Catholic Bishops call for generosity in Timor Sea talks - 12 May 2005
  The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, meeting in Sydney, has appealed to the Australian Government to be generous in its negotiations with East Timor.
• Catholic Bishops thank Australians for sympathy and support expressed since the death of Pope John Paul II - 12 May 2005
  The Catholic Bishops of Australia, meeting in Conference, wish to express their deep gratitude to the Australian community for the many expressions of sympathy and support that have come since the death of Pope John Paul II.
• Personal witness to Christ is our calling, says new Nuncio - 6 May 2005
  Personal witness to the message of Jesus was the strength of Pope John Paul II, and remained the calling of all in the Church, Australia’s new Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli said today.
• The Minimum Wage in an Age of Prosperity and Wealth - a pastoral letter - 26 Apr 2005
  Bishop Christopher Saunders, Chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, today issued a Pastoral Letter for the Feast of St Joseph the Worker (1st May). The Letter is entitled “The Minimum Wage in an Age of Prosperity and Wealth” and can be downloaded here or from the ACSJC website, www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au.
• Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President welcomes election of Pope Benedict XVI - 20 Apr 2005
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Francis Carroll today warmly welcomed the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new Pope.
• World Youth Day Delegates Announced - 13 Apr 2005
  The Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Laity, Bishop Peter Connors, has announced the selection of two young people to be the official delegates of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference to the World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne, Germany in August.
• Catholic body calls for greater assistance to low paid workers - 13 Apr 2005
  The Australian Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (ACCER) called today for an increase in the minimum wage at the 2005 Minimum Wage Case in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and for research into the needs of low paid workers and their families.
• Farewelling Pope John Paul II - a personal reflection from Archbishop Francis Carroll, in Rome - 12 Apr 2005
  It was truly a privilege and a deeply moving experience to be present for the Funeral Mass of Pope John Paul II.
• The latest from Rome - links to Vatican websites - 5 Apr 2005
  For the latest updates on the events in Rome following the death of Pope John Paul II visit the Vatican website at www.vatican.va or to the Vatican Radio website at www.vaticanradio.org.
• A statement from Archbishop Francis Carroll on the death of Pope John Paul II - 3 Apr 2005
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Francis Carroll said he was deeply saddened by the death of Pope John Paul II.
• “Tom White” is named Australian Film of the Year by the Catholic Film Office for 2004. - 23 Mar 2005
  In a belated decision the jury of the Australian Catholic Film Office has awarded its 2004 Film of the Year to Alkinos Tsilimidos’ Tom White.
• New Nuncio looking forward to his mission to the Church and people of Australia - 7 Mar 2005
  The Holy See’s new Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli, has arrived in Canberra, saying he is looking forward to beginning his mission to the Church and the people of Australia.
• Catholic Church Television Australia Launched - 1 Mar 2005
  The Catholic Church will have an exciting new television presence from March 1, with the launch of Australian Catholic Church Television on a new Foxtel Digital and Austar Digital community channel.
• Plight of all in immigration detention must be considered - 10 Feb 2005
  Following the recent revelation of Cornelia Rau’s detention, the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO) and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC) have joined calls for the Government to ensure an adequate process of inquiry – to prevent a repeat of this person’s ordeal and to address the similar treatment of all people in detention.
• Bishops Welcome Prime Minister’s Comment on Abortion Debate - 9 Feb 2005
  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference today welcomed the Prime Minister's willingness to allow a debate on abortion.
• Catholic churches to observe National Day of Mourning in solidarity with those who have suffered - 13 Jan 2005
  The National Day of Mourning and Reflection would be an opportunity for all Australians to take time out in solidarity with those so badly affected by the Asian tsunami, Archbishop Francis Carroll said today.
• Catholic Church sends prayers, support to Tsunami victims - 31 Dec 2004
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Francis Carroll has expressed his prayerful sympathy to all of those affected by the tsunami disaster across the South East Asian region.
• New Apostolic Nuncio for Australia - 19 Dec 2004
  The Holy See has announced that Archbishop Ambrose B. De Paoli is to be the new Apostolic Nuncio to Australia
• Statement on Senate Report into Children in Institutional Care - 14 Dec 2004
  The Australian Catholic Bishops and the Leaders of Religious Institutes welcome the Report of the Senate Inquiry into Children in Institutional Care.
• Catholic body calls for work and family balance - 14 Dec 2004
  Further award provisions should be introduced to support workers in balancing their employment and family commitments, the Catholic Church's employment relations body has told the Family Provisions Test Case.
• Catholic Bishop expresses concern at Baxter situation - 10 Dec 2004
  Bishop Joseph Grech, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Migrants and Refugees, today expressed sorrow and concern at the current situation at Baxter Immigration Detention Centre in South Australia.
• Catholic Church wishes Hindus a happy Diwali - 8 Nov 2004
  The Catholic Church has issued a message to Hindus, wishing them a happy Diwali, the Festival of Lights, one of the oldest and most important feasts on the Hindu calendar.
• Catholic Church sends message to Muslims - 5 Nov 2004
  The Catholic Church has called for a united effort with Muslims in working to uphold the dignity and well-being of children throughout the world.
• Bishops take to river boat for Murray-Darling pastoral statement launch - 11 Oct 2004
  Three Catholic Bishops whose Dioceses take in the Murray-Darling basin will take to the deck of a paddle steamer on the Murray today to launch a pastoral statement on the care and the future of the great river system.
• New Website for Australian Catholic Bishops Conference - 1 Oct 2004
  The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has a vibrant new Internet presence, with the launch of its revamped web site.
• Sydney couple reappointed to Pontifical Council for the Family - 23 Sep 2004
  Sydney couple, Ron and Mavis Pirola have been reappointed to the Pontifical Council for the Family, launching them into their third decade of service to the Vatican body.
• Catholic Archbishop extends condolences to Greek Orthodox community following deaths of church leaders - 13 Sep 2004
  Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Francis Carroll today expressed prayerful condolences to the Australian Greek Orthodox community, following the death of Bishop Nectarios, an Australian Greek Orthodox Bishop.
• I Have a Story – Pastoral Document launched today (media release) - 8 Sep 2004
  A new pastoral document aimed at helping people with disability and their families to participate fully in parish life will be launched in Canberra today.
• Briefing Note on the Obligation to provide Nutrition and Hydration - 3 Sep 2004
  On 20th March Pope John Paul II addressed doctors, palliative care specialists, lawyers and ethicists meeting in Rome for a conference entitled 'Life Sustaining Treatments and Vegetative State: Scientific advances and and ethical dilemmas.' In his address, the Pope spoke of the obligation to provide nutrition and hydration to patients who are commonly said to be "in a persistent vegetative state (PVS)".
• Military Bishop appoints special advisor on the needs of women - 31 Aug 2004
  The Catholic Military Bishop, Bishop Max Davis has announced the appointment of Lieutenant Commander Carmel Barnes as Episcopal Deputy and Advisor with regard to the special needs of the women of the Military Ordinariate.
• Visa changes need to go further - Catholic Church - 25 Aug 2004
  The federal government's decision to allow some refugees on Temporary Protection Visas to apply for permanent residency was a welcome move but needed to go further, a Catholic Bishop said today.
• Catholic Church seeks to address pastoral needs of Coeliac Disease sufferers - 23 Aug 2004
  Catholics suffering from Coeliac Disease would not be excluded from the Eucharist under a Vatican ruling that altar breads must be made from wheat flour, Fr Peter Williams of the National Liturgical Commission said today.
• Queensland Bishops call for renewed effort to safeguard Great Barrier Reef - 5 Aug 2004
  Queensland’s Catholic Bishops will launch a landmark Pastoral Letter tomorrow, calling for a renewed effort to safeguard the wonder of creation that is the Great Barrier Reef.
• Vatican affirms feminine values in Church and society - 2 Aug 2004
  The Vatican has strongly supported the role of women in the Church and society and called for policies which create a greater balance between work and family life.
• Holy Father accepts retirement of Bishop Geoffrey Robinson - 16 Jul 2004
  The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has accepted the retirement of Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, due to ill-health, on Thursday 15 July 2004.
• My Foetus - ABC TV documentary: A view from Bishop Anthony Fisher - 13 Jul 2004
  Grief counsellors, priests and pastoral carers are bracing themselves for the forthcoming Channel 4 documentary, My Foetus, due to be broadcast on ABC's Compass programme next month.
• Death of Bishop John Heaps - 22 Jun 2004
  Bishop John Heaps, a former Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney, died at Calvary Hospital, Kogarah, on 21 June 2004, a day after admission.
• Catholic Church welcomes move to strengthen the institution of Marriage - 27 May 2004
  The Federal Government's announcement that it would move to protect the institution of marriage was a welcome affirmation of the special nature of marriage between a man and a woman, a Catholic bishop said today.
• Catholic Bishops call for urgent response to the needs of asylum seekers and refugees - 14 May 2004
  The Catholic Bishops of Australia have issued a statement in which they call for the Government and all Australians to respond with urgency to the needs of asylum seekers and refugees.
• Catholic body calls for more to be done for the low paid - 7 May 2004
  The increase to the Federal Minimum Wage of $19.00 per week was a step forward for low paid workers but only one of many that were needed, the Catholic Church's employment relations body said today.
• Pope commends Australian bishops on social justice and urges strength against secularism - 26 Mar 2004
  Pope John Paul II has used his ad limina address to the Australian Bishops to acknowledge the leadership of the Catholic Church in Australia in defence of refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and indigenous peoples, while urging strength in the face of growing secularism.
• Catholic body calls for Minimum Wage increase of $26.60 per week - 25 Mar 2004
  The Minimum Wage should be increased by $26.60 per week, the Catholic Church's employment relations body has told the Safety Net Wage Review hearing yesterday.
• Church body steps up push for fairer deal for low paid workers - 24 Feb 2004
  The Catholic Church's employment relations body, has stepped up its push for a fair federal minimum wage in a new submission to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission's Safety Net Review.
• New CEO for National Catholic Education Commission - 17 Feb 2004
  One of Australia's leading educators, Joan Warhurst, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Catholic Education Commission.
• New policy on Iranian asylum seekers encouraging - Catholic Bishop - 17 Feb 2004
  Reports that the federal government was no longer forcing failed Iranian asylum seekers to return home to possible persecution highlighted an encouraging development in immigration policy, a Catholic Bishop said today.
• Australian First for Catholic Film Office priest - 6 Feb 2004
  Father Richard Leonard SJ, the Director of the Australian Catholic Film Office, has become the first priest in Australia to earn a PhD in cinema studies, and one of only a handful of similarly qualified clergy in the world.
• New Director of John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family - 28 Jan 2004
  The Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, today announced the appointment of Dr Warwick Neville as the new Director of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family.
• Letter to the Priests of Australia - 21 Nov 2002
  The text of the Letter from the Bishops of Australia to the Priests of Australia - 2002.
• World Communications Day - 17 May 2001
  To be celebrated in Australia on Sunday, 20th May 2001 (6th Sunday of Easter)
• Revised guidelines for responding to abuse released today - 1 Mar 2001
  A revised edition of the Catholic Church's principles and procedures in responding to complaints of abuse against personnel of the Catholic Church of Australia, entitled Towards Healing - December 2000, is being released today and comes into effect immediately.
• Australian Taxation Reform Debate Must Include the Principles of Morality and Justice - 28 Jul 1998
  A media release on the current taxation reform debate by the Central Commission of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.