Church in Oceania

10 years after quake, Christ Church Cathedral finally rising
- Feb 20, 2021
The Christ Church Cathedral was arguably New Zealand’s most iconic building before much of it crumbled in an earthquake 10 years ago. The years of debate that followed over whether the ruins should be rebuilt or demolished came to symbolize the paralysis that has sometimes afflicted the broader rebuild of Christchurch.

By Nick Perry
Opponents: Australian bill on ‘conversion’ practices is attack on freedoms
- Feb 10, 2021
Groups across a wide spectrum reacted with dismay and concern to passage of a law in the Australian state of Victoria to ban “conversion” practices. Some called it an attack on freedom of religion and speech.

By Catholic News Service
Australian police find no crime in Vatican money transfers
- Feb 3, 2021
Australian police said Wednesday they found no evidence of criminal misconduct in money transfers from the Vatican that a financial agency mistakenly inflated by almost $1.8 billion and fueled corruption speculation.

By Associated Press

Australian media companies admit breaching Pell gag order
- Feb 1, 2021
Australian media companies admitted in court Monday they breached a gag order in publishing references to Cardinal George Pell’s since-overturned convictions in 2018 for child sexual abuse. The plea agreement avoids any journalist being sent to prison.

By Rod McGuirk

Aussie prelate says Pell verdict created ‘clear air’ to move forward on reform
- Feb 1, 2021
One of Australia’s most senior Church officials has said the acquittal of Cardinal George Pell last April has allowed the country to move forward on necessary reforms in abuse prevention.

By Elise Ann Allen
Australian bishops to implement new protocol on responding to abuse
- Jan 29, 2021
A new national protocol for responding to historical child sexual abuse and any new allegations in the Catholic Church in Australia will be more compassionate and just, said Archbishop Mark Coleridge, head of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

By Marilyn Rodrigues
Former president of Australian bishops’ conference dies unexpectedly
- Jan 18, 2021
Retired Archbishop Philip Wilson, former president of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference who served as archbishop of Adelaide for 17 years, died Jan. 17. He was 70.

By Catholic News Service
Australian agency admits serious error in reporting Vatican bank transfers
- Jan 13, 2021
Australia’s financial crime watchdog agency said it over-estimated by the equivalent of more than US$1.5 billion the amount of money transferred from the Vatican to Australia between 2014 and 2020.

By Cindy Wooden