Australian bishops Archives

Australian Cardinal Cassidy, former Vatican official, dies at 96

Apr 10, 2021

Australian Cardinal Edward Cassidy died on Saturday at the age of 96.

Australian bishops release working document for October Plenary Council

Feb 25, 2021

The need for “deep, spiritual conversion of all members of the church stands out” as a key theme of the “instrumentum laboris,” the working document for Australia’s Plenary Council, due to begin in October, said one of its authors.

By Benjamin Conolly

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

Catholic leaders around the world react to chaos in the US Capitol

Jan 7, 2021

After pro-Trump protestors contesting the results of the US presidential election stormed the nation’s Capitol yesterday, international leaders and Catholic authorities from across the world have condemned the violence, urging peace and respect for democracy.

By Elise Ann Allen

Report abuse learned in confession or go to jail, says Australian state

Sep 8, 2020

A new law requires priests in the state of Queensland to break the seal of confession to report child sex abuse to police or face three years in jail.

By Catholic News Service

Vatican tells Australian Church that seal of confession not up for debate

Sep 5, 2020

Although reaffirming the principle that the seal of confession can never be violated, the Vatican has told Church leaders in Australia that victims of sexual abuse should be encouraged to report abuse to the proper authorities.

By Charles Collins