Australia

The Latest

Bishop Richard Umbers.

Australian bishop hails U.S. Eucharistic Congress as model for global Catholic renewal

Jul 23, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The Sydney auxiliary bishop, observing the Indianapolis event, sees it as inspiration for Australia’s hosting of the 2028 International Eucharistic... Read more

City skyline in Sydney, Australia.

Australian Mass attendance dropped during pandemic restrictions, but young adults show up

May 24, 2024

By AC Wimmer

A new report by the Church in Australia shows a drop in Mass attendance in 2021 while also highlighting an... Read more

Archbishop Julian Porteous.

Australian archbishop faces criticism over pastoral letter on human dignity

May 14, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart in Australia released the four-page document titled “We are Salt to the Earth” on May... Read more

Aboriginal dancers perform an Indigenous welcome ceremony at the opening Mass formally celebrating the start of World Youth Day 2008 at Barangaroo on July 15, 2008, in Sydney.

From Australia to the Vatican: ‘Aboriginal Mass’ seeks official recognition

May 8, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The liturgy has been celebrated for over 50 years in the Diocese of Broome, where some 13,000 Catholics live in... Read more

A member of New South Wales Forensic Police is seen at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in the Sydney suburb of Wakeley, Australia, on April 16, 2024. Hundreds clashed with police in western Sydney on April 15 after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed at the altar. New South Wales police have declared the attack a terror event. Police apprehended a 16-year-old in connection with the attack.

‘I forgive whoever has done this’: Australian bishop who survived stabbing speaks out

Apr 18, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, who was attacked at an Australian church earlier this week, told his attacker: “You’re my son,... Read more

Forensic police are seen at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in the Sydney suburb of Wakeley, Australia, on April 16, 2024. Hundreds clashed with police in western Sydney on April 15 after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed at the alter during a service at an Assyrian church in Wakeley. New South Wales police have declared the attack a terror event. Police apprehended a 16-year-old in connection with the attack.

Australian archbishop, religious leaders urge calm after violent attack on Sydney bishop

Apr 16, 2024

By AC Wimmer

“I urge the faithful to not respond to these events with fear, avoiding places of worship because they are worried... Read more

City skyline in Sydney, Australia.

Australian police arrest male suspect following stabbing attack at Sydney church

Apr 15, 2024

By AC Wimmer

In a first statement, New South Wales police urged the community to avoid the area, saying several people were stabbed,... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the Vatican's Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Pope Francis expresses sorrow as Sydney knife attack shocks Australia

Apr 13, 2024

By AC Wimmer

“Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the violent attack in Sydney, and he sends the assurance of his... Read more

null

Pro-life advocates fight against euthanasia expansions across Canada, Australia

Feb 21, 2024

By Daniel Payne

In Canada, euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal for nearly a decade and in Australia all six of the... Read more

Cardinal Gerhard Müller (center) and Father Joseph Hamilton (at left), personal secretary to the late Cardinal George Pell, were among the priests celebrating the Jan. 10, 2024, Mass held on the first anniversary of the cardinal's death.

Requiem Mass for Cardinal Pell celebrated on first anniversary of his death 

Jan 10, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The chapel of the Domus Australia in Rome was filled to capacity for the Mass, which was celebrated by Cardinal... Read more

Australian Cardinal George Pell leaves after being released from Barwon Prison near Anakie, some 70 kilometers west of Melbourne, on April 7, 2020.

Catholic Church loses bid to have abuse lawsuit thrown out in Australia

Aug 25, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Court of Appeal agreed with last year’s Supreme Court ruling, ordering that the father of the now-deceased alleged victim... Read more

Cardinal George Pell’s funeral Mass drew thousands of mourners to Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral Feb. 2, 2023.

Thousands mourn Cardinal Pell at Sydney funeral: ‘Be not afraid’ was his motto 

Feb 2, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Civic leaders, friends, and members of Cardinal George Pell’s family remembered the Australian cardinal’s dedication to the Church. Read more

Andrew Thorburn (seen here in a 2015 photo), a former Australian banking executive and current chairman of church affiliated with the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, stepped down Oct. 4, 2022, one day after being appointed chief executive of an Australian rules football club due to public backlash.

Christians excluded from Australian sports? Bishops raise alarm after exec resigns

Oct 7, 2022

By AC Wimmer

One day after being appointed chief executive of an Australian rules football club, Andrew Thorburn stepped down from the role... Read more

null

Australian Anglicans split over same-sex marriage

Aug 18, 2022

By AC Wimmer

An attempt by the Sydney archdiocese to affirm that marriage is only between a man and a woman was narrowly... Read more

null

Australian bill would allow legalization of assisted suicide, euthanasia in territories

Aug 2, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Lawmakers in the Australian Parliament have proposed a bill to allow two of Australia’s ten territories to legalize euthanasia and... Read more

Credit: Photographee.eu / Shutterstock.

Final Australian state allows euthanasia and assisted suicide, rejecting religious exemptions

May 19, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

New South Wales has become the sixth and final Australian state to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide. Its legislation forces... Read more

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Perth, Australia.

Australia’s Catholic bishops elect new leader

May 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth is the first member of a religious order to lead Australia’s bishops’ conference. Read more

The Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia.

Catholic diocese in Australia found vicariously liable for clerical abuse

Jan 21, 2022

By CNA Staff

The ruling is believed to be the first of its kind in the country. Read more

Parliament House for the state of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.

Victoria anti-discrimination bill 'unfairly targets' religious organizations, archbishop says

Dec 7, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

Catholic leaders in Australia expressed concern this week about a new set of laws passed in the state of Victoria... Read more

Credit: Photographee.eu / Shutterstock.

Bishop urges Queenslanders to oppose euthanasia, assisted suicide bill

Sep 2, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

Catholics in Australia’s Queensland state are being urged to sign a petition asking the parliament not to pass a bill... Read more