Australia
The Latest
Sex abuse scandal leaves Australian Church, gov’t scrambling for solutions
In the wake of a major clergy sex abuse scandal and the high-profile, controversial trial and conviction of sex abuse... Read more
Cardinal Pell submits appeal to Australian High Court
Cardinal George Pell Tuesday submitted an appeal of his conviction to the Australian High Court, following the Aug. 21 decision... Read more
New Australian law requires priests to break confessional seal
A law passed in the Australian state of Victoria on Tuesday would require priests to violate the seal of confession... Read more
Effort to pass abortion bill in NSW could push government into minority
As the Australian state of New South Wales considers a bill to decriminalize abortion, two members of parliament from the... Read more
Lawyers' group hesitant about Australia's religious discrimination bill
The president of the Law Council of Australia signalled dissatisfaction with the government's religious discrimination bill Wednesday. Among his concerns... Read more
Opinions divided in reaction to Pell decision
The decision by the Court of Appeal in Victoria to reject Cardinal George Pell’s appeal of his conviction for child sex... Read more
New South Wales parliament delays final abortion bill vote
A final vote on a bill to decriminalize abortion in the Australian state of New South Wales has been delayed... Read more
Melbourne archbishop ready to defy law over seal of confession
The Archbishop of Melbourne has said he is prepared to defy a proposed new law that would force priests in... Read more
Archbishop Fisher 'deeply saddened' by advancement of NSW abortion bill
The Archbishop of Sydney has expressed his disappointment at the passage by the lower house of the New South Welsh... Read more
Pro-lifers hold vigil as debate begins on New South Wales abortion bill
As the parliament of New South Wales opened debate on a bill to decriminalize abortion in the Australian state Tuesday,... Read more
At watershed moment, assisted suicide could expand in Australia
Legal assisted suicide could expand in Australia, as the Western Australian government has introduced legislation to allow people deemed terminally... Read more
Bill to legalize abortion delayed after pushback in New South Wales
A bill that would decriminalize abortion in the Australian state of New South Wales has been delayed at least a... Read more
First permit issued under Australian state's assisted suicide, euthanasia law
The first permit for medically assisted death in Victoria was issued in recent weeks, within a month of the going... Read more
Australians debate merits of religious discrimination bill
The religious discrimination bill proposed by Australia's coalition government is being well received generally, though some conservative members of parliament... Read more
Australian government proposes religious discrimination bill
Australia's coalition government has proposed the introduction of legislation that would make it unlawful to discriminate against people on the... Read more
Due to backlash, Pell to live in 'secure compound' if appeal succeeds
While Cardinal George Pell of Australia is appealing his sexual abuse conviction in court, he and his supporters are making... Read more
Bishops decry introduction of assisted suicide, euthanasia in Australian state
The four Latin rite ordinaries in Victoria have written a pastoral letter denouncing the state's “new, and deeply troubling chapter... Read more
Prosecution falters during Cardinal Pell appeal hearing
The lead prosecutor arguing to sustain the conviction of Cardinal George Pell struggled Thursday in presenting the Crown’s case. Read more
In opening arguments, Cardinal Pell’s lawyers set out case for appeal
The legal team for Cardinal George Pell set out its case for appeal at the Supreme Court of Victoria Wednesday... Read more
Cardinal Pell prepares for appeal hearing
Pell's appeal is set to be heard by a three-judge panel of the state of Victoria’s Supreme Court on 5-6... Read more
