Australia
The Latest
'Give them freedom' – PNG bishops denounce six-year refugee detention
The bishops of Papua New Guinea have issued a renewed plea on behalf of the nearly 500 refugees and asylum... Read more
After guilty verdict, questions raised about Pell trial
After reports of a guilty verdict emerged in the trial of Australian Cardinal George Pell, some in Australia have questioned... Read more
Australian PM promises bill to protect against religious discrimination
Amid competing claims of religious freedom rights and LBGT rights, the Australian prime minister said Thursday the government will next... Read more
Reports of Pell guilty verdict emerge, despite gag order
Cardinal George Pell has been convicted by an Australian court on charges of sexual abuse of minors, according to media... Read more
Archbishop Wilson's conviction of not reporting abuse overturned
A district judge overturned Thursday the conviction of Archbishop Philip Wilson for failing to report allegations of child sexual abuse... Read more
Australian senator announces gender swap so he can speak on abortion issues
After being slammed for his religion and told he would never understand abortion because it is a women’s issue, Australian... Read more
Australian pro-lifers argue abortion clinic buffer zones violate freedom of speech
Two pro-life activists are challenging Australian “buffer zone” laws in the country’s high court in Canberra. The laws in the... Read more
Pro-life leaders oppose broad expansion of abortion in Australian state
A parliamentary committee reportedly supported a proposal Oct. 5 to significantly expand abortion in the northeastern Australian state of Queensland. Read more
Youth synod bishop apologizes to young people on behalf of Church leaders
Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney apologized to young people on behalf of Church leaders in a speech at the Synod... Read more
Provision for abortion delayed in Australian state
Government authorities in the Australian state of Tasmania have promised that low-cost surgical abortion will be provided starting in October,... Read more
Australian bishop weighs pros, cons of married priests
The possibility of ordaining married men to the priesthood merits consideration both of its positives and negatives, Bishop Michael McKenna... Read more
Tasmania may criminalize priests for upholding seal of confession
Catholic priests in the Australian state of Tasmania could face jail time if they fail to report sexual abuse disclosed... Read more
Catholic education group applauds Australian school funding plan
A $4.6 billion funding package for Catholic and independent schools in Australia has won the support of a national Catholic... Read more
Catholic school student raises $1 million for Australia's drought affected farmers
With severe drought conditions continuing to affect farmers in Australia, a fourth grader at a Catholic school has raised more... Read more
Australian unions seek limits on religious groups' hiring freedom
A group of trade unions in Australia last month passed a motion saying that they will lobby to restrict the... Read more
Abortion bill a matter of life and death, Australian bishop says
Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, Australia encouraged members of parliament to look beyond the “worn-out ideologies and tricky language” behind... Read more
Australian state hesitates to require priests to break seal of confession
The Australian state of Victoria has said a recommendation by the royal commission that it pass a law requiring priests... Read more
Australia could boost funding for Catholic schools with new income ranking
Catholic schools in Australia could see an increase of up to $74 million a year from independent schools following a... Read more
Convicted Australian archbishop says he'll step down if appeal fails
In the continued fallout of his conviction for failing to report allegations of child sexual abuse, Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson... Read more
Australian priests 'willing to go to jail' rather than break confessional seal
As Australian states and territories pass and consider laws requiring priests to break the seal of confession to report cases... Read more
