Australia

The Latest

Cardinal George Pell speaks with CNA at the Vatican March 17 2016.

Cardinal Pell's court hearing weighs evidence for abuse allegations

Mar 29, 2018

A hearing will that will decide whether Cardinal George Pell will go on trial for alleged abuse came to a... Read more

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, outside Rome's Hotel Quirinale, March 3, 2016.

Australian court hears further testimony in Cardinal Pell abuse hearing

Mar 24, 2018

New accusations were brought forward and others were dropped this week, during a pre-trial hearing in an Australian court regarding... Read more

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, speaks with CNA at the Vatican, March 17, 2016.

Alleged abuse victims testify against Cardinal Pell at Australian court hearing

Mar 15, 2018

Alleged victims of abuse of Cardinal George Pell gave testimonies this week during a hearing in an Australian court which... Read more

Tiwi children.

How one nun's lifelong service changed Australia's Tiwi community

Mar 13, 2018

By Elise Harris

For Sr. Anne Gardiner, a 62-year-long mission serving Australia's remote Tiwi indigenous population began with one simple instruction: “Love them.”  Read more

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, speaks with CNA at the Vatican, March 17, 2016.

Key abuse charge against Cardinal Pell withdrawn

Mar 2, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Friday, an Australian prosecutor withdrew a charge of abuse against Cardinal George Pell, who is currently undergoing a trial... Read more

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, speaks with CNA at the Vatican, March 17, 2016.

Court likely to withdraw charge of key accuser in Cardinal Pell abuse case

Feb 15, 2018

By Elise Harris

The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard Wednesday that a charge related to a key witness in the case against Cardinal George... Read more

Australian bishops dedicate start of Lent to abuse victims

Feb 13, 2018

The bishops of Australia have called on the faithful of the country to begin the season of Lent with four... Read more

Church pews.

Bishop: Anti-foreign influence law could silence Australian Catholics

Jan 30, 2018

An anti-foreign influence bill being considered by the Australian government could end up silencing the Catholic Church in the country,... Read more

Why this bishop thinks memes may just be the tool for evangelization today

Dec 20, 2017

By Adelaide Mena

Between the Harambe memes and quick explanations of Catholic doctrine on his Twitter page, Richard Umbers, Auxiliary Bishop of the... Read more

Concelebrants process into a Mass said for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Sydney, Dec. 9 2017.

Australian Catholic Youth Festival draws tens of thousands

Dec 11, 2017

The Church in Australia kicked off Advent with a Catholic Youth Festival in Sydney last weekend, drawing some 20,000 attendees... Read more

Marriage redefined in Australia despite religious freedom fears

Dec 7, 2017

A bill passed Thursday in Australia changed the legal definition of marriage from being between “a man and a women”... Read more

Australian bishops: Don't let same-sex marriage limit religious freedom

Nov 15, 2017

Following a postal survey showing support for same-sex marriage, Australia’s Catholic bishops said that the nation’s laws need to protect... Read more

Tony Abbott, who was Prime Minister of Australia from 2013 - 2015.

Australia's former prime minister: Redefining marriage has big consequences

Nov 3, 2017

By Michelle La Rosa

If the people of Australia vote to redefine marriage in the country, the consequences will be dire, warned former Prime... Read more

Prescription bottle.

Assisted suicide legislation advances in Australia's Victoria state

Oct 18, 2017

American-inspired legislation to legalize assisted suicide has advanced in the Australian state of Victoria, leading critics to worry that it... Read more

'Clarity and charity' – the keys to defending marriage in Australia

Oct 16, 2017

As Australians return their ballots for a poll that could aid the recognition of same-sex unions as marriages, the Archbishop... Read more

Vatican City.

Australian bishops meet in Rome as Church reels from recent crisis

Oct 8, 2017

By Elise Harris

Last week, Church leaders from Australia traveled to Rome to meet with Vatican authorities to discuss the various crises Catholics... Read more

In fight against sex abuse, Australian archbishop sees progress, challenges

Sep 18, 2017

Amid ongoing controversy surrounding clerical sex abuse in Australia, one of the country's archbishops believes the local Churches are making... Read more

Rings in Scripture.

Australian bishops call for month of prayer ahead of same-sex marriage vote

Sep 14, 2017

At the start of a voter survey being conducted on same-sex marriage in Australia, the country’s bishops have called for... Read more

Ahead of ballot, Australian bishops reaffirm Church can't support gay marriage

Sep 1, 2017

As a non-binding poll on same-sex marriage in Australia looms, some leading Catholic bishops have again clarified Catholic teaching that... Read more

Confessional.

Australian priest rips confession proposal as government 'intrusion'

Aug 24, 2017

By Elise Harris

An Australian priest has called the Royal Commission's recent proposal to enforce law requiring that clergy face criminal charges if... Read more