Australia
The Latest
Australian bishop protests law requiring priests to break seal of confession
A new law in Australia will require Catholic priests in Canberra to break the seal of confession to report child... Read more
Australian bishops join national program to compensate child sex abuse victims
The Australian Catholic bishops confirmed Wednesday that they will participate in a national compensation program for survivors of child sexual... Read more
Court to consider request for media gag order in Cardinal Pell trial
An Australian court will determine Wednesday whether to accept a request by prosecutors for a “super injunction” against all media... Read more
Facing criminal trial, Pell will remain on leave of absence from Vatican position
Cardinal George Pell will remain on a leave of absence from his Vatican position as he faces charges of “historic... Read more
Charged with concealing abuse, Australian archbishop affirms innocence
During court proceedings in Australia this week, Archbishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide maintained his innocence, denying allegations that he concealed... Read more
Archbishop Fisher: Priests will suffer punishment before breaking confessional seal
Amid attacks on the seal of confession in Australia, Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney has said priests will suffer punishment... Read more
Cardinal Pell's court hearing weighs evidence for abuse allegations
A hearing will that will decide whether Cardinal George Pell will go on trial for alleged abuse came to a... Read more
Australian court hears further testimony in Cardinal Pell abuse hearing
New accusations were brought forward and others were dropped this week, during a pre-trial hearing in an Australian court regarding... Read more
Alleged abuse victims testify against Cardinal Pell at Australian court hearing
Alleged victims of abuse of Cardinal George Pell gave testimonies this week during a hearing in an Australian court which... Read more
How one nun's lifelong service changed Australia's Tiwi community
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
Key abuse charge against Cardinal Pell withdrawn
On Friday, an Australian prosecutor withdrew a charge of abuse against Cardinal George Pell, who is currently undergoing a trial... Read more
Court likely to withdraw charge of key accuser in Cardinal Pell abuse case
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
The bishops of Australia have called on the faithful of the country to begin the season of Lent with four... Read more
Bishop: Anti-foreign influence law could silence Australian Catholics
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
Between the Harambe memes and quick explanations of Catholic doctrine on his Twitter page, Richard Umbers, Auxiliary Bishop of the... Read more
Australian Catholic Youth Festival draws tens of thousands
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
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
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
Australia's former prime minister: Redefining marriage has big consequences
If the people of Australia vote to redefine marriage in the country, the consequences will be dire, warned former Prime... Read more
Assisted suicide legislation advances in Australia's Victoria state
American-inspired legislation to legalize assisted suicide has advanced in the Australian state of Victoria, leading critics to worry that it... Read more
