Australia
The Latest
Father Chris Riley dies at 70: Australian priest founded youth homeless ministry
For decades, Father Chris Riley transformed thousands of lives through his Youth Off The Streets project. Read more
Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Shane Mackinlay as new archbishop of Brisbane in Australia
Sixty-year-old Bishop Shane Mackinlay succeeds Archbishop Mark Coleridge, who is retiring after 13 years of episcopal leadership. Read more
Surfing priest makes second ocean rescue, saving father and son
Australian priest Father Liam Ryan, known as “the surfing priest,” has made headlines for the second time after rescuing a... Read more
Australia’s Archbishop Fisher declares ‘second spring’ of faith in Sydney and beyond
The Archdiocese of Sydney welcomed a record 384 catechumens and candidates in March, marking a 30% increase from the previous... Read more
Australian archbishop promotes ecumenical creed on human sexuality
Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart is among some 6,000 initial signatories of the “Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity,” a statement... Read more
Pro-lifers protest law attacking conscience protections in New South Wales, Australia
The “Abortion Law Reform Amendment (Health Care Access) Bill 2025” comes six years after the southeastern Australian state decriminalized abortion. Read more
Catholic groups warn Australian lawmakers: No such thing as ‘harmless’ pornography
The Parliament of New South Wales in Australia recently began public hearings for its inquiry into the “impacts of harmful... Read more
Australia election features rare contest between Catholic candidates
When Australians head to the polls on May 3, they’ll choose between two leaders who identify as Catholic, though both... Read more
‘He was a builder’: Cardinal George Pell remembered by biographer 2 years after death
“He had a reformist mindset... Pell would look around and think, well, what is to be done? What can we... Read more
Pope Francis names Polish priest as new bishop for Western Australia diocese
The Perth-based priest brings decades of parish ministry and psychotherapy experience to his new role leading a diocese 1.5 times... Read more
Catholics weigh in on Australia’s social media ban: ‘A void in our children’s spiritual lives’
Australian lawmakers recently passed a law — the first of its kind in the world — banning children under age... Read more
Australian archbishop: Synod on Synodality cannot ‘reinvent the Catholic faith’
“It's the one Church, it’s the one faith, and we want to keep celebrating that even amidst our cultural diversity,”... Read more
Australian archbishop calls for faith protections in wake of shelved religious bill
“It is regrettable that such important legislation is not proceeding,” Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli said in a statement. Read more
Australian bishops release companion guide to address assisted suicide
In Australia, all six of the country’s states currently allow assisted suicide, or “voluntary assisted dying.” Read more
Australian bishop hails U.S. Eucharistic Congress as model for global Catholic renewal
The Sydney auxiliary bishop, observing the Indianapolis event, sees it as inspiration for Australia’s hosting of the 2028 International Eucharistic... Read more
Australian Mass attendance dropped during pandemic restrictions, but young adults show up
A new report by the Church in Australia shows a drop in Mass attendance in 2021 while also highlighting an... Read more
Australian archbishop faces criticism over pastoral letter on human dignity
Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart in Australia released the four-page document titled “We are Salt to the Earth” on May... Read more
From Australia to the Vatican: ‘Aboriginal Mass’ seeks official recognition
The liturgy has been celebrated for over 50 years in the Diocese of Broome, where some 13,000 Catholics live in... Read more
‘I forgive whoever has done this’: Australian bishop who survived stabbing speaks out
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, who was attacked at an Australian church earlier this week, told his attacker: “You’re my son,... Read more
Australian archbishop, religious leaders urge calm after violent attack on Sydney bishop
“I urge the faithful to not respond to these events with fear, avoiding places of worship because they are worried... Read more
