One of his victims wrote in a victim impact statement provided to the court: “I trusted him. I thought he wanted me to be a better person.”
Australia
Posted inVatican Dispatch
From Vietnamese refugee to Australia’s first Asian bishop: Vincent Long on faith, migration and synodality
Just over 46 years ago, an 18-year-old fled Vietnam in a boat with more than 100 other people. Today he is Australia’s first Asian bishop.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Synodality, multiculturalism and working with Pope Leo: Archbishop Costelloe on the Australian Catholic Church
Archbishop Costelloe spoke about the commitment to being a synodal church in a country where multiculturalism, social cohesion and improving the situation of its aboriginal peoples are all works in progress.
Posted inNews
Australian bishop found guilty of abusing 3 young Aboriginal men
An Australian district court found Bishop Christopher Saunders guilty of committing over a dozen counts of sexual abuse against three young Aboriginal men.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Interview: Archbishop Costelloe on the synod and the end of ‘professional Christians’
“What I’d like to see is the breaking down of this notion that there are the professional Christians—who are the priests, the bishops, the religious and many lay people—and the recognition that we’re all part of this together.”
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Father Rob Galea’s preaching strategies for reaching disengaged youth
“Explain the resurrection to me in two minutes without using any church language.” This is the challenge that Father Rob Galea tells “Preach,” host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., he sets for his staff to ensure they can easily relate to the young people they serve.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Australia’s Archbishop Costelloe: Cardinal Newman’s ‘development of doctrine’ is key to understanding the synod
“Newman’s theology of the development of doctrine enables us to be grounded in our tradition and open to ways in which we can grow in our understanding of it,” Archbishop Costelloe tells Gerard O’Connell. “That’s a key to this whole process.”
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Australia just voted down a voice for First Nations in its Constitution. What comes next for the Indigenous rights movement?
After the defeat of “The Voice” referendum, there is still an opportunity for Australians to reckon with their past. Catholics worldwide should also seek reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Posted inFaith, News
Australian father allowed to sue for damages related to overturned abuse allegations against Cardinal Pell
A father is suing for damages for the nervous shock he suffered when he learned of allegations his son had been abused.
Posted inFaith, News
Cardinal Pell’s funeral: Mourners and protesters gather in Sydney to bid farewell
“As I heard the chant ‘Cardinal Pell should go to Hell,’ I thought, ‘Ah ha! At least they now believe in the afterlife!’ Perhaps this is St. George Pell’s first miracle,” former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said.