“Even if you leave the ordination question aside for a moment, there is still a great need to explore ways of engaging women in all other levels of the life of the church in significant roles. There is still a lot of work to be done.”
Australia
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Exclusive interview: Australian Archbishop Costelloe tells Pope Francis ‘The church in Australia is alive.’
In their first private one-on-one conversation, the president of the Australian Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, S.D.B., told Pope Francis, “The church in Australia is alive!”
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Four lessons for the global synod from the Australian Plenary Council
A gathering of 277 bishops, clergy, religious and lay people in Australia has just completed four years of consultations, discernment and drafting ideas at its second and final assembly. What did we learn from their efforts?
Posted inFaith, News
After protest, Australian council agrees on ‘vastly improved’ document on women in the church
Francine Pirola, co-director of the Sydney-based Marriage Resource Center, said the council had produced a “vastly improved” revision of the section of the document on women, which had been the focus of a major disruption July 6.
Posted inFaith, News
Over 60 members of Australia’s Plenary Council stage protest over failed vote on women deacons
The agenda for the Second Assembly of Australia’s Plenary Council was disrupted July 6 after more than 60 of the 277 members staged a protest over issues regarding women in the church.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Australia admits $1.5 billion error in investigation into suspected Vatican money laundering
The Australian government’s international financial watchdog, Austrac, said it overestimated bank transfers from Vatican City to Australia over the past six years by more than $1.5 billion dollars.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Cardinal Pell, acquitted of sex abuse charges, celebrates first public Mass since returning to Rome
After being received in private audience by Pope Francis last Monday, Cardinal George Pell concluded an unforgettable week by celebrating his first public Mass in Rome since his return to the Vatican on Sept. 30.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Cardinal Pell accuser denies bribe as Vatican intrigue grows
The Victoria Police media unit said Monday they couldn’t find any record that the Vatican had alleged witnesses against Pell were bribed with Vatican money.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Sydney archbishop welcomes Australian plan to protect victims of modern slavery
“Our community cannot be indifferent to modern slavery and human trafficking or our responsibility to eradicate it,” Archbishop Fisher said.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Australian bishops reject criticism of move to single safeguarding office
The Catholic bishops of Australia are refuting claims that they are not doing enough to combat sexual abuse within the church.