Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference offered condolences and deep sympathy for the victims of terror attacks in France. He called for unity among cultures and expressed special concern that Australians of Middle Eastern backgrounds should not be vilified as a result of the attacks. He… Read More »Australian Bishops Call for Unity
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si (On the Care of Our Common Home). Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Conference, welcomed the encyclical, saying he was pleased to see that the letter critiques our weak response to ecological and social issues:… Read More »Laudato Si welcomed by Australian Bishops
Listen to & Learn from Women The United Nations commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November. To help the Catholic community to get involved, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference issued a statement on violence against women. They say that it has no place… Read More »Violence Against Women Denounced by Australian Bishops
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has issued a statement pleading with those in Government and the whole Australian community to have respect for the rights of asylum seekers. They denounce current policies as ‘institutionalised cruelty’, ask for an examination of conscience concerning racism and for an end to the dehumanisation… Read More »Australian Bishops Plea: Respect Asylum Seekers’ Rights
Bishop Gerard Hanna has criticised the Australian government’s efforts to resettle in Cambodia those asylum seekers found to be refugees after having been intercepted at sea by Australia and sent to have their claims assessed in Nauru. “If the Australian Government is serious about expanding resettlement opportunities in the Asia-Pacific… Read More »Australian Bishop – Don’t Shift Resettlement Responsibility
The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference Delegate for Migrants and Refugees, Bishop Gerard Hanna, has spoken out against the axing of funding for legal assistance to asylum seekers. “Whenever a person’s life is threatened, it is just and fair that they should be able to make a valid application for protection.… Read More »Asylum Seekers Need Legal Advice: Australian Bishops