Australia’s Catholic bishops have every reason to look forward to a busy and productive 2025. The recent report of the Synod on Synodality, promptly and emphatically endorsed by Pope Francis, charts a clear course and calls for “rapid implementation” of a raft of initiatives. What’s more the Synod insists bishops work collaboratively with their laity, on an agenda with clear reform priorities that align with repeated calls by Australian lay Catholics. (more…)
Terry Fewtrell
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Australia Day 2024 poses more than the usual challenges
January 26 poses more than the usual challenges in 2024. Barely 100 days since the failed referendum there is the real prospect of the respective advocates and supporters reigniting a process, the only real outcome of which was community division. There is the risk of stirring more pain for some and a sense of triumphalism for others. More than ever Australia Day is the nation’s enduring puzzle. (more…)
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Catholic Plenary outcomes compromised by process
The outcomes of the Catholic church’s recent Plenary Council (PC) can fairly be described as modest and qualified. The process however was a disgrace and unworthy of a Pope Francis inspired synodal church. (more…)
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Catholic Bishops playing the Plenary with questionable spirit
Australia’s Catholic bishops seem to think they own the franchise of the Holy Spirit and are prepared to manipulate the Plenary process to back their foolish claim. (more…)
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When Catholic bishops play dirty nobody wins
The Australian Catholic Church’s Plenary Council is heading for the rocks amid sharp recriminations. What was meant to be a showcase of genuine listening and walking together is unravelling with an unedifying lack of goodwill from the bishops. (more…)
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Cracking open the Plenary Council: Helpers wanted for Mark Coleridge and the Holy Spirit. Part 2
Mark Coleridge will be a pivotal figure in the plenary “summit” on reforms in the Australian Catholic Church. But will the support of Pope Francis, many lay Catholics and possibly the Holy Spirit be enough to shift the Pell acolytes?
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The Australian Catholic Church’s angle of vanishing stability
Real leadership is needed at the Australian Catholic Church’s Plenary Council, to be held next month. Without it, the church risks sinking.
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The struggle for real reform in the Australian Catholic Church: Catholics and their bishops are at odds
Australians should be concerned about what is happening currently in the Catholic church. Catholics are engaged in a review of their church in this country, yet there is growing evidence the process is being manipulated. (more…)
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Wattle as Nation Brand – Enjoy the glow, love the symbolism
The recently announced Nation Brand, featuring an Aboriginal-inspired golden wattle blossom, is the latest recognition of our national floral emblem. The Nation Brand initiative is an opportunity for our emblem, with its ancient past, to lead us into a confident future. Are we up to the challenge? (more…)
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National Plenary Council Discernment Reports.
The purpose of the Discernment reports is, seemingly, to inform the development of an agenda for the formal sessions of the Plenary Council of the Australian Catholic Church. The documents are important in determining the success or otherwise of the PC. However, the six papers fail to bring together a coherent picture of the real issues confronting the Australian church and provide little confidence that an incisive and meaningful agenda will emerge.
