A joint statement by the Greek Orthodox and Latin Patriarchates of Jerusalem has called for an end to the killing. (more…)
Category: Religion
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ABS decision to reuse biased, coercive Census religion question puts human rights in the spotlight
In about 12 months from now, Australians will again be asked to fill in a Census form that seeks information on all kinds of important questions. (more…)
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Caritas Internationalis statement on the man-made famine and assault on Gaza City
On 20 August 2025, Israeli forces stormed Gaza City, where nearly one million displaced civilians had sought refuge, many already starving. (more…)
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The Gaza crisis and the Australian Church
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has illustrated once again that Australian Catholics should not look to their church for high-level collective moral leadership. (more…)
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Interfaith groups come together to call for Gaza action
A coalition of Australian interfaith and community organisations — including leading Muslim, Christian, and Jewish groups — is calling on the Albanese Government to sanction Israel and to urgently recognise Palestine as a sovereign state. Full page advertisements have appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers. The signatories represent a broad spectrum of religious, ethnic and political affiliations, united in an unprecedented show of solidarity. Their joint message is clear. The time for action is now. (more…)
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Why are our Australian institutions so silent regarding the Gaza genocide?
A reality of our day: The Israeli Government, with the full support of the United States, is conducting genocide in Gaza. Numerous other countries, including Australia, as well as a multitude of corporations worldwide are complicit. (more…)
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New ethical multilateralism of the fraternal economy program of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
We have arrived at a pivot of history. The world system that emerged at the end of World War II is over. The seeming truths of an earlier age have become dangerous illusions of our own age. (more…)
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Defining antisemitism and bringing the killing to an end
In a homily delivered last Sunday Frank Brennan said the best way to counter antisemitism is by extending hospitality to the stranger and to all work to end the killing. (more…)
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50 years of ‘the meddling priest’
Not only is Frank Brennan Australia’s best known Catholic priest, but he has also contributed much to Australia’s public life, above all to those most marginalised. (more…)
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Time to clarify the scope for bipartisan cooperation in a new Federal Parliament
It would be wise if the Prime Minister and the new Leader of the Opposition were to meet early in this new Federal Parliament to clarify what they think is the desirable and possible scope for bipartisan cooperation. (more…)
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Pope demands ‘Immediate Halt to the Barbarity’ of Israel’s war on Gaza
Pope Leo XIV said the Israeli military’s deadly attack on Gaza’s sole Catholic Church was “just one of the continuous military attacks against the civilian population and places of worship” in the Palestinian enclave. (more…)
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Israel kills three in Gaza Catholic church sheltering elderly, children
At least three people were killed and 10 others wounded, including a priest, in Israel’s attack on the church. (more…)
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Israeli settlers kill, destroy and steal with impunity
This week there was another attack on a religious institution. No, not in Australia but in the ancient Christian village of Taibeh, a Palestinian village in the Occupied West Bank. (more…)
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Spiritual malpractice: The Vatican’s dodgy saint-making business
Pope Leo rubberstamps the controversial canonisation of a multimillionaire Italian’s adolescent son. (more…)
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Five books the Bible could do without
When ancient scriptures continue to shape modern ideology and policy, especially where harm is done, it becomes necessary to ask: do all parts of the Bible deserve to be treated as sacred? (more…)
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Twisting biblical narratives to suit aggression
You have to hand it to Benjamin Netanyahu; he can tweet a biblical story. But Jesus’ words on forgiveness still stand. (more…)
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The legacy of Pope Francis Part 2: Signs of hope amid global setbacks
Despite the high hopes for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Pope Francis grew increasingly alarmed that this historic global effort to eliminate the worst forms of hunger and poverty was failing. (more…)
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The legacy of Pope Francis in an unjust world – Part 1
Pope Francis endeavoured not just to evaluate the burning global issues; he strove to mobilise decisive action to transform our world to improve living standards and well-being for everyone. He spoke as a voice from the Third World, challenging the conscience of the richer countries. (more…)
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Job and the point of a good life
Job is not a manual for how to live well. It’s a reflection on why one would want to. (more…)
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Christianity: the antithesis of Zionism
Zionism has both secular nationalist roots, as well as religious messianic roots. But neither have any basis in Christianity. (more…)
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Jerry Falwell and the Christian culture wars
In May 1979, Jerry Falwell invited a select group of Christian conservative leaders to a strategic planning retreat at his Lynchburg, VA, estate. (more…)
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Time for Catholic Bishops to speak up for Palestine
An open letter to Catholic Bishops. Please speak up. (more…)
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Pope Leo XIV and some unfinished business
In its 2017 Final Report, the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended changes to canon law, the most important of which was the abolition of the pontifical secret over child sexual abuse by clergy. (more…)
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Politics courting religion: Religion courting politics
An open letter to the Coalition leadership
There has been a growing trend for Conservative politics in the US and in Australia to double down on support from conservative expressions of Christian religious faith. These religious views are not consistent with the values of most Australians, they are divisive. They do not represent the views of those with faith, like me, who find them at odds with the life and teaching of Jesus. (more…)
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The New Pope – Leo XIV
I thought it might be third time lucky, but I was wrong again. I backed the wrong horse as pope! (more…)
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Tackling Christian extremism in Australian politics
The election campaign was fraught. Reports of violent interactions at booths have circulated in recent polls. (more…)
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Sino-Vatican ties likely to survive Pope Francis’ passing
The death of Pope Francis on 21 April triggered widespread grief. A humble man whose political skills stood him in good stead, he inspired many. Although his doctrinal stances often upset traditionalists, few doubted his integrity. (more…)
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Catholics, social policy and the Common Good
The federal election campaign of 2025 was an interlude. Politicians, advocacy groups and the commentariat all had their lists of issues, but where were the big initiatives? The grand narratives? (more…)
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Will the new pope be a Francis clone?
The 133 cardinals under the age of 80 have been in formal regular sessions in the Vatican most days listening to each other’s speeches and, more importantly, getting together in informal meetings in ecclesiastical colleges, restaurants, embassies, apartments, and pizza parlours in the Borgo near the Vatican. (more…)
