At the Bishops Conference’s biennial election of president and vice-president in May, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB was elected President, and Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP re-elected Vice-President.

Plenary Council Members applaud the closing of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, Saturday 9 July 2022. Photo: Fiona Basile/ACBC. The nine-month celebration phase of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia ended on Saturday, with Council Members standing and applauding as President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB formally declared the Council closed. Almost four-and-a-half years aft...

Archbishop Costelloe encouraged Members to believe that what the Archangel Gabriel said to the Blessed Virgin Mary is true for them today: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow.”

Plenary Council Members have celebrated the passage of almost all motions contained in the Motions and Amendments document that formed the second assembly’s agenda on Friday 8 July.

Plenary Council Members have on Thursday said ecological conversion is “both personal and communal”, and that there was “urgent need for action” from Catholic entities through the development of, or alignment with, Laudato Si’ Action Plans inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical letter of the same name. Photo: Fiona Basile/ACBC Plenary Council Members have passed all six motions they consid...

In his homily for the votive Mass Friday 8 July at the Second Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council, Ballarat Bishop Paul Bird said the mother of Jesus is with us, as she was with those first disciples. Photo: Fiona Basile/ACBC. Members of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia should persevere in their prayers to the Mother of God, Bishop Paul Bird CSsR said on Friday morning. The Bisho...

Archbishop of Wellington, New Zealand, Cardinal John Dew gave the homily at the Mass on Thursday 7 July, for the Second Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council at Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral. Photo: Fiona Basile/ACBC. Those gathered for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia are following in the footsteps of the early Christians, Cardinal John Dew said at Mass on Thursday evening. The Arc...

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Plenary Council Members have on Thursday 7 July been reflecting on four parts of the Motions and Amendments document on Thursday, assisted by input from the theological advisors to the Council. Photo: Fiona Basile/ACBC. After a change to the program, Plenary Council Members have been reflecting on four parts of the Motions and Amendments document on Thursday, assisted by input from the theo...

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service Pope Francis greets Sister Raffaella Petrini, an Italian member of the US-based Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, at the Vatican on 3 December 2015. The Holy Father named Sister Petrini to be Secretary-General of the office governing the Vatican City State. Photo: CNS/Vatican Media. Pope Francis said he plans to name two women to the committee t...