Parishes, schools urged to focus on centrality of lifelong marriage and real meaning of love.   By Anthony Barich National Reporter AUSTRALIA’S Bishops have launched a “bold initiative” to reclaim the sacred from the secular in St Valentine’s Day, urging every parish and school in the country to promote a new resource that strengthens life...

Melbourne bishop urges rapprochement and beyond for Catholic and SSPX bishops.     Sale Bishop Christopher Prowse, second from right, front row, and Melbourne Auxiliary Bishop Peter Elliott, second from left, front row, with Society of St Pius X priests. Photo: Catholic Life newspaper.   By Anthony Barich National Reporter Bishops with...

Church issues warning after SA euthanasia defeat By Anthony Barich National Reporter The Archdiocese of Adelaide has warned Catholics to be vigilant leading up to the State’s March 20, 2010 election after a Greens-sponsored euthanasia bill was narrowly defeated in the early hours of November 19. Adelaide Archdiocesan Family and Life Officer Paul Russell told The Record that ...

Bishops approve revised directives on withdrawal of food, water.     Candles are seen near a photo of car accident victim Eluana Englaro at La Quiete clinic in Udine, Italy, Feb. 10. Englaro, who had been in a persistent vegetative state for 17 years, died at the clinic Feb. 9 after her father won a court battle to withhold food and water. The Italian Senate had b...

Perspectives from Bishop Elliott, Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne (The significance of an altar), Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey (Stamping out the faith), John Heard (Good Jesuit has asked the question wrong way round), Hayden Ramsay (Why Catholic universities seek justice), Catherine Parish (Forgiveness central to real love) and Debbie Warrier (Why I became Catholic: Diane Raftos).   ...

Click on the front page to begin your download.   In this week's Record:   - Bishops face pressing Anglican issue  - Justice needs to reach out: ERISJ director - Italians thumb noses at European Court, Muslim writer defends - Gospel has been domesticated: Coleridge - Cardinal spells out priests', bishops' roles - Signs of hope in...

Four servant-leaders are given esteemed Papal honour.     Monsignor Sean O’Shea, one of the four priests honoured by Pope Benedict, holds his papal medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. The other priests honoured were Monsignor James Nestor, Fr Dan Foley and Fr Pat Cunningham. Photo: Anthony Barich.           ...

European court ruling prompts strong reactions from Italians, Christians and Muslims alike.     Young Muslim writer Randa Ghazy who wrote an article defending Italy’s use of Crucifixes in its classrooms, which the European Union recently ruled violated religious freedom.   Rome, Italy, November 12,  (CNA) - A number of Italian offic...

Irish family in Israel says special-needs child brought new attitude.   Jerry Casey smiles at his daughter Rachel at their family’s apartment in Jerusalem on November 9. Rachel, nearing 3 years old, was born with Down Syndrome and severe heart defects. The Irish Catholic family’s impressions of Israel changed for the better after living there for more than a yea...

Church in China is showing signs of hope, Cardinal tells priests.   Catholics carry a statue of Mary as they process to the Sheshan Marian shrine in Shanghai, China, on May 1. Some 3,000 Catholics made a pilgrimage to the shrine on May 1 to begin the month honouring Mary. Photo: CNS/UCAN. By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY - While there are signs o...