The University of Notre Dame Australia is set to restructure its teaching of philosophy and ethics.     Associate Prof Sandra Lynch with Bishop Anthony Fisher OP.   By Anthony Barich National Reporter The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) is set to adjust its curriculum around the country to improve the teaching of ethics and philosop...

THE NATURAL Fertility Australia (NFA) Board has called on the country’s bishops to help expand their services across every diocese and improve what is in many cases poor knowledge of the reproductive concept among Catholics.     The Australian Council of NFP has updated its website so couples can access more easily charting information. The site also puts th...

With thousands of WA students having graduated in the past three weeks, three Clontarf Aboriginal College students share their hopes and dreams.     Three students from Clontarf Aboriginal College’s Class of 2009: From left, Quaylin MaCauley, Jarlyn Spinks and Corey Walsh. They were part of a 30 strong body of Year 12 students graduating from the College on ...

THE Council for Australian Catholic Women (CACW) Perth wants the inclusion of women in the office of deacons, women to act as marriage celebrants and inclusive language to be used in all Church liturgy resources and documents.     Bishop Michael Malone of Maitland-Newcastle.   By Anthony Barich National Reporter At an October 17-18 meetin...

Dominicans to hit 55 with ordination on December 12.                   Br Vincent Magat, left, in his current role as a deacon, will be ordained a priest by Bishop Anthony Fisher OP on December 12. Br Paul Rowse, right, will be ordained a deacon. Photo courtesy the Dominicans.   By Anthony Barich National Re...

SOUTH Australia’s Parliament will “send shock waves throughout the country” if it defies the odds and passes proposed euthanasia legislation, an Adelaide Archdiocesan official said.     Terri Schiavo's grave site. Her family's legal wrangling over the removal of her feeding tube early in 2005 brought public scrutiny to end-of-life care issues (...

Catholicism could be seen as a force of uniy in China.     Archbishop of Sydeney, Cardinal George Pell. Photo: CNS.   SYDNEY (Zenit) - China is showing signs of a growing openness to faith, with some officials considering that Catholicism is a force for political unity, says Cardinal George Pell. Discussing China’s evolving attitude toward...

Judgement attacks public religiousity, symbols of Italy’s history. By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican said it experienced “surprise and sorrow” when a European court ruled that the crucifixes hanging in Italian public schools violate religious freedom. The European Court of Human Rights ruled on November 3 that the crucifixes hanging in ever...

Click on the front page image to begin your download.     Also in this week's edition:   - Principal withdraws candidate endorsement - Priest profile: Fr Francisco Mascarenhas - Obama: a legitimate choice? - Marriage advocates call on Church to refocus - Misconception hampers school chaplains - Perth gents go to Sydney's Cam...

The columns of Christopher West, Guy Crouchback, Mark Reidy, Catherine Parish, Fr John Flader and Debbie Warrier.     Catherine Parish: From swords to ploughshares An internal market exercise in a Year 1 classroom shows hope yet for Afghanistan.   Q&A with Fr John Flader Why baptise unaware infants?   Debbie Warrier: ...