New abortion push will put women at risk, Melbourne church official claims. By Anthony Barich Women in rural areas are at risk now that the Therapeutic Goods Administration has granted leading abortion provider Marie Stopes International permission to distribute the abortifacient RU486, the head of the Melbourne archdiocesan Life, Marriage and Family Office said. Marcia Ri...

The pro-life movement would do better to fight for life, rather than amongst themselves. Editorial   Organisations often split and fracture, especially in causes or politics. But recent events in the pro-life movement in Victoria that have seen several groups struggling for control of one of the main pro-life organisations in that State which invite many observations, may als...

The next priest in our Year for Priests series: Anthony Barich writes about a humble priest who cycles around town in his shorts, shirt and collar, asking people if they would llike to come to Mass.   Fr Brian Ahearn. Photo: Anthony Barich.   By Anthony Barich   Dongara parish priest Father Brian Ahearn was terrified of the very priest wh...

How one parish in Perth celebrated Migrant and Refugee Sunday last weekend.   Fr Blaso Fonseca, centre, Perth's Vicar for Migrants, amongst members of the Memories of Africa Choir. Photo: Mike McCombe.   By Robert Hiini   The Parish of the Immaculate Conception in East Fremantle was alive with the sounds and colours of Africa last weekend as ...

A choir that formed for World Youth Day last year to present musical masterworks in the Catholic cannon of sacred music.   St Joseph's Chamber Choir are set to mine the great canon of sacred music in a September 13 concert at St Joseph's Church, Subiaco, performing works by Palestrina (Kyrie) and Perosi (Ave Maria) amongst others, with some twentieth century pop thrown in. Entr...

A huge and historically significant family in the Geraldton area gather to celebrate Maddington parishioner Arthur’s 90th birthday.   Forty one years ago Perth’s Daily News newspaper carried this photograph of Mr and Mrs Olsen with the final instalment of their family, son, Paul.   By Anthony Barich   Forty-one years ago, this...

From the slums of Madrid to the suburbs of Perth – ‘Gospel radicalism’ talks around the city will offer invitation to grow in faith through an encounter with the Lord.   Members of a Neocatechumenal community and others dance around the altar at the conclusion of an all-night Easter liturgy while cantors sing hymns based on the Psalms. A number of cateches...

Fundraising event with Indigenous art and award-winning musicians nets $10,000.   Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu plays his guitar and sings some of his award-winning compositions at the Crossroads function on August 19. Photo: courtesy Crossroads.   The award-winning Indigenous singer-songwriter, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu performed to a full house at the Me...

Ethicists link up across Australia.   Rev Dr Joseph Parkinson.   By Anthony Barich Catholic bioethicists from around Australia have agreed to form a national bioethics network to better inform bishops, politicians and others on critical issues. The decision was made at the August 17-19 Catholic Health Australia national conference in Hobart, wher...

One of the most senior heads of a Catholic healthcare system in Australia has warned Catholic health and aged care could be forced out of existence by federal policies. By Anthony Barich SOME Catholic health and aged care institutions will disappear within the next 10 years due to expected government reaction to the global recession unless tough decisions are made, the national he...