New study shows current state of vocations to US Religious communities. Nuns clad in white punctuate a sea of spectators anxious for Pope Benedict XVI to arrive for an April 20, 2008, Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York. An announcement was made in Washington in January that the Vatican had initiated an apostolic visitation of institutes of women Religious to find out why their numbers ha...

White ball gowns, tuxedoes and dance cards.   Sonia Spadaccini, wearing pink ribbon, Montana McCann and Kayla Roatch pose for the camera moments before the Chivalry Ball commences. The evening surprised many parents and set a new standard for entertainment among young people in Perth. Photo: Jacob Roatch.   Panache, style and elegance are back in youth soc...

The Chief Justice of WA Wayne Martin and the Premier Colin Barnett were of one mind that the Rossiter case on which Mr Martin ruled in the Supreme Court last Friday was not about euthanasia. In the Premier’s case, he also said it did not change his opposition to the introduction of euthanasia laws. These clear positions by the two men in offices with the greatest responsibilities for the...

Pope to close Year for Priests in Rome with huge meeting. A Religious holds a Rosary outside the Church of St Thomas of Villanova as Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass for the feast of the Assumption in Castel Gandolfo. Photo: CNS/ Alessia Pierdomenico, Reuters. VATICAN CITY (CNA) - The Congregation for the Clergy, headed by Cardinal Claudio Hummes, announced last week that Pope Be...

Cardinal underlines central role of motherhood to society. By Anthony Barich Respect for motherhood, “the central fact of life”, is essential to the Christian understanding of life, Cardinal George Pell told the second annual Mass for Pregnant Women at St Mary’s Cathedral on August 9. He said that Catholics’ old, perhaps overly simplistic understanding of pr...

Church has much to learn from this convert from Anglicanism: Pell. Cardinal George Pell. By Anthony Barich The impending beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman will further prompt clear thinking about conscience and help the Catholic Church’s understanding of the priesthood and of Mary, Sydney Cardinal George Pell said. In a statement posted August 12 on The ...

Seat of Wisdom inspires students to strive for more. The Sedes Saepentiae (Seat of Wisdom) Icon given to the world’s university students by Pope John Paul II is processed around the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Sydney campus. Photo: UNDA. By Anthony Barich The tour de force of the Sedes Saepentiae Icon of Mary and Jesus given to the world’s unive...

Inaugural celebrations a success. By Anthony Barich Over 500 people gathered from around Australia to stand up for the institution of marriage at the inaugural National Marriage Day Breakfast at the Great Hall of Parliament House on August 13. The National Marriage Coalition, formed initially by the Australian Family Association, the Fatherhood Foundation and the Australian Christ...

Young man on fire for God. Clayton Walsh, pictured here with his nephew Riley, is embarking on a mission of evangelisation in the US. Photo: Courtesy Clayton Walsh. By Anthony Barich A Perth man transformed from drug addiction and promiscuity by the Church’s vision of love and life is heading to the United States next month for training to transform the culture back...

The Catholic Church in Perth is more diverse that ever.   Above, members of the Memories of Africa Choir made up of migrants from Zimbabwe and Zambia who will be singing at Immaculate Conception Parish in East Fremantle at 8.30am this Sunday to celebrate the presence and contribution of migrants and refugees in the Australian community and the Catholic Church in Australia....