The priesthood is not a “cultural association or a union”, but a ministry of mercy anchored on Christ’s mission to bring hope to the downtrodden and comfort to those who suffer, Pope Francis told new priests.

Forgiveness is the central tenant of Christianity and Pope Francis focussed on its importance as one of the seven petitions of the Our Father, as taught to us by Christ, as he returned to the theme of his recent catechesis on the Lord’s Prayer.

By Eric Martin In part three of his catechesis on the Lord’s Prayer, Pope Francis pointed to the line where we ask God to “give us our daily bread”, which is something “we need to live as children of God”. “Prayer – Jesus teaches us – does not begin in human existence after the stomach is full; rather it lurks wherever there is a man, any man, who is hungry, who cries, who struggles, who su...

A painting of Saint John Paul II, painted by one of Perth’s own priests, will hang in the new Banksia Grove Parish once construction of the church is completed in 2021. The inspiration for the painting stemmed from a promise Manning Parish Priest Fr Patrick Lim made to Banksia Grove Parish Priest Fr Vinh Dong, after the former heard the announcement the new parish in Banksia Grove would be n...

By Cindy Wooden In the Catholic heart of Bulgaria, Pope Francis celebrated a special Mass for 245 children receiving their first Communion and thanked them for helping him, their parents, and grandparents remember their own first Communion. "Today you have made it possible for us to relive that joy and to celebrate Jesus, present in the bread of life," the Holy Father told the children on 6...

Pope Benedict XVI delivers a blessing at the conclusion of a Mass for the Knights of Malta in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on 9 February 2013, two days before he announced his resignation. The retired pope marked his 92nd birthday on 16 April. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Carol Glatz Retired Pope Benedict XVI, acknowledging his role in helping the Catholic Church come to terms with t...

By Eric Martin The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer of the Church, reaffirming every Christian’s identity as a beloved child of God and reminding Catholics of the responsibility they have towards their brothers and sisters in Christ – Pope Francis explained in the continuation of his catechesis on the Our Father. “They show us what we have to do: love God, our Father, and others, our brothers an...

By Cindy Wooden Reading the Bible and praying with it, Pope Francis said, is "the best vaccine" against Catholic communities closing in on themselves or focusing only on self-preservation. God wants "a Church that does not speak from itself or about itself but has in its heart and on its lips the Lord and draws daily from His word", the Holy Father told members of the Catholic Biblical Fede...

By Junno Arocho Esteves As the machine of warfare continues to churn out more dangerous weaponry, only the power and joy of Christ's resurrection can fill hearts with comfort and peace, Pope Francis said before giving his Easter blessing. Pope Francis spoke as he prepared to give his Easter blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) on 21 April. "May the one who gives us his peace...

Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has this week extended his thoughts and prayers to the Sri Lankan Community on behalf of the Perth Catholic community, following the bombings in the capital Colombo on Easter Sunday morning.