By virtue of its very definition, marriage can only be between a man and a woman, Pope Francis said in a new book-length interview.
“We cannot change it. This is the nature of things, not just in the Church but in human history,” the Holy Father said in interviews with Dominique Wolton, a 70-year-old French sociologist and expert in media and political communication. Published in French, the 417-page book, Politique et Societe (Politics and Society) will be released on 6 September with Catholic News Service obtaining an advance copy, and excerpts appeared online. “When it comes to the true nature of marriage as well as gender, there is critical confusion at the moment,” the Pope said.

Broken Bay Institute (BBI), the Australian Institute of Theological Education is proud to announce the appointment of the internationally recognised expert on Vatican II and the leadership of Pope Francis, Massimo Faggioli as a Conjoint Professor. Based at Villanova University in the USA, Professor Faggioli is a world authority on the history and administrative inner workings of the Church and is the Contributing Editor to American journal, Commonweal.

Catholic Professional Standards Limited (CPS) have this week announced the appointment of two new Board Directors – Professor The Hon Michael Lavarch AO and Dr Robyn Miller PhD.
Professor Lavarch has had extensive involvement in Australian public life and Dr Robyn Miller brings more than 30 years’ experience in the community sector and child protection areas.

With millions of people fleeing persecution and poverty around the globe, nations must expand options to enable migrants and refugees to cross their borders safely, Pope Francis has said. “The principle of the centrality of the human person, firmly stated by my beloved predecessor, Benedict XVI, obliges us to always prioritise personal safety over national security,” Pope Francis wrote in his message for the World Day of Refugees 2018.

Leaders of the only three communities established for former Anglicans who sought communion with the Catholic Church will meet for the first time in Australia this month. Monsignor Keith Newton of the Ordinariate in the United Kingdom, Bishop Steven Lopes of the Ordinariate in the United States and Australia’s own Ordinary Monsignor Harry Entwistle will meet in Brisbane at the end of August. By Emilie Ng, The Catholic Leader.

Archdiocese of Perth Chief Operations Officer Dr Terry Wilson is one of several key speakers at the upcoming National Pastoral Leaders and Planners Conference. The Conference, titled Vine and Branches: Yearning to Belong, will be held in Melbourne from 4 to 7 September 2017 and will be attended by pastoral planners and pastoral leaders, clergy and pastoral associates from across the country.

The Bishops Commission for the Plenary Council have last week announced the appointment of Ms Lana Turvey-Collins as the Plenary Council Facilitator. Ms Turvey-Collins will work in partnership with members of the Formation Team of Catholic Mission, forming a Plenary Council Facilitation Team which will comprise Fr Noel Connolly SSC and Mr Peter Gates, Deputy National Director of Catholic Mission.

In a week in which natural disasters, war and racial conflicts dominated the headlines, Pope Francis prayed that Mary would bring peace to a divided world, after reciting the Angelus prayer on the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August in St Peter’s Square. The Holy Father asked Mary to obtain for everyone consolation and a future of serenity and harmony. By Junno Arocho Esteves.

What is the Australian Catholic Youth Festival?

For 200 years, Catholic schools have been part of the fabric of Australian society.