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.

Internationally respected canon law expert, the Bishop of Toowoomba, Most Reverend Robert McGuckin says he is looking forward to working more closely with BBI – The Australian Institute of Theological Education as a newly-appointed Director.

CathNews, Australia’s leading faith-based website, has a new home and a new independent editorial board following recent changes to its operations, the ACBC Media Blog reports.