“Australia has a primary obligation to protect desperately vulnerable people and so I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement that an extra 12,000 refugees will be accepted from Syria and Iraq.”

The Catholic Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council has this week called for the introduction of a new, consistent nation-wide criminal law requiring the reporting to the police of suspected child sexual abuse.

A new e-publication is being launched nationally today, focusing on the unsung heroes of our parishes, hospitals and prisons, those working in lay pastoral ministry, across Australia.

Caritas Australia has last week reported that is working with its local partner, Caritas in Myanmar (Karuna Mission Social Solidarity [KMSS]), in assisting those who’ve been affected by Cyclone Komen.

The Catholic Leader has last week reported that claims the Catholic Church is dying are nothing but “false impressions”, according to Australia’s Papal Nuncio.

Migrants and refugees need our special attention and care, as they are our brothers and sisters, Bishop Vincent Long said this week in celebration of the 101st World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

Australia’s National Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, has this week launched a report in Canberra that looked at children and young people’s views on safety in institutions.

The Australian Catholic Cursillo Movement’s biennial National Encounter will take place in October, with a particular focus on pilgrimage, entitled The Joy of the Pilgrim Heart.

Two Australian bishops will this month join Ukrainian Catholic bishops from around the world at their annual Synod.

The rapid pick-up of new social media applications by Catholic youth is playing a major part in the coordination, planning and delivery of the next Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) to be held in Adelaide in December.