Bunbury local and ACU doctoral candidate Lachlan Green reflects on his recent experience in Rome, where he joined a SACRU workshop exploring vulnerability and trust in healthcare. Held during the Jubilee of the Sick, the event offered powerful insights into compassionate care and human dignity.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) has welcomed the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. ACBC President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, offered heartfelt congratulations, assuring the new pope of the Church in Australia’s prayers, loyalty, and joyful anticipation of his spiritual leadership. He expressed hope that the pontificate will be marked by peace, unity, and a deepening of the Gospel message worldwide.

The Catholic Institute of Western Australia was born out of the vision of WA’s bishops, who saw the urgent need for a centre of theological and pastoral excellence that could support the burgeoning Catholic education sector.

Australia’s Catholic bishops have celebrated a Mass in memory of the late Pope Francis during their May plenary. Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Balvo, preached the homily and Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB celebrated the Mass, in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel in North Sydney.

On 19 April, the Catholic community of Kalgoorlie gathered at St John Vianney Church in Kambalda for a deeply symbolic Easter Vigil, marking the climax of the Sacred Paschal Triduum. Presided over by Fr Errol Lobo — who was also celebrating the first anniversary of his priesthood — the liturgy centred on the Resurrection of Christ.

St Jude’s Church joyfully celebrated Easter with heartfelt liturgies, reflections, and community prayer. Led by Fr Terry Raj, parishioners marked Christ’s resurrection with hope and peace in this Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope.

“He gazes on each one of us tonight – he looks deeply into our eyes and searches our hearts – and with love and hope he says to each of us, ‘Come, follow me, walk in my footsteps, do not be afraid, for I have called you by your name – you are mine.’” This was the message of Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB to the people of the Archdiocese of Perth across the first major liturgies of Holy Week 2025.

NCEC Executive Director Jacinta Collins said there are long-standing concerns from schools and teachers tired of the so-called “lesson lottery” — where learning suffers due to inconsistent curriculum delivery and insufficient support.

In part two of his three-part series about Pope Francis, Dr Marco Ceccarelli says that throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis identified the obstacles which prevent Christians from announcing the gospel: relativism, secularisation and de-Christianisation.

Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, a Chicago-born missionary with decades of service in Peru, has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, the first North American pope. Known for his humility, global outlook, and deep compassion, he follows in the footsteps of Pope Francis with a vision of a Church that is inclusive, peace-seeking, and close to the poor.