More than 2.6 million Australians have been granted a pay rise though this week’s decision by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to raise the nation’s minimum wage. The approved increase of 3.75 per cent takes effect at the beginning of July. The minimum hourly rate will rise from $23.23 an hour to $24.10, or by $33 per week for a full-time worker.

“As we journey together, we must continue to heal from the past while also looking toward the future. We need to find effective ways to ensure the common good is shared by all people of this nation, especially our First Nations People,” said Chair of the Bishops Commission for Relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Bishop Charles Gauci, as Australians marked National Reconciliation Week.

In May 2021, when the most recent survey was conducted, just over 53,000 people attended Mass celebrated in a language other than English each weekend, which represented 13.6 per cent of all Mass attenders – a rise of 3.3 per cent since the last count in 2016.

Bishop of Sale, Greg Bennet, will take on the role after Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, retired from the position at the end of the maximum three, two-year terms.

Twenty-five dioceses and three Eastern Catholic Church eparchies submitted summaries of their consultation outcomes, while a further 13 organisations submitted summaries from the national consultation – culminating in the final report.

The Australian Catholic Bishops have this week expressed their concern for the conflict in the Holy Land.

“We believe that a just ceasefire with the release of all hostages and unhindered access for desperately needed aid are essential at this time. We support global efforts to negotiate a lasting peace.”

The Mass has a history of use in Diocese of Broome for over 50 years and is celebrated in multiple local languages.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference offers its prayers and condolences in the wake of the Bondi Junction attack. Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, said it was a time of mourning for all Australians.

A new national code of conduct is aimed at assisting in the formation and induction of clergy and lay pastoral leaders to reflect integrity in all aspects of their lives.

Speaking on behalf of the Conference, Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle Michael Kennedy said workers have a right to wages that will provide themselves and their families with a dignified standard of living.