The confidentiality of the confessional will no longer stop Australian Anglican priests reporting serious crimes they hear in confession to police. Representatives of the Anglican Church of Australia approved this on July 2 at the church’s General Synod in Adelaide. The ruling covers serious offences that would attract a jail term of five years or more, Read more
As the controversy over the sexual abuse of children continues in Australia, politicians and editorial writers are calling for Catholic priests to be forced to break the seal of confession in sex-abuse cases. Independent Senator Nick Xenophon labeled the seal of confession an anachronism and told reporters: “This is a medieval law that needs to Read more
Responding to widespread pressure, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a royal commission into institutional responses to sex abuse across the nation. Her decision followed new revelations about a Catholic religious order at a parliamentary inquiry in Victoria and the launching of a commission of inquiry into police handling of abuse by Catholic priests Read more
The Samoa Victim Support now offers its services in Sydney and Brisbane. Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi opened the Sydney branch in Liverpool recently. He said that promoting awareness of gender-based violence is important, as is offering a place of safety for victims. He added that the Samoa Victim Support is strongly supported by Read more
When our pilgrim group of Sydney teachers was sitting in the ancient amphitheatre at Ephesus, another group of Australians started to sing Advance Australia Fair for the tourists from many nations. They were pleasantly surprised when our group joined them. Mostly young, they were on their way to Gallipoli, with many New Zealanders. Officials estimated Read more
Australia’s Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, has confirmed ten Chinese nationals in Darwin have decided to seek asylum in Australia. The group arrived by yacht in Darwin late last week while on their way to claim asylum in New Zealand. They were warned that sailing across the Tasman Sea would be extremely dangerous. Mr Bowen says Read more