Parishioners are leading funerals and baptisms in parts of Australia because many small towns have long periods without the presence of ordained ministers. A Catholic pastoral worker in the north-west of New South Wales, Mary Anne Gordon, says she spends about half of her time on the road conducting funerals, baptisms and other services in Read more
Over 140 theologians, educators and lay leaders have called for all the bishops in the United States to resign. Just as Chile’s 34 bishops resigned in May after revelations of sexual abuse and corruption, US bishops should also submit their resignations to Pope Francis. Doing so would show the public an act of penance and Read more
Some 500 Catholic leaders and their pastors from across the United States met recently at the first-ever Amazing Parish conference. Held in Denver late last month, the aim was to brainstorm and swap ideas about improving parish life, the Catholic News Agency reported. The newly-founded Amazing Parish movement seeks to provide a one-stop shop for Read more
The Launch Out lay leaders’ programme in the Wellington Archdiocese is now 10 years old and the Catholic Foundation is undertaking a major fundraising drive to support this innovative ministry which has already brought vigour, energy, new life and dynamism to many pastoral areas. Since it started from discussion at the 1988 and 1998 diocesan Read more