One of France’s most popular news and information magazines, Paris Match, has published a series of secretly taken photographs of Archbishop Michel Aupetit in the company of a young woman as part of an article titled “Lost for Love”. Pope Francis on December 2 accepted the 70-year-old Aupetit’s resignation as Paris’ archbishop after rumours intensified Read more
Two former Australian Prime Ministers, Hon Tony Abbott and Hon Kevin Rudd join Australian Catholic University Emeritus Professor Greg Craven in a conversation about important issues facing Christianity and society. Rudd and Abbott are longer prime ministers but both now serve the nation in other ways. This conversation is to hear their views, as people Read more
Spiritually, we are all called to be pregnant with God and to give birth to Christ in the world. Men and women alike, this is our mission, and the mother of Jesus gives an outline of what that birthing is all about. Scripture doesn’t offer a lot of information about Mary. But if we look Read more
After a year of disruptions with severe social and economic impacts for us individually and collectively, we need to hold on to hope. We are all dealing with Covid—no one is excluded from this experience. We know the grief of these times; those with secure incomes have had greater security, while those without this have Read more
On Sunday, December 5, Pope Francis, visiting the Greek island of Lesbos, made an emotional pitch for European states to be more welcoming to foreign migrants. The pontiff called on Europeans to stop ignoring their suffering, insisting that Jesus “is present in the stranger, in the refugee, in those who are naked and hungry.” “I Read more
As we live through the tragic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is useful to reflect on the current vaccination process and, in particular, the innovative contribution of Pope Francis’ teaching and action. Michael Rozier, a Jesuit professor of health management and policy, has reflected on the importance of commitment to health care and identified Read more
Covid-19 has both reinforced and challenged our sense of community. We’ve learnt that we need to think about “the team of five million” and what is good for us all, and not just for each of us as individuals. But we’ve also had times when we’ve been isolated in our homes. Many people have felt Read more
The confluence of two events, one Roman Catholic and the other Orthodox, point to a growing appreciation of the fact that women are indeed made in the image and likeness of God and are suited for altar service. In Catholicism, the argument against ordaining women to any grade of order rests in the intimation that Read more
As world leaders gathered in Glasgow, Scotland, I was depressed by the inability of nations to deal with the coming climate catastrophe. The fault is not entirely on the heads of world leaders. They are only responding to citizens who are more worried about today than tomorrow. People are not convinced of the need to Read more
Church attendance has fallen by a third since before the pandemic. Many regular worshippers have been attending only monthly since in-person services resumed this summer, a new study suggests. For its report Changing Church, the Evangelical Alliance surveyed 552 church leaders and 1676 church members, over ten days in October. Congregation sizes varied from fewer Read more