The former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, appeared in an Australian court on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to 28 criminal charges, including two counts of rape and 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault. Saunders, 74, denied all charges that initially surfaced in 2020 and allegedly occurred between 2008 and 2016. Church officials launched Read more
There are many ways to be Catholic. The comment comes from the West Australian archbishop and member of the preparatory committee for the General Assembly of the Synod, Timothy Costelloe. He says that ongoing consultation with Catholics worldwide needs to give more deference to local church authorities. Pope Francis’s global synod – which began in Read more
The church’s falling support in Australia is a “wake-up call” for Catholics, says Archbishop Timothy Costelloe. Catholicism is battling to balance its convictions with the realities of an increasingly secular nation. 40 per cent of the population identifies having no religion and only 20 per cent identify as Catholic. That’s down from 22.6 per cent Read more
Perth’s Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has spoken out about new confessional legislation passed by the Western Australian State Parliament. The confessional legislation removes civil law protections to the confidentiality of the seal of confession. The confessional experience is a personal encounter between that person and Christ, Costelloe wrote in a pastoral letter published last week. He Read more
Australia’s Catholic church is threatening to fire teachers, nurses and other employees who marry their same-sex partner if gay marriage is legalised. The Church’s threats come as opponents and supporters of marriage equality stand firm to their view while the countdown to the federal government’s postal vote to decide the issue continues. The Archbishop of Read more