Our commitment

In their 2023 Social Justice Statement, Australia’s Catholic bishops called on the nation to seek “a new engagement which involves a commitment to listen to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers and learn from them”.

Tune into wellbeing

A Mission Australia survey completed by close to 20,000 young people across the country revealed that despite our ever-changing world, one constant remained - the primary source of support for many 15 to 19-year-olds during times of hardship was still their family.

Status update: hopeful

Human rights advocates and refugees nationwide breathed a collective sigh of relief last month when the federal government announced an end to Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEV).

Singing from the same hymn sheet

The Mahoney family has spent years making children happy by performing pantomime on stage, but it is a lifelong commitment to community service that has earned them the greatest applause.

Lead with a voice from the heart

As Australians prepare to partake in a referendum to establish a Voice to Parliament, discernment will be required.

With rhetoric surrounding both the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ vote expected to escalate, Catholics may find solace in the words delivered by Pope John Paul II to First Nations people during his visit to Alice Springs in 1986.

“Your culture, which shows the lasting genius and dignity of your race, must not be allowed to disappear… Your songs, your stories, your paintings, your dances, your languages, must never be lost.

… And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.”

Introducing the 9th Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle

The ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will bring a wealth of experience to the position having served as the Bishop of Armidale since 2012.