A QUEENSLAND island is the unlikely home for a rare religious artwork brought to Australia by Pope Paul VI, 50 years ago. The painting entitled Flight into Egypt hangs behind the domestic altar of retired priest Fr Jim Browne, who lives on Macleay Island, in Redland Bay between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. He describes himself as the “custodian” of ... Read More »
POLICE made three arrests as the group Faith in Climate Action staged an anti-coal protest in Brisbane on November 13. Protesters kneeled and prayed outside the office headquarters of Aurizon – Australia’s largest rail freight operator – concerned at the company’s mammoth coal-hauling operations. “I’m here today because I can’t sit back while the future of my little boy is at ... Read More »
BRISBANE archdiocese has launched an historic Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) that aims to correct “past injustices” by promoting new and stronger relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. “Those injustices remain a running sore at the heart of the nation,” Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge said, introducing the plan after an Aboriginal corroboree and smoking ceremony performed outside the city’s ... Read More »
AMID fears that labour shortages will leave crops unharvested due to coronavirus, one North Queensland community is singing the praises of Catholic pickers from East Timor. More than 100 East Timorese arrived in Bowen and have spent a full season picking capsicums, pumpkins and tomatoes, working hard to earn the respect of the local farmers, as well as the local ... Read More »
A BRISBANE Catholic deacon and former military chaplain has defended Thailand’s new King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is under fire for his lavish lifestyle and quirky behaviour. Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Bangkok to speak out against their ruler – the richest monarch in the world – who’s accused of funding his wild ways at ... Read More »
GROWING up in a tent on the Sunshine Coast, 16-year-old Talisha missed out on many of the basics most Australians take for granted. “I grew up in a difficult spot – always short on money. It was rough. We didn’t properly have a house to live in,” Talisha said of her life at the Johns Landing camping ground at Tewantin ... Read More »
DEACON Peter Devenish-Meares has received a rare official honour for his chaplaincy work as an Officer in the Venerable Order of St John. Only three months ago, Deacon Devenish-Meares was appointed chairman of the board for St John Ambulance Queensland, after serving on the board since 2018. He is also Mission Australia’s chaplain for Queensland and the Northern Territory, has ... Read More »
QUEENSLAND is on a precarious path to legalise euthanasia after Labor’s election win. Premier Annastacia Palaczszuk, returned to office after gaining a majority of seats at the October 31 poll, is promising to fast-track voluntary assisted dying legislation and allow MPs a conscience vote in state parliament next February. Making euthanasia a priority issue surprised many Queenslanders including church leaders ... Read More »
OLDER people and families without adequate internet access, and vulnerable Australians are among those who have suffered the most isolation during the COVID-19 crisis, a new report has found. Almost all Australians have the internet available, and most have adapted to pandemic restrictions by changing their habits – from face-to-face to online socialising, shopping, and even attending Mass online. However ... Read More »
The Catholic Leader Keeping Faith with You
