The Catholic Leader Keeping Faith with You

JERUSALEM (CNS): The Israeli government and leaders of Hamas must make courageous decisions to end the violence that has once again forced residents of Southern Israel into their bomb shelters and residents of the Gaza Strip into their homes, Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of Jerusalem said.

ENTERING the Gabba for the first time to watch Australian and South African cricketers do battle in the First Test was like arriving in "a mythic landscape" for Archbishop Mark Coleridge recently.

AS Iraq's first Catholic school in 40 years takes tentative steps into the future it will draw on the expertise of two religious sisters trained in educational administration at Brisbane's Australian Catholic University.

CHURCH leaders and other advoc-ates for survivors of institutional abuse in Australia have welcomed Prime Minister Julia Gillard's announcement of a wide-ranging royal commission into institutional child sexual abuse.

IT took Bishop Robert McGuckin most of his first 100 days as Toowoomba's new bishop to unpack - no surprise considering he has journeyed to many places including Goondiwindi, Rome and Fiji in this time.

OLIVIA Hunt thinks the Rosary is "a good way to start the day".

FEDERAL Government plans to excise the whole Australian territory from asylum seekers who arrive by boat have led to an outcry from Catholic organisations and other advocates for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

"WHEN I was asked to bless the plough at the opening of the Brisbane Ekka, I knew I'd really arrived."

VATICAN CITY (CNS): Despite the growth of secularism, increased hostility toward Christianity and sinful behaviour by some Church ministers, members of the Synod of Bishops said they are optimistic about the future because of Christ's promise of salvation.