PRIESTS and women religious have been the most popular subjects on The Catholic Leader’s website during the historic first year of relaunch.
Since The Catholic Leader’s new website launched in December last year, religious leaders have become our reader’s most popular news story subjects.
Among other popular new stories include tributes to some of Australia’s great theologians, human rights activists and heroes who died in 2014.
Here’s a look at what news stories topped The Catholic Leader website in 2014.
Top 10 most read news stories of the Year
10. Loads of help
Brisbane friends Nicholas Marchesi and Lucas Patchett launched Australia’s first mobile laundry service for the homeless in October.
9. Townsville leader reflects on living a year with cancer
Photo: Paul Dobbyn
Two months before his death, Townsville Bishop Michael Putney told The Catholic Leader that after a year-long battle with cancer, he was looking forward to heaven.
8. Sr Mary Michael makes history
Newly professed Sister of the Immaculata Mary Michael made her first profession of vows in Hobart in September.
7. Icon for Angus
Husaband and wife Dr Andrew Burke and Dr Zara Weedon remembered their son Angus, killed at just 3 years old from a falling tree in 2013, with an icon presented to Gordon Park parish. Icon for Angus received the Australasian Catholic Press Association award for Best News Stories 2014.
6. Brisbane student to say ‘g’day’ to Pope Francis
Photo: Emilie Ng
Nudgee College Year 12 student Cameron Harder-Hutton called into the Vatican for a live video chat with Pope Francis in August.
5. Iona rector to become auxiliary bishop in Melbourne
Iona College rector Fr Mark Edwards became the first Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate to be appointed an auxiliary Bishop in Australia.
4. Rockhampton diocese new leader named
Brisbane vicar for clergy Fr Michael McCarthy appointed Rockhampton’s 10th bishop.
3. Seminarian mourned after tragic crash
Edward Ekari, 33, and a seminarian at Holy Spirit Provincial Seminary, Banyo, died in a horrific head-on collision with a cattle truck on the Warrego Highway on January 20.
2. Fr Columba’s going back to his people
Pauline Father Columba Macbeth-Green was appointed seventh bishop of his hometown, Wilcannia-Forbes diocese in April, a shock surprise for the bagpipe-playing priest.
1. Human rights champion Nicholas Tonti-Filippini dies
Leading Australian pro-life defender and Catholic ethicist Nicholas Tonti-Fillipini lost his battle with a chronic terminal auto-immune disease, dying at 58 on November 7.
Other top stories for 2014:
Vatican and Pope stories:
- Church is a mother without borders, welcoming migrant, Pope says
- Pope sends letter to Tony Abbot ahead of G20 summit
- Pope, Anglican archbishop urge joint action to share God’s love
Parish stories:
Youth storis:
- Teresa pioneers new role
- Global Lasallian youth gathering meet in Brisbane
- Australian Catholic youth festival opens
Schools stories:
Analysis stories:
- Bishop showed utter fidelity to Christ
- Frankly speaking – Top 10 Pope Francis quotes
- Praying in hope with Christians of Iraq
People stories:
