MARGARET Marshman has a good eye for a painting. Earlier this year, the Emerald parishioner who attends St Patrick’s Church opened The Catholic Leader to read about the death of Australia’s first Deacon Boniface Perdjert, aged 82. She was struck by Deacon Perdjert’s unique story as an indigenous Church leader.  The story was accompanied by a striking portrait photo of ... Read More »

AN extra 10,000 home care packages will start being delivered from this month  as the Federal Government attempts to reduce huge waiting lists for the elderly seeking care and address a scandal-prone aged care sector. Catholic Health Australia has welcomed a government injection of $537 million to increase home care places, get younger people out of residential care more quickly ... Read More »

The peak body for leaders of religious congregations and institutes living in Australia said in a statement the medical evacuation bill, which passed the Senate against the Coalition's wishes in February this year, saved lives. Read More »

THOSE facing drought conditions – and now bushfires – across large swathes of eastern Australia are going through countless emotions – despair, helplessness, hopelessness, fear and anger, to name a few. With dams empty, rivers stagnant and pastures reduced to dust, this drought is the worst since the 1940s – even longer in some areas – and people are looking ... Read More »

PROFESSING Christians liked what they saw when, before the last election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was photographed as the devout believer at prayer, right arm pointing to heaven. In simple terms, Labor’s election review found that one of the Prime Minister’s strengths was his ability to connect with people of faith – and this helped his Coalition gain ascendancy during ... Read More »

CARDINAL George Pell has been granted a final chance to have his child sex convictions overturned after the High Court in Canberra agreed to hear his appeal. The appeal before a full bench of seven judges is likely to take place early next year after the high court decision this morning, that there is sufficiently important legal principle to be ... Read More »

HUNDREDS of Catholics who attended the Brisbane Assembly have returned to their parishes, communities and agencies invigorated with a message to “listen to the voice of God” and “hold your nerve” in discerning what is needed by the Church at this time.  “I’ve come out very hope-filled – just to hear that we have to listen to everyone,” 21-year-old Thomas ... Read More »

QUEENSLAND’S former seminary rector Bishop Anthony Randazzo has been named the fourth bishop of Broken Bay diocese. Bishop Anthony Randazzo, who oversaw training for priests at Holy Spirit Seminary Queensland for seven years, will shepherd Catholics across Sydney’s north shore and the New South Wales central coast. The 53 year old has always been a favourite in Queensland, having been ... Read More »

ROCKHAMPTON is one of the few dioceses in Australia that has seen an increase in Catholic numbers in recent years, while Brisbane numbers have dropped slightly in line with a national trend. Drawing on Australian Bureau of Statistics data from the 2016 Census, new reports prepared by the National Centre for Pastoral Research provide insights into the demographics of the ... Read More »