IN his address to Australia’s bishops on their ad limina visit to Rome, the Pope rightly identified the rising secular tide as a problem requiring urgent attention.
But Australia is not alone in having to face up to this trend. The Pope has made similar comments to many other gatherings of bishops from around the world.
It would be fair to say secularism is becoming a global problem.
The Pope also notes the loss of importance of Sunday Mass in many people’s lives.
This is the key way of celebrating the Catholic faith and needs to be reinforced through faith education at all levels.
At the same time, the Pope has noted the many positives in the Australian Church, such as through its defence of asylum seekers and refugees and its solidarity with indigenous Australians.
