On this page we will present news and articles about key national and international events relevant to the Plenary Council and more generally on the spread of synodality in the Catholic Church in Australia and elsewhere. The newest material uploaded is identified by a link in bold orange text.
Our coverage will be selective, and is meant to supplement material readily available from other websites and publications. Subscribers to the website will be notified through an eNewsletter of new material posted.
Pope Francis
The Amazon Synod
The German Synodal Process
Document on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together”
Signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahamad al-Tayyib
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of the Holy Father Francis, “Querida Amazonia”
Deciding not to decide … for now
Robert Mickens, Vatican City, Feb 2020
Letters from the Synod: Accept the surprises
Mark O'Connor, Oct 2019
New leader of German bishops signals no retreat from progressive line
Elise Ann Allen,
Jun 2020
Claire Lesegretain, Nov 2019
Plenary Council 2020
Women in the Church
Refugees in Australia
Factions and ginger groups within the Church in Australia
John Warhurst, Canberra, 12 September 2020
A Communiqué to the Catholic Bishops and Religious Leaders of Australia
Australian Catholic Coalition for Church Reform, April 2020
Address to the Concerned Catholics of Canberra and Goulburn
Bishop Vincent Long, Nov 2018
Public Forum: Accountable, inclusive and transparent: A better Church for Australia
John Warhurst, Oct 2019
To discern and reform: The ‘Francis Option’ for evangelising a world in flux
Austen Ivereigh, Oct 2018
Discernment as a work of the Church
Nicholas Austin, Oct 2019
Women in the Church? The time is now
Associate Professor Mary Coloe, Nov 2019
Further contributions on the role of women are available here.
Australian Catholics ask the Prime Minister to ensure that we really are all in this together
A public letter regarding vulnerability to COVID-19 from Australia’s Catholic Leadership, April 2020
Support asylum seekers and refugees in face of COVID-19
Media release from the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia Inc.
It’s time to get Australia’s offshore detainees to safety
Media release from The Office for Social Justice, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Dec 2019