Prayer-based religious practices are included in a bill introduced to the Victorian Parliament this week that would outlaw therapy that aims to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation. Source: Eternity News.
Indigenous voice panel split over referendum
The group of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians designing the Indigenous voice to Parliament are divided over the Morrison Government’s plan to legislate the proposal before considering constitutional recognition. Source: The Australian.
The United States Supreme Court has barred New York from imposing coronavirus restrictions on houses of worship, in a ruling likely to be heralded by conservatives as a victory for religious freedoms. Source: SBS News.
Where does the ADF go from here?
Like many of the 750,000 living veterans in Australia, Deacon Gary Stone has spent the past few days struggling with a diverse range of emotions following the release of a report into SAS war crimes in Afghanistan. Source: The Catholic Leader.
Caritas helps African communities to dig in
Caritas Australia’s partners are responding to the effects of COVID-19 in eastern and southern Africa, where communities that rely on small-scale agriculture have been severely affected by restrictions on gatherings.
Australian Catholic University theologian Edmund Chia has become the first Australian invited to join an interfaith program working to overcome international religious conflicts.
Pope enters Argentina’s abortion debate
Pope Francis has entered the debate over the decriminalisation of abortion in his Argentinian homeland, sending a handwritten letter asking, “Is it fair to hire a hitman to resolve a problem?” Source: Crux.
Emotions abound in new Pinocchio
For the second time in his career, Italian actor Roberto Benigni takes on Pinocchio, the story of a wooden puppet who comes to life. Source: Jesuit Media.
Sunday of the Word of God set for February
The Church in Australia will celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God on the first Sunday in February each year, starting with February 7 in 2021. Source: ACBC Media Blog.
Woolworths has identified 332 Australian fruit and vegetable suppliers within its supply chain where workers are at risk of slave-like conditions, as part of its first-ever review under new modern slavery laws. Source: ABC News.
Pope Francis has advanced the sainthood causes of 127 Spanish martyrs, three Italian religious women, an Italian archbishop and three priests. Source: Crux.
Changing of the guard at Auslan Bible
When the history of Auslan Bible translations is written, 2020 will be marked as a truly significant year. And it’s not because of COVID-19. Source: Eternity News.
The plight of Christians who are kidnapped or unjustly jailed is the focus of a new report produced by Aid to the Church in Need.
Catholics risk going astray if they neglect the four essential characteristics of Church life, Pope Francis said at his general audience yesterday. Source: CNA.
Service to others ‘a great privilege’
St Catherine of Siena’s phrase “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire” resonates strongly with St Vincent’s Health’s Pip McIlroy as she strives to live a “whole-hearted life”. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
The decision to move the local celebrations of World Youth Day from Palm Sunday to the feast of Christ the King addresses the pastoral needs of local churches, a Vatican official said. Source: CNS.
When Sunshine Coast siblings Jacinta Elks and Kevin Donahoe were tapped on the shoulder by a priest to be part of something new in their parish, it was just what they’d been looking for. Source: The Catholic Leader.
Planned cuts to payments ‘cruel and damaging’
Welfare groups have warned a Senate committee that the Morrison Government’s plans to cut the level of some welfare supports from January next year are “cruel and damaging”. Source: SBS News.