The number of Catholics in Australia who were born overseas has steadily increased since 2006, according to the National Centre for Pastoral Research. In 2006, 22.7 per cent of Catholics in Australia were born overseas, a figure which has risen to 27.6 per cent in the most recent statistics, which are based on the 2021 Australian Census (Social Profile of the Catholic Community in Australia).
Given the significant proportion of Catholics born overseas, the Church in Australia places a high value on the cultural communities that have developed over time. These communities greatly enrich the Church in Australia by contributing their gifts and talents to the wider Catholic community.
Listen with the ears of your heart: The Australian Church and its multicultural clergy
Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann AM, Senior Australian of the Year in 2021, gave the Australian Church a special gift. She helped us to appreciate and learn from the Aboriginal practice of deep listening – dadirri. It is a spiritual skill, an inner, quiet awareness, a posture of waiting, which is available to everyone. She says, in essence, we have been listening to your way; now is the time to listen to our way.
Conference explores pastoral care of seasonal workers
Representatives of dioceses, religious orders, Christian churches and the Australian government joined seasonal workers from Oceania at the recent Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO) conference.
Jesus Youth celebrates 20 years in Australia
“Yes Lord: Let it be with me according to your Word” (Luke 1:38) is the theme of the Jesus Youth conference to be held from 25-28 April at the Belgrave Heights Convention Centre, Melbourne. The conference will also provide an opportunity for Jesus Youth Australia to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its arrival in Australia.
From Africa to regional Australia: Fr Eddie’s missionary journey
More than 12,000km from his home and family in Kenya, Fr Eddie Khaemba CSSP says while it has taken some time to become accustomed to life in a new country, he feels completely at home now as one of Australia’s many migrant priests.
Maronites enriching Australian Church
One of the fastest-growing Catholic dioceses in the country, the Maronite Eparchy of Australia has concluded its Golden Jubilee celebrations, after almost a year of sharing its gifts and traditions with the Church in Australia.
Supporting our migrant priests
The Church in Australia is “consistently poor” at providing adequate support and accompaniment for migrant priests and needs to urgently improve its efforts, according to Brisbane Auxiliary Bishop Tim Norton SVD.
Syro-Malabar Catholics bringing unique traditions and culture to the Church
During October’s first assembly of the Plenary Council of Australia, Catholics were encouraged to deepen their understanding of the various Eastern Rite Churches that exist in Australia. The National Centre for Evangelisation recently spoke with Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy in Australia, Bishop Bosco Puthur, to learn more about the Syro-Malabar Church and its growth around the country.
Resources
Global Clergy, Local Missionaries (Evangelise Plus)