The Church in Oceania

Auxiliary Bishop of Perth Don Sproxton shared an encounter with a dying man during a homily for Church personnel at St Mary’s Cathedral on August 7, 2026.

Bishop Sproxton told the congregation about visiting a man named Pino at Fiona Stanley Hospital. Pino, who had lived in various parts of Australia and worked on a mission in Baldivis, expressed to the bishop that he was aware he would die soon. While Pino admitted to feeling scared the previous evening, he told the bishop that he trusts in God and believes Jesus will fulfill his promises.

The bishop noted that Pino credited the Lord with renewing his faith after a period of being lukewarm as a young man. Pino also expressed gratitude for the gifts of his wife and family, citing these as examples of how Jesus has acted strongly and provided for him throughout his life.

Anthony Eltarraf of The Catholic Weekly uses the Penrith Panthers' 19-12 victory over the Roosters in the NRL finals to illustrate the necessity of perseverance in the Christian life.

Eltarraf notes that after Nathan Cleary scored a field goal to put the Panthers ahead, the team still had to defend their lead for several minutes before Brian To’o secured the win. He compares this period of waiting and defending to spiritual experiences where progress is made but the desired outcome is not yet visible.

The author suggests that believers often face similar gaps between taking a right step and seeing results, such as praying for an answer that does not arrive immediately or struggling with temptations after receiving forgiveness in Confession. Eltarraf concludes that, much like the rugby league match, Christians must endure even after making progress.

Sebastian Condon suggests that the digital distractions facing modern families can serve as an opportunity to deepen the appreciation of the Eucharist. Writing for The Catholic Weekly, Condon notes that while families often sit together physically, members frequently remain absorbed in separate digital worlds through mobile phones and social media.

Condon links this lack of social engagement to a weakened ability to recognize the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. He references a report from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference which stated that constant online connection has changed how households interact, allowing individuals to be physically present while mentally elsewhere. Condon argues that comparing the silent, digital realities people inhabit daily with the reality of the Mass can help believers better value their sacramental worldview.

The Diocese of Auckland has added a pectoral cross formerly worn by Bishop Thomas Croke, the second bishop of the diocese, to its collection. The cross reached the collection after traveling through Rome and Tonga.

The diocese noted that wearing the pectoral crosses of previous bishops is a common tradition. For example, Bishop Lenihan wore the cross of Bishop Luck, and both Bishop Pat Dunn and the current bishop have worn the pectoral cross of Bishop Pompallier.

Pope Leo XIV turned 71 on Monday, 14 September, marking nearly a year and a half in office as the first American pope. To celebrate his birthday, the pontiff visited the library.

According to Catholic Outlook, the pope has adopted a restrained approach to leadership, favoring controlled action over trial and error. This method is visible in his management of the Curia, where many top positions remain vacant while current officials await retirement. His administration focuses on stabilization amidst various political campaigns and established administrative structures.

Saint Francis of Assisi remains a globally recognized figure whose life translated the spiritual vision of the Beatitudes into a concrete way of living. According to a report from Catholic Outlook, his example offers a distinctive way to interpret the Gospel through a commitment to a church that is poor and serves the poor.

Francis transitioned from his life as the son of a cloth merchant in Assisi to a life of self-emptying love following experiences with war, captivity, and illness. His approach to the faith emphasized mercy, compassion, and the proclamation of the Gospel through personal actions rather than just words.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Centre for Faith Enrichment (CFE) during a Mass held on Saturday, September 12, at the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel in Leederville, Perth.

During his homily, Archbishop Costelloe said the CFE was established in 1976 to share the Catholic faith with the people of God. He noted that the center continues to develop under the spirit of synodality promoted by Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV.

The Archbishop observed that modern society often lacks a foundation in Christian values and that many people no longer find interest in the depths of the faith. He stated that the task of the Catholic community is to propose the light of Jesus Christ to society through words and actions without imposing it.

Loving for Life WA has launched a new children's storybook, The Secret Tom Didn’t Keep, to help children recognize healthy relationships and respect personal boundaries. The book is designed for children aged six to ten and aims to teach them how to speak up when something is wrong, identify trusted adults, and recognize unsafe online content.

The organization released the book following National Child Protection Week, which took place from September 6 to 12. This project serves as a resource for families, schools, and parishes to support child wellbeing.

The book addresses growing concerns regarding children's exposure to inappropriate online material. According to a 2025 report by the Australian eSafety Commission titled Digital Use and Risk: Online Platform Engagement Among Children aged 10 to 15, 71 percent of surveyed Australian children had encountered harmful online content. The report also found that 52 percent had experienced cyberbullying and 14 percent had encountered online grooming-type behavior.

Pope Leo XIV is shifting the direction of the Catholic Church in the United States by focusing on immigration, economic justice, war and peace, and the moral challenges of artificial intelligence. According to Catholic Outlook, the pope is supporting bishops appointed by Pope Francis to change the priorities of the American Church.

The pope's decision to give cardinals a larger role in governance has empowered progressive leaders in the United States. This shift includes the outspokenness of Cardinals Robert McElroy, Blase Cupich, and Joseph Tobin regarding immigration and the Iran War, which has begun to change public perceptions of Church priorities.

The report suggests that the pope's moderate stance has become more prominent due to the political climate in the United States, specifically citing the second term of President Trump, the rise of Christian nationalism, and the administration's immigration policies. While polling indicates some dissent among lay Catholics, immigration remains an issue that largely unites the different factions of the U.S. bishops' conference.

A group of five teachers presented an English Language Program for 105 philosophy students at St. Joseph Seminary in the Xuan Loc Diocese of Long Khanh, Vietnam. Sponsored by Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the annual program took place during June and July.

The course offers three different levels so students can learn at their own pace. One teacher, who does not speak Vietnamese, taught a class of 30 advanced students. The program aims to help seminarians master English so they can communicate within the universal Church and serve people in different locations as future priests.

Cruz Ignatius of the Diocese of Darwin shared a reflection on finding inner peace through the acceptance of imperfection.

The reflection suggests that stress and preoccupation make it difficult for people to recognize the divine spark within themselves and others. Ignatius notes that while humans often long for perfection, only God is perfect, which can lead to disappointment with oneself and the world.

Drawing on the teachings of St. Augustine and the Serenity Prayer, the reflection encourages people to use wisdom to accept what they cannot change. Ignatius states that with God's grace, individuals can maintain their peace by focusing on the positive aspects of reality rather than what is lacking.

Sharing meals will be a central feature of World Youth Day in Seoul, coinciding with the Korean harvest festival of Chuseok.

According to Ben Lee of The Catholic Weekly, the festival occurs annually in September and involves families gathering to reconnect and share food. During Chuseok, people eat various side dishes known as banchan and prepare songpyeon, which are rice cakes shaped like half-moons to symbolize abundance and prosperity. The tradition also includes performing memorial rituals at ancestral graves to show gratitude to previous generations.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe commissioned the members of the new Diocesan Pastoral Council during a Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth on July 5, 2026.

The council members spent the day prior to the ceremony reflecting on their upcoming responsibilities to establish a solid foundation for their work. Archbishop Costelloe described the members as collaborators who will help lead the archdiocese in following God's will.

During his homily, the Archbishop noted that the primary challenge for the Church remains returning the Church to Christ and returning Christ to the Church. He referenced a message he shared fifteen years ago upon his installation as Archbishop of Perth, stating that this mission continues to define the path for the local Church.

The University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle offers an education designed to support the academic, professional, and personal growth of its students. The university provides a campus that combines historic architecture with modern learning environments, including specialist laboratories, simulation spaces, and contemporary teaching facilities.

To assist students from enrollment through graduation, the university provides academic learning support to help develop research skills and study habits. Career services are also available to help students build employability skills and connect with industry opportunities. The campus is located within walking distance of Fremantle's waterfront, shops, and cafes.

The Diocese of Ballarat is inviting residents to participate in a community-led program of events from September 20 to September 27, 2026, to mark the United Nations International Day of Peace.

The program features various activities hosted by local organizations, community groups, and residents to honor the September 21 international observance. This year's theme, Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day, recognizes individuals who drive local action and build stability through daily efforts.

The Diocese suggests practical ways for people to contribute to peace, such as volunteering time to help others, hosting youth-led Peace Circles to discuss solutions, or using personal platforms to promote causes of hope and justice.

A first-class relic of St Carlo Acutis will visit St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta from September 28 to September 30. Bishop Vincent Long will celebrate Mass to welcome the relic at 6pm on Monday, 28 September.

The relic, a small piece of the saint's pericardium, is part of a four-month tour of Australia under the custodianship of the Diocese of Assisi. During the stay, the relic will be housed in the cathedral chapel for prayer and veneration as part of a Vatican International Exhibition of The Eucharistic Miracles of the World.

The Friends of St Carlo Acutis Australia will give several talks about St Carlo and the relic. An exhibition on St Carlo’s Eucharistic Miracles will be held in the Cloister Hall, and visitors can receive individual blessings with the relic.

The University of Notre Dame Australia will lead a four-year research project to examine how generative artificial intelligence affects spiritual practice and belief formation in Australia. Associate Professor Victoria Lorrimar, director of the university's Centre for Technology and Human Futures, received an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship of $1,148,446 to lead the study.

The project, titled AI-Mediated Spirituality in Australia: Protecting Wellbeing, Reducing Risk, will investigate how people use AI for personal growth, wellbeing, and spiritual guidance. Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Aron Murphy stated that the fellowship supports research intended to inform public understanding, policy, and practice as artificial intelligence becomes part of daily life.

Catholic Health Australia (CHA) warned that a government decision to reduce real-terms funding for aged care providers puts the quality of care for older Australians at risk. The organization is calling on the government to revisit the decision and increase funding to reflect actual costs.

Alex Lynch, CHA Director of Aged Care, stated that the decision to increase the Australian National Aged Care Classification price by only 2.55 percent starting October 1 falls below inflation. Lynch said this underfunding jeopardizes access to sustainable care and is particularly concerning for Catholic providers in regional Australia, where costs are rising faster than in cities.

According to Lynch, many providers are already operating at a loss. He said the funding cut will force providers to scale back support services, delay or cancel plans for new services, and stop investment in capital works and new beds. Lynch also noted that the cut undermines the new Aged Care Act by leaving providers unable to cover the administrative, governance, and compliance costs required to implement it.

An Outlook Contributor argues that many people are experiencing a divided allegiance by holding contradictory political convictions. Writing for Catholic Outlook, the author suggests that while the public is warned that Iran poses a grave threat to American service members, certain political figures fail to condemn the leaders responsible for maintaining conflict.

The author points to the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek as an example of this contradiction. During the summit, Vladimir Putin sat with the president of Iran and publicly promised continued economic and material aid to Tehran. This pledge occurred only hours before American forces conducted strikes.

Twenty Muslims attended Sunday Mass at Baulkham Hills on March 30, 2026, as part of an interfaith visit organized by the Affinity Intercultural Foundation. The parish priest, Father Joseph Lam, coordinated the visit with the parish council after the foundation offered to visit Sydney parishes and share a traditional dish called Noah’s Pudding.

The guests included members from the Affinity Intercultural Foundation and the Galaxy Foundation Sydney, both of which are inspired by the late Turkish scholar Fetullah Gülen. During the visit, Dr. Çemen Polat explained the folklore behind the dessert, which describes Noah mixing remaining food supplies on the ark to create a successful dish.

According to Dr. Polat, the pudding serves as a symbol of different faiths and backgrounds living together in harmony. The dish represents a multicultural society where each ingredient and community maintains its own identity while contributing to a collective whole.

Players and staff from the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams attended Mass in Melbourne before their American football game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli celebrated Mass for the San Francisco 49ers players and staff. On the Thursday evening before the match, eight players and coaches from the Los Angeles Rams attended a Mass at the Ritz Carlton hotel in the Melbourne central business district. Father Peter Fitzsimons, a priest from St Mary’s Star of the Sea in West Melbourne, celebrated the Rams' Mass.

The Rams' Mass was coordinated by Giff Smith, a run game coordinator and defensive line coach for the team. Father Fitzsimons noted that the Mass was arranged after he was contacted by a priest in Virginia who coordinates international Masses for the US football competition. Following the pre-match services, some players from both teams knelt in a circle of prayer on the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before a crowd of 100,000.

The Vatican told the United Nations that women must exercise leadership to become guardians of life and creators of peace. The Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the UN issued this statement on 2 September during the UN High-Level Forum on implementing the Program of Action on a Culture of Peace at the UN headquarters in New York.

The forum focused on how women's leadership helps achieve global peace. A concept note from the office of UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock stated that a culture of peace requires justice, gender equality, and inclusive decision-making rather than just the absence of violence. The note also emphasized the need for women to have safe, equal, and meaningful participation in political and peace processes.

The Holy See mission warned that a culture of power is currently normalizing war and altering international relationships. The mission stated that the need for a sustainable culture of peace is urgent because the global community is becoming increasingly fragmented.

Philosophers, neuroscientists, and artificial intelligence experts are meeting at several locations in Rome to discuss whether AI can be truly creative. The third annual conference of the International Center for Consciousness Studies, titled Creativity: Minds and Machines, began Tuesday at Roma Tre University. The gathering continues today at the Casina Pio IV in the Vatican and will conclude Thursday at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Capitoline Museums’ Hall of the Protomoteca.

Dmitry Volkov, a philosopher and founder of the International Center for Consciousness Studies, compared artificial intelligence to a racing car that requires highly effective brakes to prevent crashes. While Volkov stated that AI will likely stimulate human creativity, he warned that people must remain conscious of the risks to avoid inevitable accidents.

Pietro Perconti, a philosopher and co-founder of the center, described the effort to manage these technological impacts as a collective endeavor. The conference aims to analyze how AI affects humanity by addressing difficult questions regarding the technology's capabilities and limitations.

New population projections from Italy’s national statistics institute show a significant decline in the country's population and a shift in household structures. According to the data, Italy's population is projected to drop from 58.9 million in 2025 to 55 million in 2050 and further to 45.8 million by 2080. The percentage of people over the age of sixty-five is expected to rise from 24.7 percent to 34.5 percent by mid-century. By 2047, the number of couples without children is projected to exceed the number of couples with children.

Similar demographic trends are appearing across other regions. In 2024, the fertility rate in the European Union fell to 1.34 children per woman, the lowest recorded since Eurostat began its calculations, with no member state reaching the replacement threshold. Projections suggest the European population will peak in 2029 before declining to 398.8 million by 2100.

East Asia shows even lower fertility rates for 2025. South Korea reported 0.8, Taiwan 0.695, and China approximately 0.9. In Japan, the fertility rate was 1.14, and the country recorded 671,000 births, a figure lower than the 1873 count when record-keeping began. In 2025, the East Asian region recorded three deaths for every two births.

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) announced the winners of its first Employee Excellence Awards to recognize staff members working in schools, workplaces, and the community. The ceremony honored finalists and winners from 185 nominations, including teachers, principals, non-teaching staff, and CSPD support teams.

During his opening remarks, CSPD Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot said the awards celebrate the values, commitment, and care colleagues bring to their work every day. He noted that the awards align with the vision of the CSPD Board to improve student lives through education rooted in Catholic tradition, inclusivity, and excellence. One recipient, Gabriela O, received the award for Excellence in School Leadership.

The Diocese of Ballarat is marking the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace on October 27. This anniversary commemorates the 1986 event in Assisi where Pope John Paul II invited religious leaders from various faiths to fast and pray for peace.

The original gathering included Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Shinto leaders, and representatives of African and American Traditional Religions. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, prefect for the Dicastery for Inter-religious Dialogue, described the 1986 meeting as a turning point for inter-religious dialogue and a symbol of the Church's commitment to peace, social justice, and freedom.

The anniversary will be commemorated in Assisi on October 27, 2026, with the Holy Father in attendance. Cardinal Koovakad has invited local Church communities to find their own ways to honor the milestone.

Catholic Outlook contributor argues that modern culture's suspicion of objective truth and universal moral authority has led to a crisis of authority within the Church. The report suggests that postmodern thinking and social media have encouraged individuals to treat truth as a personal preference rather than an objective reality.

This cultural shift has contributed to "cafeteria Catholicism," where people accept certain Church teachings while dismissing others that challenge their personal convictions. The contributor notes that political labels such as liberal, conservative, progressive, and traditionalist are increasingly influencing Catholic discussions, creating a polarized environment.

The report references St. John Paul II's 1998 document Fides et Ratio, which warned against reducing the search for meaning to human argumentation. The author maintains that for Christians, truth is found in Jesus Christ rather than in constructed ideas or personal assertions.

The philosopher Plato may have originated the concept of mental health by viewing it as a form of inner harmony, according to a 1969 lecture by the late scholar Sir Anthony Kenny.

Writing for The Catholic Weekly, Hayden Ramsay notes that Plato used the term justice to describe a healthy state of the soul. While modern society often views justice as a social or political concept, Plato applied it to the individual, suggesting that mental wellness requires balance between reason, passions, and emotions.

This perspective treats the psyche, or soul, as something requiring care beyond mere medical intervention. Under this framework, full mental health involves moral and spiritual dimensions rather than strictly psychological or biological ones.

Catholic Outlook, the news site for the Diocese of Parramatta, won the award for Best Content – Social Justice at the 2026 Australasian Catholic Press Association awards held in New Zealand. The publication also placed as a runner-up in the Faith and Life category.

The award recognized Belinda Gadd for her article, "The Shed: Healing, culture and brotherhood in Emerton," which appeared in the winter 2025 edition of the Catholic Outlook magazine. The piece detailed how The Shed, located at the Holy Family Parish site in Emerton, serves as a safe space for First Nations men to connect, access health services, and find support.

Judges noted that Gadd spent enough time at the parish to earn the material, describing how the space facilitates connection through community activities. The judges stated the story focused on Aboriginal male suicide prevention and allowed First Nations voices to lead the narrative, positioning the parish as the setting rather than the central hero.

Bishop Brian Mascord blessed more than 50 couples during the annual Marriage Anniversaries Mass on September 6. The celebration brought together approximately 250 people, including family and friends, to honor couples from 22 parishes marking between 25 and 65 years of marriage.

During the Mass, the couples renewed their marriage vows and their commitment to their vocation. Bishop Mascord presented each couple with a candle to represent Christ as the light of Christian marriage and family life.

One family celebrated three milestones at the event, as a couple marking 65 years of marriage attended alongside their son and daughter and their spouses, who were each celebrating 30 years of marriage. The diocese also acknowledged Kevin and Phyllis Gamble for reaching 72 years of marriage, though they could not attend the celebration.

The Bishop of Sydney delivered a homily at St Mary’s Cathedral on September 11, 2026, to mark the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the 135th anniversary of Holy Cross College Ryde.

During the homily, the Bishop addressed the paradox of the cross as a symbol of both torture and salvation. He noted that while most Catholic schools are named after patron saints, Holy Cross College Ryde is named after an object. He explained that the cross represents strength found in weakness and greatness through self-sacrifice.

The Bishop connected the feast to the biblical story of the Israelites in the desert, where a bronze serpent became a source of healing for those bitten by fiery serpents. He described this as a foreshadowing of Christ being lifted up on the cross for salvation.

Cruz Ignatius shared a daily reflection for the Diocese of Darwin stating that showing love to others is a sign of Jesus acting within a person.

Catholic couples in their first decade of marriage are invited to participate in a national survey to help improve pastoral support for newly married couples.

Bishop Rozario Menezes, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, met privately with Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

The Bishop of Lae met the Pope during the Focolare meeting held at Casa Divin Maestro from September 8 to 11. During the audience, Bishop Menezes requested prayers for the people of Papua New Guinea as the nation approaches its 51st independence anniversary. Pope Leo XIV assured the Bishop of his prayers for the country.

An Outlook Contributor suggests that Pope Leo XIV's smile may be a key to his mysterious and appealing serenity.

Father Matthew celebrated his first Mass at Holy Family with parishioners, family, and friends. A large group of Jesuit priests traveled from across Australia to concelebrate the Mass.