Section Archive: Opinion

Is there an ‘Order of Love’?

When US Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that an ‘Order of Love’ was a Christian concept, he dismissed Jesus’ fundamental message in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Posted on: February 18, 2025

WATAC (Women and the Australian Church) looks to the future

WATAC began as a grassroots effort to address the role of women in the Australian Catholic Church and broader society. How will its inclusive vision be sustained, asks Andrea Dean.

Posted on: February 18, 2025

Remembering the saints is a source of energy and hope

As the feast al All Saints approaches, I wish to develop a personal canon of female saints who will help me live faithfully in a violent world, writes Patty Fawkner.

Posted on: October 15, 2024

Building a culture that is resistant to spiritual abuse

Spiritual abuse has no place in a synodal Church, where respectful mutual relationships are integral, and the voices of lay people and the ordained are honoured equally, writes Patty Fawkner.

Posted on: September 17, 2024

We give thanks for our friendships, both in delight and disappointment

Following his recent remarks about women deacons and homosexuals, it occurs to me that Francis’ signature commitment to synodality has been compromised, seriously compromised, writes Good Samaritan Sister Patty Fawkner.

Posted on: June 15, 2024

Honouring women who see need and run towards it

This year’s International Women’s Day honoured women who care and who will continue to care, women who will see need and run towards it, and it will be at cost.

Posted on: March 17, 2024

Can God's will be beyond a yes or no? Reflecting God’s will in a synodal Church

The Synod of Bishops is underway and as we dive deeper into seeking a synodal approach to religious interaction the end goal can remain nebulous and intangible, writes Nimmi Candappa.

Posted on: October 16, 2023

Finding my voice

Our world depends on all people having the opportunity and the courage to use our collective voices to discover our common humanity, writes John Haren, winner of our Writers’ Award.

Posted on: September 19, 2023

Living in a change of era

Pope Francis has given us a new vision for governance and ministry. We have the new wine of synodality and it is now time for new wineskins, writes Peter Confeggi.

Posted on: August 15, 2023

Call to extend compassion to people on Bridging Visas

Australia has a long history of compassion towards asylum seekers. The recent announcement that 19,000 people would receive a pathway to permanency was greeted with much joy, writes John Haren.

Posted on: March 14, 2023

Global Project of Conversion: Continental Stage of Synod on Synodality

It is helpful to imagine the Synod on Synodality as a project of conversion. A project that involves the entire Church being led by the Holy Spirit, writes Elissa Roper.

Posted on: March 14, 2023

And still we pray and long for peace

As we approach Advent, preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I am mindful of so many situations in which we long for peace, writes Good Samaritan Sister Catherine McCahill.

Posted on: November 15, 2022