Mass at the Clergy Conference on 10 April. Photo: Giovanni Portelli What is synodality? Why is it that a three-day clergy conference exclusively dedicated to the topic, whilst it certainly helped, was still not enough to clarify the meaning of synodality to the satisfaction of all the participants? A key insight into the elusiveness of synodality was offered, perhaps inadvertently, by one of the four clerics who gave personal testimonies between the main sessions on synodality. Ordained at 33, the particular cleric said that he used to be a “cocky priest” who lacked in self-awareness. But a fe ..read more

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio, circa 1601-1602. Omage: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain In an Easter sermon, St John Chrysostom preached, “Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again, for forgiveness has risen from the grave.” It is not true that Christianity is too hard to believe. For us who struggle with accepting that God loves us, even when we sin shamefully, it can almost seem too good to believe! We might ask, “How can God love me despite all the terrible things I’ve done?” This deception from the devil and our own high self-expectations may even drive us to despa ..read more

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, holds up a copy of the dicastery’s declaration, “Dignitas Infinita” (“Infinite Dignity”) on human dignity during a news conference at the Vatican press office April 8, 2024. Photo: CNS photo/Pablo Esparza Dear Fr John Flader, I understand that the recent Vatican Declaration on human dignity mentions gender theory and sex changes as unacceptable in light of the Church’s teaching. Could you please clarify this? The Declaration Dignitas Infinita of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued on 2 Apr ..read more

Our marriage vows should be regularly renewed. Photo: supplied. With a son and two nieces presently engaged, there’s a lot of conversation about weddings in our household. One of the things that has come up is the idea of “private vows” which, according to popular blogs, is trending. The phenomenon of eloping to avoid the drama and cost of a big event is not a new idea. What is new, is having the big event, but exchanging vows separately in a smaller, more intimate, ceremony. This usually happens in the weeks, or hours, preceding the “big” wedding event. In other cases, the couple may exchange ..read more

While it’s good to want to grow, the Scriptures warn us against ‘striving in the flesh.’ Photo: Pexels It’s been a buzzword in wellness, self-help and professional circles for many years. Used in connection to health, relationship and career goals, “growth mindset” is the mental attitude, or outlook, of continual growth. I admit, it’s a phrase that looks and sounds supremely positive. It suggests a healthy ambition, an applaudable entrepreneurial spirit. But, almost every time I read it, or hear it, my spirit recoils, and I think, “chunderous.” It’s not because I’m not an ambitious, entreprene ..read more

Children’s author Deborah Abela will release her 29th book entitled The Kindness Project. Photo: Supplied Popular Australian children’s author and former St Patrick’s Primary School Guildford student Debora Abela is set to release her 29th book, The Kindness Project. The writer of the Max Remy Superspy series is venturing into new waters with her first verse novel. It follows four students who don’t like each other with a class assignment to make the world a better place. Ahead of The Kindness Project releasing on 7 May, The Catholic Weekly sat down with Deborah to discuss the importance of ki ..read more

Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP at the Day of the Unborn Child procession on 14 April. Photo: Giovanni Portelli This is the edited text of the homily given by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP at Mass of the Third Sunday of Easter Year B and Day of the Unborn Child at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, 14 April 2024. עֲלֵיכֶם שָׁלוֹם Shalom aleichem. Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν Eirēnē humin. Pax vobiscum. Peace be with you. So Jesus greets His disciples in today’s Gospel (Lk 24:35-48) and His other post-resurrection appearances (Jn 20:19,21,26). It was, of course, His customary greeting, blessing and farewell, one common i ..read more

Despite raising millions of dollars each year, Dallas Jenkins has said that donations don’t just have to cover the rising costs of production and distribution. Photo: The Chosen TV The Chosen is the most popular Christian TV in years, but while Christians are statistically the most charitable faith in the world, the show’s crowd-funded finance model is flagging—which might feel familiar to anyone who’s patted their pockets as the collection plate is passed around at church. Released on 1 February, the first two episodes of The Chosen’s highly-anticipated Season 4 hit select cinemas across Aust ..read more

People receive containers to be filled with food for people in need at a soup kitchen in Havana that is serving a growing number of Cubans struggling to make ends meet amid economic crisis Jan. 15, 2024. Poverty is among more than a dozen issues covered by a new Vatican document on human dignity. “Dignitas Infinita” (“Infinite Dignity”) was released April 8, 2024, by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Photo: OSV News photo/Yander Zamora, Reuters Last week, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released its long-awaited declaration Dignitas Infinita (on Human Dignity ..read more

Those who continue to push gender-affirmative interventions on kids while ignoring the significance of the Cass Review are regressive, anti-science and anti-woman, says Monica Doumit. Photo: Unsplash.com To open a new Sydney-based gender clinic for children and young people aged under 25 years mere days after the release of the scathing final report of the Cass Review has to be up there with the most tone-deaf decisions a government could make. The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that “the Minns government is establishing a new centre at a community-based site within the South Eastern Loc ..read more