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In 2017, the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference initiated a survey of young people aged 16 to 29 to highlight the concerns of young people.

The survey was the largest ever survey of young Catholics. Archbishop Fisher, the Bishop’s delegate for youth, revealed that over 15 000 young Catholics responded ‘passionately and earnestly’.

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In 2015, Pope Francis declared September 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

Pope Francis says that this day offers believers the opportunity to renew their personal participation as custodians of creation. This is an opportunity for individuals, prayer groups, parishes and communities all around the world to unite in their concern and action for creation.

Listen to Pope Francis talk about this day on YouTube.

You can answer Pope Francis’ call to environmental action, by signing the Laudato Si Pledge HERE which calls you to pledge to:

• Pray For and With Creation
• Live More Simple
• Advocate to Protect our Common Home

Pope Francis also published a prayer for creation in his Laudato Si’ encyclical, which can be accessed HERE and used to celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

The Catholic Voice has reported on the action of Catholic Schools across NSW who are helping the drought affected farmers. Schools are helping in a variety of ways, including fee relief, counselling and donations.

Catholic Schools Offices in Bathurst, Canberra-Goulburn, Lismore, Maitland-Newcastle, Wagga Wagga and Wilcannia-Forbes have all contributed to ease the burden on families affected by the drought.

Dallas McInerney, the CSNSW CEO highlighted that principals have always had the freedom to offer fee relief on a case by case basis. Requests are always handled with care and sensitivity.

Catholic Social Teaching advocates ‘preferential option for the poor’ meaning that Catholic communities should always attempt to assist those in financial hardship.

To find out more about what each diocese is doing to help, you can read the full article from the Catholic voice HERE

The first Oceania World Youth Day was celebrated in Sydney in 2008.

Almost 500 000 people and more than 200 countries took part in the WYD week’s celebrations, but over the weekend more than 1 million people attended the festival events. In addition, there were more than 600 bishops and cardinals and 6 600 reporters from around the world. Pope Benedict also attended.

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Back in the early 2000’s, the bishops of Australia could see that the Catholic Church in Australia needed to consider moving towards a national Church event, or celebration, to give the Catholic Church in Australia a course to move into the future. Over ten years on, the bishops decided to move towards a ‘Plenary Council’.

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On 1 June, 2018, the Vatican issued a new document warning against the dangers of competitive children’s sports.

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