The Catholic Leader

Africa surpasses Europe in Catholic population, leads growth in seminarian numbers

EWTN News — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 01:50:00 +0000

By Father Don Bosco Onyalla CATHOLIC leaders in Africa have described the Church’s growth there as an opportunity to share its faith, vocations, and missionary experience with the universal Church while continuing to receive gifts from other local Churches. According to the latest statistics published by Agenzia Fides, Africa’s Catholic population has now surpassed Europe’s, […]

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Community and Christmas spirit come alive at Brisbane Oratory markets

Kymberlee Gomes — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 21:00:00 +0000

AFTER two successful Christmas markets, the Brisbane Oratory in Formation is bringing back the community favourite for a third time. It will run over two days, a twilight market on November 21 and a morning market on November 22. “It’s very well attended, (with) lots of families,” organiser Ella Leach said. Some people managed to […]

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God is in the detail of etiquette expert’s Fashions on the Field successes

Selina Venier — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 09:30:00 +0000

ON the eve of Melbourne Cup, self-professed “etiquette expert” and Brisbane Catholic Jo Hayes was “absolutely delighted” to talk about her first prize win in the Fashions on the Field arena at Derby Day on October 31. “(Derby Day) is so iconic – the most historic race day in Australia, preceding, even, Melbourne Cup – […]

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All Souls’ Day a reminder to not postpone love and forgiveness

Kymberlee Gomes — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 05:16:22 +0000

FOR more than a millennium, Catholics across the world have been observing All Souls’ Day. On this important day in the Church calendar, Brisbane priest Fr Francisco Evangelista celebrated Mass for All Souls’ Day at St Stephen’s Cathedral. He shared three ways to find rest in Jesus. The first was to not suffer alone. “Some […]

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How Catholics can get eight plenary indulgences in the first week of November

EWTN News — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:21:03 +0000

MANY Catholics may not realise they can obtain not one but eight plenary indulgences for departed souls during the first week of November. For centuries, the Catholic Church widely observed All Saints’ Day on November 1 as an octave, extending the holy celebration to eight days. Pope Sixtus IV established the observance in the 15th […]

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Catholics must engage with modern culture, not reject it, pope says

CNS — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000

CATHOLICS must not live their faith in opposition or “hostility” toward modern culture, Pope Leo XIV said, emphasising that integrating faith and culture is essential to living out the Christian vocation and sharing the Gospel with others. “The authentic relationship between faith and culture is rooted in the Incarnation,” he said in his address to […]

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Parish looks to development at St Patrick’s to support ‘substantial restoration’ works

Joe Higgins — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 23:30:00 +0000

ST Stephen Cathedral parish is pursuing a new development proposal to support much-needed restoration work for St Patrick’s Church, Fortitude Valley. St Stephen’s Cathedral dean Fr Anthony Mellor, who oversees St Patrick’s, told parishioners in a newsletter that traditional parish fundraising was no longer sufficient to address the church’s pressing structural needs. “The church now […]

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Christian persecution worsened in 55 per cent of countries assessed, report finds

EWTN News — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000

OPPRESSION of Christians has worsened in 55 per cent of countries assessed according to the latest report from Aid to the Church in Need UK, without any country showing an improvement. “Persecuted and Forgotten?” outlines how Christians are being forced from their homes through conflict, extremism and religiously motivated violence in 18 countries across Africa, […]

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Spanish Church leaders praying and helping survivors after high-speed train collision leaves dozens dead

EWTN News — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 23:23:05 +0000

THE Spanish Bishops’ Conference and numerous bishops and dioceses have expressed their condolences and dismay at another railway tragedy following the collision of two high-speed trains, which resulted in dozens of deaths on October 28. The accident occurred in Urda, Toledo province, at around 9am when a Renfe AVE train collided with another train operated […]

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Corpus Christi Church in Nundah celebrates 100 years of faith

Kymberlee Gomes — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 02:59:51 +0000

BANYO Nundah Parish has celebrated the centenary of Corpus Christi Church with three major events that started with a half-day parish retreat during Lent on March 21. On June 7, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, parishioners gathered for the principal Mass, followed by the annual street procession through Nundah Village. The day concluded with […]

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‘There is no such thing as a holy war’, Pope Leo tells faith leaders

EWTN News — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 23:29:20 +0000

POPE Leo XIV denounced all religious wars in a video message on Tuesday, marking the 40th anniversary of the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi, Italy. “There is no such thing as a holy war: Only peace is holy,” Pope Leo said in his message. “War can never be waged in the name of God.” […]

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For first time in 500 years, pope and king of England bestow religious titles on each other

EWTN News — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000

POPE Leo XIV and King Charles III of England have bestowed honorary religious titles upon each other, the first time this has happened in 500 years according to the official website of the British Royal Family. “With the gracious approval of His Majesty the King, the Dean and Canons of Windsor are delighted to announce […]

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Students give back to community, create calm space for young people in recovery

Staff writers — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 22:42:38 +0000

ALL Hallows’ students have fundraised and refurbished an outdoor space at Mater’s Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Service. The service in South Brisbane provides a live-in program for young people aged 13 to 21 to safely withdraw from substances. Students raised more than $26,000 for new landscaping, a garden and a mural through a partnership […]

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Brisbane family launches charity run for three-year-old lost to rare cancer

Kymberlee Gomes — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 21:30:00 +0000

THE Shealy family, who lost their three-year-old daughter Órla to a rare form of cancer, is turning their grief into a community fundraiser for child cancer. “Órla was our beautiful, funny, energetic little girl,” parents Una and Eamonn Shealy said. “Nothing prepares you for losing your child, and after she died, we were faced with […]

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Australia lawmakers want to hear experiences of motherhood as Senate examines postpartum care ‘cliff-edge’

Joe Higgins — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 23:00:00 +0000

LEADING infant feeding researcher and public health expert Dr June Joseph says the Church could play “a pivotal role” in leading postpartum care nationally as the Australian Senate launches a Select Committee on Women’s Health to look into issues of maternal health. Dr Joseph has researched postpartum care and infant feeding across South East Asia, […]

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Year 12 students share strengths of Catholic education as final exams begin

Staff writers — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 23:00:00 +0000

BRISBANE Catholic Education’s more than 4000 Year 12 students are ready to put years of learning to the test as they begin their final external examination period from October 26. Among them is St Mary’s Catholic College, Kingaroy Year 12 student Con, who said he felt well prepared heading into the exam block. “I’ve worked […]

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US Vice President shares moment God saved his life in wide-ranging EWTN interview

EWTN News — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000

UNITED States Vice President JD Vance said that God calls Christians to be “humble in the face (of) uncertainty” on EWTN News’ The World Over with Raymond Arroyo on October 22. Mr Vance spoke with Mr Arroyo in a wide-ranging interview that included politics, immigration, economics, and faith. The vice president has been especially forthcoming […]

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New Vatican document studies the challenges of passing on the faith today

EWTN News — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 22:49:40 +0000

A NEW document examining the challenges faced by communities in passing on the Catholic faith has been released by the Vatican, becoming the last document commissioned by the late Pope Francis. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published the document “Venite ad Me: Considerations on the Transmission of the Faith in an Epochal […]

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BCE educator helps students connect and belong with innovative signs

Staff writers — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:15:37 +0000

WHEN Jessica Neilson-Scott introduced key word sign to her Year 1 classroom last year, she had one simple goal: to help every student connect, communicate, and belong. Key Word Sign is a communication approach that uses signs alongside spoken language to support understanding, expression and participation. What Ms Neilson-Scott didn’t expect was that her Year […]

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Protecting marriage more urgent than ever, Pope Leo says after lung surgery

CNS — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 23:27:02 +0000

MARRIAGE requires more than physical attraction, Pope Leo XIV said in his first weekly general audience since undergoing lung cancer surgery, emphasising that authentic love involved mutual self-giving, fidelity and a lifelong commitment between spouses. The pope, who returned to the Vatican on October 17 after four days in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, said the responsibility […]

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Melbourne Archbishop defends the unborn and terminally ill in ‘culture of death’

Kymberlee Gomes — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000

PREGNANCY termination in Victoria will soon be free after major political parties promised fully subsidised abortions ahead of the state election in November. And recently passed laws mean Voluntary Assisted Dying will be easier to access from April 2027. As Victorian taxpayers get ready to vote, Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli is questioning the reality of […]

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God is not ‘abandoning Australia’, reminds religious sister as Church navigates changes

Kymberlee Gomes — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:30:00 +0000

AS some religious congregations in Australia confront ageing memberships and declining numbers, it is only a reflection of a changing society, new Catholic Religious Australia president Ursuline Sister Kari Hatherell says. “That doesn’t mean God is abandoning Australia,” she said. Australian Ursulines provincial Sr Hatherell took over the CRA leadership role in August. She spent […]

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Brisbane Brazilian Catholic community makes history with record adult Confirmations

Kymberlee Gomes — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 06:30:00 +0000

BRISBANE archdiocese is continuing to see a renewed interest in adult faith formation. The Brazilian community marked a historic milestone as 24 adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Patrick’s Church, Fortitude Valley on October 18. “The group represents the largest number of adults confirmed together in the history of Brisbane’s Brazilian Catholic community,” […]

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French bishops appeal for calm as riots and looting sweep France

EWTN News — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 02:01:00 +0000

FRENCH bishops have appealed for an end to violence after a weekend of rioting in which public buildings were burned, shops were looted nationwide, and a Lyon interreligious peace march was postponed. “I call on everyone not to be swept up in the spiral of this violence: Our city and our country deserve better than […]

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Catholics in Ecuador mourn death of priest struck by falling crucifix during Mass

EWTN News — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:17:18 +0000

CATHOLICS are mourning the death of Fr Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari, parish priest of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The 53-year-old Redemptorist priest died on October 17 after a crucifix mounted on the wall behind the altar fell on him during a livestreamed Mass. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil issued […]

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