The Catholic Leader

Myanmar cardinal driving change through education to visit Brisbane

Kymberlee Gomes — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:50:00 +0000

THE Church in Myanmar has made education a priority and it has now become a lifeline for its communities. Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Myanmar’s first cardinal, is leading the charge as he works with communities facing hardship. Through schools and farming programs, the Missionaries of St Paul, which he founded, is equipping people in remote […]

The post Myanmar cardinal driving change through education to visit Brisbane appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

US leaders Trump and Vance take aim at Pope Leo again

Staff writers — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:48:00 +0000

By Joe Higgins and Georgia Whiteley UNITED States President Donald Trump has spoken out at Pope Leo XIV on social media once again as the pontiff continues his 10-day apostolic tour in Africa. “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and […]

The post US leaders Trump and Vance take aim at Pope Leo again appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Family Mass brings community together, fosters a sense of belonging

Kymberlee Gomes — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

A STRONG community connection was highlighted during the Family Mass at St Peter Chanel Church, The Gap last month. The parish and school community came together in prayer, united by faith and shared purpose. “The Mass was a beautiful celebration of faith and togetherness,” St Peter Chanel Primary assistant principal of religious education Hayley Hadfield […]

The post Family Mass brings community together, fosters a sense of belonging appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

St Rita’s College marks centenary with a year of events planned

Staff writers — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:50:00 +0000

TWO Presentation Sisters had a vision for a Catholic college on a hill in Clayfield that would shape young minds and hearts with their charism. After 100 years, St Rita’s College stands as a testament to its enduring spirit. Principal Maree Trims said the college had “educated, empowered and inspired generations of young women to […]

The post St Rita’s College marks centenary with a year of events planned appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Pope Leo in Africa – What his visit means for a continent embracing the Church

Catholic News Agency — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

ON the heels of his first apostolic visit of 2026 to Monaco in March and after presiding over Holy Week and Easter events and celebrations, Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his 10-day papal visit to four countries in Africa from April 13 to 23. The pontiffʼs first apostolic trip to Africa comes at a […]

The post Pope Leo in Africa – What his visit means for a continent embracing the Church appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Chaldean Church chooses new patriarch, Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona

Catholic News Agency — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000

THE Chaldean Synod has elected Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona as the new patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, succeeding Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, who submitted his resignation to Pope Leo XIV on March 9. The election took place during the synod’s meetings in Rome since April 9. Archbishop Nona has served in Australia since 2015. […]

The post Chaldean Church chooses new patriarch, Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

US bishops’ president ‘disheartened’ by Donald Trump’s attack on Pope Leo

Catholic News Agency — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:13:48 +0000

UNITED States President Donald Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV on social media on Sunday, calling the pontiff “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy” in a lengthy post which appeared to be in response to the pope’s recent appeals for peace and an end to war. In comments to reporters at Joint Base […]

The post US bishops’ president ‘disheartened’ by Donald Trump’s attack on Pope Leo appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Dorothy Russell taking one day at a time as she turns 100

Kymberlee Gomes — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 01:50:00 +0000

FAMILY and community have been the pillars of centenarian Dorothy Russell’s fulfilling life. “Most important is your family,” the great-grandmother said. And how does it feel to turn 100? “I’ve tried to think about life and everything, but I don’t know, I just seem to take each day as it comes,” she said “The alarm […]

The post Dorothy Russell taking one day at a time as she turns 100 appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Pope Leo XIV prays the light of Christ will comfort afflicted hearts and strengthen the hope of peace

Guest Contributor — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:30:26 +0000

By EWTN News “THE Sunday Eucharist is indispensable for Christian life,” said Pope Leo XIV before reciting the Marian prayer of the Regina Caeli on April 12 in St Peterʼs Square. Speaking to crowds gathered in the square, the pope noted his upcoming departure for Africa, where “some martyrs of the early African Church, the […]

The post Pope Leo XIV prays the light of Christ will comfort afflicted hearts and strengthen the hope of peace appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Pope Leo praying for peace; Lebanon appeals for aid after deadly Israeli missile attack kills 300 people

Staff writers — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:42:03 +0000

AUSTRALIANS have been urged to pray for peace with Pope Leo XIV on April 11. Pope Leo will celebrate a prayer vigil for peace in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Saturday, April 11 (6pm Rome time) and has invited all people of goodwill across the world to join him in prayer. “Let us continue […]

The post Pope Leo praying for peace; Lebanon appeals for aid after deadly Israeli missile attack kills 300 people appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Brisbane archdiocese chancellor Pat Mullins receives papal award for service to the Church

Joe Higgins — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:04:03 +0000

POPE Leo XIV has awarded Brisbane archdiocese chancellor Pat Mullins a papal knighthood, conferred by Brisbane Archbishop Shane Mackinlay at a Mass at St Stephen’s Chapel last night. The award was presented to Dr Mullins by Emeritus Archbishop Mark Coleridge, who had appointed him archdiocesan chancellor in 2019. Alongside Dr Mullins were his wife […]

The post Brisbane archdiocese chancellor Pat Mullins receives papal award for service to the Church appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Pope Leo XIV says threats against the entire people of Iran ‘not acceptable’, as he urges peaceful solutions to war

Guest Contributor — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:00:00 +0000

By EWTN News POPE Leo XIV renewed his forceful appeal for an end to war and urged an embrace of dialogue, distinguishing himself as a singular global voice calling for restraint and moral accountability amid bellicose statements from US leadership. The first US-born pope called on US citizens to plead with elected officials to work […]

The post Pope Leo XIV says threats against the entire people of Iran ‘not acceptable’, as he urges peaceful solutions to war appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Brisbane parishes overflow at Easter as more people explore faith in uncertain times

Guest Contributor — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:38:17 +0000

By Georgia Whiteley ST Stephen’s Cathedral dean Fr Anthony Mellor saw crowds overflow out the doors as people took the “journey with Jesus” across the Easter Triduum last weekend. He said the Easter celebrations were “busy and full”, but they also carried a “great simplicity and richness” about them. A highlight for him was Good […]

The post Brisbane parishes overflow at Easter as more people explore faith in uncertain times appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

BCE students share Jesus’ message of hope and generosity this Easter

Guest Contributor — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000

By Georgia Whiteley HOPE continues to shape life across Brisbane Catholic Education’s 146 schools this Easter as students “come alive” in the strength of community and fundraise for people experiencing poverty. More than $8000 was raised for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion this Easter by St Eugene College, Burpengary, living out their Patron saint’s mission of […]

The post BCE students share Jesus’ message of hope and generosity this Easter appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Pope Leo XIV announces April 11 vigil for peace across the world at St Peter’s Basilica

Catholic News Agency — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:24:24 +0000

POPE Leo XIV will lead a prayer vigil for peace on April 11 at St Peter’s Basilica, using his first Easter urbi et orbi message to make a forceful appeal for an end to war and a renewed embrace of dialogue. In a departure from the traditional Easter survey of major international flashpoints, Pope Leo […]

The post Pope Leo XIV announces April 11 vigil for peace across the world at St Peter’s Basilica appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Jesus Christ raises us to new life and triumphs over the powers of evil and hatred, Bishop Harris writes

Guest Contributor — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

AS I write these words the world is once again at war. War is never holy, only peace. When we choose war, we reject peace. As Pope Leo XIV has said: “the abuse of power, displays of force and indifference to the rule of law” is to be condemned. The message of Easter therefore in […]

The post Jesus Christ raises us to new life and triumphs over the powers of evil and hatred, Bishop Harris writes appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Let Easter work among us for peace and forgiveness, Bishop Joe Caddy writes

Guest Contributor — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000

EASTER arrives this year at a time when, for many, our world feels weary and unsettled. Across nations we witness continuing conflict, displacement, and deep anxiety about the future. Closer to home, many families within our own communities are carrying heavy burdens – the rising cost of living, housing pressures, work insecurity, the emotional toll […]

The post Let Easter work among us for peace and forgiveness, Bishop Joe Caddy writes appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Jesus Christ brings new life and hope on Easter Sunday, Archbishop Mackinlay writes

Guest Contributor — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

By Archbishop Shane Mackinlay AT this year’s Easter celebrations across the Archdiocese, more than 450 people will be welcomed into the Catholic Church. Nearly half of those will be baptised, formally entering the Christian community for the first time and taking their place at the table of the Eucharist. Others have already been baptised in […]

The post Jesus Christ brings new life and hope on Easter Sunday, Archbishop Mackinlay writes appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Let the light of the Risen Christ pierce you, Bishop McCarthy writes

Guest Contributor — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000

By Bishop Michael McCarthy Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We have journeyed through the Season of Lent and Easter is upon us. As I reflect on the various Easter seasons since becoming Bishop of the Rockhampton Diocese, we have encountered, cyclones, floods, pandemics, wars, and cost of living issues around Easter time. It is […]

The post Let the light of the Risen Christ pierce you, Bishop McCarthy writes appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

May the Risen One bring peace to the world, Bishop Ken Howell writes

Guest Contributor — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

By Bishop Ken Howell As we celebrate Easter this or any year, the realities of Good Friday are never far from us. We know that we hold within us both the reality of Good Friday and Easter in the experiences of life. On Good Friday we hear the prophet foretelling that there would be one […]

The post May the Risen One bring peace to the world, Bishop Ken Howell writes appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Villanova College to open Pope Leo XIV precinct in 2026

Staff writers — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

VILLANOVA College at Coorparoo is opening the doors to its new Pope Leo XIV Precinct in October. The precinct is under construction and is the largest capital investment in the college’s history. Principal Paul Begg said the project was an investment in people as much as infrastructure. “This is a place where community is strengthened; where students come together, where friendships are formed, and where a shared sense of belonging grows,” Mr Begg said. […]

The post Villanova College to open Pope Leo XIV precinct in 2026 appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Brisbane faith communities to pray for Pacific neighbours battling climate change and leadership in energy transition

Staff writers — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

FAITH leaders will gather in Brisbane this month to pray for people experiencing the negative effects of climate change as well as decision-makers gathering in Colombia for the first conference on the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels – an offshoot of COP30. Archdiocesan Ministries inclusion project officer Emma Beach said climate change was “at a crisis and we need action”. “Prayer is just so […]

The post Brisbane faith communities to pray for Pacific neighbours battling climate change and leadership in energy transition appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

All Catholics share in Church’s mission, not just clergy, pope says

CNS — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 02:00:00 +0000

By Josephine Peterson LAYPEOPLE are not passive members but active participants in the Church’s mission, called to live and spread the Gospel in everyday life, Pope Leo XIV said in his ongoing catechesis on the documents of the Second Vatican Council. Pope Leo emphasised that all the baptised, not just the clergy, were missionary disciples […]

The post All Catholics share in Church’s mission, not just clergy, pope says appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Maroochydore parish sees growth centred on mission and Eucharist

Guest Contributor — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:00:00 +0000

By Georgia Whiteley FR Isaac Falzon is welcoming a record cohort into the Church at Easter and says he is always struck by the power of the Eucharist in their lives. He remembers being moved by newly-initiated Catholics weeping at their seats after receiving the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time at […]

The post Maroochydore parish sees growth centred on mission and Eucharist appeared first on The Catholic Leader.

Pope Leo XIV names Bishop Danny Meagher as new shepherd of Rockhampton diocese

Joe Higgins — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:03:17 +0000

POPE Leo XIV has appointed Sydney auxiliary Bishop Daniel Meagher to be the 11th Bishop of Rockhampton. Bishop Meagher succeeds Bishop Michael McCarthy, who is retiring after 12 years of episcopal ministry. Bishop Meagher said he was humbled by the appointment and he looked forward to faithfully serving the people of the diocese. “For the […]

The post Pope Leo XIV names Bishop Danny Meagher as new shepherd of Rockhampton diocese appeared first on The Catholic Leader.