Talk to us
CathNews, the most frequently visited Catholic website in Australia, is your daily news service featuring Catholics and Catholicism from home and around the world, Mass on Demand and on line, prayer, meditation, reflections, opinion, and reviews. And, what's more - it's free!
Families
![](https://cathnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/0312vara-Leo-Varadkar-heads-to-cast-his-referendum-vote-in-Dublin-on-March-8-OSV-News-Reuters-Clodagh-Kilcoyne-400x400.jpg)
Irish voters reject bid to redefine motherhood and family
- . 12 March 2024
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has conceded that his government was defeated “comprehensively” when voters rejected amendments to the constitution that the country’s bishops warned would have weakened supports for marriage and undermined motherhood. Source: OSV News.
![](https://cathnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0226furn-Deborra-Lee-Furness-Wikipedia-Tribeca-Disruptive-Innovation-400x400.jpg)
Adoptions plummet despite reforms making it easier for carers to adopt
- . 26 February 2024
The number of children being adopted out of the child protection system in New South Wales has plummeted by 60 per cent since 2020 despite reforms to make it easier for foster carers to adopt. Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
![](https://cathnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0427higg-Professor-Daryl-Higgins-ACU-400x233.jpg)
New study looks to reduce child maltreatment in the home
- . 17 January 2024
New Australian Catholic University research has identified a complex interplay of child, parental, and contextual factors associated with the maltreatment of children by their families.
![](https://cathnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1206merc-MErcy-Health-staff-behind-the-desk-at-Whittlesea-Early-Parenting-Centre-MercyHealth-400x233.jpg)
Mercy Health opens Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre
- . 6 December 2023
Mercy Health has officially opened the Whittlesea Early Parenting Centre, which will provide crucial day-stay and longer residential-stay programs for children aged up to four years old.
![](https://cathnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1102hung-Katalin-Novak-at-Campion-College-Oct-25-TheCatholicWeeklyGiovanni-Portelli-400x400.jpg)
Hungary’s president visits Campion College
- . 2 November 2023
Catholic liberal arts college Campion College has enjoyed its first visit from a head of state: Hungarian President Katalin Novák. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
![](https://cathnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1031mack-MacKillop-Family-Services-MacKillop-Family-Services-400x400.jpg)
How learning about the traumas of your past can help build a brighter future
- . 31 October 2023
MacKillop Family Services and Deakin University have conducted a world-first, evidence-based evaluation of a therapeutic program that has outlined how it supports children and young people in care to heal from trauma.
![](https://cathnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0830cspa-Catholic-School-Parents-Association-meeting-with-Minister-Jason-Clare-CSPA-400x400.jpg)
Catholic School Parents Australia wants national policy on role of families
- . 30 August 2023
Catholic School Parents Australia executive members met with Education Minister Jason Clare last week and discussed “crucial matters” relating to the role families have in the learning and wellbeing of children.
![](https://cathnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/0606teen-mother-daughter-teen-Bigstock-400x233.jpg)
Kids feeling at risk of abuse turn mainly to mum
- . 6 June 2023
An Australian Catholic University study has found that children aged 10 to 18 are most likely to turn to their mother, followed by a trusted friend, and then their father when they feel at risk of sexual abuse. Source: The Australian.
![](https://cathnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/0531fami-Members-of-the-Cruz-Lay-family-from-Australia-pose-for-a-photo-in-St-Peter-s-Square-yeterday-CNS-Lola-Gomez-400x233.jpg)
Vatican launches compact for families with Pope’s support
- . 31 May 2023
Pope Francis urged Catholics not to resign themselves to “the decline of the family” in a letter released for the launch of a Vatican compact for families. Source: CNS.