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Politics Religious Freedom

Parliament votes for tougher hate crime laws 

Displaying hate symbols, funding terrorism and terror crimes will now carry mandatory minimum sentences federally after hate crime laws successfully passed Parliament yesterday. Source: News.com.au.

Health

Catholic sector welcomes Government’s $1.7bn injection into public hospitals

Catholic Health Australia chief executive Jason Kara has welcomed the Albanese Government’s $1.7 billion funding of public hospitals, aimed at cutting down wait times and ease pressure on emergency departments.

Eastern Rite Ordination

New Maronite priests ‘will guide us with their example of faith and devotion’

Maronite deacons Ghassan-Hanna Nakhoul and Sayed Youssef Issac were ordained to the priesthood by Maronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay on Saturday. Source: The Catholic Weekly.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis to hold meetings at home while sick with bronchitis  

Pope Francis will hold the next few days of meetings in rooms at his Vatican residence while sick with bronchitis, the Vatican said yesterday. Source: CNA.

Charity Project Compassion

Caritas Australia’s Lenten fundraiser moves with the times

Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraiser has expanded in 2025 to give the community even more ways to unite against poverty through online fundraising pages and new activities.

Jubilee 2025 Music

Australian music anthology offers soundtrack for Jubilee Year

A group of Australian artists have crafted hymns and songs for the Jubilee Year, creating an anthology with 10 original compositions that blend traditional sacred music with contemporary praise and worship. Source: The Record.

Foreign Aid United States

US Catholic aid agency bracing for massive cuts

A US Catholic aid agency is bracing for massive cuts – as much as 50 per cent this year  – because of reductions in foreign assistance ordered by the Trump administration. Source: NCR Online.

Africa

South Sudan’s churches launch booklet on nonviolence 

A booklet on nonviolence has been launched in the world’s youngest nation by members of the South Sudan Council of Churches to encourage church leaders and the entire community to advocate for hope and transformation in the country. Source: Vatican News.

Film Review

Jolie hits the high notes in portrait of opera legend

In “Maria”, Angelina Jolie delivers a dramatically insightful portrait of the life of famous Greek soprano and opera singer Maria Callas. Source: Australian Catholics.