May 23, 2022
Today the Hon Anthony Albanese was sworn in as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia together with his interim Cabinet by the Governor-General of Australia, General David Hurley. I note that each oath was taken holding a bible.
May 20, 2022
Maitland-Newcastle Diocesan Administrator, Fr Greg Barker, has shared his fears and sadness that the ‘sanctity of life is being diminished’. His statements come on the back of the NSW Parliament passing legislation overnight, which legalises voluntary assisted dying.
“It is a terrible day for our State,” Fr Barker said.
May 12, 2022
As we face the polls later this month you might already be thinking of simply ticking the first box on the ballet paper and not about much else.
Perhaps you are disillusioned with the current state of politics in our country, disappointed with the direction we are heading in and, in the ‘leaders’ before us. As such, like me, you might be more actively channel surfing to avoid yet another election ad or campaign speech. I hear your pain.
The Church can’t tell you who you should vote for. However, every person of faith- regardless of their faith, has a responsibility to inform their own conscience.
April 12, 2022
As we gather and celebrate, Fr Greg encourages us to let Easter transform our lives, and in turn let our lives transform the lives of those around us.
April 11, 2022
A message from Diocesan Administrator, Fr Greg Barker, regarding this week’s visit by the Nuncio to Australia
We are now in the midst of Holy Week, a very special time in our Church’s Liturgical calendar, where we celebrate the events leading up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and His resurrection.
Our Diocese is very fortunate to have the newly appointed Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Charles Balvo, presiding the Sacred Triduum at Sacred Heart Cathedral. In his role as Nuncio, Archbishop Balvo is the Pope’s Ambassador to Australia, and this will be one of his first engagements since arriving in the country last month.
In another significant milestone, it will also be the first time that a Nuncio has presided at the Triduum in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. I thank Fr Andrew Doohan, Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral for welcoming Archbishop Charles Balvo to our Cathedral.
Ahead of his visit I wanted to share a recently published article, prepared by the Australia Catholic Bishop’s Conference, with you. The article highlights Archbishop Balvo’s diverse experience, the roles of a Nuncio, his previous connections to Australia, what he is expecting to find here and how he plans to come to know the People of God.
To read the ACBC article, please follow the link below:
https://mediablog.catholic.org.au/archbishop-balvo-takes-up-appointment-as-nuncio-to-australia/
A “highlights” video introducing Archbishop Balvo has also been prepared and can be viewed via the link below:
https://youtu.be/HJZ-PnD9l5E
December 21, 2021
As I write I am mindful of the sad loss of our Bishop, Bishop William Wright, who succumbed to illness recently. It has been tragic not only to his family but to our Church.
