The Catholic Leader: Features

Speaking from the heart about faith

Sharing faith: Archbishop John Bathersby speaks with World Youth Day pilgrims during a Mass at Mount Carmel in Israel

Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane led a group of World Youth Day 2011 pilgrims through the Holy Land on the way to Madrid. Journalist PAUL DOBBYN spoke with the archbishop in Spain about his pilgrimage (11/09/2011)

Same-sex marriage - why it needs to be opposed

Clarion call:Same-sex marriage needs to be opposed

As debate continues about the possibility of legally recognising same-sex marriage executive secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's Commission for Pastoral Life BRUCE RYAN explains the reasons behind the Church's opposition to such a move (04/09/2011)

Youth united by faith

Communion line: Lines of priests move through the crowd at the WYD 2011 Opening Mass to distribute Holy Communion Picture: Paul Dobbyn

Catholic Leader journalist PAUL DOBBYN has been in Madrid with Queensland pilgrims experiencing the wonder of World Youth Day 2011. He reports on the Australian Gathering and Opening Mass (28/08/2011)

Young Catholics want to be heard, invited and challenged

Queensland pilgrims in Spain for World Youth Day 2011 are with guides in front of the Roman Bridge in Cordoba Picture: Paul Dobbyn

WHILE the Catholic Church seeks to help earthlings reach their true home in heaven, too often it treats its younger members as if they were from another planet, a top Vatican official said. (21/08/2011)

Refugee influx poses challenge for overcrowded Kenyan camp

Refugee line: Newly arrived refugees who have fled famine-hit Somalia wait at a reception point outside Ifo camp in the Dadaab refugee camp complex in north-eastern Kenya Picture: AAP/EPA

As the Church and aid agencies from around the world grapple with how they can respond to the plight of people facing starvation in East Africa, one woman tells what it was like for her and her family walking from Somalia to Kenya for survival. Journalist PAUL JEFFREY reports from Dadaab, Kenya, for Catholic News Service (14/08/2011)

Walking with Our Lord's love

Meeting a need: Aspley parishioners Nancy Blight (left) and Colleen Borgeaud (right) with Yodit who receives help from Walking With Love, part of Aspleycare in Aspley parish

Aspleycare, a welfare group in the Brisbane northside parish of Aspley, has taken on the ministry of Walking With Love to support expectant and nursing mothers. SELINA VENIER reports on the impact of the outreach (07/08/2011)

Pope Benedict's WYD has space for silence, solemnity

Youthful throng: Thousands of pilgrims in the streets around Randwick Racecourse after the final Mass of World Youth Day 2008 Picture: Robin Williams

POPE Benedict XVI has put his own stamp on the Church's celebration of World Youth Day, and it's especially clear in the gathering's moments of prayer. (31/07/2011)

Embarking on a journey of faith

Setting sail: Pilgrim bags from previous World Youth Days were placed on the sanctuary during the Commissioning Mass celebrated by Archbishop John Bathersby at St Stephen's Cathedral on Sunday, July 10 Picture: David Kirby

Catholic Leader journalist PAUL DOBBYN is preparing to travel to Madrid for World Youth Day. He shares his thoughts on what he expects on the pilgrimage (24/07/2011)

The future is looking gloomy, but religious leaders are positive

Open discussion: Panelists for a Q&A-style forum at the Catholic Religious Australia national assembly are (from left) Mercy Sisters Veronica Lawson and Jan Gray, Columban Father Noel Connolly and Cistercian Father David Tomlinson

The annual national assembly of Catholic Religious Australia was held in Brisbane recently. Journalist PAUL DOBBYN reports on the spirit of the assembly (17/07/2011)

Determined to change the world

Casting into the deep: Fr Nigel Sequeira with family and friends after he was ordained to the priesthood on June 29 at St Stephen's Cathedral by Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane

Brisbane archdiocese's newest priests Frs Nigel Sequeira and Paul Catchlove were ordained in St Stephen's Cathedral on June 29. Journalist SELINA VENIER spoke to them on the day (10/07/2011)

Catholic Features