Equality of dignity for women takes a step forward
Blog by Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair I am just in from the official celebratory dinner. It was held in the Cathedral College Hall the very same room where the Assembly … Read More
The First Assembly of Australia’s Fifth Plenary Council of Australia ran from 3 – 10 October 2021. The Second Assembly will run from 3 – 9 July 2022.
The Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) representative at the Plenary Council is the Chair of the CSSA Board, Francis Sullivan AO. He will provide a daily report on his experience of this momentous event for the Australian Catholic Church.
Mr Sullivan’s daily reports, for both Assemblies, appear with the newest at the top of the page.
Women will drive change
Blog by Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair Today at the Assembly, the atmosphere was markedly different. So too was the program. The organisers had adjusted the process to make it more … Read More
Getting Real
Blog by Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair Well, things got real today! As the canon law prescribes, for Plenary Councils, only the bishops cast what, in effect, is a decisive vote. … Read More
A ‘Missionary Impulse’ must drive us
Blog by Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair Today was a tough one! Maddening actually! The main theme was inclusion. The motions under consideration concentrated on the experiences of exclusion for the … Read More
Signs of hope, but room for more
Blog by Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair The first day of the Second Assembly showed just how far the official Church has travelled. Motions were considered that actively acknowledged the history … Read More
Going to the Second Assembly
Blog by Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair Well, the litmus test has arrived. Will the Catholic Church in Australia make a shift towards the estranged and disaffected, or will there be … Read More
Light from the Southern Cross
Blog by Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair I have left the First Assembly of the Plenary Council optimistic that change is coming. What that looks like is unclear. Plenty of balls … Read More
Cultural Change
Blog by Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair Take heart, the drumbeats of change are echoing through the Plenary Council. Reports on the Assembly’s work are making the cases for change. Across … Read More
The Times They Are a-Changin’
Blog by Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair Leaving today’s Assembly reminded me of a story from a good mate. He recalled pouring out of a Dylan concert and overhearing the bloke in … Read More
Confronting Abuse
Blog by Francis Sullivan, CSSA Chair Today was very powerful. In a Special Plenary focused on those who had been abused and hurt by our Church we were led through … Read More