Sr Pat Fox, the Australian Sister of Our Lady of Sion who was forced to leave the Philippines because of her work standing in solidarity with the poor and marginalised, says her expulsion has had “a chilling effect” on other Catholic religious congregations and Christian groups.

Catholic religious women and men gathered in their local communities on December 2, the First Sunday of Advent and beginning of the new Church year, to mark the National Day of Sorrow and Promise.

Caritas Australia, the international aid and development agency of the Catholic Church, has urged the Federal Government to make climate change a priority through domestic emissions policies and international leadership.

Celebrations marking the 75th year since the beginning of the Missionary Sisters of Service (MSS) began with a pilgrimage through Tasmania to Bruny Island where it all began. 

A group of younger religious from more than 10 congregations gathered in Sydney recently to share their stories of ministry and their hopes for the future.