New Melbourne auxiliary bishops consecrated

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed two new members to its ranks – Bishop Thinh Nguyen and Bishop Rene Ramirez RCJ. The Archdiocese of Melbourne auxiliary bishops were consecrated at an episcopal ordination Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday.

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, welcomed the appointments. 'The leadership and spiritual guidance of the two Bishops-elect will be a source of strength and inspiration for the archdiocese and the wider Church', Archbishop Costelloe said.

To read the full article, visit the CathNews website.
Image source: Melbourne Catholic

Outgoing Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne Terence Curtin's dedication

Pope Francis on Friday accepted the resignation of Melbourne Auxiliary Bishop Terence Curtin, who has served as bishop for the Northern Region of the archdiocese since 2014. For more than 50 years as a priest, Bishop Curtin has faithfully served the people of God in Melbourne in various capacities, including as chair of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria.

Last year Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli also expressed his deep gratitude to Bishop Curtin for his faithful ministry as an active auxiliary bishop, and his willingness to serve well beyond the usual age of retirement. 'Bishop Curtin’s dedication and care for our people has been exceptional', he said.

To read the full article, visit the CathNews website.
Image source: CathNews

Pope Francis' prayer intention for February

Pope Francis' prayer intention for February is 'For vocations to the priesthood and religious life':

Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ's mission in the priesthood and religious life.

The Pope Video is available on The Pope Video website and the prepared prayer intentions for all of 2025 are available on the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network.

Image source: Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network

Pope to publish document dedicated to children

Ending a Vatican summit on the rights of children, Pope Francis announced he would publish a papal document dedicated to children. The one-day world leaders’ summit, titled 'Love them and protect them', discussed several topics of concern including a child’s right to food, health care, education, a family, free time and the right to live free from violence and exploitation.

Some 50 experts and leaders from around the world, who shared their experience and compassion, he said, also 'elaborated proposals for the protection of children’s rights, considering them not as numbers, but as faces'. The Pope said he planned to prepare a papal document 'to give continuity to this commitment and promote it throughout the Church'.

To read the full article, visit the CathNews website.