This submission was written by a subcommittee chaired by Fr Scot Armstrong, and submitted on behalf of the National Executive.
The Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy
The Chairman’s Word
Statement on the seal of confession
The membership of the Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy wishes to voice its profound objection to the laws passed in the Australian Capitol Territory, South Australian and Tasmanian legislatures requiring priests to break the seal of confession. Catholics...
On the new pope
The last few months have been unique: the abrupt end of one papacy and the election of the first Pope from the new world! We have never confronted the situation of farewelling a Pope who was still alive. This has been a difficult time for many of us who have loved and...
Holding the truth in charity
As I sit down to pen these remarks, it is the Easter Octave. Most of us at this time are enjoying a break from the intensity of life following the celebration of the Sacred Triduum. The quiet gives one the opportunity to reflect a little more. In Holy Week, most of us...
ACCC fraternity
As I pen these words, the Church has just celebrated the Commemoration of All Holy Souls. This commemoration centres our thoughts and prayers on the faithful who have gone before us. We have the privilege of praying for our departed members, especially at the altar....
Year of John Paul II
As I write these few words, final preparations are well under way for the Beatification of the Venerable Pope John Paul II on May 1st. As you read these words we will be able to hail the late pope as Blessed John Paul II. So many of us who are priests have had our...
St Mary of the Cross and the clergy
God has shown his favour to the woman born Mary Helen MacKillop by confirming her sanctity and presence with him in the glory of heaven. Through the authority of the Church and in particular an authentic exercise of the infallibility of the Roman Pontiff, we now...
International priests conference
Pope Benedict XVI afforded us the opportunity to accomplish our long held hope of holding an International Conference for anglophone clergy. In calling the “Year for Priests”, the Holy Father pushed us to put aside all the practical and logistical obstacles that...
Come to Rome
At the Annual general Meeting of the ACCC, held during our recent conference in Sydney, I was elected as National Chairman of our Confraternity. It was an honour to be elected after 4 years away from the executive. I would like to record the debt of gratitude we owe...
Celebrating the Year for Priests
You have no doubt heard about the upcoming “Year for Priests” announced by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI which will run from 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010, marking the 150th anniversary of the death of the saintly Curé d’Ars, Jean Marie Vianney, whom the Pope...