National Briefs
Miss Janet Coombs receives her Papal award from Archbishop Fisher OP. PHOTO: Patrick J Lee
AS the first non-seminarian to study canon law at St Patrick’s College, Manly, in the 1960s, Janet Coombs once offered to wear a black dress to classes to blend with her soutane-wearing classmates. The trailblazer who later became the first laywoman to be qualified as a canon lawyer, was in 1959 also the first woman to be appointed to the Bar in NSW. She was one of four Sydney Catholics honoured by Pope Francis last week for exemplary service to the Church and wider society. She was made a Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great.
- The Catholic Weekly
CATHOLIC aged care experts say the distressing final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care and Safety needs to be the tipping point to ensure the needs of vulnerable older Australians are respected after decades of neglect. Catholic Health Australia said the commission has offered a “once in a generation opportunity” for lasting and meaningful reform. Australian Catholic University’s Associate Professor Jenneke Foottit said her own experiences as a registered nurse in aged care and of teaching nursing students, aligned with the commission findings.
- The Catholic Weekly
Australian Catholic University’s Associate Professor Jenneke Foottit
STELLA Maris Australia provided funding to port chaplaincies across the country before Christmas. The International Christian Maritime Association also contributed funding to help provide toiletries, snacks, clothing and stationery. Bookmarks made by students at an Adelaide Catholic school were part of the care packages distributed to hundreds of seafarers.
- Southern Cross Adelaide
DOZENS of refugees held in a Brisbane hotel for up to two years have been granted bridging visas and are being released to live in the community. Twenty three Medevac refugees were released this week as well as another two refugees held at the Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation detention centre.
- The Catholic Leader