National Briefs

AN emergency aid flight has reached Timor Leste, after a group of Australian veterans stepped in to raise funds for the flood-devastated nation. A chartered flight from Darwin with 70 boxes of critical medical and humanitarian supplies reached the capital Dili, after the Catholic-backed Veterans Care Association raised more than $55,000 in a GoFundMe campaign, with additional pledges from supporters in Australia.
The Catholic Leader

BRISBANE archdiocese has unveiled plans for an eight-storey commercial building next to one of the city’s oldest churches. The development would transform the grounds of St Patrick’s Church in Fortitude Valley. “The driving force behind this application is the need to ensure the parish can financially support its ageing St Patrick’s church, which has been part of the community for more than 140 years,” a Brisbane archdiocesan spokesman said. “The parish also maintains the historic St Stephen’s Cathedral.”
The Catholic Leader

PUBLIC consultation called by the Catholic Dioceses of Victoria has opened for a new process to respond to complaints and redress relating to abuse. Pathways Victoria will provide an operationally independent structure for implementing the Catholic Church’s National Response Protocol released this year. The consultation will run until 14 May. A website has been established for Pathways Victoria, providing information on how to take part.
Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne

AN influential religious and social leader Sr Joan Chittister will address a national convocation of Catholics via Zoom from the US at 9am on Sunday, 2 May. A vision for Catholicism: Renewal directions, priorities, hopes and aspirations, will address calls from Australian Catholics for fresh vision and a new direction. President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge will officially greet participants.
Australasian Catholic Coalition for Church Reform