The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) has established a new commission, entirely dedicated to the family, youth and life. The new organism, which comes from the split of the Commission for the pastoral life, "aims—explains Msgr. Denis Hart, President of the Australian Bishops—to reflect the growing importance of the Church's care for youth, and support for marriage, as well as care for life, in all its phases."
The head of the new organism will be Msgr. Anthony Fisher, Archbishop of Sydney, who recalled how "Pope Francis has given these matters particular attention, including organizing two Synods on the challenges for and pastoral care of marriages and families, teaching prophetically about how 'throw away societies' disadvantage the unborn, elderly, refugees and others." At the same time, Msgr. Terry Brady, auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, became the president of the existing Commission for the pastoral life, which will be responsible for defending the rights of migrants and refugees, the pastoral care of prisoners, prison chaplains and people with disability.
The restructuring of the episcopal organisms took place during the Plenary of the ACBC, held from 7 to 14 May. Among the topics discussed, in addition to the preparation for the next Ordinary General Synod on the family, scheduled at the Vatican from 4 to 25 October, the Australian Bishops reflected on the question of marriage and divorce, taking their cue from the responses to the questionnaire sent to all the particular Churches by the General Secretariat of the Synod.
