OPENING MASS
In a historic moment for the Church in Australia, the official opening Mass of the Fifth Plenary Council has taken place at Perth’s St Mary’s Cathedral, with Council President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB boldly telling the congregation and viewers that perhaps the most important thing God is asking of us at this time is to return the Church to Christ and return Christ to the Church. By Jamie O’Brien.
POPE FRANCIS
Pope Francis has sent greetings and blessings from Rome as the program for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, the first such event in this country in 84 years, began today.
A message read out during the opening plenary session this morning said the Plenary Council “represents a singular ‘journeying together’ of God’s people in Australia along the paths of history towards a renewed encounter with the Risen Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit”.
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HOMILY
 As Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB opened the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, he said Catholics “must become, even more than we are already, a community of true disciples”. |
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MORE NEWS
The prayers provided to Members for their nourishment, including a range of prayer experiences such as Lectio Divina, are now available for download
Some of the country’s leading Catholic thinkers have been engaged to support the Members of the Council.
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MONDAY MASS
 On the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, Bishop Shane Mackinlay has said the saint that so loved creation and those living in poverty can inspire the work of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia
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PODCAST
 The Record journalist Eric Martins speaks to Perth Plenary Council Members about their thoughts, ideas and experiences of Day one of the First Assembly for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.
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PLENARY SEMINARS
 Fr Glynn began his talk by stating that the delay of the Plenary Council is a blessing in disguise, as it allows the faithful of Australia to spend more time reflecting and gaining a better understanding of what it means to be a missionary and evangelising church
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PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS
 The 18 members from across the Archdiocese of Perth gathered for day one of the First Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.
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PLENARY COUNCIL ARCHIVES
During the course of the week of the First Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, The Record brings to you a historical look at the previous Plenary Councils of Australia.
Dr Peter Wilkinson writes the first of several articles examining the seven previous particular councils held in Australia between 1844 and 1937. An understanding of these councils may help to prepare for the 5th Australian Plenary Council of Australia being held this week from Monday 4 October.
DISCERNMENT
How can we be a constructive part of a renewed Church and not initiators of a new church which would, in the end, be our own creation rather than God’s?
This is the question presented by Plenary Council President and Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB in his paper on the theme of Discernment, published in September 2020.
The Record acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Nations People of this land. We rightfully respect the culture, Elders past, present and emerging.
