Leaders mourn ‘humble and compassionate’ Pope Francis
Catholics across Australia have joined the global Church in mourning the death of Pope Francis, remembering him as a humble shepherd with a vision for a merciful and inclusive Church.
President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB described Pope Francis as ‘a man of simplicity, humility and compassion’ who brought the Church ‘back to Christ as the source and inspiration of everything the Church sought to do and to be.’
‘His famous description of the Church as a field hospital where wounds could be healed and hearts could be warmed was a call to a renewal of the Church’s life and mission,’ Archbishop Costelloe said.
National Catholic Education Commission executive director Jacinta Collins paid tribute to Pope Francis’ deep connection to young people and his belief in the transformative power of education.
‘His belief in education as a tool for transformation resonates deeply with the mission of Catholic schools,’ she said. ‘Pope Francis inspired a generation of young people to live with courage and compassion.’
Ukrainian–Australian Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSsR remembered Pope Francis as ‘a Pope of peace,’ who championed the marginalised and worked quietly behind the scenes for justice. ‘He was a man of simple piety who strove to bring the Church closer to people.’
Memorial Masses will be held in parishes across Australia, and Cardinal Bychok is expected to attend the funeral in Rome and take part in the Conclave to elect the next pope.
Calls for ‘maths guarantee’
A Grattan Institute report calls for a ‘maths guarantee’ strategy to tackle what it calls ‘Australia’s maths crisis’, aiming for 90 per cent of students to achieve proficiency by Year 6.
Key recommendations include clear teaching guidelines, better professional development for teachers, and high-quality curriculum materials. The cost of implementing these reforms is estimated at around $67 per student per year.
The recent report reveals one in three Australian primary school students fail to achieve proficiency in maths, with disadvantaged students struggling the most. Despite this, one in five students from well-off families also face difficulties.
La Trobe University’s Professor Joanna Barbousas supports the report, highlighting the lifelong impact of failing to address the crisis.
‘It’s not the students who are failing, it’s our approach to education,’ she said, stressing the need for better teacher training and systematic teaching methods.
Bullying and exclusion of disabled students on the rise
A new report from Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) reveals that three-quarters of students with disability faced bullying and nearly as many were excluded from activities in 2024, an increase from 2022. Students reported verbal abuse, physical violence, sexual harassment and social isolation. CYDA is calling for urgent reforms, including a national roadmap to inclusive education, better teacher training, and federal funding to ensure safe, supportive learning environments. CEO Skye Kakoschke-Moore emphasised that schools are not equipped to truly include students with disabilities and is urging political candidates to commit to change.
Read more here.
Meanwhile, experts are calling for urgent reforms for autism diagnosis and improved inclusion practices. A new survey by Autism Awareness Australia reveals autism diagnosis wait times have surged by 70 per cent since 2014, with one-third of families waiting more than two years. Experts at the National Autism Summit are calling for urgent reforms to reduce delays, improve NDIS access, and ensure inclusive, strengths-based education. They say, without change, autistic children risk worsening mental health and limited opportunities.
Read more.
In brief
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has called for a 4.5% minimum wage increase to reduce working poverty and support low-income families. The Fair Work Commission will consider the proposal.
More at Fair Work Commission.
As Sudan’s civil war enters its third year, Caritas Australia urges support for urgent humanitarian aid, warning of famine and cholera. More than 30 million people are in need, but funding remains critically low.
Donate here.
First Nations secondary students are invited to enter the Yarning competition, sharing stories through creative media on themes like identity and reconciliation. Winners will visit Canberra and Parliament House.
Enter by 30 May 2025
Enrolments in ACU’s Step Up into Teaching program have surged by more than half in 2024–25, with more Year 11 and 12 students gaining a head start on teaching degrees. The program, praised for boosting confidence and access, especially for first-generation university students, offers early entry and university credit.
What’s on
2025 Young Voices Awards: Open to secondary and senior primary students, with categories in articles, photography, and digital media. Theme: Voices of hope. Learn more here.
Joseph Pearce – How Catholic culture rescued me from hatred: May 9, St Michael’s Belfield 7pm
A Matter of Life and Death – The Battle for a True Education: Saturday, 10 May 2025 6.30-8.30pm, Hartford College, 33 Banks Avenue, Daceyville NSW 2032