‘You could hit kids’: ex-members in ‘cult’ abuse claims
The treatment of kids within a secretive Pentecostal doomsday church has raised further questions about working with children screenings.
religion and belief
Christian leaders in Gaza after Israel’s church strike
Jerusalem's top Catholic and Greek Orthodox officials have entered Gaza in a show of solidarity after Israel's strike on a Catholic church in the enclave.
Plan to rid anti-Jew ‘cancer’ targets uni, arts funding
Universities and cultural bodies that fail to act against anti-Semitism could have their funding terminated as part of a blueprint to combat discrimination.
‘Extraordinary overreach’: anti-Semitism report blasted
A pro-Palestinian artist has taken aim at recommendations to crack down on anti-Semitism, branding them part of a strategy to achieve "cultural apartheid".
Anti-hate group lauded as ‘fringe’ protesters slammed
Jewish groups are optimistic an anti-hate task force will trigger political action as a small group of protesters is lashed over a violent confrontation.
Money can’t get bail for accused ‘spiritual’ fraudster
A self-proclaimed "curse removal expert" accused of defrauding three people by spiritually cleansing their cash has lost another bid for bail.
Double standards claim over synagogue attack response
Palestinian Australians have accused political leaders of ignoring their plight and criminalising their protests against conflict in the Middle East.
Leader of Tibetan Buddhism won’t be the last Dalai Lama
Following speculation about the future of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's spiritual leader has announced the institution will continue after he dies.
Islamist preacher’s court loss over ‘perverse’ sermons
Sermons delivered by an Islamist preacher drew on fundamentally racist tropes and made "perverse generalisations" about Jewish people, a judge has found.
Muslim preacher defends ‘dehumanising’ sermons on Jews
An Islamist preacher is being sued over sermons in which he allegedly made "derogatory generalisations" about Jews, who he described as rats and cowards.
Muslim preacher ‘never’ meant to insult ‘vile’ Jews
An Islamist preacher says he did not mean to insult Jews by calling them 'treacherous' after comparing Christmas greetings to congratulating someone for murder.
Jewish leaders ‘let down’ in fight with Muslim preacher
Two Jewish community leaders claim they were left to fend for themselves after Australia's institutions failed to hold an Islamist preacher to account.
Appeal success for Nazi salutes outside Jewish museum
A man who claimed he was copying a famed British comedian when performing a Nazi salute with two co-workers near a Jewish museum has been spared a conviction.
Leo, the first US Pope, criticises nationalist politics
God would "open borders, break down walls (and) dispel hatred", Leo, the first Pope from the US, has told mass in St Peter's Square.
Anti-Semitism panel told inquiry risks isolating Jews
After an increase in anti-Semitic incidents across NSW, a parliamentary inquiry has been urged not just to focus on one form of racism.
Hope Pope’s blessing foreshadows end to EU food fight
Australia is offering to drop a luxury car tax in exchange for better meat access to European markets following trade talks in the Vatican City.
PM in Rome for Pope’s inauguration and leaders’ talks
Anthony Albanese has joined crowds at Pope Leo XIV's inauguration in Rome amid a hive of diplomatic activity on the sidelines, including EU trade talks.
Pope urges unity for divided church in landmark mass
Pope Leo XIV has been installed as leader of the Catholic Church in a ceremony in Rome witnessed by tens of thousands, including royals and world leaders.
New Pope vows to bring light to world’s ‘dark nights’
Leo XIV has pledged to help the Catholic Church be an "ark of salvation" as he celebrated his first mass as pontiff and as history's first US pope.
‘Time of my life’: Aussie cardinal’s conclave insight
Australia's highest-ranking Catholic has reflected on his opportunity to participate in the secretive conclave process that resulted in Pope Leo's election.
Pope Leo tells cardinals to continue legacy of Francis
Pope Leo XIV is urging the world's Catholic cardinals to continue the vision of his predecessor and renew their commitment to major church reforms.
‘No more war’: Pope calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza
Pope Leo XIV has called for peace in Ukraine, a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas in his first Sunday blessing as pontiff.
White smoke billows, signalling new pope elected
White smoke has appeared from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, signalling that the 133 Roman Catholic cardinals have elected a new pope.
Prevost, now Leo XIV, a surprise pick as first US pope
Cardinal Robert Prevost had not been seen as a frontrunner for pope and there was a brief moment of silence when his name was announced.
Catholics pray for Pope Leo’s mission, Australian visit
Church leaders are confident they have a "foot in the door" to getting Pope Leo XIV to Australian shores after his sudden rise to the papacy.
More black smoke at conclave, so no new Catholic pope
Black smoke has again poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating that no pope has been elected as cardinals gather in their conclave for a second day.
Cardinals join mass before conclave to pick new pope
Cardinals from around the world have gathered in the Vatican for their last major mass before locking themselves away to choose the head of the Catholic Church.
Who will be the new Pope? Even the cardinals don’t know
As the men who will decide the next Pope prepare to enter a conclave, some have been giving speeches that may sway the vote in their favour.
All cardinals have arrived in Rome for papal conclave
All cardinals who are eligible to elect the next head of the Catholic Church have arrived in Rome two days before the conclave begins.
Details of conclave to elect new Pope released
The conclave to elect a new Pope will begin with a special mass in St Peter's Basilica on May 7 before the 133 cardinals file into the Sistine Chapel.
Dignitaries join everyday Australians to farewell Pope
Catholics and political leaders have gathered across Australia to pay their respects and celebrate the life of the late Pope Francis.