Author: Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP

Thank you for those kind words of introduction Professor Ramsay. Vice Chancellor Celia Hammond, the newly arrived Dean of Philosophy Christian Brugger, my Auxiliary Bishop, Richard Umbers, colleagues and friends.

My dear friends, The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has begun its final three-week review of the performance of the Catholic Church in Australia. And what has been revealed has already been harrowing.

I offer my warmest congratulations to Father Greg Homeming OCD on his appointment yesterday by Pope Francis as the sixth Bishop of Lismore.

Recently the Oxford English Dictionary announced its Word of the Year 2016 was 'post-truth'.

The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, welcomed today's announcement by the Federal Government of a National Redress Scheme for victims of sexual abuse.

A very warm welcome to our forum for the student leaders in the systemic and congregational schools of the Archdiocese.

Thank you very much for those kind words of introduction.

The causes of poor mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and suicide are complex and require serious study and compassionate treatment. It is far too important an issue in our community and we should not play politics with mental health.

Welcome to All Saints Church for the Funeral Mass for Fr Frank Furfaro. I acknowledge the presence today of Fr Frank's two sisters, Josie and Tina, their husbands and his extended family, to whom in particular I extend my sympathies and those of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

The allegations against Cardinal George Pell aired on the ABC's 7:30 Report were extremely distressing for all parties, are as yet untested, and have been emphatically denied.