Press releases and statements

The latest statements and media releases from the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle are listed below including those from the Catholic Schools Office, CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning and the Catholic Community Fund.

Please direct any media enquiries or requests for interviews to the Communications Team via email: mediainbox@mn.catholic.org.au 

22Nov 2022

New appointment - Head of Catholic Schools

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Steven Lemos as Head of Catholic Schools. Mr Lemos has more than 30 years of local and international experience…

Read

24Oct 2022

Catholic Schools administration changes to better support schools

Following a period of consultation, the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle announced a new organisational structure for its Catholic Schools administration, with the aim to better support schools…

Read

29Aug 2022

Catholic Schools Office changes to better support local schools

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle today announced the outcomes of a review of its Catholic Schools Office (CSO); the CSO is the agency of the Diocese responsible for the leadership, operation…

Read

27Jul 2022

Retirement of Mr Gerard Mowbray, Director of Catholic Schools, Maitland-Newcastle

After 46 years with the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Gerard Mowbray will retire as Director of Catholic Schools in December 2022. Sean Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer of the Diocese, has thanked r…

Read

27May 2022

CTARS data breach

CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning (‘CatholicCare’) has been impacted by a cyberattack on CTARS, the provider used by CatholicCare to store information, including contact and personal details…

Read

19Nov 2021

Diocese appoints Administrator

Following the death of Bishop Bill Wright, Fr Greg Barker has been appointed the Diocesan Administrator. Fr Greg was appointed by the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s College of Consultors, t…

Read

13Nov 2021

Death of Bishop Bill Wright

Bishop William (Bill) Wright died today, Saturday 13 November, in Maitland Hospital having succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 69.  Bishop Bill announced his ill health and confirmed he had submit…

Read

16Sep 2021

A message from Bishop Bill Wright on his health and ministry

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Recent times have involved many difficulties for people in our region and across New South Wales and beyond.  In such times, it is the duty of a bishop to be pres…

Read

12Sep 2021

Statement from Bishop Bill on the findings of the public consultation for a memorial

In September 2017, following Lina’s Project, I spoke about consulting with survivors and the community about a permanent memorial in the grounds of Sacred Heart Cathedral.  That consultation has been…

Read

18Jan 2021

Statement by Bishop Bill Wright on the Unexpected Death of Archbishop Emeritus Phillip Wilson

I was saddened to learn of the death of Archbishop Emeritus Philip Wilson on Sunday afternoon. Although he had been very unwell in recent years, his death was sudden and unexpected. I first met Philip…

Read