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 

29May 2023

Statement in response to claims of delays in historical abuse settlements

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has endeavoured to provide a just and equitable response for survivors of abuse for many years and requires any survivors who wish to seek compensation from…

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17Mar 2023

Bishop Michael Kennedy installed as Ninth Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle

Bishop Michael Kennedy will today, Friday 17 March, officially take up his role as the Ninth Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle in a Liturgical Reception at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. On the Solemnit…

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02Feb 2023

Pope Francis names new Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Michael Kennedy, currently the Bishop of Armidale, as the ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.  Pope Francis made the official announcement at noon i…

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11Jan 2023

A statement from our Diocesan Administrator about the death of Cardinal George Pell

It is with sadness that I have been informed today of the death of Cardinal George Pell. The Cardinal had undergone hip surgery in Rome and died due to heart complications post-surgery. Cardinal Pell…

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31Dec 2022

Church in Australia mourns death of Pope Benedict XVI

A Requiem Mass for the Repose of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be hosted in St Peter’s Square on Thursday 5 January from 7.30pm AEDT. It will be presided over by Pope Francis. You can watch a livest…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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 re…

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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…

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