We invite people who are setting up local cyber communities and discussion groups broadly sympathetic to the objectives of Catholica in providing an outreach to those who, for whatever reason, feel distanced from the institution, to send us information (editor@catholica.com.au) for inclusion on this page linking to their discussion boards or blogs or websites? If you don't have a website and the group is simply home-based we'd be happy to publicise an email or other contact details.

American Teilhard Association: The American Teilhard Association explores and builds on the life and work of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. The American Teilhard Association, since its foundation in 1967, is committed to making the thought and vision of Teilhard more widely available. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin [1881-1955], a French Jesuit and paleontologist, was one of the leading thinkers of the 20th century. With his idea of human consciousness encircling the planet as the noosphere, Teilhard is also credited with anticipating the complex technological connection of human thought now evident in global communications and in the worldwide Internet. [Visit the website]

Early Christian Writings: Early Christian Writings is the most complete collection of documents from the first two centuries with translations and commentary. Includes the New Testament, Apocrypha, Gnostics, and Church Fathers. The 'Early Christian Writings: New Testament, Apocrypha, Gnostics, Church Fathers' site is copyright ©2001-2006 Peter Kirby. Permission is given to link to any HTML file on the Early Christian Writings site. The site also has an interesting page entitled "Historical Jesus Theories": "The purpose of this web page is to explain and explore some of the theories offered up by contemporary scholars on the historical Jesus and the origins of the Christian religion. Issues include the nature of the historical Jesus, the nature of the early Christian documents, and the origins of the Christian faith in a risen Jesus Christ. An attempt has been made to include historical Jesus theories across the spectrum from Marcus Borg to N.T. Wright and to describe these historical Jesus theories in an accurate and concise way." [Visit the website] | [Historical Jesus Theories' Page]

The Jesus Seminar Forum: The Jesus Seminar Forum is an introduction to the research of the Jesus Seminar of the Westar Institute and a bridge to Jesus scholarship on line. [Visit the Forum] | [The Jesus Seminar Page at the Westar Institute]

CCC - Albany: The Cyber Christian Community based at Albany in Western Australia has a website with much interesting information including commentaries from far and wide, their own reflections, and a fabulous gallery of photographs of interesting churches around Western Australia. This is a vibrant local cyber-community. [Visit their website] | [Catholica Review]

St Mary's - Sth Brisbane: The St Mary's Catholic Community has been in some turmoil as you will have read in the national media. Despite the pressures the community has been under they remain strong and determined to hold their ground. This new official website takes over from a number of blogs and and social networking sites that have been used in the past. [Visit their website] | [The old website open 'til 310409] | [The My Space Site]

The Church Mouse Community - Redfern: The Church Mouse maintains an eclectic public record of the history and curious goings on in the parish of St Vincent's Redfern, an inner city suburb of Sydney, Australia. The site includes a blog, is regularly updated and the St Vincent's Community continues a passionate involvement in social justice and social welfare initiatives in Redfern. [Visit their website]

Spirituality in the Pub: Unfortunately the speaker schedules at local SIP meetings isn't well updated on the national website but this page on the Catalyst for Renewal website is a handy reference for locating where all the SIP groups are located around the nation. [Visit their website]

Mind and Heart - Cyber Meeting Place: Like Catholica, the Mind and Heart Meeting Place is a discussion board that evolved out of the old CathNews Discussion Board. It is one of about half a dozen initiatives now that trace their origins back to the old CathNews Discussion community. Mind and Heart has recently re-established itself and now only allows registered members to post. It is a small, more intimate cyber community with a different style to the discussions we have on Catholica and seeks to be a meeting place for like-minded individuals. [Visit their website]

Most Holy Redeemer Parish, San Francisco: Jim McCrea asked us to include the parish of which he is proud to be a member. MHR Parish, located at 100 Diamond St (at 18th St) has existed as the Roman Catholic religious center of the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco since 1900. Located just two blocks from the heart of the historic Castro district, the parish reflects the diversity and excitement of the surrounding neighborhood. MHR is an inclusive Catholic community — embracing all people of good faith — Catholics as well as those people interested in learning about the Catholic experience — regardless of their background, gender, race, social status, gender identity or sexual orientation. [Visit their website]

Inclusive Catholics (Melbourne) Inclusive Catholics is an evolving movement/community in Melbourne, still in its embryonic development. In late August, 2011 Greg Reynolds resigned as a parish priest and began this new venture/ministry. He initiated it in response to two complementary unfolding experiences. First was his growing conviction that the Institutional Catholic Church was wrong in its teaching on Women's Ordination and on Homosexuality. More recently he discerned a personal calling to minister to and with Catholic people who share these beliefs and have been longing for a community that celebrates the Catholic Eucharist in ways that support these beliefs. Other people drawn to this movement include victims of clerical abuse, and their supporters, who do not want to be associated with the church institution. [Read more on their website]

Catholic Church Reform International: Catholic Church Reform Int'l is a global network of more than a hundred reform groups as well as individuals from 65 countries seeking the renewal of the church. If there is to be any reform of any kind in the Catholic Church, it must begin with the people having a voice. [Visit their website]

Catalyst for Renewal: "Seeking truth and renewal through conversation". Catalyst for Renewal is a not-for-profit group seeking to promote conversation for the sake of renewal in the Church and our wider society. We organise Spirituality in the Pub, Dinners and Forums on topical subjects. [Visit their website]

Catholics for Renewal Inc.: Catholics for Renewal is a group of Australian Catholics who are deeply committed to the mission of Christ' Church. We value the vision, teachings and legacy of the Second Vatican Council. We are passionate about preserving and promoting essential values of Christ's teachings. Catholics for Renewal identifies itself with the Vatican Council's primary affirmation that sound and transparent governance is and continues to be intrinsic to the nature of Catholic Church. They include: subsidiarity, co-responsibility, collegiality and transparency in Church governance. These values are embedded in the Tradition and are clearly enshrined in the Council's documents particularly Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes. They are central to Vatican II's vision and mandate for the ongoing work of renewal in the life, mission and structure of the Church. [Visit their website]

Australian Reforming Catholics: Australian Reforming Catholics is a national organisation committed to seeking reform of the Catholic Church in Australia: "We wish to see and experience church structures, practices  and teachings that  more closely reflect the love of Jesus Christ, our friend, as revealed in the Gospels (John 15:14-17)". [Visit their website]

Acclerating Catholic Church Reform (ACCR): The fundamentals of Accelerating Catholic Church Reform were developed from Chapter Thirteen of the book Saving the Catholic Church While Sitting in a Pew by Robert J. Betterton, which was published in August 2011. Interest by readers in learning more about the problems of the Institutional Catholic Church was expressed in conversation, mail and e-mail to the author. This prompted him to start the monthly Saving the Catholic Church Newsletter on January 1, 2012. ACCR now publishes the quarterly quality internet journal, OMG! (See next entry) [Visit their website]

OMG (Oh My God) Journal OMG! Journal of Religion & Culture is the quarterly journal of Acclerating Catholic Church Reform. This scholarly and yet very readable internet magazine was conceived as the centerpiece of ACCR’s public presence in September 2013 with the first edition published in April 2014. The Editor and Publisher is Robert Blair Kaiser. [Visit their website]

Vatican II the Voice of the Church — International: The purpose of this website is to explain and promote the teachings of the Second Vatican Council during which The Church examined itself, took note of, and opened itself to a world changing at an unprecedented rate. The principal method of the website is to record the teachings and changes of Vatican II in the writings of men who were there. Major contributions are from Cardinal König of Vienna and the English Dom Christopher Butler OSB. Both were distinguished scholars, Council fathers and members of the influential Council Theological Commission. [Visit their website]

ARCC - US/International: The Mission and Goal of the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church is "to bring about substantive structural change in the Catholic Church, ARCC seeks to institutionalize a collegial understanding of Church in which decision-making is shared and accountability is realized among Catholics of every kind and condition. It affirms that there are fundamental rights which are rooted in the humanity and baptism of all Catholics. To this end ARCC developed and works to implement a Charter of the Rights of Catholics in the Church and a Proposed Catholic Constitution." [Visit their website]

Voice of the Faithful: Voice of the Faithful is a lay organization of faithful Catholics, who organized in 2002 as a response to the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. We started in the basement of a church in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and have since expanded worldwide with more than 30,000 members. Our Mission is to provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. [Visit their website]

Voice of the Faithful—Ireland: Voice of the Faithful Ireland is an internet-based community rather than a parish-based community. They also have an active Yahoo-based discussion group via email. Their mission statement reads: "To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church". [Visit their website]

We are Church: The international movement We are Church, founded in Rome in 1996, is committed to the renewal of the Roman Catholic Church on the basis of the Second Vatican Council and the theological spirit developed from it. We are Church evolved from the Church Referendum in Austria in 1995 that was started after the paedophilia scandal around Vienna's Cardinal Groer. We are Church is represented in more than twenty countries on all continents and is networking world-wide with similar-minded reform groups. The major international endeavour of We are Church at the moment is in organising an international petition, Petition Vaticanum II, for the Church to actually institute the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. [Visit their website] | [Sign the Petition]

American Catholic Council: The American Catholic Council is a coalition of representatives of organizations, communities and individuals who are calling an American Catholic Council in 2011. their website gives an overview of the people and organisations involved and an insight in what they hope to achieve. [Visit their website]

FutureChurch: FutureChurch is a national coalition of parish-centered Catholics who seek the full participation of all baptized Catholics in the life of the Church. FutureChurch, inspired by Vatican II, recognizes that Eucharistic Celebration (the Mass) is the core of Roman Catholic worship and sacramental life. We advocate that this celebration be available universally and at least weekly to all baptized Catholics. [Visit their website]

Women's Ordination Conference: WOC is the world's oldest and largest organization working solely for the ordination of women as priests, deacons, and bishops into an inclusive and accountable Catholic Church. To this end, we work to: † Renew church governance to be inclusive, accountable and transparent; † Bring about justice and equality for Catholic women; † Incorporate women-centered theologies into every-day Catholicism. [Visit their website]

Ordination of Catholic Women: OCW Inc. is a national group of women and men who advocate the ordination of women into a renewed ordained ministry in the Catholic Church. We believe that an ordained ministry of both women and men will make the Church's spiritual life richer, more open to understanding the challenges that women, men and children face, and more able to bring God's love and wisdom to the complex problems of our world. [Visit their website]

Sojourners—Christians for Justice and Peace: Sojourners Ministries grew out of the Sojourners Community, located in Southern Columbia Heights, an inner-city neighborhood in Washington, D.C. The community began at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, in the early 1970s when a handful of students began meeting to discuss the relationship between their faith and political issues, particularly the Vietnam War. In 1971, the group decided to create a publication that would express their convictions and test whether other people of faith had similar beliefs. [Visit their website]

Concerned Catholics of Montana: As baptized members of the Body of Christ, we engage in community based on our understanding of the precepts of the Second Vatican Council and the scriptural message of Jesus. We promote change through prayer, participation, dialogue and action so that we may model inclusive Church that radiates Christ's core teaching of compassion in the world. [Visit their website]

Global Ethic Foundation: The question of a Global Ethic stems from Professor Hans Küng's book Global Responsibility (1990), which was first published in English in 1991. This book developed programmatically the idea that the religions of the world can make a contribution to the peace of humankind only if they reflect on those elements of an ethic which they already have in common: on a fundamental consensus on binding values, irrevocable standards and personal attitudes. The website gives a comprehensive overview of the work of the Foundation. [Visit their website]

Dialogue Institute: The Dialogue Institute works to transform the world into a global community by fostering interreligious and intercultural scholarship, understanding and cooperation. A nonprofit organization founded at Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) in 1978, the Dialogue Institute trains religious, civic and academic leaders in the skills of critical thinking and respectful dialogue so that they can build sustained relationships across lines of religious and cultural difference. Global and inclusive, the Dialogue Institute provides resources and creates networks of support among all those engaged in interreligious dialogue and action around the world. [Visit their website]

Journal of Ecumenical Studies (JES): The Journal of Ecumenical Studies (JES) was founded by Arlene and Leonard Swidler in 1964 as the first peer-reviewed journal in the field of interreligious dialogue. Born out of the ecumenical spirit of Vatican II, JES began with an emphasis on dialogue among diverse Christian traditions. Its focus quickly broadened to Christian-Jewish dialogue and soon thereafter to interchange among a wide array of religious traditions. After 45 years, JES continues as the premier publisher of scholarly articles in the field of dialogue across lines of religious difference. From the 1960's until today, JES has helped to create and build an international forum for interreligious scholarship. Together with the outreach work of the Dialogue Institute, it continues to support, stimulate, and broaden the community of scholars and activists engaged in interreligious work throughout the world. [Visit their website]

The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought: The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought, Canberra (CPRT) is the local branch of a world-wide movement of clergy and laity seeking to explore religion and spirituality and to throw new light on thought and practice of the sacred. The majority of the members of CPRT, like most Australians, have come from a Christian heritage but, finding organised religion limiting, have sought a safe place in which to push theological boundaries. We welcome members from other traditions; and in setting out the views below we stress that they are not a creed or condition of membership, but a basis for further thinking and faith. [Visit their website]

The Progressive Christian Network of Victoria Inc. The Progressive Christian Network of Victoria Inc. promotes progressive Christian thought and practice through regular meetings and a constantly updated website. The network encourages the exploration of critical biblical scholarship and the study of emerging proposals of eminent contemporary theologians and scholars. It encourages the investigation of alternatives to traditional religious beliefs and practices and new ways to understand religious faith. [Visit their website]

Sofia: Sea of Faith in Australia Inc. Sea of Faith in Australia (SoFiA) is a network of Australians who are seeking a radical reappraisal of past religious traditions in order to meet today's spiritual challenges. The network affirms the continuing importance of religious thought and practice, but sees religion as a field of creative human endeavour which must be ever-changing to remain relevant. The network welcomes people from all faith communities as well as those with no involvement in any organised religion. Many in the network meet regularly in local groups to share ideas and to discuss issues related to the making of meaning. [Visit their website]

Blue Mountains Interfaith Group We come together as representatives of the different religious and spiritual traditions in the Blue Mountains and we seek to work together on causes of common interest, such as the Care and Celebration of the Environment. Each of us loves our own faith while respecting the faith of others. We recognize the Truth, that is a deep transcendent reality common to all, coming to us by different historical, scientific and cultural paths. We believe that we are spiritually enriched by our mutual sharing. We are ready to share that richness more widely in the Mountains, catching a glimpse of sacred wonder in our Mountain surrounds. Affiliated Traditions: Brahma Kumaris • Kunsang Yeshe Retreat Centre • Lawson Catholic Church • Leura Uniting Church • the Hindu Tradition • Siddhartha’s Intent, Australia • The Australian Buddhist Vihara • The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) • The Thich Nhat Hanh Community • the Progressive/Renewal Jewish Tradition. [Visit their website]

Adults Surviving Sexual Abuse: ASCA is a national organisation which works to improve the lives of adult survivors of child abuse throughout Australia. The long-term strategy is to ensure that all Australian adult survivors of childhood trauma will be able to access the specific services they need, to ensure health, well-being and meaningful engagement in their communities. Studies have shown that the right programs and therapeutic support can significantly reduce the legacy of childhood trauma and abuse. [Visit their website]

Broken Rites: Broken Rites Australia was formed in 1992 by victims of church-related sexual abuse. Through its website it publishes constantly updated reports of court cases and continuously follows up complaints and investigations which expose the abusers and those who would seek to minimise the harm they do in society. [Visit their website]

Project Kidsafe: The Project KidSafe Foundation Ltd is a national not-for-profit registered with the ATO as having DGR Status. Founded in 2010, Project KidSafe was created to support survivors of childhood abuse and has since grown to be a national support, advocacy and child protection charity. Our aim is to raise awareness, empower and enlighten the community to protect Aussie kids, and to support survivors. Our goal is to greatly diminish childhood abuse - every Aussie kid has the right to a happy and safe childhood! Project KidSafe depends upon donations to continue providing services, and to date has received no government funding or grants. [Visit their website]

The Hope for Survivors: Their website proclaims their mission in these words: "Support, Hope and Healing for victims of Pastoral Sexual Abuse"The Hope of Survivors is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting victims of pastoral sexual abuse and misconduct, as well as providing educational and informational materials and seminars to pastors and churches of every denomination, worldwide. [Visit their website]

Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH): ACRATH is committed to working together towards the elimination of human trafficking in Australia, the Pacific and Internationally. ACRATH is endorsed by Catholic Religious Australia – the peak body for 180 religious orders in Australia, representing 8000 religious sisters, brothers and priests. [Visit their website]

Pearls and Irritations: This blog published by John Menadue AO is one of the most wide-ranging and respected that we have come across anywhere commenting on matters of public affairs and religion. John Menadue (born 1935) is an Australian businessman and public commentator, and formerly a senior public servant and diplomat. He both contributes to the blog himself and has a wide range of guest bloggers always presenting fascinating perspectives. [Visit this blog]

Tony Equale's Blog: Tony Equale doesn't provide an overview of what his blog is about other then the subhead in it's title: "...a new beginning, a raid on the inarticulate...". This ia a huge blog though that has been running since 2009 where he appears to be going back to basics in exploration of this entire religious and spiritual meaning to life. [Visit this blog]

Catholics Speak Out: Catholics Speak Out (CSO) is an organisation of lay Catholics, sisters and priests working for the renewal of the Australian Catholic Church in the spirit of Vatican Council II and following the lead of Pope Francis. It is not a new organisation, but simply a name-change for what was previously Catholics for Ministry. Our emphasis is on speaking out on structural issues that are important for the renewal of Australian Catholicism. [Visit their website]

Diarmuid: Sacred Heart Missionary priest Diarmuid O'Murchu is one of the people at the leading edge of the discussion where theology attempts to meet contemporary scientific insight. His website has a wealth of resources and essays as well as his workshop schedule. [Visit Diarmuid's website]

Enlightened Catholicism: Colleen Kochivar-Baker is a US-based Counselling Psychologist. She explains her blog this way: "I am a Catholic mystic/psychic whose mission has been to find out what other spiritual traditions and scientific discoveries have to offer to understand the message of Jesus Christ. It's been a trip and a half. One I hope to share with you." [Visit this blog]

Kingfishers, Dragonflies, and Stones: Paul Kelly's blog is named after a verse from Gerald Manley Hopkins which you'll find at the top of his blog. Describing his blog, Paul writes: "In 'Four Cultures of the West'. John O'Malley, SJ, showed us how to read the open book of our own personal experience and look at what we find there. This is what I find about family and friends, academics and humanism, religion and the rule of law." [Visit this blog]

Sandro Magister: English version of the very conservative Italian blog providing news, analysis, and documents on the Catholic Church, from Sandro Magister in Rome. Sandro is a journalist, and writes for the magazine "L'espresso". He specializes in religious news, in particular on the Catholic Church and the Vatican. [Visit this blog]

Sentire cum Ecclesia: Probably the most accessible of the conservative blogs in Australia for people who don't share the views of the author. David Schütz is a former Lutheran Pastor and provides an interesting perspective on Catholicism from the perspective of a recent convert. A good reference point for finding the intelligent conservative perspective on issues currently in the news. David works for the Archdiocese of Melbourne as Executive Officer of the Ecumenical & Interfaith Commission. [Visit this blog]

Whispers in the Loggia: Rocco Palmo writes from America for The Tablet, the international Catholic weekly published in London. He also authors "Almost Holy", a fortnightly column for Busted Halo, an online magazine on spirituality and culture run by the Paulist Fathers. Palmo's appeared as a commentator on things Catholic in The New York Times, Associated Press, The San Francisco Chronicle, BBC, National Public Radio, The Washington Post and Religion News Service, among other print and broadcast outlets. [Visit this blog]

The Wild Reed: Michael J Bayly was born and raised in rural Australia but am now living in the US where I serve as the executive coordinator of the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities (CPCSM) and the editor of The Progressive Catholic Voice. I established The Wild Reed as a sign of solidarity with all who are dedicated to living lives of integration and wholeness – though, in particular, with gay people seeking to be true to both the gift of their sexuality and their Catholic faith. The Wild Reed simply invites people to observe and reflect upon one man’s progressive, gay, Catholic perspective on faith, sexuality, politics, and culture. [Visit this blog]

A Bride for the Pope: A Bride for the Pope is a blog dedicated to finding a wife for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. In strict accordance with scriptural authority and with due respect to established precedents in the history of the papacy, we firmly believe the Holy Father deserves to enjoy the happiness of holy matrimony. [Visit this blog]

Sacred Quest: John Chuchman is a bereavment counsellor based in the United States. His website provides information about his regular retreats and information about his books. he also writes a "Poetman" blog which you can find on the website or via this link: [Visit John's blog] | [Visit John's website]

The Holy Irritant: Tony Robertson describes himself thus: my preferred job title is "Community Jester", and I subsist in the Catholic Church as a "Holy Irritant". Based in Brisbane, Australia, Tony is a community jester, ritual maker, photographer, journalist and a lot of fun. [Visit Tony's blog] | [Visit Tony's website]

Paul Collins: Dr Paul Collins is Australia's leading media commentator on all things Catholic. A former MSC priest for almost a decade from January 1988 he worked full-time in varying capacities in TV and radio with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. From 1993 to 1996 he was Specialist Editor Religion for the ABC. He also acted as co-ordinator of Radio National in Melbourne and for a brief period was acting-general manager of Radio National. For the first three years of the ABC TV program Compass (it began in 1988) Collins acted as a presenter, interviewer and commentator. From 1990 to 1995 he was the presenter of the program Insights on Radio National. He has also presented and participated in many programs on all ABC networks. Between 2004 and 2006 Collins worked on a contract basis for the ABC presenting Sunday Spectrum on Sunday mornings on ABC TV. Since leaving the ABC full-time, he has continued to be called on as a commentator on Catholic affairs, the papacy, the Vatican, as well as environmental and population issues on ABC Radio and TV, SBS television and radio (where he acted as lead commentator on SBS Radio during World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008), the BBC, PBS in the United States, NHK Japan, and Danish and New Zealand TV, Sky TV News, as well as many commercial TV and radio stations in Australia. Collins covered the death of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, and from Rome the election of Benedict XVI as an English-speaking expert for many media outlets across the world. He now works as an independent scholar and writer and is deeply committed to ecological and population issues and participates in various organisations that work to renew the Catholic Church in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. [Visit Paul's blog]

The Open Tabernacle: The Open Tabernacle is website dedicated to Catholic Christianity as a journey of exploration and not a map to a particular final destination. Everyone is welcome to help with the journey. There are no tolls, one-way highways, or preferred vehicles. There are no speed limits, license requirements, or assurances. There will be back roads, seldom used byways, and plenty of bumpy rutty roads. At times a shovel may be necessary and more often a personal compass, but hopefully Open Tabernacle will be a challenging journey worth the effort. [Visit The Open Tabernacle]