Reflections from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
May 15, 2026
By Paul Wallbank
Ahead of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, President Rev. Charissa Suli joined Heads of Churches and Christian leaders from across Australia for an Ecumenical Prayer Service hosted by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in Sydney last week.
Held by the Bishops' Commission for Christian Unity and Inter-religious Dialogue at the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel, the service bought together Christian leaders from a wide range of traditions in a spirit of prayer, fellowship, and Christian unity.
“Christian unity is not about sameness, but about learning to walk together in love, humility, and hope as the body of Christ.”
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The service offered an opportunity for church leaders to pray together for Australia, for the Church, and for the common mission of witnessing to the hope of the Gospel in an increasingly complex and divided world.
At a time when communities across the world are experiencing conflict, isolation, and uncertainty, the gathering reflected the importance of Christians standing together in shared prayer and public witness.
In his homily during the service, Bishop of Lismore Greg Homeming spoke candidly about the “madness” present across the world today — naming war, violence, division, and fear — and called the Church to be a light in the darkness through the love of Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the evening, Rev. Charissa Suli said:
“Gathering alongside Christian leaders from across Australia was a powerful reminder that, even across our differences, we are united in Jesus Christ and called to walk together in hope, love, justice, and peace.
“In a world marked by division and uncertainty, ecumenical relationships matter deeply because they remind us that the Church is one body, called to journey together in faithfulness to Christ.”
Rev. Suli also reflected on the significance of the upcoming Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, being marked across Australia and the Southern Hemisphere from 17–24 May 2026.
“This Sunday, churches across Australia begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for 2026 — ‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling’ (Ephesians 4:4) — speaks profoundly into this moment.
“Christian unity is not about sameness, but about learning to walk together in love, humility, and hope as the body of Christ.”
The Uniting Church in Australia has long affirmed its commitment to ecumenism and Christian unity through the Basis of Union, which declares the Church seeks “a unity of faith and life in Christ which transcends cultural and economic, national and racial boundaries.”
Concluding with shared fellowship and dinner, the event continues relationships between church leaders and strengthens collaboration between Christian communities across Australia.
Photo caption: From let: Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Archbishop of Perth; Rev Charissa Suli,
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