Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia

16/05/2026

15/05/2026

13/05/2026

In statements issued in response to the 2026–27 federal Budget, Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) and Caritas Australia have both highlighted the importance of prioritising values such as compassion, human dignity and the common good in addressing the issues.

‘We urge policymakers to remember that behind every statistic is a person—a family—struggling to make ends meet,’ Dr Jerry Nockles of CSSA said. ‘Fiscal responsibility and social justice are not competing values but complementary imperatives.’

Find out more: https://melbournecatholic.org/news/catholic-agencies-emphasise-compassion-and-the-common-good-in-response-to-federal-budget

📷 A woman and child at a supermarket. (Photo by Getty Images via Unsplash+.)

13/05/2026

Catholic organisations have praised aspects of the federal budget, welcoming foreign aid investment and measures that prioritise aged care, youth homelessness and end-of-life care, but raised concerns about NDIS reforms and missed opportunities to address family violence.

09/05/2026

Happy Mothers Day to all our Mums, grandmothers, mother figures, and spiritual mothers!
Special prayers also for our dear mothers who have gone to God, to those mourning the loss of a child and for those who long to be mothers. May God bless you all abundantly.

07/05/2026

As Australian women and children return from Syria, I see this as a crucial moment for us to reflect on social cohesion. We must learn to look through difference, failure, and fear to recognise the inherent dignity in every person.

This is not about ignoring accountability, but about embracing the values that truly unite us as a society – compassion, respect, and the courage to see beyond division and hostility. Justice is always a process of reparation.

This moment challenges us to build a more compassionate and cohesive Australia.

Catholic Social Services Australia CathNews

https://cathnews.com/2026/05/08/cssa-says-return-of-isis-brides-an-opportunity-for-reflection/

As Australian women and children return from Syria this week, the moment presents an opportunity for a deeper reflection on how we live together as a society, says Catholic Social Services Australia chief executive Jerry Nockles.

05/05/2026

We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a newborn baby in Wagga Wagga and pray for this precious child and family.

Once again, we are reminded of the urgent need to address the circumstances of those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity as well as the root causes of disadvantage and vulnerability in our communities.

Pope Leo reminds us in his Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te, that “the dignity of every human person must be respected today, not tomorrow, and the extreme poverty of all those to whom this dignity is denied should constantly weigh upon our consciences.”

As an Australian community, we must come together with compassion and justice to protect the most vulnerable and uphold the dignity of every human life.



Michael McCormack MP Dr Joe McGirr MP Centacare South West NSW Clare O'Neil MP Catholic Social Services Australia