Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Teresa Pirola
Something we can all do to honour the Bibas Family
At time of writing, the Bibas children, Ariel and Kfir, and their mother, Shiri, have been laid to rest in Israel. I want to speak about this moment, specifically to the Catholic community in my home country of Australia. It is difficult to find the words. Let me start by saying that the Catholic Church, according to its own current teachings, affirms a profound spiritual connection with the Jewish people. Catholics readily speak of their ‘Jewish brothers and sisters’.
Why Catholics must call out antisemitism
Opinion Hatred of Jews is ‘a sin against God’ (Pope Francis, Feb 2024). Catechist devoted to her faith Giving one’s death away Weddings National ecumenical forum looks to deeper purpose Celebrating unity during Refugee Week When it comes to antisemitism, Catholics have a document, a history, a relationship and a teaching which amount to a serious obligation to call out this lethal prejudice and to offer the support so desperately needed by Jewish communities after October 7.
Antisemitism: Four clear reasons why Catholics must speak up
Hatred of Jews is “a sin against God” (Pope Francis, Feb 2024). When it comes to antisemitism, Catholics have a document, a history, a relationship and a teaching which amount to a serious obligation to call out this lethal prejudice and to offer the support so desperately needed by Jewish communities after October 7. 1.
Rape as a weapon of war - why Israel was traumatised by Oct 7
Screams Before Silence is a harrowing, yet sensitively crafted and ultimately viewable, documentary film about the weaponisation of rape by Hamas during the atrocities committed on October 7 last year. The film features Sheryl Sandberg, who was chief operating officer of Facebook and Meta Platforms until August 2022. She is also founder of LeanIn.Org, a women’s leadership network. She has become an outspoken advocate for Israeli women who suffered the full force of the violence of October 7.
Ten steps to avoid anti-Judaism in Holy Week
“The Jews killed Jesus.” For much of church history, this erroneous, unjust and lethal accusation of Jewish collective guilt held sway among Christian populations. It was never defined as doctrine. However, as a sentiment and pattern of thought, the deicide charge (Jews accused of being “Christ-killers” or murderers of God) caused grievous harm to Jewish lives.
Pope Francis: antisemitism is “a sin against God”
Pope Francis has written to a letter to “his Jewish brothers and sisters” in Israel (2 Feb 2024) in response to communications received and specifically in light of an open letter by Jewish Leaders and Scholars. In Pope Francis’ reply letter, he begins by lamenting the wars and divisions that are increasing all over the world. He then makes three essential points: First, he assures his Jewish brothers and sisters that he is with them in their grief and pain.
Antioch keeps flame of youth burning for four decades
The very first Antioch weekend in Carlingford was held in the same year that brought the world The Return of the Jedi and the Cabbage Patch doll craze—August 1983. It’s rare for a parish youth group to operate non-stop for years, but the Antioch youth movement is still going strong there four decades later. The Diocese of Parramatta is fortunate to host a strong and passionate Antioch community at The Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025.
Time for healing
Wednesday November 01, 2023 Opinion Like many other Catholics we were shocked and dismayed by the overwhelming result of the referendum.
What has the DPC done this year and how?
Wednesday November 01, 2023 Opinion The November Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting is the last one for 2023. It’s a good to time to take stock and ask ‘What have we achieved this year and have we worked well together?’.
Hopeful pilgrims at Rome Synod
Opinion My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, greeting from Rome. As I write these words, the first session of the XVI Synod of Bishops still has a full week to run.
Memories of Israel, near Gaza
Four years ago, I visited Sderot and other small communities in Israel which lie close to the northern border of the Gaza strip. The woman who showed us around had lived in a moshav (small agricultural community) of 900 people for over 20 years. Her children, the eldest turning 18, had slept in bomb shelters for most of their young lives.
Memories of Israel, near Gaza
Opinion Four years ago, I visited Sderot and other small communities in Israel which lie close to the northern border of the Gaza strip. Caritas worker killed in Gaza church blast Faithful urged to 'pray the news' Evolution not revolution: Synod briefing National award for rural educator A mindful walk to bush Mass The woman who showed us around had lived in a moshav (small agricultural community) of 900 people for over 20 years.
Building up a vocational 'symphony'
Opinion St Joseph, the patron of the universal Church, was many things. In particular, he was a dreamer. God’s plan for him was revealed in dreams. God sustained him in his mission through his dreams. Living the Marist mission at home and abroad Proud to be part of schools growth Steering a synodal caravan A simple hello Book swap initiative encourages reading at home Joseph learnt not simply to follow his own will but to do the will of God, God’s dream, in dreams.
Steering a synodal caravan
Opinion Last year I wrote an article for The Southern Cross that likened synodality to a family road trip. These days, I’m thinking about synodality more like a caravan of several families on a road trip together.
A simple hello - The Southern Cross
Opinion People experiencing homelessness, the rental affordability crisis and increasing the JobSeeker payment are all topics gaining attention in the political arena at the moment, but as we know they are never going to be the platforms on which parties win or lose an election.
Statement urges Catholics to encounter Jesus the Jew
Opinion ‘Catholic identity is intimately linked to the faith of Israel...Jesus was Jewish and our Christian tradition grew from within First Century CE Judaism.’ Book swap initiative encourages reading at home Fit for a purpose Mary and Elizabeth, women for all time Lucy's long service to education Letter to the editor These are the opening words of a new document on Catholic-Jewish relations launched by the Australian Catholic Bishops in March at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney.
Mary and Elizabeth, women for all time
Opinion According to Luke’s Gospel, it is immediately after her conversation with the Angel Gabriel that Mary sets off ‘with haste’ to visit her kinswoman Elizabeth in the hill country of Judaea. The beautiful image chosen for this year’s Marian Procession features the encounter between the two women – the older woman heavily pregnant and the younger still in the earliest stages of pregnancy.
Letter to the editor
Book swap initiative encourages reading at home Statement urges Catholics to encounter Jesus the Jew Fit for a purpose Mary and Elizabeth, women for all time Lucy's long service to education Artwork I write in reference to your article ‘Easter traditions live on’, page 5 of April 2023 on Voitre Marek. He certainly must be considered one of South Australia’s greatest artists.
Easter reminds us of the power of faith
Archbishop O'Regan at the Ecumenical Palm Sunday procession. Picture: Ben Macmahon Referring to the Easter gospel story of the journey to Emmaus, Archbishop O’Regan says Jesus helps two disciples to “find the compass that literally turns their life around”. “We don’t know what ever happened to these two disciples, except that they wanted to share it immediately with others,” he said. “They might not have had social media to get the message out but get the message out they did.
Stumbling on the path to reconciliation
Opinion There are some worrying signs that the Albanese Government is rushing into a referendum on whether an Indigenous Voice to Parliament should be enshrined in the Constitution.
Guiding children through the Passion
Opinion One Easter, not long after moving to Australia from the United States, my husband and I made a big mistake. We bought our children bikes so that they could play outside but they took it as a sign that Easter was a time for receiving gifts. Every Easter since they have provided us with a wish list and we find ourselves in an unwanted battle.
Antisemitism and Writers Week - why Catholics should care
Opinion Are Catholics in Adelaide concerned about antisemitism being normalised by the decision of Adelaide Writers Week (AWW) to platform two writers whose social media comments have been called out by Jewish leaders and a handful of journalists for engaging in vile abuse towards Jews?
Five ways to avoid Anti-Judaism this Lent
Astute Christian homilists and teachers know that one of the challenges of ‘breaking open’ the Scriptures during Lent, and especially Holy Week, is to do so without inadvertently wandering onto well-worn paths of anti-Jewish messaging. The accusation that “the Jews killed Jesus” — with its manifold expressions and violent consequences — is, tragically, a fact of Christian history, with shockwaves still felt in the present.
Why the Catholic Church does not seek to ‘convert’ Jews
By Peter Wertheim and Teresa Pirola In two CW articles (5,12/3/23), Fr John Flader writes about the conversion of Jews to Christianity in such a way as to give the impression that the Catholic Church advocates missionary activity towards Jews, and that Jews need to embrace Jesus to be saved. This impression is wrong on both counts.
Shifting views of Israel and Palestine
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is multi-dimensional, has deep roots and no easy answers. Who is the oppressor? Who is the oppressed? It all depends upon the lens you look through at any given moment. And our view is continually shifting as we make our way from East and West Jerusalem to Bethlehem, from Jericho to Ramallah, from the Gaza border to Tel Aviv.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Teresa
Contact Teresa, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack