Archbishop Shane Mackinlay

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Archbishop Shane Mackinlay

Archbishop Shane Mackinlay is the Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane and leads the Catholic Church in South East Queensland.

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28/05/2026

Last week, I celebrated my first annual ‘Archbishop's Mass’ at the Cathedral of St Stephen. This Mass brings together those who serve in various formal roles in the Archdiocese of Brisbane, and is a celebration that focuses on our whole community. Across our Archdiocese, people contribute in many different ways. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, yet it is vital to the life of the Church. Each contribution helps our parishes, schools and agencies to live out the Gospel and proclaim God’s love in the world. The ‘Archbishop’s Mass’ is an opportunity to express my thanks for all that our many workers do in service of the life of the Archdiocese across our communities, ministries and agencies. Let us pray that God will continue to build up unity among us, so that we may grow in our connection to one another and to the mission that has been entrusted to us.

26/05/2026

I am delighted to receive Pope Leo's reflections on artificial intelligence and other dimensions of our digital age. Like him, I celebrate the great capacity for human innovation and creativity reflected in these new developments. Pope Leo reminds us of the profound importance of ensuring that any development enhances our humanity rather than detracting from it. The human person and our shared life in community needs to remain our central focus, and the essential consideration in our decision-making. I look forward to reflecting further on the place of artificial intelligence in our lives, and on ways that we can use it to enrich our life together, so that we are builders of the holy city that Pope Leo so inspiringly and prophetically calls us to.

The Catholic Leader have provided a download of Magnifica Humanitas here https://bit.ly/4ac6aH9

17/05/2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Dr Sally Towns, former Executive Director of Brisbane Catholic Education, died peacefully yesterday surrounded by her family.

This news will come as a great shock and sorrow to many across our Archdiocese and the wider Catholic education community. Sally was a woman of deep faith, extraordinary dedication and immense courage. Over more than thirty years of service to Catholic education, including the last four years as Executive Director of Brisbane Catholic Education, Sally devoted her life to the formation, care and education of young people.

Sally’s death is a profound loss for all who knew her. At this difficult time, I ask that you join me in holding Sally's family, friends and colleagues in our prayers. We also remember the many staff and school communities who worked closely with Sally and who will feel this loss deeply.

As people of faith, we entrust Sally to the loving mercy of God, whom she served so faithfully throughout her life.

May Sally rest in the peace of Christ.

12/05/2026

I was recently in Childers to celebrate the centenary of St Joseph’s Primary School. This was arranged for the feast of St Joseph the Worker, which is a relatively recent feast day. It was introduced by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to complement the main feast of St Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on 19 March.

Pope Pius wanted to have a feast day that commemorates St Joseph as patron saint of workers, labourers and artisans. Celebrating the feast day of St Joseph the Worker highlights the dignity of human labour and St Joseph’s role as the carpenter who taught Jesus, sanctifying ordinary work. He is a model of humility and dedication to his craft.

The date for this feast was chosen to coincide with International Workers Day, which was established in the 1880s to commemorate the historic struggles and gains of the labour movement, particularly in promoting fair wages and safe working conditions. It is a day that is often focussed on issues like the cost of living, worker rights, and economic inequality.

While a Christian view of work endorses the importance of these issues, it adds the perspective of labour as sharing in God’s work of creation, and of work as an opportunity to fulfil the gifts and potential of each person. The feast of St Joseph the Worker is a wonderful occasion to give thanks for the vital role in our community of work and of workers.

06/05/2026

Each person deserves to live in safety, dignity and peace within their own home. Yet domestic and family violence remains a whole-of-community crisis and it demands a whole-of-community response. Across our Catholic parishes, ministries, schools and community agencies, we each have a vital role to play in prevention and care. We are called to stand with those who are vulnerable, to promote justice and to foster communities where every person is respected and safe. During Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month, I encourage all of us to reflect on how we can be part of this response through compassion, vigilance and a shared commitment to ending violence in all its forms. Together, let us build communities that reflect Christ’s love and hope for all.

29/04/2026

I was grateful to gather at the Cathedral of St Stephen with people of different faith traditions, united in prayer for our common home and for those already bearing the burden of climate change.

We heard and held in prayer the experiences of communities in the Kimberley, the Torres Strait and across the Pacific, where the impacts are not abstract but deeply felt in culture, health and daily life.

As people of faith, we are called not only to recognise these realities but to respond with compassion, solidarity and hope. Our prayer also turned to those entrusted with leadership, especially as international discussions continue on the transition from fossil fuels, that their decisions may be guided by wisdom and a commitment to the good of all.

In this Easter season, we entrust these concerns to God, asking for the grace to act justly, to care for creation and to walk together in hope.

20/04/2026

Today marks the first anniversary of the passing of Pope Francis. He has left an extraordinary legacy for us. He was joyful, approachable, committed to simplicity, and passionate about God's mercy and love for all people, especially those who are on the peripheries. In world affairs, his clear and prophetic leadership on care for the earth, listening to the cry of the poor, and building solidarity was enormously valuable. Within the Church, he led us to focus on the Gospel, and to develop synodal ways of ensuring that all the baptised can participate and contribute to the Church's mission. As Pope Leo helps us to build on Pope Francis' leadership, we will deepen our appreciation for his wonderful contribution.

17/04/2026

Congratulations to Bishop René Ramirez RCJ on his appointment as the next Bishop of Sandhurst, which was announced last weekend! I’m always interested in who is being appointed as bishop, but I was particularly interested in the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst appointment, because Bishop René will fill the vacancy that I left when I became Archbishop of Brisbane. Bishop René is currently an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. He had spent a year as a parish priest in Shepparton before becoming auxiliary bishop, so he is familiar with the people and priests of the Sandhurst Diocese, and his appointment is being warmly welcomed by them. When Bishop René is installed as the Bishop of Sandhurst at the end of July, that will bring to a resolution some of the loose ends that were created by my appointment as Archbishop of Brisbane. I think it will then be clearer for people in Sandhurst, and for me personally, that my time as Bishop of Sandhurst has ended, and that a new period is beginning for the Diocese. Whatever our service, ultimately it is not for our own projects, but as part of God’s mission. That is true for me, and for Bishop René, and for whoever will eventually be his successor.

14/04/2026

Easter week was one of the busiest times of the year for our parishes, with many special liturgies and ceremonies requiring great planning and collaboration. Across the Archdiocese, there was a wonderful sense of anticipation as we welcomed those baptised or received into the Church at Easter. During my time at the Cathedral for the Triduum, I was deeply moved by the reverence and prayerfulness of the celebrations. I am very grateful to all who helped make our Easter liturgies so meaningful, strengthening our faith in the God whose love triumphed over sin and death. As we continue through this Easter season toward Pentecost, may the joy of the resurrection remain alive in our hearts and communities.

04/04/2026

A happy Easter to you all! As we celebrate the mystery of Easter, we are reminded that God walks with us even through the darkest nights. The light of Christ’s resurrection brings new life, comfort and hope. I wish you and your families the peace, joy and hope that the risen Jesus offers to each of us on this Easter.

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Brisbane, QLD
4000

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+61733243200

Website

https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/

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