Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery for Inter-religious Dialogue
Background: The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue supports Pope Francis’ ministry of dialogue with followers of other religions. It is the central office of the Church for the promotion of interreligious dialogue in accordance with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, in particular the declaration Nostra aetate. It is responsible for promoting mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration between Catholics and followers of other religious traditions; encouraging the study of religions; and promoting the formation of persons dedicated to dialogue.
Context: The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, presided over by Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot M.C.C.J., President, held its Plenary Session in Rome on the theme “Interreligious dialogue and conviviality,” on 6-8 June 2022. The theme was addressed through presentations by Dicastery members from different geographical areas, including Bishop Michael McKenna, and through moments of reflection and exchange between the participants.
The following is a summary of Bishop Michael McKenna’s intervention at the Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery for Inter-religious Dialogue held in Rome from 6 to 8 June 2022
Australia is a self-consciously multi-cultural nation of immigrants, who began arriving on the continent 234 years ago. In the context of our theme of “conviviality”, these were uninvited guests, who then behaved badly. Today, we are walking with the first peoples of our land on a journey of reconciliation. Some of the insights into the possibilities and difficulties of living together, in diverse situations around the world, that we have listened to at this meeting offer us wisdom worth pondering.
The part of the world we call Oceania is already experiencing the effects of climate change in more catastrophic floods and fires and droughts. The island nations of the western Pacific are existentially threatened by rising sea levels. As we gather here to talk about living together in human fraternity, the words of Pope Francis about caring for our “common home” impel us to more fervent cooperation.
The largest and fastest growing religious group in Australia is, as we have heard to be so in other countries represented at this meeting, “no religion”. This is sometimes accompanied by an aggressively secularist push to drive religion from public discourse, or even to seek to restrict religious activities. More deeply, it is accompanied by a loss of confidence in the possibility of transcendent truth. This offers an opportunity for serious interreligious dialogue in which believers of different traditions can meet one another as fellow seekers after truth, sharing with one another the nourishment of what they have learnt along the way.
+Michael McKenna
Bishop of Bathurst
June 2022

Bishop Michael McKenna with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle attending the Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery for Inter-religious Dialogue held in Rome from 6 to 8 June 2022

Messages
2022
Bishop McKenna’s Easter Message 2022
Bishop McKenna’s Lenten Message
2021
Bishop McKenna’s Christmas Message 2021
Bishop McKenna’s Easter Message
Bishop McKenna’s Lenten Message
A message from Bishop McKenna on the death of Fr Tim Cahill – 8 January 2021
2020
A message from Bishop McKenna on the death of Fr Joseph Dooley P.E. – 25 December 2020
Bishop McKenna’s Christmas Message 2020
Bishop McKenna appoints Fr Reynold Jaboneta Parish Priest of Oberon
A message from Bishop McKenna on the occasion of Id al-fitr
Bishop McKenna’s Easter Message 2020
A Letter to the Pastors and People of the Diocese of Bathurst “Pray and Serve”
“The Mass Continues” A Letter from Bishop McKenna 23 March 2020
All public Masses in the Diocese cancelled from 21 March 2020
A Letter from Bishop McKenna to the People of the Diocese – COVID19
Bishop McKenna’s Lenten Message 2020
Bishop McKenna’s Homily (edited) for the Oridnation of Fr Dong Van Nguyen and Fr Karl Sinclair
2019
Bishop McKenna’s Christmas Message
Bishop McKenna’s Pastoral Letter – Lead Kindly Light
Bishop McKenna’s Advent Message 2019
A message from Bishop McKenna on Child Protection Sunday
COMMUNION AND FORMATION ~ Bishop Michael McKenna reflects on his Ad Limina visit 2019
A statement from Bishop McKenna in relation to proposed changes to abortion laws in NSW
A message from Bishop McKenna for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday 2019
A message from Bishop McKenna on Good Shepherd Sunday
Bishop requests the Diocese to unite in prayer for Sri Lanka
EASTER 2019 – A message from Bishop McKenna
Bishop McKenna’s Lenten Message
2018
Bishop McKenna’s Christmas Message
A message from Bishop McKenna in relation to the National Apology
A message from Bishop McKenna on NATSI Sunday 2018
A message from Bishop McKenna – The Fifth Australian Plenary Council
A Message from Bishop McKenna from the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conference Oceania, PNG
Bishop McKenna’s Easter Message 2018
Bishop McKenna’s Lenten Message 2018
2017
Bishop McKenna’s Christmas Message
Bishop McKenna’s Advent Message 2017
Let’s discover the gift of the Rosary
Fr Antony Vattakkunnel appointed as Priest in Residence, Coonamble
New Appointments to the Diocese of Bathurst
Bishop McKenna’s Easter Message 2017
Bishop McKenna’s Lenten Message 2017
2016
Bishop McKenna’s 2016 Christmas Message
Prayer the Chuch’s Banquet – Pastoral Letter 2016
Bishop McKenna’s Child Protection Sunday 2016 Message
Statement regarding St Joseph’s House, Perthville
Bishop McKenna visits Nagaland
Bishop McKenna’s Easter Message 2016
Pope Francis’ Lenten Message 2016
2015
Bishop McKenna’s Christmas Message 2015
God the Father of Mercies – Pastoral Letter 2015
Bishop McKenna’s Avent Message 2015
Bishop McKenna’s Reflections on the Diocesan Pilgrimage
A Message from Bishop McKenna for Social Justice Sunday 2015
A message from Bishop McKenna on the death of Father Doug Akehurst cm
The Sacrament of Penance and Abortions
Deacons for the Diocese of Bathurst
Bishop’s pastoral message about Christian Marriage
Bishop McKenna welcomes Pope Francis’ encyclical: Care for Our Common Home
Bishop’s Easter Message for 2015
Bishop Appoints College of Consultors and Clergy Appointments Board
Bishop McKenna appoints new Vicar General
Bishop’s Lenten Message for 2015
2014
Bishop’s Homily – Requiem Mass – Mons John Frawley – 30th December 2014
A message from Bishop McKenna on the death Mons. John Frawley
Bishop’s Christmas Message 2014
Bishop Michael McKenna advises of Clergy appointments in the Diocese
Bishop’s Message to God’s People of the Diocese of Bathurst
Prayer Request for Synod – Sunday 28th September
Homily for Father Aeneas Francis (Hugh) Delaney
Bishop’s Message for Vocations Awareness Week 2014
The Spirit Comes to help us in our weakness – Pastoral Letter – Pentecost 2014
Good Shepherd Sunday – May 2014
Josephite Fusion – May 2014 – Homily
Bishop’s Easter Message for 2014
Bishop’s Homily – Chrism Mass 2014
Bishop’s Lenten Message for 2014
Homily – Mass for 150th anniversary of Dean John Grant’s death
2013
Bishop’s Christmas Message 2013
In the Beginning, the Word – Pastoral Letter to God’s People of the Diocese of Bathurst
Thank God for the Diocesan Assembly
Bishop McKenna’s Easter Message
Bishop McKenna’s Lenten Message
2012
Bishop’s Christmas Message ~ 2012
Message to the People of the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst
Message for Child Protection Week
Message for National Vocations Awareness Week 2012
“Rebuild My Church” – Pastoral Letter – September 2012
Funding Cuts to Catholic Schools – September 2012
Bishop McKenna’s Message for the Year of Grace
2011