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In the New Testament, Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep.

Jesus’ sense of humour shines in his parables

The message of Jesus came in story form, often with a side dose of humour.

  • Jim Pilmer

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Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence in the film Conclave.

Who will be the next pope?

The release of the film Conclave has once again thrown the spotlight on one of the most arcane, storied and secretive events in human history: the election of a new pope.

  • Rob Harris
Sister Simona Brambilla in 2019.

Francis names the first woman to head a major Vatican office. Then gives her a male co-leader

Italian nun Sister Simona Brambilla will be responsible for every religious order, from Jesuit and Franciscan priests to the Mercy nuns and smaller movements.

  • Nicole Winfield
Church elders failed to report allegations a woman had been sexually abused by her stepfather, who was a member of the church, as a teenager.

‘He confessed everything’: Jehovah’s Witness elders ignored child sexual abuse allegations

One woman’s tenacity in the face of decades of denial has sent her stepfather to jail for nearly 10 years.

  • Amber Schultz
Shen Yun has been forced to issue a statement that their dancers are based in the USA.

How Shen Yun tapped religious fervour to make a fortune

The dance group has accumulated enormous wealth, in large part by getting followers of the Falun Gong religious movement to work free and pay its bills.

  • Michael Rothfeld and Nicole Hong
Anecdotally it seems many adult Australians also plan to abstain from drinking in the new year.

My New Year’s resolution is to give up alcohol. Many Australians will be joining me

New Year’s resolutions are a good if minor example of our need for optimism. They speak of a sense of hope that we can change ourselves. And in changing ourselves we can change the world.

  • Barney Zwartz
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My friend would have hated what was said at his funeral

The church would do well to acknowledge its own sins.

  • Anson Cameron
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann at the Pillars of Light celebration at Federation Square on Wednesday evening.

Festival of Lights much needed for Melbourne’s Jewish community

Jewish leaders say it has been a tough year but the arrival of Hanukkah – on the same day as Christmas – is helping to lift spirits.

  • Benjamin Preiss
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door to mark the opening of the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, or Jubilee, in St Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican on Christmas Eve.

Pope opens new Jubilee year when pilgrims can obtain special indulgences

Some 32 million tourists are expected to walk through the “Holy Door” just opened by Francis at St Peter’s. He’s asked all to have courage to better the world.

  • Joshua McElwee
Christmas around the world.
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Christmas 2024 around the world – in pictures

Here is how Christmas is being celebrated in Australia and around the world.

Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/topic/religion-616