On Sunday 01 January 2023, the faithful began uniting in prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who had died at his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican on the eve of the new year at 7:34pm AEST. As in the words of the Archbishop of Melbourne, may he rest in gracious and gentle peace. On Tuesday 10 January 2023, we learned of the death of Cardinal George Pell from complications following surgery in Rome, Italy.
Archbishop Peter A Comensoli has written a pastoral letter regarding the lifting of the general dispensation from our Sunday and Holy Day obligations as of the first Sunday in Advent – 27 November 2022. The Bishops of Victoria have also written to the Catholic community in Victoria to provide a prayer and guide for the upcoming State Election.