Australian Catholic Communications Congress

Come to the Congress! People working in Catholic communications — in a parish, a diocese, a religious order, agency or media organisation – are strongly encouraged to attend the 2018 Australian Catholic Communications Congress. The Congress is an opportunity to learn practical media skills, to establish new networks and to be inspired in your work as part of the Catholic Church’s critical mission to speak the truth of the Gospel into the world.

The theme of the 2018 Congress is “Communicating Hope and Trust”, inspired by Pope Francis’s message for World Communications Day 2017. It acknowledges that both hope and trust are in short supply today, including – or especially – when it comes to media and communications. The Congress will examine how those working in the Catholic Church can do their best to restore some hope and trust in the world.

For the first time, the Australian Catholic Communications Congress is being held in partnership with the Australasian Catholic Press Association Conference, which attracts leading journalists, editors and communications experts from across Australia and New Zealand.

An initiative of the Australian Catholic Media Council, the Congress will take place at the Rydges South Bank from September 5-7, 2018. It is the largest regular gathering of Australian Catholic media, diocesan communication professionals, secular journalists and parishioners with up to 200 delegates attending previous Congresses in 2009, 2012 and 2015. Greg Erlandson, a former Vatican journalist and current Editor-in-Chief of the US-based Catholic News Service, will deliver a keynote address at the event, alongside exceptional Australian communicators from a range of areas.

Masterclasses will allow delegates to hone particular skills, while the networking opportunities, including the Congress dinner, will offer the chance to share stories with others working in this critical area for the Catholic Church.