Australia's maturity as a nation is being held back by our lack of willingness to tackle poverty and human rights, according to Victorian Attorney-General, Rob Hulls, launching Anti-Poverty Week.

Former PM Paul Keating has spoken out strongly against the proposed Notre Dame Uni re-development of two Sydney churches, declaring: "If it's a case of God or dollars, let's have God without the dollars."

Jesuit Superior General Fr Peter Hans Kolvenbach SJ, has reaffirmed the order's commitment to the 'Church of the Laity' and is to visit Australia in December, Fr Mark Raper SJ says.

A group of ordained and lay people from Maitland Newcastle have just launched a new website, pearlseekers.com.au , as a forum for community discussion on spirituality for those who feel outside of Church.