About

Father Frank Brennan is a Jesuit priest and the current Rector of Newman College within the University of Melbourne. He is a man of many talents and interests, having worked variously as a Jesuit priest within the Catholic Church, a human rights lawyer, a professor of law at Australian Catholic University, and CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia. He is a National Living Treasure, and widely known to the Australian public through his long career of leadership and advocacy on a range of human rights and social justice issues relating to asylum seekers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged both in Australia and abroad. In this interview, Nick and Frank discuss: Frank’s early life and education in Queensland, and the influences of his mother and father on his life Frank’s ordination within the Catholic Church and the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) The impact of Jesuit Pope Francis on the Catholic Church, particularly with regard to environmental issues The future of the Catholic Church globally Frank’s early work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Redfern, Sydney, and the influence of Father Ted Kennedy on Frank’s formation The development of Australian land law, with reference to the Australian High Court’s Mabo and Wik Peoples decisions Practical policy steps towards Reconciliation, the Australian Constitution, and First Nations Peoples Frank’s work with refugees and asylum seekers, and his experiences in East Timor and with the 2001 Tampa case Migration policy changes for a more humane and ethical Australia Frank’s understanding of Jesus Christ, and how this has informed his work with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our communities The daily work of a priest, and death and dying in the COVID-19 pandemic Frank’s views on education in the 21st century, and his hopes and vision for Newman College Follow Fr Frank Brennan on Facebook and Twitter