The Affinity Intercultural Foundation invites you to attend our upcoming lecture to be delivered by Bishop Anthony Fisher from Parramatta Catholic Diocese

Bishop Anthony will address the topic of “Reflections on World Youth Day and Challenges for Australian Youth Today” 

In an age of abundant information and commercial attraction, what are the major challenges the youth face today ? Bishop Anthony Fisher will share his experience as the co-ordinator of World Youth Day (WYD) 2008, when it was held in Sydney. He will explore some of the struggles the youth of  Australia are facing and provide suggestions to help them face their challenges today. The WYD and other initiatives of religious and civil communities are all seeking to address the common problems in their own particular way. He will reflect on how understandings and responses in this area cast light on the common ground – the affinities – between multi-faith community that make up society today.

This is a unique opportunity to hear Bishop Anthony Fisher present his knowledge and experience in youth related matters.

Date:     Wednesday, 14th of March 2012

Time:    7pm

Venue:  Suite 5, 3-5 Station Rd, Auburn NSW
RSVP:    registrations@affinity.org.au or call 02 9702 0789

Cost:     Free entry

Light refreshments will be available

Bishop Anthony’s Short Biography

In 1985, Bishop Anthony entered the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), a religious order dedicated to preaching the Catholic faith in the context of a life of study, prayer and community. He studied for the priesthood in Melbourne, receiving an honours degree in Theology. He worked for a time on immigration and refugee issues at Uniya, a centre for social research in Kings Cross, and was ordained a priest at Holy Name Parish, Wahroonga, on 14 September 1991.

Thereafter, Bishop Anthony completed a Doctorate in Bioethics at the University of Oxford. From 1995 to 2000 he was a lecturer in the Australian Catholic University. From 2000 to 2003 he was foundation Director of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and the Family, Melbourne. Bishop Anthony remains Professor of Moral Theology and Bioethics in the Institute. He is also Deputy-Chancellor of the Catholic Institute of Sydney and Adjunct Professor in the University of Notre Dame Australia.

In the Dominican Order he was the Master of Students (seminarians) and Socius (deputy) to the Provincial. In 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney. In that archdiocese he was Episcopal Vicar for Life and Health and Chairman of the Catholic Schools Board. He is also Chairman of the Catholic Education Commission of New South Wales, a member of the Australian Bishops’ Commission for Doctrine and Morals, the Bishops’ Commission for Health and Community Services and the Pontifical Academy for Life.

From 2003-2010 Bishop Anthony was Parish Priest of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Watsons Bay. His community involvements have included: Chaplain to the Parliament of Victoria; member of the Infertility Treatment Authority of Victoria; chair or member of several hospital ethics committees; and chaplain to various organisations such as the Order of Malta. He has published extensively in bioethics and moral theology.

He was Co-ordinator of World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney.

On 8 January 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Anthony the third Bishop of Parramatta.