The role of record-keeping is close to the centre of what the royal commission into abuse is all about: the battle between the Closed and the Open Society.

The conclave gathering to replace Pope Benedict XVI, who resigns today, is a crisis conclave. Can reform emerge?

The next pope will need to come to grips with the generations of systemic sexual abuse within the Catholic church. But in Australia, the spotlight is now on the credibility of protocols set up by the church to handle ...

When kids think being smart is not part of their identity, they fail. One indigenous educator’s story of school transformation.

A royal commission into child sexual abuse could go a long way to acknowledging the pain of victims, and allowing Christians to once more have faith in their institutions. But how should the terms of inquiry be ...

From her home, Irris Makler could hear the unmistakable BOOM that meant it was time to grab her gear and head out towards the carnage.

In a video interview, a former board member of Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art argues something is rotten at the school.

I look therefore iPhone. For British artist David Hockney the view, whether vignette or sweeping, is constantly evolving.

In the Iran of the Ayatollahs, he was a Jew, a writer, a doctor performing abortions, and eventually, reluctantly, a spy.

Robert Connolly's new film explores the dark and brilliant youth of Assange, "one of the more significant figures of the 21st century".

An undeclared war within Islam is playing out in Syria, as popular uprisings get tangled in old religious feuds.

Robert Hughes was an explorer — of language, history, art, and of what was worthy (or not) of our serious attention.

Queensland is axing amazingly successful youth music programs. Conductor Simone Young brings down her baton on Campbell Newman's cuts.

Majok Tulba was of no use to the rebels who would have made him a child fighter. Ten years on, his debut novel takes the measure of those soldiers.

Before he was a year old, Bob Morgan had experienced what it was like to go from the top to the bottom of society.

A path to discovering the magic of Nobel-winning Australian author Patrick White, born a century ago.

France has just joined the UK and New Zealand in legislating for marriage equality. How long until same-sex Australians can marry, too? Check out the story of Arthur and John, a couple on a long campaign trail.

Washington social justice lobbyist Sister Simone Campbell talks about The Vatican's crackdown on the activities of US Catholic nuns.

Essayist Peter Robb gives us divine 'Lives'.

Australian culture, once derided as an oxymoron, might emerge with new strengths depending on the focus of a new national policy.

Australian actor Kym Vercoe is haunted by atrocities that happened in a hotel where she slept as a tourist. Now she's making a film about it.

With La Traviata on Sydney Harbour and plans for an opera in a footy stadium, opera-lovers are trying to create more opera lovers. But will it work?

Rowan Williams tried to navigate the tumult of a church divided — but the just resigned Archbishop of Canterbury never succeeded.

Mmm… The Simpsons. When it’s good it’s better than doughnuts. When it’s not … remember it’s TV’s longest-running, possibly most influential sitcom.

The answer these days is: not your grandmother’s opera. Young Australian producers are giving an old art form new vibrance.

Philosopher and atheist Alain de Botton talks about his new book — about religion.

With the sudden death of art historian Dr Boitran Huynh-Beattie, Australia has lost a remarkable moral leader.

When the Vatican effectively sacked an admired bishop, it raised questions about justice and Roman discipline.

The interior of Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona invites a reconsideration of his place in the history of architecture.

Out, damned mainstream review! Bloggers are rising up to tell Sydney theatre lovers what they really think of the latest plays, with no punches pulled.