Sydney: Addressing a packed audience at the Sydney Catholic Business Network luncheon, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP delivered an uplifting and impassioned address declaring a “second spring” of faith blooming across Sydney and Australia. Framing the resurgence as more than just numbers, the Archbishop portrayed it as a spiritual reawakening deeply rooted in a growing desire for meaning, truth, and community in a fragmented world.
Archbishop Fisher revealed that the Archdiocese has witnessed a 26% increase in adult conversions to Catholicism—a trend he described as “remarkable and hopeful.” This surge, he noted, is especially pronounced among young adults and those who had previously drifted away from the Church.
“In an age marked by cynicism and secularism, people are rediscovering the sacred,” he said. “They are no longer content with the hollow promises of consumerism. They’re turning to Christ.”
This renewed interest, he added, is not merely confined to church pews. It is visible in growing Mass attendance, fuller pews during feasts and solemnities, and an influx of young families into Catholic schools.
A powerful symbol of this revival is the upcoming “Walk With Christ” Eucharistic procession. Scheduled for the Feast of Corpus Christi, the event is expected to gather more than 20,000 faithful through the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
Archbishop Fisher described the procession as “a beautiful public witness to our belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist,” and a sign of courage in a culture that often encourages faith to remain private. He emphasized the importance of such events in inspiring others and reinforcing communal identity.
The Archbishop cited a sharp rise in Catholic school enrolments as another major indicator of the Church’s revitalization. He commended educators and school communities for forming students not only academically, but spiritually and morally.
In parallel, Archbishop Fisher noted the success of digital evangelization. Catholic content creators—through podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram—are reaching millions globally, especially among younger generations who seek accessible yet authentic religious content.
“People are hungering for substance,” he said. “And through the digital continent, we are meeting them where they are, proclaiming eternal truths through modern means.”
The Archbishop drew comparisons with international developments. He referenced the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, where 5,500 new Christians were welcomed at Easter—one of the largest adult baptismal classes in decades. Similar patterns are emerging in Europe, Asia, and Africa, suggesting that this is not an isolated local phenomenon, but part of a broader spiritual renewal.
Despite growing secular pressures and the pain caused by past scandals, Archbishop Fisher stressed that the Church must remain forward-looking, pastoral, and fearless in proclaiming the Gospel. He challenged Catholic business leaders and professionals to be “bold witnesses of the faith in the public square.”
“This second spring is not a coincidence—it is grace,” he concluded. “Now we must nurture it. With prayer, action, and courage, we can help this revival take root and flourish.”
As Sydney embraces this momentum, the Catholic community stands at a crossroads of opportunity—called not only to celebrate its renewed vitality but to build upon it for the future of the Church and society.