1. Second World War / Post War Era 1945-1960
Worksheet 9
1950 was a boom time for Australian Catholics, numbers increased and the community had grown into a thriving Church based on the Irish model.
’s brought an enormous social change due to huge post-war influx of non-English speaking immigrants including more than one million Catholics from Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, Germany, Croatia, Hungary and other places. These Catholics had a different view of Church which didn’t fit the Irish mould.
What views of Church did the European Catholics bring to Australia that were so different to the Irish?
Did this cause conflict? Explain.
What Religions enriched Australia during this time?
Immigration after the Second World War affected the religious makeup of the Australian Population.
The Australian religious landscape has been enriched by:
- European
- Middle Eastern
- Asian
immigration.
Catholic and Protestant communities were still separated socially.
Protestants still clung to their conservative political and moral values.
Changes in approach to Aborigines were still influenced by paternalism.
Religious Community profiles
Religion in Australia -40
The Australian Church Story, page
Believing in Australia, pages
2006 HSC Course: Religion in Australia post-1945

2. Post-Christian Society 1961 -1990
Worksheet 10
The Australian Churches took up Social Justice issues:
e.g. Aboriginal social / political rights
land rights,
unemployment,
poverty,
while continuing with practical outreach services.
Protestant Churches lost their previous political power.
Catholic Church completed its divorce with the Labor party because of state aid to schools.
Majority of Australians had ceased attending Church.
Many weddings were conducted outside of the Church.
Even funerals were deserting the Churches for Crematorium Chapels.
A significant percentage of Australians claimed ‘no religion’. At the same time there were many indications of dissatisfaction with material values and searching for a spiritual dimension.
Vatican II brought about changes so rapid
and extensive that many Catholics were left confused
and disoriented. Many of the wounds
suffered have not yet fully healed.
Sectarian divisions that separated Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox believers began to break down.
What was Vatican II?
Name some of the changes
that Vatican II instigated.
Give some examples of the types of things people turned to in their search for a spiritual dimension to their life.
Religious Community profiles
Religion in Australia -40
The Australian Church Story, page
Believing in Australia, pages
2006 HSC Course: Religion in Australia post-1945

3. The changing face of Religion today
Worksheet 21
The changing face of Religion today
Today we live in a time of rapid socio-cultural change.
As societies change, we change in theological imagery. For example some images of God cease to make sense and to appeal, therefore, new images appear.
Some of the major socio-cultural changes that are reshaping our world today:
migration
cultural diversity
globalisation
economic transformation / decay / collapse / change
shifts in power allegiances /bases
rise of the post-family society
rise of post modernity
How do the changes listed affect Christian Australians’ belief or image of God?
Discuss.
2006 HSC Course: Religion in Australia post-1945
Religion in an age of change, pages

4. Immigration after World War II
Worksheet 23
Immigration after World War II
Note:
Between 1945 and 1989 more than 4 million migrants from 120 countries settled in Australia.
Indicate on the map the countries from which people immigrated to Australia after World War II until the present.
Present a key showing the different periods of time particular groups came to Australia.
Indicate the events that were behind the immigration of the particular groups.
2006 HSC Course: Religion in Australia post-1945