The Australian Holy Shroud Conference, held at the Liverpool Catholic Club in Sydney over 27 and 28 June, was a powerful gathering that explored the mystery of Jesus through one of the most studied relics of the Catholic Church: The Shroud of Turin.
More than 300 participants were welcomed by Fr Brendan Murphy SDB, president of the conference’s organising committee and Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Rosary in St Marys. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in the 14 months of preparation that led to the event.
The conference featured renowned speakers, including Fr Andrew Dalton, William West, David Rolfe, and Dr Paul Morrissey, president of Campion College.
Fr Brendan said the Shroud had “enormous power”, especially on younger people who were curious about its authenticity.
“It’s just a joy to see this conference happen, because the Shroud is so potentially powerful as an evangelising instrument,” he said, “especially on young people”.
The Shroud bears the image of a man believed to be Jesus, with wounds that correspond to those described in the Gospels. Participants heard keynote talks that delved into both the scientific findings and theological teachings surrounding the Shroud. A world-class exhibition provided a life-sized replica and interactive displays, allowing attendees to engage with the historical and scriptural dimensions of this sacred cloth.
Young members of our Diocese were among those deeply moved by the experience.
Klarisa Blazevic, from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, St Marys, shared: “Standing before the replica of the Shroud was like standing at the foot of the Cross. It’s not just a piece of cloth – it’s a silent witness to love, suffering, and hope.”
Dr Paul Morrissey, president of Campion College, giving a talk at the conference. Image: Patrick J. Lee/ Catholic Weekly
She added: “We came here seeking answers, but what we found was something deeper – a renewed sense of faith. The Shroud invites us to look beyond the surface and encounter Christ in a profoundly intimate way.”
For Cristina De Paz, from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, the conference came at a meaningful time in her life.
“I am incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to be sponsored to attend the Shroud conference. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was met with a world-class exhibit from Othonia that tied the Shroud to the burial cloths of Jesus and pointed our hope towards heaven.”
She was especially impacted by the talk from international speaker Fr Andrew Dalton.
“Fr Andrew Dalton unpacked the Shroud scripturally in such a beautiful way – it made the miracle of the resurrection tangible and real. It’s one thing to believe through faith, and another to have physical evidence that reassures the parts of us that may waver in doubt, like St Thomas.”
Fr Brendan Murphy SDB, head of the Conference Organising Committee and Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Rosary in St Marys. Image: Patrick J. Lee/ Catholic Weekly
The conference also welcomed journalist William West, who challenged the controversial 1988 carbon dating results in his presentation, “The Shroud Rises: As the Carbon Date is Buried.” His talk opened up new perspectives on the Shroud’s authenticity and its role in evangelisation.
Qwayne Guevara, who had visited Turin in 2023 after World Youth Day in Lisbon, said that “the intersection of faith and science has always fascinated me. From a young age, the Shroud represented the truth that Jesus Christ was truly human and walked on this earth. For many scientists to engage with the relic with such curiosity, even non-believers, speaks of every human heart that yearns for beauty and truth, and I think there’s a witness of God in that pursuit.”
For Fr Brendan Murphy, this was the culmination of months of work. Following the success of the conference, he hoped there would be an organisation formed to promote the Shroud in other dioceses.
“There seems to be an appetite, for people are wanting the exhibit in various places. This is the start, not the end.”
Speakers at the conference included (from left) Dr Paul Morrissey, David Rolfe, William West and Fr Andrew Dalton. Image: Patrick J. Lee/ Catholic Weekly
In the lead up to the event, he discussed with Catholic Outlook the importance of the Shroud.
“I think it’s about the most eloquent witness to the suffering of Christ, which therefore says God is good, God is love.”
He said that through the existence of the Shroud, you get a “real sense of the crucifixion and what it must have cost”.
This made it especially important for evangelisation, catechesis and conversion through what it says to people about the nature of God, he said.
“What is God like? The Shroud says what God is like.”
You can read more about the Shroud at the conference website.
The Shroud Conference aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priority of ‘Prayer’, and the objective of ‘a Church Renewed in Spirit and Prayer’.
