iwitness conference 2026

Thursday 10th December to

Sunday 13th December

Past
SPEAKERS

Sam Clear

Walk for One: A Testimony

Ahead of 2008 World Youth Day, motivated by the desire to invite people to pray and work towards Christian unity, walked 15,600km on foot through South America, Central America & North America, across Siberia by train, and on foot again from Moscow to the western most point of Spain.

The walk4one, for unity, thrust Sam onto the front page of numerous overseas news services as he persevered despite exceptional adversity. Having to find food & water every day was the least of his worries: he was threatened at gun point three times, robbed at knife point, beaten up on the side of the road, came face to face with dangerous animals, was hospitalised many times and endured extreme temperatures.

Sam has now presented the lessons from this epic adventure in over 700 businesses and high schools around Australia, New Zealand the United States. His tale is one of extraordinary courage, challenges and love in action under incredible circumstances.

Bp. Tony Percy

The Early Church:

Lives Transformed by the Resurrection

Bishop Tony Percy, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney, brings his deep pastoral experience and theological insight to this reflection on the transformative power of the Resurrection.

Born in Sydney and raised in Cooma, Bishop Tony has served the Church in a wide variety of roles , including as Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd (2008–2014), Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Canberra–Goulburn (2015–2022), and Parish Priest across multiple parishes. His wisdom and witness remind us that the story of the Early Church is not ancient history, it’s the story we are still called to live.

Fr Ronnie Maree

Doctors and Martyrs of the Church: The Transformation is Ongoing

Fr Ronnie Maree, Parish Priest of St Anthony of Padua, Austral, is known for his warmth, and deep love for the faith. Before his ordination, Fr Ronnie served on the iWitness team and later as its chaplain, making his return as a speaker a homecoming of sorts.

In this talk, Fr Ronnie explores how the heroic witness of the Doctors and Martyrs of the Church continues to shape the life of every Christian today. Their courage, intellect, and fidelity invite us to rediscover what it means to be transformed by grace and to keep that transformation alive in our time.

Tania Rimac

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Model of Discipleship

With a heart for mission and renewal, Tania Rimac serves in the Parish Renewal Team at the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation, helping parishes grow in evangelisation and missionary vitality.

A graduate of the inaugural cohort of the Arete Centre for Missionary Leadership, Tania combines practical leadership experience with a deep Marian devotion. In this session, she reflects on Our Lady of Guadalupe as the perfect model of discipleship — one who receives, believes, and bears Christ to the world.

Tania holds a Bachelor of Management (Hospitality), is a wife and mother of three, and loves a good road trip and hike in her downtime.

Fr Bijoy Joseph

The Tree of Virtue and Vice: Poverty, Chastity and Obedience

Ordained in Sydney in 2022, Fr Bijoy Joseph brings intellectual depth and pastoral warmth to his ministry. He currently teaches Liturgy at the Catholic Institute of Sydney and serves as Assistant Priest at St Joachim’s, Lidcombe.

Formerly the Chaplain of iWitness 2024, Fr Bijoy has a long connection with the community and now serves as Chaplain to the Sumner House of Discernment. His talk explores the three evangelical counsels —poverty, chastity, and obedience — as the living roots of virtue that keep us grounded and growing in freedom.

Fr Greg Morgan

The Holy Spirit: The Paraclete

Philosopher, theologian, and parish priest — Fr Greg Morgan is as comfortable in the pulpit as he is lecturing at Oxford or Cambridge. Ordained at 24 (Australia’s youngest priest at the time), Fr Greg has served across Sydney, the UK, and rural Australia, completing advanced degrees in Philosophy and Theology, including a doctorate at the University of Oxford. His first book, Natural Law & the Secular Mythos, was published by Bloomsbury Academic Press. He is currently working on a second book, The Heart of Identity, which explores the philosophical, historical, and political breakdown in language and anthropology, seeking to offer a pathway forward based upon an alternate cultural manifesto.

He currently serves as Parish Priest of St Catherine Labouré, Gymea, and lectures in Philosophy and Ethics at the University of Notre Dame and the Catholic Institute of Sydney.

In this talk, Fr Greg delves into the mystery of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, the Comforter and Advocate who breathes life into the Church and into every believer’s heart.

Ben & Andrea Galea

You Were Made For Such A Time As This

Every generation is called to rise, to live with conviction, courage, and clarity of purpose. In this inspiring final session, Ben and Andrea explore what it means to trust that God has created each of us for this exact moment in history.

Ben currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for the upcoming International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney 2028. His leadership journey includes serving as National Leader of the Young Men of God Movement, contributing to the organisation of World Youth Day 2008 attended by Pope Benedict XVI, and a distinguished career with BaptistCare focused on faith-driven service and community impact.

Andrea Galea is a devoted mother of 4, who after many years of raising young children decided to dedicate time to volunteering in her children’s schools.

That led to the opportunity for Andrea to represent her diocese in the Council of Catholic School Parents (NSW).

Andrea works at Mount Carmel Retreat Center which supports the Catholic Youth Mission Team going out to schools leading retreats and forming students.

Together they will share their experience of discerning vocation, leading with faith, and finding purpose in the everyday.