The Record Newspaper 05 September 2007

Expecting

Seen as prelude to WYD, Benedict XVI proposes to over 500,000 youth a way of life that goes against the trend - not the success, power, arrogance or empty models promoted by the media, but the courageous model of Mary, solidarity and protection of creation

LORETO, Italy (Zenit.org/The Record) - A trip by Pope Benedict XVI to Loreto on Italy’s eastern coast was meant to be a moderate-sized event. The Pope was to have a question and answer session with about 800 youth in the “Agora” gathering; have some private reflection in the Holy House of Loreto in the morning and celebrate a Mass in the evening for roughly 200,000 youth.

What the Pope got, however, was a startling but no doubt refreshing reminder of the faith of the world’s youth: over half a million young people showed up to hear him speak. And he didn’t let them down.

Benedict XVI invited the half a million young people to go against the current in a world seduced by violence, despotism and “success at all costs.”

He also told them he was looking forward to seeing them at World Youth Day in Sydney next year.

The Pope’s appeal resounded at the closing Mass today in Loreto, where the Holy Father arrived on Saturday for Continued - Page 12

Greeting: Some of the

McGinty agrees to meet key Swedish policy architect

■

Attorney General Jim McGinty has agreed to meet Europe’s leading adviser on combating pros-

titution and human trafficking. Gunilla Ekberg, Sweden’s former Special Adviser on prostitution and human trafficking who played a key role in the country’s 1999 anti-prostitution law, arrives in Perth on September 16 and is set to address a public forum expected to be attended by MPs from both sides of Parliament at the University of Notre Dame on September 20.

Parish. The Nation. The World.

By Anthony Barich

Ten’s TV series, a new low, causes outrage

The advice given to Catholic students in July by The Australian’s Catholic political editor Dennis Shanahan to make it clear in the secular media that Christianity is not to be messed with is taking effect, via the Internet

■ By Anthony Barich and Paul Gray

Christian outrage is spreading like wildfire over the Internet over Channel 10’s new series Californication

It all started last week when Bernard Toutounji, a former student at Parramatta’s Seminary of the Good Shepherd, sent about 70 emails to Catholic and Protestant friends in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne urging them to send in letters of protest to Channel 10 over the new show, starring David Duchovny of The X-Files fame.

The show’s premise involves Duchovny’s character as a selfdestructing writer who is hung up on his ex-girlfriend and sleeps with every woman he can.

But the protest that started as a snowball reaction has evolved into an avalanche, and is likely to have reached hundreds of people, many of whom have actually acted on

Channel 10 and not just forwarded the email on.

Mr Toutounji, currently finishing a Masters in Theology at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies, said that an employee of the Melbourne Catholic Education Office had been forwarding the email to others in his office and even suggested Christians contact the show’s sponsors like Holden, providing the company’s email address for people to write to (sponsorship. holden@gm.com).

A group of 30 Catholics held a prayer vigil outside Channel 10’s

A LIFE OF PRAYER

TYBURN NUNS

studios in Sydney last Friday, which included the Divine Praises, where God and the saints are extolled and praised and forgiveness is sought for sins committed by human beings.

“The prayer vigil was to make reparation for the sin committed by the airing of this program,” said one of the protesters, Fr John Fongemie.

“The Church has to defend itself,” he said, adding that if Jews or Muslims received unfair treatment in the media they would protest, and people would not be surprised at this.

Mass to mark the Latin letter

Catholics who love the old Latin Mass have something to celebrate on September 14 when a Latin Mass will be offered at 7pm at Sacred Heart Church, Mary Street, Highgate.

On that date Pope Benedict’s recent letter of 7 July, ‘Summorum Pontificum’ which sanctioned widespread celebration of the traditional Latin Rite, also officially comes into effect. Since the changes made in the Liturgy following the Second Vatican Council, the Latin Mass, although never forbidden, has been restricted and only celebrated under certain conditions. Some Bishops have been sympathetic to requests for Latin Masses but others have resisted it.

Pope Benedict has always had a special regard for the old rite and has long been expected to address the issue by officially supporting its wider acceptance.

It is believed that many Catholics who have fallen away from the practice of their religion will be encouraged to return to the Latin Mass.

In his letter Pope Benedict said “that young persons too have discovered this liturgical form, felt its attraction and found in it a form of encounter with the Mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist, particularly suited to them.”

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney’s Marriage and Family Office has also started an email campaign (‘Turn off Ten for 10’) urging people to stop watching Channel 10 for 10 days in protest.

“In addition to presenting the distorted ideas about love and sex that we have become used to from television, it also glamorises a shallow idea of what it means to be a man which has only brought men, women and children unhappiness,” the Sydney Archdiocese’s email said.

“The program is also an insult to the values and teachings of the Christian faith and most particularly to those who witness to them. This Father’s Day is an opportunity for all dads to show they have had enough of these harmful caricatures. Fathers have a responsibility to induct their sons into manhood by encouraging them to be masters of themselves and their sexuality and to see women not as objects, but as friends, companions and equals.”

Mr Toutounji said that even if the protests don’t result in the show’s cancellation, the process of writing in tells Catholics they can have an affect in a practical way.

He conceded that he risked giving the show publicity it doesn’t need by making such a fuss, but “as English statesman Edmund Burke said, ‘all that is needed for evil to flourish is that good men do nothing’.”

The show’s first episode started with a dream sequence with Duchovny’s character having a sexual encounter with a nun on a church altar after flicking his cigarette butt in the holy water font. The episode included four sex scenes – one involving violence and statutory rape – nudity, teenage drug use and constant foul language. Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper said that Channel 10 reported only a “handful” of complaints about Californication. The station also insisted the show’s content met community standards. “Californication has absolutely hit the mark with Ten’s audience and we couldn’t be happier,” chief programming officer David Mott told the Herald Sun. “It is the kind of edgy programming our audience demand from us.”

For details on how to contact Channel 10, go to http://ten.com.au/ten/contact_us.html Editorial - Page 8

One of the respondents to Mr Toutounji’s email worked for a parliamentarian; another said “on behalf of Catholic families in country NSW” that they appreciated someone standing up for Christian values; a vice-principal of a Protestant school said he would promote the cause among his students; others still forwarded the very same email to Mr Toutounji whom he didn’t even write to in the first place.

Parties vie over UNDA

be allocated 70 teaching and 30 nursing places, while Sydney’s nurses and teachers will get 50 each.

The University of Notre Dame Australia is the latest battleground over which the looming federal election is being fought.

Last week Federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd and his Shadow Minister for Education and Training Stephen Smith met Cardinal George Pell, UNDA vice chancellor Dr Peter Tannock and Brother Kelvin Canavan, Executive Director of Schools for the Archdiocese of Sydney, to pitch their offer of $4 million of Commonwealth supported undergraduate places in the priority areas of teaching, nursing and medicine at the Sydney and Fremantle campuses.

The promised funding would support an additional 100 places in teaching, 20 in nursing and 30 in medicine for Fremantle and 100 undergraduate places in teaching and 80 places in nursing on the Sydney campus.

Mr Rudd also committed up to $7.5 million for capital upgrades on both sites ($5 million for Sydney) to provide additional facilities to support the teacher education programs.

The Coalition’s Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training Julie Bishop said last week the Australian Government would provide an extra 200 commencing Commonwealth-supported places to UNDA next year.

Of these, the Fremantle campus will

In addition, Ms Bishop said the Australian Government would provide $3.5 million to the development of teaching and specialist spaces for the School of Education at UNDA Sydney’s Broadway campus that opened last year.

Long-term, Ms Bishop said the Federal Coalition is providing 50,000 Commonwealth-supported places between 2004-2011; and the Budget decision to fund over-enrolments up to five per cent will potentially create over 20,000 additional places for next year.

The Australian Government has funded over 2500 commencing Commonwealthsupported teaching places and almost 3300 Commonwealth-supported nursing places since 2004. During Mr Rudd’s visit to the Sydney campus, Cardinal Pell said he was pleased with the bi-partisan support for UNDA. “Both leaders are Christian and understand the contribution of the Church to education,” he said.

Fremantle will use the additional investment to focus all three faculties of teaching, medicine and nursing on indigenous, rural and regional education and practice. Sydney will use the funds to focus on vocational education and training in secondary schools, together with the teaching of maths and science, and for nursing, the focus will be on rural and regional NSW.

Spooky: David Duchovny in the controversial new show Californication

■ By Anthony Barich

Stations win art prize

■ By Paul Gray

A West Australian Aboriginal artwork depicting the Stations of the Cross has won the nation’s most famous prize for contemporary religious art.

East Kimberley artist Shirley Purdie won this year’s Blake Prize for Religious Art for her traditional ochre painting Stations of the Cross. It depicts the 14 stations of Jesus’ passion and death using traditional Aboriginal figures.

Purdie’s triumph was overshadowed in media reporting by controversy over another entry in the same competition, by a different artist, comparing Jesus with Osama bin Laden.

Another entry in the same competition showed a figure of the Blessed Virgin dressed in a Muslim burqua. Both of these entries attracted widespread outrage, although Cardinal George Pell summed up the views of many when he described the two controversial artworks as “tedious.”

The judges’ favour, meanwhile, was caught by Shirley Purdie’s work revealing a merging of traditional Aboriginal culture and the Catholic faith.

Purdie belongs to the Gija people of the Warmun community in the Kimberley. She has been involved in an educational and cultural exchange called “Two-Way,”

initiated by the Josephite Sisters and elders of the Warmun community.

The “Two-Way” exchange has taken place around the Ngalangangpum School, established in 1979 as a two-way school, promoting Catholic belief and traditional Aboriginal spirituality, at the request of the Warmun people.

Shirley Purdie’s Blake Prize win was welcomed by the bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders.

“It is a vibrant Catholic community,” Bishop Saunders said, speaking of the community which has built up around the Ngalangangpum School.

“Shirley is one of many famous artists in the area who are reaching international acclaim,” the bishop told The Record. Other famous Gija artists include the late Queenie McKenzie.

“Their art is an expression of their spirituality in the aftermath of the great suffering their people have gone through,” Bishop Saunders said.

It’s also bringing in good income for the community, he added.

The centre of Purdie’s Stations of the Cross features the hills of the Gija country, reflecting the central place of Aboriginal belief to the artist.

The stations of the cross are shown around the edges of the painting. According to the Blake Prize organisers, Purdie “identifies Continued on page 12

Join Pope

Benedict XVI in prayer - September

Physical affection is essential to a happy life-long marriage. Holding hands, playing with hair, physical contact when talking, kisses, cuddles and massages are the powerful non-verbal ways that we tell our spouse that we love them, think about them and care for them. They also send a strong message to children that Mum and Dad love each other.

General intention: Romanian Assembly - That the ecumenical assembly in Romania this month may contribute to the growth of unity among all Christians.

Mission intention: That, following Christ most joyfully, all missionaries may know how to overcome the difficulties they meet in everyday life.

I’m John Hughes, WA’s most trusted car dealer

Is it true that most of my sales are not from direct advertising, but from personal recommendation, repeat business and reputation?

Is it true I have my own finance company to assist good people with poor credit to buy cars from me?.

Is it true I sell over 1,300 vehicles every month in Victoria Park, and that is the biggest number from any one location in Australia?

Is it true that I refuse to sell any vehicle that has had previous major accident damage?

Is it true that when people come to do business with me, I guarantee they will be treated with courtesy, sincerity, professionalism and efficiency?

Is it true “I want your business and I’m prepared to pay for it” and “I stand behind every car I sell”?

Is it true that every year for the last 20 consecutive years I have been Australia’s top selling Hyundai dealer?

JOHN HUGHES

Captivating: Winner of the Blake Prize for Religious Art, Shirley Purdie’s indigenous depiction of the Stations of the Cross. PHOTO: BLAKE PRIZE WEBSITE

Being empowered to live God’s will...

A Charismatic event designed to assist participants in recognising the personal and everlasting love of God in Belmont on September 14-15 will be presented by the Holy Spirit of Freedom (HSOF) Community.

“The Beloved of God” will include an evening Healing Rally on Friday and a retreat on Saturday.

Organiser Bill Bellair said the event would provide an opportunity to discover a loving Father who cared for every aspect of their lives. He said the presenting team was expecting that the prayer, worship and talks being offered at the event would assist participants to be drawn into a deeper, more intimate relationship with their Heavenly Father.

Mr Bellair said that the Sacrament of Reconciliation would be available throughout the retreat and that the day would conclude with Mass.

The HSOF Community will also be presenting an eight-week “New Life in the Holy Spirit Seminar” each Saturday from September 22.

The seminar incorporates prayer, praise, scriptural discussion and reflection and talks and seeks to provide participants with an opportunity to deepen their relationship and understanding of the Holy Spirit.

The course will seek to open participants to the gifts and power of

Healing Rally

Friday September 14, 7.30pm-9.30pm

Retreat Day

Saturday September 15, 10am-6pm (Mass at 4.30pm)

Please bring lunch to share.

New Life in the Holy Spirit Seminar

Each Saturday from September 22 to November 10, 10.30pm to 12.30pm

Both events will be held at St Anne’s Parish Hall, 11 Hehir St, Belmont.

For further details contact Peter or Nell on 9475 0155 or email hsofperth@gmail.com

the Holy Spirit that abides in each of them.

Through this, they can more effectively know, accept and be empowered to live according to God’s Will.

PRINCIPALSHIP ST MARY’S SCHOOL NORTHAMPTON

St Mary’s School is a small co-educational Catholic primary school situated 475 kms north of Perth and 50 kms north of Geraldton. The current enrolment is 81 students from Kindergarten to Year 7.

St Mary’s was originally established in 1874 and has a rich history of service by several religious orders; most notably the Presentation Sisters whose involvement spanned 90 years.

The school is currently in its third year of the RAISe (Raising Achievement in Schools) program and is actively involved in both the Bluearth physical activity and Primary Connections science programs. Specialist programs in the areas of Music, Physical Education and Library also operate at the school where Information Technology is embedded into all learning areas.

St Mary’s has a vibrant and committed staff, an active and supportive parent body and strong links with the parish and local town community. Collectively, the school community is focused on providing a holistic education for all students with an emphasis on their spiritual and academic development.

The successful applicant for this position will be required to commence on 1 January 2008.

Applicants need to be practising Catholics and experienced educators committed to the objectives and ethos of Catholic education. They will have the requisite theological, educational, pastoral and administrative competencies, together with an appropriate four year minimum tertiary qualification, and will have completed Accreditation for Leadership of the Religious Education Learning Area or its equivalent. A current WACOT registration number must also be included.

The official application form, referee assessment forms and instructions can be accessed on the Catholic Education Office website www.ceo.wa.edu.au Enquiries regarding this position should be directed to Helen Brennan, Consultant, Leadership Team on 6380 5237 or email sch.personnel@ceo.wa.edu.au

All applications, on the official form, should reach The Director, Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, PO Box 198, Leederville 6903 no later than 26 September 2007.

The Celebrate Family Weekend promises to be a great family event!

Aside from the great program listed there will be:

• Displays from many of the organisations and agencies supporting families in the Archdiocese.

• A little ones creche and fun activities for older children to keep them happy all day.

• Ongoing activities that will interest the whole family.

• Plenty of parking available.

• Speakers Corner: During every lunch break you will have the opportunity to try new experiences and listen to interesting speakers including: learn deaf signing, Aboriginal activities, and find out about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Return form to:

CFFFL Conference, 39 Jugan St, Glendalough, WA 6016 Tel. (08) 9242 4066

Registration Form

Name:

Address:

Town/Suburb: Postcode:

Telephone (__) _______________ Mob:

Email:

How many will attend each day in each age group?

AgeFridaySaturdaySunday

Adults

Children 0-2

Children 3-6

Children 7-9

Children 10-12

Young People 13+

Please indicate whether you are likely to:

q Bring own lunch

q Purchase lunch from available facilities

Special requirements?

(eg. Audio Induction, Signing Interpreter, Language Interpreter) Alternative formats of material available?

(eg. Braille, on disk. etc. )

Part or full registration for the conference is $20 per family:

I have enclosed a cheque q or money order q made payable to the “Committee for Family and for Life” or please charge q $20 to my q Mastercard / q Visa /q Bankcard

Cardholder’s Name:

Cardholder’s Signature: Credit card no.

Expiry Date:

The Task:

To bring a fun and enthusiastic attitude and join other volunteers in Perth CBD to shake a can for the annual St Vincent de Paul Society Street Appeal

How long does it take?

We are only asking for a couple hours of your time on Friday 21st September

Volunteers are needed in the City of Perth to collect funds from the public

How do you volunteer?

Call Lisa on (08) 9475 5433 or email lisa.guagliardo@svdpwa.org.au for all the information you need

in brief... Germany’s eldest still fit, living at home

German grandmother Maria Milz moved out of a nursing home when she turned 100 because “there were too many old people there”.

She is among a growing number of fit centenarians boosting the average age in Germany.

Out of a population of over 82 million today, the number of people 80 or over has nearly doubled since 1980 to four million.

Every year German president Horst Kohler sends a personal congratulatory note to every centenarian and, starting at 105, a birthday greeting every year.

In 2003 he sent 4210 missives; last year he sent 5217.

The vast majority 80 or over live in private households, and only 11 per cent in nursing homes.

The ageing trend calls for new products and services, such as multi-family housing where several generations live in separate apartments, but under one roof.

Sacraments more than just symbols

Perth’s Centre for Liturgy helps renew the Church the way Vatican II wanted

By Anthony Barich

The Centre for Liturgy drew praise from Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton last month for reclaiming for Catholics the signs and symbols of the sacraments so people can enter more deeply into the life of the Church and, subsequently, a deeper sense of faith.

In blessing the Centre for Liturgy’s new offices in Nollamara, Bishop Sproxton credited the Centre for Liturgy for taking an active role in continuing the Second Vatican Council’s work of reclaiming the significance of the Church’s signs and symbols that make the mysteries of the Catholic faith come alive for the faithful.

The Bishop said that, in the face of major reductionism being done on the sacraments in western Europe and most other western countries prior to the Second Vatican Council, the Council started the process of recovering the emphasis on the signs and symbols of the sacraments.

He said the Second Vatica n Council renewed the liturgy “so the people could again have a sense that God was communicating with them through these signs and symbols”.

“By having a Centre for Liturgy in the diocese, people in the parish who are leaders in the liturgy could be formed, educated and given experiences which they can use in the celebration of the liturgy week by

week,” Bishop Sproxton told The Record He also referred to Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Exhortation released in February after the Synod of Bishops, where the Pope said the liturgy is the “source and summit of the Church’s actions”.

The Pope said that the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution De Sacra Liturgica states that the liturgy concerns, “for the most part, the celebration of the Eucharist” or, as the Eastern Churches say, “the Divine Liturgy”.

Bishop Sproxton went a step further, saying that the liturgy is the source of our energy as we strive to be disciples of Christ in our everyday lives.

“The more that people understand the signs and symbols of the sacraments, the better,” he said, and also prayed that the Centre for Liturgy may continue to develop the liturgy in a way that is felt in every group, parish, school and community in the Archdiocese.

The blessing, performed by the Bishop on August 21, came eight months after the staff moved into the Nollamara house just before Christmas last year.

The blessing could not take place until last month as the parish staff of Our Lady of Lourdes church, Nollamara, shared the house with the Centre for Liturgy until June.

The blessing also took place just four days after Archbishop Barry Hickey launched a major publication of the Centre for Liturgy, called “Raise Your Voice To God”, a book of liturgical guidelines for parish ministers preparing Eucharistic celebrations.

Apostolate of St. Joseph of the eternal family

Promoted by Rev. Fr. Fred de L’Orme (of London) 26 September to 28 September, 2007

Purpose of Apostolate: To encourage families to pray to St Joseph for members undergoing difficulties.

Program

Days of Reflection - Commencing 10.30am. Rosary, Holy Mass & Talks. Concluding 2pm. Benediction. (Bring lunch. Tea/coffee supplied)

Venues: Wed. 26th. St. Jerome’s Church, Spearwood. Thurs. 27th. St. Patrick’s Church, York. Frid. 28th. St. Bernadette’s Church, Glendalough.

Evening Mass: Wednesday 26th. 7pm. To 9pm. St. Bernadette’s Church, Glendalough. People are asked to bring photos of family members being prayed for. These are taken up during Mass.

Enquiries. Margaret 9341 8082, Jenny 9494 2604.

(2) Loreto (1) Lanciano San Giovanni Rotondo (2) Monte Sant Angelo Pietrelcina

More symbols: Bishop Donald Sproxton blesses the new Centre for Liturgy.

PHOTOS: ANTHONY BARICH

Big moment: Bishop Donald Sproxton prays over the workers and helpers of the Centre for Liturgy.

A history of Perth’s historical keepers

The Archdiocesan Historical Commission takes a walk down memory lane

By Anthony Barich

For Perth’s Vicar General Fr Brian O’Loughlin, August 28 held special significance, as the Archdiocesan Historical Commission that he chairs was inaugurated.

On August 28 last week, the Historical Commission had its inaugural meeting at St Thomas More College, Crawley.

But it’s not the first time August 28 has been a special date for senior Perth clergy seeking to gather evidence of and make a special effort to preserve the Archdiocese’s rich history.

For on August 28, 1969, the inaugural meeting of the Western Australian Catholic Historical Society was held at Trinity College, at which Kojunup parish priest and Bunbury diocesan historian Fr Martin Newbold outlined its aims.

And yes, it is a coincidence.

The current Vicar General had no idea about the significance of the date when the inauguration of his Historical Commission was organised.

This old Society was the precursor to what we now know as the Archdiocesan Historical Commission.

At this meeting in 1969, Fr Newbold, who would become Perth’s diocesan archivist, said he believed that such a Society had a “rich and fascinating story to study”.

Given the current Historical Commission’s first order of action is to mine more deeply the intrigu-

ing life and times of the two Perth bishops who were found under St Mary’s Cathedral late last year, it would appear nothing has changed – there is still a strong interest in local history.

The 1969 Society was affiliated with the Royal Western Australian Historical Society, while Mollie Lukis of the Battye Library offered its assistance in “any possible” way.

Archbishop Launcelot Goody, who had only been installed as Archbishop the year before, confessed his own life-long “hobby” interest in history, and recalled to The Record at the time his pleasure at seeing some of the first parish records of the Perth Archdiocese.

The Archbishop emphasised the

Never too late to help others

By Sylvia Defendi

At 94 years of age, Gwyn White is a veteran volunteer, who still finds time every Thursday to assist the needy at her local St Vincent de Paul retail centre in Osborne Park.

When asked why she volunteers Ms White said everyone should be looking to assist others, “because you never know if you will need help yourself one day.”

Ms White started volunteering almost 10 years ago after her friend encouraged her to get involved.

“While you can and are still able to do it, you should help other people; I am still so energetic because I get myself out of the house. I play bowls three times a week, play

bridge with my friends, do crosswords and spend one day a week volunteering at Osborne Park,” Ms White said.

There are 41 St Vincent de Paul retail stores state-wide, which provide welfare assistance to people in need by offering the public donated clothing and furniture at affordable prices.

“The Osborne Park retail centre need more enthusiastic volunteers like Gwyn who are able to give their time to help support the St Vincent de Paul Society, no matter what their age is,” state president of the Society, Genevieve De Souza said.

For further information on the Society phone: 9475 5400 or log on to www.vinnies.org.au/wa.

importance of well-kept archives and recommended that all religious superiors be aware of the significance of such early records their communities may possess.

More than just gathering and preserving history, the Society actively promoted it among not only the faithful but for the broader secular community.

St John the Evangelist Chapel – the original Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Perth – was restored with the intention of turning it into a “small but significant ecclesiastical museum”.

In a letter - obtained by The Record - appointing Mercy Sister Catherine Anne Gallagher as Curator of St John the Evangelist Pro-Cathedral dated March 4,

1981, Archbishop Goody said the museum was to be “a place in which not only our ancestors and predecessors worshipped but in which could be seen preserved many of the articles, books, documents and equipment with which they were familiar.”

Unfortunately, Sr Gallagher knew by 1984 that she was to return to Ireland. Though the museum was open for at least eight years, there appears to have been no successor to Sr Gallagher appointed, and by the time current Archdiocesan archivist Sr Frances Stibi arrived in 1992 the museum was still there but in a terrible state due to the condition of the building. As Presentation Sister Stibi says, St John Chapel, like St Mary’s

Cathedral, had no proper foundation ‘damp course’ that prevents moisture from the ground seeping into the walls, so most photos on display were damaged beyond repair.

“You need very controlled conditions, and unfortunately back then there was not as much information and education about how things should be kept,” Sr Stibi said.

“The things we could salvage we did, but most of the photos and vestments were written off.”

Nevertheless, the old Historical Society was a success. It held two huge public exhibitions, one at the Banking Chamber of the ANZ Bank on St George’s Terrace in Perth’s central business district in May 1970 and the other in September 1971 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Australia.

Diocesan archivist, Mercy Sister Raphael Coady, from the Perth convent and a member of the inaugural Historical Society, was also a prominent figure during this time.

The original Society’s executive consisted of Fr Newbold (president), Tom Cullity, Anne Marie Leahy (secretary) and her husband Gerard Leahy.

Other members were Dominican Sister Albertus Bain, Benedictine Fr Eugene Perez, Christian Brother K Broderick, Fr John Moynihan, Josephite Sister Philomena Earle, Jesuit Fr Ted Storman, Fr Noel Fitzsimons, Joan Buchanan, St Joseph of the Apparition Sister Bartholomew and Fr Michael Cryan.

Catholic health changes hands

Vincentian priests will soon take the place of three Camillians, who previously attended to Perth’s Catholic healthcare.

By Anthony Barich

Indian priests of the Vincentian Congregation are coming to the rescue of the Archdiocese of Perth’s healthcare ministry.

Vincentian priests will arrive at the end of January to replace the three Camillian priests – Frs Reggie Jamorabon, Dado Haber and Nilo Deligero - who left for Sydney to the foundation of the Order’s Filipino Province at Westmead on Monday.

Twelve months ago Fr Jose Vettiyankal, the Vincentian Congregation Superior of St Joseph’s Province in Kottayam, Kerala, approached Archbishop Barry Hickey.

Fr Jose then visited Perth last month, when he met the Archbishop and his Curial Council of Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton, Vicar General Fr Brian O’Loughlin and Vicar for Clergy Fr Brian McKenna and was shown various parishes where his Congregation might be based.

Fr O’Loughlin reported that Fr Jose made the commitment to

Perth as he was “so impressed with the ministry to the sick that Fr Sean Bredin had administered here for 44 years”.

“Fr Jose said the prospect of succeeding Fr Sean and the Camillians in the hospital chaplaincy is the embodiment of their own charism – to serve the Lord in the poor. And as we know, the poor and the sick were integral in Jesus’ ministry,” Fr O’Loughlin said.

One Vincentian will arrive earlier in January to learn from Fr Bredin.

Over recent months, Archbishop Hickey had called for volunteers for hospital chaplaincy from an array of priests of the Archdiocese and a number of priests were approached to leave their parish ministry and take up full time hospital chaplaincy.

However, Fr O’Loughlin said that health care ministry is a specialist ministry, and special training is required.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is available from St John of God Hospital in Subiaco, which the Vincentian priests will undertake upon arrival.

“The expectation would be that just as most diocese priests spend some of their parish ministry in the country, so they would also be equipped for hospital chaplaincy, either part time or fulltime,” the Vicar General said. “The Church in Perth rejoices that St John of

God Subiaco offers CEP; this is even more important as a course at Royal Perth will no longer be available.” Fr Richard Smith, a former Anglican received into the Catholic Church, recently retired from the chaplaincy of Royal Perth Hospital and has been succeeded by Fr Joseph Lee. Both of whom have undertaken some CPE units.

In many hospitals, the chaplaincy is interdenominational, but “the fact is that most Catholics, when hospitalised, expect not only visitation but also the sacraments,” Fr O’Loughlin said.

“The role of the priest as chaplain is indispensable,” he said, though hospital chaplaincy teams in major hospitals rely on part time and fulltime Religious and lay members.

The Vincentian Congregation started in Kerala, southern India, in 1904, after the model of the Congregation of the Mission, founded by St Vincent de Paul in France. For years, members of the Australian Province of the Vincentian Congregation ran St Charles’ Seminary and founded St Vincent’s parish in Kwinana.

The Vincentian Congregation is known throughout India for preaching parish-based missions and assists school and hospital chaplaincies.

The Congregation also has houses in Germany and the United States.

Still strong: Gwyn White still behind the counter at 94 years of age.

Part of our history: Bishop Martin Griver, who was recently exhumed from St Mary’s Cathedral, gave special attention to the welfare of convicts.

Heading Perth’s search for history: Chairman of the Archdiocesan Historical Commission, Vicar General, Fr Brian O’Loughlin.

Man on task: Odhran O’Brien will be completing his Masters with a thesis on the recently unearthed Bishop of Perth, Bishop Martin Griver.

Amnesty International

The senior Catholic prelate in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O’Brien has resigned from Amnesty International over the organisation’s decision to support abortion in some circumstances.

The Cardinal said he had first joined Amnesty International as a student and he was sad to have to resign, but it was a matter of conscience for him to “defend life in all its aspects”.

Decriminalization…. Is this the Answer?

New laws are being proposed into Parliament this month to decriminalize the ownership of brothels and the purchase of men and women for sex. After attempts of legalizing the industry in the eastern states of Australia, Victoria’s illegal industry tripled, NSW brothels also tripled, half having no planning approval, and in Queensland, 90% of the brothels have criminal involvement. This is after attempted regulation.

There are better alternatives to legalizing prostitution that have proved far more successful in other nations, especially Sweden. Come to our public meeting featuring Ms Gunilla Ekberg to find out more.

Keynote Speaker

Gunilla S. Ekberg is a Canadian-Swedish lawyer and international expert on human rights, gender equality and violence against women. Gunilla is now based in Brussells and formerly was the special advisor to the Swedish government on human trafficking.

Perspectives

Necessary inhibitions and taboos

“More controversially, the Churches upheld necessary inhibitions and taboos, without which we would seem to be lost, judging by much of what TV commissioning editors regularly inflict upon us in an obsession with sex that they share with some clergy. Christianity’s historical achievements deserve more notice than they customarily receive.” 

MICHAEL BURLEIGH IN SACRED CAUSES P.XVI, HARPER PRESS, LONDON, 2006

Why are inhibitions necessary? A recent article by the journalist Andrew Bolt indicates that this question ought to be answered. It is not only necessary to guide children, but, even more importantly it helps retain that necessary level of civility that makes human relations possible.

That is why the Church sticks to its duty of calling attention to what is both obvious and unpopular and why both Mr Bolt and we call attention to a TV show about to be released on Channel 10, Californication

Mr Bolt describes it as having “a fellating nun and more sex than you’d see in a busy brothel”. Mr Bolt draws attention to the interesting and paradoxical fact that: “I’m prepared to accept - if I truly must - that the notion of a common morality is dead and that the new rule is: if you don’t like it, turn it off. (Rule two: if your parents won’t turn it off, get better ones, teen loser.)

“Yet it’s this very scene with the nun that reminds me this isn’t true.

“Californication is instead an attack on one specific kind of morality - and specifically on the values, teaching and imagery of the Christian faith that largely founded Western societies such as ours, and preached rules to help us to behave less heartlessly to each other.

“That’s clear when you note the first episode mocks Christianity in a way Islam, say, is always spared.

“If Californication really was so bravely “controversial” and “acerbic”, it wouldn’t have Duchovny involved with a nun in a church. It would have him involved with a devout Muslim woman in a mosque. Now that would truly be “controversial”.

Of course, those who put forward such works as described can properly be called hypocrites for this reason alone, but we can be, oddly enough, grateful for this fact. This is because they explode any argument that puts forward the thesis that the Church’s stand on moral issues is outmoded, or illiberal or a threat to freedom. If they were serious about such arguments, if they had any good reason to support this and attack morality they would not be deterred by attacking a religious faith that enforces its dogmas by violence. In fact the true motivation is money. There remains a problem. It is necessary that any society retain a degree of moral health. It is because no atheist or agnostic system has ever managed to gain the degree of support necessary to persuade the majority of society to support a code of morality that the Church is required; it is not a just convenience to provide impressive ceremonies at life’s great turning points. It is, after all, because what is called “traditional morality” has a practical utility to the running of society that it receives a degree of support from the state. Plenty of drug addicts and prostitutes, to provide only two examples, have learned this truth by bitter experience.

Traditional morality is not only a code to make people good but a necessity for life itself and the adequate functioning of society. Just try doing without it and see how you get along. It’s as simple as that.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

fourth century feast – September 14

You’re confusing the issues

The Record purports to report my recent address at Notre Dame under the headline, “Embryo research OK: Jesuit – The Church teaches research on embryos left over from IVF process is not morally permissible. Jesuit Fr Frank Brennan says it is.” (The Record, 22 August 2007) I make no such claim.

Your paper confuses three issues. There is a need to distinguish (1) what is morally appropriate for childless Catholic couples wanting to avail themselves technical assistance with the bearing of their own children, (2) what ought the law be for regulating experimentation on human embryos already in existence but with no further prospect of implantation, and (3) what ought the law be for permitting the creation of human embryos for experimentation. I will comment on each issue.

1. Any priest with pastoral experience knows good Catholic couples who have had children conceived through IVF. When such a couple has sought my pastoral or moral advice, I have discussed with them Cardinal Ratzinger’s 1987 statement Donum Vitae which says that all IVF is unacceptable.

I have acknowledged that such a couple, having vowed on their wedding day to accept children lovingly from God, could - after prayerful reflection, in good conscience - avail themselves of IVF as a form of technical assistance to rectify their infertility.

If they used their own gametes, insisted that doctors not produce embryos excess to IVF requirements, and refused permission for experimentation on those embryos remaining after successful implantation, they could be acting in good faith, embracing life and the fullness of their marriage vows. Such a practice of IVF could be morally permissible.

2. In 2002, the Commonwealth Parliament legislated to permit scientists to experiment on excess IVF embryos with the permission of the parents. The Parliament legislates for all Australians, not just for Catholics who would follow Donum Vitae to the letter. In 2002, the majority of our politicians decided that, as the excess embryos were going to die anyway, they would remove the legal prohibition on all experimentation on those embryos. Parents could continue to refuse permission for experimentation.

If a politician, I would have been wary about supporting the 2002 law for fear that it would open the door for the creation of embryos just for experimentation.

But if there could have been a guarantee against that slippery slope, I would probably have voted for such a law, making research on embryos left over from IVF legal, though not, in my opinion, morally permissible. If I were a scientist, I would not think it right for me to experiment on these embryos. I would counsel any scientist who sought my pastoral or moral advice to avoid experimenting on human embryos. However I will continue to respect those scientists of a contrary moral view who think it appropriate to experiment on embryos for the good of humanity when such embryos are going to succumb anyway.

When the 2002 law was reviewed in 2006, none of our Church leaders argued strongly for a repeal of the law permitting experimentation on excess IVF embryos with parental consent. Such experimentation provided only that it is for the good of humanity is probably in accord with contemporary Australian values.

3. In 2006, the scientists wanted to force open the door, permitting the creation of embryos specifically for destructive experimentation and the harvesting of embryonic stem cells.

I strongly opposed such a law on the basis that one ought not to create human life just for the purpose of destroying it. At least the excess IVF embryos are created with a chance at life.

Morally there is a difference between creating embryos only for destructive experimentation and creating embryos which are available for selection and successful implantation. This is now the issue confronting the WA Parliament.

Addressing these three issues, I have not found it helpful to describe a human embryo of less than 14 days as a human person or human being with a soul.

It is human life in its earliest form and should be treated respectfully. Given that the majority of embryos do not naturally implant or thrive, it would be a significant theological challenge to posit that the majority of human beings with souls do not live beyond a few cell divisions.

Given that an embryo can twin at 14 days, it is another theological challenge to posit that a human being with a soul can become two human beings each with a distinctive soul.

I do not believe that the disposal of a beaker of human embryos is morally equivalent to the shooting of a room full of people. I believe that the creation of human embryos for destructive experimentation is morally wrong.

I think the WA Parliament should vote against the Human Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill introduced by Mr McGinty.

Fr Frank Brennan SJ Professor of Human Rights and Social Justice University of Notre Dame Australia

Mary still offers us plenty

Thank you for the inspiring spread on Blessed Mary MacKillop (The Record, August 15). One small ‘gremlin’ crept in though under the photo entitled ‘Grand achievement’.

Don’t give India a-bomb

Emperor Constantine erected a basilica on the Jerusalem site where Jesus had died and risen; it was dedicated Sept. 13, 335. Over time, a custom developed: On the day after the anniversary of the dedication, a relic of the wood of the true cross was brought out for veneration. This feast evolved from that custom, first in the Eastern church and later in the Western church. It is also called the feast of the Triumph of the Cross: Through Christ’s action, a symbol of humiliation and defeat was turned into a symbol of liberation and triumph.

Don’t send atom-bomb materials to defiant India. I oppose Australia exporting uranium to India, which, besides conquering a few weak surrounding sovereign states, and the colony of Goa, and grabbing part of Kashmir in its early years of independence, has defied the international Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty for years. An additional reason is that it will lead to a nuclear arms race on the Subcontinent, and increase fears in nearby areas including China, which is itself a danger to peace.

John C Massam Greenwood

The photo is not of the exterior of her Kensington chapel, but rather of the church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Port Adelaide, commonly called ‘St Marys’. As one born and educated in ‘The Port’, at one of Mary’s first schools and later pastor of this church, I am very glad that it has made its appearance in your paper in time for its 150th anniversary next year. Another reason for a pilgrimage to Adelaide! It was to St Mary’s that the young Sr Mary went immediately after disembarking from the ship when she arrived in Port Adelaide. It is also one of the places where she and her friend and co-founder, Fr Julian Tennison Woods, worked together.

Mary taught in the hall which still stands next to the church as can be seen in your photo and Julian travelled regularly from the cathedral in Adelaide to celebrate Mass. One of the treasures of the parish is the many pages of baptismal entries in his distinctive handwriting. A wonderful partnership, still bringing much life to the Church in Australia.

Fr

Vista

Killing and using one for another

Bishop Gerard Holohan of Bunbury issued this pastoral letter last week addressing two key social issues: the push in WA’s State Parliament to allow embryonic stem cell research, and the attempt by Attorney General Jim McGinty to decriminalise the sexual exploitation of women and girls.

One of the great concerns across Western Australia society today is the loss of respect for people. Many point to examples such as: violent home invasions; the bashing of elderly people; and bullying in schools.

We hear of young people not even respecting themselves, much less others. Many become involved in drugs and speeding on the roads. Then there is the current decline in societal concern for those in need; indifference at the growing gap between rich and poor in Australia; examples of exploitation of employees by employers; racism, and many other social ills.

Lack of respect for others often is reflected in lack of respect for property. Cars are damaged, properties are vandalised and theft is common.

The basic cause

Parliaments may increase the severity of Court sentencing in an attempt to punish those responsible for such crimes against others, but this fails to address the basic cause of all crimes – lack of respect for the dignity of every human person.

Legislation before the Western Australian Parliament will be of concern, therefore, to all who are worried about the decline in basic respect for the human individual today. I refer to the forthcoming parliamentary Bills announced by the Attorney General, Mr Jim McGinty related to:

• the legalisation of brothels. This Bill is yet to be introduced

• the legalisation of embryonic stem cell research. This Bill was introduced in March 2007 and has passed the second reading stage. Starting with his earlier legislation to soften drug laws, the Attorney General seems hell bent on promoting a kind of moral values free fall in Western Australia. He appears to have abandoned his first responsibility as Attorney General, which is to protect people and their basic rights.

It is contradictory for any member of parliament to claim concern for ‘Law and Order’ on the one hand, for example, and then to seek to exacerbate the decline in values that leads to the break-down of law and order on the other.

Legalisation of brothels

The Prostitution Amendment Bill 2007 (not yet introduced) will treat brothels purely as businesses. It will require the registration of ownership of brothels and other businesses but make very little effort to address the health issues involved in prostitution, and no effort at all to address the moral issues involved. Perhaps worst of all, individual or very small operators will be exempted from the requirements of the law altogether. In effect, single operators or home-based sexual service providers (of whom there are thousands in WA) will be given legislative approval to operate in a completely unregulated manner. They can function in any street and next to any family.

While protecting small operators, this Bill will treat larger operators purely as businesses – and, presumably, exacting State duties and taxes from them. In other words, our State is now in the business of supporting and enabling and institutionalising the use of one person for

another’s sexual pleasure, thereby diminishing the human dignity of all West Australians. Is this the sort of State we wish to be?

The Bill to legalise brothels across our State effectively will legitimate the use of one person by another for personal sexual gratification. It

me that prostitutes are victims who will suffer further if the Government’s legislation should be passed. Broad experience elsewhere shows that the legalisation of brothels has led to an increase in illegal brothels, and the increased exploitation of prostitutes.

will legitimate the sexual abuse of both women and men by those who use them in this way, and reduce them to the level of mere sexual objects. Women in particular, but also male prostitutes, will be reduced to the level of purchasable items, such as a packet of cigarettes or a can of beer. Once used, they can be thrown away. The proposed Bill is anti-woman and anti-girl.

No real solution

No one can deny the fact that brothels exist. However, to legitimise the use of one person by another for personal gratification is no solution to the problems prostitution brings. This violates the God given dignity – and moral equality of the one used. It undermines the attitudes people need to develop if they are not to commit crimes. My own experience of the Church’s work to help prostitutes in New York, while I was studying at university there, taught

It must be acknowledged that powerful lobby groups are pushing for the legalisation of brothels. Brothel madams, who profit from the prostitution industry, minimise the adverse effect on prostitutes.

Then there is the common association between prostitution and drugs. The Attorney General says the government does not approve prostitution - but I wonder if there is any other area of activity which the government both legislates to control yet still claims not to approve. This law amounts to government approval.

Many arguments have been given against the legalisation of brothels. But the most basic is that legitimising one person using another for sexual exploitation violates respect for the one being used.

It contributes to the loss of respect for people in our society, especially in young people. It continues to encourage attitudes that lead to crime in our society.

The Swedish model

A better approach to the problems caused by unregulated prostitution seems to be that initiated in Sweden.

Planned by feminist, Gunila Ekberg, it appears to have led to a dramatic reduction in the abuse of women. The Swedish approach recognises prostitution as sexual exploitation and violence. One element of this approach is the penalising of the customer.

Already being adopted by other countries, Ms Ekberg has been appointed to the Brussels headquarters of the European Union to promote the Swedish approach across the European Union. Her approach seems to be successful in reducing prostitution and promoting the human dignity of all.

Embryonic stem-cell research

Adult stem-cell research has brought huge scientific advances for the good of humanity. The track record of this area of medical research promises much for those suffering many different illnesses and diseases.

Adult stem cell research already offers many benefits without harm to anyone. It also offers much promise. However, there is another area of stem cell research that requires the death of the donor – embryonic stem cell research.

Killing one for another

Many promises are made by those involved in the embryonic stem cell industry to people who suffer in ways that most of us cannot imagine. Advocates from this industry basically argue that it is legitimate to kill human beings at the embryonic stage of their development for the good of others – though they use different language to obscure their real meaning.

To legitimise the killing of one human being for the benefit of others is not the real path to helping people who suffer. No matter how emotional we may feel about the plights of people with debilitating diseases, planning the deaths of embryos to assist them is not the path to follow.

The Law of God

The Fifth Commandment states: ‘You shall not kill’. This applies to all innocent human life – not just to those at later stages of development. One of the Sayings of the Apostles of Jesus was [Didache 2:2]:Do not murder a child by abortion, nor kill them when born.

Some try to argue that human embryos are not human beings. But if they were not human and not living, they would not be available for use as viable cells in a person suffering from illness.

Conclusion

Basic values, such as respect for people, can leak away quietly – like water in a cracked vase. Unless attended to, the vase eventually breaks, and the values are lost completely. The proposed Bills, if passed, will increase the leaking away of respect for others in our society. We are already experiencing the social consequences of this in the growing rate of crimes against people.

The forthcoming legislation I have referred to violates God’s laws in many ways, and so should be a great concern to all Christians. However, the coming Bills should be of concern also to all who are concerned about the decline in respect for people in our society. It should be of concern too to all who worry about increases in crime, because anything that weakens human respect for one another further contributes to crime.

I invite all to consider these issues deeply, and to express opposition to the coming Bills to members of Parliament. Otherwise, the public’s silence will contribute to the further decline in one of the most essential values upon which our very democracy is based.

What are we doing? Bishop Holohan questions the deeper significance of our approach to making laws; they are meant to protect, not exploit people, he says in a pastoral letter. PHOTO: COURTESY CEO

An open letter to all WA Members of Parliament from the Catholic Archbishop of Perth

As concern mounts about opening the doors to the sexual exploitation of Women and Girls via Jim McGinty’s push to decriminalise prostitution, Archbishop Barry Hickey has issued an open letter to all State Members of Parliament. The full text appears here.

TThe information may not be easy to obtain, but surely some effort should be made before Parliament is asked to give certificates of approval to some owner/ managers of brothels but not others.

Research into the effects of prostitution and the difficulties for women trying to escape from the trade was done at Royal Perth Hospital some years ago. I know from the personal experience of supporting Linda’s House of Hope and of speaking to the women who go to Linda Watson for help to escape from prostitution and create a new life for themselves that the suffering and harm I speak of are real.

he State Government has confirmed its intention to legalise prostitution in Western Australia. There are many reasons for opposing the legalisation of prostitution, but my biggest concern is the damage done to the girls and women who are enticed into the trade. The Government and its Working Party appear to have made the assumption that if you say there’s nothing wrong with prostitution, there will be nothing wrong with it. All the problems that have been known for centuries will simply go away.

It is known in every State in Australia and around the world that prostitution is physically, emotionally, mentally, morally and spiritually destructive of human personality even if modern medicine can minimise some of the physical problems.

It was the universal awareness of the degradation of women in prostitution that led the world to adopt one of the first of the UN Conventions: For the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (1949).

Nothing has changed since then, except that modern research has detailed the harm done to women. For example, a 2003 research paper covering nine countries and published in the scientifically rigorous Journal of Trauma Practice reported that 60-75 per cent of women in prostitution were raped, 70-95 per cent were physically assaulted and 68 per cent met the criteria for post traumatic stress disorder.

That report and others confirm that prostitution is still as destructive as it ever was, but now the Government is proposing to give people certificates so they can freely exploit the prostitution of others.

The Working Party made no attempt to quantify the level of suffering prostitution causes to women in this State, and it appears that the Government will introduce its legislation without even acknowledging that harm is done.

The Working Party estimated that there are up to 1700 ‘sex workers’ in WA, most of them in the metropolitan area, and that there are about 38 ‘commercial sexual services premises’, 30 in Perth and 8 in regional WA.

In addition, according to Immigration Department figures for 2004-05, there are 290 “unlawful non-citizen sex workers” in Australia, with 5 per cent (15) in WA. Surely that sounds like trafficking in women and the exploitation of the prostitution of others. Sadly, the Working Party’s report makes no attempt to describe the turnover in prostitutes or the rate at which women involved in prostitution are affected by drugs, alcohol, illness, depression, breakdowns and suicide.

I urge Members of Parliament to demand from the Government a comprehensive report on the nature of the industry it is seeking to present as a suitable avenue of employment for your constituents and their daughters.

There is ample evidence from New South Wales and Victoria that the legalisation of prostitution has led to a huge increase in illegal prostitution, with more illegal brothels than legal ones; sharp increases in under-age and child prostitution; and rapid growth in trafficking in women through illegal migration for purposes of prostitution.

The failure of the Working Party to produce a substantial report on the nature and effects of prostitution does not absolve the Government of its responsibility to communicate openly with Parliament and the community about what it is seeking to do.

Community interest

My second major concern is the question of community interest. While it is obvious that some people use brothels, it can hardly be said that there is community demand for more of them or for the legalisation of them.

Nobody has ever produced either realistic theory or empirical evidence that the presence of brothels produces any benefit for any community. Attempts have been made to argue that they are some sort of safety valve and therefore protect women and girls from sexual assault, but the only evidence we have in Western Australia is to the contrary. In his 1959 report, the WA Commissioner of Police published figures that showed there was a 25 per cent reduction in sexual crimes in the 12 months after the closure of the Roe Street brothels compared with the 12 months before their closure.

On the other hand, there is considerable research evidence to show that males, and particularly young males, who use prostitutes have greater tendencies towards domination of women and violence towards them.

These behaviours by men, together with physical and sexual abuse of girls, are causal factors in more than half of all prostitutes being led into brothels and street prostitution.

Therefore there is no community interest in the proliferation of brothels and prostitution.

Government integrity

The licensing (or certification, which is no different) of operators of brothels and similar businesses will call into question the integrity of the whole process of government, starting with the decisions of Parliament. For example:

l A licensing system at least implies that the Government will eliminate

unlicensed operators. This raises the question: If, under a licensing system, the police will be able to eliminate unlicensed operators, why are they unable to eliminate illegal operations now? If illegal brothels and similar businesses increase as they have elsewhere, police will be forced into exactly the same situation as they have now. Legalisation will not solve the problem.

l If the DPP will support the Police by prosecuting unlicensed operators, why is his office currently operating under a ruling that it is not in the community’s interest to prosecute illegal brothel operators?

l If the Police continue to avoid their responsibility and pass it over to local governments (as in Victoria), why is it that local government staff are capable of and can be trusted with administering licensed and unlicensed operations while the Police are not capable and cannot be trusted?

l The Working Party says it “makes no value judgement about the sex industry”, but then makes a massive value judgement by recommending that no local government should be allowed to make any sort of value judgement about whether it is in its community’s interest to have brothels in its midst. It would

be an extraordinary value judgement for Parliament to rule that no Local Government will be able to avoid having organised prostitution in its community. It is hard to understand why, in the context of the Bill, what are now illegal brothels will be allowed to operate in local domestic neighbourhoods.

l Furthermore, the claim that the buying and selling of women and girls for the sexual gratification of men is value-free or value-neutral is so arbitrary and unsubstantiated that if adopted by Parliament it would bring into question the foundation of any value judgement enshrined in law.

An alternative view

Historically, the major problem with systems of allowing, forbidding, limiting, controlling or administering prostitution has been that the systems have been administered almost entirely from a male point of view. Under this often undefined male point of view, prostitutes are criminalised and their clients are, for the most part, ignored or treated as ‘value-free’.

There is an alternative view. It is that prostitution is another form of male violence and domination over women and children, and that in any form of prostitution the prostitute is the victim and the client is the predator.

After years of research – and possibly because they achieved almost 50 per cent representation by women in Parliament – Sweden enshrined this understanding in law.

“In 1999, [Sweden] criminalised the buying of sex and decriminalised the selling of sex. Their legislation also provides comprehensive funding to help women trying to get out of prostitution, and further funding for public education to ensure that the community understood the real meaning of prostitution.”

In 1999, they criminalised the buying of sex and decriminalised the selling of sex. Their legislation also provides comprehensive funding to help women trying to get out of prostitution, and further funding for public education to ensure that the community understood the real meaning of prostitution.

For the first couple of years, there were few significant results, but when the government provided the money for extensive training of the entire police service, and made it clear that it meant business in its attempt to eliminate violence against women and children, the results began to flow.

eliminate the organised crime elements that plague prostitution. Public opinion surveys run at about 80 per cent in favour of the new law.

Sweden’s experience to date is in sharp contrast to other forms of legalisation or regulation which inevitably result in a dramatic increase in all aspects of the sex industry; an increase in the involvement of organised crime; increase in child prostitution; increase in the trafficking of foreign women and girls; and indications of a general increase in violence against women. This is the Australian and international experience.

“New Zealand is the only jurisdiction the Working Party was specifically asked to examine and that is the one it has recommended without any information about how well or badly it is working.”

The Working Party was made aware of the Swedish model, but dismissed it in a couple of lines based on a comment from someone in New Zealand. It has all the appearances of someone trying to push through legislation before the results of the Swedish model become widely known and understood. It is also noteworthy that the Government is trying to rush through legislation before the results of the New Zealand model (introduced in 2004) are clear. New Zealand is the only jurisdiction the Working Party was specifically asked to examine and that is the one it has recommended without any information about how well or badly it is working.

According to reports, the number of street prostitutes dropped by two-thirds, the number of clients by 80 per cent, and Sweden’s once-renowned brothels and massage parlours have rapidly dwindled.

Compared with its neighbours and most other European nations, Sweden has virtually no trafficking of foreign women for sexual purposes. Sweden’s Police not only administer the law, but are enthusiastic supporters because they find that it helps them to deal with all sex crimes and to virtually

Members of Parliament in Western Australia should not allow themselves to be stampeded into legislation until a serious assessment of the results in Sweden are presented. The biggest advantage of the Swedish model is that it is based on a clear understanding of the observable truth about prostitution – namely, that it seriously harms the women who are enticed or coerced into it. While our Government is trying to adopt ‘value-neutral’ definitions for prostitution, the Swedes had the good sense to declare that prostitution is not the oldest profession, it is the oldest oppression.

Conclusion

There is ample evidence from around the world as well as in Australia that prostitution harms women and girls. There is no evidence that it brings benefit to any community. I therefore most sincerely ask all Members of Parliament to oppose this legislation.

+Barry Hickey Catholic Archbishop of Perth

THE RECORD comments

The wrong direction

Whenever people are heading in the wrong direction and do not want to change, it is predictable and inevitable that they will resort to ever more unreliable arguments to support their position. The latest example is the argument being used by some State Government MPs to defer consideration of the Swedish approach to curtailing prostitution. One suggestion is that there is no need to consider the Swedish system now: it can wait until the Government’s preferred system of legalisation and licensing is reviewed several years from now. Another is that it would force prostitution underground – just like all the existing and future illegal brothels in WA, presumably. This is an avoidance mechanism, designed as a smokescreen for the introduction of a system about which next to nothing is known. It is ostensibly based on the New Zealand system which was enacted in 2004 and therefore has not had time for a reasonable review of its effects.

On the other hand, the Swedish model is not merely different in its legislative and bureaucratic form. It is inherently different in its principles, its practice and its results. It is so different, in fact, that neighbouring countries have already followed or will soon follow its example. They have the benefit of being able to observe the differences across their borders. We are further away, but it should not be beyond our intelligence to obtain the necessary information, if any more information is needed. Apart from the lack of a rational basis for rushing ahead with untried legislation and waiting years to review it, there are fundamental problems with the review process itself. Firstly, it can be limited to a mere review of the working of the act:

“Yes, Minister, we’ve had no trouble issuing licences, and we understand the approved brothel managers have been able to obtain skilled workers, so, really, there are no problems. In fact, we’ve been so busy administering the Act that we haven’t had time to look for illegal brothels. We are developing a working plan to liaise with local government to set up a joint working group to look at that aspect during the next review period.”

“There is no reason – certainly not any reason that has been revealed – for the Government to rush into this legislation. Indeed, there is no reason for enacting the legislation at all.”

There is no reason – certainly not any reason that has been revealed –for the Government to rush into this legislation. Indeed, there is no reason for enacting the legislation at all. The Attorney-General appointed a so-called working party and advised it to look at the New Zealand model. It duly had its trip to New Zealand and recommended the New Zealand model.

They couldn’t, of course, have looked at the NSW and Victoria models because they have been spectacular failures, and there is nothing about the New Zealand model that would inherently make that system any better.

Secondly, if we finally get round to looking at the Swedish model and realise that it is spectacularly better we won’t be able introduce it because “all those brothel owners who invested so heavily to create idyllic working conditions for their staff (many of them recruited through high school careers programs) will sue the government for cancelling their licences.” And so, very reluctantly, the Attorney General will tell us that he can’t reform the system because the government can’t afford to be seen to be acting in bad faith. It would damage our international reputation as a good place to invest in.

Then there are the Police and the DPP. At present we have a police force that refuses to police the existing law, and a DPP who has declared that it is not in the community’s interest to prosecute the existing law. Will they find themselves able to comfortably ignore the new law and then “outvote

The Swedish police reportedly suffered from inertia for the first two years after their law was introduced in 1999, but when the Government put sufficient resources into an education program to show all ranks of the police

Opinion

Mother Teresa: a bridge to the early martyrs

■ By Mark Reidy

We have a great deal to thank the early Christian martyrs for, but they certainly set some high standards.

During her barbaric death at the hands of soldiers and wild beasts, third century believer Perpetua asked for a pin to fasten her hair

as she did not believe it right to look dishevelled, “in case she might seem to be mourning in her hour of triumph”.

Another martyr, Theodosia, as reported by Eusebius, had her sides and breasts “furrowed with instruments, even to the bones”, yet was able to maintain a cheerful and joyous countenance.

And Polycarp was even able to thank and praise God for the honour of dying for His glory, as a fire was being lit under him.

Now it may be easy to distance ourselves from those who lived in a less civilised era, but in reality, the journey of every genuine Christian should be one of martyrdom. That is not to say that we should outwardly search for physical persecution, but we are all called to fulfil a spiritual equivalent.

I believe that recent revelations about Blessed Mother Teresa can provide us with the bridge that connects us to these great saints

- without having to share their agonising exits.

In a recently released book, we have become privy to her previously unpublished letters that reflect an inner turmoil that will surprise many. It appears that for the last 40 years of her life, from the time she began her ministry to Calcutta’s most vulnerable, Mother Teresa experienced a separation from God that caused a deep and painful emptiness.

Some people have questioned whether this “crisis of faith” will affect her path to sainthood, but those more enlightened, such as the Pontifical Household Preacher, Father Raniero Cantalamessa, have declared that her suffering has not diminished her life’s work, but has in fact made it greater. He described her ability to remain faithful to God’s call, despite the battle within, as “martyrdom”.

Many may have been under the impression that any person who

sacrificed their entire life to the arduous task of caring for the unloved and the dying in the name of God must have been unceasingly driven by a divine and life-giving anointing. But now a new picture is being painted of a woman who, despite feelings of separation from God, chose to push forward in blind and arid faith. Mother Teresa knew the beautiful love of her Heavenly Father and therefore suffered when she was unable to emotionally experience this love. It is here, in her choice to trust in this love, in spite of what she was feeling, that we are provided with the bridge to the early martyrs. It is a bridge founded on the words of Jesus, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it” (Luke 9:23-24). Martyrdom does not have to mean a physical death.

In fact the original Greek word, “martyos”, meaning “witness”, was commonly used in a legal context where someone testified to the existence of a deed, or its meaning, for the benefit of those who had not seen it. Christians, therefore, through the unbroken chain of discipleship, are called to be witnesses of Christ. We are called to follow Jesus’ example of total surrender to the love of our Heavenly Father so that we can fulfil His will in our lives. It is this type of faith and sacrificial love, where we choose to go beyond our human feelings and desires, as Mother Teresa did, that will draw others into also entering the mystery of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

As the blood of the first Christians watered the seed of love planted by Christ, it is only by becoming living martyrs, and dying to ourselves for the love of God, that we can continue to share the fruit.

My daughter and I are lucky because of a man Catherine Parish @ home

Around Father’s Day, the local papers and their lifestyle magazines are always filled with fascinating articles and advertising about everything the modern man should apparently aspire to wear, do, know and be.

There were several interviews with dads from various walks of life.

■

By John Heard

It can be near impossible for some Christians today - academics in secular universities, students at government schools, same sex attracted men, Left-leaning politicians and scientists are the most obvious examples – to answer the question ‘are you a believer?’ Indeed, it has never been easy to be a Christian.

Many of the Apostles met grisly deaths at the hands of persecutors. The early Chuch was awash with martyrs’ blood and the cruel mill of

The first-time dad was quite touching, wanting so much to have time with this little daughter he was so entranced by. The step-dad was full of common sense and they’d made a go of it. Others were not married or were into second or subsequent marriages, and kept in touch fairly frequently with the kids from their previous relationships if they could.

I had a bit of a cynical jibe, but then I thought it was just sad for so many reasons. It was my son who brought home the sadness to me, looking up from the pages wryly.

“This is really depressing Mum”, he remarked conversationally, flipping it shut. He is a young man lucky enough to be surrounded by men without media profiles who try to be good fathers by staying married and faithful, making home a great, fun,

human history has ground up millions of believers.

This awesome witness nourishes the Church founded by Jesus, Himself brutally crucified between thieves.

We are, by historical experience and theological necessity then (think of the ‘Sign of Contradiction’) a suffering-ready people, a community of men and women on standby for martyrdom - whether dramatic or more mundane. We must be prepared to be activated by the exigencies of the world. That is a place where social, political, peer or any other of a number of different contexts find us marked out from the collective, and therefore vulnerable. It is dangerous work being a Christian.

While in the West we are not often now called upon to lay down our lives for the faith, we continue to face daily trials no less compelling than those acquitted by previous generations. Whether we resolve to alter a colleague’s prejudices or work towards some more grand change in the wider culture, our choices

vibrant place to be, working doggedly through the hard times, giving so much of themselves to their families, devoting themselves to the bringing up of good, strong, decent, moral, well-mannered, courteous, thoughtful kids to be the kind of adults that will carry on the role of committed, responsible and loving parenthood.

Because he is supremely comfortable in his own skin, this kind of man is also comfortable with women. More than that, he really does respect women in the true sense of the word, and recognises (sometimes with resignation, sometimes with annoyance!) her fundamental differences from him. He is happy to embrace a woman’s right to her femininity and to the full enjoyment of motherhood, and does

matter. Indeed, the quality of our acts and omissions helps determine whether or not we are ‘worthy of the promises of Christ’.

What does this tell us about Christianity?

Well, perhaps it is simply wrong. One argument might run, ‘if it’s so hard to be a Christian in the world, it cannot be the view that best describes the world’.

Certainly, if living in comfort, material excess and consumer bliss were the ends man was made for, Christianity would be a poor path to flourishing.

Christians, however, have always viewed the world through a different lens. Our reality is not the one recommended by contemporary capitalist society, secular academia and the mass media.

As St Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 13 : 8-12):

“If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect

not expect that she go back to work when the baby is three months old. He is willing to live without every electronic gadget and power tool, and is even willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and forgo a stateof -the-art barbeque to impress his friends with, so that his wife – if she wants to – can stay home longer with the children.

Though he might have a collection of 87 neck ties and cool dress sense, he isn’t usually interested in – or has given up the idea of – a Porsche; and men’s matt powder bronzer, self-tanning moisturiser, concealer, and tinted eyebrow and lash groomer (girls call it mascara) will probably never find their way onto his shaving shelf. I can’t really see him pulling out his cuticle pen as he waits in traffic, to keep his

comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face.

At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.

It would take a mystic to unravel or to begin to unravel the idea that we might come, in the final account, to ‘know’, even as we are ‘fully known’ – but a quick way to understand that might be to imagine an individual, you or me, coming into the presence of someone called Love (he exhibits all of the characteristics we generally ascribe to truth).

What kind of treatment will we merit from Love if we have rubbished truth? Similarly, what kind of integrity do Christians possess if we lie about what we hold to be true? That is, what kind of witness will we have offered to God if we have denied Him and what can we expect from death if we always went along with the mob for the sake of

nails in tip-top condition. There isn’t much news in this kind of man. He is not usually famous, he is mostly too busy to reflect too much about himself and what a wonderful guy he is, determined to keep his first family together rather than work through the quandary and heartache of absentee fatherhood, and if he does have nine children they will all have the same mother.

He might not have expected married life and fatherhood to be quite so demanding, but he has allowed himself to be formed and changed – even defined - by his experience; and he is not going anywhere – he is definitely in it for the long haul.

I am fortunate enough to know quite a few of him, and he is the kind I hope is still around somewhere when my daughter is grown up.

our comfort or some other notion of expediency? Not a very good one and not very much, surely. Human weakness is a fact of human nature, and God has provided for our stumbling. What we can be certain about is what Paul also points out - that ‘Love never fails’. But we cannot live as though our lies and failures don’t make any difference, as though there is some reality better than the one we might encounter when we are face to face with God. Otherwise we would be succumbing to the view in the mirror, preferring the indistinct, ultimately dumb, ‘nothing’ of this world to the Love we profess is God and truth.

For that reason, despite the brute shocks, the harsh treatment, the indifference, cruelty and contempt of the secular world, we Christians must never hesitate to declare ourselves in truth, with Love, for Christ. And to live like we mean what we say.

John Heard is a Melbourne writer and an honours student in the School of Philosophy, at The University of Melbourne.

The World FEATURE

When push comes to shove

Mission Impossible: eject the Holy See from the United Nations

Many are trying to kick the Holy See out of the United Nations, most recently “The Economist.”

But the papal delegation is there, and it wants to stay.

And almost all the countries that have diplomatic ties with the Vatican are on its side.

■ By Sandro Magister

In cauda venenum, the Latin saying goes. And there’s poison in the tail of the July 21 article on Vatican diplomacy in “The Economist.”

After two pages full of pleasantries, the article in the English weekly – which is widely read in government foreign offices – ends with this advice for the Holy See:

“It could renounce its special diplomatic status and call itself what it is – the biggest nongovernmental organisation in the world.”

This, it would seem, puts the Holy See on a par with agencies like Oxfam or Doctors without Borders.

The Vatican was not pleased, and decided to react.

The response came on August 9, from the head of Vatican diplomacy, the French Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for relations with states, in an interview with the broadsheet newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference, “Avvenire.”

Here is his complete reply to the conclusion of “The Economist”:

“This is certainly not an acceptable invitation!

“It may have arisen from an imprecise understanding of the Holy See’s position in the international community: a position that can be traced back to the beginning of the international community itself, and has been reinforced above all since the end of the nineteenth century.

“With the disappearance of the Papal States, it has, in fact, become increasingly more clear that the Holy See’s international juridical personality is independent of the criterion of territorial sovereignty.

“This situation is accepted tranquilly by the international community both on the bilateral level – I recall that there are almost 180 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with the Holy See – and on the multilateral level, as shown in particular by the UN general assembly resolution 58/314 of 2004, which expanded the range and prerogatives of the Holy See’s action as a permanent observer at the UN.

“Behind the invitation to reduce itself to a non-governmental organisation, apart from a lack of understanding of the Holy See’s juridical status, there is probably also a reductionist vision of its mission, which is not sectarian or linked to special interests, but is universal and inclusive of all the dimensions of man and humanity.

“This is why the Holy See’s activity within the international community is often a ‘sign of contradiction’, because it does not cease to raise its voice in defence of the dignity of each person and of the sacredness of all human life, above all the most vulnerable, and in defense of the family founded upon marriage between one man and one woman.

“It does not cease to assert the fundamental right to religious freedom, and to promote relations among individuals and peoples founded upon justice and solidarity.

“In carrying out its international role, the Holy See is always at the service of the comprehensive salvation of man, according to Christ’s commandment.

“It comes as no surprise that there are some who seek to diminish the resonance of its voice!”

Archbishop Mamberti’s response deserves some illustration.

The idea of expelling the Holy See from the concert of nations is not new.

Since 1995, “Catholics for a Free Choice” has tried to do this through petitions signed by various countries.

The American group is led by a former religious sister, Frances Kissling, but it’s Catholic in name only – more than that, it’s been officially excommunicated by the bishops of the United States.

The campaign was called “See Change,” and it was aimed at expelling the Holy See from the United Nations.

The reasons advanced in support of expulsion were the same ones that “The Economist” has now brought back to light: the Catholic Church is the only religion in the world that sits at the UN as a permanent observer, with “privileges” similar to those of sovereign nations; it thus represents an anomaly that moreover foments disagreement.

If the Church strives to bring peace to Burundi, that’s unobjectionable.

But when it opposes abortion and euthanasia, no, apparently it is not right that in order to support its own interests it should make use of an international juridical status that doesn’t truly belong to it.

It is no accident that the campaign for the expulsion of the Holy See from the UN heated up after the international conference in Cairo in 1994, on population, and the following conference in Beijing, on women.

At both conferences, the Vatican delegation played an effective role of opposition to the proabortion policies promoted by the UN itself, and by the major Western powers.

Apart from life and the family, another issue on which the Holy See becomes a “sign of contradiction” – as Archbishop Mamberti recalled – is religious freedom.

In the bureaucracies of the UN and of the other major international organisation that is the European Union, in which the Holy See has the rank of observer, the desire to expel it is fairly widespread.

But when it comes down to action, the opposite is true.

In July of 2004, the UN general assembly approved a resolution that not only confirmed, but even reinforced the Holy See’s presence in the organisation.

The Holy See has been at the UN since April 6, 1964 with “permanent observer status”.

This is a rank that until a few years ago it shared with Switzerland, until this became a full-fledged member state.

In its capacity as an observer, the Holy See does not vote in the general assembly, but has a right to address the body and to reply.

But it is a full member in various subsidiary bodies of the United Nations, for example in the commission for refugees.

But the strongest element that serves to confirm the recognition of the Holy See as an international juridical personality similar to a sovereign nation is the network of bilateral diplomatic relations that it maintains: a network that has become increasingly large with the passing of the centuries, and above all in recent years.

The first permanent papal nunciature was established in 1500, in the republic of Venice.

The first Protestant state that sent an ambassador to Rome was Prussia, in 1805.

The first non-Christian state that established diplomatic relations with the Holy See was Japan, in 1942.

When John Paul II was elected pope in 1978, the Holy See had diplomatic relations with 84 states. Today, it maintains relations with 176 states.

The most recent was added last May 31: the United Arab Emirates.

Special diplomatic relations have been established with Russia, and with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation.

Furthermore, the Holy See is present in 16 international organisations, including the UN, the African Union, and the Organisation of American States.

Essentially, it is easier to count the countries with which the Holy See still does not have relations. There are seventeen.

Nine of these are Muslim: Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Comoros, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritania, Oman, and Somalia.

Another four are run by communist regimes: China, North Korea, Laos, and Vietnam.

The remaining four are Bhutan, Botswana, Myanmar, and Tuvalu.

With such a high number of states that maintain bilateral relations with the Holy See – and thus acknowledge its international juridical personality – it is unthinkable that these same states would refuse to recognise its right to a place in a multilateral organisation.

It follows that the campaign to eject the Holy See from the UN is not motivated by what the Holy See is, but by what it does.

The Vatican diplomatic corps today consists of 101 nuncios in service.

Fifty-one of these come from Italy, seven from the United States, six from Spain, five each from France, India, and Poland, three each from the Philippines, Great Britain, and Switzerland, two each from Germany and Lebanon and one each from South Korea, Croatia, Ireland, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, Taiwan, Uganda, and Vietnam.

-www.chiesa

The World

Pope takes on the world’s wealthy kingpins

LONDON (Catholic Online) – Pope Benedict XVI is working on a new encyclical that will condemn tax evasion as “socially unjust” and will denounce the use of “tax havens” and offshore bank accounts by wealthy individuals to avoid taxes owed.

In a article published in the Times of London on August 10, Richard Owen, quoting Vatican sources, reported that the Pope’s second encylical will focus on social and economic problems facing mankind in an era of globalisation.

He will argue, the Times said, that tax shelters that seek to illegitimately limit the amount of taxes paid and the non-payment of taxes reduces tax revenues that benefit society as a whole and shift the burden to those less able to afford it.

The Pope is said to intend to urge the regulation of world trade and economic systems that will discourage further injustice. Last week, the Italian government of Roman Prodi called for a concerted crackdown on tax evaders, noting that individual avoidance of taxes and those associated with black-market transactions amount to 27 percent of Italy’s gross domestic product. Prodi, a Catholic, urged church leaders to speak out on tax evasion, telling the Catholic magazine Famiglia Cristiana that a third of Italians heavily evaded taxes, which were needed to help defray Italy’s huge budget deficit.

“Why, when I go to Mass, is this issue almost never touched upon in homilies?”

Prodi asked. “If memory serves, St Paul exhorted the faithful to obey authority.”

Just before leaving the Alps at the end of Pope Benedict’s July 9-27 vacation, his private secretary, Mgr Georg Ganswein, in an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Giornale, said that the pontiff’s daily holiday schedule included work on a new encyclical. Pope Benedict’s first encylical Deus Caritas Est (God is Love) was promulgated on January 25, 2006, signed on Christimas Day, December 25, 2005. The 16,000-word document focused on the subject of Christian love and the establishment of a personal relationship with Jesus.

Truth: as certain as death and taxes

As debate rages in Italy about the Italian Government crack-down on tax evaders while others urge its citizens to stop paying taxes to protest tax hikes, the Catholic Church is going on the front foot.

Pope Benedict XVI is preparing an encyclical condemning tax havens of the rich while his second in command, the outspoken Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, tells a major global Catholic movement to hold fast to the Truth, especially in regards to taxes.

RIMINI, Italy (CNS) - While Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, set out to preach about truth, his appearance at a major conference sponsored by Communion and Liberation led to headlines about “truth and taxes.”

The Cardinal presided at the opening Mass for the lay movement’s August 19-25 meeting in Rimini, focusing his homily on the Gospel’s depiction of the struggle between good and evil.

But after Mass, reporters asked for his opinion about the call by Umberto Bossi, head of Italy’s Northern League party, for Italians to stop paying their taxes to protest tax hikes.

Cardinal Bertone told the journalists: “We are with the Gospel, which says, ‘Give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s and to God that which is God’s,’ and with St Paul, who told people to pay their taxes.” Of course, he said, the tax rate must be just and revenues must be

Besieged Ncube’s

spent appropriately. The Cardinal said “the platform of the Christian politician” should be Psalm 72, a prayer for those who govern.

Cardinal Bertone said the Psalm said, “The politician must pay attention to the weak and poor and make sure that there are no injustices in distributing the resources of the state.”

In his homily, Cardinal Bertone encouraged Communion and Liberation members to hold fast to the moral truths of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Too often today, he said, the term “truth” is equated with “opinion,” leading people to think there are many truths and different truths for different people and different situations.

Such an attitude leads to confusion and, finally, a sense of being lost in the world, the Cardinal said.

“Life, deprived of certainties, becomes opaque, without meaning and ultimately exposed to every possible form of violence and abuse,” he said.

Not compromising one’s relationship with God means not compromising when it comes to moral truths, he said.

The battle between God and the devil, the Cardinal said, is a battle over peace, love, truth and goodness.

Cardinal Bertone told the Communion and Liberation gathering in Rimini, which also has members in Perth, that Satan wants to annihilate God in order to “establish his reign of chaos, hatred and unhappiness.

His aim is to attract people to himself and subjugate them,” he said.

The “fire” that Jesus said he would bring to the earth is not a force of destruction, but of clarification, one that “clearly distinguishes good from evil, truth from error,” Cardinal Bertone said.

bishops rally against his

persecutors

Archbishop’s charges slammed as ‘outrageous and utterly deplorable’

HARARE, Zimbabwe (CNS)Zimbabwe’s bishops called attacks on Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo “outrageous and utterly deplorable” and an attempt to divert attention from the catastrophe that Zimbabwe has become.

“The recent attacks by some politicians and the state media on the person” of Archbishop Ncube, who is being sued for adultery, “constitute an assault on the Catholic Church, to which we take strong exception,” the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference said in a statement from the capital, Harare. “The Catholic Church has never been and is not an enemy of Zimbabwe,” the bishops said, noting that the Church’s service to Zimbabweans includes running 60 hospitals, 174 schools and many orphanages. “Our record during the years of the liberation struggle speaks for itself,” they said.

Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980 after a guerrilla war.

The bishops noted that the archbishop’s case was before the High Court of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo and should not be discussed in public until a verdict has been delivered.

In July, Onesimus Sibanda claimed damages from the archbishop for an alleged affair with his wife, Rosemary Sibanda.

State-run newspapers published photos they said were of Archbishop Ncube and a woman, taken with a concealed camera placed in the archbishop’s bedroom.

“The constitution of Zimbabwe clearly defends the presumption of innocence of an accused person as a legal safeguard for a fair hearing before an impartial tribunal,” the bishops said.

“Acting in complete disregard of these universally respected conventions, the state media obtained and publicised, for days on end, in print and on television, video and photographic material, which violated the most fundamental personal rights of Archbishop Ncube

and were utterly offensive to the public,” they said.

“We support him fully in his present painful personal situation and ask all our faithful to remember him in their prayers,” they said.

The bishops listed a litany of problems in their country: “Freedom and fundamental human rights are violated daily with impunity, the shelves of the shops and supermarkets are empty, our currency has become worthless, the public health service has collapsed, the country’s main roads are lined with tens of thousands of citizens waiting for public transport, corruption is rampant and young people are risking their lives daily and in growing numbers to escape the catastrophe that our country has become.” They said the attempt to divert attention from these

events by creating “hate propaganda and character assassination against those Zimbabweans who, like Archbishop Ncube, have spoken out in defence of the oppressed, has not deceived ordinary Zimbabweans.”

Archbishop Ncube “has courageously and with moral authority advocated social justice and political action to overcome the grievous crisis facing our country,” the bishops said.

Zimbabwe is crippled by the highest rate of inflation in the world, unemployment of more than 80 percent, and shortages of foreign currency and fuel.

Food shortages are acute, large numbers of people are migrating to the neighbouring countries of South Africa and Botswana, and, with elections scheduled for March, political violence has intensified.

The model: St Matthew the Apostle is depicted in a window at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rockford, Illinois. As author of the first Gospel, Matthew is often depicted with a tablet. The bag in his hand represents his life as a tax collector before being called forth as a disciple of Christ. His feast day is September 21.

PHOTO: CNS

Archbishop Ncube

The World

Mother Teresa’s dark night of the soul

Despite her smile and cheerful confidence Mother Teresa felt inner desolation for years. What does this mean?

■ By Richard Umbers

Ten years after her death, Mother Teresa of Calcutta still fascinates a world which fails to share her faith.

Last week she appeared on the cover of Time magazine with the headline “the secret life of Mother Teresa”. But the article contained, not reminiscences of her self-sacrificing care for the poor, but startling documentation of inner spiritual desolation decade after decade. “I am told that God loves me – and yet the reality of darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul”.

These words are taken from correspondence between Teresa and her confessors and superiors over 66 years, which is being published as Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light.

But the lives of people like Teresa show the abiding wisdom of this embrace of pain, even spiritual pain. They radiate peace and joy even while undergoing their own hidden Calvaries.

They are not sentiments that one expects from a saintly nun who spent hours each day in prayer and the rest of her time in tending the sick, the poor and the abandoned.

While no adult should think of God as a celestial Santa Claus, ever ready to indulge our most selfish petitions, are we meant to address as “our Father” an entity that would allow this much interior pain in his “beloved”?

The atheists of the global village were quick to say “I told you so.” They used Teresa’s desolation as another proof that believers are deluding themselves.

Christopher Hitchens, author of a nasty biography of a woman whom everyone else on the planet loved, had a simple message to the faithful in his column in Newsweek: God is not great and Teresa is not His prophet.

According to Hitchens and his fellow apostle of atheism, Sam Harris, Christianity is a figment of the human imagination so powerful that its adherents have no eyes to see its flaws, nor ears to listen to his refutation.

It leads people to believe flat contradictions in the very teeth of the evidence.

Exhibit A in their debunking tirades is Mother Teresa, who preached God to others, even though she felt racked by doubt herself.

There are more things in heaven and earth than in your philosophy, my dear fellow, but let us take a closer look at your reasoning.

To begin with, such arguments are largely circular: precious little evidence is given for claims that there is no evidence.

Dismissing the work of brilliant thinkers like Thomas Aquinas or Elizabeth Anscombe, as Sam Harris does, as “strenuous and unconvincing theology” is a bit rich. Even flakier, however, is the notion that if Mother Teresa wrestled with her faith, then Christianity is clearly baloney.

This is a clear example of the logical fallacy called “affirming the consequent.”

This is how it runs: If Christianity is baloney, then its adherents will have trouble believing it. Christianity’s finest adherents have trouble believing it. Therefore Christianity is baloney.

But other causes could have been involved. Consider the following counter-example: If it is raining the lawn will be wet. The lawn is wet. Therefore it is raining. Clearly this is wrong. Someone could have turned on the sprinkler. So too, Mother Teresa’s “doubts” in the existence of God could have

had other causes than God’s non-existence. Doubt and certitude are subjective reactions to the evidence.

The father of modern philosophy, René Descartes, doubted the existence of his hands but was sure about the existence of his soul.

But the reality of the existence of either hands or soul does not stand or fall on any one person’s emotion-charged assessment of the evidence for and against this particular proposition.

Atheists will be quick to say that there is no God; no wonder Teresa had trouble appreciating His existence. But this is simple to the point of being simplistic. For a pop psychologist like Hitchens all saints are basket cases: hearing voices means schizophrenia, spiritual elation followed by aridity means manic depression. But this ignores the facts about the lives of men and women like Teresa. Atheists may scoff at the Christian belief that happiness comes not from health, success, money or self-esteem but from the cross. But the lives of people like Teresa show the abiding wisdom of this embrace of pain, even spiritual pain.

They radiate peace and joy even while undergoing their own hidden Calvaries.

Theologians refer to this phenomenon as a “dark night” of sense or of spirit.

The removal of pride and attachments is part of a long and painful chemotherapy of the soul. Catholics believe that God uses purgatory to prepare sinful souls for the joys of heaven. Teresa may have bypassed purgatory by being purified here below. Saints like the recently-canonised Josemaría Escrivá often averred that they were constantly going against the grain in their service of the Lord. Far from being a senseless exercise in selfdeception, this purification from the dangers of wallowing in smug altruism leads to greater self-knowledge and dedication.

It has a familiar parallel in the sleepless exhaustion of mothers and fathers caring for a wailing infant. They may not feel the glow of love at 3am - but it is there all the same.

Does the revelation of Mother Teresa’s inner agony mean that she should be promoted as the patron saint of sceptics?

No - because she was no sceptic. When a mystic writes about experiences for which language barely has words she will inevitably say things that cannot be taken literally.

Hallelujahs on the lips do not necessarily imply faith. What showed the sincerity of Teresa’s faith was that she both said Hallelujah and worked doggedly, tirelessly, perseveringly for Christ.

If she spoke of a lack of faith and dryness in her prayer, these were protests directed to her God in her prayer.

She knew that Christ had redeemed souls by suffering a similar desolation on his cross. And she wanted nothing less than to imitate her Lord. “If this brings You glory — if souls are brought to you — with joy I accept all to the end of my life,” she wrote. Mother Teresa’s good works were proof of her faith. What more evidence do you need?

Dr Richard Umbers is a Catholic priest who lectures in philosophy in Sydney. He writes for Mercatornet

“Saint” Teresa by end of this year?

CALCUTTA, India (Zenit.org)- This is the year for the canonisation of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, or so hopes a group of Catholics in Calcutta. The Catholic Association of Bengal, the largest lay organisation of the Archdiocese of Calcutta, has declared 2007 the Year for the Canonisation of Mother Teresa. The organisation launched a twoweek prayer campaign on August 23, which will lead up to the 10th anniversary of the nun’s death, with plans to continue the initial celebration until September 23.

Light in the darkness: Mother Teresa holds a candle at a gathering for families in St

at the Vatican in October 1994. A new book, titled “Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light,” was released yesterday (September 5), the day before the 10th anniversary of her death. The book, a compilation of letters Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta wrote to her spiritual advisers, reveals the darkness of soul that she experienced for many years.

Crisis of faith won’t harm canonisation: Vatican

VATICAN CITY - Vatican officials said a new book detailing Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s long “crisis of faith” illustrates her spiritual strength in the face of doubt.

“This is a figure who had moments of uncertainty and discouragement, experiencing the classic dark night that God gives to chosen people in order to forge them on the road to holiness,” said Spanish Cardinal Julian Herranz, a member of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes.

“These moments of crisis felt by great saints are normal and in line with the Church’s tradition,” Cardinal Herranz said.

Even Christ experienced a similar spiritual trial in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, he said. Such moments of “weakness” are in fact “the proof of the greatness of faith of Blessed Mother Teresa and take nothing away from her holiness,” he said. Cardinal Herranz told Rome newspaper La Repubblica that the progress of Mother Teresa’s sainthood cause would not be affected by the letters published in the book. Vatican and other Church officials were already familiar with the letters because many were first published in 2002, and in fact formed part of the documentation reviewed before she was beatified in 2003, six years after her death.

The letters are being published in English in the upcoming book, “Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light,” edited by Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, a member of the Missionaries of Charity order founded by Mother Teresa and the postulator of her sainthood cause.

Time magazine recently ran a cover story about the book under the title, “The Secret

Life of Mother Teresa.” In letters written over several decades, she spoke of a lack of faith, a “terrible darkness within me” and a sense of being abandoned by Jesus.

Sister Nirmala Joshi, head of the Missionaries of Charity, said the letters reveal that sainthood does not come easily, but they do not show a failure of faith.

“Mother (Teresa) did not doubt God, she continued to love him. If you doubt someone, sooner or later you stop following him. But she continued right up to her death to love him and to put into practice her devotion,” Sister Nirmala told La Repubblica.

Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher of the papal household, told Vatican Radio that what distinguished Mother Teresa’s “dark night” was that it apparently continued throughout her life and was not a preparation for a new spiritual stage as with other saints.

He said her inner suffering should not be seen as a denial of God, however. She knew God was there, but suffered because she could not feel him, he said.

Noting that Mother Teresa would kneel before the Eucharist for hours at a time, Fr Cantalamessa said it must have been a form of “martyrdom” not to feel Christ’s presence.

“For me, this makes the figure of Mother Teresa much bigger, not smaller,” he said.

Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola of Venice, who wrote a reflection on Mother Teresa’s letters last year in the Vatican newspaper, said they reveal that “Mother Teresa is one of us, that she went through all the trials just as we do, no more and no less”.

Peter’s Square

PHOTO: CNS

The battles we had to have shaped us

A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900

- Andrew Roberts, Weidenfeld & Nicholson, $55.00

■ Reviewed by Hal Colebatch

Sir Winston Churchill took his moumental four-volume History of the English-Speaking Peoples, including “their origins, their quarrels, their misfortunes and their reconciliation,” only up to 1900.

He is said to have claimed that he could not bear to write more about the 20th Century, though he ended with the words: “The future is unknowable, but the past should give us hope.”

Now British historian Andrew Roberts has completed “the next stage of their story.”

In many ways his achievement is Churchillian, and like Churchill his aim has been to show the Englishspeaking peoples as essentially one, heirs to a single, unique and continuing civilisation which is surely the most extraordinary in the history of the world.

While it was at one time fashionable among historians like Arthur Bryant and sociologists like Max Weber to attribute the Englishspeaking people’s extraordinary rise to Protestantism, Roberts is skeptical about this, pointing out that Catholic countries have also been successful in development and capitalism, and “It is impossible to predict whether had Mary Tudor any Catholic descendants they might also have presided over the expansion of England to just the same extent as Elizabeth R.’s protestant successors.

“Their Catholicism certainly does not seem to have held back the nautical ambitions of Phillip II of Spain, Christopher Columbus or Portugal’s Prince Henry the Navigator.” (To which list he might have added Magellan, de Quiros and many others).

I have written previously of Catholicism’s vast role in building the modern scientific and technological world.

Modern archaeology suggests that at the time of Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries the monks

were on the verge of building blastfurnaces, which would have made cheap steel available to the world hundreds of years earlier than was in fact the case.

The whole scientific method of inquiry which has given us technological civilisation is owed to the traditions established by pre-reformation scholars.

“Religious toleration”, Roberts writes, “has been a consistent source of strength. Efforts wasted by other societies at attempting to impose clerical orthodoxy have instead been channelled into more productive areas by the English-speaking peoples.” Churchill was denied the title of historian by many professional academics jealous of that title and probably of other things.

In fact he did not set out to write an original interpretation of history, but rather to take largely accepted

Artwork storm

Continued from page 3 strongly with a spirituality that has found common ground between Catholicism and the creation stories and Dreamings of the Gija people.” Hymns written in the Aboriginal dialect for the celebration of the stations of the cross have helped inspire Purdie. One of these hymns, translated into English, includes the words “Jesus was killed, Jesus was killed, He was nailed up on the Cross, He awoke again for us.”

The chairman of the Blake Prize’s organising committee, Uniting Church minister Rev Rod Pattenden, issued a statement last week commenting on the controversy caused by the Osama bin Laden-Jesus artwork.

Rev Pattenden said he had received several phone calls during the controversy from “people claiming religious allegiance who

have expressed themselves with clear hatred and violence towards other religious groups.”

He said that art does our culture a service “when it can make us aware of our prejudices, our hatreds and the intolerance that sometimes underlies some forms of belief.”

Meanwhile the artist who created the artwork likening Jesus to Osama bin Laden, Priscilla Bracks, justified her work with these words.

“Osama bin Laden and Jesus could not have ethics that are more different.” However, Bracks said, “there is a very real possibility that by giving media attention to those who commit crimes and advocate violence, we elevate them to a status where in some circles, they are perceived as sacred and holy – revered in the same way we revere Jesus.”

It was their unflinching determination to defend themselves which led to the final bloodless end of the Cold War and the collapse of Soviet Communism. The “long, dismal drawling tides” of the 1970s gave place to virtually unforeseen victory in the long attrition of the Cold War.

He celebrates heroic moments, and plainly feels we need some more of them now: “Todd Beamer’s call to his companions just before they stormed the cockpit - ‘Are you ready, guys? Let’s roll!’ today ranks as one of the great rallying-cries of the English-speaking peoples in combat.”

Roberts deals in a lively, lucid and well-informed manner with events that could now easily seem dry and dull, such as the establishment of NATO, of Israel, and the Suez crisis when Anglo-American relations reached their lowest point in modern times.

Aboriginal republic would be a lot sexier” and become a hunter-gatherer society, presumably with 21 million people pursuing kangaroos with spears.

Roberts plainly believes intervention to overthrow vile regimes is not only right but that there should be more of it. He claims the Iraq war is not only amply justified but, at least from the point of view of Britain, one of the cheapest engagements of its kind in the past century, costing less than half of one per cent of total government spending.

and uncontroversial views and retell the story as literature.

Andrew Roberts is more ready to put forward opinions of his own.

However, he is generally able to back them with sound argument.

It is possible to disagree with a number of details but the overall sweep of the book is magisterial.

Like Churchill, he is the master of the grand narrative: the story of how the civilisation of the Englishspeaking peoples beat off the great assaults of Prussian militarism, Fascist aggression and Soviet communism, and now face a fourth great assault in the form of Islamic terrorism and its de facto allies.

One theme he stresses is that the only times the English-speaking peoples have been defeated in war in the 20th Century is when they, or at least their two leading powers, have not fought as one.

Running through the story is an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of liberal parliamentary democracy: he claims the Englishspeaking nations have been, by 20th Century standards, virtually guiltless of atrocities and mass-crimes, but have tended to “look the other way” when they have occurred elsewhere. Among the English-speaking people’s inglorious tradition of producing apologists for totalitarianism, the Australian traitor Wilfred Burchett’s role in North Korean propaganda is mentioned, though mention might also have been made of his role in the interrogation, torture and attempted brain-washing of Australian and other allied prisoners of war in North Korean hands.

The Lenin-loving Australian historian Manning Clark also receives two pages of Roberts’ well-justified contempt, with the conclusion: “Whether or not Clark was actually awarded the Order of Lenin, he most certainly deserved to be.”

He is also scathing of the opponents of scientific and technological civilisation, and of university-tenured and other apostles of pseudoprimitivism such as the ineffable Dr Germaine Greer who, in 2004, published a book, Whitefella Jump Up: The Shortest Way to Nationhood, arguing that Australia should discard her British heritage and adopt Aboriginal language, customs and mythologies, partly because “an

However, Roberts is setting out to tell not merely a political but also a social and cultural history, both of the unique achievements of the English-speaking peoples in all manner of endeavours and of the links which bind them together and make it possible to speak of an English-speaking civilisation as a distinct and unique identity and unity. Near the conclusion he writes: “Churchill was right in his Harvard speech when he declared, “If we are together, nothing is impossible.” In the last century the Union Jack has flown on Everest and the Stars and Stripes on the Moon, and together the English-speaking peoples have brought down tyrannies across four continents, cured disease after disease, delivered unheard-of prosperity to hundreds of millions, made their tongue the global lingua franca, won far more Nobel Prizes than anyone else in both absolute and per capita terms, and smoothly passed the baton of global leadership from one of their constituent parts to another, right in the middle of a debilitating war. Their only possible limiting factor seems to have been a recurring, inexplicable, underserved form of anguished introspection that makes them doubt their own abilities or moral worth.

Inevitably in trying to tell this mighty story in about 700 pages, there are some omissions. In some cases the author’s judgments differ from my own. I would be kinder to Franco and harder on Brecht, for example. However, all in all, this book is a magnificent achievement, and I do not think anyone wishing to claim serious knowledge of the great historical currents of the past and present centuries can afford not to have it in a handy place on their library shelves.

Go against the flow, fight for the Truth: Pope

Continued from page 1 an encounter with youth from Italy and around the world.

“There are so many messages, above all through the media, that are being directed toward you. Be vigilant. Be critical,” the Pontiff exclaimed.

Most of the young pilgrims had spent the night under the stars or in large tents. There were 150 bishops and 2000 priests who concelebrated the Eucharist with the Pope. Benedict XVI spoke to the youth a few kilometres from the Italian national shrine, where, tradition says, Mary’s house was carried stone by stone from Nazareth.

He explained to the young people that the humility that they heard about in the Gospel passage read at Mass (“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted,” Luke 14:11) is not “the way of renunciation but of courage.”

Under a scorching sun, the Bishop of Rome told the youth: “The message is this: Do not follow the way of pride but the way of humility. Go against the current. Do not listen to the interesting and seductive voices that today from many parts propose as models lives of arrogance and violence, of despotism and success at all costs, of appearances and having, of harm to being.” Speaking of the enormous influence that media desire to have on young people, he told them: “Do not follow the current produced by this powerful attempt at persuasion.

“Do not be afraid, dear friends, to prefer the ‘alternative’ ways indicated by true love: a sober way of life attentive to others; affectionate relationships that are sincere and pure; an honest commitment in study and work; deep interest in the common good.” The Pope encouraged them to not be afraid “to appear different and be criticised for that which might seem foolish or unfashionable.”

And in a nod to the Catholic youth of Australia, the country he has previously identified as that which most needs evangelising, on two occasions during his meetings with the youth in Loreto, Italy, the Holy Father recalled his appointment with them in Sydney.

During the prayer vigil on Saturday evening on the outskirts of Loreto - where the Italian national Marian shrine is located - the Pontiff spoke of his dream of being present at the World Youth Day.

“I invite you to prepare yourselves for this great manifestation of youthful faith, meditating on the message that treats the theme of the Holy Spirit, to live together a new springtime of the Spirit,” Pope Benedict said.

A delegation of young people from Australia came to the gathering in Loreto to invite the participants to their country next year and to learn from the organisation of the Italian meeting.

Knowing the Spirit

The Action of the Holy Spirit

By Frank J Sheed

Available from The Record Bookshop, $24.95

■ Reviewed by Mark

Reidy

Who or what is the Holy Spirit? Where did He come from? What is His role in the Church? Why did Jesus have to leave when the Holy Spirit came? In his book, “The Action of the Holy Spirit”, internationally recognised Catholic apologist, Frank Sheed, explores the Third Person of the Trinity, and through insightful observation, takes the reader on a journey into the mystery of God. Sheed follows the revelation of the Holy Spirit, or Spirit of God, from the very first pages of the Old Testament to His more personal presentation throughout the life of Jesus and consequently, to His most intimate disclosure as the “breath” of the Church from the time of Pentecost.

As Sheed delves into the mystery of the Holy Spirit in this compact 127-page book, he remains faithful

to the concept of faith while simultaneously addressing the more comprehensible concept of what the mystery is not. “‘Mysteries’ in religion”, he observes, “are not truths of which we can know nothing, but truths of which we cannot know everything.”

While Sheed’s personal passion for this topic is obvious, he is able to simultaneously maintain a tone of authority and wisdom as he seeks to give the reader an understanding of why the Holy Spirit is so vital in the lives of both the Church and the individual. He systematically explores the role of the Holy Spirit throughout Jesus’ ministry, from baptism to transfiguration to ascension, and is able to take the reader on a journey similar to that of the first disciples, as they gradually awake to the divine nature of Jesus’ mission. This new understanding, according to the author, reaches its fulfilment at Pentecost when the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit.

It is at this integral point of Church history, Sheed emphasises, that the Holy Spirit, which had dwelled in Christ during His earthly Ministry, would now dwell within His new Body - the Church. “The Church is the body of Christ”,

Bookshop

he writes, “Christ is the head, to whom, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are joined.”

Throughout the book Sheed attempts to address both the limitations of human comprehension and the limitless dimensions of faith, as he urges people to weave together their natural and spiritual lives, so that they can embrace the reality of God into their earthly existence. “Only the Holy Spirit can renew the face of the earth”, he writes, “but he does it by renewing our hearts.”

Sheed’s scriptural unveiling of the Holy Spirit is geared toward an audience that is already aware of the Trinitarian mystery but is seeking a deeper understanding. In “The Action of the Holy Spirit” he provides a thought and spirit-provoking journey into the mysteries of Christianity. Sheed utilises his depth of Scriptural understanding and his logical intellect to provide readers with the opportunity to, not only better their understanding of the often-neglected Third Person of the Trinity, but also to realise their own role in God’s plan of salvation. “We cannot be saved without him (the Holy Spirit)”, Sheed concludes, “But he cannot save us without us…”

A deeper understanding: The Trinitarian mystery revealed - some more.

Special Release

Cherished Hymns of the Forefathers Special Edition Set

Cherished Hymns of the Forefathers is a Special Edition 2 DVD + 1 CD Set containing highlights of the TV series Hymns of the Forefathers. Disc 1 contains 6 episodes focussing on some of the most popular and powerful hymns, including ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Abide With Me’ and ‘It Is Well With My Soul’. Disc 2 contains a special look into some of the Abbeys and Cathedrals in the world that have been saturated with these hymns. The set also contains a complimentary 14 track CD of the most popular hymns of the forefathers. ......Complete Set $35.95+postage

A Voice From Calvary

(3 CD set)

Fulton Sheen ponders the meaning and significance of human suffering, drawing from his own experiences.

$25+postage

Lord Have Mercy The Healing Power of Confession

(3 CD set)

Dr Scott Hahn explains how the unfathomable mercy and forgiving love of God penetrates penitents in confession, taking away our sins, restoring our friendship with God and giving us power to sin no more.

$25+postage

The Apostle’s Creed CD

Matthew Arnold explains the core Catholic beliefs: the proclamations of the Apostle’s Creed.

$13.95+postage

The Life of Christ in Scripture & Tradition CD

Matthew Arnold helps listeners meditate on the life of Christ using Scripture, Gregorian Chant and the traditional teachings of the Church.

$17.95+postage

Fanning the Flame of Faith

How to Grow, Go and Glow in Christ Jesus (CD)

Over 4 talks, Jones teaches listeners the secrets to having souls ablaze with love of Christ and how to tap into the reservoir of God’s grace in order to grow in holiness and embrace the mission given to you.

$30+postage

Our Catholic Faith DVD

This remarkable DVD presents the truths and mysteries of the Catholic faith, including the Triune God, Redemption, Marks of the Church, the Last Judgement, Prayer, Grace, the Mass, Scripture and the Virtues.

$25+postage

Swear To God

The Promise & the Power of the Sacraments (3 CD set)

Dr Scott Hahn explains the Biblical roots of the seven Sacraments and the efficacious redemptive power of God they bring to its recipients.

$25+postage

Saturday September 8

PANORAMA a roundup of events in the archdiocese

MONTHLY MASS IN HONOUR OF MARY MACKILLOP

6pm Sisters of St. Joseph Chapel, 16 York St, South Perth Everyone Welcome Enq: Sister Margaret 9334 0995.

Saturday/Sunday September 8-9

ANNUAL CARRYING OF THE CROSS

Gingin-Bindoon-Bullsbrook. Volunteers required! 14 Stations of 5.3kms. Offered up for vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life. Starts after 6pm Vigil Mass Sat 8/9 in Gingin and concludes 9/9 at 9.30am Sunday Mass in Bullsbrook. For more details Fr Paul 9571 1839 or Peter 9571 2108.

September 9-16

FEAST OF OUR LADY MARIA SS ADDOLORATA.

Our Lady’s Assumption Church, Grand Promenade, Dianella. Commencing with Settenario which will be celebrated by Fr Antonio Paganoni CS, September 9-15 at 7.30pm. The procession will commence from the Church, Sunday September 16, 2.30pm, followed by sung Mass with celebrants Bishop Peter Quinn & Fr Antonio Paganoni. Enquiries: Lina Giancola 9455 5619.

Sunday September 9

EUCHARISTIC REPARATION

The World Apostolate of Fatima Aust Inc invites you to attend a Holy Hour of Reparation to mark the 90th Anniversary of Fatima in Our Lady of Peace Church, Cnr Harfoot and Milroy Street, Willagee at 3pm. All are very welcome. Enq: 9339 2614.

Monday September 10 and Wednesday September 12 WOMENS REFLECTION DAY: THE CHALLENGE OF BEING A CATHOLIC WOMAN

Join us for a day of discussion and reflection. Schoenstatt, 9 Talus Drive, Armadale. 9.30am-2pm. Holy Mass will be celebrated in the Shrine at 10am. Please bring a gold coin donation and a plate to share for lunch. Please join us. Evening session Wednesday, September 12, 7.30-9.30pm Enq: Sr M Renee 9399 2349 or Denise Bibby 9399 4759.

Thursday September 13-16

TELL YOUR CATHOLIC FRIENDS ABOUT CURSILLO Sisters’ of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart house known as Penola, 27 Penguin Road, Safety Bay. All Welcome to Mananita Sunday 16th September 6am for 6.15am (gather at the chapel car park) Clausura Sunday 16th September 4.30pm Enq: Jean Hoff 0421 725 508 or 9531 3842 Andrew Booth 0413 704 416 or 9364 9567 abc34196@bigpond.net.au www.cursillo.asn.au.

Thursday to Sunday September 13-16

CURSILLO FOR WOMEN

7pm to be held at ‘Penola by the Sea’, 27 Penguin Rd, Safety Bay. For application forms and/or further information please phone Jeanie Hoff on 9531 3842 or 0421 725 508.

Friday September 14

ALAN AMES IN CLAREMONT

Alan will be speaking of his conversion experiences at St Thomas Catholic Church, Cnr College Road & Melville Street, Claremont, after 7 pm Mass. Healing prayers will follow. Enq: Loretti Crameri 9444 4409.

Friday September 14

FEAST OF THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS

St Anne’s Church, Bindoon 11am Holy Mass, followed by BYO lunch. All welcome!

Sunday September 16

BANDRA FEAST

11.30am-3.30pm. Fund raising event by GOA for St Mary’s Cathedral restoration appeal. Afternoon comprises authentic home made Goan & Indian cuisine, games of skill and variety family entertainment. Welcome to an enjoyable afternoon to remember. Venue: Vic Park Recreation Centre, Off Albany Highway (Kent Street), East Victoria Park.

Tuesday September 18

NATIONAL CLOSE THE GAP DAY

Caritas Australia, following the initiative of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, is a supporter of the “Close the Gap” campaign to encourage the Federal Government to end the indigenous health care crisis. “Close the Gap” postcards to be sent to the Health Minister, Tony Abbott, are available from

the Perth office (tel. 9422 7925). To mark National Close the Gap Day on Tuesday, 18th September an event, organised by Oxfam, will be held at Parliament House (Perth), 11.30 am to 1.30 pm.

Wednesday September 19

GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH LOCKRIDGE

Feast of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: Tridiuum. Rosary

6.30pm. Mass 7pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 8pm-9pm. Thursday 20 September, Rosary 6.30pm. Mass 7pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 8pm-9pm. Friday 21 September Rosary 6.30pm. Mass 7pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 8pm-9pm (In Father Dan Foley Centre)- DVD and Video presentation of final Santo Pio Mass. Followed by refreshments and supper, please bring a plate. Saturday 22 September Rosary 6pm, Mass 6.30pm, 7.30pm - Procession followed by Refreshments (In the Father Dan Foley Centreplease bring a plate). Enq: Father Hong Pham 9279 8119 or Nick De Luca 9378 2684.

Saturday September 22

ST PADRE PIO PILGRIMAGE TO TOODYAY

Program: 10.15am – DVD Presentation of St Pio’s Life. 11.30am – Solemn Holy Mass - St Padre Pio Liturgy. Lunch BYO. Tea & Coffee provided. AfternoonEucharistic Procession, Adoration, Rosary, Divine Mercy, Benediction, Confessions available. Finish 4.15pm. Buses departing St Joachim’s Vic Park, Mirrabooka, Girrawheen contact Nita 9367 1366. Glendalough, Leederville, Morley, Midland contact Des 6278 1540.

Sunday September 30

GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH LOCKRIDGE

The Pauline Youth will be having a gathering starting at 5pm with the celebration of Mass followed by singing and Bible reading. After this there will be a gathering in the Father Dan Foley Centre with refreshments, fun and social activity. Enquiries to Father Hong Pham 9279 8119 or Nick De Luca 9378 2684.

Each Saturday, September 22 – November 10 BE RENEWED AND REFRESHED IN THE NEW LIFE IN GOD’S SPIRIT SEMINAR

The Holy Spirit of Freedom Community invites you to this eight week seminar, which provides an opportunity to deepen your relationship with God and seek a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The course will run from 10.30am - 12.30pm at St Anne’s Church Hall, 11 Hehir St Belmont. For further details contact Peter on 9475 0155 or email at hsofperth@gmail.com.

Saturday 22 September AN INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED 5 HOUR RETREAT

Experienced by thousands in different countries, is guaranteed to bring new meaning to your life as Catholics. This Retreat beautifully developed by Fr Douglas Rowe S.F.P. and brilliantly conducted by him is an experience you will never forget. Seeing, is believing! Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40/A Mary Street, Highgate. 2pm sharp till approximately 7pm. Registration: 1.30pm onwards. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Contact: Jan 9323 8089 or Maureen 9247 4643 or Fr Douglas Rowe S.F.P - 9325 2009.

Sunday September 23

ST JEROMES SCHOOL/PARISH FETE

Stalls, rides, hot food, refreshments, raffles, Auction at 12noon, and much more..... Corner Rockingham Road and Troode Street Munster.

Sunday September 23

40TH ANNIVERSARY OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Past parishioners and friends of Our Lady of Lourdes, Nollamara are warmly invited to attend the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of our Church and the Blessing of its extensions. Celebrations will begin with a concelebrated Mass at 2.30pm followed by light refreshments. For further enquiries please contact the Parish Centre on 9345 5541.

Sunday September 23

ST JOSEP H’S CHURCH TRAYNING CELEBRATES 81 YEARS

10.30am St Joseph’s Trayning will celebrate 81 years. Mass will be followed by a bring and share lunch. Contacts: Sandra Waters 9683 2048 email:

Panoramas

Panorama entries must be in by 5pm Monday. Contributions may be faxed to 9227 7087, emailed to administration@therecord.com.au or mailed to PO box 75, Leederville, WA 6902.

Submissions over 55 words will be edited or excluded. Inclusion is limited to 4 weeks. Events charging over $10 constitute a classified event, and will be charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment. Please do not re-submit Panoramas once they are in print.

rosalind@bbsat.com.au Val Enriquez 9683 1191, Fr Chien 9685 2399.

Tuesday September 25 FR FRED DELORME PROMOTING THE APOSTOLATE OF ST JOSEPH OF THE ETERNAL FAMILY

To encourage families to pray to St Joseph for people who might be undergoing difficulties. People are asked to bring photos these will be taken up during Mass. Program: Wed 26 St Jerome’s Church Spearwood, Thurs 27 St Patrick’s Church York, Frid 28 St Bernadette’s Church Glendalough. Start: 10.30am Rosary, Holy Mass & Talks. Benediction at 2pm (BYO lunch) Tea & Coffee supplied. Evening Mass: Wed 26, 7pm-9pm St Bernadette’s Glendalough. Enq: Margaret 9341 8082 or Jenny 9494 2604.

Friday - Sunday October 5-7

THE CELEBRATE FAMILY WEEKEND

Discover new ways to enrich your family life at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish, Riverton. Adults: Talks & Workshops on nurturing faith in the family, communications, parenting ideas and more. Youth: bands, drama, dance, student art, youth expo. Children: Creche for little ones, age appropriate programs for those aged 3-12 and 13-17. Cost: $20 per family for the whole weekend. More details at: www. celebrate-families.com or call Barbara/ Su on 9328 8113 or email: familylife@perthcatholic.org.au.

Saturday October 6

DAY WITH MARY

St Anne Church, 6549 Great Northern Highway, Bindoon 9am–5pm. A video on Fatima will be shown at 9am. A day of prayer and instruction based upon the messages of Fatima. Includes Sacrament of Penance, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons, Rosaries, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross. Please BYO lunch. Enq: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286. Bus available – Contact Nita 9367 1366.

Sunday October 7

DIVINE MERCY

An afternoon with Jesus and Mary will be held at St Joachim’s Church, cnr Shepperton Road and Harper Street, Victoria Park at 1.30pm. Program: Holy Rosary and Reconciliation, Sermon: Saint Faustina Kowalska by Fr Andre Maria FFI, followed by Divine Mercy Prayers and Benediction. Afterwards refreshments in the Parish Hall, followed by a video with Fr Benedict Groeschel on Saint Faustina Kowalska. Enq: John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608.

October 11, 12 and 13

TRIDUUM TO CELEBRATE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FATIMA APPARITIONS

Holy Trinity Church, Embleton. 7pm Holy Mass followed by Rosary, Litany, Marian Prayer and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Thursday and Friday respectively. Saturday 13th, Vigil Mass at 6pm followed by devotions as above, concluding with candle light procession and fellowship at the hall to thank and farewell Franciscan Friar of the Immaculate the Preacher Fr John Josep. Please bring a plate. Enq: Mons McCrann 9271 5528 or Judy David 9275 5827 or George Jacob 9272 1379.

Friday 19 - Sunday 21 October

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND

When You Care Enough. Looking for a new way to let your spouse know you love them in the midst of your jobs, the kids, sport and trying to keep up with your house, pool and garden? Tell him or her they’re still No. 1 in your life. To love the very best in your marriage, treat yourselves to a Marriage Encounter Weekend. Register now for the last weekend for the year 2007. Contact Joe & Margaret Cordina on 9417 8750 for further details and Bookings.

Saturday October 20

ST JOSEPH’S YOUTH GROUP, QUEENS PARK, 30 YEAR REUNION

All past members of the St Joseph’s Youth Group are invited to attend a reunion. If you would like to attend or know of someone who was a member, please contact Wayne McGoorty on 9351 9563 or email dmcgoorty@upnaway.com or Carolyn Pen on 0411 133 465 or email penpc@optusnet.com.au for further details of this event.

Friday October 26

HEALING OF THE FAMILY TREE

Our Lady of the Missions Church, 270 Camberwarra Drive, Whitfords/Craigie. Change of Date. Don’t miss this opportunity to be set free from generational sins and sicknesses. Jesus says I have come to give you life in abundance. Presiding celebrant is Fr Hugh Thomas CSsR. Family Tree Booklets available from the Healing Fire Burning Love Ministry during their Services for $2.00. Or contact Jenni Young on 9445 1028

Friday - Sunday October 26-28

CATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL: RETREAT BY FATHER GINO HENRIQUES

God and You Inner Self. Fr Gino Henriques CSsR is a Catholic priest of the Redemptorist congregation. Ordained in 1960 and studied Sacred Scripture and Theology in Rome and Mass Media in Canada and the USA. He is an international speaker who has preached to Bishops, Priests, Religious and laity. Enq: Rita 9272 1765, Rose 0403 300 720, Maureen 9381 4498.

Sunday October 28

JENNACUBINE

An invitation is extended to all persons who have any links to St Isidore’s Church, Jennacubbine to attend the 100th Anniversary Celebrations at 10am. Celebrant: Archbishop B J Hickey. We would appreciate the offer on-loan of any memorabilia or photos of interest. Contact: Joe & Cathie Bowen 9623 2264 cbowen@wn.com.au.

Friday November 17

INTERCESSION FOR WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008

All night prayer vigil. St Bernadette’s, Jugan St, Glendalough. 8pm-6am. Begins with Mass ends with Breakfast. All are welcome to come to pray and intercede for World Youth Day 2008. Come for an hour, stay the night.

Every First Friday and First Saturday of Each Month COMMUNION OF REPARATION ALL NIGHT VIGIL

Corpus Christi Church Mosman Park 7pm-1am. 46 Lochee Rd, Mosman Park. Mass, Rosary, Prayers, Confessions and silent adoration. Contact: Catalina 0439 931 151.

First Sunday of each month

DEVOTIONS IN HONOUR OF THE DIVINE MERCY

The Santa Clara Parish community welcomes anyone from surrounding parishes and beyond to Santa Clara Church, cnr of Coolgardie and Pollack Sts, Bentley. The afternoon commences with the 3 o’clock prayers, followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet, reflection and concludes with Benediction.

Last Sunday each month

HEALING FIRE BURNING LOVE

Charismatic Mass celebrated at the Holy Spirit Chapel, 85 Boas Avenue, Joondalup at 5.45pm. Worshipping the Father in Spirit and in truth John 4:23-24. St Bernadette’s, 6.30pm – 8.00pm. Cnr Leeder and Jugan St Glendalough.

Every Saturday

PERPETUAL HELP DEVOTIONS

4.30pm. The half hour perpetual novena devotions to the Mother of Perpetual Help continue each Saturday at the Redemptorist Monastery Church, 190 Vincent St, in North Perth. Reconciliation available before and after the devotions. All welcome.

Every Sunday

BULLSBROOK SHRINE

Sunday pilgrim Mass is celebrated with Holy Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 2pm at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Road, Bullsbrook. Reconciliation is available in Italian and English before every celebration. Enq: 9447 3292.

Every Sunday

RADIO GATE OF HEAVEN

7.30-9pm. 107.9FM. 1. Getting God’s Help w/Fr Benedict Groeschel - “The Gift of Fear of The Lord” Episode #8. Life on the rock w/Fr Francis Mary“Activists & Participants in the Walk for Life on the West Coast” Episode #156.

Every Sunday

LATIN MASS

The Latin Mass according to the 1962 missal is offered every Sunday at Our Lady of Fatima, 10 Foss St, Palmyra at noon. All welcome.

Every fourth Monday

SCRIPTURAL PRAYER PROGRAM

7.30-9pm. Venue: St Mary’s Parish Centre, 40 Franklin St, Leederville. The Council for Australian Catholic Women (CACW) is offering a scriptural prayer program developed in the Jesuit tradition. This form of prayer can lead to more reflective living, greater spiritual depths and promotes lay spiritual leadership in the Church. Led by Kathleen Brennan (ibvm). Enq: Michelle Wood 9345 2555.

Every Wednesday HOLY HOUR, BENEDICTION

Holy Hour 4.30–5.30pm, St Thomas Church, 2 College Road, Claremont each Wednesday, followed by Evening prayer and Benediction. Personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is Adoration of Jesus’ gift of Himself, of His love for you, for your loved ones and for our world. Come and Thank Him.

Every second Wednesday

FORTNIGHTLY BIBLE REFLECTIONS

PANORAMA

Workers in the Garden of the Holy Family are conducting Bible Reflections at St Mary’s Church, Parish Centre, 40 Franklin Street, Leederville. Commencing 7pm with Rosary, refreshments provided afterward. Dates: September 5, 19, October 3, 17, 31, November 14, 28, December 5. Enq: 9201 0337.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett Street, Embleton. Every Monday to Thursday after the 8.30am Mass untill 10am. Every Thursday night from 11pm to midnight. Every Friday Eucharistic Adoration after the 8.30 Mass untill 6pm. Enquiries: Mgr McCrann on: 9271 5528 or George Jacob on: 9272 1379.

Every First Friday

HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE RELIGIOUS LIFE

At Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins Street, Glendalough. 7pm Mass with celebrant Fr Albert Saminedi. 7.30pm Holy Hour Adoration with Fr Don Kettle. Refreshments to follow in the hall. All welcome.

Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month

CATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL

Every 1st Friday - Praise and Worship evening held at St John and Paul’s Church, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton at 7.30pm. Every 3rd Friday Catholic Faith Education by Fr Greg Donovan, LJ Goody Bioethics Centre, 39 Jugan Street, Glendalough at 7.30pm. All are welcome. Enq: Rita 9272 1765 or Rose 0403 300 720.

Second Friday of each Month

GENERAL PRAYER ASSEMBLY

The Couples for Christ and its Family Ministries welcome all members who now reside or are visiting Perth to join the community in our monthly general prayer assembly 7.30pm, St Joachim Parish Hall, Shepperton Road, Victoria Park. Enquiries: Tony & Dolly Haber (08) 9440 4540.

Every Fourth Sunday

SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER

The Perth Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order assembles every fourth Sunday at 2.30pm in the Chapel of RSL Care, 51 Alexander Dr, Menora. Enquiries John 9385 5649.

Every Fourth Sunday

WATCH AND PRAY

A Holy Hour is held at Infant Jesus Parish, Morley from 2-3pm with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The hour consists of some prayers and Scripture but mostly the hour is silent prayer for Vocations. All are welcome. Please encourage others to come and pray. Prayer - it works! Enq: 9276 8500.

Every Monday WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FOR THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

The Emmanuel Centre are offering to help people who gain weight because they are using medication for their mental illness. The group helps participants to manage their weight safely and healthily. Mind-Body-Life meets at the Emmanuel Centre on Mondays from 12.30-2.30pm. Free. The group

starts with a weigh-in, then a talk on nutrition and healthy eating tips, goal setting and then half an hour of exercise. Enq: Amanda - Emmanuel Centre, 9328 8113.

BOOK DONATIONS

We still seek donations of books and thank you and bless you for your kind, generous contributions of Bibles, Missals and Catholic books on the faith. We are now able to offer a selection of second-hand, pre-loved books to the community in return for a small donation. Enq: 9293 3092.

WINDOW FUND DONATIONS WELCOME

St Catherine’s Catholic Church, Gin Gin. Parishioners are currently fundraising to restore the church windows. The cost of each window is $1500. If anyone is able to assist our fundraising efforts please telephone Fr Paul 9571 1839.

CLUB AMICI

Club Amici aims to build community amongst Catholic singles, couples and families (aged 25 and up) by organising social events. If you would like a copy of our new calendar of events or would like to be on our mailout list please contact Therese 9437 5349 or email clubamiciwa@yahoo.com.au.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Ignatian Volunteers Australia calls for part-time volunteers to respond to the needs of people in the community who live in marginalised circumstances. At the heart of this program is a reflective process based on Gospel values, which supports the volunteers in their work. To learn more: www.volunteers.jesuit.org.au Contact Kevin Wringe, Perth Coordinator (08) 9316 3469 kwringe@iinet.net.au .

REUNION

John and Marie Acland are planning to hold a reunion later this year of all past and present members of the Apostles of Christ Prayer Group Willetton and all other persons who took part in their Meetings, Fellowship Nights, Life in the Spirit, and supplementary Seminars, the Alpha Course and other group activities. Further details will be advised when full numbers are known. Enq: Marie Acland. Tel/fax 9537-3390. Email jmacland@bigpond.com or Dianne McLeod 9332-0829. Email danielmcleod@bigpond. com

OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE HOUSE OF PRAYER

Archbishop Hickey, at the end of 2006, approved a House of Prayer in the Archdiocese of Perth. The house must be fully purchased or donated and operational by the end of November 2007. All donations may be deposited at the CDF (Catholic Development Fund), 61 Fitzgerald Street, Northbridge. Ph: 9427 0333 Fax: 9427 0379 Email: cdf@archdiocese-perth. org.au. All donations will be fully refunded in the first half of December 2007 should a suitable house not be found and purchased. Please enquire about Tax Deductibility and General Enquiries: 9444 1940.

DONATION WANTED: THE CHAIN OF MARY

From 2004 up until now the Chain Of Mary has had a positive response throughout Australia and is now making it’s way overseas. We are now looking for anyone who can help with donations towards the continued printing and distribution of these Booklets. If you can assist Please call Rose on 0437 700 247.

2 Fr Robert Spitzer speaks on Euthanasia, Parts 1 & 2 [Healing the Culture]

9: Our Lady of Guadeloupe : a musical presentation / Dana and guests [We are One Body]

16: Advances in adult stem-cell research / Fr Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Dr Tracy Deisher, researcher and Carol Franz, cancer survivor, with Raymond Arroyo [The World Over]

23: The unchanging heart of the priesthood / Fr Thomas Acklin and the Panel [Franciscan University Presents]

Win an installation to receive EWTN free to air, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week!

If you can afford $1 a week, please send a cheque or money order for $50 (annual), payable to the Rosary Christian Tutorial Association to P.O. Box 1270 Booragoon 6954, and you will be included in the draw. Enquiries: 9330 2467 Letters of appreciation are being posted but for those without addresses please accept our heartfelt thanks. The 300 Club has reached 90 members.

Our grateful thanks also to all who have supported us since Nov 2001, in reaching 300 broadcast programs on August 26.

Classifieds

Classifieds: $3.30/line incl. GST

ACCOMMODATION

■ DENMARK FAMILY/GROUP ACCOMMODATION www.beachhouseperth.com 0400 292 100.

■ FAMILY GROUP ACCOMMODATION Visit http://www.beachhouseperth.com Call 0400 292 100

BLINDS

■ BLINDS SPECIALIST Call AARON for FREE quotes 0402 979 889.

BUILDING TRADES

■ BRICK REPOINTING Phone Nigel 9242 2952.

■ PERROTT PAINTING PTY LTD

For all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Phone Tom Perrott 9444 1200.

■ PICASSO PAINTING Top service. Phone 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505.

EMPLOYMENT

■ BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Extra income from your own home-based business. Work part-time without disturbing what you are doing now. Call: 02 8230 0290 or 0412 518

318 Events

■ AUTO DISMANTLER

We require a person to dismantle parts from motorcars. An experienced person would be preferred, but not absolute necessity. 2. Auto Parts Sales Person. We require a person to sell Auto Parts. These are mainly off damaged vehicles to suit recycling. We sell to all trade and retail customers. All enquiries to Kevin McAuliffe 9459 4111 or 0408 940 599 or kevin@magnawreck.com.au.

FURNITURE REMOVAL

■ ALL AREAS Mike Murphy 0416 226 434.

HELP WANTED

■ VOLUNTEERS WANTED

The Christian Democratic Party (CDP) is looking for volunteers who support Christian values and want to improve Australia to work at polling booths at the coming Federal election. If you can help, please contact Paul Connelly (CDP’s Perth Candidate) on 0414 247 286 or pmjconnelly@hotmail.com

Authorised by Gerard Goiran 4/294 Gt Eastern Hwy Midland

■ BUSINESS SUPPORT NEEDED.

The Christian Democratic Party (CDP) is looking for businesses in all areas who support Christian and Family Values and who want to improve Australia to assist at the coming Federal election. Help is needed with printing, advertising, banners, postage, stationary, telephone surveys, transport, food and T-shirts for volunteers on polling day, prizes for fund raising events and many other activities. If you feel that you could help please contact Paul Connelly (CDP’s Perth Candidate ) on 0414 247 286 or pmjconnelly@hotmail .com.

Authorised by Gerard Goiran 4/294 Gt Eastern Hwy Midland

HEALTH

■ HEALTH AND WELLNESS

A FREE Sample Pack of wellness, weightloss, and energy products. DVD and product brochure also enclosed. (Only while stocks last - hurry!!) Call 02 8230 0290 or 0412 518 318.

HEALTH

■ ACHES, PAINS, STRESS??? Indian mature male masseur offers Reflex Relax Massage at $30 for 60mins. Phone Jai 0438 520 993.

■ DEMENTIA REMISSION

Do you, or your loved one, suffer Dementia. Get into Dementia Remission like me! http://www. wgrey.com.au/dm/index.htm or (02) 9971 8093.

MIGRANTS

■ MIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA

For guidance and visa processing, Skilled or Family Visas and Study visas. Call Michael Ring or Ajay Trehan Registered Migration Agent – (MARN # 0212024). Phone: (02) 8230 0290 or 0412 518 318 for a no-obligation assessment, please call or email: michael.ring@bigpond.com

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

■ CATHOLICS CORNER

Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for baptism, communion and confirmation. Ph: 9456 1777. Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Road, Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat.

SERVICES

■ BOOKS BOOKS 2ndhand quality Catholic reading at reasonable prices. Also Bibles and Missals. Ph: (08) 9293 3092.

IN MEMORIAM

■ MARIJA PASKOV

My dearest sister Marija left this world one year ago on the 25th of August. Your leaving has left a space in our hearts but you will always be remembered forever. Rest in Peace. Your sister Blaza.

THANKSGIVING

■ THANKS

Thanks St Jude for prayers answered. ENI

■ THANKS

Thanks to the Trinity, the Virgin Mary, Holy Family and all the Saints, particularly Thomas More, Peter, Paul, Anthony, Jude and Joseph, for help to me and my family.

■ THANKS Oh, Holy St Jude, Apostle and Martyr great in virtue, rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ. Faithful intercessor of all who invoke your patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depths of my heart and humbly beg you to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me now in my urgent need and grant my earnest petition. Say 3 days.

■ THANKS O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to make you name known and cause your name to be invoked. St Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say three Our Fathers, three Hail Mary’s, and three Glorias. I have had my request granted.

and

of Stages 4 & 5, St Helena’s School, Ellenbrook

Annunziata, Italy

The Last Word

Grand Round to rescue

Learning strategy helps Catholic medicos

With fewer specialists available young mums increasingly rely on general practitioners to help them through pregnancy, but difficult pregnancies can tax even the best doctor.

‘Dilemmas in Pregnancywhere to start?’ is the title of a ‘Grand Round’ for doctors and medical students to be held on September 13 at the St John Of God Conference Centre, McCourt Street, Subiaco, commencing at 6.30pm.

Dr Jing-Man Wong, an executive member of the Catholic Doctors’ Association which is sponsoring the event, said the evening would be an important opportunity for all health professionals.

“The intention is to promote network and fellowship between colleagues who share the same faith and values and who also share in common the work of health care,” Dr Wong said.

“In these days when ethical standards often appear to be debatable or changeable, we often feel a need for support and constant revision of what it means to live out Catholic faith, especially in the delicate and ever more complex field of health care.”

“Now more than ever, health care providers must stand up and actively promote the Culture of

Ekberg on a

mission

Continued from page 1

Catholic Doctors’ Association of WA presents

Dilemmas in Pregnancy: Where to Start?

expressly wanted Mr McGinty to bring her to WA to address Parliament on human trafficking and prostitution.

She is being brought to WA by a coalition of Christian and other community groups, and the Catholic men’s group the Knights of the Southern Cross is paying for her visit. McGinty confirmed to The Record last week that he would meet Ekberg after mounting community debate on the issue, and Sweden’s model received bipartisan support.

Life in a society saturated with ideals cultivating the Culture of Death,” she said.

The Catholic Doctors’ Association is in good company.

As Dr Jose Maria Simon, President of the World Federation of the Catholic Medical Associations said recently, “Numerous colleagues from different countries are asking for reflections to help them to practice the medical profession with moral security.”

“One of the requirements of this moral security is frequent consul-

tation with experts to enlighten the professional conscience. In order to be truly human, conscience must be well trained and correctly informed and must be frequently refined in its permanent search for the truth.”

The ‘Grand Round’ is a learning strategy well-established in medical training, in which important case studies are discussed from various points of view under the guidance of experienced practitioners.

For more info contact Natalie at the L J Goovdy Bioethics Centre on 9242 4066 or ljgbc@iinet.

Launcelot keeps on giving

A new initiative in the Archdiocese of Perth, which will assist people in discerning their God-given gifts, recently received a helping hand from the Archbishop Goody Award fund.

A product of the Catherine Siena Institute in Melbourne, the Called and Gifted program will begin in Perth with two workshops on September 21 and 22 and be held at John XXIII College.

The Archbishop Launcelot John Goody Testimonial Memorial Fund was set up from generous donations from the clergy and people of the Archdiocese when he retired in 1983.

Since then the fund has been used for the formation, education and training of lay people in the Archdiocese of Perth and to further the lay apostolate.

“The Called and Gifted program essentially equips parishes to form lay apostles, by working with priests and all members of the parish in effectively using their gifts,” coordinator Jane Borg said.

The Called and Gifted two-day workshop will include Church teaching on the laity and lay apostleship and how laity can work with clergy and religious within parishes the nature of spiritual gifts, call and vocation and how to undertake the process of discernment.

The Workshop can be especially useful for parish priests who want to call forth the gifts in their parishioners, young adults discerning their career or vocational direction, religious sisters, brothers and priests who work with lay Catholics in discerning their vocation, parents who want to help their children live their faith and recognise their gifts or Catholics discerning a call to religious life or ordination.

“God is calling you to a unique purpose in life, a work of love that only you can do,” Mrs Borg said.

The Perth workshop is sponsored by Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation and The Record. To register your interest contact Jane Borg on: 92026859 or email: jane. borg@acts2come.wa.edu.au.

CONSULTANT

FAITH INTEGRATION & FORMATION TEAM

The Director of Catholic Education in Western Australia invites applications for the above full time position. This position may also be taken up as a secondment. Teachers seeking secondment are required to obtain Principal approval prior to making an application. All applicants must be supportive of the ethos and objectives of Catholic education.

All relevant information and documentation are to be found on the CEO website www.ceo.wa.edu.au under employment. Enquiries regarding the position should be directed to Tricia Walsh, Coordinator, Faith Integration & Formation Team, on (08) 6380 5339 or email ceopersonnel@ceo.wa.edu.au

All applications, on the official form, should reach The Director, Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, PO Box 198, Leederville 6903 no later than 28 September 2007.

the Swedish model was “ambivalent”.

“I want to get the best information to tell me what is really happening in Sweden,” Mr McGinty told The Record.

“I hope Gunilla Ekberg can provide some of that information.”

Gerard Goiran, WA state director of the Christian Democratic Party that supports the coalition that will bring Ekberg to Perth, said that forcing the industry underground was good as it made the services harder to find.

The Prostitution Working Group Report issued in January said the New Zealand Committee it consulted to draft its own recommendations acknowledged that the Swedish model, which has criminalised the buying rather than selling of sex, had reduced prostitution but that said the trade had simply gone underground.

“As the New Zealand Committee observed, although the effect of the law introduced in 1999 was a decrease in the number of women working visibly as sex workers, Swedish researchers point out that clients and workers have found less visible ways of making contact,” the Working Group Report said.

Despite this, Mr McGinty told The Record that information about

He said fining people for buying sex tells the community that the Government thinks prostitution is bad, so the next step must be to pass a law prohibiting advertising to solicit prostitution.

The Prostitution Reform Act was read into the WA Legislative Assembly on August 29 with the second reading done the same day but the debate continues.

No vote has been taken so amendments can still be introduced. It is not expected to go through Parliament until at least the end of the year.

In an open letter to WA MPs, Archbishop Barry Hickey said the Working Party has made no attempt to quantify the level of suffering prostitution causes to women in WA.

■ By Sylvia Defendi