The Record Newspaper 18 August 2005

ID: the theory sits comfortably with Catholics - Archbishop Hickey Page 3 MARIA KORP, TERRI SCHIAVO: who chooses life or death? Vista 1

‘Welcome divorced’ at Mass: Benedict

“I share your questions. I too suffer,” Pope tells

Divorced Catholics must be welcomed in parishes, Pope tells priests

■

By

Cindy Wooden

Divorced and civilly remarried Catholics who suffer because they cannot receive Communion must be welcomed in parishes as Catholics who witness to the importance of the Eucharist, Pope Benedict XVI said.

At the same time, he said, if a priest, acting out of compassion for their suffering, gives them the Eucharist, he risks undermining the dignity and indissolubility of the sacrament of marriage.

“We all know that this is a particularly painful situation,” the Pope said on July 25 during a meeting with about 140 priests, religious and deacons from the Valle d’Aosta region where he was vacationing.

The Pope added that he knew the issue could get complicated and said, “Given these people’s situation of suffering it must be studied.”

The meeting, which was closed to the press, lasted about two hours. The Pope’s opening remarks and responses to questions from the priests were transcribed and published on July 27 in the Vatican newspaper.

Continued on Page 4

NIGER’S TRAGEDY

Perth priests are on the German spot

Agencies are rushing food to the starving in Niger. Children are most at risk. When our time comes, will we be able to face God and say ‘I helped’? Here’s your chance.

divorced

Jennacubbine extends invite to the city

The parish of St Isidore at Jennacubbine is once again holding their Family Mass and Picnic Day - and inviting city folk to go ‘bush’ for the day.

This year the event will be held on Sunday September 25.

Mass, which commences at 11.30am at the small historical country church of St Isidore, the patron Saint of farmers, will be followed by a gathering beside the Mortlock River on a local farm.

Last year was a lovely warm relaxing day where people settled their picnic blankets and chairs under the shade of river gums and she-oaks and enjoyed each other’s company.

It is a day for families and individuals to come together to enjoy the rural surroundings which reflect the peace and beauty of God’s creation. Jennacubbine is approximately 25km beyond Toodyay on the road to Goomalling.

People are asked to organise their own transport. Last year people shared buses and cars. We had over 100 people and it was a truly wonderful day. Everyone is welcome. - Cathie Bowen

More information: Fr Geoff Aldous – Northam 9622 5411.

WORLD YOUTH DAY ROCKS!

The Parish. The Nation. The World.

THIS BOY CAN KICK!: a special footy match for a special player Page 4

Perth priests Fathers Vinh Dong of Lockridge, at left, and Joseph Tran of Whitfords celebrate Mass in the Schoenstatt Shrine at Schoenstatt in Germany for WA pilgrims in the leadup to World Youth Day celebrations with Pope Benedict in Cologne later in the week. The pair were just some of the clergy from WA and around Australia who travelled with approximately 2200 Australian pilgrims to be present at the first WYD to be celebrated with Pope Benedict XVI.

Photo: Paul Bui

Agencies get food flowing to famished

Food from aid agencies is being distributed in Niger. But the first batch for one province will only last 40 days

■ By Stephen Steele

After the first delivery of emergency food aid was made in her province in droughtstricken Niger, a mother told a Catholic Relief Services worker, “We’re going to eat until we can’t eat anymore.”

CRS is the aid agency of the Catholic Church in the US. Australia’s Catholic aid agency, Caritas, has also opened its appeal for the starving people of the region (see details below).

“She had been eating nothing but leaves and weeds for months,” said Jefferson Price, a communications consultant for CRS. “Her family was probably on the brink of starvation.”

In a telephone interview with CNS, Price said that while there was a festive atmosphere in the Kawa Fako village in the Dogondoutchi province, where the August 11 food distribution took place, there were clear signs of chronic malnutrition and suffering.

Price said he saw children with distended stomachs and red tints in their hair, two of the telltale signs of malnourishment.

“The people were in desperate straits,” he said. “There was a lot of listlessness among the people, especially the children.”

International aid workers hope they can improve the situation in Niger, where a long-term drought and the invasion of swarms of locusts destroyed crops and placed many people on the brink of starvation. In Dogondoutchi, the hardest-

hit province, CRS, the US bishops’ international relief and development agency, began distributing more than 991 tonnes of emergency food supplies.

The food - millet, beans and cooking oil - was purchased by CRS in Niamey, Niger’s capital, at a cost of US $640,000. It was paid for by the Irish government, the aid agencies of the British, Welsh, Scottish and Dutch bishops’ conferences, and a private US foundation.

Price said he spoke with several nursing mothers who said they were no longer producing milk for their children. He said the women worried about their children’s health.

“Toddlers could barely stand up, and they were constantly clutching at their mother’s breasts,” he said.

Residents told him that their basic sustenance for months has been tea brewed from leaves and weeds.

“All the people we spoke to said

Caritas Australia

Caritas Australia’s local partner on the ground in Niger, Caritas Niger, has been responding to this present crisis since November, 2004.

Caritas Niger is currently providing 1,500 tonnes of food to more than 28,000 people in seven regions of Niger: Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Tahoua, Tillaberry-Niamey and Zinderand. 75 tonnes of seed are also being provided to plant crops.

To make a donation to Caritas call 1800 024 413 or donate online at www.caritas.org.au.

the same thing. No crops have come in because there has been no rain, and they haven’t had any money to buy goods on the market. And because there’s such a shortage of goods the price of things has skyrocketed,” he said.

CRS will continue the distribution in Dogondoutchi until August 21, providing enough aid to help about 42,500 people. The rations were meant to last each family for about 40 days, Price said.

In addition to the food deliveries, CRS is receiving an air shipment of 40 tonnes of Atmit, a nutritionally enhanced mix for malnourished children, along with 10 tonnes of vegetable oil.

The Atmit, destined for the therapeutic feeding of 7,000 severely malnourished children, was donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the cost of delivery was paid by CRS donors and the Latter-day Saints.

Catholic Mission

Australia’s Catholic Mission is also funding medical centres, supporting religious practitioners and building churches in the desperate west African nation.

In 2005 Catholic Mission is funding nearly $300,000 worth of projects including the Mother and Infant Welfare Centre in Zinder, in southern Niger.

At the centre mothers and their children can access sanitary services and medicines. Doctors travel into villages to help prevent malnutrition and malaria.

For more information go to www. catholicmission.org.au or phone Freecall 1800 257 296.

EDITOR

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FOOD CRISIS

THE PEOPLE population: 12 million malnourished: 3.8 million

life expectancy: 42 years

63 percent live on less than $1 a day

infant mortality: 12 deaths in 100 births

✪ Niamey

HUNGER PROBLEM

Only 3.5 percent of land is suitable for crops due to desert terrain and environmental issues. Drought and locusts hamper subsistence farming. A changing economy is causing a surge in prices. People suffer food shortages and under-nutrition every year.

Emaciated: A boy waits for treatment at an emergency feeding centre in the town of Tahoua in northwestern Niger. Photo CNS

Design theory is ‘far more elegant’

Intelligent design ‘sits comfortably with Catholics’ says Archbishop Hickey

“The theory of evolution is an inadequate way to describe the universe and life because it ignores too much and makes great presumptive leaps without evidence,” Archbishop Barry Hickey said last week

The Archbishop was commenting on the debate over whether

Intelligent Design theory should be taught in schools. “The problem in our society is that the theory of evolution has been installed in our education system and is defended by too many educators as the sole scientific approach to the existence of the universe and the appearance of the many forms of life.

“One result is that too many students are unable to protect themselves from the conscious or subconscious assumption that human life has no purpose or meaning.

“They are asked to accept that all the marvels of nature and the complexity of living organisms, even intelligent human life, are the product of two laws, natural selection and the survival of the fittest, that is, the result of chance.

“In other words, they are asked to accept that all life, including the power to think, to decide, to love and to forgive has evolved from an explosion of something that came from nothing and was triggered by nothing.

“Intelligent design is a far more elegant description of historical changes than an entirely evolutionary approach, and it therefore should not be ignored in the classroom.

“Intelligent design, while it does not demand belief in a creator, sits very comfortably with Catholics who believe that whatever came first came from God who has a clear design for the universe and for each human being in it.”

According to a report in discovery magazine published earlier this year, more than 100 winners of the Nobel Prize support Intelligent Design theory.

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RETIREMENT NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD.

For over 155 years the Sisters of Mercy have provided wonderful aged care and community services from the Wembley site.

Now, as part of a program to expand and develop these important services, a substantial area of this historic site is being transformed into an over 55s village of world-class.

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To find out more about the limited opportunities available to become a part of this incomparably well located, premium–quality village, simply telephone Karen Bailey or Chris Gaggin now on 1800 144 313.

Or visit the Sales and Information Centre located at the Catherine McAuley Family Centre, at 18 Barrett Street, inWembley.

You’ll soon discover that we’ve taken care of absolutely everything.

Why is the universe here? An image of the Cone Nebula, M17, is photographed by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

Photo: CNS

Healer not surprised by cure claims

■ By Mark Reidy

More than 50 people publicly testified to receiving healings of various afflictions during a School of Charism and Healing Outreach held in Perth from July 29–31.

Crowds of up to 350 attended the weekend at Trinity College that was led by Englishman Damian Stayne, a guest of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

Mr Stayne is the founder of the Cor et Lumen Christi Community in England and has ministered throughout the world since 1990 in the use of the Charismatic gifts.

The main purpose of the weekend was to train people in the use of these gifts and to encourage participants to put them into practice.

Mr Stayne said many Catholics are unaware that the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as healing, miracles, prophesy and tongues, were just as available to believers today as they were to the original Apostles.

He said approximately 100 million Catholics across the world are now a part of the charismatic renewal, a movement that began in the US in 1967.

Mr Stayne referred to the First Vatican Council, held in 1870, which described miracles and prophecies as external indicators of the omnipotent and infinite knowledge of God. He drew particular attention to the Council’s call to all Catholics to accept their reality, “If anyone says that all miracles are impossible…or that they can never be known with certainty, let them be anathema.”

Mr Stayne said the power of such gifts comes from God and that believers were only the instruments for their delivery. He specified, in a talk before the celebration of Mass on Sunday, that Catholics needed to constantly remind themselves of the power of the Eucharist, which he described as the source and summit of the Church. He was not surprised by the healings many claimed had occurred over the weekend or by

the prophetic gifts that a majority of participants claimed to experience.

“In the last eighteen months alone”, Mr Stayne said, “over 18,700 people have publicly witnessed to receiving physical healing at our events and these have been recorded on film.”

He said he has personally seen miracles which include blind people regaining sight, deaf people

Welcome divorced at Mass: Benedict

Continued from page 1

“The pope is not a prophet,” he told the priests. “He is infallible in very rare circumstances, as we all know.”

Therefore, he said, in trying to find ways to spread the Gospel, to strengthen the faith of Catholics and to help the suffering, “I share your questions. I, too, suffer.”

Asked specifically about ministry to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, Pope Benedict told the priests, “None of us has a ready-made solution, including because each person’s situation is different.”

“I would say that a particularly painful situation is that of those who were married in the church, but were not really believers and did so just for tradition, and then finding themselves in a new, nonvalid marriage, convert, find the faith and feel excluded from the sacrament,” he said.

Pope Benedict said that when he was prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith he asked several bishops’ conferences and experts to study the problem, which in

Council

effect was “a sacrament celebrated without faith.”

He said he had thought that the church marriage could be considered invalid because the faith of the couple celebrating the sacrament was lacking.

“But from the discussions we had, I understood that the problem was very difficult” and that further study was necessary, he said.

Pope Benedict said that Catholics must keep two things in mind: First, that even if divorced and civilly remarried Catholics cannot receive the Eucharist, they are part of the church and are loved by Christ; and second, that suffering out of love for God and for the church is “a noble suffering.”

While participating at Mass without receiving Communion is not optimal, he said, “it is not nothing; it is involvement in the mystery of the cross and resurrection of Christ.”

“Given that it is the sacrament of the passion of Christ, the suffering Christ embraces these persons in a special way

of Christians and Jews Western Australia Inc

10th Anniversary Celebration

Michael Peters

on the chapel organ

Corpus Christi College Choir

Presenting a selection of Christian and Jewish music

Rabbi Raymond Apple

Recently retired Chief Rabbi of Sydney’s Great Synagogue Speaking on “Christianity in the Eyes of Modern Jewish Thinkers”

Location: Christ Church Grammar School Chapel Queenslea Drive, Claremont

Date: 3pm, Sunday 28 August 2005

Donation: $5 to help defray costs

For further information, contact 9246 3170 (A/H) or evscott@iinet.net.au

and communicates with them in a different way,” he said. “They can feel embraced by the crucified Lord who falls to the earth and dies and suffers for them and with them.”

Priests and parishioners must share the suffering of those excluded from the Eucharist, he said, but they cannot act in a way that casts doubt on the unbreakable bond of sacramental marriage.

“We know that the moment we give in out of love, we harm the sacrament itself, and its indissolubility appears weakened,” Pope Benedict said.

The Church has never taught that divorced and civilly remarried Catholics are unwelcome at Mass, but does teach that those who remarry civilly without first obtaining an annulment may not receive the Eucharist.

But with the radical increase in divorce in recent decades many Catholics have reported anecdotally that divorced and civilly remarried Catholics believe the Church does not want to see them at Mass.

hearing, mute people speaking, the crippled walking and cancers disappearing within hours.

Later, Lew Wright of Victoria Park told The Record he was now free from back pain for the first time in years after receiving prayer on Sunday evening.

Raising his arm in the air to illustrate his comments Terry Scully of Bull Creek, who has had 14 opera-

tions on his shoulders, publicly told participants he could now do this without any pain, something he couldn’t do before the weekend.

Partipant Liz Hare of Dianella climbed stairs several times to demonstrate a knee healing. Others ran around the hall to demonstrate the healing of knees or hips.

Over 10 people testified to improved eyesight by publicly reading print that they had previously been unable to distinguish. Two women held up their hearing aids and said that they no longer needed them. Mr Stayne said it was important people get their healings medically verified.

His visit to Perth was approved by Archbishop Hickey.

Mr. Stayne makes no charge for the training school or healing rallies, asking only for donations, as he believes that no one should be excluded on financial grounds.

For further information on the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Perth contact Dan Hewitt on 9360 7400(w) or 9398 4973(h).

Taskforce seeks women

■ By Mark Reidy

A taskforce established by the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference is seeking to consult with women who have experienced abortion or a difficult pregnancy.

The taskforce on Pastoral Responses to Abortion has formulated a questionnaire inviting women to share their experiences in an effort to investigate how the Church can improve its support for them in the future.

The taskforce aims to propose ways to increase both practical and pastoral assistance to women, their partners and their families, so that the choice to continue a pregnancy can become a realistic option.

The taskforce consists of representatives from a variety of sectors within the Church.

These include representatives from the Commission for Australian Catholic Women, the Catholic Women’s League, the Respect Life Offices in various states and other health, welfare and education organisations.

While submissions from all are wel-

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com the taskforce believes women who have endured the trials of an unexpected or unsupported pregnancy can potentially provide the most constructive solutions.

A statement issued by the taskforce said the experience of members’ with women who have had crisis pregnancies showed the women felt that they had not been given a genuine alternative or that external pressures or coercion were strong at the time.

Perth Respect Life Office director Clare Pike, a member of the Taskforce, said she is excited at the opportunities the consultation will provide for women (and men) in the future who are faced with difficult pregnancies.

“I really encourage those who have been touched by abortion to share their experience and help the Church to know how to make a real difference in this great area of need,” she said.

Questions can be answered online at www.taskforcepra.org

Those without access to the Internet can contact Miss Pike on (08) 9375 2029.

Responses can be submitted until September 16, 2005 and are strictly confidential.

Jennacubbine Mass & Family Picnic Day

When: Sunday, 25th September

Where: St Isidore’s Church Jennacubbine, Followed by a picnic on the river.

Times: Arrival 10.30am Mass – 11.00am Picnic to follow.

■ BYO picnic basket & chairs

■ BBQ’s, hot water and lots of extras provided.

British charismatic Damian Stayne prays over people at Trinity College in late July.

AIDS strategist to visit

Franciscan Missionary sisters have played ‘significant

role’ in AIDS rate drop.

The woman dubbed ‘the Mother Teresa of Africa’ for her work in combating the spread of AIDS will visit Perth next month.

Sr. Miriam Duggan, the Congregational Leader of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa, is on a national tour promoting awareness of AIDS prevention in Africa.

She will speak at the Thomas More Spring School on Saturday September 3 at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish Centre, 40 Franklin St, Leederville.

Sr. Duggan was the Superintendent at the Kampala hospital when the “culture of death” began overwhelming the people of Uganda as AIDS struck. Yet at the Linacre Conference in 2002 she could report that the AIDS rate had fallen from a high of 28.9 per cent to 9.8 per cent according to United Nation figures.

Despite claims that the teachings of the Catholic Church and John Paul II were a cause of the AIDS pandemic in Africa the opposite is definitely the case in Uganda.

Through the preaching of abstinence and faithfulness in marriage the Franciscan Missionary Sisters have played a considerable part in Uganda’s falling AIDS rate, a result not achieved elsewhere in Africa.

A Harvard University study into the prevention of HIV in Uganda credited abstinence education with “a significant effectiveness in reducing AIDS in Uganda” according to Sr. Duggan in the journal AD 2000 (March 2004). The same study found that from the 1980’s to 2001 the number of pregnant women infected with HIV in Uganda dropped from 22.2 per cent to 6.2 per cent but in Botswana where condoms are officially promoted as the answer the rate is 38 per cent.

Part of this was due to a course designed by Sr. Kay Lawlor called

“Education for Life: A Behaviour Change Process”. As well as promoting this course Sr. Duggan also founded a movement known as “Youth Alive” that has clubs in 12 African countries. One media report dubbed Sr Duggan “Ireland’s Mother Teresa.”

However, while she is now based in Ireland she continues to travel to Africa where she spent over 30 years as a missionary, giving rise to the title “The Mother Teresa of Africa”.

During her stay in Australia Sr. Duggan will speak in each of the mainland state capitals as well as addressing the National Conference of the Catholic Women’s League in Canberra. She will also meet some

government Ministers and various parliamentarians. The tour has been organised by the Australian Family Association. NSW State President, Mary-Louise Fowler, commented that the organisation saw the need to get Sr. Duggan’s amazing story ‘out of Africa’ to all Australians.

“Australians needs to hear the truth that sexual abstinence before marriage and faithfulness during it is the only way Africa can defeat the grim reaper of AIDS. There is also a message for us here that morality is not valueless in the modern age but rather it is something vital to any society; promoting family values is a panacea for a great many ills. It is not only in Africa that cultural change is needed,” she said.

“Faith means having wings.”

Year of the Eucharist

“Unless you eat My Flesh and drink My Blood, you shall not have life in you,” says the Lord. Eat life – drink life. You will then have life, and your life will be complete.

– St Augustine

You say, “Come to Me, all you who labour and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you.” How could I, a sinner, possibly believe this, if You had not said it? And how could I venture near You, if You had not commanded it?

– Thomas à Kempis

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Accountant

New Norcia (132 km North of Perth)

A salary package within the range of $50,000 - $70,000 per annum is offered depending on qualifications and experience

The Benedictine Community is seeking a qualified Accountant to assume responsibility for the financial management of its business interests at New Norcia. These include a farm, hotel, guesthouse, museum, town tours, roadhouse, camp accommodation and education centre.

Core Duties

● Monthly and end-of-year financial reporting

● Annual budget

● Cash flow management and investments

● Creditors, debtors, banking and payroll

● Supervision of a small office staff

Additional Duties

● Assist the town’s business managers to maintain and grow their businesses.

The successful applicant could reside in the surrounding area, have use of accommodation at New Norcia on weekdays only or fully relocate to live in the town. Suitable family accommodation is available within the town.

Employment opportunities for the accountant’s spouse/partner may be available.

Written applications should be sent by email to townmanager@newnorcia.wa.edu.au or by facsimile to The Procurator on (08) 9654 8097 or mailed to The Procurator, The Benedictine Community of New Norcia, New Norcia WA 6509

Applications close Friday 2 September 2005

Join Pope Benedict XVI in prayer - August

“For World Youth Day: may this occasion draw young people everywhere to meet Christ and to welcome Him as Lord of their life.”

Mission intention: “For students from mission Churches in Rome: may their studies in the Eternal City be a time of spiritual enrichment.”

Are you being called to be a Passionist ?

“The Passion of Jesus is the Greatest Sign of God’s Love.”

Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)

Who are Passionists ?

Passionist men and women are ever mindful of God’s love. They: - preach the Passion of Jesus - reach out to all in times good and bad - are a t the forefront of the world’s suffering – today’s crucified - minister passionately the power of love.

Perspectives Around t he tabl e dnuorA t

letters to the editor

Pope John Paul II said in 2000: “The death of Christ is the source from which you Passionists must draw your own spirituality in a very particular way: to love where it is most difficult to love.”

Since Saint Paul of the Cross founded the Passionists in the 18th century, they have grown into a family of priests, brothers, sisters and companions, serving in 55 countries throughout the world.

Link to Australia at www.passionists.com or Internationally at www.passionistworld.org

Passionist Vocations: PO Box 12, Marrickville NSW 1475. Email: hcc@passionist.org.au

Gratitude key

A. Lindsay (The Record August 11) is certainly right to question my credentials to write on the subject of the counselling of young people.

Certainly a doctorate in medieval Church History is not relevant: my four children would consider it of little relevance to anything. My title was simply included with my signature as a convention and was not intended for publication.

My interest in the subject stems primarily from a sense of deep gratitude for the high quality of pastoral care shown to my children and others in their time in Catholic schools in Western Australia. This pastoral care, by both school counsellors and other staff, has borne no resemblance to the kind of attitude portrayed in the original article by Andrew Mullins or in the work he was reviewing. It has involved a partnership between school staff and parents to enhance student welfare in every possible way, including spiritual. This partnership has taken many forms, from staff who pray with and for my children through staff who liaise with one another and outside professionals to a school culture which provides for a range of opportunities for students to develop into mature Christian adults.

These opportunities may involve specific initiatives varying from retreat programs which are demanding of both staff and students, to the excellent Families Matters Program now running in some Catholic schools or the current series of seminars being run by the Catholic Education Office.

I am sure that, in spite of what I would still see as philosophical difference, families in the school of which Andrew Mullins is the Principal are equally grateful for the pastoral care their children receive.

Mrs Margaret Ker Mount Lawley

A peace idea

I wish to propose a simple idea to all readers of The Record. Seeing as the whole world, including Australia, is in such strife and unrest, turmoil and violence, we need to pray even more for peace. Most churches in the city and

Thankyou discovery

Recently the Dicovery magazine published an article about the Notre Dame Social Justice Group and the passion of its members in trying to assist the people of East Timor in some small way.

We would like to thank you very much for the story and also thank your readers for their amazingly generous support. We can not thank everyone personally as some of the addresses on the envelopes were damaged before the letters arrived at our group’s office.

Please can you pass on our thanks and let your readers know every cent will reach East Timor for the mosquito nets.

Robyn Pickrell Notre Dame University, Fremantle

suburbs have an altar where we light our candles for 10c or 20c each, praying for various intentions.

If, each time, we light a candle for ourselves or our families we could light an extra candle for peace, surely our Heavenly Father will grant our petition. We can’t expect miracles overnight but our perseverance will pay off. Another beautiful devotion is Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s ‘Rosary for Missionaries’ all over the world. They, too, need our prayers, especially those in troubled and dangerous parts of the world.

Pam Leach Carlisle

Thanks for cue

Thank you for your recent publicity about the release of the Mother Teresa movie. Our family was moved by the inspirational depiction of this saintly nun and recommend this movie to all.

Geoff & Jan Storey Hillarys

A-bomb saved

With the anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the younger generation might not be aware of the circumstances under which the decisions to destroy those cities were made.

Judging from the fight to the death attitude of the Japanese in the 1940s, it was estimated that many more lives would be lost if the Allies invaded Japan, instead of bombing them into submission.

Years ago, I spoke to a Dutch woman, who as a child was in a Japanese prison camp in what is now known as Indonesia. Her family was tipped off by one of the guards, who was not Japanese, that the entire population in the camp was earmarked for execution, as Japan was heading for defeat.

She said she was forever grateful to America for dropping those bombs, because the execution plans were immediately dropped.

Frank Bellet Petrie Qld

Who judges?

I write in reply to the letter in The Record of August 4 2005 headed “Don’t attack.”

The writer complains regarding the “ill-intention of 60 Minutes’ reporting” about Muslim women and domestic violence’.

The letter infers that Australians should not judge as we ourselves have huge social problems, with domestic violence being a major issue costing Australia $8 billion a year. Rather than the media choosing “the ignoble path of prejudice, ignorance and harmful reporting,” journalists should “thoroughly investigate and report the truth,” it says.

Well, what is the ‘truth’?

True, the level of domestic violence in Australia is deplorable. It is not tolerated by our society and certainly not by followers of Jesus. Jesus went against the culture of his time in his attitude towards acknowledging the sanctity of womanhood. Domestic violence occurs in Christian society in spite of the example and teachings of Jesus in the Gospels.

Is that true of Muslim society? Some Muslims will declare that their men hold women in an elevated regard. Yes, there are Islamic women who are well-educated and successful. However, many Islamic women remain illiterate, hidden and treated as property.

The sad reality is that this is because of the example and teachings of Muhammad in the Qu’ran and through the Hadith. Women are inherently inferior to men - Surah 2:228. How is this subordinate status defined?

According to hadith 3.826, Muhammad said that women are genetically and legally inferior by half.

One of the admonitions in the Qur’an actually recommends domestic violence. “As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them, refuse to share their beds, beat them - Surah 4:34. Further abuse is given in Surah 4:43 which says that Continued - Page 7

For Maria Korp or Terri Schiavo, someone chose...

Life or death

■ By Fr Joseph Parkinson

In medical ethics, the Principle of Morally Disproportionate Treatment holds that a medical treatment which is not reasonably available, or which promises no reasonable therapeutic benefit, or which would impose an unreasonable burden, can be classed as morally disproportionate and is therefore optional.

We remember, however, that everything depends on the actual medical facts in the particular case, and it is impossible to make ethically sound decisions in the absence of accurate information.

We can imagine how this principle might apply to many treatments, such as radical surgery, painful or long-term therapy, or treatments which, while less invasive, hold out less hope of benefit.

Recently a more basic application has arisen concerning the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration from a patient.

In March 2004 Pope John Paul II made a statement on this question which added nothing substantial to the traditional Catholic position, but which did make explicit one aspect of the teaching which had previously been merely implied.

The Holy Father taught that providing nutrition and hydration is not, in principle, anything more or less than a normal part of the care and compassion which one person owes to another by virtue of our common humanity.

Just as a parent feeds a child, or as we might donate to a charity to provide food for countries in famine, so providing food and water constitutes basic human care.

Therefore, as long as nutrition and hydration are achieving their proper end - which is to sustain the body - there is a presumption in favour of their provision.

This applies regardless of which method of delivery might be used in a given case: normal eating and drinking, or intravenous drip, or naso-gastric tube, or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube which supplies nutrition direct to the stomach.

Naturally the Holy Father’s comments allow the

In the last 12 months decisions about removing nutrition and hydration from comatose patients have hit the news and transfixed nations. Those affecting Maria Korp in Melbourne, or Terri Schiavo in the US, have caused debate, protest and division. In the second of his series for The Record, Perth moral theologian FR JOSEPH PARKINSON, from Perth’s LG Goody Bioethics Centre, looks at the issues that continue to polarise large numbers of people...

possibility that, even if nutrition and hydration are still sustaining the body, one or other of these methods of delivery may in time become excessively burdensome to the patient.

But in that case, rather than simply stop all feeding, other methods of delivery should be explored.

The underlying difficulty here, of course, is the assessment of burden.

Normally only the patient can make this determination, but who should assess the burden if the patient is unconscious? We will address this in the final article in this series.

For the moment we will concentrate on the connection between the withdrawing of treatment and the death of the patient.

We know that in a given case it can be perfectly acceptable to allow death to occur unimpeded, because there is no absolute duty to keep a person alive indefinitely just because we have the technology to do so.

But when nutrition and hydration are withdrawn, will the patient die because of their underlying condition or because we have stopped feeding them?

The former may be perfectly acceptable in a given case, but most people would agree that there is something basically wrong with the latter.

The complexity of such decisions can be illustrated by comparing four cases, all of which made news recently in Australia.

Remembering that good ethical decisions require accurate medical data, and that our only sources of information on these cases are the media - newspapers, television and the like - which are not always the most reliable sources of accurate medical facts, consider the following cases in which nutrition and hydration were withdrawn from patients who subsequently died.

First BWV, a 68-year-old lady with a progressive and ultimately fatal form of dementia.

BWV’s health was in slow decline, but she may have been some years away from death when her PEG tube was removed by court order. She died about 14 days later.

Second, Terri Schiavo, a much younger woman who had suffered irreversible brain damage at the age of 26 and from whom, 15 years later, a PEG tube

was removed. Mrs Schiavo’s health was not declining noticeably, but her brain damage had made recovery virtually impossible.

She also died, again about 14 days after treatment was withdrawn.

Third, Mary Korp, who suffered brain damage as the result of a violent assault.

Authorities determined that Mrs Korp’s body was closing down, and that it would be futile to continue providing nutrition and hydration because her dying process had irreversibly begun.

But once again, Mrs Korp took some days to die after her tubes were removed.

Finally Susan Torres, who gave birth to a premature baby after 12 weeks on life-support.

Press reports say Mrs Torres ‘died’ immediately the machines were turned off, but it might be more accurate to say that, after her death, her body had been kept functioning artificially for the benefit of her unborn child.

Assuming the information we have is accurate, how should we assess these cases?

It seems clear that BWV and Terri Schiavo died because of a lack of nutrition and hydration, and not because of their underlying medical conditions.

This makes the decisions in their cases extremely difficult to justify, and it is understandable that many believe these to be cases of euthanasia.

If Mrs Korp’s body was inexorably closing down, there may well have been a case to withdraw nutrition and hydration as medically futile - but the length of time it took her to die suggests that her natural death had not been quite as imminent as authorities had supposed.

There seems to be no ethical dilemma in the case of Mrs Torres, however, whose body would have stopped functioning months ago had it not been prevented by aggressive medical intervention.

Although it was of no therapeutic benefit to Mrs Torres personally, that intervention seems to have been eminently justified by the subsequent birth of her daughter.

Emotions ran high in all four cases, of course, and this only complicated the decision-making processes. In a final article we will discuss, ‘who should decide?’

Youth go against the tide...

The Church is about happiness - not just a set of rules, is Benedict’s message to the young.

■ By John Thavis

Pope Benedict XVI said his goal for World Youth Day is to communicate the joy of being a Christian and convince young people that the faith is not just a stale set of rules.

The Pope expressed the hope that the youth gathering in Germany could help ignite a new wave of belief among Europe’s younger generations, as an antidote to the continent’s “fatigue” and the loss of its Christian roots.

Pope Benedict, who was to personally close the youth day celebrations in Cologne this Sunday on August 21, made the remarks to Vatican Radio in the first interview of his papacy.

IT’S A PHENOMENON: World Youth Day started as an idea for Pope John Paul II to meet with youth, and turned into a modern-day phenomenon of tsunami proportions among young people throughout the whole world. WYD has come to be a major pilgrimage on a global scale every few years when the gatherings with the Pope take place - while the announcement of who will host the forthcoming gatherings with the Pope are awaited each time with bated-breath by participants. This year many, including the highly-respected NCR Vatican correspondent, John Allen, believe that the next WYD will be in Sydney. By the time this paper is being read in WA parishes this weekend we will all know; Pope Benedict was due to make the announcement at the culmination of WYD on the Saturday night and Sunday morning after The Record went to press on Wednesday. One of the remarkable features of past WYDs is that they have clearly shown youth by the hundreds of thousands, even millions, embracing the Church as holding the answer to the meaning of their lives. In doing so they have gone against the trend of the ‘experts’ and their parents’ generations, most of whom appeared to have rejected the Church and its relevance in their own teens and twenties a generation ago. Even more than a decade after, young people still gather at WYD sites such as Denver, above at left, to remember and re-commit themselves to Jesus. Also pictured: youth at WYD Toronto in 2002 hold up letters to form the name of what brings them joy. The man, at right, who was centre stage this week in Cologne. An American pilgrim prays during Mass this week before departing for Germany.

The radio broadcast the 15-minute interview in German last Sunday August 14 and made a transcript available in several languages. The Record will be producing a special edition next weekend devoted exclusively to this week’s WYD celebrations in Cologne which concluded this weekend and to the WYD phenomenon (see timeline at right). The Pope said he was looking forward to the Cologne encounters because, while young people are “full of problems,” they are also full of hope and energy. “Young people contain the dynamic of the future. An encounter with them leaves people more invigorated, more joyful and open,” he said.

“I would like to show them how beautiful it is to be Christian, because the widespread idea which continues to exist is that Christianity is composed of laws and bans which one has to keep and, hence, is something toilsome and burdensome,” he said.

“I want to make clear that it is not a burden ... but it is like having wings,” he said.

“As Christians we are never alone - in the

sense that God is always with us, but also in the sense that we are always standing together in a large community,” he said.

Asked how an “aged pope” could communicate the Church’s traditional wisdom to young people, the pontiff laughed and said he would need God’s help.

He said he was aware that young people want to learn about life directly for themselves and “don’t want someone to regurgitate it for them.”

But he said he would emphasise that the Church’s belief is not like old food “which we have had for 2,000 years and which is reheated again and again.” Instead, he said, the Church is a rejuvenating power that draws its strength from “the fresh font of God.” Pope Benedict said there were strong forces working against the evangelisation of younger generations.

“It is evident that many heavy burdens exist in our modern Western society, driving us away from Christianity. Faith and God appear to be far away. Life itself is full of possibilities and tasks. First, one wants to grasp life on one’s own,

to live it as fully as possible,” he said. But he said he thought young people recognise that there is more to life than the widely-promoted culture of leisure, diversion and self-fulfillment. In spite of everything they can do, buy and sell, he said, young people say to themselves: “This cannot be everything, there must be something more about it.”

The Church should seize this opening and try to lead youth to the “undiscovered dimensions” of Christianity and its ability to respond to their deeper questions, he said.

The Pope said he was discouraged about Europe and its apparent drift away from Christian values. He said he hoped World Youth Day would give the “old” continent a new impulse of faith.

Ideally, he said, World Youth Day could end up sparking “a wave of new faith among young people, especially the youth in Germany and Europe.” He said his native Germany still has many Christian institutions, but the Church there seems so concerned with structural questions that the joy of the faith is missing.

History

Pope John Paul II instituted the World Youth Day gatherings after presiding over two huge Palm Sunday gatherings of young people in Rome in 1984 and 1985. These two events attracted well over half a million young people.

The Church celebrates World Youth Day each year on Palm Sunday. The first World Youth Day gathering was held in 1986 in Rome. The international gatherings are generally held every two or three years. The 20th World Youth Day - the 10th international gathering - from August 16-21 in Cologne, Germany.

Previous international gatherings have been held in the following locations:

1986 Rome, Italy

300,000

Theme: ‘Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you.’ (1 Pt 3:15)

1987 Buenos Aires, Argentina

1 Million

Theme: ‘We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves.’ (1 Jn 4:16)

1989 Santiago de Compostela, Spain

600,000

Theme: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.’ (Jn 14:6)

1991 Czestochowa, Poland

1.6 Million

Theme: ‘You have received a spirit of sonship.’ (Rom 8:15)

1993 Denver, United States

500,000

Theme: ‘I came that they might have life, and have it to the full.’ (Jn 10:10)

“If this zest, this joy, to know Christ would came alive again and give the Church in Germany and Europe a new dynamic, then I think the aim of World Youth Day would be achieved,” he said.

The interview was conducted at the Pope’s summer villa outside Rome by Father Eberhard von Gemmingen, the longtime head of Vatican Radio’s German-language section.

The Pope also spoke about World Youth Day to pilgrims attending his noon blessing at the villa the same day, asking young people to remember the saints of the modern age who gave their lives for the faith.

He recalled in particular Sts Maximilian Kolbe and Edith Stein, both of whom were killed at the Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz during World War II.

The Pope noted that St Edith Stein had spent several years at a Carmelite convent in Cologne.

In remarks to English visitors, the pontiff asked their prayers for the success of the upcoming World Youth Day events. - CNS

1995 Manila, Philippines

5 Million

Theme: ‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’ (Jn 20:21)

1997 Paris, France

1.4 Million

Theme: ‘Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see!’ (cf. Jn 1:38-39)

2000 Rome, Italy

2.1 Million

Theme: ‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.’ (Jn 1:14)

2002 Toronto, Canada

800,000

Theme: ‘You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world.’ (cf. Mt 5:13-14)

2005 Cologne, Germany

2500 young Australians have gone to join with hundreds of thousands of other young people from every continent of the globe to celebrate their first World Youth Day with Pope Benedict XVI. We wish them well.

Theme: ‘We have come to worship him.’ (Mt 2:2)

2008 Sydney, Australia??? We hope!

Me and a sackful of prayers, at Mass

■ By Paul Gray

“And with your spirit.”

That phrase, instead of the time-honored “And also with you” is now proposed for inclusion in the Mass in English.

London’s Tablet newspaper has reported “real difficulties” between the US Bishops Conference and the Vatican over the latest translation of the English Mass from Latin.

The Vatican’s ICEL committee wants the principle of closeness to the Latin version of the Mass enshrined in the new English translation.

That puts “Et cum spiritu tuo” – the traditional Latin response to the words “Domius vobiscum” (The Lord be with you”) – firmly into the spotlight.

The US bishops’ liturgy committee wants the traditional English “And also with you” retained. ICEL, it seems, is determined to force the change.

This change isn’t the only point of contention between the Americans and the Vatican. But it’s one that highlights the difficulty of changing the liturgy.

Just imagine how many years’ work would be involved in bringing the average sleepy congregation to respond correctly with the new

thefamilyisthefuture

form of words. Lifetimes. Is this something worth getting seriously steamed up about? Let me answer by reporting the general spirit in which this correspondent answers up at Mass.

Croakily, is a generous way of putting it. Silently may be more accurate. Many Sunday mornings, I’m simply stunned at having made it to Church. If I can manage to hear most of the liturgy and say a few silent prayers, I usually reckon I’ve done OK.

From that point of view, will it make the slightest difference if some responses change slightly in a few years time?

I am speaking purely personally here, but for me, the experience of Mass is essentially an interior journey acted out in a public place.

What makes it an interior journey worth making weekly (or more often, when possible) is the objective reality of its being “the Catholic Mass.”

It is a personal experience, yes. The most private and intimate details of my life are examined, sifted through, prayed about in church. The most important subject matters in the world – loved ones, the dead and the living, crises and needs – all of them “come out” during this weekly ritual.

Yet they come out in the context of private prayer in a public space. Granted, I can always pray about the same things, privately. But what distinguishes the liturgical experience from private prayer is the fact it’s prayer before the body and blood of Christ, with fellow believers.

It’s the mystery and drama of that public act. It’s the “magic” - another word for the supernatural – that infuses this particular gathering with meaning.

This is what I call the objective reality of Mass. It’s a reality that doesn’t depend on me – not crucially - for its existence.

Contrariwise, you might argue that it does depend on me because I’m a member of Christ’s body, and the Mass is Christ’s body in action.

But I counter that if I weren’t there – because the car didn’t start one Sunday morning, say – then Mass would still go on.

Mass has an objective reality, beyond myself, in other words. The key question for Catholics is where does that objective reality come from?

To answer “God” is not specific enough for me. The objective reality of the Mass depends on history and tradition also.

Those who oppose changes like “And also with your spirit” might say …. exactly! Tradition in our culture means we should not change the words.

But there are traditions and traditions. Where two Catholic traditions are apparently in conflict, someone must decide which tradition should take precedence.

For me, a sound guiding principle is that the tradition which is older takes the money. Note here that many Latin formulations are in fact older than Chaucer.

Even within English-speaking Christianity, the speaking of Latin itself pre-dates the Book of Common Prayer Latin, some would argue, is truly and historically the authentic language of Anglo Christianity.

I would not go that far. Mass in English-speaking suburbs and towns will almost universally be in the vernacular forever, I think. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Why? As always, I can only answer such questions personally. So long as it is “the Mass” – characteristically Catholic, in uniformity with the worldwide Church and the Church through time – it will do for me.

I’ve said that what I come for when I come to Mass is, in a way, precisely the fact that it doesn’t depend on me. By extension, this means that it doesn’t depend on my “culture,” either.

Indeed, they could translate it into Strine, and I wouldn’t speak up any louder. But I would still be there, with a sackful of private prayers.

Broccoli for breakfast the consequence for some

■ By Derek Boylen

There is a series of artwork called “Christ in the Wilderness” by Stanley Spencer, in the West Australian Art Gallery. It depicts Jesus doing relatively ordinary things; like feeding the chickens. What I like most about these images is that Jesus is portrayed as a shorter, dumpier man.

This imagery sits very comfortably with me because if there is anything that we can be certain of about Jesus, it’s that he liked his tucker. He doesn’t mind washing it down with a good bottle of ‘vino’ either.

Jesus eats his way through all

four gospels. There was the wedding at Cana, dinner at Zacchaeus’ house, the feeding of the thousands, grilled fish following the resurrection, the road to Emmaus and who can forget the most famous meal in history, the Last Supper, to name a few. And, if he wasn’t actually eating he was telling stories about fictitious people eating such as the parable of the wedding feast.

To eat and drink are basic necessities to human survival. It intrigues me that Jesus uses this basic aspect of human life time and again to make a deeper, more meaningful, connection with humanity. The shared meal has a special place in the gospel stories. It also had a special place in the life of the early Church. We know that early Christian gatherings were often accompanied by the sharing of food.

I’m amazed that so many people today say that they can’t relate to the gospel stories because they happened so long ago. I can’t think of a time in history when eating wasn’t fashionable.

It is for these reasons that the family meal has special significance for the Christian family. In a culture where the family meal increasingly takes place as people wander by or

in front of the television, the shared family dinner is becoming increasingly counter-cultural. For our family, and the family of my growing years, the evening meal played a significant role.

As domestic Church, it is one of the only times each and everyday that we can come together as family, as the body of Christ and satisfy our basic human needs; the need for sustenance and the need for a loving, nurturing community.

At the same time we share stories about our day, have the occasional family argument and discuss issues that are important to us. At the moment most of the conversations in our house centre around why broccoli is good for you and why you’ll get to enjoy your broccoli for breakfast if you can’t fit it in tonight.

We always begin with grace, thanking God for our food, the family we have to share it with and asking him to bless those less fortunate, those who do not have good food and loving family. I admit it is always an effort at the end of a busy day to set the table and organise the boys rather than just feed them first and sitting in front of the television, but it is one well worth enduring.

Teacher’s inspiration from India “A

fter meeting Francis Leong at the Catholic Mission Office and Fr Arulraj at Middle Swan, whose home parish in India is Marramreddypalli I found myself the guest of the Bishop of Nellore, Dr P.C. Balaswamy for just over three weeks in May, as part of my long service leave.

“Based mainly in St John’s Minor Seminary, opposite the Cathedral and the Bishop’s House, I travelled with either the Bishop or his Chancellor, Fr Innaiah, to outlying villages for two or three days at a time, or stayed with the Sisters of Charity of St Anne at the leper colony and with parish priests across the Diocese. “Everywhere I went there was the same wonderful welcome and hospitality even though I knew only a few words of the local language, Telegu.

“I arrived in Nellore in time for the Eucharistic celebration that was the climax of a four-day conference with about 600 participants. It lasted two hours, followed by 45 minutes for Benediction, but over the next three weeks I discovered that things were much the same as back home, one hour on the weekend and a daily Mass of half an hour, except that the language was Telegu and men and women sat on opposite sides of the Church.

“After borrowing a room in the hospital for the night, the next day I was taken to the Bethsaida leper colony where the Sisters joyously undertake their work of empowering leper families to look after themselves through basic subsist-

The Catholic Mission Office in Perth arranges for teachers to go on short-term overseas mission placements during their annual or long-service leave. John Bird, principal at St Joseph’s School in Northam went to the Diocese of Nellore in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, India, during his long-service leave in May. He said his visit aroused great admiration for the “vineyard workers” he met when visiting schools, hospitals, homes for the destitute, leper colonies, seminaries, parishes and outlying villages.

ence farming, growing vegetables, raising sheep and milking buffalo.

“They also run a hostel for the children of lepers attending their school alongside the children of Bethsaida. Like much of the Church’s efforts in India the colony is supported by agencies around the world. Their ambulance was supplied by Anesvad, Spain, and while I was there a Spanish couple called in to give a present to a child they sponsor.

“Although it was the long summer school holidays I spent time playing games, including cricket, with the children of the leper families, met the families and visited their homes. The two days at the colony were an eye-opener. The selfless giving of the Sisters as they ministered to those in their care was inspirational.

“This joyous giving in the service of the Lord was witnessed many times during the visit.

“A visit to St Mary’s School for the Deaf and Dumb at Korduro on the coast affected by the tsunami (there were four lives lost there)

Gospel comes alive

■ By Mark Reidy

An international campaign that presents the Gospel to young people through music, dance, theatre, personal witness and Extreme sports will be arriving in Western Australia next year. Impact World Tour (IWT) is an interdenominational campaign that has been staged in countries such as the USA, India, New Zealand and South America and claims to have brought many thousands of youth to Christ.

It is the initiative of Mark Anderson of Youth With A Mission, who is based in Kansas City USA. Anderson has visited Western Australia several times to lay the groundwork for the event.

The vision, which was originally proposed for Perth, has now grown to include country areas of WA, the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions, the Northern Territory and North Queensland.

It is expected that IWT will be presented in country areas in 2006 and will return for the Perth campaign early in 2007.

Archbishop Hickey has asked Flame Ministry International (FMI) to be the Catholic representative on the Board of Reference that is planning for the Tour. FMI member

Kaye Rollings has been attending preliminary meetings and events and is excited by the potential impact the campaign will have on young people. “It speaks their language”, she wrote in a recent letter

brought me into contact with Sister Valeria and a spirited and happy young girl, Susheela, who was deaf and dumb and had no parents, her mother having died only two weeks earlier.

“The Church supports children with limited access to education by building elementary (K to 6) schools in the villages and providing both elementary and secondary schools in towns and cities. The schools may be Diocesan or Order run, and may or may not have Government support and can be either Telegu or English-medium schools. The children and parents value the opportunity to get an education.

“As a Chemistry teacher I found the revision guide for the Year 12 exam was at least at the standard of our year 12 if not beyond. This standard was being achieved in schools where the class sizes in general were much larger and the facilities were like those of our schools in the 1950’s.

“There were few Catholic children or teachers in many Catholic schools with the majority being Hindu children seeking the values (they were not allowed to teach Religious Education as we know it but did teach Moral Science) and discipline together with the extracurricular programs.

“Fr Innaiah explained that they were reaching out to all the poor, providing education in addition to infrastructure in villages like sinking bores, hospitals, homes for the disadvantaged (mentally retarded, destitute etc). Through being exposed to these Gospel values students in fact become good (Christian) Indian citizens.

“Bishop Balaswamy is a very pastoral and dedicated leader of 140 priests and hundreds of religious sisters in the Diocese. On one occasion we left at 1.15am on a journey to celebrate a Feast in a village,

to all parishes, “And presents the Gospel in a powerful and entertaining way.”

The letter invites Parish Priests, their evangelisation committees and youth leaders to attend a video presentation and information evening where the vision, practical involvement and future follow up of the campaign will be explained.” Ms

(Please check this title with Kaye9382 3668) Rollings believes that it is important that parishes take an active role in the campaign as she envisages that young people will be drawn into parish life after the event in search of further formation.

“Although this is not the traditional way our Church would evangelize”, she stated,” It never the less speaks directly to today’s generation.”

30 YEARS

Evangelii Nuntiandi Conference September 22 Willetton

travelled until 5am, rested for one hour and after breakfast continued the journey. A procession through the town on chairs in a cart pulled by bullocks and led by male dancers heralded our arrival and the beginning of a day of festivities, which included Mass and more entertainment by dancers and musicians. This was a special village, almost all residents were Catholic, and had produced 14 priests.

“Four days (usually evening visits

as it was about 45C during the day) were spent travelling out from the village of Marramreddypalli with Fr Showri to celebrate Mass in outstations. Once again the hospitality was overwhelming. These outstations represent the frontier of the Church’s work in India, providing bores with the government’s assistance, a small Church or a school.

Ongole is a major city I visited for three days, once again seeing schools, hostels, outlying villages and tsunami relief work. The Salesian Sisters have established a centre for Women’s Development and one project empowers groups of about ten previously unemployed women to develop a commercial enterprise, which eventually repays the initial financial loan.

“The Parish Priest is flat out running a hostel for children coming from the outlying villages, a school and serving the needs of the outstations. His commitment extends to provision of a school uniform, a school bag and the necessary books.”

Want to be involved?

Anyone interested in contributing directly to some of the work mentioned by John Bird in the Diocese of Nellore, or wanting more information about his visit to India, can contact him at St Joseph’s on either 9622 1105 or 9622 7724 or by email at bird.john@cathednet. wa.edu.au.

Any teacher interested in short-term mission placements anywhere in the world during their annual or long-service leave (the Leave with a Mission program) should contact Francis Leong, Diocesan Director for Catholic Mission, on 9422 7933 during office hours or at catholicm issionperth@bigpond.com to arrange for a time to discuss the options and opportunities available.

Trinity truth?

Continued from Letters, Page 6 a woman is by nature unclean. In protocols before prayer, a man is considered unclean if he touches a woman, even if it’s his wife or daughter.

One glaring example of Muslim male dominance over their women, seen more and more in Western countries, is the way Muslim women have to dress in public -Surahs: 24:31 and 33:59. In my opinion, this is just another form of abuse. The intent is to ‘protect’ women from the lustful gaze of men. I have seen Muslim women wearing masks to make themselves look absolutely ridiculous and hideous. It would be more to the

point for Muslim males to seek sex counselling, sex therapy and appropriate positive education. I have attended quite a few lectures and talks by Muslim clerics and lectures. One very big issue that Muslims have with Christians involves the Trinity. Muslims regard Christians as blasphemers because we adore Jesus as God and Saviour. Be that as it may, Muslims define the persons that they believe Christians revere in the Trinity as the follows: a) Allah God b) Jesus Christ c) His mother Mary – Surah 5:119. So much for ‘TRUTH’.

James David Lees

Mt Claremont

John Bird having a meal with the Sisters who work in the leper colony at Bethsaida.

Fr Rayappa after Mass with the children of lepers at the Bethsaida leper colony.

The World

Benedict names Australia as troublespot

Talking with priests on Marx, vocations and papal infallibility

■ By John Thavis

Pope Benedict XVI interrupted his summer vacation recently to give the longest talk of his pontificate, in which he named Australia first as one of the countries in which “great Churches” are dying.

The mainline Churches appear to be dying. This is true above all in Australia and also in Europe, but not so much in the United States,” he told priests and seminarians during a two-hour tour de force covering such diverse topics as papal infallibility, Third World vocations and the errors of Karl Marx.

“What are growing, on the other hand, are the sects which offer the certainty of a rock-bottom faith, and man is looking for certitude. And thus the mainline Churches, especially the traditional mainline Protestant Churches, really are facing an extremely serious crisis,” he said.

“

The sects have the upper hand because they appear with a few simple certainties and say: this is enough. The Catholic Church is not in such bad shape as the historical mainline Protestant Churches, but it also faces the problems of this moment in history.”

His discourse in late July to 140 priests and religious in northern Italy offered insights into a pontiff the Church and the world are still getting to know.

After speaking for about a half-hour and joking that he had “gone on too long,” he sat back and shared his thoughts in impromptu fashion for another 90 minutes.

Pope Benedict likes to talk, especially when he knows his audience is on the same wavelength and receptive to the nuances of his thinking.

The Pope’s July encounter in the Aosta Valley drew media interest for his remarks

about Catholics who have divorced and civilly remarried without first receiving an annulment (see report Page 1 of this edition).

While defending the Church’s rules against Communion for these Catholics, the Pope recognised the complexity of the issue and suggested there could be creative pastoral solutions in the future.

The fact that, already in his short pontificate, both the Roman and northern Italian priests have voiced concern for divorced Catholics may carry weight with the new Pope.

Equally interesting were the Pope’s “big picture” remarks about the relationships among the world, the Church and the faith.

His candid overview contained some darker tones, reflective of a vision that is more challenging than comforting.

He said the world and its leaders today appear only too happy to do without Christian values.

“People seem to have no need of us, everything we do seems pointless,” he said. Modern social life has drifted away from faith, and even families don’t offer a faith milieu anymore, he said.

But the Pope also noted that evangelising has always been an uphill battle, even for many early Christians, whose “enthusiasm was extinguished” when the preaching of Jesus didn’t change the world overnight.

The context for Christian action today, he said, is not pessimism but struggle. To

a society that seems to reject moral values, Christians need to practise “an active patience in the sense of making people understand: ‘You need this.’”

“Even if they do not convert straightaway, at least they draw closer to the circle of those in the Church who possess this inner strength,” he said.

He said The Catholic Church rejects the minimalist approach offered by sects.

It is also important to present an intellectual understanding that makes the “beauty and organic structure of the faith comprehensible,” he said. Thus the importance of the recent catechisms published by the Vatican.

The Pope said there were no easy fixes for the modern crisis of faith.

“I do not think there is any system for making a rapid change. We must go on, we must go through this tunnel ... patiently, in the certainty that Christ is the answer and that in the end his light will appear once more,” he said.

Pope Benedict acknowledged that in many parts of the world the priest shortage is leaving pastors exhausted as they tend to four or five parishes.

Again, he offered no easy answers but said one solution might be found in the increasing mobility of modern society.

“The young travel 50 kilometres or more to go to a discotheque; why can they also not travel 50 kilometres to go to a common church?” he asked.

And while welcoming the upsurge in Third World vocations, he said his recent conversations with Asian and African bishops underlined the need for caution.

He said the joy at seeing seminaries overflowing carries with it “a certain sadness” because some candidates are coming with the hope of social advancement.

“By becoming priests, they become like tribal chiefs, they are naturally privileged, they have a different lifestyle,” he said. Bishops must be very careful to weed out the status-seekers, he added.

Inquiry into UK Catholic hospital Chinese Bishop dies

Cardinal orders inquiry into doctors’ practices at London hospital

A British cardinal has ordered an inquiry into claims that doctors working out of a Catholic hospital are referring women for abortions and prescribing the morning-after pill.

Cardinal Cormac MurphyO’Connor of Westminster has asked Lord Brennan, a Catholic Labor Party politician, to investigate whether the St John and St Elizabeth Hospital is violating its code of ethics by allowing doctors’ general practices to work out of its premises in London. The hospital sublets part of its premises to six doctors’ practices and plans to open another practice on the site in 2007.

The cardinal acted after the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics, a Catholic institute that shares the site, raised concerns about the possibility of the doctors authorising abortions and

prescribing contraceptives. “These doctors will be obliged by their National Health Service contracts to provide abortion and contraception referrals or prescriptions - for example, for the morningafter pill,” Dr. Helen Watt, Linacre Centre director, said in a statement on August 11. “We would urge the hospital to use this opportunity to recommit to a truly Catholic ethos, in which women are offered unequivocal support with their pregnancies.”

Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor also received complaints from the Guild of Catholic Doctors.

“People have been saying to the cardinal ‘This is our problem, our concern,’ so we are delighted he is doing something,” said Dr Michael Jarmulowicz, a member of the guild’s council.

“This is a Catholic hospital, and it is still using that name,” he added. “If a doctor’s practice comes in, we have no control over who is in there and what is going on. It may be that doctors who use the premises may be happy to refer women for abortions.”

Although there is no question of abortions being performed at the hospital, the cardinal has asked Lord Brennan to determine whether referrals for abortion contravened the hospital’s code of ethics, which states that “no person may use the hospital facilities for any consultation, operation, procedure, treatment and research which is clearly inconsistent with the ethical policy and accepted practices of the hospital.”

Lord Brennan is expected to report back to the cardinal in November. Austen Ivereigh, spokesman for Cardinal MurphyO’Connor said that the purpose of the inquiry was to see if “the code needs to be amended in the light of the new developments at the hospital.” He confirmed that Lord Brennan’s findings would be sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome.

The hospital, founded in 1856, was formerly run by the Sisters of Mercy and is the place where Westminster Cardinal George Basil Hume died of cancer in June 1999. CNS

Government-approved Bishop

Peter Zhang Shizhi of Mindong, China, died in his home town of Zhangzhuang on August 5. He was 88.

Auxiliary Bishop Zhan Silu has succeeded him as bishop, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand.

Bishop Zhan travelled from Ningde in Fujian province to preside at the August 9 funeral in Zhangzhuang church.

Two religious affairs officials from Fujian and a representative of the Fujian provincial Catholic Patriotic Association also attended the Mass.

Bishop Zhan told UCA News that the government-approved community in the diocese has about six priests, while the underground church community has 40-50 priests.

The Catholic population of both communities in Mindong Diocese is about 73,000. The bishop said the two communities were not unified. Although the government-approved church officially spurns ties with the Vatican, church sources say

up to 85 percent of the government-approved bishops have reconciled secretly with the Vatican. An underground church continues to exist, and in many sections of China there is some mingling of the two churches.

Bishop Zhan was one of five bishops ordained in Beijing in 2000 without a papal mandate.

That event shocked the universal Church and was a factor contributing to the souring of China-Vatican relations that year.

Bishop Xie Shiguang of the underground church in Mindong Diocese also reportedly is ill.

A church source in Mindong told UCA News that Bishop Xie, 89, was diagnosed with leukemia in May and has been in a hospital since then. He normally has been based in Fu’an, near Ningde.

News of Bishop Zhang’s death traveled slowly in Mindong Diocese. The open and underground church communities had little contact even when Bishop Zhang was working in Mindong, the source said.

Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful during a celebration marking the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy on August 15. PHOTO: CNS

The World

Religious freedom under threat

Group represents students who say college limits religious expression

■ By Susan Brinkmann

According to David A. French, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, “American universities are on the leading edge of censorship of religious individuals in this country.”

“Secular universities have become the single most hostile place for religious expression in the United States,” he told The Catholic Standard & Times, newspaper of the Philadelphia Archdiocese.

The nonpartisan, secular organisation he heads in Philadelphia has represented students around the country who say their college or university has violated their freedom of religious expression.

The foundation, known as FIRE, was started in 1998 in the wake of reaction to the book “Shadow University,” by University of Pennsylvania professor Alan Charles Kors and a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based civil liberties litigator, Harvey A. Silvergate.

According to the book, there is an increasing repression of college and university students and faculty who do not endorse liberal political views. The book generated hundreds of letters from students asking for help.

According to French, a Harvard law school graduate and former Cornell law school professor, the authors receive up to 500 inquiries each year from students who believe their religious liberty, free speech or due process rights are being violated on campus.

“The single most common complaint involves a university’s attempt to exclude a Christian or other religious organisation from campus because the religious organisation is seen to violate nondiscrimination policies,” French said. In the past four years, 60 universities either have excluded or sought to exclude Christian organisations from their campuses.

“What we’re seeing are the conservative, or theologically orthodox, groups being the ones in trouble, because they don’t believe what the

the world in brief

Crucifix dignified

university believes when it comes to sexual-orientation issues, for example,” French said. “These groups tend to require leaders to agree with the basis of faith, which is what universities hate. They (university officials) call that discrimination on the basis of religion.”

“One of the questions I often get is, ‘Why should a religious group be able to discriminate on the basis of religion?’” he said. “And I usually respond with, ‘Shouldn’t the Pope be Catholic?’”

“The way to understand many modern universities,” he said, is to realize that the officials running them “believe they have figured out the right and true answers to all the great questions of life from race, gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, war, peace, economics. And it is their purpose and mission to ensure that the students leave school having the same answers that they believe to be true.”

He cited a recent study by the University of California at Los Angeles which found that 52 per-

The crucifix should be present in public and private places because this external symbol of God’s presence is a reminder of humanity’s shared God-given dignity, Pope Benedict XVI said. “The modern world believed that by putting God aside” and following man’s ideas and desires people could “become truly free,” but that did not happen, the Pope said during his homily at Mass on August 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Pope’s comments came while he celebrated Mass at St.Thomas Church in Castel Gandolfo, where the papal summer residence is located south of Rome. Only by exalting God’s greatness, just as Mary did in her hymn of praise, the Magnificat,

cent of men and women entering college were regular church attendees. By the time they graduated, the study said, the figure was down to 29 percent.

French, who attended a Protestant school in Nashville, Tennessee, said he enjoyed more free-speech rights and more freedom to dissent at the Christian college than he did at Harvard Law School.

“I was hissed and booed and shouted down at Harvard. That never happened to anyone at my Christian college - even to the atheists who were there because their parents made them go,” he said.

Most people have been unaware of this situation at public universities because major media outlets tend to ignore it, he said.

“If I was to go to The New York Times, and say we have 60 universities in the last four years who sought to exclude African-American or gay or Latino groups from campus, and are actively putting together policies that are discriminating against them, they’d do a nine-part series

can people become great, the Pope said in remarks apart from his prepared text. “We must apply all this to our daily lives: It is important that God be great among us in both public and private life,” he said.

New JPII doco to be made

ABC has become the third network to prepare a made-for-television movie on Pope John Paul II. ABC’s film, “Have No Fear: The Life of Pope John Paul II,” has begun production in Lithuania. CBS announced its intent to make a movie on Pope John Paul shortly after the pontiff’s death in April. Cable’s Hallmark Channel beat both over-the-air broadcast networks to the punch with a four-hour made-for-TV movie, “A Man Who Became Pope,” debuting on August 15 with a repeat showing on August 21.

seeking a Pulitzer,” French said. “But because these universities are aiming at groups that are outside the mainstream media’s area of concern - or groups the mainstream media has actually scorned - you don’t see the same kind of sustained coverage you might see in other contexts,” he added.

He noted that religious liberty “is inextricably linked to free speech and is not less valuable because it is religious speech.”

His advice to students who are heading off to college is to watch out for “anyone telling students they can’t meet or they can’t speak, or is threatening them with sanctions because their speech is ‘homophobic or intolerant.’”

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education urges students to educate themselves about their rights. The organisation has a guide to religious liberty on campus and encourages students who believe they need legal help for an academic freedom issue to visit its Web site, www.thefire.org.

German actor Thomas Kretschmann will star as Pope John Paul in ABC’s production. He was featured in the 2002 movie “The Pianist” and will be seen in the upcoming movie “Butterfly: A Grimm Love Story,” as well as in a remake of “King Kong.” Costarring with Kretschmann will be Bruno Ganz as Polish Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, and Joachim de Almeida as Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero.

The call of bavaria

Young people from more than 50 nations, traveling to Germany for World Youth Day, spent several days in Bavaria learning about the province that helped form Pope Benedict XVI. Some groups toured in the footsteps of the Pope, visiting places like Marktl Am Inn, his home town, and Altotting, where he often

Pope’s old house for sale

Fed up with visitors, owner to sell house where Pope first lived

■ By Tess Crebbin

The owner of the house where Pope Benedict XVI first lived has put it on the market, with bidding to close on August 22.

“The decision for the sale came about because the current owner, Claudia Dandl, could no longer cope with the streams of visitors since Joseph Ratzinger became pope,” said Karin Friedlmaier, owner of the real estate agency conducting the sale.

The town council of Marktl am Inn, the Bavarian town where the house is located, voted that the house should become a museum and a place of Christian fellowship.

The use as a museum, which is to be open to the public, is binding for the future owner of the house.

The broker’s Web site, http:// www.drfriedlmaier.de/geburtshaus-papst/uk/index.html, indicates that the house is protected as a historic place.

“Offers have been pouring in from all over the world, including the United Arab Emirates,” said Friedlmaier. “We expect to receive at least 1 million euros (US$1.2 million) for the property.”

Friedlmaier added that the buyer would receive international attention.

Meanwhile, the house Pope Benedict owns in Pentling, Germany, will be left to the Regensburg Diocese after his death, said Wolfgang Beinert, a retired professor of systematic theology and dogmatic history at Regensburg University. Beinert, a former student and assistant of the Pope’s, said he received the information directly from the Pope’s family.

prayed, while others tried to get to know him through culinary delights, such as white sausage. “For me, it is very important to learn about Bavaria and its culture,” said Veronica Jimenez, 18, of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bakersfield, California “I want to understand our Pope’s roots.”

“I think in Bavaria people are very pious,” said Juanita Carcelin, a teacher from Guayaquil, Ecuador. “Perhaps it is no accident the new Pope comes from here. Wherever I look, there are churches, and people always seem to pray.” Bishop Victor Corral Mantilla of Riobamba, Ecuador, agreed.

“It is wonderful to have a Pope from a traditional province like Bavaria who does not give in to the pressure of modernism, which dissociates society with its upsidedown values. He is a very good Pope for Latin America, I think,” the bishop said.

Young Christians are not being allowed the same ‘freedom’ as others in US Universities.

PHOTO: CNS

Gifts for Archbishop

Archbishop Barry Hickey hosted a lunch for visiting Greek Orthodox seminarians at the Cathedral presbytery last Tuesday.

The visitors are on the second half of an exchange program between St Charles seminary and the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Greece. Last year, Perth seminarians Clayton Mitchell and Paul Stokes travelled to Greece to experience the spirituality and culture of Rizarios.

On the return visit, seminarians Dimitris Kaikis, Dimitris Chionis and Kostas Vasilakis have

been accompanied by Mr Tsakiris Panayiotis, a member of the Board of Trustees of Rizarios and representative of the co-ordinating committee.

Mr Panayiotis presented two gifts to Archbishop Hickey. One was an icon from Rizarios and other a silver eucharistic vessel from Archbishop Christodoulos, of Greece.

He said both gifts were an acknowledgement of the Archbishop’s foresight and will in bringing about the exchange – a relationship between the Catholic

and Greek Orthodox Churches not known to have happened elsewhere in the world. Archbishop Hickey expressed his gratitude for the gifts and said he was pleased to see that the exchange was progressing so effectively for the semninarians from both countries.

Joining Archbishop Hickey for the welcome lunch for the visitors were the Vicar-General Fr Brian O’Loughlin, the Rector of St Charles, Mgr Tim Corcoran, and the Dean of the Cathedral Mgr Thomas McDonald.

NO EXCUSE SUNDAY

To make it possible for everyone to attend church. Next week, we are holding a special NO EXCUSE SUNDAY. Beds will be available for those who say “Sunday is the only day I can sleep” and eye drops for those with tired eyes from watching late night TV on Saturday. We also provide Steel Helmets for those who say, “The roof would cave in if I ever came to church.” Blankets for those who say the church is too cold and Fans for those who find it too hot. Scorecards will be available in the pews for those who wish to list the names of hypocrites present. There will be lunches for those who cannot go to church and cook lunch at the same time. The rear section of the church will be devoted to trees and grass for those who like to find God in nature. There will, of course, be hearing aids for those who say the Preacher speaks too softly and cotton wool for those who say he speaks too loudly. Relatives will be in attendance for those who like to go visiting on Sunday and cushions will be provided for those who say the seats are too hard. Finally, and you may believe it or not, the church will be decorated with both Christmas Poinsettias and Easter Lilies for those who have never seen the church without them. (Translated from a German Church Magazine).

PANORAMA a roundup of events in the archdiocese

Saturday August 20

MEETING JESUS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL

A Saturday Morning Retreat. Presenter Fr John Prendiville (S.J) (Jesuit Priest). Multi-Purpose Room John XXIII College 9.30am-12pm. Cost: Donation for Inigo Centre.

Monday August 15-21

BILLINGS WA

Natural Family Planning Week. Manage your fertility naturally. Accredited teachers in all areas. Confidential Appointments. Contact Perth (08) 9399 4394, Bunbury (08) 9791 3696. Free call State Wide 1800 819 841.

Friday August 19-21

HOW DO I KNOW THAT GOD IS CALLING ME TOO

Join a group of other young people for a weekend of prayer, listening to other people’s stories and learning tools to help you determine where God is leading you in terms of your state of life, career or any other part of your journey which may be unclear. Run by the WA vocations network, the Retreat will be held at the St Joseph’s retreat house. Please contact Bronia for more information on 0407 430 478 or 9478 1263 or bkarnie@hotmail.com.

Sunday August 21

TAIZE MEDITATIVE PRAYER 7PM  8PM

Come and join in the prayer using the prayerful chants in a candle lit Chapel. Readings from the bible and some time for silent prayer. Come and be still and be at peace with the Lord. (You don’t have to be a singer!) WHERE: Sisters of Joseph Chapel, 16 YORK ST, South Perth Enquires Sister Maree 9334 0933/9457 3371.

Sunday August 21

FESTA BRUNSWICK JUNCTION

You are invited to the Our Lady’s Assumption Parish, Brunswick Junction Festa, Sunday 21 August

2005. Mass 10.30am in the Brunswick Town Hall. Rosary Procession starts at 2pm and concludes with Benediction. BYO Lunch, Tea & coffee will be provided Enquiries : Ross Princi 9726 1077, Domenic Frisina 9726 1283.

Sunday August 21

ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK

1  2 PM ON ACCESS 31

Year of the Eucharist / Dr Mark Miravalle, Fr Michael Scanlan, Scott Hahn and Regis Martin [Franciscan University Presents] The Holy Eucharist is the “Source and Summit of all Christian life”, containing the potential to transform us. As the Year of the Eucharist draws to a close, we are given an opportunity to assess the impact is has made on our lives. Please support these valuable programs on Access 31, by sending donations to The Rosary Christian Tutorial Association, PO Box 1270, Booragoon 6954. Enquiries: 9330-1170.

Saturday August 27

INNER FREEDOM

Presenter Murray Graham(Inigo Centre Director) 9.30am to 11.30am Cost, Donation.

Monday August 29

CARITAS AUSTRALIA INVITES YOU TO THEIR

2005 ANNUAL GATHERING

Registration 6.45pm 40A Mary St, Highgate (entry off Harold St) National Director, Jack de Groot; Global Education Advisor, Janeen Murphy on What Caritas is doing now including ‘Make Poverty History.’ Bookings by Thurs 25 Aug Ph 9422 7925 Email perth@caritas.org.au.

Tuesday August 30 to Thursday September 8

Novena to Our Lady of Good Health Vailankanni 7pm Holy Trinity Church 8 Burnett St Embleton Enq

G Jacob 9272 1379.

Thursday Sept 1 and Sunday Sept 4 EMMAUS WALK

Enjoy nature, good company and a walk in the spirit of the Gospel along the beautiful Swan River foreshore of Bardon Park and beyond in Maylands. Leaving at 10am and 1pm from Bardon Park car park and progressing to Friendship town house for refreshments following a Gospel reading and sharing time. Archbishop Hickey writes “the symbolism of the walk is powerful and I am sure people will respond to the knowledge that Jesus is walking with them.” Enq Maggie Box 9272 8263/0438 946 621.

Saturday September 3

DAY WITH MARY

Our Lady’s Assumption Church, Cnr Stevenson and Creery Street, Mandurah, from 9am-5pm. A video on Fatima will be shown followed by a day of prayer and instruction based upon the message of Fatima. The day also includes the Sacrament of Penance, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons, Rosaries, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross. Please BYO. Enq 9250 8286. Transport is $14. Bookings 9367 1366 or 0404 893 877.

Friday September 16-18

ANNUAL RETREATSECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER

All those interested in learning more of St Francis and the spirituality of his followers are welcome to attend. The annual Retreat will be held at the Redemptorist Retreat House. The retreat will be given by Fr Pat Collbourne OFM Cap. Registrations will be held on Friday evening from 6.30pm. Enq and bookings Mary 9377 7925 or Michael on 9275 2066.

CROSS ROADS COMMUNITY TERM 3

JULY 19  SEPTEMBER 23

Family & Friends Support Groups of Substance Abusers are on Wednesdays 7-9pm, Substance

Abusers Support Groups are on Tuesdays 5.307.30pm & Fridays All day Group for Substance Abusers is from 9.30am to 2pm including Healing Mass on Fridays at 12.30pm during term. Rosary is from Tuesday to Thursday at 12.30-1pm.

RESOURCE CENTRE FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FREMANTLE

195 High St. Personal and spiritual awareness and relationship education course starting in August. Bible study and Charismatic Prayer Meeting every Tuesday. Enq 9336 3330.

Every Sunday

BULLSBROOK SHRINE MASS PROGRAM

Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd. Bullsbrook 2pm Holy Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Rosary. Reconciliation is available in Italian and English before every celebration. A Monthly Pilgrimage is held on the last Sunday of the month in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation. Anointing of the sick is administered for spiritual and physical healing during Holy Mass every second Sunday of the month. The side entrance to the Church is open daily between 9am and 5pm for private prayer. For all enq SACRI 9447 3292.

ALL SAINTS CHAPEL

CONFESSIONS: 10.30 to 11.45am and two lunchtime

MASSES: 12.10 and 1.10pm Monday through Friday. Easy to find in the heart of Perth , 77 ALLENDALE SQUARE, St. George’s Terrace, Perth, WA. Let the peace of the Chapel surround you; let the hurry and worry of your many cares be left with the Lord. Visit with Him. Talk with Him. Give yourself time for Him! Exposition: 8am - 4pm. Morning Prayer: 8am (Liturgical hours). The Holy Rosary daily: 12.40pm. Divine Mercy Prayers and Benediction: Mondays and Fridays 1.35pm. St Pio of Pietrelcina Novena to the Sacred Heart and Benediction: Wednesdays

Gifts presentedt: Dimitis Kaikis, left, Dimitris Chionis, Archbishop Hickey, Tsakiris Panayiotis and Kostas Vasilakis.

BOOK KEEPING

■ SMALL BUSINESS BOOKKEEPING MYOB

Bulk rates negotiable. Ph: Margaret 9459 5866/0403 778 426

BUILDING TRADES

■ BRICK REPOINTING

Phone Nigel 9242 2952.

■ GUTTERS/DOWNPIPES

Need renewing, best work and cheapest prices. Free quote. Ph: Ad 9447 7475 or 0408 955 991 5008.

■ PERROTT PAINTING PTY LTD

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

■ PICASSO PAINTING

Top service. Phone 9345 0557, fax 9345 0505.

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.

CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER

■ WORK FROM HOME

Around your children & family commitments. My business is expanding and I need people to open new areas all over Australia. Training given. Highly lucrative. www.cyber-success-4u.org

COUNSELLING

■ ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF COUNSELLING

Personal and Family Counselling. Advanced diploma of educational counselling in personal and spiritual awareness and relationship education. Ausstudy-accredited. Ph Eva 9336 3330.

FURNITURE REMOVAL

■ AAA SLIPSTREAM

Piano removal, sales and hire. Special discount for schools. Contact Tony 0418 923 414

■ ALL AREAS

Mike Murphy 0416 226 434.

HEALTH

■ NEURO PSYCHOLOGICAL IMMUNITY

For women who are suffering from cancer or are in remission. Hennie is a qualified practioner and uses a combination of relaxation, medication, visualisation, and pain control techniques to improve health and can speed up the healing process by re-activating the immune system. These techniques are to be used in conjunction with your physician or specialist. Gold coin donation is appreciated. Light refreshments are provided. Hennie has a diploma in the Science of Neuro-Psychological Immunity. tel: 9525 0292.

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

■ BUSSELTON

Geog Bay, Park Home sleeps UP TO 6 winter rates apply. Ph Elizabeth 0408 959 671.

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

■ DENMARK

Holiday House 3bdr x 2bth, sleeps up to 8. BOOK NOW. Ph: Maria 0412 083 377.

■ DUNSBOROUGH

3 bed cosy cottage, sleeps 7, available for holiday rental, quiet oasis 3 mins walk to beach. Sheila 9309 5071.

HOUSESITTER

■ AVAILABLE 2006

Currently taking bookings to care for your home and pets. Metro area. Natalie Tel. 0417 976 028.

MUMS ON A MISSION

■ SUCCEED FROM HOME Call Christine on Tel: 9256 2895.

OPEN DAY

■ YOUTH WITH A MISSION

Check out training and ministry opportunities... enjoy music, fun and games... feast on a free sausage sizzle... Youth With A mission has existed in Perth for over 20 years equipping young and old alike with the knowledge and methods to impact this city and nations abroad by helping those in need. Please join us for this great event and learn more about our training programs as well as opportunities for you to become involved.

Date: 29th October 2005... time: 10am4pm... location: 150 Claisebrook Road, Perth... contact: (08) 9328 5321... hope to see you there.

OFFICIAL DIARY

REAL ESTATE

■ SHEILA SHANNON

Thinking of changing your address?

Selling or buying, please think of me! Sheila Shannon, First Western Realty, ...hoping for your call 040 88 66 593.

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

■ RICH HARVEST  YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP

Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, baptism/communion apparel, religious vestments, etc? Visit us at, 39 Hulme Court (off McCoy St), Myaree, 9329 9889 (after 10.30am, Mon-Sat). We are here to serve.

■ VESTMENTS

The Sister’s of the Carmelite Monastery have a few sets of vestments for SALE. If interested please ring 9795 7807.

REMEMBRANCE MASS

■ HELLOGOODBYE

A remembrance Mass for families and friends of babies lost before, during or soon after birth will be held at the Good Shepherd church cnr of Altone Rd and Morley Dve, Lockridge on Thursday September 8 at 7.30pm.For more details please contact Shirley on 92799165.

THANKS

■ ST JOSEPH

Thank you St Joseph, for successful completion of training and new job PH.

TO LET

■ TO SHARE WITH ELDERLY COUPLE

Mature couple seeks mature woman, 35 years plus, non-smoker, non-drinker and Christian values a must. Full accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner free) and some financial recompense for assistance with care for the lady of the house. This is not a full-time carer’s position. Ph: 9490 0271.

■ BOARD

Full board available in lovely Maylands, Opp. Park and near bus. Suit female student, backpacker or working person. Ph Kath 0400 227 118.

WANTED

■ CLEANER

Looking for a trustworthy,committed cleaner to do two houses in the Stirling + Duncraig areas. Day-Saturday, but can be negotiated. Please call Joan during the day on 9444 9366 or after 7pm 9344 3380.

1.35pm. To help you know and appreciate your Faith, a Lending Library of a thousand books, videos, cassettes at your service. Tel: 9325 2009. The Chapel is closed weekends and public holidays. www.allsaintschapel.com

PERPETUAL ADORATION

Of the Blessed Sacrament Christ the King, Lefroy Rd, Beaconsfield. Enq Joe Migro 9430 7937, A/H 0419 403 100. Adoration also at Sacred Heart, 64 Mary St Highgate, St Anne’s, 77 Hehir St Belmont. Bassendean, 19 Hamilton St and Mirrabooka, 37 Changton Wy. “Jesus is there for you 24/7.”

THE PILGRIM CROSS

This wooden cross (2m length) will be carried by the group of 16 pilgrims to the Shrines at Medjugorje, Lisieux (St Therese Relic), Nevers (St.Bernadette Relic), Lourdes, Fatima. Those who would like to have their name inscribed on the cross, can do so for a donation which will go towards Maddington Parish Fundraising. South Indian Breakfast Sunday 11 September 2005. This is another fund-raising event which will be held at the Church Hall from 10.00 am. October Ball Saturday 1 October 2005. This is a fund-raising event. All donations are tax deductible. Donation forms can be obtained from Francis Williams Enq 9459 3873 Mob.0404 893 877.

PERPETUAL ADORATION AT ST BERNADETT E’S GLENDALOUGH

Chapel open all day and all night. All welcome, 49 Jugan St, just north of the city. The easiest perpetual adoration chapel to get to in Perth. Just off the Mitchell Fwy by car, near the Glendalough train station and on bus routes 15,278 and 400.

EVENING MASSES AT ST BERNADETT E’S GLENDALOUGH

Every night at St Bernadette’s Glendalough, 49 Jugan St. 5.45pm Monday to Friday, 6.30pm Saturday and the last Sunday Mass in Perth is at 7pm.

40 DAYS OF PURPOSE

An August-September all-Christian Evangelisation course being conducted in many Perth churches and communities. More info: Harry (9444 4626) and Website: www.purposedriven.com.au.

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED

The Catholic Parish of St Anne’s, Bindoon require help to assist tradesmen to complete work on the Parish centre. Ph John 9457 7771.

BLESSED SACRAMENT ADORATION

Holy Family Church, Alcock Street, Maddington. Every Friday 8.30 am Holy Mass followed by Blessed Sacrament Adoration till 12 noon. Every first Friday of the month, anointing of the sick during Mass. Enq. 9398 6350.

REFLECTION AFTERNOONS

Challenge of Living as a Eucharistic Community in the Modern World. For everyone involved in Eucharistic Ministries or Service. Speakers include Archbishop Hickey. Topics: Challenge of Change, 21 August, Redemptorist Monastery, 2-4 pm. Phone 9422 7902.

SUNDAY CHINESE MASS

The Perth Chinese Catholic Community invite you to join in at St Brigid’s Church, 211 Aberdeen St (Cnr of Aberdeen and Fitzgerald) Northbridge. Celebrant Rev Fr Dominic Su SDS. Mass starts 4.30pm every Sunday. Enq Augustine 9310 4532, Mr Lee 9310 9197, Peter 9310 1789.

LITURGY OFFICE OFFERING EXCELLENT WORKSHOPS

Leadership for Music Ministry, 25 August. Cantors for the Country: To give people confidence and practical skills to lead the singing in country parishes 22 October. Phone: 9422 7902.

CONFRATERNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Confraternity of the Holy Spirit has been sanctioned in the Perth Archdiocese, our aim is to make the Holy Spirit known and loved, and to develop awareness of His presence in our lives. If you would like more information please call WA Coordinator Frank Pimm on 9304 5190.

CATHOLICS EXPERIENCING THE BIBLE

PARTTIME COURSES

An exciting opportunity to learn more about your faith. Enrolments are now open for study at Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation in term 3.

Short Course: Mary in the Mystery of the Church - Fr Leo M Spicer, OSM on Mon 22nd August commencing 9am. Registration and enquiries to Jane on 9202 6859 or 0401 692 690.

CATHOLICS EXPERIENCING THE BIBLE PUBLIC LECTURES

An exciting opportunity to learn more about your faith. Public lectures Tues 4 - 5pm. August 2-30: The Catechism (Fr Hugh Thomas); Sept 6: Praying with Mary (Fr Chris M Ross, OSM); Sept 13: Praying with Scripture (Fr Anthony Van Dyke, OP); and Sept 20: Praying through the heart of Jesus (Fr Jim Shelton).

Cost $5 per lecture. Enquiries to Jane on 9202 6859 or 0401 692 690.

First Sunday of each month

DEVOTIONS IN HONOUR OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Fr Douglas Hoare and the Santa Clara Parish

Community welcome anyone from surrounding Parishes and beyond to the Santa Clara Church cnr of Coolgardie and Pollock Streets, Bentley. The afternoon commences with the 3 o’clock

■ By Michael Lawton

The Last Word

over the world.

In Cologne, Cardinal Joachim Meisner welcomed more than 50,000 pilgrims to his city by reminding them that Cologne was the city of the Magi, “the first pilgrims to Christ,” whose relics are said to be in the cathedral.

“You are all following in their footsteps,” he said in his homily at the August 16 Mass in RheinEnergie Stadium.

The cardinal repeatedly was interrupted by the applause of the flag-waving young people. On one occasion he told them to keep quiet and let him talk, so they cheered louder.

On another occasion, after he had finally silenced them, the cardinal, who has a reputation as a strict theologian, said with a smile, “The people will be saying I have a lot of authority, since I was able to get you to obey me.”

Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, opened the proceedings with greetings in five languages. There was especially loud applause when he spoke in Italian - Italians are the largest group at World Youth Day and were by far the largest group at the Mass.

“You are entering on a great adventure, and the main figure in the adventure is you,” he said.

Following the arrival of the World Youth Day cross in the stadium, the service began with the World Youth Day hymn, “We Have Come to Worship Him.”

During the offertory procession, Cardinal Meisner had difficulty lifting the barrel of beer carried by the Cologne pilgrims, and he took evident pleasure at the carnival fool’s cap they also brought. Other gifts were more traditional: British pilgrims carried

food for the poor and roses. The liturgies in Bonn and Dusseldorf were the same as in Cologne. In Bonn, World Youth Day officials said more than 100,000 packed the Hofgarten park for an opening Mass with Bishop FranzJosef Bode of Osnabruck, the German bishops’ head of youth affairs. Deacon Andrew Royals, a transitional deacon from the Archdiocese of Washington and a seminarian at Mount St Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, proclaimed the Gospel.

In Dusseldorf, LTU Arena was full more than an hour before the start of the Mass.

With the arena overflowing, some 6,000 packed the city’s Burg Square to watch the Mass on giant TV screens.

Thousands listened with earnest faces as Cardinal Karl Lehmann of Mainz, head of the German bishops’ conference, said: “The call of God goes out to each one of us here today. The call of God always means a call for courage, although we would rather avoid responsibility and the load of going into a strange and uncertain future. But God is calling each of you individually.”

“The message is the same, no matter where you get it. Plus, the spirit of fellowship is all over the city, regardless of where you are,” said Juan Cordora, 19, of Guatemala City, as he stood in the square.

In Cologne, pilgrims from Hawaii watched on large-screen TVs outside the stadium, but pilgrims from the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts,

managed to get inside. Massachusetts resident Sarah Downie said the pilgrims had not understood all the languages at the Mass, but were able to follow the liturgy in their booklets.

It was “incredible when you walked in there, because of the atmosphere and all those flags,” she said.

A young man who identified himself only as Sebastian from the German town of Zwickau described the “tremendous atmosphere” at the Mass and called it “almost as good as a football match.”

He said the Church leaders at the Mass showed that “maybe they were not so old after all.”

After the Mass ended, German President Horst Koehler made a surprise appearance, but he was prevented from speaking for several minutes as “the wave” made its way around the stadium four times.

Koehler, who often has criticized the lethargy of German society, gave up trying to speak and allowed the band to strike another chorus of a hymn, after which he told participants he wanted their energy and enthusiasm for the world and for Germany.

Speaking in both German and English, he called on the young people to work together to solve the world’s problems and said he hoped the participants would go home with “a pocketful of telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.”

“Do not let go of the hands reaching out to you over the next few days,” he said. - CNS

Alarge body of research, from a number of developed countries, finds that married men earn between 10 and 40 per cent more than do single men with similar education and job histories. While selection effects may account for part of the marriage premium, the most sophisiticated, recent research appears to confirm that marriage itself increased the earning power of men, on the order of 15 per cent.

Why do married men earn more? The causes are not entirely understood, but married men appear to have greater work commitment, lower quit rates, and healthier and more stable personal routines (including sleep, diet and alcohol consumption). Husbands also benefit from both the work effort and emotional support that they receive from wives.

Pilgrims celebrate prior to the opening Mass in Cologne. Photo: CNS