The Record Newspaper 21 April 2010

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Faithful remember martyred Romero

Assassinated Archbishop’s work continues to inspire Salvadorians in, of

all places, Perth

BY BRIDGET SPINKS

A Mass for an Archbishop murdered in El Salvador 30 years ago drew 200 Perth Catholics to St Mary's Cathedral on 26 March. The commemorative Mass was to remember the martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero who served as Archbishop of San Salvador from 1977 to his death in 1980.

Fr Geronimo Flamenco, who was ordained to the diocese of Perth in June last year, was six years old when Salvadorian Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero was murdered.

"For me, as a Salvadorian, he was the biggest hero in the Catholic Church in El Salvadorian history," Fr Flamenco said.

Fr Flamenco remembers the night it happened. His father took him and his six siblings to the mountains to sleep in an effort to avoid possible military assassinations. "But the military came from Please turn to Page 8

“Be indefatigable in your purpose and with undaunted spirit resist iniquity and try to conquer evil with good, having before your eyes the reward of those who combat for Christ.”

the Parish. the Nation. the World.

Large numbers fill Perth’s Catholic churches over Easter

Completed Cathedral draws an estimated 9,000 over ceremonies of Holy Week

BY BRIDGET SPINKS

Thousands of Catholics attended Easter ceremonies in their parishes throughout Perth and Western Australia this year with a special highlight being the ceremonies at the newly completed St Mary’s Cathedral. It was the first Easter celebrated in the historic building since it was closed for completion works in late 2006.

Parish priests around Perth reported larger than usual congregations turning out to mark the week of ceremonies focusing on Christ’s death and Resurrection.

Fr Tony Maher, a priest of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who resides at St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle, said he did not know what the reason was for the big Easter turnout at his parish. But the

tendency in Western countries “to find faith and to come back to church, back to the Sacraments” has started, he said.

“Even though the movement is very small, it’s started.” The Easter ceremonies at St Patrick’s Basilica, which has a seating capacity for approximately 700 people, were “very well attended”, especially the 3pm Good Friday ceremony which drew 900, making it “standing room only”.

Fr Maher has only been at the Fremantle Basilica for several months but has witnessed Easter trends around Australia over the last five years.

He served at St David’s in Tea Tree Gully, Adelaide from 2001–2007 and at St Eugene de Mazenod in Burpengary, Brisbane from 2008–2009.

He’s optimistic about the future of Catholicism in Australia: “People are slowly but surely coming back to the values of the Catholic faith”.

For Fr Maher, the return of Catholics to the Church at Easter and Christmas “to connect with their faith, to renew a spiritual commitment” is grow-

ing. “Overall, things are on the move and on the mend. We've got a long way to go, but certainly there's a great renewal in faith.”

The northern suburbs parishes of Morley's Infant Jesus and Ocean Reef’s St Simon Peter also drew large numbers.

Infant Jesus in Morley drew 500 for the Easter vigil which was a “much bigger crowd than expected because we had nine adults being baptised and two being received into the Church,” Angela Youens, the parish administrator, told The Record.

Good Friday drew up to 900 people.

But the 10am Easter Sunday Mass had the biggest turnout of an estimated 1000 people.

It was “absolutely overflowing” with people standing outside while inside four children were baptised, Ms Youens said.

At St Simon Peter parish in Ocean Reef, Salvatorian Fr Derek Krzysztalowicz said 800 people came to the 10am Easter Sunday Mass, even though the Church only has a seating capacity of 400.

PleaseturntoPage2

NEXT WEEK: How We Celebrated Easter 2010

In their own words: special roundup of how parishes across Perth and WA commemorated Christ’s victory over death

Young people ask Pope for guidance in facing fears, doubts

VALLETTA, Malta (CNS) - In an unexpected display of honesty and frankness, five young Maltese men and women spoke to Pope Benedict XVI about their hopes, doubts, and fears as well as the contradictions they sense within the Catholic Church. Their testimonies were part of a music-filled and prayerful gathering of about 40,000 youth along the Valletta waterfront on 18 April. The Pope said “every personal encounter with Jesus is an overwhelming experience of love.” Even the hatred and anger St Paul felt toward Christians before his conversion “was completely swept away by the power of Christ’s love,” he said. See Page 13

Pope urges Malta to hold fast to its Christian roots, values

VALLETTA, Malta (CNS) - On a 27 hour visit to Malta, Pope Benedict XVI met with sex abuse victims, encouraged Maltese Catholics to keep the faith and walked in the footsteps of St Paul. In the midst of a worldwide storm over how the Church has handled clerical sex abuse, the Pope met privately with local sex abuse victims on 18 April, assuring them the Church was doing everything in its power to bring perpetrators to justice and to prevent further abuse of young people.

The victims said they were pleased with the encounter and one said he felt "freed of a great weight" and was reconnected with his faith.

The shadow of sex abuse cases didn't dampen the local population's outpouring of enthusiasm, nor did it obscure what the Pope said was his main mission on the Mediterranean island: to reconfirm the faith of one of the most Catholic countries in the world and encourage the Maltese to fully live out their Christian identity and values. Celebrating the 1,950th anniversary of St Paul's arrival in Malta, the Pope was able to hold the apostle up as an example or inspiration in his talks to politicians, Catholics, young people and even journalists. See Page 13

Western Australia’s award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - 21 April 2010

Perth, Western Australia

-Bishop Matthew Gibney 

Monsignor Michael Keating, Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, carries the Cross ahead of Archbishop Barry Hickey before the Catholic ceremony known as the veneration of the Cross. In many parishes across WA large numbers turned out in Holy Week to recall the final moments in the life of Jesus and his Resurrection. Mgr Keating told The Record that an estimated 2,000 people came to the newly completed Cathedral on Good Friday.

PHOTO: ANTHONY BARICH

A girl looks at an image of Archbishop Oscar Romero on 24 March 2009, the 29th anniversary of his death at the Cathedral where he is buried in San Salvador, El Salvador. Archbishop Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass in San Salvador in 1980.

PHOTO: CNS PHOTO/LUIS GALDAMEZ, REUTERS

Pope Benedict XVI holds his crosier as he celebrates Mass in Granaries Square in Floriana, Malta, on 18 April.

PHOTO: CNS/TONY GENTILE, REUTERS

Women inspire at Cathedral

National Photographic Exhibition of inspirational Australian Catholic women hits St Mary’s Cathedral

BY ANTHONY BARICH

TWO Perth women’s work featured as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary hosted the Perth leg of a national photographic exhibition of influential and inspirational Australian Catholic women from 13-19 April.

The Council for Australian Catholic Women (CACW) and Bishops Commission for Church Ministry compiled the exhibition to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the report into the participation of women in the Catholic Church in Australia, Woman and Man One in Christ Jesus.

Each diocese in Australia was invited to nominate two women for inclusion in the exhibition.

Perth women, Loreto Sr Marg Finlay and Aboriginal Nyoongar woman Sheila Humphries, featured in the exhibition.

Sheila Humphries is an Aboriginal Nyoongar woman from the Yuat tribe, known for her paintings of the six Yuat Aboriginal seasons which show the special places, animals and plants of each Yuat season; and one painting includes a Rosary. Sheila was asked to present one of her paintings to the late Pope John Paul II.

Sheila’s mother had nine daughters and a step-son to care for.

Three daughters died young and in 1944 when Sheila was nine, her mother placed her and her five sisters and brother in an orphanage, hoping that they would get a better education.

She later decided to take her children back but after three months back home, Sheila was arrested and returned to the orphanage. She grew up in St Joseph’s Orphanage for Aboriginal girls New Norcia.

When her mother died when she was 11 Sheila became a ward of the State until she turned 18, and married Bill Humphries two years later and had eight children. When the youngest was in Year 4 Bill encouraged her to study. He was a mentor to her and

role model for Aboriginal men. She worked in juvenile detention in Perth and in the Goldfields, but Bill later died from cancer.

Sheila has been artist-in-residence and has taught Aboriginal art, culture and bush tucker at the West Australian monastic town of New Norcia.

She believes that art, like religion, is about understanding the past to find a way forward. Although she was part of the Stolen Generations, her paintings reflect healing, reconciliation and faith.

Sr Finlay, a Loreto Sister for 48 years, was an occupational therapist and later taught in primary and secondary schools and was part of a Spiritual Formation Team in the Parramatta Catholic Education Office, helping Catholic teachers update and reflect on their roles as Catholic teachers.

Since returning to Perth in 2002, she has been chaplain at Bandyup Women’s Prison.

She and other women Religious established a night shelter in Fremantle called The Sisters’ Place, where homeless women have safe sleeps.

She also works with two groups of women who gather monthly to reflect and study, one of which was called the Circle of Peace.

She also spent a year meeting with Muslim women which aimed to build bridges.

The picture above shows Sr Finlay meeting one of the Muslim women who joined the Circle of Peace.

A statement from the CACW said the exhibition reflects how the Church in Australia is “richly blessed by talented, gifted women who seek out a voice and place in the life of the Church”.

“This exhibition highlights a small sample of the expertise, knowledge and wisdom available to the Church in Australia,” the statement said.

“It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the journey we take with women of the Old and New Testaments, pioneering women of Australia, Religious Sisters, past and present who provide a voice for the voiceless and continue to be groundbreakers as women in the Church, for women in positions of leadership in Catholic Education, Catholic Health and Catholic Social Services and for wives and mothers who bring alive the message of Jesus Christ to the people they care for and nurture,” the statement said.

Sr Marg Finlay greets Fazida Razak, one of the Muslim women in the Circle of Peace group. PHOTO: COURTESY CACW

SAINT OF THE WEEK

Adalbert of Prague

956-997 April 23

Crosiers

Christened Wojciech in Bohemia, in today’s Czech Republic, he took the name of his teacher, St. Adalbert of Magdeburg. He became the bishop of Prague while still in his 20s, but because of pastoral and political difficulties there retired to a Benedictine abbey in Rome in 990. The pope sent him back to Prague, where he founded an abbey at Brzevnov, but local troubles again prompted his return to Rome. Eventually he was allowed to evangelize the Prussians of Pomerania, but he faced opposition there, too. He and his fellow missionaries persevered and were martyred.

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Caritas calls on pharmaceutical giant for AIDS fight

One major company could open the floodgates for others, says Caritas

BY ANTHONY BARICH CARITAS

Australia has called on a major pharmaceutical company to develop paediatric HIV medications which could drastically reduce childhood mortality and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS throughout the developing world.

In a statement released on World Health Day, 7 April, Caritas Australia chief executive Jack de Groot called on Rochepart of the International F Hoffmann-La Roche Group worldwide that was founded in 1896 in Basle, Switzerland - to lead the way so other companies follow suit.

He highlighted the lack of child-friendly fixed dose combinations of anti-retroviral drugs as a major issue, and said that Roche, as a leader in the pharmaceutical world, “is in a unique position to do more and to inspire other companies to follow suit”.

Nearly 300,000 children will die this year from diseases related to HIV/AIDS as life-saving treatments remain largely inaccessible to children living in impoverished communities, the Caritas Australia statement said.

With limited access to effective Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART), and “myriad social barriers to overcome, children are disproportionately vulnerable to the disease”, it added.

Mr de Groot said that, “despite much talk and action on HIV, we’ve seen that the needs of children in particular are still neglected”.

In many developing countries, caregivers have to use tablets designed for adults and break them up, he said.

HIV Treatment

Antiretroviral drug therapy lengthens life expectancy for those with HIV by inhibiting the replication of the virus.

ESTIMATE OF HIV PATIENTS NOT RECEIVING ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUGS

Europe, Central Asia

Continued from Page 1 while four others were confirmed and received into the Church, and another person received confirmation.

In the centre of Perth, at St Mary’s Cathedral’s first Easter ceremonies in three years, the attendance was better than expected.

“I thought it was amazing. I didn’t think it would be so well attended,” Dean of the Cathedral, Monsignor Keating, said.

He estimates that 9,000 people came to the Cathedral between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

The Cathedral’s capacity is 1,100, but at least 2,000 came to the Cathedral on Good Friday and on Easter Sunday up to 3,000 people attended overall.

Easter Sunday’s 11am Mass at the Cathedral was preceded by a special musical presentation of Mozart’s Exultate

Sub-Saharan Africa

“While there are some syrups available, they are difficult to handle, costly to transport and hard to store without refrigeration,” he said.

“In addition, anti-retroviral treatment for children is currently three times more expensive than adult formulations.”

Mr de Groot’s challenge follows the 2009 launch of Caritas Internationalis’ global campaign, “HAART for Children: greater Access to Paediatric HIV and TB testing and treatment”.

This campaign called on governments and pharmaceutical companies to provide more testing and enable appropriate treatment for nearly 15 million children who live with HIV/AIDS.

As children continue to be lost in the midst of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Caritas Australia’s HAART campaign “highlights

East, South and Southeast Asia

the powerful role pharmaceutical companies can play to ensure universal access to life-saving treatment”, the statement said.

“The international community has committed to combat HIV/AIDS and reduce child mortality by 2015; it’s a task charged to governments, companies and NGOs alike and demands a great deal of determination and leadership,” Mr de Groot said. “As we steadily approach the deadline to achieve these critical development targets, Caritas Australia is urging Roche to have a HAART and commit to developing Anti Retro-Viral medications appropriate for children”.

Caritas Australia allocates 14 per cent of its international programmes’ budget to HIV activities that target the medical, cultural, ethical and social dimensions of the illness.

In Perth, across WA, the Faithful gather to be with Him

ple attended this Mass. “In a sense, people were marking with their feet the belief in Jesus and I thought expressing their support for the Pope and the Archbishop who have been under fire a little bit, a bit challenged,” Mgr Keating said.

There was also strong demand for the Sacrament of Confession at the Cathedral on Good Friday.

Five priests heard confessions after the 10am Stations of the Cross and after the 3pm Good Friday ceremony, Archbishop Hickey and nine other priests heard confessions “for some time afterward”.

This showed, Mgr Keating said, that “people have been moved by the death and Resurrection of Jesus”.

Mgr Keating estimated that 1,500 peo-

“That was proof to me that people were moved and wished to repent and turn back to God and that was one way they could do it and show it,” he said.

Jubilate (Rejoice and Exult) sung by soprano Stephanie Gooch and accompanied by violinists Sarah Ellison and Kathleen O’Hagan.

Youth from Gosnells Parish re-enact Jesus Christ’s suffering and death.

PHOTO: GOSNELLS PARISH

Tiny lady who became a spiritual giant

Bunbury Bishop

Gerard Holohan focused his Easter message for 2010 on Blessed Mary MacKillop

In 1905, the Sisters of St Joseph re-elected a partially paralysed Mother Mary Mackillop their Superior General. Though clear in thought and speech, Mary had been confined to a wheelchair for four years after a stroke that left her right side paralysed.

This event reminds us of a most important fact: Mary was re-elected because of who she was as a person, not because of what she could or could not do. Mary is a saint because the Easter power of Christ, the power of His Resurrection, made her a holy person as she prayed, worshipped and lived as Jesus taught.

Focus on Mary as a person

We live in a materialistic society where people are valued more for what they can do, than for who they are. The media emphasis on Mary as we approach her canonisation tends to be on what she accomplished, not on who she was.

We need to keep before ourselves and others why God has revealed Mary to be a saint. Because she was a holy person – not because of her work – though this was one way she expressed her holiness. Why are there saints?

God reveals saints to encourage and to provide Christians today with examples of the holiness Jesus called for. A saint demonstrates how the power of Christ can change those who, like Mother Mary, pray daily, worship and live as he taught, freeing them from human weaknesses.

Second, a saint is someone who is with God, and so we can ask them to pray to God for our needs. We can identify with saints we know who had similar life needs and concerns to our own.

If we look a little more deeply at Mother Mary, we see her as someone who understands Australian life at many levels. She is someone one can ask to pray to God on our behalf.

The child of an unstable family

Mary, born in 1842, was the eldest of seven children. Her father was unsuccessful in business and the family suffered instability.

As the eldest, Mary had to accept considerable responsibility to keep her family together. She knew the strains of financial pressures on her parents’ marriage and the effects on her brothers and sisters as well as on herself.

She understands those today who are experiencing strain in their marriages, young people whose parents have split up and teenagers who are embarrassed with their peers for family and financial reasons.

She certainly understands teenagers who have to take on added burdens because one or more parents is absent. All of these people can pray to her. Who experienced financial strain

Melbourne was a boom city due to the gold discoveries, particularly at Ballarat. However, economic reversals were the cause of her father losing money.

Mary understands the anxiety and pressures on many in our soci-

ety today, caused by financial difficulties. She understands how hard it can be to provide for families, and to keep them together. She knows what it is like to have to go to work ‘to make ends meet’.

Special love for those in need

From her teenage years, Mary had a special love for those in need. Working as a governess, she taught children to supplement the family income. However, after hours, she went to rural workers’ huts and to Aborigines to teach their children basic literacy and numeracy.

In time, she founded, with Fr Tenison Woods, the Sisters of St Joseph to provide for those of ‘humble circumstances’. The ways they did so ranged from schools to orphanages, founding homes and a reformatory.

Mary understands poverty. But she also understands young people lacking parent support, and those who are troubled. She would understand why many today would seek relief through drugs and excessive alcohol.

Love in tense relationships

Mary was a strong person.

Disappointments with Bishops, priests and laity meant there were tensions at times. There are those who suggest that Mary was something of a rebel, standing against authority, but this really is unwor-

thy of her. In her letters, she reveals a person who loved and urged her sisters to love others in times of disagreements. Even when people were dishonest towards her, she urged consideration and the avoidance of any sign of hostility.

She understands those struggling to prevent family and other relationships breaking down in times of tension. She understands what it is like where people are struggling with others who have different views, and even perhaps finding it hard to forgive hurts or lies against them.

Those in rural isolation

Mary knew Australian rural isolation. She experienced the physical burden of constant travel over large distances. She experienced endless miles of boring landscape.

Those were the days of horses, carts, trains - and no airconditioning. She understands what it is like for priests in isolated parishes, and the challenges of regular travel between small population centres.

She knows the reality for parents collecting their children and those driving regularly for home supplies, medical care and other needs.

To see Jesus in the young

Perhaps the key to understanding Mary is in her naming her Sisters after St Joseph. She saw the young Christ in children.

Joseph cared for Jesus like a son, and knew poverty, rural life, hard work and travel. Her Sisters, then, were to care for children in the spirit of St Joseph caring for the young Jesus.

Seeing Christ in others was a foundation for the holiness that has led to her canonisation. Let us reflect on her as a fellow Australian who understands so many of our needs and challenges today.

The challenges of teachers and leaders

Mother Mary was a teacher who became an educational leader. She knew classrooms, out of classroom settings and inadequate resources.

She taught Indigenous children, the children of migrants and children of European background. She formed young teachers and understood their problems. She also trained new teachers.

School leaders today know that Mary too was a school leader. She had to maintain standards and support teachers with their problems.

Anyone involved in Catholic education and government schools knows Mary taught as they do. All can look to her for inspiration, and pray to a past colleague.

The paralysed, the seriously ill and carers

Mary knew the frustration and pain experienced by those who, like her, are confined to wheel chairs and beds; those who depend on others to provide for even their most basic bodily needs.

Before her stroke, Mary had seen to the care for the aged poor. She also saw to the care of the incurably ill. Both miracles through which God revealed her sanctity were for the incurably ill.

Mary understood those receiving and those providing aged care. Mary understands the experience of carers today in every situation.

The suffering of criticism

Mary in her time was often criticised. While some of her greatest supporters were not Catholics, many others saw her as something of an insidious ‘papist’ influence. Many, too, thought education should be for the children of those who could afford a tutor – not for the working classes.

Mary was criticised also by Catholics. Many believed nuns should live cloistered or semi-

cloistered lives. They disapproved of nuns moving convents, to follow farmers, miners and railway workers moving to where employment could be found, to teach their children.

Mary knew what it is like to be less acceptable because of one’s Catholic faith, and to be criticised for unappreciated efforts to help others in country towns.

The victim of misunderstanding

Mary suffered because some Bishops and priests also misunderstood her. There were jurisdictional misunderstandings because of her new vision of Religious life in Australia. Eventually this was resolved by Popes Pius IX and Leo XIII.

The ailing Bishop Shiel of Adelaide even excommunicated her on the basis of misinformation that Mary was insubordinate. Before his death, he lifted this sentence, acknowledging that he had been badly advised.

Some people gossiped too that Mary had a drink problem because she took medically prescribed brandy for the pains of dysmenorrhea. Mary suffered from these pains for decades.

But perhaps the most painful personal misunderstanding was when Fr Woods fell out with her over the Rule for the Sisters.

The original Rule, developed by Fr Woods and Mother Mary, stressed poverty and dependence on God. Rome, however, modified this Rule, seeing it as too severe. Woods fell out with Mary, feeling that she had not done all she could to defend the original Rule.

Mary understands those today who suffer rejection because of misunderstanding. Many today experience similar hurts to Mary. Many too suffer the loss of friends for similar reasons.

Those feeling let down

Mary was followed after her first period as Superior General by Mother Bernard, whose personality and ideas were different from those of Mary in key respects. Mother Bernard was not as insistent, for example, that the Sisters were for those of ‘humble circumstances’.

She was also not as administratively capable. Mary, who was now Mother Bernard’s deputy, suffered to see the effects on the lives of the Sisters. Often she had to see to their needs in ways that did not undermine Mother Bernard. The situation of following Mary as General was not always easy for Mother Bernard either.

Mary understands anyone today who feels undermined, including in families. She knows how hard it is to remain loyal, particularly to those who are less capable. She knows too what it is like to have to step in to clear up a mess, while being taken for granted or even resented for doing so.

The power of the Risen Lord

Mother Mary Mackillop is an outstanding example of someone who opened herself to the Risen Lord and His power. Her story is of someone in whom Christ’s power shone through human weakness. This physically tiny lady became a spiritual giant.

As we reflect on Mary, let us remember that Christ loves each one of us no less than He loved her. He offers His power to each of us no less than He offered it to her.

May we all have a happy Easter – and be encouraged by Mary’s example to seek Christ’s power to become the people we are capable of being. Let us pray to her as someone in heaven who what it is like to live as an Australian.

+ Bishop Gerard Holohan

A woman prays at the tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop on 20 February at a chapel named after her in North Sydney. Pope Benedict XVI will canonise Blessed MacKillop and five others on 17 October. The Melbourne nun who co-founded the first Religious Order in Australia will become the country’s first saint.

PHOTO: CNS/DANIEL MUNOZ, REUTERS

YCW forges parish links

BY ANTHONY BARICH

THE Young Christian Workers has established a Partnership Group with Subiaco, Morley, Ocean Reef and Mt Lawley and the North Perth Redemptorist Monastery parish communities to develop youth leadership encouraging personal and collective growth.

The Group formed in May last year with Subiaco, Morley and the Redemptorist Monastery communities, while Mt Lawley and Ocean Reef recently started participation in the review group.

Its chaplain is Redemptorist Fr Dominic Savio, former chaplain of the Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Ministry Office, which also has a representative present at all the Group’s meetings to provide feedback and insights.

The Group is part of an increased awareness of the YCW in the Catholic community in Perth as the organisation seeks to get back to the charism on which it was founded in 1924 by Brussels-born Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, a former prisoner of war for 13 months by the Germans during World War I.

While he was in prison, he wrote up plans for what would become the Young Christian Workers, which in 1924 evolved from the Young Trade Unionists group.

In this spirit, Perth’s YCW have since 2008 focused on the theme Changing the Culture of Work, and last year conducted a nation-wide youth survey of the meaning they get out of work. It revealed mutual trust, respect, approachability of management, feeling that they are part of a team, finding meaning and value in what they’re doing and being treated justly in the workplace as priorities of youth for their workplace.

Moving forward, YCW are planning a series of workshops to start within the next two months focusing on the spirituality of work, rights and responsibilities at work and changing the culture of work.

They hope to widen participation in these workshops - to be run by local leaders Marie and Michelle Raheb, Tristan Kolay and Simon Stokes - to outside YCW circles to wider Catholic communities.

A fundraising dinner dance was held on 17 April to raise awareness and money for its work including Shopfront, the Archdiocesan agency established in 2001 to offer assistance, friendship, support and a referral service to marginalised people.

Perth’s YCW also partakes in the international YCW movement’s Global Solidarity Campaign annually on 1 May. This year’s theme is Social protection for all.

This encompasses social welfare in developing nations where workers are often heavily exploited.

Perth YCW has about 50 members, Simon Stokes told The Record, aged between 18 and 30.

Struggling to fend for the unborn

Fundraising for new life in Sydney suffers teething problems

BY BRIDGET SPINKS

A CATHOLIC outreach centre for pregnant teens in Sydney’s western suburbs is struggling to stand on its own two feet after being launched just over a month ago.

Volunteers at St Margaret Mary’s parish in Merrylands held another barbeque on Easter Sunday to fundraise for Project Morning Star, opened by Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Julian Porteous on 28 February.

It was the third parish-based barbeque this year to raise money for Project Morning Star, a resource information centre and moral support outreach for girls under 20 who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant, single mothers or who have aborted a child.

Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Julian

Porteous, who consecrated the project to its patroness, Our Lady of Sorrows, on 15 September last year, said the project is “an important witness to the commitment of the Church to assist young women who become pregnant and want to keep their child”.

The centre will serve as a resource and teaching centre where essential ‘parenting skills’ and ‘life skills’ programmes will take place.

“Often the young women find that there is little support for them. They can lack family support and can be isolated. This experience can force them to choose to have an abortion,” the prelate said.

“With works like Project Morning Star, the Church is showing how it is prepared to assist young women in their time of particular need.”

Anna Tramonte, group coordinator of St Margaret Mary’s parish Merrylands’ youth and apostolic groups for nine years, has been the driving force behind ‘Project

Morning Star’ for the past two and a half years, assisted by up to 21 volunteers. Mrs Tramonte was motivated to help pregnant girls when she heard about a 17 year old girl who had been forced out of home and to have an abortion against her will, and also met separately a 20 year old man who had pushed his girlfriend to have an abortion and was later having difficulty coping with the decision.

“Being involved with young people, seeing them involved in situations [where they are] totally lost,” is her inspiration, Mrs Tramonte told The Record, adding that young people who need security and support, especially if they can’t find it at home, are the ones she wants to help.

Through the project, Mrs Tramonte hopes to reach young girls before they turn 20 as “there are too many kids out there who are out of control because they haven’t had that role model”.

“The reason why I’ve decided on young people is because they’re

vulnerable; [and] we can mould them,” she said. “These kids are our future, we need to try and mould them if we can.”

Though Project Morning Star has been launched, the house in Fairfield is not yet functional as a resource information centre, nor able to run any classes for the girls.

Chairs, two beds, a washing machine and a fridge have all been donated, but other furnishings like tables and extra chairs are still needed.

The money that has been raised from the barbeques and other donations has only been enough to cover bills, but is not enough money to buy food or toiletries for the girls.

Despite these obstacles, Mrs Tramonte believes the project will succeed, and has planned classes for the girls to learn essential life skills from cooking and cleaning to budget management, social etiquette and parenting.

Donations can be sent to St Margaret Mary’s Church, 5 Chetwynd Road, Merrylands 2160.

Simon Stokes

Santa Maria girls get physical in Vietnam

BY GLYNNIS GRAINGER

SHOVELLING 20 tonnes of gravel and levelling school grounds with pickaxes and shovels, a group of Santa Maria College students “got physical” on their late-2009 trip to Vietnam and Cambodia.

The 24 Year 10 and 11 students, with staff members Deputy Principal Boarding Helen Chaffer and teacher Chrissie Yeates, flew out of Perth on 26 November to begin their 28-day expedition in South-East Asia.

Coordinated through UK Company World Challenge, which specialises in school expeditions to 40 destinations around the world, the programme gave the students the opportunity to immerse themselves in developing countries.

Prior to departing, the students had to undergo long-term preparations over 18 months, including visits from World Challenge leaders once a term and weekly group meetings.

The students also had to conduct extensive research into the culture, politics and geography of the two countries and present their findings to a parents’ meeting.

The College also encouraged the students to raise the money for the expedition themselves through fundraising initiatives in their local community or from parttime employment.

Group One was led by Mrs Chaffer and Group Two by Dr Yeates, and both groups followed a similar itinerary that included time for community service, trekking and general sightseeing and shopping.

Group One undertook a fourday community project in Siem Reap, two hours south of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, including shifting the gravel to create a road and play area for an orphanage, as well as building gardens and fences for a local school. Group Two completed their community work at Makak Village School in Siem Reap, using money raised in Perth to buy teaching materials and donated money to the school to pay for earth to be delivered to raise the school grounds above the monsoon water level.

Then both groups spent up to four hours a day trekking through Vietnam for six days.

Each girl managed her own budget and each day a new team leader was chosen to be responsible for the day’s activities and daily spending of the allocated funds.

Dr Yeates said: “I think the experience was a real confidence booster for some girls who perhaps had not considered themselves leadership material in the past. They learnt how to plan and make decisions for themselves,

True Freo Oblate returns to Creator

BY GLYNNIS GRAINGER

AFTER nearly 61 years a priest, Fr Henry McFall OMI, the first West Australian Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, went to God peacefully on 12 March.

Provincial Fr Harry Dyer OMI delivered the funeral sermon for Fr McFall at St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle, on 18 March.

Fr McFall, 86, lived and breathed Fremantle - not the football team, but the area, and many of his interests flowed from these origins, Fr Dyer said in his eulogy.

He was known for his strong ‘ocker’ accent. One example of this was the reaction to his opening words for a Mission for Oblate priests in the Philippines during the mid-1960s.

He said: “I am glad to be here ‘tooday’!” Afterwards he was quizzed as to why he had come all this way “to die!”

A past student from the early days of Iona College, Brisbane, wrote: “I saw Fr McFall as a man of great compassion and kindness. He was a wonderful teacher and always had the time for a chat and most of all showed interest in everyone.”

Fr McFall had a diverse range of interests from North Melbourne in the AFL to South Fremantle in the WAFL, to his interest in shipping, particularly through the Port of Fremantle, and in trains.

He was born on 14 October 1923 to Eneas and Mary McFall of Fremantle.

His primary education was at St Patrick’s, Fremantle, before undertaking his secondary education at Christian Brothers College, Fremantle.

Fr McFall received the Oblate habit on 16 February 1941 and

instead of relying on other people.”

Mrs Chaffer added: “The exposure to two new countries and the different cultures, making decisions for themselves and others, engaging in various community projects, the physical challenge of the six-day treks through Vietnam and just being away from home for an extended amount of time profoundly challenged each of the girls.”

Students Adele Kava and Lauren Di Prinzio felt the expedition was a truly memorable experience and one they will always remember. “We learnt so much about ourselves, others and gained experience and confidence in a way that we never would have,” they said.

was ordained a priest on 19 June 1949, being the first West Australian Oblate priests.

He received his first obedience to Australia on June 19, 1949, Fr Dyer said. During his priestly life, Fr McFall spent time in the three Oblate Colleges, including many years teaching at Mazenod College, Lesmurdie, parish ministry, children’s hospital ministry, Mission Preaching Band, Vocations, assisting in country parishes and preaching missions overseas.

Fr Dyer said: “As a student, I remember Fr Henry giving one of our student retreats.

“He said to those of us who were struggling to stay awake during our time of meditation: ‘Don’t wrestle, just nestle in the Lord.

“Fr Henry McFall OMI, you don’t have to wrestle anymore either, you can now just ‘nestle’ in the presence of your Lord.”

He leaves a sister and two brothers, including Redemptorist Fr Thomas McFall CSsR, nieces and nephews and great-nieces and a great-nephew.

He was cared for in his last days by the Little Sisters of the Poor at Glendalough.

Mercedes aims to shatter $17,000 for founders

OVER 900 Mercedes College students turned the Perth City foreshore into a sea of green on 1 April to break last year’s $17,000 record to raise money for the Sisters of Mercy in the annual 11km Frog Jog.

The money funds the Sisters of Mercy to assist those less fortunate in Perth and overseas, including the Mobile Soup Kitchen, and one student has already raised $2,000 for the event.

For the past 12 years two Sisters of Mercy, Sisters Mollie and Wendy, have conducted a mobile soup kitchen from Mercedes College, with some of the funds raised by the students providing basic food items for more than 60 men, women and children.

Sr Mollie said each week the Sisters visit between 10 and 14 families living in the eastern suburbs, some frail-aged persons, intellectually impaired individuals and people who are living on the streets. “Over the years we have formed close friendships with many Indigenous and non-

Indigenous people and shared the sadness of those who have lost family through drug overdose or who have had a family member imprisoned or taken ill,” she said.

The Sisters have about 10 helpers who are on roster once a month to ‘bag’ the bread collected from Bakers Delight in Wembley, who kindly donate the bread.

“We are very appreciative of the support from the Mercedes

College community and to the girls for their efforts in the walk around the bridges to help raise the funds”, Sr Mollie said.

Other recipients of the Frog Jog fundraising include Mercy Works and the Daydawn Advocacy, an Indigenous advocacy centre opened by Archbishop Barry Hickey to assist Aboriginal people and advocate on their behalf on housing and other matters.

Lads lose locks to raise $2,000 for Leukaemia

BY MARK REIDY

FIVE boys from Queen of Apostles Primary School in Riverton and another from Orana Primary in Willetton lived out the Lenten call of sacrifice when they shaved off their hair for a worthy cause on 12 March.

Responding to the Leukaemia Foundation’s “World’s Greatest Shave” event which raises money to support patients and families living with leukaemia and funds further research, Matt O’Connor, 11, Joshua Barham, 11, Jo McKenna, Jayjay Turno, 10, Patrick Foster, 12 and Steven O’Connor, 9, parted ways with their locks before a supportive and enthusiastic crowd of parents, staff and peers at the

Queen of Apostles school. The boys, who raised over $2,000 for their endeavours, were all grins as they sported their new looks in front of the rest of the school who had joined the fundraising activi-

ties by participating in a school–wide “Crazy Hair Day”. Jayjay Turno said that he was pleased to be able to raise money to support the Foundation, a sentiment supported by fellow “shavee” Patrick Foster, who enjoyed the opportunity to make a positive difference for those with leukaemia.

Youngest participant, Steven O’Connor said that he had been nervous before the event about what his friends may think, but had been motivated by the thought that their efforts would help other children less fortunate than themselves. His fears were allayed when, on return to Orana, he was greeted by a standing ovation from his classmates.

Fr Henry McFall OMI

Matt O’Connor, Jayjay Turno, Jo McKenna, Patrick Foster, Steven O’Connor, Joshua Barham.

Mercedes students on Perth city foreshore to raise money for the Mercy Sisters.

PHOTO: COURTESY MERCY COLLEGE

Olly’s mission goes overseas

BY GLYNNIS GRAINGER

WHEELCHAIRS for Kids workshop manager and Christian Brother Olly Pickett and his team launched this month a new three-wheeled wheelchair for rough terrain for disabled and destitute kids overseas.

Ironically, he is now confined to a wheelchair and has used crutches for four years after an operation for a replacement ankle hasn’t lasted.

It is a project of the Rotary Club of Scarborough, supported by the Christian Brothers.

Volunteer workers have been building the older models of wheelchairs for 12 years to give hope and mobility to children in third world countries, where they are sent in container-loads. Since the workshop in Wangara opened in August 1998, a total of 18,100 wheelchairs have been manufactured from scratch there by men and women volunteers.

Br Olly told The Record that retired people come in at 8am and finish at noon daily, assembling and packing wheelchairs at the rate of 200 a month, costing $20,000 at $100 each for the older models.

Production has got up to 400 a month and they rely on donations to keep going. He said: “The new model had to be adjusted and is complicated – the seat stays the same but the back moves. All the parts on it move to suit the kid.

“Seven different settings for the axle mean that a kid affected by a landmine has a different centre of gravity than a kid affected by cerebral palsy. There is a threedegree camber on the rear wheels – it gets over the rough roads easily.”

The new model, which has come a long way since the original prototype of 1998, costs $160 – up about $60.

Br Olly said: “We have distributors and don’t have to pay for freight and Customs which are paid for by humanitarian agencies in Australia. We have to find trained

people in the country to fit the child to the wheelchair from now on. Before this, it was fitting the chair to the kid. We had to re-jig the old workshop – it has taken us about a good month to build the new wheelchairs.” He has a book of Guidelines from the World Health Organisation, USAid and AusAid, for the design, with sketches and measurements “for manual wheelchairs in less-resourced settings.”

The State Government pays the rent, since Br Olly wrote to Geoff Gallop when he was Premier, five years ago, and overheads are paid for by the Rotary Club of Scarborough. “That is, over 18,000 kids have a better life – it gives them dignity and a chance to go to school. The mothers can’t carry them any more,” Br Olly said.

“It is the only project of its kind in Australia with more than 100 volunteers, with 25 on the waiting list.

“More than 220 schools – from primary schools through to big colleges – support us by collecting aluminium cans, and we recycle and sell the ring-pulls, raising $260,000. Every religion is involved and some schools in NSW and Queensland as well.

Last week, 260 of the older model

wheelchairs went by container-load to Sri Lanka.

Br Olly said the Christian Brothers support him by supplying a ute and paying for its maintenance. “I count my lucky stars I can still drive a car,” he said. The ute has automatic transmission.

Originally a metalworking teacher, he has won many awards, including WA Citizen of the Year for Community Service, the John Curtin Medal and the AM, Australian Medal in the Order of Australia.

“We have hundreds of ladies in Church groups, craft groups and retirement villages making knitted and crocheted rugs about one metre square,” he said.

Each wheelchair goes with a rug and soft toy, such as a teddy bear, for each child. Since 2004, plastic polyurethane tyres in one unit have been used, rather than the puncture-proof tyres with solid rubber liner in the older models of wheelchairs. The wheelchairs go to 60 countries with Vietnam being the biggest one.

He said Gordon Hudson from the Rotary Club of Scarborough is the volunteer CEO “since day one” and friend Bob Sheridan does all the clerical work, emails, computer work and helps in the workshop, also since the start.

Busloads of visitors and school groups visit often and Br Olly scoots around in his wheelchair attending to them and his duties in the workshop.

“We try to keep the workshop tidy,” he says. In fact, it is a paragon of tidiness. A specially-built machine from the University of WA has been testing a load for resilience on the latest wheelchair model 200,000 times.

For donations please contact Wheelchairs for Kids Inc at Units 1,2 & 5, 45 Dellamarta Rd, Wangara, WA 6065, or PO Box 1175, Wangara DC WA 6947. Tel/Fax: (08) 9409 3633 or 0411 633 020. Email wchairs@bigpond.net.au or go to www.wheelchairsforkids.org

Hickey to headline Sydney congress

Sydney to open doors to Christ

BY BRIDGET SPINKS

PERTH Archbishop Barry Hickey will lead a high profile list of heavyhitters to help hundreds of Sydney youth connect with Pope John Paul II’s ‘New Evangelisation’ at a major conference in Sydney on 12-17 July.

Archbishop Hickey, vice-president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, will address the second Sydney Congress Embracing the New Evangelisation (SCENE) with organiser Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Julian Porteous, Lismore Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett, Port Pirie Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ and Sandhurst Bishop Joseph Grech.

The congress will include pub talks, street evangelisation, daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the crypt of St Mary’s Cathedral and workshops.

Sydney’s first New Evangelisation congress was held last year around the anniversary of World Youth Day 2008 “to consolidate that enlivening experience and revitalisation of the faith” that young people experienced at WYD08, Bishop Porteous, chairman of the Congress, told The Record

The “New Evangelisation” is a term coined by the late Pope John Paul II referring to the Gospel being presented in a new way to countries - mainly in the West - that have seen an erosion of faith due to the rise of secularism and relativism, a term also frequently used by Pope Benedict XVI.

“The New Evangelisation is the challenge to find fresh and vital ways to engage with people and present Christ to people who may presume that they are Christian or who have dismissed Christianity as now irrelevant,” Bishop Porteous, the

Sydney Archdiocesan Episcopal Vicar for Renewal and Evangelisation, said.

Bishop Porteous, who has been involved in evangelisation for over 30 years, says he’s learnt that any mission work needs to be multi-faceted to reach people at different stages with different needs.

“You need to offer a whole range of options and possibilities that will both attract people and then provide them with an opportunity of some spiritual conversion,” he said.

SCENE 2010 will include many of the same elements as its 2009 programme, including pub talks, street evangelisation, adoration and the return of New York’s Franciscan Friars of the Renewal who form the Catholic Underground, a cultural apostolate through music and lyrics.

Prior to the conference, Fr Antoine Thomas - a priest of the European Religious Order called the Community of St John, will visit Sydney Catholic schools from 28 June to 11 July with Br Leopold as part of the “Children of Hope” tour, a programme Fr Thomas developed to introduce young children to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Similar international New Evangelisation congresses held in European capital cities like Paris and Budapest from 2003 to 2007 have been used as a template for the Sydney conference.

The five day Sydney programme will include daily morning Catechesis followed by testimonies and Mass. This year’s theme is centered on Christ, focusing on one aspect of Him a day such as ‘Christ as Source of Hope’; ‘Christ as Fount of Truth’; ‘Christ as Eternal Word’.

Bishop Porteous said that, first and foremost, a congress on the New Evangelisation needs to provide people with an opportunity to understand what the New Evangelisation is. It is also an actual work of evangelisation, he added.

“Most Catholics find it very daunting to

directly speak to somebody about Christ. But when they actually are engaging in conversations that are very fruitful or when they see some small result from their efforts they get very encouraged and they realise its not as bad or hard as they thought it was,” he told The Record

Leading up to his priestly ordination in 1974, Bishop Porteous was involved in more socially oriented youth activities during his seminary years, and remembers having “a deep conviction that what was needed was to help young Catholics grow in their faith”. This mission is at the heart of the concept behind SCENE.

He carried this mission on in practical, popular ways in his first few years as a priest.

In 1979, inspired by Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Evangelii Nuntiandi, he organised a parish mission.

In 1983, when he had moved to Manly parish on Sydney’s northern beaches, he organised a public mission on the rugby oval called “Jesus Christ at Manly Oval” and 5,000 people came.

The following year, he held another public mission on a football field called “Jesus Christ at Belmore Oval”.

With each mission, Bishop Porteous says he saw “significant spiritual fruit” with people going through conversions and coming back to the Church.

“Open the doors to Christ” - among the words with which Pope John Paul II concluded his inaugural papal homilycaptures for Bishop Porteous what is the essential goal of evangelisation: “to enable a person to come into a living relationship with Christ ... Evangelisation is principally a matter of the heart, which then flows to the head. It’s not just intellectual conviction but it’s a recognition of a personal need for Christ’s presence, Christ’s saving power to be at work in our life.”

For more info email scene@sydneycatholic.org or visit www. scene.org.au

Perth artist helps Cathedral completion

BY GLYNNIS GRAINGER

PERTH artist Margaret Fane exhibited some of her collection of spiritual paintings after all Masses at the St Mary’s Cathedral parish centre on the weekends of 11 and 18 April after the Saturday night and all Sunday Masses for two weeks.

All proceeds will go to the St Mary’s Cathedral Conservation and Completion Fund. Many thousands of dollars have already been raised for the Cathedral from the sale of Margaret’s paintings.

Margaret comes from a family of artists going back generations and she has been painting for most of her life.

Over the years she has studied Art at the Perth Technical College, Claremont School of Art and Art and Spirituality at the Franciscan College in Rome, and is presently under the guidance of multi-award-winning abstract artist and curator David Giles.

After studying Art and Spirituality in Rome 10 years ago, she has been under the direction of Franciscan priest and artist Fr Joe Walsh.

Fr Walsh’s recent trip to Perth resulted in a painting done together with Margaret called The Creator’s Touch, which was for sale for $4,400.

The painting, because of Fr Walsh’s annointed hands, has a special grace for whoever purchases it, Margaret said.

“Art is a very spiritual gift,” Margaret said, and she believes all her paintings have a special grace attached to them.

Her website address is artofmargfane.net and viewing of her paintings outside exhibition hours is by appointment by ringing Margaret on 0432 834 743.

Christian Br Olly Pickett

Fr Joe Walsh, who has tutored Margaret Fane.

Benedict

VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org).-

Benedict XVI suggested that Christians should go beyond a fear of presenting eternal life as the goal of following Christ.

The Pope’s comments came on April 19 in an improvised homily.

“I did not find the time to prepare a real homily,” the Holy Father announced at the beginning of his words. “I would just like to invite

urges all: Don’t

everyone to personal meditation, proposing and highlighting some lines from today’s liturgy that offer themselves to the prayerful dialogue between us and the Word of God.”

He reflected on three phrases, proposing meditations about authentic freedom and penance as a grace. The second phrase led the Pontiff to a reflection on eternal

be afraid of talking about heaven

life. “St. Peter says that God raises up Christ to his right hand as head and Savior. ‘Head’ is a translation of the Greek term ‘archegos,’ which implies a much more dynamic vision: ‘Archegos’ is he who points out the road, who precedes, who is moving, a movement toward what is above. God raised him up to his right hand -- so speaking of Christ as ‘archegos’ means to say that

Christ walks before us, he precedes us, he shows us the road.

“And being in communion with Christ is being on a journey, ascending with Christ, it is the following of Christ, it is this ascent upward, it is this following of the ‘archegos,’ he who is already gone ahead, who precedes us and shows us the road.” It is important, the Pope said, to “say where Christ

goes and where we too must go: ‘hypsosen’ - above - ascent to the right hand of the Father.”

So, the Holy Father explained, the following of Christ “is not only the imitation of his virtues, it is not only living like Christ in this world, as far as possible, according to his word; but it is a journey that has a goal. And the goal is the right hand of the Father.”

Martyred Romero’s example inspires a legacy in Perth

Continued from Page 1

the mountains,” he said and he and his family had to turn around and run back.

That night eight people in his village were assassinated, including a pregnant woman. It’s something he’ll never forget, he said.

On that same night, thirty years ago, 24 March 1980 Archbishop Romero was murdered while saying mass in the Chapel of Divine Providence Hospital in San Salvador.

The day before when the prelate was celebrating Mass for the fifth Sunday of Lent on 23 March 1980, his homily as usual was heard on the radio station YSAX in El Salvador and to those in neighbouring Latin American countries of Honduras and Nicaragua via Radionoticias del Continente.

“Today El Salvador is living its own exodus. Today we are passing toward our liberation through a desert strewn with bodies and where anguish and pain are devastating us. Many suffer the temptation of those who walked with Moses, wanting to turn back and did not work together. ... But one thing is certain: we are firmly anchored in the heart and the faith of Jesus Christ, the God of history,” Archbishop Romero said during the homily.

He also detailed by name those who had been captured and killed including the campesinos (peasants).

In closing he addressed the army’s enlisted men, the ranks of the Guardia Nacional and the police. Archbishop Romero reminded them that they were kill-

ing their “own campesino brothers and sisters”.

“Before an order to kill that a man may give, God’s law must prevail: Thou shalt not kill! No soldier is obliged to obey an order that is against the law of God,” he said.

“In the name of God, and in the name of this suffering people, whose laments rise to heaven each

day more tumultuous, I beg you, I beseech you, I order you in the name of God: Stop the Repression!”

Archbishop Romero was murdered the following day while saying Mass by a single shot.

involvement is nothing new for Carlos Cerna, a Salvadorian who settled in Perth after migrating from El Salvador at the height of the civil war in 1989.

Melbourne and Sydney and spoke about Proyecto Dos Mil (Project 2000) which he founded in 1999; a project which “offers answers to the deep needs of young people” in El Salvador through education, pastoral and social assistance.

Inspired by the prelate’s visit, Carlos Cerna and his wife along with four other families started collaborating with Monsignor Chavez and founded a local branch to the project, called “Project 2000 Perth Inc”.

Any funds raised in Perth go towards Colegio San Francisco (St Francis College) to provide computer and carpentry workshops as well as towards helping rebuild huts in shantytowns.

Overcoming the spatial distance, Carlos Cerna said he wants to “send them the message that they’re not alone”.

“In a little way we’re trying to help the poor in El Salvador; there’s very little opportunity for them,” he said.

Project 2000 Perth Inc is also supporting the “Romero Vive” campaign being coordinated by the Salvadoran American National Network, which is calling for President Mauricio Funes to name the airport “International Airport of Mons. Oscar Arnulfo Romero”.

Poverty, an injustice, continues to exist in El Salvador today and it’s the very problem that Romero was denouncing, Carlos Cerna said.

“That’s a well known fact that he [Saravia] was part of the same team that was doing the high level assassinations,” he said.

“Becoming a saint would be recognition of his sacrifice; but continuing his work is the best thing we can do to honour his memory,” Mr Cerna said.

Catholic Archdiocese of Perth

In a tell all interview with an online newspaper based in San Salvador, ElFaro.net, details of how the murder was orchestrated thirty years ago have come to light. Captain Álvaro Rafael Saravia who “participated” in the murder agreed to be interviewed by journalist Carlos Dada.

But it wasn’t Saravia who fired the shot; it was “’An “indio,” one of our own. He’s still out there somewhere’,” Saravia is quoted as saying.

These revelations were published in El Salvador on Elfaro. net, the day after the incumbent President, Mauricio Funes, apologised on behalf of the state for Romero’s death.

Likewise, Mr Cerna said that the Presidential apology from the newly elected government is “just a gesture”.

“We feel that that’s not what the country needs; that’s not going to heal the country. That’s not justice; it’s just a gesture from the government. I’m not sure what the government’s aim was. The best way is to find the truth about the assassinations,” Mr Cerna said.

In 1983, not long after Romero was murdered, Pope John Paul II visited El Salvador and prayed at Archbishop Romero’s tomb.

On 24 March 2010 President Funes also unveiled a mural at El Salvador’s international airport in honour of the Archbishop.

But the revelation of Saravia’s

Permanent/Part-Time Position

Field Officer for Centre for Liturgy

“The apology is just a way of diverting attention. The new government promised to find out the truth and they’re not doing it ... The [1993] amnesty law needs to be lifted. The case of Romero hasn’t been tried in court - only the UN Truth Commission,” he said.

Carlos Cerna was 17 when Archbishop Romero was killed and was in the parish of Santa Lucia in Ilo Pango.

“Everyone was crying ... there was the feeling of dismay, hopelessness and anger of course,” he said.

In 1992, Archbishop Rivera y Damas received Geronimo Flamenco into the seminary of San Jose de la Montaña, the same seminary where Archbishop Romero had studied philosophy. This was to be the first of 13 years that Geronimo Flamenco would spend studying before becoming a priest. He spent ten years studying in two seminaries and three years studying law at the Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas” (UCA).

While in the seminary of San Jose de la Montaña, Fr Flamenco was taught by Archbishop Romero’s successor, Archbishop Rivera y Damas, who he said “inspired me in the service of being a shepherd”.

“For me, the service of the priesthood is a gift from God to serve the Christian community,” Fr Flamenco said.

The Centre for Liturgy is currently looking for someone to take up the permanent part time position of Field Officer in a small office environment in Nollamara. This position is over approximately 2 days per week, working an average of 12 hours per week. These days and hours are flexible and include night and weekend work.

If you would like to know more about this position and to apply, email the Centre for Liturgy on liturgy.centre@perthcatholic.org.au for the job description.

“For young people like us, he taught us so much of Christianity. A couple of friends became Catholic because of him.”

Five years ago, Auxiliary Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chavez visited Perth, Adelaide,

“I have great admiration for Father Romero; he was a great hero in our time but my model is Jesus Christ. Sometimes when we trust humans, we make mistakes. But when we trust in God, he never lets you down because he’s God. He’s always with us. Jesus Christ is the great model for my priesthood.”

Archbishop Oscar Romero has not yet been canonised. In 2005, his cause passed the first phase of verification.

For more information about Archbishop Romero (including homily transcripts and historic photos) go to: http://www.romerotrust.org.uk/

Salvadorans pray last year at the crypt where Archbishop Oscar Romero was buried at the cathedral in San Salvador, El Salvador. Archbishop Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass in San Salvador in 1980. His legacy, however, lives on as far afield as Perth where families raise funds for the education and training of the poor and disadvantaged in El Salvador.

PHOTO: CNS/LUIS GALDAMEZ, REUTERS

VISTA 1

EXCLUSIVE: Millions practice them daily. But are Yoga, Tai Chi and Reiki...

Good for the Soul?

BY BISHOP JULIAN PORTEOUS

Yoga, Tai Chi, Reiki, these are now familiar terms to most Australians. They are relatively recent imports into our culture, but they have spread with extraordinary pace across the nation. Yoga has been around the longest, while Reiki is a more recent immigrant.

Coming from Asia they have been marketed as good for relaxation, fitness and general health. They are widely used, and many speak of their benefits. One could say that they are not viewed as exotic practices but are a part of main stream Australian life. Sports people use them. Business people turn to them. Many Christians have been drawn to them, seeing them as supplementing Christian spiritual practices.

Despite the large scale acceptance of these practices, we need to ask: are they good for the soul?

The Practice of Yoga

Yoga is well known as the practice of adopting various bodily postures that are intended to help the person enter a “state of inner stillness”. This is seen as a way of de-stressing, for relaxing and restoring a sense of general wellbeing. Hatha Yoga, the most common form, offers twenty basic postures.

Adopting these postures is accompanied by various ways in which the practitioner is guided to be able still and empty the mind. The bodily posture needs to work in cooperation with the quietening and steadying of the mind. Thus each posture is to be accompanied by a control of the breathing, the focus of the mind, and the repetition of a mantra. In other words, there is an inner journey which must be undertaken along with the physical postures.

As the person wishes to move further into yogic practice the teacher may propose that it is necessary to surrender oneself to the prana, or divine energy. A person can go even further on this inner journey towards entering altered states of consciousness. This further development will entail an emptying of the mind so that one becomes more open and passive. The result is that there will be a reduction in logical thought, a lessening of the influence of the emotions and a weakening of the will, so that there is greater freedom for the divine energy to operate. A person must surrender in trust to some real but unknown divine force.

The ultimate goal is to come to a place of oneness with the universe. However, to achieve this goal there is a requirement on the practitioner to dismantle their personality - the philosophy underlying Yoga considers all but the spiritual an illusion. The actual final point of Yoga is an absorption into the divine energy.

The spiritual underpinnings of Yoga

When we consider the goal of Yoga in these terms we have crossed a line. No longer is Yoga simply a relaxation technique, rather it is a path into a spiritual world. This world is the spiritual world of Hinduism. Yoga has been imported from India.

The practitioner, who no doubt has experienced some tangible benefits from using Yoga and wants to know more, is now led into new territory. New concepts and new ways of seeing themselves

and reality around them are introduced. They claim that human body has seven chakras (or energy centres. The student is introduced to existence – they claim of the force called Kundalini – the divine energy that flows within the body. Kundalini is, in fact, a Hindu goddess, designated as a coiled snake.

In this process the person is being offered an alternative view of the nature of the human person and of the character of the divine. These are concepts that are completely at variance with Christianity.

What is the practitioner now coming into touch with? The spiritual belief behind Yoga is that there is an impersonal, infinite energy called Brahman. This energy has created everything and is in everything. Hinduism believes that nature is divine. Thus they say, “All is god, god is all”. We Christians call this pantheism.

Advancing further into the spiritual world behind Yoga one learns of the possibility of developing the ability to exercise psychic powers (or siddhis). This is what the Christian Scriptures call divination. The Catholic Church warns of the dangers of such spiritual activities – “All forms of divination are to be rejected”, teaches the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It goes on to specify: “Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as wish to conciliate hidden powers.” This spiritual world offered through Yoga is dangerous territory.

A person advancing in the ways of Yoga is under the direction of a guru who is needed to escort the person into these higher spiritual levels. One has to ask what does the guru believe? Who is his god? Where is he taking the person?

For the ordinary person who wants a simple system of actions to assist in relaxation all this may seem far from what they have experienced and they may have no intention of going this far. All they desire is to benefit from the simple practice of the postures. This is quite reasonable. However, someone using Yoga will be exposed to the spiritual world that underpins it. There is a temptation to take on the “spirituality” behind Yoga albeit inadvertently. A per-

son may find themselves using the Hindu terminology. They may find themselves thinking more about oneness with the universe and less about a personal relationship with God in Christ. Indeed for the Catholic the sacramental life may seem prosaic compared with the satisfaction derived through Yoga. What can happen is that there is a subtle shifting of vision – from a Christian faith grounded in a relationship with Christ to a more “enlightened” universal view of reality as professed by Yoga. Somewhere along the line clear Christian faith has dissolved and has been replaced with a new spiritual outlook.

The seemingly graceful art of Tai Chi

With these thoughts in mind let us examine the popular practice of Tai Chi. The origin of Tai Chi is China. We are familiar with seeing people practice the slow, graceful movements in parks and halls. Once again the movements are associated with other practices which are in common with Yoga. The exercise of Tai Chi requires the control or slowing of breathing. The practitioner will be encouraged to empty the mind so that peace and harmony can be found through the absence of thoughts.

Tai Chi is touted as providing a means for the reduction of stress and generally improving overall health. It is commonly used in schools and businesses, in nursing homes and on Catholic retreats.

Tai Chi claims to enhance the spiritual aspect of life. It is also claimed to enable people to experience healing powers. The promotional material is quick to claim, however, that it is not a religion. They propose it as simply a technique.

Those who teach Tai Chi are conscious that there is, in fact, a spiritual philosophy that underpins it. Slowly this deeper dimension comes to the fore, particularly for those who want to go further with the practice. The ultimate source of this philosophy is Taoism. Tai Chi aims at releasing the Chi, or life force, or divine energy. As with Yoga various places in the body are understood to be centres of the Chi. The understanding of the nature of the human person, which is found in Taoism, is quite at variance with the Christian understanding. There is a completely different spiritual worldview.

Having an open mind

To benefit from Tai Chi at a

aspects. It has four sacred symbols. These Usui symbols are directly connected with the exercise of the healing power.

Stages of Initiation

To become a practitioner of Reiki there are three levels of initiation, or “attunement”. These are supervised by a Reiki Master. There is a requirement of a spiritual preparation for each level. This preparation includes fasting (from sugar, smoking, alcohol and TV), engaging in some time of meditation and of seeking an inner cleansing from negative emotions like anger, fear or jealousy. It is clearly a religious rite of passage.

deeper level one is asked to have an “open mind”. It is claimed that the person will only be able to discover the supernatural power within when they let go of rational thought and open themselves to these new realities.

One of the paths to having an open mind is to be able to move beyond a reliance on the difference between good and evil. In other words, a person has to suspend moral thinking. The reason for this view is found in the Taoist philosophy of the yin and yang. Harmony and stillness are found when the yin and yang are in balance. Thus there is a requirement to move beyond the use of moral facilities and enter a new realm of free floating openness.

Such a position of radical openness is extremely dangerous. We have abandoned those faculties given to us to direct and protect our lives: our reason, our emotions and our will. The normal use of these faculties assists us in making fully human decisions, and enabling us to be responsible for our actions. Abandoning these faculties in search of a deeper spiritual existence opens the person to all sorts of unknown forces. Our defences are down. It can lead to exposure to demonic powers.

To pursue Tai Chi to its fullest, a person must surrender to the Tao, the supreme creator. Once again we come to realise that something that is declared to have no religious meaning is in fact a path to a new set of religious beliefs. There is a fundamental deception at work.

Reiki – “an ancient healing art”

Reiki Healing has come on the scene in recent years. It hails from Japan. It is described as “an ancient healing art”. In fact Reiki, as we know it, is just over a century old. It was developed by Mikao Usui and is grounded in Buddhism. It is sometimes called, “The Usui System of Natural Healing”.

Reiki uses a gentle “hands on” technique. The person seeking healing lays on a table, clothed. Hands are placed on or just above key locations of the body: the head, the heart, the navel, the groin. People speak of experiences like a strong surge of energy through the body; they can find themselves relaxed and some speak of strong emotional release. Reiki thus works on the emotions, the mind and the spirit as well as the body. It is often described as providing holistic healing.

Reiki has its particular spiritual

The Master traces symbols over the initiate, invoking power to the chakra centres. The initiate adopts postures of prayer as the Master performs his liturgy. This religious rite aims to channel divine energy to the person which they can then use in healing. There is a transmission of power taking place in these rites. But what is the origin of this power?

Moving to higher levels of Reiki opens the person to psychic powers. They become capable of channelling spirits and clairvoyance. Thus they have moved into the world of the occult. For the person to be able to receive these psychic powers it is necessary to deny the reality of evil. Nothing is evil, Reiki Masters declare. The mind is to adopt a position of passive openness. Again, we can ask: open to what?

There are documented accounts of some of the dangers that a person engaged seriously with Reiki can experience – a release of powerful forces of lust, for instance. Moving into these realms when one’s normal defences are neutralised allows spiritual forces complete freedom to move. These forces can quickly reveal themselves as dark and threatening.

In March 2009, the US Bishops produced a document: “Guidelines for evaluating Reiki as an alternative therapy”. The bishops state, “To use Reiki one would have to accept at least in an implicit way central elements of the worldview that undergirds Reiki theory, elements that belong neither to Christian faith nor to natural science. Without justification either from Christian faith or natural science, however, a Catholic who puts his or her trust in Reiki would be operating in the realm of superstition, the no-man’s-land that is neither faith nor science”.

The document states categorically, “Since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centres, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy”.

Not good for the soul

Entering into the spiritual world beyond the simple practices is clearly not good for the soul. They are particularly inimical to Christian faith. While they may offer practices that can be helpful at a superficial level they are a Trojan horse for dangerous spiritual infiltration. Engaging in them opens the person, in their desire to know more of the technique, to the possible exposure to demonic powers. Indeed, a person who folPlease turn to Vista 2

VISTA 2

Assessing the future clergy of PerthPriests keep an even keel in midst of controversy

With sexual abuse in the Church hitting the global headlines, many wonder how seminarians are prepared for the vocation of celibacy.

Those responsible for this key work in Perth opened up in an exclusive interview with The Record.

BY ANTHONY BARICH

Applicants are rigorously screened for entry into St Charles Seminary in Guildford while celibacy and human sexuality are not shirked during formation, its rector told The Record

“Celibacy and human sexuality are not swept under the carpet but openly and calmly discussed and integrated into all aspects of formation here (at the seminary),” its rector Mgr Kevin Long said in a joint statement with Fr Brian McKenna, Archdiocesan Vicar for Clergy and St Charles’ First Year Formator.

Answering questions from The Record in light of the sexual abuse scandal sweeping Europe and local secular media linking the issue to celibacy, the two senior priests said that sexuality is a gift, not a temptation.

“But a priest and seminarian needs to be realistic – daily prayer, love of the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament, regular Confession and devotion to Our Lady, selfacceptance and self-care, regular and genuine spiritual direction, warm and authentic friendships, adequate rest, the avoidance of circumstances which would threaten chastity - are all essential for a priest and seminarian,” they said.

“In a word, the priest and seminarian, under God’s grace, seeks to be an authentic disciple of Jesus, the compassionate priest, ready to share the Gospel with others through word and example.”

Anyone applying to the seminary for the Archdiocese of Perth is required to have an extensive interview with University of Notre Dame Australia Professor Martin Philpot, who prepares a detailed psychological report which is forwarded to the selection panel “which most seriously examines the report”, Mgr Long and Fr McKenna said.

“A candidate would not be accepted if the psychological report suggested serious difficulties or an inability to embrace all aspects of the priestly life.”

gramme operating. All priests are meant to have a spiritual director, he said, but the Pastoral Support Programme operating over the past five years has stopped while Mgr Long settled into his role and developed a strategic plan for the seminary having started his sixyear term in 2009.

Fr Parkinson said the pastoral support programme for priests ordained less than five years will be reshaped to integrated more with seminary training, and developed over the next two years.

“It is concerning (that there is no pastoral support programme) ... the Archbishop is very concerned we offer newly ordained priests substantial pastoral and personal support over the early years of their ministry, as it’s only after ordination that you learn to be a priest,” said Fr Parkinson, who was ordained in Perth in 1981, having spent two years at St Charles before it closed at the end of 1975 then completing his studies at Adelaide’s St Francis Xavier Seminary. He also did post-graduate studies in moral theology in Rome.

A year long course is also conducted by Dr Ron Moffat - who built Curtin University’s social work and counselling courses, and his wife Christine, who majored in Psychology - in personal development and psychological awareness. Spiritual direction is compulsory and psychological help available and encouraged where necessary.

Dr Moffat said he first teaches the students how to gain an understanding of themselves and their own method of communication, before then teaching them how to deal with others.

Fr McKenna and Cenacle Sr Ngaire Roil have two sessions a week with first year students where such matters are openly acknowledged. Guest speakers, including Professor Mary McComish, a foundation member of Notre Dame’s School of Law; the Archdiocese’s Professional Standards director Peter Messer, and priests who have struggled with these issues, are also part of this programme.

“As society and the Church struggle to understand and prevent such abuses, so the formation here at St Charles reflects these developments and best expected practice,” Mgr Long and Fr McKenna said.

The seminary also confronts controversial issues, having, as a group, listened to and discussed ABC Radio National’s programme What’s wrong with the Catholic Church? hosted by Stephen Crittenden on 7 March on the supposed link between priestly celibacy and the abuse scandal.

On this programme, Fr Anthony Percy, Rector of Sydney’s Good Shepherd Seminary, detailed the training his students receive to prepare them for life as a priest. “Recent sexual scandals are

openly discussed,” Mgr Long and Fr McKenna said.

“Celibacy and human sexuality are not swept under the carpet but openly and calmly discussed and integrated into all aspects of formation here. As one of the students recently said, ‘I value the realism, depth and honesty of the formation offered here at St Charles’.

“The daily experience of mandated solitude and silence is hopefully an opportunity for our students to experience both loneliness and aloneness.

“Priests and seminarians are men of flesh and blood, they share with all their brothers and sisters the unique gift of sexuality and need for human intimacy. These are precious gifts from God which are to be treasured, nurtured and integrated into all dimensions of one’s priestly life.”

When asked how screening and training of seminarians had changed in response to new understandings of immaturity and isolation, Fr Percy told ABC Radio that “in terms of screening, it’s been quite dramatic”.

“You can’t get in here without a psychological report … which has been a requirement for eight or nine years … and copious references from people who know the person,” said Fr Percy, who authored Theology of the Body Made Simple, now in its second print run. This report, however, won’t pick up personality disorders, which will only be observed in the first two years of formation. “But other issues are often brought to the fore, (like) family of origin issues, personal, cultural and sexuality issues, and we can work on that.”

The first year at Good Shepherd

is dedicated to finding out “what’s in their hearts”, Fr Percy said, so a major course is undertaken on the

basic human emotions of a person. Much work is done on pastoral counselling by a male and female psychologist on campus, to discover how they become sensitive to the needs of others.

“The first step is you need to become sensitive to your own needs, in the sense of who you are as a human being,” he said. The second year, he added, is devoted to psycho-sexual development. As to follow-up spiritual and pastoral support once seminarians are ordained priests, Fr Joseph Parkinson, Director of the Archdiocesan Clergy Life and Ministry Board, told The Record that there is at present no pro-

“The seminary doesn’t prepare you for priesthood, it prepares you for ordination. You don’t learn to be a priest until you’re in a parish doing it, and that’s when support is needed by all priests in first few years,” said Fr Parkinson, a moral theologian who is also director of the LJ Goody Bioethics Centre.

“It’s like any other profession … you can get a medicine degree but you don’t know what being a doctor is really all about until you actually start working as one.”

The Archdiocese of Sydney has a five year programme where newly ordained priests return to the seminary once a month to receive input from a spiritual director which, Fr Percy said, “is a very significant thing”.

He said that once the seminarians have made a commitment at the seminary, of crucial importance is teaching them to ensure they have a proper rest, or day off as priests. Many priests around Australia have for a long time been protective of Monday – their day off.

“Then we teach them to have very wholesome friendships, particularly among themselves as brothers in the priesthood to be,” Fr Percy said.

“We make sure they’ve got different hobbies and things.

“We try and teach them through a whole series of seminars to try to manage their time well, so that their days aren’t turning into 14 or 15-hour days, that their days are reasonable. In that way, they’ll work effectively and they’ll minister effectively.

“We try and teach them that they’re not the Messiah. We try as best we can to give them the human and spiritual formation, then of course it’s up to them.”

Yoga, Reiki and Tai Chi offer serenity, but how deep do they go?

Continued from Vista 1 -lows these religious philosophies to their full extent find themselves worshipping of a false God. There are a number of common elements to Yoga, Tai Chi and Reiki. They all offer a physical practice that is readily accessible. They claim to offer methods that achieve relaxation and offer paths to greater wellbeing and healing. Many people find this to be the case. At the superficial level of these systems there may be no more than providing a source of simple benefit for the person –being able to de-stress, being able

to relax and experiencing some personal healing. However, these experiences can be seductive. The advocates of these practices declare that the practices are not religious. They clearly want to reassure people that they are not being duped into another religion.

Yet, each of these practices has a strong “theological” basis. They carry a vision of the human person and clear understanding of the nature of the divine. Each of them, in fact, has a spiritual origin and can easily draw practitioners into these religious philosophies. They all offer an alternative understand-

ing of the make-up human person and they invite people to discover their view of divine reality. By their nature they do not stop with the simple physical exercises – their advocates know the deeper spiritual meaning of what they are doing. They can’t help but promote this deeper reality. They want to lead people to the truth as they see it. Thus people are drawn into this new and exotic spiritual realm. This is at odds with Christian faith and belief. The divine, as they see it, is an impersonal force – and not the personal God revealed in Christianity.

The practitioner, fascinated with the discovery of new powers, is drawn to surrender to this divine force. Simple exercises of relaxation have led to idolatry!

Having said this, it is important to state that it is not an inevitable process for everyone who uses Yoga or Tai Chi or seeks some healing through Reiki. These practices can be used simply as physical exercises that are helpful. If a person is wary of getting caught up in the spiritual philosophies, then they can be used with no detrimental effect at the moral or spiritual level. Indeed, it may be

possible for the development of similar techniques grounded in a healthy Christian spirituality. As the Church has done in past times it is possible to find ways in which they can be “baptised” and integrated into the Christian faith. However, an understanding of the spiritual roots to these practices is necessary to ensure that prudence accompanies their use. These practices can be dangerous at the spiritual level. In this sense they can be not good for the soul.

Bishop Julian Porteous is an Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney

As revelations unfold in the secular media about sex abuse scandals within the Church over the last century, BRIDGET

SPINKS spoke with four Perth priests to explore how they are moving forward

Local Perth clergy say they have encountered “no hostility” from the public following recent revelations of sex abuse committed by clergy around the world.

Mount Lawley Parish priest and Edith Cowan University chaplain, Fr Tim Deeter is greeted by smiles on the street and from parishioners when he walks down Beaufort St to visit his local cafe. “I’ve never been hesitant to dress as a priest. I’ve never found it to be a problem for the people; I think they can distinguish between the misdeeds of a few and the good work of the majority,” Fr Deeter says.

Fr John Jegerow, parish priest at Mary MacKillop Church in Ballajura, says the spate of media reports on Church sex abuse scandals “doesn’t bother me” and that he “goes about my work as normal”.

“I think the average person realises that the number of bad priests is a very small percentage, and whether we’re talking about teachers, police, priests, there’s going to be a rotten apple. But the rest of us get on with doing our job,” Fr Jegerow says.

City Beach parish priest Fr Don Kettle says that he has “encountered no hostility from anyone,” but people are “talking about it in the parish”. Since starting a special novena of 6.45am masses at Holy Spirit Church to pray in solidarity with Pope Benedict XVI, Fr Kettle has noticed higher than usual attendances.

The novena is an initiative of the Knights of Columbus, a US Catholic men’s organisation formed in 1882. The worldwide novena ran from 11-19 April. Some parishioners who usually only participate in Sunday Mass are attending the novena weekday masses, he says.

“The response from the people is incredible; part of the healing process is through prayer … people have taken it seriously,” Fr Kettle says.

Fr Kettle moved to Australia from Belfast when he was two. When he decided to follow the call to become a priest, it meant abandoning his own successful business. He trained for the priesthood at the Irish College in Rome from 1996 to 2001.

He says that he has friends who are priests in Ireland and “they are devastated”.

“But the fact is that that the whole body of the Church has been affected by it, not just the local Church in Ireland,” he says. “You open up a paper and it’s like a dagger going through you. You put yourself in their (the victim’s) shoes. If I was a parent or a victim I’d want that justice, “ Fr Kettle says.

On 19 March, Pope Benedict XVI wrote a pastoral letter to the Catholics of Ireland “to express my

closeness to you and to propose a path of healing, renewal and reparation” and noted that the problem of sex abuse is “peculiar neither to Ireland or to the Church”.

This follows the publication of the Ryan Report which revealed allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and humiliation by nuns in up to 250 Churchrun facilities in Ireland from the 1930s till the last ones closed in the 1990s. The Report referred to 253 allegations of abuse against boys and 128 cases against girls over several decades.

The Holy Father proposed that the way to heal the wounds of sex abuse is through Penance and prayer. He asked that special times of Eucharistic adoration take place and that Friday penances including fasting, prayer, reading of the

Hour of Eucharistic adoration every second Wednesday of the month commenced in June 2009 at Holy Spirit City Beach.

The Holy Hour spiritually reaches out to priests in the Year for the Priest and prays “for active priests in their ministry, those who’ve left the priestly ministry, for those who are ill and who’ve died and also those priests who are finding their mission difficult”.

During the Holy Hour, Fr Kettle uses St John Vianney’s Eucharistic meditations as reflections.

At St Paul’s parish in Mount Lawley, Fr Deeter has begun praying more publicly since the inauguration of the Year for the Priest”which coincided with his return to Perth in July last year. He says it’s starting to affect the mood and behaviour at his parish.

“I used to pray my Breviary privately but now (since returning to Perth) I will sit in the presidential chair near the altar praying the liturgy of the hours or Rosary so they can see their priest praying, both as an example and encouragement,”

Fr Tim Deeter says.

“And that’s what’s stopped people talking in church before Mass and now they come to church and they’re kneeling or sitting in prayer,” he says.

From 2008 to 2009, Fr Deeter lived in Rome to translate from Italian to English Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati’s letters and testimonies given for his beatification.

But how are our priests responding to the way the media are reporting the issue?

Fr Jegerow, who has been a priest for 36 years in the Archdiocese of Perth, says that he’s “annoyed when the media exaggerate, but it’s nothing new; it’s been going on for as long as I’ve been a priest”.

“The Church is regarded as a peripheral sport on the side, whenever they deal with the Church it’s the funny, quirky, out of left field stuff, or it’s negative … which doesn’t really touch at the heart of the matter,” he says, while acknowledging that “every now and then you get a good piece written up”.

He says he has weathered the storm before in 2002, when scandals in the US were regularly in the news and in the 1990s when the Christian Brothers were the subject of extensive media coverage in Australia.

“But you can’t dwell on it; as I say it was worse when it first hit the media. I felt more under attack than I do now.

“We’ve weathered the storm. I don’t think it’s going to go away. The Church is always going to be attacked or pilloried in one form or another, that’s just the way it is,” he says.

Scripture and works of mercy performed from now until Easter 2011 be offered up “to obtain the grace of healing and renewal for the Church in Ireland”.

Fr Don Kettle has turned to the Pope’s Irish letter to seek direction on how to handle the situation and has published excerpts in his parish bulletin, The Paraclete.

“It gives direction and vision for the future of why we must be faithful. It’s encouraging those who are faithful in their call to continue to be faithful,” he says.

Another prayer initiative begun by Fr Kettle last year spiritually supports the brotherhood of priests.

Inspired by Pope Benedict’s inauguration of the “Year for Priests” on the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, the Patron Saint of priests, a Holy

Fr Waddell says he takes “on board the criticism, abandonment, pain and disappointment caused by the current scandal”.

Fr Waddell says the current situation is an opportunity all Catholics can seize “to be liberated from all the harmful ways in which we go about being Church, so that we can do the one thing the world expects, give Jesus”.

The opportunity is seen by some as a period of purification; a point in history that will herald in an era of transparency in the future of the Church on this issue.

While Fr Kettle feels strongly for the victims of clerical sex abuse, saying “it’s incomprehensible for me to measure the amount of devastation caused by priests who’ve sexually abused children” he refuses to accept that ‘crisis’ is the best word to describe today’s situation with the Church.

“I wouldn’t call it a ‘crisis’. When you look at the history of the Church, it’s endured far more difficult circumstances.”

Father Kettle sees the scandals as bringing about greater transparency, which is “vital if we’re to go forth”.

Fr Deeter sees the scandals as a trial from which the Church can grow.

“In America in 2002 we had a big scandal and it all settled down because the Catholics in America did not leave the Church. There were daily reports for three quarters of the year and that did not bring down the Church. Now the same thing is happening in Europe; Europe is different because Europe is largely secularised,” Fr Deeter says.

“But perhaps this trial will be a purification because it will make people decide to practise their faith more fervently or lose it.”

There are other benefits, too. “The constant barrage of the media is good in a sense because it’s making us become more transparent, to face the reality of what is happening, and the Church is using the media to its advantage to publicise its protocols,” Father Deeter says.

“And it’s now at the forefront of establishing regulations and making itself more and more transparent, far ahead of many other institutions that are still struggling to grasp the situation in their own midst.”

In his pastoral letter to Irish Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI diagnosed the factors and causes of the present crisis, including “a tendency in society to favour the clergy and other authority figures”.

Fr Charles Waddell, parish priest at St Thomas the Apostle in Claremont, sees the reporting and the events in the context of Easter and the Risen Lord: “The media invite, no demand, that journeying from the Easter Triduum”.

He says that both the full attendance at parish Easter masses and the way the media “at times seemingly viciously, reported the scandals in and of the Church” both show that the media and the faithful “expect more from the Church than sexual abuse of children, cover-ups and belated care of its victims”.

“What is that more? … The more is nothing less than Jesus Himself! The media, the folks who gathered over Easter, I expect, know that the Church gives us Jesus,” Fr Waddell says.

Fr Deeter agrees the Church is “held to different standards (compared with other professions) and rightly so,” and that the Holy Father’s call to return to greater personal prayer and Penance is what’s needed now.

“When I was in the seminary (in the late 1960s to 70s in Chicago), we never once prayed a Rosary in public, never once prayed a holy hour and weren’t encouraged to go to confession. A lot of the cases of [US] sex abuse are from that period,” he says.

Referring to personal prayer and Eucharistic adoration, he says that for priests “if we’re to live a different life, those are the other-worldly ways of supporting our life”.

Fr Don Kettle adds that priests “must be men of prayer”. “Priests are called to lead holy and exemplary lives, and only through the grace of God can this be achieved,” he says.

Left to right: St Charles Seminary fifth-year student Quy Lam, 31, and first-year Mariusz Grzech, 33, Cenacle Sr Ngaire Roil, a formator at the seminary, Rector Mgr Kevin Long and Fr Brian McKenna, first-year formator and Archdiocesan Vicar for Clergy, share a moment at the seminary’s Guildford premises.

PHOTO: ANTHONY BARICH

Fr John Jegorow, Parish Priest of Mary MacKillop Parish in Ballajura. Despite the spate of media reports he continues to go about his work as usual, he told The Record.

PHOTO: PETER ROSENGREN

Fr Charles Waddell, above left, says the reporting shows the media expect much from the Church. Fr Don Kettle, feels as if a dagger goes through him everytime he reads of a new revelation. PHOTO OF FR KETTLE: BRIDGET SPINKS

Fr Tim Deeter, Parish Priest of St Paul’s Parish in Mt Lawley, says the current experience as a trial from which the Church can grow.

PHOTO: BRIDGET SPINKS

Fr Anthony Percy, Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Sydney.

Trials will leave priesthood stronger

Trials will leave priesthood, Church stronger, priestpsychologist says

BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

HOUSTON - The priesthood and the Catholic Church itself will emerge from today’s crises stronger than ever, according to a priest-psychologist.

Mgr Stephen Rossetti, an expert in treating psychological and spiritual difficulties, especially among priests, spoke on 13 April at the annual convention in Houston of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils.

Although a look at newspapers and blogs gives the impression that the priesthood “is dispirited, discouraged and disintegrating,” Mgr Rossetti said two studies he conducted of 4,000 priests between 2002 and 2010 show that “priests like being priests; they find great satisfaction in their lives”.

“Rather than disintegrating under the pressure and stress of our day, it appears to me that our priests are becoming stronger,” he said.

“As the public negativity rises and the chorus of naysayers crescendos, I believe our priests and Church are actually the better for it,” he added. “Truly, the more the Church suffers, the stronger it becomes.”

Mgr Rossetti, now a clinical associate professor of pastoral studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, was accepting the NFPC’s Touchstone Award, presented annually to a priest “whose service in the Gospel of Jesus Christ exemplifies the purpose and goals of the federation.”

A priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, New York, and a former Air Force intelligence officer, Mgr Rossetti

was president and CEO of St Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Md, from 1996 until October 2009. The institute is a residential treatment centre for priests and Religious with addictions or psychological disorders.

Mgr Rossetti said his own studies and others have shown that “the happiness of the priesthood is one of the best-kept secrets of our time.”

Among the results of his surveys:

● More than 90 percent of priests said they were happy as priests, 89 percent said their morale was good and 81 per cent said they were proud to be a priest today.

● More than three-quarters (77 per cent) said they had a good relationship with their Bishops, and 81 per cent said they supported his leadership.

● More than three-quarters (78 per cent) said they felt “called by God” to live a celibate life and 75 per cent said celibacy had been a grace for them.

● More than 40 per cent (42 per cent) said they felt overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do.

“Why would someone be happy with a celibate life, little pay, long hours and a regular drubbing in the press?” Mgr Rossetti asked, adding that “now they are even after” Pope Benedict XVI “and it will be a long road for him up Calvary.”

He said reasons for “the countercultural joy of our priests” can be found in the fact that more than 90 per cent feel a sense of closeness to God (93 per cent), a relationship with God that nourishes them (97 per cent) and a sense that God loves them personally and directly (95 per cent).

Mgr Rossetti said many priests treated at St Luke’s “came through our doors feeling broken and hopeless,” but during their stay found “the transforming love of a God who was always with them.”

He called for a “new evangelisation” that will help everyone get in touch with that sense of a personal and loving God and the joy that comes with that feeling. “I do not think our greatest challenge to the faith of our day is explicit atheism” among a minority that says there is no God and no afterlife, Mgr Rossetti said. “The real danger is all around us; it is the apparent lack of interest, relevance. People are just not interested. God and religion do not blip the radar screens of their lives. They are what I call functional atheists.”

Noting that 48 per cent of priests he surveyed said they were concerned about the “lack of unity of the priesthood,” Mgr Rossetti called on priests to “stop the internal bickering.”

“Satan is never happier than when we are cutting each other down,” he said. “It is time to put our energy into breaking through the modern secular consciousness; people want to be happy and we have the key.”

Priests are called to lead people out of confusion

Priests called to guide people to Christ, Pope says at audience

BY CINDY WOODEN Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In a world where many people are confused about right and wrong and even about the meaning of life, priests are called to guide them to Christ, Pope Benedict XVI said.

With just two months left in the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict began a series of audience talks about the priesthood on 14 April, saying that over the coming weeks he would look specifically at the priest’s mission to teach, sanctify and govern.

Speaking on behalf of the groups present at the audience, Vatican officials wished the Pope a happy birthday in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Polish and Italian. The Pope was to celebrate his 83rd birthday on 16 April.

Although the international media was still running stories about clerical sex abuse, the Pope did not mention the scandal in his audience talk, but rather spoke about how priests are called to identify so completely with Christ that their words, actions and lives fully represent Christ on earth.

The teaching mission of a priest is especially important today because “we are living amid great confusion about the fundamental choices in life,” about the meaning of life and about what is good and what is bad, he said.

Like Jesus who taught the crowds that followed him and gave them direction, the Pope said, priests today are called to help

people find their way toward goodness, joy and eternal life.

The priest’s task is “to make present amid the confusion and disorientation of our age the light of the word of God, the light that is Christ Himself,” he said.

“The priest does not teach his own ideas” and “he does not speak on his own” or try to gather a circle of admirers around him, but he proclaims the word of God, the Pope said.

At the same time, the Pope said, “he is not a spokesman who simply reads a text that is not his own.”

A priest must identify so closely with Christ that the Lord’s teaching and values become the priest’s own, he said.

In preparing homilies, teaching religious education classes, counselling people “and especially through that unwritten book that is his life, the priest must teach - not with the presumption of one who tries to impose his own truth, but with the humble certainty of one who has encountered the truth, been seized and transformed by it,” Pope Benedict said.

Soon to be Priests

U.S. men preparing to become priests this year were asked about when and how they received their calling.

them

Jesus’ words to trouble disciples speak volumes to Church today

In times of disaster, listen to Christ’s command not to be troubled, US Archbishop says

BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

HOUSTON - Jesus’ words to His “very troubled and confused disciples” before His passion and death offer guidance today at “a perilous and critical point in the life of the Church,” Archbishop John R Quinn told participants in the National Federation of Priests’ Councils convention on 13 April.

The retired Archbishop of San Francisco spoke about “Christ present in the darkness” during the annual NFPC meeting from 12-15 April in Houston.

Saying that “the great works of God have been accomplished in darkness,” Archbishop Quinn cited chapters 14-17 of the Gospel of John as containing the words that should guide priests and the Church today.

Jesus “begins by giving them a forthright commandment: ‘You are not to let your hearts be troubled,’” the Archbishop said. “This is not an exhortation. It is a command.”

Jesus tells His disciples that “in the trouble and the crisis they confront, where disaster seems inevitable and there is no solution, with the Father and the Spirit He will be with them,” Archbishop Quinn said. “This is how the Bible teaches us to persevere in darkness and in trial.”

He acknowledged that priests are “the ones who meet the angry or confused or troubled people at the Sunday Masses in your parishes and missions” and the ones “whose hearts break at the anguish of our

people over the robbed innocence of their children.”

He called US priests today “a body of men who do not seek praise or acclaim and who walk faithfully with the Lord in a time of searing and seismic testing.”

Archbishop Quinn also offered the example of a number of priests whose lives were worthy of emulation, including Fr Emil Kapaun, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas, who died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War; Divine Word Fr Joseph Guetzloe, who went voluntarily with his JapaneseAmerican parishioners when they were relocated to internment camps during World War II; and Fr Stanley Rother, a priest of the Oklahoma City Archdiocese who returned to Guatemala despite death threats and was killed there.

Like those priests, “there are humble, faithful priests expending their talents and energies in serving Christ and His people everywhere in the United States,” he said. “I have seen them.”

But, he said, upheaval in the Church might make priests today ask the question broached by Fr Karl Rahner years ago: “Why would a modern man want to become or to remain a priest today?”

“The deepest and most enduring reason why a modern man would want to become and to remain a priest is the person of Jesus Christ,” Archbishop Quinn said. “If our love for Jesus Christ is truly genuine, then there must stir within us the desire to be like Him.”

The Archbishop also recalled the words of St John of the Cross during “a similar time of disaster for the Church”: “The Lord in every age has always revealed the treasures of His wisdom and His Spirit. But in these times when the face of evil bares itself more and more, so does the Lord bare His treasures more.”

Pope moved to tears as victims find closure

Pope urges Malta to hold fast to its Christian roots, values

BY CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service

VALLETTA, Malta (CNS) - On a 27 hour visit to Malta, Pope Benedict XVI met with sex abuse victims, encouraged Maltese Catholics to keep the faith and walked in the footsteps of St Paul.

In the midst of a worldwide storm over how the Church has handled clerical sex abuse, the Pope met privately with local sex abuse victims on 18 April, assuring them the Church was doing everything in its power to bring perpetrators to justice and to prevent further abuse of young people.

The victims said they were pleased with the encounter and one said he felt “freed of a great weight” and was reconnected with his faith.

The shadow of sex abuse cases didn’t dampen the local population’s outpouring of enthusiasm, nor did it obscure what the Pope said was his main mission on the Mediterranean island: to reconfirm the faith of one of the most Catholic countries in the world and encourage the Maltese to fully live out their Christian identity and values.

Vans filled with youths waving giant Vatican flags coursed through the streets, humble stone homes hung banners and pictures of the Pope from their balconies, and tens of thousands of faithful and the curious lined city streets and squares to cheer and get a glimpse of the Pope.

Celebrating the 1,950th anniversary of St Paul’s arrival in Malta, the Pope was able to hold the apostle up as an example or inspiration in his talks to politicians, Catholics, young people and even journalists.

In remarks to the Vatican press corps aboard the papal flight from Rome to Malta, the Pope said that St Paul shows how life’s tragedies can become an opportunity to do good.

Just as St Paul’s shipwreck on the island became the seed that planted Christianity in Malta, so too “life’s shipwrecks can be part of God’s plan for us and they may

also be useful for new beginnings in our lives,” he said.

In his homily during Mass in Granaries Square on 18 April, the Pope said St Paul urged his companions to confront the stormy seas by placing their complete trust in God.

To save their troubled craft, they had to cast all their supplies overboard and pray God would protect them from harm, the Pope said.

People today also must shed their excess cargo - that is, superfluous possessions, vain accomplishments and dependence on technology as a cure-all - because the real key to happiness and human fulfilment is one’s relationship with God, he said. With God “we can do all things: without him we can do nothing.”

The Pope even evoked St Paul’s arrival by sailing across Malta’s Grand Harbour before his meeting with young people on 18 April.

He rode together with a group of teens aboard a large white catamaran named “San Pawl.”

Navigating the choppy waters, his boat was flanked by every kind of sea craft imaginable from military ships and million-dollar yachts to traditional wooden boats and rubber dinghies.

On stage before the nearly 40,000 people stretched along the fortressed waterfront, the Pope used the example and teachings of St Paul to respond to young people who spoke of their experiences and questions about faith.

The Pope said, “God rejects no one. And the Church rejects no one.”

God knows people intimatelyall their strengths and weaknesses - and yet He loves his children so much that He challenges people to purify themselves of their sins and faults, he said.

“When He challenges us because something in our lives is displeasing to Him, He is not rejecting us, but He is asking us to change and become more perfect,” he said.

One challenge facing Malta is the influx of illegal immigrants who end up on its shores on their way to other European countries.

The country has been criticised by human rights advocates for its forced detention policies and the sometimes abysmal conditions of its detention centres.

The Pope told young people that it is their duty as Christians to care

for the vulnerable and “be attentive to the needs of immigrants and asylum seekers.”

But in a number of talks, the Pope said the problem could not be solved by Malta alone.

In his farewell speech at the Luqa airport, the Pope told President George Abela and other government leaders to strive to continue to welcome the world’s “strangers” as the ancient Maltese welcomed St Paul.

With the help of other European states and international organisations, Malta will act to aid “those who arrive here and to ensure that their rights be respected”, Pope Benedict added.

The Pope praised the way Malta has been able to build a nation founded on Christian values and praised the country’s defence of the unborn and of the traditional family based on marriage between a man and a woman.

Abortion and divorce are illegal in Malta, and the Pope asked President Abela in his welcoming address that the nation “continue to stand up for the indissolubility of marriage” and the “true nature of the family.”

As part of his spiritual journey commemorating St Paul, Pope

Benedict prayed in Rabat at the grotto where tradition holds the apostle lived for the three months he was stranded in Malta. The Pope greeted some 250 Maltese missionaries in St Paul’s Church and called on his audience to “live out your faith ever more fully” at home,

work and in society. The world needs credible Christian witness especially given the many threats facing human life, traditional marriage and the “moral truths which remain the foundation of authentic freedom and genuine progress,” he said.

Penance gives grace to move forward from scandal

Abuse scandal painful, but doing penance leads to grace: BenedictXVI

BY CINDY WOODEN Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY - Recognising the sins of priests who have sexually abused children, performing penance and asking for forgiveness, the Catholic Church trusts that God will purify and transform the Church, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“I must say that we Christians, even in recent times, have often avoided the word ‘penance,’ which seemed too harsh to us. Now, under the attacks of the world that speaks to us of our sins, we see that being able to do penance is a grace,” the Pope said on 15 April in a homily during a Mass with members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

“We see how it is necessary to do penance, that is, to recognise what is mistaken

in our life,” he said during the morning Mass in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.

The Pope said Christians know that “to open oneself to forgiveness, to prepare oneself for forgiveness, to allow oneself to be transformed, the pain of penance - that is to say of purification and of transformation - this pain is grace, because it is renewal, and it is the work of divine mercy.”

In his homily, the Pope also spoke about the liberating effect of obeying God, even in a world that likes to pretend that freedom means doing whatever the individual wants to do, but still insists on everyone conforming to what the majority believes and does.

Without a reference to God and to God’s will for His creation, the final arbiter of right and wrong becomes majority rule or the dictates of the most powerful, he said.

“The Nazi dictatorship, the Marxist dictatorship” in the 1900s were examples of regimes that could not stand the idea of God’s primacy, he said.

Fortunately, he said, such dictatorships

do not exist today, but there are subtle forms of pressure on people to conform to a worldly opinion and not to God’s will.

“A conformism under which it becomes obligatory to think as everyone thinks, to act as everyone acts, and the subtle or not so subtle aggression against the Church demonstrate that this conformism really can become a real dictatorship,” he said.

The reason Christians are called to obey God is because they want to enjoy eternal life, the Pope said.

Unfortunately today, Christians seem embarrassed to talk about the final judgment and eternal life, so instead they focus on the good works and solidarity faith inspires, he said.

The promise of eternal life is also the reason why it is a grace to be able to recognise one’s sins, perform penance, ask pardon and know that God will bring forgiveness and healing, Pope Benedict said.

Right: Pope Benedict XVI holds his crosier as he celebrates Mass in Granaries Square in Floriana, Malta on 18 April.

PHOTO: CNS

Pope Benedict XVI arrives to celebrate Mass in Granaries Square outside St Publius Church in Floriana, Malta on 18 April.

PHOTO: CNS/ALESSANDRO BIANCHI, REUTERS

Nuns look out toward the Valletta waterfront as Pope Benedict XVI arrives by boat to a meeting with youths in Malta on 18 April.

PHOTO: CNS/TONY GENTILE, REUTERS

Disarmanent talks get serious Federal

WASHINGTON (CNS) - On the nuclear disarmament front, it sounds like the 1980s all over again.

Widespread discussion about nuclear disarmament has been in the news since April 2009, nearly 30 years after the US Bishops first adopted their pastoral letter on peace in the nuclear era, The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response

The Bishops and the Vatican have reiterated their calls to the world to end the dependence on nuclear weapons in war strategies time and again since the 1983 pastoral, but with little notice because the apparent threats seemed to diminish with the fall of the Soviet Union and growing partnerships with China.

As Maryann Cusimano Love, associate professor of international relations at The Catholic University of America, told Catholic News Service, “most people have the mistaken idea that these (weapons) went away with the Cold War.”

Recognising that nuclear weapons still pose a significant global threat, the United States has embarked on a new effort to reduce strategic nuclear arsenals in the hope of making the world safer from mass destruction.

The most recent effort is being fuelled by President Barack Obama, who in a 5 April 2009 speech in Prague, Czech Republic, offered his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons and subsequently set a course toward that goal.

At the time, the President called upon political leaders to move beyond Cold War thinking under which international politics was played out as a US-vs-Russia global chess match. The speech has been praised by disarmament proponents in political, military, activist and media circles since.

True to the vision he laid out, Obama has spent much of the last year working toward a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, with Russia. The START “follow-on” treaty was signed 8 April by Obama and Russian President Dimitry Medvedev.

Though CNS reported that “critics of Obama’s view have been few”, The Australian newspaper’s Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan said on 10 April that the US is “in a state of failure” over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, despite the new treaty Obama signed with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Sheridan said that while “the headline numbers” in the US-Russia agreement are that each side will cut its maximum deployed nuclear warheads from 2,200 - as they agreed in an earlier deal George W Bush entered into - down to 1,550, the agreement doesn not deal with non-deployed weapons.

“So you can take a warhead off deployment and put it in storage and it doesn’t count under the new numbers, but it’s still there,” Sheridan said.

“Similarly, there is a great deal of opacity in the way deployed warheads are counted.

“Each bomber, for example, counts as only one weapon, even though a plane can carry dozens of nuclear warheads. Depending how they configure their nuclear arsenals, the US and Russia could reach the new dramatically lower limits without doing anything much of consequence, perhaps reducing by fewer than 200 each the actual deployed war heads.”

Just before the treaty signing, the White House on 26 March updated the country’s Nuclear Posture Review - only the third such document in US history -

Warhead Stockpiles

Russia and the U.S. will be required to reduce to 1,550 each country's long-range nuclear missiles within 7 years of the ratification of the new START treaty.

which for the first time focuses on preventing nuclear terrorism and nuclear proliferation rather than targeting traditional rivals China and Russia.

Obama followed both by hosting the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on 12-13 April, during which 47 countries agreed to work toward securing highly enriched weapons grade nuclear material within four years. Next on the agenda - while not Obama’s doing - is the month long nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, which opens 3 May at the United Nations.

Signed by 189 nations, the treaty has been credited as a major success in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to non-nuclear states since 1970.

All of these steps, particularly START, are important because they demonstrate that the United States is serious about nuclear disarmament, several experts on nuclear disarmament issues told CNS.

“For people of faith, it means real progress for what the Church has outlined for many, many years,” Cusimano Love said, while calling for an outpouring of public support for such efforts, particularly the ratification of the new START pact.

“If we’re serious to approach this, it’s time for us to act,” Love said. “If we stay silent, the status quo will remain with us.”

David Cortright, director of policy studies at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, told CNS the treaty is a major step toward improved international relations.

“This is the Obama administration’s first effort to reset political/ diplomatic relations with Russia and yield significant results,” he explained.

“Signing the treaty is more important than the specific details of the treaty itself.”

Dave Robinson, executive director of Pax Christi USA, said he was pleased by the steps the Obama administration is taking in the pursuit of nuclear disarmament.

“They’re putting together a package of steps unlike the past,” Robinson said.

“I take this as a genuine effort to move the (nuclear disarmament) agenda forward, to reduce the role these weapons play (in US foreign policy).”

The treaty remains to be ratified by the Senate. That means getting at least eight Republicans to join the chamber’s 59 Democrats in voting for the pact.

Cortright said that while ratification may take awhile - perhaps a year or more - he believes the Senate will approve the new pact, which calls for a 30 per cent reduction in the long-range strategic

arsenals of the world’s two largest nuclear powers. “It’s important that we give the example that we’re committed as the ones who have the most weapons to de-escalating our arsenal,” explained Bishop Howard J Hubbard of Albany, New York, chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.

The Russian Duma also must approve the treaty and from that point both countries will have seven years to reduce their strategic arsenals to 1,550 weapons each.

Bishop Hubbard described the reductions as “a modest step” toward overall nuclear disarmament.

Even with the reductions, about 22,000 nuclear warheads - both deployed and stockpiled - will remain in both countries.

“We also think it is a very important step in the international effort to address the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons,” Bishop Hubbard told CNS.

“With fewer nuclear weapons in the world, the likelihood of weapons falling into the hand of terrorists is less and will lead to the

judge rules National Day of Prayer is against constitution

WASHINGTON (CNS)

- Despite a Wisconsin federal judge’s ruling that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional, this year’s observance of the day will go forward just as it has since 1953. The White House said the ruling does not affect plans by President Barack Obama to issue a proclamation for the day, 6 May, as mandated by law.

US District Judge Barbara B Crabb in Madison, Wis, said in a 15 April ruling that the federal law designating the day and requiring a presidential proclamation for the day violates the First Amendment prohibition against laws respecting an establishment of religion.

However, she postponed enforcement of the decision until all appeals are exhausted. The US Department of Justice said it was reviewing the ruling before deciding whether to file an appeal.

The day was challenged by Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Archbishop Jerome E Listecki of Milwaukee, who has often criticised the “religion of secularism,” told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel daily newspaper that the ruling was a “missed opportunity to acknowledge our nation’s identity, which was founded on our dependence on God.”

The roots of the National Day of Prayer can be traced to 1952 when the Rev Billy Graham led a rally in Washington during which he called for a special day to be set aside for Americans to pray and meditate so that the country would experience a “great spiritual awakening.”

safeguarding of nuclear materials worldwide.”

As part of an effort to build momentum to ratify START, the USCCB prepared a study guide for parish groups and social ministry offices. The package includes:

● A copy of a letter from Cardinal Francis E George of Chicago, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, to the White House supporting START.

● An action alert for concerned Catholics to contact their senators urging ratification of the treaty.

● A guide based on Catholic social teaching for use when viewing The Nuclear Tipping Point, a DVD produced by the Nuclear Security Project, which was formed by former Secretary of State George P Shultz, former Defense Secretary William J Perry, former Secretary of State Henry A Kissinger and former Senator Sam Nunn, who have undertaken an effort to reframe the debate on the possession and use of nuclear weapons.

● Background on nuclear arms treaties.

- Additional reporting by The Record

Legislation authorising the day was introduced in the US House the next day and later in the Senate and was quickly passed. President Harry Truman signed the first National Prayer Day proclamation in 1953. President Ronald Reagan made it a permanent event. In 1988, Congress enacted legislation requiring the president to issue an annual proclamation.

Starting in 2001, President George W Bush annually hosted a high-profile event to mark the day in the East Room of the White House. It was attended by numerous religious and political figures.

In 2009, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation for the day, but did not host a prayer service at the White House - a decision criticised by Republicans and some religious leaders. The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed its lawsuit against government officials in October 2008. The group argued the day violated the separation of Church and State because it said that government officials, in observing it, too often adopted the religious perspective of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, based at the headquarters of Focus on the Family, a Christian advocacy group based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

An Iranian Zelzal missile is launched during a test at an unknown location in central Iran on 27 September 2009. Iran test-fired short-range missiles four days before the Islamic republic was due to hold rare talks with world powers worried about its nuclear ambitions. US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic on 8 April.

PHOTO: CNS/FARS NEWS/ALI SHAYEGAN VIA REUTERS

Youth grill Pope on Church contradictions

Young people ask Pope for guidance in facing their fears, doubts

BY CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service

VALLETTA, Malta - In an unexpected display of honesty and frankness, five young Maltese men and women spoke to Pope Benedict XVI about their hopes, doubts, and fears as well as the contradictions they sense within the Catholic Church.

Their testimonies were part of a musicfilled and prayerful gathering of about 40,000 youth along the Valletta waterfront on 18 April.

The first young man on stage spoke on behalf of young people such as homosexuals, substance abusers, or children of broken or dysfunctional families who may feel marginalised by the Church.

He told the Pope “we should be treated with more compassion - without being judged - and with more love.”

Being shunned or looked down upon by some members of the Catholic community causes some young people to call God’s love into question, he said.

“How can we believe that God accepts us unconditionally when his own people reject us?” he asked.

Catholics who feel marginalised can experience great confusion and suffering, especially when secular society seems more will-

ing than the Church to accept them and treat them with dignity, he said.

“Your Holiness, what must we do?” he asked, and the crowd applauded.

The next speaker, a young woman, spoke on behalf of Catholics who are active members of the Church. She said faithful Catholics, “as a group, feel excluded by society.”

They work to keep Catholic teaching and values alive in society even though they know that “we are consciously estranging ourselves from our contemporary culture.”

She told the Pope that it feels like “it is our faith itself that impedes us from entering further into dialogue with society.”

Sometimes efforts to build a better world, be at the service of others and bring people closer to God feel like “a fruitless exercise,” like an unfinished building that “is far too expensive to complete,” she said.

“We wish to leave our mark on the Church even as we are young. Your Holiness, what must we do?” she asked.

The next to speak were a young man and woman preparing to be married within the Church.

They said they want to have a marriage that is guided by God’s own spirit, and yet they are afraid “that life offers too many hurdles for us to live our married lives in God’s light.” A major concern, they said, was trusting completely that God would provide for their family.

“We are not sure about our own interpretation of God’s providence: whether it is totally gratuitous or whether it is a form of

compensation for our wisdom and prudence in raising our children,” the young woman said.

“Show us the way to live our married life as a calling from God. Your Holiness, tell us, what must we do?” they asked.

The last young person spoke on behalf of all the young men and women preparing for consecrated life.

He said God’s call to live one’s life completely for the Lord stirs up feelings of both happiness and despair. Those preparing for consecrated life are excited to be part of a community that is dedicated to building bridges with, not walls against, the modern world, he said.

However, he said, they are often not taken seriously by members of society, especially at a time when there is heightened attention to “priests who fail other persons.”

“It is our desire to grow closer to those who have distanced themselves from God, yet how are we to touch those hearts which are cold and suspicious?” he asked.

He told the Pope that the Church “should be prepared to make everybody welcome, to find a place for everyone who needs it,” and invite “new people to discover God.”

Yet it is hard to integrate into a society that seems to have no place for religious men and women, he said, adding “Your Holiness, what must we do?”

The Pope did not answer each person’s concern individually, but he gave a general response in a text that was prepared before the event, but was based on the young people’s questions.

He said “every personal encounter with Jesus is an overwhelming experience of love.”

Even the hatred and anger St Paul felt toward Christians before his conversion “was completely swept away by the power of Christ’s love,” he said.

Some of the harsh words found in the writings of St Paul may make it hard to believe that the Gospel is spreading a message of love, he said, but love means being challenged to convert, to cleanse oneself of sin and to become more perfect.

“When (God) challenges us because something in our lives is displeasing to Him, He is not rejecting us, but He is asking us to change and become more perfect.”

The Pope said: “God rejects no-one. And the Church rejects no-one.” However, because God loves His children so completely, “He wants us to purify ourselves of our faults and build up our virtues so that we can have life in abundance.”

He told the young people they should be proud that Malta “defends the unborn and promotes stable family life by saying no to abortion and divorce,” and he urged them to maintain a courageous witness to the sanctity of life and the centrality of marriage and family life in society.

He also encouraged young people to fulfill their duty to show God’s love through service to others, especially toward the most vulnerable and marginalised in society.

The world can learn from their Christian witness because “Gospel values are once again becoming countercultural, just as they were at the time of St Paul,” he said.

Church sides with victims, must condemn sex crimes

BY CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY - The Catholic Church is determined not to hide or minimise the “horrible” crime of the sexual abuse of minors by priests, said the head of the Vatican Congregation for Clergy.

Cardinal Claudio Hummes said members of the Church “are on the side of the victims and want to support their recovery and their offended rights.”

The Cardinal’s comments came in a letter preparing for the conclusion of the Year for Priests, which ends on 11 June. The letter was published on 12 April on the congregation’s Year for Priests website.

Even though a proportionately small number of Catholic priests are guilty of abuse, these “horrible and most serious crimes” must be condemned and admonished “in an absolute and uncompro-

mising manner,” wrote Cardinal Hummes.

“Those individuals must answer for their actions before

God and before tribunals, including the civil courts,” he wrote. Yet people also should pray that those guilty of abuse “achieve

spiritual conversion and receive pardon from God,” the letter said.

“The Church, for her part, is determined neither to hide nor to minimise such crimes,” it said.

However, Cardinal Hummes criticised attempts to “use the crimes of the few in order to sully the entire ecclesial body of priests,” adding that those who did so were committing “a profound injustice.”

The Year for Priests, which Pope Benedict XVI established last year, has been a valuable occasion to give special attention and recognition to “the great, hardworking and irreplaceable presbyterium, and to each individual priest of the Church,” he wrote. Speaking to priests around the world, the Cardinal said, “The Church loves you, admires you and respects you,” and he reminded them that they have the support of the Catholic faithful, “especially in these times of suffering.”

Cardinal Hummes called on the world’s priests to converge on St Peter’s Square for the concluding ceremonies of the Year for Priests so as to “show themselves ready and un-intimidated” to serve humanity. A large and visible presence of priests in the square “will be a proclamation before the modern world of their being sent not to condemn the world, but to save it.”

Priests should also attend the concluding ceremonies on 9-11 June to show Pope Benedict their solidarity and support, he wrote.

The Cardinal said that the Pope has been unjustly attacked for his handling of clerics involved in the sexual abuse of minors because no one has done as much as Pope Benedict “to condemn and combat properly such crimes.”

“The large presence of priests in the square with him will be a determined rejection of the unjust attacks of which he is a victim,” the Cardinal wrote.

Left, children hold up images of Pope Benedict XVI while waiting for him to arrive at the presidential palace in Valletta, Malta on 17 April . Right: Pope Benedict XVI stands with Malta’s President George Abela and his wfe, as they look out from a balcony of the presidential palace in Valleta on 17 April during the Pope’s two-day visit to Malta.

PHOTOS: CNS/DARRIN ZAMMIT LUPI, REUTERS/ L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO /CATHOLIC PRESS

Cardinal Claudio Hummes pictured when appointed head of the Congregation for Clergy in 2006.

PHOTO: CNS/ RICKEY ROGERS, REUTERS

Benedict has already left indelible mark

A chronology of five years of Pope’s pontificate

BY CARMEN ELENA V ILLA Zenit.org

ROME (Zenit.org) - “After the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord.” With these words, Benedict XVI presented himself as the new Pope on 19 April 2005, before giving his blessing urbi et orbi

His words came after the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel at 6pm Rome time paved the way for Chilean Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez to announce, habemus Papam

It had been Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s third conclave, having been made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1977. For 24 years, he had served as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

This great humanist has the papal record for having written most books before taking the Chair of Peter: He has 142 published works, which present his rich theology and spirituality, characterised by very simple explanations of the great mysteries of faith. A man of profoundly human traits, Benedict XVI likes cats, plays the piano and considers Mozart his favourite composer. His parents were named Joseph and Mary. He is the brother of another priest, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger; the two were ordained together in 1951.

A teacher

After finishing the theme of the Psalms, which John Paul II had begun in the Wednesday audiences, Benedict XVI took up a topic that for him has always been fundamentally important: the tradition of Christianity and the teaching of the first centuries. He dedicated several audiences to speak of each of the Twelve Apostles, according to sacred Scripture and Tradition. Then he went deeper into the fathers of the Church, illustrating how their thought is relevant today.

This Pope has initiated two thematic years to highlight certain elements of Christianity. The first was the Pauline Jubilee to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the Apostle’s birth. The inauguration and closing of this jubilee took place in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, where the remains of St Paul still rest.

The pontiff also dedicated various general audiences to speak of this key figure in Church history, who became a Christian after persecuting the Church.

As well, the Holy Father initiated a year to celebrate the priesthood, a year he will bring to a close in June. With this year, he has marked the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Vianney, patron of parish priests.

During his pontificate, he wrote Jesus of Nazareth, explaining that it is to be taken as the work of a theologian, not the Pope.

The book reveals Jesus Christ as son of God, totally obedient to the Father, without losing any of his humanity. The second volume of the work is expected for the end of this year.

Three encyclicals have illustrated this pontiff’s incredible intellectual talent at the service of the faith: Deus Caritas Est (December 2005) is divided in two parts. The

first considers “some essential facts concerning the love which God mysteriously and gratuitously offers to man, together with the intrinsic link between that love and the reality of human love.” And the second part considers the “practice of love” or loving our neighbour.

Next came Spe Salvi (November 2007) in which the Pope assures that, thanks to hope, the human person can face the present, no matter how difficult it appears. He exhorts mankind to keep its sights focused on the eternal.

And then Caritas in Veritate (June 2009) speaks of Christian charity always rooted in truth, which will lead to true development. Benedict XVI thus paid homage to Paul VI and his 1967 Populorum Progressio

Proclaiming saints

In these five years as Pope, Benedict XVI has beatified 516 people. Thanks to a proposal from the retired prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, canonisations have begun to take place in the home diocese of the newly recognised saint and the Pope has been represented in these celebrations by designated prelates.

During this pontificate, a record was made: the most numerous beatification ceremony in history, when in October 2007, 498 martyrs from the Spanish Civil War were raised to the altars.

Others beatified by this Pope include Louis and Marie-Celie Martin, parents of St Thérèse.

Benedict XVI has canonised 28 saints, including Damien de Veuster (1840-1889), the renowned saint of the lepers who ministered in Hawaii. In October, he will canonise the fist Australian: Mother Mary MacKillop (1842-1909).

Unprecedented

Various publications and pronouncements from this pontiff have made history: Anglicanorum Coetibus, published in November 2009, opened a path for entire groups of Anglicans to enter full communion with the Church in “personal ordinariates.”

A 2007 document issued motu proprio was another history-maker.

Summorum Pontificum paved the way for more widespread celebration of the Mass according to the “extraordinary form,” that is, using the 1962 Roman Missal.

This Pope has visited three syn-

Pope does not feel alone in midst of global persecution

agogues: in Cologne, New York and Rome. He’s also visited three mosques: in Istanbul, Amman and Jerusalem. Another unprecedented publication came just a few weeks ago: his letter to the Church in Ireland regarding the scandal of sexual abuse by clergy. This document was fruit of a meeting the Holy Father had with all active Irish prelates to examine this situation and its causes, and to discuss measures to make sure it never happens again.

Pilgrim

Benedict XVI’s first trip outside Italy brought him to his native Germany, where he presided over World Youth Day in Cologne, which was focused on the theme of the Three Kings in Bethlehem to adore the Christ Child.

In May 2006, he travelled to Poland, praying at the Auschwitz concentration camp. “[O]ur silence becomes in turn a plea for forgiveness and reconciliation, a plea to the living God never to let this happen again,” he said in that powerful address, delivered as a “son of the German people.”

In July of that year, the Holy Father would travel to Valencia, Spain, for the World Meeting of Families, and in September of the same year, he would return to Germany.

The next December, the Pope went to Turkey, meeting with the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, and signing with him a joint declaration.

He travelled to Latin America in May 2007, inaugurating in Brazil the 5th General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean.

In September, he went to Austria to mark the 850th anniversary of the foundation of the Shrine of Mariazell.

In April 2008, he visited the United States, marking the 200th anniversary of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore.

This trip gave him the chance for an interreligious meeting with Jewish representatives, and an ecumenical encounter with various Christian denominations of the nation. He celebrated his 81st birthday with a cake at the White House.

July of 2008 brought another World Youth Day, this time far away in Sydney, Australia, where thousands of youth gathered with the Pope to reflect on the power of the Holy Spirit.

The 150th anniversary of Mary’s

Pope gives intimate address to Cardinals on fifth Anniversary of his pontificate

VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org).Benedict XVI told a gathering of Cardinals that he doesn’t feel alone in the midst of the difficulties and attacks that he and the Church have received in recent weeks.

The Pope said this on 19 April at a celebratory luncheon in the Apostolic Palace attended by 46 Cardinals.

“At this moment the Pope feels very intensely that he is not alone, he feels he has around him the College of Cardinals and shares with it his tribulations and consolations,” reported L’Osservatore Romano.

“The Pope wished to thank the College of Cardinals for the help he receives every day,” the newspaper continued. “Above all, at the moment when St Augustine of Hippo’s words, quoted by Vatican Council II, seem to be confirmed, according to which the Church journeys between ‘the persecutions of the world and the consolation of God.’”

The semi-official Vatican newspaper said that the Holy Father “mentioned the sins of

apparitions in Lourdes brought the Bishop of Rome to France in September of that year.

And in March 2009, he made his first trip to the continent of Africa, presenting the instrumentum laboris for the Synod on Africa that would be held under his direction that October.

In May of last year, the Holy Father went as a pilgrim to the Holy Land, offering a word of support for persecuted Christians in this land.

In September, he travelled to the Czech Republic, visiting the Infant of Prague and recalling the figure of St Wenceslaus, an 8th century martyr of the region.

Finally, he returned last Sunday from his most recent trip outside Italy: to the Island of Malta, where he recalled the 1,950th anniversary of St Paul’s shipwreck there.

“With the shipwreck, Malta was given the opportunity to have the

the Church, reminding that the latter, wounded and sinful, experiences even more the consolations of God.”

“In particular, the College of Cardinals is of great consolation to the Pope,” it added.

According to the newspaper, the Bishop of Rome acknowledged that in “the Church there are two principles: one personal and one of communion”.

The Pope has a personal responsibility, which he cannot delegate; but the Bishop is surrounded by his presbyters. “And the Pope is surrounded by the College of Cardinals which could be called, according to Eastern terms, almost his ‘Synod,’ his permanent company which helps him, supports him in his work.”

Seated with Benedict XVI around the table were Cardinals Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of state; Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals; Roger Etchegaray, retired president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops; Jose Saraiva Martins, retired Prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes; and Jozef Tomko, retired Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.

Benedict XVI returned on 18 April from a two day apostolic trip to Malta.

faith,” the pontiff told journalists en route to the island. “In this way, we can also think about how the shipwrecks of life can be part of God’s project for us, and be useful for a new beginning in our life.”

Moving forward

In five years, Benedict XVI has marked the Church with the best of his human qualities: his intelligence, sensitivity, simplicity, firmness and discipline.

“The fact that the Lord knows how to work and to act even with inadequate instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers,” he said during that first urbi et orbi blessing five years ago on 19 April.

“Let us move forward in the joy of the Risen Lord, confident of His unfailing help. The Lord will help us and Mary, His Most Holy Mother, will be on our side.”

A group of nuns cheer as Pope Benedict XVI greets people in the crowd following Mass in Granaries Square outside St Publius Church in Floriana, Malta on 18 April.

PHOTO: CNS/DARRIN ZAMMIT LUPI, REUTERS

Pope Benedict XVI greets pilgrims as he arrives to lead his general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 7 April.

PHOTO: CNS/PAUL HARING

Bishops bust dissenting Religious

Bishops take actions against nuns, CHA over stand on health reform

BY NANCY FRAZIER O’BRIEN Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON - At least two U.S. bishops have taken actions to indicate their disapproval of the support some women’s religious communities and the Catholic Health Association gave to the final version of health care reform legislation.

Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt of Greensburg, Pa., has directed diocesan offices, parishes and the diocesan newspaper not to promote the “vocation awareness program of any religious community” that was a signatory to a letter urging members of the House of Representatives to pass the health reform bill.

In Providence, Rhode Island, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin asked the Catholic Health Association to remove the diocesan-sponsored St Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island from its membership rolls, saying that CHA leadership had “misled the public and caused serious scandal” by supporting health reform legislation that the Bishops opposed.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops was against the measure because its provisions on abortion funding and conscience protections were morally unacceptable.

When the bill passed, the bishops reiterated their decades-long support for providing access to health care for all but expressed regret that health care reform came with the possibility of expanded abortion funding and urged vigilance that an executive order by President Barack Obama would, as promised, ensure no federal funds will be spent on abortion.

Some Catholic groups reacted with enthusiasm to the passage of health reform and Obama’s executive order, and others said the order would have no effect on abortion funding.

In Greensburg, Bishop Brandt’s directive had its most immediate effect on the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pa., who had asked parishes in the diocese to provide promotional support such as bulletin notices for a vocations awareness program called “Explore,” scheduled for April 25.

Diocesan spokesman Jerry Zufelt said the bishop is in dialogue with a second order, the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, based in Greensburg, whose president was a signatory to the same letter. He said Bishop Brandt is open to dialogue with the Sisters

of St. Joseph.

In the days leading up to the March 21 House votes on health care reform, more than four dozen leaders of women’s religious orders signed a letter urging members of Congress to “cast a life-affirming ‘yes’ vote” and denying “false claims” that the legislation would expand federal funding of abortion. The letter campaign was organized by the national Catholic social justice lobby Network.

Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who is CHA president and CEO, also expressed public support for the legislation and said she was convinced it would not fund abortions. She was one of 20 people to receive ceremonial pens used by President Barack Obama to sign the health reform bill into law.

Another group of nuns belonging to the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious issued a separate statement saying that the position on health care reform and abortion articulated by the U.S. bishops is “the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church” and should be followed.

In a statement issued late April 15, the Diocese of Greensburg said Bishop Brandt

“has the right to disapprove a request from a religious community that wants to host a recruitment event when that community has taken a public stance in opposition to the church’s teaching on human life.”

“Furthermore, an environment of dissent from and public opposition to the positions of the U.S. Catholic bishops does not provide an appropriate seedbed for vocations,” the statement added.

Sister Mary Pellegrino, congregational moderator for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, which is in the Pittsburgh Diocese, said the community was “deeply saddened” by the bishop’s decision and had asked diocesan officials to consider reversing it.

“We continue to pray that the continued contentiousness and divisiveness among people of different faiths and political persuasions subside, and that health care reform will work to respect and protect human life and dignity and provide access to health care for the most poor and vulnerable of God’s people,” she added.

Father Ronald Lengwin, spokesman for the Pittsburgh Diocese, told the Post-Gazette daily newspaper Bishop David A. Zubik had taken no action but intends “to have a pastoral conversation with those who signed the statement ... to find out why they signed.”

Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service who is executive director of Network, also said she was sad about Bishop Brandt’s decision but still believed the health reform legislation will not expand abortion funding.

“Because Network has interpreted health care policy and legislation for decades, we felt confident in our analysis of the bill’s language,” she said in an April 15 statement. “We have never disagreed about the moral question of abortion or federal funding of abortion. To us, extending health care to tens of millions of people who lack access continues to be a strongly pro-life position.”

Regarding the CHA membership of the Providence health system, Fred Caesar, CHA’s senior director of public affairs, told Catholic News Service in an e-mail April 16 that “the Bishop is the sponsor so he has the right to ask for a withdrawal of membership and we immediately granted his request.”

He said there was another hospital that has said it will not renew its membership, but he did not name it, saying it was up to the hospital to indentify itself.

A US Archbishop serving at the Vatican also criticized CHA and the nuns who supported passage of the health reform bill in comments reported at the Institute on Religious Life’s national meeting April 9 in Mundelein, Illinois.

According to a partial transcript published online by the American Papist blog, Archbishop Raymond L Burke, head of the Vatican’s Supreme Court and former archBishop of St Louis, said: “Who could imagine that consecrated religious would openly, and in defiance of the bishops as successors of the apostles, publicly endorse legislation containing provisions which violated the natural moral law in its most fundamental tenets -- the safeguarding and promoting of innocence and defenseless life, and fail to safeguard the demands of the free exercise of conscience for health care workers?”

He called it “an absurdity of the most tragic kind to have consecrated religious knowingly and obstinately acting against the moral law.” Archbishop Burke also criticised Religious congregations that “would openly organize to resist and attempt to frustrate an apostolic visitation, that is, a visit to their congregations carried out under the authority of the Vicar of Christ on earth, to whom all religious are bound by the strongest bonds of loyalty and obedience.”

Maronite has central role in establishing Israili state

Catholic displaced in 1948 to light torch for Israeli celebrations

BY JUDITH SUDILOVSKY Catholic News Service

JERUSALEM - Yossef Mtanes said it was not an easy decision to agree to be one of the symbolic torch lighters at the April 19 opening of Israel’s 62nd Independence Day celebrations.

An 82 year old Maronite Catholic, Mtanes was born in the northern village of Biram, which was destroyed during Israel’s 1948 war of independence. But Israel wanted to honor Mtanes for his actions as a 19 year old, when he worked in the offices in the then-British-run refinery. When a riot broke out in November 1947, Mtanes hid his six Jewish co-workers, protecting them from injury and possible death.

Since then, he also has worked to ensure ethnic Jews and Arabs live peacefully together.

“I want to emphasise that it was not an easy decision to take, it was not comfortable,” said Mtanes,

who today lives in Haifa, where he worked for more than 40 years and raised his six children. “It is not easy for me and the people of Biram. But I know it is a private honor for me personally and out of respect for me, for something

I did before the establishment of the state.”

Mtanes said his deep religious faith has directed his actions throughout his life.

“I believe in God and I believe that it is forbidden to kill an inno-

cent man,” he said. “What else could I have done? These were innocent people who had nothing to do with the violence going on outside. I am very proud that they have remembered me after 63 years and want to (show their respect) for me.”

On 15 April, five days before the opening ceremony, Mtanes came to Jerusalem along with the other 13 other torch lighters. They were honored with a medal in a special lunch at the Knesset and took part in the dress rehearsal of the official independence ceremony. His son, Kamil Mtanes, 52, said his father is a prominent member of the Maronite community in Israel and has been very active preserving its history. Biram, Mtanes’ native village, was destroyed by fledgling Israeli forces after the residents left voluntarily when they were promised they would be able to return within a short time.

Although the Israeli Supreme Court has ruled that the villagers were wrongfully removed from their village and many successive Israeli governments have supported the return of Biram’s residents, no government has actually taken

action to move the case forward.

In Haifa, Mtanes has seen the fruits of his co-existence work in the shape of numerous projects, including the annual winter Festival of Festivals, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the mostly Arab neighborhood of Wadi Nisnas, where years before Jews were afraid to enter. Yet, he said, he cannot be optimistic about the future of the country or region.

“In Haifa (co-existence) is working but not so much so in the rest of the country,” he said. “From what I hear in the streets I am pessimistic. People are always talking about peace, but there is no peace. The way the situation is today I am afraid there will be a disaster in all of the Middle East. Now everybody has missiles and the borders are irrelevant.

“Who knows where we are headed. Only God knows,” he added. “And I trust in him.”

He said that while Arab citizens of Israel are afforded social services similar to those offered Jewish citizens, work still needs to be done to assure equal treatment in other areas such as education and employment.

Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who is president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, is pictured in a 2007 file photo. In a 13 March statement she called on the House to pass the Senate’s health reform bill, saying is was not perfect but would “make the lives of millions more secure, and their coverage more affordable.” PHOTO: CNS/NANCY WIECHEC

Bruce Rogers of Falls Church, Va., holds a sign before the start of a community meeting on health reform at the South Lakes High School gymnasium in Reston, Virginia., in this Aug 2009 file photo. PHOTO: CNS/LARRY DOWNING, REUTERS

Israeli Arab Yossef Mtanes, 82, lights a torch during a rehearsal for Israel’s 62nd Independence Day ceremony in Jerusalem. Mtanes, a Maronite Catholic who has work for better relations between ethnic Jews and Arabs, is among 14 people invited to light a special torch on 19 April marking the establishment of the Israeli state.

PHOTO: CNS/DEBBIE HILL

PANORAMA

A roundup of events in the Archdiocese

Panorama entries must be in by 12pm Monday.

Contributions may be emailed to administration@therecord.com.au, faxed to 9227 7087, or mailed to PO Box 75, Leederville WA 6902.

Submissions over 55 words will be edited. Inclusion is limited to 4 weeks. Events charging over $10 will be put into classifieds and charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisement.

SATURDAY, 24 APRIL

Novena Devotions in Honour of Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankani

5pm at Holy Trinity Church, Embleton. Devotions will be followed by Holy Mass at 6pm. Enq: George 9272 1379 or 9271 5528.

Voice of the Voiceless

Ministry of Pope John Paul II

11.30am at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Corfield St and Isdell Pl, Gosnells. Adoration followed by Healing Mass with the Voice of the Voiceless Music Ministry at 12 noon, fellowship 1pm. Please bring a plate. All are welcome to attend.

FRIDAY, 30 APRIL

Charismatic Healing Rally

7pm, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Altone Rd and Morley Dve, Lockridge. Praise and Worship with guest speaker, Eddie Russell FMI. Come and experience the healing power of God working in your life! All welcome. Enq: Colleen 9377 5133, after 6pm or Shirley 9279 9165.

SATURDAY, 1 MAY

Day with Mary

9am-5pm at St Helena Parish, 55 Fortescue Pl, Ellenbrook. Day of prayer and instruction based on the Fatima message. 9am Video, 10.10am Holy Mass, Reconciliation, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons on Eucharist and Our Lady, Rosaries and Stations of the Cross. BYO lunch. Enq: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286.

SUNDAY, 2 MAY

Divine Mercy

1.30pm at St Francis Xavier’s Church, 25 Windsor St, Perth. Fr Joseph Asnaban will give Homily on Mother of Mercy. Enq: John 9457 7771.

TUESDAY, 4 MAY

St Peregine Mass

7.30pm Mass at St Denis Catholic Church, Joondana. Friends are invited to attend a special St Peregrine Healing, included in the Mass will be anointing of the Sick and blessing with the relic of St Peregrine. St Peregrine is the patron of cancer patients. Enq: Barbra 9328 8113.

THURSDAY, 6 MAY

Prayer and Meditation using Songs From Taize

7.30-8.30pm at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 3 Kitchener St, North Beach. I give you a new commandment to love one another.

FRIDAY, 7 MAY

Pro-Life Witness

9.30am at St Brigid’s Church, Midland. Mass followed by Rosary procession and prayer vigil at abortion clinic, led by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Come and pray for the conversion of hearts. Enq: Helen 9402 0349.

WEDNESDAY, 12 MAY

Chaplets of the Divine Mercy

7.30pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church, Dean Rd, Bateman. A beautiful, prayerful, sung devotion accompanied by Exposition and followed by Benediction. All are welcome. Enq: George 9310 9493 home or 9325 2010 work.

FRIDAY, 14 MAY

Divine Mercy Thanksgiving Mass

2-4pm at St Jerome’s Church, 36 Troode St, Munster. All

Divine Mercy Groups are invited to the 2nd Anniversary with a Healing Mass celebrated by Fr Sebastian Kalapurackal VC and Fr Vanghese Parackal VC. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Divine Mercy Chaplet followed by Mass, talk on Divine Mercy and Healing. Enq: Connie 9494 1495 or Edita 9418 3728.

SUNDAY, 16 MAY

Focolare Afternoon

2.30-4.30pm at the Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, Glendalough. All who would like to know more about the Focolare are most welcome. There will be a programme for children as well. Please come along and see how you can make a change in your lives.

MONDAY, 17 MAY  FRIDAY, 28 MAY

Tour of the Holy Land

12 day tour with Fr Roy Pereira visiting Sea of Galilee, Jericho, Masada, The Dead Sea, Bethany, Jerusalem and Cana. For cost, itinerary and more details, please contact: Francis Williams (Coordinator) T: 9459 3873 M: 0404 893 877 Email: francis@perthfamily.com.

FRIDAY, 28 MAY

Alan Ames

7pm at St Bernadette’s Church, Jugan St, Glendalough. Mass, followed by talk and healing service. Enq: George 9275 6608.

GENERAL NOTICES

Perpetual Adoration

Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is in its seventh year at Christ the King Church, Beaconsfield. Open 24 hours, except at Mass times. All welcome. Enq: Joe 9319 1169.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

The Church of St Jude in Langford is seeking to put together a visit to Jordan, the Holy Land and Egypt, leaving mid-August 2010. Expect the pilgrimage to be for circa 19 days and could accommodate 28-30 people. Fr Terry Raj will be the Spiritual Director. Enq: Matt 6460 6877, mattpicc1@gmail.com.

EVERY SUNDAY

Pilgrim Mass - Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation

2pm at Shrine, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Commencing with Rosary followed by Benediction. Reconciliation is available before every celebration. Anointing of the Sick administered during Mass every second Sunday of the month. Pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation, last Sunday of the month. Side entrance to the church and shrine open daily between 9am-5pm. Enq: SACRI 9447 3292.

EVERY SUNDAY AND MONDAY

Extraordinary Form of Latin Holy Mass 11am Sunday and 7.30pm Monday except 3rd Monday of the month, at St Joseph’s Parish, 20 Hamilton St, Bassendean.

EVERY 3RD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

Oblates of St Benedict 2pm at St Joseph’s Convent, York St, South Perth. Oblates affiliated with the Benedictine Abbey New Norcia welcome all who are interested in studying the rule of St Benedict and its relevance to the everyday life of today for lay people. Vespers and afternoon tea conclude meetings. Enq: Secretary 9457 2758.

EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life

2-3pm at Infant Jesus Parish, Wellington St, Morley. The hour includes Exposition of the Blessed Eucharist, silent prayer, Scripture and prayers of intercession. Come and

pray that those discerning vocations to the Priesthood or Religious life hear clearly God’s loving call to them.

LAST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Christian Spirituality Presentation

7.30-9.15pm at the Church Hall behind St Swithan’s Anglican Church, 195 Lesmurdie Rd, Lesmurdie. Stephanie Woods will present The Desert Period of Christianity, 260 to 600AD. From this time period came the understanding of the monastic lifestyle and contemplative prayer. No cost. Enq: Lynne 9293 3848.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Holy Spirit of Freedom Community

7.30pm at The Church of Christ, 111 Stirling St, Perth. Beginning from 10 March we are delighted to welcome everyone to attend our Holy Spirit of Freedom Praise Meeting. Enq: 9475 0155 or hsofperth@gmail.com.

EVERY 2ND WEDNESDAY

Year of the Priest Holy Hour

7-8pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2 Keaney Pl, City Beach. Reflections on St John Vianney, Patron Saint of Priests. Light refreshments later in the parish centre.

Chaplets of the Divine Mercy

7.30pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church, Dean Rd, Bateman. Commencing 10 February, a beautiful, prayerful, sung devotion accompanied by Exposition, and Benediction. All welcome. Enq: George 9310 9493 H or 9325 2010 W.

Businesses and Companies – Support our Youth Catholic Youth Ministry is looking for donation of prizes or financial support to help with diocesan youth events such as WYD in Forrest Pl, Inter-Parish Sand Sculpture Competition and the WYD Fundraising Ball. All contributions will be acknowledged. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. For more information, admin@cym. com.au or 9422 7912.

The Alliance, Triumph and Reign of the Two Hearts

Eucharistic Prayer Vigil and devotion to the Two Hearts for April but will recommence on the first Friday of May (7th) as usual at St Bernadette’s Church, Glendalough. Enq: Fr Doug Harris 9444 6131 or Dorothy 9342 5845.

Urgent News - for all Catholic Youth Connect with Catholic Youth Ministry Perth to engage in local events, parish youth groups, social events, retreats and much more. Visit our website: www.cym.com.au, mailing list to receive a monthly e-newsletter, or facebook group Catholic Youth Ministry Perth. Volunteer with us to meet new people and share your skills with the Church. Feel free to visit us, or call 9422 7912.

EVERY TUESDAY

Bible Teaching with a Difference

7.30pm at St Joachim’s Parish Hall, Shepparton Rd, Victoria Park. Exciting revelation with meaningful applications that will change your life. Meetings incorporate a Novena to God the Father. Light refreshments will follow. Bring along your Bible, a notebook and a friend. Enq: Jan 9284 1662.

EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Holy Hour for 2010 at Catholic Youth Ministry

5.30pm at The Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40A Mary St, Highgate. Mass, followed by Holy Hour at 6.30pm, dinner afterwards for a $5 donation. Enq: www.cym.com.au or call 9422 7912.

EVERY THURSDAY

Catholic Questions and Answers

7-7.30 pm at St Joseph’s Parish Centre, 20 Hamilton St, Bassendean. Catechesis learned easily with questions and answers. The Catechism of the Catholic Adult learning and deepening of the Catholic Faith, with Fr John Corapi DVD series, 7.30-9pm.

EVERY FRIDAY LUNCHTIME

12.15-12.45pm at The Wesley Uniting Church, William and Hay Sts, Perth. Christian Meditation comes to the City. Ecumenical Christian meditation as taught by Fr Laurence Freeman. All Welcome. Enq: CMC WA 9444 5810, Anne 9335 8142 or christianmeditation@iinet.net. au, www.christianmeditationaustralia.org.

FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Mass for Vocations

7pm at the Sisters of the Poor, 2 Rawlins St, Glendalough. Celebrated by Fr Dough Harris, followed by Holy Hour and Benediction, refreshments will follow.

Healing Mass

7pm at St Peter’s Church, 93 Wood St, Inglewood. Benediction, Praise and Worship followed by Mass with Fr Sam and Fr Joseph Tran as Celebrants, later fellowship. Enq: Priscilla 0433 457 352.

Communion of Reparation All Night Vigil

7pm-1am at Corpus Christi Church, Lochee St, Mosman Park. All are warmly invited to Holy Mass, Rosary, Confession and Adoration. Celebrant Fr Bogoni. Enq: Vicky 0400 282 357.

ACCOMMODATION

HOUSE TO LET Mt Hawthorn area, unfurnished 3 x 1 duplex approx 3 mths. June to August/ Sept. $350pw. 0410 222 398.

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

ESPERANCE 3 bedroom house f/furnished. Ph: 08 9076 5083.

GUADALUPE HILL TRIGG

www.beachhouseperth.com Ph: 0400 292 100.

AVAILABLE IN NORTH PERTH

AND NORTH BEACH. Rent negotiable according to circumstances. Enquiries to phone 08 9448 8109.

HEALTH

PSYCHOLOGY and PSYCHOTHERAPY

www.peterwatt.com.au Ph: 9203 5278.

L OSE WEIGHT SAFELY with natural products. Free ongoing support. 02 9807 5337.

ACHES & PAIN? Reflex

Relax Massage by Indian masseur. Jai 0438 520 993.

MASSAGE BY QUAL LADY for neck, back & sciatic. 22 years’ experience. Ph 9444 4409.

LAWNS

WRR LAWN MOWING and weed spraying. Get rid of bindii & jojo clovers. 9443 9243, or 0402 326 637, e-mail william.rao@iinet.net.au.

EVENTS

COLLEGIUM SYMPHONIC

CHORUS Subscribe and save.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

PERMANENT/PARTTIME

POSITION Field Officer for Centre for Liturgy, Catholic Archdiocese of Perth.

The Centre for Liturgy is currently looking for someone to take up the permanent part time position of Field Officer in a small office environment in Nollamara. This position is over approximately 2 days per week, working an average of 12 hours per week. These days and hours are flexible and include night and weekend work. To know more about this position and to apply, email the Centre for Liturgy on liturgy.centre@perthcatholic. org.au for the job description.

BOOK BINDING

BOOK REPAIR SERVICE

New book binding, general book repairs, rebinding, new ribbons; old leather bindings restored. Tydewi Bindery 9377 0005.

FURNITURE REMOVAL

ALL AREAS Mike Murphy

Ph: 0416 226 434.

TRADE SERVICES

BRENDON HANDYMAN

SERVICES Home, building maintenance, repairs and renovations. NOR. Ph 0427 539 588.

PLASTERING homes and renovations. Phone Neil 9390 6333.

BRICK REPOINTING

Ph: Nigel 9242 2952.

PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd

For all your residential, commercial painting requirements.

Ph: Tom Perrott 9444 1200.

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

CATHOLICS CORNER Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for Baptism, Communion and Confirmation. Ph: 9456 1777. Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Road, Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat.

OTTIMO Convenient city location for books, cds/dvds, cards, candles, statues, Bibles, medals and much more. Shop 108, Trinity Arcade (Terrace level), 671 Hay Street, Perth. Ph: 9322 4520. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm.

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, Ph: 9329 9889 (after 10.30am Mon to Sat). We are here to serve.

KINLAR VESTMENTS Quality hand-made and decorated vestments: Albs, Stoles, Chasubles, altar linen, banners etc. 12 Favenc Way, Padbury. By appointment only. Ph: Vicki 9402 1318 or 0409 114 093.

SETTLEMENTS

ARE YOU BUYING OR SELL

ING real estate or a business? Why not ask Excel Settlements for a quote for your settlement. We offer reasonable fees, excellent service and no hidden costs. Ring Excel on 9481 4499 for a quote. Check our website on www.excelsettlements.com.

VOLUNTEER

Conductor: Margaret Pride. Bach & Beyond, Mass in G, Cantata No 147, Brandenburg Concerto No 3. Sunday, 16 May 2010 at 2pm, at St Joseph’s Church, 1 Salvado Rd, Subiaco. CSC Box Office: 9252 0002.

SPIRITUAL INTEREST

ENNEAGRAM WORKSHOP

From a Christian perspective. Led by the upper room team. The best way to understand others and ourselves. $120. 1 & 2 May, Rockingham Church Hall. Bookings/Enquiries 9593 4918.

PICASSO PAINTING Top service.

Ph: 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505.

MINI EXCAVATOR HIRE

Trenching and civil works. Daniel Mob: 0428 170 379.

VOLUNTEER WORK WITH SOME PAY Loving for Life WA presents Christian Sexuality and Relationship programmes to school and community groups within Western Australia. If you believe in the goodness of life and married love, and are looking for a meaningful occupation, we invite you to join our team.

Training provided. Express your interest to Loving For Life WA on 0419945277 or contact us through our webpage: lovingforlife.org.au Next educator intake 4th May 2010. Billings LIFE Leaders in Fertility Education

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Sample some of the wonderful world of books at The Record Bookshop

GALILEO IN ROME

By William R Shae and Mariano Artigas

$39.95 + postage

A unique look at the life and trial of Galileo that will provide a strikingly different view of an event that has come to epitomise the Church’s supposed antagonism toward science.

HANDBOOK FOR TODAY’S CATECHIST

By Ginger Infantino

$8.95 + postage

An invaluable and easy-to-use handbook that provides answers and support for catechists, religion teachers and for parents as they teach their children about Catholicism.

“I’M NOT BEING FED!”

Discovering the food that satisfies the soul

By Jeff Cavins

Book - $23.95 + postage

Audio CD – $17.95 + postage

This inspiring and entertaining author and speaker explores the reasons why many Catholics do not seem to understand and appreciate the Holy Eucharist and explains why it is the only food that will truly satisfy our souls.

MINISTRY OR APOSTOLATE?

What Should the Catholic Laity Be Doing?

By Russell Shaw

$19.95 + postage

By making the distinction between lay ministry (service roles in parishes and programs of the Church) and lay apostolate (carrying the Gospel values out into the world) this book gives a surprising and provocative answer to the question it asks.

DAY-BY-DAY PRAYERS

Written and compiled by Mary Joslin

Illustrated by Amanda Hall

$24.95 + postage

This beautifully illustrated collection draws deeply into Christian tradition and provides words and prayers for different moods and occasions and will help children find God all around them.

A CHILD’S BOOK OF SAINTS

By Christopher Doyle

Illustrated by Maria Cristina Lo Cascio

$17.95 + postage

A colourful and inspiring collection of the stories behind some of the most well known and not so well known saints that will uplift all ages.

COMPENDIUM OF SOCIAL DOCTRINE

From the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace

$39.95 + postage

This compendium is designed to stand alongside the Catechism of the Catholic Church as an authoritative summary of the Church’s teachings on what should underpin a healthy society, politics and economy.

Adult Faith Education courses

Maranatha Institute for Adult Faith Education - Catholic Education Centre, 50 Ruislip Street Leederville Ph 6380 5160, Fax 6380 5162

Email: maranatha@ceo.wa.edu.au

DAYTIME COURSES - 8 weeks Cost $50

Tuesday 27th April – Friday 18th June

Tuesdays: 9.30am -12.00pm Following Christ in the Third Age of Life 1.00pm - 3.30pm Faith and Doing Justice

Thursdays : 9.30am – 12.00pm Prophetic Voices – Old and New 1.00pm - 3.30pm Catholic Spiritual Traditions for Today

Fridays: 9.30am -12.00pm Gospel of Luke 2010

EVENING COURSES – 6 weeks Cost $35

Monday 3rd May – Wednesday 9th June - 7.00pm -9.00pm

Monday: Beginning Theology Gospel of Luke 2010

Wednesday: “The Stranger in Our Midst” The Church’s outreach to migrants and refugees

The Bible, an Introduction