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OFF TO HELSINKI: Kelmscott farewells a popular priest Page 4 FOR THE CHILDREN: How we can help the children of the world VISTA 1-3
Mother Teresa is coming to Perth.
A film about the world’s most famous missionary, also known as the Angel of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) commenced screening at Regent Piccadilly Cinemas in Perth on July 21 and will start screening at Pioneer Regent Cinemas in Armadale on July 28.
The film details the life the Albanian nun who lived among the poorest of the poor in Kolkata, feeding and housing abandoned children, lepers and the dying.
Regent Cinemas is also touring Western Australia to make the film available to people in the Pilbara and North-West.
One dollar from the sale of each ticket will be going towards the work of Catholic Mission.
Director of Catholic Mission Francis Leong said screening of the film is a great opportunity to evangelise.
“This will allow Catholic Mission to be at the frontline in the care and protection of children around the world.”
Catholic Mission – known internationally as the Pontifical Mission Societies – is the Pope’s main missionary instrument across the globe.
Catholic Mission Funding is used to help people in India today – in 2004 more than $385, 000 was sent directly from Australia to help
Continued on Page 4
An American Bishop has announced that engaged couples across the diocese will have to be instructed in the theology of the body and complete an approved course in natural family planning before they can marry in the Catholic Church.
Bishiop Samuel Aquila of Fargo announced the new policy on July 18. It takes effect from September 8.
The Fargo diocesan communications office said the Denver Archdiocese is the only other one in the US that requires completion of a natural family planning course before marriage. The Fargo Diocese covers the eastern half of North Dakota and has about 78,000 Catholics.
Bishop Aquila said the policy arose “out of a genuine concern for the right formation of conscience, the understanding of the truth, dignity and meaning of human sexuality and the responsibilities a couple
■ By Jamie O’Brien
The Archdiocese of Sydney is so confident it will be hosting the next World Youth Day in 2008 it is already advertising two full time positions.
The positions for an Archdiocesan Director of Marketing and Communications and a Director of Evangelisation and Catechesis for World Youth Day 2008 were advertised in The Record on June 30.
The Director of Marketing and Communications will be responsi-
The Bishop heading the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia and New Zealand unveiled the title and structure of the first modern Catechism for Ukrainian Catholics.
ble for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy and oversee the WYD website and registration packages.
The Director of Evangelisation and Catechesis will be responsible for working closely with local and international stakeholders to ensure the success of the event.
Spokespersons from the Sydney Archdiocesan offices declined to confirm whether World Youth Day will take place in Sydney in 2008, instead saying the decision will not be formally announced until
August 21 by Pope Benedict XVI, at the conclusion of the World Youth Day in Cologne.
Prime Minister John Howard has thrown his full support behind the bid, sending three delegates with the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, to Rome last weekend to submit the formal proposal to the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
An unnamed source said there is also considerable doubt as to whether any other country has placed a bid.
In the advertisements placed in The Record, the Archdiocese of
Sydney said, “Sydney has recently submitted a bid to host the World Youth Day in 2008.”
“By hosting this event the Archdiocese of Sydney aspires to provide an occasion and space for young people to make a pilgrimage in faith, experience hospitality, be evangelised and receive catechesis…”
Furthermore, in a World Youth day meeting held in Sydney recently, officials showed a video that was used for the formal proposal.
“The bid is more than 95 per cent in the bag” the source said.
Meet Sister Baptista who, at 100 years of age, can recall a life as a Religious dedicated to serving others longer than most people have been alive.
The month of May saw the end of 116 years of dedicated work by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition in Northam.
The three remaining Sisters – Sr Jacqueline Jones, Sr Aemelia Whitely and Sr Anne-Marie Hughes were present at the farewell Mass on May 1, presided over by Archbishop Hickey.
116 years earlier, Sr Columba Jordan, Sr Gertrude Cambell and Sr Mary Joseph Collins were part of the founding community in May 1889.
Sr Anne Marie said it was the first sisters, who in the spirit of Sr Emilie de Vialar, the founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition, were remarkable for their great faith in God.
Northam Mayor Ray Head presented the Sisters with a plaque, saying that it was remarkable that the convent started with three sisters and finished with three.
“The sisters shouldered the entire responsibility for education from 1889 to 1948 until the Marist Brothers took over the role of educating the boys with the exception of lower primary level,” Mayor Head said.
Sr Jacqueline said the sisters would remember Northam fondly.
“It is so very special and precious.
“We did not realise what a wonderful town it was.”
Sr Anne-Marie said the first convent was a small, rented cottage in Wellington Street,
It was in this church the Sisters opened their first school, beginning with nine pupils. But the numbers increased rapidly.
After a year the Northam community helped the Sisters organise fundraising to build a new convent, which is now part of the school premises.
“In those early years,” said Sr Anne Marie, “the Community lived the missionary spirit of St Emilie by being involved in the school and Church communities, spending their days teaching and vis-
iting the sick and needy after school.”
“Their spiritual lives were nourished by reading and living out the exhortations in the letters received from the General Superior who lived in the Mother House in France.”
The Sisters were also part of establishing the first co-educational school in 1971, together with the Marist Brothers and lay staff.
The three sisters have been re-located
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to other houses of the congregation. Sr Aemelia, who was in Northam for six years, has gone to Canning Vale. Sr Jacqeuline, in Northam for 11 years, will be based in Kalamunda and Sr AnneMarie, in Northam for four years, is now at Beaconsfield.
Since the Sisters’ departure, a group of lay Catholics from Toodyay has come to together to see how they can continue the Sisters ministry.
■ By Mark Reidy
W hen Englishman Damian Stayne personally witnessed a blind person’s sight restored under the ministry of a visiting Indian priest, it opened his own eyes to the reality of God’s healing power. Since that day Damian’s faith has come a long way.
He founded the Cor et Lumen Christi Community in Surrey, England in 1990 and now travels the world demonstrating the miraculous healing power of God and training others to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Cor et Lumen Christi is a Latin phrase which means “Heart and Light of Christ’.
Damian will be in Perth from July 29-31 as a guest of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal committee and will lead a weekend of practical training in the spiritual gifts and offer a Healing and Ministry outreach.
After witnessing the miracle worked by the Indian priest and then reading about the healing ministry of an early 20th century Pentecostal preacher, Mr Stayne realised that his own faith was lacking.
He undertook a life of prayer and repentance and asked God to deepen his faith and to use him as an instrument for healing.
At a Conference he found himself confronted with a woman in a wheelchair. After praying over her with members of his community, the woman began to walk and then run without pain. According to Mr Stayne she is still healed five years later.
Since then Mr Stayne has trained thousands in the charismatic gifts and says he has seen many thousands of healings.
He says that in the last year alone 18,700 people have publicly witnessed to receiving physical healings during their services and rallies and that these have been recorded on film.
Mr Stayne and his team have also conducted schools or conferences which consist of praise and worship, teaching, preaching, healing and ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit, Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Perth School of Charism will be held at Trinity College in East Perth.
Those wanting further information can contact Dan Hewitt at wk: (08) 9360 7400 or (hm) 9398 4973.
“The report of the Inquiry by Mr Mick Palmer into Immigration Detention has highlighted serious mental health issues within the immigration detention regime”, Bishop Joseph Grech, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Migrants and Refugees, said recently.
“The report resulted from the detention of Cornelia Rau, and is the last of a number of inquiries that have found that Detention Centers are ill-equipped to deal with the mental health and well-being needs of detainees”.
“The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) should concentrate on improving its role in the refugee determination process,” he said.
“It should ensure that care of asylum seekers, including children and the mentally ill, is the responsibility of qualified practitioners”.
Bishop Grech welcomed the fact that the Prime Minister, both
NAPLES, Fla. (CNS) - Ave Maria University in Florida announced on July 8 the establishment of the Terri Schindler Schiavo scholarship for students in the university’s pretheologate program who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
The initial idea for the scholarship came from Joseph Grady, the father of an Ave Maria University student and president of an apostolate that promotes the Divine Mercy devotion. University
personally and on behalf of the Government, had apologised to Cornelia Rau and Vivian Alvarez, the person who was wrongfully deported to the Philippines.
He also extended his sympathy to the two women.
Finally, Bishop Grech hoped that the Palmer Report would present yet another occasion for the Federal Government to review the policy of mandatory detention.
A start was made recently due to the efforts of the Hon Petro Georgiou and other members of the Government.
“But there is still a way to go” he said.
“The Government should cease to ignore the viable and effective alternatives to detention that various people have been proposing for a number of years.
“These alternatives are well-developed, and can help solve the serious problems of the present mandatory detention system”.
leaders hope the scholarship will assist future priests as well as lay people “in creating and developing a Catholic culture of life.”
Jesuit Father Joseph Fessio, the university’s provost, said the scholarship will commemorate Schiavo’s life and promote a positive message. “Terri’s death was a tragedy not only to her family, but for the entire country,” he said. “But it can also be a new beginning in renewing the conscience of Americans; and this type of pro-life scholarship will certainly contribute to that.” - CNS
Over 3million copies distributed world wide
New edition revised and extended in collaboration with the Vatican’s Congregation of the Clergy
TThis beautifully illustrated book is an introduction to the basics of the Catholic Faith and is addressed above all to families, but could also serve as a basic text for laity, priests and religious involved in religious education. The publication of this book is a response to the 'growing demand' for a compact introduction to the full Catechism of the Catholic Church. The book has met with 'great interest' among the faithful and is aimed at young people and adults.
Inspiring illustrations give this catechism an added dimension to help convey the spirit of the Gospel along
a copy
An overwhelming success in Australia with the previous edition of 20,000 copies selling out in less than 12 months.
with its message. The catechism is 208 pp and measures 210mm by 148mm. The first part of the book is based upon the Apostles Creed. Each article of the Creed is explained in a separate chapter and illustrated with examples from the Bible. The second part is devoted to the Sacraments, the life of Jesus, prayer in the Christian life and an explanation of the Lord's Prayer. The book is based on the universal Catechism and has been approved by the Catholic Church. A lovely gift idea and every copy you buy enables us to send more copies overseas to those who are hungry for the Word of God.
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For over 155 years the Sisters of Mercy have provided wonderful aged care and community services from the Wembley site.
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It was a bittersweet moment for parishioners of Good Shepherd Parish in Kelmscott when they gathered to farewell Fr Melvin Llabanes at last Sunday’s 10am Mass.
Parishioners were sad to be seeing their popular priest leave.
But deep down they would have admitted they were happy that he will be going to where he is needed more.
Fr Melvin is off to Finland, initially for a three year period.
At the farewell Mass Fr Melvin was commissioned by Archbishop Barry Hickey to be a missionary in Finland; the Archbishop also prayed over Fr Melvin, along with parishioners, for the success of his mission.
Finland is covered by one diocese which has only seven parishes.
Fr Llabanes’ departure emerged from a meeting of bishops in Israel earlier this year.
Most of the bishops head dioceses containing Neocatechumenal missionary seminaries.
At the meeting Bishop Józef Wróbel of Helsinki met Archbishop Barry Hickey and asked him if he could spare any priests for work in his own diocese.
After his return to Perth Archbishop Hickey asked Fr Melvin if he would be willing to go; the answer was yes.
Finland will be a big change for Fr Melvin.
Originally from the Philippines, he undertook studies through the Redemptoris Mater archdiocesan missionary seminary in Morley.
The seminary is run under the auspices of the Neocatechumenal Way.
Priests from the seminary are ordained for the archdiocese of Perth but may be released by
Archbishop Hickey for missionary work elsewhere.
Finland is probably as opposite to Western Australia as one could get.
In winter the sun does not rise for months. Snow covers the countryside for much of the year in the far northern nation.
In his farewell speech Fr Melvin thanked parishioners for their love, support, hospitality, encouragement and patience over the years he has been stationed in Kelmscott.
“I pray that God gives you the rewards you deserve, and I ask you to pray for me,” he said, especially
Pregnancy Assistance has been supporting an overseas student who has courageously chosen to preserve the life of her unborn baby, despite extraordinary difficulties.
This young woman will need a caring home to provide support for her and her baby, for at least 3 months, after giving birth in midAugust.
For further information on how you can assist her, please phone:
Helen 9402 0349 or Pat 9381 3892 or leave your name and contact number with Lydia at Pregnancy Assistance 9328 2926.
Some issues the mother faces:
● Father of the baby deserted her
● Her family have disowned her
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Baby is due to be born on 15th August
asking the children of the parish to pray for him.
“Life is full of surprises,” he told his congregation.
“As we heard in the readings at Mass Jesus will be with us to the end of time. I have experienced His love and His mercy and I believe God will continue to accompany me in this mission.”
Speaking of incoming priest Fr Francis Sundararajan he said “I know you will love and support Fr Francis as you have loved and supported me.”
After Mass a farewell morning tea was provided by parishioners in the parish hall.
I n a society that, at times, appears determined to undermine the value of family and the preciousness of life, the inaugural Committee for Family and for Life Newsletter is a breath of fresh air.
The recently released edition is the first of a bi-monthly production that will inform Parishes, schools and families within the archdiocese of Perth of organisations, events and resources available which promote the sanctity of family and life.
The first issue includes an endorsement from Bishop Don Sproxton, a member of the Committee, who also provides a brief history of its origins.
“The Committee for Family and for Life was called together initially by Bishop Healy as a local response to an initiative of the Australian Bishops,” he said.
Among the Committee’s goals, he explains, are to encourage and promote the vocation and spirituality of marriage and the family, to encourage and promote respect and love for human life from conception to death, to inform bishops and leaders of relevant issues regarding these areas and to develop networks and dialogue within the Archdiocese.
Committee Chairperson Marion Bogue explained that the newsletter could also be used as a forum for Catholic people to advertise any events that will support families and the sacredness of life.
To receive the Newsletter or to contact the Committee ring Natalie at L J Goody Bioethics Centre on (08) 9242 4066 or Committee Member
Marion Bogue on (08) 9330 2346 or Barbara Harris on 08 9328 8113.
children in India with basic necessities such as shelter, medicines, healthcare and education.
The movie was filmed in Sri Lanka and Italy and focuses on the life of the simple nun, who although small in stature, showed the world that unconditional faith and strength of spirit are much more formidable forces than size or power alone.
Mother Teresa never owned more than a blue and white sari, yet she influenced the decisions of some of the world’s most powerful people.
In 1950, she established her own religious order called the Missionaries of Charity that continues her work throughout the world today.
In 1979, Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Golden Globe award-winning actor Olivia Hussey portrays the character of Mother Teresa.
Viewers see Hussey as Mother Teresa caring for abandoned children, mentally ill and handicapped individuals, lepers, the indigent, the aged, and the dying.
The film’s simple approach – demonstrating Mother Teresa’s desire to build the ‘City of Peace,’ an area with schools, accommodation and housing for the poorshows that with determination and prayer, the spirit of Christ can burn brightly in individuals, dispelling the staggering dimensions of pain, poverty, and human misery in the world.
Olivia Hussey wrote to Pope John Paul II last year regarding the movie and her role and received a letter back offering the Pope’s apostolic blessing.
accepts in married love. Through my personal experience in preparing couples for marriage and through discussions with priests, I have seen a great need for this instruction to help couples fully live the sacrament of marriage,” he said. “Young adults are bombarded with negative images of sexuality, with attitudes that demean the marital
commitment and with lies about the so-called ‘freedom’ contraception provides,” he added. “They need to know and they deserve to know the plan that God has for them regarding their sexuality and the conjugal love they will share as husband and wife.”
The policy says that:
- Couples preparing for marriage “shall receive an introduction to the church’s teaching on conjugal
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love, modeled after John Paul II’s theology of the body during their interview with their parish priest, deacon or qualified married couple.”
- They will participate in a Marriage Preparation weekend that will include a presentation on natural family planning. It will also include at least a one-hour introduction to the theology of the body, which the late pope outlined in 129 general audience talks in the early years of his pontificate.
- They must complete “a full course of instruction in a method of natural family planning” from an instructor approved by the diocese. A certificate of attendance is to be given to the parish priest, who is to place it in the couple’s marriage file. For couples entering a second marriage, past training and experience will be taken into account, the policy says. It says if they are still of childbearing years, the instruction in natural family planning is expected unless “previous equivalent training is already present.”
Couples beyond childbearing years are to receive instruction in the theology of the body but need not learn natural family planning, it says. The Perth Archdiocese requires couples to attend a marriage preparation course conducted by Catholic Marriage Education Services which includes information on the theology of marriage and natural family planning.
■ By Peter Rosengren
The basic structure and title of the first comprehensive Catechism for Ukrainian Catholics were unveiled in Perth, Western Australia, on July 9.
Those responsible for writing it also hope it will begin to help Ukrainian Catholics around the world recover their full identity given that their Church has effectively suffered from ‘Latinisation’ by Roman Catholic influences in recent centuries, said the Bishop responsible for overseeing its production.
Eparch Peter Stasiuk CSsR, the Melbourne-based eparch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia and New Zealand, made his comments at a Perth dinner held to raise funds for Ukrainian Catholic publishing efforts.
Eparch Stasiuk also chairs the Synodal Catechetical Commission of the Ukrainian Catholic Church which meets in Lviv in Ukraine. ‘Eparch’ is the eastern Christian title for ‘bishop.’
There are approximately 8 millionplus Ukrainian Catholics throughout the world, 6 million of which live in Ukraine. There are approximately 35,000 Ukrainian Catholic in Australia.
The planned 2007 publication of the document would be the result of urgings by Pope John Paul II to Ukrainian Catholics to produce their own Catechism and in the process move closer to their original identity and roots, Eparch Stasiuk told those attending the dinner held in the Perth suburb of Bassendean.
The new Catechism is titled ‘Christ our Pashka’; ‘Pashka’ is the Ukrainian term for ‘Easter’, he said.
The catechism, a draft of which is currently 600 pages long, will be divided into three sections: ‘our Faith,’ ‘our Prayer,’ and ‘our Life’ Eparch Stasiuk said.
“Since 1814 our Church and faithful have become instilled with Roman Catholic teaching…” Eparch Stasiuk told his audience.
“We attend Roman Catholic schools, we read their religious literature and we have become more or less immersed in Roman Catholic theology and tradition. No wonder our Church is deeply Latinised to the extent that we have become so comfortable that we do not even see a need to change or to rediscover our own roots and traditions,” Eparch Stasiuk said.
Now, he said, was the right time to create a Ukrainian Catholic catechism.
“That time is now upon us. It is time for all of us to realize the serenity of our own Ukrainian soul. It is time to take the bold steps necessary to place into the hands of [Ukrainian Catholics] a depository of faith, on what it means to be a Ukrainian Catholic. In other words, what is it exactly that our Catholic-Orthodox tradition introduced officially into Ukraine when Volodymyr the Great accepted Baptism from the Church of Constantinople in 988?…
What is the Holy See now specifically telling us to rediscover? What are our own religious roots and traditions?
Christ our Pashka “will reflect our Ukrainian Byzantine theology. It is a depository of the faith which reflects our 1000 year-old Kievan tradition.”
“The underlining thread that will keep the catechism” will be the prayers of St Basil the Great recited during the act of Consecration during the liturgy, he said.
“The spirituality that we speak of here is at the very heart of our soul. Our Church is our liturgy, our spirituality and tradition is liturgical. These themes will be presented both theologically and practically.”
The first section will explore the Nicene Creed, the Ukrainian Catholic liturgy and how God has revealed himself. The section will also cover the Trinity, Scripture, the Incarnation and Resurrection, the fall of humanity, the promise of the realisation of the kingdom of God in this world and the Church.
“It is time for all of us to realise the serenity of our own Ukrainian soul.” - Eparch Stasiuk
The second section focuses on prayer and the liturgy and will follow the cycles of the day and the year in the prayer life of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
The last part of the catechism will be dedicated to morality.
“The basic indications of the life of a person in Christ, morality, freedom, responsibility, moral law, conscience, teaching on Christian virtues and even a notion of sin, are developed in this section,” Eparch Stasiuk said.
“We stress that Christian morality flows from our being a new creation in Christ through our baptism. This is what gives us the strength to respond to God’s call to holiness and makes us able to fulfil His law in love – love for God, love for His people, and love for all His
Creation... We speak of the Christian understanding of family life in marriage which makes the domestic Church. We speak of human sexuality, indissolubility of marriage and the fruitfulness of family life.
“We address the question of protecting this dignity from the beginning to the end of life.
“The catechism also addresses the moral principles of life within society; how moral foundations are the building blocks of social order – the common good, communal relations and the just sharing of God’s resources. On this basis is found a Christian understanding of government, the economy and the right for recreation. We speak of war and peace and the common life of global friendship.
“Christian faith, empowered by the presence of the Risen Christ through the Holy Spirit, are the starting points for a discussion about our responsibility for God’s creation, about Christian stewardship of our ecology – all this in anticipation of the new heaven and the new earth.
“Our Ukrainian Catholic Catechism, indeed the Ukrainian Catholic Church, needs to speak about all of this because our people in Ukraine and in every part of our immigration want to know what Jesus has to say about these things.”
The first Ukrainian catechism was produced by Ukrainian Catholic saint and martyr St Josephat in 1618.
Subsequent catechisms in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries were strongly influenced by Roman Catholicism and helped introduce Latin Christian theology into an Eastern Christian Church, in the process marginalising Eastern theology and traditions and ways of understanding faith, he said.
Sources to be used in the Ukrainian Catholic Catechism will include “Sacred Scripture, the works of the Eastern Fathers of the Church, the teaching of the Ukrainian Catholic Fathers such as Metropolitan Andrei (Sheptytsky) and Patriarch Joseph, the decrees of the Synods of our Church, our liturgical texts, the lives of our Saints and Blesseds, sacred art, in particular our iconography, the teachings and documents of the Universal Catholic Church and, of course, last but not least, the teaching Magisterium of the Universal Church,” said Eparch Stasiuk. Like the Catechism of the Catholic Church produced in 1992, Christ our Pashka will abandon the question-andanswer format popular in past catechisms.
A senior Russian priest said the Vatican has not disowned the country’s Eastern Catholic Church in order to improve CatholicOrthodox ties, as the Russian Orthodox Church has claimed.
“The Eastern Catholic Church is fully recognised - it has canonical status and a bishop of its own,” said Fr Igor Kovalevsky, secretary-general of the Russian bishops’ conference.
“Neither the Catholic Church in Russia nor the Holy See has deserted Russian Catholics of the Eastern rite. On the contrary, we are providing pastoral care for them and have every interest in continuing this,” he said.
In late June, the Russian Orthodox Church’s Moscow Patriarchate said that in a letter to Orthodox officials Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Vatican nuncio to Russia, described the
Eastern Catholic Church as an “illegal establishment.”
In a telephone interview, Fr Kovalevsky told Catholic News Service that an August 2004 meeting of Eastern Catholics in Sargatskoye, Russia, announced the revival of an Eastern Catholic Russian exarchate, but the meeting was held without the knowledge or approval of the Vatican. An exarchate is a church jurisdiction for Eastern Catholics sometimes similar to a diocese.
“The archbishop merely stated in his letter that this meeting was a private initiative by a group of individuals and had taken place without knowledge and agreement by appropriate church authorities,” Fr Kovalevsky said.
He said a bishop had been appointed ordinary for Eastern Catholics in the Russian Federation in 2004, so the Eastern Catholic community had not been “abandoned,” as the Russian Orthodox Church claimed.
“Any suggestion that we’re ready to reject them for the sake of relations with the Russian Orthodox Church is a journalistic invention, a total misunderstanding,” he said. - CNS
It has been a long time coming, but Warren Anderson’s pursuit of $50 million from the WA Government is on our doorstep and be occupying prominent space in our morning newspaper and our evening news. Whether he wins or loses in the courts of justice, Anderson will be doing us all a favour by reminding us of just how easily a democratic government can become corrupt and how complete the process can be.
The Anderson case is part of the murky residue of the period that became known as the WA Inc years. In reality, it was the period 1983-93 when a succession of Labor Governments led the State through a series of corrupt business dealings which cost us more than a billion dollars and our international reputation for exemplary dealings with local and international businesses. It was also the period when the fundamental principle that a Member who lies to Parliament must resign was abandoned in a myriad of deceits in both Houses of Parliament. The period began with the election of Brian Burke in February 1983 and did not end until Carmen Lawrence was defeated by Richard Court in February 1993.
The corruption began very early with the almost-forgotten “Chinese restaurant case” when the Government tried to force the Stirling City Council to grant an illegal town planning advantage to the Labor Party in order to gain the party’s Stirling division an income. Burke and successive planning Ministers, Peter Dowding and Bob Pearce, were directly involved, but the Stirling City Council held firm. Of the three MPs, only Bob Pearce later volunteered a public admission that it was wrong and an apology for his part in it (published in an interview in The Sunday Times).
I was both puzzled and disturbed by the prominence you gave this week to the review by Andrew Mullins of the book One Notion Under Therapy.
Accurate reporting of Roman documents demands greater care than was evident in the CNS account of the Instrumentum laboris for the coming Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist, which appeared in your last issue.
Allow me to correct just three of the more obvious errors in that report.
To begin with, it is essential to understand that the Instrumentum laboris is a compilation of responses from bishops around the world, who reported both good and bad news in local Eucharistic practice.
The document itself recounts many wholesome and praiseworthy practices which you did not report. Neither did you report that, concerning liturgical abuses, the document says these ‘should not lead to great alarm, since they seem to be limited. Nevertheless, they ought to spur serious reflection on how to eliminate them.’ (33)
Secondly, the document does not say that ‘fewer Catholics are going to Confession (and) as a result, many Catholics are living in a state of mortal sin when they receive Communion’.
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Compared with the huge sums of money involved in subsequent deals, this was very small beer, indeed, but it was a demonstration by a new government in its first few months in office that it would ignore the law in order to achieve its own advantage. The slippery slope was firmly in place. It was also an illuminating example of how easily the media were seduced by the “excitement” of a new Labor Government full of hot air and little else. The Premier and Ministers kept claiming they were acting on “sound planning principles”, but no journalist ever asked the obvious question, What principles? There was none.
Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax: (08) 9227 7087 cathrec@iinet.net.au
The major financial disasters of the era were dealt with in the WA Inc Royal Commission, but there were other aspects of the period that ought to be remembered. One was Burke’s intention to so change the public service that no future Liberal Government would be able to work with it. No doubt there was the usual hyperbole in that, but it was a fact and it remains a fact that the relationship between the public service and the elected government has never fully recovered from those days.
Efforts by the Royal Commission and subsequently the commission on government to rectify matters were futile exercises in trying to put bureaucracy in charge of democracy. It does not work. If democracy is to survive as a truly effective form of government, it must be based on two fundamental principles: the first is respect for the life and dignity of every person, and the second is a firm commitment to truth. Without these, democracy is meaningless. After all, Parliament and government exist and have authority only because it is granted by the collective will of the people; and since the elected always speak with the authority of the people, it should be anathema that they would lie, at least when speaking in Parliament. It would take a brave and charitable man to declare that these principles are honoured in our Parliament today.
The integrity of governments is often reflected in the governed. Late in the WA Inc years, there was a march by about 20,000 citizens from the city to Parliament House to appeal for an end to the spiraling crime rates in our State. Those who knew what was going on could only watch in a mixture of sadness and horror as people marched to the centre of our democracy seeking strength without knowing that it was actually the seat of the cancer.
The “Chinese restaurant” principle that the law must be obeyed unless it is inconvenient has now become the general moral law. Life is sacred unless it is inconvenient (abortion) or unless I think I can get a benefit from it (destructive research on living embryos).
The only good thing that could be said about the WA Inc years is the remarkable forgiveness shown by the people of WA at successive elections, and at subsequent elections that have seen people closely involved in the WA Inc years retained in Parliament and in power. Forgiveness is a great virtue, but one cannot help feeling it has been less a matter of forgiveness than a desperate hope that we could not have been betrayed so badly as we were.
Real forgiveness is necessary, but at the same time we all have a responsibility to keep insisting that we want to see the real standards of our democracy fully restored.
Puzzled because the work being reviewed so clearly dealt with the situation in the USA, Andrew Mullins does not apparently provide any evidence to suggest that the situation in Australia is similar. Why is this article being given such prominence?
Disturbed for two reasons Firstly it would I am sure be of some interest to your readers to know that Andrew Mullins is writing from a particular philosophical standpoint. The school of which he is the principal is a small independent school run by Pared, an international organisation under the auspices of Opus dei. Its philosophy on parental involvement in education, indeed on the very nature of education, is distinctive. This seems to me to be information which should have been given to your readers so that they in turn may evaluate his comments.
Secondly because to judge by his review the authors of the work in question appear to be caricaturing current counselling philosophy and practice, certainly as applied to young people, and Andrew Mullins appears in turn to be caricaturing their caricature.
The excellent work being done in Australia on resilience building in young people, which is providing the basis for the thinking of both school personnel and parents, is very different from the picture painted by Andrew Mullins. For instance it routinely gives considerable prominence to the role of the family in supporting and nurturing the wellbeing of our young people, as well as stressing the importance of the spiritual dimension of this.
I trust that your paper will, in the interests of journalistic balance, give it equally prominent coverage.
Dr Margaret Ker Mt Lawley“For all Christians: may they share the message of the Gospel with all its radical demands while showing respect for the beliefs and opinions of others.”
Mission intention: “For the baptised all over the world: whatever their state of life may they be committed to transforming the world with the light of the Gospel.”
The document does examine the role of the Sacrament of Penance in relation to receiving Communion, because the ‘faithful frequently receive Holy Communion, without even thinking that they might be in the state of mortal sin.’ (22)
In fact, it says, ‘many faithful know that they cannot receive communion while in mortal sin, (but) they do not have a clear idea of what constitutes mortal sin.’ (22)
It is one’s consciousness of mortal sin which bars one from receiving the Sacrament, since to do so while aware of one’s mortal sin would be a fundamental contradiction. The document calls for appropriate catechesis on this point.
It also notes that such catechesis ‘should emphasize the power of the Eucharist to pardon venial sins’ (49), and also that ‘venial sins are pardoned in the Penitential Rite at the beginning of Mass.’ (81)
Finally, nowhere does the document say that ‘lay people can have an important but minimal presence in Masses’.
In considering appropriate personal and communal preparation for the celebration of Mass, the document notes that sometimes priests can be distracted by many material things that have to be done before Mass.
The faithful, too, can get caught up in these distractions which adversely impact on their participation in the celebration.
Rather than this, the document recommends that the faithful ‘contribute to a dignified celebration of the Sacred Mysteries and to creating a serene climate for the Eucharistic liturgy’ by minimising their participation in the material preparation for Mass. (43)
Indeed, contrary to your report but in line with authentic Catholic teaching, the document stresses that ‘the faithful’s participation at the Eucharist (should) be full, conscious and active’ (51) since the liturgy ‘manifests that the People of God is hierarchically ordered and geared to active participation’ (62).
I look forward to seeing a prominent correction in the next issue of The Record.
Faithfully
Fr Joseph Parkinson Director, LJ Goody Bioethics CentreDo not consider yourselves to be anything on your own account, that you may be entirely acceptable to the One Who gives Himself fully to you in Holy Communion.
– St Francis of Assisi
– St Pius X
Devotion to the Eucharist is the noblest of devotions, because it has God as its object. It is the most profitable, because it gives us the Author of grace. It is the sweetest, because the Lord is sweetness itself.
The head of the Vatican’s office for children, known locally as Children’s Mission, spoke in Perth three weeks ago. Fr Patrick Byrne SVD offered a small glimpse of the scale of the problem the Holy Childhood Association faces daily. But there are ways we can help...
■ By Fr Pat BrynePerhaps the most distinguishing demographic feature of the 20th century is the sheer scale of population change.
That century saw the greatest increase in global population in human history. Numerous demographic estimates suggest that more people were alive at the end of the 20th century than the total number of people who had ever previously lived on the planet.
During the 20th century world population increased at a spectacular rate and its distribution fundamentally shifted away from Europe.
By the beginning of the 21st century, world population exceeded 6 billion – more than double what it had been 50 years earlier and over 3 times what it had been a 100 years earlier. The most dramatic growth of population took place in Africa. The
total population of Africa exceeded that of Europe in 2000. Only 50 years before, Europe’s population had been more than twice as large as Africa’s.
For decades, much has been written about the world’s exploding population. But about a third of all nations have fertility rates today below 2.1 children per woman, the number necessary to maintain a stable population. This has potentially weighty economic consequences for governments worried about everything from economic vitality to future pension programs. Many have been taking measures designed to encourage their citizens to multiply. For example, France’s government has been awarding mothers of each new baby 800 euros. At the moment, half of the growth in the world’s population is taking place in six nations – India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Bangladesh. The contrast with low fertility countries shows in these statistics: all 25 members of the EU added as many people to their total population in all of 2003 as India did in the first five days of that same year.
Church statistics for the year 2000 indicate that the Americas are 63 per cent Catholic and Europe is 41 per cent Catholic. Catholics comprise about 16 per cent of all Africans. Only 3 per cent of all Asians are Catholic. In sparsely populated Oceania, Catholics make up about 26 per cent of the population. HIV/AIDS afflicts 28 million Africans. The overwhelming majority of HIV infections are in sub-Saharan Africa, where women account for 58 per cent of cases. The disease is contributing to
food shortages by reducing the number of agricultural workers and threatening economic collapse.
Of the 42 million HIV-infected people worldwide, from 5 to 6 million urgently need treatment because their illness has advanced to AIDS. But 99 per cent of the HIV positive people who need HIV treatment today in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to it.
Without an expanded response, the United Nations estimates than an additional 45 million people will become infected with the virus by 2010. Referring to these figures, the former American Secretary of State, Colin Powell, told the United Nations in 2004 that “AIDS was more devastating than any weapon of mass destruction”.
Cambodia’s HIV infections have rocketed to 3 per cent, the highest rate in South East Asia. Cambodia is one of the world’s poorest countries, with a third of the population living on less than $1 a day. More than two million people were butchered or starved to death as Pol Pot set the clock back to year zero.
Health workers in Cambodia are predicting a tidal wave of 200,000 children orphaned by AIDS within five years. At least 15,000 will be HIV positive. The country does not have hospitals or doctors to cope with the HIV epidemic. From birth to death, less than 1 per cent of the population are ever treated in a government clinic. Despite its costing only approximately 50 cents per person for the drugs necessary to stop mother-to-child infections, there are not enough available.
The biggest increase in new infections is now from husband to wife and from new mother to her baby.
The drugs work. They can extend somebody’s life by 15 to 20 years. Despite Cambodia being a World Health Organisation target country for access to AIDS drugs, only 3,000 people receive them out of 170,000 infected with HIV.
It is symptomatic of the worldwide picture.
Only about 300,000 people in the world’s poorest nations are getting the drugs, of the 6 million who need them according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
A course of drugs for a child in Cambodia costs about $500 per year, including secondary care. It is a question of money, it is a question of political will by the international community. Donations to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, are now about $1.6 billion a year, barely one fifth of what the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, called for when he set up the fund in 2001.
The stark alternative to providing the necessary funds is highlighted by the Maryknoll Hospice in Phnom Penh. It takes people off the streets, and provides beds and round-theclock health care for them in the last days of their illness. All it can do is provide them with some dignity in which to die.
19,000 people attended this year’s (2004)
International Aids Conference in Bangkok. In Africa, 67 per cent of new infections are among women, and the face of AIDS is increasingly a female one. We are accustomed to think of HIV transmission as being mainly sexual, or transmit-
ted from mother to child. In Thailand, however, 50 per cent of new infections are said to be due to intravenous drug use. In Eastern Europe the percentage is higher. The most at-risk people in the world are young girls and women between 15 and 24.
It is in this very problematic situation that we are called to witness to the love that Jesus proclaimed in His Gospel. We are asked especially to reach out to the children who are always the innocent victims in wars and other disasters.
I quote from “Small Steps of Love and of Sorrow” the booklet we prepared as a way of the Cross for children. I quote from the second station on page 5: Jesus carries the cross “Jesus, when they presented the cross to you, you embraced it because love and compassion were helping you to carry that weight; love and compassion for those children who every day carry on their shoulders heavy loads of bricks; for those little ones who push heavy trolleys of coal in the mines. You thought of those who incessantly collect sugarcane under the burning sun; of the weavers of carpets, closed inside small and humid rooms; of the little girls who work in the toy and match factories; of the little tea pickers, of the little herdsmen, of the 250 million working children worn out with fatigue and very badly paid”.
Our children are afflicted by so many problems and especially great exploitation.
According to the United Nations agency UN AIDS, 42 million people have the HIV virus, among them 19 million women and 3.2 million children under the age of 15.
More than 11 million children in Africa under 15 have been orphaned by AIDS, according to the UN’s children’s agency UNICEF.
Catholic organisations are responsible for a quarter of all initiatives to help AIDS victims around the world. All of you who work for Holy Childhood are doing your part also to alleviate somewhat this terrible situation.
About 842 million people worldwide are undernourished, with the number of chronically hungry people growing at a rate of nearly 5 million a year, according to a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. The report said the fight against world hunger was being lost and that countries would not meet the goal stated at the 1996 World Food Summit in Rome to reduce by 50 per cent the number of undernourished people by 2015. Our last Holy Father, John Paul, was painfully aware of the situation of children in this present world. His Lenten message for the year 2004 was dedicated to the children with the theme – “whoever receives one such child in my name receives me” (Mt.18:5). This theme invites us to reflect on the condition of children.
The Pope says that Jesus’ words “call upon us to see how children are treated in our families, in civil society, and in the Church”. With great admiration he thinks “of all those committed to caring for underprivileged children and those who alleviate the sufferings of children and their families resulting from war and violence, inadequate food and water, forced immigration and the many forms of injustice present in the world”. But he also speaks “about the selfishness of those who do not “receive” children. There are young people who have been profoundly hurt by the violence of adults: sexual abuse, forced prostitution, involvement in the sale and use of drugs;
“Jesus, we ask your pardon, because our society imposes burdens on the children that are too heavy and leaves them to carry their crosses alone.”
children forced to work or enlisted for combat, etc.” Jesus, we ask your pardon, because our society imposes burdens on the children that are too heavy and leaves them to carry their crosses alone. Nearly half the world’s population lives on less than two dollars a day, one third has insufficient access to fresh water, 850 million people are officially classified as undernourished, climate change is destroying the environment and the oil industry has prevented agreement to a reduction in the use of fossil fuels sufficient to arrest it. Third World countries are crushed by a mountain of unrepayable debt, the interest on which absorbs their available resources and are forced by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to adopt policies which open their economies to predatory foreign investors and inhibit the development of indigenous competition.
Europe and America, in concert with the affluent everywhere, are consuming and polluting at a rate and in a way which can only lead to disaster. We inhabitants of the northern hemisphere are changing the world’s climate, depleting its ozone layer, destroying its fish stocks, ravaging its forests, and polluting its seas.
The wealthiest billion people in the world consume 83 per cent of the world’s produce.
If we woke up and learned one morning from reading the newspaper that 12 jumbo jets filled with children had crashed, leaving no survivors, the world would be outraged and distraught. Yet, every day, a child somewhere in the world is dying every 8 seconds from drinking contaminated water – the equivalent of 12 jumbo jets of children dying per day, about 6,000 children.
According to the World Commission on
munity. The following is a list of some of the initiatives that Catholic Mission Office in Perth has taken in order to address this neglect:
On behalf of Fr Patrick Byrne, and as the diocesan director for Catholic Mission I would like to thank all Children’s Mission Partner donors in Perth and all the schools in the Archdiocese that have been contributing so generously to help fund over 2,700 projects in child health and education in over 160 developing countries throughout the world. Children’s Mission (or the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood as it is known outside of Australia) has been the official Vatican agency responsible for addressing and advocating the needs of children in poverty around the world since its inception over 160 years ago. We are blessed with the countless agencies that have sprung up in the past 40 years since Vatican II that have taken our lead in focussing on the needs of children. However as a result of of more prominent marketing by these agencies, the work of Children’s Mission around the world has been forgotten by our own Catholic com-
1. The Children’s First money box is available to help families raise awareness of the needs of children around the world as part of a daily family prayer ritual.
2. Fast for Kids is an activity and opportunity for Catholic families to gather together to fast in prayerful solidarity with the millions of children around the world who are not as fortunate when it comes to regular meals. It is also an opportunity for Catholics to reclaim the rich spiritual tradition associated with fasting.
3. We are encouraging everyone to go and see the Mother Teresa Movie which is being shown around Perth. $1 from each ticket purchased will be donated to support the work of Children’s Mission.
If you would like more information about Catholic Mission or promoting the work of Children’s Mission or would like to organize a group booking for the Mother Teresa movie, contact Francis Leong at the Catholic Mission Office on 9422 7933 or email him at catholicmissionperth@bigpond.com.
Water for the 21st century, more than one billion people world-wide have no access to clean drinking water, and 3 billion - half of humanity – live in squalor without proper sanitation. The problem is already very severe in Asia, the world’s most polluted and environmentally degraded region, where some 830 million people do not have access to safe drinking water and more than two billion lack proper sanitation. It is bound to get worse.
Experts on slavery estimate that 17 million children world-wide are held in conditions amounting to slavery.
Most are in India and Pakistan, where parents drowning in poverty and debt sell their children into labour.
In other regions, like West Africa, childtraffickers arrive in villages and buy children as young as 4 or 5 from their parents. UNICEF estimates that 200,000 children are enslaved by cross-border smuggling rings in West and Central Africa, and a larger number are held in bondage in their own countries. These children work mainly in agriculture, sweatshops, fishing and domestic service, or as prostitutes.
Bishop Charles de Forbin Janson founded the Holy Childhood Association in 1843 as a response to the terrible suffering of abandoned children in China at that time. This suffering of the children continues world-wide. The Holy Childhood Association (HCA), 160 years after its foundation, continues to pray and work for the liberation of children in all parts of the world.
In a visit to Africa, then American Secretary of State, Colin Powell, said that AIDS is more than a health issue. It is a social issue. It is a political issue. It is an economic issue. It is
an issue of poverty. He said that no war in the world is more important right now than the war on AIDS. Another commentator has said that AIDS is a WMD – weapon of mass destruction.
We live in a time where the rights of children, while almost universally recognised, are abused systematically and daily throughout the world.
About 90 per cent of casualties in modern wars are innocent civilians – and half of these are children. Child-trafficking has become a billion-dollar-a-year business, with an estimated 1.2 million children falling victim annually.
From its very beginning the Holy Childhood has strongly believed in the young. Proceeds realised from children’s fund-raising efforts are used for the needs of the world’s less fortunate children. “You are the hope for all humanity”! These were John Paul II’s words as he greeted thousands of children who came to celebrate their jubilee in Rome on January 2nd 2000.
The Holy Childhood Association brings light to the world through its educational programs, fostering in children global awareness of many people’s needs and a missionary spirit of hope.
In more than 100 countries around the world, the HCA is making it possible for many thousands of impoverished youngsters to receive care at hospitals, orphanages, schools, and day care and feeding centres. For little ones who have been child labourers, street children, or refugees – facing adult cares at much too young an age – HCA support often brings the only chance for a real childhood.
Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the
United Nations, has said that every child “should have the best possible start in life; every child should receive a good quality basic education; and every child should have the opportunities to develop his or her full potential and contribute to society in meaningful ways”.
Charles de Forbin Janson had the same opinion. He entrusted the young with an exclusive role in evangelisation. He would be in agreement with our Pope John Paul who has said to young people: “Even though you are young, the time for action is now! Jesus does not set you aside for a later time when you will be older”.
De Forbin Janson died on July 11 1844, not long after the foundation of the HCA. In the few months before his death he introduced the HCA to other countries. First he went to Belgium and succeeded in obtaining the support of the Papal Nuncio there, Gioacchino Pecci, the future Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903).
Mgr Pecci highly recommended the HCA to the Belgian bishops and later, as Pope, to the whole Catholic world.
For 160 years the HCA has shared its bread and faith with millions of children regardless of race, culture or religions. It has given food, clothing and medical assistance to them, to protect their lives, to help with their general education but above all to promote christian and missionary education.
Saul became radically changed after his encounter with Jesus Christ. Henceforth he was called Paul. We have to follow in the footsteps of Paul as we work for the missionary animation of our children, their parents, teachers and friends.
We may not be as fiery as Paul but we must have a loving relationship with Jesus Christ that drives us forward as we make his name
known in our different countries. Someone said that all the children of the world are God’s children but they don’t all know it. We have to reveal the love of Jesus to the children of the world by the witness and testimony of our own lives.
I put the example of Paul before you because we will need his strength and determination as we work in the missionary education of children and adults and try to widen our fund-raising activities. The work that we do and the funds that we raise are so important.
The United Nations estimates that more than 300,000 children under the age of 18 are fighting world-wide, mostly with rebel groups. Most are between 15 and 17 years old, but some are as young as 7. Most have been kidnapped.
HCA is an immense movement of understanding and solidarity between children the world over. Its motto can be summarised by the idea launched 160 years ago by its founder and which today has caught on like a slogan: “Children helping Children”.
The children must be educated to know and love God in a spirit of apostolic commitment to charity and solidarity.
What is striking is that associated with Church action to help China alone, the Holy Childhood developed into an international society in the heart of the universal Church.
Very soon it was recognised by a pontifical statute, and became involved in more and more nations all over the world.
In the heart of the universal Church we discover the fruit of love which Forbin-Janson bore China, a love and a concern which he was able to share and to transmit to others, which he practised through concrete acts of charity in the name of the universal Church.
Just before his death Pope John Paul II published a book “Memory and Identity” in which he mentions the atrocities of the Holocaust of WWII and abortion in the same sentence. His comments received criticism from some sectors who believed that he was equating the two. But what he actually said was that both came about as a result of people usurping the “law of God” beneath the guise of democracy.
When speaking at the book launch the-then Cardinal Josef Ratzinger said that the Pope’s comments were serving to call attention to, “the permanent temptations for humanity, and on the need to take care not to fall into the pitfalls of evil.”
The origins of both these atrocities, I believe, find their roots in England in the second half of the nineteenth century.
In 1859 Charles Darwin published “The Origin of Species” from which stemmed the theory of survival of the fittest. After subse-
quent tinkering by social philosophers Herbert Spencer and Francis Galton, Darwin applied his evolutionary theory to humankind in his aptly named book, “The Descent of Man.”
In 1883 Galton then published his own work in which he coined the term “eugenics”, that he defined as “the study of agencies under social control that may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations, whether physically or mentally.”
He proposed that this ideology replace traditional religious dogma, which he held in contempt.
By the beginning of the 20th Century it was increasingly believed that there was a scientific justification in the belief that society was divided into superior and inferior people and that evolution could be manipulated through selective breeding. This pursuit of racial purity was adopted by countries such as Sweden, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, France, Austria and Spain who legislated for the sterilization of the mentally retarded, the antisocial and the handicapped. Other countries such as America opted for severe and selective immigration laws.
The Catholic Church’s response at the time strongly opposed these developments says Professor Leonardo Macrobio of the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University. He states in his studies on eugenic theories that the essential clash derived from their differing conceptions of man. “The Church refers to man made in the image and likeness
of God,” said Macrobio, “and rejects all forms of biological reductionism of the human being. The Catholic view is that every man, regardless of his state, has enormous dignity, so much so that his presence is determinant in history.”
It is in this light that I believe Pope John Paul II found comparisons in the Holocaust and the abortion epidemic that plagues our world today.
He did not seek to undermine the heinous nature of the slaughtering of millions of innocent people in concentration camps, but on the contrary, attempted to highlight the abomination of abortion. He was
drawing attention to the fact that ideologies that build themselves on the premise that one human life is of more value than another, evolve from the same root of evil. He was emphasizing the Church understanding that every life is sacred and must be treated accordingly, no matter what stage of its journey, and that only God, the author of life, should determine when it begins and ends.
Yet laws have continued to encroach on the exclusive jurisdiction of God under the presumption that the wisdom of the creation has surpassed that of the Creator. It seems that now that abortions
have become accepted as a social norm our natural inclination is to trespass further into God’s domain. Not satisfied with wresting control over life and death we now seek to become the architects and designers through the manipulation and cloning of human embryos.
It seems all we have learnt from the eugenic experiments of Nazi Germany is the need to wrap them up in a more socially acceptable package. With its false promise of evolutionary acceleration at the expense of lives considered to be of lesser value, the cloning of human embryos echoes a familiar darkness.
Fortunately in Australia we are blessed with the freedoms of democracy and have the avenues to be able to contribute to the creation (or not) of our laws.
That is why we as Catholics must let our voices be heard or risk slipping further into the spiritual abyss that we find ourselves in.
An independent Committee has been established to review current cloning laws and is seeking submissions from the general public, as well as experts in the field, to gauge community attitudes.
Dr Brigid Vout of the Sydney Archdiocese Life Office says that it is vital that Catholics respond, as
■ With Derek Boylen
The power of words cannot be overestimated. We explore, experiment and play with them in books, plays, poetry and song.
However, they are at their most powerful in the family. The words our parents spoke to us had a powerful influence in shaping us as individuals. The words we speak to our children will have a powerful influence on who they will become.
Parents spend a lot of effort getting their children to be good. I know I do. All too often what this means is getting them to stop doing naughty or annoying things. Parents with small children often feel at the end of the day that they have spent most of it saying “don’t” - ‘don’t touch the fish tank,’ ‘leave the television alone,’ ‘stop hitting
your brother,’ ‘play gently with your toys,’ ‘get down off the table,’ ‘the cat doesn’t want its tail pulled,’ ‘mummy’s mobile phone doesn’t belong in the dog’s bowl,’ etc. Sometimes it becomes so overwhelming we forget to affirm our children when they get it right. Instead we just feel relieved.
Living the Gospel message is more than just avoiding “bad stuff.” Living the Gospel message is a challenge to live life to the full and encourage and guide those around us to do likewise. Helping our children to live the Gospel in their own lives means more than just stopping them from doing “bad stuff.” It means encouraging the really “good stuff” too. Affirming our children when they get it right is the best way of giving them valuable information about the sort of behaviour that is expected. So here are some affirmation tips.
Affirm your children often. They are made in the image and likeness of God and so there is already something intrinsically good about them. Every parent hopes for the best in their children, let them know you have confidence that they will grow into a wonderful person.
Be specific. While it’s nice to be told that you are a good boy or girl it is not very helpful. Tell them what is good. If they were helpful, kind, compassionate, car-
ing, gentle, thoughtful, clever, or generous, then let them know the qualities and situations when these are reflected.
Affirm a variety of qualities, not just the same one all the time. Every person has many wonderful qualities, skills and traits. Let them know they are valued for many things, not just one or two.
Make your affirmations intrinsic not just extrinsic. Instead of ‘that’s great cleaning, thankyou.’ Try ‘you’re a great helper, thankyou for helping me do the cleaning.’ Let them know that while their value may be reflected in what they do, it’s who they are that is really good. Karen and I will often say to our boys after affirming them that they should feel proud of what they’ve done. We don’t want them to grow up being good just to please Mum and Dad but because they have a deep inner desire to be a good person. Be genuine. Children have an inbuilt crap detector and they know when you are lying.
Complement your affirmations with physical touch. A good affirmation often becomes great when complemented with a hug or a pat on the back.
Finally, affirmations aren’t just for kids. It feels good when us grownups receive them too. If we want our children to grow up as people
embryo research lobbyists will be pressing the Government to allow for the creation of embryos specifically for scientific research before being destroyed. She explains that in Australia at present there is a complete ban on human cloning, however pressure needs to be applied to maintain this ban.
All who value the sanctity of life, especially the most vulnerable, are urged to be proactive.
All members of the public are invited to submit their thoughts and concerns on the issue of legislation regarding cloning to the independent review via letter, fax or phone.
Justice Lockhart
Legislation Review Committee
PO Box 3318
Manuka, ACT, 2603
Telephone (02) 6295 8481
Fax (02) 6295 9277
Email: lockhartreview@secreta riat.com.au
who
by
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Like many other young couples, Chris and Andrea are enthusiastically working towards their wedding. They are currently involved in all the usual rigmarole of things like catering and wedding dresses. Unlike most other couples they are deaf.
This month they took time out at Catholic Marriage Education Services to prepare for not just the wedding, but a lifetime together.
Chris has a Bone Conduct Implant and has some hearing. Andrea has a Cochlear Implant and is an excellent lip reader.
Nevertheless, participating in a meaningful marriage preparation process presented some challenges.
Chris and Andrea decided against joining a group program and instead chose an inventory-style program - FOCCUS (Facilitating open couple communication, understanding and study) that allowed them to work alone with a facilitator.
The FOCCUS Program has long been popular with hearing couples but the pair are one of the first wave of deaf couples in Australia to use the newly developed Auslan video presentation of the program.
Auslan is the sign language used in Australia by those who are deaf.
Being one of the first couples to use the Auslan presentation their feedback concerning its use is of great value to both Catholic Marriage Education Services and the John Pierce Centre in Victoria that developed the video.
The couple said they were nerv-
ous about taking part in the course but found it very useful.
Christina Graves, Director of Catholic Marriage Education Services in Perth, said “I have been privileged to work with a number of deaf couples over the past few years and each time has proven to be quite inspirational. Working with Chris and Andrea was no different.
“I know that I am personally and professionally far richer for the experience.”
Christina was also pleased to be able to work with Barbara Harris and Fr Paul Pitzen as interpreters from the Emmanuel Centre.
“I’m not sure I could have coped without them!” she said.
“My sentence structure and approach is often quite poor for translation purposes but this time is wasn’t just Barbara and Fr Paul who pulled me up but Chris and Andrea were on my case immediately. They explained the best way to communicate with them using sentences that were simpler to translate. It was great - they really helped me to learn.”
Chris and Andrea said that although there were some communication differences, they gained a lot from the course.
“We understood most of the material and we were lucky to have our interpreters there to help us. We were grateful that Father Paul Pitzen, Barbara and Christina were
T wenty Salvatorian priests from around Australia gathered in Esperance on June 7 to celebrate the Order’s 25th anniversary of serving Our Lady Star of the Sea parish.
The priests, along with two novices, were able to spend several days at the parish where parishioners were able to express their gratitude for the pastoral work, friendship and support they have received over the past quarter of a century.
The first of the “Polish Priests” (as they are affectionately known) to serve the parish
was Father Kazimierz Stuglik, who arrived in January 1980. For the first three years he worked alongside priests from Ireland and England, as well as Poland, but since 1983 there have been twenty-three Polish priests who have served the parish.
Bishop Gerard Holohan celebrated Mass with parish priest, Father Marian Brzozowski, Assistant priest Fr Robert Masternak and the visiting Salvatorians to mark the joyous occasion.
helpful to us - they were wonderful!” the couple said.
They also provided some constructive criticism of the FOCCUS video.
Christina is keen to make sure their feedback isn’t wasted but used to refine the process further.
The development of the Auslan video has been well received and is a valuable contribution to premarriage education.
The video was developed by the John Pierce Centre and sponsored by the Catholic Society for Marriage Education.
CMES provides marriage and relationship education to all couples that are married or are planning to marry.
Prostitution is a growing phenomenon which enslaves the women victims as well as their clients, state the conclusions of a Vatican-organised conference.
To put an end to this “modern slavery,” clients must be helped to resolve their emotional problems, which drive them to the sex market, and they must face the rigours of the law, explains the final statement.
This week, the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travellers published the Final Document of the first International Meeting of Pastoral Care for the Liberation of Women of the Street, held in Rome on June 20-21.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the pontifical council, as well as by bishops, priests, religious, lay experts, and representatives of bishops’ conferences worldwide and ecclesial movements.
The document begins by stating that “It is important to recognise that sexual exploitation, prostitution and trafficking of human beings are all acts of violence against women and as such constitute an offence to the dignity of women and are a grave violation of basic human rights.”
The International Labor Organisation estimates that there are 12.3 million people enslaved in enforced and bonded labour and that about 2.4 million of these are victims of the $10 billion-a-year trafficking “industry.” The Vatican text states that men who are “clients” of prostitution have “deepseated problems” because they too are “enslaved.” - Zenit
When Vatican Radio recently launched its podcasting option for audio files, it didn’t expect the big response it received from around the world.
As it stands, Vatican Radio broadcasts in more than 40 languages to every country via all long, medium and short waves and, for the last four years, has enabled its listeners to tune in via the Web, at www.105live.vaticanradio.org. These methods have required listeners to stay close to their computers or radios. Now, with the latest development,
listeners can simply connect their iPod into their computers, download the audio programs they want, and listen to a clear sound from the Vatican anywhere, anytime.
“Within 24 hours of the launch, we had approximately 1,000 downloads,” said the director of the English Section at Vatican Radio, Sean Patrick Lovett. “And that was without promotion, which signified a lot to us with regard to who was really listening” - meaning young people, who own the most iPods.
- Zenit
Nine Iraqi Christian leaders have written to their country’s interim officials and the head of the United Nations to urge a constitutional separation of religion from politics.
The leaders said they feared discrimination if the draft Iraq Constitution, due to be completed by August 15, enshrines Shariah, or Islamic law. “If there is a move toward the confirmation of the role of the Islamic religion in Iraqi society, then it is only natural to confirm the role of other religions that have been historically established in Iraq,” the Christian leaders said in a letter to Iraqi Interim President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The letter was dated June 24 but was sent from Baghdad, Iraq, in mid-July.
“We are only asking for ... equality, freedom and equal opportunities and (prevention of) racial, religious and denominational discrimination,” they added.
The pressure for a Shariah-based constitution is coming mainly from Iraq’s Shiite Muslims, who make up 62 percent of the country’s population. Christians object to such provisions because they would effectively turn the country into an Islamic state, in which nonbelievers would automatically be denied rights they have previously enjoyed. Under Shariah, the freedom to
worship by adherents of non-Muslim faiths would be sharply curtailed and there is no equality between men and women or Muslims and non-Muslims. Attempts to impose Shariah on religiously mixed societies, such as in Nigeria and Sudan, have led to episodes of violence.
During a visit to London, Chaldean Catholic Auxiliary Bishop Andraos Abouna
of Baghdad told Catholic News Service that the Christian leaders wanted the constitution to be secular and based primarily on the “principle of citizenship.”
“First, we are citizens, so we have rights, the same as others,” he said on July 17. “We are Iraqis. We are faithful to our country, and we want complete rights.”
Bishop Abouna said such rights included,
for example, the right to establish church schools and to worship in peace. He said the church leaders also asked for “democratic and political government, not religious government.”
“There is a danger that we could have religious government,” Bishop Abouna said. “If we mix them both together - politics and religion - it will be chaos. It will destroy everything. “We don’t want any religion to control other religions. All are equal because they have their own tradition, their own rights and their own history,” he said.
“We ask for freedom, equal opportunity and to be distant from religious and denominational persecution,” he added.
In an earlier interview with the British office of Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic charity set up to help persecuted Christians, Bishop Abouna said that a proShariah constitution would massively speed up the exodus of Christians from Iraq, almost to a point where the Christian presence could all but disappear.
Bishop Abouna is a regular visitor to London, where he served as chaplain to Chaldean Catholics from 1991 to 1994, before he was ordained a bishop. During his most recent visit, he met with Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor of Westminster and discussed the situation in Iraq.
After the draft constitution is completed in August, it will be sent for revision to a subcommittee of the Iraqi National Assembly. The Iraqi government has promised that the constitution would be put to a referendum before it is ratified. Until then, Iraq will continue to be under the authority of an interim constitution, prepared before sovereignty was handed over in June 2004.
Pope calls Italian bishop murdered in Kenya ‘heroic missionary’
Pope Benedict XVI said an Italian bishop shot and killed in Kenya on July 14 was a “heroic missionary” and a “selfless witness to the Gospel.”
Bishop Luigi Locati of Isiolo was shot outside the Isiolo pastoral centre and died about an hour later at the community hospital.
The Italian had worked in Kenya, mainly in Isiolo, for 40 years and had just learned that Pope Benedict had accepted his retirement. Bishop Locati would have celebrated his 77th birthday on July 23.
The Pope’s condolences were expressed in telegrams to the Vatican’s nuncio to Kenya and to the archbishop of Vercelli, Italy, Bishop Locati’s home diocese.
The telegrams, signed by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, said the Pope “gives thanks for the selfless witness to the Gospel and the advancement of human dignity that characterised (Bishop Locati’s) priestly and episcopal ministry.”
In the telegram to the nuncio, Archbishop Alain Lebeaupin, Cardinal Sodano said the Pope “prays that Bishop Locati’s death may hasten the dawn of that peace
and reconciliation to which he devoted himself to the last.”
In the telegram to Archbishop Enrico Masseroni of Vercelli, the cardinal said the Pope was saddened by the “barbaric assassination” of the bishop and offered his condolences to the diocese and to the bishop’s family. Bishop Locati was head of the Apostolic Vicariate of Isiolo in northeast Kenya. The region recently has been the scene of violence between the Gabra and Borana ethnic groups over cattle and access to water.
The nuncio, Archbishop Lebeaupin, called on the Kenyan government to investigate the murder.
“Bishop Locati had received threats on his life and, for this reason, always moved with two
guards in the evening,” Consolata Father Eugenio Ferrari, director of the Pontifical Missionary Works in Kenya, told Fides, the Vatican’s missionary news agency, on July 15. “The dynamic of his assassination appears to have been the following: While he was walking home from the pastoral centre at about 8 pm local time, three men arrived ... and clubbed one of the guards, then struck Bishop Locati on the back,” Father Ferrari said. “He fell to the ground. They approached him and shot him in the head and then the throat,” the priest said. “For this reason, it appears to have been an execution.”
The missionary did not say what happened to the second guard, but he said the bishop’s murder seems to be connected to the recent violence in the region.
“He had been accused of helping one ethnic group more than the other, but I can affirm that this is not true,” Father Ferrari said.
The head of the Kenyan bishops’ conference, Bishop Cornelius Arap Korir of Eldoret, flew to Isiolo on July 15.
Archbishop Raphael Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki of Nairobi described the bishop’s murder as a well-calculated plan to eliminate him. He noted that nothing had been taken from the bishop’s residence after the murder. CNS
The first Chinese Catholic bishop ordained in North America said he is optimistic about the future of the Church in China.
Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius C. Wang of San Francisco, who visits China about every other year, said that in parts of China the lines dividing the government-approved Church from the underground Church remain invisible.
During one of his visits he recalled seeing a bishop of the governmentapproved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and a bishop of the underground Church living in the same residence.
“If they need help for confirmation they would even ask each other,” he said. But in other places of China, underground and patriotic leaders “are hostile to each other.”
“There will always be problems there. It’s not black and white; we need to work with the gray,” he said.
The bishop said he remains optimistic on future relations between China and the Holy See.
“Things are moving quite smoothly. It’s like dancing; we take three steps forward and one step backward,” he said.
When he visits China, Bishop
Wang knows the Chinese government is watching him. “They know me, when I’m there; you can’t pretend,” he said.
Contrary to public perception, he said the underground Church is open for all to see. It is a situation that reflects wide discrepancy in the way Chinese officials enforce the law. As for how the two churches relate to each other, Bishop Wang said that Catholics often mix together with little to distinguish their allegiances. The bishop travels extensively to support Chinese communities throughout the United States, but sees special promise among Chinese Catholics in Canada.
“Toronto and Vancouver, I think there is great hope from these two places. Those parishes are really exceptional. The Catholics are really flourishing,” he said.
Bishop Wong was ordained a priest in Hong Kong in 1959; he completed a doctorate in canon law in Rome. Unable to return to China, he took a pastoral assignment on the Caribbean island of Grenada.
In 1974 he moved to San Francisco to care for the children of his sister, who had died from cancer. He became the children’s legal guardian.
“People sometimes said I was a single parent. I say so what. It was a good experience. It helped me to grow up,” he said.
An article by Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn that was critical of aspects of evolutionary thinking has drawn attention to what is the Catholic position on the theory of evolution.
Specifically, the cardinal’s July 7 New York Times piece raised questions as to whether the evolutionary concepts of random variations and natural selection used in explaining the origins of human life are compatible with Catholic belief in God as the creator of all living beings.
There are two recent detailed Church treatments of these issues.
One is by the late Pope John Paul II, in a 1996 message to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the other is by the papally appointed International Theological Commission, in a 2004 document, “Communion and Stewardship: Human Persons Created in the Image of God.” The head of the theological commission in 2004 was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. Both statements said that the scientific evidence supporting an evolutionary origin of life is overwhelming and that such evidence is compatible with belief in God as the cause of human life.
Neither document said that accepting evolution is a requirement of faith, but both noted that the Church needs to keep up with advances in science and evaluate scientific data philosophically and theologically to better understand the workings of God.
Both documents acknowledge that they are building on teachings found in the 1950 encyclical by Pope Pius XII, “Humani Generis,” which said that evolution was worthy of scientific study and could be compatible with the faith.
Both documents clearly state that the role of science and the roles of theology and philosophy are different. They say that science determines the mechanisms involved in the creation of life while philosophy analyses these findings in the light of human reason and theol-
ogy evaluates them on the basis of divine revelation.
The 2004 document also discusses, without taking sides, whether or not “intelligent design” is a scientific alternative to evolution. It notes that science, not theology, needs to resolve this debate but that neither position is incompatible with faith.
“Intelligent design” holds that science can prove that there is a design and purpose inherent in life forms, a view which opposes the evolutionary position of chance and randomness as the process for the development of life.
The 1996 message and the 2004 document are critical of interpretations of evolution which hold that the theory proves that there is no God and no spiritual dimension to life. “New knowledge leads to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis,” said Pope John Paul in 1996. The convergence of evidence from independent scientific research “is in itself a significant argument in favour of this theory,” he added.
“My predecessor Pius XII had already stated that there was no opposition between evolution and the doctrine of the faith about man and his vocation,” with faith teach-
The Vatican and the city of Rome have joined forces to showcase Rome’s Christian heritage by offering a bus dedicated to visiting some of the city’s major spiritual sites. With so many basilicas and sanctuaries scattered across the city, tourists can now hop on special yellow and white double-decker buses for a specially catered pilgrimage on wheels. It is called “Roma Christiana,” or Christian Rome, and it makes stops at seven unique attractions, including St Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and the basilicas of St Mary Major and St John Lateran. But it also offers pilgrims a chance to investigate places most often missed during a typical Roman holiday, like the churches of St Peter in Chains, San
ing that God created the natural mechanisms used to produce life and that human beings are created in the image of God, said Pope John Paul.
As noted by Pope John Paul, his message was an advance on “Humani Generis” in terms of the Church’s evaluation of evolution.
The 1950 encyclical referred to evolution as a scientific “hypothesis” needing further investigation as opposed to the 1996 reference to evolution as a “theory,” which in scientific terms has validity because a formidable body of empirical evidence supports it.
The 2004 theological commission document noted the “mounting support for some theory of evolution to account for the development and diversification of life on earth while controversy continues over the pace and mechanisms of evolution.” But the Church analyses the significance of evolutionary data through philosophy and theology, especially when it comes to the spiritual nature of human beings and their role in the universe, the Pope said.
“But the experience of metaphysical knowledge, of self-awareness and self-reflection, of moral
Clemente and Santa Maria in Aracoeli. The “Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi,” a Vaticanrelated pilgrimage agency, and Rome’s urban bus system unveiled the new bus on April 7, just a few days after the death of Pope John Paul II.
In India, Church agencies are working to empower women as they help villagers recover from last December’s deadly tsunamis. At the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health at Vailankanni, the Marian Skill Training Center is helping women overcome their loss by providing them with employable skills. More than 1,000 people were killed in the area surrounding the shrine. Among
conscience, freedom, or again, of aesthetic and religious experience, falls within the competence of philosophical analysis and reflection, while theology brings out its ultimate meaning according to the Creator’s plan,” said the Pope. He rejected “materialist” and “reductionist” interpretations which see evolution as eliminating the need for a creator or prime cause of the origins of life.
The 2004 document elaborated on this. It specifically criticised “neo-Darwinist scientists” and others who hold a “contingency” view that says that “if evolution is a radically contingent materialistic process driven by natural selection and random genetic variation, then there can be no place in it for divine providential causality.”
“But it is important to note that, according to the Catholic understanding of divine causality, true contingency in the created order is not incompatible with a purposeful divine providence,” it said. The document added that people who use contingency “as evidence that the process of evolution is absolutely unguided are straying beyond what can be demonstrated by science.” CNS
the victims were the father and brother of J. Anandi, an 18-year-old Hindu girl who is blind in one eye. Anandi, who had not completed her schooling, has received instruction at the center for several months. “Earlier, I never believed I could do anything in life. Now, I feel I could do something like others,” she said while working on a sewing machine. Some 160 women and young girls -- most of them tsunami victims -- are being trained in tailoring, handicraft-making and computers.
The lay organisation Voice of the Faithful presented its top honours to a Cincinnati priest and an Illinois appeals court judge who stepped down last year as head of the U.S. bishops’ National Review Board at its national convocation July 10 in Indianapolis.
The threat of ensuing social chaos was a major consideration that led the Philippine bishops to carefully nuance their response to calls for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign, one bishop said.
“The threat of social chaos - that was the big thing,” said retired Bishop Francisco Claver of Bontoc-Lagawe. He said the bishops assessed the country’s political crisis as being “of such magnitude as to polarise our people.”
Bishop Claver said “so many unknowns” led the bishops to agree “from the very beginning” that the political crisis was “a very serious matter” that required the bishops to talk “as a united body.”
In their July 10 statement, the bishops said they would not demand Arroyo’s resignation, “yet neither do we encourage her simply to dismiss such a call from others,” reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand.
The bishops also said the widespread calls for Arroyo’s resignation, including from such influential Filipinos as former President Corazon Aquino, “are not against the Gospel.”
The day before the bishops’ July 9-11 plenary session began, Arroyo defied calls from Aquino and former Cabinet officials and commissioners to resign in favour of her vice president. Critics turned their attention to the bishops’ assembly, anticipating a statement that would break the impasse. Many were surprised and disappointed when the call to resign was not issued.
Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi of Caceres told UCA News the statement was “an exercise of prudence.” The bishops had to be careful, he said, because they expected to have a “great impact” on ordinary Filipinos.
He also said “the subject was not about the doctrinal teaching of the Church,” but about issues concerning the pastoral implication of matters of faith and politics.
Bishop Claver cited “many unknowns” in the charges of election cheating that needed time to be “cleared up.” CNS
Msgr. Lawrence Breslin, a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, received the organisation’s Priest of Integrity Award, and Illinois Appellate Court Justice Anne Burke of Chicago was the inaugural recipient of the group’s St. Catherine of Siena Distinguished Lay Person Award. In the award citation, Msgr. Breslin was commended for “repeatedly warning Vatican officials about Mgr. Daniel Pater, an admitted abuser who left Ohio after abusing a girl and was rapidly climbing the Vatican bureaucracy.” Jim Post, Voice of the Faithful president, said Burke, the interim chairwoman of the lay board that monitors Church compliance with sex abuse prevention policies, “courageously spoke the truth about clergy sexual abuse to cardinals at the Vatican, U.S. bishops and to countless groups of lay Catholics across the country.”
Get the latest family fun product from Record Research Industries, the provisional wing of The Record.
The object of Theopoly is to take over all the courts. Then the winner can impose a theocracy.
From Extreme Christian Right Gaming and Record Research Industries Inc. comes the latest in Christian board games - Theopoly.
Recent news reports from Australia and the US have focussed on the growing influence of Christian-inspired political groups and movements. In the US Dr James C. Dobson’s Focus on the Family and former Watergate star prisoner Chuck Colson have been among those accused of wanting to “set up a theocracy.”
Now that the Left is on to us that we want to impose a theocracy, why not be above board about it and play a board game proclaiming the fact?
Obviously with Christians participating in the political sphere this is proof that we want to take over the country and rule it based on religious faith.
Of course the Christian Right is
composed of hundreds of different Christian denominations with different ideas of what best to impose on the rest of the country, but we will cross that bridge once we take over.
In the meantime, own the latest craze in full force Christian gaming.
OBJECT: The object of Theopoly is to take over all the courts. The winner gets to impose a theocracy on the nation!
EQUIPMENT: The equipment consists of a board, 2 dice, tokens (no idols) such as a popemobile, chapel, and Ten Commandments, 32 appeals courts and all High Court judges.
There are Dis/Grace and Christian Charity cards and $10 million in lobbying money.
To begin play, select as an Accountant a player who will manage the money for each player’s advertising budget. If the Accountant plays in the game, he must keep his personal funds separate from those of the group and is not allowed to coordinate publicly with political campaigns.
THE PLAY: Starting with the Accountant, each player in turn throws lots. The player with the highest total or most political capital starts the play. He places his token on the corner marked “Go
Pray”, throws the 2 dice to cast lots just like the Apostles did to select Matthias. They then move the token in the direction of the arrow the number of spaces indicated by the lots. After he has completed his play, the turn to play passes to the right (moving to the left must be rigorously avoided). The tokens remain on the spaces occupied and proceed from that point on the player’s next turn. Two or more tokens may rest on the same space at the same time.
According to the court jurisdiction his token reaches, a player may be entitled to lobby parliamentarians to get a judge appointed or spend money to buy advertisements to influence the public. If they land on a Dis/Grace square they must pick a card. Some cards give grace - some disgrace. For example: If a player lands on the “Go to Hell” square they they must move their token to the Hell square. They cannot move from this square until they have shown repentance by throwing two threes - the age at which Jesus died on the cross. If any Catholics are playing the game they should be reminded that Purgatory is not a second chance and that those in a state of mortal sin must repent to avoid Hell. If a player throws three sets of sixes in a row, the sign of the anti-Christ, they
with a State court jurisdiction they have the option to buy a judge via donations to the political party of their choice. Once they own three judges they may then buy a High Court Justice. Other players who land on those squares will have court decisions go against them causing them to pay hefty court costs.
When a single player owns a majority of the High Court he has won and can immediately declare
Robertson - “I highly recommend Theopoly and you and your family will have hours of fun in your living room simulating what I have been trying to do behind the scenes for years and as I have said before to Rule the world for God.”
Jeff Miller is a “former atheist who is both surprised and delighted to find himself in the Catholic Church. Married with two grown children, retired from the Navy, computer programmer, full time geek, he is prone to music of the headbanger variety but also enjoys Gregorian Chant.”
OF STS JOACHIM & ANNE
At St Anne’s church, Bindoon, 12 noon BYO lunch. 1.15pm Rosary and Benediction. Holy Mass 2pm. Afternoon tea provided. For more details contact: Jean 9576 0006 or Susan 9576 0403 or Fr Paul 9571 1839. For all transport arrangements contact: Francis Williams Tel: 9459 3873 / Mobile: 0404 893 877. Cost $14 per person (Return).
24 July
S CHOENSTATT FAMILY M OVEMENT
This is an international group focused on family faith development through dedication to our Blessed Mother. Monthly devotions take place at the Armadale shrine on the first Sunday at or after the 18th day of the month at 3.00. The next is on 24 July. The shrine is at 9 Talus Drive Armadale and all are welcome. Enquiries: Sisters of Mary 089 399 2349 or Peter de San Miguel 0407 242 707
Sunday July 24
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER
In 1930 the first WA fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order, a world-wide body established by St Francis over 700 years ago, was estabished at St Mary’s Cathedral. The SFO comprises over 1,000,000 men and women from all walks of life. The 75th Anniversary will be celebrated by attending Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral at 10am followed by lunch at Miss Maud’s (Cnr Pier and Murray Sts) at noon. All SFO’s and their friends are invited.
Sunday July 24
MUSICIAN AFTERNOON
A very enjoyable afternoon of fine music and good company is promised. If you come to a Soiree and afternoon tea at St Joseph’s Convent Chapel, York Street, South Perth on 24 July 2005 at 2.30pm. The Julian Singers and Mary Croft will provide entertainment. A donation on entry will go to the Mary MacKillop Foundation which helps promote the various works supported by the Mary MacKillop Foundation. Enq Laurie Mayne 9271 5649 and John McCormack 9383 2615.
Sunday July 24
ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK
1 2 PM ON ACCESS 31
Terri Schiavo’s autopsy results / Bobby Schindler, Michael Gaynor, attorney, and Mgr Thaddeus Malinowski with Raymond Arroyo [The World Over Don’t rely on what the secular media tells us about euthanasia and other moral issues! There is so much misinformation in circulation that is hostile to the Gospel message and to recognition of the value of human life. EWTN is a perfect antidote. Please help promote a culture of life, and bring souls closer to God by supporting our efforts prayerfully and financially. Donations and comments may be sent to The Rosary Christian Tutorial Association, PO Box 1270, Booragoon 6954. Enquiries: 9330-1170.
Tuesday July 26-28
FREE SEMINAR
Medical Treatment for the Dying. Can I make my own decisions about dying? Can Catholics support the new law proposed for WA? You are invited to consider these important issues and play your part in shaping our future. Repeated on two nights:
Tuesday 26 July in Floreat Parish Centre (Peebles Rd, Floreat) and Thursday 28 July in Applecross Parish Centre (Alness Street, Ardross). Both seminars begin at 7pm, and finish by 8.30pm. Sponsored by the L J Goody Bioethics Centre, Glendalough.
Friday July 29
BUSINESS PERSONS MASS
Will be celebrated at 7am at All Saints Chapel, Allendale Square, Perth followed by a breakfast meeting at the WA club 101 St George’s Tce. Guest Speaker Andrew Hamilton on the Crusades. Breakfast cost is $15. Enq 9384 0809.
Friday July 29-31
CHARISMATIC RENEWAL SCHOOL OF CHARISM
A weekend workshop to attain practical experience in the use of the Spiritual Gifts. Presented by the internationally acclaimed Damian Stayne, from the UK. Gifts workshopped include Prophecy, Healing, and Release from Bondage, Discernment and others. Held at Trinity College, Nelson Ave, E. Perth. Opening rally Fri, 29th at 7.30pm. Cost $20 registration (by chq to Charism School, PO Box 485,
Cloverdale 6985 ). Queries to Dan Hewitt 9360 7400 (w) or 9398 4973 (h).
Sunday July 31
The next monthly pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation will be held at the Shrine of ‘Virgin of the Revelation’, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook at 2pm. The pilgrimage includes the Rosary, Pilgrimage Mass, procession to the Shrine, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessing of the sick. Reconciliation is from 1.30pm prior to the Pilgrimage Mass celebrated at the Shrine every Sunday. Bus transport to the Pilgrimage departs Barrack St at 12.30pm for Bullsbrook via Highgate, Guildford and Midland. For bookings Mrs Haddon 9277 5378. Enq SACRI 9447 3292.
Sunday July 31
CHARISMATIC HEALING & MINISTRY SERVICE
Held at Gibney Hall, Trinity College, Nelson Ave, E. Perth, an opportunity to seek God’s healing in your life. Presented by the internationally acclaimed Damian Stayne, from the UK. Free entry, though a love offering will be taken up. The evening commences at 7pm with prayer. Come! Be amazed by God’s infinite and extraordinary love for you! Further info call Dan Hewitt 9360 7400 (w) or 9398 4973 (h).
Wednesday August 3-4
FINDING GOD ON THE FARM
Catholic perspectives on the Environment. A live-in conference to be held at the Benedictine Monastery, New Norcia, for those who live on the land or care for creation. Keynote speaker Dr Michael Jackson. For info or registration contact Fr Geoff Aldous, Northam 9622 5411 or Dave Antonio 9622 2370.
Saturday August 6
DAY WITH MARY
St Simon Peter Church, 20 Prendiville Ave, Ocean Reef from 9am-5pm. A video on Fatima will be shown followed by a day of prayer and instruction based upon the messages of Fatima. Includes Sacrament of Penance, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons on the Eucharist and Our Lady,
Rosaries, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross. Please BYO. Enq Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286.
Sunday August 7
RIGHT TO LIFE ASSOCIATION WA
Annual Dinner will be held at the Novotel Langley Perth commencing 12.30pm Guest speaker Philip Pendal. Bookings 92217117.
Sunday August 7
DIVINE MERCY
An afternoon with Jesus and Mary at St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth at 1.30pm. Proceedings are as follows Holy Rosary and Reconciliation, Sermon with Fr Tiziano Bogomi on St John Vianney followed by Divine Mercy Prayers and Benediction. Enq John 9457 7771 Linda 9275 6608.
Sunday August 7
OPEN AFTERNOON
The formators and seminarians of the Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary ‘Redemptoris Mater’ warmly invite you to an open afternoon from 3pm. You will be able to meet the Seminarians, view the Seminary and are welcome to join us for Solemn Vespers and Benediction at 5pm in the newly dedicated Chapel.
Sunday August 7
BLESSED MARY MACKIILOP’S FEAST DAY
At 6pm, you are invited to come and join the Sisters of St Joseph to celebrate Mary MacKillop’s life and the10th Anniversary of her Beatification in the Chapel, 16 York Street, South Perth. For more information contact Sister Maree Riddler 9334 0933, 9457 3371.
Tuesday August 9-13
THE DREAMER, A PLAY BY TOM PAVEY
There is nothing like the excitement of live theatre and we can look forward to a new Christian, historical fiction play, being staged at the Nexus Theatre, Murdoch University. The play attempts to convey the universal love and forgiveness of God. Tickets are now on sale through ticketmaster7 www.ticketmaster7.com Phone 1300 558 878. Full $20 Con. $15, Students $15, Student Groups $12 (Teachers Free) Religious/Clergy Free (Tickets from ticketmaster7 outlets - No phone bookings) A dona-
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JULY 22 Confirmation, Karrinyup - Fr Brian O’Loughlin VG
22-24 Parish Visitation and Confirmation, Spearwood - Archbishop Hickey
22-24 Parish Visitation, Leederville - Bishop Sproxton
24 Launch of Sr Mary Evans’ book, Highgate - Archbishop Hickey
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25 Presentation of Youth Book to Yr 12s of Aquinas College at Redemptorist Monastery - Archbishop Hickey Presentation of Bibles, St Gerard’s School Hall - Archbishop Hickey
26 Mass and Dinner for the Australian Conference of Catholic Clergy, Safety Bay - Archbishop Hickey
28 Lectorate, Redemptoris Mater Seminary - Bishop Sproxton Civic Reception for The Ambassador of Japan - Fr Brian O’Loughlin VG
28, 30-31 Parish Visitation and Confirmation, Highgate - Bishop Sproxton
tion will be made to St Vicent de Paul Society and Linda’s House of Hope.
Saturday August 13-14
WORKSHOP
“Peace Be Still” use Prayer, stress management, Faith in God etc to overcome some of life’s obstacles. I did. Noreen P 9397 0348 / 0409 680 313
Friday August 19-21
HOW DO I KNOW THAT GOD IS CALLING ME TOO
Join a group of other young people for a weekend of prayer, listening to other people’s stories and learning tools to help you determine where God is leading you in terms of your state of life, career or any other part of your journey which may be unclear. Run by the WA vocations network, the Retreat will be held at the St Joseph’s retreat house. Please contact Bronia for more information on 0407 430 478 or 9478 1263 or bkarnie@hotmail.com.
Sunday August 21
FESTA BRUNSWICK JUNCTION
You are invited to the Our Lady’s Assumption Parish, Brunswick Junction Festa, Sunday 21st August 2005. Mass 10.30am in the Brunswick Town Hall. Rosary Procession starts at 2pm and concludes with Benediction. BYO Lunch, Tea & coffee will be provided Enquiries : Ross Princi 9726 1077, Domenic Frisina 9726 1283.
CROSS ROADS COMMUNITY TERM 3
JULY 19 SEPTEMBER 23
Family & Friends Support Groups of Substance Abusers are on Wednesdays 7-9pm, Substance Abusers Support Groups are on Tuesdays 5.307.30pm & Fridays All day Group for Substance Abusers is from 9.30am to 2pm including Healing Mass on Fridays at 12.30pm during term. Rosary is from Tuesday to Thursday at 12.30-1pm.
ALL SAINTS CHAPEL
CONFESSIONS: 10.30 to 11.45am and two lunchtime MASSES: 12.10 and 1.10pm Monday through Friday. Easy to find in the heart of Perth , 77 ALLENDALE SQUARE, St. George’s Terrace, Perth, WA. Let the peace of the Chapel surround you; let the hurry and worry of your many cares be left with the Lord. Visit with Him. Talk with Him. Give yourself time for Him! Exposition: 8am - 4pm. Morning Prayer: 8am(Liturgical hours). The Holy Rosary daily: 12.40pm. Divine Mercy Prayers and Benediction: Mondays and Fridays 1.35pm. St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Novenao the Sacred Heart and Benediction: Wednesdays 1.35pm. To help you know and appreciate your Faith, a Lending Library of a thousand books, videos, cassettes at your service. Tel: 9325 2009. The Chapel is closed weekends and public holidays. www.allsaintschapel.com
PERPETUAL ADORATION
Of the Blessed Sacrament Christ the King, Lefroy Rd, Beaconsfield. Enq Joe Migro 9430 7937 A/H 0419 403 100. Adoration also at the following Sacred Heart, 64 Mary St Highgate, St Anne’s, 77 Hehir St Belmont. Bassendean 19 Hamilton St and Mirrabooka 37 Changton Wy. “Jesus is there for you 24/7.”
40 DAYS OF PURPOSE
An August-September all-Christian Evangelisation course being conducted in many Perth churches and communities. More info: Harry (9444 4626) and Website: www.purposedriven.com.au.
ASSISTANCE REQUIRED
The Catholic Parish of St Anne’s, Bindoon require help to assist tradesmen to complete work on the Parish centre. Ph John 9457 7771.
BLESSED SACRAMENT ADORATION
Holy Family Church, Alcock Street, Maddington. Every Friday 8.30 am Holy Mass followed by Blessed Sacrament Adoration till 12 noon. Every first Friday of the month, annointing of the sick during Mass. Enq. 9398 6350.
REFLECTION AFTERNOONS
Challenge of Living as a Eucharistic Community in the Modern World. For everyone involved in Eucharistic Ministries or Service. Speakers include Archbishop Hickey. Topics: Spirituality, 10 July; Evangelisation, 7 August; Challenge of Change, 21 August, Redemptorist Monastery, 2-4 pm. Phone 9422 7902.
SUNDAY CHINESE MASS
The Perth Chinese Catholic Community invite you to join in at St Brigid’s Church, 211 Aberdeen St (Cnr of Aberdeen and Fitzgerald) Northbridge. Celebrant Rev Fr Dominic Su SDS. Mass starts 4.30pm every Sunday. Enq Augustine 9310 4532, Mr Lee 9310 9197, Peter 9310 1789.
LITURGY OFFICE OFFERING EXCELLENT WORKSHOPS
Leadership for Music Ministry, 28 July and 25 August. Cantors for the Country: To give people
■ GLYCONUTRIENTS
Now here is a product that could change your life, a dietary supplement that surpasses all others. Glyconutrients are a technological breakthrough and a new area of science. Learn more about optimal health and Glyconutrients by calling: Mary Anne 9284 1662. Find out Glyconutrients can provide you with a healthy business and a healthier life.
■ REV. CARMELO DEGIORGIO
In memory of Rev. Carmelo Degiorgio on his 12th death anniversary 20 July 1993. J. Cilia.
■ SUCCEED FROM HOME Call Christine on Tel: 9256 2895.
■ USFOROZ LYNWOOD Resume services, memoriam cards and booklets call after hours 0410 651 900.
■ CLASSIC ROMAN/GOTHIC VESTMENTS
Entire Sacristy spectrum. Catholic banners, Copes, Dalmatics, Antipendiums, linen Altar Cloths, Altar Covers, Mass Linens, Albs, surplices, Processional Canopies, Cassocks, etc. 20 years experience in the field. www.susanmaria.com Email: susan@susanmaria. com Ph: (08) 9271 0288, 13/7 Falkirk Avenue, Maylands, WA. Please phone ahead.
■ TO SHARE WITH ELDERLY COUPLE
Applicants must be mature female, non smoker or drinker. Christian Values A MUST. Ph: 9490 0271
29 Opening Mass for Performing Arts Festival, Leederville - Archbishop Hickey
Mass and presentation of Youth Books to Yr 12s, Sacred Heart College - Bishop Sproxton
Prison Fellowship Australia Luncheon and talk - Fr David Shelton OMI
Opening and blessing of extensions, St Kieran’s Catholic Primary School - Fr Brian O’Loughlin VG
Launch of Expo 05 (WAASA) - Mary Retel
30 Fundraising event for Linda’s House of Hope, Queens Park - Archbishop Hickey
31 Mass at Mirrabooka and Induction of Parish Priest, Fr Abraham Martin-Rodriguez - Archbishop Hickey
AUGUST
1 Concelebrated Mass for Feast of St Alphonsus Liguori, Redemptorist Monastery - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton
2 Mass and Presentation of Youth Book to Yr 12s. Newman College - Archbishop Hickey
4 Mass and Presentation of Youth Book to Yr 12s, Kolbe College - Archbishop Hickey
confidence and practical skills to lead the singing in country parishes 13 August and 22 October. Phone: 9422 7902.
CONFRATERNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Confraternity of the Holy Spirit has been sanctioned in the Perth Archdiocese, our aim is to make the Holy Spirit known and loved, and to develop awareness of His presence in our lives. If you would like more information please call WA Coordinator Frank Pimm on 9304 5190.
SECULAR FRANCISCANS IN WA
You are invited to find out more about following Franciscan way of life as a layperson. Contact the group nearest you and come along. Midland fraternity meets on the second Friday of each month at 1pm, contact Mary 9377 7925. Balcatta fraternity meets on the third Sunday of each month at 3pm contact Dunstan 9276 9415. Perth fraternity meets on the fourth Sunday of each month at 2.30pm contact John 9385 5649. Dardunup fraternity meets on the third Sunday of each month at 1.30pm, contact Denis on 9728 1041. For Geraldton Fraternity contact Helen on 9937 1057.
CATHOLICS EXPERIENCING THE BIBLE
PARTTIME COURSES
An exciting opportunity to learn more about your faith. Enrolments are now open for study at Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation in term 3, commencing Mon 18 July. Part-time courses: the Gospel of Life - Richard Egan, Mon, 2-4pm, the Bible and the Mass - Fr Tim Deeter, Tues 9.30 - 11.30am; and Healing and Ministry - Maureen Egan, Tues 1230 - 2pm. Short Course: Mary in the Mystery of the Church - Fr Leo M Spicer, OSM on Mon 15th and Mon 22nd August commencing 9am. Registration and enquiries to Jane on 9202 6859 or 0401 692 690.
CATHOLICS EXPERIENCING THE BIBLE
PUBLIC LECTURES
An exciting opportunity to learn more about your faith. Public lectures Tues 4 - 5pm. July 26: Praying with St Ignatius (Sr Anne Noonan, RNDM); August 2-30: The Catechism (Fr Hugh Thomas); Sept 6: Praying with Mary (Fr Chris M Ross, OSM); Sept 13: Praying with Scripture (Fr Anthony Van Dyke, OP); and Sept 20: Praying through the heart of Jesus (Fr Jim Shelton). Cost $5 per lecture. Enquiries to Jane on 9202 6859 or 0401 692 690.
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
Valid through June 2006 available at ALL SAINTS’ CHAPEL, 77 Allendale Square, St. George’s Terrace, Perth. Featuring the best in dining, hotel accommodation, theatre, sports and much more all with 25% to 50% off or two for one offers. Place your order now. Available from May 30th. Enq 9325 2009, daytime hours 8am – 4pm, Monday through Friday. Thank you for supporting All Saints’ Chapel fund raising efforts.
First Sunday of each month
DEVOTIONS IN HONOUR OF THE DIVINE MERCY Fr Douglas Hoare and the Santa Clara Parish Community welcome anyone from surrounding Parishes and beyond to the Santa Clara Church cnr of Coolgardie and Pollock Streets, Bentley. The afternoon commences with the 3 o’clock prayer, followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Reflection, and concludes with Benediction.
THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE
St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth – each first Sunday of the month from 1.30pm to 3.15pm with a different priest each month. All Saints Chapel, Allendale Square, 77 St George’s Tce, Perth - each Monday and Friday at 1.35pm Main Celebrant Fr James Shelton. St Francis Xavier Church, 25 Windsor Street, East Perth - each Saturday from 2.30pm to 3.30pm main celebrant Fr Marcellinus Meilak, OFM. Saints John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Drive, Willeton - each Wednesday from 4pm to
The past 100 years for Sister Baptista have been a good laugh.
The Good Shepherd nun, who turned 100 on June 17, says she used to get into trouble for laughing at the wrong time when she was younger.
Known as Sr ‘Bappy’ to family and friends, the Northam-born Francis Marguerite Kane entered the convent at the age of 17 because she wanted to help save souls.
Her cousin, Patrick Joseph Clune, became the first Archbishop of Perth.
The youngest of six children, Sr Baptista chose the Good Shepherd Sisters because her elder sister Kathleen, who became Sr Mary Isador, had also entered.
Sr Baptista says that as a child she used to enjoy learning to dance, as her cousin was a dance teacher.
She also remembers taking piano lessons – something she didn’t want to do because she preferred basketball but which was considered a necessity for young ladies.
“But I always had to go back to learning piano theory.”
After finishing high school, a friend took her to visit the Good Shepherd Convent.
When she went home, she was convinced she should enter the religious life.
She was invited to attend a retreat by the Good Shepherd Sisters for potential candidates, and was so moved by the experience that she started to cry.
“I had never cried in my life like I did then.”
“I could feel it was the beginning of a closer union with God.”
Entering the congregation in 1924, Sr Baptista was sent to Abbottsford, Melbourne, for training.
After making her first profession in November 1927 and her final profession in 1932, she was sent to Queensland to become one of
the founding sisters of the mission there. For 47 years, Sr Baptista was busily engaged teaching a variety of crafts.
She was also a great influence on many teenage girls, some of whom were present for her 100th birthday celebrations.
“I liked Queensland but I never could get used to the storms,” she said.
“I felt lost when I came back to WA. There were so many high-rise apartments.”
Sr Baptista says she remembers being very happy during these years.
Returning to Western Australia in 1978, Sr Baptista was part of a team from the Good Shepherd nuns who developed a drop-in centre for migrant mothers in Koondoola in 1983.
The centre specialised in training mothers in finance and
budgeting, as well as teaching them how to cope with looking after young children.
“While the other sisters were tutoring the mothers in social and practical skills, I was looking after the children.”
The centre is now under the guidance of the Mercy Sisters.
Her nephew, Eric Chidlow, a retired Catholic school Principal who also served as assistant director for religious education at the Catholic Education Office of WA, said Sr Baptista “is the person closest to God that I know.”
“She has a wonderfully balanced sense of humour,” Mr Chidlow said.
“She has a caring nature for people, and is always asking about everyone she knows.”
Sr Baptista says she feels well considering her age and still enjoys reading every now and then.
Chronicling the years he spent as a bishop and later archbishop in Krakow, Poland, through his election as the first Polish Pope in 1978, John Paul II recounts everything from communist efforts to suppress the Church in Poland to his efforts to adopt a new and more open style of pastoral ministry.
With recollections on his life as well as his thoughts on the issues facing the world now, Pope John Paul II offers words of wisdom in this book that will appeal to people of any faith looking to strengthen their spirituality.
Just $27.95 plus postage and handling
Call Eugene Suares on (08) 9227 7080 or via cathrec@iinet.net.au
arriage exists in virtually every known human society. Exactly what family forms exised in prehistoric society is not known, and the shape of human marriage varies considerably in different cultural contexts. But at least since the beginning of recorded history, in all the flourishing varieties of human cultures documented by anthropologists, marriage has been a universal human institution. As a virtually universal human idea, marriage is about regulating the reproduction of children, families and society. While marriage systems differ (and not every person or class within a society marries), marriage across societies is a publicly acknowledged and supported sexual union which creates kinship obligations and sharing of resources between men, women, and the children that their sexual union my produce.