The Record Newspaper 25 May 2006

The COLD of Winter

A GREAT RECORD RESPONSE!

Readers dig deep for Fr Ruiz and the lepers of China! - Page 5

Apology call doubts

Reports Pope urged PM to apologise may be exaggerated

■ By Paul Gray

Pope Benedict XVI’s name has been dragged into the long-running controversy over whether the Commonwealth Government should issue an apology to Aborigines.

According to a report in Melbourne’s The Age newspaper earlier this week, the Pope told Australia’s new ambassador to the Vatican, Anne Maree Plunkett, that an apology should be issued to the Aboriginal people.

“Pope calls for an apology,” the report’s headline stated. The report was picked up and widely transmitted by Catholic news services.

Tuesday’s West Australian newspaper reserved its Page 1 lead story for the issue under the headline ‘Pope tells PM: Say sorry to Aboriginals.”

The West Australian used The Age’s report by respected religion editor, Barney Zwartz, with additional material from another reporter.

If accurate, the story that Pope Benedict XVI wants Australia’s Prime Minister, John Howard, to apologise on behalf of the Australian nation is deeply significant, politically and morally.

But serious doubt remains about whether this was the Pope’s intention in making the comments.

According to the report, the Pope spoke to Ms Plunkett when she presented her diplomatic credentials as Australia’s new Ambassador late last week.

“I encourage you and the Government to continue to address with compassion and determination the deep underlying causes of

Continued on Page 4

Archbishop Hickey elected to Bishops Commission on Aboriginals - Page 2

Perth’s latest priest forged in the crucible of life

■ By Jamie O’Brien

He rides a motorbike, was formerly a De La Salle Brother, and spent ten years in a Communist prison in Vietnam.

St Charles Seminary’s latest semi-

CATHEDRAL INVITE

Catholics in the diocese of Bunbury have been invited to a meeting with the architect who will design a new Cathedral to register their feelings and views on what is needed.

narian to be ordained to the priesthood has had his fair share of suffering.

Despite his experiences, Hong Pham said he doesn’t hate the people who hurt him but finds strength from the experiences that caused him much suffering. “I have used

my experiences to help other seminarians,” he said.

Now with 40 years behind him as De La Salle Brother, ten of those being lived in prison, Hong Pham was ordained a priest at St Mary’s Cathedral last Friday May 12 in front of more than 500 people.

Among the guests were his mother and sister, who both travelled to Australia from Vietnam for the occasion.

In his homily for the occasion, Archbishop Hickey said that every ordination is a sign that someone

Continued with more photos on - VISTA 2

THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY

Towards fulfilment: Deacon Luis Tijerino, holding the book of the Gospels aloft, leads Deacon Hong Pham down the central aisle of St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday evening on May 12 in front of hundreds of people. Deacon Pham was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Barry Hickey.

Photo: Jamie O’Brien

A new agenda for Aboriginal Catholics

■

By Archbishop Barry Hickey

At the recent meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops in Sydney, I was elected Vice President and a series of new Commissions was set up to replace the numerous Bishops’ committees. I was also elected Chairman of the Commission for Relations with Aborigines and the National ATSICC (National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council).

The other members of the Commission are Bishop Chris Saunders (Broome), Bishop Brian Heenan (Rockhampton) and Bishop

Christopher Prowse (Auxiliary, Melbourne). I was delighted with the new portfolio and pleased to be

asked to act on behalf of the Bishops in furthering good relationships with the Aboriginal people.

While matters of social justice and social welfare will remain important, my initial priority is the inclusion of Catholic Aboriginal people into the mainstream life of the Church.

Unfortunately, despite the great efforts of the Missionaries, many Catholic Aboriginal people still feel strangers in parishes.

It is significant that ethnic groups have been more rapidly and fully integrated into the life of the Church than local Aboriginal Catholics.

This issue will be closely studied and ways of increasing the participation of Aboriginal Catholic

Permanent Deacons on the rise

The numbers of active Australian deacons will jump 20% when 14 married men are ordained deacons on June 29 at St Mary’s Cathedral.

Over the past two weeks, some 80 Perth priests, at the annual clergy seminars held at Safety Bay, spent six hours discussing the effects that the permanent diaconate will have in the diocese.

Since the re-establishment of the permenant diaconate at Vatican II, deacon numbers throughout the world have grown to 20,000, with more than half in the USA. Perth was one of the first Australian dioceses to reestablish the order when Archbishop Goody

ordained Deacon David O’Brien in 1974. Fr Peter Bianchini, director of the permanent diaconate program told priests that the voluntary deacons have all been placed in various parishes throughout the diocese and are very well prepared for their work after spending some 40 weekends of intense training in theology, scripture and canon law.

Three and a half years ago Archbishop Hickey called for expressions of interest from married men over the age of 35 years. Of the 44 applicants, 14 began their journey, with their wives support, towards ordination. There was also one candidate from the Bunbury diocese. - Fr John Jegorow

people into the life of the Church explored.

This will be carrying out the challenge that the Holy Father issued at Alice Springs 20 years ago – when he said to the Aboriginal people:

“The Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.”

In Perth the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry is centred in Baker St, East Perth at the Aboriginal Chaplaincy.

Two employed Aboriginal pastoral workers visit hospitals, prisons, parishes and Catholic schools, the Chaplain, Fr Alfonsas Savickis, celebrates Mass each week at Holy

Trinity Church, Embleton. The Chaplaincy has recently been expanded to include two Servite Sisters.

Efforts are now being made to re-form the Catholic Aboriginal Council and the WA Branch of NATSICC, especially with a view to participating in the special event in Alice Springs later this year to remember the visit of the late Pope John Paul II in 1986.

Fr Michael McMahon SAC has taken a keen interest in Aboriginal students at Catholic Secondary schools, aware that these young people will be leaders of the future.

I look forward to significant development in Catholic Aboriginal Communities around Australia.

Canberra does precious little on porn: Family First

■ By Paul Gray

The Family First party has attacked the Federal Government for inaction against internet pornography, claiming that expert research shows that compulsory internet filtering is feasible.

Family First Senator Steven Fielding said that the Government is in “a holding pattern” on internet pornography, at a time of a “huge community concern,” particularly for parents, over the issue.

“Parents feel powerless,” Senator Fielding said. “We know we have to let our kids roam the internet for study, yet we can’t be watching over their shoulders all the time to monitor what they are seeing.”

work,” said Senator Fielding. “We spoke to experts and discovered it was possible to block pornography at the Internet Service Provider (ISP) level.”

According to a researcher with the Family First party, there are more than 1200 ISPs in Australia.

While it would be technically difficult to impose filtering on such a large number of operators, there are around 10 “primary providers” or “gatekeepers of Internet bandwidth” who project the internet into Australia.

These are companies like Telstra, Optus and Primus, the researcher said. These larger companies “onsell” to the smaller ISPs.

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The Record is a weekly publication distributed through parishes of the dioceses of Western Australia and by subscription.

A Senate committee report two years ago published a report saying that filtering of internet pornography was feasible, Senator Fielding said.

However since that time the Federal Government has done “diddly squat” about the issue.

“Last year, Family First sought technical advice about how a ban on internet pornography could

A mother’s worth

A full-time, stay-at-home United States mother would earn $134,121 a year if paid for all her work, an amount similar to a top United States ad executive, a marketing director or a judge, according to a study by compensation experts Salary.com.

And a mother who works outside the home would earn an extra

By mandating filtering through the “gateway” suppliers, all ISPs would be covered, the researcher said.

The Family First party says that even the libertarian-influenced ALP had not “bought the line” that internet pornography cannot be stopped.

“It is up to the Government to fix the problem rather than finding excuses to do as little as possible,” the Family First Senator said.

$85,876 annually on top of her actual wages for the work she does at home.

To reach these figures the survey calculated the earning power of the 10 main jobs a mother does: housekeeper, day-care teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive and psychologist.

- FamilyEdge e-zine

Archbishop Hickey

At the seminar: Fathers Domenic Su SDS, Andrew Bowron of Northam, Son Nguyen of Hamersley, Peter Bianchini of Highgate, Archbishop Hickey, and Brian McKenna

Photo: Fr John Jegorow

Bunbury Catholics invited to Cathedral forum

Images aim to help foster thoughts on what’s needed

■ By Mark Reidy

Parishioners of the Bunbury Diocese have been invited to present their views at a forum with the architect of the new Cathedral for their diocese on June 6. The meeting with Marcus Collins will take place several weeks after the first anniversary of the tornado that destroyed the original building on May 16, 2005.

In a recent statement Bishop Gerard Holohan of Bunbury outlined details of the progress made over the past 12 months and acknowledged that the time had

been “an enormous challenge for the Parish and the Diocese”.

But he also added that support from parishioners and the wider community had been overwhelming during this difficult period.

Bishop Holohan said that progress on the rebuilding had been encouraging and that extensive research and preliminary work had been completed.

He was enthusiastic about the appointment in February of awardwinning architect Marcus Collins who brought with him both nation-

Forum details:

Tuesday June 6th 7.30pm

St Mary’s Church Hall, Columba St Bunbury

al and international experience.

Bishop Holohan said that Mr Collins was in the process of finalising the master plan for the Cathedral but said he did not expect preliminary design plans to be available for consideration for several months.

The June 6 forum will follow

on from three consultations held over the past year and will present parishioners with a series of slides taken from a wide array of cathedrals and churches. They will then have the opportunity to put forward their views and suggestions for specific aspects of the new design.

“It is the members of the parish community who are the Church”, Bishop Holohan stated in his memo.

“Ideally, the rebuilding of the Cathedral will symbolise our efforts to renew our parish and the whole diocese.”

Since 1998 the little catechism “I Believe” has served religious, catechists, families and young adults as an aid to learning and teaching the Faith.

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Caritas directors thank WA! - Page 7

General intention: “That

Mission intention: “That in the mission countries those responsible for the public institutions may, with suitable laws, promote and defend human life from its conception to its natural termination.”

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

Do I guarantee that when people come to do business with me, they will be treated with courtesy, sincerity, professionalism and ef ciency? I say “I want your business and I m prepared to pay for it” and “I stand behind every car I sell”. Is that really true?

Is it true that I have over 40 technicians who are dedicated to getting my used cars in rst class condition before sale?

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Festival offers a plethora of fun and culture - the Italian way

■ By Jamie O’Brien

After more than ten wellacclaimed Italian Festivals from 1993 to 2005, the ItaloAustralian Welfare and Cultural Centre is organising the Italian Festival 2006 commencing this Saturday.

The event will also commemorate the Centre’s 50th Anniversary.

Among the main events, there will be the Italian Day at the Races on Saturday June 3 and the Italian National Gala Ball on Sunday June 4, along with the Australian National Final of “Miss Italia Australia 2006” at the Burswood

Festival Calendar

Saturday May 27

Junior Soccer Carnival (Under 6’s, 7’s & 8’s)

Venue: Stirling Panthers Soccer Club/Yuluma Reserve, Langley

Crescent, Innaloo

Time: 8.30am

Contact: Maria

Iacieri Tel: 0418 914 518

Darts Competition “C & D Grade Men & Women”

Venue: Siciliani Association of WA, Lot 51, Fortune Street, Balcatta

Time: 12.00 noon Contact: Peter

Sizer Tel: 0417 980 975

Sunday May 28

Messa della Repubblica

Celebrated by Archbishop Hickey

Venue: St Brigid’s Parish Church, West Perth Time: 10.15am

Giornata Culturale: “Festa della Repubblica 2006”

Organised by Com.It.Es. Theme:

Entertainment Complex. Managing Director Sarina Sirna said the Festival will be a time of delightful enjoyment and entertainment for all those who participate. “It is the

Pittura-Scultura-FotografiaPoesia-Prosa

Venue: WA Italian Club, Fitzgerald Street, Perth Time: 10.00am

Entry: Free Contact: Com.It.Es. Tel: 9227 1195

Monday May 29

Bridge Competition

Venue: WA Italian Club, Fitzgerald Street, Perth Time: 7.00pm

Film Night: “Pinocchio “ with Roberto Benigni

Venue: Cinema Paradiso, 164 James Street, Northbridge

Time: 7.00pm Bookings: Cinema Paradiso, Tel: 9227 1771

Tuesday May 30

Official Launch of the ItalianAustralian Apprentice of the Year

Wednesday May 31 “La Competizione Dolciaria”Sweets Competition

highlight of the Italian-Australian Communities for the year... The Centre has once again continued its very proud tradition of ensuring that the bond of solidarity and

“Home Made Wine Competition”Wine Tasting Evening Presentation of “Italian Community Awards”

Venue: WAIC, Fitzgerald St, Perth Contact: IAWCC 9228 2220 Time:7.00pm

Thursday June 1

Concert of “Musica Classica”19th Century Guitar With Maestro Marco Battaglia - Sponsored by the Italian Consulate

Venue: Notre Dame University, 19 Mouat Street, Fremantle Time: 7.00pm Entry: Free

Saturday June 3

Italian Day at the Races. Presentation of Prizes/Display of School Students’ Competition

Venue: Belmont Park Racecourse. Time: 12noon Complimentary gate passes available from IAWCC Tel: 9228 2220

friendship between the Italian and Australian Communities has been further enhanced through the organisation of this particularly significant and traditional Festival of

For Restaurant Bookings, contact

PerthRacing Tel: 9227 0777

Sunday June 4

Australian National Final “Miss

Italia Australia 2006”

Venue: Burswood Entertainment

Complex-Grand Ballroom Time: 7.00pm

Tickets: $120.00 per person (all inclusive)

[Bookings are available from IAWCC, Tel: 9228 2220]

Other School Students

Competitions (WA) {Pre Primary -Year 7}

Italian Radio Program (6EBA 95.3fm)

Program Times : Sunday 8.30am9.30am & Tuesday 5.00pm6.00pm

For more information contact the ItaloAustralian Welfare and Cultural Centre on 08 9228 2220

celebrations and events,” she said. The Festival has been sponsored by D’Orsogna Limited, Rosendorff’s Diamond Jewellers and Northline Travel.

Doubts grow over reports of papal call to PM for formal apology

Continued from Page 1 (the Aborigines’) plight,” the Pope said.

“Commitment to truth opens the way to lasting reconciliation through the healing process of asking for forgiveness and granting forgiveness — two indispensable

elements for peace.” However there is no statement, within the reported words of the Pope, over what, precisely, is the wrong for which forgiveness should be asked.

This fact lends support to the view that the Pope’s words were intended as a moral generalisation,

or lesson, on the need for forgiveness within troubled relationships.

A call for the Government to apologise, on the other hand, would certainly require some specific detail on what the Government should apologise for.

In the course of a lengthy inter-

view with ABC TV’s Lateline program, Archbishop Barry Hickey said there are many people of compassion and hope around Australia who would be willing to assist the Aboriginal people today.

“We can’t leave everything to the Government,” Archbishop Hickey said. “The Government can deal with structures, can provide money, can provide programs, but the heart, the compassion, the forgiveness, the reconciliation has to be done by ordinary people getting together, speaking to each other, making friends, and together moving ahead. Without that personal element, I don’t think anything can succeed.”

While “Sorry Day” remains a commemoration widely supported by Catholic church agencies, and the Pope’s predecessor, John Paul II, issued several apologies on behalf the Church for the past sins of Catholics, Prime Minister John Howard has opposed the principle of an apology on behalf of the nation. His position has been supported,

indirectly, by some Aboriginal leaders, including the well-known activist and co-designer of the “Aboriginal flag,” Gary Foley, who have argued that apologies by present-day white people for crimes committed by others in previous generations are largely meaningless.

Mr Howard’s position is that while he personally regrets injustices perpetrated by whites towards non-whites in the past, he does not see the necessity for an apology by white people today.

This is a position widely supported by many voters, who see Government efforts to assist Aboriginal people over the past 30 years as bordering on the excessively generous.

The reported papal call for an apology emerged in the same week as new controversy erupted over shocking rates of sexual abuse in some remote Aboriginal communities. ALP national President Warren Mundine, who is Aboriginal, endorsed calls for the Army to be sent in to re-build Aboriginal communities.

“What’s New Pussycat?

Vinnies Winter Dance, That’s What!”

Looking for a great night out and at the same time help to support West Australians in need this winter? Then put on your dancing shoes!

The St Vincent de Paul Society’s Winter Appeal Dance is to be held on Saturday, 17 June 2006 at the Cannington Exhibition Centre, Albany Highway, Cannington between 7pm and midnight. This event will showcase The Tom Jones Cabaret/Dance Extravaganza featuring Wayne Stanley and his live six piece band. There will be raffles, silent auctions and loads of prizes to be won. Food, coffee, tea and soft drinks can be purchased on the night. BYO alcohol.

Tickets are only $25 each and are available until Friday, 2 June from the St Vincent de Paul Society,76 Abernethy Road, Belmont or phone 9475 5400 for more information. All proceeds will go to the St Vincent de Paul Society 2006 Winter Appeal.

The forthcoming Festival will be as Italian as gelati.

‘Witchcraft’ courses for schools outrages group

Pagans lose first skirmish in Queensland state school battle

■ By Paul Gray

The Australian Christian Lobby has hit out against moves by an Australian state education department that could eventually open the door to the teaching of witchcraft in government schools.

The Lobby’s Managing Director, Mr Jim Wallace, said there is no place for “minor, cultish beliefs” to be taught in schools in Australia.

“Religious education ought to focus on major world religions which have influenced history and continue to play a role in political affairs,” Mr Wallace said.

“What state is our society in when we would even consider teaching our children witchcraft as part of their state school education?”

Mr Wallace was commenting on changes proposed by Queensland’s Education Minister, Mr Rod Welford, to the law gov-

Jim Wallace

erning education about religion in state schools.

Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop had earlier criticised Mr Welford’s proposals, saying that political correctness has gone too far when school religious education permits “almost any belief system to be taught, including witchcraft and paganism.”

In response to the criticisms aimed at Mr Welford’s changes, the Queensland Governmnent later backed down on its proposed changes, saying its best course of action is “not to proceed with the amendments at this time.”

Political opponents of Queensland’s Labor Government

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

World Youth Day (WYD) will be held in Sydney in July 2008. This global event, sponsored by the Catholic Church and held once every three years, recently attracted more than 1 million people in Cologne, Germany.

WYD will not only be a once in a life-time opportunity for the Catholic community of Australia to celebrate and share its faith, but will be an event that will bring together the whole community.

The Strategic Communications Director will play a critical role in the WYD executive team. The individual will work directly with the WYD Chief Operating Officer to develop and implement a communications plan, manage community liaison and media relations, and deal with issues as they emerge. These tasks span a wide range of stakeholders and participants including the visiting youth, Catholic community of Australia and overseas, Government and regulators, international and local media, as well as a range of other community and church groups.

Candidates for this position will have demonstrated a track record for communicating and influencing at the most senior levels. A proven strategist who can clearly demonstrate extensive experience in the use of multiple communication channels and demonstrate an ability to manage “media issues” in a constructive and sensitive way. The individual will be mature, articulate, have outstanding judgment and strong communication skills. Any candidate for this position must be a self-starter, collaborative, proactive and have a strong results orientation. Importantly, candidates will understand and believe in the value of this outstanding event.

Applications to be sent in confidence to: Anthony Spata, Manager, Employment and Staff Development, Level 5, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, 2000 or at anthony.spata@ado.syd.catholic.org.au.

Closing date: Friday, 9 June 2006

predicted that it would proceed with the changes after the next state election.

A spokeswoman for the Humanist Society of Queensland said she was “bitterly disappointed” by the Government’s decision not to proceed immediately with the Welford amendments, but said she was hopeful it eventually would.

Under Queensland’s present education system, state school students attend religious education classes taught by Christians, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists, unless parents specifically request them to be exempt.

The proposed changes would have made it necessary for parents to specifically request that their children attend religious education classes, or their children would miss out.

The changes would also have broadened the content of religious education permitted in classrooms, to include beliefs other than those of the mainstream religions.

Ms Bishop described the ideas behind the policy as “crazy notions (which) were obviously dreamt up by some ideologue in an education department.”

Record readers dig deep for Fr Ruiz

Record readers donated $17,000 to the work of Spanish Jesuit priest Fr Luis Ruiz in China helping lepers and orphans of HIV/AIDS.

News of readers’ generosity was relayed to The Record this week by the Jesuit Missions Office in Sydney. The Record had directed readers to send their donations there in its reports. Fr Steve Curtin from the Jesuit Missions Sydney congratulated The Record

“Your zeal to assist the project and patience with your timing of the article have certainly made an impact on your readers,” he said in a letter to the paper to report on donations received.

This man is a saint: Fr Luis Ruiz, the Spanish Jesuit who has helped more than 5000 disabled men and women and people suffering with HIV/AIDS.

“We are delighted to be able to tell you that since the story ran we have received $17,000 in donations for Fr Ruiz.

“The donations have been coming in quite strongly over the last 10 days.”

Anyone still wishing to help Fr Ruiz and Casa Ricci Social Services can send donations to:

Fr Stephen Curtin SJ Australian Jesuit Missions PO Box 193 North Sydney NSW 2059 (02) 9955 8585

Readers should stipulate they wish their donations to be forwarded to Fr Ruiz in Macau.

letters to the editor

Perspectives Around t he tabl e dnuorA t eh lbat e

Pell’s points valid

Speaking in the US in early February Cardinal George Pell of Sydney said:

“These are also legitimate requests for our Islamic partners in dialogue: Do they believe that the peaceful suras [chapters] of the Koran are abrogated by the verses [in the later suras] of the sword? Is the program of military expansion (100 years after Muhammad’s death Muslim armies reached Spain and India) to be resumed when possible?

“Do they believe that democratic majorities of Muslims in Europe would impose Sharia law? Can we discuss Islamic history and even the hermeneutical [interpretative] problems around the origins of the Koran without threats of violence?”

These are very valid points if there is to be useful dialogue in this country both within the Muslim community and between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Geoff Taylor Riverton

Pell is correct

Cardinal George Pell is right when he says that the Koran is riddled with invocations to violence. However it will surprise many to learn that the Bali bombers justified their actions with the verse in the Koran that asks believers “to do good and prevent evil deeds.”

Why this should be so is adequately explained by the New Statesman’s cover story entitled “The Struggle for Islam’s Soul,” Ziauddin Sardar (July 18, 2005) which I recommend to all readers of The Record.

Adrian Reutens Ferndale

An interesting take

I found Margaret Ker’s letter to The Record on May 4 challenging the focus of your Easter edition very interesting.

A few weeks before Easter, during a youth meeting in Albany, a young Catholic requested an explanation of what we mean when we say that Christ died for our sins and why we say Jesus is the lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

The concept of sin in the bible is expressed using various words. Hattat is one of the Hebrew words for ‘sin’ and it means failure to meet expectation, or to miss the mark.

Awon is used to express the awful feeling (guilt) which we get when we fail to do as expected. There are other words like pesa which translates as something like violating other people’s rights and Maal which means failure to keep a promise.

So how does Christ take away

Praise for ‘Oasis of Love’ report

Story was inspirational

May we commend you for the inspirational article on the work of Fr Ruiz and his helpers. He is indeed a ‘legend’ and his cause truly deserving of support

Gillian & Jerome Gonzalez Willetton

Thankyou Father, Sisters

To say that I was impressed with the Record’s initiative and report about Fr Ruiz’s ministry in China would be an understatement. In my own missions to many countries I have seen great poverty and suffering, especially in Uganda last year, but I have never seen such as these poor lepers. Your reports brought tears to my eyes and a deep ache in my heart that at the same time was filled with gratitude to God for Fr Ruiz, the Sisters and your great report.

It makes me proud to see The Record take this initiative. The editor must be congratu-

our sin? We know that God is love and God did not demand the awful execution of his son in order to make up for our sins.

In the Acts of the Apostles we hear St Peter reminding the Jewish Leaders that it was they (not God) who killed Jesus on the cross, but pointing out that it was God who raised him up.

However Jesus is our saviour in various ways.

Incarnation for me is an act of salvation. We see a God who is reaching out to us, a God who is concerned with our lives and sends his son to take us back to the right mark. We are saved from fear and ignorance about the nature of our God.

As a young boy we are told he grew up being loved by God and people, a model for young people. He also grew up in a society which was divided along gender and racial lines, and yet he preached reconciliation. He paid special attention to the poor and the sick.

To Zacheus he announced ‘salvation has come to this house.’ One priest summarized Jesus’ message as, ‘We all matter greatly to our God.”

As Margaret puts it His death on the Cross shows ‘his willingness to surrender totally to God.’ It also shows how far our God is willing to go in order to bring us back to the right path.

The risen Lord is still with us helping us in our lives. He sends us the Holy Spirit to guide us. We refer to him as our High Priest who intercedes for us. We experience his strength working in us and through us.

It is awesomely cool to be a Christian because we have such an amazing Saviour whose life touches every aspect of ours. He is a Saviour in a real way.

John Kamondia South Hedland

Singapore typical

The joy shown by Singapore Catholics is typical of the whole region, including Malaysia and Indonesia.

lated along with journalists, Derek and Jamie because you have brought a true expression of the compassion of Christ into our homes.

The financial support of Colin Pike and John Hughes demonstrates how money, often thought of as evil by many, when used for love can never be evil.

Without such generosity such works are simply not possible.

Thank you all. I am sure that Fr Ruiz, the Sisters and those they selflessly care for will be adopted into the hearts of all those that read The Record. I hope so.

Eddie Russell FMI Flame Ministries International

Congratulations to all

C ongratulations to all involved with the article ‘An Oasis of Love’. It is the best bit of Catholic journalism I’ve seen for years.

Is this a field that we can expect The Record to continue in the future?

It must have taken a great amount of organ-

My wife and I lived in Malaysia for seven years, mainly in Kuching in Sarawak, a place where they are building new churches and filling them to capacity, as well as extending older churches.

St Joseph’s Cathedral in Kuching has a capacity of about 2000 to 2500, and is filled to overflowing four times on a weekend, for a total of over 10,000 participants.

If you don’t get to the 9.30 am Mass half an hour early, you don’t get a seat. The same experience was reported by a friend on holiday at Lombok, near Bali, Indonesia.

The joy shown by these people in being Christian needs to be experienced by all Australians, especially by those who seem embarrassed to admit to their religion.

In addition, these people are orthodox Catholics. They don’t feel the need for dissent as our generation of knockers in Australia seem to do. They actually still have queues waiting for confession on Saturdays.

They are happy to sing traditional hymns as well as new ones, and are not reticent about joining in. Prayer groups in private homes are commonplace during the week. They will gladly place a crucifix above their front door to proclaim their faith to the world, and have an altar in the family room, not tucked away in a bedroom.

My time in South East Asia was a wonderful faith experience, and I believe that the Church has a great future in Asia. I recommend the experience to anyone who has not been there yet.

Eric Miller Lesmurdie

Why be insulted?

N o matter how much you convince me that a movie made about my immediate family is fiction, if my family is degraded in that movie, there is no way anyone can get me to see it - even if I was paid millions to do so. The very thought of turning up to a movie theatre to do so would be unacceptable. But if that member of my family happens to be the Saviour

isation for The Record to arrange this so ‘Thanks’ to those who first came up with the concept, the sponsors and most of all to Derek Boylen and Jamie O’Brien for the excellent story and pictures. I am sure that it took some courage as well as determination for these reporters to travel to China for this story. I hope that the story of faith, service and dedication given by Father Ruiz and the Sisters of Charity of St Anne is picked up by other news outlets.

Keep up the good work.

Peter Chamberlain Padbury

of the world, who died to save me, how much more would this offence be compounded.

The controversy is not so much about The Da Vinci Code being a work of fiction as it is about it being a book of lies, cleverly disguised to mislead people with fragile values. As Fr Raniero Cantalamessa said in a Good Friday sermon at St Peter’s Basilica, speaking before Pope Benedict XVI, the book and the movie are “pseudo-historic” works aimed at undermining the Church’s authority”.

Let every level-headed person take a strong stand against this movie because it not only attacks the Catholic Church but the dignity of humans as well.

Joseph Almeida Thornlie

Russia and Oz

T here is a disconcerting parallel between Russia, often referred to as the ‘sick man of Europe’ because of its many problems, and what is happening here in Australia.

A recent news item reported that in his annual state of the nation address President Vladimir Putin’s main concern was population decline, describing it as the “most acute problem facing Russia.”

“The issues of economic and social development of the country,” he said, “are closely linked to a simple question: who are we doing it all for?”

He went on to point out the stark reality behind his concern is that Russia’s population is declining by 700,000 per year. Simple mathematics dictates that unless reversed such a decline ultimately means Russia will cease being Russia as other demographics take over.

Already Russia’s population has declined from 148 million at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union to 143 million. As a percentage of 143 million, 700,000 is 0.5 percent. Here in Australia we abort nearly 100,000 babies per year. As a percentage of our population of 20 million, that is also nearly 0.5 percent.

We are on the same suicidal tra-

jectory as Russia, the only difference being that so far we manage to hide the reality by replacing abortion with immigration.

Undeniably we need migrants, but we also need our own children.

If this is such a wonderful country as we are forever being told, and surely it is, and if we are such generous people, as I believe we mostly are, why then do we allow this horrendous culling, denying so many their chance at life?

At least Russia’s leadership is prepared to admit they have a problem. Here, as the recent RU-486 debate proved, it seems our political class would rather pretend we don’t have one.

Barry Morgan Samson

Thankyou, Mark

Regarding the heart-rending photo of the dying child (The Record, May 4, page 14), Mark Reidy is so right.

We should be thoroughly ashamed of ourselves: for what we don’t do.

That little one is of a similar age to my own youngest. Mine is two and a half, and is well-fed, healthy, from an intact family who love him dearly, and has everything he needs or wants. The thought of the contrast alone made me cry.

And, not only is a child dying of starvation, or a preventable disease, every one or two minutes of every day, but a child somewhere is being killed by abortion every second of each day.

Mrs CV Phillips

Queens Park

An Ignatian spirit

T hank you for the small article on page 3 on March 16, by Sylvia Defendi. I am pleased to report that the meeting did take place and the small number who did attend was very enthusiastic for Ignatian Volunteers Australia.

Mr John Hartigan has agreed to

■ By Peter Rosengren

In the last few days leading up to the lecture presented by Dr Kate Challis at UNDA last Thursday evening May 25, the phones went red hot at The Record, particularly in the periods following on from her radio interviews when, against the general background of saturation publicity for the movie version of Dan Brown’s book, interest in all things Da Vinci was especially high.

In the leadup to the meeting I found myself, however, wondering why it was that I was, in some ways, opposed to the book and the movie.

I realised that I wasn’t really clear about my own reservations.

In a radio interview I said I wasn’t particularly concerned about people reading the book or seeing the movie - they were quite free to do so if they wished. I merely hoped that those going to see it would understand fairly clearly that it is a work of fiction - nothing more.

Like many others I felt constrained to issue that plea because clearly millions of people around the world believe the book is actually the truth.

So why did I find the movie’s release and the massive advertising and publicity campaign so disquieting?

I realised that the starting point and strategy many opponents of the Da Vinci phenomenon have mounted is to refute the historical claims made in the book. Clearly, they won the intellectual argument - but not the publicity. In fact, anything they did about the movie only increased its publicity and therefore the success of its distributors.

But in a post-modern world I don’t think the strategy of refutation cuts much ice if it is generally understood that the campaign mounted by opponents of The Da Vinci Code is coming from the Christian quarter. In other words, Christians lack legitimacy when they speak on almost any subject in our society but especially on issues to do with their churches or their faith or, worst of all, the moral life. This, when one thinks about it, is potentially disturbing. One of the characteristics of post-modernism is the abandonment or rejection of the idea that truth exists. This is why Christians and the Catholic Church in particular have had such a hard time getting traction in the media over, lately, The Da Vinci Code and in other areas as well.

As I thought to myself about the Da Vinci phenomenon - and it can only be described as a phenomenon when tens of millions of people around the world all appear to be more or less convinced that this novel actually represents the real truth of the world for the last two millennia, that all the history everyone has learned until now was false and that everything taught in universities (Yale, Oxford, Harvard, the Sorbonne, and so on) through-

I, Paul

out the world is a global and bi-millenial conspiracy theory or hoax - it seemed to me that a key problem we Christians partly failed to come to terms with is not that The Da Vinci Code is historically wrong.

For me, that was not the problem. The problem was that Dan Brown has, as far as I can tell, invented history. The only other alternative I can imagine is that he is very bad at researching history, as evidenced by the Code, so bad that it is might be difficult for him to tell the real from the purely made-up.

This - the invention of history - is actually a far more risky business than the average teenager or suburbanite who comes away from reading or seeing The Da Vinci Code convinced they have finally uncovered the truth, realises.

In early 20th century Russia the Czarist secret police, known as the Okrahna, deliberately forged a document in order to discredit Jews living at that time and in that nation.

The document, known as The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, is known to be a forgery and has been proved to be a forgery on numerous occasions, but the story put about by the Czar’s police was that it had fallen out of a sleigh being pursued through the snow and had been discovered lying on the road.

The Protocols were purported to be nothing less than the principles of a world conspiracy by Jewish leaders to control the banking sys-

nary men and women founded by a Spanish priest in 1928 is actually a hypocritical and sinister society more efficient and deadly than the Mafia... and so on.

These are actually very risky things to assert as being the truth about other people. If people can believe in a master-conspiracy 3000 years old as set out in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, they can also believe in a master conspiracy of a different kind.

“To read Paul is like trying to read a whirlwind... a stormfront rather than a mere mortal.”

This is what makes me uncomfortable about The Da Vinci Code - not the fact that my particular set of religious beliefs is insulted by the latest book or work of art. After all, Christians have had to put up with that for two millennia. It’s the implicit incitement to false outrage or hostility against a religion that I think is by far the more risky thing. Look at our world. Look at what false outrage or hostility to others’ religious beliefs have done in places from Bosnia to Darfur to Iraq.

I conclude with a different thought, however. It occurred to me that in all the hype and the controversy there is one person who has been left out of all this, one figure from whom we have largely not heard.

who stood by to watch the sentence carried out, while those doing the stoning laid their clothes at his feet.

And it was Saul who had that most famous encounter on the road to Damascus that - temporarilyderailed his entire universe, eventually leading him to become the greatest messenger of Christianity to the whole world. Keep in mind that for Paul the very fact that Christ had died on the cross was proof that He was a false messiah.

But Saul changed, because Saul met Christ - after Christ died

And it is slightly amusing to read that after his famous conversion the first Christians still didn’t want to know or have anything to do with him because they suspected a ruse, a trap, that would mean further persecutions.

But eventually, with the help of another, he won their trust.

To read Paul is like trying to read a whirlwind. One gets a sense of the intensity of his personality, but one also feels as if one is trying to come to terms not so much with a man, as a phenomenon, something massive like a stormfront rather than a mere mortal. And to read Paul is to collide with the truth about the Resurrection - to encounter Christ.

tem, the finances of the world’s nations, and ultimately the nations themselves.

It was false when it was written in 1903, and it’s still false now. But I have met people who actually believe, and cite, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion as evidence of a Jewish conspiracy.

Here, the problem with The Da Vinci Code begins to take shape a little more clearly.

The Protocols were not singlehandedly responsible for that tragic sequence of events most usually described today as The Holocaust. Nor were they necessarily one of the main reasons. They were the product of an anti-Jewish mentality that existed over centuries in Europe and still exists in some places today.

But they were, at the same time, certainly a contributing cause to the efforts to exterminate every Jewish man, woman and child from the face of Europe, a boon to those who believed in such things, a comfort to those who were ignorant or indifferent.

And that’s the problem with The Da Vinci Code. It asserts at the beginning that what it presents is essentially the truth.

If millions of people believe The Da Vinci Code is true, some, perhaps many, believe that the Church is a hoax, that the Church’s leadership is a malignant and malevolent force desperate to cover up the truth, that an association of ordi-

It is not Christ, although The Da Vinci Code alleges He did not rise from the dead, and we obviously could not have had a Da Vinci Code if we had not had a Jesus Christ in the first place. No, it is not Jesus that I am thinking of.

The person I think of is called Paul, although his original name was Saul.

Paul has been forgotten, and yet if there is any one figure who discredits the Da Vinci Code more than anyone else, other than the Incarnation, it is Paul.

Paul was the single greatest foe of the very first Christians - so opposed that he was feared by them.

An educated Jew who spoke eloquently in the most educated language of his day, Greek, he was a zealot when it came to defending the Jewish faith.

Looking back on his early life as the fiercest persecutor of Christianity at a later date he recalled how he sought to stamp out Christianity; how he carried official letters from Judaism’s highest governing body authorising him to locate and bring to justice the deviant blasphemers who were the first Christians.

He also recalled how he had voted for the death sentence against those who refused to renounce Jesus Christ. In essence, he signed the death warrants.

When the Church’s first martyr, Stephen, was stoned to death, it was Saul, as he was known then,

And then, in letter after letter, one can read Paul urging, arguing, admonishing, encouraging, pleading with the first Christian communities he had established to hold fast to true faith in the risen Christ and not to go astray. Read his letters and his personality comes storming out of the pages at you - a man to be reckoned with, a long-distance runner for Christ, once Christ’s greatest human foe, now his greatest servant.

Despite my misgivings about the harm The Da Vinci Code might do - and the possibility exists - I do not think we should be alarmed either.

I still remember as a schoolboy in the 1970s watching some of that rash of documentaries which were so popular then, all generated by a little known Swiss author called Erich Von Daniken, who had written a book called Chariots of the Gods. Millions of people around the world either read Von Daniken’s books or watched the ‘documentaries’ which claimed that all the world’s great religions had really been created by extra-terrestrials visiting earth thousands of years ago - spacemen, in other words.

Von Daniken’s Chariots of the Gods eventually sold something like 36 million copies, even though they were comprehensively discredited by researchers and historians at the time and subsequently.

I read somewhere the other day that Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code had passed the 40 million mark in sales in March this year.

There is no doubt that Brown’s inventiveness - original or borrowed - has made him and his publishers wealthy individuals. But, like a wave that crashes on the shore, I don’t think it will be remembered all that long.

Which reminds me... I wonder where Erich Von Daniken is now?

More a phenomenon: An eight-century mosaic depiction of St Paul.

Fr Hong Pham’s story: the Fr Hong Pham’s story: the goodness of our God goodness of our God

SVDP Society a shining beacon

■ By Sylvia Defendi

Stemming from the recent launch of their 2006 Winter Appeal, Australia’s biggest charity organisation, St Vincent De Paul, will be hosting their annual Winter Dance, at 7pm on Saturday, June 17 at the Cannington Exhibition Centre on Albany Highway.

Backed by his nine-piece band, Tom Jones tribute entertainer Wayne Stanley will bring to life the famous performer’s greatest hits with his cabaret and dance repertoire, which St Vincent De Paul state president Genevieve De Souza says will provide for some “showstopping” entertainment.

Tickets to the event are $25 each, with all proceeds going to the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Winter Appeal.

The appeal, which was launched on May 11 at the Perth Town Hall, saw many from the community attending the event.

Students from Sacred Heart College, Corpus Christi and Mercedes College made an appearance as representatives of the Young St Vinnie’s program, and were joined by various representatives of the community, including His Excellency Kim Michael, Governor

of WA, who officially launched the appeal. “St Vincent De Paul is an organisation that stands as a shining beacon in society - providing care and love. They offer friendship and support on a person to person level,” Governor Michael said.

The society’s main focus during this year’s appeal is to “bring a little Comfort, Dignity and Hope,” to those most in need.

Mrs De Souza said this could be achieved by raising $500,000, to enable the continuation of good works during the winter months.

“We aim to respond to every genuine call for help this winter.

The West Australian community never lets us down. They know they can trust us with their donations which will be used wisely and respectfully,” said Mrs De Souza.

Funds donated to the Winter Appeal will enable the organisation to assist the homeless, those battling mental illness, the elderly and families in crisis.

Each year the Society’s members, volunteers and staff assist more than 155,000 disadvantaged people in Western Australia alone.

“Many of these people face the real prospect of endless cold and lonely night, plagued by fear and insecurities,” said Mrs De Souza. Tickets to the winter dance can be purchased until June 2 by contacting the society on: 9475 5400.

Working against the tide

continued from page 1 has been called. “We should thank God that Hong Pham has been chosen and has willingly accepted.”

The Archbishop also thanked the Vietnamese Community for producing so many priests.

“Priesthood is a call from Jesus himself.”

The Archbishop, who has travelled to Vietnam twice, said strength and faith is evident in the Vietnamese communities that have come to Perth.

“We offer a tribute to them tonight,” he said.

Hong Pham, originally from Saigon, entered the De La Salle Brothers at the age of 14.

After more than a decade of war the Communist party took control of South Vietnam the day Hong Pham made his final profession.

Three years later, at the age of 28, he was imprisoned along with fellow De La Salle Brothers.

The Communist Party imposed harsh measures against religious believers, especially Catholics, because of the Church’s opposition to totalitarian ideologies, especially Communism.

It was 1978, and the Government told the congregation their building was being confiscated.

A number of other religious congregations – Dominicans, Cistercians, Redemptorists, and Salesians, along with military chaplains, Protestants pastors and Buddhist monks were also impris-

oned. Hong Pham said his time in prison was not long in comparison to others, some of who remained in prison for many years after he was released in 1988.

Treatment inside prison was harsh, and he recalls being beaten a number of times; on one occasion he lost all his front teeth because of the severity of the beating.

“I suffered a lot inside prison but realised it was a God-given grace and that it was beneficial for my humility,” he said.

“Seeking advice from other inmates who were priests helped me not to be discouraged.”

Prisoners were often starved, but took comfort by dividing their day into two parts.

The first part consisted of prayer and contemplation.

The second part consisted of talking to the many others including other priests and religious who had been jailed on the basis of their religious belief.

“I learnt a lot from the priests,” he said. It was while he was in prison that Hong Pham also began to re-think his vocation.

It was during this time that he says he learnt the biggest lesson of life – discernment of whether God wanted him to change his vocation from that of a De La Salle brother to a diocesan priest, he recalled.

“While I was in prison, a roommate who was a Redemptorist priest proposed that I could serve others better if I became a priest,”

“I realised that this was possible with the help of God.”

In 1998, Vietnamese police asked him to spy on his Bishop and other priests.

Hong Pham realised he needed to leave Vietnam.

Keeping his intentions to himself, he started to organise his escape plan and gained the permission of his superior to leave in secret.

A trained martial arts teacher, he and his team were invited to attend an international competition in Melbourne in April 1998.

All nine members of the group applied for refugee status immediately upon arrival in Australia and were granted temporary protection visas and later citizenship in 2001.

“This is now my home and I will stay here happily,” he said.

After spending time in Melbourne where he learnt English, Hong Pham joined the De La Salle order in Marrickville, New South Wales and was later transferred to Bankstown.

During this time he would visit prisons, meeting many young men from Vietnamese families, who had committed drug offences.

This week is National Volunteer Week with the theme “Change Your World…Start Now”.

St Vincent de Paul volunteers have been changing the world since the Society was founded in Paris in 1833 and in Western Australia alone more than 3,000 people from all walks of life now generously give up part of their free time to act as Vinnies’ volunteers.

Two such characters are retired menswear retailer Nick Farrelly and retired Lieutenant-Colonel and former Mayor of South Perth John Hardwick. The pair work at Vinnies’ Cannington Retail Outlet, one of 43 such shops in Western Australia If ever anyone was qualified in retail sales, it’s Nick. His commercial history is a walk down Perth’s retail memory lane. He’s served in Walsh’s, Foy & Gibson and Bairds, iconic names that have passed into history.

Nick FarrellyJohn Hardwick

Nick Farrelly came from a broken home and spent three years at Clontarf Boys Town in the 40’s. “I am very grateful for what Clontarf did for me”, said Nick.

“The way I was treated was the inspiration for me to want to put something back to the community and that’s why I am delighted to be working with Vinnies.

John Hardwick used to give orders during a 19-year army career, which began after he graduated from the Royal Military College at Duntroon in Canberra.

until 1999. John Hardwick is a classic example of a person who had always been occupied but suddenly experienced emptiness Retirement came as a real shock to John’s system. “About the only benefit was that I had more time to read the morning paper”, he laughed. John’s story underlines the satisfaction people experience when they become volunteers. Not only do they help others, but in turn find their own lives are enriched.

Consequently, the St Vincent de Paul Society is able to devote every cent of every dollar donated to its appeals to helping the 155,000 plus people who call on the Society for assistance each year.

The target for this year’s Winter Appeal, which was launched on May 11, is $500,000.

It was during those meetings that he felt he wanted to be of service to other Vietnamese people It wasn’t until 2003, after a meeting with Cardinal Pell of Sydney, that Hong Pham decided that it was possible to change his way of service. After speaking to Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton of Perth Hong Pham

Seminary. His time at St Charles, he said, has been nothing short of happiness - a blessed time.

will they find after their time in the seminary.

at St Charles

In telling his story to The Record Hong Pham recalled how some young seminarians asked him what

“I always tell them you will get to know yourself better; who you are and why you are following this journey.” he said simply.

Now he takes orders from those who shop at Vinnies Cannington. John also had a distinguished career in local government, having been elected to the South Perth Council in 1991. He became Mayor four years later, a position he held

The St Vincent de Paul Society is always looking for more volunteers. If you can help, contact the Society’s Formation and Training Manager Ed McCarthy on 9475 5420. About 1,300 of the 3,000 Vinnies’ volunteers work in the Society’s Retail Centres. All goods offered for sale have been donated and the revenue generated by sales takes care of the Society’s operational costs.

St Vincent de Paul Society WA President Genevieve De Souza says in the light of the recent Federal and State Budgets, the Society is more than ever relying on the generosity of the community this winter to help us bring Comfort, Dignity and Hope to those in need.

“Neither Budget adequately addresses the social infrastructure needs of today or tomorrow”, said Mrs De Souza.

“Nor has there been any genuine attempt by either government to reverse the growth of inequality in Australia”, said Mrs De Souza.

To donate to this year’s St Vincent de Paul Society’s Winter Appeal call 13 18 12 or visit www.vinnies.org.au.

100 per cent of every dollar donated will be used to help people in need.

arrived

Priesthood at last: Newly-ordained Fr Hong Pham concelebrates Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton, left, and Archbishop Barry Hickey, who ordained him to the priesthood, and fellow priests of the Archdiocese of Perth on Friday evening May 12 in St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth. Right: Fr Pham’s mother and sister with his garments. Photos: Jamie O’Brien

Strength in unity: Young Vinnies volunteers from Sacred Heart and Corpus Christi College gathered for the launch of the SVDP Society’s annual Winter Appeal. Left to right: Sophie Bowen, Belinda Norris, Leandra Rarenscraff, Hannah Walker, Kate Murphy, Jeremy Rainsford and Karina McPherson. Below, right: Fr Brian O’Loughlin makes his official blessing at the launch of the appeal.

Photos: Jamie O’Brien

Opinion

say, i say

How do we address leprosy in our midst?

■ With Mark Reidy

Mother Teresa once said that loneliness was the leprosy of the West and that in many ways, it was a greater tragedy than anything she dealt with on the streets of Calcutta. Considering that she walked daily amongst some of the most impoverished people in the world, we can be assured that she did not utter these words lightly.

She recognised that while those afflicted with leprosy were physically and emotionally isolated from society, those affected by loneliness were isolated within it. How true her words are.

As the western world is increasingly fragmented by family breakdown, more people are finding

that there is little or no social and emotional support and they are being left to care (or not care) for themselves. Increased levels of drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, incarceration, social isolation, selfharm and violence are some of the symptoms of this collapse. People become trapped within this cycle of loneliness and self-destruction and they see no way out.

life, the universe and everything

Initially it is often their inability to emotionally connect with others that triggers them to lead such harmful lifestyles, but once they become entrapped, their behaviour inevitably results in further isolation. They become islands within a community that fears and misunderstands them.

We can find ourselves taking a wide berth if we see a dishevelled

Meet you at the library...

■ With Anna Krohn

Recently a very intelligent and enthusiastic young Catholic student dropped in to see me at the Caroline Chisholm Library in Melbourne.

“Does Caroline still work here?” she asked me eagerly.

While I was taking a subtle but astonished in-breath, I reflected that she was probably much too young to recall those purple five dollar notes which bore the great Caroline’s image.

Had not one mention of this remarkable Catholic laywoman and “mother” of Australian social work ever been made during her Catholic schooling and parish life?

Later that day, I was talking to a class of interested post-graduate theology students. We were exploring the documents of the Second Vatican Council.

In particular I mentioned the

Council’s endorsement of the formation of the baptised from a young age for the “apostolate”. The class, to a student, asked – “but what is the apostolate- we’ve never heard of it.”

While the general loss of a coherent historical sense within the community is hardly headline news, the ecclesial amnesia and loss of “Catholic social wisdom” (as it was called in the 1920s) within the Catholic population seems especially unfortunate.

The younger generation of socalled “John Paul II” Catholics, who have re-discovered faith and have swum with courage against the tsunami of skepticism and non-practice among their peers, family and colleagues are particularly bemused by this “disconnect.”

“Why haven’t we been informed?” they ask.

It is a good question. It is a question that during this National Library Week, hangs over the foundations and the future of the Caroline Chisholm Library in Melbourne.

The Library now named after the energetic and outstanding Mrs Chisholm was founded over 80 years ago and was originally called the Central Catholic Library.

The Library was propelled into action by the thoughts of an intriguing and relatively unknown laywoman, convert and kindergarten teacher, Miss Ida Fawcett.

person coming in the opposite direction. We can ignore the elderly person who lives alone in our street or look away if confronted by someone with mental illness. We can feel disdain toward those addicted to alcohol or drugs or those in jail or caught up in prostitution.

These are the modern day lepers that Mother Teresa speaks of. Decaying from within, they are left

to crawl deeper into the darkness of their pain and loneliness. They are today’s outcasts.

We justify our inaction with excuses of helplessness, ignorance or fear and this ensures that our comfortable lifestyles are not challenged. By severing these people from our consciences we are more easily able to push them to the outskirts of our hearts.

But Jesus is very specific about the love that He expects us to show toward those we fear, do not understand or who do not offer us anything in return; “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:32).

He wants us, in mercy and compassion, to stretch our hands beyond the chasm of fear and selfishness and reach out to those who are alienated in darkness.

In his first public statement Jesus announced that He had been anointed to, “Proclaim release to the captives” and “Set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). When He walked the earth He embodied the unconditional love that was a bridge to the lepers of His time.

Jesus loved without exception and He expects no less from us. responses: reidyrec@iinet.net.au

Miss Fawcett will never be remembered on any currency bills, but her call for a Catholic “reference centre” which would serve an evangelising and intelligent Catholic public, prompted Archbishop Daniel Mannix and the livewire Jesuit Fr William Hackett, along with the brightest and best of the Catholic lay movements of the time, to begin a “library movement”.

The leaders of the movement in the 1920s were concerned that Catholics in Australia were in danger of losing touch with the “knowledge, wisdom and charity” of their faith. They were also concerned that those people who were not Catholics could be welcomed

into an environment in which they could intelligently and freely “get a closer acquaintance” with the best of Catholic literature and resources.

From the 1920s to the 50s the Library became the hub and inspiration for many lay activities and movements ranging from the Grail, the Ozenam Society, the Catholic Women’s Social Guild, the Campion Society and so on.

Dr Mannix described it as the “powerhouse” behind the life of Catholic Melbourne.

Today the Library and its 30,000 classics, exists entirely on voluntary labour and the donations and gifts of its members and supporters.

However the morale of its sup-

porters is lifting as they see the renewed interest of a younger audience who are now “demanding” to know more about their heritage. They want to know the names of the giants on whose shoulders they are attempting to stand.

This is a welcome reaction to widespread success of the gnostic absurdities and historical howlers of the Da Vinci Code heist. These young people, both Catholic and otherwise interested, want to discover the relatively untold story for themselves.

For more information about the Caroline Chisholm Library please email: cclibrary@bigpond.com or phone (03) 9670 1815

My brother: Mother Theresa called loneliness the leprosy of affluent societies. We need to reach out, just as she did.

A special ‘thankyou’ to all

Governments throughout the world find it mentally difficult to work decisively to alleviate poverty. But agencies like Caritas Australia remain permanently committed to working for men, women and children everywhere - their work often unseen and unnoticed. Now that Caritas’s annual Lenten collection is over, Western Australia’s four diocesan directors wanted to thank everyone for their generosity and contributions. The money raised will assist people in need around the world to either survive - or to build a future for themselves.

Broome

In July last year I was asked to take on the role of the Diocesan Director of Caritas in the Diocese of Broome. Soon after saying yes to this new task, I attended a Caritas national conference. It was a very interesting experience opening my eyes to another dimension of the life of the Catholic Church in Australia.

I was made aware of the extent of the work of Caritas in so many different parts of the world, supporting projects, which would improve the standard of living of the people living in the poorest and most disadvantaged parts of the

Continued from page 6 letters

world. For all that to happen, the support of many generous people is absolutely essential. One way of showing our concern and support to the poor of the world is our support of Project Compassion. It has been very encouraging for me to see how generous you, the people of the Kimberley, have been in supporting Caritas Australia. On behalf of Caritas, I wish to thank you very much for showing your Catholic faith in action by supporting the less fortunate of the world.

- Fr Emil Ciecierega SDS Broome Caritas: (08) 9192 4950

PerthGeraldton

“The Church is God’s family in the world. In this family no one ought to go without the necessities of life. Yet at the same time caritasagape extends beyond the frontiers of the Church” - Deus Caritas Est

Right now people around the Archdiocese are collecting, banking, receipting and forwarding Project Compassion donations to our Perth Office where staff and volunteers find it a special time to speak with and support these wonderful volunteers as they stand in solidarity with the needy overseas and indigenous communities in Australia.

In the needy we see the face of God. Simple support like providing a kettle to ensure clean water or a

Bunbury

During this forty days of Easter as Project Compassion money is returned, I cannot but be humbled by the generosity of the people of the Diocese of Bunbury. It is heartening to encounter the sacrificial giving during Lent, and to know that Caritas, its workers and those who receive support and help were in the prayers of our people.

The success of Project Compassion could not happen without the generous support of the Priests, parish administrators, school principals, teachers, parish

the Jesuit web site www.volunteers.jesuit.org.

be the contact person for IVA in Perth and he will supported by Mr John Dwyer.

John Hartigan can be contacted at hartigan33@bigpond.com or on (08) 9245 1763.

The two Johns will be supported by others as they take up the next step of planning the best way to introduce IVA to Perth.

There are two parts to IVA, firstly to attract volunteers and to place them with existing agencies which serve the poor and marginalised.

The second step is to support the volunteers in their work with prayerful reflection founded in Ignatian spirituality.

Any person who may be drawn to work as an Ignatian Volunteer is invited to contact John Hartigan for further information or visit

au Again thank you for your support, without it I would never have met John Hartigan or John Dwyer.

John Jennings

National Coordinator Ignatian Volunteers Australia

We don’t adore statues

I refer to page 11 of The Record May 11, 2006 and the photo caption: “Hundreds came to adore the statue of Senhor dos Passos.......”

Do Christians “adore” (worship) statues or do we “venerate” (honour) images?

village midwife to reduce infant and maternal mortality leads to huge changes in a village community. This is vital in breaking the cycle of poverty and feelings of hope and pride.

Caritas is overwhelmed by the practical and financial support given by people of the Archdiocese. We recognize that this help enables us to offer rehabilitation, dignity and self reliance to our ‘family’ members in need.

On their behalf and ours, we say a humble THANK YOU and ask God’s blessings on us all.

Anne Fairhead

-

Perth Caritas: (08) 9422 7925

A huge thank you to our Geraldton Diocese for their enormous support to this year’s Project Compassion.

Our Caritas office in Geraldton is growing, with the addition of Rosemary Miles to the team. Karen took on the position of Director from Monica six months ago, and has now moved into a voluntary position alongside Monica. Rosemary is looking forward to learning the ropes and we were all extremely appreciative to the people of our diocese for their generosity this year - some schools and parishes doubled last year’s donations.

In March, Karratha Parish enjoyed the company of Simon Stroud from the Caritas office in Sydney. Simon shared his experiences of Africa and the work of Caritas with parishioners and students and, in return, experienced a bit of Pilbara hospitality.

The Geraldton schools participated in the Micah Challenge Workshops with Sr Margaret O’Sullivan from Perth. The students showed great enthusiasm as they learnt about the 8 Millennium Goals of which our nation and Caritas are major supporters.

All this made for a fantastic 2006 Project Compassion in Geraldton.

Geraldton Caritas: (08) 9964 2716

communities and parishes as well as our Catholic school children. To all these I give thanks to each and pray for God’s blessings on all. - Ray Lowe Bunbury Caritas: (08) 9721 0500

A reference to para. 2132 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church clarifies it perfectly. If these practices cannot be understood clearly by the informed is it any wonder that they might give rise to superstitions and justify the reformers criticism that they are “a fond thing vainly invented and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture”.

James Jenkinson Subiaco

St Dominic was Spanish!

I refer to the article on page 7 of The Record of April 13, concerning The Dominican Order. It states that Dominic Guzman was from France. He was, in fact a Spanish priest, born in

Calaregua, Spain, the son of Felix de Guzman, a Spanish knight of Visigothic ancestry and his wife Jane of Aza, a member of the old Castillian nobility.

In 1201 he went with Don Diego de Azevedo, Bishop of Osma, on a diplomatic mission to France. Pope Innocent III assigned Diego and Dominic to assist the Cistercian monks in Southern France in their efforts to convert the Albigencian heretics.

Dominic established a Cloister for women at Prouille in France , besides the Dominican Order for men (the Dominican Rule was approved by Pope Honorius in 1216).

Dominic died in Italy in 1221. He was canonised in 1234 by Pope Gregory IX. His feast day is August 8.

Jerome Gonzalez Willetton

Fr Emil Ciecierega SDS

Robert Potts, TGAL Participant, with Perth Caritas archdiocesan director Ann Fairhead. Photo: courtesy Caritas Perth

Ray Lowe receives Project Compassion cheques from Barbara Shinner, Bunbury Parish Secretary and Ward Italiano, Dardanup Parish bookkeeper.

Karen Norley, Rosemary Miles and Monica Mullikin of Caritas Geraldton Diocese.

A Brazilian boy, hoping that drivers might throw a few coins his way, fills potholes along a highway in Brazil’s western state of Maranhao. CNS/Reuters

The World

Argentina divided over abortion

Church officials critical of plans to legalize abortion in Argentina

■ By Jude Webber

Catholic Church officials are critical of an Argentine proposal to legalize abortion under certain circumstances as part of a wide-ranging legal reform.

The proposal was drawn up by a team of legal experts working on draft outlines for a revised penal code. Abortion is illegal in Argentina except in the case of the rape of a mentally disabled woman or when the mother’s life is in danger, but human rights groups believe at least 500,000 illegal abortions are performed annually.

The issue of legalizing abortion under specific circumstances remains highly divisive in Argentina, and government officials were quick to make it clear they were not officially endorsing these proposals.

Media reports quoted church sources as saying a government official had called Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, head of the Argentine bishops’ conference, to assure him that the government was not planning any change to current abortion laws. Argentine

President Nestor Kirchner is preparing to seek re-election in 2007 and may want to steer clear of a potentially damaging public debate on a subject still widely considered taboo.

Nevertheless, the Justice Ministry has invited the public to submit comments on the penal code proposals on its Web site. Nicolas Laferriere, a bioethics lawyer and professor at the Catholic University of Argentina, said he hoped the

proposal was rejected and that “abortion remains a crime.”

“The proposal is unconstitutional because I understand that the right to life is protected by the constitution; it’s discriminatory because it imagines that these unborn people are second-class citizens, at the mercy of the whim of others; and it’s incoherent because the civil code recognizes that life starts at conception,” he told Catholic News Service.

Father Ruben Revello, coordinator of the bioethics institute at the Catholic University of Argentina, emphasized that the Catholic Church is clear that abortion represents murder.

“We have to do what the Gospel said and defend truth. We are convinced that truth is the defense of life,” he said.

The Christian Family Movement in Argentina recently launched a campaign urging women: “If you’re

thinking of aborting, don’t do it. Believe in the miracle of life and give your child up for adoption.”

According to a TNS/Gallup poll in Argentina last December, 52 percent of 1,000 respondents believed abortion was sometimes justified, while 38 percent always opposed it.

The jurists proposed that the penal code include the following article: “The woman is not punishable when the abortion is practiced with her consent and within three months of conception, provided circumstances made it excusable.”

Media reports said the vague wording reflected divisions among the jurists. “It was written in that way to establish a break so that a woman should not have total freedom (to abort),” Javier de Luca, a member of the commission that drafted the proposal, told La Nacion newspaper.

The penal code reform proposal also said judges could, at their discretion, reduce or waive a prison term of between one and four years in cases of euthanasia - another issue that has recently made headlines. A judge in the province of Neuquen ruled in March that an 11-year-old boy with a progressive and incurable disease should not be forced to undergo invasive therapy after his parents appealed for him to be allowed to “die with dignity.”

CNS

Mexicans put faith in their soccer Progress towards unity

Patriarch says pope’s Turkey trip will help unite Orthodox, Catholics

Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said Pope Benedict XVI’s November visit to Turkey will bring further progress to the slow but steady effort to reunite the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

“We must work and have patience,” the patriarch said on May 14 after a Florentine music and cultural organisation awarded him its annual peace prize.

Patriarch Bartholomew said prayers, patience, hard work and the grace of God are needed to overcome the remaining difficulties between Catholics and Orthodox.

“With great joy we await the pope’s visit to Istanbul in November,” he said. “It will be a step in the progress of the ecumenical dialogue.”

During his visit to Florence, Patriarch Bartholomew prayed at the tomb of one of his predecessors, Patriarch Joseph II, who died in 1439 while attending the Council of Florence.

At the council, the highest Catholic and Orthodox leaders were trying to reunite the two churches.

Avvenire, the Italian bishops’ daily newspaper, reported that the remains of Patriarch Joseph are to be returned to the Istanbul-based ecumenical patriarchate, but it did not give a date for the transfer.

“We are grateful to all those who have decided to return our patriarch, who came here for a holy cause:

the union of our sister churches,” Patriarch Bartholomew said.

“Unfortunately, our 15th-century brothers were not able to accomplish it and neither were their successors,” he said. But “we have begun again in our common effort to re-establish the unity of our churches.”

The patriarch said Pope Paul VI used to talk about the “almost full” unity already existing between Catholics and Orthodox.

“We must work to erase this ‘almost’ so that the unity is full,” the patriarch said. “Today we have many signs of brotherhood and good will.”

Pope Benedict’s November 2830 visit ending on the feast of St Andrew, patron of the patriarchate, “will be a historic moment in our relationship ... and will further reinforce our bonds of brotherhood in Christ.” CNS

Mexican fans gather at basilica to pray for team headed to World Cup

■ By Jason Lange

World Cup fever in Mexico spilled into the country’s largest shrine as the national team prayed to Our Lady of Guadalupe for a successful run in the world’s largest soccer tournament.

Legions of fans - some sporting game regalia like clown costumes and Mexican flag-capespacked the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City to attend a special Mass for the “Tri,” as the team is affectionately called in Mexico.

“As Mexicans we are joyful and supportive of our brothers who will be representing our country,” Mexico City Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera said during the May 20 Mass.

“They have come to the holy feet of Our Lady of Guadalupe,” the cardinal said.

The basilica houses Mexico’s most holy relic, a cloak with an image of Mary that draws millions of pilgrims every year.

Outside, children and adults ran through the streets toward the basilica to catch a glimpse of 21 members of the national squad.

Throughout the Mass, the cardinal’s words were followed by applause and soccer chants, and churchgoers in team jerseys made

the sign of the cross as they whispered prayers for the players.

“Carry the colours of the flag with pride,” Cardinal Rivera told the players, who were dressed in suits with green ties, matching the Mexican flag.

He gave each of the players a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and they presented him with an autographed soccer ball.

The team does not travel with a chaplain, though most of the members are Catholic.

A crowd of thousands ran alongside the team bus as it made its way down the boulevard bound for the airport.

Thirty-two teams are fine-tuning their strategies for the 64 games that will be played in Germany

between June 9 and July 9. Mexico will play preparatory “friendlies” against France May 27 and against the Netherlands June 1.

In soccer-crazy Mexico, fans are hoping this could be their year for glory. Mexico has never made it past the quarterfinals, and its national pride received a serious dent during the 2002 World Cup when the United States easily dispatched the Mexicans, 2-0, in the second round.

This time around, soccer pundits predict Mexico should advance at least to the second round. Mexico will face Iran, Angola and Portugal during the first round.

“I pray for the team every day,” diehard fan Francisco Guillen said following the Mass.

Two Argentian women embrace each other at a protest.

Photo: CNS

Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople

Players from Mexico’s national soccer team pose with Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera after he celebrated a special Mass for them at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Photo: CNS

The World

Religious to belong to the Lord

Pope says some religious order reforms threatened by modern culture

■ By Cindy Wooden

Reforms undertaken by religious orders aimed at ensuring deeper fidelity to the Gospel, to the Church and to the poor are threatened by too many adaptations to a modern, materialistic culture, Pope Benedict XVI said.

The Pope met on May 22 with some 1,500 superiors of women’s and men’s religious orders representing hundreds of thousands of priests, nuns, brothers and consecrated virgins around the world.

“To belong to the Lord: This is the mission of the men and women who have chosen to follow the chaste, poor and obedient Christ so that the world would believe and be saved,” the Pope told the superiors.

Consecrated men and women, he said, are called to be a “credible and shining sign of the Gospel and its paradoxes,” which encourage humility, self-giving and the renunciation of earthly goods for the sake of spiritual goods.

“The Lord wants men and women who are free, not bound, able to abandon everything to follow him and who find everything only in him,” the Pope said.

Following the Second Vatican Council, he said, religious orders revised their constitutions and their way of life with a “more evangelical,

more ecclesial and more apostolic spirit.” “But we cannot ignore that some concrete choices did not offer the world the authentic and life-giving face of Christ,” the Pope said. A desire to modernise and to be able to speak to contemporary men and women sometimes allowed a “secularised culture” to penetrate the minds and hearts of some religious, he said.

“The consequence is that, alongside an undoubtedly generous commitment capable of witnessing and of total giving, consecrated life today experiences the danger of mediocrity, adopting bourgeois values and a consumeristic mental-

ity,” Pope Benedict said. The Pope told the religious superiors that the choice to follow Christ always carries with it a renunciation of doing or having other things.

“There is a need for courageous choices, on a personal and community level, that impose a new discipline on the life of consecrated persons and lead them to rediscover the all-encompassing dimension of following Christ,” he said.

In an “increasingly disoriented and confused world,” he said, members of religious orders are called to live, behave and dress in a way that communicates their total dedication to following Christ and serving

others. The vow of chastity or consecrated virginity, he said, “is the most ‘unreasonable’ of the Christian paradoxes, and not everyone is able to understand it and live it.”

“Religious men and women are called to demonstrate this even in their choice of dress, a simple habit that is a sign of poverty,” the Pope said.

Pope Benedict expressed his gratitude to all members of religious orders around the world and offered special prayers for those who are elderly, sick or experiencing moments of crisis or loneliness. CNS

Remember Gospel

Pope says Christians must be open to dialogue, but remember Gospel

In today’s globalised world where people from so many different cultures and religions are coming face to face, Christians are called to be open to dialogue with others without forgetting to propose the Gospel message, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Interreligious dialogue has become “the daily bread” for the Church in its service to others, especially migrants, refugees and other people on the move, the Pope said on May 15.

The Pope’s remarks were made during an audience with participants attending the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travellers’ plenary session. The meeting, running May 1517, discussed migration and mobility from and to countries with a Muslim majority.

The Pope praised all efforts being made “to create, with immigrants, relationships of mutual understanding and respect, which are very useful in overcoming prejudice and closed mentalities.”

But he reminded Christians that evangelisation is still an integral part of the Christian mission.

“Christians are called to cultivate a form of open dialogue on religious problems, without renouncing the presentation of the Christian message to their audience,” he said.

French government awards Jesuit with humanitarian honour

Jesuit granted France’s highest honour for human rights work in India

The French government has awarded its highest honour to Jesuit Father Cedric Prakash, an outspoken advocate for human rights in western India’s Gujarat state.

Father Prakash was awarded the Legion of Honour for his “commitment to the defence and promo-

the world in brief

Sacred Heart devotion

tion of human rights in India,” the French government said in a May 15 statement to the priest.

“I feel humbled. This is not an honour for me but for all those who have work(ed) for human rights in the difficult situation here,” the Jesuit told Catholic News Service on May 17. Father Prakash has been fighting for human rights in Gujarat state as the head of Prashant, a Jesuit social action group that organizes strategies for many nongovern-

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus helps Catholics focus on the reality of God’s love and their obligation to love others, Pope Benedict XVI said. In the Sacred Heart, “we can recognize in an ever clearer way the limitless love God has for us,” the Pope wrote in a May 15 letter.

The papal letter was addressed to Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, superior general of the Society of Jesus, in recognition of the Jesuits’ efforts to promote the devotion throughout the Church over the past 150 years. In 2006, the Church celebrates the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 23. Pope Benedict said the devotion acquires its deepest meaning only when

mental organisations. He also organized the Concerned Citizens’ Tribunal and has testified before the US Commission on International Religious Freedom in Washington about the state of religious freedom in Gujarat.

In the early 1990s, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won control of the state government, and Christians, who number about 400,000 among Gujarat’s 50 million people, have been har-

people express their awareness of God’s love by dedicating their lives to his service. “The experience of the love of God is lived as a ‘call’ to which one must respond,” the Pope said.

Vatican takes fire

The Vatican newspaper criticized members of Italy’s new government for signalling openness to legally recognizing civil unions and further use of the abortion pill.

“The care with which the new ministers are rushing to declare their intentions on particularly delicate matters is disconcerting,” said a May 23 article in L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper.

“Yesterday,” it said, “was the turn of the health minister, Livia Turco, who in essence declared support for experimentation with

assed and attacked. In 2002, more than 1,000 people, most of them Muslims, died in Hindu-Muslim riots in Gujarat.

“This award shows that Gujarat 2002 is not dead yet. We are glad that the world is still aware of those crying out for justice,” said the priest. As head of Prashant, Father Prakash is responsible for 10 full-time staff members and more than 100 volunteers who document human rights abuses, assist victims

RU-486, the abortion-provoking drug.” On May 22, L’Osservatore took to task Rosy Bindi, the new minister for the family, for what the newspaper described as her “acrobatics” to grant legal recognition to cohabiting heterosexual and homosexual couples without calling it marriage or a solidarity pact - positions rejected in the centre-left coalition’s election platform. Both criticisms in the newspaper occurred less than one week after Prime Minister Romano Prodi announced his slate of government ministers.

AIDS setback in Africa

Attitudes revealed in former Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s rape trial are a serious setback to the country’s battle against the spread of AIDS, church leaders said. In

and organise programs to promote religious harmony. He also has worked with the tribunal and non-governmental organisations to make a Charter of Demands to the federal government to prosecute Gujarat government officials, including Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Anne Genoud of the French Embassy in New Delhi told CNS that the award will be conferred on Father Prakash in late June. CNS

early May Zuma was acquitted of charges of raping an HIV-positive family friend at his Johannesburg home last November. Zuma is the former head of South Africa’s AIDS council, and his “behaviour was not caused by ignorance” of how HIV is contracted, said Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban, president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. “This has very serious implications,” he said in a May 18 telephone interview from Durban.

“Here we are thinking our AIDS rate is so high because of ignorance - and running extensive education campaigns to inform people - but it seems it is not ignorance but an unwillingness to change behaviour” that is driving the epidemic.

Zuma, 64, told the Johannesburg High Court judge that he and his 31-year-old accuser, whom he knew to be HIV-positive, had consensual sex.

Carmelite Sister Mary Michael of Lincoln, England, prays in front the entrance to the 59th Cannes Film Festival before the world premiere of “The Da Vinci Code” May 17 in Cannes, France. photo: cns

Book Review

Book questions Medjugorge’s direction

Understanding Medjugorje

- heavenly visions or religious illusion?

By Donal Anthony Foley

Published by Theotokos Books

Foreword by Father Peter Joseph

Preface by Prof Arpad Szackolczai Can be ordered online from www.theotokos.org.uk

rrp. A$35.95

■ Reviewed by Francis Phillips

Not long ago, a news item in the press that attracted worldwide coverage was a report that Cardinal George Pell of Sydney had refused to allow one of the Medjugorje visionaries to speak on the subject in a church in his diocese. This was because to grant her permission would have given tacit official approval to the apparitions that are allegedly taking place in this Croatian village. What was the reason that lay behind his decision? This important new book provides the answer.

From 24 June 1981 five teenagers and a younger boy from a small village in Bosnia-Herzegovina called Bijakovici near Medjugorje first began seeing apparitions on a local hill of someone they called “Gospa” – Croatian for “Our Lady”. By 2004, when Bishop Ratko Peric of Mostar, the local diocese, addressed a conference at Maynooth in Ireland on the subject, 33,000 alleged visions had been seen and a possible 57 “secrets” had been imparted. As these sightings are still occurring daily to some of the original group, monthly or annually to others, the figures need constant revision. It is this phenomenon that Foley, author of the scholarly Marian Apparitions, the Bible, and the Modern World, seeks to investigate.

The question he addresses is: are these visions from heaven or are they a religious illusion? Referring

to the subject of the apparitions diplomatically as “the Vision”, he has conducted a painstaking and thorough investigation of every aspect of the case and, in an area fraught with strong, even aggressive opinions, his tone is moderate and charitable throughout.

He begins by surveying the historical background to this turbulent patch of the Balkans: the centuries of isolation when Franciscans kept the faith alive; the 20th century violence between the Serb Chetniks and the Croat Ustasha; the mixture of heresy and pagan religion which has historically characterised the region; and, most significant, the long-running dispute between the local Church authority, vested in the Ordinary, and the Franciscan friars. These resented Pope Leo XIII’s reestablishment of the secular clergy’s authority, and the resentment has never been resolved.

The author devotes much space to an analysis of the original 17 taped interviews with the seers, conducted by Fr Zovko and Fr Cuvalo, the parochial vicar, between June 27-30, 1981. These have certain disquieting features and are usually ignored in the copious Medjugorje literature. Vicka, one of the girls, mentions touching and kissing the Vision, who “kept laughing”; Ivan, the older boy, said the Vision’s hands were “trembling”. The Vision told the seers she would stay “as long as you wish!” She obligingly moved into the parish church (and then the presbytery) when the Communist authorities opposed the growing crowds on the hillside.

All this, Foley suggests, is contrary to the comportment of Our Lady in her approved apparitions. His methodology includes close comparisons between the Medjugorje story and Fatima, two of whose seers have been beatified and whose spirituality has been profoundly influential in the teaching of John Paul II. He also makes the point that Our Lady’s role in the economy of salvation has always been just that; economical: few apparitions, succinct messages.

To my mind the most disturbing feature of this affair is not the

charismatic element with its attendant publicity machine; nor is it the lifestyles of the seers, with their large houses and constant foreign tours; nor is it even the odd behaviour of the Vision, who is alleged to have appeared on fences, in fields, on a bell tower, in a bus, with her banal messages and their occasional dubious theology. It is simply the flagrant disobedience of the local Franciscans towards proper Church authority – their Bishop.

After a lengthy investigation of the events the Ordinary of Mostar, Bishop Zanic, sent his definitive negative conclusions to the-then Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the CDF, in April 1986. Even before this, the former head of the CDF, Cardinal Seper, had stated. “When the Franciscans obey the decrees of the Holy See, then I shall consider this phenomenon, not before.”

In 1991 the Yugoslav Bishops’ Conference effectively supported Bishop Zanic’s conclusions by 19 votes with one abstention, in stating that after nearly ten years of alleged visions, it could not be affirmed that “supernatural apparitions and revelations” had taken place.

In October 1994, when attending the Synod of Bishops, Bishop Peric, Zanic’s successor, referred to many irregularities in Medjugorje: unauthorised religious communities establishing themselves; churches being built without permission; local Franciscans acting in disobedience.

By 1997, more than 40 Franciscans were engaged in pastoral work in the diocese without faculties (i.e. diocesan permission). Adherents of Medjugorje always emphasise its “good fruits” – but surely the discord and divisiveness generated by such disobedience is very bad fruit?

After all, it was disobedience – and a rotten apple – that drove our first parents out of Eden.

On the question of “good fruit”, Foley comments that conversions and renewed spiritual zeal are always good if they are genuine, lasting and not a transient emotional experience. He asks: in 25 years have the thousands of apparitions led to a renewal of parish life, fervour for the sacraments, increased

vocations in our declining Western congregations? Or have they often led to an insatiable desire for more signs, wonders and messages - and to conflict and scandal? He quotes a priest-critic of those who adopt a too credulous attitude: “The devil is willing to tolerate some real good, so long as he has hope of accomplishing greater evil out of the affair in the long run.” The author is at pains to emphasise that the thousands of visitors to Medjugorje over the years have come in good faith, ignorant of the dissensions and scandals that surround the place; but their sincerity is no guarantee of authenticity. Further, he believes that the frenetic activities at the site have distracted attention from Fatima, the most spiritually significant of the approved apparitions

PANORAMA a roundup of events in the archdiocese

Saturday May 27

The monthly novena to our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni will be held at the Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett St, Embleton at 5pm, flowed by the Vigil Mass at 6pm.

Sunday May 28

MONTHLY PILGRIMAGE

Held on the last Sunday of the month, at 2pm, in honour of the Virgin of Revelation. Enquiries: 9447 3292.

Sunday May 28

ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK

ACCESS 31 FROM 12PM

Da Vinci – The Hoax Exposed/ Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel with Fr Mitch Tacwa (EWTN Live). This is a farewell program for Fr Geoff Beyer, parish priest at St Joseph Pignatelli parish in Attadale – with every good wish for his retirement. Your on-going prayerful and financial support is needed to keep these valuable evangelising programs on air at Access 31. Please send donations and comments to the Rosary Christian Tutorial Ass. PO Box 1270, Booragoon, 6954. Enquiries: 9330 1170.

Monday May 29 - to Friday June 2

PARISH MISSION GIRRAWHEEN

Our Lady of Mercy, Girrawheen will be holding a parish mission with a Mass and short talk each morning at 6.45am and 9am. Mission sessions to be held each evening at 7pm. Conducted by Frs Joseph Carroll and Gerard Neagle, Redemptorists.

Monday May 29

MMP DAY OF REFLECTION

All invited to MMP Day of Reflection at Villa Terenzio, Cabrini Rd, Marangaroo. Commencing at 10.30am with rosary cenacle, followed by Holy Mass and talks. Concluding at 2pm. Celebrant and speaker – Fr Timothy Deeter. Bring Lunch to share. Tea/coffee supplied.

Tuesday May 30

MONICA & AUGUSTINE GROUP

The next meeting and prayer of the Monica & Augustine group will take place at St Thomas’ Parish hall, 2 College Rd, Claremont on Tuesday, May 30 at 7.30pm. Those attending are asked to bring a pen and writing paper or note book. Copies of the Prayer to St Anne, Prayer for Wayward Children and A Prayer for Our Children, will be available. There will also be on sale copies of the beautifully illustrated book printed by Margaret Wilcox on some

extracts of Augustine’s writings. There will be time for prayer and also supper, so please bring cake or biscuits to share. If you have not attended the earlier meetings, RSVP to Fr Brian O’Loughlin ph. 9384 0598 or email: claremont@perthcatholic.org.au

Friday May 26

PEACE AT ANY COST

1 day seminar 9am – 3.30pm presented by Norma Woodcock at the Mary Mackillop Centre, South Perth. We all want peace. Jesus said “my peace I give you.” This presentation will explore reasons why many do not experience this peace and strategies for gaining and maintaining it. Enq and bookings: 9487 1772.

Sunday May 28

CELEBRATION AND PRAYER FOR THE 2006

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

“Where two or more and gathered in my name…” (Matthew 18:15-22). A formal address will be given by Lutheran Pastor Rev Geoff Burger at St John’s Lutheran Church 16 Aberdeen St. Perth. 3pm to 4.30pm, followed by afternoon tea. For further information, please contact the Council of Churches WA 9385 5477 or Mario at the Focolare Movement on 6278 3425 or 9349 4052.

of the 20th century. Foley’s sober presentation of facts is laborious and his style pedantic; but this very pedantry matters where rumour, unsubstantiated claims, fierce partisanship and rank disobedience are rife. This summer marks the 25th anniversary of the sightings, and there is no end in sight. Huge crowds, hungering for the supernatural, are expected at Medjugorje. Are they being led closer to God – or astray by his adversary? This is the question readers of this judicious and informative book must ask themselves.

Note: Donal Anthony Foley, a British writer, has been researching Marian apparitions and Marian theology, since the mid-1990s. He has degrees in Humanities and Theology, and his book on the subject – Marian Apparitions, the Bible, and the Modern World – was published by Gracewing in 2002.

Sunday May 28

VARIETY CONCERT

A variety concert featuring the Julian Singers and artists from the Local Seniors Concert Parties will be held at the Little Sisters of the Poor Hall, Rawlins St, Glendalough at 2pm. Tickets: $10. Ph Mary 9443 3963 or Brian 9344 1236. Proceeds to Pregnancy Assistance Inc.

Wednesday May 31

‘WHAT DO I WANT’

An evening with Young Adults 18-35 years. Facilitators: Sr Natalie Houlihan (Loreto Sister) and Murray Graham (Inigo Centre Director) Wed. 31 May 7.30-9pm John XXIII College The MacKillop Room ( formerly Multi-purpose Room) Entry by donation for Inigo. Further details: Murray 9383 0444.

Friday June 2

ALLIANCE OF TWO HEARTS

Monthly function at the Schoenstatt Shrine from 7.30 till 9.30pm. This has nothing to do with Valentines Day. Be in for a surprise. Plus some valuable Shrine time! Followed by supper. For more info please contact Sr Lisette. 9 Talus Dr. Armadale. t:9399 2349, fax: 9399 5315, email: shrine@elink. net.au

One of the original Medjugorje seers, Vicka prays with pilgrims in this 2000 photograph.

Photo: CNS

BUILDING TRADES

■ BRICK REPOINTING

Phone Nigel 9242 2952.

■ PERROTT PAINTING PTY LTD

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

■ PICASSO PAINTING

Top service. Phone 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505.

CATHOLICS CORNER

■ RETAILER OF CATHOLIC PRODUCTS

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

FOR SALE

■ ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

Still only $60.00 Bassendean pickup, St Joseph’s Church, 20 Hamilton St. Mail Order $66.00.

Contact: Miriana 93792691. 9am-3pm Mon, Wed, Thurs.

FURNITURE REMOVAL

■ ALL AREAS

Mike Murphy 0416 226 434.

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

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B & B low rates, lovely riverside walks close to Perth. Ph: 9272 8263 or 0438 946 621.

■ DENMARK

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

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

■ SHOALWATER

Holiday units, self-contained, sleep up to 6, walk to the beach, near Penguin Island, very affordable rates. Bookings Ph: 0414 204 638 or bluewaterholidayunits@dodo.com.au.

PAINTINGS

■ PAINTINGS

Wide range of secular and Christian paintings and art works. Tel: 9358 1886.

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

■ REPAIR YOUR LITURGICAL BOOKS

Tydewi Bindery offer handcrafted fine bindings, journals, leather recovering. Repairs fo all your books, liturgical, bibles, missals and statues. Ph. 9293 3092.

OFFICIAL DIARY

THANK YOU

■ FLOWER OF MT CARMEL

Oh most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel fruit full vine, splendour of heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God Immaculate Virgin assist me in my necessity. Oh star of the sea, help me and show me here in you are my mother. Oh holy Mary mother of God, queen of heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh show me here you are my mother. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us to have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (3 times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine never known to fail.

MAY

28 Mass for Italo-Australian Welfare & Cultural Centre, West Perth - Archbishop Hickey Mass and Procession to celebrate Our Lady Help of Christians, Midland - Bishop Sproxton Prayer Week for Christian Unity Service, St John’s Lutheran Church - Mgr Thomas McDonald

30 Italian Apprentice of the Year Award - Archbishop Hickey McKillop Rural Network Meeting - Bishop Sproxton

31 St John of God Members’ Information Session, Subiaco - Bishop Sproxton

Friday June 2

PRO LIFE PROCESSION  MIDLAND

The first Friday Mass, procession and rosary vigil will be held on June 2 commencing at 9.30am with Mass celebrated at St Brigid’s Church, Midland. The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate will lead us. All are invited to witness for the sanctity of life and pray for the conversion of hearts. Enquiries, Helen 9402 0349.

Friday June 2 to Saturday June 3

TWO HEARTS DEVOTIONS

All Saints Chapel, Allendale Square, St George’s Tce, Perth. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the first Friday of the month, commencing with Mass at 9pm followed by rosary, hymns, prayers, and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament through the night, concluding with Mass on Saturday at 7am in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Come even for 1 hour with the Lord. 9409 4543.

Friday June 2 to Sunday June 4

PENTECOST AT GOD’S FARM

You are warmly invited to celebrate Pentecost at God’s Farm with a quiet pilgrimage retreat led by Redeptorist Priest Fr Hugh Thomas. Important parts of the program are Daily Mass in the reflective stone chapel, talks by Fr Thomas, personal direction or confession and prayers of the Church. A luxurious comfortable coach is booked for this pilgrimage, travelling directly to God’s farm. More details please contact Yvonne on 9343 1119 urgently for coach reservations or Betty Peaker Ph/Fax: 9755 6212 or write to Betty Peaker PO Box 24 Cowaramup WA 6284.

Friday June 2-5

RETREAT  “COME BACK TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.”

A retreat by Fr Vincent Lee. Fr Vincent Lee from Singapore, currently on mission in Africa, is well known for his evangelical mission in and outside Singapore. He has conducted many spiritual and healing retreats and Life in the Spirit Seminars in Singapore, Sabah (Malaysia), Korea, China, Kenya and India. His zeal and love for spreading the good news have touched the hearts of many who have come to listen to him. Enq Rita 9272 1765, Rose 0403 300 720, Maureen 9381 4498, or Gertrude 9455 6576.

Saturday June 3 A DAY WITH MARY

St James’s Church, 2 Lagoon Drive, Yanchep. 9am – 5pm. A video on Fatima will be shown at 9am. A day of prayer and instruction based upon the messages of Fatima. Includes sacrament of penance, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, sermons, rosaries, procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross. Please BYO lunch. Enquiries – Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate: 9250 8286. Bus service – contact Nita on 9367 1366.

Saturday June 3

WITNESS FOR LIFE PROCESSION

The next first Saturday Mass, procession and rosary vigil will be held on June 3, commencing with Mass

at 8.30am at St Anne’s Church, Hehir St, Belmont. We proceed prayerfully to the Rivervale abortion centre and conclude with rosary, led by Fr Paul Carey SSC. Please join us to pray peacefully for the conversion of hearts. Enq. Helen 9402 0349.

Sunday June 4

DIVINE MERCY

An afternoon with Jesus and Mary at St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth, on Sunday June 4, at 1.30pm. Program: holy rosary and reconciliation, sermon: with Fr Hugh Thomas CSSR on Our Lady of Perpetual Help, followed by divine mercy prayers and benediction. Enquiries: John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608.

Thursday June 8

A HEALING MASS

In honour of St Peregrine, patron of Cancer sufferers and helper of all in need, will be held at the Church of SS John and Paul, Pinetree Gully Rd (off South St) Willetton, on Thursday, June 8, at 7pm. There will be Veneration of the Relic and Anointing of the Sick. For further information, please contact Noreen Monaghan on 9498 7727.

Thursday June 8

TOUCH OF HEAVEN

Holy Mass and healing service. St Joseph’s Catholic Church. 22 Hamilton St, Bassendean 7pm Mass, followed by talk and healing.

Sunday June 11

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Administered for spiritual and physical healing during Holy Mass every second Sunday of the month at the Bullsbrook Shrine. Enquiries: 9447 3292.

Friday June 16 to Thursday June 22

FIVE DAY DIRECTED RETREAT

At the Redemptorist Monastery Retreat House 190 Vincent Street North Perth June 17 - 21. Director: Fr. Joe Carroll CSSR. Arrive 6pm Friday June 16, Return after early morning Mass Thursday June 22. Bookings: Mrs Jan Broderick fax/phone 9328 9736.

Sunday June 18

CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION  TOODYAY

The annual Corpus Christi procession will be held in Toodyay, commencing at St John the Baptist Parish Church (36 Stirling Tce, Toodyay) at 12:30pm (holy Mass at 10:30am). The procession will honour the Blessed Sacrament with prayers, hymns and benediction. A reception will follow (please bring a plate). Bus services will be available – please contact either Nita Campbell on 9367 1366. Flo Cue on 9367 8632 or Chia Sticca on 9337 3831. Enquiries please contact Franciscans of the Immaculate on 9574 5204.

June 23-24

ALLIANCE AND TRIUMPH OF THE TWO HEARTS

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Holy Mass at 9pm on Friday evening. At St Bernadette’s Church 49 Jugen St Glendalough followed by an all night Eucharistic

JUNE

1 Liturgical Music Launch, CEO - Archbishop Hickey

4 Confirmation, St Mary’s Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey Confirmation, Ocean Reef - Bishop Sproxton

7 LifeLink Internet Launch for Schools - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton Slattery Lecture, NDA - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton

8 Council of Priests’ Meeting, Glendalough - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton

adoration in reparation to the two hearts (including rosaries, hymns, scripture readings and reflection during the night). Please join us for any length of time at your convenience. Solemnity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – Saturday morning with usual parish Mass at 7.30am. Reconciliation available prior to both masses. There will be a first Friday all night vigil winter break from June to August. We will recommence from Friday 1 September. Enquiries 9444 6131 or 9342 5845.

Saturday June 24

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER

CROSS ROADS COMMUNITY Will be having its annual fundraising dinner on Saturday the 24th of June at South Fremantle Football Club. Tickets cost $45.00 per person. Please ring CRC on 9319 8344 to inquire further.

Saturday June 24 to Monday June 26

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF LAY PASTORAL MINISTERS

Following the theme River of Life, creating, empowering, renewing. A vibrant people of God. Registration forms can be downloaded from the Pastoral Ministers of Brisbane Website on www. catholic.net.au/layministry/pma. Interested persons can contact Margaret Walker 9390 8365 or Lesley McMinn on 9337 6295.

EVERY SUNDAY

Bullsbrook Shrine Sunday Pilgrimage Programme. Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering rd Bullsbrook. 2pm Holy Mass, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with holy rosary. Reconciliation is available before every celebration. Enquiries: 9447 3292.

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

The Santa Clara Parish Community welcomes anyone from surrounding parishes and beyond to the Santa Clara Church, corner of Coolgardie and Pollock Sts, Bentley on the 1st Sunday of each month for devotions in honour of the Divine Mercy. The afternoon commences with the 3 o’clock prayer, followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Reflection and concludes with Benediction.

Saturdays PERPETUAL HELP NOVENA DEVOTIONS

Saturdays 4.30-5pm. Redemptorist Church, 190 Vincent Street, North Perth.

ART EXHIBITION

Art exhibition every Saturday and Sunday at the Parish Hall, Star of the Sea church, Cottesloe, cnr of Stirling Highway and McNeil Sts 11am – 4pm. All proceeds from the sale towards the extension of St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Is alcohol costing you more than just money?

Alcoholics Anonymous can help. Ring 9325 3566.

BLESSED SACRAMENT ADORATION

Holy Family Church, Alcock Street, Maddington.

Every Friday 8.30 am Holy Mass followed by Blessed Sacrament Adoration till 12 noon. Every first Friday

of the month, anointing of the sick during Mass. Enq. 9398 6350.

PERPETUAL ADORATION AT ST BERNADETTE’S

Adoration: Chapel open all day and all night. All welcome, 49 Jugan St, Glendalough, just north of the city. Masses every night at 5.45pm Monday to Friday, 6.30pm, Saturday and the last Sunday Mass in Perth is at 7pm.

Wednesdays SIGN LANGUAGE COURSE

Australian Sign Language (Auslan) Classes are offered free of charge at Emmanuel Centre on Wednesdays at 1pm. If this does not suit you, other arrangements can be made. Please contact Fr Paul or Barbara at Emmanuel Centre, 25 Windsor St Perth 9328 8113.

QUEEN OF APOSTLES SCHOOL

If anyone has information on Queen of Apostles School, Riverton, used to go there or knows anyone who did please do one of the following to tell the extension group – Call 9354 1360 and ask to speak to Veronique or email your information to veronequeregnard@gmail.com.au or janellekoh@yahoo.com.au or you can put your information into the box in the office at Queen of Apostles School. Thanking you in anticipation.

Sunday September 17

KOORDA CHURCH 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Our Lady of the Assumption Church at Koorda will celebrate its Golden Anniversary this year on September 17. Past Parish Priests and past parishioners are invited to come and join us for the celebrations. Anyone who has any photos they would like to include in a display is welcome to send them to Kath Gosper at PO Box 68, Koorda 6475. You could send copies or we will copy and return them to you. The day will commence with Mass at 10.30am to be followed by lunch at the Recreation hall.

LINDA’S HOUSE OF HOPE APPEAL

To enable us to continue to provide and offer support for girls wishing to leave the sex trade we need your help. We have achieved already with your assistance new offfices which are now complete at the rear of the shelter and are fully functional. Further donations are also required to enable us to complete the internal layout of the shelter itself. Please send donations to Linda’s House of Hope PO Box Z5640, Perth, St George’s Tce 6831. Ph: 0439 401 009. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Please Note

The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment it considers improper or not in unison with the general display of the paper.

The Last Word

Peter’s path a lesson for all

In his series of weekly reflections given to pilgrims visiting Rome Pope Benedict has begun reflecting on each of the apostles, to whom Christ entrusted the Church, as ZENIT reports. The Record will follow the Holy Father’s reflections on the apostles in coming weeks.

Benedict XVI retraced the spiritual journey of St Peter, the fisherman from Galilee, to draw a lesson: to follow God’s plans and not transform them with our human desires.

Reviewing Christ’s call to Simon and his first steps following the Lord, the Pope said that, initially, “Peter wanted as Messiah a ‘divine man,’ who fulfilled people’s expectations, imposing his force upon everyone.”

“We also want the Lord to impose his force and transform the world immediately,” the Holy Father acknowledged. However, “Jesus presented himself as the ‘human God,’ who overturned the expectations of the multitude, by following the path of humility and suffering.”

The Pontiff delivered that catechesis to more than 45,000 people gathered for the general audience in St Peter’s Square. He was continuing his series of weekly reflections on the Church.

In earlier catecheses the Pope explained that Christ entrusted his Church to the apostles. In the forthcoming weeks he plans to reflect on the individual apostles.

Benedict XVI began with St Peter, presenting two key scenes of his life.

Faithful, impulsive

He first portrayed Peter’s character: “He was a faithful Jew, who believed in God’s active presence in the history of his people.”

Benedict XVI added that Peter was “strong and impulsive, … ready to make his opinions felt, even by force,” as when he took out the sword and cut off the ear of a man in the Garden of Olives to defend Jesus.

“At the same time, he is also occasionally naive and fearful, yet honest and capable of sincere repentance,” the Holy Father said.

The first scene Benedict XVI presented of Peter’s “spiritual itinerary” was Jesus’ call, when, after Our Lord addressed the crowd from Peter’s boat, the miraculous catch of fish took place.

Seeing the full nets, the fisherman reacted with “astonishment and trepidation”: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

Jesus responded by inviting Peter to be a “fisher of men,” Benedict XVI said. “Peter could not yet imagine that one day he would arrive in Rome and would be there a ‘fisher of men’ for the Lord.”

And, despite the fact that Peter replied to this call with generosity, in fact “the Messiah he sought in his dreams was very different from God’s plan,” observed Benedict

XVI. That is why, when the Passion was announced, Peter “cried out and protested.”

And Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God but of men,” the

Pope noted. Benedict XVI added that Christ, in effect, was saying, “Do not show me the way, I follow my way and you follow me.”

Second calling

Christ then explained to Peter what it means to follow him. It is, in fact, a second calling: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,” said the Pope. Once the apostle accepted these words, he underwent his second “conversion.”

“These different conversations of St Peter and his whole figure are a motive of great consolation and a great teaching for us,” said Benedict XVI, drawing lessons for the life of any Christian.

“We also desire God, we also want to be generous, but we also expect God to be strong in the world and that he transform the world immediately, according to our ideas and the needs we see,” the Pope said.

“God opts for another way. God chooses the way of the transformation of hearts in suffering and humility. And we, like Peter, must always be converted again,” the Holy Father added.

“We must follow Jesus and not precede him. He shows us the way,” he said.

“Peter tells us: You think you have the recipe and that you have to transform Christianity, but the Lord is the one who knows the way. It is the Lord who says to me, who says to you, ‘follow me!’

“And we must have the courage and humility to follow Jesus, as he is the way, the truth and the life.”

- ZENIT.org

The Church and Society - a journey of discoveries

Even the last 12 months have seen big changes: the Da Vinci Code, a new Pope, and a growing sense that western civilisation is losing its memory, among them. Fr TONY PAGANONI CS, episopal vicar for migration in Perth, this week begins a new series reflecting on the Church and society.

Rainbows are a thing of beauty, with no two being identical. Each differing combination of light, rain and cloud-coverage can produce a remarkably astonishing, yet diverse, display of colour.

The relationship between society, Church and religion, at any given time has mimicked the rainbow, often producing a harmonious blend of thoughts and ideologies. However, like the rainbow, this complex relationship has also been influenced by ‘climatic changes’ within civil societies and religious organisations, thus giving rise to opposing stances.

It is not my intention, for now, to highlight the cooperative or oppositional periods, but merely to convey the sheer complexity of such a topic. This complexity is evident when examining the multitude of changes exhibited by both society and Church throughout their histories. Perhaps most notably,

their constant attempt at interaction while simultaneously seeking to establish and maintain their own identity and reason for existence. In the process, both Church and society have swayed and shifted, allowing imperceptible alterations to occur.

The present series of articles introduces the reader to this complexity, by discussing recent research and findings by key specialists in the areas of historical research, theological reflection, pastoral action and, above all, the evolving way the Church is led and in turn perceived by its community. Such an exploration allows for the dynamic relationship between the Church and the world to be deliberately investigated.

By exposing the transitional nature of both Church and societal values, one can come to a deeper understanding of the intricacies, which lie behind each institution.

This series of reflections will focus on the Church’s ever-changing relationship with the world and its societal organisations. And ever-changing it is, even if we tend to forget that the Church’s operations and activities are not immutable, but are at the service of the Kingdom of God, as has been stressed by the

Vatican Council II. It will become evident, through these reflections, that the world is the very reason for the existence of the Church: “sent to bring the good news…” However, this does not mean the Church is required to act in a reactive fashion – merely conforming to the world’s desires. Historically we have

witnessed both the prevalence of a reactive stance as well as the proactive stance.

Rainbows are never the same.

The fruitful interchange and association between civil and religious entities will allow us to embark on a discovery of historical negotiations, which have moulded civilisations.

St Peter: A faithful Jew, who believed in God’s prescence in the history of his people.

Unity in diversity: This rainbow covering a Russian Catholic church symbolises the complexity in the relationship between Church and society - constantly changing depending on weather and perspective. Fr Paganoni’s new series, entitled ‘New Rainbows’ begins in The Record this week.

Photo: CNS