The Record Newspaper 31 January 1991

PERTH, WA: January 31, 1991

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AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS LIST 38 SUGGESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION IN ...

Wealth robe Australia's Catholic Bishops have suggested that the government give serious consideration to conducting a wealth inquiry.

This is one of 38 "suggestions for discussion and action" in the bishops' draft statement on the distribution of wealth in Australia.

The bishops also suggest changes in tax structures to eliminate advantages given to high income-earners at the expense of low income-earners and to give families a fairer deal.

They say that the increasing burden on middle-income earners should be lightened and that serious consideration should be given to the reintroduction of death duties or some other form of wealth tax.

The document contains the findings of a three-year consultancy process around Australia. The bishops conducted public hearings in a number of

centres and also received over 700 written submissions.

The bishops make these comments about the pressure on families: "If families are disadvantaged under the taxation system operating in Australia, they are the first victims of other trends including unemployment and the rising cost of housing, education and health care.

"They also suffer from the consumerist climate, from persistent and intrusive advertising and from the 'plastic money' culture and easy availability of credit . . .

"It is a fallacy to measure economic growth without taking into account such socially productive activity as child-rearing and family-management.

• 'The benefits to the nation of strong and healthy family life are not easily measurable, but it is obvious that they are immense, even in financial terms.

"Unfortunately, we have witnessed a disturbing increase in family disintegration, which is costing us dearly. Any measures taken to arrest this trend must be applauded and even the most hardheaded economist should surely see such initiatives as a sound investment."

The bishops suggest that the wealthy and the high income-earners ask themselves if it is legitimate for them to aspire to an even higher standard of living at a time when serious poverty exists both at home and abroad.

They say they are disturbed by the prevalence of tax evasion and the evidence of a weakening of taxation morality in the community.

"We conclude by reaffirming our confidence that it is possible for Australians to create a fairer society," the statement says.

The early chapters look at definitions of wealth and poverty and the reality of

the gap between Australia's affluent and poor people, as revealed by the inquiry. A special chapter discusses the Church's own resources.

Separate chapters summarise the teaching of the Bible and of Church authorities on social justice, with particular reference to wealth distribution. Before formulating their suggestions, the bishops attempt in the second last chapter to answer the question: "What kind of society do we want?"

"Australians must place less value on self-centred individualism and more on the individual's acceptance of responsibility for others, in a spirit of solidarity." the statement affirms.

The Bishops' Committee for Justice.

Development and Peace hopes that a final statement with recommendations can be completed by the end of 1991.

They expect community responses to the draft to reach their North Sydney secretariat by April 30, 1991.

Different document ...

LONDON (CNS): A document from an international CatholicAnglican dialogue outlines a common understanding of the Church and how it operates.

The document is somewhat different from agreed statements on the Eucharist, justification, authority, and minis-

try and ordination,

roo

Were raising the standard.

DI_ 1631

said Bishop Mark Santer, Anglican cochairman of the Second AnglicanCatholic Roman International Commission (ARCIC "All our previous documents addressed themselves to specific and obvious doctrinal questions from the controversies of the past," he said. "With

this document, we tried to get behind the particular and obvious issues to the underlying question of the way in which we understand the Church."

The document said Catholics and Anglicans were able to recognise "a true affinity" in each other's churches, but

should not ignore the effects of centuries of separation.

"Grave obstacles from the past and of recent origin must not lead us into thinking that there is no further room for growth toward fuller communion," the document said.

Catholics and Anglicans should continue

examining their differences, it said, listing among obstacles to unity the ordination of women and the question of authority in the Church.

"Paradoxically, the closer we draw together, the more acutely we feel those differences which remain," the docu-

• More on Pages 2, 3

ment added.

"This document should be seen as part of the long process of the growing together of Anglicans and Roman Catholics," noted Bishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Catholic co-chairman of ARCIC Formal dialogue between Anglicans and Catholics began

in January 1967 with a meeting of the Joint Preparatory Commission. Its report led to the establishment of the First AnglicanRoman Catholic International Commission, which first met in January 1970.

ARCIC published its first agreed statement — on the Eucharist — in 1971.

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The Ftecord, January 31, 1991

The 313

The 38 suggestions given at the end of the statement under nine headings are: Common good and common wealth 1. That the traditional concept of the common good, linked with the ideal of solidarity, be the basis for any action taken to redistribute wealth in Australia.

2. That the full implications of the expression common wealth, as it applies to the ownership, control and use of the nation's resources, be explored.

3. That Australians be reminded of their responsibilities within the community of nations.

4. That Australians be encouraged to be more generous in offering overseas aid, both through government and privately.

5. That we all reflect seriously on our lifestyles in the light of papal and other admonitions about the materialism of the West and the consumerism practised in affluent nations.

6. That the wealthy and high income-earners ask themselves if it is legitimate for them to aspire to an even higher standard of living, at a time when serious poverty exists both at home and abroad.

7. That the policy of economic growth through increased production of material goods be critically evaluated in terms of its impact on genuine quality of life locally and globally.

S ustainable development

8. That, in the light of well documented environmental and ecological damage, the sustainability of all forms of economic development be objectively assessed.

Family 9. That more effective measures be taken to support and strengthen family life, reversing the trend towards family disintegration.

10. That it be more widely recognised that a nation's true wealth is enhanced by a strong family life and by the unpaid service given in the home by caregivers.

Tax and social security 11. That both the taxation laws and the social security system be made to operate more effectively to safeguard family life and that greater financial compensation be provided for parents who choose not to engage in paid employment.

12. That the taxation system be re-ordered so that high income-earners cease to receive advantages at the expense of lower income-earners.

13. That the increasing tax burden on middleincome earners, including many in the Pay-AsYou-Earn category, be lightened.

14. That the case for the re-introduction of death duties or some other form of wealth tax be given serious consideration.

15. That the role of the social welfare system in creating a more just society be maintained.

16. That special care be taken to eliminate the

kind of complications in social security procedures which disadvantage people with language difficulties or other handicaps.

17. That steps be taken by the appropriate authorities to ensure that means-tested recipients of social security do not fall into poverty traps.

Housing 18. That, as far as possible, sufficient public housing stock be provided to meet the needs of people who are unable to afford private rents.

19. That more effective controls be introduced into the home rental market.

20. That governments and banks carefully examine the financial feasibility of taking more effective measures to assist first home-buyers.

Employment and production 21. That increased emphasis be given to training and re-training, as a means of reducing the unemployment level.

22. That greater efforts be made to achieve wider participation in the ownership and management of the means of production and a more equitable sharing of profits.

23. That small business be given more assistance to survive and prosper.

24. That monopolies be discouraged.

25. That any policies or practices which lead to the exploitation of workers at home or abroad be abandoned.

26. That the policy of equal pay and opportun-

Strengthen The bishops suggest The bishops' 122-page that action be taken to statement appears in strengthen family life, paperback form with the reversing the trend title Common Wealth towards family disinte- and Common Good. It gration; that more was prepared on behalf public stock be pro- of the country's 43 vided for those unable Catholic bishops by a to afford private hous- drafting committee ing rents and that more appointed by the effective controls be Bishops' Committee for placed on the rental Justice, Development housing market. and Peace.

The publishing of such a statement in draft form, with a call for responses and comments from the community, is an innovation in the Catholic Church in Australia.

It is suggested that small businesses be given more assistance to survive and prosper, and that greater efforts be made to achieve wider participa-

suggestions

ity for women in the workforce be more effectively implemented.

Special areas 27. That Australia's policy on admitting immigrants, especially refugees, be assessed from a moral and ethical viewpoint and not only with economic implications in mind.

28. That Australians recognise as a major social problem the continuing widespread poverty affecting Aboriginal citizens, especially the younger generation.

29. That all the people of Australia be given equal access to the country's education, health and legal systems.

30. That activities contributing to the deterioration of land resources be halted.

The Church 31. That all decisions made within the Church on the acquisition, use or disposal of material resources, including land and buildings, be made in light of the preferential option for the poor.

32. That Church funds always be invested in socially useful and ethically defensible projects.

33. That Church members make serious efforts to think and act in the spirit of solidarity with the poor.

34. That social justice doctrine be given a more prominent place in the Catholic education system at every level, in keeping with the directives of the Holy See. 35. That the Church set an example to the rest of society by ensuring that the poor have full and

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36. That Church members, accepting the truth that we are made in God's image, do everything possible to ensure that personal human dignity is recognised and protected throughout the community.

37. That Church

members, accepting the ment seriously consider principle that all human conducting a Wealth beings are entitled to a Inquiry. share in the goods of Common Wealth and creation, make every Common Good. Collins effort to ensure that Dove Publishers, Melsociety provides equita- bourne $9.99. bly for the needs of all its The bishops acknowlmembers. edge that the effectiveThe Government ness and wisdom of some of their suggested practi38. That the Govern- cal measures "are debat-

able and that some Christians will sincerely oppose them".

They ask, however, that their ideas be considered c onscientiously. They hope to receive responses to the draft by the end of April, when they will redraft the statement in the light of the reactions.

Real poverty here The statement says there is real poverty in Australia, in spite of the comparative prosperity of our country, and adds: "While this seems obvious, a few commentators adopt such a rigid or narrow concept of poverty, applying it only to those in immediate danger of death from starvation or exposure, that they feel justified in concluding that it does not exist here.

"This is not a reasonable conclusion, given the socioeconomic deprivation experienced in different forms by hundreds of thousands if not millions of

Australians. If words mean anything, the homeless and many among the unemployed, the disabled, sole parents and their children, other single-income families and members of some Aboriginal and migrant communities are truly the poor in our midst.

"The situation of a number of these people is one of destitution, which can be accurately classified as 'absolute' poverty."

The statement says recent studies make it clear that child poverty in Australia remains a desperate and scandalous problem in many ways.

family life call lion in the ownership tions for the Church is and management of the that members, accepting means of production and the principle that all a more equitable sharing human beings are of profits. entitled to a share in the The document refers to goods of creation, make the serious financial every effort to ensure problems facing the rural that society provides sector and calls for a halt equitably for the needs of to "activities contributing all people. to the deterioration of land resources".

The bishops ask that "all One of seven sugges- decisions made within

the Church on the acquisition, use or disposal of material resources, including land and buildings, be made in the light of the preferential option for the poor".

The background to the bishops' suggestion that serious consideration be given to a national wealth inquiry is that such a Government

inquiry has not been held since 1915.

In the course of their inquiry the bishops themselves have gathered as much information as possible about wealth in Australia, mainly from other reports and data banks, without having the capacity to conduct the

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Nevertheless, estimates made at various times from different sources indicated a great inequality in the distribution of wealth.

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3

Record The trail of consequences from the Gulf war are likely to be long and far reaching, well away from the horror of the war itself.

Not the least damage will have been the pummelling of public awareness and perception, until all awareness of other issues vanishes.

January 1991 will stand out as the time when although the competing television, radio and press networks had not one iota more than their rivals to report, and the barest details at that, all other national and even international issues, such as the Baltic questions, were reported, but always with the implication that the Gulf details, so much of it trivia and speculation, would take precedence in the public consciousness.

Such is the manipulation to which the late 20th century mind is new beholden, if not subject.

January 1991 may therefore turn out to be a less than fortuitous moment for the Catholic bishops of Australia to have launched the first draft of their long awaited statement on the wealth of Australia.

If, in less troubled times, Australia Day would have seemed an appropriately significant occasion to launch the document that has so much to say about Australia, it also risks the lethargy that still surrounds this ambivalent national commemoration along with the bread-and-circus atmosphere reaching nothing higher than a sponsored firework display.

On the other hand, as the political machines and personalities emerge from the holiday fog during which it seems nothing was wrong with Australia because holidaying politicians were not saying so, the Catholic statement on wealth may be aptly joining the struggle to debate what is really wrong with this country.

The statement itself, let alone its topic of wealth, faces the first hurdle of convincing the few Catholics who will bother reading it, let alone the other public groups to whom attention it is directed, that wealth is a subject that can and ought to be debated.

With the depression being felt on many fronts, the Australian penchant for turning all debate into a political circus of traded insult will dominate what ought to be a debate of issues.

Parliamentary sittings, both federal and state, now treat with contempt the idea that ordinary people ought to have explained to them and be encouraged to think for themselves what choices they have to set things right economically.

Some Catholics therefore will be offended, and already have, because the bishops have dared lift the lid on the subject. Those not wanting to have pet theories about wealth and its distribution ruffled will be quick to tell the Church the conclusions it should have before the debate starts.

Compared with the days when topics of social justice and concern were delivered from on high and with predictability, the genesis of this document is at least the view of many that wealth was the question most needing discussion and debate in Australia today.

To that degree the subject is not forced on Catholics, even if the current economic scene adds urgency to the discussion.

The draft document wisely devotes most of its space to defining terms so that some common understanding, and not mere emotion, will underlie the debate.

If the document has a fault it will be precisely because it has had to allude to the spectacular persons whose wealth has begun crashing on all sides since the document start taking shape some years ago when those same names were flying high indeed.

The task for this new initiative in Catholic thinking, discussion — and hopefully some sort of consensus — is to avoid the trap of being no more than a mob howling at the foot of the guillotine of the failed.

Exactly what wealth, its generation and distribution, has to do with religion may be the touchiest aspect of the process.

The humility of a prayer to know why we are doing anything of this kind could be far more important that the rush to come up with the answers of what we — but unfortunately only others — ought to be doing about their wealth . . . .

4 The Record, January 31, 1991

CTJ

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v

possible battle' in Lebanon BEIRUT: General "Only by opposing Michel Aoun's efforts Aoun could the Christo oust Syrian troops tians save themselves from Lebanon was "an because the policies of impossible battle", Aoun rallied all the which ended in the others against us," he weakening of Chris- said. tianity, said Maronite "It ended by destroying Patriarch Nasrallah the Christian religion.

Pierre Sfeir.

The Syrian bombs, in Patriarch Sfeir said he fact, fell in this area. opposed Aoun's efforts There was a bloody war from the beginning among Christians with because the general who thousands of deaths," he is a Maronite and who added.

Patriarch Sfeir also governed a Christian hold-out enclave for criticised Christian milnearly two years "signi- itias for fighting among fied the partitioning of themselves and killing rival Christian leaders.

Lebanon".

"The important Maronite families in the past 10 years were uncontrollable, killing in revenge children, mothers, servants and bodyguards," he said.

Christians must be very careful in the future to preserve their status in the Middle East, the patriarch said.

"We must be watchful, very watchful. We have the mission to live as Christians in a nonChristian world," he added.

"We have four foreign armies here: the Syrians,

the Palestinians, the Israelis and the Iranians," he said. "The Israelis must leave first. If they don't, the Syrians will remain indefinitely."

The Palestinians should leave after the Israelis, the patriarch said.

Patriarch Sfeir blamed the 15 years of fighting in Lebanon on the country's decision to allow numerous Palestinians to settle in its territory. "Our troubles began with them in 1975. Before that we were a happy country. To defend ourselves from them we turned to

Damascus," he said, referring to the Syrian capital.

Aoun, a Maronite and army chief of staff, was appointed interim head of government — pending the election of a new president by parliament — after the term of constitutionally chosen President Amin Gemayel, also a Maronite, expired in 1988.

The election had been delayed alternately by Christian and Muslim factions competing for the government.

Packet of liturgy for use in parishes WASHINGTON (CNS): To promote grass-roots attention to 100 years of Catholic social teaching, the US Catholic Conference Department of Social Development and World Peace has developed a packet of liturgy, planning and education materials for use in parishes in 1991.

Pope Leo XB1's encyclical "Rerum Novarum" on the condition of labour, was issued May 15, 1891.

It is considered the beginning of modern Catholic social teaching.

The US Bishops highlighted their concern for

renewed awareness of and commitment to Catholic social teaching when they approved a November pastoral statement, "A Century of Social Teaching: A Common Heritage, A Continuing Challenge." It major emphasises themes of Catholic social teaching over the past century and urges Catholics to rediscover that teaching and make it part of their lives.

Also included in the packet being sent to the nation's 18,000 parishes are: • Homily resources and

reflections on social teaching for Lent and Advent.

• Resources for liturgies focusing on social teachings on Ascension, the seventh Sunday of Easter and Pentecost.

• Parish planning resources, to integrate a social justice focus into education, liturgy and social concerns programs.

• More than 60 brief statements of Catholic social teaching excerpted from encyclicals and other church documents, designed for use in parish bulletins and

newsletters.

• Clip art featuring the logo of the centenary, for use in bulletins, newsletters and fliers to identify announcements and other items linked to the centenary.

The packet includes a 16-page catalogue of USCC publications that document the social teachings of the popes and US Bishops and a flier describing this year's "Preparing for Pentecost" materials from the bishops' Campaign for Human Development.

10 Eastern-rite bishops VATICAN CITY (CNS): Pope John Paul II confirmed the elections of the 10 Eastern-rite bishops in the Soviet Ukraine and appointed five bishops to serve three of the four Latin-rite dioceses there.

The Eastern-rite

bishops have been ordained clandestinely after their church was outlawed in the Soviet Union in 1946. They subsequently were elected to their positions by the Ukrainian bishops' synod.

The Latin-rite dioceses

had been entrusted to apostolic administrators or had been vacant for more than 45 years. bishop was No appointed for the Latinrite Diocese of Luck. The diocese had 30 parishes in 1933, but only two remain after the Soviet

crackdown on religious activity.

The two parishes will be cared for by the new archbishop of Lvov, Marian Archbishop Jaworski.

The appointments "officially conclude one of the

•

most painful periods of the Catholic Church in Ukraine, that of the persecution of the Latinrite church and of the suppression of the Ukrainian-rite church after the Second World War", said a Vatican statement.

Change for Mass times?

DUBUN: A Proposal that parish priests re-schedule Sunday Masses at intervals longer than the present one hour could well be adopted in parishes throughout Ireland.

The result of having

Mass on the hour is too often pressure inside and chaos outside the Church, says Bishop Brendan Comiskey of the Wexford diocese of Ferns in the first of a three-part pastoral letter to be read

throughout the diocese in the run-up to Lent.

Dr Comiskey said he could detect storm signals, not so much in a fall-off in numbers as in the evidence of unhealthy attitudes of

unbelief. One such signal is the approach of many to the Sunday Mass as something "to be got in".

Bishop Comiskey recalled there are people who leave before the end of Mass no matter how

long Mass lasts. Many of these can be seen around the Church gates long after Mass is ended.

Priests must resist the pressure of such people to dictate the quality of our Sunday Eucharist.

Don't be shy about being Catholic LONDON: Catholics must stop being shy about proclaiming their faith and talking about religion, said Cardinal Hume, leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, as the Decade of Evangelisation officially began.

Cardinal Hume says he is aware that there is a "widespread feeling in Britain that religion is an intensely private concern".

"Few find it possible to talk freely to others about their faith and their personal pilgrimage.

"The majority, too, resent being talked at about religion even though a great number still experience a restlessness of spirit and a hunger for the things of God. "The Decade of Evangelisation is meant to help us overcome that natural shyness and to point out ways in which we can spread knowledge and acceptance of Jesus."

The cardinal warned not to look for dramatic change and points out that the Church is one voice among many.

"We have to speak to the hearts and minds of people in search of meaning and purpose to their lives, and we must also seek to bring the values of the Kingdom of God into the secular and materialistic society. We have to stand for truth and justice."

The cardinal recalled the words of Pope Paul VI when he opened the Synod on Evangelisation in 1974: "It is not possible in considering evangelisation to ignore the importance of problems so much discussed today concerning justice, liberation, development and peace in the world."

People today show more support and sensitivity for

issues of justice and peace, said the cardinal, "have broader horizons than in the past and a greater awareness of the unity of the human family. There is more emphasis on equal opportunities, freedom and human dignity".

"The so-called 'green issues' are causing us to recognise our place in creation and our responsibility for the planet's finite resources. There is perhaps more honesty and openness in our relationships and more emphasis on collaboration and partnership."

Cardinal Hume also pointed out the negative aspects of life. "Directly opposed to the Christian revelation is the present public indifference to the absolute sanctity of life.

"This is the outcome of the widespread indifference to the Gospel and the general atmosphere of unbelief which is becoming more hostile to traditional Christian values.

"There is also a sense of self-sufficiency and of personal greed which is part and parcel of modern materialisim.

"Love, marriage and family have been, for some considerable time, under sustained pressure. Personal relationships have been so often trivialised; commitment has been undermined; selfishness has been glamounsed."

In the face of such a complex situation, the cardinal said "one could be forgiven for reluctance to tackle the huge task of attempting the evangelising of our society".

He pointed out the Church needed to "seek allies and unity. Scattered and disorganised initiatives stand no chance of success".

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Step towards sainthood VATICAN CITY (CNS): In a first formal step toward canonisation, the Vatican recognised a life of holiness for Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th. century Anglicanturned-Catholic who became one of the Church's leading spiritual voices.

The Vatican declared last week that the English philosopher, theologian and spiritual writer had lived a life of "heroic virtue" which was of worthy imitation.

Cardinal Newman, prolific as a poet, essayist and novelist,

and renowned as a preacher, was best known as a theologian. He made important original contributhe in tions development of doctrine, in the role of people's belief in discerning truths of faith and in a carefully -nuanced understanding of papal infallibility.

The cardinal is frequently referred to as the missing father of the Second Vatican Council because his teachings on the laity and doctrine had an influence on those proceedings, some 70 years after his death.

Catholic scholars

NewCardinal man . . . first step towards sainthood. today have ranked the cardinal's "Apologia pro Vita Sua," written in defense of his conversion to Catholicism, as one of the

great spiritual autobiographies of Christian history. His writings on education influenced a generation of US educators, and Newman campus ministry centres at colleges nationwide are named for him.

Cardinal Newman, who died Aug 11.

1890, at the age of 89, was an Anglican priest and a leading intellectual in the Church of England before he converted in 1845. He was ordained two years later and was still a priest when he was made a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1879.

Cardinal Newman's

beatification cause was opened in 1958 in Birmingham, England, his home diocese, and in 1987 was introduced in Rome.

One reason for the long preparation was the amount of evidence to be collected and studied. In addition to his published works, some 20,000 letters written by the cardinal have survived.

To be beatified, the step before sainthood, a canonically approved miracle must be attributed to the person. Declaration of sainthood requires another such miracle that occurs after beatification.

Decision on Irish martyrs VATICAN CITY: The pope is expected to announce soon the beatification of 17 Irish martyrs who died for their faith in the 16th and 17th c enturies.

The martyrs have been chosen from

among the numerous Irish who suffered for not renouncing their faith, or for refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy, recognisBritish the ing monarch as head of the Church.

They include Archbishop Dermot O'Hurley,

the first member of the Irish hierarchy to die. He was executed in Dublin.

Before his execution the archbishop's legs were put in boots filled with oil, then held over a fire until the flesh melted from his bones.

In a brief address before his death he told onlookers that his persecutors could find no case against him "that might in the least degree deserve the pain of death, but merely my function of priesthood wherein

they have proceeded against me in all points cruelly contrary to their own laws".

Three other bishops, six priests, a lay brother, a butcher, merchant and three sailors are also among the martyrs.

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S(m)oothing effect of hugs, kisses VATICAN CITY (CNS): The foot of the statue of St Peter, seated regally beneath a wooden canopy near the main altar in the basilica that bears his name, has been worn smooth with kisses and caresses from the faithful.

But how many centuries of devotion does it take to consume a saint's foot? Is it 15 — or a mere seven?

That's the question swirling around the bronze figure in the basilica these days following publication of an art historian's thesis in a respected Italian journal.

The article appeared to deliver a verdict in the long debate over the dating of the larger-thanlife-sized statue.

The bronze St Peter was moved to the basilica in 1454 after a fire destroyed the nearby monastery where it was originally housed.

The dark and somewhat forbidding figure is perched on a tall marble throne, holding the keys to heaven in one hand and giving the typical papal blessing with the other.

Some experts have

argued that the statue was cast in Rome in the fifth century and has survived intact through 1500 years of war, pillage, renovation and displacement.

That would make it the oldest, biggest and most impressive image of the first pope — and a visible sign of papal authority going back to the early days of Christianity.

Others said the work dates from medieval times, probably coming out of the workshop of the famed Tuscan sculptor Amolfo da Cambio, who worked on Church and civic projects until his death in 1302.

The latest study weighs in on the side of the medievalists. After a series of historic analyses and scientific tests, art historian Angiola Maria Romanina concluded that St Peter bears telltale signs of its 13th-century origin.

The most important clue was traces of pigment found on the work — evidence of a unique colour-casting method developed by Arnolfo da Cambio, the expert said.

The basilica's engineering office collaborated in

the testing, which included "thermal luminescence analysis" performed by the University of Milan's Department of Physics. According to the experts, the bronze was cast between 1265 and 1379, most probably around the beginning of the 14th century.

The statue of St Peter is a familiar sight to thousands of tourists and a focal point of the spacious basilica. It is the place where schoolchildren are lectured, where snapshots are snapped and where visitors can put their hand on a work of art without getting yelled at.

For most pilgrims, direct kissing of the foot has given way to various forms of touching: handto-statue followed by the sign of the cross, for example. Italians are the most adept and unselfconscious at this, while Americans generally take a few moments to catch on.

On a recent morning, Japanese tourists lined up to pay their respects and have their pictures taken. Each one felt the foot and gave a decorous nod.

In recent years, the touching habit has spread to St Peter's left foot — where the toes and sandal are beginning to erode — and to the figures on bronze candlesticks nearby.

For centuries, June 29 has been the best date to stop by the basilica and see St Peter that's his feast day, when the statue is dressed up in fine embroidered robes and a gem-studded papal tiara.

Fewer people realise that there's a second statue of St Peter with an even more uncertain — one might say disjointed — history. It's located one floor below the basilica, between the crypt and the souvenir shop.

According to art historians, this figure of white marble was carved in Roman times as a "philosopher", then refitted in the late Middle Ages with its Petrine head, a left hand holding keys and a right arm raised in blessing. Unlike its predecessor upstairs, this statue of Peter has all 10 toes.

Statue of St Peter in St Peter's Basilica.

Leading Anglican to become Catholic LONDON: A leading Church of England clergyman is to become a Catholic, resigning after strong criticism of liberal Anglican theologians.

Dr William Oddie, in his letter of resignation to the Bishop of Oxford Richard Harries, said he believed classical Anglicanism had collapsed and the church was now "an independent liberal Protestant denomination".

Dr Oddie, 51, said: "The English regard the Church of Rome as something strange and exotic, but in fact it is the mainstream. I am tired of being out of the mainstream."

He said his decision was based on coming to believe in "a required authenticity of the claims of the Roman Catholic Church".

Dr Oddie was a longstanding critic of the Archbishop of York and was an ally of the late Dr Gareth Bennett, who committed suicide in 1987 after writing a controversial preface to Crockford's Clerical Directory.

He is to be received into the Church at Easter, with his wife Cornelia and children Victoria, 21, James, 18, and Catherine, 10.

Spreading literacy India UDAIPUR, (UCAN): A Catholic school has launched a master plan to make Udaipur, in the northwestern state of Rajasthan, India's second fully literate district.

Ernalculam district in southern India is India's first fully literate district.

Only 24.5 per cent of Udaipur district's 2,400,000 people are literate. The national literacy average is 36.17 per cent.

St Paul's School in

town Udaipur launched a literacy program late last year.

School staff, educationists from the state and representatives from neighbouring schools, as well as 400 boys of classes 8-11, who were to be initiated as animators, attended the launch.

Each student animator will teach at least two adults in his neighbourhood. The principal and staff will monitor their work and grade it.

Brunei: No to priests extending visa ROTA KINABALU, Malaysia (UCAN): The Brunei government has denied residence visa extensions to two Catholic priests and a Religious sister, a move that leaves the sultanate with only one priest to serve its 8000 strong Catholic population.

About one thousand Catholics gathered at the airport to see off their parish priest, Father Peter Chian , who had served the Catholic community for 6 The.Record,,January 31, 1991

the past seven years.

Two days later, Mill Hill Father Joseph McClorey, was informed that he would have to leave by January 15. Father McClorey served in Miri diocese, in Malaysia's Sarawak and Brunei, for 30 years.

For many years Father McClorey was principal of St Michael's Secondary School and parish priest of a small but vibrant parish community in Seria.

He, like Father Chiang, had a monthto-month residence permit.

Sister Celestine, one of three Religious sisters of St Angela's Convent, has also been told to leave. Sister Celestine is a Malaysian citizen.

Another of the sisters fears that her permit will not be renewed next month.

Father Cornelius Sim, a Brunei citizen who was ordained in November 1989, will be the only priest left to look after the

three parishes in Brunei.

Hundreds of ethnic Chinese citizens have left Brunei in the past few years, a trend that grew after the sultanate achieved complete independence in 1984.

Sources say hundreds more, even those born in the state, are preparing to emigrate because they feel harassed and believe they have no future in Brunei.

Unique centre to 'cure' emotions and prejudice ...

•

The Hofbauer Centre operates at 93 Alma Road, East St Kilda, 3183.

Phone (03) 539 7863.

Father Morison . . . has devoted 20 years to this work.

Emotions that some Australians are exhibiting towards Arab Australians could well do with attention from a unique Melbourne centre, according to its director.

Some of the attacks on Middle East people have been purely out of emotion and prejudice, said Father Rusel Morison, Redemptorist, as an example of the work that is carried out at the Hofbauer Centre in Fast St Kilda.

"Emotions get in the way of human happiness. Hofbauer Centre tries to deal with human emotions that create problems," he said of the institute, named after a famous Redemptorist St

Hofbauer, Clement which started under Redemptorist patronage and which now is an incorporated body.

And emotions can interfere with human relationships and religion says the Redemptorist who gave missions and retreats for 25 years before devoting the past 20 years to this work.

"Emotions fundamentally and anxiety cause any kind of intellectual, emotional or psychiatric disturbance.

"In religion, emotions introduce unreality that can turn God into a monster or an Old Testament Baal for whom people slaughtered each other as a service to God.

On the other hand, said Father Morison, the unreality can lead to not worrying about God "because He makes no demands on me. I can do what I like".

The answer, he says, is treatment that allows people to find their way through to reality. The treatment may be as simple as three or four visits thorugh to sessions lasting over three years.

People often took these sort of problems to a priest "for as long as the priest could stand it", said Father Morison, "but the priest is often seen to be trained as a rationalist, keeping his emotions strictly under control or even denying therm tending not to be

sensitive to the emotional turmoil that is in people.

The Hofbauer Centre, located in a former 30room lodging house in East St Kilda, is not only offering treatment in psychotherapy but training those who will later be offering treatment in their own right.

"Ordinary counselling deals with a problem but psychotherapy looks at what creates the problem, and whereas other psychotherapy courses claim to be holistic, they often ignore the existence of a spiritual soul, a true conscience and a relationship with God," said Father Morison.

Of four courses offered by the Hofbauer Centre, one is a part time pastoral

education program for those who help in parishes and hospitals, but others are three year full time courses for people with tertiary backgrounds and preferably studies in psychology.

Most of those taking the courses are lay people who are interested in psychotherapy as a help to others but with the full dimension of the natural and supernatural, and who will later move into private practice themselves, Father Morison pointed out.

The Centre now has graduates in South Africa and New Zealand and in Canada, where Redemptorists sent representatives to Victoria and later established a

course themselves.

The Andover Newton Theological School near Boston, which Father Morison attended, is so impressed with Hofbauer Centre that it has adopted some of its courses and offers a doctorate to Australia's graduates who qualify.

Too many of today's courses, Father Morison said, are tinged with Freud's legacy of atheism and determinism, and with no recognition of a personal conscience as a search for truth.

Helping the Hofbauer Centre, he pointed out, are professionals who work for a fraction of what otherwise woud be charged, citing the $25 an hour Hofbauer

charges clients compared with the $123 an hour that is the professional standard. On the other hand, the centre gets no outside help in any way.

Amongst Redemptorist names helping Father Morison at the Centre is Father Kevin O'Brien, who gave retreats and missions in Perth.

Father Morison recalled how during his short appointment to Perth in 1955-56 he was the first up on to the back of a truck from which the Redemptorists launched the week long spectacular public mission in Forest Place, the brainchild of Father Talty and using the resources of Fathers O'Brien, Bourke and Murtagh.

New light on Medjugorje Recent international press on certain interpretations of a communique issued by the Yugoslav Bishops' Conference at the end of November have caused a flurry of positive responses from some of the world's leading Marian theologians and writers.

Their criticism was particularly levelled at the negative nature of the two articles by John Thavis of Rome CNS (Catholic News Service) and statements purportedly made by the Bishop of Mostar, a longstanding opponent of the Medjugorje apparitions.

In a part of the short communique the Yugoslav Bishops' Conference stated: "On the enquiries conducted up to the present time, one cannot affirm that we are dealing here with supernatural apparitions or revelation." The statement was made after a meeting on November 27-28 in which the bishops considered a report from its investigation commission prior to its transmission to Rome.

Internationally renowned French theologian and author Father Rene Laurentin has come out in the French

Catholic press stating that this is a positive sign and has been anticipated, since the commission could not be expected to confirm the authenticity of the visions and their content while the apparitions were continuing and since several messages are the subject of 'secrets' not yet released.

The positive nature of the statement is that it repudiates an earlier report from a now defunct commission ted by the Bishop of Mostar, which found the apparitions "not supernatural".

The new commission currently investigating the Medjugorje phenomena was set up under the instructions of the pope himself.

Dr Mark Miravalle, Director of the Marian Office of Contemporary Apparitions at the Franciscan University of Steubenville USA and author of books on Medjugorje says that "a definitive statement regarding the authenticity of the apparitions was simply not the intent of this two paragraph communique". . . and that CNS statement "is both inaccurate and untrue based on the original".

By Leon LeGrand, internationally published author, Catholic film producer and Director for Medjugorje Centre for Peace (Australia).

He draws attention to the second part of the communique in which the other Bishops in the Yugoslav Episcopal Conference, offer help "providing the residential Bishop with assistance in organising the pastoral work and liturgical practice for constant gathering of the faithful at Medjugorje from diverse parts of the world," it states.

This is an unprecedented move for a bishops' conference; ie to be represented each week at Medjugorje, while the apparitions have not yet received Church assent.

Besides illustrating a cohesive belief in the spiritual fruits of Medjugorje it Oyes support to other senior members of the hierarchy to go there too!

Father Michael O'Carroll, CSSp, Monologist, author of Medjugorje: Facts, documents, theology states: "As Rene Laurentin has said there can be no definitive statement on the apparitions while they continue and espe-

lowed by a spectacular though they may personsign on the apparition ally believe in them? hill, to last to the end of This is particularly the world. understandable when cially while the part of Then a world chastise- Our Lady has indicated the communications ment for the wicked with that the three days' entrusted as secrets to a great loss of life, before warning of the impendthe visionaries has not a long period of peace ing admonitions is to be been divulged. where all will worship announced privately by "Nonetheless, by the our one true God, with- the visionaries through participation of the out temptations from their personal confessor bishops in Mass and Satan who will be (priest) and not through ceremonies at Medju- thrown into hell. the bishop and/or pope gorje, a milestone has Our Lady has aLso said: as has been the case at been passed, there can Ihave here a great plan Fatima, Lourdes etc. It is now be no going back. almost an invitation from The bishops could not so for the salvation of heaven to wait. mankind.

25/1/81 act if they had fundaIn a television interview I wish to give you mental doubts (about the on national TV in Yugosa pparit ions ' messages as it has never lavia on December 23rd been in history from the authenticity)." last, Cardinal Franjo beginning of the world.

This view is also shared Keuharic, Primate and

by Father Richard Foley, 4/4/85 head of the Yugoslav I will not appear any SJ, theologian and editor Bishops' Conference of the Medjugorje Mes- more on this earth. 2/5/ indicated both the 82 senger (London). bishops' conference and Convert, repent, pray the cardinal personally There are other reasons why the Yugoslav daily, particularly the were taking a positive Bishops' Conference rosary. Monthly confes- stance towards the could not make a posi- sion, Wednesday and events of Medjugorje. tive, definitive statement Friday fast, read the Bible Eventually the pope regularly. Family prayers on the apparitions. will make the ultimate It would indicate that (many times). decision and one of the they urge the Church to If or when the Church four sections of the accept that the content or does approve of the Congregation of the messages given to the apparitions it will also Doctrine of the Faith, visionaries may be give confirmation to under the Prefect Cardibelieved, which include: belief that the visionaries nal Joseph Ratzinger will That soon, after three have seen heaven, hell put forward their days' warning, two and purgatory. judgement. admonishments or punIs it any wonder that the In the interview with ishments from heaven commission is reluctant Vittorio Messori for his will occur when the to assert that these things book 'The Ratzinger apparitions finish; fol- may be believed even Report' (Ignatius Pil.b)

Cardinal Ratzinger said in response to questions about Medjugorje "one of our criteria, is to separate the aspect of the true or presumed 'supernaturality' of the apparition from that of its spiritual fruits".

The cardinal went on to say that traditionally the Church evaluation of the spiritual vitality and orthodoxy of the religious life developed in these places is vital.

Medjugorje, in this sense, is bountiful in spiritual fruit and this can be measured by the millions of followers and pilgrims who have experienced deep spiritual conversions.

The second paragraph of the communique confirms that the bishops' conference sees that and even more pilgrims (private) are expected with their priests and bishops.

Just before Christmas an Australian priest from Perth remarked on his return from a pilgrimage to Medjugorje: "My last mass at Medjugorje was a great joy. There were 174 priests concelebrating including seven bishops and three cardinals."

The Record, January 31, 1P91

7

The framework for a balanced life

By Jane Wolford Hughes Ann and Jay are a married couple who were close to walking away from each other.

Both were in their early 30s, ambitious, high achievers. Their days were stacked with separate activities.

When they were together, they often were preoccupied, tense and sometimes critical of what the other did or did not do to maintain their small, elegant condominium.

Ann told me that one evening last summer Jay confronted her, saying "I asked you to get drinks today.

It's your turn to shop. We don't have anything cold to drink!"

Ann excused herself saying: "Sorry, I didn't have time. I'll go now".

Jay retaliated: "You never have time for anything — not even me! I'm going to a bar where I can get what I want".

Ann was shaken. She wandered from room to room, not knowing what to do.

Then, in a grace-filled moment, she brought hack the memory of her grandmother, who survived the loss of her husband and two sons in the coal mines.

Ann said: "I remember my grandmother telling me,

Ann glowed as she said, "We have begun to live by a calendar rather than a ticking clock. Our life is much more relaxed. We have time for each other. It's wonderful — and Jay is looking forward to joining the dads at the park".

Ann and Jay are now expecting a baby.

There are many approaches to maintaining a sense of balance in life. They centre on a recognition of our dependence on God, a clear idea of who we are and what we value, what we expect from others, a sense of humour, and the humbling, basic realisation that the world was not designed as our personal place to play.

One woman proffered this insight: "Some people seem to have lost their sense of proportion. Every frustration sets off the fireworks of Mt Helena."

She asked me, "Do you think those meditation tapes and breathing exercises relieve stress?"

Ireplied, "I guess they work.Iknow people who use them, but in some cases it is applying a Band-Aid when surgery is needed".

We are all subject to worry and stress. Hew we handle them has a lot to do with our view of life, ourselves and others. A man named Art provides insight on what a balanced life is all about. He is a second generation owner and manager of a quality restaurant. He handles endless details and problems

'When life becomes too much, talk to God and put your hands to work: bake, clean, dig in the garden. Don't sit and mope. Do something. It will clear your mind.'"

Ann looked in the refrigerator. She thought: "Whose turn was it to clean? Oh, what does it matter. The salad bin was soggy with wilted lettuce and scallions. The cheese tray had moldy chunks of some undefined masses. I decided to take everything out, wash and discard. My mind was busy, but somehowIwas calm."

She told me, "I thought this refrigerator has been neglected just like my marriage. It's true,Ihaven't had time for anything. My job and getting my MBA have scheduled all my time and energy.

"Iwas emptying the trash bag of the discards when Jay came in,I didn't go to a bar,' he said. 'I walked in the park and watched dads pushing their kids on the swings and thought about us. I'd like to talk.'"

They talked into the night. The next day they took some rarely used personal time off.

They examined the cause of their strain. Ann said, "We both could see we were trying to do too much in too little time".

Jay volunteered to limit the time he was giving to some organisations simply for the purpose of establishing business contacts. Ann decided to take fewer classes, pushing her MBA into the future.

like a ship gliding through calm waters.

Asked how he achieved this, he replied: "I have seen people who thought they were their restaurant and let it consume them. They glowed brightly at first, but in the end they burned out.

"Ilove this place, but I have learned to delegate.

"I've also learned to listen to my body. If I feel good I can deal with almost any crisis.I get plenty of sleep, work out at the gym three days a week and eat a healthy diet, relax with my family and look at videos of oldtime comedies."

Keeping priorities in order is essential for developing a sense of balance in life.I always thought my own mother was particularly clear about her priorities.

She met trying situations head on and cut them down to size, invented alternatives or philosophically accepted the unchangeable.

She lived through trying times. People would say, "Your mother is so strong." Really, she was just as vulnerable as anyone. But she has the ability to stand back and look at the world with clear loving eyes.

Being her own person, she was an independent thinker for her time. The opinions of others didn't rattle her.

Her strength was a reliance on God and her security in knowing who she was.

Keeping priorities in order is essential for developini SIM of balance in life, says Jane Wofford Hughes.

Realists aren't boring

By Father John J. Castelot

One of the Bible's most fascinating books is called Ecclesiastes.

It is popular, too. Its fascination and popularity are a result of its theme: Where can people find happiness?

The author does not approach the question in an abstract, philosophical way, but on the basis of hard human experience.

He pretends to be Solomon, rich, powerful, in a position to enjoy all the things commonly thought to bring happiness.

He tries them all: pleasure, the acquisition of knowledge, the amassing of wealth, lrestige, status, soli' ude and ,:ompanionship.

All his experimentation yields one conclusion, and he states it right at the beginning of the book: "Vanity of vanities . . . all things are vanity . . I have seen all things that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a chase after wind" (1:2, 14).

No wonder he has been called a pessimist and a lot of other things besides. But he is not really a pessimist. Realist would describe him more accurately.

His well-founded conclusion can be stated this way:

smell the roses!".

Achieving balance is not easy. The conscientious person can become the scrupulous person; pride in one's faith can become fanatical intolerance of the faith of others.

And the pursuit of authentic Christian freedom can become unbridled licence, not qualified by the legitimate rights of others and by sheer common sense (1 Corinthians 6:12).

Father John J. Castelot observes that unsettling extremes destroy balance and blind people to the real possibilities for contentment. He advises all to "stop and smell the roses!"

Anyone who expects "Go, eat your bread mediocrity and ordito find "perfect" happ- with joy and drink nariness. It is an iness is doomed to your wine with a exhortation to avoid disillusionment and merry heart. . . Enjoy unsettling extremes, disappointment. life with the wife which destroy balance Avoid extremes and whom you love, all the and blind people to the try to achieve some days of the fleeting life real possibilities for balance. that is granted you contentment.

A solid happiness is under the sun" (9:7-9). It is advice echoed attainable, however.

This is not a recom- popularly in the Ecclesiastes advises: mendation to settle for words, "Stop and

8 The Record, January 31, 1991

There are many grey areas in life. People pursuing balance soon discover that they are challenged by these areas.

Christians, for example, are challenged to come to terms with the tension posed for them by the Gospel teaching on riches and poverty.

Christian parents know they need the possessions that allow them to provide what is needed for their children's survival and development.

At the same time, parents realise how easy it is to cross over the fine line between the need for possessions and an obsession with them.

A realist is not a person who settles for a boring life. Instead, one interesting task for the realist is to seek out the balance — to live constructively with — life's ambiguities.

DISCUSSION POINTS In the face of pressure from work and other responsibilities, what principle helps you maintain perspective and balance?

Selected responses from readers: "Having lived as long as I have, I say: 'This too shall pass away.' I have lived through worse times. Under stress, I try to remain as calm as possible. Being calm helps you to think clearer.

Keep hope, and keep in mind all this happens for a reason. Try to find a workable solution.

You don't always succeed in things, but this too leads to something else." — Lillian Smith "My family, my friends, my faith help me to focus on what is truly important. They help me to realise that anything stressful is really only going to be temporary." — Catherine Have "Two principles of a well-balanced life_ respect for your fellow human being and tolo yourself so that you may love others." — Dorothy May Gilbert Demuth "I think you should have a faith in God or higher power and a faith in ourselves, because without those two things we really can't accomplish much." — Mary Deihl "Two characteristics of a well-balanced life consist of being content with where we are and who we are, but always being open to God's will for changes in our lives." — Deborah Romero

.iving with a tough balancing act O • town is on a neck

)f nd at the north end

of bay. Wildlife is abadant, and the saets on the water am ifectacular.

T it very water, how01,1 is our location's t mole.

Fr, if you work in or no the city, as most of onPeople do, you must ban the day by lining up) cross one of the two bdenecked bridges at oilier end of town.

Comuting time easily ca run an hour and a hieach way.

Nost of our parishioners live with a tough ha Icing act. le is the first factor in th balance: time at e, with the family, at c time for rest and lei re.

Young, skilled elecics repairman usi ed Scott told me:

"it en you're sitting in treic once again boiuse of another

41on the bridge, you he to figure out why vi re doing it. No one sit !here long without cd nig up with some pr ty good answers vit flat are Scott's an vet's? :r eally love my wife. sb ts my best friend, and rro xys are the delight of nr hie. I work for them.

I 'Ant them to have a god life here in a

By Father David K. O'Rourke, OP friendly, small town.

"I also have to work," Scott said, "and there's not enough of my kind of work in this town. So I commute, which is hard.

And I try to make my work productive. You put a lot of your life into time at work, and if it's not good time you can be in trouble.

"My family, my work, the are these foundations."

I asked Scott how his faith enters the balance.

'Tm very concrete," he said. "My religion ties in with people and work.

Taking care of the family and spending time with them, and then being honest and responsible with my customers, that's what gets balanced.

"Crazy as it might seem, the most religious thingI think Ido is making sure Idon't take on more work thanIcan handle, which means less money. But then I can spend good time with the family and do an honest job, and not get run down myself."

Lynn, a young woman getting married next year, told me what a balanced life means for her. She works as a computer programmer for a telephone company.

What Lynn tries to balance are the different

views she needs for survival in the world and for making sense of her Christian faith.

First, as she sees it, she is always paying out for everything she does and needs. "I can't make a move getting to work, at work or all day long without paying out."

On the other hand is her belief that God takes care of her and everyone freely. Using her imagination she symbolised these worlds for me.

"I see two worlds, and the symbols are the tolltaker at the bridge and the Communion ministers at Mass.

"The last thing I do at night before getting home is to pay the tolltaker. At Mass it's different I line up to receive Communion, just like at the toll booth, but it's free," she said.

Starting to laugh, she added, "and there are coffee and doughnuts afterward, which I don't pay for either".

She laughs at the awkwardness of applying her toll-booth image to Mass.

But her perception is accurate.

Balancing the worldly view that no one gives for anything you nothing, with the Christian view that the most important things in life are free gifts, is as difficult as it is important.

Balancing the worldly view that no one gives you anything for nothing with the Christian view that the most important things in life are free gifts is as difficult as it is important," states Dominican Father David K O'Rourke.

The Record, January 31, 1991

9

New church mission to Pope: What is overlooked is that every person has the right to hear the Good News of God A scene from the film The Mission in which the Jesuits defend the native Indians.

itiONWW3,'

fit*

The Muslim mosque stands significantly overlooking Jerusalem from the Jewish site of their former temple.

'See whole reality of Isla VATICAN CITY (CNS): The Church must continue its dialogue with Muslim believers and government officials to advance understanding and create an environment in which Christian missionaries can work, said Cardinal Jozef Tomko.

At the same time, Catholics must "see the whole reality of Islam" and know that not all Muslims would outlaw other faiths if given the chance, said Cardinal Tomko, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.

He also said Catholics should not "fall into the trap" of characterising the war in the Persian Gulf as "a war of Islam against Christianity".

The cardinal made his remarks at the launch of Pope John Paul H's eighth encyclical letter, "Redemptoris Missio" (Mission of the Redeemer").

While the encyclical does not mention Muslim countries specifically, it does speak of nations that do not allow 10 The Record, January 31, 1991

foreign missionaries or even proselytism by native Christians.

Father Marcello Zago, superior general of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, said such restrictions are most often found in predominantly Muslim countries.

The encyclical calls for special missionary attention to Asia, where only 2 per cent of the continent's population is Christian.

Father Zago, said missionary work in Asia is often easier than in the Middle East and North Africa because the Hindu and Buddhist faiths believe there are "many paths to God".

Muslims believe that Islam "has the final word," he said.

The Catholic Church falls "in the middle" of those two approaches to salvation, he said. "We believe salvation is open to all in Christ, though to each in his own way."

"The only way to meet the challenge

of Islam is through dialogue," Father Zago said.

Cardinal Tomko said authentic interreligious dialogue — which is connected to but cannot replace missionary activity — "is a reciprocal witness" of faith.

The cardinal said Pope John Paul's encyclical is "a cry for the specific mission to non-Christians. And it is first of all a cry born of faith".

It presents an optmistic picture of humanity's desire to find God and to live Gospel values such as peace, freedom, equality and human rights,he said.

The pope's optimism is based not only on Christian hope, but on reality, Cardinal Tomko said.

In the past six years, 42 new dioceses have been created in the Church's mission territories. Some 200 major seminarians with 19,000 students are

under the direction of Cardinal Tomko's congregation. More than 250,000 lay catechists teach the faith in missionary lands.

The encyclical also points out the error of those who "in the name of the 'values of the kingdom' "would assign little priority to "the announcement of Jesus Christ, baptism, conversion and the foundation of local churches," the cardinal said.

Father Zago said some missionaries believe that "human promotion" is their main task, so they focus on social, economic and cultural programs.

Others commit themselves only to dialogue with the dominant faith or the local culture. And another group restricts its activity to calling for conversion.

The pope's encyclical will help missionaries learn to prioritise and integrate each of the approaches, he said.

win over non-Christians VATICAN CITY (CNS): The primary reason the Church engages in missionary activity is not to provide social services but to issue an explicit call to conversion in Christ, Pope John Paul II said in his encyclical eighth letter.

Within the Church today there is widespread indifference to missionary activity, characterised by an attitude that "one religion is as good as another", he said.

The encyclical, titled "Redemptoris Missio" ("Mission of the Redeemer"), was released at the Vatican on January 22. It was dated December 7, the 25th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's Decree on the Church's Missionary Activity.

The 153-page letter is subtitled: "On the Permanent Validity of the Church's Missionary Mandate".

In the encyclical, the pope also said: • Modern people put more trust in the behaviour they witness in missionaries than in the things missionaries say.

"The evangelical witness which the world finds most appealing is that of concern for people and of charity toward the poor, the

The main task of mis- the Church's activity and sionaries to call non- all of its members, Christians to conversion instead of keeping its is often questioned or more traditional refer"passed over in silence", ence to work and workers in predomithe pope said.

"It is claimed that it is nantly non-Christian enough to help people to areas.

The latter is a positive become more human or more faithful to their way of emphasising that own religion, that it is missionary activity "is enough to build com- not considered a margimunities capable of nal task for the Church working for justice, free- but is situated at the dom, peace and solidar- centre of her life as a fundamental commitity," he said.

"What is overlooked is ment of the whole people that every person has the of God", the pope said.

But, he added, such right to hear the 'Good News' of the God who thinking does not mean reveals and gives himself there is no longer a in Christ," the pope said. specific mission to nonPope John Paul said Christians.

The Christian message some people would prefer that the Church and the call to conversion not use the words "mis- must be explained in a sions" and "missionar- way that respects the ies" because of "negative consciences of listeners, historical connotations" he said. "The Church and an association with proposes; she imposes colonisation in many nothing." parts of the world.

The Church has an Others prefer to use the obligation to offer the words to describe all of faith to all, but the weak and those who suffer."

• Proclamations of the Gospel must show a knowledge of the lives of listeners and a respect and esteem for their cultures.

At the same time, the pope said, there is a danger that in some areas the Church is "passing uncritically from a form of aliena-

acceptance of its message must be left to free choice.

In its work among nonChristians, the Church must make clear its belief that "for all people — Jews and Gentiles alike — salvation can only come from Jesus Christ", the encyclical said.

"While acknowledging that God loves all people and grants them the possibility of being saved," the pope wrote, "the Church believes that God has established Christ as the one mediator and that she herself has been established as the universal sacrament of salvation."

If missionaries ignore the spiritual needs of the people to whom they are sent, they not only deny the people's right to hear the Christian message, they demonstrate that their own faith is lacking or confused, the pope said.

All Christians have an

obligation to witness to their faith and to support missionary activity. A person who accepts the call to be a missionary must be convinced that "true liberation consists in opening oneself to the love of Christ".

"The temptation today is to reduce Christianity to merely human wisdom, a pseudo-science of well-being," he said.

missionaries". They must be isolated from the universal Church.

• Missionary vocations, "the real measure of self-giving", cannot be replaced by monetary contributions. Vocations are "in danger of disappearing" in many countries that give increasing amounts of monetary support to

the missions.

• Catholics' missionary obligation does not exclude the need for the Church to engage in official dialogue with non-Christian religions.

"Dialogue should be conducted and implemented with the conviction that the Church is the ordinary means of salvation and that

tion from culture to an overestimation of culture", which is a human creation. "young • The found churches", mainly in Africa and Asia, have a valid concern for protecting their identities and cultures, but they should not use this concern as an excuse to "close their doors to

The Gospel calls Christians "to be on the side of those who are poor and oppressed in any way", the pope said.

"I therefore exhort the disciples of Christ and all Christian communities . . . to carry out a sincere review of their lives regarding their solidarity with the poor."

Speaking of building the kingdom of God is in vogue, the pope said, but the way it is discussed is "not always in a way consonant with the thinking of the Church".

Flashback! Archbishop Foley meets a Cambodian monk when he visited that country.

"Building the kingdom means working for liberation from evil in all its forms," he wrote.

Some have a tendency, however, to make the earthly needs of people the central focus of their work, emphasising "programs and struggles for a liberation which is socioeconomic, political and even cultural". peace, Promoting human rights, liberation, equality for women and minorities and safe-

guarding the environment are all good things that "need to be illuminated with the light of the Gospel", he said.

A renewed commitment to missionary activity would be good for what ails the Church, the pope said. "Only by becoming missionary will the Christian community be able to overcome its internal divisions and tensions and rediscover its unity and its strength of faith"

she alone possesses the fullness of the means of salvation," the pope said.

point of view," he said.

"I see the dawning of a new missionary age, which will become a radiant day bearing as abundant harvest, if all Christians — and and missionaries young churches in particular — respond with generosity and holiness to the calls and challenges of our time," the pope said.

Interreligious dialogue is a means of better f ostering understanding, of discovering the way the Holy Spirit works in other people and of examining one's own faith from another's

A challenge to Aussie Christians Of all the important issues facing Aboriginal society today, the question of land rights is the fundamental base starting point. It is, simply the most important.

should be read by every Australian.

Only in 1967 was an Aboriginal accepted in legislation as a 'person'.

The Woodward Inquiry in 1973 began with a philosophy "that the inquiry is not concerned The reason for this is with whether Aborigines two fold, the need for should be given land 'home land' as the basic rights, but how this crux in revitalising Abo- should take place". riginal spirituality and as The stumbling block to the basis for any sincere white society seems to dialogue between Aus- surround the question of tralian society generally land use, rather than and the Aboriginal peo- land rights. ple of our great and Our society cannot cherished land. contemplate land in any Land rights, is the issue other way than as capital that provides the answer which by divine ecoto the basic fundamental nomic right must be needs of Aboriginal peo- made to create profit. We ple in contemporary see the Aboriginal as not society, the need for a capable of managing that spiritual core and the land in an economically viable manner. need for justice.

The Aboriginal sees his There is a terrible land' in a totally 'home history extending more way, even those ifferent d than 200 years of opprespeople who boriginal A by sion and injustice by pastoral profited have white society against the hold to activity mining or Aboriginal people. The value based on great historic silence has a land spiritual rather than ended. commercial values.

The history books now The land is commuinclude the Aboriginal nally owned and compeople. munally shared and is The crimes. committed not an object for sale. The against these occupied land is provided by The people make a sad litany Creator, how can man its upon that is now well docu- insist ownership! which and mented

This economic factor regarding land value is so powerfully implanted in our capitalistic society that Australian land owned by foreign persons or companies raises little indignation — but the granting of land to Aboriginal people for some obscure spiritual reason and that Aboriginal people may delight in its ownership without striving to develop in order to profit and therefore justify land ownership raises the ire of so many Australians.

Pope John Paul II, in his address to Aboriginal people, indeed to all Australians at Alice Springs on November 29, 1986 bravely urged all Australians to strive for justice in these words . . .

"Let it not be said that the fair and equitable recognition of Aboriginal rights to land is discrimination. To call for the acknowledgement of the land rights of people who have never surrendered those rights is not discrimination.

"Certainly, what has been done cannot be undone. But what can now be done to remedy the deeds of yesterday must not be put off till tomorrow."

By David Barton Burnam Burnam, in his wonderful book "Aboriginal Australia" gives some insight to the importance of the land as a communication channel in man's need for a dialogue with the Creator . . .

"In Australia, the land itself is the Cathedral and worship is not confined to any four walls.

"Each step is a prayer and every form of the landscape and everything that moves in it, were put there for the people to use and manage. And the mythic beings made clear the responsibility of the people in preserving and the nurturing environment."

If we move the people from their Cathedrals and prevent their access to their spiritual land, and we bulldoze, blast, dear and destroy their Church, we condemn these people to a separation from the means of communication with the Creator — or, by Christian definition — we condemn them to Hell.

Aboriginal poet, Jack Davis, wrote in his poem "Desolation" . . .

Pope John Paul has old language and was understood by the lis- asked the Catholic tener, and on each Church to take the lead occasion `the old people' in reaching out to our implored my friends to Aboriginal brothers and 'keep the old laws', to sisters — if we are to hold onto their spiritual emulate Jesus Our Lord selves, to acknowledge then there is no debate, the Creator through the there is no choice, we land — the Creator's must offer our hearts. creation.

The simple fact that the The return of land of average life span of an significance to Aborigi- Aboriginal male in Ausnal groups, both com- tralia today is a mere 53 munity oriented or urba- years, should wipe away nised is the basis of any any resistance to positive sincere dialogue between discriminatory policies black and white. designed to help AborigThis is the reason why' inal people. a treaty is so important, More importantly, like until we, white Australia, all people who are are prepared to grant denied justice, Aborigijustice, real justice, div- nal people will continue ision will continue to to fight for it — can we exist. ignore our brother's cry?

Significant home land The challenge to Austo Aboriginal society particularly tralians, whether or not lived The Aboriginal's rela- upon or simply visited as Australian Catholics is tionship to the land also a spiritual returning is contained in the words of incorporates the past the key to a return of God to the Prophet with the present and spirituality, of pride, of Isiah . . . offers security for the language, of art and of "Your hands are dance. We must help covered with blood, future.

Several Aboriginal every Aboriginal brother wash, make yourself friends of varying or sister to regain pride in dean. Take your wrongdegrees of enculturation his or her aboriginality. doing out of my sight. and assimilation have This is the righting of Cease to do evil. Learn to told me of the expe- the wrong. By legislation be good. Search for the Help rience, whilst alone 'in and by abhorent racist Justice. the bush', of hearing "the attitudes we have suc- oppressed. Be just to the old people speak". ceeded in making the orphan. Plead for the On each occasion 'the aboriginal ashamed to be widow." Isiah Ch. 1. v1617. old people' spoke in the aboriginal.

"You have turned our land into a desolate place.

We stumble along with a half white mind.

Where are we, What are we?

Not a recognised race . . .

There is desert ahead and desert behind.

The tribes are all gone, The boundaries are broken; Once we had bread here, You gave us stone.

We are tired of the beaches, our beds in the Park We welcome the sundown that heralds the dark.

White Lady Methylate!

Keep us warm and from crying.

Hold back the hate And hasten the dying"

The Record, January 31. 1991 11

RECORD CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS Minimum $5 for first 28 words. Post or deliver.

No phone ads. Closes noon Wednesday.

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Thanks to Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Clare for answering my prayers. Forever grateful. S. OR Ask Our Lady and St Clare for one business and two impossible favours. Say nine Hail Marys for nine days with candle burning, on ninth day let candle bum out. Publicise this devotion. D.N. Novena to the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit you who solve all problems and light all roads so that I can attain my goal.

You gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me, and in all instances of my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as I confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you ever, in spite of all material illusions.

I wish to be with you in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. This prayer must be said for three days after which the favour will be granted. The prayer must be published immediately.

Marie Holy St Jude Apostle virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse. From the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause your name to be invoked. St Jude 'Dray for us and all who invoke your aid.

Amen. Say three Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias. This novena has never been known to fail. Thank you St Jude. G.M. Holy Spirit you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal. You gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as I confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you even in spite of all material illusions.

I wish to be with you in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. Thank you Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, St Anthony, St Joseph and Little Flower. M.W.

(Teresa).

Passed away peacefully at weekly outlay an Income "Moore Park", Moora on Protection Plan covers January 13. Beloved wife you 24 hrs every day, of Leo (dec'd), loved including holidays and mother and mother-inweekends. Can you law of Donald and Moira, afford not to have this Frances and Nidaus and cover with holidays Jane, dear Nanna of approaching? For peace James, Matthew, Monica of mind, phone Brian and Bernadette. Eternal Jarvey 362 3866 for a free rest grant unto her 0 brochure and persona- Lord. May perpetual light lised quotation for your shine upon her. needs. A/H 350 6179.

For an obligation free Meeting other pregnant women and learning PERSONAL service to help you plan about themselves and their babies are activities for: I enjoyed by many expectant mothers.

• Family protection Lady Widow 58 yrs 5'21", 9 Here (left to right) Lisa Miles, Nicky Bridge and • Income protection stone, Roman Catholic, Angela O'Leary chat with Pregnancy Help • Retirement very honest, sincere, kind, • Tax free savings caring, non drinker, non • Children's education smoker, communicative • Mortgage cancellation and common sense, sense Please phone VINCE of humour, active. InterFassom 321 5833, 459 4261 ests: home life, music, A./H dancing, some sport and radio listener, wishes to FURNITURE CARRIED. meet widower of same or One item to housefulls. similar. Age 50 plus, Small, medium, large vans farming interests preferaavailable with one or two ble. Replies to 'Widow men from $24 per hour, 58" this office.

During 40 years in funeral when he had asked to all areas. Cartons and cheap storage available. LADY Young 73. Dutch Singapore an Australian be buried with his RedemptorMike Murphy 330 7979, origin, seeks gentleman Redemptorist missionary ist confreres in Australia.

317 1101, 444 0077, between 65-75 for outings is estimated to have Born in Kilkenny. Ireland, he 447 8878, 272 3210, and friendship, reply instructed and baptised came to Australia with his "Lady 73" this office.

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Following his ordination in McKINLEY

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counsellors Sally Paine and Grace McQuade during a recent group session at Centrecare Marriage and Family Service.

For more information about Pregnancy Help or groups, contact Maureen Helen on 325 5592.

OBITUARY

Singapore missionary

Eirene Home

Retreat

offers sanctuary and space for any Christians who would like to withdraw from the business of their lives and spend time with God, in quiet, caring., simple, rural surroundingps. Contact Sheelagh Akerman, telephone (097) 584581. PO Box 166, Augusta 6290.

SITUATIONS WANTED Guy 28, very Christian in urgent need of full or part time work, anything ok.

Has A class driving licence, non drinker/ smoker. Reply 25/238 Beaufort Street Northbridge, 6000.

THANKS 0 Holy St Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition.

In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say three Hail Marys and Glorias.

Publication must be promised. This Novena has never been know to fail. Thank you St Jude from Michael.

R ECORD classifieds close noon W ednesdays. Post or deliver. No phone. $5 for 28 words.

12 The Record, January 31, 1991

12 Prieucheus for sale.

Excellent condition, price ' Fr Thomas Creede gave Phone Singapore the equivalent of a negotiable. new parish every year, it was (097) 711853.

REAL ESTATE SELLING OR BUYING?

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THANKS Thanks Holy Spirit you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goat you gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me, and in all instances of my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as I confirm once again that I never want to be Se's'rated from you ever, in spite of all material illusions I wish to be with you in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine.

This prayer must be said for three days after which the favour will be granted. The prayer must be published immediately. Grateful thanks for the favour granted to the Holy Spirit Our Lady and St Jude. VW.

said at the time of his recent

Ballarat in 1943 his first mission was in Lewisham where he had been educated by the Christian Brothers, followed by seven years of

missions in NSW and WA until his call to Singapore in 1950.

From Singapore his influence was felt as far afield as Burma, Borneo, Malaysia and Thailand.

At his Pennant Hills funeral were his two brother priests Vincentian Father Peter Creede of Ashfield and Redemptorist Father William Creede of Perth as well as his two Presentation sisters Sister Moira Creede of

Pakistan and Sister Bernadette Creede of Sutherland and Mercy Sister Christina Creede of Cronulla.

At Rook-wood cemetery he lies beside two other sisters who pre-deceased him, Presentation Sisters Aina Creede and Therese Creede who, he said, were the inspiration of his ministry to peoples in the Far East.

May he rest in peace.

Kimberley stalwart Religion for the late Father Francis Huegel, Pallottine, was transnational, Fr Chris Saunders of Broome said last week in a tribute.

"His efforts at inculturation of the Gospel attempted to bridge the gap between the Aboriginal way of life and European exclusivism. "Religion for him was never national or mono cultural. Rather, it was the binding force that was transnational, that bound people of

all cultures together in the knowledge and worship of the Creator — the God who loves us all."

Fr Francis, originally from Limburg. Germany, had spent three periods totalling 36 years at Beagle Bay during the 62 years of priestly service he gave to the Kimberleys.

He retired from there in November last year. He also spent two periods at BaIgo Hills, opened the La Grange mission and served also at

Lombadina and Derby.

"Father Francis will be remembered as a gentle man whose love extended to so many people," Fr Saunders said.

"His love of music and his efforts at promoting Church liturgical music is well known.

"He never ceased to be a scholar, believing that there is always something new to learn and someone else to learn from. He read avidly, and from

a multitude of sources, remaining open to new ideas and prepared to embrace those that withstood his incisive examination.

"Ever pious and deeply earnest, his presence at a celebration added a solemnity and a holiness that was obvious to all in attendance In his prayer life he was concerned to include petitions for every need. His interests were indeed Catholic.-

Marist achiever Brother Theophane Hill (Martin Hill) had been a Marist Brother for 74 years when he died r ecently at Nazareth House, Hilton, aged 91.

Born at Malcolm near Leonora, his Marist education commenced at St Ildephonsus, now New Norcia Catholic College, in 1914, the second of the school's history.

After matriculation he entered the Marist Brothers

To St Jude. My sincere and heartfelt thanks for answering my prayers. B. McCagh.

F orthcoming

Engagements Weddings Jubilees are celebrated better with a Record advertisement.

and taught throughout Australia, his favoured appointment being to Westmead Boys Home Sydney from 1947-52.

In WA he taught at his Alma Mater 1928-31 and again in 1945-46. From 1963 he spent the remaining 28 years of his life at Subiaco, Northam, and in retirement at Churchlands.

At the funeral Mass celebrated in the presence of Bishop Healy by the Church-

lands community chaplain Fr G. Holohan, Brother Julian Casey, Provincial of the Melbourne Province, paid an eloquent tribute to the commitment of Brother Theophane both to his brothers in community as well as to his many and varied tasks in the schools whether day schools or boarding schools.

Brother Theophane is survived by his elder sister Mrs Mary Moroney.

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ORE THANKS

Fortunately we were able to accommodate all delegates at Aquinas College, but your offers of help were greatly appreciated.

Thanks, too, to all the parishes and schools who sponsored delegates. Many young people were able to attend Primary only because of your Shepherd and generosity School (Lockridge). commitment. those all to Thanks also Special mention should ,parents from various made of the invaluabe parishes who answered our call late in 1990 and ble help, advice and we offered to host delegates encouragement in their homes during received from Brother McMaster, Kevin the conference.

As the dust from the generously allowed us to 1991 Catholic Youth use their buses to transConference "Cross- port delegates: Aranmore roads to Tomorrow" College (Leederville), begins to settle, one John Twenty-Third Collooks and finds more lege (Claremont), St and more people who Norbert's College should be thanked for (Queen's Park), Mertheir invaluable contri- cedes College (Perth), butions to the big Ursula Frayne College event.

(Victoria Park) and Good The following are some of the people who were inadvertantly omitted from the list of thanks printed on the Youth Page in last week's "Record".

Our thanks to the Catholic schools who

[

Jenny Ramos and Michele Kenworthy show how singing can be a prayer at the public rally on January 15.

Delegates will have spotted an error in last weeks list: the keynote speakers were Bruce Downes and Cathy Grasso, not "Bruce and Cathy Grasso"!

Delegates will also be happy to know that a "Crossroads Reunion" is being planned for midyear — keep reading the Youth Page for more details.

Gun thossand young people, parents and families raging at the sod of the rally.

CHARIS

Redemptorist Lay Community and Youth Ministry Team present their

1991 Charis meetings begin on

1991 YOUTH MINISTRY TRAINING PROGRAM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7

FEBRUARY 28-AUGUST 13

at 7.30pm For information and bookings call Peter Maguire (097) 21 7717

I

Administrator of Aquinas College, who's great patience and generosity was a blessing.

at the Catholic Youth Office 30 Claverton Street, North Perth (Parking at rear, entry from Sekem Street)

Catholic Parish Youth present1

Pre-Valentine's River Cruise

Designed to promote personal growth, leadership and an understanding of youth and youth ministry. Come and explore issues affecting young people, how youth grow in faith, and new forms of prayer.

For information, dates, etc please call Anita 328 8285, Maria 335 8780, Mladen 328 8136, Patrick 344 6987, Chris or Sue 349 6467.

CHAPLAIN: FR PARKINSON 328 9622

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Leaves Barrack St Jetty 7.30pm Docks at Barrack St 11.30pm Tickets: Just $8.50 NO ALCOHOL — Soft drinks on sale Tickets and information: Phone CPY on 328 8136

CRYO 328 9622 TYCS 328 4071 The Record, January 31, 1E

.1

3

by Colleen McGuiness-Howard

PAO

e l mP -

Mainly books Saint of slaves

close friend, encouraged Peter to ask to go to the New World as a missionary. Peter volunteered.

In 1610 he sailed from Spain. He arrived two months later at Cartagena, in what is now Colombia, South America. He was ordained in 1616.

The ships were shocking when seen up close. They looked so proud and graceful, their white sails filled with wind, as each month 400 years ago they sailed into the harbour at Cartagena, Colombia.

Their ugliness became visible only as they docked.

Hundreds of black African men and women crowded each ship's dark holds. After six or seven weeks at sea, as many as

At the time, Cartagena was an important port for slave traders. Peter Claver was horrified at the sight of the slave ships with their cargo of suffering human beings. His heart went out to the black men and women his countrymen treated so terribly. He decided to do all he could for them.

half the slaves had died of starvation, disease or beatings. All were weak, hungry, frightened, humiliated.

Young Peter Claver, son of a rich farmer, had grown up in Spain knowing nothing of slaves or slave ships. Born in 1580, Peter decided early to be a priest. In 1602 he joined As each slave ship sailed the Jesuits. into the Cartagena harThree years later an old bour, the young priest Jesuit brother named waited on the dock with Alphonsus Rodriguez, a several former slaves who

Country life captured

°AIN

Finders Keepers by Emily Rodda Illustrated by Noela Young. (Omnibus $14.99).

Patrick, like most young boys, loved computer games, but chances of getting one of his own weren't looking good. The closest Patrick could get to a computer was when he sneaked into a computer shop after school.

If he was lucky and the salesman was busy with customers, he could get in a quick game.

One afternoon, soon after he started playing, the game stopped and an invitation to compete in a million dollar quiz show appeared on the screen.

Patrick thought this was wonderful. All he had to do to win a fabulous prize was to tune in to channel 8 on the television at ten o'clock on Saturday morning. What was really strange was that there was no such channel where Patrick lived.

This is a thrilling adventure story with time travel.

Al,, Sweet Mystery of Life

by Rocas: DabL Michael Joseph/Penguin $9.99.

Meet Claud, poacher extraordinaire; Mr Rummins the farmer whose wily ways of mating cattle guarantee heifer C2iWs; and Mr Bo is, the parson with a devious interest in the furniture of the farms he visits. Learn how to catch pheasant with raisins and a paper hat; and how with stomach churning skill the ratcatcher kills his prey.

All country life is here — and each story is .spiced with the incomparable Dahl twist; hilarious or macabre but always suprising . not least the conclusion reached in the title story which has never appeared in a book before.

A collection of seven celebrated tales of country life, written by the master of the short story the spirit of this exuberant collection of short stories is perfectly captured in the evocative and delightfully sty drawings of John Lawrence.

spoke the African languages. He carried bread, fruits and candies as signs of friendship. He held his crucifix high for all to see.

Father Claver boarded each ship and went down into the ship's hold — dark, hot, smelling of death and disease. He looked first for the dying.

He comforted and baptised them.

He then cared for the sick, washing their wounds and sores, giving them medicines and applying bandages.

He helped carry the sick slaves off the ships to sheds near the docks. He visited the slaves during the next few days while they were being sold. He showed them pictures of Jesus and told them more about God's love. He baptised those who believed.

Afterward he visited the

slaves on the plantations and at the mines. He protested the way owners treated their slaves. He always stayed in the slaves' quarters on such visits.

Father Claver served suffering slaves in this way for 35 years. Powerful people often opposed his work. In 1650 he fell victim to a plague as he cared for the sick. He never fully recovered.

During the last four years of his life he was rarely able to leave his bed. A former slave, hired to care for him, treated him badly. Only a few friends visited him regularly.

When he died in 1654, the whole city, slave and free, turned out to honour him as a saint. In 1888 Pope Leo XIII canonised him and his old friend, Alphonsus Rodriguez.

14 The Record, January 31, 1991

Sea sound anywhere A Shell on the Beach by Hugh Lewin and Lisa Kopper (Hamisb Hamilton bb $16.99).

Second chance books celebrate our natural world and highlight the dangers that threaten it. Positive and informative, these colourfully illustrated stories introduce young children to ecological issues such as pollution, flooding and

drought.

A little girl from the city goes to the seaside for the first time. Her excitement turns to disappointment when she discovers that the sand is dirty and the water full of oily patches . . . But then she finds a hidden rock pool, and in it a shell. Now she can hear the sound of the sea anywhere she chooses — even back in the big city

I 1 3€1111":

A Well in the Desert by Hugh Lewin and Lisa Kopper (Hamisb Hamilton bb $16.99).

Second chance books celebrate our natural world and highlight the dangers that threaten it. Positive and informative, these colourfully illustrated stories introduce young children to ecological issues such as

pollution, flooding and drought.

Mah.madou, the fisherman, thinks water only comes from the river and the rains.

But the river is dry, and the rains never come. The rest of the villagers are looking for well water and when they find it, crops grow again and new life and hope returns to the village.

,

ing. She has written three other books, Something Special, Pigs Might Fly and the Best Kept Secret which have all won the Children's Book Council's Children's Book of the Year Award in 1985, 1987 and 1989 respectively

a

i\I ,totk

Birds of a feather

treasure hunts, powerful computers and a crazy TV game show In a fourth dimension the unimaginable realty can happen.

Emily Rodda lives in Sydney with her husband and four children, and combines writing with a full-time career in magazine publish-

Afak

A Bamboo in the Windby Hugh Lewin and Lisa Kopper (Hanish Hammilton bb $/6.99).

Second chance books celebrate our natural world and highlight the dangers that threaten it. Positive and informative, these colourfully illustrated stories introduce young children to ecological issues such as

pollution, flooding and drought.

A little boy watches as the wind whips through the bamboos outside his house.

The wind is much stronger than ever before — strong enough to tear down the houses — and with it comes the rain. But the bamboos survive the storm; and the villagers, too, rebuild their homes and their lives and start again.

‘N"

The Puffin Book of Australian Birds by Helen Hunt (Puffin).

'An aboriginal legend says that long ago a star was hung in the east to tell people that soon the fire in the sky would be re-lit to light up the world.

The Great Spirit asked the kookaburra to waken the people in time to see the star, which is why the kookaburra laughs at daybreak everyday' You can see kookaburras in the bush, and even in some back gardens, and hear their unique laughing call. More common household birds are the budgerigar. the finch and the cockatoo. By the sea you may have spotted

pelicans and cormorants.

But do you know the legend of the brolga, what a 'shag on a rock' is, that Australian cuckoos do not call 'cuck-oo' or that mutton birds fly 30,000 kilometres each year?

And do you know what a dodo was, or where you would find a warbler?

This useful guide will introduce you to most Australian bird families. To help you identify them there are black and white drawings as well as colour photos.

Birds are a colourful, interesting, useful part of our world. This book will help you find out more about them.

_

Lll] J to the Editor

Narrow view and offensive from Christine CHOO, West Leederville Sir, I was distressed to read the article by Colleen McGuiness-Howard "Our beloved Australia" which was presented as an Australia Day offering.

Far from displaying what Colleen claims to be "our particular type of mentality which is wide in its thinking and broad in its outlook", I found this article to be offensive particularly in its insularity and narrowness of view.

As a migrant I am offended by the language and sentiment expressed in sentences like: "We should insist that anyone who comes to our country and is fortunate enough to be allowed to stay, must contribute to our country by assimilating into our people."

Every non-Aboriginal person who has come to this country is a migrant or refugee or descendant of one. That includes Ms McGuiness-Howard and her ancestors. The early settlers may have been rugged, but they were also rough and heartless in their . treatment of the original inhabitants of this land which they occupied by force.

The essence of the richness of this nation is its cultural diversity and the

variety of gifts which have been brought to this land by its many and varied waves of migrants. Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries on earth and one which continues to make a significant contribution to the resettlement of refugees.

It is acknowledged that at least one million people across the world would like to migrate to this country at any one time. Australia is in a position to choose who she accepts by establishing an intake level of just over 100,000 annually.

Having accepted these migrants, Australia then has the responsibility to help them settle and to facilitate them to make optimum use of their potential and the wealth they bring in the form of skills, education, social networks, cultural knowledge and diversity.

As an Asian, I find distasteful the references to "ethnics" and implication that Asians are ripping off this country.

The Australian Magazine of January 26-27, 1991 features an article on "who really owns our wide brown land". Not surprisingly it is evident that some of the wealthiest Australians have carved up a sizeable proportion of Australia for themselves, among them is Mrs

Janet Holmes a Court whose company owns 1.1 per cent of the continent.

Many of the individuals and companies which own large tracts of the continent have achieved this through exploitation of their workers, especially their Aboriginal stockmen and station workers, men and women, generations who for laboured as virtual slaves, paid a pittence, if anything, while they built the empires of the wealthy. I find this offensive.

I wish to draw attention to the Document of the Pontifical Commission of Justice and Peace (lustitia et Pax) -The Church and Racism: Towards a more fraternal society", which was published in Australia in 1989.

This documents points out: The phenomenon of spontaneous racism is still more widespread, especially in countries with high rates of immigration. This can be observed among the inhabitants of these countries with regard to foreigners, especially when the latter differ in ethnic origin or religion. The prejudices which these frequently immigrants encounter risk setting in motion reactions which can find their first manifestations in an exaggerated nationalism — which goes beyond legitimate pride in one's own

Our beloved Australia Australia Day is a significant event for Australians, and apart from getting a day off from work, it should be honoured by all in the land.

Australia is a country which is totally unique; for its flora, fauna. and Australian cukure.

Our wide spaciousness has also bred with O our particular type of mentality which is wide in its thinking and broad in its outlook.

There is nothing dosed, confined or insular about our attitude and we are held in high regard throughout the world kx our spec ial A ustr alianism which is uniquely ours.

Our country is stunning with its wide variances of snow to tropical, and our scenery magnificent so Os rugged grandeur.

spaces and resources and our country has become a highly ckskable county to emigrate to.

With that good fortune a being able to five here, however, comes A resportsibrlity to Austrafia and its people.

OVA forebears Of MIOR1 we are so proud, fought hard to glue present peoples what they have.

And Ior this we owe them a debt a gratitude.

Ks also an obligation that what they sane fought hard for, we must con• tinue to upgrade and treat with respect — the Australian people and their country.

People admire the Americans because 01 their patriotism. Many have their flag flying outside their home and when they sing their anthem — they mean it with hand on breast.

More patriotism is needed it Austraha. this golden Land of great promise and future.

We Australians have to fight for our precious culture and land The Australian Fro* too have a grandeur, They come from a rugged type 04 irideridual who fixight to tarne a viiderneirs caned his home out of rtve tool, amt ir os ein.er

We too should be nuntanng our moo to keep them sive, bens proud of our wonderful culture which special and something to be rn.aseorl

What was asked and mutr be asked, is that with at this tak it multiculturism (whidi means division and not IntegraPrink it should be retch, sised tfut although many ethnics may carte to Austraka. Austrakans are insisting on one Australian culture. Not many from all

by Colleen McGuiness-Howard

i••••••7:-„ •

MeV

That the immigration concept is not to merely proside a Lind "where the piaings are good' and one can reap the harvest, rape the land and neser make a commitment to A ustralia except seek selfish gain Because if our bentrigul country is only to provide a kicrative base away from home lot the many thousands who've come here. then there via nes, be commitment horn these people; the Australians who've put these services and hoar Irene for therm oil never get a fair deal of patriotic commitment in return, and Austraia soil never, eser, tonere a a Iactionartsed. ' cintered Notch potch of many ethnics who have no Inlu with anyone eacept their oven ethnic rotc blow sad for Ault alia and V•flA al gout it dui Iallowed to happen.

I know than we certain

They're done us a deservice because they're in effect stating: We love foss money but not you.

What other county ivoukl put cc with that horn its migrants? (the very, very few countnes that take ther,r). in America assimilation is demanded from its migrants because only through unity can there be strength and commitment iust as In a rnamage.

Australia today is in a very sad AN_ Austral/arts have bolted on helplessly while the government has given awn to Land to the Ia panese , Indonesians

ents died to keep this county free, they cart only bates, their parents dvew their Ives away.

Because die governmerit gave awa, he country their parents tied for, without any tenthlance of patriotism or gising a damn about the crime they've cornmined it doing so But or what there is leh and better Austraians become second class citizens in their own Land — which wasn't the patricians to give away in the first place — we .Austraturis have to fight for mar preriotn culture and Lind_

All wfio live here must respect totally the Australian people and their country as a conetional

Flashback! Excerpts of that Jan 24 article. country or even superficial chauvinism. Such reactions can subsequently degenerate into zenophobia or even racial hatred These reprehensible attitudes have their origin in the irrational fear which the presence of others and confrontation of differences can provoke . . . . . On the other hand the ostracism and the harassment of which refugees and immigrants are too often the object are deplorable. The result is that they are forced to cling to one another, to live, so to speak in a ghetto which slows down their integration into the society which has

received them administratively but which has not welcomed them in a fully human way. - (pp 31-32)

Colleen McGuinessHoward is misguided if she thinks that multiculturalism "means division and not integration".

It is important to recognise the diversity and comaementarity of one another's cultural riches and moral qualities. Equality of treatment therefore implies a certain recognition of differences which minorities themselves demand in order to develop according to their own specific characteristics, in respect for others and for the common good of society and the work/ community. (p 49)

Australia has officially moved away from a policy of assimilation, one which was based on serious injustices and the failure to recognise the dignity and value of people of all backgrounds and religious affiliations, and their basic human right to freedom of religion and expression of their culture.

I do not wish to assimilate and become what Ms McGuiness-Howard puts

forward as an Admirable Australian.

I will be patriotic to a nation which struggles to build on principles of justice and peace, working to enhance the dignity of all its people, a nation which gives us the freedom to practice our own religion, in our own way, and to express ourselves culturally and socially in ways which are true to ourselves. I wish to be respected for myself and all that I bring to this country, not forced to betray myelf and my heritage because others are afraid of difference.

Part of article has political slant from Fr Geoff ALDOUS, Mirrabooka Sir, I must say I felt rather disappointed, in fact quite deeply hurt, when I read Colleen McGuiness-Howard's article "Our Beloved Australia" (The Record, Jan 24), When I read it I'd just returned from the experience of a beautiful home Mass in a block of flats in Balga, in which several newly -arrived families migrant gathered together in the common bond of faith,

got to know each other and appreciate a little more of each other's gifts.

admire". Is this the sort of "patriotism" to which we as Australians want to aspire?

many members, all different but working together to build up the Body of Christ.

Part of the article has a political slant, on which I refrain from comment.

But my main concern is the understanding of 'multi-culturism' (certainly not something "which means division and not integration").

For this reason I would find it very paternalistic to -insist that anyone who comes to our country and is fortunate enough to be allowed to stay, must contribute to our country by assimilating into our people".

There are other parts that I would happily accept ("Our forebears of whom we are so proud fought hard to give present peoples what they have. And for this we owe them a debt of gratitude").

I'm not sure, however, about the American type of patriotism that "people

My understanding of multi-culturism is the image of many colours merging together to form the rainbow, in Genesis the symbol of the covenant of peace.

Or in St Paul the image of the human body, with

The innuendo in the article is that migration has been a selling out of our country to the people who "never make a commitment to Australia

except to seek seffish gain.'

No doubt there are some who are here for this. (That began 200 years ago).

My experience, however, limited as it is, has been quite different from this.

The migrant people I know want to contribute to Australian life and make great sacrifices for the opportunities that may open up for their children.

I guess I've enjoyed the privilege and the blessing of being in a parish that

is very multi-cultural (off the top of my head I can number people from 47 different nations and from every continent).

We rejoice in the gifts that we bring to one another from our different cultures and faith backgrounds (as we rejoiced in the living expression of faith that came from our Irish and other forebears in the past).

It would be naive, of course, to suggest that all is perfect, without tensions or problems to be

resolved. In fact herein lies the challenge to the Church.

We still have such a long way to go in welcoming newcomers into our parish communities, and in particular, I believe, calling forth the many gifts for ministry (in many cases 'tested by fire') amongst our newly arrived migrant people As Church, we are a community that transcends all barriers of class and culture, and can be a great sign of hope to the whole Australian people

Negative attitudes towards migrants from Eve WHITE, Daglish Sir, It is very disappointing that Colleen McGuinessHoward chose to celebrate Australia Day by publishing such negative attitudes towards migrants to this country.

In appreciating and marvelling at the beauties of our country and its culture, we are led to awareness of the infinite power of the Creator;

even more so, when we recognise and value the rich diversity of human beings.

To consider Australians as superior beings, graciously c ondescending to admit others so long as they submit to becoming just like us, is the antithesis of the life and teaching of Jesus.

A country can claim to be Christian, not when the majority claim that title, but only when they try to live by

the values it encapsulates.

Instead of blaming the government for issues such as foreign ownership, we need to examine our personal responsibility.

We have demanded the luxurious, consumerist lifestyle which foreign investment has underwritten; we have made heroes of Australian entrepreneurs who, while avoiding paying tax, acquired vast personal

fortunes by foreign borrowings which escalated the national debt; we have voted for the political party which promised personal profit rather than requiring some sacrifice for the general welfare; we have been too apathetic to examine the implications of government decisions and too cowardly to challenge them.

After all, we ourselves are foreign owners. While not

involved in the initial takeover, we continue to profit from its results, at the cost of immense suffering to the original inhabitants, the Aboriginal people.

Whilst acknowledging the real contribution of the pioneers, we must equally recognise that Australia has been profoundly enriched by each wave of migrants, many of whom have suffered material hardship,

emotional deprivation and ostracism in seeking to establish themselves here.

To characterise migrants as exploiters is to disregard our history, which reveals that far too many Australians have been and are happy to rape the fragile environment and exploit fellow-citizens for personal gain.

Jesus died for all people.

We need the prayers of his mother, as Help of Chris-

tians, to convert us to people who are genuinely open and accepting towards all, humbly recognising that all, of whatever race, religion, gender, age or class, have something to teach us.

The true measure of our gratitude to God for the beauties and blessings of this country is our readiness to act in ways which will preserve the earth and enhance our well-being.

Little background on the country called Kuwait Sir, Most people who are asked to support — or oppose — our policy in this last war, know almost nothing about Kuwait.

Kuwait was governed since 1756 by the same monarchy. The emir of 1899 asked and was provided with British -protectorate status, to be able to remain free from Turkish oppression Saudi Arabia invaded

Kuwait in 1919. They were driven back. But the invaders then imposed a blockade on Kuwait, which lasted 20 years. Mind you, no international war was threatened nor carried out against the then invader. The Britprotectorate status ended on June 19, 1961. A week after that date, the Iraqis laid claim, on historical grounds to Kuwait. First British

troops and then Arab League forces prevented hostilities. During the last few years the population of Kuwait fluctuated between 1.5 and 1.9 million depending on the guest workers there. Some 37 per cent of its people were Palestinian, Iraqi, Iranian and Egyptian.

Of course these were apart from other Arabs, Indians, Europeans too

from John VESZELY, Nollamara

In contrast, in the USSR there are states, which were invaded by the Red Army of the Soviet Union, where the national states are very

much national states with very high non-Soviet ethnic composition. There also are territories like those occupied when the USSR invaded Poland, Finland, Rumania, in addition to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The Soviet Union also invaded during its inglorious, oppressive history Hungary in 1956, Czechoslovakia in 1968 and of

course Afghanistan — all in our days. While today we are told that invasion is immoral, annexation is illegal, that we must fight for the destruction of the invader, to free the invaded and to re-establish justice, these arguments have not been advocated to the point of declaring war and in fact going to war, on any other occasion in the past Please,

tell me why?

I believe the politicians who now so vociferously advocate war and annihilation, speak so without any credibility whatsoever. They do not care about restoration of freedom. They had the opportunity to restore freedom to the many nations listed above. And this is the truth, even if it is the naked and shameful truth!

The Record,,ltruanif -All1991 45

BURMESE FAREWELL

WORLD COUNCIL

PAUUAN AGM Paulian Association of WA Inc annual general meeting at North Perth Monastery at 2pm on Sunday, February 2 including election of coordinating committee.

ALP.I-IA WILFUR PTV I.1T)

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14 Ferrar St, Mt Lawley. Western Australia, 6050 Tel: (09) 330 7303, (09) 272 8576. Fax: 370 3780

KEN WILDY AMGP. CF. ART DIRECTOR •

The Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia m' itts applicatias tor1W pesibes it

ACTING PRINCIPAL MERCY COLLEGE Koondoola Due to the appointment of the current principal as the

foundation principal of Mandurah Catholic College, an acting principal of Merry College will be required from Term 2 1991 until December 2991. This could be a seconded position.

Mercy College is a Catholic co-educational secondary school of 620 students. Established in 1992, it enjoys a modern campus with excellent facilities and grounds.

Applicants should be practising Catholics, committed to the objectives and ethos of Catholic education and have requisite administrative skills and academic and professional qualifications.

Salary and conditions are similar to those offered by the WA Ministry of Education.

Further information and official application forms can be obtained from: Rosemary Penman, Catholic Education Office of WA Pt) Box 198, Leederville WA 6007 Telephone (09) 388 4388 Official application forms to be addressed to The Director, Catholic Education Office of WA (address above) and lodged by Monday, February 11.

As desired by the Pope in his Ecclesia Dei and the approval of our Archbishop

TRIDENTINE MASSES

(Old Latin Mass) are celebrated on Sundays at Corpus Christi Church, Evershed Street, Myaree at llam.

It would be a gracious token of gratitude to the pope and the archbishop, if Catholics with love for the traditional Mass would attend them.

Appropriate Missals available at low price.

THANKING YOU

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NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING

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The Year of the Holy Spirit on February 7-20 is the biggest interdenominational conference of Christians ever to congregate in Australia will meet in Canberra for the Seventh International Assembly of the World Council of Churches.

The theme of the two week conference is "Come Holy Spirit, Renew Your Whole Creation", and will centre on issues of faith, justice and peace. At a time when there is growing conflict in countries of the Middle East, when there is an increasing awareness of the moral responsibility needed to protect the environment, and when the gap between the 'haves' and the 'havenots' of society is growing even wider, it is important that such issues be considered in the light of Christian ethics. The 4000 delegates, observers and visitors will spend their time in prayer and deliberation of these issues.

Of the 700 participants from Australia, more than seventy are West Australians, and include Mrs Colleen Lark and Fr Vincent Conroy, both members of the Archdiocesan Ecumenical Affairs Committee.

A prayer card issued by the featuring Conference of Churches of WA, which feature the Dove of Peace — the logo of the Seventh World Council International AssPrnbly, are available from your local church.

BROTHER ANDREW

Brother Andrew (co-founder with Mother Teresa of Missionary of Charity Brothers Calcutta) is giving seven retreats at God's Farm, Gracewood, 40km south of Busselton on "Christ's Answers to Today's Problems". He will offer daily Mass in the serenity of the Stone Chapel and be available for private interviews.

Retreats take place: (Young people's retreat) February 5-8 $100; February 8-10 $65; February 12-15 $100.

All the above charges are only suggested donations.

A one day workshop will be held in Perth at Newman Siena College hall on Saturday, February 16, 10am4pm. BYO lunch, morning tea and a lunch cuppa provided. No need to reserve seats. Brother Andrew requests that it be free and open to all.

More details and bookings from Mrs Betty Peaker, Box 24, PO Cowaramup, 6284.

Phone (097) 55 6212 and (097) 55 5444.

Archdiocesan Calendar February 2 Mass and commissioning Project Compassion representatives, St Mary's Cathedral, Archbishop Foley.

2&3 "Collaboration in Ministry" seminar, Archbishop Foley and Bishop Healy.

5&6 Meeting of WA Bishops and WACRI. 7 Meeting of West Australian Bishops.

Following the 11am Mass celebrated (in Latin) by Father Xavier Vanderine of Burma on Sunday, February 10 at St Jude's Church, Langford, there will be a farewell get together in his honour.

Please bring a plate and drinks.

Enquiries 458 2772 or 272 1379.

REFUGEE SUPPORT An information evening on Parish Refugee Support Scheme for those willing to be part of a parish group and assist a refugee family to settle in Perth, will take place Monday, February 11 at 8pm at St Mary's Parish Centre, Leederville WA 6007.

For more information contact Catholic Migrant Centre phone 221 1727 (Gerald or Angela).

NEW SCHOOLS HIGH WYCOMBE: The High Wycombe Catholic Primary School opened this week in response to growing demand for places in Catholic schools in the metropolitan area.

The school initially has 35 students in pre-primary and year one. The first stage of new school comprises a preprimary classroom and a block of four classrooms which will be used as the year one classroom, library and an administration area. Principal of the new school is Mr Greg Wyss, formerly the principal of St Bernard's School, Kojonup.

The two new schools brings to 153 the total number of Catholic schools in Western Australia. More than 50,000 students will attend these schools in 1991.

MANDURAH: Mandurah Catholic College will take its first students in 1992.

It will open with three streams of year eight students and will be developed progressively to become a full secondary college by 1996.

Mr Dick Finucane will be the first principal.

The longest-serving lay principal of a Western Australian Catholic secondary school, Mr Finucane has been the principal of Mercy College, Koondoola since 1976.

NORTHERN SUBURBS: Planning is also underway for the establishment of a secondary college to open in the northern metropolitan area.

An Interim Board has been convened and a suitable site is being determined. It is expected that this school will open in 1993.

The Deputy Director of Catholic Education (Resources and Planning) Mrs Therese Temby said the new schools were being located in rapidly developing areas as a response to an urgent need for student places.

Mass and dinner, Natural Family Planning, Archbishop Foley.

12 Mass and buffet tea, Archdiocesan organisations, Archbishop Foley.

14 & 15 Council of Priests, Archbishop Foley and Bishop Healy.

15 Mass and blessing Mazenod e xtensions, Archbishop Foley.

16 Bless and open St Vincent de Paul Depot, Osborne Park, Archbishop Foley.

17 Rite of Election, St Mary's Cathedral, Archbishop Foley.

(008) 11 4010 (free call) Natural Family Planning Centre 27 'Victoria Square Member of the Australian•Council of Natural Family Planning Inc

16 The Record, January 31, 1991

Vocation Co-ordinator : Fr Torn McNulty 0 rt2CTI1 St Norbcrt's Priory QUEENS PARK WA 6107

requires the services of an

EXECUTIVE OFFICER (Position re-advertised)

LOCATION: Perth THE COMMISSION: The Commission is the co-

ordinating body for the welfare agencies operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth.

It is also required to generate an awareness and understanding of welfare issues and, with the other participants in the system, to formulate policy, develop and promote the delivery of care and to support people working in the system.

THE POSITION: The Executive Officer is secretary of the Commission and is responsible for the development of reports and recommendations for consideration by the Commission and for the management of its affairs.

In particular, the Executive Officer will be required to co-ordinate the participative development and implementation of a strategic plan for the delivery of care services in the Archdiocese.

CRITERIA: Applicants must have a commitment to the mission of the Church.

It is essential that the successful applicant have extensive experience in the welfare field. Proven management and communication skills are necessary and an appropriate tertiary qualification is preferred.

RUMUNERATION: A salary package commensurate with qualifications and experience will be negotiated.

APPLICATION: Information on the position can be obtained by telephoning Mrs Raymond on 325 1377.

Written applications should be lodged before Monday, February 18, 1991 and should be addressed to:

The Chairperson Catholic Community Care Commission c/- 186 Vincent St, North Perth WA 6006

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION DAY OF MEDITATION Saturday, February 16, 9.30am-4pm Servite Priory, 2 Morgans St, Tuart Hill (Enter from car park at rear)

BYO lunch. Coffee and tea provided.

Suggested donation: $5 at door.

PROGRAM: Practical meditation, sharing, discussion, fellowship.

Enquiries: Vesta 458 5633 Mark (NH) 453 6120 CHRISTIAN MEDITATION NETWORK (WA)

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Perth Personal Advocacy Service

PROGRAM ASSISTANT The Program Assistant will work as a member of a team which enables people with disabilities to experience personal, on-going relationships in the community, and provides individual and small group support to these people in parishes.

Experience in working with people with disabilities is essential and experience in community-based work an asset Written applications with resume and names of three references to: Personal Advocacy Service, PO Box 1261, Morley, WA 6062 by Monday, February 11, 1991.

For further information please phone 275 5388 (office hours).

9

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