The Record Newspaper 25 January 1996

What's Inside...

Politicians give their views on new Church statement on politics and ethics - Page 6

PERTH, WA: January 25, 1996

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Bishop Healy gives his perspective - Page 2 Pope John Paul lists his monthly prayer intentions for 1996 - Page7 Points for judging TV shows for children and adolescents, perhaps even for adults - Page 8

PRICE 600

Voters have ethical duty 'along with PM's' would generate a debate about an oath of office for parliamenCitizens have equal respon- tarians or a succinct code of conunder which elected represibilities with politicians in duct sentatives were held accountbringing honesty and integri- able. ty to public life, and in doing The responses of six WA MP's so may help politicians to live are printed on Page 6 of today's up to their duties, the Record.

Australian Catholic Bishops The Australian Catholic Social social justice council has said Justice Council called on those in a newly-released discus- with a talent for public office to sion paper on politics and participate in what it described ethics. as the "noble art" of politics at a The paper, Politicians and time of widespread disillusionCitizens: Roles and Responsibil- ment and cynicism about politiities, sets out five guidelines that cians and their motives.

In the wake of former Federal could form a code of conduct for ALP numbers man, Graham politicians: Richardson, admitting to lying LI personal integrity; during his political career and LI listening to the people; the finding of the Easton royal commission, as it was popularly LI making modest election known, that Federal Health promises; Minister Carmen Lawrence had LI avoiding the personal; and lied over the extent of her knowlLI exercising courage and deci- edge of documents tabled in the WA Parliament, the question of siveness.

West Australian MPs welcomed ethics in politics is a hot issue, the Australian Catholic Social particularly as the Federal elecJustice Council discussion paper tion is due before May. The West Australian Liberal as a welcome boost to debate on Party is the subject of ethical politics in Australia.

ALP member for Nollamara, scrutiny through the alleged John Kobelke, told The Record involvement of Liberal Party society would definitely benefit members in the Wanneroo from a wider community interest Council corruption allegations. and involvement that could ACSJC chairman Bishop Kevin renew and improve politics in Manning launched the 28-page Australia. paper at St John's College in the Liberal member for the Federal University of Sydney last seat of Tangney, Daryl Williams Thesday. Professor John WarhQC, said he hoped the paper urst, a member of the council

By Peter Rosengren

and head of the Department of Political Science at the Australian National University in Canberra. wrote the paper, Speaking before the launch.

Bishop Manning said that with a Federal election looming, Politicians and Citizens was a call to the Church community and to all Australians to be involved in and aware of the political process.

Speaking later on ABC national radio he said one reason why the document had been released close to the election had been to try and rein in the abuses by politicians of the political process that were most likely to emerge at election time.

"Lots of evil passions arise round about election time and that's part of the reason why we are launching it now, to try and dampen down some of the nonsense that goes on and the waves of promises and, yes, lies, if you like - and then the absolute forgetfulness of politicians of how they've acted over the last four years," he said.

He said the Church had a duty to speak out in regard to religion and moral issues, no matter how unpopular it may be to do so.

"The Church has a legitimate role in public policy debate. It has a right and a duty to call attention to the moral and religious dimensions of secular issues, to measure policies against Gospel values, and to speak out on issues involving social justice, human dignity, and

society about politicians and their motives and goes on to address issues of political leadership; the task of representation; the need for participation; and the relationship between the Church and the political sphere.

While noting clear problems associated with the conduct of politics in Australia, such as the regular and often harsh denigration of opponents, the document acknowledges that politicians have a difficult task in doing their jobs and achieving what is expected of them by a clearly cynical population.

Bishop Kevin Manning

the common good," he said.

"Some politicians may not like the Church speaking out in this way but, as a body of citizens, it has a right to speak out and will not be silenced," he said.

He also said Politicians and Citizens was not about particular issues but about the nature of politics.

"It is a sympathetic look at the conflicting pressures and constraints on politicians, for example, the rights of the minority versus the will of the majority. This paper supports politicians in the difficult task they have to do," he said.

Politicians and Citizens begins with a discussion of the widespread cynicism prevalent in

Politicians were often placed under considerable conflicting pressure by lobby groups and faced dilemmas between issues of conscience and maintaining solidarity with the party-room, it said.

On the one hand, politicians were perceived as arrogant individuals who did not listen to their electors and on the other they were criticised for not exercising leadership, the document said.

However, it said there was also considerable room for improvement in the conduct of Australian politics at the individual and collective levels, and that part of the solution was for politicians to function more ethically and for their electors to become more educated about both the political system and the issues of the day.

Continued on Page 2

Full-on Catholic prayer, fun at youth convention More than two hundred young Seize the Day was the latest in adults in their late teens and a rash of Christian summer schools for youth and young twenties from early around adults - the Anglican summer Western Australia came toschool is being conducted this gether last week at Aquinas weekend and Seize the Day College to participate in the was preceded the week diocesan youth and young adult ministry convention, before by the Disciples of Pastoral Training Jesus Seize the Day. School, also held at Aquinas It was such a success that College.

Sister Pam Williamson, a vis- The week-long convention iting Salesian youth ministry largely consisted of a heady worker from Sydney, said she mix of fun and occasions for would like to see others workprayer and discovering the ing in youth ministry in the presence of Jesus in each perEastern States visit in the son's life. future to learn how the West Full report and pictures Australian model operated.

- Pages 4 and 5

Fire Rescue Service officer Ian Bransby cools off some heated convention delegates last week

The Record, a product of the local Church I

n the period of one calendar proud also of the fact that we month, I receive a number of have been doing this for a long Catholic newspapers from time. The Record first appeared various dioceses throughout in 1874 and, as far I as know, has Australia. They are all well pro- appeared regularly ever since. duced and interesting andIenjoy Obviously the local Church has reading a number of contribu- always placed great emphasis on tions in each one. the Catholic newspaper as a They have the effect of helping means of evangelisation. me to keep in touch with the The Catholic paper is a special Church in this vast country. They kind of product. Obviously it is assure me that the Church is not like your secular newspaper active and healthy all over and it is not fair for you or me to Australia. expect it to compete with secular Then there is The Record, our dailies or weeklies. own diocesan paper. For me, it Consciously or unconsciously, has a special place in the area of people do expect that the the Catholic media. It is the prod- Catholic paper will be as attracuct of the local Church to which tive as other papers. we all belong.

I think the Catholic paper must It is produced by people who attract readers but for different are professionals in this field and reasons. I think only if we regard who give of their best to keep us ourselves as belonging to the in touch with each other and family, which is the local Church, with the wider Church. will we find in The Record the We ought to be proud of this interest and the mental stimulus achievement. We ought to be which it endeavours to create.

Like any newspaper, The have here in Perth and it behoves Record depends on support us to make sure not just that it expressed when people pur- continues but also that it proschase it at the church door on pers.

Sundays, expressed when they Obviously, the more support take it home and read it. the paper receives, the better the You will find news and views, paper will become, as more local and international. There is a resources become available. place for letters, a page for youth, At the outset, I mentioned that a sector on the movies, a column many dioceses have their own on Marian devotion, not forget- newspapers here in Australia. ting the Parish Scene (formerly It is significant that every year known as the Parish Pump). So in May the Holy Father celethere is great variety and obvi- brates World Communications ously something for everyone.

Day with a message on the use of So what is my objective in writ- the media. (In 1995, he wrote on ing about the Record? the subject of the Cinema).

Obviously I hope to stimulate He invariably encourages the interest of Catholics in their Bishops, priests, religious and lay newspaper. I hope to encourage people to appreciate the media them to purchase it every week and especially the Catholic and to find time to read it. media. May I respectfully make I want to go a step further than mine the sentiments of the Holy that and evoke a sense of respon- Father and encourage you to sibility from many more Cathol- appreciate and support The ics to their own Catholic paper. It Record - our diocesan newspais the only media outlet that we per for more than 120 years.

Pope keeps urging Christian unity VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Christians must never lose their hope nor their enthusiastic commitment to Christian unity, Pope John Paul II said last week.

On the eve of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Pope said the biblical admonishment of early Christian communities that had become "lukewarm" in their faith and commitment is just as relevant for today's believers.

The Book of Revelation tells Christians to "shake off indifference and attitudes of self-sufficiency and calls them again to a change of lifestyle, vigilance and necessary communion," the Pope said on January 17 at his weekly general audience.

The passage from the Book of Revelation continues: "If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me."

All of the ecumenical movement's

By Jay Copp TECHNY, Illinois, (CNS) - Woodrow Wilson was president, the Model T was the car of choice and the White Sox threw a World Series. And John Carlucci of Chicago had a powerful dream that he took as a message from God to join the religious life.

Brother Carlucci, a member of the Divine Word order since 1920, celebrated his 100th birthday on January 12, and he is more sure than ever that he correctly interpreted his dream.

"The older you are the more freedom you have. I can pray now fulltime," said Brother Carlucci, who lives at a Divine Word residence in Techny, a Chicago suburb.

Brother Carlucci has had a remarkable life. During World War I, as a cook for the Air Force, he took part in the Allied campaign in France that drove the Germans back.

During World War II, while ministering in the Philippines, he was imprisoned by the invading Japanese and narrowly escaped being shot when liberated by American paratroopers.

2 The Record, January 25 1996

He was a missionary for 42 years In the Philippines. After retiring and returning to the United States In 1971, he did errands on a motor scooter until he was 95. And, of course, he prayed as much as he could.

"Ipray for everyone," he told The New World, Chicago's archdiocesan newspaper. "We're all brothers and sisters."

Within six months of leaving his native Bronx for Chicago, he dreamt he was in a crowd in front of St Peter's Basilica in Rome waiting for the Pope to pray the Angelus. Three snow-white doves appeared. The crowd fled in fear.

Unafraid, Carlucci saw the Father, Son and Holy Ghost in the doves, who kissed him on the cheek. When he awoke he knew God was calling him.

He chose the Divine Word order because he saw their ad in Our Sunday Visitor and because Techny was nearby.

He can hardly believe he has reached the century mark: "It seems like I'm a kid." He is not afraid of dying: "If it's God's will, I'll be in heaven." He adds, with a smile, "Take me as soon as possible."

Perspective

Our Lady of the Missions parish enjoys room to move

prayer, study, dialogue and cooperative initiatives were aimed at overcoming those divisions with one goal - "to finally be able to celebrate together the Lord's Supper, reconciled and in full communion," he said.

The goal was so important, the Pope said, that all Christians have an obligation to support it with their prayers.

While some of the dialogues between Christian churches have come closer to full agreement than others, all of them have made Christians understand that they have the most important elements of Christian faith in common, he said.

The Pope repeated what he had said in his 1995 encyclical on Christian unity, that a study of the primacy of the bishop of Rome and possible ways for him to exercise his authority in a re-united Christian community must be undertaken.

US Divine Word brother celebrates 100 years

Bishop Healy's

Gary Zeck with the baptismal font he built for Our Lady of the Missions

Ken Wildy with his stained glass creation, the birth of Jesus

Whitford parishioners enjoy the refurbished church last Sunday

Archbishop Hickey blessed the extensions to Our Lady of the Mission Church in Whitfords last Sunday.

He reminded Whitford's parishioners in his homily that, although some are called to the Religious life and some to the ordained priesthood, for most of us our Christian vocation is carried out in the context of family and parish life.

The blessing of the new font, The installation of extra seats built by Gary Zeck, followed has increased the seating the homily and water blessed capacity of the church from to during this part of the ceremo- 450 to 600. The carpet was laid ny was then used to bless the by Peter Riney of Dial-a-carpet. people in procession.

The landscaping is still in The two new confession rooks progress as the work meant the were blessed, then the front removal of some trees and entrance area, the Sacristies large grassed area. and the side chapel with its John Loreck was the architect stained glass windows, the lat- and the builder was Charnley ter by Ken Wildy.

Brice Pty Ltd.

Voters have ethics duty as well as MPs Continued from Page 1 On the first guideline for a code of conduct, Politicians and Citizens calls on politicians to live "a modest personal lifestyle which is not too far removed from that of their constituents," and is critical of the lifestyle often adopted.

"There are too many examples of conspicuous consumption by political leaders, which are especially damaging to the image of politicians at a time when many Australians are finding life difficult," it says.

On the second guideline, while urging politicians to listen to the people, the council said the Church could not support this interpretation if it meant that a politician must always follow the will of the

majority. "Even if this will is clear and stable, that majority may not be correct," it said.

Political leaders and candidates should also abandon making political promises purely in order to win elections when they cannot deliver.

But voters were an integral part of this problem.

"Again and again, voters reward politicians making promises even knowing that these will be very difficult to keep . .. Politicians can do their part by modifying their rhetoric and keeping their promises realistic," it said.

The council also criticised the abusive style in political debate and cited the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, known as the 'bear pit.'

"Such behaviour not only

offends school-children, but it appals many adults who see it as childish and a waste of time." it says.

Finally, the council called on politicians to be decisive and to exercise courage in the choices they make and warned that to do otherwise increased the risk of political paralysis.

"Citizens should always appreciate the political leader who, at the appropriate time is ready to act decisively," it said.

"Politicians are there to lead even if the direction is an unpopular one.

"The danger of modern political life is that competing pressures may lead to a political paralysis, a stagnation where no action is taken because of fear of the political consequences."

Vatican is not ignoring facts of life: experts

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) Participants in a Vatican meeting rejected accusations that the Vatican was ignoring modern facts of life in presenting guidelines to parents for controlling the sexual education of their children.

The Catholic Church recognises the enormous changes cultures throughout the world have undergone in the past 30 years, especially regarding sexuality, said Bishop Elio Sgreccia, secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

Governments are insisting that sex education be part of school curriculums, he said, and "families are unprepared for the task" of challenging the programs and giving their children an explanation of sexuality within its proper context of morality, relationships and vocation.

The council's December document said parents must withdraw their children from sex education classes that are too explicit, do not follow the Vatican guidelines for ageappropriate information or violate Catholic moral teaching.

But, Bishop Sgreccia said, the document "was not a blanket call" to withdraw children from school sex education programs.

The Council for the Family sponsored a January 18-20 meeting to discuss initial reaction to the document, to examine its content and to find ways to promote its teaching.

Dale O'Leary, a US writer and one of five participants chosen to answer reporters' questions on January 19, said sex education programs in the United States have become so explicit they have "over-sexualised children.

And what we are dealing with here, very much, is the sexual harassment and the sexual abuse - in a very real sense - of children within the educational establishment."

She said children and parents had complained to her that the programs were so detailed they were "humiliated."

Mrs O'Leary said the document tells parents, "You must take charge of the education of your children, and if the school Is providing information which is totally inappropriate to the age of development of the child, then you must take a stand against this."

When sex education is done inappropriately, she said, children begin sexual experimentation. "And whom do they experiment on? Other children."

"Finally someone is speaking clearly" about the dangers of improper sex education. She said the document tells parents, "Do not surrender your children to the sex molesters and these people anymore."

Parents must recognise that modern culture presents their children with a variety of interpretations and models of sexuality, Mrs O'Leary said.

But parents are the only ones who know their children well enough to give "the instruction that these children need in a

private, modest way." Other US participants in the meeting James included Bishop McHugh of Camden, New Jersey; James LiIcouclis, president emeritus of Catholics Faith; the for United Benedictine Father Paul Marx of Human Life International; Dr Hanna Klaus of the Teen Star Program; and Colleen Kelly from Mast of Respect Inc. The document, "The Truth and Meaning of Human for Sexuality: Guidelines Education Within the Family," reaffirmed Church teaching that parents must be the primary educators of their children and that they have the right and responsibility to oversee the information their children are given.

Father Tony Anatrella, a psychoanalyst in France, told reporters the problem with most school-based sex education programs is that they focus on biology and health care, but ignore the moral, spiritual and relational aspects of sexuality.

Taking sexuality out of its proper context, he said, conveys a message that "all is fine as long as you experience pleasure" and avoid health risks.

"This document is an appeal to look at the human dimension of sexuality and not trivialise it," he said. "Sexuality has meaning because relationships have meaning."

"When the Church speaks about chastity, it is encouraging respect for oneself, for others and for the dignity of sexuality as ordered by God," Father Anatrella said.

Evangelisation 'work of decade'

Bishop Healy officiates at the installation of Stephen Peake, left, Frank Tassone, Eddie Russell and Guy SuttonMattocks as Flame Ministry evangelists.

The sixth annual Flame Ministries congress at John in Mt XXIII College Claremont got off to a flying start when it was declared open by Bishop Robert Healy, auxiliary bishop of Perth, last Monday evening before about 120 people.

Entitled `Blow the trumpets in Zion', the congress is designed to equip delegates with the know-how and inspiration for effectively sharing

their faith. Bishop Healy said, he said.

Bishop Healy also read out a from the Church's perspecArchbishop from tive, evangelisation was the letter Hickey recognising Flame work of the decade.

He said that all Catholics Ministries as an association of had to be conscious of their Christ's faithful under Canon responsibilities in this field of Law and approving their use work and not only do it but of the title `Catholic.'

Bishop Healy also officiated do it as well as they could.

But evangelisation always at the institution as evangehad to follow the example of lists of four Flame Ministries on members - Frank Tassone,' Christ and be based prayer, Stephen Peake, Eddie Russell by preparation penance, study and reflection, and Guy Sutton-Mattocks.

Mother of three takes final Religious step

Archbishop Barry Macey congratulates the archdiocesan archivist, Sister Frances Stibi, last Friday after witnessing her perpetual profession as a Presentation Sister. Sr Stibi joined the Presentation order after raising a family of three children.

God 'disturbs' his household God "almost mischievously disturbs the household," Father Tony Kelly CSsR told the Household of God conference currently being conducted by the National Council of Churches of Australia at the University of Melbourne this week.

Fr Kelly, president of the Australian Catholic Theological Association and Master of Yarra Theological Union in Melbourne gave a "challenging" presentation in a keynote address to the conference when he spoke on the topic "where is your God? - disturbing the household."

The conference is the first major NCCA event since the Catholic Church in Australia joined the council, which replaced the Australian Council of Churches.

"The closer the divine presence, the deeper and more unsettling the question of God is." Fr Kelly said.

"God's people suffer a kind of longing and a kind of pain that unsettles any easy settlement in this world. With Israel in the past and in the present, the Church must pray 'My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?" he said.

He said the early Christian

Church had rightly recognised the subversive nature of the Gospel.

At that time faith could only be celebrated and shared in homes, when public places, let alone the churches, basilicas. cathedrals and conventions in university colleges were beyond imagining, Fr Kelly told his audience.

He said that the image of the household of God therefore underlined the irreplaceable role of family in the intimate communication of the faith.

It should also remind people of the importance of hospitality, without which any lofty talk about the love of God would be unreal.

"The household disturbs society and the individual into a deeper sense of intimate belonging," he added.

Father Kelly said people were children of God in the biblical sense and children of the universe, born of the earth. Made in the image of God, people were earthlings, living only in genetic solidarity with myriad other life forms on the planet "If they serve and sustain us, we are called to responsible stewardship of them," he said.

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The Record, January 25 1996

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Catholic youth seize the day 250 young West Australians find the joy of living as Catholics An electric last night at the Seize the Day convention, with the Choir pumping it out for the Lord opening Mass, rather than addressing this ed game of lantern spofto between the though he kicked me out because I could congregation from his usual central posi- police helicopter and the delegates in the not sing in tune!). tion in the sanctuary and wearing the college grounds.

Today is much different to the days of my symbols of his ecclesial office - the But the other 15 per cent of the time was youth and my parents' youth. One of our he atmosphere at the final rally of Archbishop's mitre and staff - Archbishop devoted to the serious business of learning civilisations' claims to success is that the the 1996 Seize The Day Catholic Hickey addressed the young people from how to use that transcendent part of self to beauty of architecture, art and music now Youth Convention at Aquinas Coll- the lectern. He addressed them not just as become more effective in communicating pervades our lives. ege last Saturday night was electric, as it a leader but as a leader among equals - at with God. As one Melbourne-based social philosowas at every evening assembly during the their level.

These sessions were intensive. Part of the pher observed in the pages of Quadrant week His position on the sanctuary, his body reason for the success of the convention magazine some years ago: the "Cathedrals Archbishop Hickey had been drawn into language and the language in which he was in the right balance achieved between of the 20th Century" are the large suburthe aura of enthusiastic prayerfulness on unfolded the scriptural message "come to the physical activities - with the relief they ban shopping centres where people conthe preceding Tuesday night during the me all you who labour and are overbur- provided - and the demanding mental gregate on weekends, and indeed every opening Mass held at St Joseph's Church, dened, and I will give you rest" brought and spiritual activity that occurred in the day of the week, to be "uplifted in their Queens Park. alive the continuing deep relevance of retreat and prayer sessions. spirits".

His address to the young people there Jesus present in the Eucharist despite the What was most encouraging was that the My parents' generation went to Church drew together several important themes to modern, distracted era with which we all convention contained an entirely normal not only to pray but because that was one focus the young delegates' minds on the have to contend today, but young people cross-section of the young adult popula- of the few places, particularly in the councentral importance of Jesus in their lives especially. tion. Before attending this convention I try, where one could hear good music. and especially as Jesus comes to us in the One could have heard a pin drop. His had had some misgivings that a "Catholic" Today, good music is everywhere - FM celebration of the Eucharist.

Grace had somehow managed to use the Youth Convention might, of its nature, tend radio and the Sony Walkman have made it Perth is a most fortunate archdiocese to communication techniques of a footy to pre-select a "goody two-shoes" sector of ubiquitous. Art is everywhere - television have as consummate a communicator as coach at three quarter time and modern printing have we have in our pastoral leader. At the and yet the occasion given us that - and the archiretained the dignity and tecture of even the most sense of occasion being celeunpretentious modern Austbrated at this Mass. ralian home is somehow The best proof of his effecuplifting to those who live tiveness came at the end of within its walls.

Mass.

Through the symbolism of The joy, enthusiasm and the great devotions to the prayerfulness which the delSacred Heart of Jesus and the egates brought to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the remainder of this conceleChurch long demonstrated brated Eucharist (Bishop that it had an intuitive underHealy and about a dozen standing of the centrality of other priests of the the heart and our human Archdiocese assisted) brouemotions as the direct changht a response from Archnel of communication to bishop Hickey which things of the spirit, to the showed that he had been On Saturday night the band's brass section helped blow everyone away Divine within us and to the moved emotionally by the God who surrounds us and is singing and participation by these young the broader Catholic youth population. within us. The Church was the pre-emipeople.

That wasn't so here. It was the same nent communicator in society and those The atmosphere engendered on the cross-section of young people that I who flocked to its doors demonstrated that Tuesday evening permeated the conven- encounter in my work in our secondary it had the right formula. tion over coming days. schools and out in the workplace and at We need to encourage new symbols, I was one of the few "oldies" who was our universities and other tertiary institu- new words, new melodies that can comthere as an observer over many of the ses- tions. municate to the people of today's busy sions.

The single element that they shared in and distracted world as those older symTo the casual visitor, the convention common with one another was a quest to bols, hymns and forms so powerfully comwould have seemed like "a lot of good deepen their understanding of the non- municated to an earlier generation when fun". physical, non-mental, spiritual part of the distractions in their lives were far And it was for probably 85 per cent of their being however difficult it was for fewer. the time. There were concerts, games, each of them to express precisely what Today, the expression "the Coca-Cola camel rides, fancy dress parties, as well as they had come to find. generation" says as much about who are the more spectacular events such as a fly In subsequent discussion with other par- the pre-eminent communicators today as past by the RAAF, a giant water fight on the ents who witnessed parts of the conven- it does about the consumers who are comRedmond Oval between half-a-dozen fire- tion - and other adults whom I've related municated to.

Archbishop Hickey - thanked and encouraged men and the delegates, and a sophisticat- the story of the convention to - the critiThe 1996 Seize the Day convention will cism has been made that these types of come to be seen as a milestone where 250 events are too driven to generate an emo- young men and women seized back the tional response.I disagree. initiative from the secular miasma which Throughout the long history of the has been crushing our hearts.

Church, it is abundantly apparent that any As Sr Pam Williamson, a Salesian Sister individual's initial response to the call of from Sydney who was one of the few adult God is a response of the heart. facilitators at the convention, observed to In my own conservative Catholic family parents on the Thursday night - in all her one can look back and see that their pre- work in Catholic youth ministry in the sent day piety had its genesis in an emo- eastern States and other parts of the tional response to the rich symbolism in world, the closest she had ever come to architecture and liturgy they experienced experiencing what she was in the midst of sixty and seventy years ago at New Norcia at this convention was at a youth conferand at the Dominican Convent in their ence some years ago in Spain. And Spain home town. is a country where secular culture and Thirty or more years ago I was "trans- religious culture are almost one! formed in the spirit' at St Louis by the Congratulations to those many young Jesuits and later at Aquinas by the people who led the conference and conChristian Brothers. My initial response gratulations and thanks to those adults was not a cerebral experience - an attrac- who, largely behind the scenes, made it tion to the logic, learning and wisdom of possible for the latent talents and leaderthe Church - it was being "moved in the ship qualities of these young people to An audience of conventioneers - entertained, moved, delighted and impressed heart" by Fr Johnny Harte's choir (even blossom.

By Brian Coyne, a parent who enjoys going to youth conventions

T

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The Record, January 25 1996

• • • now for tomorrow

. . . . courtesy of the fire brigade

The great water fight . . . .

. . . . and handsome firefighters!

Western Australia leads the way in organising young adult conventions: Salesian

By Peter Rosengren The "toffy" family ignore signs on life's road....

A

pproximately 250 young adults in

their late teens and twenties from around Perth come together for a week at Aquinas College to participate in the diocesan youth and young adult ministry convention, Seize the Day, last week.

It was such a success that Sister Pam Williamson, a visiting Salesian youth ministry worker from a Sydney parish who spoke at the convention, said she would like to see others working in youth ministry in the Eastern States visit in the future to learn how the West Australian model operated.

Seize the Day was the latest in a rash of Christian summer schools for youth and young adults - the Anglican summer ....to the delight of audience members. school is being conducted this weekend and Seize the Day was preceded the week before by the Disciples of Jesus Pastoral Training School, also held at Aquinas College.

And archdiocesan youth and young adult ministry director Bruce Downes said the success of the convention had largely been achieved by the team of young people who organised it and started their planning six months ago.

The week-long get-together consisted of a heady mix of fun and occasions for prayer and discovering the presence of Jesus in each person's life.

Bruce said the convention had become, in effect, a retreat.

"We call it a convention, but in effect it's a retreat for young people. It's an opportunity to step back from their life, to reflect A serious bass player looked over his shoulder upon where they are in life and their Christian walk," he told The Record at Aquinas College on the second last day.

"We attempt to look at them here as whole people. We're not just here to try and touch the prayer side of them or the spiritual side of them, but also the personal side of them - and that's why we have all the fun activities."

He said that in addition to discovering what the Church was, over the week the predominantly 16-21 age group discovered more about themselves through exercises centred on things like personal development and self-esteem.

"One of our major aims is to build community and to give them a sense of being ....but they were already praying in the ailses, community in the Church," he said "Part of their experience here is that they're broken down into these small community groups, and there they have the opportunity to be with others and to share faith and to hear others talk about their experience of faith, whether it's positive or negative."

Through talking about the struggles of being a Catholic person, whether at school, work, university or wherever, he said, they gained a sense of identity.

Over the week eight critical concerns courses were run, examining significant issues and areas in young peoples' lives such as skills for life, sexuality, past hurts, and on, on. and so the band played on,

connecting with God, prayer, guilt and Christian leadership.

Sandwiched in with these, eleven general sessions featured presentations by keynote speakers.

During night sessions those attending learnt to engage in simple prayer, thanking God for what was in their lives.

And the periods of quiet reflection, he said, were the most important thing done at the convention. During these periods individuals would spend half an hour in total silence and personal prayer - much more difficult than it sounded as many were not used to praying.

As director of youth ministry, Bruce said what he wanted to see come out of the convention was young people who saw that they belong in the Church and have a place in it and, secondly, that they could make a contribution to it.

He also wanted them to realise that God was not beyond their contact, and that the Church was a place which was there to Sister Pam Williamson - impressed with WA support them, teach them and care for ed them best. "It's also just good fun," she them. When young people reject the said, "and when you put religion together Church in many cases they often are not with fun, it works." rejecting authentic Catholicism but are A youth ministry worker of fifteen years' rejecting their experience of it. experience who is also in charge of youth Sister Pam Williamson FMA, who works ministry for her congregation in Australia. in youth ministry at St John Bosco parish she said she had previously attended In Sydney, said she was so impressed with smaller youth camps in the Parramatta the WA model that she was keen to see it diocese and that as far as she knew there "exported" to the eastern States. was nothing like Seize the Day operating "I'd be very keen to have other people in Melbourne. involved in youth ministry to come over "Young people are really empowered here and see what's happening so that we and it's not a pseudo-empowerment can learn from you." she told The Record. either," she said.

Sr Pam delivered one of the critical conShe said that one of the pluses of the cerns courses on "values and decision- convention had been the fact that it was making" and had also doubled up as a unashamedly God-centred but also a mixfacilitator for the team of convention youth ture of fun and religion and very well balleaders - sixty or so in all. anced.

She said the structure of the convention The convention wound up with a big the was well thought out and that although concert attended by conventioneers and age range varied from about 16 to 31 years parents on Saturday night, featuring perof age, the younger conventioneers could formances from the convention choir, choose to be involved at the level that suit- band and the performing arts ministry.

Performing Arts Ministry singers moved Saturday night's audience deeply with prayerful songs.

The Record, January 25 1996

5

Australian Catholic Social Justice Council paper on politics and ethics

WA politicians respond • •

John Kobelke, ALP State member for Nollamara

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oliticians and citizens Roles and Responsibilities is an excellent publication which will hopefully stimulate discussion both within the Church and the wider community on standards in political life.

Disillusionment and cynicism towards our political system pose a danger to democracy.

A democracy can only function properly when citizens generally have faith in the processes of government and respect for the people who hold positions of prominence.

There is a need for criticism of politicians and for our political system to be constructive and to draw more citizens into involvement in politics.

In Australia there are practically no barriers to citizens actively participating in politics; but apathy is prevalent.

We would surely benefit from a wider community interest and involvement that could renew and improve our politics in Australia.

The paper's suggestion of a Code of Conduct for politicians is practical and offers standards of personal behaviour that need to be espoused.

Fortunately in Australia we do have a widely held expectation that politicians should uphold such standards although we are more conscious of this in their breech.

The special responsibilities and privileges given to Members of Parliament opens up a vulnerability against which their individual integrity will be tested.

The personal integrity of each politician is fundamental to the trust which ordinary people place in them.

Unfortunately, this also makes the public perception of personal integrity a commodity to be cynically promoted or destroyed in the pursuit of political power.

We have recently seen the lengths to which people will go to destroy an individual's public image of integrity.

The call for the "avoidance of the personal" should receive unanimous support - even from those practitioners of the art of personal abuse.

Fact and reason form the substance of debate, but in their absence, we unfortunately see attacks on the person as a ploy to avoid the real issues.

The wide circulation and public debate on this code of conduct will contribute to lifting political standards in Australia.

6 The Record, January 25 1996

Daryl Williams AM QC, Liberal Federal member for Tangney

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rofessor Warhurst's paper draws attention to some of the difficulties faced by politicians in doing their job. He also describes important functions, even duties, citizens have in relation to their political representatives.

That citizens have any such responsibility will surprise many.

I welcome the paper's recognition of the significant continuing role of electors.

Do politicians constitute a profession such that general professional standards must apply?

Professor Warhurst says yes. 1 would like to think so. If professional standards apply, and some certainly do, they need to be carefully defined.

As yet they have not been defined. All federal parliamentarians take an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Crown.

However. Ministers apart, there is no oath of office which defines professional responsibilities.

The five areas of conduct that Professor Warhurst considers could be included in a professional, public standards code. personal integrity, listening to the people, modest promises, avoiding the personal, and courage and decisiveness - are all important.

I hope that the paper will generate a debate about an oath of office for parliamentarians or a succinct code of conduct under which elected representatives are accountable.

Senator Christabel Chamarette, WA Greens

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ust as I, as a politician, must accept responsibility for the present political situation, so should the Church and the community.

Professor Warhurst's contribution is welcome and helpful.

There is much soul searching to be done.

I agree with the entire paper, but I feel that it doesn't go far enough.

In my view, one of the worst assailants of values is party poli-

tics. The supremacy of the party limits for MPs may be less useful, over personal conscience, given that such a device may Parliament, accountability, and have robbed societies of the ultimately community values like Churchills, Curtins and Roosevhonesty, is a critical issue. elts, all of whom spent long periThis is what creates the tension ods in public life preparing for politicians experience between high office. personal integrity and political The bishops' document properexpediency. There are enormous ly defends the right of the Church pressures on every politician to to enter the fray. The recent sacrifice the former in order to claims by Premier Kennett that satisfy the parties to which they churches should 'stick to religion' belong and the communities they were quite silly for someone of seek to serve. his undisputed capacity, especialThe community needs to accept ly since it has become fashionresponsibility for political deci- able to criticism Pope Pius XII for sion making rather than main- not entering the fray with suffitaining a passive and dependent cient force over Jewish treatment approach to politics. during the war! People can't have People who are most critical it both ways.

Chris Ellison, Liberal Senator for and suspicious of politics often If anything, the bishops' docuWestern Australia refuse to exercise any responsi- ment suffers from the generalisability for their part in changing tion that all politicians are the he council's paper raises the system. same. positive aspects. some The Church needs to demonIndeed, not only is this demonLeadership, integrity and strate more passion and involve- strably not so, the argument can ment in political issues (partici- even be made out that leadership selfless representation should be pation rather than partisanship). of all kinds (including ecclesiasti- the hallmarks of any politician's We all need to re-capture the cal) is today held up to ridicule behaviour.

The paper quite rightly convision. become empowered, and and contempt. work towards a new politics.

In the final analysis today's pol- trasted this with the more negaitics requires (and the document tive aspects, such as the low pubsupports) greater individual, per- lic esteem for politicians and sonal responsibility, and a aloof political life in Canberra.

I note that throughout the paper reduced role for political parties which have hijacked the process there is a reliance on polls, which the paper concedes have become from the voters.

The document is a very good increasingly influential. I might starting point in reopening the point out opinion polls are not entire debate about ethics and always accurate but, nonetheless. politicians and the media continpolitics. ue to rely on them.

In short, nothing can beat contact between a politician and the wider community for an understanding of the community's needs. Unfortunately, this seems to be only highlighted at campaign times, when door knocking Is pursued.

The suggestion that political Phillip Pendal, Independent State parties in Opposition "will do member for South Perth anything but agree with the Government of the day" is something I believe should be refuted. he document reaches a A number of pieces of impornumber of provocative tant legislation have recently conclusions about public come before the Senate and the life in Australia.

Opposition has worked with the The most relevant is that pracGovernment to ensure their pastices like bribery are rare while sage through the Parliament Barbara Scott, Liberal member of other forms of corruption like laws relating to areas affecting the Legislative Council for the nepotism, lying, advantaging many Australians such as Family South Metropolitan Region party colleagues and granting Law, the Criminal Code and the favours, are more prevalent and Bankruptcy Act. dangerous.

Unfortunately, the work done in uliticians and Citizens is Much of this form of corruption these areas is not something the excellent an document results from the dominance of andI commend its author media widely reports. Its neither the parties in Australian politics. sleazy nor controversial enough Increasingly, there is the com- and the Australian Bishops for to grab the headlines. making it publicly available. pulsion on the part of leaders Whilst! believe in the party sysFederal and State, Liberal and I most welcome the support for tem, I firmly believe in the retenLabor, to protect party wrongdo- politicians in an era when deni- tion of a conscience vote, which ers out of a misguided sense of gration is a popular pastime. can currently be exercised by The call for a revitalisation of Liberal Members and Senators, loyalty. Both major parties have locked themselves in behind Australian political life through unlike our opponents. wrong-doing in my own time in a greater and more educated This can accommodate issues WA politics. involvement of all citizens is of burning moral importance The dominance of the parties is also very sound. which are not necessarily concorrectly identified in the paper Perhaps in this matter the tained in a party platform. as a major problem. By itself a Church might best lead by Whilst I agree that the Church Code of Conduct for MPs will not example. In the early Church has a role to play in politics, it is help. What will help is for society bishops were elected by the a role which should be cautious- the voters - to demand a resur- faithful. The great St Ambrose, a ly pursued. Any issue of moral gence of parliamentary suprema- Roman governor of the fourth importance, of course, always cy, and a reduction in the domi- century, was not even a Christ- remains within the domain of the nance of executive government ian - although preparing for it - Church.

(Cabinets).

Finally, I would say that any when called upon by the Party MPs being excessively code of conduct would not necMilan Christians of to be their and blindly loyal to their leaders essarily result in improved repreBishop . diminishes those MPs, reducing With the Emperor's encour- sentation for the Australian peothem to mere voting fodder. Here agement he reluctantly accept- ple. is the essential nub of the probThe conduct of any politician is ed this honour, was baptised lem of why public life is regardno more effectively monitored and led the Church through a ed so poorly. than at election time. There is a As an extension of this, the bish- time of great turmoil. code of conduct for Lawyers, but A revitalisation of the Church's ops are right to encourage socirecent polls still suggest low pubety to experiment with new political structures through a lic esteem for lawyers. forms of democracy - like citi- return to these earlier forms of Whilst we must still strive for zens' initiated referenda - which public participation would excellence, ills my believe that will help ordinary people greatly assist Catholics to under- Australia has a political system retrieve their weakened posi- stand the importance of democ- that is as good as you can get, tions. racy involvement, and the fiat of bearing in mind Ills still run by Other solutions such as term the people. fallible human beings.

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&tiers 10 l& Saint Thomas Aquinas misused in lecture

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morality (meaning the rules that clear and characteristic distinc- blind, environmentalism and attended this week for the guide all our operations)_ tion between Creator and crea- anti-capitalism. first time a lecture by emanates from the order of the ture, and the immutability of His theology is clearly reducMatthew Fox organised by cosmos; and, hence, because we God as an essential characteris- tionist and also contradicts one the University of Western have discovered a new cosmolo- tic of divinity: a mutable God is of his own rules if the Universe, Australia Summer School festino God at all. gy, we need a new morality. that of expansion. val.

In this, pre-Christian pagan First of all, Aquinas never said Having read only criticism It is an amateurish attempt to that to start with. Aquinas did philosophers such as Aristotle elevate and spiritualise environabout the man and his controsay that morality, proper of the and Plato also agree, God is per- mental action. It is also fuelled versial ideas, I was expecting a operation of rational beings, is fect act, there is no potency in by fear (contrary to expansion) polished presentation, with wellgiven by the rational being's own him. elaborated and eloquent arguby claiming we have only 16 To imply there is potency in years left to implement his ideas essence and, as such, it is ments; judging by his worldunchangeable because human God - hence the ability to change otherwise Mother Earth and all wide popularity,I expected a dis- would require another being in of us will be destroyed. nature does not change. course which would be appealSt Thomas is talking about the perfect act to act as first mover, ing, seductive and one which Lastly, if one was concerned internal order of nature and not in other words, to put our God in with saving the rainforest - a would require sound knowledge the external order of the cosmos. motion, which means our God theme used ad nauseam - there of philosophy and theology to The whole lecture focused on would require another immut- is no need to leave the Church discover its flaws the behaviour of the Universe as able god in order to exist.

What a disappointment! and join his Creation Spirituality Holy Scripture states that God Network - supporting the approa way of teaching us how we Instead, I found his argumentashould behave: this is what he is, and was and ever will be the priate environmental lobby tion inconsistent and contradiccalls Wisdom. which he equates one and the same: perfect God. tory, his historical name-dropgroup in due measure would do It is a metaphysical impossibil- more and be achieved without to God. pings and scientific applications Mr Fox makes no distinction ity to claim that God evolves, it is loosing your soul's eternal hapInaccurate, his creativity null. It St Thomas Aquinas: 1225-1274 between God and His created a blatant contradiction to reason, piness in the process. was nothing more than a crude display of eclecticism, and the Thomas Aquinas, quoting him, Universe. He says that God is the a total and abrupt disagreement It is sad to see a man devote so overall content boring, full of but it is obvious he does not Mind of the Universe, that the with Aquinas and with Scripture. much energy in the wrong way, Mr Fox's underlaying philosoUniverse evolves, and the evoluover-used extreme environmen- understand him. dragging so many unMformed, The topic and title of the lec- tion of the universe is an evolu- phy and theology are eclectic, gullible minds with him away talism and anti-capitalist, antiembracing inunanentism, evolu- from the true Wisdom. establishment, anti-clerical clich- ture was Wisdom: Rules for tion of the Mind.

Living in the Universe. He put Hence, he claims God is con- tionism, relativism, Buddhism, es.

Aquinas Hinduism, and New Age, always Adrian Bertino-Clarke evolving.

Some examples. As a former forward as a principle, which he stantly Dominican, he idolises St claimed to be Aquinas', that strongest argumentation is the expressing itself in sentimental, Guildford displays of obscenities, the derisions cast It is pointless in trying to be modern and, on our Christian values and the ridicul- with it, compromise to change the Church It is the message hope that the ABC program "Wise ing and mocking of our religious leaders for today's conditions. not being received by the commuis that gay the of feature regular a become have Up", dealing with abortion on nity - they are following the growing diverTuesday, 19th December was a put- Mardi Gras festivities.

Despite their offensive nature, such sity of the New Age thinking or the fundaup job, and that the young people are poignantly ignored by mentalist groups. transgressions expressing their views were not a cross A sermon that cannot be given because it section of today's ;youth, otherwise we the authorities. The mind boggles at the could offend some section of the commuattihigh hypocrisy of this ideological are in deep trouble. nity becomes bland and meaningless. The The message I got was that it was all tude. holds the attention of the old but not Mass Surely the time has arrived for us to the young nor the priests who pay little right for a girl to la ((terminate", I the arrogant dic- attention while performing it. believe, is the word) her baby if it inter- stand up and challenge engineers! social our of tates Theologians centuries ago taught the scifered with her plans. entists how to analyse and deduce Unfortunately, that is what is increas- Joseph Stekl because they themselves used such methingly happening in our society; anyone Gosnells ods on the Bible. But intellectualism is a who stands in the way of one's plans or simply materialistic method of thinking convenience is disposable and terminatwhich may be appropriate for building ed. n his weekly "Perspective" columns in things out of metal and other dead matter If those are the morals and values held The Record of 28 December, 1995 and but is not appropriate for dealing with livby the younger generation, there is 4 January 1996, His Grace, Archbishop ing organisms, societies or planets. something radically wrong with the Barry Hickey, has in effect issued a clarion Consider how this reductionist intellecprinciples with which they are being call for Catholic action to uphold, defend tual thinking has poisoned the land, sea. and propagate Christian moral values and air and ozone layer of the earth. instilled.

The sooner those in charge of our chil- the teachings of the Church.

Obviously, such thinking has done similar In order to reveal the relevance of our damage to the health and spirituality of dren's education do something to alter those attitudes and counter those influ- Faith we need to live it sincerely and open- the Church. ences, the better for the whole of soci- ly more than ever.

Where are those who can speak through For this reason, we must "wake up". the Holy Spirit with wisdom, knowledge. ety counted in the deadly That is where the changes ought to be speak up and bewaged by Satan and the faith, healing, miracles, prophesy, interbeing is that war made, not in the harshness of the sen- forces of evil against the Church. Christian preters of prophesy, in tongues and inter tences after a crime has been commit- principles and values in every sphere of preters of tongues? (I Corinthians 12).

So it is not that we have to be fashionted. our society, Christian family life and able in the Church but that people must G. Aquilina virtues in particular. be there who perceive truth. Do not ask Lynwood As we all well know, prayer is the great- the community what to do - like the est and most effective weapon and means Education Department lost in their intelat our disposal for obtaining from God the lectualism and experimentalism - but look graces and favours we need to serve Him s stralians have always celebrated loyally and faithfully in keeping with His to the religious in the Church. u Christmas as an event of religious commandments and in the love and ser- V. Newall North Beach ignificance and felt its obser- vice of our neighbour. vance was a part of their cultural tradiHas not Jesus also said: "Without me You tion. do nothing". can .

Today, such sentiment no longer preith respect to the call for evangeOur Archbishop himself issued the folvails. The main reason for this change years half a and lisation.I wish to describe a path two about prayer lowing has been our preoccupation with materiand relevant which all faithful Catholics most is which and ago alism, which leaves little room for spiriapplicable to our most urgent current spir- should follow. tual reflections.

I believe that his Grace Archbishop Another - and more disturbing - aspect itual needs for Catholic action: comtrue a be is the chosen Apostle of our Lord Church our Hickey that pray "We of this slide towards secularisation is the emergence of our new social policies, munion of brothers and sisters wherein Jesus Christ to lead all Catholics in his diowhich are being promulgated, promoted we find peace and love, where we find for- cese back to the fold of Christ headed by and arbitrarily imposed on us by the giveness and understanding, where we the Vicar of Christ, our Holy Father Pope find the love of Jesus Our Lord in the love John Paul II and, as such,Ibelieve that any authorities. one another, where we find that unity evangelisation will be fruitful only when of "The public observance of Christianity", which Jesus prayer the night before He all the Catholics are united in one Ruth, for we are told, "may offend the sensitivities the 'fruth as proclaimed by our Lord Jesus. died". of our cultural minorities". Consequently, Before we evangelise we must believe in the Government sets up rules, banning William Thomas sacred truths of the One, Holy Roman the Medina or curtailing the observance of traditionCatholic and Apostolic Church that our al Christian customs in our schools and Lord Jesus Christ founded on Peter, for it child-minding centres. was not flesh that told Peter that Jesus was Paradoxically, while the Christians are n response to your request for letters the Son of God but God Himself. ordered to comply with the policy, some on how to evangelise the world, I Eric Rebeiro of our cultural minorities are conspicuwould suggest that the Church Rockingham Park ously exempt from this rule. Thus, the attempts to return to religious truth.

The klesord, Janu4ry 25 ,1996, 7

Educate, not imprison

Evangelisation and the Cross I

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ou have called for suggestions as to how the Church may witness to the world without compromising its principles.

I believe the question needs to be thought of in personal, rather than corporate terms: how can I witness to the world as Christ would have me witness on his behalf?

I would suggest that Brother Rowe's excellent article, Cross the start of true Christian dream (The Record, 16 January) should be taken thoroughly to heart by all Christians who aspire to evangelise the world.

As Br Rowe says: "Evangelisation and salvation .... require the commitment of oneself Ito Christ] and the dying of the totally egocentric self'.

It's all too easy to think of "saving the world" in terms of grandiose pronouncements and extensive programs. but the Church is only as effective as the personal commitment of individual Christians.

The only practical way to win souls for Christ is to commit ourselves to evangelisation on a long-term, painstaking (and often frustrating) personal one-to-one relationship with people who do not know the love of God. Evangelisation demands much prayer, patience and the acceptance of many failures.

There is a vast difference between the standards of the Kingdom of God and the false values and vanities of the world, and most people tend to prefer the way of the world to the painful path of pilgrimage towards the Kingdom.

Even within the Church there is a considerable reluctance to accept the harsh truth of St Paul and St Barnabus's teaching: "We all have to experience many hardships before we enter the Kingdom of God". (Acts 14:22) There are no short-cuts or easy ways to evangelisation. If anyone thinks otherwise, they are, in Br Rowe's words, indulging in "fantasy, . . . . the demongod of illusion", whereas "the dream of evangelisation... . demands our labour and devotion (to Christr.

Hugh Clift Lesmurdie

Prayer as action

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Beware social engineers

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Archbishop an apostle

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Back to religious truth

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Features

When Pope John Pope John Paul II's monthly prayer intentions for 1996 Paul prays, so do millions of others * The general intention is listed first and the missionary intention second.

January July LI That Christians defend peace and O That permanent deacons and those

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Each month throughout 1996, millions of people around the world will open their prayer books and recite the prayer intentions of Pope John Paul II. Wars, world events and annual observances inspire the monthly intentions, which have been distributed by the Apostleship of Prayer for more than 150 years.

Since 192Z the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples has contributed a "missionary" prayer to accompany the apostleship's "general" prayer intention.

The Pope recites the intentions daily, "just as he did as a child in Poland - his mother taught him," said Jesuit Father Henri Grenier, secretary general of the apostleship.

A 1995 survey, which included visits to many of the 94 national apostleship offices, showed that at least 40 million people belong to the prayer movement and another 40 million regularly include the intentions in their prayers, the Jesuit Pope John Paul in prayer before Christmas said. last year at the Spanish Steps in Rome Phao C:NS "The 40 million people are the simple, the young, the elderly and the poor - it is monthly spots among the general intentheir mission, their service to the Church," tions.

Father Grenier said.

The superior gives about 20 suggestions In many cities and villages, apostleship to the Pope in a letter on the feast of Christ members meet twice a month for Mass the King, and the Pope returns the final list and a discussion of the intentions that of 12 to the superior during the December have been the object of their daily prayer 31 yearend thanksgiving service he offers that month. at a Jesuit parish in Rome.

While the prayer list is the result of The evangelisation congregation's worldwide consultation, the final choice is method for suggesting the missionary made by the Pope, Father Grenier said. intentions is not quite so formal.

The compilation and distribution of the A congregation official said it is not list is entrusted to the Apostleship of unusual in the autumn to see a monsignor Prayer's main office in the Jesuit's Rome popping into offices and asking, "Does headquarters. anyone have any ideas?"

Just after Easter each year, the apostle"We all make suggestions," she said. ship sends a letter to every Vatican conThe list is finalised more than a year in gregation and council asking for their advance to give the apostleship time to ideas, "because they know very well what publish the intentions. is happening in the Church and the The 1997 intentions were signed world," Father Grenier said.

December 31, 1995, by Pope John Paul.

The thousands of suggestions are And in the year when China regains congrouped into about 150 themes that are trol of Hong Kong from the British, the boiled down in Rome, then prioritised by April 1997 prayer focuses on Hong Kong the apostleship's European national secre- Christians, that they "may continue beartaries. ing witness to faith and unity, to proclamaThree dozen suggestions are offered to tion and dialogue with the entire Chinese the Jesuit superior general for the 12 people."

disarmament and denounce violence dose to them he keenly aware of the with prophetic gestures of solidarity. importance of their service.

LI That the increase in vocations in LI That awareness of their responsi- Latin America foster the missionary bility to announce Christ to the world enthusiasm of local churches. advance the spirit of ecumenism among Christians.

August

February

O For the return of all who have distanced themselves from the church.

LI That medical science be true to the high humanitarian mission to which it LI That all in the church see the is called. .urgency of announcing Christ and his message to the immense populations 0 That the World Day of the Sick help of Asia. all who suffer discover that offering their pain to the Lord contributes to September missionary activity.

LI That the church speak the language of the heart to the men and women of March every culture. _J That by preparing well for the Jubilee Year 2000 Christians empha- CI For international solidarity, that sise its importance for human history. Christian countries especially help alleviate the poverty of less fortunate LI That the Holy Spirit draw non- nations.

Christians to dialogue with minds and hearts open to the light of the Gospel. October

April C3 That parents give their children the

example of sharing generously materMI and spiritual goods with others less fortunate.

LI That the example of Christian families favour priestly and religious missionary vocations

O That Justice rooted in charity be at the centre of the formation of young people.

O That Mission Sunday be the occasion for the generous cooperation of the faithful with missionary enterprise&

November May Li For teachers and agents of mass LI That all parish activities, through media, that they be aware of their Mary's intercession, contribute harmoniously to spiritual renewal.

obligation to educate to fraternity and universal solidarity.

0 That Mary's example help Christian J That among all the baptised, the women achieve their unique role in sense of mission be extended and the evangelising mission of the Intensified. church.

June

December

LI For the children orphaned by wars LI That authentic "thinking with the and violence, that they be received church" be expressed in fidelity to its into loving homes. teaching.

LI That Christmas bring to children LI That in African communities there and adults the beauty of the gift of life be increased zeal for evangelization lived in the fullness of the Christian as a result of the synod on Africa. vision.

Wrongs an occasion to know God' love in forgiveness Perth writer Stephen O'Brien-McCaffery continues his imaginative meditations, this week on sin This caused a silence to descend on me, and for some moments I was still. But my mind was harrowed and I raised my voice again.I spoke thus.

I asked Jesus of sin. He replied: - Child, what you know as the sin of the human lies not with the doing of wrong, but the rejection of right, because the doing of right rests upon knowledge of truth, and truth upon life, and life lies only with me and my Father.

I tell you that there is no sin from human weakness, nor lack of understanding, nor a blindness to truth, for these things are rightfully as of the living of life itself, and I have accounted for this.

Listen to my words now, my child, for nothing can save you as these. Sin is a life chosen to be lived without the Son and the Father.

Life on earth shall never be independent of mistakes and wrongs, for Iallow these as occasions for coming to know the love of the Father and his Son through the search for forgiveness and the desire to be as I 8 The Record, January 25 1996

wished people to be when, with loving and with me? Inspire yourself to be true to my gentle hands, I formed all people in my word, but, when you fall and stumble, as own image, the image of God. you will, when you lose heart in living, as Iseek the love of humans as Iprovide it to you have, when you degrade yourself with them, andI seek them to desire forgiveness the immorality that is of earth, as you do, when they have turned from me, and most then turn your face to me. importantly of all things, I seek them to With hands of tenderness, I will take you demonstrate their faith in my existence and in my arms and you will know a supreme in my truth. love, with the warmest smileI will wipe the In these things, they will come to know shame off your face and you will know a me and the Father, and sin will have no supreme contentment, with a heart full of meaning, as it ought for all people. joy that you have sought me, I will forgive There is nothing you can do that I would you of what you have done and where you not forgive you for, except to reject me been, and, child, then, yes only then, will when you had opportunity to know me. you truly realise that I created humans out If you would know me and pray to me, of love. you will be with me always. I tell you my Child,I tell you now, leave thoughts of sin child, I have given guidance in this to all behind, and find hope and freshness in people.

Have you not heard of the command- working towards good, for that is when you ments my Father gave to Moses, and have do my work you not read the truth of the Son's words in Let no human speak to you of sin, for they my precious Gospels? know nothing of it, and never let sin be tied In these lie my world for you on earth, to the extent of my love for you, nor for and truly they are the way. your chance to know me when you leave Child,I would look you in the face when the earth, nor to the capacity of any one I say this, but Iknow you cannot look upon person to take away your sins, for only my me, so listen, with all your soul.

Father and I can do that, and, if you wish it Shall you be distracted from the truth of and pray for it, it shall be done, always, life as I have revealed it, or shall you walk without reservation."

Features

Life after a death in the family

By Peter Rosengren

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new social group for Catholics and other Christians who have lost their spouse through death will be formed in Perth soon.

Armadale woman Rosemary Kopcsandy is currently in the process of starting the group to meet the social needs of the widowed in the thirty and forty age group.

Those who have been widowed face their own challenges in trying to readjust after the death of a husband or wife - only they can know what they are and the rest of us can only guess.

Possibly the most significant challenge is simply surviving what has happened and rebuilding a normal life after having grieved for a lost spouse.

And we all tend to visualise the widowed as grandparents elderly, greying men and women who have lost their spouse after a lifetime of marriage.

But what happens when they are not?

What happens when the widowed are still young Catholic or Christian parents in their thirties and forties who, apart from the world-shattering loss they have suffered, must still raise and provide for children and get on with the rest of their lives as best as they can?

Rosemary Kopcsandy, widowed three years ago when her husband John died suddenly and tragically of an aneurism, found out the hard way.

With six children still living at home, she was forced to combine

Rosematy Kopcsandy: helping widows and widowers

two full-time roles - breadwinner to meet and make friends are largely restricted to the singles and mother.

But, having faced the trauma scene.

And after having lost a spouse and the grief and re-emerging on the other side, she has found that and grieved for them, the need life for the widowed brings its for friendship and companionown distinct challenges that are ship in a person's life again is the quite unlike those of separated most important human need.

Rosemary told The Record she and divorced people in this age wants the group to be something group.

One is that there is very little that offers friendship, a social life social life. Catholic and Christian and the possibility of new relawidows and widowers find tionships to its members and themselves in a society where, which meets their own special for example, social opportunities needs.

The few decent people who get One of the reasons she is starting a group is that there are cur- into that scene are often "just rently none that exist to support picked clean," she said. the social needs of younger Another reason for the new Christian widowed people. group is the sudden contrast One exception is Solace - a non- between family life centred on a denominational self-help group mother and a father and what for people that have lost their comes after the spouse's death. partners through death - but its The remaining parent can find emphasis is not so much as a themselves feeling the family social group but as a self-help has gone and that they are living organisation. It meets once a fort- simply as an individual with chilnight and members are able to dren. talk and support each other.

Rosemary said she would like Rosemary found it an excellent to hear from other Catholics who support when she lost her hus- have lost their spouse through band and recommends it highly death, with a view to forming a to those who find themselves fac- group. ing life after the death of their She is looking for sincere peospouse. ple interested in meeting others But Solace is not designed to to get it started, and hopes to help members once someone arrange an initial meeting for the has dealt with the initial grieving group and see what its needs are. period and is ready to start life Once it gets going regular activiagain. ties could be planned.

"Widowed people are vulnera"We could go out as a group ble, very vulnerable. And they go in a very safe, nontogether out there. They've done some environment. We threatening grieving - and I don't think the and get together and meet could grieving ever stops. You learn to encourage friendships. We could live with it You reach a stage out as a group to a venue and where you find you've got the go comfortable," she said. feel courage to start again, you want possibility could be Another some social life again and there where members days family is nothing - nowhere to go." children along bring their could starting she is reason Another activities. other picnics or for the new group is the contrast not want would said she She between the Christian lifestyle the group to exclude anyone and its opposite.

The singles scene is swamped from another denomination that with people who do not come has been widowed either.

Anyone interested in finding from a Christian or religious background and, consequently, out more about the new social do not have the same view of group or who wants to help in human relationships that Christ- getting it started can phone Rosemary on (09) 399 5650. ians do.

A modern day saint for mission to street kids that he would understand things better later.

Convinced that his mission was to help ong before youth ministry was a paid profession and educational young people, John would entertain them psychology required study for teach- with his juggling and acrobatic acts. The ers, a young Italian priest, Don John Bosco, session would start with the Rosary. and whose feast day is celebrated next John made it clear from the outset that Wednesday, was quietly working in mid- "No prayers, no performance," was the nineteenth century Turin to give street order of the day.

Despite numerous difficulties, John kids some hope in life through encouragebegan his secondary education in the ment rather than harsh discipline.

The founder of the Salesians of Don nearby city of Chieri in 1832. After being Bosco, well-represented in Australia since ordained a deacon, John entered the 1923, was also a great promoter of devo- Theological College in Turin, where, with St John Bosco, front, second from left, in 1875 with the first Salesian mission to Latin America tion to Mary, Help of Christians, who was his Superiors' permission, he gathered When the Salesians were progressing, named as patroness of Australia by young apprentices together on Sundays Oratory in various venues, including a Don Bosco founded the Daughters of Mary Australia's founding bishops as Don Bosco for Catechism and recreation. cemetery with a chapel in it.

Don Bosco was ordained on 5 June 1841 began his work in Turin.

Wherever he went, people considered Help of Christians, popularly known as and became Assistant Chaplain to a girls' the urchins too noisy and he had to go the Salesian Sisters, under the leadership Margaret Occhiena's Francis Bosco and youngest son, John, was born in Becchi, orphanage founded by the Marchioness elsewhere. However, a Mr Pinardi agreed of Mary Mazzarello who, like Don Bosco, near Turin, in Northern Italy, on 16 August Barola. to lease him a shed, which became his was to become a canonised saint. They While vesting for Mass on 8 December first permanent Oratory. were to do for girls what the Salesians 1815. Francis had had a son, Anthony, to his first wife, and Joseph was two years 1841, Don Bosco saw the sacristan beating After recovering from a serious illness, were doing for boys. a boy. When the lad fled, Don Bosco told Don Bosco took his mother back to Turin Don Bosco was the nineteenth century older than John. the sacristan to go and bring him back, to help him. Mamma Margaret found life champion of devotion to Mary Help of The Boscos experienced poverty when Francis died of pneumonia and John was putting into practice the patient, loving in Turin hard. When she told Don Bosco Christians. He wrote extensively on this only two. Margaret ran the farm, and John care of down-and-out youth that has been she intended to return to Becchi to live in devotion, preached Novenas in her honbegan helping when he was four. the hallmark of followers of Don bosco comfort, he pointed to the crucifix on the our and distributed pictures and medals of Mary Help of Christians everywhere.

Although uneducated, Margaret trained ever since. wall. Mamma Margaret decided to stay.

Chatting to him, Don Bosco learnt his Besides cures, Don Bosco's miracles her children in virtue.

Don Bosco established shoemaking and John was a born leader. While he was name was Bartholomew Garelli, that he tailoring workshops at the Oratory. He included multiplying bread rolls, when tending his mother's sheep, friends would was a 16-year-old orphan who had never started bookbinding classes and bought a the baker refused to give them any more come to talk to him, and he would give attended Catechism classes. Don Bosco small press to print religious books and bread until Don Bosco had paid his debts them a Catechism lesson in such a pleas- asked him to stay for Mass and come to magazines. and multiplying Hosts. When miracles ant manner that they would return again see him afterwards. After Mass, Don Bosco When the numbers at the Oratory occurred, Don Bosco would attribute them gave him a Catechism lesson, encouraging increased, Don Bosco approached some to Our Lady, although sometimes, when and again.

At nine, John had his first dream-vision, him to rehirn the following Sunday with senior boys, seeking their help, but didn't pressed hard, he would say: "You see, we in which he found himself trying to cor- some friends. tell them his ultimate aim. At a meeting in do things together, she and I." Don Bosco gave the Catechism lessons at June 1852, Don Bosco suggested that they rect fighting and blaspheming children by Don Bosco also founded the Salesian Cothe orphanage until the Marchioness told should recite the Seven Joys of Our Lady operators. Members of this Salesian Third using blows and arguments.

Then Our Lord and Our Lady appeared him that the boys were too noisy and that every Sunday. At another meeting in 1854, Order seek holiness through works of to him and told him that it would be he would have to choose between them Don Bosco gave the group the name charity, especially in supporting Salesian through gentleness and kindness that he and his chaplaincy.

Salesians, in honour of St Francis de Sales, works. would win them.

By late 188Z Don Bosco was too weak to Don Bosco unhesitating chose the boys, whose virtues they were expected to imiBefore disappearing, Our Lady told John and for the next few years conducted his tate. say Mass and he died on 31 January 1888.

By Peter Dwan BA

L

The Record, January 25 1996

9

Movie Reviews, and some television

Smoking to a clearer world view Smoke Reviewed by G. Frances Brown

N

ever before has the habit of smoking tobacco been so glorified than in Smoke, the latest film starring Harvey Keitel.

Hardly a scene passes where the characters are not buying tobacco, smoking it, discussing its historical roots, its health risk or the allure of Cuban cigars.

It all sounds a bit "blokey". You know, men sitting around smoking in a typical macho bonding ritual. But Smoke is much more that that.

Its emotional complexity is truly stunning. It is based on a short story by American novelist Paul Auster, who also wrote the screenplay.

Initially, the characters look like Brooklyn tough guys hanging out in the corner cigar shop.

But as the plot slowly unfolds they turn out to be modern-day philosophers, discussing the classical Greek concept of weighing the human soul.

Like the gentle wafting of a puff of smoke, the delicate camera work and the smallest gestures a smile, wink of an eye, a touch of the hand - elevate Smoke to a film of rare sophistication with a damned good story - it pushes all the right buttons.

One of this film's pivotal scenes is where the owner of the cigar shop Auggie Wren (Harvey Keitel) shares his hobby with down-on-his-luck novelist Paul Benjamin (William Hurt).

Smoke: the haze clears to reveal a clearer view of life Over many years, Auggie has Auggie gently puts his arm money. Teen-on-the-run Rashid taken a photograph of his corner around his grieving friend in a lost his mother and his tormentstore at the same time every day, catching the people who pass by moment of real intimacy. Here I ed father Cyrus, lost his arm in a as they go about their daily busi- felt I was eavesdropping on car accident.

Auggies ex-girlfriend Ruby ness. Auggie has neatly arranged something intensely private andI thousands of photographs in was moved to see two men shar- (Stockard Charming) lost her eye ing their emotional weaknesses. and her drug-addicted daughter albums.

But Smoke is not a film where has lost her humanity.

Initially, Paul does not see the sensitive new age guys hug Healing for the characters each point. All the pictures seem to be other and meditate to get in comes through meeting another Identical and he quickly flicks touch with their inner child. person whose loss seems greater the pages over. "You'll never get it The characters have all been than their own. if you don't slow down, my burned by a big loss and they In reaching out to another, they friend," Auggie says. are trying to survive in a big fast set off a chain of events which Slow down. Life is in the details. city. turns into a story full of laughs, Then, in one of the photographs Paul lost his wife and his then anger and pain.

Paul sees his dead wife - a victim will to write. Auggie lost his Then slowly the smoke clears of a random street shooting - and chance to go to college and later and the characters see the way to breaks down sobbing. loses a chance to make big compassion, forgiveness and

eventually acceptance. The most moving scene was Ruby's attempt to save her teenage crack addict daughter. Felicity who can only screech, "I know what makes a real man!"

For her, a real man is her drug dealer boy friend who could smash Auggie into a million pieces.

But in a world in which men are taught that crying is a sign of weakness, Smoke shows that it is actually a sign of strength.

The real men in Smoke are the ones who recognise their emotional vulnerability and who grow from their suffering.

What should your children watch? Ban child actors from Help for concerned parents bloody horror films Parents with adolescent and younger children can be unsure as to how to vet the programs the children watch on television.

The United States Catholic bishops' Catholic News Service recently published a list of questions parents can use to evaluate television programs and videos for their children.

The San Francisco Committee on Children's Television developed the list.

1. Does the program present conflict that a child can understand, and does it demonstrate positive techniques for resolving the conflict?

2. Does the program present racial groups positively and does it show them in situations that enhance a child's selfimage?

- Who has the lead role?

- Who is the villain?

- Are supporting roles stereotypes?

3. Does the program present sex roles and adult roles positively?

- Are the men either superheroes or incompetents?

- Are the women flighty or disposed to deception?

- Are teens portrayed with adult characteristics?

Is the story told from a male or female point of view?

4. Does the program appeal to the audience for whom it is Intended? A program for 12year-olds should be different from a program for eight-yearolds.

'Pt let.,E'KV5.0..11.uX*.A.1PPr

Cronos Reviewed by A. Twigger

C

Children watching television: can they separate fact from fantasy?

5. Does the program present social issues that are appropriate for the child-viewer and something a child can act on at a child's level - Pet care vs saving endangered species; recycling cans vs global warming?

8. Does the program encourage worthwhile ideals, values and beliefs?

7. Does the program present humour at a child's level?

Or is it adult sarcasm, ridicule or an adult remembering what was funny from childhood?

8. Does the program stimulate constructive activities and enhance the quality of a child's play?

9. Does the program's pace allow the child to absorb and contemplate the material presented?

10. Does the program have artistic qualities?

11. Does the program separate fact from fantasy?

12. Does the program separate advertisements from program content?

ronos began with the strange history of an alchemist who fled the Spanish Inquisition, to Veracruz, Mexico, in 1536.

This was in order to continue working on his plans for a machine - the Cronos device which would provide him with eternal life.

Four hundred years later, the alchemist is killed in a freak accident and no sign of his fabled device is found.

The Cronos device is discovered in present day Veracruz by a 'greying' antique dealer Jesus Gris, (Frederico Luppi).

Gris lives with his wife and granddaughter and it is the latter who witnesses the bloody process in which the device yields its magic.

Dying European industrialist Dieter De la Guardia, (Claudio Brook) who lives in Mexico City and possesses the alchemists diary, is searching for the device.

After this introduction, the film revolves around Gris and his dealings with the De La Guardia's. Gris's problems are compounded as we realise the device is turning him into a vampire.

The absence of pointy fangs, silk-lined capes and slicked back hair was certainly refreshing and Imaginative.

Also, the complication's of Gris's altered state as a vampire stopped the film from becoming too bleak

I enjoy films in a foreign setting and the Mexican culture, architecture and language certainly made the film more entertaining.

There was nothing apparently stereotypical and the cremation scene in the Mexican morgue was very well done.

Unfortunately, they don't make horror movies any more without the required dollops of violence and blood.

The fight scenes were too brutal for my tastes, as was the gore.

The usual fang in the neck scenes were missing, but were replaced by the gruesome workings of the Cronos device.

The names of two of the main characters, Jesus Gris and Angel De la Guardia, made me unhappy and suspicious of the intended mockery Some of the darkest scenes contained Gris's granddaughter Aurora, (Tamara Shanath). The little girl's near silence added to the film's macabreness.

What particularly bothers me, especially because of the content, is the child's involvement :in the film.

I am against the use of children in films such as this and fear for what they are exposed to, all for the sake of a step on the ladder to money and fame.

Is it worth it when they lose their childhood on the way?

The critics raved about the film's originality and style.

It was original, but the violent scenes, the near total disregard for Gris's granddaughter's presence and the ghoulishness, tip the scales against.

It was ultimately too macabre and dark for a trip to the flicks.

Book Reviews

An excellent summary of the beliefs and practices of great Jews and Jewish religion The Jewish Religion: A Companion, by Louis Jacobs, Oxford University Press 1995. hardback, 631 pp.

Reviewed by Fr Patrick Ahern

A

11 in all. I found this book to be an excellent summary of the beliefs, practices and famous people of the Jewish religion. It helped to broaden my understanding of the Jewish roots of Christianity.

I recommend the book wholeheartedly as a worthy addition to any library and a valuable reference book for any reader.

In the introduction, Louis Jacobs states that "the chief aim of this book is to help readers, Jewish and non-Jewish, to grasp more fully ideas and terms they encounter in works on Jewish religion, hence the main Jewish beliefs, practices and personalities are presented in dictionary form."

Items are given in alphabetical order from Aaron to Zweifel.

Some entries are quite brief, while other more important ones, such as "God", "Synagogue", "Bible", "Temple", "Torah", "Yom Kippur". "Moses", "Maimonides", etc, cover two or more pages.

As a Christian. I found some entries most interesting and informative, such as Kabbalah which covers various Jewish traditions and other entries which cover different trends in Judaism such as Orthodox, Haredim, Reform Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Masorti Movement, Reconstructionism, Hasidism, Ashkenazim, and Sephardim.

The author describes himself in the introduction as Conservative/Masorti: "that in which the human element discernible in the revelation of the Torah cannot be ignored, although this does not affect loyalty to Jewish practices and observances".

Louis Jacobs also admits in the introduction: "I am committed- to a particular view of the Jewish religion and cannot pretend to be entirely dispassionate in surveying religious attitudes different to my own". He also states: "I have striven for objectivity while fully aware that my bias may intrude on occasion".

There are a large number of Graetz's fame rests on his monuentries concerning important mental History of the Jews. There people. Some of these are reliare many other prominent leadgious leaders such as Moses, ers mentioned in the book, but I who is described as the most finally mention Theodor Herzl important figure in Judaism, the (1860 - 1904) who was the forePatriarchs Abraham, Isaac and most leader of political Zionism.

Jacob, as well as Aaron, Joshua, Herzl belonged to a Jewish famNoah, Joseph, Esther and Ruth. ily in Vienna, and gave expresAll the major and minor sion to his views in 1896 with the prophets from the Bible are publication of Judenstaat (Jewish included. The kings David and State). his son Solomon, who built the In 189Z Herzl was elected rust A COMPANION temple, are also mentioned.

President of the World Zionist Foremost among teachers in Organisation.

Palestine in the first century BCE In 1902 he published his utopi(Before the Christian Era) an vision of the Jewish State, the kr irtriiir krim-c.44 [according to Jewish understandAltneuland (Old New Land). ing] were Hine' and Shammai.

For Herzl and for political The disciples of these two great Zionism as a movement. the Jews sages formed two houses or were a nation like other nations. schools., and the Mishnah and and this raised questions about Talmud contain many of the the nature of Judaism. great debates between these two In the entry on Zionism, this houses. question is discussed further. The A disciple of Hillel, Rabban article states: "Jewish peopleJohanan ben Zakkai became the hood, from the destruction of the first Nasi or Prince in Palestine.

Temple (70CE) until the nineThe title Rabban. 'Our Master', teenth century, was understood was used to distinguish the Nasi

by Jews in a religious, not in a from other Rabbis. The office of nationalistic sense.

Nasi was primarily one of reli"With the rise of modern Ziongious authority, but the Nasi also ism the question was naturally played an occasional political posed: were the Jews a nation or role in representing the Jewish were they the adherents of a relicommunity to the Roman authorgion?" ities.

This question is answered in The second Nasi was Rabban the article on Secularism where Gamaliel, a grandson of Hillel. it is stated: "Secular Judaism is a The office then became a heredicontradiction in terms. since tary one held by Gamaliel's Judaism is a religion not a secudescendants. The Gamaliel familar philosophy." ly held the office of Nasi in The religious section of the Palestine during the first five cen- dam. His approach and his gen- was a Rabbi, theologian and his- book is summarised in such eral independent attitude to reli- torian of the Talmudic period. He turies CE. entries as "Calendar" which Other prominent personalities gion awakened the suspicions of studied Talmud in his native gives an outline of the Jewish both the Calvinists and the Jewunder Rabbi Bezalel Prague include Maimonides (Rabbi religious year with its feasts and Moshe ben Maimon 1135-1204) ish community in Amsterdam. Ronsberg, and Frankel and his fasts and gives a list of the dates On July 2Z 1656, Spinoza was associates came to be called the generally acknowledged to be of all the major festivals and fast the greatest Jewish thinker. placed under the ban by the Breslau school. He demonstrated days.

Amsterdam Judaism had developed in community. that Talmudist and codifier in the Other entries on religious Other writers and religious response to the different condiMiddle Ages. thinkers include: tions of Jewish life in various observances include Decalogue.

Another is Nahmanides (1194prayer, mysticism, benedictions.

• Isaac Herzog (1888 - 1959), an civilisations.

1270) an outstanding Spanish ethics, Shema, Torah. Seder, Mendelssohn (1729• Moses outstanding Rabbinic leader".

Talmudist. Kabbalist and biblical Born in Lomza. Poland, Herzog 86), a German Jewish philoso- Sabbath, dietary laws, marriage exegete. He is*known as Ramban was brought up in Paris, and pher, often called the father of laws and ceremony, sin and after the initial letters of his lived later in Leeds. He was the the Haskalah or the enlighten- repentance, theology, and death name - Rabbi Moshe ben Naband burial. There are also very first chief Rabbi of the State of ment movement in Germany. man.

Israel.

• Heinrich Graetz (1817-91) informative articles on Talmud.

Another writer featured in the • Martin Buber (1878-1965). German Jewish historian and Midrash and Mishnah. book is Benedict Spinoza (1632- existentialist Jewish philosopher, also a biblical scholar in the critFinally,I am sure Dr Jacobs was 77) described as "one of the most educationist and Zionist thinker, ical mode. placed in the same dilemma as I significant figures in the history born in Vienna and died in He put forward untraditional am, "What should be included of general philosophy". views regarding the dating of and what should be left out of the Jerusalem.

Spinoza was born in Amster• Zechariah Frankel (1801-73) some of the biblical books. book?"

Case for a messenger undeserving of execution The Serpent on the Rock - A personal view of Christianity,

by Alice Thomas Ellis, Hodder and Stoughton. Septre, rrp $17.95) Reviewed by Tony Evans

A

ccording to the author of this book, there are roughly two articulate groups in the modern Church - those who, like the author, "worry" about the present state of the Church and the direction it is taking, and those (a much bigger group), the optimists, who believe that the Church, having dispensed with the rigidity and formalism of the past, is on the threshold of a glorious New Age and is doing all right provided people like the author stop worrying and accept all the changes with humility and patience.

As if to forestall the charge that she is merely rocking the barque of St Peter, Alice Thomas Ellis boldly quotes from Canon Law

No. 212 on one of the title pages.

This states that the Faithful have not only the right but the duty to let their pastors know their views on matters which concern the good of the Church.

The Serpent On The Rock is a warning shot across the bows and, like all warning shots, is not intended to damage the vessel, but will be uncomfortable and likely to create controversy.

Although not so well known in Australia, Alice Thomas Ellis is a major writer in Britain with eleven novels to her credit, is a columnist on various journals and is a regular contributor to The Catholic Herald.

A convert to Catholicism and one-time novice (she was forced, reluctantly, to leave her convent because of a spinal injury), Thomas Ellis, now a mother of seven children, has remained an outspoken orthodox voice in Britain and an influential "worri-

er" about the present state of the Church.

In this hook she conducts a searching inquiry into the major church issues of the day - the sexual scandals and permissiveness, the question of married clergy, women priests, out-reach nuns, renewal movements, the DIY liturgists, and the loss of spirituality and traditional beliefs.

Thomas Ellis's worries are many and range from the worst excesses of the feminist movement (prayers to "Jesa Christa") to the dilution of a distinctive Catholic flavour in so many of our modern churches - the plush carpets, the general shape and the furnishings which, she argues, "resemble a funeral parlour or possibly a dentist's waiting room or a hospital cafeteria", all resulting, she argues, in a lack of respect for the tabernacle and the Real Presence.

The author's traditionalist posi-

Wilkins, the editor of The Tablet, and the late Peter Hebblethwaite, who are given ample opportunity to state their views - saves her from the charge of fanaticism and intransigence. Like G.K. Chesterton, whom she admires.

Alice Thomas Ellis loves a good argument and dislikes a quarrel simply because it puts an end to argument. Would that similar arguments could be conducted in Australia with as much good will and charity!

Here is a book that all Catholics who have the interests and welfare of the Church at heart should read. Doubtless many will dismiss much of what the author has to say - it's an old adage that if you don't like the message. shoot the messenger.

G. K. Chesterton: admired But surely all will agree that lion is never in doubt but her wit Alice Thomas Ellis is a very and humour and her affection for charming person to argue with, her opponents - some of whom and she doesn't really deserve to are well known, like John be shot.

The Record, January 25 1996 11

To Jesus through Mary. . . .

By Father John Whiting CCS he Central Criminal Court T was strangely hushed. The jury had returned a verdict of

"guilty".

The judge was now solemnly putting on the black cap which announced that he was about to pass the sentence of death.

It seemed as if all Sydney was suddenly silent and the only sound was the words of the judge, which came clear and final.

"It is the sentence of this court that on a day and date to be fixed, you, Digby Grand and Henry Jones, should be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may God have mercy on your souls."

That sentence was passed at the Central Criminal Court, Sydney, on April 6, 1903. The condemned men had been found guilty of the murder of a police constable who on the night of January 18, 1903, had disturbed them as they were robbing the Royal Hotel in the Sydney suburb of Auburn.

They had been arrested, tried and convicted. Back in Darlinghurst Gaol, the condemned men were to wait three months before the death sentence was actually carried out. Neither of them had practised any religion.

In the next 92 days they had

• • • a column of Marian devotion

He died with the conviction nothing to look forward to but man till the priest came to speak came to Darlinghurst Gaol, just death. They were asked if they about Our Lady. At this point for the sake of the one lost sheep that had he known Mary earlier in his life he would not have wished to be visited by a minister Jones looked up and began to lis- who had returned. of religion. They replied they had ten intently.

The Archbishop said Mass in lived the life of a criminal and When Fr McGee had finished the condemned man's cell and would not have died the death of no interest in religion.

As the weeks went past, one of speaking, Jones asked: "Did you gave Henry Jones his First Holy a murderer. the two, Henry Jones, began to say that the Blessed Virgin has a Communion. After the Mass, the His big question was: Why didthink of another time when he personal love in her heart for Archbishop conferred the Sac- n't someone tell him about Mary had been in prison, at Bathurst, everyone?" "Yes, for everyone", rament of Confirmation on him. before? answered the priest. some years previously.

An hour later, Henry Jones was If people only knew about the Then the poor outcast from hanged.

He remembered some of the goodness of Our Lady's heart Right up to the end he kept towards all men, they would not other prisoners on that occasion society hesitatingly asked: "Fathtalking of the kindness of a er, do you think she would still praying to Our Lady to intercede have the dying regret of Henry Catholic priest who used to visit have a place in her heart for me?" for him with her Divine Son, Jones. If people only knew the "Yes, She loves you intensely," whom he had so greatly offend- goodness of Our Lady's heart, the gaol. His name was Father ed. His only regret was that he there would not be, today, so McGee. came the reply.

The condemned man thought had not known Mary until the many comfortless sickbeds, so Perhaps Fr McGee could do something for him. After all, in for a while, then said: "Why did- last few days of his life. many lonely hearts and so many his present state, he was just n't someone tell me about Our As he walked from the cell to unhappy lives.

Lady before? Had I known her the scaffold, the prayer on his lips going to die like a dog.

If people only knew the goodAs the days went by he thought before, I would not have lead the was the "Hail Holy Queen". His ness of Our Lady's heart, there more about the Catholic priest. life I did lead." last words were, ". . . . turn then, would not be so much misery, Should he After that, Jones decided to 0 most gracious advocate, thine sadness and sin in the world.

The following Saturday night, Fr become a Catholic. He seemed eyes of mercy towards us, and There would not be so many broMcGee was called out of the con- intrigued by the goodness of after this our exile, show unto us ken homes, sorrowing and fessional in Bathurst Cathedral. Mary and kept asking to be told the blessed fruit of Thy womb, embittered spouses, unloved Jesus . . . . 0 sweet Virgin Mary."

He was wanted urgently. One of more about Our Lady. children, one-parent families and the condemned murderers in Henry Jones was received into The New South Wales Police street kids.

Sydney wanted to see him. He the Catholic Church and made files record the stark facts. "Both If people only knew the goodleft by train that very night for his first Confession the night offenders were executed in ness of Our Lady's heart, there Sydney and Darlinghurst Gaol. before his execution. That night Darlinghurst Gaol on July Z would be so much more peace The meeting between the priest he rose off his knees, his soul 1903." and joy and happiness in today's and the condemned man did not purified of every sin and of every However, a mighty change had world. go too well. Fr McGee began to stain. Through the power of Jesus taken place in Henry Jones From Contact Magazine, Oct-Dec teach Henry Jones a few simple Christ his soul was now guiltless. between his condemnation and 1993 (Confraternity of Christ the prayers and to instruct him in Early the next morning, his execution. A change brought Priest) with kind permission, and Ave religion. But his talks made no Archbishop Michael Kelly, the about by the influence of the Maria. magazine of the West impression on the condemned Coadjutor Archbishop of Sydney, Blessed Virgin Mary.

Australian Carabandal Centres

Pro-life 'crusade' caII WASHINGTON (CNS) - meant to win back the sacred Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua of shrines of the hearts, the minds Philadelphia, addressing thou- and the consciences of this land," sands of worshippers just hours the cardinal said - not by force, before the annual March for Life. but "by persuasion, by witness, compared the pro-life movement the example of upholding lives, to the Crusades of the Middle and of love."

Ages.

As "the conscience of this "I pointedly call (the pro-life nation," pro-lifers will continue movement) a crusade because to march until laws disrespecting what we need is a spirit and fer- life are reversed, Cardinal vour and enthusiasm that charac- Bevilacqua said. terised the Crusades of the 11th But "our primary goal must be and 12th centuries," Cardinal not what this nation legislates Bevilacqua said. about human life, but what this "Those crusades were possible nation believes about human only because those minds and life," he said. those hearts of the time were so He spoke of the "false strongly religious," he added, prophets" among the ranks of "from the lowliest serf to the supporters of legal abortion. most powerful king.... That's what One false prophecy was the we need today." "illusion that the number of aborCardinal Bevilacqua was the tions would go down" in the principal celebrant and homilist wake of its legalisation, Cardinal at a January 22 Mass at the Bevilacqua said.

Basilica of the National Shrine of Instead, abortions jumped from the Immaculate Conception in an estimated 600,000 in 1973, the Washington. year of the Supreme Court deciJanuary 22 marked the 23rd sion, to 1.6 million a year in anniversary of the Supreme recent years, with "30 million in Court's Roe vs. Wade decision this country alone" since legalipermitting abortion virtually on sation, he said. demand.

The other false prophecy was Cardinal Bevilacqua acknowl- that "protests by opponents of edged that some who took part in abortion would last a very short the earlier Crusades were "self- time and would eventually disapish" and "evil," and that Crusades pear," and that abortion would did not meet their objective - the become "a nonissue, and opporeturn of Holy Land shrines to nents would gradually go away Christian control. and be silent," the cardinal said.

But the pro-life crusade is "We did not go away and we

Three young women pray at the pro-life vigil Mass in Washington Jan. 21

Photo CNS/Nancy Wrechec

did not grow silent," he added. Clinton to reverse his opposition "And we will not go away and we to bills that would outlaw partialwill not become silent until the birth abortion procedures.

Boston Cardinal Bernard Law, day when all human life is prochairman of the U.S. bishops' tected," he said to applause.

Speaker after speaker at the Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

60,000-strong rally targeted introduced 20 cardinals, archPresident Clinton, calling for his bishops and bishops and reminded the largely Catholic defeat.

A dozen Republican members crowd that "the Catholic Church of Congress urged a supportive in the United States is uncondiaudience to make Clinton's tionally pro-life." defeat in November's election Cardinal Law asked Clinton to the focus of their efforts. "reject the radical minority and Other speakers representing stand with the 71 percent majorichurches and nonpolitical organ- ty of Americans who support the isations focused on asking partial-birth abortion ban."

Bishop Gaillot creates 'diocese' on the Internet PARIS (CNS) - French Bishop The initial reaction of French Jacques Gaillot, removed from bishops was to ignore this latest his diocese last year, has placed venture by the media-conscious his ministry in cyberspace. bishop.

The bishop marked the first Bishop Gaillot's site on the anniversary of his ouster from World Wide Web (wwvv.partethe Diocese of Evreux, France, on niair) includes a short letter from January 13 by turning his titular him and an account of his woes see of Partenia into the world's with the hierarchy. first cyber-diocese by putting it The service is modest in comon a global computer network parison with the Vatican's multiHe said it would be a "place of media presentation on the liberty" where everyone could Internet, which started in come "to meet and speak as if it December. were a public place."

But many thousands of people 12 The Record, January 25 1996

were calling the bishop's site, making the access times slow.

In contrast, only 300 people took part in a demonstration in Evreux on January 14 to demand the bishop's reinstatement.

Since leaving Evreux, Bishop Gaillot, 60, has lived in a house in central Paris that has been taken over by several homeless families with the tacit approval of the city government.

He has played a prominent role in an organisation called Right to a Home, which argues that soci-

ety has a moral duty to house its members adequately.

The bishop has also taken part in the seaborne Greenpeace protest against French nuclear tests in the South Pacific.

He describes himself as the representative of those left on the margins of French society, such as immigrants, the homeless or AIDS victims.

But that assertion is contested by many other French bishops who say their dioceses also are engaged in such charitable work

Annulment not a right: Pope VATICAN CITY (CNS) Catholic couples have a right to ask the Church to declare their marriages annulled, but this does not presume a "right to annulment," Pope John Paul H said.

The Pope said the particular circumstances of each couple must be weighed carefully by the Church's proper juridical authorities.

He made the remarks on January 22 in a talk to members of the Roman Rota, a Vatican appeals tribunal that handles annulment appeals.

The Church does not allow divorce, teaching that the sacrament of marriage is indissoluble. But Church courts may determine that a marriage, for various reasons, was null from the start and that no bond existed.

The Pope said couples involved in the process have legal specific certain avenues open to them and certain procedural rights.

But he said that while couples have the right to assert the nullity of their own marriage, they do not have "either the right to annulment or the right to validity'. when it comes to the final decision by authorities.

The Pope cautioned that certain legal procedures, valid in other forums, have no established place in the Church's own review of marriage cases and therefore cannot form the basis of appeals.

He said the Church's procedure for annulment cases is necessarily thorough, but reminded judges that Church law is also sensitive to reducing the time couples must wait for a ruling.

International News

Pope asked to check for lost Jewish treasure

By John Travis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A top Israeli official asked Pope John Paul II to search the Vatican's storerooms for a sacred gold menorah carted off from Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago by a Roman army.

'There is some evidence that this lamp, of deep spiritual importance to Israel, may exist in the basements of the Vatican," Minister of Religious Affairs Shimon Shetreet said after meeting the Pope on January 17.

"We think it would be an act of kindness and grace if the Pope would begin an inquiry into the matter. This gesture could itself be a symbol of reconciliation between our two religions," he said.

Shetreet, who met with the Pope for 15 minutes, said he reiterated Israel's invitation for the pontiff to visit Jerusalem. The two also briefly discussed religious rights for the minority Christian community in Israel.

The menorah, or sevenbranched candlestick, was among the more famous pieces of loot brought back to Rome by the future Emperor Titus after his army destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 70 AD. Reputedly made of 130 pounds of pure hammered gold, its whereabouts has been a mystery since the sack of Rome.

Shetreet said that based on longstanding rumours and recent academic publications, however, there was reason to believe the menorah might be in the Vatican.

He said the Pope and other top officials gave a generally positive response to that and other requests.

The Vatican was not immediately available for comment on the location of the long-lost menorah.

Shetreet made his request after visiting the Roman Forum and viewing the Arch of Titus, a triumphal monument from the first century that dearly depicts the menorah among the sacred items pillaged from the Temple of Solomon.

Rabbi Rudin said he believes by the Vatican," he said. He also that, over the years, other Jewish said his country would have no treasures have made their way objections to a papal visit that into Vatican hands. included Israel and the Historians believe the plun- autonomous Palestinian territory. dered items which were the subThe Pope recently urged negotiject of Mr Shetreet's request ations on Jerusalem begin this were kept in a Roman temple for year, warning that Middle East several hundred years, before peace may ultimately depend on Goths ransacked Rome in 410. resolving the territorial dispute Afterward, the Jewish treasures over the city. were rumoured to have been Shetreet said Israel's claim of buried in a river bed or taken to an undivided Jerusalem as its North Africa. In medieval times, capital was not incompatible The menorah has long been a the claim surfaced that they were with providing full religious freesymbol of Judaism and today is kept hidden in the Lateran dom and access to holy places, an emblem of the state of Israel. Palace, once the residence of the Church's main concerns.

Mr Shetreet's request was Popes.

He said he emphasised that Shetreet said following his dis- Israel is committed to providing backed in the United States by Rabbi James Rudin, interreli- cussions with Vatican officials, he religious freedom for the gious affairs director of the believed a papal trip was "more Christian minority there.

American Jewish Committee, likely in 1997 than 1996." He said He also expressed Israel's who called for the Vatican to go a he sought to convince the Vatican appreciation that the Vatican, in step further by permitting teams a papal visit should be arranged planning for the year 2000, was of competent Catholic and independent of peace negotia- highlighting the significance of Jewish scholars to complete an tions over the status of Jerusalem, Jerusalem in celebrations. inventory of treasures in the which could drag on for years.

The Pope has suggested interreVatican storerooms.

"I think this concept of the ligious prayer meetings in places Such an inventory, if made pub- Pope's visit as a dynamic, encour- like Jerusalem and Bethlehem to lic, would end talk of "rumours aging act to peace - but not tied mark the new millennium of and searches," he said. to the peace talks - was accepted Christianity.

Canada should lobby Indonesia on Timor: bishop

By Art Babych OTTAWA (CNS) - The Canadian government should clearly show its disapproval of Indonesian policy in East Timor, said a Canadian bishops' official.

In a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Andre Ouellet, released on January 9, Bishop Francois Thibodeau, chairman of the bishops' social affairs commission, noted that 20 years ago Indonesian armed forces invaded East Timor.

Bishop Carlos Belo "Since then, the Indonesian authorities have not loosened Canadian military equipment to their grasp on the population of Indonesia. that territory that they illegally "We feel that this decision could occupy," he said.

Increase the repression and hinIn repeated campaigns, said der efforts required for the estabBishop Thibodeau, members of lishment of a process of real the military "have committed and negotiations between the governcontinue to commit countless ment of Indonesia and represenabuses which have been tatives of East Timor," said denounced on many occasions Bishop Thibodeau. by the international community" The bishop's letter concluded The bishop's letter called on the by inviting Ouellet to review his Canadian government to "clearly decision and to "concretely supand publicly" criticise the "harsh port the efforts of the internationrepression" of the East Timorese. al community toward a just and Bishop Thibodeau also said the durable solution to this continbishops were surprised with ued conflict."

Ouellet's decision to issue licensOn previous occasions, the es for the export of $5.7 million bishops and their development (US $4.1 million) worth of agency, the Canadian Catholic

Organisation for Development and Peace, have called for a ban on Canadian weapons sales to Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Canada's bishops said they support East Timorese human rights activist Bishop Carlos Belo, in a response to the bishop's comment in December that they do not back his efforts.

During a telephone news conference from East Timor in December, Bishop Belo told Canadian reporters he did not have the Canadian hierarchy's support in his human rights work - specifically mentioning that his request for financial aid had been rebuffed during a visit to the bishops' conference headquarters in Ottawa in 1993.

But in a letter to Bishop Belo, released on January 9, Bishop Francois Thibodeau assured the Timorese prelate that the conference supports him and asked for a meeting when he visits Canada in the spring.

"Please be assured of our solidarity and our willingness to support your efforts for the respect of human rights, justice and peace," said Bishop Thibodeau's letter, reported by Canadian Catholic News.

Last-minute death row reprieve saves Garcia SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CNS) - The Illinois Catholic woman who resisted efforts by death-penalty opponents to stop her execution reportedly thanked God after her death sentence was commuted on January 16 by Illinois Governor Jim Edgar.

Guinevere Garcia, sentenced to death in 1992 for the murder of her second husband, had been scheduled to die on January 17 by lethal injection.

"Thank God that this has happened." Ms Garcia's lawyer quotGuinevere Garcia ed her as saying after she learned the death sentence was commut- Chicago Archdiocese, that when ed to life in prison without she asked Ms Garcia how she would handle it if the governor parole.

Manos Kavvadias, Ms Garcia's gave her clemency, she respondattorney, said she never really ed, "My life is in God's hands."

Had the execution taken place, wanted to die but was "drained" after losing an appeal to the Ms Garcia would have been the first woman executed in Illinois Illinois Supreme Court last year.

"She was ready to accept the In 50 years.

In preparation for her expected sentence as it was," he said.

Benedictine Sister Miriam execution, Ms. Garcia received Wilson, who visited Ms Garcia the last rites of the Church on at the Dwight January 11 and attended what monthly Correctional Centre, told The she thought would be her final New World. newspaper of the Mass at the Correctional Centre.

Liberation priest dies MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (CNS) theologian. He was a prolific - Jesuit Father Juan Luis writer of articles and books, Segundo, one of Latin American's including two five-volume sets: most prominent theologians, "A Theology for Artisans of a died on January 1Z Jesuit officials New Humanity" and "Jesus of Nazareth, Yesterday and Tbday." said.

A funeral Mass was celebrated In 1984 and 1986, the Vatican the same day at Sacred Heart issued documents that praised Parish in Montevideo. some aspects of liberation theolJesuit Father Gregg Servis said ogy but warned against tendenFather Segundo, 70, died of an cies to employ Marxist social obstruction in an artery about analysis, or other ideological 3:15 am. concepts incompatible with Father Segundo spent most of church teaching. his life in Uruguay but was Liberation theologians saw the known worldwide as a liberation 1984 document as negative.

Chinese government pressures local authorities to harass Catholic population HONG KONG (CNS) - Pressure from China's central government was the force behind a recent crackdown on some underground Catholic communities in Baoding Diocese in Hebei province, said a Catholic source in northern China.

Several priests, brothers and nuns of the church in Baoding, 87 miles southwest of the Chinese

national capital, Beijing, were officials in Beijing. Some central Interrogated and detained, and a government officials reportedly newly built church was demol- were present to direct the ished at the turn of the year. actions, the Catholic source said, The source told UCA News, an Including the following three Asian church news agency based cases: In Thailand, that a series of • In November 1995, a new crackdowns in the Baoding area, Catholic church built with money long regarded as the base of raised by a local priest in a vilunderground Catholics, was lage in southern Baoding was ordered by senior government demolished by the government.

Bishop James Su Zhemin of Baoding, whose episcopacy is not recognised by the Chinese government, was summoned to the Public Security Bureau.

• On December 23, 1995, eight nuns were arrested in Dacheng county, 62 miles west of Baoding.

Four were detained at the county security bureau office and four at the offices of the Baoding deten-

tion centre. The nuns at the security office were allowed to leave after paying 500 yuan (US$60) bail, but the situation of those in the detention centre was unknown.

• A Baoding religious brother, who was previously detained for more than five years, was rearrested recently and ordered to repay a 300 vuan (US$36) fine.

The Record, January 25 1996

13

International News

Vatican Internet site proves big hit In Brief

By John Travis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - To many, it was an irresistible temptation served up by communications technology: a direct line to Pope John Paul II. The most-travelled Pope in history would now be the most intouch with cyberspace faithful of every background. The rungs of the hierarchical ladder vanished: anyone could go right to the top.

Using a PC and a modem, people are now connecting with the Vatican's Internet home page, where they are greeted by a full-

colour image of Pope John Paul Just what direction to take next document - "Humanae Vitae," overlooking a huge crowd in St was a topic of intense discussion for example - and then talk to Peter's Square. in January. local Church people about the Over Christmas and New The Internet site will not pro- topic.

Year's, the electronic floodgates vide a "forum" where dissent can What about the lengthy downopened at be posted or where on-line ver- loading procedure for graphic "http://www.vatican.va," the Holy bal debates might erupt. That images and colour pictures?

See's address on the World Wide was the Vatican's choice, said Wouldn't that time be better Web. More than 1 million visitors Sister Judith Zoebelein, a Vatican spent reading a few pages of the tapped into the site. computer expert who helped set "Catechism of the Catholic The Vatican, gratified and a bit up the home page.

Church?" overawed at the response, said at Sister Zoebelein said one thing "We want people to read the first that questions would be the Vatican does not want to catechism, yes. But we're also answered, but as the keyboards become is an on-line dispenser dealing with young people who kept rattling through January, of pastoral advice. Ideally, she were born in a different age, who Vatican officials realised they had said, a user would tap into the want to tap a button and see the created a potential monster.

Vatican site to retrieve and read a results," said Sister Zoebelein.

hurch leaders ust debate issues: cardinal

Canadian Jesuit's seven C year protest

By Christopher Guly OTI'AWA (CNS) - A 60-year-old Jesuit who opposes abortion has been protesting in front of the Parliament building for seven years.

Jesuit Father Tony Van Hee took a break near Christmas, but planned to resume his demonstration in late January.

For seven hours every weekday, Father Van Hee paces up and down in front of the House of Commons. Near him are posters showing images of various stages of abortions in progress. He wears a billboard that reads, "God is not amused."

Neither are some members of Parliament who witness the Jesuit's protest as they come and go from the seat of the Canadian government.

Mary Clancy, a Liberal Member of Parliament from Nova Scotia, said she wishes Father Van Hee would respect women's reproductive choice.

But the Jesuit has supporters.

Tom Wappel. a Catholic Liberal Member of Parliament from Toronto, has chatted with Father Van Hee on many occasions.

When it comes to abortion, the two agree.

Wappel said he hopes Father Van Hee's message will reach all parliamentarians, who, so far, have not replaced a Canadian abortion law that was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court eight years ago.

"Who knows what it will take to change a person's mind?"

Wappel told Catholic News Service. "Will it take the same kind of action Father Van Hee is engaged in 500 more times or 5,000 more times?"

In the 1980s, Father Van Hee began hunger strikes and was arrested three times in front of a Toronto abortion clinic while trying to stop women from entering.

He says he did this because he believes abortion is "the greatest evil in history apart from the death of Christ."

The Jesuit began his vigil on Parliament Hill in September 1989, after the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney tried to introduce new abortion legislation.

At the lime, Canada's bishops expressed concern the Mulroney bill - which would have allowed abortions based on a woman's consent and the approval of a woman's physician - did not protect the sanctity of unborn life.

But Wappel said the chances of getting a new abortion law in Canada during Catholic Prime Minister Jean Chretien's term which must end by 1998 - are next to nil.

14 The Record, January 25 1996

NEW YORK (CNS) - Religious leaders have an obligation to engage in the public debate over national policies, Cardinal John O'Connor said in a New York address. . They need to recognise that 'popularity cannot be the name of the game," and they must ignore charges that they are trying to impose their views on others, he said.

The cardinal said religious leaders should contend for their views "with civility," but remain true to their individual values.

"If you are ambiguous about your position, what are you offering?" he asked.

Cardinal O'Connor spoke to a crowd of about 200 on January 16 at the Jewish Theological Seminary, an institution of the Conservative movement that seeks to follow a middle path between Orthodox Judaism and the more liberal Reform movement.

He was the first speaker for a series of six monthly lectures arranged by the seminary's Louis Finkelstein Institute to address the theme "Politics and Religion in America" as a contribution to discussion in this presidential election year.

Cardinal O'Connor said he was changing the lecture theme from the reference to "politics" and making it "public policy" to emphasise that he was not dealing with political parties.

He said that when he became archbishop of New York, he

God into our culture." Speaking the day after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, which is the same as his own, he quoted the civil rights leader rejecting the idea of "two consciences," a public conscience different from the personal, religious conscience.

Usually speaking without a text, he read much of this lecture, and included quotations from Cicero, Friedrich Nietzsche, Feodor Dostoyevsky, Hilaire Belloc, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Elie Wiesel and several other authors.

Cardinal O'Connor recalled that when he attended a public Cardinal O'Connor of New York elementary school in the 1920s, it embodied many of the values decided he should register as an Catholic schools seek to promote independent, rather than as a today. Each day began with a member of a party. However, in Scripture reading, and the school response to a question he said maintained discipline and that he approved of the two-party respect for teachers, he said. system, and encouraged others to If American society is to continwork through the parties for ue in existence at all, it must change. recover the values on which it Cardinal O'Connor complained was founded, he said. The questhat it was increasingly difficult tion is not one of liberal or conto define what either of the servative politics, but "to be or nation's two major parties stood not to be as a people," he said. for "because of the constant flucCardinal O'Connor argued that tuation," and because both had Judeo-Christian values lay at the adopted "the umbrella concept." foundation of American life, and He said his entire priestly life must be recovered for the sake of had been influenced by the the health of society. teachings of Cardinal Emmanuel He said the loss or obscuring of Suhard, Archbishop of Paris from a "governing norm" was a "fun1940 until his death in 1949 and a damental problem" of American key figure in the launching of the life, and the country had to "reacworker priest movement. tivate the norm."

He quoted statements by People with different perspecCardinal Suharcl about the need tives should engage- in the disfor clergy to "start a ferment" and cussion of public policy and, bring about "an insurrection of "with civility," seek to persuade consciences" in order to "bring each other, he said.

PARIS (CNS) - A court in Valenciennes on the FrenchBelgian border has handed down a prison sentence against a hospital manager who led an antiabortion raid against his own establishment last October.

Xavier Dousseau's 18-month term was the heaviest so far given to militants who disrupt medical facilities where abortions are performed.

A 1993 law prohibits interfering with the work of a hospital or clinic.

The court ruled on January 15

that Dousseau must serve at least nine months of the sentence, with the rest being suspended.

But the court did not grant the prosecution demand to bar Dousseau from future hospital work The court also imposed 12month sentences on four people who joined Dousseau in the October 16 raid against the city's central hospital. All four must serve at least six months in jail, the court ruled. Five other demonstrators received 18month suspended sentences.

By Tracy Early

French anti-abortion medic is sentenced

All were ordered to pay fines ranging from $2,000 to $4,000.

Dousseau, father of three children, claimed "the right to conscientious objection because the day is soon coming when Christian officials in the hospitals will have to choose between their conscience and their need to make a living."

Dousseau said abortions are becoming a matter of routine despite French law that permits abortions during the first two months after conception, but only in relatively restricted cases.

Kidnapped priest free MEDELLIN, Colombia (CNS) - A Colombian priest kidnapped in November was released unharmed on January 17.

Salvatorian Father David Restrepo, 63, was released with a message for the government from his kidnappers less than a week after the order's Rome headquarters issued a plea for his release.

Father Restrepo was released in San Rafael, about three hours from Medellin.

"He is in good health and safe," said Salvatorian Father Sierra.

Father Restrepo was kidnapped by a group of unidenified armed men on November 13 at his family home in Cisneros, Colombia.

Priest missing VATICAN CITY (CNS) Three days after the Vatican expressed its concern over the fate of two Sudanese priests and a seminarian apprehended by Sudanese security forces, the seminarian and one of the priests were released.

Father Romeo Todo of Khartoum and seminarian Paul Lomana, were arrested in early January.

The other priest, Father Mark Lotede of the southern Diocese of Juba, was taken into custody before Christmas, Vatican spokesman Joaquin NavarroValls said in a January 11 statement.

His whereabouts remain unknown.

Knife man shot COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado. (CNS) - A knifewielding man who said he was Jesus Christ and tried to steal a collection plate during Sunday Mass was killed by police in St Mary's Cathedral in Colorado Springs.

The rector of the cathedral, Father John Slattery, called the January 14 incident "a great shock and a tragedy." He administered last rites to the man, 39-year-old Richard Dearsmith, who was shot in a bathroom in the cathedral foyer after struggling with three police officers.

Quebec Catholics OTTAWA (CNS) - One of Canada's top pollsters says active French-speaking Catholics were a major force In bringing the Quebec separatist initiative down in last year's referendum.

In a January 2 article in the newspaper The Ottawa Citizen, Angus Reid found 60 percent of Francophone Catholics who attend Mass weekly and 43 percent who attend monthly planned to vote "no," compared to 24 percent French-speaking of Quebec residents who claimed no religious affiliation.

Forty-two percent of those claiming Protestant or other religious affiliation also supported the "no" side.

The pollster said there was "little evidence of direct leadership from priests, bishops and other church authorities" on the issue.

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Official Engagements JANUARY 26 Blessing of Flag for Australia Day, James Mitchell Park, S Perth - Bishop Healy Australia Day Celebrations, WA Italian Club Fr Angelo Gatto OCD 31 Meeting for Priests with Fr Pat Lynch, LJ Goody Hall FEBRUARY 2 Launch of Project Compassion.

Parish Centre - Bishop Healy Mass at Ballajura Parish Bishop Healy 5-11 "Effective Leadership for Bishops", Bangkok with Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference - Archbishop Hickey 8 Consecration of Bishop Saunders, Diocese of Broome Bishop Healy 11 Mass, Procession, Benediction for Feast of St Girolamo Emiliani, Hamilton Hill - Fr Adrian Pittarello CS 15 Council of Priests Meeting Ecumenical "Total Ministry" Conference with Bishop Zabriskie for Goldfields/Country Region Rev Dean G. Donovan Rite of Election, RCIA Archbishop Hickey 16 Holy Hour, St Charles' Seminary Archbishop Hickey

Lenten Meditation Annual Presentation The Therry Catholic Drama Society presents

"The Stations of the Cross" Church performances during Lent Also

"The People vs Christ" Bookings 362 4399 •

NOVENA to St Clare. Ask for three favours. Say nine Hail Mary's for nine days. with lighted candle.

Phone 22 77 080

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church In the person of Christ the Head. ..

1548 In the ecclesial service of

is the source of all priesthood: the priest of the old law was a figure of Christ, and the priest of the new law acts in the person of Christ.

the ordained minister, it is Christ himself who is present to his Church as Head of his Body, 1549 Through the ordained minShepherd of his flock, high priest istry, especially that of bishops of the redemptive sacrifice, and priests, the presence of Teacher of Truth. This is what the Christ as head of the Church is Church means by saying that the made visible in the midst of the priest, by virtue of the sacrament community of believers. In the of Holy Orders, acts in persona beautiful expression of St. Christi Capitis: It is the same Ignatius of Antioch, the bishop is priest, Christ Jesus, whose sacred typos tou Patros: he is like the livperson his minister truly repre- ing image of God the Father. sents. Now the minister, by reason of the sacerdotal consecra- 1550 This presence of Christ in tton which he has received, is the minister is not to be undertruly made like to the high priest stood as if the latter were preand possesses the authority to served from all human weakact in the power and place of the nesses, the spirit of domination, person of Christ himself (virtute error, even sin. The power of the ac persona ipsius Christi). Christ Holy Spirit does not guarantee

all acts of ministers in the same way. While this guarantee extends to the sacraments, so that even the minister's sin cannot impede the fruit of grace, in many other acts the minister leaves human traces that are not always signs of fidelity to the Gospel and consequently can harm the apostolic fruitfulness of the Church.

power" which is none other than that of Christ. The exercise of this authority must therefore be measured against the model of Christ, who by love made himself the least and the servant of all.

"The Lord said clearly that concern for his flock was proof of love for him."

... "hi the name of the ial. "That office . . . which the whole Church" 1551 This priesthood is minister-

Lord committed to the pastors of his people, is in the strict sense of the term a service." It is entirely related to Christ and to men. It depends entirely on Christ and on his unique priesthood; it has been instituted for the good of men and the communion of the Church. The sacrament of Holy Orders communicates a "sacred

1552 The ministerial priesthood has the task not only of representing Christ - Head of the Church - before the assembly of the faithful, but also of acting in the name of the whole Church when presenting to God the prayer of the Church, and above all when offering the Eucharistic sacrifice.

1553 "In the name of the whole

Church" does not mean that priests are the delegates of the community.

The prayer and offering of the Church are inseparable from the prayer and offering of Christ, her head; it is always the case that Christ worships in and through his Church. The whole Church. the Body of Christ, prays and offers herself "through him, with him, in him," in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to God the Father.

The whole Body, caput et membra, prays and offers itself, and therefore those who in the Body are especially his ministers are called ministers not only of Christ, but also of the Church. It is because the ministerial priesthood represents Christ that it can represent the Church.

The Record, January 25 1996

15

SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL

BOOKSHOP Stations of the Cross with Pope John Paul ll $3.50 Day by Day Through Lent Reflections, Prayers, Practices $4.45 A Lenten Journey with Jesus Prayerful steps for each day. $2.45 The Way of the Cross $0.60 Everyone's Way of the Cross $1.50 Prayerful Reflections on the Way of the Cross $1.00 The Proud Tree. A story of the crucifixion for children from the viewpoint of the tree that became the cross. Delightful $3.50 Also books on Easter and the Passion of Jesus

15 Bronte Street, East Perth Mon - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm

Tel. 325 3474 Fax 325 6917

ELLIOTT & ELLIOTT

Optometrists Contact Lens Consultants 4 Cantonment Street, FREMANTLE Phone 335 2602

MARANATHA INSTITUTE Catholic Education Centre LEEDERVILLE Maranatha is our Archdiocesan Institute for A dult Faith Education and Formation for Ministry.

Do you want to • know more about your faith?

• confirm your adult understanding of Catholic belief and practice?

• take a guided tour through the Old or the New Testament?

• discover the links between self knowledge, personal growth and maturing spirituality?

• broaden your vision of what it means to be Church?

• develop your personal skills for listening and helping others?

Maranatha offers courses in 17 different subjects. Tuesdays and Fridays. Phone and ask for a brochure.

Brother Des Crowe, 388 4311

SERVING ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS - OFFICE 272 8411 —

Families have rights too!

T' PA ikT air _ .11 .0.741 SCI 1 APOSTLES OF CHRIST CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP Day of prayer and Healing Mass will be held on Friday, 2 February 1996, 1.00pm to 7.00pm at Sts John and Paul Catholic Church, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. You are welcome to come and leave anytime on the Day of Prayer between 1.00pm and 7.00pm.

Mass will follow, starting at 7.30pm. All welcome.

FATHER LAWRENCE ATTARD MEMORIAL FUND The relatives of the late Rev. Fr Attard wish to thank everyone for the sympathy and condolences they received after their sad loss. A Holy Mass will be celebrated in thanksgiving for everyone concerned.

A Memorial Fund has been set up for anyone wishing to contribute towards a tombstone.

Donations should be sent to: Rev. Father Attard Memorial Fund, PO Box 286, Guildford.

Inquiries please contact John 09 457 7771 or Mobile 015 385 209.

FEAST OF ST JOHN BOSCO SALESIAN CELEBRATION The Salesians of Don Bosco will celebrate the feastday of their Founder on Wednesday 31 January at St Joachim's, 122 Shepperton Rd. Victoria Park. There will be a concelebrated Mass at 7.30pm followed by supper and a social event. All welcome.

DIVINE MERCY PRAYERS St Mary's Cathedral, Victoria Square, 4 February (Sunday) 1.30pm. Programme: Rosary, Divine Mercy prayers, Benediction. Sermon by Fr Robert Zivtovich.

Film: Joy of Heaven - Mother Angelica. Information: Adam 448 0002, John 457 7771.

Archbishop Hickey is right!

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ALAN AMES AT QUEENS PARK Following the Holy Rosary at 7pm on Friday 2 February at St Joseph's parish hall, Railway Parade, Queens Park (opposite train station), Alan will speak on his conversion experiences that led him back to the Catholic Church.

The evening will conclude with Healing.

All are welcome. Inquiries: Lou Colace 458 8232, Russel 274 6018.

RETROUVAILLE/ REDISCOVERY R etrouvaille/rediscovery offers troubled marriages a chance to rediscover each other. It si a confidential, selfhelp communication programme which consists of a live-in weekend and six followup sessions. There is no counselling or group discussions.

It is an attempt by the Church to reach out to hurting marriages. The next programme commences 16-18 February.

For inquiries and bookings phone 242 4423.

A LENTEN PREPARATION MASS IN THE WILDERNESS Saturday 3 February 1996, Celebrant 11am.

Fr F. Ughanze. Transport available.

Please ring 362 4399 before 2 February.

Departing St Joachim's Vic. Park 9am for Morley. Depart Infant Jesus Morley at 10am for Midland. Depart St Brigid's Midland at 10.30am for the Quarry Wilderness Mass, a pleasent walk, refreshment (please bring a drink and a sandwich.) Rosary before returning 1.30pm to Midland, Morley and Victoria Park.

Small donations are welcome but not obligatory.

CARTERS

REAL ESTATE BAYSWATER

3a King William Street

SALLY PALMER Pleased to be of service

NAGLE CATHOLIC COLLEGE Geraldton Nagle Catholic College is a co-educational Catholic secondary boarding school which was established in 1994 following the amalgamation of Stella Mans College and St Patrick's College. The current enrolment, from Year 8 to Year 12 is approximately 700 students.

The Principal invites applications from enthusiastic and suitably qualified and experienced teachers of

Grove Plaza, Cottesloe 384 6633 or 384 6720

Hello Kalgoorlie . . . We're as close as your phone

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (008) 11 4010 (local call charge) (Metro callers please use 221 3866) Natural Family Planning Centre 29 Victoria Square Member of the Australian Council of Natural Family Planning Inc.

16

The Record, January 25 1996

10IN us in campaigning for a better future for all Australian families.

We want... * a fairer taxation system for all families * a universal payment for families to remove the current divisive system of payments that coerce families into becoming dual income * recognition of parenting as as a formal occupation to give value and due status to this work and enhance the priority it takes in people's lives.

It seems at present, child care is only a legitimate occupation if you pay someone else to do it!

JOIN the growing voice for choice

CHOICE FOR FAMILIES (WA) Phone Shelley 446 8221 or Brett 479 3646

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S PECIALLY FILTERED Guano:id as we gramma made enonforrtity with ecclesasscal conditions for church use Produced by

CLARE VALE ISAIA LPZ 684 ALBANY HIGHWAY, EAST VICTORIA PARK TELEPHONE 470 4333

I f you are Spiritual or a Churchgoer and wouldlike improvedspiritual fife,I advise you to get in touch with St. Francis Secular Order, 'Victoria Park (especially if you live South of the river).

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Mobile: 018 955 332 (Res): 375 3116 Pager: 483 6551

"Current Government policies protect the rights of adults, not children and facilitate the disintegration of family life." (Recent letters to The West Australian and Community Newspapers)

SCIENCE Ability to teach Physics and/or Physical Science would be an advantage.

Ideally, the applicant will commence duties at the beginning of Term 1.

Written applications, clearly indicating the qualifications, experience and other qualities which would make the applicant a suitable person for appointment, should include a comprehensive curriculum vitae and name two current professional referees.

Applications should be sent as soon as possible; they should be addressed to: The Principal Nagle Catholic College Box 97 GERALDTON 6531

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We meet every 3rdSunday of the month at 3pm at M' arie Isaiah Place, backof St. goachims Church, 'Victoria Park, Phone 361 5060 Doug Williams

Forrestfield P L Yeap-O'Shea B.Optom NSW

Optometrist and Contact Lens Practitioner

453 2344

Mead Medical Centre 11 Salix Way Forrestfield 6058

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YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT

PRINCIPALS MICHAEL QUIN & KAREENA BALLARD PROPERTY SALES - RENTALS - STRATA MANAGERS

SOUTH OF THE RIVER

474 1533 WE CARE!