The Record Newspaper 29 July 2009 by The Record

ustralian EXCLUSIVE

A quarter of a century at

Deacon tells how Cardinal Newman Page 10 saved his life.

Gosnells secondary school marks Page 5 the first 25 years.

Miracle Cure Lumen

"Be indefatigable in your purpose and with undaunted spirit resist iniquity and try to conquer evil with good, having before your eyes the reward of those who combat for Christ." -BISHOP MATTHEW GIBNEY 1874

THE PARISH. THE NATION. THE WORLD. Western Australia's award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday July 29 2009

www.therecord.com.au

Perth, Western Australia $2

Small Aunt Dolly outlives birthplace milestone, big hearts • By Robert Hiini A SMALL but faithful community of Catholics gathered last weekend to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the dedication of St Anne's Church, Bindoon. Over 120 people turned out in a day that included adoration, Rosary and Mass as well as food and fraternity. Bishop Donald Sproxton was the main celebrant at Mass having earlier joined the congregation for a procession

Please turn to page 2.

Young and old eyes meet as Mary Ellen Lyttleton is presented with great, great, great niece Hannah Markey, 8-months-old, by Hannah's grandmother, Sandra Nieman, during Mary's 100th birthday celebration on July 21 held at the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home in Glendalough. PHOTO' ROBERT

Celebration of centenary a moment of great happiness for family. • By Robert Hiini Fr Paul Fox and acolyte conduct Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the Bindoon Church duing last Sunday's celebrations. PHOTO: ROBERT HIINI

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SHE'S a great, great, great aunt and the town she was born in - once a thriving mining hub - is now a long-abandoned ghost town but Mary Ellen Lyttleton, who turned

lighway to

100 years old last Tuesday (July 21), is still as sharp as a tack and unlike many people a fraction of her age, seldom needs her glasses to read. With nearly 140 people in attendance, she celebrated her hundredth birthday with a party organised by her family at the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home in Glendalough, where she has lived for the past six years. "Aunty Dolly", as she is fondly known by her 157 nieces and nephews, was born

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in the then-densely populated and thriving gold mining town of Kanowna - approximately 850 kilometres east of Perth, Western Australia. She was the second eldest of seven children and is the only surviving member of her generation. Today, Kanowna is a ghost town and piles of rubble are the only visible signs of a once thriving township. The family moved to Kalgoorlie in the 1920s and eventually to Perth in the 1940s, Please turn to Page 3

Page 2

July 29 2009, The Record

THE PARISH

Bindoonians celebrate fifth year

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111Prigt, EDITOR Peter Rosengren cathrec@iinetnetau JOURNALISTS Anthony Barich abarich@therecord.com.au Mark Reidy reidyrec@iinetnelau rthiini@gmail.com Robert Hiini PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING Justine Stevens production@therecord.com.au ACCOUNTS Cathy Baguley recaccounts@iinetnetau ADMINISTRATION Bibiana Kwaramba administration@therecord. com.au BOOKSHOP Caroline Radelic bookshop@therecord.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Debbie Warner Karen & Derek Boylen Anna Krohn Catherine Parish Fr Flader John Heard Christopher West Bronia Karniewicz Guy Crouchback

Fr Paul Fox, parish priest of Gingin, at right, joins Bishop Don Sproxton in leading a Marian procession of parishioners and guests around the site of St Anne's Church in Bindoon. PHOTOS. ROBERT HIINI

The Record PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 587 Newcastle St, West Perth Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax: (08) 9227 7087 Website: www.therecord.com.au The Record is a weekly publication distributed throughout the parishes of the dioceses of Western Australia and by subscription. The Record is printed by Rural Press Printing Mandurah and distributed via Australia Post and CTI Couriers.

SAINT OF THE WEEK Blessed Frederic Janssoone 1838-1916 tiguct 5

This French missionary set aside theology studies to help care for his Flemish family after his father died. However, in 1864, he entered the Franciscan novitiate at Amiens, and after ordination in 1870 was a military chaplain in the Franco-Prussian War. He established a Franciscan convent at Bordeaux, worked in the Holy Land to preserve the holy sites and aid poor Palestinian Christians, and became a well-known contemplative. In 1881 he went to Canada to raise funds for the Holy Land; he moved there permanently in 1888, conducting missions and serving at a Marian shrine. He died in Montreal.

CNS Saints

Continued from Page 1 around the property which culminated in his blessing of the parish's new grotto erected to Our Lady of All Nations. At the time of its dedication on July 25 2004, St Anne's was the first Catholic Church to be built in the region for 60 years, the previous one having been irreparably damaged by a tornado in 1943 (it was completed in 1909). Parishioners had, up until the completion of St Anne's, been celebrating Mass in what parish priest Fr Paul Fox described as a "fibro cottage," on the same site. St Anne's was designed by parish counsellor and architectural draftsman Peter Anthes and was built by local stone mason John Glover and former parishioner Bill Oorschot with assistance from bricklayer

Michael Olsen and parishioners, taking nine months to complete. The construction of the parish's new grotto began in October 2008 with parishioner Joe de Silva laying the brickwork. Fr Paul had been given a large image of Our Lady of All Nations by an Indonesian prayer group - an image associated with the apparitions that Dutchwoman Ida Peerdeman is said to have received between 1945-1959 (the apparitions were declared to be of supernatural origin by her home diocese in 2002). Fr Paul took it as a sign - the convergence of the Feast of Our Lady of All Nations with the Feast of the Assumption on the same day, the latter being the feast day of his Gingin Parish. He was one of five priests who were

Dorothea one of parish's solid foundation stones PARISH priest of Gingin, Fr Paul Fox, says he is thankful for the generosity of 88-year-old Dorothea Patterson. The former nurse gave the proceeds of the sale of two properties to Fr Paul to build two cottages on the property - "Dorothea's House" and "Patterson's House" - and he has never forgotten it. Ms Patterson knew Fr Paul's mother. She had asked Ms Patterson to pray for her son's vocation. Ten years into offering prayers of intercession to Our Lady, she ran into Fr Paul at the Redemptorist Monastery in North Perth, discovering that he had already become a priest. Ms Patterson describes herself as 'fighting fit" a product she says, of struggle and hard work. In her early life she was a ward of St Joseph's Orphanage in Wembley when she was a child and then the Sisters of Our Lady of the Good Shepherd when

she was a teenager. "They beat me but they couldn't break me," she says with a chuckle. Her own faith, despite the challenges, has stayed strong. "If you can't beat them, why not join them, eh?" - ROBERT HIINI

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At top, the recently-completed grotto of Our Lady of All Nations and above, a plague marking the church's dedication.

Address for Mercycare Board - Archbishop Hickey Blessing and opening of new buildings, Banksia Grove Catholic Primary School - Bishop Sproxton

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ordained in 1998 and has been stationed at Gingin for the past nine years after two years at St Mary's Cathedral. He has between 130 - 150 regular parishioners in the area, approximately 1.25 hours north of Perth. He is himself no stranger to regional living coming from a farming family in the lower south-west of WA. Fr Paul was an accountant in the state public service before embarking upon his priestly studies in Rome, being ordained with Fr Tiziano Bogoni, Fr John Piumatti, Fr Paul Baczynski and Fr David Watt in St Mary's Cathedral, Perth. His nine year stint has been an enjoyable one, he says, describing himself jokingly as being "out here for my sins:' "I love being a priest," Fr Paul said. "I will go wherever God puts me and I try to do my best wherever I am:'

Parish Visitation, Cloverdale - Archbishop Hickey Parish Visitation, Lesmurdie - Archbishop Hickey

AUGUST

Mary MacKillop Anniversary Mass - Archbishop Hickey Catholic Faith Renewal, Willetton - Bishop Sproxton Confirmation, Karrinyup - Mgr Brian O'Loughlin VG

St Alphonsus Eucharist & Dinner - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton

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Formal Welcome, Greek Seminarian Exchange Programme - Archbishop Hickey Confirmation, Nollamara - Bishop Sproxton

July 29 2009, The Record

Page 3

THE PARISH

of the Church Fr Paul built

UWA chaplain issues PH icon's itinerary Why is the visit of an icon to WA university campuses causing a stir? THE Catholic Chaplain at the University of Western Australia has coordinated a multi-campus and multi-venue visit of an icon commissioned by Pope John Paul

A north-western view of St Anne's Catholic Church in Bindoon as a St Anne's acolyte and Fr Paul Fox pass by in procession. The stone church was completed in 2004 becoming the first church on the site since 1943 when a tornado destroyed PHOTO' ROBERT HIINI the previous building which had stood there since 1909.

Dr Armando Carandang announced the itinerary of the icon known as Holy Mary, Seat of Wisdom, this week (see guide, below). The visit to the University of Notre Dame Australia's Fremantle campus in August was reported in last week's edition of The Record. The papal icon traveled through Australia with the World Youth Day Cross in 2008. It has gone to other countries since then, but now is back in Australia to visit all universities including the five in the Perth area. The icon was gifted to the world's universities in 2000 by the late pope after he had corn-

Itinerary of the Icon of Sancta Maria Sedes Sapientiae August 9, Sunday 5.30 pm. St Thomas More College Chapel Official Reception of the Icon (before Mass). Tel. 0401 197 310; 9470 9113 (Fr Armando) or 9386 0111 (St Thomas More College Chapel, Bro Rob) August 10, Monday. St Private veneration. Thomas More College Chapel Chapel

Clockwise from left: Fr Paul Fox blessing the revellers with the Blessed Sacrament in Benediction; setting out in procession, locals and visitors from Perth pray to Our Lady; Bishop Don Sproxton recites prayers for the blessing of the parish's new grotto dedicated to Our Lady of All Nations; a view of the interior of St Anne's Church from the choir loft.

August 11-13. Tue, Wed, Thu. Murdoch University Tel. 9339 2530; 9360 2209 (Fr Joseph Cardoso) August 14-16. Fri, Sat, Sun. of University Curtin Technology. Tel. 9266 3714 (Fr John)

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August 16, Sunday 5.45 pm. St Thomas More College Special Veneration and Mass August 17-19, Mon, Tue, Wed.

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missioned its creation from artist Mark Ivan Rupnik. Fr Armando said that the icon will generally be enshrined in the Chapel of St Thomas More College, during its visit. However, "not just students but all are encouraged to visit the Icon in whichever university is convenient to their location, he said this week. UNDA, Fremantle Tel. 9433 0551 (Fr Gerry) August 19, mid afternoon Wed - August 20. Ministry Youth Catholic Chapel Tel. 9422 7912 (Anita, Catholic Youth Ministry, Highgate) August 20, Thu. Murdoch University Special Art Lecture August 21-23, Fri, Sat, Sun. Edith Cowan University Tel. 9301 4111 (Fr Kenneth) August 24-26, Mon, Tue, Wed. University of Western Australia Tel. 0401 197 310; 6488 2405 (Fr Armando) August 26, Wed. Youth Catholic Chapel

Ministry

August 27. Thu. St Thomas More College Private Veneration August 28. Fri. (Ready for transport Adelaide)

Joy in family as Goldfields Girl Aunty Dolly reaches 100 Continued from Page 1

settling in Mount Hawthorn. She has never married - devoting herself instead to looking after her mother, and in later years, a sister and a brother. She didn't drive and walked nearly three kilometres to mass every morning until she was well into her eighties. Her niece Lyn Schwan says that as youngsters (and adults), one of the highlights of the week was the visit to Aunty Dolly on Sunday mornings to devour one or two of her superb scones - and to take home a piece of 6-inch high sponge filled with jam and cream. She is a much-loved and respected member of the community at the Little Sisters and she had been looking forward eagerly to achieving the mile-

stone of 100 years, and to celebrating the occasion with her beloved family. For her birthday party, Ms Lyttleton asked that she not be given presents but instead, that people contribute money to the purchase of white vestments for the celebrant of a special Mass in October to celebrate the canonisation of the Little Sisters' founder, Jeanne Jugan - an event which will be celebrated in Rome on October 11. The family has a long association with the Little Sisters of the Poor - Aunty Dolly's mother first went there in the 1960s and two of her sisters followed in the 1980s. In addition, two of her aunts lived in the Little Sisters' home in Kalgoorlie during the 1970s.

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July 29 2009, The Record

THE PARISH

Look closely, the garden speaks of love Chris Cypher's Biblical garden. • By Deb Warner

rom Palm Sunday to Christ's Passion and His gloriously triumphant Resurrection, Chris Cypher has drawn inspiration for his biblically themed garden within the grounds of the Catholic Education Office (CEO). For the resident gardener and published poet it is a labour of love. Together with colleague David Nicholson he has cultivated over 100 species of flora common to the Holy Land. "We use a bit of licence with the plants we've got. You can't always get the species they are referring to in the Holy Land. There is something like 2000 species of biblical plants. A lot of them had medicinal qualities. They had amazing horticulturists in those days. It was quite extraordinary," Mr Cypher said. Around 1998 Mr Cypher got the idea for the garden. The transformation required tireless research in the CEO library and copious notes regarding the religious significance of each plant and tree. The conditions best suited for cultivation, the characteristics and properties of all samples are faithfully recorded. Excerpts from the notes show the attention to detail. On the Weeping Mulberry tree chosen for the garden as it grew in Southern Palestine Mr Cypher wrote: "reference to the rustling of the Mulberry leaves as the signal to attack the Philistines by David's army in the Valley of Baca, which literally meant "Valley of the Mulberries.' [Psalm 84: 6] In another entry Mr Cypher describes the significance of the Madonna lily of which there are ten in the garden. They are the numerical symbol of the Ten Commandments. He adds that the lily's name was coined because of its whiteness that caused ancient Roman Catholic artists to depict it as a symbol of Our Lady. The strongly-scented and trumpet-shaped flowers have been cultivated in gardens it is said for 3000 years. According to Mr Cypher's research, dill is a herb known in

Chris Cypher on the grounds of the Catholic Education Office in Leederville, with a weeping willow in background. PHOTO: JUSTINE STEVENS

biblical times and in Greece since about 23-79 AD. The herb features in the biblical garden because of a reference made to it by Christ when he admonishes the Pharisees saying, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter without neglecting the former:' [Mathew 23: 231 Further fact finding showed that marigolds were eaten by the ancient Romans, fennel was used as a constituent of Holy Incense

and parsley was associated by early Christians with St Peter. Mr Cypher has unearthed romantic legends that link rosemary to Our Lady. One legend tells that Mary sheltered the infant Jesus under a rosemary bush. The other legend is that when the Holy Family fled into Egypt, a weary Mary spread her cloak over white flowered rosemary. The flowers it is said miraculously changed to the blue of Mary's cloak. Familiar with Jesus' references to the Vine and the Tree of Life, Mr. Cypher has naturally planted

a vineyard in the garden too. He explained that the grapevines have never been actually grafted and hence do not produce grapes. One of his future plans is to graft the original grapevine so they do produce grapes to complete the analogy. The palm trees are an obvious allusion to Palm Sunday. Between the two palm trees is a bush similar to the one used 2000 years ago to fashion a crown of thorns for Christ's head. The stiff, sharp-pointed woody projections are a painful reminder of His suffering. Behind the two palms is a Cross. Nearby there is a Judas tree. Legend has it that it is the same type of tree the remorseful Judas hung himself from after his betrayal of Christ. As Mr Cypher enthused: "The Easter theme is quite significant. I really like it because it is so simple and stands out quite clearly:' A pathway lined with leafy green archways has been signposted as the 'Emmaus walk: It is Mr Cypher's creation and he gives credit to Mr Nicholson for the christening. The name is a reference to the risen Christ who walked unrecognised with two of his disciples until he sat with them and broke the Bread. "A lot of people stroll through the Emmaus walk. I know it can be quite soothing on a hot day because it is very shady and beautiful there," Mr Cypher said. Along the path the two men have added signs engraved with symbols of this biblical passage to make the connection clearer. One such sign depicts two hearts entwined and enflamed. It is a reference to the Holy Spirit burning in the hearts of the disciples as they heard Christ speak. At the end of the walk is a large fig tree Mr. Cypher refers to as the 'Cathedral.' He recommends sitting under it to enjoy the sounds and fragrances of the garden. It has enhanced his personal and intimate relationship with his Creator as he adds, "You can feel God in the place:' Christ often sought out lonely places to pray and reflect as He did in the garden of Gethsemane, acknowledged Mr Cypher. As well as the biblical garden being ideal for prayer and meditation, it has been a place for the gardener to

count his blessings. "Every time I see a plant I realise how blessed I am to have sight," he said. To complement the biblical garden a labyrinth is being constructed nearby. Mr Cypher's research revealed that in early times labyrinths were built into Cathedrals. Later considered to be a pagan symbol by the Church they were destroyed. One famous example still exists. The Chartres Cathedral in France still has a labyrinth kept under its pews by special permission of the Church. Mr Cypher was inspired to create one himself after seeing its photograph in one of the books he borrowed from the CEO Library. The gardener recounted how he had walked through his own labyrinth and found it to be an uplifting experience. It is a work in progress but he is confident that on completion it will have a positive effect on others too. He recommended it as a means to dispel malaise. "The key is to go in there and do it very slowly in a prayerful state of mind," he said. The vision for the future Mr Cypher has for the garden is of putting more fragrant herbs and shrubs there that are able to withstand the weather conditions better and aren't so sensitive or short seasoned. At present much of the existing flora needs constant care and occasional replacing. Water restrictions have had a part to play in the need for ongoing maintenance. Although responsible for the design of the garden and labyrinth, Mr Cypher also credits Mr Nicholson for his share of this workload. One of Mr Cypher's favourite reflections is Mary Stevenson's "Footprints in the sand:' It allows one to envisage the comforting metaphor that Christ walks besides us in the good times and carries us through the bad times. It is an appropriate reflection for the gardener who feels a presence in the garden he believes to be the Spirit of God and sees as responsible for the materialising of his work. As Mr Cypher said simply, "For me the reflection symbolises the God that loves and cares about us. I may fail to remember Him at times but He is always there mainly in His gardens:'

Faith impoverished as current Missal hides truths New Missal keenly antipated. si By Anthony Barich

THE current Missal translations that the English-speaking world has used for the past 40 years have hidden the Church's true faith, Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne said. "While very successful in many ways, this translation has, in many cases, hidden rather than revealed the true treasures of the Liturgy," Archbishop Hart, the Australian bishops' representative on the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), said in Melbourne's Catholic journal Kairos on July 26. The ICEL is working on a retranslation of the Latin Liturgy into English, ordered by the Congregation for Divine Worship under Pope John Paul II in 2001. While he said the process was

"nearing the end", Archbishop Hart would not specify when. "Just as the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel were dulled by smoke and grime, so the vivid colours of the Sacred Liturgy were dulled by a limited use of vocabulary and a pedestrian style of sentence structure," Archbishop Hart said. "Like the earlier, unskilled attempts at restoring the work of Michelangelo, so the rich imagery of the original Latin text was often obscured or removed altogether. "Most tragically, in some places our current translations have actually hidden the Church's true faith. An ancient saying, 'Lex orandi, lex credendi' ('the way we pray is the way we believe') teaches that if our prayers are robbed of their full meaning, so also our faith is impoverished:' The Vox Clara Committee, which includes Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, was formed in 2001 under Pope John Paul II to advise the Holy See on English-language

liturgical books and to strengthen cooperation with the conferences of bishops in this regard. This task required "the preparation of (new) liturgical books marked by sound doctrine, which are exact in wording, free from all ideological influence, and otherwise endowed with those qualities by which the sacred mysteries of salvation and the indefectible faith of the Church are efficaciously transmitted by means of human language to prayer, and worthy worship is offered to God the Most High", the Congregation for Divine Worship said in 2001. The texts being prepared by the ICEL will be common to the entire English-speakirT Church. The bishops conferences of Canada, England and Wales, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Scotland, South Africa and the United States have been involved. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops announced on July 17 that

Archbishop Denis Hart

they have approved four liturgical texts for use in English-speaking countries. The original Latin text of the Liturgy is the result of many centuries of faith and tradition, parts of which go back to the very earliest times of the Church, he said, and centres on the Sacrifice of the Mass - "the greatest treasure of the Church" - in which saints and martyrs and bishops and priests and people join together with the angels 'as one voice' to praise the

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, he said that English, like Latin, is also capable of "bearing many layers of meaning. English, like Latin, can accurately express and convey the truth of our Faith:' Archbishop Hart said. The Archbishop warned that the introduction of the new texts would "take some considerable effort" by the laity and would require much patience and "a firm degree of solidarity" with the bishops and the whole Church. Priests and people will also need to be pastorally prepared through a period of catechesis. "However, I am sure that when this great work of restoration is completed and we are all able to experience the result for ourselves, we will rejoice to see the revelation of the hidden treasures of the Liturgy - a treasure fresh and restored for the Church today and for many future generations," he said.

July 29 2009, The Record

Page 5

THE PARISH

Gosnells school marks quarter of a century the classy way

Exhibition aims to change consciousness not raise cash: Beazley

College marked its 25th anniversary with swag of events over Term Two, including inspiring "Lumenitesnfrom throughout its history. • By Robert Hiini IT was a case of "back to school" for current and former students of Lumen Christi as the Martinbased College celebrated 25 years since foundation, with four initiatives to mark the milestone taking place in term two. Jazz musician and composer Troy Roberts - a former student joined current students and teach ers for the Lumen Music Concert held on July 1. Over 300 people enjoyed a strong showing from the night's performers with Mr Roberts being joined with former Lumen Christi tutor Glyn MacDonald on piano and ongo ing tutor, Tim Wolley, on drums before himself joining the college's swing band for several numbers. The next artist on the bill, the international soprano and former staff member, Lisa Harper Brown delighted audiences with her singing and her comic recollections of her time at the college, before the Senior Concert band, joined by several former students, drew the evening to a close. June 27 saw the advent of Lumen's 25th Anniversary Celebration Dinner and what was billed as "home grown" entertainment. Entering to the music of the Lumen Christi Swing Band, dinnerrevellers were treated to folk music performed by staff-member, Lance Taylor and the celtic music of the duo 'Key and Ian; both of whom are parents of Lumen students. Another duo, 'Olivia and Annette' (also staff members) performed a selection of anniversary-themed broadway standards for the occasion. Guests included local clergy and primary school principals

Members of the public brows through the Blueprint for a Better World at the University of Notre Dame Australia's Fremantle campus.

Goal is to end world poverty: Beazley. Jazz musician and composer Troy Roberts, also a former student of Lumen Christi College in Gosnells, returned to his alma mater to appear in a concert alongside the College's Swing Band in a July 1 concert. The event was one of several marking the college's 25th anniversary. PHOTO: COURTESY LUMEN CHRISTI COLLEGE

as well as former Lumen Christi principals and government representatives, including Senator Judith Adams, MLC Helen Morton, MLA Tony Simpson and Gosnells Mayor, Olwen Searle. Last month, Archbishop Barry Hickey joined Armadale Alannah MacTiernan MLA for Lumen Day on June 19. Archbishop Hickey began the annual event by celebrating the Lumen Day Anniversary Mass at the college. The Mass preceded a day of fundraising initiatives and a talent quest conducted by Lumen's students, with all funds going to the St Vincent de Paul Society. In May, "Lumenites" from throughout the college's his-

tory mingled with staff at the Reminiscence Tour which concluded Lumen's annual Open Day. The College's Anne Kennedy says that the former students were amazed at how the school and its facilities had grown, with a display of old photos bringing back memories of people and past events. The day also saw the launch of An Historical Overview of Lumen Christi 1984 - 2009. Geoff Principal Current Mills thanked its compiler, Michael Devine, founding principal of the college. Mr Mills said he hoped the book would be appreciated as a worthy contribution to the broader historical narrative of Catholic education in Western Australia.

ON a cold wet Monday, July 6, 120 people turned out for the launch of the interactive multimedia exhibition, Blueprint for a Better World: the Millennium Development Goals and You. Presented by Caritas Australia, in partnership with the Australian Government's aid agency AusAID, the exhibition highlighted development programs in Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Africa and gave a practical face to the Millennium Development Goals, an eight step action plan for halving world poverty by 2015. The launch was held at the University of Notre Dame's Prindiville Hall on their Fremantle campus. Professor Kim Beazley, former national leader of the Federal Labor Party, opened the exhibition with Caritas Australia chief executive Jack de Groot. Mr Beazley said that the exhibition was not about fundraising.

Rather, he emphasised that "it is about changing consciousness. It is about bringing on to the Australian agenda this critical issue of dealing with global poverty." Mr de Groot said that the exhibition was aimed at increasing the public's awareness of the importance and unique contribution that Australian NGOs and the Federal Government are making in helping communities to overcome poverty. "The world's poor are caught in a trap with the economic slowdown slashing their income, the food crisis imperiling their day-to-day existence and climatic changes further destabilising lives and economies," Mr de Groot said. Vice-Chancellor UNDAs Professor Celia Hammond said she was delighted that the university was hosting the exhibition. Visitors to the exhibition numbered 50 -70 persons per day for its July 2 - 20 duration. The exhibition will now travel to Geraldton before leaving WA for the southern states. See www.blueprintforabetterworld.org

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July 29 2009, The Record

THE NATION

Sydney rocks on one year after WYD08 NYC Friars perform at Catholic Underground in Sydney. • By Bridget Spinks

CLOSE to 500 people attended "Catholic Underground" (CU) at Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral on July 18 to launch a week of evangelisation activities in the Sydney central business district, one year on from WYD08. The night of praise and worship was led by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal from New York who started Catholic Underground (www.catholicunderground.net) in 2003 - a year after WYD in Toronto. In the cathedral, special effect lighting emphasised the real presence of Christ in the monstrance atop the new altar that was blessed during WYD, while darkness shrouded the rest of the Church. "When I walked into the Cathedral [before prayer had even started] I felt likeIhad already been in deep prayer for some time," one young Sydney man, Alex, 24, said. Now an established style of worship and evangelisation in America, CU begins with one hour of Eucharistic Adoration followed by a concert led by the Friars and supported by other contemporary Catholic artists. After Vespers, the crowd moved into St Mary's Cathedral school hall for part two of the CU program - the "Catholic rock concert" starring the visiting Franciscan Friars

Left: Sr Mary Madeline OP, a Dominican Sister of St Cecilia from Nashville, Tennessee, talks on 'Feminine Genius' during the SCENE Congress. Right: Fr Louis, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, rocks the house at SCENE on the saxophone. He also plays the drums. PHOTOS: GIOVANNI PORTELLI

of the Renewal and Australian Catholic musician Roby Curtis and his band. Part of this revolutionary style of evangelisation is the manner in which the message of Christ is delivered. The visiting Friars' contemporary music style blended acoustic rhythms similar to modern folk artist Jack Johnson and 60's reggae beats similar to singer Bob Marley. Already popular in America in several locations including Chicago and Los Angeles, Catholic Underground is the cultural apostolate of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. It came about in direct response to a call that began with Pope John Paul II and is continued with Benedict XVI.

"JPII said that because the Gospel lives in conversation with culture, if the Church holds back from culture, the Gospel is silent. Therefore we must be fearless in crossing the threshold of the communication and information revolution now taking place," lyricist, lead vocalist and guitarist, Fr Christopher said. The Franciscan's lyrics are teaching tools. The spousal analogy such as between the earthly Jerusalem and the Heavenly Jerusalem takes centre stage as does the spousal relationship between the divine Bridegroom (Christ) and His bride (the Church - the people). Friar Christopher said the reference to Jerusalem is relevant today because "It's all about love, right? Christ comes forward as the divine

Bridegroom ready to lay down His Life for His bride. When I write music and pray I think about the relationship of Christ and His Bride, Joseph and Mary, Adam and Eve. This is what drives the human heart: the search for the beloved and to learn how to love the beloved," he said. "To me the Church (ie the parishioners) is the most beautiful of brides but in many ways she's a sleeping beauty because we've been distracted by the culture - by the noise of the world. We've forgotten who we are and we've fallen out of love with Christ." For Fr Christopher, seeing a renewal of love for Christ in the Church through evangelisation

missions such as WYD, CU and the Sydney Congress Embracing the New Evangelisation (SCENE) in the last five years shows that "the Bride is waking up". "Events like WYD are part of the Bride meeting up (with the Bridegroom). For those of us that belong to the Church it's a privileged glimpse of the Church," he said. Hermine, a 16-year-old French SCENE delegate with the Community of St Jean, said she "likes it because it's about Jesus first and the speeches in between the songs were impressive." Auxiliary Bishop Sydney Julian Porteous, Chairman of the Congress, said WYD08 showcased the Catholic arts like music, drama and visual arts and showed that there are young people who, inspired by their faith, are using contemporary mediums of music and art to express and communicate their faith. "The Catholic Underground was an expression of this one year after WYD - an event in Sydney where there was adoration in the Blessed Sacrament supported by contemporary music that was a joyful celebration for young people that expressed aspects of the Catholic faith and spirituality," Bishop Porteous said. The prelude to SCENE's launch on July 19 was a "perfect date", Bishop Porteous said, where the holy hour of Adoration of Christ in the Eucharist came first in the relationship, followed by the joyous singing and dancing.

Anglicans join in historic installation of Bathurst prelate Over 1600 people, including Anglicans, celebrate Ordination and Installation of the eighth bishop of Bathurst. OVER 1600 turned up to participate in the Mass of Ordination and Installation as Eighth Bishop of Bathurst of Michael Joseph McKenna on June 26. It was the first time in 89 years a bishop has been ordained for the Diocese, within the Diocese itself. The Mass was held in the Performing Arts Centre of St Stanislaus' College, as it was Fr McKenna's wish that as many people as wished could attend and space in the Cathedral was limited. The two hour Mass was a joyous community celebration - a mixture of the ancient and the modern which created a beautiful liturgy,

steeped in tradition - one which was extremely personal and moving for the assembled people of God. The bishops reported that an atmosphere of joyous communion was tangible at the Mass which included Bishop Michael's family and friends from Victoria, heads of other faiths, politicians and representatives from parishes and groups around the Diocese. Cardinal George Pell was the principal consecrator, with Bishop Patrick Dougherty and Bishop Jeremiah Coffey co-consecrators. Mass was concelebrated by a further 21 bishops and 115 priests, The altar was set in front of the magnificent backdrop of aboriginal artwork created by students from St Stanislaus' College last year. Musicians came from around the Diocese and from Sydney, and the music, which was described as 'heavenly' by many, contributed

A LIFE OF PRAYER ... are you calledto the Benedictine iffe ofdivinepraise andEucharistic prayerfor the Church?

TYBURN NUNS Contact the: Rev Mother Cyril, OSB, Tyburn Priory, 325 Garfield Road, Riverstone, NSW 2765 www.tyburnconvent.org.uk

Cardinal George Pell (third from left) celebrates Mass during the Installation and Ordination Mass for Bishop Michael McKenna, consecrating the Eucharist.

to an inspiring liturgy. Following Mass, people stayed for refresh-

in brief...

Renewable scheme to cost hospitals The Federal Government's proposed Renewable Energy Target Scheme will cost Australian hospitals and aged care around $10 million a year, Catholic Health Australia (CHA) has revealed. In the first industry costing of the proposed scheme to be released, CHA found the impact on not-for-profit Catholic hospitals -10 per cent of all Australian hospitals - would grow from an annual bill of $650,000 in 2010 to $1.7m in 2020. CHA chief executive Martin Laverty

ments and to mull over what was declared an extraordinary expe-

said that while CHA supports the government's intention to set and pursue renewable energy targets, "our calculations show the scheme will cost Catholic health and aged care providers $1.02m next year, rising to $2.7m in 2020". This comes on top of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, under which he said energy costs for Catholic hospitals are likely to increase by $10.8 million in the first year the scheme is fully operational. "Australia cannot afford to impose such a heavy financial penalty on our health sector - Commonwealth funding for hospital and aged care services must be adjusted to meet the costs of the proposed schemes," he said. "But these schemes should not impact on the sec-

rience. An official reception was held at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre for 350 invited guests. During the reception, the Anglican community of Bathurst honoured Bishop McKenna and Bishop Dougherty by ringing the All Saints' Cathedral bells for the first time since their refurbishment and the building of a new bell tower. It was an historic day for the City of Bathurst, and guests at Bishop McKenna's reception joined the Anglican and Bathurst community to hear and see the historic bells. They belong to Bathurst City and have been gifted to the Anglican Cathedral to house. A team of bell ringers from Sydney was the first to ring the bells which were tolled in the English 'full circle' tradition - the beautiful resonant sound which hasn't been heard in the city since the mid 1890s.

tor's ability to provide quality health and aged care to all Australians who need it."

Aged care shake-up CHA has asked the Government to abolish the current three-year accreditation process for residential aged care services and replace it with a constant accreditation cycle that focuses on the quality of care being given to residents. In a submission to the Department of Health and Ageing's review of the accreditation process for aged care, CHA has outlined a reform package that steers the system away from punitive measures and towards encouraging best practice quality care.

July 29 2009, The Record

Page 7

THE NATION

Catholic health care under threat again in brief... Yet another Greens-inspired Bill puts Catholic health and aged care under threat. • By Anthony Barich

THE Greens' Dying With Dignity Bill will "greatly impact" on the provision of the Catholic Church's health and aged care services if the Bill currently before Tasmanian Parliament passes, Hobart Archbishop Adrian Doyle said. In a July 15 letter to all Tasmanian parishioners, he warned that "this will be a very intense, emotional and occasionally hostile debate, but it is our duty as a Catholic community to resist these efforts to make euthanasia legal". "The ramifications for the Catholic Church, should this Bill be enacted, will greatly impact upon the provision of our services to the Tasmanian community while challenging a fundamental basis of our beliefs; he said. He said that the Bill would redefine the relationship between doctors and their most psychologically vulnerable patients. The statement comes just nine months after Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart said the Abortion Law Reform Bill that passed through the State Parliament's Upper House threatened the very existence of Catholic hospitals as it forced doctors who conscientiously object to abortion

ALP backflip

to refer patients on to one that has no such objection. The Catholic Church in Tasmania has a long-term involvement in health and aged care, with two of the hospitals under Calvary Health Care - Calvary St John's campus in Hobart and Calvary St Vincent's campus in Launceston - providing a high level palliative care. The Code of Ethical Standards adopted by Catholic Health and Aged Care Services in Australia prohibits euthanasia - deliberately ending life by action or by omission or to assist suicide. The Archbishop also called on parishioners and Catholic medical practitioners to make submissions to parliament and MPs either individually or under the Archdiocese of Hobart submission. Submissions close on July 31, and Archbishop Doyle plans on making a personal representation at the invitation of the Joint Standing Committee, along with Calvary Health's senior anesthetist and the Vicar General Fr Mark Freeman. Archdiocesan media consultant Phil Pyke said the legislation is unlike anything he's seen in Australia, as the Greens, learning from two previous failed attempts to legalise euthanasia in Tasmania in 1998 and 2005, have learned to cover many potential contentious elements. The Bill is modelled on the 'death with dignity' legislation the Greens introduced into the Australian Senate but builds on

Archbishop Adrian Doyle

it by incorporating 'safeguards' from similar Greens-led legislation introduced in the Victorian and South Australian Upper Houses. Up for debate in August, the Tasmanian Bill makes voluntary euthanasia available only to State residents for at least 12 months who are terminally ill and "suffering intolerable pain". It also involves the person making the decision in the presence of a doctor, family member and they need a psychological assessment to ensure they are mentally competent to make an informed decision. Greens MP Nick McKim, who introduced the Bill on May 26, said the Bill also ensures that it is easy for the sufferer to rescind a request for assistance. The Bill also makes it clear that medical practitioners can refuse to be involved in a voluntary euthanasia. It also protects those who are involved from cen-

sure. It also contains a residency requirement so only Tasmanian residents can seek assistance to die. Mr McKim also said the Bill is designed to "complement the palliative care system". However, Archbishop Doyle said that Tasmanian MPs need to be reminded that "they are not authorised to impose upon our society the secular agenda of a few while ignoring the moral and religious values of so many Australians". Mr McKim said that while religious beliefs that God alone gives and takes life are to be respected, "it is inappropriate in a secular, multi-faith society for this belief to be enforced in law". He claimed that voluntary euthanasia upholds the sanctity of life as "forcing the terminally ill to suffer intolerably and die without dignity is an affront to the sanctity of life". The Cathechism of the Catholic Church states: "Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible. "Whatever its motives or means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of the handicapped, sick or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable. "Thus an act or omission which by itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person, and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator."

LIBERAL Senator Guy Barnett has called on express to Tasmanians their support for a National Marriage Day on August 13 following Tasmania's Labor party voting to support gay marriage. Gay activists told The Brisbane Times on July 26 that Federal Labor is under increased pressure to endorse same-sex marriage after the party's Tasmanian State conference passed a motion supporting it. "Marriage is under direct threat from Labor," Senator Barnett said, adding that the vote contradicted Labor promising to suppoprt marriage between a man and a woman at the last Federal election. He said the establishment of a National Marriage Day would send a message that marriage is worthy of protection and support. "Marriage provides for a stable family and is the umbrella under which children are nurtured and grow. Marriage was defined in law with the support of both major parties in 2004," Senator Barnett said. "There will always be attacks on marriage but this direct threat from Tasmanian Labor is a great disappointment."

Encourage saves relationships after parents hit hard A bomb went off 14 years ago in the family home of Melbourne mother-of-three Marie Mason, and she's still picking up the pieces. Anthony Barich reports. THE moment Marie Mason never expected came when her daughter told the family she's gay and had been living a homosexual relationship for three years. The daughter is now estranged from the Catholic Church, moved to Perth and is a gay activist. Family gatherings are often awkward affairs as talk of relationships is off limits. The daughter and her partner get defensive as the family cannot bring themselves to celebrate or condone the relationship. Both the daughter's other siblings are practising Catholics. The couple are invited to family gatherings, and Mrs Mason believes her daughter and her partner - both of whom come from faithful, practising Catholic families - to be "beautiful, kind and loving" people. That's why she has hope. That's why, when US priest Fr John Harvey - the Oblate of St Francis de Sales who founded Courage International as a spiritual support system for Catholic homosexual persons who desire to live a chaste life - spoke in Melbourne in 2003, she was inspired to start Encourage. Encourage, which ministers to relatives and friends of persons with same-sex attractions, is also an international movement, an offshoot of Courage, which has been endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family. The late Pope John Paul II said of this min-

istry, "Courage is doing the work of God." "We (Encourage participants, parents of same-sex attracted children who have drifted from the Church having revealed their inclinations) struggle like mad to love our children. It's ruinous, and they can't see it. They're just in the clutches of the evil forces in the world, and it strikes at the heart of a Catholic parent:' Mrs Mason says. Mrs Mason, a retired 69-yearold school teacher of 40 years, loves her daughter, who she says is a "beautiful person", along with her partner, but it nearly tore their family apart. The challenge is to continue loving them without preaching, as it will only drive them further away. "You always feel as if you're walking on eggshells with them; she says. "They get offended easily, but they also feel alienated, as we can't celebrate their life together. They are terrific girls in so many ways, but it's very hard for the family. "It's like a bomb going off in a Catholic family when a child declares they're not just gay they're living the lifestyle." The Church teaches that the inclination is not of people's own choosing, and that these people deserve love, compassion and respect. However, the sexual act can never be acceptable as it is not open to life or conducive to complementary, life-giving love. Mrs Mason, who is organising an Encourage conference in September, says that the key is to communicate the Catholic truths the family believes in, but doing it in a loving way. This is easier said than done. This has proven a significant challenge for her, but it has not driven the family into not talking

to the daughter. However, whatever 'conversion' the family seeks from the homosexual child will rarely come as a result of advice from the family, she says, as they are too close and too sensitive. It must come from elsewhere. This 'conversion' need not be a 'reversal' of the inclination, but a conversion of heart that sees the beauty in what the Church teaches about the human person living life to the full in love that is complementary and open to life. This process can be difficult, but it is far from impossible.

So parents, she says, can only hope, pray, and continue to love and cherish their children who have the same-sex inclination. This very process, she says, often brings parents and family members closer to God - "to the foot of the Cross", as they are often driven to prayer, both for the child, themselves and for the stability and harmony of the family. "Your grief takes you closer to God, you have to cling to God, but as a parent there's no way you can fix it unless they decide to alter their lifestyle; she said.

In the meetings, the chaplain leads them in prayer, then the parents share how their month has been. Have they seen their children in that time? How is the relationship now? Sometimes, same-sex attracted people from the Courage group attend, giving much-needed hope and insight for the parents on how to relate to their children. The group started with Mrs Mason, her husband Alan and three others. Now it has grown to a dedicated team of 22, reaching out to parishes where, she says, priests often don't know how to deal with such situations. Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart has also backed them financially. Parents at these meetings sometimes break down in tears, anguished about any number of things - their child's sexual orientation, the possible straining of their relationship with the child, or, most of the time, guilt that the parent feels, that they are somehow responsible for their child's inclination. "Parents often feel 'what didIdo that was wrong?'... that you may have alienated the child growing up, failed to bond; she said. "All parents I've spoken to... we all did our best at the time, but we're told by things we read that even with the best of parents the child can conceive themselves as different from their siblings or parents. Maybe the mother or father wasn't able to be truly present due to their work or own mental state, or what ever..." She says that many parents who attend Encourage say they couldn't go on without it. One told her that she stops being angry having returned from Encourage meetings. Subsequently, the son is therefore less angry with the parent, and a positive relationship can be built from there.

Page 8

LETTERS

Childhood, infants, the Church and schools

Letters to the editor

‘c‘ the

he recent news that Catholics schools are beginning the provision of education and childcare for children officially aged from 0-5 poses questions that all in the Church cannot avoid considering. Possibly the most important is whether the Church has begun to become involved in facilitating the exit of the very young from the best environment that exists for them - the love of a mother and a father within the context of marriage, a family and the care of the family home. There is clearly a serious concern among some in the Church in Australia that this may have begun to happen; others are watching with great interest. Whether this actually takes place remains to be seen, but clearly there is the suspicion of something slightly schizophrenic in the current situation. That the Church - which promotes parents as the first and most important educators of the child and which consistently promotes the intact family unit based upon marriage as the foundation stone of society - has done so, even if only on an individual diocesan basis, has surprised many. It came, after all, against the backdrop of continual and sometimes fierce debate over several decades into whether childcare is desirable and whether it aids or hurts children. There have been numerous serious and well-researched studies which suggest that childcare is not the universal good that many have assumed. Australian author and childcare critic Steve Biddulph has achieved global prominence, in part, for his criticisms of childcare. Whatever social science may be able to say definitively at some point in the future there is, at least, a prima facie case that neither the bishops of Australia nor those who are planning the spread of early childhood education thought through fully the consequences of the various decisions which allowed the new policy to come into existence, nor the social, philosophical and theological issues that bear on it. It is also certain that the issue is more complex than might be supposed. On the one hand those who have pushed for its provisions must be prepared to publically answer questions such as the following: Why does any infant need to be put out of the family home and into a school or any other form of care, outside the occasional and normal unforseen situations of family life? Why should such environments be considered superior to the normal daily rythms of family life and marriage? Why should any PO Box 75 infant need to begin the process of formal educaLeederville, WA 6902 tion from zero to five years? Why should infants cathrec@iinetnet.au be separated from their normal primary carer, usually a mother? Tel: (08) 9227 7080 What complicates this issue is that although Fax: (08) 9227 7087 such questions have been among the first to spring to mind it must be sadly admitted that there are other factors which mitigate or suggest that accepting infants may, in some cases, be a necessity. Catholic schools could not have begun to offer care for infants aged zero to five unless there was strong pressure to do so. Where did that pressure come from? Beginning in the 1960s, a concerted push led to increasing numbers of women entering the workforce. Prior to that era, roughly speaking, a single wage, usually earned by the husband, was enough to support a family of modest means. But from approximately that time, the economies of developed nations have come to depend on the necessity of both spouses being in the workplace regardless of the needs of children. Oddly, the widespread adoption of contraception powerfully aided the necessity for two incomes to service mortgages as sellers and lenders realised they could demand higher prices, higher loans and higher interest rates from two wage earners rather than one. The now near-universal acceptance of contraception has seen birthrates plummet everywhere in affluent societies such as Australia. Put simply, modern Australian couples are having only 1.83 children per family. Family size is limited precisely because having more than 1.83 children is now economically very difficult. Meanwhile, the Church continues to urge couples to be generous to life and open to the possibility of having larger families where brothers and sisters can grow up in the rough and tumble of family life and learn to live with a wider variety of others of widely differing capacities and personalities. A serious and protracted social problem is that most women in Australia earning an average wage now face enormous psychological and economic pressure to re-enter the workforce as soon as possible after giving birth - against their entirely natural and normal desires to be with their infant children. To cease being an employee in order to carry out the most important job in the world, that of being a full-time mother, is now a luxury for most Australian women. In this sense, Australian society, together with many others throughout the world, has turned on motherhood with a vengeance relegating women to being only of primary use for their economic contributions in the workforce. Meanwhile, women forced back into the workforce need someone to look after their children. Who will do it? The necessity of childcare also emanates, in part, from the modern Australian belief that it is entirely acceptable to destroy a marriage, regardless of the now well-known and studied lifelong consequences for children. Australian marriages divorce at 33 per cent; those who subsequently re-marry face even higher second and third divorce rates, taking the total to 48 per cent. When a mother who is usually given primary custody of the children of divorce must work to avoid poverty, who will care for her children during the day? As usual, woman - and children - bear the burden first. Finally, there is the concomitant problem of the way in which woman has come to be treated and thought of by society. Put simply, unless a woman has a high-flying job or 'career' she is of comparatively little worth in the eyes of Australian society and politics. How many mothers, when asked what they do have replied almost apologetically with words to the effect of (0h, I'm just at home with the kids' in tones which indicate that both they and their contemporaries see motherhood as either a second or third-best career path. And yet one of the saddest of the new phenomenons of Australian life is women who either choose to never have children or regret too late that they spent their lives climbing the corporate ladder only to discover they had pursued emptiness. Our nation does not value mothers. Somewhat paradoxically, children who come from the average Australian family of 1.83 siblings may in fact benefit from being in the same room as a larger number of individuals for 15 hours a week (under the current arrangements introduced in Catholic schools) where they can experience the diversity of human personality that society or their parents found economically impossible or socially undesirable to provide them. The factors described above are really expressions of the social and cultural desire to reject marriage as an obstacle to other things, but they also happen to be the factors that have led to Church bureaucracies beginning to care for children whose parents and society can no longer afford to care for them. Whether the justification is real is still an open question. The push for early childcare from the age of zero upwards ultimately originates from a society lost in the pursuit of materialism and which has lost sight utterly of the importance of marriage, of motherhood and fatherhood. Among the really interesting questions is whether the current situation, which applies to three-year-olds, will ever reach provision of care for six-month-olds? The "0-5 years" tag of the policy implies that it could. Another is that given the factors outlined above are the progenitors of the current situation, are Catholic Church agencies justified in filling the gaps? These are the questions.

THE RECORD

July 29 2009, The Record

0 k,

LETTERS TO THE

Situation not hopeless

he heading on my recent column, "The End of Britain, but what's next?" may have conveyed an impression of hopelessness which I did not intend. While Ibelieve the situation created by the "adversary culture" in Britain and also elsewhere is very grave and calls urgently for the work of good people to counteract it, I also believe, as do all Christians, that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail. We have this on good authority. Guy Crouchback Ned land s

When Basque bells went silent

n page 15 of last week's The Record you have an article headed `Basque Bishops apologise for silence over 1930s deaths.' Some additional comment should be made about this article. It is very difficult for the ordinary Australian to put himself into the atmosphere in Spain at that time. The good Catholics of Spain had witnessed wholesale hatred of the Church and bestial killings of priests, monks, nuns and the ordinary faithful, by those who supported the Republican "government" which had closed churches and taken delight in desecrating those buildings and all things Catholic. There were some priests who supported the Republicans for various reasons, not least because they thereby saved their own lives. However there were also some priests who supported the Republicans in the Basque regions because they supported Basque independence and the Republicans were seen by them as being most likely to bring this independence about. There were, of course, those on the Nationalist side who saw these as traitors and in any Civil War the winning side does not usually treat traitors very kindly. After World War II France executed approximately 10,000 people who had supported the German occupation of France. When the Nationalist side finally overran the Basque regions of Spain, a number of priests who had supported the Republicans in those regions were dealt with as traitors. Cardinal Goma protested against the execution of these priests and General Franco ordered the executions to stop. This was on October 26 and his orders were obeyed. The executions ceased. I strongly recommend anyone interested in this period of history to read it through the eyes of a Catholic Historian in the very readable book The Last Crusade by Warren Carroll. Copies can be had from a Catholic Bookshop which advertises regularly in The Record. John Rayner Hillarys

dren, and yearn for the continued support of our Church, in enabling us to perform this extremely important role. With particular reference to children aged 0 to 4 - bonding, nurturing and child development - all these things are ideally done in the home by parents, rather than by other people, no matter how professionally trained they are. We would like to loudly celebrate the work that parents do in providing loving, rich learning environments in the home. Such tireless workers should be acknowledged, valued and assisted in their vocation, by all of us. Such parents should not feel pressure to enrol their children in formal schooling before the compulsory starting age. This pressure should certainly not come from our Catholic community, even inadvertently, if the prevalence of formal preschool programs, which separate parent and child for substantial amounts of time, were to become some sort of 'social norm'. Parents also need to be continuously reassured that Pre-Primary or Year 1 enrolment at their school of choice will not become more difficult for those who are not involved in the younger programs at the school. There are many families amongst us that need access to care for their young children, outside the home, for a great variety of reasons. It is a privilege to be able to assist others in the raising of their children. Some enjoy this through informal arrangements between extended families or close friends. The extension of Catholic education services to younger than compulsory age children is a manifestation of formal assistance. Such assistance should not be administered on the basis of ability to pay for special services, but should be accessible to all, and with preference to the poor and marginalised. Can the Church give parents the support they need to maintain their confidence that they are the best people to care for their young children, and also stretch out a hand of assistance to those who are in genuine need of formal help? Shelley Hill PFFWA President

Premier's China words concerning

he reported statements by Premier Colin Barnett that "China's wealth was a key to our development" is a cause for concern. Western Australia can prosper without the need of Chinese capital. Our prosperity is assured, but we need to do more than digging up our natural resources and shipping them overseas. We should be processing our minerals, especially iron ore into steel instead of buying the finished product from China. Mr Barnett is quoted as saying "People should recognise how far China has come in the past 30 years and how much further it will go in the next 30 years," He is right, but the reality is that we are dealing with a brutal, militant-atheistic, totalitarian Communist regime with a huge population of 1.4 billion people. We should question why has China the world's largest standing army, which is more than it needs for its own defence? This demands a further question; does China have territorial ambitions? And is Australia, which is the prize of the world with enormous valuable resources and a population of only 22 million, in China's sights? Brian Peachey Woodvale

Childcare and Catholic Communion schools saw one of my friends receive commun-

hank you for bringing into public discussion the issues raised in the articles in The Record of July 16, 2009, regarding early years care of children in Catholic schools. The Parents and Friends' Federation of WA, representing the parents of children in Catholic schools, has had many discussions on these topics recently. We rejoice in the Church's teaching that parents are the first educators of their chil-

ion at Mass last Sunday. She is totally New Age and sometimes dismisses the Church, though she enjoys its rituals.Ilater suggested she should not recieve communion but was toldI was not to tell her how to live her life. Some of us seem to have taken a deafeatist attitude when non-Catholics stroll up to our communion, because they do us the favour of sampling our ceremonies. Peter Gilet Bunbury

Oil

July 29 2009, The Record

Initiatives aim to help the dying Palliative care makes euthanasia unneccesary: Dr Hames and UNDA expert

THE RECORD VISTA

The end of life surprise

• By Anthony Barich

he tragic cases put forward by euthanasia advocates do not reflect the state of Palliative Care in WA and do not justify euthanasia laws, State Health Minister Dr Kim Hames told The Record. Dr Hames, a former general practitioner, told the paper he is personally against legalising euthanasia, and said that West Australian cancer patients are well managed and that the terminally ill are not generally in pain. The State's specialist cancer centre at Charles Gairdner Hospital is in the process of being expanded, and there is "very strong liaison with Palliative Care services and alternative support therapies. "The debate wont go away, we just have to keep putting forward the arguments" against the need for euthanasia, Dr Hames told The Record. "The problem is, cancer gets tied up in the euthanasia debate. They're talking cancer and people start thinking 'I'd want to die if! had it', but Palliative Care allows people to have that very comfortable end of life.' In May he announced a $14 million Palliative Services Project Fund to be rolled out over four years, including: Palliative Care services for every rural region across WA; paediatric Palliative Care services to support terminally ill children and their families in their local communities; and implementation of care pathways to ensure terminally ill patients receive timely care according to their needs, in the place of their choice. Palliative Care Area Health Teams in the Perth metropolitan region will be developed in order to build links between health services and to boost patients' access to care close to where they live; a workforce development program will help ensure patients' health care needs can be met. "Palliative Care is an extremely important area as we prepare for an ageing population and the resulting demands on the health system," Mr Hames said when announcing the fund. Associate Professor Gavin Frost, Dean of Medicine at the University of Notre Dame Australia's Fremantle campus, said the government needs to ensure more Palliative Care specialists are trained to ensure that patients with debilitating conditions are cared for on all fronts. "A concern for some who are dying is how they pay off debts or fix broken relationships with family. Governments need to ensure there are adequately resourced Palliative Care centres with well-trained staff across the whole spectrum of healthcare staff," Prof. Frost said. "Care makes the difference between people wanting euthanasia, and having good deaths. Palliative Care means euthanasia is totally unnecessary:' Prof. Frost, formerly Senior Medical Advisor ofthe AIDS and Communicable Diseases branch of the Australian Commonwealth of Health, Department UNDA's said the advent of AIDS Gavin Frost prompted a greater focus on Palliative Care, adding that some doctors don't like to talk with patients about death, as they are in the business of curing. He said medical students should know that there is always more to be done in Palliative Care if a patient's condition is beyond their level of expertise. He said all first-year medical students at UNDA are taught how to give people bad news for incurable conditions and spend two weeks with Margherita Nicoletti, Director of Hospice and Palliative Care Services at St John of God Murdoch Community Hospice. He said that for doctors, referring people to specialists much earlier on means "being able to discuss death with people, which is tough for doctors, because if you're an expert in cures then it means you've failed". "People don't want to hear or talk about death and dying, until there's absolutely no way of avoiding it; he said.

sfe

Demonstrators against physician-assisted suicide, some in wheelchairs, protest outside the US Supreme Court building in Washington in 2005. But relatively simple measures in the field of Palliative Care make euthanasia PHOTO: CNS/REUTERS unecessary, a specialist in the field has told The Record.

More education for medical students and doctors will advance Palliative Care by light years, says Perth specialist. • By Anthony Barich

uthanasia gains ground because of the medical education system's failure and people's desire to cling to a sense of control over their life and death so prevalent in western society, WA Palliative Care specialist Dr Derek Eng said. Dr Eng, a Palliative Care specialist at St John of God, Royal Perth and Hollywood Hospitals, told The Record that the current push for euthanasia in WA following the passing of the Consent to Medical Treatment Amendments Act 2008 is due to ignorance among both the medical profession and the wider community about Palliative Care best practices. It is an ignorance, he said, that is global because Palliative Care is a relatively new medical specialty pioneered in the United Kingdom. There, St Christopher's Hospice, founded in 1967, became the first hospice to link expert pain and symptom control, compassionate care, education and clinical research. Many doctors, he said, have the misconception that Palliative Care is comforting people with drugs in their last days until death, a perception which flows on to the public. But Palliative Care, he said, is the multitude of ways a patient's physical and emotional suffering can be treated so that they can have a better quality of life. "It's unfortunate that a lot of doctors still think that Palliative Care is just pain management near the time of death, so they don't send anyone to us until people are about to die," he said. "Palliative Care can make the biggest difference early on in the course of one's

illness." A spokesperson for the University of WA's medicine faculty said it has always taught Palliative Care in an 'ad-hoc' way, but it was only formally introduced into the syllabus in 2001. Furthermore, there is a traditional fear of prescribing drugs like morphine for cancer pain as patients can become addicts, which is a myth, Dr Eng said. The solution, he said, is more education for both medical students and doctors in the field, as Palliative Care aims to help bring patients beyond a sense of hopelessness and "normalise" patients' lives as much as possible, preferably enabling them to return home rather than stay in a hospice or hospital. The lack of awareness of Palliative Care means patients' intractable symptoms often end up poorly managed. He said it is understandable for patients who endure prolonged physical and emotional suffering to wish for death as it is the only way out. For cases like quadriplegia, recently highlighted by Christian Rossiter pleading with MPs in The West Australian to legalise euthanasia last month, Dr Eng said promoting a sense of meaning and hope into patients' lives is the key - focusing on what they can do rather than what they can no longer do. However, he accepts that patients have every right to say 'that's easy for you to say'. While many of us define meaning in life by our careers, our responsibilities and duties such as bringing up children and looking after our families, a major setback like a cancer diagnosis or paraplegia will change one's life completely and utterly. When we lose our "meaning of life", we lose our sense of self and feel worthless, hopeless and a burden. This happens

to so many people who become critically unwell or severely disabled. He said that as providers of Palliative Care, they try to support and nurture patients through their traumatic life changing experiences and through hopefully Dr Derek Eng all that they will find something that brings meaning to their lives. "There will be a percentage of people who will never find meaning as their life is so vastly different than what they used to have, and when their life is devoid of all hope and meaning, then all they wish for is death, and there's nothing we can do about that; He said that doctors like Dr Philip Nitschke who advocate right-to-die initiatives should not be demonised, as all doctors ultimately want to help their patients. "What do you do when you've got a patient crying ... begging you to do something? That's where the moral line needs to be very clear, if it's not then you're in dangerous territory," he said. Euthanasia goes against the Hippocratic Oath sworn by all doctors, "above all, do no harm". "It all comes down to ethics. Yes, (the patients) want death, but do we have a right to offer and give it to them? The answer to that should be "no". Patients then take that right into their own hands, they read books or the internet, and they think that because no-one can help them, 'I'll just do it myself'. Faith may even have a role to play. "We have a fabricated sense of control that we think we can live life with some kind of predictability. If we can't predict, we must put our faith in something greater than ourselves," he said.

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July 29 2009, The Record

Good intentions are not enough. Intrepid Record journalist MARK REIDY set out to discover what constitutes good Catholic funeral etiquette.

here are only two certainties in life we are told - taxes and death. We have accountants and other professionals to consult when it comes to dealing with the complexities of taxpaying, but it appears that many Catholics are unsure about the intricacies involved when loved ones depart from this world. What are the correct Church procedures and protocols? What is and isn't acceptable within the funeral service - and why? Where do eulogies fit into the scheme of things? Are cremations permissible? Can unbaptised babies or those who have suicided receive a Catholic funeral? There are many questions, but before we explore where the Church stands on these matters today, let us look at the history of Christian burials.

Photo: Justine Stevens

History Although death has always been central to Christian theology, there is no historical evidence to suggest that followers officially formatted any specific procedures in the first centuries, although there were distinct changes noted that differed from their Jewish ancestors. The most immediate change was that Christians handled the body of the dead without fear of pollution. They believed that the permanent purification of baptism would ensure that the body of the dead would be resurrected into eternal life at the end of time. Death was only seen as a passage to this new life and did not break any communal ties with fellow believers. Christians rejected the widespread Roman practice of cremation and followed the example of Jesus who was buried before rising from the dead. While pagans referred to burial places as a necropolis (city of the dead) Christians considered them to be dormitories (coemeterium) a place where one slept until the resurrection. The joyous mood at Christian funerals was also noted by those outside the faith, as was the practice of providing even the poor with a decent burial, which contrasted with the normal Roman practice of dumping the bodies in large pits outside the city walls. In the first century Rome's Christians did not have their own cemeteries. If they owned land they would bury relatives there, otherwise they would be buried in common cemeteries where pagans were also buried. This is how Saint Peter came to be reputedly buried in the public necropolis on Vatican Hill and Saint Paul in the necropolis along Via Ostiense. In the first half of the second century Christians began using underground cem-

church, from the church to the grave and at the graveside. The ritual process that accompanied these stages had become a blend of the triumphant nature proposed by St Ambrose and the concern for penance and purification that was highlighted by St Augustine. Between the 10th and 14th centuries the chants and singing increased and became incorporated into what became known as the Requiem Mass, although they were tempered and fine-tuned by the Council of Trent (1545-1563) to reflect a more solemn nature. Composers such as Mozart contributed their talents to the music adopted during these Masses. Requiem Masses tended to focus more on the sinful nature of humanity and the judgement that came at the end of a life. The priest was vested in the liturgical colour black, there was burning of incense and other aspects of the regular Mass were omitted. The sequence Dies Irae, or Day of Wrath was included, which spoke of the upcoming ending of the world and the judgement that followed. During the Second Vatican Council (1963-65) the first document approved was the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy, which opened the doors for a number of changes to the funeral liturgy. This was followed by the "Consilium for the Implementation of the Constitution on the Liturgy", in which texts were removed that overemphasised judgement, fear and despair and an attempt was made to focus the Funeral Mass on the hope and faith of the resurrection.

Learn to read between papal lines

life, the fulfilment of his new birth begun at Baptism, the definitive conforming to the image of the Son conferred by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and participation in the feast of the Kingdom which was anticipated in the Eucharist - even if final purifications are still necessary for him in order to be clothed with the nuptial garment. 1683 The Church, who, as Mother, has borne the Christian sacramentally in her womb during his earthly pilgrimage, accompanies him at his journey's end, in order to surrender him "into the Father's hands:' She offers to the father, in Christ, the child of his grace, and she commits to the earth, in hope, the seed of the body that will rise in glory. This offering is fully celebrated in the Eucharistic sacrifice; the blessings before and after Mass are sacramentals.

eteries, known as catacombs. Many of them developed around family tombs, whose newly-converted owners did not reserve them for members of their own family but opened them to fellow Christians. Such land became places where the faithful gathered not only to bury their dead, but also to mark the anniversaries of martyrs and others who had been placed there. It is believed that the catacombs not only provided an economical way to bury the dead, as Christians were predominantly poor, but also provided them with a sense of community even in the "sleep of death". In 313 Emperor Constantine proclaimed Misunderstandings, confusion religious tolerance in the Roman Empire and Christians were free to be more open The Catholic Church has always intended with their faith. Despite this the catacombs the Funeral Mass to be an act of worship continued to function until the fifth century and prayer that is conducted in the context promise of eternal life." Priests are often caught when the Church returned to burials excluof the life, death and resurrection of Christ. in the difficult situation of trying to cater for sively above the ground or in the basilicas The 1969 Introduction to the Funeral Rites grieving family and friends, whilst simultanededicated to martyrs. of the Catholic Church states, "In the funer- ously trying to uphold the Church's eternal As the relics of saints began appearal rites the Church celebrates the paschal understanding of the moment. ing within churches which lay within city mystery of Christ. Those who in Baptism walls, so too did the practice of burying have become one with the dead and risen Common questions the faithful within the church grounds, so Christ will pass with him from death to life, that they could be close to them. By the to be purified in soul and welcomed into Below is a list of some of the issues that year 1000 this process of both living and the fellowship of saints in heaven. They look seem to be most misunderstood or incorrectly dead Christians sharing common ground forward in blessed hope to His second com- practised. Some of these may vary within archwas firmly entrenched. The dead, as US ing and the bodily resurrection of the dead:' dioceses, so it is best to consult your parish historian Patrick Geary describes it, became In recent years however, there seems to priest for what are acceptable practices within another "age group" in medieval society. be a growing number of Catholic funerals your parish. More official records of Christian atti- What we have today that are incorporating more secular eletudes toward death can be found throughments that are drawing attention primarily What does a Catholic funeral incorporate? out the fourth century. Bishop Ambrose of This newer version, known as the Mass of to the deceased and away from the purpose Milan (374-397) urged baptised Christians Christian Burial, focused on the fact that life intended by the Church. There are three distinct parts of a Catholic to look forward to death with joy. Others, had changed, rather than ended. The priest During a Funeral Mass it is not uncom- funeral. such as St Augustine of Hippo, however, was permitted to wear white vestments and mon to see multiple and extended eulogies believed that fear of one's sinfulness and of texts such as "Day of Wrath", amongst oth- highlighting the life of the deceased, person- 1. The Vigil - This usually occurs the night God's judgement would be a more appropri- ers, were omitted. al items draped over the coffin and secular before the Funeral Mass and can be held in a ate Christian response. In general the new rite envisioned that songs performed. These have become com- church, funeral home, private home or other The pastoral response to Augustine's the liturgy comprise three parts: the vigil for fortably entrenched and, in fact, expected, suitable place. It can include a reading of more anxious response to death came in the the deceased the night before the Mass, the within funeral services. The fact is that all Scripture, prayers for the deceased and also for form of Communion as "viaticum" (provi- celebration of the Mass and a liturgical rite these practices are outside the guidelines those who mourn. sions for a journey), which was granted at the site of the burial. laid down by the Roman Catholic Church. to penitents by the Council of Nicea in The vigil includes rites that may be cel- (See question/Answer section to find out 2. The Funeral Mass -The Mass, the memorial 325. However historians such as Frederick ebrated between the time of death and more). of Christ's death and resurrection, is the prinPaxton claim that the rite of deathbed the funeral liturgy and may take the form The problem, according to Father Peter cipal celebration of the Christian funeral. The Communion was more a sign of member- of a liturgy of the Word or some part of Williams, the Executive Officer of the Eucharistic sacrifice affirms and expresses the ship in the community of the saved. Paxton the Office of the Dead. The Funeral Mass Australian National Liturgical Commission, union of the Church on earth and in heaven. claims that the psalms and prayers that were includes the reception of the body, the gained momentum since the 1997 funeral Though separated from the living, the deceased used in the fourth century and possibly ear- celebration of the liturgy of the Word, the of Princess Diana, which departed from tra- person is still at one with believers on earth and lier, were a reflection that Ambrose's view liturgy of the Eucharist and the final com- ditional Christian liturgies. This and other benefits from their prayers and intercession. of triumphant death was more widespread mendation and farewell. public funerals have seemed to focus on The Mass compromises four principal elethan the Augustinian attitude. The post Second Vatican Council inter- the individual and their life rather than ments; (a) The greeting of the Community, (b) Other historical writings such as those of pretation also included an explanation of acknowledging an eternal transition. The Liturgy of the Word, (c) the Eucharistic St Gregory of Nyssa also underline the offer- the symbols used during the ceremony: The Such an approach has become increasing- sacrifice and (d) a final farewell. ing of the Eucharist as an essential feature Easter candle reminds the faithful of Christ's ly appealing to those who attend Catholic in the last solemn rites during the fourth undying presence among them and His vic- funerals but do not fully embrace or under- 3. The Rite of Committal - This is the conclucentury. In his detailed description of the tory over sin and death. The sprinkling of stand the Church's teachings. "You've got sion of the funeral rites and is celebrated at the funeral St Macrina, he also refers to an all holy water reminds us of the saving waters a collision between the Church's rites and final burial or resting place of the deceased. night vigil that included hymn singing, a of baptism. The incense is used as a sign to people's expectations in memorialisin§ Prayers are offered that express the hope that, procession to the church, the solemn chant- honour the body, which through baptism someone important to them who has died, with all those who have gone before them, ing of psalms, and "accustomed prayers of became a temple of the Holy Spirit, as well Fr Williams said in a 2005 interview. It is marked with the sign of faith, the deceased the Church" which were followed by the as a sign of the community prayers for the not that the Church is unsympathetic to the awaits the glory of the resurrection. "accustomed funeral rites" at the burial deceased rising to the throne of God and as grieving of attendants at this very sensitive The funeral rites offer worship, praise and site. A known formula had obviously been a sign of farewell. time, in fact the confusion that occurs today thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life, which adopted. A white pall may be draped over the cof- most likely stems from the Church's effort has now returned to God, the author of life. During the following centuries these fin as a reminder of the deceased's baptism to acknowledge and incorporate those who This celebration also brings hope to the living. became more widespread. In southern Gaul, garment and a sign of Christian dignity and do not recognise the spiritual significance of The Church, through its funeral rites, comBishop Caesarius of Arles (503-543) urged a reminder that all are equal in the eyes of the occasion. mends the dead to God's merciful love and the sick to seek ritual anointing from priests God. In the General Instruction of the Roman pleads for the forgiveness of their sins. rather than magicians and folk healers and A bible may be placed on the coffin as Missal that was put out by the Australian authored some of the most enduring of the a sign that Christians live by the Word of Catholics Bishops Conference in 2007 it was Are eulogies appropriate during the prayers that accompanied death and burial God and that fidelity to that Word leads to pointed out that in preparing for the Mass Funeral Mass? in medieval Christianity. eternal life. for the Dead, Pastors should, "take into spePope Gregory the Great (590-604) first A cross may also be placed on the cof- cial account those who are present at a liturCatholic Funeral Masses do not allow space promoted the practice of offering the Mass fin to remind us that Christians have been gical celebration or who hear the Gospel on for a eulogy. The focus of a Christian funeral as an aid to souls in the afterlife. Around the marked by the sign of the cross in baptism the occasion of the funeral and who may be is the paschal mystery: the suffering, death year 800 certain clerical communities intro- and through Jesus suffering we are brought non-Catholics or Catholics who never or and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The duced rituals to assist the soul's exit from the to the victory in His resurrection. rarely participate in the Eucharist or who funeral rites are not so much a celebration of body, such as the communal and rhythmic seem even to have lost the faith." the life of the deceased, but a prayer that the calling on the Trinity, Mary, the angels, the What the this consideration Unfortunately for and death of the deceased may be joined to life Catechism says prophets and patriarchs, the martyrs and those who do not fully understand or accept Christ in heaven. confessors, and all living men and women, 1681 The Christian meaning of death is the Catholic faith has led to an increasing One family member or friend may speak were sung to aid the soul's passing. This revealed in the light of the paschal mystery number of funerals in which the focus on words of remembrance during the funeral Mass practice soon became a part of a common of the death and resurrection of Christ in the life of the deceased has overshadowed - after the concluding prayer - but this should tradition that also included rites of penance, whom resides our only hope. The Christian the spiritual understanding promoted by be brie( and should share some insight into the absolution, anointing and Communion. who dies in Christ Jesus is "away from the the Church. "Funerals primarily organised faith and values of the deceased. By the end of the ninth century it seemed body and at home with the Lord" (2 Cor as a personal celebration of the lives of the This does not mean that we cannot reflect that the funeral itself had been broken 5:8). deceased", according to Fr Williams, "Take on and celebrate the life of the deceased, but into five distinct stages: at the house of the 1682 For the Christian the day of death away from the message of Christian faith because the focus of the Mass is foremost on deceased, on the way to the church, at the inaugurates, at the end of his sacramental of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the God, the Church deems it more appropriate to

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conduct these eulogies, which share personal memories, outside the Mass. More appropriate times would be at the Vigil Service, Committal Service or social gathering for mourners. Are secular music and photo presentations permitted during the Funeral Mass? Favourites songs, poetry or video/photo presentations should not be conducted during the Funeral Mass, but, as with eulogies, at the Vigil or Committal services or at a social gathering.

Catechumens are counted amongst Christ's faithful and have a right to a Catholic funeral. The Church denies funeral rites to the following people, unless they gave some signs of repentance before death: Notorious apostates, heretics, schismatics and other manifest sinners to whom a Church funeral could not be granted without public scandal to the faithful.

Can a baptised non-Catholic be allowed a Catholic funeral? This is permitted at the discretion of the local ordinary (generally the diocesan bishop or his vicar general), unless the intention of the deceased is evidently to the contrary and provided that their own minister is not available.

Can personal items be placed on the coffin when in the church? Religious items that reflect the spiritual significance of the Mass, such as a crucifix or bible, can be placed on the coffin. However the Church encourages more personal items, such as flags, football jumpers, photographs or favourite items to be placed on a side table.

Can someone who has committed suicide receive a Catholic funeral?

What type of music is acceptable during a Funeral Mass? Music is an integral part of the of the funeral rites and should support and console the mourners and strengthen the faith of the assembly. The words of the songs that are chosen need to reflect the values and beliefs of the Church, in particular, the belief in life after death and the hope of resurrection.

Are Cremations permittedfor Catholics?

In the past a Church funeral was denied to those who had committed suicide (although Masses were always offered for them) in order to avoid giving scandal to the faithful and to emphasis the grave nature of suicide. However today the Church better understands the psychological disturbances that may influence a suicide and thus mitigate personal culpability. This being the case, those who take their own life are now typically provided funerals.

May divorced and remarried Catholics receive a Catholic funeral? As with persons who had committed suicide, persons who had married outside the Church were often denied a Catholic funeral. Again this was to avoid giving scandal to the faithful and to prevent them from taking the matter lightly. Whilst the Church has not changed its doctrine that divorce and remarriage without annulment is objectively wrong, it now generally allows funerals and burials for people in this situation.

Cremation of the bodies of the deceased has been an acceptable option since 1963. The Church has always expressed a belief that the body should be treated with great respect and May unbaptised infants receive a Catholic as a temple of the Holy Spirit, as indicated by funeral? the prayers and gestures used in liturgy, and If a child's parents intended to have their because of this reverence still prefers traditional earth burial, but both options are equally child baptised, but the child died before the valid. sacrament could be administered, the local The only time the Church will oppose cre- ordinary may allow the child to have a Catholic mation is when it is used as an expression of funeral. denial in the Christian belief in the resurrection of the body. What about miscarried babies?

Who may receive a Catholic funeral? Any baptised Catholic in good standing has a right to a funeral within the Church and according to her liturgical practice.

As above, a miscarried child may receive a Catholic funeral, although a family is not required to formally bury the body. If a more developed unborn child dies and is delivered intact, parents can choose to bury the child.

• By Monsignor Brian O'Loughlin, P.A. V.G.

Encyclicals are not the only form of Papal letter. The Record, July 15, 2009 gave coverage to Pope Benedict's latest encyclical, Charity in Truth. The title of an encyclical comes from the first words of the Latin text, Caritas in veritate. The coverage contained a graphic headed Encyclical History, giving as a source The Vatican and as the origin and copyright CNS (Catholic News Service). In the graphic, an encyclical is defined as: "a formal papal letter addressed to the whole Church and all people of good will". This definition needs some precision, as encyclicals are not the only form of Papal Letter and they are not necessarily addressed to all people of good will. There are at least four types of Papal Letter in use today. The first or highest grade, because it is legislative, is an Apostolic Constitution. Examples are Pope John Paul's Apostolic Constitution promulgating the Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church on 25 January 1983 and the Code of Canon Law for the Eastern Churches on 18 October 1990. The second grade of Papal Letter are Encyclicals. They are complemented by letters written by the Pope and issued "Motu proprio" or on the Pope's own initiative. While Pope Benedict has written three encyclicals, he has also issued other letters "Motu proprio": Summorum Pontificum creating ordinary and extra-ordinary forms of the Mass in the Latin Rite, and a Letter to the Church in China. Since Pope John XXIII's encyclical Peace on Earth on April 11, 1963, it has been customary to address some encyclicals, particularly the social ones, "to all people of good will". Vatican Council II called for the establishment of the Synod of Bishops. The first Synod released a document on Justice in the World and the Ministerial Priesthood in its own name. This was not followed for subsequent Synods, which instead gave propositions to the Pope, who has then issued an Apostolic Exhortation. So Pope Paul VI issued the fundamental and groundbreaking Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi on December 8, 1975. The graphic in The Record it states that Pope Paul VI issued only seven encyclicals during his fifteen year Pontificate. These include Humanae Vitae and the social encyclical Populorum Progressio, which Pope Benedict quotes extensively. However, Pope Paul VI's legacy also includes the numerous Apostolic Constitutions and "Motu proprios" he issued following the Vatican Council. Pope Benedict has issued three encyclicals, but also the Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis on The Eucharist on February 22, 2007 and we now await his Post-Synodal Exhortation on the Word of God. There are talks and addresses given by Popes and these are published, so while Pope John Paul I did not write an encyclical, his warm personality and simple teaching style endeared him to all during his brief papacy through publication of his General Audience and other talks. Finally, in this Year of the Priest, we can recall with gratitude and affection, the Letters which Pope John Paul II wrote each Holy Thursday to all the priests as a means of prayer and reflection.

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July 29 2009, The Record

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• IVF twins' Pope dismisses Medjugorje priest mum, 66, dies

In what will almost certainly be taken as a blow by those who believe Mary is appearing at Medjugorje, Pope Benedict has laicised a controversial priest. • By Anthony Barich

Maria del Carmen Bousada, with her twins shortly after they were born in 2006.

Questions open up in wake of mother's death. A WOMAN listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest mother has died of cancer, leaving her IVF twins orphans with an uncertain future. Maria del Carmen Bousada, from Barcelona, gave birth to sons Pau and Christian in 2006, after fertility treatment in California. She was 66 at the time. Shortly after she gave birth, doctors discovered that she had a tumour. The doctor who implanted the embryo, created with donor eggs and sperm, denied any responsibility because Ms Bousada had told him that she was 55. What could he have done, asked Dr Vicken Sahakian, of the Pacific Fertility Clinic in Los Angeles. "We don't ask for passports, obviously. When is the last time you went to a doctor and he asked you for a birth certificate? We're not detectives here." Ms Bousada was a determined woman. When she discovered that she could not get treatment in Spain, where the effective cut-off for IVF is 50, she sold her house and sought out Dr Sahakian. He does IVF for women only up to the age of 55. "I would like the mother... to basically survive until the kids reach 18," he told AP. For Ms Bousada, having a child was an obsession. She cared for her own mother until her death at 101 and then she embarked upon IVF. "I think everyone should become a mother at the right time for them," she told the British tabloid News of the World after the birth. "Often circumstances put you between a rock and a hard place, and maybe things shouldn't have been done in the way they were done, but that was the only way to achieve the thing I had always dreamed of, and I did it." What will happen to her sons? Her brother Ricardo has sold details of her death to the media to set up a trust fund for them. Her estranged brother Jose Luis surmised to journalists that some arrangements must have been made. "I suppose there will be no problem," he said. Ms Bousada's record as the world's oldest mother was shattered recently when two 70-year-old women gave birth in India last year. However, going for the guernsey is a 72-year-old in England, Jenny Brown. She had spent £30,000 on Italian and American IVF clinics over the past 20 years. Now she plans to try her luck at a clinic in Bulgaria, Romania, Spain or India. Why so late? Same old story, according to an interview with her in the London Daily Mail. She never married because she was afraid of the commitment and because she was absorbed in advanced degrees and her work. She brushes off all criticism: "The possible objections are endless - but really it's just unusual and people don't like unusual things." - BIOEDGE

POPE Benedict XVI has ordered that a former spiritual director to the 'visionaries' in Medjugorje be dismissed from the priesthood and the Franciscan Order, under pain of excommunication. The Pope has ordered that Franciscan Fr Tomislav Vlagi , of the Province of Friars Minor of St Bernardino of Siena, is "absolutely prohibited" to exercise any form of apostolate, including releasing declarations on religious matters, "especially regarding the 'phenomenon of Medjugorje".' If he disobeys this order, he can be excommunicated without prior canonical warning, Italian newspaper La Stampa reported. He is also prohibited from staying in Franciscan monasteries and from exercising any form of apostolate like promoting public or private devotion, teaching Christian doctrine, spiritual direction, participation in lay associations; as well as of acquiring and administering goods intended for pious purposes. Archbishop Angelo Amato, Secretary for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued the decree on July 8. The Archbishop stated in the decree that Fr VIAI6 was suspected of "heresy and schism" and was accused of "spreading questionable doctrines, manipulation of consciences, sus-

Fr Vlasic (in profile) together with Medjugorje seer Marija, in the mid-1980s, and in a separate photo.

pect mysticism, disobedience to legitimate orders and violations contra sextum (against the sixth commandment). This last accusation relates to an event in 1976, prior to the alleged apparitions at Medjugorje. Fr Vla§i& a central figure in promoting the apparitions at the unofficial shrine in Medjugorje, Bosnia- Herzogovina, was severely cautioned last year after investigations stemming from revelations that he had fathered a child with a nun in 1976. The British journal The Spectator reported on October 4, 2008 that Fr Vlagi6 persuaded the nun to move away to Germany. The woman, who hoped he would honour his promise to marry her, then wrote him increasingly anxious letters saying she was so miserable she prayed she would die in childbirth. Some of these letters fell into the hands of the woman's landlord, who forwarded copies of them to a friend in the Vatican. Fr Jose Rodriguez Carballo, OFM, Minister General of the global Order of Friars Minor,

related news of Pope Benedict XVI's order to all his Provincials in Italy, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina who then forwarded it to the Guardians in each province, who have in turn sent it on to all the daughter houses in their respective provinces. In a May 30 letter to Bishop Ratko Peri of Mostar-Duvno, whose diocese covers Medjugorje, Archbishop Amato said: "Confirmed reports presented to this Congregation reveal that the Religious in question has not conformed in his words, even partially, to the ecclesiastical obedience called for in the delicate situation he faces." Last year Fr Vlak became the second spiritual adviser to the Medjugorje visionaries to be suspended from his ministry, and was confined to a Franciscan monastery. Bishop Peric confirmed the suspension of the priestly faculties of the other priest, Fr Jozo Zovko, in 2004. The 'phenomenon of Medjugorje' that Archbishop Amato referred to began on June 25, 1981, when six children told a priest they had seen Mary on a hillside near the town. Since then, Mary is claimed to have appeared to the six over 40,000 times and imparted hundreds of messages. Three Church commissions failed to find evidence to support their claims and the bishops of the former Yugoslavia declared in 1991 that "it cannot be affirmed that these matters concern supernatural apparitions or revelations". In 1985, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as Prefect of the doctrinal congregation before becoming Pope Benedict XVI, banned official, diocesan or parish-sponsored pilgrimages to the shrine, but individual Catholics have still been free to visit and have a priest with them. Over 30 million pilgrims have visited Medjugorje, including many from Western Australia.

Broome bishop ordains deacon in Rome Another priest for Western Australia, is ordained a deacon in Rome. BROOME Bishop Christopher Saunders ordained John Purnell as a deacon for his diocese in St Paul's Basilica in Rome on June 19. Bishop Saunders ordained Rev Purnell and seven others from the Pontifical Beda College in Rome at the Basilica on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The eight men ranged in age from their 40s to their 60s and had come from a range of circumstances - some had grown children of their own who were in attendance and prayed during the ritual to the memory of their fathers' deceased wives. The newly ordained deacons represented five continents - two Englishmen, two Australians, an American, a Zimbabwean and a candidate for a monastery in Mexico. John Purnell, from the Diocese of Broome, had completed three years at the Beda College. After his ordination he will have one year of studies to finish in Rome in preparation for priesthood. John, who once studied for Ministry in the Anglican Church, hails from Newcastle in NSW, the only son of Jacqueline and the late Herbert Purnell. Having experienced a number of different jobs, John presented as a volunteer at Balgo where he worked with Fr Matt Digges. During his preparation for ministry, John also spent time in Derby parish and accompanied the World Youth Day Cross and Icon through the Diocese in preparation for WYD08 in Sydney last year. Rev Deacon Purnell made a major contribution to the administration of the WYD pilgrimage when he led 120 pilgrims from the Kimberley who attended WYD08 in Sydney. As Bishop Saunders ordained the eight candidates to the Diaconate, Fr Matt Digges, Administrator of the Broome Cathedral, and two teachers from Balgo, Margaret English and Karen Prevett, were also present. John's mother Jacqueline, in Rome for the ordination, was "wonderfully supportive of John's vocation and generous in her gift of a son to the Church". Mgr Rod Strange, the Rector of the Beda College, and his staff were responsible for John's formation.

Bishop Christopher Saunders ordains John Purnell to the diaconate at St Paul's Basilica in Rome. Rev Purnell is on his way to the priesthood.

Rev John Purnell with Fr Fr Matt Digges in Rome.

Rev John Purnell in Rome with his mother Jacqueline and Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome.

July 29 2009, The Record

Page 9

CHILDREN

Kids bitz ARTIST WEEK

FREE WEEKLY GIFT KIDS BITZ ARTIST OF THE WEEK will receive a free

gift from the Record Bookshop. All you need to do is post or email in a drawing, poem or colouring picture. Please post or email. Justine Stevens, The Record, PO Box 75 Leederville WA 6902 or email: production@therecord.com.au

Kateri Rosengren, 5, of Roleystone is our Artist of the Week with this colourful, under-the-sea creation. Well done!

(MARK 6:45-52) A

V 0

V 0 V

0 A

A 0

V 0 V

0 0 A A A

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AVAILABLE FROM THE RECORD BOOKSHOP $19.95

Women Bib!

AVAILABLE FROM THE RECORD BOOKSHOP $7.95

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS

AFRAID BOAT DISCIPLES EVENING

A V V 0

JESUS MARVELED PRAY SEA

TROUBLED WALKING WIND

colouring 198. JESUS WALKS ON THE WATER

(MARK 6:45-52)

St Clare When Clare Offreduccio (11931253) was 18 years old, she heard St Francis preach in the nearby town of Assisi, Italy. She talked with him in private after his sermon, and he encouraged her to follow Christ above everything else. On Palm Sunday in the year 1212, Clare again met St Francis. He cut her hair, gave her his own penitential habit and brought her to the Benedictine convent of St Paul. Clare followed the example of St Francis by taking a vow of poverty. She and her followers never wore shoes or any other covering for their feet. She also spoke only when necessary. Clare eventually rose to the position of governess of the convent of San Damiano. The nuns under her charge became known as the Poor Clares.

We remember her on August 11.

PUZZLE According to Matthew 12, Jesus chose 12 men to be his Apostles. Cross out the names below that were not among those men:

But when they saw him walking upon the sea. they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: MARK 6:49

Peter

Nicodemus

THE CATECHISM:

Paul

Thomas

Timothy

Aaron

John

James

In 1986, Pope John Paul II commissioned 12 cardinals and bishops to prepare for a project to revise the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They were assisted by seven other diocesan bishops who were experts in theology and catechesis, and many other religious scholars also were consulted.

Benjamin Matthew Judas

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PETER DOUBTS JESUS AND SINKS IN THE WATER By Joe Sarnicola

198. JESUS WALKS ON THE WATER A

CHILDREN'S STORY A FTER Jesus had spoken to more than 5,000 people and fed them all from only five loaves of bread and two fish, he told his apostles to get into a boat and sail to the other side of the lake. He would join them later. Then he sent the crowd of people home. He wanted to be alone so he could pray in private, so he walked to a quiet spot on the mountain. By the time he reached the mountain, it was nighttime. Although the air was cool, the winds were becoming stronger. Jesus did not mind, and he continued to pray. However, on the lake the winds were tossing the boat that carried the apostles, pushing it up and dropping it down again. As the dark enveloped the boat and the winds blew it where they wanted, Jesus continued to pray until it was very late. Then he set out to meet his apostles. But he had no boat, so he walked across the water. The apostles were fearful enough because of the windstorm, but when they saw a figure walking across the water, they were terrified. "It is a ghost!" they cried out in fear. Jesus heard the distressed cries of his friends, so he walked over toward the boat. "Take courage," he called out to them, "it is I; do not be afraid." Peter was not sure if it really was Jesus, a ghost or something else, so he answered, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus called out to Peter, "Come." Peter stepped over the edge of the boat and onto the water. He walked on it as if it were dry land. But the wind was still blowing with great strength, and Peter became afraid. He started to sink. "Lord, save me!" he cried. Jesus reached out his hand and pulled Peter up. Peter was no longer sinking, and his feet once again stood firm on the surface of the water. "0 you of little faith," Jesus said to him, "why did you doubt?" Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat to join the other disciples. Even though the disciples had seen Jesus heal the sick and feed multitudes with only a little food, this feat amazed them. They bowed down before him and said, "Truly, you are the Son of God." READ MORE ABOUT IT: Matthew 14

In his apostolic letter contained in the revised edition, the Pope wrote, "It can be said that this catechism is the result of the collaboration of the whole episcopate of the Catholic Church, who generously accepted my invitation to share responsibility for an enterprise which directly concerns the life of the Church."

Q&A 1. Why did Jesus want to be alone?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is one of the most important religious books available to us as Catholics.

2. When did Peter start to sink in the water?

Page 10

July 29 2009, The Record

THE WORLD

Sainthood springs from unlikeliest of places Where Pills Can't Reach: Checking Out a Local Miracle. • By Dwight G Duncan Exclsive interview

JOHN "Jack" Sullivan, 70, is Acting Clerk Magistrate of Plymouth District Court, generally not the kind of place where one expects to encounter miracles. In any case, Jack is a happily married husband, father, and soon-to-be grandfather who lives in Marshfield. He went to Suffolk Law School in Boston in the 60s, but since 2002 he has also been a permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of Boston, currently serving at St Thecla's parish in Pembroke. Describing himself as "very ordinary" though "somewhat good looking - at least my wife thought I was," he considers himself "very lucky both professionally" and family-wise. In 2000 and again in 2001, however, some extraordinary things happened to him, which make him even more fortunate. Pope Benedict XVI on July 3 decreed that he had been cured of his crippling back pain through the intercession of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman and that the cure had no medical or scientific explanation. The cure therefore qualifies as a miracle, which means that Cardinal Newman, the great 19th-century English convert and Catholic theologian whom many consider the Father of Vatican II, will be beatified next year. Miracles happen - even to Boston lawyers. Jack Sullivan spoke last Saturday, July 18, at Arnold Hall Conference Centre in Pembroke to a gathering of diocesan priests from around the country affiliated with Opus Dei's Priestly Society of the Holy

in brief...

Vietnamese Catholics beaten restoring parish HANOI, Vietnam (CNA) Vietnamese police in the Diocese of Vinh brutally beat hundreds of Catholics on July 20 who were erecting a cross and building an altar on the ground of a church that collapsed during the Vietnam War. Dozens of Catholics were arrested in the clash at the church of Tam Toa. Rumours are circulating that the government is planning to convert the church into a tourist resort, a local priest said. Hundreds of Catholics were attacked by police, as described by Tam Toa pastor Fr Le Thanh Hong: "The police, who far outnumbered parishioners of Tam Toa and neighbouring parishes, had fired teargas canisters at the crowd before kicking and beating them brutally with stun guns, and batons. Numerous priests and lay people were wounded. Some were made to sit on the ground, where again they were beaten by a youth gang employed by police, while dozens were thrown into police

Cross. He was invited by Fr C John McCloskey, a Newman scholar who in 2000 hosted a series of programs for EWTN on Cardinal Newman. At the end of one of his programs interviewing Fr Ian Ker, the renowned Newman biographer from Oxford, Fr McCloskey put a message on the television screen: if you receive any favours from Cardinal Newman, please contact the Birmingham Oratory in England. (This is where Newman had lived and died and where the postulator of his cause of beatification, Fr Paul Chavasse, resides.) Jack Sullivan happened to be watching this program, which he found interesting. He said that if there had been no notice at the program's end, he probably would not have prayed to Cardinal Newman, whom he previously knew very little about. The program came at a crucial time for Jack, who was eager to be ordained a permanent deacon even though the way forward then seemed impossible. Jack had just finished his second year of a four-year course of studies for the diaconate, when he woke up on June 6, 2000 with a tremendous pain in the back of his legs so that he could hardly walk. At Jordan Hospital in Plymouth a CAT scan showed five vertebrae squeezing his spinal cord and creating a bulge, which meant that he could lose his lower body function at any time and be paralysed. He could only walk doubled over. Referred to a specialist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, he was told it was the worst back problem the doctor had seen in 17 years. Surgery was indicated, which would take at least six months to recuperate from. He was told to forget about resuming his studies for the diaconate. He prayed, "Please, Cardinal Newman, intercede with God so that I might go back to classes and be ordained."

trucks. At the moment their whereabouts remain unknown." Tam Toa is an historic parish for Vietnamese Catholics, tracing its origins to 1631, when the Church first appeared in the country. According to Fr An Dang, the parish quickly grew during the 1600s and was the largest parish in its region, with 1200 Catholics.

N Korea executes Christian for Bible distribution SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (CNA) - North Korea publicly executed a Christian woman last month for distributing the Bible, South Korean activists said on July 24. Ri Hyon Ok, 33, was also accused of spying for South Korea and the United States and organising dissidents, Fox News reported. According to a report from an alliance of several dozen antiNorth Korea groups, her execution took place on June 16 in the northwestern city of Ryongchon near the Chinese border. Her parents, husband and three children have reportedly been sent to a prison camp, while her relatives were sent to a political prison camp in the northeastern city of Hoeryong the day after her execution.

He stresses that he did not pray for a miracle, just that he could resume his studies. The following morning he felt no pain, had full mobility and could walk without difficulty, with strength in his legs. He then met with another specialist, this time at New England Baptist Hospital, who told him that it was no longer necessary to undergo surgery and that he could resume his classes. Jack finished his third year without difficulty, but the day after his last class in 2001 the debilitating pain resumed, so that he was effectively confined to a wheelchair. Surgery was performed in August of 2001. Complications ensued, as the surgeon discovered that the protective membrane surrounding his spine had ruptured, and the fluids had leaked out. The prognosis was not good, and recovery was expected to last eight months to a year. He needed to be carried back to his bed in the hospital. Five days after the surgery, he prayed again to Cardinal Newman to be able to walk and resume his studies. He then felt great heat and a tingling sensation all over accompanied by a tremendous sense of peace. Though he had no sensation of time, the nurse told him this lasted for about ten minutes. He stood up straight, was able to walk without a walker or cane, without any difficulty or pain. When he was discharged from the hospital, they gave him a huge jar of percocet, a potent pain-killer. He didn't take the drug because he didn't need it. Where pills couldn't reach, prayer did. He called his doctor, Robert J. Banco of New England Baptist, who said he could resume his studies. It was only in October of 2001 after his post-operative meeting with Dr Banco that he contacted Fr C John McCloskey in order to get in touch with the Birmingham Oratory. His doctor had told Jack that he had no medical or scientific

Cardinal John Henry Newman, who was one of the great intellectual minds of the Catholic Church in the 19th century, is seen in a portrait in a church in Rome. ENS

Deacon John Sullivan, 70, in a 2008 photo, says his healing from a debilitating spinal condition was due to the miraculous intercession of Cardinal John Henry Newman. CNS

explanation for his recovery: "If you want answers, ask God:' It was the following year, on September 14, 2002, that he was ordained a permanent deacon along with his classmates. The rest, as they say, is history. He walks a mile and a half every day and does heavy lifting in caring for his large home garden. He has not had any relapse or recurrence since the August 2001 cure. A tribunal in Boston gathered the evidence, and took testimony from ten witnesses, which was then approved by panels of medical experts and theologians in Rome before being approved by the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and finally by Pope Benedict XVI himself. One might well ask, "Why Jack Sullivan?" Fr George Rutler, a well-known Anglican convert himself, uncovered an interesting coincidence from the memoirs of Herbert Vaughan, future Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, relating to 1889, the year before Cardinal Newman died: "I slept at the Oratory and the Cardinal came in to see me for twenty minutes. I hardly knew him again: doubled up like a shrimp and walking with a stick longer than his body. But a few days before his death the next year, the Cardinal surprised his caregiver, Father Neville, by

returning to his rooms 'unbent, erect to the full height of his best days in the fifties; he was without support of any kind."' All of which means that Cardinal Newman had an affliction like Jack Sullivan's, and that he too had been cured of it. Maybe he heard Jack's plea for intercession because he knew from personal experience how debilitating a back injury can be. Been there, done that. Another possible connection, also speculative, is that Cardinal Newman, the "Father of Vatican II," thought Jack's a good cause. Perhaps the venerable Cardinal wanted to signal approval of Jack's studies for the permanent diaconate, a feature of Newman's beloved Church of the Fathers. The permanent diaconate had disappeared in the West during the Middle Ages, but it was restored to the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church by the Second Vatican Council. It was to get back on track with his studies for the diaconate that Jack Sullivan had prayed to Cardinal Newman. And he was heard. Jack's response? "God doesn't raise up the mighty. He lifts up the lowly," combined with humble recognition of God's favours worked through the saints and abiding gratitude to soon-to-be Blessed John Henry Newman.

Martyr resisted Protestants African witchcraft holding back PRETORIA, South Africa 'flood' of India (CNA) - The conclusion of a five-year diocesan inquiry has conversions

advanced the beatification cause of a South African man who was murdered as a "genuine martyr" after a life of resisting witchcraft and condemning murderous witch hunts. Servant of God Benedict Daswa belonged to the small Lemba tribe among the Venda people in the Limpopo Province in northernmost South Africa. The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) said he became a Catholic while training to become an elementary school teacher. Realising that common beliefs and practices of witchcraft were against his faith, he took a strong stand against them as he believed they led to the killing of innocents accused of witchcraft. He also rejected the use of "muti" or medicines for protection against evil or for success in sports or other activities. In 1990 he refused to give money for the purpose of "smelling out" witches. Days later he was stoned and bludgeoned to death, four months before his 44th birthday.

number of Baptists in Kohima were alarmed at the growth of Catholicism. Catholicism arrived in the region as late as 1951, when the first Catholics were baptised. There are now 58,000 among the region's 1.9 million people, most of whom are Evangelical Christians.

KONIGSTEIN, Germany (CNA) - Bishop of Kohima Jose Mukala from northeast India says violence and intimidation by some Protestant groups there are preventing thousands of people from converting to Catholicism. Bishop Mukala told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) there has been a surge in attacks and propaganda against the Catholic Church VATICAN CITY (CNA) - Pope in Kohima, a mainly Protestant Benedict entrusted the world's region. There have been thinly- grandparents to Saints Joachim veiled threats on his life, Church and Anne, parents of the Blessed buildings have been destroyed, Virgin Mary and grandparents of and a ban on conversions has been Jesus, on their July 26 feast day. imposed by some village elders. The Pope asked the faithful to While visiting ACN's international pray for grandparents, "who in headquarters in Germany, Bishop families are often the witnesses of Mukala spoke out against some the fundamental values of life". Baptist and Evangelical church "The educational role of grandgroups in the region, charging parents is always very important that people are being denied free- and becomes even more so when, dom of religion. "These issues for various reasons, parents are have got a lot worse recently... unable to dedicate an adequate If this opposition stopped, there amount of time to their children. would be a flood of conversions to I entrust to the protection of St Catholicism:' he said. He reported Anne and St Joachim all grandparthat some Evangelicals in local ents of the world," Pope Benedict self-governing churches and a said.

Ss Joachim, Anne prompt Papal blessing for grandparents

July 29 2009, The Record

Page 11

THE WORLD

Lone warrior shepherds tiny, terrorised flock Lone priest shepherds tiny flock of Catholics in Afghanistan. • By Jessica Weinstein

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNS) In the midst of the escalating war in Afghanistan, there is a place of peace for Kabul's tiny Catholic population. Inside the Italian Embassy compound visitors will find a small white building marked simply with a cross. Its guardian is the shepherd of Kabul, Barnabite Father Giuseppe Moretti. A warm 70-year-old Italian with graying hair and a sharp sense of humour, Father Moretti is the only priest in Afghanistan. "Our presence is the presence of the master's seed," he said in an interview with CNS. Fr Moretti first arrived in A fghanistan in 1977, two years before an invasion by the former Soviet Union touched off a generation of fighting. When the war between the Soviets and the Afghan Muslim fighters known as mujahedeen ended in 1982, it was quickly followed by a civil war that raged throughout the 1990s. In 1994, the embassy was attacked and Father Moretti was shot. He survived, but he left the country. After American forces drove the Taliban, a Sunni Muslim fundamentalist religious and political movement, from Kabul in 2001, Pope John Paul II asked Father Moretti to return. "It was my duty as shepherd to stay with my flock," he said. According to the Vatican, there are just 250 Catholics in Afghanistan. Father Moretti said about 150 people regularly attend

in brief...

Pontiff fell looking for light switch VATICAN CITY (CNA) - A Vatican spokesman has said that Pope Benedict XVI was looking for a light switch in his bedroom when he fell and broke his wrist while on vacation on July 16, reports the Associated Press. Papal Fr. spokesman Federico Lombardi explained Monday how the incident happened during the Pope's Alpine vacation at the mountain house in Les Combes, near the border of France. Lombardi told Sky TG24 TV that the Pope "stumbled against a leg of his bed while searching for the switch in the unfamiliar room," reported the AP. The Pope did not call for help and wanted to celebrate Mass as usual the next morning, despite having a "swollen and painful" right wrist that prompted a call to a doctor. Doctors say the fracture is healing well as the 82-year-old Pope prepared to return to the Vatican on Wednesday. After Vespers at the Cathedral of Aosta on July 24, the Pope expressed his wishes for a "pleasant vacation, like the one I am having, but without any accidents".

491.

Afghan children look on as Canadian soldiers with the NATO-led coalition patrol a compound in the Taliban stronghold of Zhari district in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan, on March 19. PHOTO: CNS/STEFANO RELLANDINI, REUTERS

Mass inside the embassy. All are members of the international community. At a July 22 evening Mass, 10 nuns from three different orders took part in worship and received Communion. Sister Chantal de Jesus, a member of the Sisters of Jesus in France, came to Afghanistan in 1955, bringing a team of nurses to the hospital in Kabul. "They treat us quite well here," she said. "They know us as Christians. We're well-accepted, even wearing the cross," said Sister Martina, a member of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Blessed Mother Teresa. Sister Martina's order is one of the most recent to arrive, beginning its ministry in 2007.

Due to its work with mentally handicapped children and widows, the order's accreditation was approved quickly by the Afghan government. The need in Kabul is great. According to the United Nations World Food Program, more than two-thirds of the population lives in poverty. "Many are widows," said Sister Martina in a thick Irish brogue. "They live in terrible conditions and the landlord throws them out during the winter. Many have five to eight children. "We help with rent and food distribution," she added. But the Catholic presence is limited to aid workers. Afghanistan is explicitly Muslim. Preaching Christianity is strictly forbidden.

Sister Fortunata, a member of the Missionaries of Charity and native of Rwanda, teaches a literacy class for teenage girls. She had begun translating the Quran, the sacred book of Islam, from Arabic into the local languages to help the women with their studies. But after learning that three people had been executed for doing the same thing, she stopped. "They did enjoy it (while it lasted). It was a way to speak about God," she said. "We can communicate the main principles of living a good life, but we can't talk about Jesus," Sister Martina said. "Our presence here is the presence of the mustard seed," Father Moretti said. "Our testimony is the

silent testimony of our life and our works." For the Italian priest, much of that work centers on stoking the spiritual fervour of the faithful. He recalled that Gen. Dan McNeil, former commander of US forces and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, was among the regular Mass attendees. An autographed photograph of the two men adorns the hallway of the rectory. But Fr Moretti lamented that many Catholics among the international community in Kabul do not attend Mass. Even the Muslims notice, he said. "The Afghan people are believers, and they respect a lot people who profess another religion, not only in word, but in action," he said. Fr Moretti recalled how much it spoke to the Afghan workers at the embassy when Catholics started trickling into Mass after the Taliban fell. "For two years, the Mass on Sunday was empty," he said, "and I remember our Afghan workers said to me, 'Father, they are unbelievers.' Now, when they saw the church full of people, with joy they said, 'Father, there are so many people and they are happy.' This is the feeling of the Afghan people about religion," Fr Moretti said. Now, as US soldiers pour into Afghanistan and the country prepares for its second presidential election, Afghans are rebuilding their lives. After having seen so much upheaval during his tenure, Father Moretti is very cautious when he speaks about the future of Afghanistan. "We hope. Our dream is peace, real peace, and if there is peace, there is democracy. Democracy in Afghanistan is a hard journey," he said.

Vatican urges caution not alarm to HIM Vatican taking cautious, not alarmist, approach to swine flu. • By Carol Glatz

VATICAN CITY (CNS) Though tens of thousands of people from all over the world crowd together to attend papal Masses, weekly general audiences and Angelus addresses, the Vatican is not taking any extreme measures in the face of the swine flu pandemic, said the director of the Vatican health service. Dr Giovanni Rocchi, a professor specialising in infectious diseases, said the Vatican has avoided an alarmist approach to dealing with the H1N1 virus, which causes swine flu, based on the "serious, careful and balanced observation of data coming from the World Health Organisation." He made his comments in an interview published on July 24 in the Vatican newspaper, LOsservatore Romano. The Vatican's Department of Health and Hygiene will continue to offer its usual cycle of flu vaccines to all Vatican employees and family members as it does every year, he said. But it will not be taking any particular steps in prevention unless someone "coming from a country of risk shows warning signs," he said.

This approach does not mean the Vatican is "taking the pandemic lightly," he said. If recommendations from the World Health Organisation warrant it or Italy enacts particular precautions, the Vatican would, in good conscience, temporarily suspend large public gatherings, he added. Rocchi predicted that swine flu "will surely reach our doorstep in the autumn." As soon as a specific vaccine to prevent the virus is available, the Vatican health department will be offering it, he said. The World Health Organisation

Left: Face masks are seen on a man and a statue of St Jude, patron of desperate situations, during a prayer service outside San Hipolito Church in Mexico City April 28. Most churches in the city were closed at the time due to the swine flu outbreak. Above: Priests wear masks as protection against the H1N1 virus, commonly called swine flu, as they attend Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on May 3. PHOTOS: CNS/ ELIANA APONTE/JORGE DAN, REUTERS

estimates a vaccine effective against the pandemic strain might be available between September and December. It said fatalities from the H1N1 virus have doubled in the past three weeks, from about 330 at the start of July to more than 700 new cases, adding that further deaths are expected in the future. As of mid-July, the United States had reported 263 deaths, Canada had 45 and Britain had

29. According to the agency's July 6 update, there were 119 deaths in Mexico. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States has been reporting the largest number of new Hi cases of any country worldwide. "However, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment," it said on its website.

Page 12

My very work is a prayer in itself, imaging Christ

Rev. Deacon Patrick Moore

was born in England and came to Australia in 1970. A few months after I arrived I met my wife Carol and we started going out together about a year later. We were married in 1972 and have six children, four girls and two boys as well as two grandchildren. I had always planned that after my retirement I would do more work around the parish especially in visiting the sick. In 2001 Archbishop Barry Hickey advertised in The Record for men to step forward for the Permanent Deaconate. It was something I had never thought about because it with Debbie Warner wasn't previously possible in this archdiocese. Carol said, "Oh that would suit you." We went to an information afternoon to see what the Diaconate was about. In the end, I was accepted as an applicant, went through the process and was ordained in 2006. My prayer life revolves around the prayer of the Church and in its service. I say both the morning prayer and evening prayer but don't normally say all of the other prayers of the day. I pray a lot in bed but usually sleep overtakes me. Otherwise,I pray a lot by reading the Scripture. In my parish of Armadale I enjoy the opportunity to preach every fourth Sunday. I love this responsibility because it really makes me look at the Scripture more closely.I think about what the texts are saying to us today. Iconsider my work as chaplain at the Stella Mans Seafarers' Centre in Fremantle as a form of prayer. All of us at the Centre try to be like Jesus and to bring Jesus to the men in the ships that come into Fremantle harbour. The Centre belongs to the international Apostleship of the Sea which reaches out to these men and tries to meet their spiritual and pastoral needs. Our work might be as simple as just driving to and fro, picking them up from the ships. We help them with lots of practical things, like phone cards. Really it's about letting them know the Church cares. Now and then they talk about something that is troubling them. For example, a fellow might be having trouble with one of his children. It is very difficult to be so far away from home and they might want to talk about that too. On other occasions they may want to share their good news - like the new baby at home. I am helped by a growing band of committed volunteers. On Mondays Deacon Trevor Lyra is on duty and Presentation Sister Gwen Sivwright works with us three afternoons a week. She is very popular with the men who treat her with great respect like a granny! They sit with her and show her their family photos. She loves her pastoral work with them. Occasionally, I have the opportunity to conduct a communion service on the ship. It is not always easy to organise as normally the ships are in and out from the harbour very quickly. In Holy Week I was pleased to conduct a communion service and blessing of the Easter foods for a ship that comes regularly from Singapore. The crew was very respectful and dressed in their Sunday best. It was just like being in Church. My prayer is mainly about 'doing'. - debwarrier@hotmail.com

PERSPECTIVES

July 29 2009, The Record

The enduring power of fraternity 'Fraternal Charity'.

Being Heard

man cannot write for himself. As Thomas Merton rather theatrically stated: "If you write only for yourself, you can read what you yourself have written and after ten minutes you will be so By John Heard disgusted, you will wish that you were dead". sentiment - these help me to be a better I would not put it so turgidly; but Catholic (and,I hope, a better writer). it is always good to receive feedback, Sometimes - although less often than especially constructive email. It is even usual - I can be of service to a priest or, better to receive typewritten letters in rarer still, assist a bishop in some matthe post (thank you Maureen, your letter. An email I received from Illinois, ter was lovely). Such feedback provides recently, was of this kind. human evidence that one's writing is Here was a priest, a relatively young getting through, that a connection has priest, who wanted to know what he been made. could do to be a more sympathetic and The connection need not be of a faithful pastor to the same-sex attracted standard sort, either. I get all kinds of young men in his flock. feedback. Many people write to me of He asked, indeed, "what would I - a their sorrows, especially young same priest trying to be good and holy - recsex attracted men, and some describe ommend to a young man who comes to great suffering indeed. Others want to me and expresses this concern? What tell me how a certain passage, or a would I say in that situation? What particular line, helped to make them would I recommend?" happy. It is always good to challenge I wrote back that I crave (and I have wrong thinking, and it is marvellous to good reason to believe that many other be challenged. penitents crave) rigour and love. In Some readers, not usually The Record the confessional, especially, same-sex readers, just want to fight it out - and attracted Catholics want a priest who is others still want to add some thought of subtle, and honest, and true. I told him their own to whatever it is that one has of the years of somewhat diplomatic published. That is good too. advice I had received from theologicalWhen writing, as a non-theologian, ly flabby, but otherwise lovable, Jesuit on religious and sexual issues - there is confessors. It was only a clear, stern, no such thing as too much information. booming voice out of a confessional in By the same logic, feedback from St Peters that finally set me to thinking priests and seminarians is best of all. about what my faith demanded of me Indeed I have, by now, attracted a in terms of chastity, and other matters. cadre of clerical correspondents - and He had asked me, "So, what kind they do not fail to keep me in line. If of suggestions do you think would be I write something a bit queer, then, I the most effective in maintaining the can count on a Religious brother, or a Church's teaching and yet addressing secular priest, to fire off an email. DidI [young people's] need... [for]....immereally mean to say that? diate, practical, measurable results?" On a few occasions, such feed- I told him to treat same-sex attracted back has radically altered my views. young people, at first instance, as he Christians have always gone in for frawould any other penitents. I suggested ternal correction, and these twinkling that he tell them, if the Spirit moved points of common feeling, and shared him, what the Church wants for all

men (light, happiness, love) and how same sex attracted Catholics can get there (self discipline, prayer, disinterested friendship, and grace). I related how it has always bothered me that same sex attracted men are treated, in some instances, like spiritual lepers. Fornication is fornication, I wrote. Sodomy is sodomy. Masturbation is masturbation. Pornography, too, is evil no matter what sex act is depicted. Of course, I wrote, homogenital acts are singled out for condemnation. They are always wrong, whereas fornication simpliciter is the misuse of an otherwise holy gift. But the point I was trying to make is that I imagine that most men (SSA or otherwise) are tempted by sins of the flesh - so I might focus on the sins. On these, most priests have a good handle and they know how to respond. What are they? How many times? If given the chance, most sinners would wallow. Shift the focus, I suggested, to what has been done, and what can be done. Do not make it sound like same-sex attracted individuals are somehow ordered for sin, simply by virtue of experiencing same-sex attraction. There is, after all, no sin in being tempted and a man is not responsible for the colour of his passions - only for his responses to the same. It is only after the engagement of will and reason, after a man chooses evil, that judgment justly comes down. I do not know if this advice will make any difference, but at least the priest had the inclination to ask, and I certainly had the desire to cooperate with him, however limited and flawed my contributions. This sort of thing, this courteous way of talking, represents a development in the way solid (usually younger) priests engage with same-sex attraction. Their effort, their charity, has made me a better, more devoted Christian - and I do not doubt that they will help to (re) convert more same-sex attracted individuals to the faith. - emaildreadnought@gmail.com

James the Greater not really less St James, the Apostle(s)... Ihave always been confused about the two apostles named James. Which is the one that is associated with the Way of St James in Spain, which some of my friends have walked? And what is the historical basis for this pilgrimage, that so many people seem to make?

s you say, there were two Apostles named James. One, traditionally called St James the Greater, was the brother of St John, the "beloved disciple" and evangelist. His feast is celebrated on July 25. James and John were fishermen, the sons of Zebedee, a fisherman of the Sea of Galilee (cf. Mt 4:21-22). Their mother was Salome, who was with Mary and the other holy women beside the cross of Jesus (cf. Mt 27:56, Mk 15:40, 16:1). There is some possibility that Salome was a sister of Our Lady, in which case James and John would have been cousins of Jesus. The other James is often referred to as James the Less, or James the Just, as the historian Eusebius called him. He was the son of Alphaeus (cf. Mt 10:3) and is sometimes referred to as James

"the brother of the Lord" (cf. Mt 13:55; Gal 1:19). He too might have been a relative of Jesus. His mother Mary was one of the holy women beside the cross of Jesus (cf. Mk 15:40). This James seems to have been the first bishop of Jerusalem (cf. Acts 12:17; Gal 1:19) and is the one who wrote the Letter of St James in the New Testament. Returning to St James the Greater, there is a strong tradition that he preached the Gospel in Spain. According to the tradition, soon after Jesus' resurrection St James was trying to spread the Gospel in Spain, but he became discouraged at his lack of success. In 40 AD he was praying one day on the banks of the Ebro River near what is now Zaragoza, named after Caesar Augustus. Our Lady appeared to him in the flesh before her assumption into heaven, standing on a pillar of jasper, and gave him a wooden statue of herself. She asked him to build a church in her honour. She is said to have told him: "This place is to be my house, and this image and pillar shall be the title and altar of the temple that you shall build." About a year after the apparition, St James arranged to build a small chapel in Mary's honour, the first church ever dedicated to Our Lady. The present basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza is the scene of great devotion to Our Lady and is visited by millions each year. After St James returned to Jerusalem, he was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, in the year 44 AD (cf. Acts 12:2).

He was the first Apostle to be martyred for his faith. According to the tradition, several of St James' followers took his body back to Spain for burial, landing at Iria Flavia, now Padron, in Galicia. Two of them, Theodore and Athanasius, were later buried beside him. Over the years the site of the burial was forgotten. Early in the ninth century a hermit called Pelagius saw unusual lights and heard strange noises near the place where it was thought St James was buried. Thinking it was something supernatural, he informed the bishop and a search was made, uncovering the remains of three people, one of them more prominent than the others. King Alphonsus II (791-842) instructed that a church be built over the spot where the remains were found. The present name of the city, Santiago de Compostela, may derive from the Latin "field of stars", suggested by the lights seen by Pelagius. Significantly, excavations under the cathedral in the late 19th and 20th centuries uncovered a Roman-period tomb beneath the high altar, and a stone inscribed with the names Athanasius and Theodore. Santiago de Compostela is considered the third most holy city in the Catholic world, after Jerusalem and Rome. Since the ninth century it has been the destination of the most popular pilgrimage in western Europe, the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St James. Hundreds of thousands of people make the pilgrimage each year, walking from points all over Europe. Fr Flader: director@caec.com.au

July 29 2009, The Record

PERSPECTIVES

No silver bullet for Catholics

he Record's feature on Catholics and Divorce makes for sad reading; and it is a tragedy that certainly can't be ameliorated in a 500 word essay. We need to get back to the beginning with this one. It's always instructive to start with Our Lord's own words: Matthew 13:3, "the Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened:' It is homely, simple and very, very telling. From our birth into Catholic families, we are as the yeast, water poured over us, our faith beginning to bloom. But as we begin to grow up we are thrown into the mix that is the world. We can't stay separate from it. We live in it, work in it, we play in it; our own children will be born into it. Our faith needs to be strongly and clearly developed within us from our youngest days, strongly enhanced by the example of our Catholic families, our Catholic parishes, our Catholic schools. But it has to be in the context of the vicissitudes of the non-Catholic world. Yeast only comes into its own when mixed with something else. We are truly supposed to be in the world but not of it. Wise as serpents, innocent as doves. We have to understand the world, especially if we are going to change it. When it comes to marriage, we have to be especially aware of the world, the strength of its temptations, the ease of slipping into less-than-Catholic ways. As believing Catholics, we necessarily set the bar high, and may have to make harder choices than our non-Catholic friends and relations. But this high ideal is not a reason for arrogance or believing that we have the 'silver bullet' for success in marriage. Marriage is a magnificent and powerful Sacrament and a deeply spiritual bond uniting us very closely with our Creator; but it is also highly physical and earthy. We are still two very different human beings learning to live together, learning to submit, to be humble, to

@home with Catherine Parish admit mistakes, to accept challenges. There is much joy, but also tiredness, illness, stress, cleaning, cooking, money worries - an endless list of the mundane. The challenge of total giving to another in complete trust 'for better, for worse' cannot be underestimated, especially today when lifelong trust and commitment are not the way of the world. Church leaders are beginning to teach young Catholics they must be countercultural. What better place to start than with marriage and the family? The Church's teaching and pastoral arms ought to be fostering a powerfully counter-cultural attitude firstly to the material aspects of life. Those contemplating marriage owe it to each other to really consider their material needs in the light of Catholic teaching, and weigh them up very carefully against the health and strength of their future family life. These are very big decisions to make, especially when the families young people come from may have made different choices. Both parties to the marriage must be very clear in the standard of life they expect to enjoy and how they expect to reach it. Will it be the challenge and the fun of starting small, renovating shabby houses, combing second hand shops, markets and garage sales together, learning to make and mend, ingeniously making a single income go a very long way? Or both stretching themselves too far instead in an effort to immediately buy the big new house, cars, holidays and designer clothes? These are real questions to ask before marriage because they have huge ramifications afterwards. Not least in the family's ability and willingness to support children. I will say first that NFP is a wonderful dis-

covery, and every person should know how their body works. And for later years in marriage, it is a valid and very useful option at times to space children, for the health of the parents, and when approaching menopause. But I personally have reservations about NFP being used and promoted from day one of a Catholic marriage to delay having children or severely restrict the number of children. If a couple is not ready yet to accept children then they should not get married. It is very risky to the future health of a marriage to begin with an intention to initially exclude one of marriage's most important natural consequences. This absolute openness is a mark of faith in Christ's teachings and in God's providence and brings with it tremendous blessings and graces, not least the strength to go the distance in marriage. You grow together from the beginning, not only as a married couple, but as a family. Catholic schools, instead of kowtowing to pressure by offering earlier and earlier childcare options to families, so both parents can go back to paid work ASAP, ought to be truly counter-cultural by giving practical witness to a belief in dedicated, full-time parenthood. Practical support for stay-athome parents would be a more positive option; short periods of childcare so that mum or dad can have some time alone during the week; playgroup sessions so stay-at-home parents can get together and just talk to each other. These networks of support, that extended families and more stable communities used to provide for young families, are vital to healthy marriages and families. Our Catholic faith doesn't automatically exempt us from the malaise of the society we live in. But it should provide an antidote. Bottom line: committed Catholics simply can't live the same sort of married life as non-Catholics. The Church needs to encourage its educaters and pastors to stop pretending that we can.

Response to Word of God is faith Sacrament of charity Fr Erasto Fernandez SSS

A column on the Eucharist in this the Year for Priests.

sk anyone what is our response to the readings at Eucharist and the immediate answer you get will most likely be either: 'Thanks be to God' or 'The Responsorial psalm: Yet, the psalm that follows the first reading is not a response, strictly speaking; it is rather a meditation on the first reading. Of this part, the General Instructions say: "The Psalm is usually taken from the lectionary, since the texts there provided are closely related to the preceding reading. "By reason of its connection with the reading, its character is very different from that of the processional songs. It stimulates reflection on God's saving deeds on behalf of his people:' This means that normally no other 'hymn' or 'song' should substitute for what is given in the lectionary, unless it is the same psalm put to music. Also, since its character is different from a reading, a person other than the proclaimer should lead this meditation. While the psalm looks backward to the reading just concluded, the Alleluia antiphon which is always sung, looks forward and provides the people with the gist of the Gospel proclamation. It

Page 13

prepares the community to focus on the key point of the Gospel. So, these two intervening chants are not a response but a part of the proclamation itself and serve a totally different function from merely imparting information or instruction. Real response: Faith The real response to the Word of God is faith - a deeper grasp of God's ways, which as Isaiah says are not like our ways: 'as far as the east is from the west so different are my thoughts from your thoughts' (55:8-11). In his Gospel John tells us that 'all these have been written so that you may believe' (Jn 20:31). So, the proclamation must produce a deeper faith in us, else it would fail in its primary objective. On Sundays our heightened faith is expressed through the Profession of faith and the Prayers of the faithful. However, in most cases routine overpowers us here as the Creed is recited mechanically, with little or no meaning for most Christians. It would help if the celebrant attempted to specify the actual point of "believing" in a given Eucharist. He could link the Creed with the key 'insight' into God's nature gained in the readings. For example, when the homily brings out God's eagerness to forgive sinners, the Celebrant could introduce the Creed with words like: As we pray the Creed now, we profess our firm belief that God continues to offer us his forgiveness right here in the Eucharist'. This little introduction should make the recitation of the Creed much more personal, relevant and meaningful. Another way to work out a meaning-

Pope Benedict XVI holds the Book of the Gospels as he celebrates Mass at the end of the Synod of Bishops on the Bible in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican last year. CNS

ful response is to answer God's question put through the readings: 'Have you seen how much I love you? Have you understood who you are in my sight?' Each Eucharist must lead to a deeper understanding of God's tremendous and almost unbelievable love for us. Now this insight is something personal and hence a brief period of silence must be allowed after each proclamation for people to work this out for themselves. The clearer they experience God's love, the more wholehearted the surrender they will make. And isn't this the key question in the Eucharist? How open are we to make Covenant with God? "Now, therefore, if you will obey... you shall be My people andI shall be your God!" (Ex 24:3-8). The faith deepened during Eucharist must stand us in good stead during the rest of the day.

Sin commited by individual souls is not 'corporate' n clear view

By Guy Crouchback

There is no such thing as 'corporate guilt'.

s readers of this column may know, I greatly admire the works of CS Lewis Yet I also find it possible to disagree with him, or at least to suggest an occasional, and I hope gentle, correction. I was recently re-reading his The Problem of Pain (Fontana, 1957). In this he says: "A reaction - in itself wholesome - is now going on against purely private or domestic conceptions of morality, a re-awakening of the social conscience. We feel ourselves to be involved in an iniquitous social system, and to share a corporate guilt. "This is very true: but the enemy can exploit even truths to our deception. "Beware lest you are making use of the idea of corporate guilt to distract your attention from those hum-drum, old-fashioned guilts of your own which have nothing to do with 'the system' and which can be dealt with without waiting for the Millennium:' I confess I am not a trained theologian. But hereIthink Lewis does not go far enough. I do not think we can ever address the problem of "corporate guilt" except to deny it. It does not exist. Sin can only be committed by individual souls. Even with an institution, organisation or government whose workings result in much wickedness, the guilt lies not with the corporate entity but with the individuals who make it up to the extent that they are responsible for its policies. If a newspaper knowingly prints lies, the newspaper has not sinned. Paper and ink cannot sin. The company which owns it, and which has no existence except as a legal concept, cannot sin. The sin is that of the individual reporters who wrote the lies, the individual editors and sub-editors who passed and consented to them, the individual share-holders who permitted the policies, and perhaps the newsagents who sold the paper (That is, of course, to the extent that each of these consciously knew they were party to a lie and had power to control the outcome, or were negligent). The concept of "corporate guilt" leads quickly to atrocities in wartime, or at least to gross callousness with a clear conscience, even among good people: an enemy sailor from a sunken ship is left to drown because his government runs atrocious prison-camps, for example. One of the most egregious examples is, of course, anti-Semitism: Jews were historically persecuted on the grounds that a tiny number of their ancestors clamoured for the execution of Christ centuries ago. One might have thought that, in the postHolocaust world, such feelings were out of court among civilised people, but we have seen a shocking and alarming resurrection of antiSemitism in recent times. If we follow the rules and conditions necessary for a "Just War," we should not fight thinking that enemy soldiers or civilians are corporately guilty although there is always a temptation this way. It is also necessary, if one must go to war, to fight whole-heartedly and to fight to win, and to fight effectively it is probably necessary not to be racked with guilt over the fact that one is killing people who are individually innocent that is one reason why the Christian rules for a "Just War" hold that, among other things, war must be a last resort. But that is another matter.

Page 14

PANORAMA

July 29 2009, The Record

A roundup of events in the Archdiocese

Panorama entries must be in by 12pm Monday. Contributions may be emailed to administration@therecord.com.au, faxed to 9227 7087, or mailed to PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902. Submissions over 55 words will be edited. Inclusion is limited to 4 weeks. Events charging over $10 will be a put into classifieds and charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment. Saturday August 1 DAY WITH MARY 9am to 5 pm at St Simon Peter Church, Ocean Reef. Video on Fatima, Day of prayer and instruction based upon the Fatima message, Reconciliation, Holy Mass, Eucharist Adoration, Sermons on the Eucharist, and Our Lady. Also Rosary, Blessed Sacrament Procession and Stations of the Cross. BYO lunch. Eng: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286. Sunday August 2 DIVINE MERCY 1.30pm at St Joachim's Church, Shepperton Road and Harper Street, Victoria Park. Any afternoon with Jesus and Mary, Holy Rosary, and Reconciliation. Sermon with Fr Sharvel F F I on St Maxmillian Kolbe followed by Divine Mercy Prayers and Benediction. Refreshments will be provided. Eng: John 9457 7771. Tuesday August 4 FAITH ENRICHMENT SERIES - PROFESSOR MARTIN PHILPOTT 7pm to 8.30pm, St Benedict Parish Centre, 115 Ardross Street, Ardross. Prof Martin Philpott will give a talk on stress busting, how to identify and manage stress in everyday life! This will be most informative for people of all walks of life. Coffee and tea provided. Eng: Wim 0421 636 763. Friday August 7 to Sunday August 9 BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND Separated, Divorced, Widowed A weekend program at Epiphany Retreat Centre, Rossmoyne, designed to assist and support people in learning to close the door gently on a relationship that has ended, in order to get on with living. Eng: Maureen 9537 115 or Bev 9332 7971. Friday August 7 COMMUNION OF REPARATION ALL NIGHT VIGIL 7pm to lam at Corpus Christi Church, Locke Street, Mosman Park, Mass, Rosary, confession and Adoration with Father Bogoni and also books for sale. Friday August 7 PRAISE AND WORSHIP 7pm at 98 Wood Street, Inglewood, followed by Mass and a fellowship. Please bring a plate, optional. Petitions and Thanksgiving boxes are available at the back of the church. All are welcome. Eng: Priscilla 0433 457 352 or Catherine 0433 923 083. Friday August 7 CATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL EVENING 7.30pm at St John and Paul's Parish, Pinetree Gully Road, Willetton, songs of praise, talk by Bishops Donald Sproxton on Blessed Mary MacKillop followed by Vigil Mass and light refreshments. All welcome and bring your family and friends. Eng: Kathy 9295 0913, Rose 0403 300 720 or Maureen 931 4498, Saturday August 8 ST PADRE PIO DAY OF PRAYER 8.30am at St Anne's Church, cnr Alred and Stirling Rd, Fremantle North. St Padre Pio DVD, 10am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Divine Mercy, silent Adoration and Benediction 1 lam Holy Mass, Celebrant Archbishop Hickey using St Padre Pio Liturgy. Confessions available. Shared lunch BYO. Tea and coffee provided. Eng: Des 6278 1540. Saturday August 8 PRAYER FOR THE YEAR OF THE PRIEST 8.30am to 12noon at Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart Chapel, 16 York Street, South Perth. Mass will be celebrated at 9am followed by exposition. All Welcome. Eng: Sr Kathleen 0418 887 008 or 9334 0924. Saturday August 8 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARY MACKILLOP'S DEATH 6pm at Ballajura Parish, Cassowary Drive and Pelican

Parade. Former parishioners and friends are warmly invited for the celebration Mass. Sunday August 9 THE WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA HOLY HOUR OF REPARATION 3pm at Our Lady's Assumption Church, Grand Promenade, Dianella. Eng: 9339 2614. Tuesday August 11 NATIONAL MARRIAGE DAY 12.30pm at Ll Goody Bioethics Centre, launched by Jamie Bogle from the United Kingdom, Archbishop Hickey will give concluding remarks. Shared lunch, BYO, Eng: 9277 1644, or afawa@msn.com. Wednesday August 12 CHAPLETS OF THE DIVINE MERCY 7.30 pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church, Dean Road Bateman. A beautiful, prayerful, sung devotion, to be accompanied by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by Benediction. All are welcome. Eng: George 9310 9493 home or 9325 2010 work. Thursday August 13 ST PEREGRINE HEALING MASS 7pm at SS John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Road, Willetton. A Healing Mass in honour of St Peregrine, patron of Cancer sufferers and helper of all in need. Celebration will include veneration of the Relic, and Anointing of the Sick. Eng: Noreen 9498 7727. Thursday August 13 KELMSCOTT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP 12noon at Good Shepherd, Parish Hall, 42 Streich Avenue, Kelmscott, everyone welcome. Eng: Clive 9 495 1919 or Marge 9 291 6397. Saturday August 15 ASSUMPTION DAY CELEBRATION 9.30am at St Paul's Church, 106 Rookwood Street, Mt Lawley, Rosary and Litany, followed by Mass at 10am with Fr Timothy Deeter, celebrant and homilist. Bring flowers, fruits and herbs for your table, and seeds for your garden for the traditional Assumption Day blessing. Tea provided later. Eng: 9271 5253. Sunday August 16 BULLSBROOK CELEBRATION SOLEMNITY OF ASSUMPTION 2pm at Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Road, Bullsbrook, with Rosary procession, followed by Mass and consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. All are most welcome. Eng: SACRI 9447 3292. Wednesday August 19 LESMURDIE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP 7.30pm to 9 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, 207 Lesmurdie Road, Lesmurdie, everyone welcome. Eng: Marge 9 291 6397 or Ann 9 291 6670. Friday August 21 ALAN AMES 7pm at All Saints Catholic Church, Corner Orkney Road and Liwara Place, Greenwood, Mass followed by talk and healing service. Sunday August 23 JUDAISM TODAY A miniature history of Judaism from Abraham to date 3pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Angelico Street, Woodlands. The Jewish legacy in the Gospels and in Christian practice. Questions presented by Kenneth James Arkwright OAM. Eng: Jeff 9446 3655. Friday August 28 52ND MALAYSIA DAY CELEBRATIONS 7.30pm to lam, at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, in support of World Youth Day 2011, no BYO. Dress attire, Semi-formal Malaysian costume. See noticeboard of your parish for more information. Eng: Fr Roy Pereira 0417 936 449.

Tuesday August 25 THE CATHOLIC PASTORAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION Eucharistic Celebration and Dinner 5.30pm at St Catherine's House of Hospitality, 113 Tyler Street, Tuart Hill, Guest Speaker Mr Gerry Smith of Grief Management and Educational Services, on Please Hear What I am Not Saying. Cost $25. RSVP by 21st August. Eng: Margaret 9390 9365 or Maranatha 6380 5160. Sunday August 30 to September 2 CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE Biennial National Conference 3pm at Redemptorist Monastery Church. Opening Mass celebrated by Bishop Don Sproxton. All welcome. Conference will be held at Novotel Langley Hotel, Perth. Wonderful guest speakers lined up including Celia Hammond, Vice Chancellor of Notre Dame University, Fremantle, who will present the keynote address. Eng: Maria sec.cwIa4westnet.com.au or 9751 1936. Saturday September 19 ST PADRE PIO PILGRIMAGE - TOODYAY 8am depart, 10.15 DVD, 11.30am Mass, confession available, 2.30pm Eucharistic Procession, Rosary, Adoration, Divine Mercy and Benediction, 4pm return. Times are approximate. Contacts for Midland, Catrina 9255 1938; Bassendean, lvana 9279 7261; Morley, Joan 9276 9439; Leederville, Leena 9444 6317; Balcatta, Rosa 9276 1952; Glendalough, Mary 6278 1540; Victoria Park and Girawheen, Nita 9367 1366. Saturday October 17 R EUNION FOR LA SALLE COLLEGE Class of 1974/76 Eng: Sue Wester (Sweeney) sue.wester@iinet.net.au or 0407 985 935 or Liz Bradley (Butcher) Ibradley4iinet. net.au Saturday following the First Sunday of the Month DIVINE MERCY HEALING MASS 2.30pm to 3.30pm at St Francis Xavier Church, Windsor Street, East Perth, Reconciliation available with Fr Marcellinus Meilak. O.F.M. Refreshments will follow afterwards. Eng: John 9457 7771. AL-ANON/ALATEEN FAMILY GROUPS If your home is unhappy because someone drinks too much we can help you. For understanding and support to families and friends of problem drinkers. Eng: 9325 7528. SACRED HEART OF JESUS - PIONEERS Any Pioneers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus out there in society, we invite you if you would like to meet other members in prayer and reflection. Eng: 9457 7771. Every Sunday LATIN MASS 2pm at the Good Shepherd Parish, 40-42 Streich Avenue, Kelmscott, according to the 1962 missal, with Rosary preceding. All welcome. Third Sunday of the Month OBLATES OF ST BENEDICT MEET 2pm at St Joseph's Convent, York Street, South Perth. Oblates affiliated with the Benedictine Abbey New Norcia, welcome all who are interested in studying the rule of St Benedict and its relevance to the everyday life of today for lay people. Vespers and afternoon tea conclude meetings. Eng: Doris 9457 5758. Fourth Sunday of the Month HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE 2pm to 3pm at Morley Parish Church, 47 Wellington Road, Morley commencing 26 July. Includes Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Come and reflect on the grace of being called to serve God in consecrated life. Prayer works! All Welcome. Eng: 9276 8500. Every Monday LUNCHTIME MEDITATION 12.15pm to 12.45pm at Wesley Uniting Church, William and Hay Streets, Perth, Ecumenical Christian meditation,

in the tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. All Welcome. Eng: CMC 9444 5810. Every 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Monday of the Month LATIN EXTRAORDINARY RITE MASS 7.30pm at St Joseph's Church, 20 Hamilton Street, Bassendean. Every Tuesday CATHOLIC ADULT FAITH EDUCATION GROUP 7.15pm to 9.30pm at Sts John and Paul Parish, Willetton presents Letters of St Paul led by Sr Shelley Barlow RNDM, commencing 18 August for 6 consecutive nights. This is an opportunity to deepen your faith, through bible study in a warm supportive environment. Eng: Angeline 0402 122 940 or Parish Office 9332 5992. Every Tuesday PRAYER MEETINGS 7pm St. Mary's Cathedral Parish Centre, 450 Hay Street, Perth, overcome the burdens in life making prayer your lifeline with Jesus. Personal healing in prayer, Rosary, meditation, Scripture, praise in song, friendship, refreshments. Be united with Our Lord and Our Lady in prayer with others. Appreciate the heritage of the Faith. Every Thursday KNOWING YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH 6pm to 7.30pm at St. Joseph Church 20 Hamilton Street, Bassendean. Catholic Questions and Answers and Catechism of the Catholic Church. Every 1st Thursday of the Month PRAYER AND MEDITATION SERVICE Taize Songs 7.30pm at Our Lady of Grace, 3 Kitchener Street, North Beach. Come for a prayerful meditation singing together beautiful easy to learn chants from Taize. Spend time in meditative silence, bathed in candlelight reflecting upon themed readings. Eng: Beth 9447 0061 or 9448 4888. Every First Friday of the Month HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE 7pm at the Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins Street, Glendalough. Mass celebrated by Fr Saminedi followed by Adoration with Fr Don Kettle. All welcome. Every First Friday of the Month ST PIO OF PIETRELCINA - LATIN EXTRAORDINARY RITE MASS 7.30pm at St Joseph's Church, 20 Hamilton Street, Bassendean.

CORRECTION In the article 'Turning first into last communion' which appeared in the July 8 edition of The Record, we reported that Jack Hewitson was a student of Trinity College when he is in fact, a student of Aquinas. Comments that were made about Trinity were meant to apply only to Aquinas. We regret the error.

the Parish the Nation the World Read it in The Record

July 29 2009, The Record

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Pope confirms intention . to go to min

Effort to block US funds to Planned Parenthood fails

Pope confirms visit to Shroud of Turin: new evidence on shroud emerges

Effort to block US funds to Planned Parenthood fails in House

• By Carol Glatz

• By Nancy Frazier O'Brien

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI confirmed his intention to visit the Shroud of Turin when it goes on public display in Turin's cathedral April 10-May 23, 2010. Cardinal Severino Poletto of Turin, papal custodian of the Shroud of Turin, visited the Pope on July 26 in Les Combes, Italy, where the Pope was spending part of his vacation. The Alpine village is about 85 miles from Turin. The cardinal gave the Pope the latest news concerning preparations for next year's public exposition of the shroud and the Pope "confirmed his intention to go to Turin for the occasion," said the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, in a written statement on July 27. The specific date of the papal visit has yet to be determined, the priest added. The last time the Shroud of Turin was displayed to the public was in 2000 for the jubilee year. The shroud is removed from a specially designed protective case only for very special spiritual occasions, and its removal for study or display to the public must be approved by the Pope. The shroud underwent major cleaning and restoration in 2002. According to tradition, the 14-foot-by-4foot linen cloth is the burial shroud of Jesus. The shroud has a full-length photonegative image of a man, front and back, bearing signs of wounds that correspond to the Gospel accounts of the torture Jesus endured in his passion and death. The church has never officially ruled on the shroud's authenticity, saying judgments about its age and origin belonged to scientific investigation. Scientists have debated its authenticity for decades, and studies have led to conflicting results. A recent study by French scientist Thierry Castex has revealed that on the shroud are traces of words in Aramaic spelled with

Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn celebrates Mass at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Turin in 2000, the last time the Shroud of Turin was on PHOTO; CNS public display.

Hebrew letters. A Vatican researcher, Barbara Frale, told Vatican Radio on July 26 that her own studies suggest the letters on the shroud were written more than 1,800 years ago. She said that in 1978 a Latin professor in Milan noticed Aramaic writing on the shroud and in 1989 scholars discovered Hebrew characters that probably were portions of the phrase "The king of the Jews." Castex's recent discovery of the word "found" with another word next to it, which still has to be deciphered, "together may mean 'because found' or 'we found:" she said. What is interesting, she said, is that it recalls a passage in the Gospel of St. Luke, "We found this man misleading our people," which was what several Jewish leaders told Pontius Pilate when they asked him to condemn Jesus. She said it would not be unusual for something to be written on a burial cloth in order to indicate the identity of the deceased. Frale, who is a researcher at the Vatican Secret Archives, has written a new book on the shroud and the Knights Templar, the medieval crusading order which, she says, may have held secret custody of the Shroud of Turin during the 13th and 14th centuries. She told Vatican Radio that she has studied the writings on the shroud in an effort to find out if the Knights had written them.

WASHINGTON (CNS) - An effort to withhold US family planning funds from Planned Parenthood of America failed in the House of Representatives on July 24 by a vote of 183 in favour and 247 opposed. Rep. Mike Pence, R- Ind., had proposed the amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010. The bill passed later that day by a vote of 264-153. "The largest abortion provider in America should not also be the largest recipient of federal funding under Title X, as I believe a majority of the American people would attest," Pence said in remarks on the House floor on July 24. "The time has come to deny all federal funding to Planned Parenthood of America:' Title X of the Public Health Services Act provides federal grants to programs that provide comprehensive family planning and related preventive health care services.

Pence noted that current law and regulations prohibit the use of Title X money to directly fund abortions. "But there's no question that money that Planned Parenthood receives for its operational expenses from the federal government frees up resources that can be used to provide and promote abortions through its abortion clinics," he said. "Common sense teaches no other idea." In a statement after the vote on his amendment, Pence said he would "continue to fight for the right to life and for the day when abortions are not funded by the federal government," adding that "taxpayers and the just cause for the unborn deserve no less." Also speaking in favour of the Pence amendment on the House floor was Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., a Catholic who co-chairs the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus. "Millions of children live today because public funds weren't available to effect their death," Smith said. "Yet Planned Parenthood aggressively seeks to compel taxpayer funds for abortion. ... It's time to understand the irreversible harm Planned Parenthood is doing to the children of America - born and unborn."

71P

MISSION MATTERS Missionary reflections on this Sunday's Gospel; Mark 1: 41-42 "... Do not work for food that does not last but work for food that endures to eternal life..." Working on refugee camps in sub-Saharan Africa, it never failed to strengthen my sense of Faith and missionary calling to notice that despite the terrible physical suffering and deprivation, there were often ten times more people assembled and waiting for Mass to begin than there were for the World Food Program delivering the weekly food rations. The food for eternal life seems more important for those whose livelihoods and lives have been broken and shattered amidst unimaginable poverty and violence. Interested in overseas missionary experience, then call Catholic Mission on 94227933.

•

July 29 2009, The Record

The Record

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Page 16

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