The Record Newspaper 03 January 2002

The

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Marie Tania chooses the Carmelite life - Page 16

Bin Laden, the contender - who could'da been great - Page 10

F rebornbed By Peter Resengren

Linda Watson surveys the damage done by firebombing to Linda's House of Hope in Cannington which assists women and girls to escape prostitution.

A Catholic Church-funded refuge for women seeking to escape the slavery and abuse of prostitution was firebombed in Cannington late on Boxing Day. The founder of the refuge, a former brothel madam, said she believed the attack was part of the campaign to legalise prostitution. A rear bedroom being used by one woman resident, a former prostitute, had its window smashed in at about 9.30pm and was burnt out. A neighbour called the fire brigade which extinguished the fire before it could spread to the rest of the 4-bedroom brick building. The woman, who was not in the room at the time, was unharmed but lost all her possessions including a Christmas present. Furniture in the room had been burned by the fire or rendered unusable by water. Linda's House of Hope, which is financially supported by Archbishop Barry Hickey and operates under his patronage, was attacked in what founder and ex-madam Linda Watson called part of the campaign to legalise prostitution in WA. "I would say it is to do with the

legalisation of prostitution fight. I have enemies out there and there's plenty of people who want to see prostitution legalised," she said. "There's plenty of money to be made out there [from prostitution's legalisation)." Ms Watson told The Record that the woman had returned home from two days in the country over the Christmas break and had been in another room speaking to friends via the telephone at about 9.30pm. She had heard an explosion of glass, but at first thought it was from another property somewhere in the vicinity. She heard more noises, went to the door of the room and opened It to find everything inside on fire. A neighbour had heard the explosion, followed shortly after by the sound of steps running away. had hosed down the fire until the fire brigade arrived. Ms Watson estimated approximately $20.000 worth of damage had been done by the firebombing. The fire had burnt out the ceiling of the room. The house is one of two suburban properties which form Linda's House of Hope and is

operated as a refuge and shelter for women and girls seeking to escape the sex-industry's clutches. While it can sleep 7 residents Ms Watson said she is limiting the number of residents to four at a time. The other house, located in the same street, operates as an assessment centre. The organisation was established by Ms Watson in August 1999.

She told The Record the attack is not the first suffered by Linda's House of Hope. "When I saw the damage I thought 'what next?'." she said. On 6 October. 2001, the front windows of the assessment centre were smashed. Since Linda's House of Hope was opened there has been a steady number of threatening phone calls received by workers and residents, she said, estimating that four had been received since June 2001. One prostitution industry personality had also threatened her and told her to 'leave town,' she said, and had then named a wellknown bilcie gang in relation to the threat. Continued - Page 7

Do not ask how much time is left, but what you can do' By Cindy Wooden

Pope John PaulIIblesses thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square on Photo CNSReuters 25 December.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The end of an old year and the beginning of a new one is a time for Christians to renew their commitment to spreading the Gospel with love, Pope John Paul II said. Marking the end of 2001 at an evening prayer service. the Pope made no mention of terrorist attacks, wars or violence. Instead, he opened the 31 December liturgy by explaining it was a service of "thanksgiving and praise for all the good the eternal Father has done for us over the past year. His gifts were greater than our infidelities."

The hearts of believers should sing their "recognition for that which we have received: sing in the certain hope of future gifts," he said. In his homily. Pope John Paul said ills a very human temptation to want to know what will happen in the future and, in the end, how much time is left. No one wants to be caught by surprise, he said. But when Jesus' disciples asked the same kind of questions, Jesus told them that time was in the hands of the Father and that until the end came the strength of the Holy Spirit would be with them, helping them make disciples of

all nations. "He called on them to assume a new attitude toward time," the Pope said. "Jesus tells us not to uselessly question that which is reserved to God, which is precisely the course of events, but to use the time each has at his disposal the present - working with filial love to spread the Gospel to every corner of the planet," he said. Celebrating a New Year while still in the Christmas season is a reminder that the meaning of time already has been revealed, the Pope said. With the Incarnation, "God embraced the history of men on

earth to lead it to its definitive fulfillment" of eternal life with God, he said. During the liturgy, the Pope gave thanks for God's gifts, especially for all the good accomplished through the work of the Church and its members. "I ask God for the strength to continue for as long as he wants in faithful service to the church of Rome and of the whole world," the 81-year-old pontiff said. Pope John Paul also said the end of an old year is a time to become aware of "our own fragility and of the moments in which we were not fully faithful to the love of God."

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Many nations sharing the one faith r

1his Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. Its Greek name indicates that it originated in the Christian East where Greek was the common language. The Epiphany is a very old feastday, celebrated certainly in the third century AD, if not earlier. The word means "manifestation" - in this case it means the manifestation of the divinity of Christ. The Greek Christians celebrated the Baptism of Jesus on the Epiphany, because in that event on the River Jordan, Jesus was manifested to the onlookers as the Son of God, with the Holy Spirit above him in the form of a dove, and the voice of God the Father calling him "my beloved Son".

Western Christians celebrated the coming of the Magi on the Epiphany, as Jesus was adored in his divinity by the Magi bearing gifts. The Liturgy of the Church accepts this tradition of the feast of the Epiphany, but at this time of the year it offers us three manifestations of the divinity of Jesus in close juxtaposition, the Baptism of Jesus, the adoration of the Magi and Christ's first miracle or "sign", as St John calls it, namely the changing of water into wine at the marriage feast of Cana. This, the first of Jesus' signs was truly a manifestation that Jesus, as God's Son, had come to change the world - to change the water of the Old Testament to the wine of the New, to change the promise of

salvation to its fulfilment, and to change unfaithful human hearts to hearts full of love for God and for one another. The Magi are mysterious figures from the East. Were there three? Were they kings? Were their names Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar? Scripture does not tell us. We have received these venerable traditions over the centuries, but we can't prove them to be true. Nor does it matter. The essence of the coming of the Magi is the revelation of Godmade-man to the non-Jewish world. The Magi remind us that Jesus, who came from the Chosen Race of the Jews, was to be Saviour of the whole human race. In my Missionary College of Pro-

paganda Fide in Rome we had students from missionary countries all over the world. Our College feast-day was the Epiphany, celebrating the acceptance of the Good News of Jesus Christ by the nations of the world. The Catholic faith belongs to no one nation but to all. That was clearly the case in the student body in Rome. It is clearly the case here in Australia as well. If you move around our Parishes in Perth you will be impressed by the variety of people of different ethnic backgrounds that make up the congregation, all united in the Lord, One Faith and One Baptism. The feast of the Epiphany is a time to give thanks to God, at the beginning of a New Year, for the wonderful Gift of Faith.

Archbishop's

Perspective

Family celebrate a WA tradition By Glynnis Grainger

Castledene's residents today: James, left, Jean, John, Michael, Caitlin, Emma, Leanne, and Christopher Wringe.

The extended Wringe clan at the reunion held in early December. r•-•

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Descendants of early Catholic South-West settlers Thomas Castle and Mary McConnell gathered recently on the property the pioneering couple settled. It was the reunion of an extended family that has settled throughout the region. In 1862, the couple trekked from Vasse to Castledene - home of the Castles - about 6km from lamp - the site of Sunday, 2 December's reunion of more than 100 family members 140 years after Thomas and Mary's arduous journey. Four generations of descendants - including the Wringes, the Hynes's, the Harrises, the lliverners and the Millers - met, some for the first time. The family book, titled The Castiedene journey: A Story of Six Generations. 1856-2001, was launched by Ho Rimer, formerly a long-term resident of Castledene. Today, Castledene is a picturesque farm producing beef cattle, sheep and tomatoes. Three generations of Thomas and Mary Castle's descendants live and work on the property The family has continued a strong tradition of heavy community involvement. Walter Wringe and his son John collectively

Pope calls families to witness faith By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II asked individuals and families to begin the New Year by setting aside feelings of anger and by giving thanks for the blessings they have received. "Every year brings with it joys and sorrows, problems and new prospects," the pope said on 30 December, addressing visitors in St Peter's Square. "I ask everyone to conclude 2001 by giving thanks to God, leaving behind them every enmity in order to begin 2002 in the love and peace of Christ," he said during his midday Angelus address. Marking the 30 December feast of the Holy Family, Pope John Paul said that although the Gospels do not provide many details about Jesus' growing up in Nazareth, there are

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served local government for 40 years, on the Balingup Road Board, the Balingup Shire Council and the Donnybrook-Balingup Shire Council. John and his brother Michael Wringe. of Castledene, said they were proud to he part of a family line with strong links to the land their great-grandparents settled. The extended family had spread throughout the South-West and further afield, they said, but all felt some attachment to the Castledene property. Many of Thomas and Mary's descendants have a strong Catholic faith, which remains strong today. Mary Castle imparted a strong sense of religion to her children, which they passed on to their families. Thomas Castle, a Londoner, and Irishwoman Mary McConnell, were married at Vasse on 15 June, 1856. "according to the rites and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church." their marriage certificate says. In 1862, with three young children, the couple trekked 80km eastwards along the Capel River. then along a tributary, until they came to a spot with excellent soil and a permanent water hole. This was to become known as Castledene. The original blocks were first surveyed by John Forrest. later first Premier of Western Australia.

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enough hints to know that it was "an intimate community of life and love." "The Redeemer of the world purposefully chose the family as the place of his birth and his growth, thereby sanctifying this fundamental institution of every society," the Pope said. "Gathering and prayer, mutual understanding and respect. personal discipline and communal asceticism, and a spirit of sacrifice, work and solidarity are the typical traits which make the family of Nazareth a model for all of our homes," he said. Pope John Paul said the Church will not stop going against the current of modern societies by preaching the importance of family life, both spiritually and for the good of society itself. But the Church's teaching must be supported by the witness of Christian families themselves, he said.

Laughter in Paradise motor mechanic, running his own workhop, dies unexpectedly, shortly after his 50th birthday. He arrives at the heavenly gates and complains bitterly to St Peter. "I worked hard all my life'" he says, "to get my workshop going. Now that everything works well and my life gets easier, I have to die." St Peter agrees: "It really does not sound right. Just give me a moment and I'll check out your case." He switches on his computer screen and begins to type commands. After a few moments he looks up and explains: "Well, you see, we worked out your age by the hours you charged your customers. We calculated you should be nearly a hundred years old. We thought it would be too dangerous to let you go on repairing cars, so we decided to call you to heaven."

December day of fast dollars to help victims By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - People who participated in the 14 December day of fasting and prayers for peace sent more than US $650,000 to the Vatican for projects to aid the victims of war and terrorism. The Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," the Vatican office that promotes charitable giving and funds projects in the pope's name, will distribute the offerings, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said on 24 December. When Pope John Paul II asked people to fast and pray, he also suggested they transform their sacrifice into a contribution for the victims of terrorism and war. The Pope spoke of the needs of the thousands of innocent victims of the 11 September attacks in New York and Washington as well as mentioning situations of war in which "innumerable people have been forced to leave their homes to confront the unknown and sometimes to meet a cruel death." Navarro-Valls said Cor Unum's distribution of the collected funds would focus first of all on "children, the elderly, the ill, the homeless and those most exposed to the dangers of cold and hunger in these winter months." "His Holiness thanks those who generously responded to his appeal and hopes that international solidarity would continue to support populations in difficulty even beyond the emergency," the spokesman said.

C HRISTIAN H OUSE

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Ethnic hatred, religious fanaticism and violent crime took the lives of at least 33 Catholic priests and religious in mission territories in 2001, said the Vatican's Fides news agency. Killing missionaries simply to rob them is a relatively new, but growing phenomenon, said Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. "Ten or 15 years ago, missionaries were respected and esteemed for the spiritual values they represented," said Fides director, Father Bernardo Cervellera, in a 29 December editorial. "Today they are seen only as defenceless prey, easy to strike," he said. "Everyone knows that missionaries are unarmed: they

won't retaliate or seek revenge." Father Cervellera listed a New Mexico priest among the 33 murdered church workers: Father Michael Mack, 60, apparently was beaten to death during a robbery on 8 December in his home at the Servants of the Paraclete Monastery in Jemez Springs. But rape and robbery also are used to mask religious or political motives for killing missionaries, the Fides director said. Although it has not been proven, Father Cervellera said it would be difficult to accept simple robbery as the motive for the 5 May murder of US Charity Sister Barbara Ford in Guatemala. Sister Ford "took up the defence of native Indian peoples and she had worked closely with Guatemalan Bish-

op Juan Gerardi, who was assassinated three years ago," Father Cervellera said. The priest also listed Canadian Jesuit Father Martin Royackers, murdered in his Jamaica parish in June. The Jesuit had been working on a farming project for poor families using abandoned state land. "The year that closes takes with it a terrible burden of violence and contempt for God and man," Father Cervellera said. Unlike Osama bin Laden and others who claim to kill in God's name, he said, the 33 murdered church workers "died instead in the name of God to give life." The Fides "martyrology" for 2001 included 25 priests, five religious women, one seminarian, one consecrated laywoman and one lay missionary.

Fr Gaff's help-line in its 10th year While some of us were tuck- Record this week his Christmas ing into the Christmas turkey Help-Line has always been with all the trimmings, some well-received since its inception people were alone and despair- on Christmas Day 1991." "I can recall it was then pubing. Fr Michael Gall, parish priest lished in The West Australian of St Kieran's Parish, Osborne and The Record newspapers Park, provided a lifeline for and somebody picked up the those in need this festive sea- story from The Record "Christmas cries for help" and reprintson. He has been running his annu- ed it in the London Catholic al Christmas telephone Help- newspaper The Universe." he Line for 10 years and this year said. "It is a good story because received and attended to more it is a story of compassion - very than 60 calls. He told The much related to the Christmas

Women walk in a war-destroyed street in the Afghan capital of Kabul on 5 Photo CNS Reuters December.

"May the celebration of Christmas lead believers to raise a choral invocation to God in order to obtain the gift of peace and to renew their commitment to build it every day in every corner of the world," he said.

C,d CP‘V. 00

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33 missionary priests die in 2001

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story. The Christmas Help-Line is an emergency help-line for the Christmas season and it proved to be necessary and successful." Fr Gatt provided a non-judgmental and confidential counselling service from 16 December to 30 December. People experiencing family breakdown, financial difficulties, drug issues and people contemplating suicide have used the helpline in previous years. - Glynnis Grainger

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Fr Colbert notches up 40 years as Oblate priest By Glynnis Grainger

Fr Anthony Colbert OM, in St Patrick's Basilica, Fremantle, after the 11.00am Mass on 16 December, his 40th anniversary Mass, holding roses from his sister in Sydney. The roses symbolise a ruby - or 40th anniversary.

Fremantle Hospital chaplain Oblate Father Anthony Colbert celebrated 40 years as a priest as the main celebrant at Mass at 11am on Sunday, 16 December in St Patrick's Basilica, Fremantle. The Church is also the same one in which he was ordained. Fr Colbert entered the Oblate Novitiate in 1954, where he came under the guidance of the legendary Novice Master and mentor Fr O'Shaughnessy. In 1955, he was the first Australian student to be sent to the Oblate Seminary in Cedara, South Africa, for his studies. Up to this time, all students were sent to Ireland, but in the mid-fifties, the Irish Seminary was full and could not take any more students. In 1961, he completed his studies and returned to Australia for his priestly ordination. He was ordained on 16 December, 1961, in St Patrick's Church, Fremantle, the first and only Oblate ordination in that church. The ceremony is remembered for two special features dignity and elegance. The dignity was

supplied by the ordaining prelate - the late Bishop Goody, then Auxiliary Bishop of Perth - who seemed like an English aristocratic gentleman. The elegance was provided by the female members of the Colbert family, whose attire and colourful hats attracted attention throughout the day. Apart from two years teaching at Iona College, Brisbane, in 1962 and 1963, most of Fr Colbert's priestly life has been spent in parish work. He was assistant priest at Hillcrest parish from 1963-64; Fremantle parish 1965-66; Sefton parish 1967-70; Massey, New Zealand 1971-76 parish priest; Moe assistant priest 1976-81; Sorrento parish priest 1982-84; Dernancourt, Moe and Eagle Vale assistant priest 1984-93; Fremantle Hospital chaplain 1994 to the present. Fr Colbert has worked in all five states of Australia and also in New Zealand. He is known to thousands of people, whose lives he has touched and influenced by his priestly ministry and his gentle manner. In Massey, as parish priest, he planned the building of the much-needed presbytery and also

served as Air Force chaplain. Everywhere he has served he has been in demand for weddings; he has a special charism for this ministry. He has lost count of how many couples he has instructed and married and who are grateful to him for making their big day a special and happy occasion. For the past seven years in Fremantle he has repeatedly performed three or four weddings at weekends. Fellow Oblates regard him as a thorough gentleman, always ready to give his time and attention to all who seek him. No task is too difficult, no time is spared, no personal inconvenience is ever taken into account, where people need help and Fr Colbert is at hand. He has many endearing qualities such as his manner of speech, his infectious laugh, which some call a chuckle. He serves on the Provincial Council of the Oblates. Fr Colbert was born in Nedlands in 1937, one of four sons and four daughters of the late Joseph and Rose Colbert. He attended Loreto Convent primary school in Nedlands, CBC Perth and the Oblate Juniorate for his primary and secondary education.

Otter joy, utter pain, the paradox of Therese The Word.) From very early in her life, Therese was joyfully aware of the reality and presence of Jesus, but her own account of her life shows us that she, too, wilt voi! had to learn. Saw. When she was three, she asked her rigif mother if she would go to heaven because she was good and her mother assured her \\A! that it would be so. By the time she was an early teenager, she asked herself the same question, but realised the answer was that she would go to heaven not because she was good but because God is good. This was an important element of Therese's spirituality and one with great relevance in today's world where selfesteem has become almost an all-embracing philosophy. Therese was so aware of the loving presence of God and her own experience of Therese in the place she had yearned for from love that she could say doubt was imposthe time she was very young - the Carmelite sible and faith and hope unnecessary. But convent at the same time she was fully aware of her nothingness. her helplessness. Americans have a phrase, derived She was aware of the two simultaneousfrom baseball. to describe someone ly - God's love and her own inadequacy important: 'a major hitter.' St Therese and she held both sides of this paradox may have died at the tender age 0124 unwaveringly. but by the time she passed away she Later she wrote: "Sanctity ... consists of had already become one of the remaining small and humble in the arms Catholic Church's all-time great major of God, knowing our weakness and trusthitters. 'This week Hugh Ryan looks ing to the point of rashness in his fatherly at her spirituality. goodness." She also said "trust and nothing but trust must bring us to love". Some of Therese's lessons came the hard 1 -ihe spirituality of any saint, and of every person, is their total life expe- way. Her mother died when she was four. She immediately attached herself to her rience of themselves and God. In the Christian sense, it is specifically oldest sister Pauline as her "second mothrelated to the person living the life of Jesus, er", but when Pauline went to the Carmel or, to put it another way, the life of Jesus at Lisieux. Therese suffered again. When she was 10, she suffered a strange living in them. What is generally called the spirituality but serious illness from which she expeof a particular saint Is those parts of their rienced an instantaneous cure, and after spiritual experience which they thought that she accepted Mary as her mother. St Therese's joyfulness in the simultanemost significant in their life and which they thought might be most helpful to pass ous awareness of her nothingness and on to others embarking on the spiritual God's love of her nothingness is the synthesis of those great scriptural truths: "God journey. In that sense, the Spirituality of St is love" and "we are made in the image Therese of Lisieux consists of two and likeness of God". When we accept these as our self-image extremes - the utter joy of the presence of God and the utter pain of his absence from and our motivation, to use modern parlance, there is no mom for fear - only trust her awareness. Ultimately, they are part of the one life in God and love for one another, without experience, but because of our limitations criticism, without comparison and withwe have to talk about life as though it out conditions. St Therese taught this approach to love came in parts. (Our need for many words shows the great difference between us and so effectively in her "Little Way of Love" that she became one of only 33 Doctors of the Church in its 2000 years of history. It is a title given only to great teachers of the faith, but in the case of St Therese it was not because of her scholarship (she had very little) but because of her perfeaturing World Class Artists sonal experience of God and her ability to To be held at Infant Jesus Church express that experience in ways the rest of 47 Wellington Rd, Morley the world could understand. Friday 25 January, 8pm This is a great inspiration for parents Tickets $25, concessions $20 because it reminds them that it is their children's experience of their love which For bookings ring 9276 8500 (9am-4pm) will most prepare them for awareness and acceptance of the love of God. Parents can c"1-7"-•. IMO Iet**

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The Record, January 3 2002 Page 4

bring more good into their children's lives than anyone else on earth and they do it by their love, without criticism, without comparison and without conditions. It is also an inspiration for those many people who devote their time to the RCIA because, while it is important that intending Catholics be given reliable information, the strength of the RCIA process is that it is even more important that they encounter people who have grown in their experience of the life of faith. This is what assures inquirers that coming into the Catholic Church is not a moment of judgement but an opportunity for a personal encounter with Jesus that grows over a lifetime. With about half our parishes offering the RCIA program and the other half still to move in that happy direction, St Therese's spirituality is a beacon that says we can all lead others to God because God wants us to. The second major aspect of the Little Flower's spirituality came during the last 18 months of her life while she died painfully of tuberculosis. She at first welcomed the signs of her approaching death because it meant the greater joy of heaven, but at that point she experienced a profound. interior darkness which she described as a great wall between her and God, a wall which reached all the way to heaven. As well as her physical suffering, she suffered an intense feeling that there was nothing beyond this life, and her soul was "invaded by the thickest darkness" so that, instead of her previous joy, the thought of heaven was "the cause of struggle and torment". Throughout her intense trial, she persisted in wanting to believe and in carrying out the actions of faith even while the sense of faith was not present. She became truly aware of the suffering of those who have no faith so that her previous compassion for sinners developed a new depth. At a time in history when humanity is suffering a crisis in faith, when half the world believes "God is dead" and does not understand that the answer to the "endless nothingness" is an affirmation of belief, St Therese of Lisieux is again a shining example. The message from St Therese to all of us is clear: when there are no 'rewards' for faith, when there is none of the joy or satisfaction of faith, that is the time for faith, and especially when the faith ceases to be identifiably our own, hold onto it and trust it. In its own way, Therese's final trial was a repetition of the message she learned ten years earlier It was not her goodness. but His which would get her to heaven. When we realise there is no hope in ourselves, we can either despair or turn to Jesus and realise that everything is in good hands, there is nothing to worry about. That's what St Peter did when most of Jesus's followers walked away after he told

them he would give them his flesh to eat and his blood to drink. Peter was as bemused as anyone else, but he did not make the mistake of thinking that his doubts were more important than "the words of eternal life" which he knew Jesus had. fin 6:68) The Church has been inviting us to do the same ever since, and St Therese of Lisieux has given us an outstanding example to follow in our own modern times. Queensland woman embraces the Carmelite life - Page 16

St Therese of the Child Jesus and Holy Face with her Carmelite Community, France, 28 April, 1895.

Meditadon

Bing

B

little means not crediting

with the virtues one

p practices. under the impression that one is able to achieve something on one's own... Imean, recognising one's nothingness, expecting everything from God.

as a little child waits for everything his father gives him:Imean, not worrying about anything, not trying to get rich. The little will be judged with extreme mildness. And you can certainly stay little, even in a very responsible position, even if you live to be very old. If!had died at the age of eighty, if! had been to China or all over the world. Ishould.Iam convinced, have died as little asIam today. And it/s written that :at the last, the Lord will arise and save all the meek and humble on earth." It doesn't say he will arise to judge but to save... - St Therese of Lisieux

Anti-death penalty petition bid By Ed Langlois POR'ILAND, Oregon. (CNS) Oregonians troubled by the death penalty are collecting signatures to qualify for a 2002 ballot initiative at a faster rate than expected. The Life for a Life Committee, which includes Catholic leaders like Archbishop John G. Vlazny of Portland, hopes to replace capital punishment in the state with life in prison with no possibility of parole and restitution for the families of murder victims. In 2000, the campaign fell just short of the number of signatures required to place the initiative on the ballot. Organisers are optimistic this time, citing lessons learned and the signature pace so far. We have twice as many as we anticipated at this point," said campaign chief Angela Harris. By 5 July, 2002, the committee must submit about 120,000 signatures, the number required to secure the 89,000 valid signatures required. The state automatically disqualifies a percentage of signatures based on a sampling for duplicates or signatures of people not registered to vote. Oreqonians are closely split on the

issue of capital punishment. Harris said the events of 11 September do not seem to have changed the way people think about the issue. "People are able to make the distinction between an act of war and criminal justice policy," Harris said. "If anything, it's given people an opportunity to reflect on issues of violence and peace." The campaign is reaching out to the Republican and Democratic Party leadership, arguing that the death penalty is inhumane, risky and expensive. New crime investigation technologies have revealed that dozens of innocent people were on death row. Even with church leaders backing the plan for life in prison in lieu of execution, many Catholics still support capital punishment. "This is a difficult moral issue and we will never reach consensus," Harris said. "But we don't need consensus; we need 51 percent." But more than ever, churches are playing a key role in the effort to abolish Oregon's death penalty. Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon held a workshop in November on advocating aboli-

tion. More than 120 religious leaders from the area attended. In 2000, the Oregon Catholic Conference asked parishes to allow volunteers to take petition signatures after Masses. The Catholic conference is now assembling packets that contain Catholic teaching about capital punishment. In the past five years, Pope John Paul and the US bishops have issued clearer denunciations against state-sponsored executions. In a 1999 homily in St Louis, the Pope pointed out that the United States is the only Western industrialised nation to permit what he called a "cruel and unnecessary" punishment. In November, the nation's Catholic bishops approved a new pro-life pastoral plan that for the first time gives the death penalty its own heading as an issue of concern. Also for the first time, the plan lists ending the death penalty among its public policy goals. "There are compelling reasons for opposing capital punishment," the bishops wrote, citing "its sheer inhumanity and its absolute finality, as well as concern about its inequitable use and an imperfect legal system that has sentenced innocent people to death."

Senator praises parents of Ballajura The importance of close collaboration between staff, students and parents in the education of our children was brought to the fore recently at the blessing and official opening of the latest capital development works at Mary MacKillop Catholic Community Primary School in Ballajura. In her address to the school community CEO Director Therese Temby paid tribute to the dedication of the school staff who she said wanted four things for their students. The first, she suggested. was that the students be happy, hope-filled people who really like what they're doing and who come together to form a community of hope. Mrs Temby said the teachers also wanted their students to respect one another, have a real passion for learning and forgive one another as required. Sena-

The execution chamber at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, is seen in an undated file photo.

MEN OF HOSPITALITY LIVING AND PROCLAIMING GOD'S HOSPITABLE LOVE. • ...the suffering ofmy neighbour breaks my heart..." (St. John of God. 150) Our core of Hospitality compels and urges us to depth our relationship with God, ourselves and with those whom we share our lives, community and ministry.

As lived out by St. John of God over five centuries ago, our vocation is to give of ourselves completely and freely: to be a Brotherly presence: a symbol of hope for our world: proclaiming God's Hospitable love to all.

We are called to a charism of Hospitality and love that promotes healing, advocacy and reconciliation for those most marginalised by our society.

WE ARE THE

-BROTHERS OF ST JOHN OF GOD"

WILL YOU ACCEPT GOD'S INVITATION TO A LIFE DEDICATED TO HOSPITALITY? Ballajura parish priest Fr John Jegorow leads prayers at the ceremony.

tor Chris Ellison acknowledged the important role that today's students play in the future development of our nation and paid tribute to the contribution of the parent community in the development of the school. "Throughout Australia, whenev-

er I come across a great school. I always find behind it a great body of parents who've done a huge amount of very valuable work This is exactly what we have here at this school." he said. - Phil Bayne, CEO Media

Br John Clegg (OH) Vocations Director PO Box BN 1055 Burwood North, N.S.W. Telephone: (02) 9747 1699 Fax (02) 9744 3262 Email: provincial@stjohn.com.au

Website: wvvw.stjohn.com.au

Oblates announce new appointments There are some changes planned for the Oblate community in the Perth Archdiocese. Well-known Fremantle identity and parish priest, Fr Don Hughes OMI, will be the new parish priest at Lesmurdie from January, replacing Fr Donal Madigan OMI, who is going to the eastern states. Fr Madigan told The Record in early December he would be going on supply near Cambell-

town in the Wollongong Diocese, then home to Ireland for a month, then on supply at Sefton. in Sydney. Fr Hughes will be replaced by Fr John P. Sherman. who was Provincial of the Oblates until 1995 and is rector of Mazenod College in Melbourne. Fr Marcus Anandanpulle OMI has been at Lesmurdie since January, and is going to Fremantle until Easter.

Fr Kevin Davine ONII will be the new rector at Mazenod College, Lesmurdie, and will swap with the current rector Fr Peter Daly OMI, who going to Queensland to be rector at Iona College, a boys' college there. Brother Harley Mates OMI will be coming to teach at Mazenod College from Canada. where he is principal of indigenous schools. - Glynnis Grainger

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Message from Our Lady, Queen of Peace, given to Marija Pavlovic Lunetti for the village of Medjugorje and the world on December 25, 2001

Mr Denis McInerney cordially invites the Catholic Religious Orders and WA's Catholic Community to contact our representative, Mr Paul Zappia, for your next new vehicle.

"Dear Children! Icall you today and encourage you to prayer for peace. Especially today I call you, carrying the newborn Jesus in my arms for you, to unite with Him through prayer and to become a sign to this peaceless world. Encourage each other, little children, to prayer and love. May your faith be an encouragement to others to believe and to love more.Ibless you all and call you to be closer to my heart and to the heart of little Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call."

239 Walter Rd, Morley (opposite ICFC) Phone 9275 1222

(It is accepted that the final authority regarding apparitions of Our Lads ,it \ tedjugorie re,:ts with the Hots See of Rome)

Di_ 2371

Mr Paul Zappia

website: www.mford.com.au email: fordsales@mford.com.au A/Hrs 9275 1531

The Record, January 3 2002 Page 5

Christ came for all people Peter Dwan continues with his meditations on the readings for Sunday's Mass. This week the Feast of the Epiphany r 1 I he great Feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates Christ's first manifestation of himself to the Gentile world in the persons of the Magi, or wise men, who went to Bethlehem, seeking the newborn King of the Jews, reminds us that Christ came for all people. In the first reading (Isaiah 60:1-6) the prophet is trying to cheer the exiles by foretelling the glorious future of the new Jerusalem which is not yet rebuilt. The special radiance of God will illumine it. The reading begins: "Arise, shine out Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you. Though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples." The reading continues: "Above you the Lord now rises, and above you his glory appears." The nations came to Jerusalem because Christ manifested his glory there. Their coming, in other words, was to be inspired by faith. Fr Kevin Sullivan OFM in The Sunday Reading Cycle A p62 makes the point that though the words of Isaiah were not understood by his hearers as referring to the Epiphany, it was only in the coming of the Magi, to welcome Christ, that they were really fulfilled. Jerusalem was in no sense an attraction for the nations in the intervening centuries. But the Magi at Bethlehem were the firstfruits of the thousands and millions who have since then seen the glory of God

any importance then. The term "wise men" was usually reserved for men learned in the sciences, and among the Persians these were especially the priestly caste. When the Magi reached Jerusalem they asked: "Where is the infant king of in the Babe of Bethlehem and who have the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and figuratively come to Jerusalem from the have come to do him homage." West and from the East to form the new Astrology was one of the sciences Chosen People, the new Kingdom of studied by Magi. God." There was firm conviction that each In the second reading (Ephesians 3:2- human being had his own star and that 3,5-6) which St Paul wrote from a prison his fate in life was governed by that star. in Rome to the Ephesians, he said: "You This was not and is not so, but God have probably heard how I have been made use of superstition to teach entrusted by God with the grace he them truth. the meant for you." Some unusual light in the sky aroused St Paul wished to remind the Ephesians that he was "the Apostle of the their interest. God did the rest. The Epiphany is the Feast of Converts, Gentiles". He continued and that it was by a rev- who, in many cases, like the Magi, have elation that I was given the knowledge had a long a difficult journey before "they found the Child with his mother of the mystery." Mary" in the Catholic Church. St Paul's mission was revealed to him Yet in all cases, there is something, when Christ appeared to him on the some "star" if you like, which aroused road to Damascus. Imprisoned in Rome, he thinks not of their interest. For historians, it may have been their himself or of his fate, but of his mission. study of history, for others it may have St Paul had clone so much to evangelise the nations, and even in prison he been reading Catholic literature or did what he could to continue the good attending Mass. A very bright star is a good example. work. In today's second reading, St Paul which attracts many. The Magi offered Christ the expensive reminds us of our great privilege of gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. being called to the Christian faith. Many converts are very generous. We We are now God's new Chosen People, we are members of Christ's mysti- Catholics need to be generous, especal body, and we are guaranteed heaven cially when it comes to helping misif we appreciate and live up to our voca- sionaries in the work of evangelisation. tion. Africans are hungry for Christ, but Today's Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12) is St because Catholic missionaries are hamMatthew's account of the Epiphany. strung by lack of finance, 4 million of He speaks of wise men from the east. the 7 million Africans who embrace This means from Mesopotamia, of Christianity annually join Protestant which Persia was the only country of churches.

A Layman's

Meditation

To Jesus through Mary

a column of Marian devotion

H

istory refers to Herod the Great as the genial builder of grandiose buildings, including the rebuilding of the Temple of Jerusalem. But it also speaks of his exceptional cruelty, especially against political rivals or pretenders to the throne. Among his many slaughters we recall that he massacred three of his own sons and two wives. Jealous of power, he managed to obtain from the Romans the title of king and could not tolerate the thought of any possible rivals. That is why he was so disturbed by the Magi's question: "Where is the newborn king of the Jews?" For such a cruel sovereign it was nothing to have all the baby boys two years old or younger from the village of Bethlehem killed. A.s regards the number, it is estimated that there could have been between twenty and thirty fie didn't hesitate to carry out this horrible crime as soon as he became aware that he had been tricked by the Magi who had returned to their own land without coming back to him to tell him where this baby, the future king, was. It was a horrible crime, as is every taking of a human life. But this does not remove the outrage over the horrible slaughter of innocents, who in the millions are killed in our so-called civilised nations, with the approval of aberrant laws. Simeon's prophecy began very soon, all too soon, to be fulfilled: Jesus will he a sign that will be opposed and Mary's heart would be pierced by a sword. The shepherds and the Magi went in search of the child to adore him; Herod sought him in order to kill him. For some, the presence of Jesus, even though he came for our salvation, was immediately an inconvenience. We can imagine how the annunciation given by the angel of the imminent danger which threatened the child put wings to the feet of the Holy Family. They fled at once, thus sharing in the plight of refugees everywhere, the politThe.Record, Janiraty12002 'Pdge 6

which take on multiple meanings. Sometimes certain references which would elude us have light thrown on them by the Holy Spirit, who is the principal author of the Bible. In the episodes which we have considered, from the pious visit of the Magi to the cruel massacre of Herod, there is a succession of facts, behaviour, states of soul, which merits a more intent consideration. The centre of it all is the person of Jesus. It is he who stirs up reactions that are so diverse, according to which his presence is either welcomed or rejected. Reflections

ically persecuted, those who are forced by human treachery to leave everyone and everything to face the unknown in a strange land. We know that the evangelist Matthew wrote his story keeping above all the needs of the Jewish Christians in mind. and for this reason he likes to emphasise the fulfilment of prophecies. In telling us about the presence of Jesus in Bethlehem, he recalls three prophecies. The first is that the Messiah would he born in Bethlehem, in conformity with the indications foretold by Micah. Then, in recounting the massacre of the holy innocents, he recalls what Jeremiah wrote about the tears of Rachel: thus he commemorates the tears of all mothers whose sons are killed. Finally he recalls the prophecy of Hosea. "I have called my son from Egypt," to say that even the exile of Jesus and then his return had been prophesied. Especially in the last two cases we notice a certain liberty of interpretation and of adaptation: ills very significant in helping us understand just how rich Sacred Scripture is in meaning. It often presents figures or episodes

About Mary - We see in her a rapid alternating between joy and sorrow: joy when her son is recognised, loved, and adored; sorrow when he remains misunderstood or even assailed. It is right to think even of her sorrow over the massacre of the innocents: what fault did they have? Could it be possible that her son, the Son of God, might be the occasion for the unleashing of such treachery? Perhaps on this occasion. too, Mary's faith was put to a harsh test: the Son of God was forced to flee before a mean and deceitful man. About us - This episode forces us to reflect on how we are often called to take a position: with the Magi or with Herod. To be Christians and to live as Christians can at times be very inconvenient and even stir up the ire of the others. How many persecutions down through history, past and contemporary, have there been! On our part there can be the temptation to line up with those who are strongest, to go along with the crowd, or to give in to our passions and personal interests. And our faith can be put into crisis by the comportment of God, who does not always intervene in conformity with our way of seeing things. From The Gospel of Mary, by Fr Gabriel Amorth SSP. St Paul Publications. RRP $23.50

The ultimate revenge of Osama bin Scrooge

With Paul Gray •

0

sama bin Scrooge was a merry old soul . . . Well, not very merry, really. In fact, he was a hard-nosed, self-centred, joyless skinflint who hated humanity in general, and any unfortunate person who happened to be standing anywhere near him at the time, in particular. That's why he was so unpopular. At Christmas when everyone else was getting presents and hugs from all the world, poor old Osama found himself hiding in a cave a with a few mentally-challenged fanatics, living off cold gristle and out-of-date cans of pet food. Things had started getting out of control back in September. Bombing one of the world's biggest buildings had seemed like a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, Osama had miscalculated the angst this would cause. Within three trInths, his whole world had fallen apart. Once, he'd had his own little kingdom in a far-off country, surrounded by mad servants and violent security guards. "You'll never catch me here!" he used to scoff at night, as he rolled around on his wooden bed and counted his mountains of cash. One hundred and thirty-seven thousand, six hundred and ninety two bombing raids later, he'd discovered this wasn't true. Man, were some of those bombs big! Osama thought he'd known a thing or two about causing explosions. But when his enemies dropped their first squillion-ton "daisy cutter," sending his own armed servants flying in every direction, he realised now might he a good time to skip the country. Back to the drawing board. As he chewed on his Christmas gristle. Osama realised it was time to start thinking non-violently again. "How can I show my deep and undying hatred for humankind, without getting blown up?" he wondered out loud to himself. In a flash, it hit him. Political correctness! he screamed. "If I can't get 'em with bombs, I'll get 'em with crazy ideas." His odd-ball followers looked on approvingly. "Let's pick on . . . Australia." Osama continued. "What about its capital, Melbourne." Osama's ideas of the outside world had always been a little vague. "Let's start by renaming its landmarks. "'Spencer Street Railway Station' has got to go. Let's call it.. ." Here Osama thought hard for a moment, searching the recesses of his mind for something really stupid. "I know: 'Southern Cross Station'!" Applause broke out from the ragged band around him. "I'm on a roll," called out Osama emitedly. "Next, we'll re-engineer their families," he said. —Mum, Dad and the kids' has also got to go. From now on, it's got to be Adult Carer A. Adult Carer B and their politically empowered offspring. "And let's make sure there's no funny business, like A and B or B and A (or A and A or B and B. come to that) telling their small fry what to do. "These little ones have got to have their own Commissioner for the Rights of Vertically Challenged Persons. From now on, there'll be no such thing as limits on the young. That ought to fix their society right up!" This drew more applause and laughter from the oddball gang around him. Osama found himself getting merrier by the minute. "As for Christmas," he demanded, "why celebrate the birth of a baby? Don't these stupid people know that babies pollute landfill sites with their disposable nappies, and when they grow up, turn into high energy-consuming nature-destroyers as well?" "It's definitely time to re-engineer Christmas. "In 10 years," he vowed. "I'll make sure that Christmas carols, Christmas pageants and nativity festivities will be illegal."

W

Love is the permanent part of marriage

ith the feast of the Holy Family fading away in the slipstream of the New Year, it is not too late to examine the unwillingness of so many to marry and the unwillingness of so many others to stay married. One of the key factors - is the way the language of true marriage has almost disappeared from the public arena and the consciousness of many people. Language is profoundly important in human affairs because it is the means by which we pass on the wisdom of the ages. When language changes, or parts of it are lost, great gaps can appear in our understanding. In the days when people still argued about the merits and demerits of divorce (about 25 to 30 years ago) the opponents of the Church's view of the permanence of marriage generated a statement which was presented as a summary of the Catholic position. The statement was: It doesn't matter what your relationship is like, you are married for life. Just as "pro choice" became today's verbal mechanism to approve the killing of babies, so that statement on marriage became the justification for the legal fiction of "no fault" divorce. Very few people seemed to understand that the statement was not one statement, but two, and one of them is always true

Next time you hear a small child crying in a supermarket, focus your mind on them and send a sincere message "I love you" and keep sending it. In no time at all, the child will stop crying and, if it is old enough, will look around until it can see where the love is coming from. It is a wonderful reminder of the power of love. None of this should surprise us because God is love and God is always available. We are made in the image and likeness of God, so love is our most important state of being. All our negative states of fear and anger and criticism are simply the distortions that occur in the absence of love. Many of us do not talk of love in this way because we are aware of the imperfections of our own efforts, but our world needs to hear love spoken of in these natural and intimate terms. Children flourish in the love of their parents, and in their parents' love for one another, and children are visibly hurt and confused when love is withdrawn. So are parents. We need to revive the language of real love because much of it has been lost and our society is hurt and confused by the loss of the wisdom that is carried in language.

The Record PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax: (08) 9227 7087 cathrec@iineLnetau

and one of them is always false. It is always true that we marry for life, but it is never true that it doesn't matter what your relationship is like. One result of that linguistic defeat is that today there is an unspoken acceptance that it doesn't matter what your relationship is like, divorce is the answer. Catholic emphasis on the permanence of marriage probably led many to give insufficient attention to the state of the relationship, perhaps in their own marriage but certainly in their contribution to society's understanding of marriage. In a nutshell: we don't promise to marry one another until death do us part; we promise to love one another until death do us part. In any of the difficulties we encounter in marriage, the question to ask ourselves about ourselves (not about our spouse) is always: Is this behaviour love? Or is it something else? An honest answer will always show the way out of the problem. The loss in our society of this understanding of the

promise to love results in many saying: "I don't love him/her anymore" as though that's the end of the matter. The best response to that statement is "Well, what are you going to do about it?" because that confronts people with the idea that they really do have a choice about whether they love their spouse or their children. Ultimately, love is of the will. It is a matter of choice. Love is a real and powerful force. It is not just an emotion or a chemical condition, but a real presence in our life. For those unsure of this, it is useful during a difficult stage with a spouse or a child to close your eyes, relax, visualise the person concerned and say "I look on you with the eyes of love". If you become aware that actually you are looking on them with the eyes of criticism, or anger, or resentment, you will know where the problem lies, and if you • The opinions expressed in this editorpersist with the exercise until you really ial, and any other Record editorial, are not do look on them with the eyes of love, the necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth. problem will be resolved.

AArouno T A letter from my prison cell

M

any questions are asked of oneself during the Christmas period. Many people answer these questions differently, because we are all individual. However, if we look at life and sit back and look at past, present and possibly future events, you'll see that life itself is an experience. One person's experience is not of another's. So how do we learn? We learn from each other, young, old, from every source of life. Emotions play an enormous part of our very existence and those teach us human nature. It is human nature to err and it is a human's destiny to experience every emotion that makes up our very existence. Our existence is for the purpose of enjoying life without fear. Jesus forgave our sins even before we committed our sins because Jesus knew that it would be human nature, to sin and err.

Our discoveries of life as we lead each day should be shared by each other so that we may better understand ourselves, or the person we are. How do we learn pain if we don't experience it or love and any other emotion that you cannot explain or identify. So to me Christmas doesn't come but once a year, it comes every day because it Is the celebration of life. Philip Lancaster Hakea Prison, Canning Vale

Leffers fo /Ae &ilfor The grapes of apathy

T

hose of us, who can recall the happy days of our boyhood - when youths were too busy to contemplate the intricacies of homosexuality, let alone care to practice it or oppose the laws instituted against it - are often baffled by the changing social values of today. Are the priorities and needs of the modern generation really so different from those in the past, that they call for a legislation granting boys as young as 16 the right to sodomy? Is this some critical issue of monumental Importance which requires a speedy resolution by running a legislative Bill through parliament without public consultation? One finds it, indeed, regrettable that those whom we have elected to represent our interests are now refusing to listen to the voice of our community and have taken it on themselves to decide and dictate 'what ought to be good for us'. Are these new proposed laws heralding the notions of progress and enlightenment? One may find it difficult to call legislation which may endanger the health of immature, impressionable 16-year-old boys by exposing them to the ravages of sexually transmitted disease as being progressive; one would vainly search for an idea of enlightenment in a proposed curriculum which fails to present sexual mores to our children in the context of moral values and teach the virtues of forbearance and abstinence. No, our new mores are not the product of progress and enlightenment, they are rather the symptoms of the public apathy and complacency that refuse to challenge the strident voice of the minorities who

aim to subvert our values to their own design. They are the result of our 'she'll be right' attitude: let us do nothing and hope the common sense will prevail. Well, it may not! Let us defend our values. Democracy is precious, let's preserve it. Joe Stelkl Gosnells

Warning proved right

I

n 1998, abortion became legal under a Liberal Government, and now we have a Labor Government set on legalising prostitution, drugs and passing Bills that equate homosexual relationships to heterosexual marriage. The Christian Democratic Party, the only political party that can be trusted to push for legislation that does not attack the family, predicted that this would be the Labor Party's agenda if it was elected. In the last State and Federal elections the people of this State had a choice in many electorates to elect our candidates but chose to ignore them. What will it take to make the electors look to a party that wants to work for Christian values in legislation? The CDP is not a party full of evangelists. It is a party of Christians from all denominations who want legislation that is based on Christian ethics. Nor is it a one-policy party, we have policies on economics, employment, the environment, ethnic affairs, youth, the aged and so on. Why not have a look at our website, www.christiandemocratic.org.au/wa, to see our aims, our committee, our policies. what we stand for, etc.

Of gambling and ad

N

ow that the Howard government is back in office, it's urgent to revisit and toughen up anti-Internet gambling laws. It is insufficient to have curbs on casino type gambling and to let other forms go unchecked. All gambling is morally questionable and it's dangerous making it too convenient by bringing temptations to impulsive overspending into people's lounge-rooms. Meanwhile, if it wasn't for its teachings being true, one would be embarrassed belonging to the Catholic Church. Take the Blake Prize for Religious Art, sponsored by the Australian Catholic University. This year's winner being statues of Buddha made of tinfoil. Yes, tinfoil. William Blake must be rolling in his grave. Although moderately daft himself, Blake wasn't stark raving mad. He would be suing somebody to get his name dissociated from the whole shambles. Arnold Jago Mildura

Firebombed

Thank you, Louis, for your words of joy Inside, the card simFr Wayne Davis recently wrote in ply said: "To Baby Jesus his Willetton Parish newsletter Ihave been feeling despondent that - Happy Birthday from we, as a society, have been losing the Louis (aged 5)" and it contained a little drawtrue meaning of Christmas. It's hard to buy a Christmas Crib, ing of Jesus in the crib. people write Merry Christmas every- I don't know who Louis where and displays of Christmas is or where he comes lights rarely have anything to do with from. but I want to say "Thank you Louis for the birth of the Christ child. However, I was given hope that we showing me that there still believed in the true meaning of is hope in the true meaning of ChristChristmas. It came in the form of a Christmas mas.Your card sits on my desk and card. It was addressed as follows: reminds me that, somewhere, a little Baby Jesus, Cl- the Parish Priest, Sts boy believes in the Christ Child. I pray this Christmas we all become John & Paul Church, Willetton

It is crucial that we have people in parliament who will vote for Christian ethics, regardless whether their vote Is a conscience vote or a vote that is following party lines. The next election is due in about 3 years so think about it and then you may decide that we are worth your number 1 vote. Terry Ryan State Councillor, CDP Thomlie

like Louis. May your Christmas be a holy one and 2002 be a year filled with many blessings. Fr Wayne

Continued from Page 1 -We try and restore their dignity," Ms Watson said of the House's main efforts helping women and girls to try and get back to a normal life. The centre offers support referral and counselling. Archbishop Barry Hickey said he found the attacks very disturbing. "I am aware of them but I have no idea who is responsible," he said. "I can only guess that these attacks are connected to people who want to force her to abandon her work." "The world of prostitution is not as benign as many people like to pretend these days, and if it were there would not be such violent attacks on a person who is trying to help young women to escape from it" "Linda Watson is doing great work to assist girls and women to escape from prostitution and she deserves the full protection of the law" The Record, January 3 2002 Page 7

Features

Save the children in order to save the hope of humanity: Pope By John Thavis

I

n Christmas celebrations shadowed by war and violence around the globe, Pope John Paul II pleaded for the world to save its children and deliver them from situations of hunger, suffering and conflict. Like the newborn Jesus more than 2,000 years ago, today's children can remind people of the need to overcome divisions, the Pope said at his Christmas blessing in St Peter's Square. He said the Christ child in the manger reflects the face of "every little child who is born, of whatever race or nation: the little Palestinian and the little Israeli; the little American and the little Afghan; the child of the Hutu and the child of the "Ilitsi." But too many children today are condemned from birth to suffer the effects of "cruel conflicts" around the globe, he said. "Let us save the children in order to save the hope of humanity," the Pope said to the applause of some 50,000 people gathered in the square. Throughout the Pope's Christmas activities, which included Midnight Mass in St Peter's Basilica and an annual meeting with Vatican officials, the theme of hope alternated with deep concern over what he called the "dark clouds of violence and war" at the start of the new millennium. On 22 December, speaking with members of the Roman Curia, the Pope said he would celebrate Christmas with a heavy heart this

Two Polish children with Pope John Paul ll during Christmas Midnight Mass at St Peter's Basilica. Children from each continent were present.

year, in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks, the war in Afghanistan and the worsening violence in the Holy Land. He said that "every form of terrorist violence dishonours God's holiness and human dignity" and that "religion must never become the motive for aggressive war, hatred and abuse." The Pope told his aides that he wanted to underline the connection between peace and prayer when he called a 14 December day of fasting for peace. The Vatican announced that it had raised more than $650,000 that day for victims of terrorism and war. The 81-year-old pontiff moved slowly but spoke clearly during Midnight Mass, a nearly two-hour liturgy that was enlivened when 12

Pope John Paul ll prays during the Midnight Mass celebration at St Peter's Basilica on Christmas Day.

children from every continent brought up flowers at the offertory. The Pope, grinning broadly, embraced them one by one and gave each a kiss on the head. In his sermon, the Pope said Christmas had once again brought a strong message of hope to a world that endures "relentless news headlines" about violence and troubles. "Our hearts this Christmas are anxious and distressed because of the continuation in various parts of the world of war, social tensions and the painful hardships in which so many people find themselves. We are all seeking an answer that will reassure us," he said. The Mass, celebrated at an altar decorated with red poinsettias. was broadcast to 47 countries around the world, thanks in part to the A Catholic nun serves a bowl of rice to a pow woman in Calcutta, India, on 25 Knights of Columbus. who each December. The Missionaries of Charily, founded by Mother Teresa, offered free year subsidise satellite transmis- food to the poor during Christmas. sion costs. finial' town where Jesus was born. excuse for intolerance and vioSecurity around the basilica was The Vatican said the Israeli ban on lence." higher than in previous years Arafat's movement was *arbitrarily He prayed that the face of the because of the general alarm over imposed." Israel had confined baby Jesus would "remind everyterrorism. Mass-goers passed Arafat to the city of Ramallah, one that we all have one Father." through metal detectors and their demanding that he arrest two The Pope read Christmas wishes handbags were methodically Palestinians suspected of killing an in 60 languages, saying in English: searched. Israeli Cabinet Minister in October. "May the birth of the Prince of The Pope appeared tired the next In his Christmas blessing, the Peace remind the world where its morning when he came to the cen- Pope said he also was anxious this true happiness lies; and may your tral outside balcony of the basilica Christmas for "all those who are hearts be filled with hope and joy to give his blessing "urbi et orbi" dying of cold and hunger" in the for the Saviour has been born for ("to the city and to the world"). world. us. Again, he mentioned the conflicts "Every day there reached me the Then he rose unsteadily and, his in various parts of the globe, and in desperate cry of those who, in so staff shaking in his trembling left particular said that "day after day. many parts of the world, call for a arm, pronounced his blessing to I bear in my heart the tragic prob- fairer distribution of resources and the crowd and to a television audilems of the Holy Land." for gainful employment for all," he ence in 45 countries. The day before, the Vatican said. Throughout the Christmas periannounced that it had taken what He called for cooperation and tol- od, a steady stream of visitors came It called a "diplomatic step" over erance between cultures and reli- to view the Vatican's larger-thanIsrael's refusal to allow Palestinian gion, saying: "May God's holy name life-sized Christmas creche in St leader Yasser Arafat to attend Mid- never be used as a justification for Peter's Square. Early in his pontifiPalestinian children hold candles during a 20 December Christmas celebration night Mass in Bethlehem, the Pales- hatred. Let it never be used as an cate, the Pope initiated the tradition at Parliament Square in Beirut, Lebanon. of the creche and the large Christmas tree next to it. Greeting people in the square from his apartment window on 26 December, the Pope said he was happy to see families visiting the creche until late at night. He said the image of the baby Jesus carries deep meaning, representing the start of a life that ended on the cross. "He is a demanding child, the one we contemplate in the manger. But he is also understanding and patient. If we are open to his action, he takes us by the hand and accompanies us. We shouldn't be afraid," he said. The Vatican's creche this year depicted a small village with artisan activity. On Christmas eve, a woman who lives on the street Photo CNS/Reuters Navy chaplain Fr James Danner offers Mass for a group of Marines on Christmas Women pray during a Christmas Day Mass at the Southern Cathedral, affiliated recited a prayer for the homeless Day at the Kandahar International Airport in Afghanistan. 0#-7,,t,, (-Ns pe„., with the government-approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, in Beijing. and left two gifts at the manger. The Record, January 3 2002 Page 8

Features

Couple loves Louie, Downs and all "I was allowed to use the bathroom and take a five-minute showill Rotella sees the Holy Fam- er, butIhad to sit," Jill Rotella said. ily as much more than fig- Still, she felt as if she was "being ) urines used for decorating carried through it" and that "Jesus during the holidays. was there with me." For the Omaha woman, the husWhen Louie was delivered, his band, wife and newborn who were appearance immediately conJoseph, Mary and Jesus - uncer- firmed what she had suspected. tain of their future, but firm in their He had Downs syndrome. faith in God - are role models and Her first reaction was: "What am a source of unimaginable peace. I going to do? How will I care for She and her husband, Lou Rotel- this child?" she said. Almost la III, also have dealt with the immediately the voice of gratitude uncertainties of a difficult preg- countered. nancy and the birth of a child who "People began saying, 'I'm so has brought unexpected chal- sorry about your baby,'" Jill Rotellenges and joys. la said. "I thought, `No.Ihave been Their son, Lou IV, was born on 14 in bed for three months praying September, 2000, with Downs syn- for this baby. Today I get to walk drome. His birth followed about out of here and hold this baby that three months of bed rest for Jill, I prayed would simply be alive.'" who spent some of that time in the Louie has made great progress hospital But one of the first nights during his first 15 months. His Mum said he is exceptionalthere, she remembers receiving a special gift. ly healthy and has begun to naviwas by myself. That's when the gate their home via the fear set in.I was trying to be strong "conunando crawl." for everyone else, but they were He recognizes his name, mimics gone," she told The Catholic Voice, sounds and knows his parents and Omaha's archdiocesan newspa- other significant family and per. "That's when I had a vision of friends, she said. Mary and Joseph looking at Jesus Lou Rotella admits that he iniright after he was born. I thought tially mourned his hopes for a The Rotella family from Omaha, Nebraska, looks at baby Jesus in a manger near their Christmas tree. They have relied Photo CNS Elizabeth Welts The Cathoic Voce on the example of the Holy Family as a source of peace in their daily struggles. that would be my husband, and I healthy, "normal" child. felt so calm." 'You imagine the worst when you Jill Rotella said they are seeing Rotella was studying for the but is back at school part-time and She said there were still worries, first face something like this, but I Louie's character and personality Nebraska bar exam when Jill first hopes to graduate in May 2002. That will be perfect liming, she and "I still felt that things weren't draw my strength from just seeing emerge. went into the hospital. He put his study plans on hold, said, because they are expecting right (with the baby), but I knew I Louie. My love for him is uncondi"He's got this laugh - it just makes but is using his knowledge to help another child in June. your heart shine," she said. was going to be able to bring him tional." he said. "It's going to be OK," she said. "It doesn't matter if he doesn't "It takes children with Downs in his family's business, Rotella's home and things would be all "I am calm. accomplish things 'on time' or ever syndrome longer to laugh. . . so Italian Bakery. right." "If something is wrong. I know Jill Rotella was also studying to Friends and family provided at all," he added. "I love it when he when they do, you really feel like become a registered nurse during how to handle it. moral support during the remain- says, 'Dada,' when I hold him and they've done it." "My experience is a reassurance her pregnancy. rearrange to had has couple The floor. the on him with play I when movies, ing months by bringing She, too, put her plans on hold that God is present in my life." Ican't imagine him any other way." their plans for the future. Lou preparing meals and visiting. By Elizabeth Wells

j

All quiet in Bethlehem, after a year of bloodshed refusing to arrest suspects in the assassination of Israeli Tourism trickling of some 5,000 Minister Rehavam Zeevi. local residents celebrated Arafat, a Muslim, has attended Christmas in Nativity Midnight Mass in St Catherine Square, Jesus' birthplace, follow- Church, adjacent to the Church of ing a year of violence and blood- the Nativity, every year since the shed. 1993 Oslo agreement. His chair for "We are here because we are the Mass remained empty and was Christians but we don't really feel draped by a Palestinian keffiyeh. the holiday spirit. We come Palestinians in Bethlehem held because ills our tradition to come up placards with Arafat's picture and see our patriarch. I hope for while a giant poster of the Palessome happiness for my son," said tinian leader was hung on the Adnan Geriasi. a Catholic resident entrance of the Church of the of Belt Tsahour who came with his Nativity. 5-month-old son dressed as Santa While Israel said it would ease Claus. travel restrictions for Palestinians, "Our life is for our children. We it still took Amira Husray, 18, and try to make some happiness for her mother, Hanan, 48, four hours them," added Shireen Geriasi, his to make the normally 45-minute wife. drive from Ramallah to Bethlehem. Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah "We had to cross three checkled a delegation of Christian lead- points and take five taxis," said ers on the morning of Christmas Husray, a Catholic. Eve to Ramallah to greet Palestin"And all the way we didn't know ian Chairman Yasser Arafat. The if we would be allowed to pass. Israeli government prevented Now we don't know if we will be Arafat from going to Bethlehem for able to get back to Ramallah. We came to pray here on Christmas and be with our family. I hope there will be peace," she said. ll'aditional parades took place in Nativity Square Christmas Eve day. Later, a religious procession of priests, monks, seminarians and altar boys led Patriarch Sabbah into the Church of the Nativity Residents lined up to see the parades - the first sign of any celebration in nearly a year in a town that recently had some of its worst fighting in the 14-month Palestinian uprising. The road leading to the square was lined with gutted buildings and burnt-out homes, evidence of the battles that raged between Catholic seminarians from Belt Jalla Israeli soldiers and Palestinian process in Bethlehem's Manger Square gunmen. on 24 December, with posters of YassChildren in the Nativity Square er Arafat behind. Photo CNS'Debtoe hod crowd clutched helium-filled balBy Judith Sudilvosky

A

A Catholic nun passes through the empty nave of the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square in Bethlehem on 24 December. Middle-East violence has discouraged tourism to the holy city.

loons, while mothers sat sipping soft drinks or feeding their younger children, but there was no hint of real festivity in their eyes. "We are here but we feel upset," said Eleanora 25-year-old Abuawad, a Greek Orthodox resident of Belt Tsahour, recalling how a boy was killed in the square two months ago. "Inside we are very sad," she said. The few foreigners in the crowd were members of diplomatic corps or employees of aid agencies already stationed there. Those people who travelled from outside Bethlehem had to cross through a checkpoint. In the stillness of the Church of the Nativity, local faithful came to light candles and pray at the site of Jesus' birth.

Catholic Palestinian children from Bethlehem's Terra Sancta school march past the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square on 24 December. Photo CNS.Debtwe Hit

The Record. January 3 2002 Page 9

Book Review

'History has a purpose, humanity a destiny' A History of the Jews by Paul Johnson, Phoenix Press. First paperback 2001 Reviewed by Rabbi Dr Shalom Coleman CBE. AM. Hon LLD

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his is a book the seed of which grew during the writing of a History of Christianity It is nothing short of outstanding, one of the more penetrating evaluations describing and defining a four thousand-year saga of the Jewish people. It is all-embracing from biblical, archaeological, ancient and modem literary sources, reflecting the mind of a skilled scholar intent on developing his subject with a clarity to attract lay and student readers alike. In every sentence there is a life span, in every page an epoch covering, with facts and figures, the long and hard journey of the Jews, from the Land of Divine Promise, via a world of exile, privation, cruel suffering and heavy taxation, to the State of Israel of modern times. The author is an Oxford scholar, a prolific writer of books reaching five continents, with some translated into a score of languages. He is sought after as an adviser to Prime Ministers, and as a lecturer to academic and business audiences. Above all, he has an extraordinary insight into the Jewish mind. He warns historians of seeking providential patterns in events, equally to resist the temptations of excessive scepticism. He makes a thorough examination of his subject, refers to a series of works listed in notes for each chapter, and then offers a personal view which is the strength of the volume. To Paul Johnson there are four reasons for the book. He perceives for the first time, the "magnitude of the debt Christianity owes to Judaism." He finds excitement in the "sheer span of Jewish history,"

that it "not only covers vast tracts of time, but huge areas." Finally, the book gave him the "chance to reconsider objectively, in the light of a study covering nearly 4000 years, the most Intractable of all human questions 'What are we on earth for?'" His response is:" No people has ever insisted more firmly than the Jews that history has a purpose, and humanity a destiny." He starts with Hebron, the Cave of Machpelah where, tradition asserts, the remains of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lie in tombs. His choice has substance in that Hebron has been the mute witness to constant strife, and four millennia of religious and political conflict. To demonstrate the point, he explains that from a Jewish shrine, the Cave which Abraham had bought from a Hittite chieftain as a burial place for his wife, Sara, became a synagogue, later a Byzantine basilica, then a mosque, a Crusader church and a mosque again. It is the author's symbol of a destiny reflecting the life of Israel. He provides his readers with a comprehensive contents section setting out seven parts, each of which contains headings to guide the reader. He lists these as Israelites, Judaism, Cathedocracy, Ghetto, Emancipation, Holocaust and Zion. His references to Assyrian antiquities, to the cuneiform tablets discovered at Nuzi. Mari and Ebla, among others, the records of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, provide his readers with a kaleidoscope to mirror Jewish history from all sides. The importance of his research gives insight into dating, for a long time a realm of conflict among the Semitic scholars of historic Israel from earliest times. The vast expanse of knowledge Johnson uncovers in his deliberations, and the conclusions he draws from them, are a guide to the understanding of the Biblical. the Prophetic, the Rabbinic, and

literary sources spanning mediaeval and modern times. In the vision of the Prophets, he offers enlightenment reflected in their attack on monarchy importing foreign rites alien to the monotheism of Israel. In particular he sees Isaiah as the most gifted literary genius proclaiming aloud that "God will not tolerate the oppression of the weak"

Osama bin Laden could have been great but he 'threw it all away': US Cardinal on 11/ show

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sama bin Laden could have been a great leader but he "threw it all away," Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington said on 23 December on NBC's "Meet the Press." The Cardinal, First Lady Laura Bush and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani were featured guests as the pre-Christmas program focused on questions of American faith and spirit after the 11 September terrorist attacks. When asked for his thoughts about the world's most notorious terrorist, Cardinal McCarrick said, "Osama bin Laden is obviously an extraordinary, talented, charismatic person, and when I think of him I say, 'My God, what good he could have done. What a great leader he could have been. What a wonderful gift he could have been to humanity.' And he threw it all away." The Cardinal added that bin Laden was "somehow filled with hatred, somehow filled with vengeance, somehow filled with a desire to destroy. I don't know what I would say to him if! came across him. But I think that - I hope that I'd be able to forgive. . .

We have to do things that are hard, that can't be completely underand I think it's easier to do that stood. "There's a mystery of evil, when we all think how much God but there's something else about forgives us." It too," he said. "The fact that these "Meet the Press" host Tim things happen to people, to good Russert, noting that bin Laden people, is really a sign of God's claimed divine sanction for the great love and respect for us." terrorist attacks, wondered if God gave human beings free "Christians and Muslims have the will, he explained, "and God has same God." "Certainly they do," so much respect for us that he Cardinal McCarrick replied. never interferes with that." "Islam is not a religion of hate," "And because he never interhe added. "It's not a religion of feres with that, we can have vengeance. It's - obviously, we saints," he said. "People can do have different belief systems, but extraordinary things. You can live Islam is not what I believe have a Mother Teresa. You can Osama bin Laden is presenting. have people who give their lives It's a caricature of religion." for others. . . The other side of it Cardinal McCarrick said such caricatures have occurred in is you can choose not to do good Christianity and other religions as things. . . It's part of God's respect well. "What we have to do is just for us that he doesn't force us to purify the religion and say, 'That's be saints and allows us not to be not the real religion. The real reli- saints." gion is love and peace and justice A copy of the Koran is held up before and joy in the Lord, gratitude to an image of Osama bin Laden during him and reaching out to your a rally against the United States in neighbour.'" central Jakarta, Indonesia, on 28 SepWhen asked about belief in God tember. A leading Muslim cleric in In the face of evil, such as the ter- Indonesia, home to the world's largest rorist attacks, Cardinal McCarrick number of Muslims, warned that recalled the Rev. Billy Graham's Washington could trigger a "war comment that evil is a mystery between Islam and Christianity."

The Record, January 3 2002 Page 10

In his treatment of Jerusalem and its destruction by the Babylonians, the author is bound to speak of Ezekiel and his vision of the Valley of dry bones in Christian terms of resurrection. Yet he does not fail to explain the allegorical significance, in Jewish terms, as a reference to the rebirth of the nation Israel after the Exile. Paul Johnson is an author who

looks with an objective eye to the whole gamut and horizon of Jewish life. From the Exodus, which he treats as Israel's bid for maturity, rejecting the idolatry of the most powerful nation of the time, he encapsulates her struggle in every generation as a means towards achieving its goal. He perceives the Decalogue as the renewal of God's covenant with Abraham continued as the Mosaic code for the entire people and for all time. In all their peregrinations, hardships and human cruelties, the author demonstrates that the code, called Torah, was and still is Israel's instrument of survival. Factually and statistically, the author takes his readers through all Europe, the Middle-East, Russia and the Arab countries, their treatment by monarchs and church leaders, their persecutions and annihilations. He is frank in exposing racial discrimination and religious antiSemitism on all fronts. Rome was the first Jewish settlement in the lands of their Dispersion. The author tells his readers that it was in the Lungotevere Cenci, just outside the old ghetto gates, that Pope John PaulIIin April 1986 was the first pontiff to attend synagogue service, and share with Chief Rabbi Toaff readings from the Psalms. He adds that the Pope in his address to the congregation said: "You are our dearly beloved brothers, and in a way you are our elder brothers." This is a book for every student of history. It will enrich every library. Paul Johnson is to be congratulated on producing this well-balanced, and well-researched volume of history focusing on the Jewish people. His source notes and subject index provide an easy reference for his readers, and an appetite for further reading.

John Paul II's Message for the World Day of Peace: Part 2

Genuine faith the antidote to violence The need for forgiveness Jm ut what does forgiveness

actually mean? And why should we forgive? A reflection on forgiveness cannot avoid these questions. Returning to what I wrote in my message for the 1997 World Day of Peace ("Offer Forgiveness and Receive Peace"), I would reaffirm that forgiveness inhabits people's hearts before it becomes a social reality. Only to the degree that an ethics and a culture of forgiveness prevail can we hope for a 'politics' of forgiveness, expressed in society's attitudes and laws, so that through them justice takes on a more human character. Forgiveness is above all a personal choice, a decision of the heart to go against the natural instinct to pay back evil with evil. The measure of such a decision is the love of God, who draws us to himself in spite of our sin. It has Its perfect exemplar in the forgiveness of Christ, who on the cross prayed: 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Lk 23:34). Forgiveness, therefore, has a divine source and criterion. This does not mean that its significance cannot also be grasped in the light of human reasoning — and this, in the first place, on the basis of what people experience when they do wrong. They experience their human weakness. and they want others to deal leniently with them. Why not, therefore, do toward others what we want them to do toward us? All human beings cherish the hope of being able to start all over again and not remain forever shut up in their own mistakes and guilt. They all want to raise their eyes to the future and to discover new possibilities of trust and commitment. Forgiveness. therefore, as a fully human act, is above all a personal initiative. But individuals are essentially social beings, situated within a pattern of relationships through which they express themselves in ways both good and had. Consequently. society, too, is absolutely in need of forgiveness. Families, groups. societies, states and the international community Itself need forgiveness in order to renew ties that have been sundered, go beyond sterile situations of mutual condemnation and overcome the temptation to discriminate against others without appeal. The ability to forgive lies at the very basis of the idea of a future society marked by justice and solidarity. By contrast, the failure to forgive, especially when it serves to prolong conflict, is extremely costly in terms of human development. Resources are used for weapons rather than for development, peace and justice. What sufferings are inflicted on humanity because of the failure to reconcile! What delays in progress

because of the failure to forgive! Peace is essential for development, but true peace is made possible only through forgiveness.

Forgiveness, the high road Forgiveness is not a proposal that can be immediately understood or easily accepted; in many ways it is a paradoxical message. Forgiveness, in fact, always involves an apparent short-term loss for a real long-term gain. Violence is the exact opposite; opting as it does for an apparent shortterm gain, it involves a real and permanent loss. Forgiveness may seem like weakness, but it demands great spiritual strength and moral courage, both in granting it and in accepting it. It may seem in some way to diminish us, but in fact it leads us to a fuller and richer humanity, more radiant with the splendour of the Creator. My ministry at the service of the Gospel obliges me, and at the same time gives me the strength, to insist upon the necessity of forgiveness. I do so again today in the hope of stirring serious and mature thinking on this theme, with a view to a far-reaching resurgence of the human spirit in individual hearts and in relations between the peoples of the world. Reflecting on forgiveness, our minds turn naturally to certain situations of conflict which endlessly feed deep and divisive hatreds arid a seemingly unstoppable sequence of personal and collective tragedies. I refer especially to what is happening in the Holy Land, that blessed place of God's encounter with man. where Jesus, the prince of peace, lived. died and rose from the dead. The present troubled international situation prompts a more intense call to resolve the ArabIsraeli conflict, which has now been going on for more than 50 years, with alternate phases of °greater or lesser tension. The continuous recourse to acts of terror and war, which aggravate the situation and diminish hope on all sides, must finally give way to a negotiated solution. The rights and demands of each party can be taken into proper account and balanced in an equitable way, if and when there is a will to let justice and reconciliation prevail. Once more I urge the beloved peoples of the Holy Land to work for a new era of mutual respect and constructive accord.

Interreligious understanding and cooperation n this whole effort, religious Ileaders have a weighty responsibility. The various Christian confessions, as well as the world's great religions, need to work together to eliminate the social and cultural causes of terrorism. They can do this by teaching the greatness and dignity of the

Ret,

Israeli soldiers prevent a Palestinian man from entering the area of the alAqsa mosque on 7 December in Jerusalem, after new attacks in Israel.

A family rests in front of their home in a war-torn section of the Afghan capital of Kabul on 5 December. Tribal and '3 CNSF, political factions signed a landmark accord on 4 December for a post-Taliban government

A Northern Ireland policeman stands guard in North Belfast, where William Stobie, a police informer for the Protestant Ulster Defence, was gunned down Photo CNS Reuters outside his home on 12 December.

human person and by spreading a clearer sense of the oneness of the human family. This is a specific area of ecumenical and interand religious dialogue cooperation, a pressing service which religion can offer to world peace. In particular. I am convinced that Jewish. Christian and Islamic religious leaders must now take the lead in publicly condemning terrorism and in denying terrorists any form of religious or moral legitimacy In bearing common witness to the truth that the deliberate murder of the innocent is a grave evil always, everywhere, and without exception, the world's religious leaders will help to form the morally sound public opinion that is essential for building an international civil society capable of pursuing the tranquility of order in justice and freedom. In undertaking such a commitment. the various religions cannot but pursue the path of forgiveness, which opens the way to

mutual understanding. respect and trust. The help that religions can give to peace and against terrorism consists precisely in their teaching forgiveness, for those who forgive and seek forgiveness know that there is a higher truth. and that by accepting that truth they can transcend themselves.

Prayer for peace precisely for this reason.

I - prayer for peace is not an afterthought to the work of peace. It is of the very essence of building the peace of order, justice and freedom. To pray for peace is to open the human heart to the inroads of God's power to renew all things. With the life-giving force of his grace. God can create openings for peace where only obstacles and closures are apparent; he can strengthen and enlarge the solidarity of the human family in spite of our endless history of division and conflict. To pray for peace is to pray for justice, for a right ordering of relations within and among

The father of Israeli soldier Nir Heftzadi, slain in a Palestinian suicide bombing, weeps at his son's funeral at the Herzel Military Cemetery in Jerusalem on 2 December.

nations and peoples. It is to pray for freedom, especially for the religious freedom that is a basic human and civil right of every individual. To pray for peace is to seek God's forgiveness and to implore the courage to forgive those who have trespassed against us. For all these reasons,Ihave invited representatives of the world's religions to come to Assisi. the town of St Francis. on 24 January. 2002, to pray for peace. In doing so, we will show that genuine religious belief is an inexhaustible wellspring of mutual respect and harmony among peoples; indeed. it is the chief antidote to violence and conflict. At this time of great distress, the human family needs to be reminded of our unfailing reasons for hope. It is precisely this hope that we intend to proclaim in Assisi. asking Almighty God - in the beautiful phrase attributed to St Francis himself to make each of us a channel of his peace. No peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness: this is what in this message I wish to say to believers and unbelievers alike, to all men and women of good will who are concerned for the good of the human family and for Its future. No peace without justice. no justice without forgiveness: This is whatIwish to say to those responsible for the future of the human community. entreating them to be guided in their weighty and difficult decisions by the light of man's true good. always with a view to the common good. No peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness: I shall not tire of repeating this warning to those who, for one reason or another, nourish feelings of hatred, a desire for revenge or the will to destroy. On this World Day of Peace. may a more intense prayer rise from the hearts of all believers for the victims of terrorism, for their families so tragically stricken, for all the peoples who continue to be hurt and convulsed by terrorism and war. May the light of our prayer extend even to those who gravely offend God and man by these pitiless acts, that they may look into their hearts, see the evil of what they do. abandon all violent intentions and seek forgiveness. In these troubled times. may the whole human family find true and lasting peace. born of the marriage of justice and mercy! From the Vatican. 8 Dec, 2001 Pope John Paul II

The Record, January 3 2002 Page 11

International News

The first defence is to Muslims' peace call strengthen families In Brief

JAKARTA (UCAN) -- Muslim leaders from around the world who met in Indonesia have exhorted Islamic countries to promote an 'enduring dialogue of faith' to regain peace in their societies. The leaders affirmed in their 'Jakarta Declaration 1422H/ 2001' issued at the end of a two-day conference here from 21-22 December that dialogue aimed at understanding and social harmony is a Muslim religious responsibility. The current year in the Islamic calendar is 1422. 'The universality of the teachings of Islam affirms the sanctity of humankind, and thus enjoins us to (pursue an) enduring dialogue of faith and civilisation' to achieve lasting peace, they declared. The summit of world Muslim leaders and scholars entitled 'Islam and a Future World of Peace' addressed what participants saw as misconceptions about Islam following the 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States blamed on Osama bin Laden, head of a militant Islamic network that was based in Afghanistan. Attended by some 180 people from 50 countries, it affirmed that Muslim leaders and scholars have a moral obligation to teach and promote knowledge about the fundamental ethics of Islam. providing in this way a foundation for peaceful coexistence and harmony among peoples of the world. The participants called on Muslim nations to devote their energies toward improving education and economic opportunities for their people.

Jesus art focus

MUMBAI. India (UCAN) -An exhibition of paintings of Jesus Christ by three Hindu artists has drawn appreciation from Christians and Hindus alike in the western Indian city of Mumbai. Priya Singh, a Hindu housewife who bought a full-length vertical painting of Christ, said, 'These pictures of Jesus Christ evoke a sense of serenity, peace and contentment and therefore I like them.' iyoti Sing Vishwanath, one of the artists, told UCA News that Christ is "the most influential historical icon, attracting artists like me to paint his various images and moods depicted in the Gospels." The 34-year-old painter along with two other Hindu artists Nitin UtO, 25, and Jitendra Singh Baoni. 36, exhibited their works, collectively entitled 'Saviour' at an art gallery from 15-31 December. What attracted Ramdas Shinde, a Hindu teacher, was a Christmas painting that depicted the birth of Jesus as the prince of peace. Shinde said the paintingsgive a message of peace, harmony and brotherhood in the backdrop of the ongoing war in Afghanistan and deteriorating relations between India and its neighbour Pakistan.

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - While national laws and international policing, especially of child pornographers using the Internet, are essential in the fight against sexual exploitation of children, the first defence is to strengthen families, a Vatican representative said. 'The combination of poverty and weak family relations often explains why children are involved in 'sex tourism' or become the victims of trafficking," said Janne Haaland Matlary, the Vatican representative to the 17-21 December World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. The Vatican released the text of Matlary's remarks to the congress on 22 December.

The meeting, held in Yokohama, Japan, was organised by UNICEF and co-sponsored by the Japanese government and ECPAT International, a network of organisations working to stop the sexual exploitation of children. In the meeting's final document, participating governments and organisations pledged: • To step up national and international efforts to investigate and prosecute cases in which children are sexually exploited. • To promote international cooperation in stopping the spread of child pornography on the Internet. • To address situations that place children at risk, including poverty, discrimination, violence and dysfunctional families. "The main strategy to fight commercial sex abuse of children is to

Umbilical cord stem cells save baby's life By Sue Kathman COVINGTON, Kentucky. (CNS) - As the debate about embryonic stem-cell research rages on, Anne Rugari wants the world to know about the miraculous research that saved her baby's life without ending the lives of other babies. Thanks to stem cells obtained from the umbilical cords of newborns, little Gina Rugari was thriving as she celebrated her second birthday on 23 December. Gina was born with a disease known as Krabbe leukodystrophy, a rare, degenerative enzyme disorder of the central and peripheral nervous system. Children who inherit the disease lack an important enzyme that is a component of the white matter of the brain, called myelin. This enzyme deficiency produces toxins in the brain, causing myelin loss and neurological symptoms. The disease is not usually evident until three to six months after birth, when the baby begins to show signs such as extreme irritability and developmental delay or regression. Later symptoms include seizures and inexplicable fevers. Eventually, after progressive deterioration including blindness and deafness, the baby dies before age 2. Anne and Phil Rugari had a son, Nick, in 1986. Typical of babies born with Krabbe, he developed symptoms and died at age 1. In January 1999, when their other son, Philip, was a sophomore at Covington Catholic High School, he decided to do a biology research paper on the rare disease that had claimed the life of his little brother. When Anne was pregnant with Gina, she declined prenatal testing but had the baby tested immediately after birth. Gina had the disease, but thanks to the research Philip had done, the Rugaris knew about an experimental cord blood stem-cell transplant that had been performed at Duke University in 1996.

Four days of intense testing at Duke proved that Gina was a good candidate for the transplant, but if her body rejected it, she would die. It was a huge risk With only a

The Record, January 3 2002 Page 12

50i 50 chance of success, but two other babies had received the transplant by this time, and they had survived. The family knew that without the procedure Gina would live only about a year. and that she would be very sick during that year. The difficult decision had to be made immediately. Anne said that Philip was the strongest, insisting that they should do the procedure and that Gina would live. "The Rock." as they began to call him, encouraged his parents every step of the way, as they struggled and cried at the end of each day of gruelling testing and treatment. They decided to proceed, and a match was found. The stem cells from the newborn infant's umbilical cord blood would carry the enzyme Gina was missing. She underwent nine days of chemotherapy to wipe out her immune system so the new cord blood could be infused on day 10, followed by a waiting period to see if her body would accept the new cells. Thankfully, it did. Anne and Gina stayed at Duke for the next five months, the first three in isolation, since her immune system was immobilised. At home now, Gina is doing well. She is developmentally behind, possibly because of the chemotherapy or the early days of carrying the disease. Doctors believe she will catch up in time, and she shows no signs of the disease. More babies with Krabbe have survived since Gina's experience, and scientists are hopeful. Interestingly, only children who have lost an older sibling to the disease are saved, because transplants must take place very soon after birth, and typically there is no reason to test for the disease, which claims the lives of 50-to-60 children annually. All of the progress on this disease has been made using umbilical cord blood. Duke performs 300 transplants a year for many kinds of metabolic and genetic diseases using cord blood stem cells, and they are experiencing great success. On the other hand, no permanent progress on any disease has been made using stem cells from human embryos.

strengthen the family," Matlary lence in the media, entertainment told the congress. "Although sex- and the normalisation of sexual ual abuse of children sadly also experimentation easily lead to happens in the family context," perversions that involve abuse she said, "as a main rule it is in not only of women but of chilthe family that the child is taught dren." Individuals and nations must what a natural mother-fatherlook at their own relationships child relationship is." "Only in the family can the child and societies, "confronting the have the necessary protection lack of sound sexual behaviour, against a predatory society that the dominance of a consumerist does not have the best interest of culture that sees human beings as the child in mind," she said. objects, and the licentiousness of As the family structure grows some media which speculate in Increasingly weak and "society violence and sexual perversions," becomes more predatory in the Matlary said. area of sexuality," children are She said countries should pass exposed to greater danger, Mat- and enforce strict laws to protect lary said. children from being exploited The danger comes not just from through the Internet and sex paedophiles, she said, but also tourism. "Both sex tourism and from "adolescents and adults who Internet child pornography are have a thwarted view of sexuality. global phenomena and must be The combination of sex and vio- combated." she said.

11/ nun suffers stroke BIRMINGHAM. Ala. (CNS) Mother Angelica. 78-year-old founder of the Eternal Word Thlevision Network in Birmingham. remained in intensive CaIV at a Birmingham hospital 28 December after a Christmas Eve stroke. Mother Angelica was operated on on 24 December to remove a blood clot from her brain after suffering her second stroke in less than four months. A 27 December EWTN press release quoted doctors as saying that she is stable and her vital signs are improving. An earlier press release said she suffered the stroke on 24 December at her monastery in Hanceville. Alabama, and was taken to a hospital in Birmingham. Mother Angelica, a Poor Clare of Perpetual Adoration, had a stroke in September which affected her left eye and slightly paralysed the left side of her face. The September stroke forced her to be absent for three weeks from her TV show, Mother Angelica Live. When she

Photo CNS/EVV77V

Mother Angelica, founder of the Catholic cable network EIV171I,

returned to the show she joked about the eye patch she was wearing because she could not close her eye properly. She said doctors assured her she would overcome the stroke's effects. EWTN. which specialises in religious programming, is available to more than 70 million US households on cable television and by direct broadcast satellite.

Bush urged to plan for US ban on landmines by 2006 By Jeny RIteau WASHINGTON (CNS) - Two key Catholic religious order leaders have urged the Bush administration to stick with a plan for the United States to join the Ottawa treaty banning anti-personnel land mines by 2006. In a letter to Secretary of State Colin L Powell, the heads of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious jointly expressed concern about recent reports indicating the United States might be backing away from that commitment. "Land mines kill or maim nearly 18,000 people each year and many of the victims are children," wrote Sister Kathleen Pruitt, a Sister of St Joseph of Peace and LCWR president, and Conventual Franciscan Father Canice Connors, CMSM president, in the 18 December letter.

Noting that more than 140 nations have agreed to ban the use, stockpiling, trade or production of anti-personnel land mines, they asked the United States to move ahead on its "commitment to join the international community" in that ban. In August it was revealed that the departments of State and Defence and the National Security Council were undertaking a comprehensive review of US land-mine policy that could lead to changes in the policy enunciated by President Clinton. In a 1998 directive he promised if certain conditions were met the United States would follow all the Ottawa treaty provisions around the world except in Korea by 2003 and would move toward compliance in Korea as well by 2006. The Ottawa treaty has been signed by 142 nations, including all NATO allies except 'flukey and the United States.

Interna iona

News

Argentina's bishops support debt freeze

Chinese forbid presence of faithful at funeral By Cindy Wooden The 83-year-old, secretlyordained bishop of Beijing died Christmas Eve in a Chinese hospital after a long illness, and Chinese police were attempting to keep people away from his funeral, the Vatican's Fides news agency reported. Bishop Matthias Pei Xiangde died on 24 December in a hospital in Zhangjiakou in Hebei province, Fides reported on 28 December. The bishop had been under house arrest since April and police surveillance continued after he had been hospitalised for severe kidney problems. "Although seriously ill and in need of constant treatment, the bishop continued his pastoral ministry in Beijing and in Hebei, promoting communion with the universal church," Fides said. Although the bishop never joined the government-approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which has no official ties with the Vatican, "his simple faith and his meek character earned him the friendship of many priests of the official church" sanctioned by the government, Fides said. The bishop's funeral was scheduled for 2 January in Zhangjiapu, his native village, with several local priests concelebrating. "The faithful of the village have prepared a solemn ceremony with songs and music, but the police have issued an order that the funeral have a low profile,"

Fides said. "Many faithful from Hebei and Beijing would like to participate in the funeral Mass, but the police have forbidden the participation of anyone who does not live in the village," it said. Born in 1918 to a large Catholic family in Zhangjiapu, he entered the minor seminary at age 13. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1948, he taught at Geng Xin Catholic School in the Diocese of Beijing. A year after the Communists' 1949 takeover, he was forced to take a secular job and worked in a Beijing pharmaceutical factory. With the Cultural Revolution and the government crackdown on Catholics loyal to Rome, years of hardship and trials began. Fides said. Arrested in 1970, he was sentenced to 10 years of "reeducation through labour." Released in 1980, he returned to Beijing and was secretly ordained bishop of the city in 1989. Fides contacted the bishop in October, seeking his reaction to Pope John Paul ll's 24 October message asking the Chinese government to begin a dialogue aimed at normalising relations and asking forgiveness for times when personal limitations, political pressure or theological disputes seemed to convey Catholic disrespect for China and its culture. "When I heard the news," Bishop Pei said. "I had a deep desire to kneel in front of him and thank him for the profound paternal love that he sent to us through the message."

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CNS) - Argentine bishops said they supported a decision by the country's interim president to withhold debt payments in order to help stabilise Argentina's faltering economy. "Paying a debt is a moral obligation, but never above the immediate needs of a people," said Archbishop Estanislao Karlic of Parana, president of the Argentine bishops' conference. Argentine President Adolfo Rodriguez Saa announced that Argentina would temporarily withhold the payment of its US $132 billion public debt to concentrate money into generating jobs. Rodriguez Saa said he declared the suspension of the country's foreign debt because Argentina must first address domestic Issues, such as hunger and the unemployment rate, which stands at 20 per cent. He said his priority was to create an emergency social plan to address these domestic issues with $350 million that was intended to help pay off the country's debt. "This measure sounds quite reasonable, especially considering that paying such debt demanded cutting salaries and retirement payments to hundreds of thousand Argentines." Archbishop Argentinians who are jobless or have unemployed relatives stand outside a Karlic said. church in Buenos Aires to invoke in prayer the patron saint of work on 7 But the Archbishop said the gov- August, 2001. Pnoro CNSReaers ernment's credibility both internationally and among Argentine president's promises of tackling Estanislao Karlic of Parana, prescitizens would be restored "only corruption, Archbishop Giaquin- ident of the bishops' conference. if there is a decisive move to fight ta responded: "I believe only in About 89 per cent of Argentina's 36 million population professes corruption, especially at the top God." Catholicism. Nevertheless, the archbishop political levels." The bishops said the country Archbishop Carmelo Giaquinta said Rodriguez Saa's announcea "tremendous crisis." ment that he faces was cutting his of Resistencia said Argentina's "We need to save the nation," long history of political corrup- salary down to $3,000 a month tion has left him skeptical of the and forbidding any other public they said. "Let us reject whatever interim administration's claim of official to earn more than that is is unjust and ruptures fraternal Chinese Catholics pray during Christmas Eve Mass at the Nantang Cathedral "a positive step in the right direc- relations in society," they said. restoring economic stability. in Beijing on 24 December, 2000. China does not officially celebrate the Christsocial lead"May political and tion." "Like St Thomas," the Archbish• The Argentine bishops called ers accept with a wide-open spir- mas holiday. op said, "I need to see before I their compatriots "to protect it the responsibility demanded by on believe." But, he said he was "sympathetic" to the idea of suspend- the institutions of an authentic their vocation and the gravity of ing debt payment because "it is democracy" after several days of the current situation," they added. The bishops reiterated their call definitively immoral if paid in the violent protests caused by a detein the year for dialogue earlier riorating economy forced the resactivity "Fanaticism may be put terms it was being paid." By Clan Molloy down, but it cannot be calmed "We certainly have an obliga- ignation of President Fernando de within the nation's democratic structures as the method for DUBLIN, Ireland ((iNS) - The if the adversary puts too much tion, as a nation, to pay the debt, la Rua. The bishops also asked rival resolving problems. but not to the international vulwar against terrorism cannot be trust in superior power," the De la Rua resigned on 20 won by force of weapons alone. Cardinal said. tures, but to the nations, some political parties to work together He also said that the aftermath peoples of the first world, which to resolve the political and eco- December after several days of said Cardinal Desmond Connell of the 11 September terrorist have to see in us a credible part- nomic turmoil facing the country police action to disperse crowds of Dublin. The 20 December statement was in the capital of Buenos Aires and ner," Archbishop Giaquinta said. Cardinal Connell said that attacks in the United States left Asked if he believed in the new read on television by Archbishop other cities left at least 24 people while acts of terrorism are many people asking, "What dead. inherently evil, so is a military kind of God allowed the 11th of On 19 December, during his response that kills or attacks September to happen?" weekly general audience at the "He is the God who so respects innocent people. Vatican, Pope John Paul II encour"Whenever terrorism occurs, the dignity with which he aged Argentines to work together human dignity is discounted in endowed us that he disdains to for social order and prosperity. the planning of violence, but suppress or even to manipulate "I pray to the Lord that Argen[human dignity] is also hurt if our freedom to make and take tines, with magnanimity and genretribution descends on the responsibility for our decisions," erosity, will find in these moments innocent and inflicts avoidable he said. of difficulty ways of reconciliation The global struggle against terinjury," the Cardinal said during and mutual understanding in his Christmas Day homily in St rorism and injustice may make order to build a future of peace Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Dublin. the Christmas message "seem and prosperity, with God's help He said that, in Northern Ire- unrealistic," he said. and the collaboration and contriBut through the birth of Christ, land. the root of terrorism was bution of all," he said. found in the "embittered and God "has taken upon himself In Argentina, police used rubber twisted resentment against our human condition in order to bullets and water cannons on show us the way, to restore and injustice." people looting stores for food and Between 1968 and 1998, more to enhance our dignity and to protesting against tight economic than 3,200 people were killed in bring us the strength we need to policies by a government Northern Ireland as a result of prevail in our struggle with evil," Looters walk away with goods from a supermarket as police attempt to con- strapped for foreign currency terrorist and counter-terrorist Cardinal Connell said. needed to meet debt payments. trol the situation in Cordoba, Argentina, on 19 December. Photo CNS Reuters

Weapons can't win war

The Record, January 3 2002 Page 13

Asian Catholic News

Peace agreement signed for fifth time in Malino POSO, Indonesia (CNS) - Representatives of Christians and Muslims locked in fighting for three years in Poso have signed a peace agreement for the fifth time. The "Malino Declaration" was signed by representatives of both sides at the end of a conference 19-20 December in Malino, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Both sides pledged to halt all conflict and disputes and to abide by the law. They asked the state to implement firm and impartial measures against all violators. The agreement urges both sides

to reject interference from foreigners and outsiders. It provides for the reinstatement of properties to their rightful owners and said all people should respect local customs. The agreement called for the return of displaced people to their place of origin by 7 March. It called for the establishment of joint commissions on law and order and on social and economic matters. Among the observers at the agreement's signing were Archbishop Johannes Liku Ada' of Makassar, Bishop Josephus Suwatan of Manado and two

priests. Archbishop Liku Ada' said both parties seemed serious about working for peace. "I am optimistic it will be successful if both parties are really faithful to their agreement," he said. "However, both parties must trust each other and not be easily provoked," he said. Both sides promised to work with the government to rehabilitate the area's infrastructure and economy, in which the Catholic Church will be an active participant, Archbishop Liku Ada' said. Father Jimmy Tumbelaka of St Theresa Parish in Poso, who

Youth guard churches during Christmas time

TOMOHON. Indonesia nied the Muslim youth to the greeted churchgoers and offered (UCAN) - Muslim youth joined Catholic church. He told UCA them flowers. Karim also said he Christians in guarding churches News that young Muslims vol- greatly appreciates the Minaduring Christmas celebrations in unteered to help guard the hasan, the local tribal people, mainly Christian North Sulawe- churches during the Christian who, in his view, love harmony. si. eastern Indonesia, amid celebration. "Although in a village the Musrumours of bomb attacks during "We do this in accordance with lims are only a handful, they are the holidays. Islam, which teaches its follow- respected by the Minahasan," he Outside the Sacred Heart of ers to help neighbours, and in noted. Jesus Church in Tomohon. 25 keeping with North Sulawesi Saleh Arsyad, chairman of Al Muslim youths from Al people's traditional motto, Mujahidin Foundation, said he Mujahidin Foundation and 30 'Torang samua basudara' (we are also felt happy when he greeted members of Legium Christum, a all brothers and sisters)," Karim Christians. "I felt very happy Catholic youth group, directed said. because Catholics accepted our traffic and guarded the church In response to the Christians' sincere assistance and greetduring Christmas services. earlier gesture, he said he mobi- ings," he told UCA News. Five Muslim girls accompanied lized 250 Muslim youth to help Meanwhile, the five Muslim by their two leaders meted the guard the churches in Tomohon girls - Kumla, Siti, Wati. Ingrid leaving churchgoers with flow- and to offer "flowers of peace." and Niar - who gave flowers to ers in front of the church gate in He added that "the flower sym- Catholic churchgoers, also Tomohon. a town in Minahasa bolises our wish for peace and expressed their joy. district south-west of the provin- unity." "We were happy because this is cial city of Manado. He noted that despite rumours the first time for us to make conLocal Church observers told of bomb attacks and riots during versation. address and rejoice UCA News that a similar joint religious feasts, relations with Catholics on Christmas effort by young Muslims and between Christians and Muslims day." Wati said. Christians took place at Protes- In the area have strengthened. The Sacred Heart of Jesus tant churches in the town. "The threats do not come from Church in Tomohon, a parish of Muslim leader Sutardi A. Karim Muslims." he said, "but from cer- Manado diocese, has some 5,000 said on Id al-Fitr day, on 16 tain people who want to create Catholics. Tomohon has been December, local Catholic and chaos so they can benefit from it. known to be the centre of Protestant youth not only guard- Islam loves peace." Catholic education for eastern ed but helped direct traffic flow "We, the Muslims in Tomohon, Indonesia since the Dutch coloin front of mosques during the want to show in visible ways, that nial era. The Synod of Minahasa ritual prayer of the Muslim feast we are against violence and that Evangelical Messiah Church is at the end of Ramadan, the Mus- we love peace and unity," he said, also based in this town. lim fasting month. adding that they also want "to North Sulawesi province has a At that time, Christian youth express religious values that population of 2.82 million, about also greeted Muslims with flow- appreciate harmony." 50 per cent of whom are Protesers, said Karim, chairman of the The Muslim leader said he felt tants, 44 per cent Muslims. 3.2 Indonesian Islamic Ulemas a sense of interreligious harmo- per cent Catholics, 0.6 per cent North Sulawesi, who accompa- ny, peace and unity when he Hindus, 0.2 per cent Buddhists.

observed the signing, said the agreement now needed to be peacefully implemented. President Megawati Sukarnoputri welcomed the Malino Declaration and said she hoped the meeting could serve as a model for conflict settlements elsewhere, UCA News reported. Central Sulawesi is an impoverished, remote area wedged between the predominantly Christian northern and mainly Muslim southern parts of the island. Its people earn a living from farming and fishing. Periodic violence has broken out in the region since 1998, with the

latest round beginning in November. Some claimed the violence was a spillover from fighting between Christian and Muslim communities in the Molucca Islands to the east. Others say it was due to the influx of mainly Muslim migrants from Java to Poso, reducing the Christian majority. Muslims now dominate the political and commercial life in the area around Poso. Local people maintain that tens of thousands of mainly Christian inhabitants have been expelled from Poso and surrounding villages.

Pakistani media give Christians more space FAISALABAD, Pakistan (UCAN) - Catholics in Pakistan are relieved that Christmas was peaceful and see hope for the future in government security measures and media attention amid fears of anti-Christian violence. The government provided full security for all churches and chapels throughout the country. Church sources told UCA News. Fears of Christmas attacks in retaliation for the attacks by the "Christian" United States on Muslim Afghanistan ran high after some 15 Protestants were killed in late October during a prayer service in a Catholic church. Gunmen who came on motorcycles attacked the service at St Dominic Church in Bahawalpur despite some police protection. Just after Christmas, however, catechist B. Nisar Harkat said. "I was surprised that in my area, even at a small prayer service the police made sure we had peace and nobody was allowed to come near the service on a motorcycle." The police protected Christian residential areas right through Christmas Day, added Ayub Anjum. a Christian elected as a local body member for Toba Tek Singh. some 400 kilometres south of Islamabad. "The government kept contact with the elected members right through the day and monitored the situation very carefully. We Christians are grateful to the government for the precautionary measures," he said. Catholics also appreciated that this year the media gave more coverage to Christmas events. Pakistan Television broadcast special programs on the Christian feast. Messages of Catholic and Protestant bishops were presented along with special Christmas programs, including one that highlighted the killings in Bahawalpur. According to Faldwa Ashraf. a social worker, "It was the

first time there was so much Christmas coverage even on the national news." Such developments contribute to the hope Church leaders have for the future. Looking toward the new year, Sister Marie Cecile, head of the Jesus and Mary nuns in Pakistan. told UCA News, "We should be giving a message of hope in the face of all that has been happening. Our God is the God of impossible situations, and when the darkness is darkest he brings the light of new hope." Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, who apprised Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf of Christians' fears even before the Bahawalpur incident, expressed similar sentiments. "We Christians must be messengers of hope and cross religious boundaries in taking the Good News to others," said the Archbishop, who was ordained the morning of 11 September and has "Heralds of Hope" as his motto. "Iam convinced that we must he messengers of hope and promote interfaith dialogue at the grassroots level. This is not dialogue at the intellectual level. but a dialogue of life," he added. Abdul Basil, a worker for the Islamic political party jamiat Ulema-e-Islami. told UCA News that "the year 2002 brings with it a new challenge. Christians and Muslims must work together to bring peace in the world." Cecil Chaudhry, executive secretary of the Joint Christian Action Committee, also sees the need to renew work for peace. "Police protection and peaceful celebrations are good, but we must work harder to bring social harmony and unity in the country," he said. "We must be proactive and move forward together in the fight against sectarianism."

Blind man receives national award honouring his achievements

PUNE, India (UCAN) - "Losing my eyesight has not blurred my vision," says Divyanshu Ganatra, who continues to look to Mother Teresa to keep his spirit alive and instil hope in others. "What I have achieved so far is due to inspiration from Mother Teresa, who once said: Don't look at what you have lost, look at what is left and use it fully." the 24-yearold man told UCA News. Ganatra, who lost his eyesight at the age of 19, runs a computer training centre in Pune, some 1,420 kilometres south-west of New Delhi, that has helped a number of visually handicapped people obtain training and find jobs. Computer courses let visu-

ally handicapped people "read" and study on their own with special audio software that gives "them their independence back," said the young man, who once drove cars and motorbikes to impress girlfriends. On 3 December, the Indian government gave Ganatra a national award honouring the achievements of self-employed visuallyhandicapped people. Vice-President Krishna Kant presented him a 10,000-rupee (about US$215) cash prize, a medal and the award citation at a special function in New Delhi. Ganatra said his selection for the award came as a surprise. But it has "reinforced my determination

The Record, January 3 2002 Page 14

to train and find jobs for the blind," he said. Glaucoma robbed him of his sight, but he now earns some 15,000 rupees a month, enough for him to live on, as well as subsidise training for four poor students. "As I am earning well,I do not charge them," he explained. Ganatra admits that the realisation he would not be able to see anymore traumatised him. He says that several rounds of visits to eye specialists and temples did nothing to save him from turning blind for the rest of his life. Nonetheless, "although I have lost my sight, I have not lost my vision to roadmap my life," he says, claiming he wants to pursue

graduate studies in clinical psychology in the United States. With his bright eyes open behind spectacles as he works on his computer in his 20-squaremetre office, Ganatra defies the stereotype of a blind person. People often realise he is blind only after talking to him for a while. "Normal-sighted people think a blind person wears dark glasses, uses a white wooden cane, has unkempt hair and carries a `jhola' (shoulder handbag) wherever he goes," he said, dressed in a bright blue shirt and jeans, and sporting well-cropped dark hair. Ganatra said he really learned about computers after installing screen-reading audio technology

software. "Many friends said I would not be able to do it." he recalled, "but I have proved them wrong as we have the technology." He pays his office assistant 2,100 rupees a month and pays back 6,000 rupees every month to clear his bank loan. "I wanted to do something different than merely undertaking a traditional blind people's job like a telephone operator, chalk and candle making, and cane weaving." Ganatra said. Now he helps others who feel the same way. With six visually handicapped companions he has set up the Disability Network and is working on a website.

13*11778 Hor

Record EYE OCATCHER 4#K\

Official Engagements JANUARY 5

Mass in Celebration of the 60th Jubilee of Fr John Chokolich's Ordination to the Priesthood, Wanneroo - Archbishop Hickey

13 Procession and Mass in honour of San Giovanni Battista, Sacred Heart Church - Archbishop Hickey

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Archcliocesan Panorama PRAYER SERVICE A Prayer Service against sickness and evil is held every 2nd Sunday of the Month at the St John's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave. Perth. Time: 2.30-4.30pm. Next Service: January 13. 2002. Service includes Rosary. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. All are welcome. LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR ROCKINGHAM The Servants of the Lord Prayer Community are conducting an 8-week parish Life in the Spirit Seminar commencing 7.30pm. Tues 8 Jan in Our Lady of Lourdes Church parish hall. cnr Swington and Townsend Rds, Rockingham. The cost is S10. For further information and early bookings contact Mary Fogg 9593 2076. DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR The Divine Mercy Apostolate invites all parishioners in the metropolitan area to a Holy Hour of Adoration each Saturday of the month (except 1st Sat) from 2.30-3.30pm at St Francis Xavier Church, 25 Windsor St, East Perth. Program: Exposition of hte blessed Sacrament, Reconciliation, Holy Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Three o'clock prayers and Benediction. On the second Saturday only there is Anointing of the Sick. Celebrant: Fr Marcellinus Meliak OFM. The afternoon concludes with refreshments. Please bring a plate to share. Inquiries: John 9457 7771. DIVINE MERCY An afternoon with Jesus and Mary at St Mary's Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth, Sun 6 Jan, 1.30pm. Program: Holy Rosary and Reconcili-

ation, Sermon with Fr Peter Meo (Epiphany), followed by Divine Mercy Prayers and Benediction. Inquiries: John 9457 7771 or Linda 9275 6608. BULLSBROOK HEALING MASS Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation. 36 Chittering Rd. Bullsbrook. Holy mass is celebrated for the physical and spiritual healing of the sick on the second Sunday of each month.The next Mass is on 13 January. Reconciliation and Holy Rosary in the Shrine commence at 2pm. Mass at 2.30pm, followed by the blessing of the sick and the Anointing of the seriously il l with the Sacrament of the Sick. Inquiries: SACRI 9447 3292. TWO FREE FAMILY CONCERTS IN JANUARY 2002 Endorsed by Archbishop Hickey, Flame Ministries International will present two free family concerts called 'my Word the Message' as part of the 12th Annual Flame Congress from 17-22 January 2002. The concerts will feature the original music from the recent international release of fmm's debut CD of the same name. Concert Dates: Thurs 17 Jan. 7.30pm and Tues 22 Jan. 7.30pm at the Sacred Heart C ollege, Hocking Parade. Sorrento. B&B A ccommodation is also available for out-oftown visitors. Please call Linda at Flame Ministries International on (08) 9382 3668 or E-mail: fmi@flameministries.org for details. FREMANTLE PRAYER GROUP Videos will be shown from the Catholic Charismatic conference in Rome 1998. Tuesdays in January, 2pm at 197 High St (rear) Fremantle at the RCPD premises. All are welcome.

Vietnamese teachers, students, would like Christmas Day off HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam of their examinations," he said. Dominique Ngo Tran Ngoc (UCAN) - Teachers and students in Ho Chi Minh City, who Huy, a college student, recalled have to be at school on Christ- having examinations on Christmas Day say they want 25 mas Day since he was a high school student. December made a holiday. However, in recent years "Catholics or not, we all do not want to go to work on that day," Christmas has become a popusaid Madeleine Tran Thi Dieu lar event in the eyes of many Ho Nga, a Catholic teacher of for- Chi Minh City residents, he eign language in the Ho Chi noted, adding that since living Minh City-based Teacher -II-din- standards have significantly improved, people have been celing College. She complained that her stu- ebrating Christmas with greater dents had to attend class in the fanfare. A seminarian told UCA News morning and take semester examinations in the afternoon that although Vietnam is a on Christmas Day, so there was socialist country and Catholics no way they could ask for per- account for less than 10 per cent of the population, people commission to be absent. The 31-year-old teacher, who monly exchange greeting cards also teaches at a privately-run and presents and have big high school, told UCA News that Christmas Eve parties. He noted that since early she did not know how many Catholic students her school December, a newly-launched has, but she is sure they account service has arranged to have a Santa Claus deliver Christmas for a significant proportion. "If you are a teacher and you presents to homes or distribute are a Catholic, you can apply for gifts to street children in the city. Shops abound with nativity a day off on Christmas Day, but not many people know of this cribs and Christmas trees, cakes provision because this informa- and compact disks of Christmas tion is not largely made public," carols, he added. Government officials visited another teacher said. Philippe Nguyen Tri Thuc, 43, Catholic bishops, large parishes whose son is a junior high and Christian social work school student, argued that get- groups in Hanoi, Hue and Ho ting children to school for exam- Chi Minh C4 he observed. A parish priest told UCA News inations "on this boisterous and bustling day" leaves them dis- that he was asked to express his views on religious freedom in tracted. "Such a -tate of mind has a Vietnam by local government negative impact on the results officials who paid him a visit

and greeted him before Christmas Day. "Ireplied that there is religious freedom, but there are also restrictions to this freedom. such as children having to go to school on Christmas Day," he recalled, adding that he had to re-schedule Masses for students to attend. He also told them that all parishes still have to apply for local government approval to organise big gatherings on feast days. Ills understandable, he said. if Catholics misconstrue government's religious policy as teachers and students have to attend school on Christmas Day. "Itold the government officials that the education service should be flexible enough to fully respect people's right to religious freedom by re-scheduling semester examinations reasonably and appropriately." he said. Teresa Huynh Thi Thanh Truc, a 10th-grade student of Tran Phu High School in Tan Binh district. said, "Vietnamese people are luckier and happier than people living in Afghanistan, the Middle East or Argentina during the Christmas season this year." However, she added, "it would be wonderful if students in Vietnam can enjoy Christmas Day to the fullest without having to worry about examinations."

The Record, January 3 2002 Page 15

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The Last Word

Marie Tania finds life's answer in Carmel By Anne Hodgkinson IF1 or most of us, it is hard to imagine life without our families, friends, social outings, school lunches, appointments and the seemingly endless routine of our lives. Many of us even wonder, sometimes out loud, if there is anywhere left in the world that is quiet, peaceful, harmonious and conducive to prayer. Never fear, a place just like this still exists at Ormiston, on the shores of Moreton Bay, south of Brisbane. For the closed order of Discalced Carmelite nuns who live there, it is a world of silence, devotion, companionship, laughter and intense prayer. On Saturday 8 December, 30-year-old Sr Marie Tania Ostini entered this world for the rest of her life. It is the first time since 1987 that a Carmelite Sister has taken her final vows at Ormiston. Sr Marie Tania is also the third Carmelite Sister from the Ormiston community to take vows in public since Vatican II. The profession took place in front of Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby and a crowd of almost 300 people at the monastery chapel. The youngest in the Carmelite community by 15 years, Sr Marie Tanis said she was relaxed and happy about making her commitment to God. She said a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. "I had mixed feelings about taking my final vows on Saturday," she confessed. "I was very nervous and panicked a bit but I am really at peace about the commitment I have made." In February, Sr Marie Tanta will have been at the Ormiston monastery for seven years and has renewed her annual vows four limes. "I was quite ready and felt it was a good time to take this next step," she said. "The question was, doIrenew again or do I take that final step. "Ididn't see any more reason to wait and there's really nothing else I wanted to do half as badly as this," she said. The Mass started at 10am and because of the large number attending, a marquee was set up outside the chapel with closed circuit television. After the gospel, Archbishop Bathersby questioned Sr Marie Tanta on her devotion and commitment to Jesus. "Normally the answer is 'I am' but Ineeded a bit more than that, so I said, 'with Jesus, yes I am resolved'," she said quietly. Archbishop Bathersby gave the homily which was followed by the grand prostration. "Everyone was praying the Litany of the Saints which was also sung by a cantor and I was flat out, face down on the floor," said Sr Marie Tania. "The purpose of that was to really express my total dedication to God. "Everything is for Him and I was asking everything from Him for this. "It was such a huge step and was totally beyond me. With God, with Jesus,Idid it." After the Litany of the Saints came the profession proper. "The Carmelites have a lovely way of doing this," said Sr Marie Tania. "The profession is actually made into the hands of the prioress, so I was kneeling in

Marie Tania joined the Carrnelite congregation in February 1995 as a postulant. In September of the same year, she became a novice, received her white veil and was renamed Sr Marie Tania Magdalen of Merciful Love. When asked if she will miss anything, she said she had overcome those feelings. "I've already come to terms with that," she said. "It won't be any different. As for what I will miss, it has more to do with people than things." She added the 'yob description of Carmelite life was the enclosure" and it was a choice that each of the Sisters had to make personally. Sr Marie Tania said initially that the fenced property really "bugged" her. "Having grown up on farms in the bush, I was used to just going for a long walk where you wouldn't see a fence," she said. "But I had a real switch one time when a visiting person just looked out and commented on the beauty of the place and said It was 40 shades of green and that helped me to see just how beautiful it was. "A positive view rather than a negative one is always a good idea." However, Sr Marie Tania said the large property still gave each of the 20 Sisters a chance to have some space when they needed it. As for coming to terms with a life of obedience, prayer and complete isolation from the outside world, she said it was normal to take a long time to work through things. "It is a huge adjustment and you can't underestimate lig even if you feel really strongly called to it - it took seven years!" She said the biggest part was coming to terms with herself. "I think everybody going through formation for religious life goes through pretty well the same dynamic of conversion to really understanding what their vocation Is," said Sr Marie Tania. "And to believe in God is a really handy thing if you are going to be a nun . . . it sounds surprising but there are different levels of believing." She stopped briefly, thinking, and added "really a life like this is impossible and when you are living it day by day, it shouldn't work and when it does, it has got to be God". Sr Marie Tanta: coming to terms with a life of obedience, prayer and complete isolation from the Another thing that initially troubled Sr outside world at the Ormiston Carmelite Monastery, south of Brisbane. Marie Tanta was the generation gap front of Sr Katherine who was sitting down me," she said. Sr Marie Tania then signed between her and the other Sisters. and I had my hands joined and her hands her vows on the altar and the archbishop "There are (Sisters) who have been here were around mine." gave her a solemn blessing of consecration. 30,40, even 60 years and it's the thing about The practice dates back to the medieval Her veil, blessed by the archbishop, was being enclosed, there's really a risk of getCrusades when the Carmelites were first then changed from white to black and she ting out-of-touch," she said. founded in the Holy Land on Mt Carmel. was given a crown of roses to wear. "The world has been changing at a "We think that the first hermits were "Sr Katherine then made a speech wel- remarkable rate and some mindsets are so reformed crusaders who wanted to be a bit coming me to the community andI did the different and that's one thing I've found more holy," said Sr Marie Tania. presentation of the gifts with my brothers hard to come to terms with. "They had a chivalry background and at and sisters," she said. "But I have let that go and let the other that time, when a knight swore allegiance Sr Marie Tania was born in Brisbane, at Sisters be themselves and know that it's to the kin, he would have his hands joined the Mater Mothers' Hospital, and moved to okay to be myself, too. and the king would place his hands around Stanthorpe when she was 18-months-old. She profession to religious life said her them. She lived there on farms and orchards was a great occasion for the other Sisters. "And so [the practice] has come from until she was 23. "It really revitalised them and showed there." Completing Years 9 and 10 at St Joseph's During this part of the profession cere- School, Stanthorpe, she left to work for five them there's a reason to keep going. "I don't have to become a 70-year-old to mony, Sr Marie Tania made her final vows years before returning to the local state to Jesus, and they were received by Sr high school to complete her senior studies. fit in here," she laughed, "and I think it is Katherine, the Carmelite community and Coincidentally, Archbishop Bathersby possible for the Carmelite spirituality to be lived by a person of my generation." the Church. also hails from Stanthorpe. "It was a very emotional moment and "There must be a good atmosphere up - Story and picture courtesy there was so much happening inside of there," Sr Marie Tania laughed. The Catholic Leader, Brisbane

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