with the Vicar of Christ APRIL General: That in the many rapid changes taking place in today's world the importance of the family may be recognised in its fundamental vocation as cradle of his and school of faith and right values. Missionary: That, sustained by the heroic testimony of the martyrs of our time, the ecclesiai communities may announce Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of humankind, with renewed courage.
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Knights in Perth answer call from Vatican By Neil Smith and the services of CNS
Smoke from shellfire shrouds the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem as Israeli Photo CNS/Reaters tanks by to force the Palestinians out
could not be regarded as hostages of the Palestinians, and that they remained there of their own free will. The Palestinians inside the church had not 'committed any act of violence or abuse of power against the religious community During the siege the Church of the Nativity came under machine gun and cannon fire from the Israeli tanks despite assurances by the Israeli President, Moshe Katsav, to the Pope, that the Israelis had no intention of causing any damage to the church. Another order of knights in the United States, the Knights of Columbus has set up a $US2 million fund to help the Holy Land.
A group of Perth Knights are rallying to help repair and preserve the Church of the Nativity. regarded as marking the birthplace of Jesus Christ, which has been damaged by gunfire in the Middle East turmoil between Israelis and Palestinians. In Perth, the Lieutenant of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem - Western Australia, Mr John Can, said the ancient order was charged with the protection of holy places in the Holy Land. The Knights are in the process of making formal requests to the Western Australian Department of Consumer Protection for a public Non-political appeal to raise funds for repairs to the Church of the Nativity and other holy places. Mr Carr said the Knights of the Holy SepulPope John Paul II has ordered a special mis- chre also operated or had direct responsibilsion from the Vatican to travel to Bethlehem to ity for 43 schools in the region and a seminary study the damage to the historic site. with 90 seminarians. The church was the scene of bitter fighting The Knights are strictly non-political. when a group of Palestinians sought refuge Their Vatican-based Grand Magisterium has and the Israeli tanks mounted a siege to drive expressed its deep shock and grief at the events them out. in the Holy Land. Also trapped were a number of Franciscan Its Grand Master, Cardinal Carlo Furno has friars and nuns, monks of the Armenian Ortho- expressed profound sadness and deep condox and Greek Orthodox and other religious. cern at what has befallen the land in which the One Armenian monk was shot and killed. Saviour lived, died and rose again. The head of the Franciscan order, Father GiaThe Vatican said it was aware of the tradicomo Bini, called for 'urgent humanitarian tional bonds that unite the Knights of the Holy intervention' to aid agencies to supply water, Sepulchre and its mandate entrusted to them food, electrical power and medical attention to by the Supreme Pontiffs to assist, and sustain the people in the region, and to help repair or the people of the region without regard to their restore church buildings. nationality or religion. Fr Bini said the priests and nuns in the church Continues page 3.
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25 April, 2002
Record
Development seminars for priests S
ometimes you hear it service. The vehicle mechanic, asked, "Oh, Father you're the Telecom technician, the back. Did you have a good hotelier, the doctor and nurse, holiday?", when Father returns the list could go on. from a week long seminar or Let's not forget to include the conference. priest. It mostly is said with a touch of Recent documents of the humour, or just out of ignorance Church stress the importance of because Father was not around the priests continuing the forfor a few days. mation and education that The priest's response will vary. began, yes, in the seminary, but But deep down it can leave a lit- even earlier in the family. tle warning bell ringing. "Pastores Dabo Vobis" was He takes a mental note, per- given to the Church in recent haps. He may think "I'll have to years to give direction on all be careful about the number of aspects of priestly life including days I'm away during the year I formation. don't want people getting the It taught the importance of wrong idea!" ongoing formation and developThese days, most people ment for the priest as he grows whether they are professionals and changes in a world that is or not, are expected to have changing so rapidly. some ongoing courses for the The document captured the purpose of updating their skills spirit of the Second Vatican and expertise, or for the Council, first enunciated by Improvement of their delivery of Blessed John XXIII, that we are
PRIESTHOOD INQUIRY DAY Archdiocese of Perth
Come andSee or, When: Sunday May 5. 2002 Where: St Charles' Seminary 30 Meadow Street. Guildford ( 8 Minute walk from Guildford Station Midland Train Line)
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Please contact: Seminary 9279 1310 or Vocations Team Fr Armando 9470 9113 / 9266 3714 Fr Doug 9223 1350 Fr Joseph 9310 1747
Maranatha Institute for Adult Faith Education Archdiocese of Perth Catholic Education Centre, 50 Ruislip St. Leederville Do you want to know more about your faith? Maranatha offers courses in Theology, Scripture and Spirituality during school terms. TERM 2 COURSES 9 weeks, cost $55 Beginning Tuesday 7 May 9.30am-12pm - Prayer and the Spiritual Journey, Sr Maragret Anne Beech SJA 1-3pm - Spirituality today Fr Bob Carden OFM
Beginning Friday 10 May 9.30am-12pm - Introduction to the Old Testament, Fr Nino Vinciguerra 1-3pm - Paul: His call, his journeys and his letters, Fr Pat Ahern For enrolments or information phone 9212 9311, Tuesday, Thursdays 9am-3pm, Friday 9am-1.30pm and we will send you a Course Booklet
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called to discern and examine This year the major focus of the signs of the times. Only the Seminars will be the Theolwhen this has been done, will ogy of the Church with special the Church be able to preach the emphasis on ecumenical and Good News of Jesus Christ to the inter-faith perspective. Fr John Thornhill SM will be present generation. But there is a call to justice in guiding us on a subject that was suggested by the priests in genthis document as well. The people of the Church eral. As well as the annual Seminar require the priests who serve them to be men of discernment weeks, we have a program for and faith who have developed the newly ordained priests personally, intellectually and which aims to help them as they spiritually as they journey begin their pastoral ministry. through life. It is known as the Introduction The priests have a duty to Program for it introduces them enshrine in their list of essential to the diocese and the many works the ongoing professional excellent people and agencies development, formation and that support priestly pastoral education. ministry. The annual Clergy Seminars I am very proud of the efforts will take place in May. being made to help all priests as The bishops, priests and dea- they grow through the stages of cons will attend where they will life and faith. be nurtured and challenged, I hope all in this Archdiocese supported and refreshed. will support and encourage our
Bishop Sproxton's
Perspective priests to use every opportunity to develop and be fully alive and happy in their ministry.
$40,000 rescue aid rAushed to Holy Land nn Fairhead of Caritas Australia in Perth is supporting a major ppeal to help the victims of the Israeli-Palestinian violence. Caritas Australia has already provided S40,000 in immediate assistance to Caritas Jerusalem's efforts to assist those affected by the current violence in the Holy Land. Caritas Jerusalem has a presence in Jerusalem, Rarnallah, and Jertin. and will also work through a number of other reputable community-based organisations in the West Bank and Gaza that can target and reach those most at need. The relief that will be provided will essentially be emergency food and medical supplies, clothing and bedding for those whose possessions have been destroyed during the current fighting and basic repairs to damaged dwellings so that people can continue to live in them. Caritas Australia joins the international Caritas network in expressing shock at the violent and frightening events of the last few weeks in the Holy Land, and grief for all of those who have lost their Ann Fairhead lives - both Israeli and Palestinian. Cantas Australia unreservedly con- massive assault on Palestinian cities, demns both the attacks against the Pales- towns and refugee camps in the West tinian people and against Israeli Bank and Gaza have led to enormous civilians', said Jack de Groot, Caritas Aus- suffering. Caritas Internationalis has tralia National Director. The intemation- reported that Ambulances are being preal Cantas network has reported that the vented from saving lives and are even being shot at by the Israeli army. Palestinian clinics are in need of medicines but cannot get them. Many children cannot go to school. There have been ran-
WORLD YOUTH DAY IS COMING.
dom shootings of civilians. including children and women by Israeli soldicrs at checkpoints. Caritas lnternationalis also condemns the attacks on Israeli civilians, saying that 'the horrific attacks in Bethlehem and Jerusalem were clearly aimed at undermining any prospect for a political settlement. The emergency relief will particularly target displaced people such as those of the jenin refugee camp whose lives have been further been disrupted by the recent violence. An estimated 200 Palestinian gunmen and civilians took refuge in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, bringing the Christian churches directly into the conflict. Some critics have suggested that the churches are losing their neutral stance in the conflict and siding with the Palestinians. Claudette Habesch of Caritas Jerusalem refutes this: *We help people in need. We don't care about their religion, We help human beings based on their need, not on Weir creed." In Perth, Ann Field said it was a chance for some people who may have missed Project Compassion to make donations. A total 92 cents in every dollar reaches the victims. Caritas' Perth office is receiving contributions to the relief effort in the Holy Land. Please call 9223 1311 or send donations to 29 Victoria Square, PERTH WA, 6000.
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25 April, 2002
Re'cord
Knights answer Vatican request Continued from page 1. In a message sent to Mr Carr on the weekend, the Vatican said it invited the Knights to promote initiatives aimed at providing humanitarian aid. It also urged the Knights to encourage dialogue, understanding and partnership between all peoples of the Holy Land in order to pave the way gradually to an alternative life of coexistence in which all forms of violence and terror are banished. The Knights were founded in 1099 recruited from knights taking part in the crusades, and revived by Pope Pius IX 200 years ago, and started in Australia in Perth in 1985. They have 42,000 members worldwide. with 110 in Perth and other chapters averaging 50 to 60 members in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and a new chapter starting in Adelaide. Archbishop Barry Hickey is the Grand Prior of the Knights in WA. The Knights normally support their charges by direct donation from members, but the extent of the damage caused by the Middle East conflict has called for special measures. On Sunday. the Knights and Dames of the order combined with Perth's Melkite community in a special Mass at the church of St Andrew the Apostle in Northbridge to mark the feast of St George. patron of the knights and for the an important saint Melkites. The knights have a close liaison with the Melkite community because of its origins in the Middle East region, most Melkites coming from Syria, Palestine, Jerusalem, Lebanon and Jordan. The Mass coincided with the introduction of the Melkite's new priest, Father Samuel, who is replacing Father Pierre
ABOVE: Dames and Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem line up in procdession down the aisle of the Melkite Church of Andrew the Apostle in Northbridge at the weekend. LEFT: Chancellor of the Knights, Adrian Biffra, bears the Cross of St George through the congregation.
Ancient Knights and Melkites celebrating Members of Perth's ancient order of chivalry, the Equestrian Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and the Melkite community combined to celebrate the feast of St George. The knights who first came to Perth in 1985 belong to an order raised during the crusades and are charged with the protection of the holy places in the Holy Land, and its people. They have a special affinity with the Melkite community, who originate from Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jerusalem and Jordan. A packed congregation witnessed
the Knights as they paraded the Cross of St George through the church and presented the bread and the wine for communion. The Auxiliary Bishop of Perth. Bishop Sproxton, read the message while a choir from the community sang hymns and chants in Arabic. The Mass was to celebrate the Feast of St George, but the community took the opportunity to also welcome their new priest, Father Samuel. who is replacing Father Pierre. After the service the Knights and Dames joined the community for morning tea in the vestry.
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25 April, 2002
About eight years ago, Perth cinemas showed a movie - The Mission - about Jesuit missionaries setting up a community in the Brazilian rain forest. Its spectacular scenery and haunting background theme made it one of the most popular movies of its era. Following is a story about Servites working in the same area. .
ReCord
Retired Broome bishop honoured
Missions help save Brazilian rain forest Bishop John Jobst (left) wearing his new award, with Austrian and church leaders In 1920 it took the first mission- port has to be closed. Many chilaries more than 156 days, travel- dren are overcome with lung THE head of goveriuneni ot the state of ling on foot and by boat from Rio, problems and die.' Austria. Dr Wendelin Weingartner, handed the to reach Sena Madureira, deep in A recent satellite photographed 'Great Gold Medal with Star for services to the the heart of the Brazilian rainfor- 68.988 fires burning in the AmaRepublic of Austria' to the retired bishop of est. Now a jet can fly in from the zon. Broome, John Jobst. capital in seven hours. EY Hector Fr Hector is appealing to the At the reception in Innsbruc.k, the president of Thrrini still needs weeks to get west to enforce a ban on the sale the 1Yrol Parliament, Prof. Ing. Helmut Mader, around the settlements in his of mahogany and introduce susacknowledged the services of the missionary parish which is spread out over tainable agriculture. Current laws bishop and reminded listeners that Bishop Jobst many thousands of square kilo- should permit rubber tappers to has known -1Yrol where he has been living for the metres. last two years, since early childhood. own the land on which they work In this remote area, his order of after five years - hut in practice His family lived in a small village near RegensServite Friars have set up com- they are being forced out. burg and spent their holidays for many years in munity schools, hospitals and He said: 'We are calling for existchurches, working with the ing laws to be enforced. We would Now. 75 years later he is back The missionary He ensured the availability of water and built indigenous peoples, fishermen, also like to see a boycott on bishop and Pallottine Father has found a place the school, hospital, kindergarten and living quarfarmers and rubber tappers. For mahogany, like the fur ban. Westwith a family of friends in Patsch. years, their main problems were ern people say they are worried For almost 50 years, 37 years as bishop, he was ters. He wanted to settle the nomadic tribes to make poverty and illness. Many mis- about the plight of the rainforests working in the North West of Australia.. During easier for them. l ife sionaries died of tropical diseases. but their governments continue this time he worked hard for the rights of AboTo handle the great distances, Bishop trained as But in recent years the mission to buy tropical wood. They are rigines. a pilot. 'I had to fly myself, no-one else wanted to has had to face a far more terri- prepared to sacrifice people for He has helped many of them to education, do it.' ble problem - rich landowners money. accommodation and food. After the development the actual conversion to moving up from the South and John Jobst was born in 1920 as the eldest of 13 Christianity should have followed. But this was 'In the end - we will all suffer destroying the jungle. children. He studied at the gymnasium of the Pal- very difficult. anyway. Only one per cent of the Each day they come closer, and plant and animal species have lottines and entered the noviciate after his matricReasons were polygamy and blood feud. "It is Sena Madureira is set in the last been surveyed - yet a quarter ulation. of very hard to convince these people that our God corner of forest untouched by fire the world's medicines 1939 he had to join the army and spent time in is a god of love', was the explanation of the miscome from and chainsaws. Russia in the medical service. Amazonian plants. There are sionary bishop. His successes are visible: the Since 1968, uncontrolled deforAfter the war he continued his noviciate. 1950 number of Catholics rose from 1250 to 8650 durprobably many more medicinal estation has caused terrible envi- plants he was ordained as a priest. there which could save ing his 37 year activity. ronmental damage, driving l Shortly afterwards John Jobst began his work in ives. Instead millions of biosysFor the last two years. due to the shortage of thousands of people from their Australia. Eight years later he was appointed priests, bishop Jobst has been a great help for the are tems being destroyed. homes. Many have been killed. bishop of Broome. "Our climate around the world diocese in lifrol. Besides helping out in the parish'First they cleared the forest for He believed in missionary activity which served es of Patsch, Igls and Vill he gives lextures about is changing now and will be dracattle pasture,' said Fr Hector. the needs of the local people. 'Missionaries, his experiences in Ausstralia. 'Now they cut the mahogany tree, matically affected if we lose the where they are invited, should not force religion He is writing memooirs and translates a book rainforests. Fifty years ago the which took 500 years to grow. We onto people' was his creed. about the 100-year acitivity of the Pallottines in are the last mahogany outpost. earth had 9,375,000 square miles In the mission station of Balgo he did just that. Australia. When they have finished their of jungle. Today less than 50 per destruction, what is left is a cent remains and half of this is in swamp. Our people are living in the Amazon. To save the jungle is to save the planet. To save the Incredible poverty. ▪In 1500 there were between planet is to save mankind. 'I have lived in Brazil so long I three and five million Indians living in Brazil. Now than are less feel I am a native now myself. than 200,000. In my parish when These people are in my heart,' I arrived there were 50,000 peo- said Fr Hector. Many campaigners have died in ple. Now there are less than 2,000. Paperwork associated with the Office. Direct purchases from was founded in Melbourne in the fight to save the rainforest, We whites have done so much Goods and Services Tax (GS) has church-owned enterprises meant 1890 by two Italian brothers, and harm we should fall on our knees including Nobel prizewinner been blamed for the demise of the buyers escaped filling in quickly spread to most Australian and ask God's forgiveness,' said Chico Mendez, who Fr Hector Perth retailer of Catholic articles, forms. capitals. baptised. Along with the other Pellegrini. Fr Hector. It meant that some long-estabIt remained in the family for Besides destroying the environ- priests at the mission, he has The shop in Hay Street, opposite lished customers who were three generations. ment and wildlife and poisoning received several death threats, but His Majesty's Theatre is having its spending up to $4000 a year The chain has been broken up the rivers, the landowners, who he says he is not afraid to die. closing down sale in preparation dropped out overnight. i n the last 10 years, with shops in Fr Hector is campaigning for the bought huge stretches of land for for closing its doors. 'We went from $4000 to zilch other Australian states now operthe price of a box of matches, are government of Brazil to introduce Kenn 'ffilley, who has been with virtually overnight,' Mr 'Raley ated by their respective archdioexploiting the Indians by forcing laws to protect the rain forest from the retailer for 25 years said the said. cese or by religious orders, Mr them to work for slave wages, Fr further destruction and assign shop lost much of its business He said the public wanting to Hector explained. And western land to the Indians where they from parishes and schools buy religious articles and books - Miley said. In Perth, the Pellegrini family businesses play a large part here can live safely. because it became more conve- particularly books - would suffer. sold about half of its interest in He has called on readers to sup- nient for them to deal directly -buying tropical woods and payThere were two other suppliers ing rock-bottom prices for prod- port his work through prayer and with church-owned enterprises in Perth, but they did not carry the the store in the early 1990s, and a practical help. If you would like to and distributors after the Gsr was same range of books or the quan- group of Perth businessmen comucts such as Brazil nuts. 'If they don't stop, Brazil will get involved, adopt a tree or sign introduced. tity, range and quality of other reli- pleted the take-over a few years have a desert comparable to the a petition which he is sending to ago. Mr 11illey said. Pellegrini was in a position gious articles, Mr 'Riney said. Sahara,' Fr Hector said. He added: the President of Brazil, write to where it had to charge the GST on The shop had been offered to The churches, parishes and 'In the summer, there is so much him at: Paroquia NS da Conce- the goods it sold, and the pur- schools would still access their the Perth Archdiocese, but no smoke from burning trees, the sky icao, 69940-000 Sena Madureira chasers claimed the Gsr charges direct suppliers interstate. agreement could he reached, Mr over Rio Branco is black The air- Acre, Brazil. - CNS back from the Australian Tax The Pellegrini chain of retailers llilley said. , Page 4
Austria gives John Jobst gold medal
Retailer blames goods and services tax for shop closure
25 April, 2002
II Record
How to start a radio station Communities should welcome vocations: Pope MONTREAL (CNS) - All "is not to be considered as just one Catholics must work together to call among many others, because it create holy, prayerful communities is from the ministry of the priest, in which vocations to the priest- acting in the person of Christ, that hood and religious life will be wel- all other vocations develop and are comed and supported, Pope John nourished. Paul II said. Promoting an environment in "The Lord continues to call many which young men accept the call to young men to the priesthood", he the priesthood is "an urgent duty said, "even if in some parts of the among all the people of God," he world that call is not as evident as said. An atmosphere particularly it once was." geared toward helping young peoThe papal message to partici- ple discern their vocations is pants in the April 18-21 Third Con- important, he said. tinental Congress on Vocations to They need "eloquent models who the ordained ministry and conse- can show them the greatness and crated life was released April 19 at sublimity of the ministerial priestthe Vatican. hood, as well as the profound hapThe Pope told participants at the piness of giving oneself to Christ in Montreal gathering that God's call the service of the church." to the priesthood and religious life "Only a Christian community that is heard in communities that are is firmly committed to the way of committed to holiness and recog- holiness, fully determined to affirm nise the primary place of the the primacy of the supernatural, Eucharist in church life. and which recognises in the liturgy "But his voice is often smothered 'the summit and source' of all aposnot only by other calls which unfor- tolic undertaking will be capable of tunately distract the spirit of youth, awakening the desire and joy of but also by ideas on the priesthood offering oneself totally to the Lord and the ordained ministry which and to nurturing the seeds for vocaare not true to the faith and the tra- tions to ordained ministry and con(lition of the church," Pope John secrated life. which Jesus continues Paul wrote. to sow in the hearts of many young "A call to the priesthood," he said. men and women," the Pope said.
ATLANTA tCNS) -- Atlanta-based Avila Radio has released a how-to book and CD combination titled The Mission of Catholic Radio,' which is aimed at helping individuals and groups found and operate Catholic AM or FM radio stations in their local areas. hope that the hook and CD will serve both as a catalyst in the spread of Catholic radio and as a tool to help the reader build virtue in his or her own life,' James Duffy, author of the book and founder of Avila Radio, said in announcing release of the howto materials. 'Our professional consultants work with local volunteers who sacrifice their time and energy to
make Catholic radio a reality,' he added. This book and .CD lust make that reality a little more user friendly. This should be a non-threatening process. We want people to read the book on the train on the way into work, and really understand that founding a Catholic radio station is possible.' Duffy previously oversaw AM and FM feeds of Eternal Word Television Network radio programming to stations on five continents..He said he hopes the book and CD will motivate the reader to take on or help with a project to found Catholic radio in his or her local area. They also are meant to assure the reader they will not have to `go it alone,' he added.
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Richard Buchanan running the dodgem cars gives some driving tips to Lica Vener, 4, and her mum, Beth.
Big crowds again this year at the St Jerome combined parish and school fete demonstrated the continuing public appeal of the event. All the regular features that have proved so popular in the past were featured, along with some newer attractions including fair ground
rides and a concert to supplement the stalls selling fresh food, religious articles, and games for the children. The fete which started after the first Mass continued throughout the day. Organisers said it was a great success and thanked all who attended and contributed.
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Opinion
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Reflection
Conversion stories ••• By Louise McNulty LPs, thenI got more on tapes and CDs," Dhillon said with Starting with St. Paul, and with varying degrees of drama, a laugh. "God was laughing at me - and now I get it." every convert has a story. Several other factors besides his wife's prayers and his But Robin Dhillon, a 43-year-old retired heart surgeon, is love for a song about God led Dhillon to his conversion. not merely turning from one religion to another in enter- Although he and Sharon never talked about faith or reliing the Catholic Church. His faith journey began with gion, when they lived in Spokane, Washington, two of their atheism. children, Kathryn, now 12, and Aleksander, now 9, attendHis Indian parents were Sikhs, followers of a religion ed Catholic school. which combines elements of Hinduism and Islam, but he It had nothing to do with religion, Dhillon explained. was "not brought up with any organised religious back- "Sharon andIhad looked at all the schools in the area and ground: decided St. Thomas More School was the best," he said. "I His father practised medicine in the jungles of Malaysia, was so enthralled with the school that I wanted them to so Dhillon grew up there before moving, at age 12, to become more a part of it, to give them more cohesiveness Idaho. Moving continued to be a pattern in Dhillon's life, instead of being cast adrift without faith in the future." before settling in Medina, Ohio in 1999. So, at Robin's suggestion, all three of the Dhillon chilBy this time he had a wife and three children. Dhillon dren. including Nikolai, then 4, were baptised as Catholics met his wife, Sharon, a nurse, when he was training for in 1999. Another force had been at work in Dhillon's life Robin Mellon, a Catholic convert, with his trusty bible. general surgery at University Hospitals in Cleveland. for a few years, however. In 1996, he was diagnosed as havReuters Sharon was an Irish Catholic whose mother went to Mass ing multiple sclerosis. By 1999 he couldn't feel his fingers, fact that all three priests seemed so very genuine and faithevery day. so he retired from his surgical practice. filled, but a change was awakening in him.1began hearDhillon was "vocal about being an atheist," he said, but Family-oriented he thought his family might need a sup- ing a song in my heart, in my soul," he said. "I couldn't instead of protesting her daughter's marriage to him, his port system, so he and Sharon moved to Medina that sum- make out the music or the words - it was like something mother-in-law told her daughter, "Don't force him, just mer to be closer to her family. in the distance." So he went to talk to the pastor, Father pray for him." And Sharon did. At St. Francis Xavier, Sharon attended Mass with the chil- Mark Hollis, and learned about the Rite of Christian Initi"My atheism was the result of my failure to recognize dren while Robin stayed home. "But somewhere during ation of Adults, which culminated with his baptism this God's presence - not the absence of God," Dhillon said. this time," said Dhillon, "I began to think that we should Easter. And now, he said. "where once I was lost now I He also believes that for years "God was toying with me." present a united front as a family, soIstarted to go to Mass am found ... blind, now I see.I was lost and blind but now A music lover, his favourite song was "Amazing Grace." every week." I see God's glory where I never did." -CNS "I was a hard-core atheist, I wouldn't use a capital letter Dhillon said he's not sure if it was hearing the Gospel • Do you have a story of your own conversion? Write to spell God, but Ihad 14 different versions of the song on week after week, or how the parish welcomed him, or the and tell us about it. Please include a photo if possible
TO JESUS THROUGH MARY 91 column of Marian devotion
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A Layman's meditations
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oday's liturgy reminds us of the important role of the laity in the Church. In today's second reading (1 Peter 2:4-9) St Peter says: "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God." This should remind us of the dignity of the lay vocation, "a royal priesthood", or, if you like, the priesthood of the laity. The ministerial priesthood and the priesthood of the laity are two ways of sharing in the priesthood of Christ. They are different in kind, and only an ordained priest can say Mass and hear Confessions. The reading begins: "The Lord is the living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious to him, set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to god, may be living stones making a spiritual house." A church is a building, but the Church is people. We need to realise that the laity play a vital role in the Church's progress. In the first reading (Acts 6:1-7) we see how the Apostles reacted when there was a complaint by the Hellenists against the Hebrews in the distribution of food their widows were overlooked. Fr Kevin O'Sullivan writes in The Sunday Readings Cycle A, 075: "The infant Christian Church in Jerusalem was growing in numbers daily. The converts were helping one another... Those who had shared with those who had not. "There was a daily distribution of food among the poorer people and this required some organisation as the numbers multiplied. It was because of this that the order of the diaconate was introduced by the Apostles." It should be realised that the deacons whom the Apostles ordained were more like modern lay apostles than modern deacons, although the deacon, St Stephen, did preach. The Apostles explained their decision to appoint deacons saying: "It would not be right to neglect the word of God so as to give out food. You, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom; we will hand over this duty to them, and continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the Page 6
service of the word." that is, preaching. There is an urgent need for lay involvement when there is a shortage of priests, but the fact is that the lay apostolate is our right and duty by virtue of our baptism and confirmation. Priests need to be freed from those tasks which the laity can do as well, so that they can concentrate on prayer, saying Mass, administering the sacraments and preaching. The whole assembly approved of he Apostles' proposal to appoint deacons, "and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nichanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicholaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism." It is significant that all the deacons had Greek names. The deacons were presented to the Apostles who prayed and laid their hands on them. The reading concludes: "The word or the Lord continued to spread: the number of disciples in Jerusalem was greatly increased, and a large group of priests made their submission to the faith." The gospel (John 14:1-12) is taken from Christ's discourse at the last supper in which Christ said: "I am the Way, the Thith and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me." Philip said: "Lord, let us see the father, and then we shall be satisfied." Jesus replied: "To have seen me is to have seen the Father." The Glenstal Bible Missal (p304) comments: "Christ is the Way - the only way to go to The Father, because, as the Truth, he is the full revelation of the Father, and hence the source of living power to enable us to do the Father's will. When we are tempted to echo Rap and say 'Let us see the Father' we must call to mind Jesus' reply: To have seen me is to have seen the Father." Can we truthfully say "To have seen me is to have seen the Father?" God the Father provides for us. Do we help provide food for the hungry? God sent us his Son. Do we try to make Christ known? God has provided us with a home in heaven and has sent his son to provide us with the means of reaching heaven. Do we try to help people reach heaven? If we don't, we aren't living as good priests, Religious or lay people.
entecost furnishes St Luke an apostles], who had already overshadoccasion to highlight once again owed her in the Annunciation" (LC 59). the presence of Mary at the birth The Spirit, descending under the form of the Church. The sacred text lists the of tongues of fire, immediately manieleven apostles who have come togeth- fests a reference to the Word: that er and adds: "They all devoted them- divine Word which the Spirit has the selves single-mindedly to prayer, along mission to recall and to explain, and with some women and the mother of that the apostles have the duty of Jesus and his brothers" (Acts 1:14). preaching. The first success is had with We see at once the prominence given the sermon of St Peter: three thousand to the presence of Mary who, besides at one time and five thousand at anoththe other apostles. is the only person er ask to be baptised.... mentioned by name, with the detail of Perhaps only then did Peter underher glorious qualification as mother of stand the significance of Jesus' words: the Lord. "From now on you will be fishers of Not many days earlier an important men." to him, a fisherman who was event had taken place, in which cer- overwhelmed when in a single net he tainly the persons just mentioned took had captured 153 fish. Now it is the part, even if this is not said so express- Church that initiates its journey with an ly: the ascension of Jesus into heaven. initial explosion that recalls the propheIt is an important and joyous episode. cy of Isaiah: "Can a country be brought Along with the resurrection, the glorifi- forth in one day, or a nation be born in cation of the human body of Christ and a single instant? Rejoice with Jerusalem the entrance of his human nature into and he glad" (Is 66:8). Mary is a memhis glory (as Jesus himself tells it in ber and the mother of this new people. speaking to his disciples on the road to We are brought to reflect, too, on what Emmaus) is emphasised. fruits this new effusion of the Holy SpirWith the ascension the humanity of it might have brought to Mary. Christ also acquires that power of inter Ills easy to suppose that, besides an cession that he uses at once to send the increase in union with God and of Spirit and continues to use always in peace, the Virgin might have had still our favour. Before ascending into heav- greater light for understanding the en, Jesus gives his last instructions to words and the life of her son. his own: "Do not leave Jerusalem until These same episodes that had caused you have been baptised by the Holy her to marvel or which she did not Spirit." From the Holy Spirit they would understand, will have become ever receive the strength to be his witness- dearer to her. es in Jerusalem and in all Judea and It is true, the Spirit had already Samaria, even to the ends of the earth. descended on her several times with We can imagine the joy that Mary her- specific effects: to suggest to her a life self experienced assisting at the ascen- of total virginity; to overshadow her and sion of her son to the Father, the prelude cause her son to be conceived; to watch of that moment when she, too, would over and sustain her in the various be taken up in a definitive way, with no stages of her life; above all to illuminate more separation. In the meantime, in her at the foot of the cross. obedience to her son, she prays, invokIt is easy to think that the new effuing the descent of the Holy Spirit. Her sion of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, presence is precious, expressly other than to enlighten her ever more affirmed, because it is the beginning of on the life of her son, would have given that presence and assistance that Mary her a profusion of the graces necessary will never cease to have in favour of the for the fulfilment of her new mission as Church and each one of its children. our mother and mother of the Church. It is pleasant to think of her in this It is useful to reflect on this detail: the way as she is described in this final Holy Spirit can be received many times, mention which the New Testament Indeed without limit, with a growing makes of her. present and in an attitude increase of fruits. He descends on us in of prayer. For this reason we never tire baptism; with even greater strength at of invoking her help: "Pray for us, sin- our Confirmation; and then all the times that we invoke him, because the ners...." The Second Vatican Council empha- Lord has said: "The Father will give the sises the role of Mary at Pentecost, to Holy Spirit to those who ask him for it" implore "the gift of the Spirit [on the (Lk 11:13).
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Views of a very young reader
The Record
ery small children seldom read newspapers or magazines. It is just as well. The experience would be depressing for them and could lead them to believe that they are not really welcome PO Box 75, Leedeiville, WA 6902 in this society. Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax: (08) 9227 7087 Adults seem to be able to observe with cathrec@iinetnet.au equanimity the distorted view of young children expressed in our laws, our institutions and the attitudes promulgated by that he cannot still make the most of his from the fact that quite a few people go to the media, but it is hard to imagine young life, but even so he would be deeply con- a lot of trouble to get treatment to help children having the same reaction. cerned by the well-researched reports them have babies. Surely that must mean To them, the messages in our newspa- which reveal that this process of family something. It is a pity though that they let pers and magazines would be an almost breakdown is not good for his young the nice doctors make up to a dozen endless reinforcement of the idea that friends or their parents or their grandpar- babies and don't give most of them any small children are not welcome, have no ents. chance of living a full human life. rights, and are a burden to be avoided at The young reader might even begin to And now the doctors are getting even many costs. wonder whether the combined effects of smarter they are able to test the tiny litLooked at from their perspective, the rust these two factors might be a limiting fac- tle humans and carefully choose one of obstacle is a massive chemical barrier tor in his range of relatives, friends, and them for a chance at full development. designed to ensure that they do not appear potential life partners. Sadly, the choice is not made for the sake at all. The barrier is erected behind a phiAt about this point, just as he was decid- of the child and all of his human potenlosophy that says the way to make good ing that society had expressed as much tial, but because he might possibly be of marriages and build strong families is to antipathy as was likely towards his kind, use to someone else. drug women every day. Like all drug- the young readers would come upon the The mentally, spiritually and morally based philosophies, it does not work, and news that society actually kills at least one battered and bemused young reader turns in the first 20 years of its widespread use in every four of the babies who manage the page to discover that now that the docwe quadrupled our divorce rate. to make it into the womb. Well, society tors have "created" all these "surplus" Therefore, the second view from the doesn't actually kill them. It just allows the young lives, the Prime Minister and all small child's perspective is that they are killing and funds it, so the parents won't the State Premiers have agreed that they becoming increasingly fortunate if they be out of pocket and the doctors can should be allowed to play medical games have two parents to share their home and become rich. That's a consolation? with them. These games will be fatal for their life with. About one-third of them do If our reader is a very young West Aus- the very young lives, but they might, just not. Our society has ruled, in most solemn tralian, he would know this means we possibly, many years from now, lead to session of Federal Parliament, that mar- deliberately kill more than 8000 babies a something which could be helpful to riage and parenthood are such insignif- year, a number so large it means that we someone else and possibly even make icant relationships that anyone can walk are not able to sustain our population and some people rich. Oh. goody! And then there are those who say they out of them without penalty, social stigma, have to rely on migration to prevent our or impediment to repeating the behaviour society collapsing. But, it seems, migrants are desperate to have a baby, but are a number of times. aren't very welcome, either, a conundrum equally desperate to ensure that the baby The optimistic very young child would too opaque even for a very clever young will have absolutely no chance of ever knowing his father or ever growing up in be able to insist to himself that this does reader. not mean his parents do not love him or There is encouragement to be drawn a family where he could learn the joys of
the wonderful love of a man and a woman and learn the joys of knowing their complementary blessings to him. This time the Prime Minister says he wants to give the State Premiers the power to stop this sort of self-centred baby-making, but the Premiers are saying they don't want it. The Courts seem to think that single and lesbian women should have this 'right' because of equal opportunity even though it is clear that they would be depriving the children of an equal opportunity to grow and develop in a fully natural family. The very young reader might be depressed to find that his friends' rights can be so easily disregarded. Just before abandoning the pile of newspapers and magazines he notices that reports are flowing in of 'older women' really wanting to have a baby, but this, too, is small consolation because it turns out that it is their 'biological clock' compelling them to do what they haven't wanted to in their lives so far, or they are scared they might be missing out on an interesting experience. This sort of reading is likely to drive a very young reader to abandon the media and open the Bible because there, hundreds and hundreds of times, God himself. his prophets and other teachers refer to children as a blessing ... always as a blessing, and not just an ordinary blessing, but a blessing from God, made in His image and likeness, carved in the palm of his hand. That's more like it, sighs the very young reader. Is anyone who is supposed to be running the shop listening?
Great love and respect
with a joy-filled generous heart, will overflow in goodness and blessings to all of us. It is like a rare perfume distilled drop by precious drop from life's experiences and God's mysterious action. There is a wisdom there that is not found elsewhere; its fragrance touches all of us if we are willing and open to receive. Yes, for me the Priesthood has been and is a great source of strength, joy, help and comfort. Truly a blessing from our God of love so often expressed by these men through their own pain and suffering. as St Paul says. "Like gold tried in the crucible". God will always lead us through, not by trying to skirt around our problem but by 'going through'. It is in the going through that we learn to open our hearts more and more to Him and His gifts. At such times as these in my life.Ihave received support. help and direction by Priests who have walked with me. All those who do their best to live life according to God's law and in loving service of others through their ministry will receive from Him all that is necessary. May we the ordinary people of God give them all the support, love and help that we can. We are forever in their debt. Lastly. for those young men pondering their future path in life in close union with Him, yes, go forward with great love and trust in Him. As you travel life's turbulent road, cling ever more tightly to Him who will in His own way and time provide and produce in you all those precious gifts your heart desires to be used in adoration of Him and in loving-service of others. From the depth of my beingI say a humble but very sincere THANK YOU to borrow St Paul's words. Monica Baczynski Beaconsfield
Aroun4 the +4317(e
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read today the story of Mary Pandillo AOM in your record in the article titled
" The Last Word". It's sad to find a true story of someone like Mary relegated to the back page, but I know that only stories of disasters and violence, as well as the latest in the dreadful saga of what they want to Letters to the editor do with unborn babies in the name of science and humanity can be on the front page. Mary's story I read with great love and respect for a ladyI didn't know but should have at least read about for my own benefit and as a shining example of what we all ders. From what? An invading army? Oh birth." The Church should not tolerate the could be with a love of God and ourselves. yes, an invading army alright! Only not one "IVF laws around Australia", which are funNot only did she help her people but armed with rifles and machine guns. It is damentally flawed and have lead to damspent hours generously giving us through an army armed with begging bowls! aging consequences for civil society. The the museum and others, great knowledge Machine guns we could handle. Begging Church (which includes all, from Bishops of her people. their life and food of the bowls, we cannot cope with. to laity) should mobilise its battalions and bushland, and the way they believe and What blind and pathetic people we are, with the utmost vigour, oppose the existing have done so down through the ages. myself included, to allow ourselves to be IVF laws. It's sad that this article is only based on duped by such obvious politicking by the To use the word "tolerate" can imply that notes taken by a priest and the missionar- present Government, to ensure they would the Church should meekly permit or ies and not recorded in book form in be re-elected by playing on our fears. They endure or not judge harshly the decisions libraries and schools. It isn't important to did it well didn't they! The silly part about of legislatures, even when they are intrinbe a faithful, loving person to us. it's only all this is it is costing us a fortune! sically wrong, as they are in this matter. important to blow people up and have We have to wake up to ourselves! We are Brian A Peachey power no matter the cost. adding to an already disastrous situation Woodlands Why is it so important to interfere with for lost and homeless people. We have to life in the name of science and progress.? be responsible for what we do. Burying our Ihope to improve myself through reading heads in the sand and hoping it will all go / n January this year I had the joy-filled about Mary Pandillo andIhope others will away is getting us nowhere. Do we as a privilege of attending a function to celdo the same, read about her and grow. lost Are we so compassion? have no nation ebrate the 50th anniversary of Fr Pat Ialso have read another example of a fine In our greed and selfishness that there is Ordination to the PriestCunningham's dedicated Aboriginal lady called Ella Syms no room in our hearts for the broken in our called "Through My Eyes". world? What we fail to see is that it is we hood. This caused me to ponder on the PriestThank you to the Record for Mary's story. who are lost. By finding a home for the hood in connection with my life. As far homeless, we ourselves will come home. I wish we could have more. back asIcan remember those 'Men of God' M Bedford Fran Ellyard were always there for me. Ballajura Redcliffe Those 'Men of God' are still there trying to live their lives as Jesus did in obedience to our Father's will and in laying down Shame! Shame! Shame! Anyone with s a member of the Church I most their lives in loving service of others. the courage to watch Four Corners When I was about 11 years old, I first certainly will not tolerate "the Prime program on TV on April 15, could Minister's position (on -embryotic came in contact with The Nuns' who were not help but feel deep shame at being an stem cell research) since this is the sole and still are a source of inspiration for me. Australian. I never thought the day would means of restricting the evil outcome of an Goodness shone out of their faces. come when I would hang my head in essentially immoral decision." (Heading However, I am deviating from my ponshame because I was Australian. We down the slippery slope, Record 18 April) dering which was on the Priesthood. should hang the flag at half-mast because Any life that is truly God centred and I view the position adopted by the Prime we have lost our humanity. Minister as a betrayal of principle by him lived in loving service of others, will by We who pride ourselves on a fair go for andI will continue to vigorously oppose it God's mysterious action produce fruit that all don't know what we do. I felt sorry for in every way possible. will last in which we all share. our Navy personnel. They are being asked It reminds me of Celibacy which I think I also believe that the Church must not to do a job they were not trained to do. "tolerate the creation of embryos for the is The Pearl of Great Price'. Once again if They are being asked to protect our bor- purpose of implantation and eventual lived with great trust in him, and offered
Joyous privilege
Not a fair go
No to tolerance
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• The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth.
Renounce claim?
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believe an opportunity exists for Christianity, Catholics in particular, to demonstrate to all the world the fullness of Christian love for peace and sacrifice by offering an official renunciation of special claims to the holy land. Worldwide, Christians could accommodate any genuine refugees from the Holy Lands. A correspondent in your issue April 4 thinks or expects to UN should go into Palestine and presumably, Israel to restore peace; a dim hope I'm afraid. Will, or can, Christianity rise to such or similar action? Peter Bertola Esperance Page 7
The Austra
A is Iv Or* ',#•• 44 te
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The cost of
divorce
BARRY MA111' is author of Family and Marriage In Australia, ,1TI I T by the Centre for Independent Studies. :1+latest work is looking at the fertility rate in Australia and the reasons behind s continuing decline. H[Lipok to The Record when he was in Perth recently as a guest of 'The Australian Family Association (WA)... quences but why should they involve their children?" "There should be more consciousness of n his book. "Family and Marriage in Australia", Barry Maley outlines the what divorce means for children. I think alarming social costs of society's that malcing more people aware of what the consequences are for children who are destruction of the family unit. Published by the Centre for Independent not reared in a stable two-parent houseStudies, the book is baciced up by strong hold will is : a difference." Maley argues that the effects of divorce statistical evidence that argues Australian society is in a state of crisis that needs to and cohabitation have led, inextric.ably, to more nd more children being reared in S . acted on inunediately. aII Arguing from a secular point of view, one parent families. The current situation in Australia is that Maley shows how increased violence in about 28 per cent of children are reared in otu. society can be directly related to the rising divorce rates and the erosion of mar- situations where one of the natural parents riage as a permanent exclusive bond is absent - which, translates to 1.3 million children. And the parent who is absent in between a man and a woman. 90 per cent of cases is the father. Despite this, Maley says there has been a "We have over one million children growresounding silence from politicians in relaing up in homes without a father and we tion to the book's findings. are seeing the consequences of that in He was in Perth last week as a guest of problems in schools and school violence, the Australian Family Msociation (VVA), In delinciuency and petty crime and more which has called for a national inquiry into serious criminality," Maley said. the status of marriage. "Juvenile assault rates have sky-rocketed Maley, told The Record, that unless politi- in the last 20 years. And we can see a lot cians are convinced there is a strong pub- of that sky-rocketing immediately related lic movement that wants the status of the to what has been happening in the Ausfamily re-evaluated, politicians are likely to tralian family." continue to ignore the issue. Maley said that over the last ten years a "Happily married couples don't think that large amount of evidence has been accut y need to and the public in general is mulated in Australia and overseas that not Ih. likely to think very much about what shows that the family in which the parents happens to the children of divorce Maley are married is by and large the best situasaid. tion for children on average. "These days marriage is seen as a "When you use the words "on average" pensable relationship with no conse- you tend to exclude a lot of non-traditionquences, but my point is that there are al families that will in fact rear their chilprofound consequences when children are dren quite well," he said. involved. "But there is no question that, on average, "Adults can live with their own conse- the married couple - the two natural parBy Bronwen Clune
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ents of the children - is the best environment for children." He cites the fact that rates of abuse, neglect and even death are highest amongst young children in families where a parent is absent - and that is usually the father. At the present time in Australia about 30 per cent of children are born to tuunarried mothers. But with divorce so much a part
We have over one million children growing up in homes without a father and we are seeing the consequences of that ... of modern day marriage is there any way of restoring the idea of mar-riage as a lifetime conunitrnent? Yes, says Maley. "There are two things we have to do - we must strengthen marriage, and we must bring justice to divorce - I think the law courts are very unjust at the present time," he said. "I am not suggesting that people can't get divorced, but one thing that I am suggesting is that divorce should be fair to both parties.
"I don't think it's right that if a man walks out and deserts his wife to go and live with another woman and is away for a year that's the end of the marriage. "Nevertheless, all the property is equally split, the wife has no rights to alimony - that used to be the case. A deserted mother could expect to get alimony and a more favourable property settlement under the old divorce laws pre-1975." Prior to 1975 maffied couples couldn't get a divorce unless one spouse proved serious misconduct against another. This also meant that if serious misconduct was proven there might be mpensation for the aggrieved spouse, a po coint that Maley says, was an incentive to conduct youmelf more responsibly. "I am not suggesting that we reintroduce serious misconduct as a condition for getting a divorce," he said. "But I do think that when a maffiage is being wound up by the court it should be open to either spouse to bring a charge of misconduct if they want to. "They don't have to, but if they want to it's in their own interests that they should do so. He said the courts should hear that charge of misconduct and if it can be proven and the affected spouse should, ipso facto, have some rights to favourable divorce settlement. "I think that would improve conduct in marriage and tend to reduce divorce in marriage. And secondly it will encourage greater investment in marriage; if you think you will lose an investment you are more likely to make the most of it"
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our vanishing children
degree as those who want to stay at home - but Iput the focus on what is due to the child not what is due to the mother and father." ike many other western countries Australia is For very poor families with no taxable income, facing the problem of a declining birth rate. instead of a tax break. Maley believes they should About 2.1 children are needed to keep the receive a tax allowance. pIIulation at a steady rate - with the current rate at "You must put exactly the same value, in one way about 1.75 children per woman. or another, on every child irrespective of the family Fertility is complex issue and there is no simple income. That is just fair in the extra costs of rearing answer as to why fertility is falling in many countries, children." says Barry Maley, author of "Family and Marriage in But on top of the costs of rearing children the instaAustralia". bility of marriage is also contributing to declining But. I if the main factors contributing to the phe- birth rates. nomenon in Australia are the increasing costs of having children and instability in maffiage. Maley says that relative to incomes thirty years ago • the rate of taxation is much higher and therefore the costs of having children have increased over time. "In order to retain family incomes at relalively high levels it is becoming necessary for women to go back to work he said. "If they go to work it makes having children more difficult there are child care costs and all those factors to take into account. " Not only that but we now have high expectations, of education in offler for children to do well in the mII.rn workl. " "Both women and men are reluctant to have chilHe says women who choose to have children these days are often giving up a lot more than used th be dren in the present matrimonial envircaunent," said Maley. the case. "Divorce is much more common and the risk of "Women in general are giving up relatively higher salaries so that in effect raises the costs of children families breaking down is much greater." too - it's what economists call opportunity costs - the In this climate men worry about losing their chilcost of an opportunity you forgo." dren and women wony about being left to rear them Thirty years ago the family was treated quite gen- on their own, says Maley. erously by the tamtion system and importantly that "Divorce when there are children involved is a generous treatment was universal, irrespective of source of great angst so that there is a notion at the that family's income. backs of the heads of married couples," he said. In the sevenlies middle income families lost a lot of -This is particularly true for the mother who has their concessions and the Welfare Act was born, given up work to rear the children and has lost her which moved concessions from middle-income fam- slcills. Those women are worse off on average, after es to lower income families. a divorce than they were when they were maffied. One logical line of attack then, says Maley, is to Now as that recognition becomes widespread then restore a lot of those concessions that families used people become more reluctant to have children. to get, in order to relieve some of the financial bur"It might be said that a lot of people don't think ii den of having children. about things beforehand, but I think it is becoming "There are many women now who work when they the background atmosphere of maffiage that people would have preferred to stay at home when their chil- are deeply aware of." dren were young," Maley said. With no change to the current fertility rates in sight, "If we make it more affordable for them to stay at S oliticians might best heed Maley's advice, before home, then that will enlarge their range of choice. even more children "vanish". "I think it would be fair and it wouldn't disadvan• One couple making their contribution is our tage any women no matter what their choice. tor Peter Rosengren and his wife Monica who have "Those who want to work will benefit to the same just had their first baby - Benedict fames Bin Chien. By Bronwen Clune
L
One logical line of attack then, says Maley, is to restore a lot of those concessions that families used to get, in order to relieve some of the financial burdeli of having children.
The Facts According to the United Nations. the world average total fertility rate for 1995-2000 stands at 2.7 babies per woman, declining from the relatively constant five births per woman that e3dsted until the late 1960s and early 1970s. However, total fertility rates for individual countries vary remarkably. There are many factors that can influence a country's fertility rate, such as differences in social and economic development and the prevalence of contraceptives. In general, developing countries have higher fertility rates while developed countries usually have lower rates. Australia's total fertility rate for 1999. of 1.75 babies per woman, is one of the lowest in the world and well below the world's average. Compared to other developed countries, Australia's total fertility rate is among those of the middle ranIced nations. According to the United Nations' estimated average total fertility rates for 1995-2000. Italy and Spain have the lowest total fertility rate (1.2) followed by Germany and Hong Kong (1.3). In contrast, the Middle Eastern and African countries have relatively high fert ty rates, with Yemen (Z6) and Somalia (Z3) the highest. Over the past fifty years the total fertility rate has declined for most countries. Asian countries have shown the largest declines, Singapore declined at an annual average rate of 2.9% per annum, China by 2.7% and Viet Nam by 1.9% between 1950-1955 and 1995-2000. Source. The Australian Bureau of Statistics
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Elderly
25 April, 2002
Record 111
ords of
with Tony Evans
R
eligious faith. although cruelly suppressed in Hitler's Germany during the war, survived amongst the ordinary people. Doubtless there were many saints leading heroic lives under the Nazi tyranny. How many of the German officers close to Hitler practised their faith is another question. Certainly we know of one, the heroic but tragic figure of General Henning von nesckow, one of the ill-fated conspirators who Joined the failed attempt to assassinate Hitler In July 1944. Hitler exacted a terrible retribution. Von'll'esck.ow's last words are a testimony to his great faith and have a sombre message for us more comfortable Catholics today: "In a few hours time I shall stand before God and answer for both my actions and the thingsI neglected to do. I think I can with a clear conscience stand by all I have done in the battle against Hitler. Just as God once promised Abraham that he would spare Sodom if only ten Just men could he found in the city. I also have reason to hope that, for our sake, He will not destroy Germany. No one among us can complain about his death, for whoever Joined our ranks put on the poisoned shirt of Nessus. A man's moral worth is established only at the point where he is prepared to give his life for his convictions."
Nobel winner for pontifical academy
An elderly man walks in late February along the traditional route that marks Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The Palm Sunday pilgrimage walk, normally packed with visitors at that time of the year, was virtually vacant. Ongoing violence in the Mideast kept most visitors away. Palm Sunday is celebrated March 24 this year.
V
By John Norton
ATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope John Paul II said families and societies must do more to make older persons feel appreciated, not simply burdens because of the frailties and infirmities brought by aging. In a message to a U.N.-sponsored Second World Assembly on Aging, hosted April 8-12 in Madrid, Spain. the 81-year-old pontiff said modern societies too often measured a person's worth solely by their "youth. efficiency, physical vitality and full health." "Experience teaches," he said, that in such situations "it is easy for the older person to be relegated to a solitude comparable to real social death." The Pope's letter, addressed to Spain's prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, was released at the Vatican April 10. The Pope called for greater contact and exchange between the generations, saying the elderly could offer young people their experience, knowledge and wisdom. "The elderly should not be con-
Pope John Paul II named Dr. Gunter Blobel, a Nobel Prizewinning U.S. cell biologist, to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Blobel, 65, john D. Rockefeller Jr. Professor at The Rockefeller University in New York City, is known for pioneering studies on how proteins are distributed within cells, a process that has a bearing on diseases like cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's and AIDS.Other papal appointees included a Belgian geneticist, a French astrophysicist and an Italian philosopher. German-born Blobel earned a medical degree from Germany's llibingen University and moved to the United States in the 1960s, where he earned a doctorate at sidered as a burden for societ , the University of Wisconsin. He began teaching at The Rock- but as a resource that can conefeller University in 1969 and was tribute to its welfare," he said. "Does not the older person's selfmade a researcher for the ,Howard Hughes Medical Institute esteem depend in large part on the attention he receives from in 1986. In 1999 Blobel was awarded the family and society?" he said. Formation programs should Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering that proteins make a point of preparing people carry signals that act like ZIP for old age, he said, helping them codes, helping them find their cor- "to adapt to the changes, which rect location within the 1 billion increase in rapidity, in their way protein molecules inside a single of life and work." The Pope's representative at the cell. - John Norton, CNS
"The elderly should not be considered as a burden for Nancy Kollman, right, director of nursing at the Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids, Minn., introduces St John's student Brian Wavinak to resident Clara Franke in the Alzheimer's unit Wavinak spent the night at the facilsociety but as ityUniversity to learn about geriatric issues and care as part of his college course work a resource that meeting, Archbishop Javier tivity, the elderly "face the danger many as 2 billion by the year 2050. can contribute Lozano Barragan, president of the of considering themselves as not By 2030, he said, 71 percent of Pontifical Council for Health Care being useful. the world's elderly would be in to its welfare" Workers, told participants, "Older "But their mere presence must developing countries.
, ppm, 10
Photo CNS Donne Towaish;
people must be seen as one of prove that the economic aspect is society's treasures." neither the sole nor the most In an April 8 speech, Archbish- important value." "Their lives op Lozano proposed a multipoint must converge in intergeneraaction plan for the elderly that Ilona' relationships, putting at the included calls for improved con- disposition of all people the treatact and experience-sharing sures of their time, their abilities between generations, greater and experiences, in order to show involvement of the elderly in deci- authentic values in contrast to sion making in families and soci- mere appearances," he said. Archbishop Lozano cited figures eties, and older people's guaranteed access to basic social that there are 600 million people over the age of 60 in the world services, including health care. The archbishop said that in the and said estimates show the numpresent culture of global produc- ber of elderly may increase to as
"Although it's better to grow old in one's own family, we find an increasing number of abandoned old persons," he said. Especially in situations of migration and displacement of peoples, "too many older people are left alone or are forced to take up responsibility of caring for children abandoned or separated from parents and homes," he said. Archbishop Lozano said the Catholic Church ran at least 13,200 hospices worldwide for the elderly.
News
25 April, 2002
Faith hel ed healin2 for abuse victim she came to forgive him. "When you forgive somebody CLEVELAND (CNS) - It took and if that person doesn't know nearly two decades, but finally you've forgiven him,I don't know last summer Sandra told her if you've really forgiven him." she abuser she had forgiven him. It said. The prison meeting was was another milestone on her long, she recalled. She came away journey toward healing. understanding the difficulties the Today, Sandra, 29, is hoping her resigned priest was facing as well. long quest for inner peace can "I think meeting him and talking help other victims of child sexual to him as an adult showed me too abuse face the heartache and that maybe there are things we come to find healing. do to help priests," she said. can Sandra, not her real name, met Sandra's journey toward healwith Martin Louis, a former priest, last July at the Grafton Correc- ing continues. It is one based on tional Institution, where he is regular prayer and devotion to the serving a 5- to 25-year sentence Blessed Mother. Her path has also led to Cleveafter pleading guilty in 1992 to one count of rape in Cuyahoga land Bishop Anthony M. Pilla. Sandra said she called his office County Common Pleas Court. she had long ago before Palm Sunday to offer her Sandra said forgiven Louis In her heart. But assistance to other victims. They upon returning to the Cleveland met on March 25.1 told him, 'Use area with her husband two years me (to help others),'" she said. Bishop Pilla later asked her to ago, she said she wanted to tell her abuser personally about how participate in the foot-washing By Dennis Sadowski
ceremony on Holy Thursday at years. She stopped going to Mass. healing process because there's the Cathedral of St. John the Evan- Even so, her father would bring no answer to the why. In the last gelist. The symbolic act of service home Communion and kept couple of years I came to realize became an act of healing for San- encouraging her not to forget I'll never know why." dra's family as well, she said. about the church. "He kept sayToday, as a program manager It was Sandra's family that urged ing, 'This isn't God, it's just one and counselor specializing in her to stay in touch with God, even person.'" marriage and family issues, Sanwhen she was questioning her Despite her anger, Sandra kept dra has the opportunity to draw faith as a teen-ager in the years returning to her Catholic roots. from her experience to help emofollowing the incidents of abuse, She credits her husband of seven tionally wounded people return which occurred between the ages years and her parents for keeping to wholeness. By talking about her experience publicly, she is hoping of 8 and 11. Martin was assigned her in touch with God. to St. Felicitas Church in Euclid at "I think faith is a journey," she others will come to the serenity the time. said. "Sometimes you get off the she now experiences. "Everybody's journey is differ"In high school I was really road and get back on. As a child. angry.I felt abandoned.I felt lost," I was in love with God. My faith ent. We have different challenges she said. But even during those was on fire. IfIwasn't, (God) prob- and crosses. You just have to keep years, a time Sandra describes as ably wouldn't gotten as close to going back to God and I really the lowest in her life, she would me. No matter how low I was, it believe it'll be taken from you. "It is so much nicer to be filled show up at the Our Lady of Lour- was whenI was on my kneesI felt with peace and love than anger des Shrine on Euclid Avenue to the love of God." For years Sandra kept asking and sadness," she added. pray. I would be there all hours Sandra said she is open to visitpraying," she said. "The nuns why the incidents of abuse occurred. Eventually she stopped ing Louis at Grafton again. When, there would watch over me." Sandra said she "doubted and asking the question. "Letting go of she does not know. "I guessIkeep questioned God" during those the why was a huge part of the telling God I'm open, I'm ready."
• Polish Bishop denied re-entry to Russia commitments assumed by the Russian authorities" in international accords on MOSCOW (CNS) - The bishop of the religious freedom. "It is hoped," the spokesman said. "that Catholic Church's largest diocese in terms of geographic size has been denied entry Bishop Mazur can return soon to his faithto Russia and was forced to return to War- ful in eastern Siberia," a 4-million-squaremile diocese that stretches from the saw, Poland. the Arctic Circle. Bishop Jerzy Mazur of the Diocese of St. Chinese border to 48, has worked in the forMazur, Bishop Joseph in Irkutsk. Russia, flew from Warmer Soviet Union since 1992. saw to Moscow's main international airIn Irkutsk on April 21, about 170 Russian port on April 19, presented his valid Orthodox believers demonstrated in front multi-entry visa and was told by members of the city's new Catholic cathedral of the Border Guard Service that he was on demanding that the Vatican rescind its Feba list of people to be denied entry, he said. ruary decision to upgrade four apostolic "I asked. 'What happened?' but they had administrations to dioceses. no explanation." said Bishop Mazur. a Pol"They were carrying placards with sloish citizen. gans against the Holy Father, against the An official from the Polish Embassy in Catholic Church and against Catholic Moscow went to the airport and was told believers," Father Jozef Weclawik, diocesan by the Border Guard Service that Bishop chancellor, said in a telephone interview Mazur was being kept out of Russia in from Irkutsk. Father Weclawik said the accordance with a decision by "higher Orthodox demonstration had been orgaauthorities." the bishop said in an April 21 nized well before Bishop Mazur was telephone interview from Poland. denied entry, and he said he did not see a 1am asking myself, 'What happened? connection. Photo. CNS/Bob Roller Why?' I still don't have any answer," said During the Orthodox protest, Father Polish-born Bishop Jerzy Mazur who has been denied entry into Russia. the bishop. "As a bishop, I was preaching Weclawik said about 500 parishioners been working in Russia for 13 years was the Gospel.I was doing nothing against the attended a Mass that was "very serious, bishops in Russia are foreigners. stripped of his Russian visa without explabanned was education seminary nothCatholic politics, with nothing Constitution, very quiet" in tone. The larger-than-usual ing." congregation prayed for Bishop Mazur's in Russia until the 1991 breakup of the nation when he arrived from Milan, Italy, at the same Moscow airport where Bishop Soviet Union. At the Vatican on April 20, spokesman return, he said. Russian officials long have used visa Mazur was denied entry. Joaquin Navarro-Valls condemned the "This is a great tragedy, a great drama for The priest. Father Stefano Capri°, left bishop's expulsion. us," he said. "We waited so long for priests, requirements for foreign clergy to make He said the pope's diplomat in Moscow for the return of the church, and now they the work of the Catholic Church - and other behind two parishes outside Moscow and is currently in Milan, trying to win the right minority faiths - more difficult. and officials at the Vatican's Secretariat of must leave." to return. Observers inside and outside the tried have Russia in priests foreign Some explaan Diocese requested the Russia, State had immediately As is true throughout nation from their Russian counterparts and of St. Joseph is heavily dependent on for- to get around the problem by adopting Catholic Church in Russia have little doubt asked that the bishop's visa be returned to eign clergy to serve its estimated 50,000 Russian citizenship or getting resident per- that Father Caprio and Bishop Mazur's visa baptized Catholics. Of 47 priests, two are mits, but have had limited success with woes stem from the furious reaction of the him. Navarro-Valls said the bishop's expulsion Russian citizens, and out of 49 nuns, only local bureaucrats, who sometimes suggest politically powerful Russian Orthodox Church to the Vatican's creation of dioceso soon after the expulsion of an Italian six are Russians, Father Weclawik said. they find a Russian spouse. has who ses for Russia. priest Italian an April, in Earlier priest 'represents a grave violation of the Including Bishop Mazur, two of the four By Frank Brown
Sr Enrica lived a life of dedication and faith Salesian Sister, Enrica Van Dyke, died in a tragic accident in Western Victoria on April 5. A formator of novices, she and two sisters were spending a few days on vacation In the Grampian Mountains. Before returning to the Convent in Melbourne, they planned to climb Elephant's Hide, a mountain of moderate height but with a vast expanse of sandstone rock face. It is steep in places but nevertheless popular with the local visitors. On their way down, Sr Enrica slipped, lost her foothold and tumbled 50 metres down the rock slope of the mountain. Because she was found unconscious and in a critical condition in an inaccessible part of the mountain, Sate Emergency Ser-
vice workers called in an air ambulance which winched her from the scene and conveyed her 200km to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. A few hours after arrival she died from severe head and internal Injuries. Throughout her 40 years of Religious life Sr Enrica was imbued with the spirit of St John bosco and St Mary Mazzarello, the foundress of the Congregation to which she belonged. After the two years of her novitiate at Casanova, near Becchi in Northern Italy, the birthplace of Don Bosco, she returned to Australia. The next 20 years were spent in dedicated service to the Church, in he field of education, as a teacher and a principal
within the context of parish life. She worked closely with staff in an affable and professional way. She was a fine Salesian educator bringing forth the best in young people and reaching out to those most in need. In 1985-86 she attended a course in Religious Formation at the Institute of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy. From that time on she became a religious formator of novices and postulants. In 1992 she was elected provincial of the Salesian Sister of Australia and Samoa and derved in that position until 1998. On several later occasions she visited Europe again. Participating in General Chapters of the Congregation and other
administrative reasons. This gave her an opportunity to visit places notable in the lives of St John Bosco and St Maria Mazzarello as well as her country of birth, the Netherlands. Sr Enrica came from a large family in Horsham. Western Victoria. One of her brothers, Anthony, is a member of the Dominican community at Woodlands WA. Throughout her life, she endeared herself to many, especially the young, the elderly and those in need. The Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Anne's. Church, Sunbury, followed by the burial in the Salesian Seminary at Rupertswood College on Saturday April 13. RIP Page 11
25 April 2002
The World in brief
Decision criticised WASHINGTON (CNS) -Church leaders and family advocates criticised the Supreme Court's decision April 16 to overturn parts of a federal law meant to restrict the computer-generated appearance of minors in sexually explicit situations in films. 'I'm deeply disappointed the high court sided with paedophiles over children,' said an April 16 statement by Rep. Mark Foley, co-chairman of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus. `This decision has set back years of work on behalf of the most innocent of Americans,' Foley added. The court, in a 6-3 vote, struck down parts of the Child Pornography Prevention Act of 1996. The law had applied to 'any visual depiction' that Is, or appears to be, of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.' The law also had made it a crime to advertise or promote material "in such a manner that conveys the impression' that it is real child pornography. The law defined minors as those younger than 18.
Sex abuse summit
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican-U.S. summit on clerical sex abuse will bring together two very different views of law and supervisory responsibility, said U.S. Cardinal j. Francis Stafford. On one side is the U.S. experience of a legal system that has established broad liability for supervisory oversight, as seen in the many lawsuits that have held superiors and institutions responsible for the actions of individuals. But much of the rest of the world uses a legal system that recognises a narrower margin of accountability by supervisors. Cardinal Stafford said in an interview April 18. In these countries. there is less of a tendency to trace responsibility to higher levels. 'We have here two points of view that really have to come to an understanding with each other,* said Cardinal Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and former archbishop of Denver.
Fraud victims
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) -The Archdiocese of Nairobi has fallen victim to an international fraud syndicate that swindled Kenyans of at least $12.5 million. Nairobi Archbishop Raphael Ndingi Mwana'a Nzeki said a cheque meant for the archdiocese was stolen from the mail system and cashed by racketeers. Although the amount involved was relatively small, about $1,000, it underlined the extent of a racket in which people and big-name schools and companies repeatedly have been swindled out of their money. In an April 13 report, the Nation, Kenya's leading daily, said detectives who unearthed the racket in midApril found 300 cheques worth $120,000, hundreds of bank statements, and letters between account holders and their banks - all in one house in Nairobi's suburb estate of Eastleigh.
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International News
Ritcord
Christian groups send food to the West Bank By Judith Sudilovsky
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) - A group of Christian organisations organised six food convoys and sent the first to the West Bank, hoping to alleviate hunger caused by two weeks of Israeli army incursions. The initial convoy went to Bethlehem, Beit Jana and Beit Sahour April 15 after coordination with the Israeli army. Israeli forces entered the Palestinian areas in late March and early April, when a series of Palestinian suicide bombers left dozens of Israelis dead and hundreds injured. "Today the immediate need is food, but our concern is how to get over this situation which we are in," said Claudette.Habesch, secretarygeneral of Caritas Jerusalem, one of the organisers of the convoy. "We are farther from peace today than ever before, but we must believe that peace is possible in this land that has to be shared by two peoples. "Ihope we don't lose hope," she said. "Without hope, there can he no peace." Catholic Relief Services, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Pontifical Mission for Palestine, the Mennonite Central Committee and World Vision were the other organisers of the convoys. The Lutheran World Federation also joined in the effort. Tom Zimmerman. a CM official and coordinator for the joint relief efforts, said the army was cooperative, though there was a lot of repetitive bureaucracy. Some 5.700 packages were to go out to the six urban areas, including 1,000 packages to the Bethlehem area. The packages were meant to feed a family of five for one to two weeks, depending on their need, said Nabil Handal, CRS chief operating officer. Distribution of the packages was coordinated with local aid organisations. In Beit Jana, the first drop-off point, young volunteers were waiting at the Latin seminary, where the packages were to be stored until the Arab Orthodox Benevolent Society could distribute them later that afternoon. The teens formed a line to take the packages down from
Students from the Belt Jalla seminary unload food supplies from a truck in Beit Jana, West Bank April 15. A convoy of vehicles organised by five Christian groups in Jerusalem, transported much-needed food to urban centres in the West Bank.
the truck and put them in a storage room of the seminary. The scene was the same in all of the three towns: As soon as people heard about the delivery of the food packages, they made their way to the storage location, their children in tow, hoping to be able to take home some food. But they all left quietly when they heard the packages were to be distributed later. Many people did not have money to buy food from stores, said Simon Arai, chairman of the Arab Orthodox Benevolent Society in Beit Ja11a. "Even if there is food on the shelves, people don't have the money to buy it. For two weeks nobody has been able to go out of the house. Regardless of their previous economic state, everybody is in need today," he said. Lucy Hadweh and Rose Amistas and their
young children were among the residents of Belt JaIla who came to seminary in search of food. "We have some rice and sugar left and that is it," said Amistas. "We really need food, especially for our children." "The problems didn't just begin now, but the situation has gotten worse over the last 15 days because of the siege," said Johnny Handal, a member of the Saint Anton Charitable Society "In (Bethlehem's) Old City, there is no electricity or water." Residents of Bethlehem's Old City were not allowed out when the curfew was lifted for several hours April 15. Handal said aid workers hoped they would be able to get packages of food to these families by passing the boxes to each home from window to window.
Latin Americans put on fiesta for Pope By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - With a fiesta of music and dance, thou,,ands of Latin American immigrants in Rome gave Pope John Paul II a glimpse of their faith and culture as he encouraged them to take an active part in the life of the Diocese of Rome. With the help of more than 100 Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking priests and religious and 300 Latin American lay people, the Rome diocese is in the midst of a special five-month outreach to the Latin American community in
Italy's capital. Pope John Paul blessed the mission April 13 and expressed his hopes that it would favour "the necessary integration of your ethnic communities with the Christian and civil communities of Rome for a mutual exchange of spiritual and cultural gifts." The diocese has established special centres for catechesis, sacramental preparation and social services at 15 parishes in the city, and the 400 volunteers have been distributing copies of the Gospel of Mark to every Latin American they meet, along with an invita-
tion to participate in the liturgies tance, and work in the city's hosand services offered by the parish pitals. "They came to Italy and to Rome centres. Pope John Paul told the immi- in search of work, driven by the grants, "Your presence and ser- desire to help their families at vice is most appreciated as is the home and animated by the hope commitment with which you of returning to their homelands realise your work, especially with after a few years with the chance so many elderly people, in homes of a better future for themselves," and in other spheres of social life." the cardinal told the pope. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, papal Pope John Paul prayed that the vicar for Rome, told the pope that Latin Americans would not be Rome's Latin American commu- treated as strangers in Rome, "but nity is young, energetic and espe- as people bearing human, culturcially valuable to the city in al and religious values that will ensuring home care for the elder- enrich the society and the local ly, child care and domestic assis- church."
Mexican women at border most disadvantaged By Agostino Bono JUAREZ, Mexico (CNS) - The courtyard of Casa del Peregrino serves as a playground and clothes-drying area. Kids dart between dripping sheets, not knowing what the future brings when their mothers return in the evening. Casa del Peregrino, Spanish for Pilgrim House, is a shelter for women in the Mexican border city of Juarez. Many have arrived from other parts of Mexico seeking their fortunes. Others are victims of domestic violence. "Most women are looking for
work. Some are just living on the Peregrino are seeking jobs in the women. Dominican Sister Dorothy Kusstreets, come in for a short period maquiladoras, foreign-owned to get off the streets and then go mostly U.S. - assembly plants tusch, who has been working for back again," said Rachel Zerkle, a attracted by Mexican tax laws and 10 years with poor women along volunteer from Bradford, Ohio, low wages. the Mexican border, said many working at Casa del Peregrino. Most of the maquiladora work- have only a sixth-grade education. 'The most they can do is work Casa del Peregrino is part of ers are women. But jobs are hard Annunciation House, affiliated to find now because a recession an assembly-line job. They're kept with the Diocese of El Paso. It has sparked numerous layoffs in poor because of education,' she serves as a temporary refuge for the assembly plants and dried up said. women, giving them some breath- other employment sources. Sister Kustusch operates Santa ing space to seek the next step in "It's difficult to find jobs espe- Catalina, a women's centre featheir lives. cially if you have children and turing a sewing cooperative and a Annunciation House also has can't afford day care," said Zerkle. day-care centre in a poor neighthree migrant shelters across the The casa can house up to 50 peo- bourhood of Juarez. A dramatic symbol of the abanborder in El Paso. ple and has several one-room Women are referred to the casa units designed for women with doned status of women in Juarez Is that 300 women have been by Mexican police and church young children. organisations. Another problem is the limited killed since 1993 in unsolved Many of the women at Casa del education of many Mexican crimes, she said.
11 Riwcord
International News
25 April, 2002
Continue to pray for peace: Pope By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - As U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell continued his meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials, Pope John Paul H prayed for the success of his mission and for an end to the suffering in the Holy Land. At the end of an April 14 beatification Mass, Pope John Paul said Israelis and Palestinians had sent him appeals for prayers and assistance. Speaking with great emphasis, the Pope said, "I assure all of them of my spiritual and human solidarity." The Pope asked thousands of people in St. Peter's Square "to pray that the efforts under way to re-establish respect for persons and goods and to promote the development of a just and lasting peace would be crowned with success." On April 15, the pontiff telephoned the Franciscan friars under siege in the Church of the Nativity compound in Bethlehem, West Bank. Some 200 Palestinians, many of them heavily armed, broke into the church April 2 and have been holed up in the compound ever since. The Israeli army had the entire complex surrounded and sealed off. "The Pope thanked us for the fidelity we have for the holy shrine," said Franciscan Father Arnfad Sabbara ,who is at the convent. "He said some beautiful words and gave us courage."
Acquittal shameful
By Bronwen Dachs CAPE TOWN, (CNS) South African church leaders critithe acquittal of cised apartheid-era germ warfare expert Wouter Basson on charges that he was involved In bizarre plots using poisons and snake venom to kill black political activists. Basson's acquittal in the Pretoria High Court is a shameful day for truth and justice in post-apartheid South Africa," said Neville Gabriel, who heads the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference justice and peace department In Pretoria."Thousands of apartheid's victims had hoped that the Basson trial would help them to understand the past and come to terms with it. and that it would deliver a small token of justice for the many who were tortured, killed and mdled." Gabriel said in a statement issued on behalf of Jubilee South Africa, a broad affiance of church groups, nongovernmental organisations and trade unions. In a morethan-two-year trial, one of South Africa's biggest since the end of apartheid in 1994, Basson faced 46 charges of fraud, drug dealing and making poisons and gadgets to kill the white regime's political opponents. Basson denied responsibility for political assassinations carried out by agents using his toxins and claimed he was only following orders from senior government members. He said the apartheid government had given him unlimited power and money to devise defences to possible chemical or germ attacks on South Africa. "The trial revealed only that apartheid's powerful military and secret service bosses still have much to hide and still have the means to obstruct the wheels of justice." Gabriel said.
Powell arrived in Israel April 11 and held meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and representatives of humanitarian agencies. The secretary of state also met April 13 with religious leaders, including Latin Catholic Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem and Father Giovanni Battistelli, head of the Franciscans in the Holy Land. Patriarch Sabbah then flew to Rome for an April 15 meeting with Pope John Paul. The Christian leaders told Powell they are concerned for the fate of Israelis and Palestinians now and in the future. "We want security for the Israelis and justice and freedom for the Palestinians," they said in a letter to Powell. The meeting included a discussion of the suffering of the Palestinian population under a two-week siege by the Israeli military and of the situation at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The compound surrounding the church, which marks the site of Jesus' birth, is home to about 40 Franciscan friars and sisters as well as Armenian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox monks. The Israeli Embassy to the Vatican said April 10 the Palestinians were using the friars as a "protective shield" in violation of International law, a "war crime" that endangered the lives of civilians. A day earlier, Israeli President Moshe Katsav sent Pope John Paul a letter assuring him that the Israelis had no intention of damaging the church or harming the reli-
Pope John Paul ll arrive in St. Peter's Square Pnoto CNS. for his general audience
gious inside the compound. However, on April 10 an Armenian monk, apparently mistaken for one of the Palestinians, was shot by an Israeli sniper. The army transported the monk to a local hospital. A Palestinian inside the compound was shot April 13, said a Franciscan spokesman, Father David Jaeger. The wounded man was carried into the church, where he died. The Israeli Defense Forces said the man was preparing to open fire on Israeli soldiers around the compound. The body, as
well as that of another Palestinian killed earlier in the standoff, had not yet been evacuated. However, two injured Palestinians were evacuated from the church compound April 14, said Father Sabbara. In addition, the Israeli army allowed some medicine, water and supplies into the compound, he said. The friar said the Franciscans inside the compound were "exhausted" but continued to pray "even more than before." He said that despite the shortage of food, they were "managing." "We are prepared to do this. It is our sacrifice for the holy shrine and for peace," he said. The curfew on Bethlehem was lifted for five hours on April 15 to allow residents to buy supplies. Bethlehem residents lined up at automatic teller machines to withdraw money and bought what little produce was available. Families who had been indoors for two weeks piled into cars and drove through the city, and parents took their young children for walks to nearby stores to buy chocolate and candy. In Rome, the superior general of the Franciscans, Father Giacomo Bini, reiterated April 11 the Franciscans' position that the friars inside the Nativity complex "cannot be considered as hostages" since they have remained of their own free will, committed to continuing their work as custodians of Jesus' birthplace.
Contraceptive law is unconstitutional: Bishops to take the case. It accepted it in September 2001, but as of April 18 had not set a date for oral arguWASHINGTON (CNS) - A Cali- ments. employers fornia law requiring Meanwhile, Catholic Charities that pay for workers' prescription across the state as well as offices drugs to include contraceptives hospitals and univerchurch-run "is one of the most serious invarequired to pay been have sities sions of church autonomy imaginable." said a brief to the state for employees' contraceptives if Supreme Court from several they offer coverage for prescriptions in medical plans, explained national church organisations. Hogan, associate director of Carol The 1999 law known as the Women's Contraceptive Equity the California Catholic ConferAct was challenged by Catholic ence. The law exempted certain Charities of Sacramento on the grounds that it unconstitutionally church organisations such as imposes a mandate that is con- parishes and elementary schools trary to the teachings of the which were determined to have primarily religious functions. church. The hospitals, universities and The Catholic Church teaches that all forms of artificial birth social services agencies were not control are immoral. Health exempted on the grounds that insurance policies for church they hire non-Catholics, make employees typically exclude pre- their services available without scriptions for contraceptives as regard to religion and don't proswell as procedures such as elec- elytise to those they serve. tive sterilisation. In arguing that the law is unconAfter lower courts declined to stitutional, the "amicus" or friendstop the law from being enforced, of-the-court brief said, "such a the state Supreme Court agreed mandate forces a church to act in By Patricia Zapor
a manner directly contrary to the nose under the tent, the cutting message it preaches, effectively edge of an attempt, by making the destroying its ability to organise church pay for what it explicitly and govern itself and its agen- opposes, in effect to silence a cies." The brief was a joint filing church's message and mission of the U.S. Conference of Catholic anytime it does not conform to Bishops, the Lutheran Church- the prevailing secular wisdom. Missouri Synod. the International This is a bad law, a bad policy Church of the Foursquare Gospel and unconstitutional." Several previous cases in which and the Worldwide Church of God.lt took issue with the law on states tried to impose regulations grounds that it violates the First contrary to church teachings were Amendment in a variety of ways. cited as precedents for reversing The brief said that, unlike the the lower courts. The brief noted that, in one case, 1990 Employment Division vs. Smith case on which the appeals even as compelling an interest as court relied in rejecting the avoiding communist infiltration appeal, the contraceptives law at the height of the Cold War requires that an agency of a made no difference to the U.S. church "pay for what the church Supreme Court in finding that explicitly and unqualifiedly holds New York overstepped constitutional bounds. to be morally evil. The brief said it is rare to find Forcing religious organisations to subsidise the very thing they such an intrusion into the organpreach against strikes at the very isation of a religious organisation. heart of the church's ability sim- "Attempts to require a church to ply to exist and to engage its mem- pay for programs or services bers and society in the church's inside its institutions that it specifically preaches against are virtumission and message." It called the law "the camel's ally unprecedented," it said.
Legislation slams secret abortions across state lines WASHINGTON (CNS) - Religious leaders hailed the passage of a bill on April 17 that would
make it a federal crime for anyone other than a parent to transport a minor across state lines for an abortion. The 260-161 vote marks the third time the Child Custody Protection Act has been passed by the House. In previous years when this legislation passed in the House, the Senate failed to vote on it. Senate aides have said it is unlikely they will take it up this time around either. Cathleen Cleaver, director of planning and information for the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for ProLife Activities, urged the Senate to "act without delay" on the legislation. She said the House vote "reflects the opinion of the American peo-
"No one - not friends, not rela- or other persons, without the ple who believe it is wrong to take a child away from her parents to tives, not the counsellor at a authorisations required by state another state for a secret abor- school clinic - has the right to law, to transport minors across take your child from you for a state lines for abortions. tion." She also called the practice of secret abortion, all in clear violaPresident Bush supports the transporting minors across state tion of parental involvement proposed legislation. A White lines for abortions a "flagrant vio- laws," he added. House statement said the Child Douglas Johnson, legislative lation of parental rights" that also Custody Protection Act would "exposes teens to the dangers of director of the National Right to the rights of parents to be 'guard a serious medical procedure Life Committee, pointed out that in the medical decisions nvolved i Act Protection without any medical records or the Child Custody history, and without necessary does not "supersede, override, or of their minor daughters.' Opponents argued that the bill medical follow-up." Cleaver said in any other way interfere with regarding laws both unconstitutional and state was existing the legislation "re-establishes the right of a parent to be a parent minors' abortions." bad policy.Rep. Sue Myrick, RIt also does not impose any N.C, who favoured the legislation, and it will help protect young, vulparental notice or consent said parents in North Carolina nerable girls from exploitation." Carl Anderson, supreme knight requirements on the state. He said must grant permission before the of the Knights of Columbus, like- the bill only deals with the "inter- school nurse gives their child an wise praised the legislation and state transportation of minors to aspirin, 'but the parent can't precircumvent existing state laws." urged the Senate to support it. their Johnson said the bill's oppo- vent a stranger from taking "The Child Custody Protection to up and school of out child Act recognises the fundamental nents have urged that exceptions total It's abortion. an for Maryland that legislation the to added relationship between parents and he children," he said in a statement. would allow siblings, boyfriends nonsense.' Page 13
25 April, 2002
Asian Catholic News
Re-Cord
Old, but still very useful OGYAKARTA, Indonesia (UCAN) - Elderly Catholic people in Yogyarlcarta, Central Java, say they are involved in Church activities to support each other and to show that even though they may be old, they are still "useful." Yohanes Bosco Sutardjo, 60, chairman of St. Antonius Aging Community, told UCA News that "the main purpose of our mission is to support one another so that the elderly feel that they are still useful." Sutardjo said the community aimed to share experience with young people. "We still like to contribute something to the Church according to our ability," he added. Caecilia Hety Subagio, 78, said mutual encouragement and support among elderly people have made her strong. Though getting old. Subagio told UCA News, she is still active in several organisations for the elderly, such as the Yogyakartabased Elderly Communication Forum, Yogyakarta Aging Centre and the Communication Body for Yogyakarta Elderly Community. She said she used to be involved directly in various elderly programs and established groups for the elderly in the neighbourhood. "The groups have developed and become models for other groups at the subdistrict and district level," said Subagio, who now serves as an advisor. For 80-year-old Yusuf Kawidi, elderly people long to be accepted, especially given their elderly condition. The parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Minomortani. Yogyakarta, said that some elderly people, who once were pio-
neers in establishing and developing the Church, would feel disappointed if in their old age they did not receive adequate attention from the parish priest. "The elderly need a kind of gathering that allows them to meet and chat, communicate and share experiences with one another," Kawidi told UCA News. Father Simon Atas Wahyudi, 40, told UCA News April 7, "Elderly people represent a generation of my parents or grand parents. It is impossible that I refuse to serve them." He said his ministry to them includes hearing their confession, anointing them when they are ill, facilitating retreats for them and talking with them. On certain days, the priest said, "I take time visiting them and chatting with them, especially those who live alone. They need a friend to talk to." "The fundamental service for elderly people is to be with them and to help them know the meaning of getting old," said the parish priest of St. John the Apostle Church in Pringwulung of Yogyakarta, 405 kilometres east of Jakarta. Father Wahyudi added that elderly people who are not ready to face the aging stage of their life will be restless. 'These people need to be encouraged so that they can gain self-esteem," he added. According to a national projection of the country's population 1995-2005, Yogyakarta has the highest proportion of elderly people in the country, representing 13.7 percent of the country's elderly population.
Christian TV saga
Refugees returned home
An Afghan refugee carries her child as they leave for Afghanistan from a Pakistani refugee camp near Peshawar April 18. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees was beginning the process of returning thousands of Afghan refugees to their homeland. Photo CN&Fteuters
Priest condemns growing Indian trade in foetuses and body parts
COLOMBO (UCAN) - Church programs cannot be put on a par media people in Sri Lanka have with other un-sponsored proexpressed doubts that the normal grams. flow of religious programs on The priest said religious pronational television has resumed grams instill in people sound even though the authorities can- moral values, which he termed as celled their suspension of the pro- the "pressing need of the time." ANA'', India (UCAN) - A mend their ways. every condition" and to uphold it grams following Church protests. This medium would cease to be Father Dias lauded surgeons unconditionally. Earlier, on March 12, the state a national asset if it became prof- Catholic priest engaged in proThe archbishop expressed hope television chairman decided to it-oriented like private media moting pro-life has condemned who uphold pro-life values and what he claims is a growing trade mothers who risk their lives to that the rally would help lay a scrap un-sponsored religious pro- Institutions, he added. in fetuses and human body parts. save the life of the unborn. strong base for "cultural life" in grams, according to Thiraj Lester, Meanwhile, the media reported Father Jose Dias was addressing "If we are pro-life we will get all the archdiocese as opposed to the producer of the Christian pro- mid-March that state television grams at the Rupavahini (state had stopped its two-hour evening about 4,000 Catholics at a pro-life options to save life. If not, we will counter-culture of death promotrally in the western Indian state of give various excuses to justify our ed largely by the modern secular television). educational programs. Goa. misdeeds," added the priest, who world. However, following a March 14 It was claimed that the educaCiting what he said were cases undertook pro-life promotion as Participants pledged to underprotest letter from Father Cyril tion ministry has not paid the 65 of fetus misuse in India, the 55- "a serious apostolate" and organ- take a movement to spread a new Gamini Fernando, national direc- million (about rupees tor of the Catholic Communica- US$680,000) it owes the TV sta- year-old priest of Goa archdio- ised some 1,500 marriage prepa- pro-life culture in the state. cese alleged that a doctor in a ration courses for youths. They urged pastors, moral thetions Centre in Colombo, to tion. local hospital used aborted fetusRoshan Nazareth, a medical ologians and confessors to Dhammika Dissanayake, new However, Dissanayake said they es as fertiliser for coconut trees. practitioner, told the gathering expound Church teachings on chairperson of the state-owned have not altogether scrapped edu"The gynecologist boasted of the that about 80 percent of abortions marriage without ambiguity and radio and television companies, the decision was "reversed.' cational programs, but that anoth- high coconut yield," added the are conducted for the "conve- have "the courage to look truth in er educational program will be priest, who has worked in parish- nience" of parents who do not the eye and call things by their Lester said. es for the past 22 years. want to raise another child. proper name, without yielding to "The Church need not have any aired. Earlier, the Christian advisory He said such practices in the At the end of the March 25 rally, convenient compromises." further doubts or fears in this conThe rally, under the theme "Life nection, as religious programs, board on religious programs, hospital led one of its secretaries which was interspersed with prayers, talks, interviews, exhibi- is sacred, defend it," held for the though un-sponsored, will be tele- comprising Christian clergy and to quit the job in disgust. Father Dias, author of two books tions and Mass, the assembly first time in Goa, also stressed the cast as usual," Lester told UCA laity, stated their opposition to the help priests to guide mar- pledged that "human life is holy need for parents to guide their that state-owned Sri decision of the News April 1Z Nevertheless, Father Fernando Lanka Broadcasting Corporation riage preparation courses, also and no one has the right to take it children who are exposed to media and peer pressure. told UCA News April 2 that "some to only broadcast on radio those cited reports alleging that fetuses away from womb to tomb." The gathering in Goa's comMarital problems, marginalisadoubts as to the assurance of the religious programs that are spon- are used in the cosmetic industry. People engaged in the trade of mercial capital of Margao, 1,940 tion of the aged and euthanasia continuity of future religious pro- sored. They fear that the move could fetuses and other body parts do kilometres south of New Delhi, were other issues addressed at grams on television still lurk in be a first step toward scrapping so to amass wealth, "despite being pledged to disseminate the the rally and its concluding meetour minds." In his March 14 letter, the priest the religious unit in the govern- aware of its evil intent," the priest Church teachings against artifi- ing, which also held an exhibition said. cial birth control and "all that on the diary of an unborn child, expressed opposition to the can- ment broadcasting body. He alleged that some Catholics leads to the culture of death." with graphic details of its growth. Church leaders also fear that cellation of religious programs, In his homily, Archbishop Raul The exhibition also highlighted saying the government decision Catholics will find themselves in also indulged in the "heinous came without prior notice or dis- a precarious situation, as it would trade" and urged the gathering to Gonsalves of Goa urged Catholics the provocative and sex-oriented cussion. be difficult to find sponsors for "put in a good word" or pray for to recognise "the absolute value terms used by the advertising erring doctors so that they would of human life at every stage, at industry to sell its products. He also argued that religious religious programs. Page 14, 4
Official Engagements
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Peter Rosengren PO Box 75, Leeclerville, WA. 6902 587 Newcastle Street, West Perth, WA. 6005. Phone: (08) 9227 70130. Fax: (08) 9227 7087 e-mail: cathrec@iinet.net.au Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth. Publisher: The Record, established in 1874, is distributed to Catholic churches. presbyteries. religious houses and subscribers throughout the Archdiocese of Perth and the Dioceses of Geraldton, Bunbury and Broome. Advertising rates Display: $6.60 col cm (CS!' included) $3.30 a line (CST included) Classifieds: Tuesday. first mail. Editorial: Deadlines: Booking: Monday midday. Advertising: Copy: Tuesday midday. Aust Catholic Press Association: Aust Religious Member: Press Association. The Record follows the Holy Spirit's teaching at the Second Vatican Council on the role of the Catholic print media. The Record will not return copy or photographs submitted for publication unless specifically requested in writing upon submission. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any material submitted and to edit such material for clarity and brevity without recourse to the author.
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Cardinal Ratzinger celebrates 75th birthday By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) - Celebrating his 75th birthday and his 25th anniversary as a bishop. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger gave thanks for the many opportunities he has had to witness to his faith and asked forgiveness for times when he might not have been a "good shepherd." The German cardinal celebrated the anniversaries April 20 at Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere with a dozen cardinals and hundreds of well-wishers from his native Bavaria. The cardinal, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, submitted his resignation to Pope John Paul Il on his April 16 birthday, as required by canon law, but the Pope is not expected to accept the resignation any time soon. At an audience with the cardinal and his Bavarian guests, including dozens of men wearing Lederhosen, the Pope publicly offered his thanks to Cardinal Ratzinger "for his work, and I ask that God continue to guide him lovingly so that he can continue his service in the church." During his homily at the evening Mass, Cardinal Ratzinger said, "I know well my weaknesses and ask forgiveness for my faults.
"I also am so thankful to God for having had so many opportunities to bring his light and truth to others," he told those at the Mass. including Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, and retired Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, dean of the College of Cardinals. Named archbishop of Munich and Freising, Germany, in March 1977, Pope Paul VI made him a cardinal three months and three days later. Pope John Paul named him to head the doctrinal congregation in 1981. Focusing in his homily on what it means to be a good shepherd, Cardinal Ratzinger said, "A bishop must do as Christ did: precede his flock. being the first to do what he calls others to do and, first of all, being the one who stands against the wolves who come to steal the sheep. "As in the time of Jesus Christ, so today there are those who claim to want to govern the people, but in reality are only thieves and brigands," he said. Jesus, he said, is the model of the true good shepherd, both within the church and in society. Cardinal Good governing, Ratziftger said, is not a way to be served or to gain power and riches, but it means dedicating one's life to the common good, leading all to live in truth and love.
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Opening of Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park Crematorium and Chapel Complex - Rev Fr Geoff Aldous
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APRIL 28
Address to students at the University of Notre Dame Australia - Archbishop Hickey Engaged Encounter Clergy Meeting, Redemptorist Monastery A rchbishop Hickey. Bishop Sproxton
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Presentation of "Ecclesia in Oceania" for Clergy. St Thomas More College - Archbishop Hickey. Bishop Sproxton
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Ministries Mass at St Charles Seminary - Archbishop Hickey
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Investiture Mass for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. St Mary's Cathedral A rchbishop Hickey
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Mass for the Bethel Covenant Community Catholic Fellowship - Bishop Sproxton
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Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference. Sydney A rchbishop Hickey. Bishop Sproxton
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National Workshop on Preventing Alcohol Related Harm in A ustralia - Rev Fr Kevin Cronin
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Archdiocesan Panorama PRO-LIFE PROCESSION MIDLAND The First Friday Mass, procession and rosary vigil will be held on May 3. commencing at 9.30am with mass celebrated at St Brigid's Church. Midland.The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate will lead us. All are invited to witness for the sanctity of life and pray for the conversion of hearts. Inquiries: Helen 9402 0349. WITNESS FOR LIFE PROCESSION The next Saturday Mass, procession and Rosary Vigil will beheld on May 4, commencing with Mass at 8.30am at St Anne's Church. Hehir St, Belmont. We proceed prayerfully to the Rivervale Abortion Centre and conclude with Rosary. led by Fr Paul Carey SSC. Please join us to pray peacefully for t he conversion of hearts. Inq: Francette 9279 3934, Helen 9402 0349. DIVINE MERCY A n afternoon with Jesus and Mary at St Mary's Cathedral. Victoria Square. Perth. on Sunday May 5 at 1.30pm. Program: Holy Rosary and Reconciliation. Sermon: Fr Hugh Thomas CSsR (Mother of God). followed by Divine Mercy Prayers and Benediction, then veneration of the relic of St Faustina. Inq: John 9457 7771, Linda 9275 6608. DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR The Divine Mercy Apostolate invites all parishioners in the Metropolitan area to a holy Hour of Adoration on each Saturday of the month (except the 1st Saturday). From 2.30 to 3.30pm at St Francis Xavier Church, 25 Windsor St. East Perth. Celebrant: Fr Marcellinus Meliak OFM.The afternoon c oncludes with refreshments. Please bring a plate to share. Inquiries: John 9457 7771. DAY FOF REFLECTION The Marian Movement of Priests is having a Day of Reflection at St Bernadette's Church, cnr Jugan/Leeder St. Glendalough on Tuesday April 30, commencing at 9.30am and concluding at 2pm. The program includes Cenacle, Holy Mass and talks given by our guest speaker. Fr Pietro Mitro. an Italian Oblate of Mary. Missionary Priest to Indonesia. Bring a share plate of food for lunch. All welcome. MAJELLAN MAY RETREAT The Retreat will be held 17-19 May at St Joseph's Convent, Penguin Rd. Safety Bay and will be given by Fr Steve Truscott, a Marist Father, from the Fullness of Life Centre. The cost is $80 and a deposit of $20 or the full amount to be forwarded to Mrs Glenis Ottaway. 164 Leake St. Belmont 6104. Phone 9277 5652. LATIN MASS St Joseph Artisan, Spouse of Our Lady and Patron of Workers. Wednesday May 1 10am, preceded by holy Hour 8.45am-9.45am. Crowning of Our Lady: Sunday May 5, at 8.30am, in between the 7.30am and 9am Masses. St John's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave. Perth. All welcome. Inquiries: Fr Michael Rowe. 9444 9604. BULLSBROOK PILGRIMAGE Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation. 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. The next monthly pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation will be held at the Shrine on Sunday. April 28 at 2pm. Reconciliation is from 1.30pm. followed by the Rosary procession. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the blessing of the sick. Prior to the pilgrimage at 1.15pm a Catechetical Meditation by
Bruno Cornacchiola, the Father founder of SACRI. All are welcome. For bus transport ring 9277 5378 Information: SACRI on 9447 3292. ST JOSEPH. THE WORKER Feast of St Joseph the Worker will be celebrated on Wednesday. May 1, with the Rosary & Reconciliation at 10.30am followed by Holy Mass at 11am the Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation. 36 Chittering Rd. Bullsbrook . All are welcome. Inquiries. SACRI 9447 3292. AUTUMN -TIME FOR REFLECTION A Retreat in Daily Life will run from Sun May 5 to Fri May 24. This at-home retreat program is ideal for those who need to continue with their daily commitments while seeking to explore or deepen their faith. Led by Jesuit Vince Hurley with a team of local spiritual directors. Details available through CLC WA. Contact Anne Zevis 9335 8142. or Maureen O'Toole 9279 9219. ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE Pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Grotto, Sunday 5 May at Bove's Farm, Roy Rd. Jindong (off Bussell Hwy between Busselton and Margaret River). Commences 12.30pm with concelebrated Mass, Rosary Procession and Benediction. Tea/coffee provided. Bus bookings: Francis Williams 9459-3873 or 0408 893 877. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION. SOUTH-WEST METROPOLITAN Following the recent visit to Perth of Dom Laurence Freeman. people may be interested to know that three groups meet weekly in a southern suburb to pray in the way of Dom John Main OSB. Mondays 10.30-11.30am, 7.15-8.15pm, Saturdays 4-5pm. Info: Rosemary 9319 9560. ARCHBISHOP HICKEY'S TEN-POINT PLAN Why is Family Life so important in the life of the Church? What forces today militate against the f amily? Can there be Church without family? Switch on to the Layman's Hour with Raymond and Theresa de Souza (Radio Fremantle. 107.9 FM Sun 28 Apr at 7.30pm) and participate in the 'Towards the Future' discussion on Archbishop Barry Hickey's 4th point of the ten-point plan Family Life. Ring 9494 2100 to have your say and make your suggestions for new initiatives to be undertaken in the Archdiocese to protect. strengthen and develop an authentic family life according to the Mind of Jesus Christ. C ATHEDRAL YOUTH FORUM An event not to be missed!Teenagers and young adults are invited to participate in the first Cathedral Youth Forum of the New Millennium to discuss the implementation of the Archbishop's 10-point plan to revitalise the Archdiocese. Come and tell us about ... 1. Your expectations in the Catholic Church: 2. Your joys and disappointments: 3. Your suggestions for improvements: 4. What you would like to do to help. (If you have doubts, questions or objections about the Church's Faith and/or Morals, you will be invited to express them, too.) Legion of Mary Headquarters, 36 Windsor Street. East Perth. Tuesday 30 April 2002 at 7:00 PM - sharp! ALL WELCOME! With the participation of Catholic Youth Ministry, Flame Ministries International (Youth Team), Notre Dame Truth Society, True Love Waits and Legion of Mary. Organised by the Knights of the Southern Cross (Cathedral Branch) and St Gabriel Communications.
Please send your information for Panorama three weeks in advance! Page 15
The Last Word A new document from the Vatican urges respect for expressions of popular piety
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Orlando Martinez carries a crucifix draped with a rosary during a Good Friday pilgrimage in New Mexico. The Vatican's new directive says widespread pious practices have a place in the 4., 4., Catholic Church.
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Young girl, taking part in "A Day with Mary" at Hamilton Hill, crowned the statue of Our Lady with a wreath of flowers.
ust because an expression of popular piety may practice" of offering prayers for "the poor souls in seem "a bit strange" in another culture, it does purgatory" in recognition that "no one can be welnot mean that it is not an expression of Christ- comed into the friendship and intimacy of God withian faith. out first having undergone purification of the The head of the Congregation for Divine Worship personal consequences of all his sins." and the Sacraments, Chilean Cardinal Jorge MediWhile accepting the existence of good reasons for na Estevez, prefect of the congregation, said vener- cremation, Cardinal Medina said Christians have ating relics, kissing sacred images, re-enacting the faith that "for the Lord there is not a big difference Lord's Passion, making a pilgrimage on one's knees between resurrecting a body which has been buried and carrying statues of saints in procession through for 100 years or which has been cremated." city streets have been signs of faith in different parts The veneration of saints through signs of respect of the world for centuries. for relics, "especially their bodies or significant parts The cardinal spoke at an April 9 press conference of them," also is accepted by the directory. to present the congregation's new "Directory on Catholic News Service Popular Piety and liturgy," a 300-page book available only in Italian. "When, out of a desire for liturgical purity, expressions of popular piety are chased away, our faith is impoverished," the cardinal said. Because they truly are popular and have arisen from the culture and faith of particular peoples, some of the devotions "may seem strange in some parts of the world, but for centuries they have been expressions of faith and have led to a deepening of faith," he said. The directory is aimed at getting bishops and those the cardinal called "liturgical purists" to support expressions of popular piety, to educate the faithful about their connection to the fundamentals of Christian faith and to "purify" them of any tendency toward superstition, he said. "The danger of superstition is a winding psychological phenomenon which is a danger in all forms of religious expression." the cardinal said. "The solution is not to throw it all out, but to purify it through evangelization and education." Archbishop Francesco Pio Tamburrino, secretary of the congregation, noted the difference between carrying a lucky rabbit's foot or a little bottle of holy water. "Superstition stops at the object, with the person thinking it has power, while the objects of popular devotion refer to a mystery For example, holy water reminds one of baptism, of belonging to Christ and of the need for constant conversion," he said. In its detailed discussion of many expressions of popular piety - from Advent wreaths to the rosary, from Corpus Christi processions to pilgrimages the document emphasized the need for all forms of popular piety to take a second place to the celebration of the Mass and to respect the liturgical seasons of the church. For example, it said, although one may habitually recite the "sorrowful mysteries" of the rosary on Fridays, if Christmas falls on a Friday, the "joyful mysteries" are more appropriate. In addition to popular expressions of faith con- Religious icons are placed on a wall by pilgrims in New nected with Jesus, Mary and the saints, the directo- Mexico. The new Vatican directory, states the need for all ry also discussed the importance of gestures, rites forms of popular piety to take second place to the celeand prayers surrounding death. It praises "the pious bration of Mass.
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