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St Therese leaves our shores
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New homes for St Charles' seminarians By Bronwen Chine The opening of new acconunodaHon at St Charles' Seminary in Guildford was a symbol of the expansion of its outreach. Archbishop Barry Hickey said at the official opening of the buildings last Sunday. The new $1.7. million upgrade provides accommodation for 16 seminarians and four staff. The blessing and dedication of the buildings also marked the 60th anniversary of the seminary, which first opened its doors to young men wanting to enter the priesthood in 1942. The seminary ceased to operate between 1977 and 1993. but continued as a vocational residence until it officially re-opened in 1994. Archbishop Hickey said the decision to reopen the seminary in 1994 was made because there had been an increasing interest in vocations. -These new buildings are a continuation of that growth in our Archdiocese," he said. With an increasing secular spirit in our society there was now an even greater need for leaders and pastors than there was in the 1940s. he said. In blessing the new buildings Archbishop Hickey said that a seminary, "is like a seedbed
US-Vatican summit concludes - Page 10
Firebugs destroy building but not spirit
Archbishop Hickey blesses the crucifixes to be hung in the new buildings
where the Church's ministers are nurtured for the work of a diocese. "Let us therefore ask the Lord that these new buildings may assist in the seminary being a school of prayer and a centre of divine teaching, so that the students it receives may return to you as devoted pastors and as our colleagues and co-workers in the sacred ministry." St Charles Seminary Rector Fr Tim Corcoran said the new buildings were built to accommodate the needs of the modern seminarian who often came from a professional background and at
a much older age than those in the 1940s. "The first seminarians here were often only 12 or 14 and the rooms that used to be big enough for them weren't quite as comfortable for the older seminarians that we have now," he said. The idea to upgrade the accommodation first came about two years ago when Fr Corcoran was asked to draw up a "wish-list." of the seminary's needs. Two years later he is more than happy with the result, with two-thirds of the expansion funded by benefactors of the seminary and one-third by the Archdiocese of Perth. Present at the opening of the buildings were three foundation students of the seminary Bishop Peter Quinn, retired bishop of Bunbury; Fr Pat Cunningham, former editor of The Record and now chaplain at Clontarff; Fr Gaetano Crocetti, retired from the Bunbury Archdiocese and now living in Mosman Park. Also able to make the occasion was one of the foundation teachers, Bill Mangini, who taught science to the original students. There are currently 19 seminarians at St Charles' Seminary, one of them a deacon who is on assignment in Whitfords.
The new accomodation at St Charles' Seminary in Guildford
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Jason, a client of St Patrick's Care Centre, helps clean up after the fire.
Users of St Patrick's Care Centre in Fremantle are at a loss to explain why someone deliberately lit a fire last Thursday night that destroyed the centre's new freezer and outbuilding causing $30,000 worth of damage. The centre provides food and care for about 80 people on a daily basis. Centre director Stephen McDermott said the $Z000 freezer had only just been installed. "I was gob-smacked when I got into work on Friday and saw what had happened," he said. "This organisation helps people from one of the most marginalised groups in society and I'm really at a loss to explain why somone would want to do this." Cardboard boxes appear to have been moved so that they
were up against the outbuilding and then used to start the fire along with some other plastic waste. Mr McDermott said the cost of the damage would be covered by insurance, but there was increasing pressure on the centre as more people came to them for help. "I'd estimate in the last year we have had about a 40 per cent increase in people coming to the centre," he said. "Although we get allowances to provide the food, we are needing to rely on other sources of funding more and more." The centre is renting a fridge at the moment so they can continue to provide food for those in need. "I think it just goes to show how dedicated our staff are when they had the centre up and running as usual by
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2 Mhy, 2002
Recor —
Story of giving inspires many T
weeks ago The The Founder of the Flower Vil- been opened and his heart great charismatic preacher. He contained an lage, Fr John Oh, received his touched, he asked his Bishop if often urges people to turn from account of the Ordination inspiration from the example of he could spend his life caring abortion, which is very common of Fr Demetri Roh at the Flower a homeless man who begged for rejected and unwanted peo- in Korea. He does so with sigVillage in Korea. I was present for his food, and with the little ple. Eventually permission was nificant results. He also urges women who have had tubal Non that occasion and remain he got each day, he fed eighteen granted. very impressed with what I saw other homeless people in an That is the beginning of a story ations to have the operation and experienced. improvised shelter which was of love and selfless sharing that reversed. Those that do often In these days when the Church no real protection at all from the has resulted in an enormous have more children. is under attack from all sides, it bitter Korean winters. The custom has become estabcomplex with a hospital and a was good to learn of a remarkFr Oh was a newly appointed hospice, homes for abandoned lished for these women to bring able initiative which arose from parish priest in 1976 when he children with disabilities, for their children to the Flower Gardeep faith and love of the poor. came across this shabby home- physically and mentally affect- den to thank God for them. In Kkottongnae, or the Flower less man praying in his Church. ed people and those with psy- Many of those same children, Village, close to Seoul in Korea, The more he found out about chiatric disorders. Over two who would otherwise not have over two thousand homeless him, the more he saw the saint thousand people are being existed without the preaching and elderly people, abandoned behind the rags and discovered cared for in the Flower Village. of Fr Oh, maintain contact with children and children with dis- a heart filled with love, despite It is an amazing place. the Centre, offer themselves as abilities are being cared for by a tragic life. Fr Oh found shelThere are so many stories that volunteers and are a source of six priests, 230 Sisters, 97 Broth- ter for the man, who became Icould relate since my brief visit vocations to the Brothers and ers and others who work in a known as Grandpa Choi, and here, but there is one in partic- Sisters of Jesus who manage the voluntary capacity. his homeless friends. Flower Village. ular that must be told. This story is worth telling Now that Fr Oh's eyes had Fr John Oh, the Founder, is a This is a place of love. wo
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Pope John Paul II calls for prayers By John Thavb VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II asked the church to pray for peace in the Holy Land and other global trouble spots during May, the month dedicated to Mary. "With so many needs and problems evident in the international situation, and especially faced with the Holy Land drama that knows no end, we need to return with trust to the maternal intercession of the Virgin." the pope said on the efforts of those seeking peace with sincerity and commitment. "No one more than she, the Queen of Peace, watches constantly over this difficult journey of humanity," he said. The pope made his remarks at a weekly blessing delivered from his apartment window above St. Peter's Square. As in previous weeks, his speech was halting, and he appeared to be short of breath. He asked that a prayer be raised in May "from every part of the world" so that peace and dialogue initiatives finally are taken in the Holy Land and in other
Pope John Paul II prays for peace in the Middle East
places marked by violence and suffering. If possible, he said, Catholics should recite the rosary every day during May, either individually or in community.
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II Record
Youth World Day ambassadors announced The Chairman of the Bishops' Committee for Laity, Bishop Peter Connors, has announced the selection of two official delegates of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference to the World Youth Day celebrations, to be held in Toronto, Canada in July. of Shannon Cavanagh Townsville and Adam Morris of Canberra were selected by the Bishops Committee from a large field of candidates nominated by their local bishops. 'The quality of the nominees was very high and the choices difficult. I am sure these two young people will be fine ambassadors for the Australian Church: said Bishop Connors. Shannon works with youth in the Townsville Diocese and is presently the Coordinator of Camps, Rice Edmund Townsville. She is also coordi-
Shannon Cavanagh
Adam Motifs
nating the World Youth Day preparations for the diocese. Adam is the Coordinator, Catholic Youth Ministry in the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn. He has had several years' experience in youth ministry at parish and diocesan levels and was the leader of the archdiocesan group to the previous World Youth Day in Rome.
World Youth Days are held every two years around the world. The last one was in Rome in the Jubilee Year 2000, where 1270 young Australians attended. The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has been the driving force behind these gatherings, the largest of their kind in the world, and always attends in person.
Boudvilles' sixtieth wedding anniversary a milestone
Apparition anniversary celebrated About six hundred people celebrated the fifty-fifth anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to Bruno Cornacchiolia. in Bullsbrook last Sunday. Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton was invited by the SACRI Association to preside over the celebrations. The Virgin Mary appeared to Bruno Cornacchilia at the Grotto of Tre Fontane, Rome on April 12, 1947.
Devotees of the Virgin Mary processed to the Bullsbrook Church for the celebration of Holy Mass, which Bishop Sproxton concelebrated with Father Tobin, after the recitation of the Holy Rosary. During his homily, Bishop Sproxton reflected on the need for the growth of the understanding of faith and the necessity of receiving the Holy Spirit. Bishop Sproxton said the Holy Spirit helps people see God at
work in their lives and in the world around them. Bishop Sproxton encouraged everyone to make use of the Catechism and the Holy Scriptures as guides to the teachings of the Church, of living one's faith and the obligation to assist in the reevangelisation called for by our Holy Father. He encouraged the SACRI Association to go forward in its Catechetical Mission.
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Bill and Christine Boudville celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.
Bill and Christine Boudville cele- 1966. They have been long-time and brated their 60th Wedding Anniver- excellent parishioners of Mirrasary on April 6 at St. Gerard's church. hooka with special devotion to Our Mirrabooka. Mass was concelebrat- Lady of Perpetual Succour. Bill ed by Monsignor Michael Keating worked in the Government and (who has know them since 1974), Fr. Christine at St John of God Hospital. Giosue Marini and Fr. Chien Subiac.o for many years and retired In the 1980's. Sisters Vitalis and Rita Nguyen. Bill and Christine were married in were present at the 60th celebraMandalay, Burma on April 1, 1942. tions. Bill and Christine who live in Balga On the next day Mandalay was bombed by the Japanese and they, have three children. 13 grand chilwith many others, trekked overland dren. 9 great grand children and one great, great grandchild. Their family to India. They returned to Burma in 1946 and friends enjoyed a reception at and eventually came to Australia in the Princess Road Function Centre.
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Record _11
St Therese completes Australian tour The relics of St Therese of Lisieux completed their remarkable tour of Australia last Wednesday, May 1. The tour began in Perth in the early hours of January 31 when an estimated 900 people turned out for a pre-dawn welcome by Archbishop Hickey at Infant Jesus Parish in Morley. Some 40,000 people venerated the relics while they were available at Morley, the Perth and Bunbury Cathedrals, the Carmelite Convents at Gelorup and Nedlands, and Our Lady of Mt Cannel Parish in Hilton. For many it was Relics of St Therese a time of special grace, especially success inspired many others the grace of repentance after around Australia to promote the many years away from the Faith. tour with great confidence. The After leaving WA, the relics early media coverage generated toured Cathedrals and Carmelite while the relics were at Morley parishes, convents and monaster- set the tone of interest and respect ies in South Australia, Tasmania, which characterised media covVictoria, Canberra, New South erage around Australia. Wales and Queensland. One of Morley's sustained This remarkable saint drew efforts was to share with parishes crowds and respectful media and people throughout Australia Archbishop Hickey adds an Australian flower to the Little Flower's reliquary attention wherever she went. a weekly prayer sheet, Praying The Therese tour has involved with St Therese. and urge you to continue praying. has inspired in them through their Morley Parish in 12 months of susAs the relics left Australia's As the prayer format is not diffi- reflection. This expression should tained effort. As the first parish to shores, the parish has issued a cult and is easily adaptable, we lead them and the others in the host the relics, Morley became the fond farewell and a reminder of suggest as readings passages from group to prayer. Discussion is to focal point for Carmelite activity the structure of the prayer ses- the Gospels, Therese's source of be avoided, as it would destroy around Australia. sions for individuals and groups Inspiration and consolation. the atmosphere of prayer. The parish committee, chaired who wish to continue praying The Sunday Mass Gospel read4. The reading and reflection by Graham Pittaway, took the with St Therese and with the ing is an ideal source. May God lead us to the point where we lead role in bringing literature, a Scriptures she loved so much. It bless everyone richly and lead want to respond. We want to photographic exhibition and a reads: each of us gently and ever deep- thank Him, to praise Him, to ask theatrical production to Australia. We farewell Therese and all our er into his presence. Film for something... We have now and supplied most States with prayer companions with this final This is a simple form of prayer begun, perhaps unconsciously, to books and other items. prayer sheet. - Everyone can do it. pray. The parish put so much enthuWe hope you have found this - Jesus himself prayed in this Prayer is simply listening to God siasm and commitment into its prayer initiative helpful in deep- way and so did Therese. and speaking to him in response. welcome that its example and its ening your relationship with God - It can be done alone or in a 5. Sometimes this prayer can small group. become silent and wordless as The format of the prayer is: 1. Some form of Introduction or "Getting Ready" 2. The Reading of a passage from Therese's writings or from the Gospels. This should be read a few times. It should be read slowly and lisThe Greek Orthodox Church tened to prayerfully. in Perth, in common with OrthoNormally when we read, we are dox Churches around the world, looking for information. In this will celebrate Easter this weekreading we are listening for someend. thing to feed our spirit; a word The Easter celebrations coinfrom God. cide this year with the first 3. Reflect on the passage to anniversary of Pope John Paul relate it to our lives. In a small Il's historic meeting with the group this can be the basis for Archbishop of Athens and all of sharing. Greece Christodoulos on May This sharing should not be "too 4-5 last year. much." It allows a person to During his visit to Greece, Pope A family prays for a child in Bunbury express briefly something God
the psalm says: as a child has rest
In its mother 's arms, even so my
soul. This is the sweetest fruit of prayer, which will not always be given but is to be savoured when It is. 6. The time frame of the pntyer can be adapted to particular circumstances. However by it's nature it would probably require 20 minutes at a minimum and with a group it could easily extend to an hour. 7 When it is in a group setting it Is advisable to appoint someone to lead.
Easter celebrations in Perth for Greek Orthodox John Paul sought forgiveness for Catholic actions which contributed to the 1000-year split between Greece and Rome. He retraced St Paul's footsteps In Greece to emphasise the common heritage of Christians. Next week, The Record will carry an exclusive account of the Greek perspective of the benefits flowing from the Pope's visit and events since then.
Growing faith in the family Twelve families from Greenwood parish participated in a workshop run by Sr Helen Carboon, who was the recent guest of the catechist service at the CEO. Sr Carboon, from Melbourne, works full time in the area of family-based religious education -
challenging marriage of my three passions: family, God and education!" The workshop 'Family Flower Garden' explored family life through the analogy of the garden. The Greenwood families experienced a wonderful occasion and
expressed their delight in sharing an evening, which included mum, dad, and the children, with other families in the parish. The workshop was the first of several Sr Helen conducted at different parishes during her stay in Perth.
The Burns family working with full concentration.
Sr Helen Carboon
Page 4
The Burley family at work with their design.
The Manes family is happily engaged in their work.
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2 May, 2002
Record
Students resurrect evangelis By Helen Ransom Over 70 Catholic university students from across Australia, including local students, descended on Sydney for the annual conference of the InterNational Movement of Catholic Students Australia (IMCSA) recently. The four-day conference, The Resurrection in the University, focused on how Catholic students could respond to the Holy Father's exhortation for a "new evangelisation" of the Church, to spread the message of Christ in our region. Twenty of Australia's 36 universities and an additional four tertiary institutions were represented at the conference, where a new constitution was unanimously adopted and a new national team elected. The conference aimed to provide both spiritual and intellectual formation for Catholic students, and reinforced the Importance of nourishing the spiritual life by offering participants daily Mass and Confession, Rosary and the Divine Office. Archbishop George Pell, special guest at the conference, stressed the importance of being Christ-centred and the
necessity of prayer as a tool for evangelisation. He also spoke of the need for student leaders to begin training their successors now, in order to maintain the excellent work of Catholic societies on campus. Other speakers included Fr Anthony Fisher (John Paul II Institute Melbourne); Fr John Parsons (Canberra-Goulburn); Anna Krohn (Catholic Pastoral Formation Centre, Melbourne); the Hon Ronan Lee MP; Dr Patrick Quirk; Dr Alistair Barrios; Clara Geoghegan; Selina Hasham; Fr Paul Stenhouse; and Fr John Flader, and Fr Joseph Vnuk (National Chaplain). President of the IMCSA, Alex Sidhu, from the University Melbourne, said that the enthusiasm of the students was a hopeful indication of a resurrection of Catholic culture at the tertiary level. The IMCSA has developed into an organisation that brings Catholic students together and supports individuals and societies in the important work they are doing on campus," Mr Sidhu said. "There are Catholic students at every tertiary institution in this country - some are actively Involved with the New Evangelisation, others less so. Our role
is to challenge these students to embrace the Faith and educate themselves in it, so they can be effective witnesses to their peers," he said. The IMCSA began in 1942 as the University Catholic Federation Australia, and was run by voluntary university graduates. In 1968 the Movement was restructured and its focus shifted from social activities to community building and social justice issues. It received its first grant from the Australian Episcopal Conference (and later the Australian Catholic Bishops Committee for the Laity) in 1976, to support a part-time organiser. The Movement was restructured in 1974 as the Tertiary Catholic Federation Australia and again in 1990 as the Australian arm of the International Movement of Catholic Students. The IMCSA is already planning its next national conference for Melbourne 2003; which will hopefully include a gathering with His Eminence, Cardinal Stafford, President of the Pontifical Council for the Any Catholic students interested in joining should contact IMCSA Secretary John Corrigan on (03)9387 1550 or j.corrigan@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au
Concert aims to raise funds for 'TV Catholic television programs on Access 31 will be supported by an Archbishop Fulton Sheen concert at Trinity College on May 16. The concert has been organised by the Fulton I. Sheen Society in support of its own work and to support the screening of Network Global Catholic (EVVTN) progams from 1pm to 2pm each Sunday on Access 31. Featured artists at the concert include acclaimed pianist Mark Coughlan, head of the School of Music at UWA, soprano Rebecca Bird, violinist Lucy Atkinson, and prize-winning poet and public speaker June Glen. Archbishop Barry Hickey will give a welcoming address. Tickets are $15, with family
and pensioner concessions available, and supper is provide4l. Bookings can be made on 9291 8224 or e-mail nona@cathworld.org Archbishop Fulton Sheen was an outstanding radio and television performer in America during the 50s and 60s, with huge audiences tuning in to his regular programs entitled Life is Worth Living and Quo Vadis America? The Sunday Catholic Hour on Access 31 is sponsored by the Rosary Christian Tutorial Association of Queensland which has a branch in Perth. The Association needs financial support to maintain the program. Donations can be forwarded to PO Box 1270, Booragoon 6954.
Sydney Archbishop George Pell with students who attended the International Movement of Catholic Students Australia in Sydney.
NORBERTINE CANONS ORDER OF CANONS REGULAR OF PREMONTRE finding unity with the brethren on the way to God ... If you would like to know more about life as a Norbertine priest or bmther, please contact:
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Fr Peter J Stiglich. 0.Praem. St Joseph's Priory PO Box 354 Cannington WA 6987 Telephone: (08) 9458 2729 Email: norbert@iinet.net.au
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Catholic College welcomes visitors The College is set in 3,643 hectares of the DarThe Catholic Agricultural College Bindoon is opening its gates to guided bus tours of the his- ling Range about 90 kilometres north of Perth. Cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and poultry are run toric buildings and farm. Included in the scheduled twice-weekly tour is as commercial enterprises along with grain cropa lunch prepared by hospitality students in the ping and horticulture. Tours organised by The Chittering Charabanc Guest Dining Room. College Principal Peter Bothe said the Christian will leave Perth around 9am and return about Brothers' school, founded on the humanitarian 4.3Gpm. Stops at orchards and other locations will be traditions of the Blessed Edmund Rice, was now an award-winning agricultural high school with Included. For more details and bookings ring 0427 992 099. about 120 students from around the State. "The College has a rich religious, cultural and dvertisement social history, including a controversial past associated with a government scheme to settle British Message from Our Lady, orphans in Australia," Mr Bothe said. "The past has been confronted and considerQueen of Peace, given to able reconciliation has occurred in the light of Marija Pavlovic Ltmetti for the changed attitudes and reassessed values. It's time village of Medjugorje and the for a fresh start. "The guided tours will give visitors the chance world on April 25. 2002 to see what we are doing and to make their own Children! "Dear assessments of how we are handling the chalRejoice with me in this time of spring when all lenges of change. nature is awakening and your hearts long for "I invite the public to sample our hospitality, change. Open yourselves, little children, and learn about the past and our hopes for the future, pray. Do not forget that I am with you and I and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. To ensure desire to take you all to my Son that He may studies and farm activities are not disrupted we give you the gift of sincere love towards God and have organised for scheduled bus tours." everything that is from him. Open yourselves to The Catholic Agricultural College Bindoon (forprayer and seek a conversion of your hearts from God; everything else He sees and provides. merly Bindoon Boys Town and Keaney College) Thank you for having responded to my call." was founded in 1936. (It is accepted that the final authority regarding apparitions of Some of the imposing rock-hewn buildings were Our Lady at Medjugorie rests with the Holy See of Rome) designed by the famous builder-priest Mon. John Hawes.
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DL 2371
Page 5
I say,I say. p
ersecution is not a reality that most really persecution at all. Persecution, I of us experience. Yet in this cruel old think, is a word that belongs more truly to world, it's a reality that's never far people like those families, who for no away for some. other reason than being American - and Take the tragic events of September 11. some of them, for merely being IN AmerSince that day, the world has become ica on a temporary visit - have had loved engulfed in a struggle against terrorism. ones plucked away. But what of the actual victims of SepThe victims of terrorism, political viotember 11 - the few thousand families and lence and legalistic harassment in other individuals who lost loved ones that day? countries can claim true persecution also. Surely, they must still wonder at the gravDespite our frequent misuse of the term ity of what has struck them. in our mainly comfortable lives, persecuI was reminded of this while reading an tion is still a living concept today. essay by an Australian journalist writing Of course, it's a pretty old concept, too. from New York recently. According to the Acts of the Apostles, St He described what has happened to Paul (then called Saul) was on his way to most truckloads of debris taken away from Damascus, "breathing threats and murder the depths of the devastated World Trade against the disciples of the Lord." Center site. We know the rest - a light shone on him, The rubble has been taken to another he fell to the ground and he heard a voice site and spread out on the ground. saying to him: "Saul, Saul, why are you Specially trained dogs then sniff out the persecuting me?" debris, in the hope of locating some tiny This, says the Bible, was the voice of Lord item of human flesh - perhaps as small as himself. "I am Jesus, whom you are pera fingernail. secuting," it said. (Acts, ch. 9) Any human fragments found are then For the Catholic Church today, this is pertested for DNA. haps the most important passage in the Finally, for some of those whose relatives whole of Scripture. have been missing since September 11, Not only for what it teaches about perthere is a physical link with loved ones secution, but for what it teaches about the lost. Church. Sometimes we all complain that we feel Why? Notice when the incident "persecuted" by another person - often, by described in Acts occurred - after the ressomeone in power over us. But that's not urrection and ascension of Jesus, and after
his Church on earth had been established by His commission to Peter and the Apostles, and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. What was being persecuted by Saul and others at this time was the Church - that "institution" seen by many today, and even by some Catholics, sadly, as an artificial human construct that obstructs and distorts the actual work and words of God. Yet that is not how Waldys Taveras of New York prays at the edge of the World Trade Jesus saw the Church Center disaster site during a moment of silence marking six months when he talked to Saul. since the September terrorist attacks. Another observance at the "Why are you persecut- White House was attended by relatives of victims killed in New York ing ME?" he asked. and at the Pentagon. And "I am Jesus, WHOM you are persecuting." Interesting It is, in the ancient words of the Church choice of words, Lord. herself, the mysterious Body of Christ. This little passage of Scripture highlights We're joined totally, and inseparably, to a vitally important message that Catholics the One who founded her. Persecute the today need to relearn and share with oth- Church, and you persecute Him. ers - particularly when confronted by That, of course, is a stern warning to scandal and challenge to all that their would-be persecutors. But isn't it an even Church stands for. The message is that for greater challenge to believing Catholics all its human faults, the Church is some- to look anew with pride and joy on this thing much more than just another gath- ancient body to which we all. thank God. ering or club. belong?
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odays's gospel (John 14:15-21) records In today's second reading (1 Peter 3:15-18) Christ's promise that he would send St Peter continues his practical spiritual another advocate, the Holy Spirit. advice. Our Lord told the Apostles on Ascension He says: "Reverence the Lord Christ in your Day when they had received the Holy Spirit hearts," a Christian must always have the they should be "his witnesses in Jerusalem knowledge and love of Christ to guide his and all Judea and Samaria and the ends of actions. the earth" (Acts 1:6). He adds: "and always have your answer Stephen's martyrdom was the beginning of ready for people who ask you for the reason the formal rejection of the new faith by offi- for the hope that you all have." cial Jews of Jerusalem (Acts 8:1) and of its We Catholics need to be people of hope in spread to Judea. Samaria and eventually to times of despair. Rome itself - the heart of the Empire. Hope takes over where human optimism In the first reading (Acts 8:5-8. 14-17) we fails. Our faith gives us reason to hope by hear of how after persecution had led Philip telling us that God loves us. to Samaria, he preached and baptised there. A person may be naturally pessimistic, but In the Sunday Readings Cycle A (p182), Fr strong in hope. St Louis de Montfort is a good Kevin O'Sullivan OFM says: 'The Samaritans example of this. Faith and hope go together. were mixed, both in race and in religion. If we give our answers with courtesy and Descended from Assyrian planters and Jew- respect, we may win souls to Christ. ish remnants, they retained some knowledge St Peter urges us to have a clear conscience, of the true God interspersed with pagan liturgies. They expected the Messiah, and there- "so that those who slander you when you are fore Philip, one of the seven deacons (not the living a good life in Christ may be proved Apostle) announced to them that the Messi- wrong in the accusations that they bring." He adds: "and if it is the will of God that ah had come." The reading says: "The people united in you should suffer, it is better to suffer for welcoming the message Philip preached, doing right than for doing wrong." In today's gospel (John 14:15-21) Jesus coneither because they had heard of the miratinues his discourse at the last supper. cles he worked or because they saw them for In this passage, Our Lord promised his themselves. There were, for example, unclean spirits that came shrieking out of Church through the Apostles that he would many who were possessed, and several par- "ask the Father, and he will give you another Adovcate (the Holy Spirit) to be with you for alytics were cured." ever." The deacons possessed the power of miraThe Holy Spirit will be directing the Church cles promised by Christ to those who would and effectively aiding it to preserve the faith. believe in him (John 14:12). Healing the sick was proof of divine power the doctrine, and the morals which Our Lord taught the Apostles. and divine mercy. In the Sunday reading Cycle A (p187) Fr The reading says: "When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted Kevin O'Sullivan OFM says: "Looking back the word of God, they sent Peter and John to over almost 2,000 years of the Church's histhem, and they went down there and prayed tory we can see how this promise has been for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spir- fulfilled. There were heretics and schismatit, for as yet he had not come down on any ics who threatened the very continuance of of them: they had only been baptised... Then the Church as God's faithful people on earth. "There were crises and near catastrophes they laid hands on them and they received caused by the human weaknesses of its the Holy Spirit." Normally converts received the Holy Spir- heads and its members, yet the Church surit on being baptised (they received the Sacra- vived and spread and continued to send ment of Confirmation). saints to heaven because of the direct and Perhaps it didn't happen in this case active aid of he Holy Spirit." because deacons have the power to baptise May we seek the aid of the Holy Spirit as but not confirm. we prepare for the great feast of Pentecost. Page 6
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6-11 ..4p.y p!
r 410 kit•is ryir l&It'd ow r From obscurity to Queen of Heaven
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he life of the Virgin ends in sons of cult. In any case, when the Lord obscurity. It is the moment of the willed, the Virgin was taken by "sister apostles, of the evangelists, the death." to which she gave her ultimate deacons. fiat. Successes alternate with persecutions, but the good news continues to Reflections spread. Mary most holy will have folAbout Mary - Let us consider her joy lowed it all, encouraging and partici- of contemplating, with faith, the prespating. ence of Jesus at the right hand of the There are also the first martyrs: the Father after the ascension, and her deacon Stephen and then the apostle awaiting his return. James, the brother of John. Her prayer together with that of the Mary's presence will have been a apostles that she continues with the comfort to all, while her testimony Church and alongside each one of us. enlightened the sacred writers about The effect on her of the descent of the what she alone could know, above all Holy Spirit. The comfort that he gives about the birth and infancy of Jesus. in times of persecution; all these sufWhere did she spend her last years? ferings foretold by the Lord. Her serene I believe that she never moved from return to the Father's house. Jerusalem. About us - Let us entrust ourselves The tradition that prefers Ephesus, fully in prayer made in the name of with the apostle John, is very late and Jesus, because he intercedes incessantis explained in a variety of ways, in its ly for us. Let us continually invoke the origin and from recently discovered Holy Spirit, especially in moments of documents. greater need for light, in order to live in A bishop from Ephesus in the ninth conformity with the will of God and to century, Eutimius, decried the fact that grow in our conformation to Christ. the scourge of brigands had made it Let us entrust ourselves to the presalmost impossible for pilgrims to go to ence of Mary at our side, having Jerusalem to pray at the sepulchre of received the role of being our mother. the Dormition of Mary and to celebrate Let us think serenely of death that the Feast of the Assumption. enables us to reach the definitive goal This would explain why he then had of our existence. constructed at Ephesus the little church of the Dormition. From The Gospel of If this unfolding of events can ever be M ary - a month with THE historically proved, it would indicate the Mother of God by GOSPEL, Fr Gabriel Amorth SSP, that the memorial church at Ephesus OF was built not on account of the presSt Paul Publications, RRP ence of Mary in that city, but for reaMARY $23.50
The Cross is all we know and all we need
The Record
I
Iast Sunday's blessing and opening of new accommodation for seminarians at St Charles's Seminary at Guildford is a reminder to us that the purpose and measure of life are different from those offered to us by the world around us. The focal point of the ceremony was the Archbishop's blessing of the crucifixes to be placed in each part of the new accommodation. The symbol and the reality are not merely for those undertaking training for the priesthood and those undertaking the task of training them, but for all of us. The Cross, the one who died on it, and the salvation and certainty it has brought us are the only truth we know. The rest of our lifespan, the march of history, and the unfolding patterns of the world and the universe are utterly unknown to us: These are hidden in the secret counsel of God while our Saviour and our salvation are spectacularly revealed and taught to us internally by the Holy Spirit and externally by the Church. And yet, in the strange perversity of our errors we devote ourselves to almost complete absorption in the matters about which we know nothing while the certainty of the Cross barely receives our attention. Most of us can't pick a respectable number or winners in a football tipping corn-
PO Box 75, Leedenille, W\ 6902 Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax: (08) 9227 7087 cathrec@iinetnetau
petition each weekend, and yet we are Europe and Asia which had never had so desperately certain that we know what the much as the idea of the strength needed future holds and we know how to plan to to obtain their independence from the Soviet Union suddenly found they had make it happen the way we want it. Without assigning any particular uncer- achieved it without any struggle at all. South Africa defied 50 years of predictainty to Pope John Paul II, it must be said that anyone who has been alive and con- tions by making a peaceful transition, scious for as long as he has been Pope Indonesia deposed a dictator without ought to be aware that we know next to rebellion, and in a matter of a few years nothing about what is going on in the South America went from having enough dictators to make a good soccer team to world. He himself, first in his election and then its first continental experience of no dicin his glorious Cross-centred papacy, was tators at all. On the other side of the same coin, even marvelously unpredicted, and the roller coaster world around him has been those with the deepest knowledge of the history of hate in the Balkans could not almost the definition of the unknown. The people power revolution of the predict the madness that engulfed much Philippines was the first of many major of that tiny region. Throughout it, Jesus world events that defied all previous expe- continued to hang on his Cross bleeding rience, was totally unpredicted and has his love onto them to provide the spiritual cleansing that will replace the ethnic never been rationally explained. It was followed not long after by the col- kind. Who among us knows the meaning of lapse of the Berlin Wall and the abandonment of communism in East Germany, Afghanistan or its future? And who among and then the peaceful dismembering of us knows the day of peace in the Middle the Soviet Union. So many nations in East?
Acting Minister explains
Arourpl +he taNe
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was concerned to read Neil Smith's coverage of Father Pittarello's claims in Officials listen in on Perth priest's meeting (week beginning 22 April 2002 and Immediately sought an explanation of the events reported. Iam advised that ACM and DIMIA assisted Fr Pittarello by providing a hall in which to conduct religious services and an office within the administration building for confession. Iam also advised at no time did any official from ACM or DIMIA 'listen in' or act Inappropriately. As the confessional services were held within the administration building, ACM officers were required to escort detainees to the office used by Father Pittarello. We would all agree that detainees in Immigration detention have the right to practise a religion of their choice and any suggestions that this freedom has been abused is worthy of a full investigation. Services for detainees at the Christmas Island facility have continued since Easter, led by members of the local community. Whilst Ihave been advised that concerns raised in Mr Smith's article are without foundation,Ihave requested that one of my staff contact Father Pittarello personally to discuss this matter. No matter what religious affiliations detainees may have, the Immigration Detention Standards specifically state that "detainees have the right to practise a religion of their choice, and if consistent with detention facility security and good management, join with other persons in practising that religion and possess such articles as are necessary for the practice of that religion". "A qualified religious representative approved under the guidelines is allowed to hold regular services and to pay pastoral visits to detainees of the appropriate religion at proper times, so long as it does not interfere with the security and management of the detention facility." These standards are regarded as a matter of priority by the Government. Chris Ellison Acting Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs Minister for Justice and Customs • A detailed account of Fr Pittarello's visits to Christmas Island is on pages 8 and 9 - Ed.
When life starts
0
n 27th February 2002, the Holy Father in an address to the pontifical Academy for Life repeated the Church's teaching on the beginning of life, which is central to the current debate on
How many of the Anzac heroes of either of the World Wars (or any other) knew the freedom they were fighting for would turn into the freedom to experiment on living human embryos and the freedom to attach the name "death with dignity" not to noble self-sacrifice but to suicide? There is infinitely more truth in the expression "God knows" than any who use it realize, and it remains true that He is not telling. Our only certain knowledge is the Cross, and because of it the certainty that whatever else unfolds in our lives is contained in the goodness of God. The greatest deeds of our history have already been done, and our only need is to recognize the on-going work and pray for it. The practical reality of life is that we create great pressure and pain for ourselves by trying to manipulate the things that are hidden from us while we ignore the peace and love that are always within us but seldom in our awareness. The Cross installed in the seminary with the blessing of the Archbishop, the successor of the Apostles, is the meaning and the hope of the priesthood and the future. should there be one. • The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth. In other words: if the Church has any power to convince Australia to adopt one rather than the other of these two evils, which of them is more tolerable? Fr Joseph Parkinson Bayswater
I
Letters to the editor
denotes 'a certain patience with evil, a forbearance which restrains us from showing anger or inflicting punishment'. He called it 'prudent self-control' which enables one `to avoid any untimely exhibition of anger or disgust, and refrain from expressing his opinions in a manner which may offend against charity'. As I explained in my comments on embryonic stem-cell research, tolerance is not approval. One can never approve an evil as such. Yet, as Pope John Paul II himself teaches in a different context, circumstances may dictate that the most appropriate response to a range of inescapable evils is tolerance of the least evil option, in order to limit the harm which will follow. Iapplied the teaching of the present Pope and Vermeersch to the stem-cell debate in Australia today. The politicians have struck an initial bargain and we seem now to face only two possible outcomes: experimentation on a finite number of embryos which were originally created with live birth in mind (the Prime Minister's preferred The announcement of the closure of Pel- option), or the creation of countless new legrini's reminds me that our paternal embryos specifically destined to destrucgrandfather, Patrick Fitzgibbon Ryan, was tion in the cause of 'medical research'. Of course the Church cannot fail to judge owner-manager of Perth's first Catholic bookshop. In our home we had a potential both options harshly. As I explained, we heirloom, a trunk containing religious cannot approve either of them and we will books and articles which were taken to 'continue to speak for the right of every various churches where missions were embryo to be treated with the dignity our being preached at the time. Coincidental- human nature demands'. But the Prime Minister's option clearly threatens less ly, many years later, death and destruction than the alternative. I worked at Pellegrini's for a short time, Should the This raises a dilemma. during which employees took turns work- Church - meaning our bishops, our peoing at "Mission stalls" replacing the famed ple and especially those Catholic politi"Mission Trunk". I followed grandfather's cians who can yet influence the final example. decision - assume a belligerent attitude toward both options and so deal ourselves Sr Imelda Ryan RSM of the debate altogether? Or should out Wembley we abstain from making any comment whatever, with the same result? Or, in order to avoid an even greater evil, should n his classic 1912 text on the subject, the we be prepared to tolerate (not approve) revered Jesuit moralist Arthur Vermeer- the Prime Minister's position and argue sch held that the word 'tolerance' strenuously against the alternative?
destructive embryonic cell research. He said "Particularly, among the fundamental rights of man, the Catholic Church claims for every human being the right to life as the primary right. She does it in the name of the truth about man and to protect his freedom, that cannot be sustained without respect for the right to life of every innocent human being and at every moment of his existence. The distinction sometimes Implied in international documents between "human being" and "human person", so as to limit the right to life of and to physical integrity to persons already born Is an artificial distinction, without any scientific or philosophical foundation: every human being, from the moment of his conception until the moment of his natural death, possesses an inviolable right to life and deserves all the respect owed to the human person" (cf. Donum vitae, n.1). J Barich Ardross
Grandfather's trunk
Tolerance and evil
I
Whose rights?
n today's society, we have many 'groups' or individuals campaigning for their socalled unchallengeable rights... Pregnant mothers' rights to abort their unwanted or imperfect child. Gay & lesbian rights to procure children through IVF or adoption. A woman's right to contraception, which may be an abortifacient. A woman's right to create babies through IVF whilst simultaneously destroying them. An individual's right to determine their future existence through euthanasia. Society's right to stem cell research through the destruction of human lives. .....And the list goes on The only legitimate rights that exist are 'Basic Human Rights'-the right to life and the right for a child to live in an atmosphere of love with both a mother and a father -after all, isn't that what we would all choose? Unfortunately, these heavenly angels are neglected and ignored because their silent screams cannot be heard. Their genuine human rights are replaced by society's 'Human Wrongs'. D Spadaccini Dianella
Hippocratic oath
I
s it timely do you think to remind our healers of the fundamental ethic of Hippocrates and his oath written in the 400 BC, relevant then and equally relevant now? "..according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this oath - to reckon him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents..I shall share my life with him and pay all my debts to him.. I will use my power to help the sick to the best of my talent and judgment..I will not give a fatal drink to anyone, even if ills demanded of me, nor will I suggest the giving of such drink I will give no woman the means of procuring an abortion., with purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practise my Art... In whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick and never shallIdo harm or injury... Whatever I see or hear, in my professional life or not, which ought not to be spoken of,I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret." How far have we progressed since the time of Hippocrates? Are our medical men and women still bound by this oath? And not only the medical. Is it not time for all peoples to strive to apply their skills Continued page 11 ". Rage 7
Christmas Island iwAr no holiday for refugees FR ADRIAN PITARELLO CS, the Coordinator of Multicultural Apostolate and Episcopal Vicar for Migration, describes two recent visits to Christmas Island and his encounter with 75 Catholic refugees from Sri Lanka. I have been going to Christmas She informed me that there were Island for the past six years. On the over 80 asylum seekers on the island lives a small but fervent Island, and about 75 of them, all Catholic community, which cele- from Ski Lanka, were Catholic. She brates the Communion Service also hinted that either I could go to every Sunday. the Detention Centre or the There are two Ministers of the detainees could come to the Eucharist and an excellent cate- chapel. Mr Phil Easterbrook, Direcchist who prepares children for the tor of the Detention Centre, conreception of the sacraments. firmed the same by fax some time The Archdiocese of Perth, under later. which administration the island is First meeting of the placed, sends a priest every year to detention Officials consecrate the Eucharist and to When I arrived on the island on administer the sacraments. Friday March 22,I went to see Phil Last year, on the feast of the Easterbrook immediately. He welImmaculate Conception (Decem- comed me into his office. With him ber 8),Iattended the Catholic Com- there was another official, (whose munity celebration of the lath name I do not recall, for it was the only time I had to deal personally anniversary of the chapel. Knowing that in the improvised with him). He seemed to me to be a person Detention Centre there were some Catholics, I mobilised as many with more authority than Mr. EastInfluential people as I could, from erbrook, for on several occasions the Director of the Immigration during the conversation Mr EasterDepartment of Perth. Mr. John brook pointed out to me that it was Williams, to the Director of the up to this official to say the last Catholic Migrant and Refugee word. Together we worked out what Office in Canberra, Fr. John Murkind of religious assistance I could phy to get permission to minister to give to the detainees. them. When they confirmed that the I was extremely disappointed for I received no answer from the number of Catholic people in the Immigration Department, either camp was about 75, I immediately written or by phone. I was practi- said that they could not all fit into cally ignored. Fr. John Murphy the chapel, especially if the local encouraged me to try to contact the people were also present. (The person in charge of the Detention chapel would hardly hold BO peoCentre on the island when I got ple). I suggested the detainees could there.ThisIdid, but to no avail. The person I asked to see never made come in groups of twenty, in turn, himself available, nor left any mes- so they all could enjoy at least one service with the local community. sage for me. My proposal was firmly rejected. The Tampa affair was still rather I was told that the detainees were hot at that time. I was extremely frustrated, for always in the past not allowed to have any contact the Department at least acknowl- with the local people, not even in the chapel. edged my calls. I did not give up easily, but at the Contacts before my last end I thought I had to play accordvisit ing to their rules if I wanted to do Before my going to Christmas as much as I could for the Island this year to do the Holy detainees. Week ministry,I was contacted by SoIstated my willingness to come Ms Jan Jones, Deputy Director of to the detention centre, although Fr Adrian Pittarello celebrates the Easter Vigil on Christmas Island. the Detention Centre of Christmas that would entail quite some organThis is why I am on the island at to the Detention Centre for the Rite Island. isation to hold the Holy Week funcof Reconciliation. I proposed from She had found out from the mem- tions properly. Subsequently I this particular time". am to 12 noon, starting on MonHe gave in. bers of local Catholic Community offered to go to the detention cenI added, then, that I wanted to day and continuing any other day that I was going to the island again. tre at least to three times-on Palm and asked me if, while there,I was Sunday, Good Friday and Easter bring a few members of the local until all those who wanted to make willing to do any ministry to the Sunday-and do for them the full community to help me with the their confession did so. It was readCatholics in the Detention Centre. religious function. The person with liturgy. "How many?" he asked. ily accepted. After these first meetings their Obviously I was! I expressed my greater authority said: "Three "The Minister of the Eucharist, the guitarist and one or two "toughness" readers, a disappeared. Everysurprise of her request, because, I times? I thought once would be singers." "That many?" "Yes",I said, one at the Detention Centre was said, a few months earlier it enough!" "I want to have very solemn cele- quite cooperative and willing to seemed I was hitting a brick wall. I answered: "The priest is on the accommodate. She answered that there had been Island only once a year, and Holy brations, for them to remember". Masses on Palm and Easter SunHe was not happy, but accepted. a change of management. How Week is a very important and that I wanted to come day, and the Commemoration of I also said welcome! meaningful time for Christians.
Easter celebrations at the Christmas Island Chapel a few years ago.
nie Christmas Island chapel.
The official would then go and wait in another room talking to his colleagues, or go out of the building. When the penitent left the confession room, the official would escort him back to the area reserved for the detainees, and bring another one to the confession room.
Visits to the Chapel
the Passion of our Lord on Good Friday were held in the mess room. (the only large room of the compound) which was completely rearranged for the occasions. I insisted that for Easter, after Mass (which was at 11 am) they should treat the detainees with a very special lunch, to impress them, for that day would have to stay in their memory as a happy day for the rest of their lives. Mr Easterbrook assured me that he would oblige. I am not in the position to say what their lunch was like, but I have reason to believe that it was indeed special.
Rite of Reconciliation
The island port where ships dock to load phosphate.
Page 8
The island landscape is spotted with palm trees.
I was given a private room for the Rite of Reconciliation. Apart from a table, a couple of chairs, and some paper boxes, there was nothing else in the room. There was no camera or listening devices. There was an air conditioner, quite necessary, given the hot and humid weather on the island, particularly in those few days. It was quite a private room and I could not wish for anything better. Each person who wanted to come to confession was accompanied by a guard up to the door. The penitent closed the door.
The day after I had arrived, and had the meeting with Mr Easterbrook and the other official, while Iwas in the chapel praying, a group of people entered. It was a group of detainees.Iwent to meet the official, (a young man. Catholic himself) who asked if it was all right to take the detainees to pray in the chapel. Obviously it was! It was his duty to organise recreational activities for them. He took them in groups sightseeing around the island or swimming. He had taken them to the chapel even before I had arrived on the island, and since he noticed that detainees appreciate it immensely, he took them there rather regularly.Itold him that if he let me know when he brought them the next limes,I could prepare a short service for them. He promised he would do it, and he did. So I organised the Communion service for them in the Chapel three more times. It was during the day, and there was no one else around, except a couple of Chinese men who were looking after the garden near the chapel. They were not prevented from exchanging a few words with the detainees.
Meeting with a detainee
One of the detainees asked me if he could talk to me.Ioffered to go to the Detention Centre, if I was allowed. WhenI asked permission from the proper official (a lady this lime), she said, "Father, you are welcome any timerl had been at the Centre many times already. I respected their regulations, although obviously I did not like many of them. I could not help thinking how much had changed for the better in the general attitude of every official towards me. This is whyI was quite surprised by the fact that whenImet the person who wanted to talk to meIwas not allowed to be alone with him. As part of my ministry in Perth,I visit also the Catholic detainees at the Detention Centre at Perth airport. When I visit them I see them in a "visiting mom", which is locked all the time. In this visiting room there is a detective camera. But no guard remains inside while I converse with the people I visit. I was surprised that on Christmas Island the official did not let my stay alone with the detainee.I took it for granted that that would be the case. So I asked the guard: "Where shouldIgo to speak to this man?" He answered, "Here". "Here, in front of you?" "Yes." He said. "But whenIcame for confessions I was put in a private room. Why can't I use the same room?" He answered, "That was confession. This is not!" SoIhad the conversation with that detainee without any privacy.
immigration and refugee programs. They are approached by the "traffickers of human flesh", (as Blessed Bishop John Baptist Scalabrini, who dedicated so many of his energies to stamp them out at the end of 19'h century in Italy, called them), who promised them an easy solution to their problems. These unfortunate and naive people believe them blindly. They sell everything they have, many of them even their own rudimentary houses, to try to realise the promises they pinned their hopesom. They are so ignorant about international laws and migration and refugee claims, that they obey their predators and board the boat without documentation of any kind no passport, no identity card, no evidence of the persecution they suffered, etc. The only things some of the detainees of Christmas Island brought with was a photo of their family, a holy image and a pocket prayer book! They leave family, wife and children most of the time penniless. They promise them that they will soon send money, and eventually reunite the family in Australia. They are caught in the middle of Detention Centres are the ocean and are placed in prison (we call them "detention camps"). prisons They do not know why. Each time I enter a Detention They are kept inside week after Centre my conviction that they are week and they do not why. Victims prisons with a different name is of predators, they become now vicconfirmed. But I must add that I tims of those they were made found that the people who run believe would be their liberators. them are generally humane. They do not know why. They They have to do their job accord- have done nothing wrong. ing the their roles, and I feel sorry The people Australia keeps in for those who have to do it; but the detention centres have experiwithin the rules they also try to be enced the worst aspect of human as helpful to the detainees as they greed in their own country, and can. Every time I held a service at now they experience the unkindthe Detention Centre on Christmas Island, some of the guards would thank me for what I did for the detainees. "It means a lot to them", they would add, "and they appreciate it immensely". The management of the Christmas Island's Detention Centre assured me that some members of the Catholic Community would continue to offer the detainees a communion service.
ness of human laws in this countrY Each day and night they think of their family, their wives, their children. They wonder all the lime what happens to them. They left them without money, often without a house, and they do not know how they survive, how they find food, if their children go to school. Having being badly cheated, now they can only think the worst for their family left behind. No wonder that, after weeks and months they are kept idling inside the camps, with their mind always fixed on their tragedy and wondering what happens to their family, they cannot put up with the meaningless imprisonment in which they are kept and resort to rioting. It is not the conditions inside the camp they riot about, it is the fact that they do not see an end to their desperation. When I had in front Of me all those young people,Icould see no smiling face, no lively eye. During the service they sang their songs; but, I can assure you, even the Easter Alleluia was without joy! If the Australian Government would invest all the money spent to keep people in the detention camps to root out the people smugglers, they would solve the problems more effectively and more speedily. By putting people in detention centres and keeping them there for months, we do not protect our boundaries; we cooperate - unwittingly for sure - with criminality. It Is not by punishing the victims that we combat illegality, but by weeding out the criminals.
Twice Victims
The moreIencounter and speak to those who are kept within the Detention Centres the more I am convinced myself that they are victims twice. First of all they are victims of the people smugglers. I have no doubt that those who come by boat are coaxed into this venture by people who prey on their poverty and desperation. They have no idea of the conditions and regulations of Australian
Christmas Island phosphate mining constructions.
The previsional detention camp on the island that houses refugees.
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2 May, 2002
International News
Record III
US Bishops adopt zero tolerance By John Norton VATICAN CITY (CNS) - US church leaders left an unprecedented U.S.-Vatican summit on clerical sex abuse with a proposed plan of action, including a national policy to deal with priestoffenders and a special process for dismissing them from the priesthood. Participants in the April 23-24 summit said there was increasing agreement among US church leaders on adopting a "zero-tolerance" approach to priests who abuse minors. But they said the question would not be settled until the bishops' June meeting in Dallas and the definitive formulation of a national policy. The two-day meeting brought together 12 US cardinals, three top officials of the US bishops' conference and heads of eight Vatican departments. The pope addressed the group's opening session and lunched with US cardinals the next day. In a final statement, issued at a late-night Vatican press conference that was broadcast live by American television networks, US summit participants said their specific proposals to the Vatican Photo CNSAlaacan Pope John Paul II addresses U.S. cardinals and Vatican officials at the start of a special summit concerning clergy sexual abuse. Included: - A set of "national standards" to deal with the sexual abuse of Making clear that participants ignation for Boston Cardinal ington Cardinal Theodore E. op in deciding whether to reinminors by priests. did not see the Latin church's tra- Bernard E Law, under fire for McCarrick told reporters. "I state an accused priest. - A "special process for the dis- dition of unmarried clergy as part reassigning priest-offenders, did would say it is pretty clear the This would allow consideration missal from the clerical state of a of the problem, the statement said not come up in summit talks. Holy Father is calling for zero tol- of 'mitigating circumstances" priest who has become notorious all participants in the meeting But Cardinal Law apologised to erance. ... From here on in, there while still providing a "prudent and is guilty of the serial, preda- reaffirmed the value of priestly his colleagues in a private meet- is no place in the priesthood for and transparent solution" that tory. sexual abuse of minors." celibacy and said "a link between ing of the US church leaders the someone who would do such a assures parents their children are - A similar process for cases that celibacy and paedophilia cannot night before the summit, acknowl- thing." Bishop Wilton D. Gregory not at risk of harm, he said. are "not notorious" but where the be scientifically maintained." edging that "if he had not made of Belleville, 111., president of the Cardinal George also supported bishop "considers the priest a In addition, the statement sug- some terrible mistakes, we would US bishops' conference, said lay involvement in implementing threat for the protection of chil- gested that the central problem in not be here." said Cardinal there was "a growing consensus, abuse policies. dren and young people, in order the scandal was something other certainly among the faithful, "It seems to me to he clear that to avoid grave scandal in the than child abuse in the strict among the bishops, that it is too the more that lay people and othfuture and to safeguard the com- sense. It said that at the meeting great a risk to assign a priest who ers -including the relatives of vicmon good of the church." has abused a child to another tims - are involved in applying the "attention was drawn to the fact - An apostolic visitation of sem- that almost all the cases involved ministry." policies, the more credibility the inaries and religious houses of adolescents and therefore were Bishop Gregory said he actions of the bishop himself formation, with special attention not cases of true paedophilia." favoured making the "zero-toler- might have," he said. to admission requirements. ance" policy retroactive, but othThe summit's final statement did Some summit participants. - A day of prayer and penance including US Cardinal J. Francis including Cardinal not offer details on what the ers, throughout the United States, to Stafford, a top Vatican official, McCarrick, said it might be better national policy would contain. but implore reconciliation in church have said the real problem is to conduct a case-by-case review Cardinal told McCarrick life. of allegations that date back years. reporters he thought the policy homosexual behaviour by priests The Vatican has agreed in prin- with minors, because many of the George. Participants said one of Cardinal Edward M. Egan of should include: caring for the vicciple to the proposals and will cases involved teen-age boys. The the summit's thorniest questions New York said he thought there tim; removing the accused priest review how the US bishops elab- statement also said there were was the potential reassignment of were good arguments for and during the investigation; informorate them after the June meeting, doctrinal issues underlying "the priests who have abused minors. against the adoption of a "zero- ing civil authorities "as the law Chicago Cardinal Francis E. deplorable behaviour in quesrequires"; sending the priestPope John Paul told participants tolerance" policy George told Catholic News Ser- tion" and urged pastors to pro- at the meeting's opening that "How do we handle it when abuser for therapy; and establishvice.The statement, echoing the mote the church's moral teaching there was no place in the priest- someone comes in and says that ing a diocesan lay advisory board. pope's words at the meeting, "The hope is that these points and "publicly to reprimand indi- hood for "those who would harm someone has done something called sexual abuse of minors a viduals who spread dissent and the young," but also said church wrong? Can you immediately that I made would be part of a crime and an "appalling sin" and groups which advance ambigu- leaders could not overlook "the walk away from the person?" he national policy that will be adoptexpressed solidarity with victims ous approaches to pastoral care." power of Christian conversion." told reporters outside his Rome ed by all of these individual dioand their families. "Looking to the future," Wash- hotel. "I don't think you can vilify ceses," he said. Participants said the issue of reseither position. I think you can In a separate message at the make a case for either position," summit's close, the church leadhe said. Cardinal George said he ers expressed their deep gratitude thought "zero tolerance" was not to priests of the United States and the best policy, since abuse can pledged to support them in every encompass a wide range of way "through these troubled behaviours that are different "in times." They expressed regret that terms of the culpability and the bishops were "not able to prepossibility of reform of one's life." serve the church from this scanIn addition, he said, "zero toler- dal" through oversight. As a result, ance" might work against the all priests were suffering for the bishops' goal of protecting chil- acts of a few, they said. dren, since the church would be "At our meeting, you have been unable to monitor the actions of a very much in our minds and dismissed priest. "Zero tolerance' hearts, for we know the heavy is a bit too easy. It lets us off the burden of sorrow and shame that hook," he said. you are bearing because some "I think that's the way we're have betrayed the grace of ordigoing to go, though. The bishops nation by abusing those entrustare so shamed by all of this and ed to their care," the church fearful that they haven't exercised leaders said. their own oversight, that Isuspect "We pledge to support you in that's going to be the preferred every possible way through these solution," he said. "And I can troubled times, and we ask that accept that." Bishop Gregory sug- you stay close to us in the bond of gested that an alternative to a flat the priesthood as we make every "zero tolerance" policy might be effort to bring the healing grace of to allow largely lay diocesan Christ to the people we serve," review boards to assist the bish- they said. Photo: CNS/Max Rossi Photographers fix their lenses on St Peter's Basilica during US-Vatican summit.
All participants in the meeting reaffirmed the value of priestly celibacy...
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Outreach
Record
2 MaV, 2002
Study shows youth strong in their faith By Julie Asher WASHINGTON (CNS) -- US Catholics aged 20 to 39 number about 20 million, a good-sized group that 'a lot of faith traditions would give anything to have,' said sociologist Sister Mary Johnson. The challenge for the Catholic Church is to teach this younger generation more about their faith and about the church's notion of vocation but also to listen to their questions and concerns, she told Catholic News Service in an interview prior to her address at the April 18-21 Third Continental Congress on Vocations in Montreal. In the interview and at the congress, Sister Johnson, who is a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur and an associate professor of sociology at Emmanuel College in Boston, shared results of research she and three colleagues did on a sample group of Catholics aged 20 to 39. Her co-researchers were Juan Gonzales, sociology professor at California State University in Hayward, and two professors from The Catholic University of America in Washington, sociology professor Dean Hoge and associate religious studies professor William Dinges. They conducted phone interviews with more than 800 confirmed Catholics nationwide and talked to another 100 either in Individual interviews or in focus groups. Results were published last fall in a book titled 'Young Adult Catholics: Religion in the Culture of Choice,' from the University of Notre Dame Press. The reason for the research, Sister Johnson told CNS, is that 'many Catholic religious organisations in the United States look out and don't see younger people following the older generations, and they are wondering who are these people. What do they think? How do they respond? What's their belief system, their opinion about the church?' A key finding, Sister Johnson said, was that only 15 percent of those interviewed said yes when asked if they were ever encouraged to think about becoming a sister, brother or priest. 'It points to a need on the part of the church to systematise education about vocations to all the
e CNS Max ROSSJ
Catholic young people smile during a rally in SL Peter's Square March 21. The event was a prelude to World Youth Day in Toronto this summer.
ways of life, even the notion of what vocation is to begin with,' she said. When asked about their occupations or professions, a tiny group -- less than 1 percent -- said they were in any kind of religionrelated work, Sister Johnson said, 'so that really raises the question of where will the future ministers of the church come from: 'It's not just (about) sisters and priests but people involved in lay ministry,' she continued. If the church really believes in employing lay people in all kinds of church organisations and structures, she said, it should heed the data showing that most people currently in lay roles are older than 40. 'How is the church going to reach out to and correct that? ... We don't have too many peers ministering to peers,' she told CNS.
Some overriding findings were: young adults are strong in their faith and believe the basic tenets of the church: they have a generous spirit of service but are not familiar with the church's social teaching or Second Vatican Council documents: many said they disagreed with many of the church's teachings on birth control and homosexuality: and many would like to see more positions of authority and decision-making opened to women and were for married priests. So how can the church reach out to young adults? Sister Johnson believes more effort must be put into really helping 'young people discern the big questions of their life: she said. 'I think it's been more a sin of omission than commission.' The church has not 'carved out enough space for younger people to even be able to raise their con-
Continued from page 7 with the utmost respect for the sanctity and betterment of human life, for the earth and all of creation? I cannot get over the wonder of Hippocrates and his ethics and wisdom which has journeyed through the generations and is so needed 2400 years later. I only wish we had the ethics and the wisdom in our community and our leaders to fulfill the vision of Hippocrates Mrs Kaye Seeber Mandurah
Believe and belong
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was particularly interested in Arch- believers, let's not forget Our Lord's admobishop Pell's comment in the Record (& nition that belonging alone i.e. the "Lord, also mentioned in Archbishop Hickey's Lord" or Pharisee law ones among us, is Easter address) about a new generation of not tantamount to believing. 18% only of Catholics who belong to the Hence would it not be better to strive to faith and also supposedly practise their seek God in our neighbour in articulating faith. the Gospels in today's terms when Christ It is also worth noting his similar obser- is "remembered" which we agree to when vation that the demand for sending chil- we celebrate the Eucharist? And what betdren to Catholic schools has increased, ter than through His gift that has seemingnevertheless. ly taken the coverage now to the schools In a homogeneously ideal world we indeed the gifts of the Holy Spirit must be would all not just be believers but also made alive and believing through our belong to the universal Catholic faith. schools. Without putting halos over so-called pracIf there is a lesson in the 18% statistic in tising Catholics or pre-judging non practis- church attendance for our mush cherished ing ones and even so, so-called non Catholic schools today, ills we hope the
cerns and issues and life experiences: Sister Johnson said. 'It's a church dominated by the older generation.' The church is currently doing a lot for high school and college youths through youth groups and campus ministry programs, but she said not enough structures exist to address the concerns faced by young Catholics out of college who are single or newly married. Sister Johnson and her research colleagues recommend the church make a preferential option for young adults. Young people interviewed called for more parish programs and activities geared for their age group and more adult education on Scripture, on the faith and on the church's social teachings. She suggested the church create listening sessions to hear how young people 'see things how Catholic school system can deliver on what after all is a belief of parents. including obviously lapsed Catholics and others, in the Catholic system. Then not only will our school 'belongers' help improve future statistics but also more to the truth, be believers to their parents and the world they live, play and work in witnessing Christ. Silvester Png Ocean Reef
Migrant pain mold Jago, letter 18 April, makes the point that a very significant number f asylum seekers have been or are about to be returned to their country of origin. This must not be a reason for supporting the Government's policies on the treatment of asylum seekers. The history of Australia's response to so called "boat people" over decades leaves a lot to be desired. But, since the "Tampa" affair and more so the "Children Overboard" fiasco, my wife and I have been appalled at the stories which have emerged and are now contin-
they think and what they believe.' 'Usually we see the church as a teaching church and we must be a listening church: she added, noting that the vocations congress and the process that led up to it were good examples of that. She said a popular program around the country called 'Theology on Tap: which brings young adults together with church leaders for a dialogue at a pub or restaurant, is one way to give young Catholics a space where they can ask difficult questions they might not ask in a formal setting. 'Sometimes in those spaces vocations questions come up or questions about the ultimate: What does one do with his or her only life on this earth?' she said. 'When you think about it, it's the most important question in the world but we haven't tended to it in a structural sense.'
uing to break on our treatment of asylum seekers. "Four Corners" April 15, "Foreign Correspondent" April 17 and "Lateline" as recent as April 22 have highlighted horrifying situations which under the pretext of dealing with illegal entry are tearing families apart and causing great distress and psychological ill health to those detained - as if they haven't experienced enough suffering already. The Australian people are not being told the full story. The Government has backed itself into a corner and it will take a huge swell of public opinion to reverse the tragic direction we have supported for too long. Asylum seekers are not criminals. The acts of desperation we are witnessing now, as serious as they may be, would never have been contemplated if our Government had adopted a more humane approach to the treatment of the men, women and children who are guilty of no offence under international law. Like the Bishops of Australia and a vast number of other prominent people and organisations whose voices are not being heard, we must protest strongly and seek the fair and just solution. John Angus Doubleview Page 11
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2 May, 2002
The World in brief
S. African abuse plan CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) - The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference admitted that a few priests in the region have been accused of sexually abusing children and reiterated its procedures for responding to abuse allegations. With the U.S. church embroiled in controversy over its handling of clergy sexual abuse of minors cases, South African Catholics have the right to know what actions their church leaders take "when similar abuses occur here," Cardinal Wilfrid F Napier of Durban, South Africa, president of the bishops' conference, said in an April 24 statement. "While the vast majority of priests live dedicated, celibate lives, the church in southern Africa admits that a few of its clergy have been accused of sexually abusing children. The bishops have approved a protocol outlining the steps to be taken when responding to each and every case reported." he said.
Celibacy serves
MANCHESTER. England (CNS) - Celibacy allows priests to freely serve God and community, Scotland's two archbishops said in a joint statement. "While no one would suggest that clerical celibacy is an unchangeable discipline, we believe it has an enormous value. Celibacy enables the priest to be completely free to give of himself to God and to his people," Archbishops Mario Conti of Glasgow and Keith O'Brien of St Andrews and Edinburgh said in a statement released April 23. "To allow those already ordained to marry would go against 2.000 years of tradition, not only in the Catholic Church but also in the Orthodox churches. It would also be contrary to the promises made at ordination by such men. Already, within the Catholic Church in the West. there is a place for married clergy, for example, permanent deacons, who offer excellent service," the archbishops said.
Cloning opposition WASHINGIUN (CNS) - Two recent polls show a majority of the American public opposes human cloning research. A Pew Research Center poll released in early April showed 77 percent of the 2.002 people questioned said they oppose scientific experiments in human cloning. A majority of respondents also said the government should fund stem-cell research. Fifty percent said stem-cell research should be funded, compared with 35 percent who said it should not. Asked which is more important, conducting research toward medical cures or not destroying human embryos, 47 percent said "medical research," while 39 percent said "not destroying embryos." A second poll by the Polling Company found 63 percent support President Bush's opposition to reproductive
cloning. Page 12
linteighatioiraW 'News
Clinic nrotesters anDeal
WASHINGTON (CNS) - The Supreme Court will hear a case on whether a nationwide injunction barring abortion protesters from clinics was applied correctly. The court on April 22 agreed to consider the claim of Operation Rescue and the Pro-Life Action League that activists' First Amendment rights were violated by the 16-year-old injunction, based on the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations act, known as RICO. In a separate case, the court also agreed to consider the fairness of capital punishment and whether more appeals should be allowed in questionable cases.
In the abortion clinic protest case, NOW vs. Scheidler, the court will consider only whether the RICO statute and federal extortion law should be applied to clinic protesters. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year rejected the argument that protesters from Operation Rescue were exercising their free speech rights. The Supreme Court has already ruled in NOW vs. Scheidler that the National Organization for Women could sue the organizations under the RICO statute. The current case raises the question of whether the law was correctly used. The court also agreed to allow a
wide variety of political protest groups to file "amicus" or friendof-the-court briefs in the case. The groups petitioning to make their voices heard in the case included Pax Christi USA, Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and the Vieques Support Committee; as well as Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois, founder of the group trying to close what was formerly known as the School of the Americas, and activist and actor Martin Sheen. In the death penalty case, the court will consider whether it was fair to stop the appeals of Abu-Ali AbdurRahman, who was convicted of killing an alleged drug dealer in Tennessee in 1986.
Bishops worry about rise of right PARIS (CNS) - French church leaders voiced concern at the support for far-right leader JeanMarie Le Pen after he placed second in the first round of presidential elections. "These results clearly show a radicalization of voters' political choices and highlight a deep crisis in our society," Archbishop Jean-Pierre Ricard, president of the French bishops' conference, said in an April 22 statement. "In the days ahead, we need to follow our intelligence rather than our instincts, discernment rather than spontaneous reaction, and calm rather than fear," he said. The archbishop spoke as campaigning intensified for a May 5 second-round ballot that will pit photo rNS/Reute, nationalist i.e Pen against incumFrench tar-right National Front party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen will vie against bent President Jacques Chirac. Meanwhile, another church incumbent President Jacques Chirac in second-round balloting May 5. leader criticized Le Pen's use of cent. nity" and resist social exclusion. quotations from the Pope and Le Pen, who founded the NationHowever, in a late-April survey warned that a recourse to vio- al Front in the 1960s and scored by La Croix, 12 percent of lence would "never be an instru- 15 percent in France's 1995 presi- Catholics said they planned to ment for reason or charity." dential election, has demanded vote for Le Pen, compared to a "The church and Christians repatriation of immigrants and quarter supporting Chirac, and a cannot accept that religious sym- preferential welfare treatment for fifth backing Jospin. bols and convictions have their native Frenchmen. as well as his Among other reactions to the meaning distorted in the service country's withdrawal from the election. Archbishop Emile Marof electoral polemics," said Jew- European Union. cus of Toulouse said French citiish-born Cardinal Jean-Marie The politician, who is known for zens "detested receiving anything Lustiger of Paris. racist and anti-Semitic remarks, resembling political orders" from "This warning will serve no pur- became notorious after describ- priests, but urged Catholics to pose if it fails to bring an account- ing the Holocaust as a "detail of realize "abstention would be a ing of conscience and a real effort history." mistake." of reflection by those responsible France's La Croix daily said the "Defending democracy remains for political life," he said. nationalist leader's program today a primordial element of disThe April 21 election confirmed included "xenophobia and intol- cernment," Archbishop Marcus a sharp turnaround in France's erance irreconcilable with the said in an April 24 statement. political scene, with Chirac taking Christian faith," adding that a "But it would be wrong to first place with 20 percent of votes "broad coalition" was now likely uphold policies that fail to affirm and 73-year-old Le Pen running behind Chirac to prevent Le Pen's human rights, the dignity of the election. human person whatever his orisecond with 17 percent. In a February statement, the gin, the duty of helping the poor Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, who headed France's Socialist French bishops urged citizens to and the stranger, and the necessigovernment since 1997, said he vote for "a future of justice and ty of living as citizens of the planned to retire from politics peace," by backing candidates nation, Europe and the world," he after placing third with 16 per- who would "defend human dig- said.
Lower courts had ruled that it was too late for him to appeal his conviction on the grounds that the state didn't turn over evidence it had and that its witnesses made misleading statements as well as other errors that harmed his chances of receiving a lighter sentence. The court already is considering two other cases over aspects of how capital punishment is applied to people who are mentally retarded and whether it is unconstitutional for a judge to impose a death sentence instead of a jury. Those cases will be decided before the court adjourns for the summer.
Euthanasia book published by Dutch Bishops By Jonathan Luxmoorli OXFORD, England (CNS) -Church leaders in the Netherlands have circulated documents detailing their struggle against euthanasia, which became legal on April 1. A church spokesman said the collection was sent out at the request of Catholic bishops abroad to provide 'data and arguments for church campaigns in other countries. 'Although were the first country to legalize euthanasia. the debate has been going on here since 1983," said Peter. van Zoest, spokesman for the Dutch bishops' conference. 'Having often been asked by church colleagues abroad, we had to do something to make clear what's happening here to the outside world.' he said. He was commenting after publication of the 166-page English-language book which was dispatched worldwide. He said the Dutch church's 'philosophical, anthropological, ethical and theological arguments' had been 'received sympathetically' and could help provide a model for similar debates elsewhere. "Many people appreciated and respected the fact that the largest church here held a clear position on this issue, at a time when Protestants were divided,' he said. The April 1 law allows 'mercy killings' and doctorassisted suicides, but also requires patients requesting euthanasia to be mentally alert.
US officials express concern over Russian actions
WASHING1UN (CNS) - An offi"These actions certainly violate cial with the U.S. Conference of international agreements guaranCatholic Bishops has expressed teeing religious freedom to which concern over Russian govern- Russia is a signatory," Powers said. ment actions against the Catholic Powers cited an April 19 inciChurch. Gerard F Powers, director dent in which Bishop Jerzy Mazur of the Bishops' Office of Interna- of the Diocese of St. Joseph in tional Justice and Peace, said Irkutsk, Russia, was told by memRussian authorities' recent denial bers of the Border Guard Service of re-entry to a bishop and a priest that he was on a list of people to could deepen religious tensions. be denied entry; the bishop was "These actions severely restrict forced to fly back to Warsaw, the religious freedom of the Poland. Powers requested that Catholic Church in Russia and Bishop Mazur be allowed back interfere with providing pastoral into Russia immediately. and spiritual care to Russian Powers also referred to an early Catholics, most of whom are citi- April incident in which a promizens of Russia," Powers said in nent Italian missionary, Father letters sent to U.S. and Russian Stefano Capri°, was denied reofficials. entry into Moscow.
The priest said the move was prompted by Orthodox anger over the Vatican's recent creation of dioceses in Russia. "The progress Russia has made in respecting religious freedom over the past decade has not only helped ease religious and societal tensions, but also has led to a resurgence of religious faith, which is contributing more to a democratic Russia," Powers said. He said that, because the church was persecuted under Russia's former communist regime, the church now relies on foreign missionaries as it rebuilds itself. "In light of this dependence, these recent actions directly affect the ability of the church to func-
tion," he said. Powers also expressed concern over recent efforts in the Duma to stifle religious freedom. "We hope that proposals to prohibit the activities of the recently created dioceses and to deny visas to Vatican officials are not enacted," he said. Russian officials long have used visa requirements for foreign clergy to make the work of the Catholic Church - and other minority faiths - more difficult. Some foreign priests in Russia have tried to get around the problem by adopting Russian citizenship or getting resident permits, but have had limited success with local bureaucrats.
Rite()Id
International News
2 May 2002
Pope an inspiration to all those suffering MONTREAL (CNS) - The witness of Pope John Paul II as someone who is physically afflicted but "strengthened with a full knowledge of God" should be a model of faith for all Catholics, a Vatican official said at the closing of the April 18-21 Third Continental Congress on Vocations in Montreal. The Pope touches the hearts of so many people, especially young people, because he responds to God's love with "radical openness," Archbishop Piergiorgio Nesti, secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, told congress delegates in remarks April 21. The Pope "shows God's presence in everyday life by the witness of his own life that welcomes without any 'ifs' or 'buts,'" belongs totally to God, and like him, loves others, he said. Archbishop Nesti praised delegates for attending the congress to reflect on how the church must foster vocations, but said their deliberations now must be followed by witnessing and spreading knowledge about the faith among young people. Each person is called to witness God's love, "the transforming power of grace" and the presence
of the Holy Spirit that "inspires our daily life," he added. The archbishop said an indispensable act of witnessing is knowledge, and "choice, friendship and deep love" grow from knowledge. Young people need to know "Christ as God who incarnated himself for our salvation and who is for us the way, the truth and the life," he said. If young people do not know this, he added, it is because those who guide them have not taught them, and they are left with a faith that is "feeble and sentimental." "Every vocation which implies a decision to commit one's life, particularly the call to a special consecration, needs knowledge which opens the way to a true. deep and committed love," Archbishop Nesti said. Only with this experience of God in their lives can those in vocations ministry successfully carry out their work today, he added. "Only in accordance with a conviction brought about by knowledge, sustained by grace and which has become a personal collective witness, in faithfulness to the church, does a Christian deepen his faith to the point of receiving God's call and living it with a radical openness to him," he said.
Pope John Paul II bows his head during his general audience in St. Peter's Square April 24.
Catholics need education about reproductive technologies By Florence L Herman NEW ORLEANS (CNS) - While people are clear on their understanding of where the Catholic Church and its leaders stand on abortion and life issues, there is a lack of understanding of many other life issues that underlie reproductive technologies, according to the U.S. Catholic bishops' former spokeswoman on life Issues. Helen Alvare said there is a lack of understanding on what the church teaches about sex, family and fidelity. Alvare spoke at the annual convention of Legatus. the internaHelen Alvare tional organisation of Catholic chief executive officers and corone addresses the morality of porate presidents on April 20. As new reproductive technolo- sperm donation. 'It's masturbagies have developed, she said, "no tion and pornography and wipeone has stepped forward on able sofas. That's how it's done.' Egg donation was the next develbehalf of the embryo. opment, she said. People are unfamiliar with 'You know the furore that was church teaching on reproductive caused recently about a couple technologies.' She called new reproductive technologies the advertising for an intelligent, tall, white girl to donate eggs for them *silent killer of love and life.' 'Today, you can go out and buy to have a child? That ad is not gametes, sperm, eggs, embryos unusual. It is published every week in coland wombs and put together a combination for a child,' she said. lege newspapers. And there's no Tracing the history of new repro- law banning it.' Alvare called in vitro fertilisaductive technologies, she started with sperm donation, which she tion the most common truly new called the 'most common. It's a reproductive technology 'But no one talks about the aftertechnique that been around since math, the fact that children born the 1940s.' 'Today, there are clinics special- through in vitro fertilisation have ising in this,' she said, 'but those an unusual rate of difficulties after clinics keep no track of people they are born,' she said. 'And it only has a success rate of 17 to 20 they send sperm to. It is estimated that 40 percent of percent.' This is one process, she their clients are homosexual cou- said, that was never tested before it was used. 'It began on humans ples." And, she added, there's no limit and wasn't even tried on monon the number of times a man keys,' she said. can donate sperm. 'There's not a To raise the success rate, she law in the United States that for- said, doctors fertilise as many bids that.' eggs as possible and then freeze She added, with distaste, that no the excess ones.
"101 reasons to abolish the death penalty" say Bishops
WASHINGTON (CNS) - The misconduct and ensure defenrecent exoneration of the 100th dants are represented by compedeath-row inmate and the release tent counsel. of the report from the Illinois GovIt also recommended reducing ernor's Commission on Capital the number of crimes eligible for Punishment add up to "101 rea- the death penalty from 20 to five. sons to abandon the death penalAlthough the commission was 'These frozen embryos provide ty," according to the head of the not asked to consider the quesfodder for stem-cell research,' she U.S. bishops' Committee on tion, a majority of the 15-member added. Domestic Policy. commission said they would And if there are too many In an April 24 statement, Cardi- favour abolishing the death embryos, the doctors and patients nal Theodore E. McCarrick of practice what is called 'selective Washington said the two news penalty in the state. In his statereduction,' which she also called items help illustrate the need to ment, Cardinal McCarrick said the U.S. bishops were taking the 'selective abortion.' limit and end the death penalty. opportunity to renew their call for When an embryo is selected, it On April 9, Ray Krone was freed "measures to restrain, restrict and might be because of its sex. Or it by the state of Arizona after servend the use of the death penalty might be deselected after genetic ing 10 years in prison for rape and in the United States." screening. a 'fallout of the Human murder. DNA tests vindicated him He said the bishops support Genome Project.' she said. and pointed to another inmate as many of the recommendations of She added that, because of the the likely person who sexually the commission, as well as legisuse of fertility drugs in these assaulted and killed a Phoenix lation such as the federal Irmoprocesses, the United States is waitress in 1991. His release cence Protection Act, as means of seeing its highest number of mul- marked the 100th death-row promoting greater fairness and inmate in recent years to have tiple births ever. stronger safeguards in capital As for the use of surrogate moth- been exonerated after conviction. cases. "We have other means to A few days later, the Illinois comers, Alvare said, the law is all over mission recommended 85 steps protect society, and we have an the place. obligation to protect the inno'It's done very regularly,' she intended to avoid wrongful con- cent," Cardinal McCarrick said. victions, prevent prosecutorial said, just not publicised. 'Some"There is no way to reverse an times the law has something to execution after new evidence say about it, sometimes it doesn't.' comes to light." After the 100th The public only hears about the exoneration, the 101st reason to bad side of the new reproductive turn away from capital punishtechnologies when something ment "is not what was done to goes wrong, she said. them, but what is being done to Alvare cited cases such as the the rest of us," the cardinal wrote. mother who gave birth to twins of "The increasing reliance on the different races; the doctor who death penalty diminishes all of used his own sperm; cases of us, increases disrespect for switched embryos; doctors giving human life, and offers the tragic out embryos without the owner's illusion that we can teach that permission; doctors giving Cardinal Theodore E McCarrick killing is wrong by killing." embryos to research -- an estimated 26 percent of them are given away, she said; or the case So you want to live a little longer? of the child born in California who had five progenitors but no It seems all it takes is going to Mass twice a week. parent. An American study has reported that white people attending reliNo one thinks of the child in the gious services more than twice a week on average lived seven years fallout until later, Alvare said. longer than those who didn't. With new reproductive techThe findings were even better among the black population with nologies, 'people want babies, scian average 14 years added on to their lives. ence can provide them. One explanation for the increased life expectancy was that churchBut think about the psychologigoers have lower rates of drinking and smoking as well as strong cal effects on the children when social ties. they find out. Think about it in 20 Other tips for living longer besides the usual good diet and exeryears or more when they come of cise included asking lots of questions, thinking positively and being age and want to find out about eccentric. Source: Reader's Digest their parents? • ,, —Page 13 c r_ •
Asian Catholic News
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Voices from Asia to enrich the Catholic Church
HONG KONG (UCAN) - A appointment for a term of five newly-appointed lay member of years, seeing it as a chance to the Pontifical Council for Justice serve the Church at a global level. and Peace says she will bring Because of its longer history, China issues to the attention of Hong Kong diocese's Justice and the Church hierarchy and an Peace Commission "seems to be Asian perspective to Church more active" than its counterparts soda! teachings. in East Asia, Yuen noted. She Mary Yuen Mee-yin, executive expressed hope that her experisecretary of the Justice and Peace ence with the diocesan commisCommission of Hong Kong dio- sion would be useful. cese, was among new members She also said that she wants to appointed by Pope John Paul II to exchange ideas with members the council, the Holy See Press from other countries and learn Office announced April 22. from them. She said she anticiYuen, 35, together with Bishop pates that her new duty would not Leon Tharmaraj of Kottar, India, diminish her work at the dioceand Bishop Antonio Ledesma of san commission, but rather both Ipil, the Philippines, are the three duties would complement each Asians among 14 named to the other. council. Yuen dismissed the idea of her "I will bring to the council's Involvement in the controversial attention Hong Kong and China right-of-abode issue in Hong Issues, and hope to enrich Kong since 1997 as a reason for Catholic social teachings with an her appointment. Asian perspective, making it more "On this issue, the local Church well rounded with voices from has kept a low profile all along, Asia." the Hong Kong-born lay- offering help to the abode-seekwoman told UCA News April 24. ers behind the scenes," she said. Although she was given only Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Zen days to consider, she accepted the Ze-kiun of Hong Kong told the
press in March that the pontifical council wrote to the diocese early 2002 to show support and concern for the abode issue. Over the past decade, Yuen has actively promoted human rights education at parishes and schools here. In 1997, she was awarded the Hong Kong "human rights press award" by local press groups and Amnesty International after writing an article urging Hong Kong's chief executive to have a global view on human rights. She was also involved in setting up the network of justice and peace workers from 12 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region in 1998. Yuen was not baptised until 1993, three years after she Joined the diocesan Justice and Peace Commission as project officer. In her undergraduate days at Hong Kong Baptist University, she joined the Catholic Society though she was not yet a Catholic. She was active in the Federation of Catholic Students' current affairs committee.
Cardinal supports President Arroyo
MANILA ((JCAN) - Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila reiterated his support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as lawmakers asked for a probe into whether a group he met with is plotting against the presidency. "I am happy with the way President Arroyo is leading the nation," Cardinal Sin wrote April 22. "It is not a perfect presidency but I am happy with her performance," the cardinal said in his letter to newspaper columnist Teodoro Benigno, an organiser of the Freedom Force, a coalition of civic groups and politicians. Emphasising his commitment to peace, the cardinal said, "I would be contradicting my work as a priest if I would espouse violence." He stressed that while he believes "there is always room for improvement," he is "not in favour of a collective leadership." The problem in the Philippines is the people's values and attitude, and not the leaders or the system, the prelate explained. Cardinal Sin wrote to Benigno after the media reported his April 18 meeting with Benigno and other civic leaders discussed the formation of a junta named Freedom Force to replace the Arroyo
administration. meeting he would join the moveIn his April 22 column in "The ment's launch in June that would Philippine Star," Benigno wrote Involve the publication of its manthat recent people's uprisings ifesto. have shown a "collective leader"Mobilising" the Church, busiship" that can save the country ness community, students, profesfrom a "worn out" and "disgraced sionals and the military was to system." follow the launch. He said this system is plagued Deputy House Speaker Raul with a political dictatorship, a Gonzales has called on Congress communist revolution and the to investigate whether the move"dictatorship of the Armed Forces ment plans to take over the Arroyo of the Philippines." government. He said a group of the "best Senator Parini() Lacson said the brains, bravest hearts and most probe should look into the role of intrepid and educated of the mid- Cardinal Sin and Auxiliary Bishdle forces" could "take over the op Socrates Villegas of Manila, nation" by recognising the legiti- who also attended the April 18 mate issues of the left and per- meeting. Meanwhile, Pastor Saysuading the military to step aside con, secretary-general of the nonand allow the people to rule. governmental Council on Reporting on the Freedom Force Philippine Affairs, told UCA News meeting, Benign() wrote that April 24 that the Freedom Force when the group's leaders group met with the cardinal to broached the concept to Cardinal discuss reforms in government Sin, the prelate "lost no time and not plans to replace Arroyo approving the concept and giving with a coalition government. Freedom Force his blessing." He said the leaders sought the Benigno said when the leaders cardinal's "blessings" for a manitold the cardinal they would only festo on "democracy and freedom pursue their mission with his and from poverty" they hoped to the Church's support, the prelate release at the group's launch. said, "Yes, go ahead we will be He added that he told Executive with you in your mission, your Secretary Alberto Romulo about crusade." the meeting the following day to Cardinal Sin reportedly told the avoid being misinterpreted.
ord l
Priest holds his ground
Police surround Father Franco Mella during a demonstration in support of mainland migrants April 25 in a Hong Kong park. The priest, who has championed the cause of mainland migrants fighting to remain in Hong Kong with family, was the one person left after police swept in, dragging away dozens of supporters and three illegal immigrants. The action came after a 200-strong crowd of migrants and their families surrounded the car of the region's security chief.
Dalit Christians to fight 'tooth and nail' for equal benefits India (UCAN) - Dalit Christians in southern India have opposed a government move to close a department set up 22 years ago for their welfare and accused the Church of ignoring their plight. The Kerala state government announced that it would wind up the "high lossmaking" Kerala State Development Corporation for Christian Converts from Scheduled Castes and Recommended Communities Limited. The department is among 75 corporations the government plans to close as a pre-condition to qualify for a multi-million rupee economic reform package from the Asian Development Bank. However, Christians of lowcaste origin, who have received benefits such as agricultural and education loans from the corporation since 1980, say the move is "a conspiracy to defame" the new converts to Christianity in Kerala. P.C. Joseph, a dalit Christian leader campaigning against the government decision, said the move will divest them of "the little economic benefits" they have been getting from the government. Responding to the April 5 announcement, Joseph and others formed the Dalit Christian Action Council to fight the decision "tooth and nail," as they feared it would leave dalit Christians a "neither here nor there lot." Dalit in Sanskrit means broken and denotes the former untouchables in India's four-tier caste system. Udaya Kumari, the corporation's senior super-
intendent, said its employees have pleaded with the state c.hief minister to save the department. She noted that Kerala is the only Indian state to set up such a corporation. Christians form 19 percent of Kerala's 31.8 million people. According to a corporation estimate, Kerala has about 500,000 dalit Christians. In the past two decades, the corporation authorised interest-free loans to debt Christians for small enterprises, agriculture projects and funds for their children's education. Kumari told UCA News April 18 that the corporation has so far disbursed 55 million rupees (now US$1.13 million) among the dalit Christians. However, the corporation suffered "a huge loss" as the beneficiaries failed to repay the loans, she said. "How can a government department just function like thatr Dalit Christians say many of them could not repay the loans because they never made much money from their yenP.K. Xavier, a drain Christian, who started a poultry farm with a 100,000-rupee loan in 1995. said he is facing "huge financial liability" after all his chickens died of various diseases. According to K. Samuel, member of the Dalit Christian Action Council, the corporation is the only department through which dalit Christians in Kerala can plead for equality, social justice and economic benefits.
North Koreans a forgotten emergency due to funding fatigue SEOUL (UCAN) - A Catholic aid agency has appealed to donors worldwide to continue supporting North Korea amid "decreasing interest" on the part of aid partner agencies. "Is North Korea going to be one of the forgotten emergencies?" asked Caritas Hong Kong, which represents the worldwide Catholic Churches' aid effort to North Korea. Millions of North Koreans still cannot meet their basic needs, but "the interest of partner agencies is decreasing," Caritas Hong Kong said in its April 9 appeal to
PagB14,:
partner agencies and the international community. It appealed for US$2,651,000 for North Korea for the period April 1, 2002, to March 31, 2003.
International aid agencies are shifting gradually from providing food aid to rehabilitation and development programs, which require more funding, it said. However, it noted that "funding fatigue," characterised by waning donations over an extended period of time, is setting in. Since 1995, the Church's aid and relief agency has provided US$25 million to
North Korea, the biggest recipient of international food aid before aid agencies shifted their attention to Afghanistan last year. Despite the worrisome situation in North Korea, Caritas Hong Kong pointed out some improvements in aid distribution. It noted that channels providing direct collaboration between funding agencies and various North Korean government ministries are increasing. The North Korean government, it added, is more open to training programs and has shown an increased desire to learn from the experience of other countries. Like U.N.
organisations and other NGOs working in North Korea, Caritas Hong Kong maintains the policy of "no access to the aid distribution process, no assistance," it said, pointing to safeguards to prevent the misuse of aid. For this reason Caritas is seeking donor support in the area of food aid, agriculture for food security, and health. Caritas Hong Kong said it will continue to locally produce winter clothing for farmers, a small project run in collaboration with the North Korean Catholic association.
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Phone: e-mail: cathrec@iinelnelau Publisher: Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth. 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 (GST included) Classifieds: $3.30 a line (Gsr included) Deadlines: Editorial: Tuesday, first mail. Advertising: Booking: Monday midday. Copy: Tuesday midday. Member: Aust Catholic Press Association: Aust Religious 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.
Easter for Ukrainians Ukrainian Catholics will celebrate Easter in Perth and Northam this weekend. The Easter ceremonies will open at 6pm on Holy Thursday (May 2) in Perth with the readings of the Gospels describing Our Lord's Passion. The Good Friday liturgy will reflect on the taking down of the body of Jesus from the Cross and placing it in the tomb. To be celebrated at Northam at 10am and Perth at 6pm, the ceremony includes a procession three times around the Church with an icon representing Jesus just taken down from the Cross.
Prayer at the tomb of Jesus and the Resurrection Litany, followed by the blessing of the Easter baskets, will be held in Perth at 6pm on Saturday. The same ceremony will be held at Northam at lOpm, followed from 11,30pm to 1.00am by the Holy Liturgy (Easter Mass). The Easter Sunday Holy Liturgy will be conducted in Perth at 9.30am on Sunday, followed by the blessing of Easter baskets for those not present on Saturday. Mass will be celebrated in Perth at 9.30am on Easter Monday and Tuesday.
Ministries Mass at St Charles' Seminary - Archbishop Hickey Mass for Br Molloy CFC - Bishop Sproxton
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Investiture Mass for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, St Mary's Cathedral Archbishop Hickey
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Mass for the Bethel Covenant Community Catholic Fellowship - Bishop Sproxton
6 - 14 Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference. Sydney Archbishop Hickey. Bishop Sproxton 9
National Workshop on Preventing Alcohol Related Harm in Australia - Rev Fr Kevin Cronin
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Mass of Thanksgiving (RCIA), Bateman Parish Bishop Sproxton
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Presentation of Youth Book to Year 12 students at Santa Maria College - Archbishop Hickey Opening of new premises for Centrecare Skills Training at Midland - Bishop Sproxton
Archcaocesan Panorama FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA This will be celebrated on May 13 in St Patrick's Basilica, Fremantle. at 7pm with Solemn High Mass. Sermon. Candle Procession and Benediction. All Welcome. PRAYER SERVICE A Prayer Service against sickness and evil is held every second Sunday of the month at St John's Pro-Cathedral. Victoria Ave, Perth. Next Service: May 12, 2.30-4.30pm. Inquiries: Fr John 9361 1200. A SCENSION THURSDAY LATIN MASS St John's Pro-Cathedral. Victoria Ave. Perth, 1pm & 6.30pm Thursday May 9. All Welcome. Enquiries: Fr Michael Rowe - 9444 9604. EUCHARISTIC REPARATION There will be a Holy Hour on Sunday May 12 at 3pm, in the Star of the Sea Church, Stirling Highway. Cottesloe, for the parishioners and the World A postolate of Fatima. Mgr P McCrann will officiate. All Welcome. CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION A Solemn procession of the Body. Blood. Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ present in the Most Blessed Sacrament will take place on The Feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday June 2. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 10.30am. main celebrant Most Rev. Robert Healy. Followed by a procession through the streets of Toodyay commencing from St John the Baptist Parish Church at 12.30pm. A reception follows, BYO. Bus services available contact Lucia D'Amico 9331 3078. For more info telephone: Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 9574 5204. NEXT DAY WITH MARY Holy Name parish, 54 Solar Way, Carlisle, Saturday May 18, 9am-5pm. A video on Fatima will be shown at 9am. A powerful day of prayer and instruction based upon the message of Fatima. Solemn Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, two talks, Rosary, Meditations on the Cross. All very welcome to this beautiful day with our Lady your Blessed Mother Mary. Please BYO. inquiries. Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 9574 5204.
devote 20 minutes morning and evening at home. t hen once a week join a group for an hour. contact Rosemary on 9319 9560. ST CATHERINE'S CATHOLIC CHURCH " CORPUS CHRISTI" On Sunday June 2. 12 noon BYO Lunch 2.15pm Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Gingin led by Bishop Peter Quinn, Rosary and Benediction. 3pm Concelebrated Holy Mass at the grotto. (Main Celebrant: Bishop Quinn). Afternoon Tea provided. For more details. contact: Margaret 9571 3387. Sheila 9575 4023 or Fr. Paul 9571 1839. Coaches Depart: St. Mary's Cathedral. Victoria Square. Perth for Gingin at 10am. Return to St Mary's Cathedral. at 6pm. For Transport A rrangements. contact: Francis Williams on Tel: 9459 3873. mob: 0404 893 877. Cost S14 per person (return). THE LAYMAN'S HOUR What is the suitable response to child sexual abuse? What can victims do? What measures can be used to prevent it? Hear Mr Des O'Sullivan, chairman of the committee set up by the Australian Bishops Conference to prepare the document. 'Towards Healing', live in the Layman's Hour with Raymond and Theresa de Souza (Radio Fremantle, 107.9 FM Sun 28 Apr at 7.30pm). Ring 9494 2100 to ask your questions. CHILDREN PRAYING FOR CHILDREN The last Sunday in May is the day chosen by the Australian Bishops Conference as the •Day for Life'. Bring your children to St Mary's Cathedral for a holy hour led by children who pray for the unborn, murdered every day in Australia. Sun 26 May at 2pm at St Mary's Cathedral. Catholic primary schools are encouraged to attend. 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. CROSS ROADS COMMUNITY: HEALING MASSES AND ACTIVITIES
MAJELLAN MAY RETREAT The Retreat will be held May 17-19 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 880 and a deposit of $20 or the full amount to be forwarded to Mrs Glenis Ottaway, 164 Leake St. Belmont 6104. Phone 9277 5652. CHRISTIAN MEDITATION Monday 7-8pm, Thursday 10.30-11.30am, Saturday 4-5pm. Three groups meet weekly in the South West Suburbs using the method of the Benedictine monk, John Main.This is a Christian way of prayer and a wonderful one which we love to share with more people. If you are willing to
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Fr Paul Baczynski from Cross Roads Community conducts on the first Monday of the month a Healing Mass at East Fremantle church at 7pm. On the second Monday of the month, Healing Mass at Munster/Spearwood church at 10am. On the third Monday, Healing Mass at lnnaloo church. At Cross Roads Community, there is a Support Group for families and friends of substance abusers on Wed, 7-8.30pm, and on Thurs 2-3.30pm. Fri at Cross Roads, 2-3.30pm support and growth group for substance abusers. Fri at Cross Roads at 7.30pm Holy Mass followed by fraternity, prayer and guest speakers on occasion. All are welcome. Inquiries: Cross Roads Community 9319 8344.
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The Last Word
Midland convent reopened for the Franciscan sisters By Neil Smith
T
he move by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate to the Stella Mans convent at Midland was a reward for patience and a gift of providence, the Archbishop, Barry Hickey said last week. Providence had provided the building for the Sisters, which the Archbishop said he was happy to assign to them, and their patience in looking for places from which to base their work had been rewarded. It was also provident that the Sisters had received so much help from the community In terms of benefactors who came forward to offer donations of cash and kind, and labour to undertake the restoration and repair of the building. The Sisters' energy and vitality - and determination to succeed in their work - has had a big impact on communities where they have . worked. In many instances just when the Sisters needed specific help, their prayers were answered. Archbishop Hickey pointed to an instance when they needed a carpenter and a benefactor knocked on their door. His name was Joseph (Stefanelli) who
The Stella Mans Convent next to St Brigid's church at Midland which has become a base for the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate and which was blessed by Archbisop Barry
although not a carpenter knew one who would do the work. And Joseph's wife is Maria," Archbishop Hickey said. The carpenter who stepped forward as a. volunteer is Jerry Coogan, who was held in such high esteem he was invited to speak at the dedication Mass for the ceremony in the St Brigid's Church, Midland.Mr Coogan said he was more than rewarded for his voluntary labours because working with the Sisters had brought him closer to God. A former Bindoon boy, Mr Coogan said he had been lost to the Church for some time, but working with the Sisters had returned him to the fold. The restoration and repair of the building had been a mammoth task. "It became an issue when we just had to tell the termites to leave the building - and they did," Mr Coogan said. A major superior of the Franciscan Order, Friar Gabriel Ma. Pellettiere, Vicar General of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate travelled from Italy for the ceremony. There are seven of the sisters in Western Right Archbishop Barry Hickey blesses the old convent accompanied by a superior of the Franciscan order who travelled from Italy for the
A part of the packed congregation which gathered in St Brigid's church for the special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Hickey to celebrate the blessing of the convent
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he Record is our own Catholic weekly newspaper. It tells us what's happening in the Church locally and internationally. The television and the daily newspaper don't give much space to the Church and when they do, it's often bad news. Find out what is really going on. There is always something in The Record to