The Record Newspaper 20 June 2002

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Nollamara Addicts search for f arewells its spiritual peace Mercy Sisters with Fr Paul - Pages 8&9 - Page 9

Fr Lisle sees God's plan in his life - Page 16

Church bans NSW South Coast Little Pebble cult After a four-year investigation involving the Vatican. the church officially outlawed on Monday the Order of St Charbel. a sect operated by purported visionary Mr William Kamm, also known as the Little Pebble. The Church Resources website reported that the decree orders the cult to disband and Mr Kamm to stop linking his order to the Church. which finds most of its practices and Mr Kamm's supernatural prophecies "offensive". Mr Kamm. who claims the Virgin Mary gave him the name Little Pebble to protect his real identity, is reported to have grown his order to 500,000 members in 160 countries. The self-styled prophet, who is not an ordained priest, claims to have been the vehicle for more than 500 prophecies from Mary and even Jesus Christ after God spoke to him in a grassy paddock in 1984.

He said yesterday his strike rate as a "seer" of the future was about half, with about 250 prophecies coming true - but he won't reveal which ones. He wrongly predicted a massive natural disaster which would force the cancellation of the 2000 Sydney Olympics and an earthquake which would flood most of Sydney after the partial destruction of Warragamba Dam. He has predicted the end of the world "as we know it" at Easter 2004. Wollongong bishop Peter Ingham said on Monday the sect had sparked family breakdowns on the south coast. The sect's teachings were "false, harmful and contrary to the Catholic Church", Bishop Ingham said. "If Mr Kamm considers himself a loyal Catholic, he would not want to operate outside the Church or encourage others to do so." After issuing the decree, the Church

has now taken the rare step of setting up a phone service to counsel members of the cult, who include more than 300 people at the 100ha Cambewarra property as well as communities in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Mr Kamm rejected the decree yesterday and said his order would flourish. He instead called for a "proper" canonical investigation into his visions in a bid to prove his prophet status. "I operate on the authority God gave me... and I will continue my work." he told The Daily Telegraph newspaper at the Cambewarra compound. "God spoke to me and told me to form an order in the Church and that is what I have done." "I'm not leaving the Church because it's persecuting me. "We haven't been excommunicated. We will continue."

Priests get preview of discovery Archbishop Barry Hickey gave priests of the archdiocese a sneak preview of the new discovery magazine, the first issue of which will appear next weekend. The Archbishop showed the centre spread feature article on the new Australian film Molokai to priests who attended the Council of Priests meeting last Thursday morning at the LI Goody Bioethics Centre in Glendalough. Molokai. by Australian director Paul Cox. tells the story of Fr Damien. the Belgian priest who became famous for his work with lepers on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. It has been winning rave reviews for its cast, direction and powerful storyline. The movie will be released in Perth on June 20, four days before discovery is distributed. Discovery will be distributed through all WA Catholic schools and parishes. It will focus on faith, family life, youth and education.

Archbishop issues open invitation to Cathedral talk on the Eucharist

E

veryone is invited to the Cathedral next Saturday afternoon. June 29, to hear Archbishop Barry Hickey speaking on the importance of the Eucharist and the need for growth in Eucharistic devotion. He will also outline his vision for the development of holy hours and perpetual adoration in the Archdiocese. The Archbishop's address will begin at about 4pm and will be the keynote of the Eucharistic Convention running from 2pm to 5pm. Everyone is invited and no registration is required. Raymond de Souza, of St Gabriel Communications, will open proceedings at 2pm with an explanation of the biblical foundation of the Catholic belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. His talk will include ideas on how to explain this most important truth to Protestants or lapsed Catholics who no longer see its significance. Exposition will begin at 3pm and will be followed by the Archbishop's address at 4pm. The convention will close at 5pm after Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Organised by Fr Doug Harris, of the Cathedral clergy (phone 9223 1350), the convention is designed to further promote perpetual adoration in parishes. At present. perpetual adoration is available in Mirrabooka. Midland and Belmont.

Tune in to Archbishop Hickey on Channel 31

Archbishop Hickey, with Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton at right, displays draft pages of discovery at the Council of Priests meeting in Glendalough last Thursday June 13. /

A film about Linda's House of Hope featuring Archbishop Barry Hickey will be screened on Access 31 on Tuesday June 25 at 6pm. Called 'Turn' it tells the story of Linda Watson's efforts to help women and girls to escape from prostitution. and Archbishop Hickey's strong support for her work.

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20 June, 2002

Address at Notre Dame graduation A few years ago a university education was rare, even though universities have a history that goes back centuries, and centres of learning go much further back When I was at the University of Western Australia it was the only one. A university education was only for the minority most families did not aspire to that for their children. Times have changed. There has been a rapid growth in the number of universities in Western Australia and an explosion in student numbers. Among the new universities is this Catholic University of Notre Dame Australia. It says much for the vigour of the Catholic community that we have, alone among religious confessions, an extensive system of education at primary and at secondary level, and now at tertiary level. It also says much about the self-understanding of the Church that faith, knowledge and culture are connected and mutually beneficial. The Holy Father has praised the Catholic university for being a centre of research and creativity a centre for dissemination of

knowledge a sign of the fecundity of the Christian mind in the heart of every culture enabling the Church to be in dialogue with people of every culture. St Augustine, who lived in the fifth century and whose intellectual contribution to the world is still felt strongly today, knew the relationship between faith and reason. He said: "Intellige ut credas Crede ut intellegam" - Understand that you may believe. Believe that you may understand. It is clear that the contribution of a Catholic University, under the direction and impulse of the Holy Spirit, can be beneficial for the individual student and for the moral tone of the world's cultures. It is also clear that a university education is more than a way of getting a job, and a Catholic university education even more so. It promotes the personal search for the wisdom behind the gift of faith, and offers a Christian vision of culture whereby knowledge becomes a form of service to the world. May I remind you today of an important truth - if you have been Baptised and Confirmed.

you are called - called to be part of the Mission of the Church. The Church's Mission is to bring the world to God and to enter the Kingdom of God, according to the mind and intention of the Saviour. You are part of that Mission. So are we all. I have my role along with the clergy to sanctify, to preach, to build up, to unify and to lead in the footsteps of Christ the Good Shepherd. You, the majority in the Church, have the complementary role of changing the world for the better. The message for today is contained in the Gospel of the Mass. You have been sent, like Jesus' own followers, to go out and bring in the harvest. You are called to be labourers in the harvest. Significantly Jesus did not call his followers to plant seed or water the shoots but to bring in the harvest. It was ready and waiting. So today we need labourers in the harvest to bring It in, because humanity is waiting to receive the Good News of Jesus Christ.Ihope many priests will be alumni of this University. Most of you will remain lay people, doing a vast variety of things. Remember you have

your role in the Mission of the Church. Your vocation, as the Second Vatican Council said, has a secular character where the world is both the place and the means by which you fulfil your vocation. Think about that. Wherever you are, whoever you choose to be, you are entrusted with the Mission of the Church and empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring Christ's Good News to your workplace, your profession and your social circle. Therefore, be aware that you are called. Be one with all others in the Church. Be one body, the Body of Christ, where all the members need and help one another. Beware of divisions and factions within the Church. Beware of the corrosive effects of criticism of one another. Work for unity. Don't leave it all to the clergy. If you are tempted to say "What is the Church doing about some situation - or what is the Bishop going to do about it - reflect for a moment. You may find that it is more properly the role of lay people to address the problem. Be strong in faith. Remembering St Augustine, let your knowl-

Australian Archbishop helps US priests refocus after conference that sometimes their own goals in life are not compatible with what God has in mind for them. Archbishop Wilson addressed the bishops several times during a morning of prayer and reflection on the last day of their June 13-15 meeting in Dallas. The bishops spent the first two days developing a policy for handling sexual abuse by priests. The archbishop said the Gospel reading of the Transfiguration. when Jesus revealed his divinity to Peter, James and John, holds lessons for those who would serve the church. Jesus leads his apostles to a mountain, where they The Catholic Diocese see him transfigured and seated in of Bunbury glory with Moses and Elijah. The Archbishop Philip E Wilson of Adelaide Gospel of Mark, chapter 9, goes on to The Catholic Diocese of Bunbury comprises tell of the apostles being totally at a twenty-six parishes and extends from Mandurah in loss as to what was happening, Arch- and made his speech difficult, may in a simthe North to Albany in the South and East to ilar way prove to be the source of the greatbishop Wilson said. Esperance. The Diocese administers the pastoral est moments of his life. and financial activities of the Bishop of Bunbury, At the moment of an amazing event, The Pope's finest achievements may prove the Most Reverend Gerard J Holohan. This the apostles do not understand what includes the financial monitoring of the Diocesan Jesus has shown them and instead to be his recent and future writings, and the people he touches during a difficult physiand parish entities covering the Catholic Developbegin bickering over who is going to ment Fund, Catholic Welfare and Faith Education cal time of his life, Archbishop Wilson said. among the greatest be considered Agencies. "We have to decide the ways in which our them, he said. They miss the revelation Reporting to the Financial Administrator, you will lives and our ministry have to be lived out that will glory and beauty of God of the be responsible for the preparation of financial follow Jesus' suffering and death, Arch- in the reality of today," he said. "The real key reports, budgeting, investment management & to our leadership and our spiritual develbishop Wilson explained. reporting, IT maintenance, statutory/taxation opment is in responding to the presence of reporting, compliance reporting and to monitor The archbishop said that letters writ- God. and improve internal controls. ten to the people of the Atlanta Arch"The more we do that - accepting our limYour hands on approach to this position and the diocese by the late Archbishop James itations - the more we may be able to do capacity to manage multiple tasks is essential. P. Lyke before he died in December God's work," he said. Working within a small team you will need to 1992 of cancer helped him learn to demonstrate excellent communication and interIn this time of challenge and great pain for accept that the life of a bishop is less personal skills, high level of energy and the motithe church - especially for bishops - we are about implementing his own plans vation to be part of a successful team. not to run away from the chalchallenged than about reacting to what the world CA/CPA qualified, you will have strong technical but to embrace it," said Archbishop lenge, throws at him. accounting skills coupled with sound IT skills Wilson. including maintaining and developing existing Archbishop Lyke wrote about his difHe encouraged the bishops to see the equipment and systems and recommending ficulty in accepting the limitations of scandal not as something that keeps them improvements. High level knowledge of MYOB and the first serious illness of his life, can- from doing what they were meant to be Excel is essential. ASIA qualifications would be an cer that caused him to have a kidney doing, but as the providence of God. advantage. Applicants should be attuned to the in January 1991. removed Catholic Church. ethos of the He asked them "to see the truth of the pre"Those letters had a really big effect sent times, to accept our weaknesses and Applications including covering letter, CV and on me," Archbishop Wilson said, see that the pathway can only be the pathreferences will be treaded in strictest confidence because they led him to think about way opened for us by Christ." and can be emailed to John Ogilvie, Financial Administrator at jogilvie@bunbury.catholic.org.au how he felt about the unexpected Australia has had its share of sexual abuse events of his own life. cases, and Archbishop Wilson said that, in Catholic Diocese of Bunbury, PO Box 2005, The Australian prelate hypothesized his experience, one of the most difficult BUNBURY WA 6231 that Pope John Paul II's health trou- parts of handling them is to become www.bunburycatholicorg.au bles, which have limited his mobility engaged with victims.

DALLAS (CNS) - After a painful process of approving policies for handling sexual abuse of children by priests, the U.S. Catholic bishops stepped out of the public eye for a morning of prayer and the help of an Australian bishop to focus back on their vocation. Archbishop Philip E. Wilson of Adelaide, Australia. told the bishops on June 15 that getting through this time of turmoil in the church will be easier if they learn to accept

Accountant

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Archbishop's

Perspective edge strengthen your faith and your faith nourish your knowledge. The theme of the coming World Youth Day to be held in Toronto is "Be Salt and Light" the Pope's call to young people - the words of Jesus himself. Let It also be a call to you, the new graduates of Notre Dame. Be salt and light for the world. (The Archbishop's Homily to new graduates at Notre Dame. on June la)

Appointments to Clergy in WA Barry Hickey Archbishop announced this week that Fr Vinh Dong and Fr John Piumatti, till now priests-in-charge of Lockridge and Carlisle respectively, have been appointed Parish Priests for a period of six years. Fr Dennis Sudla has been appointed Assistant Priest at Good Shepherd Church, Kelmscott from June 22, 2002

RIP Redemptorist priest Fr Owen Ryan CSsR passed away on June 17. The Vigil Mass for the repose of his soul was due to be concelebrated on Thursday June 20 at 7 pm at the North Perth Redemptorist monastery, the day after The Record went to press. His Requiem Mass was due to be concelebrated on Friday June 21 at 1.30 pm. An obituary for Fr Owen will appear in a future edition of The Record.

Dominicans honoured The Queens Birthday Honours List acknowledged the contribution of four members of the Dominican Family, including Phillip Owens from Bunbury. They are: Member (AM) in the General Division: Sr Patricia Ruth Bundock OP, Wallangarra (Q1d); Sr Frances Mary Caine OP, Bracken Ridge (Qld) Medal (OAM) in the Division: Fr Laurence Peter Fitzgerald OP, Camberwell (Vic); Mr Philip Frederick Owens BEM, Eaton (WA): President of the Dominican Laity in Bunbury. A number of Western Australian Catholics were also honoured in the Queen's list. Stories on these will appear in future editions of The Record.

20 June, 2002

Record

Couple off to world meeting

Anne and Peter McGowan of Sydney, who have been chosen as the delegates for the World Meeting of Families to be held in the Philippines in January 2003.

The Chairman of the Bishops' Committee for the Family and for Life, Bishop Eugene Hurley, has announced the selection of a couple to be the official delegates of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference to the Fourth World Meeting of Families. They are Anne and Peter McGowan of Sydney. Anne and Peter were selected from candidates nominated by their local bishops. The World Meeting of Families will be held in Manila, The Philippines, from January 22 - 26, 2003. "The Holy Father is highly committed to these World Meetings and always attends them. "I am sure the McGowans will be worthy representatives for Australian Catholic families at this gathering," said Bishop Hurley.

Mr and Mrs McGowan are active members of St Christopher's parish, Holsworthy. They have four children. They are thrilled at their selection and consider it a great honour to have been chosen to represent the Catholic families of Australia. Peter is employed as a pastoral care worker at St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst. Anne is employed by Natural Family Planning Services, Sydney as supervisor of NFP teachers and family life educators. They have been involved in work with developmentally delayed people and have had a long-time involvement with the Catholic Society for Marriage Education. Peter and Anne were founding members of the pm-marriage pro-

Jesus world's hope: July gathering Charismatic Catholics, or those just interested in the charismatic movement, will find plenty to absorb at a conference to be run in Pemberton in July. The Holy Spirit of Freedom Community is offering a conference focussing on Jesus as the hope of the world's nations. It will run over the weekend of 19-21 July and will he held at the Gloucester Motel nestled in the picturesque hills of Pemberton. The keynote speaker will be Melbourne-based and Egyptian born priest Fr Wahid Riad. Fr Riad among other duties is chaplain to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement in Melbourne. Fr Wahl(' is also a member of the HSOF which over the last 12 months or so has begun to grow in Melbourne. Other speakers will include Deacon Frank Feain, the founder and leader of the HSOF and

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Josephine Bendotti, a Western Australian HS01. leader. People interested in attending a charismatic gathering will find plenty to meditate upon from conference talks. Topics to be covered include Intercessory Prayer. Basic Evangelisation and the HSOF's outreach to the poorest of the poor The Bishop of Bunbury, Bishop Gerard Holohan, will celebrate Mass during the Conference on Sunday morning at llam. Meanwhile HSOF chaplain Fr Brian Morgan will he available for confessions throughout the weekend. The conference will be the fifth conducted by the HSOF in the Bunbury Diocese. Special intercessory prayers for the world will be offered to God on Sunday morning. The HSOF can be contacted on 9776 1734

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Canonisation in Rome 6 October, 2002

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gram, Together as One. The chosen theme for the World Meeting is The Christian Family: Good News for the Third Millennium. The theme of each World Meeting has been specifically chosen by the Pope to reflect his belief in families and his view, expressed in his Apostolic Letter, Familiaris Consortio (#86), that the future of humanity passes by way of the family". In the Pope's view, the family is much more than a needy group. It is a major agent for evangelisation. Thus the Pope is calling the families of the world to continue to share their love and so to make God's love ever more relateable in every corner of human existence. This is the basis of his challenge: "Family, become what you are," (FC #17).

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Thanksgiving Masses

Various Eucharistic celebrations will be held in thanksgiving for the canonisation of Josemaria Escriva

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Record I

20 June, 2002

Conversion stories gm. A

with Tony Evans

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he great French writer, Catholic, and Nobel Prize winner, Albert Camus, once wrote of the power of Drama: 'Those who love the mystery of the heart. and the truth concealed in human beings must come to the theatre.. .to make truth come alive put it on the stage'. If this is true then it is sad to reflect that there have been so very few great religious plays written in the last hundred years. A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt immediately comes to mind, and so too the greatest of all modern religious plays, Murder In The Cathedral, by T.S.Eliot. Eliot was deeply religious, a prominent Anglo—Catholic, whose work, like that of C.S.Lewis, can be admired by all Catholics for its penetrating insights and orthodoxy. The Christmas sermon delivered by Thomas a Becket in Murder In The Cathedral has rightly become a classic and is much quoted. Thomas, in foretelling his own end, explains the nature of Christian martyrdom:

giask eloved, we do not think

of a martyr simply as a good Christian who has been killed because he is a Christian: for that would be solely to mourn. "We do not think of him simply as a Christian who has been elevated to the company of the saints; for that would be simply to rejoice: and neither is our rejoicing as the world's is. "A Christian martyrdom is never an accident. Still less is a Christian martyrdom the effect of a man's will to become a saint, as a man by willing and contriving may become a ruler of men. "A martyrdom is always the design of God. for His love of men, to warn them and to lead them, to bring them back to his

ways. " It is never the design of man;

for the true martyr is he who has become the instrument of God, who has lost his will in the will of God, and who no longer desires anything for himself, not even the glory of being a martyr."

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bout 30 odd years ago, a young boy sat on the chook house roof, contemplating the eternal verities. Despite being baptised a Lutheran my practice of faith was limited to an appearance as the little drummer boy and weekly Sunday school. Punishment for delinquency in Sunday school was to run a lap of the building so I was physically if not spiritually fit for my chook house ruminations. The eight-year-old looked to the stars and said, 'God if you're real, leave an autographed bible for me to find on the road to school tomorrow". The next day I saw a strange bundle on the dirt road and excitedly unwrapped it Needles to say God did not embark on a book signing for an unruly youngster but opted instead to introduce me to the disposable nappy. It was a good lesson, which remained unlearned. For many years God andIweren't on speaking terms. Longer till I realised that the only one not talking - or listening - was I. On October 26 1997 a world-weary soul saw a much needed smile, that smile belonged to a girl named Doreen. Doreen told me at that first meeting that she was a devout Catholic. As long as she didn't push her faith, it didn't bother me. She didn't push

merely living by example and finally I started to learn. I started by picking up my girlfriend from Mass and then began attending with her. The Late Father Gerard Dickenson celebrated my confirmation on November 8, 1998, my fiancée stood as my sponsor. On the rust day of Spring last year I shared my favourite Sacrament, that of Holy Marriage celebrated by Father John Piumatti, a young priest blessed with an abundance of patience and understanding whose ordination we attended weeks before my confirmation. We go to Mass weekly and tell others that "we go to church religiously". We never miss a Chrism Mass, it's a joy to see these men renew their vows despite an increasingly secular world. If a ditch digger sins or errs, the media doesn't hold up the whole profession to question, and journalists certainly don't themselves try to live to the standards they expect of others. I'm imperfect but slowly learning, one day I'll take my beloved wife to where that old chook house used to stand. Not to petition or question but to give thanks. Geoff and Doreen Snell Claremont

Geoff and Doreen Snell with Fr Piumatti

Chidlow woman spreads the word

A chance meeting with some American executives of a distribution business of Catholic faith education on audio and video tapes while visiting her son in Tijuana has led to a new apostolate for a Chidlow woman and her daughter. It has transformed the life of Maree McGuckin, and her daughter, Michele, who have embarked on a venture which includes manufacturing and distributing tapes in their home. Terry Barber's St Joseph Communications has Scott Hahn as one of their main presenters and Maree supplies all audio and

video tapes. She was persuaded to set up St Joseph Communications Australia, and has a nationwide distribution business operating from her home in Chidlow, just outside of Perth, and was encouraged by Archbishop Hickey in this venture. The business is mainly a mail order operation, taking orders for video and audio tapes of seminars, and distributing them throughout Australia. However, an offshoot has been the need to learn about sound and video editing and duplicating. The American distributers forward master tapes to the McGuck-

ins, and then they duplicate them for national distribution in Australia. It has meant buying and learning to operate sophisticated, electronic and computerised equipment more likely to be found in a recording company's studios than in a Perth outer suburban home. Although still in its infancy, Maree's business is expected to grow as public awareness of it and demand increases. You can contact Maree McGuckin on 9572 4343 or fax on 9572 4440 or email on stjoecom@bigpond.com

The following is a recent Catholic and Orthodox churches address by Father Julian Por- and is currently witnessing an teous, rector of seminary of increased presence of Islam and the Good Shepherd of the Eastern religions like Buddhism. Archdiocese of Sydney, in While being a strong element in the video-conference on the traditions of the Eastern "Mariology from Vatican Churches, both Catholic and Council II Until Today," Orthodox, devotion to the Blessed organised by the Vatican Virgin Mary is more often than Congregation for the Clergy. not a "sticking point" with many he Blessed Virgin Mary has Christians of the evangelical peralways had a special place suasion. The common accusation made In the hearts of Catholics of Catholics is that we are against the Australian Church over its comparatively short history. The engaged in an unnecessary chan"mother church" of Australia. St nel of mediation with God by Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, first Invoking the intercession of the built in 1821, witnesses to the Blessed Virgin Mary, or that devodevotion of early Sydney tional practices and use of images are a form of idolatry. More Catholics, both clergy and laity. Pentecostal churches recently, Our first bishop, John Bede Polding, had a particular devotion to have been particularly critical of the Virgin Mary, writing her ini- Catholic devotion and challenge tials atop all his writings. Two the perpetual virginity of Our years after the establishment of Lady by asserting the existence of the Australian hierarchy, Mary other children to Mary. The Vatican Council sought to Help of Christians was proclaimed patroness of Australia. establish an ecumenical footing Devotion to the Blessed Virgin to ongoing dialogue with other separated "our Mary, expressed in the 20th cen- churches, tury particularly by a love of the brethren," in many of its docurosary, is a strong element of Aus- ments. Thus, the document on the Church, "Lumen Gentium," pretralian Catholicism. In more recent times various sented Mariology as an intrinsic devotional movements have part of ecclesiology. The opening brought about a renewed love of words of this final section of the the Blessed Virgin Mary. document on the Church reveal a In the post Vatican II Church the clear ecumenical sensitivity: "In challenge to ecumenism has been the words of the apostle there is undertaken seriously in Australia, but one mediator: "for there is but given that the country has been one God and one mediator of God historically a mix of Anglican, and men, the man Christ Jesus, Catholic and Protestant churches, who gave himself as a redempand since the migration after tion for all' (1 Timothy 2:5-6)" (Art. World War II embraces Eastern 00).

The Council, though, was quick to point out that "Mary's function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ." The goal of authentic Catholic ecumenism, as Pope John Paul II reminds us in "Ut Unum Sint," No. 77, is to restore full visible unity among all Christians: "The greater mutual understanding and the doctrinal convergences already achieved between us, which have resulted in an affective and effective growth of communion, cannot suffice for the conscience of Christians who profess that the Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. The ultimate goal of the ecumenical movement is to re-establish full visible unity among all the baptised." No sound ecumenical effort can ignore the place of the Virgin Mary. Biblical and patristic studies reveal Mary's place in ecclesiology and in the faith and spirituality of the Church from its earliest beginnings. Catholics cannot, in a false ecumenical sensitivity, adopt a silence about Mary. There was a tendency to do this in the early years of the grass-roots ecumenical movement. Indeed our devotion to and honouring of Mary can become precisely a source for constructive and clarifying dialogue with, particularly, evangelical Christians. It can challenge the limits of a fundamentalist approach to faith based in a narrow interpretation of the biblical texts.

Maree McGuckin

Mary: worthy of deep devotion Commission

T

appointment The Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference has appointed Mrs Joan Hendriks to the Commission for Australian Catholic Women. Mrs Hendriks fills the vacancy left by Mrs Colleen Muckan of Mt Isa whose valuable contribution to the Commission was curtailed by her extensive workload in the Diocese of Thwnsville. Joan Hendriks, from Brisbane, has had a long involvement at all levels of Church life representing indigenous people. She is currently coordinator of Churches Together Aboriginal Partnership, Queensland, Lecturer in Cultural Studies and Indigenous Spirituality, Australian Catholic University and a member of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council. The Australian Bishops' Social Justice Statement 2000 placed considerable emphasis on the participation of indigenous women in the life of the Church. Mrs Hendriks brings much experience and wisdom to facilitating this participation. While her appointment is effective immediately it is appropriate that Mrs Hendriks first Commission meeting will take place in her home town of Brisbane on 9th August, 2002.

20 June, 2002

ReCord

Applecross to mark Carmelite its golden jubilee retreat at Gelorup A traditional liturgical song written by Applecross's first parish priest, Father Albert Lynch, will feature in the celebrations for the golden jubilee of St Benedict's Parish early next month. Fr Lynch earned renown as a musician and composer as well as for being the founding priest at Applecross, and was also the founder of the St Mary's Cathedral choir in Perth. Multi-skilling and longevity seem to be features of the priests in the parish. In all of its 50 years. there have been only three priests with Fr Lynch serving from 1952 to 1973, Fr Rodney Williams, from 1973 to 1978 and the present priest, Fr John O'Reilly, there since 1978. Fr Lynch was an accomplished violinist which led to his musical and composing renown. Fr O'Reilly carries on the multiskilled tradition being as well a keen yachtsman - a regular twilight sailor when appointed to the Nedlands parish and a part of the afterguard of Alan Bond's first America's Challenge with Southern Cross. He is also a steam locomotive fancier. And at least one of the seven curates or assistant priests over the years. Fr Pat Cunningham. also gained renown in later years as a newspaper editor. With such a colourful array of priests, the parish's jubilee celebrations are hound to be full of verve and colour, and packed with interest. The celebrations kick off on Friday July 5 with the Jubilee Dinner, to be attended by Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey and the Mayor of Melville, Ms Katie Mair.

Father John O'Reilly

Many of the past assistant priests are expected for the Jubilee Mass the following Sunday. As well there will be an exhibition of parish memorabilia, including Items from the school. Many historic photographs will be displayed at the exhibition, including some from the first services at the church, some of the early class pictures from the school and the first school sports day. It was Fr Lynch who chose the name St Benedict for the parish, after learning about the saint while studying in Belgium. Before 1952, the Applecross locality was part of the Palmyra parish. At

that time there were only two Catholic churches south of the river - the other at South Perth. A bus was organised to take the Applecross people to the 730am Mass at Palmyra. Eventually a room was secured at Applecross Primary School and Mass was celebrated there every Sunday at 8am (the room is still there). Increases in the population meant the Mass had to be moved to the Applecross Hall (now the Tivoli Theatre) opposite the Raffles Hotel. The first midnight Mass in the locality was celebrated there, and soon after the Smith family offered a room in their house at Tweedale Rd for use as a chapel. The first of the buildings on the present site in Ardross St was begun in 1953. A single room was built with an office-cum-sacristy - doubling as a church on Sundays and school during the week. The first of the school buildings opened in February 1953, but the school is sharing its jubilee celebrations with the church. The original church was renovated to its present format in the mid-1970s.

Pope John Paul, in his recent letter to the Church in Oceania, begins with the words of praise and thanksgiving to God for "this immense gift of faith". Sacred scripture speaks about the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph 3:8), our "victory over the world' (1 John 5:4), the "treasure" (Matt ch 13). Catching a glimpse of the "victory", the treasure", will be the subject of an upcoming week-end retreat in the Chapel of the Carmelite Sisters at Gelorup. A priest from the Order of St Dominic will give talks on the "wonder, the beauty and the mystery" of the Catholic faith. The talks will have ample examples from the lives of the Saints

and from Sacred Scripture. There will also be daily Mass, periods of silence and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). The object of the retreat is to grow "rich in faith" (St Paul) Becoming more aware of this "immense gift of faith", you may hopefully experience a greater hunger for it, and make hence forth your own the cry of the Apostles: "Lord, increase our faith". Where? At the Carmelite Chapel along Gelorup Rise, Gelorup. When? June 28th Friday evening 7.30 - 9.30 pm (talk followed by Mass) June 29th - 30th Saturday and Sunday begin at 10 am with talk. Mass at 11 am, lunch then talks. meditations, ends with Benediction at 4.30 pm; Cost? Gold coin donation Preacher? Fr Anthony Van Dyke O.P. from Holy Rosary Priory. Doubleview. WA For more information contact Jeanette on 97255661 (W) or 97211995 (H)

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Page 5

I say,I say... M

uch of the mainstream media are cut welfare costs, heirs anxious to inherit, pushing for the legalisation of and ethical specialists, self-appointed and euthanasia. The usual line is that otherwise, who will point out it is the the decision to accept euthanasia is an decent and unselfish thing to do. individual's private business and the State A depressed and despairing state of mind has no right to interfere. in which euthanasia might seem more This is a lie, and, setting aside any ques- attractive could easily be induced delibtions of religious doctrine, a very danger- erately. ous one. The legalisation of euthanasia, Something like this seems to be the case including voluntary euthanasia, is a mat- already in Holland and increasingly in ter of public, not private, significance. Britain. British Doctor Adrian Treloar, conEvery argument or act in support of vol- sultant and senior lecturer in geriatrics at untary euthanasia as public policy makes several London hospitals and medical involuntary euthanasia as public policy schools, said there was an unspoken poleasier. icy of murder ('involuntary euthanasia') to The line between the two has always relieve pressure on the NHS. been blurred. It is easy to imagine how, Another doctor said: "We are sending with voluntary euthanasia legalised, elderly people into our hospitals with no bewildered, powerless and isolated old life-threatening illnesses but who in four people will be pressured into accepting it or five weeks are dead.' - by hospital and nursing-home adminisIn March, 2000, Dr Rita Pal, of a distintrators needing beds, politicians eager to guished medical family, resigned from

by Guy Crouchback

medicine after seeing elderly patients cerns." It appeared that, possibly reflecting deliberately killed by treatment being the general culture which it subscribed to withheld and lethal doses of pain-killers and promoted, the Government was indif(diamorphine - aka heroin), at NHS hos- ferent to institutionalised murder of the old or considered 'DNR a valuable econpitals so as to free beds. She compiled a dossier for the General omy. If this can get such a hold in British culMedical Council. There followed a flood of reports regarding the phrase 'Not for ture, there is no reason why the same 555" on hospital notes. should not happen here. Legalising volIt was an instruction that patients over 65 untary euthanasia will put every old, and were to be allowed to die and were not to particularly every old and poor, person at be given resuscitative treatment. The well- risk. credentialled charity Age Concern told of The Nazi holocaust began with an 100 cases where doctors failed to tell elder- allegedly safe-guarded euthanasia proly patients that they were deemed not gram. worth trying to resuscitate. Pro-euthanasia lobbyists invoke 'death Patients designated DNR ("Do Not Resus- with dignity.' citate') were 30 times more likely than A greater dignity would be for those who others to die, regardless of the severity of may personally desire euthanasia to reject illness. Age Concern said that it was mere- It for the sake of others who do not, and ly the tip of an iceberg: 'The Government thus help stop these policies becoming is not doing anything to address these con- acceptable.

10 JESUS I11ROUGH MARY qt column of Marian devotion

A Layman's meditations

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by Peter Dwan

euple are often discouraged when they friend. Jeremiah says: "But the Lord is at my meet with opposition. However, today's side, a mighty hero; my opponents will stumreadings remind us that the good often ble, confounded by their failure; everlasting, encounter opposition, and that if we are unforgettable disgrace will be theirs. But you, doing God's work, we must expect opposi- Lord of Hosts, you who probe with justice, tion from the Devil. who scrutinise the loins and heart, let me see Holy people throughout the centuries have the vengeance you will take on them, for I met with opposition. have committed my cause to you." We can think of Blessed Mary MacKillop, In the Sunday Reading Cycle A, pp 255-256, who founded the josephites and who met Father Kevin O'Sullivan OFM says: "While with opposition from some Australian Bish- we can understand Jeremiah's natural reacops. tions, we cannot admire them. Calling down St Alphonsus Ligouri, who founded the God's anger on his enemies is not what our Redemptorists, claimed that opposition from Christian training would see as the act of a good people is a sign that a work is pleasing holy man. to God. "But we must not forget that he was a saint By the way, St Alphonsus himself met with of the Old Testament when the justice of God considerable opposition. was heavily stressed... We Christians, with The first reading (Jeremiah 20:10-13) shows the example of Christ, praying for pardon for us something of the opposition which Jere- those who crucified him, have a different miah encountered. Idea of God. We see that his mercy is as infiJeremiah, who was called at 23 to the nite as his justice." prophetic office, prophesied in Jerusalem In the second reading (Romans 5:12-15) St during the most critical period of Judah's his- Paul stresses the fact that Christ, through his tory. death, not only conquered sin but poured out The kings, priests and people were more divine grace so lavishly on mankind, makinterested in politics than in God. ing them his brothers and therefore sons of They had God, that been made there is no subject to comparison Babylon and between the Jeremiah spoke out fearlessly against had to pay an world annual tax to the disloyalty of the Chosen People and redeemed this foreign Christ's foretold the destruction of the city and by power. death and They were the world of temple, and also the Babylonian exile. engaged in sin which intrigue with prevailed Egypt, whose up till then. help they In today's sought to set gospel them free. Jeremiah opposed this political (Matthew 10:26-33) Christ tells the Apostles scheme, foreseeing that Egypt wouldn't help to proclaim his message freely and openly: and that rebellion would bring nothing but "What Isay to you in the dark, tell in the daythe devastation of Judah and exile for its peo- light; what you hear in whispers, proclaim ple. from the housetops." Abuses in the temple and in the city They may lose their earthly life for Christ's reached an alarming point. sake (as they all did except John, who sufJeremiah spoke out fearlessly against the fered exile and imprisonment) but Christ will disloyalty of the Chosen People and foretold be there to welcome them into heaven. the destruction of the city and temple, and Christ said: "Do not be afraid of those who also the Babylonian exile. kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him The reading begins: "I hear so many dis- rather who can destroy both body and soul paraging me, Terror from every side! In hell." 'Denounce him. Let us denounce him.' All This is a Greek concept. The contrast is those who used to be my friends watched for between the body and the whole person. my downfall? Ills not only his enemies, the Man can kill but not destroy someone wholmajority of the people, but also his friends ly. Christ assures us we are worth more than who are now against him. many sparrows and that God will protect The reading continues: "Perhaps he will be and provide for us. seduced into error. Then we will master him In all the opposition we encounter, we can and take our revenge!" also take comfort from Christs words: "If anyThe people were hoping that Jeremiah one declares himself for me in the presence would make some move to prove that he was of men, I will declare myself for him in the an enemy of the people. He was, in fact, their presence of my father in heaven."

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hat is the value of this devo- Mary, seen as a mystery of grace, of tion, directed above all to love, of total correspondence and total invoke the intercession of gift that Mary made of herself to God Mary on us? and to humanity. In the first place, we must remember On the other hand, we cannot pass what the Second Vatican Council had over in silence those Marian events that to say: "Mary's function as mother of were the occasion for the development men in no way obscures or diminishes of such devotion. It is enough to think the unique mediation of Christ, but of Fatima. rather shows its power. Other than a call to conversion and "But the Blessed Virgin's salutary prayer, other than a reminder of the influence on men originates not from great truths such as our last ends: a parany inner necessity but from the dis- ticular emphasis was given to the position of God. Eucharist (one thinks of the reception "It flows forth from the superabun- of Holy Communion on the first Saturdance of the merits of Christ, rests on days of each month in reparation for his mediation, depends entirely on it sins) and to the impulse for a generous and draws all its power from it. reparation. "It does not hinder in any way the It is sufficient to cite, in this regard, the immediate union of the faithful with encouragement expressed by the Christ but on the contrary fosters it" (LG words: "Pray, pray a great deal for sin60). ners, for many souls go to hell because All this is very important for under- there is no one to sacrifice and pray for standing what Mary means to us for them" (Fatima, August 19, 1917). our life as believers. It is God who freely In Pius MI we seem to hear an echo willed to make use of Mary for his of these words: "This is a tremendous incarnation. mystery and one that is never adeHe wanted to submit himself to her in quately meditated on: namely that the his mortal life. salvation of many depends on the He wanted to associate Mary to him- prayers and voluntary mortifications self in the work of salvation and wills undertaken for this purpose by the to continue the redemption of every members of the Mystical Body of Jesus person through Mary, to transmit to Christ, and by the cooperation of pasevery believer divine life. tors and faithful, especially by the He willed to unite Mary to himself in mothers and fathers of families, in colheavenly glory, laboration making her a parwith the divine ticipant in his Saviour" (MysFrom The Gospel of reign. tic! Corporis, Mary - a month with It does not surE 42). Mother of God by prise us then, as CollaboraGOSPEL Fthe r Gabriel Amorth SSP, the Madonna tion with the OF St Paul Publications, RRP herself has said, Saviour! This MARY $23.50 that the Lord tremendous wills that the mystery shows heart of Mary be us how devohonoured along with the heart of Jesus. tion to the immaculate heart of Mary Ills not a matter of sentimentalism, underscores a love that saves and but of a profound commitment that Invites us to participate in the same involves the whole of one's being. salvific love, collaborating with Jesus in The opposite of this devotion is for- the eternal salvation of our brothers malism, that formalism which drew and sisters. from the lips of Jesus the lament: "This people honours me with their lips but Reflections their hearts are far from me" (Mt 15:8). About Mary - The heart of Mary highIn the history of the schools of spiri- lights the total love of all her being for tuality, devotion to the heart of Mary is Jesus and for his brothers and sisters. shown to be an inexhaustible fount for in other words, for all her children. the interior life. The heart of a mother invites and conSuch was the case with the spiritual- vinces with strength and tenderness. lb ity of Helfta, of the Benedictines, the honour the heart of the Immaculate Franciscans, and the Dominicans. Virgin Mary is to honour a heart that is It is interesting to notice how later St totally pure: from sin and from every Francis de Sales saw, in the heart of the human conditioning. It thus spurs us to Virgin, the meeting place of souls with greater fidelity and imitation. the Holy Spirit. About us - Contemplating the heart of And it is important to point this fact Mary, there is not only an attraction out to those who fear that the devotees that spurs us on to fidelity; there must of Mary attribute to her the specific role also be a disposition to imitate her, to of the Holy Spirit. open ourselves to God with all our On the one hand, the heart of Mary heart, to follow the maternal admoniencompasses the entire mystery of tions of Mary.

Getting priorities right

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The Record

he West Australian gave Catholics a good example of getting our priorities right on Monday when the canonisation of Padre Pio made page 3 and the Australian/American abuse problem was back on page 7 It seems like a good sense of proportion. It is also a reminder to those who challenge us "How can you be in a Church in which priests abuse children?" that the answer is "How can you not be in a Church which produces Padre Pio?" (Strictly speaking, that question comes after "How can you not be in the Church established by Jesus for all of us?" and "How can you not be in the Church which shelters, and shelters in, the Blessed Virgin Mary?", but they won't argue the order.) The point of the priority is that the meaning of life is to be found in its goodness not in what is bad. This is true in the cosmic scheme of things in which meaning is to be found only in God and his goodness, and in the events of daily life. Ultimately, as we grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God, we come to the realisation that only good exists, but until we arrive at that point we need to learn little by little. And here again. The West Australian got It right in its headline "Mystic monk's pain the spur for sainthood". We have a strong tendency to think and speak of pain as something bad, but in reality it is one of God's many gifts to us. At the physical level, pain is a wonderful warning system that prevents us doing untold damage to ourselves. Those who see the film "Molokai" about Fr Damien (the film is highly recommended) will get some insight Into the great physical suffering

faith or fear? Does our daily contribution add to the faith, love and goodness in the world, or to the darkness that descends when they are absent? At the heart of the hospice movement is PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 the belief, backed by experience, that no Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax (08) 9227 7087 pain is unbearable and no patient should cathrec@iinet.netau be rendered comatose by drugs in order to avoid the experience they are going experienced by lepers as their fingers, capacity to control pain, to prevent it con- through. toes, hands, feet and many other parts of trolling us, and to sublimate it in favour of The founders and their followers insist their body slowly degenerated and were what is better in our nature. that people can handle the pain of termilost. There is a story of a man, baptised a nal illness provided they are certain that What was not known in Fr Damien's time Catholic and then never taught a thing someone around them cares. was that leprosy itself does not rot human about it, who suffered a massive rupture If a person cares, they can more easily flesh. The disease is caused by bacteria of an aneurysm in his aorta and lived understand and accept that God cares, which kill certain nerves in the body, par- through several major operations over a and therefore they can live positively with ticularly in the extremities. With no feel- six-hour period in two hospitals when he what is happening to them for as long as ing in their hands and feet, people was not expected to survive any of them. it happens. constantly burn, cut, scrape and otherwise He said later he had seen Jesus and his This is in stark contrast to the euthanadamage their fingers and toes, hands and young brother who had been dead for sia movement which speaks endlessly of feet until the constant infections take away. more than 60 years and "wanted to live 'unbearable' pain even though people their flesh and bones. Leper blindness with that knowledge for a while". He went bear it for as long as it takes, and which was caused by nerve damage leading to through great suffering for 10 days in order insists almost to the point of brain-washthe loss of the blink mechanism and the to do his heroic bit to bring that knowl- ing that sufferers have no dignity. consequent infection of the eyes from lack edge into human life and then he died. The truth is they have the greatest digof moisture. Pain is a great warning sysIt was a classic demonstration that nity of all. They can be fully human in tem, a true gift. human consciousness can do a great deal great pain and with little means of selfBut pain also moves from the physical with pain when that consciousness is expression, and they invite us to share the realm to consciousness and so becomes focussed on what is good - the knowledge experience with them. suffering. The best example is the way of goodness and the desire to express it in Let us not be afraid to join them in their things hurt more at night time when the some way in our life. suffering and resurrection just as we have absence of other activities of the mind, That is the meaning of getting our prior- been invited to share the eternal life that combined, perhaps, with loneliness and ities right. Not all of us will be asked to do comes from the suffering and resurrection fear, make the suffering greater. it in a dramatic and difficult experience of Jesus. It is in the realm of consciousness that like that, and few us will live the life of a pain can become a spur for sanctity, as Padre Pio, but all of us are asked to choose • The opinions expressed in this editorPadre Pio and so many other saints have what we express in our life. Do we look at ial, and any other Record editorial, are not shown in imitation of the suffering of others with kindness or criticism? Do we necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Jesus. At the conscious level we have great look with love or anger? Do we act from Archbishop of Perth.

Education view commended

Netherlands, and in a survey of the practice of physicians and nurses in South Australia. Gerard D Leahy Mt Lawley

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commend Craig Scarffe in his letter about issues associated with Catholic Education in Western Australia (13 June). As one of many concerned parents, I too would like to see more focus placed on the faith education of our children and also be given the opportunity for input. The Cathedral branch of The Knights of the Southern Cross will be sponsoring a talk on this very topic on "The Layman's Hour" on Sunday June 23 2002. This will provide parents. schools and parishes with a timely and rare opportunity to discuss their joint responsibility in relation to this very important topic. Geoff Storey Hillarys

A no to non-inclusion

Arouncl tht— +07(e Letters to the editor

This week: Tony Evans Words Of WNW T.S. Eliot I pray sales and reading of the Record may have universal and effective recognimay rapidly increase - Too good to miss. tion and observance. The Declaration is, then, something which B Peaker is morally and legally binding in the sense God's Farm, Wilyabrup that member states assent to it by virtue of their membership of the UN and in the sense that it embodies human values any of the letters printed in The West expressed as human rights on which Australian over the past few weeks civilised people are agreed. on the subject of the legalisation of Fleming points out that fundamental euthanasia have their argument centred on rights are inalienable and inviolable, rights the belief that my life is my life and should I choose to end my life with the help of of which I may not be deprived and of those who support euthanasia this is a mat- whichImay not deprive myself. To deprive ter for me alone and certainly no business myself of these rights threatens the rights of others. Thus the State cannot allow the of the State. Well, on Friday May 24 I heard Dr John slave trade even if individuals for very Fleming, Director of the Southern Cross compassionate reasons decide, quite volBioethics Centre in South Australia, inter- untarily, to sell themselves into slavery. Fleming went on to say that the notion of viewed on ABC Radio. Dr Fleming argued that the State cannot inalienability finds its origins in the modallow or tolerate euthanasia because it vio- ern doctrine of natural law as proposed by lates international law, and constitutes a the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes. threat to the social contract whereby the In its fullest formulation it is a recognition ruler is bound to secure the right to life of that the right to life is as fundamental to the Its citizens.I thought that the case against social contract as the right to liberty, and the legalisation of euthanasia made by that any exceptions to the laws against the Intentional killing of the innocent, even Fleming was very compelling. Fleming started by saying that the Uni- when a competent adult asks for it, threatversal Declaration of Human Rights ens the right to life of other citizens. Just as (UDHR) of the UN Charter is founded upon the State cannot condone a citizen alienatthe notion that there are human values and ing his or her right to freedom because this that these values are inherent in the human would legitimate the slave trade into which individual. In the Preamble the Declaration others far less willingly would be drawn, states that the foundation of freedom, jus- so the State cannot license any citizens to tice and peace in the world is the recogni- kill other innocent citizens, even at their tion of the inherent dignity and the equal own request, because this would lead to and inalienable rights of all members of the killing of others who did not ask to be killed. the human family. The UDHR presents itself to the world as Fleming asked the question: Is there any a common standard for all peoples and all empirical evidence to suggest the truth or nations and as a guide for every structure otherwise of Hobbe's philosophical In society and for every individual in order insight? His answer There is. It may be that the rights identified in the Declaration found in the practice of euthanasia in the

rs Geraldine Hawkes made mention M of "non-inclusive language" as being Logical basis for rights one of the concerns raised by women (The Record. The fact is, that in the "Catholic Church M Life Survey" results, less than 3 per cent of May 30).

women were offended by "non-inclusive" language. I'm very much a part of the 97 per cent of women who have no problem with it. In fact. I find "inclusive" language offensive. What does "humankind" mean? I cringe when I hear the so-called word. Iam a member of mankind, of the race of man. "For us men, and for our salvation, He came down from heaven." C Phillips Queens Park

Someone likes us... here is no doubt most responsible T 1Catholics and others have felt very deeply the attempted horrific persecution of Archbishop Pell. Thank God we can stay close to him spiritually through prayer. To have - in The Record of June 6 - the exposure of this media attack (so full of lies) given so much prominence, expressed in perfect detail especially in the Editorial, gives us a priceless treasure to hand to friends still doubting. Mere words fail to express our deep appreciation for the many uplifting Catholic and Third World revelations on every page of each week's Record, much of which we would never hear or read about except through your invaluable publication.

Where's everyone else? T recently attended a daily Mass at the 1Cathedral and was very interested to hear the Priest's short but enlightening sermon on the Gospel. It was from the Gospel of Mark when Jesus was asked "Which was the greatest commandment" and he answered "You should love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. and love your neighbour as yourself". In his homily the Priest made a comparison on how contradictory the message of the Gospel is to today. From a young age we are taught to look after self and self interest, whereas the message of the Gospel is to put oneself last. It certainly made me take notice. The Priest was not afraid to challenge society and our present way of thinking. It is this challenge that seems to be missing from the homilies I hear at Sunday Masses. when there are so many more to reach out to from the pulpit. Where is the leadership, why are priests reluctant to speak about current issues, like abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, or even sin or Satan while directly relating these to the Gospels? A couple of weeks agoIattended the rally at Parliament house on the 4th anniversary of the abortion bill. Stirring speeches and all worthwhile, but there would not have been more than 200 people, with 2 or 3 priests. How disappointing. Where are the thousands of Catholics and other Christians? The message is not getting through. If this message was encouraged by the priests of our local parishes I'm sure there would have been many more there. I am aware the Archbishop sent out a pastoral letter, which was briefly referred to at the conclusion of Mass. He is doing a wonderful job in fighting these evils but I'm afraid he is doing it alone. How much notice would politicians take of a couple of hundred people, compared to 2000 or more on this or any other moral issue. There is no more direction from our churches like there used to be. Most of the homiliesIhear now are on how much God loves us. And I have no doubt of this. But isn't it time we started giving something back to God. If I may paraphrase a line from the late John Fitzgerald Kennedy: "Ask not what God can do for you, but what you can do for God". D. Pereira Morley Page 7

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Features

Nollamara bids a fond farewell to Mercy nuns Ta

e Mercy Sisters, teachers They had served with dedication t Our Lady of Lourdes con- and distinction for 44 years and vent school at Nollmara had carried on the tradition and were farewelled at a special Mass message of true disciples. concelebrated by Emeritus Bishop Mr Ron Dullard, deputy director Robert Healy and con-celebrated of Catholic Education in Western by parish priest, Father Laurence Australia, said there would be very Murphy last week. few Australian Catholics who have Students of the school, past stu- not had their lives touched at some dents, the present lay and past stage by the Sisters of Mercy. teachers and parishioners gathHe had begun his school life at a ered in a congregation that packed Mercy Convent school in Ballarat, the Nollamara Church for the and it had been his privilege to Mass and program of tributes and have had a continued association liturgical dance. with the Sisters of Mercy through The 21 surviving nuns who have his adult life. served the school took pride of He said he had relied heavily on place in reserved pews and Anne McLay's book, Women out received special mention by Bish- of their Sphere, in preparing his op Healy and guest speakers. tribute to the sisters. He had hf 'I'll Special mention was also made struck by the strong sense ot the of the five nuns who have died. role of women within the Church, All of them are listed on a hon- as modelled by Catherine our board presented by the prin- McAuley and later by Mother cipal, Peter Panizza and handed to Ursula Frayne. Sister Beverley Stott, the Congreoth had been extremely gational Leader of the sisters at sensitive to the cries of their their new home in West Perth, by wounded world. They and the head boy, Clifford Marsland. their fellow sisters had responded and head girl, Sarah Lipari. intuitively to Mercy as a timeless Those listed on the honour board symbol of the divine and basic are Sr Leonard McMahon, Sr John quality in the life and personality Hales, Sr Brigid Sullivan. Sr of Jesus. Scholastica Hartnett. Sr Angela Mr Dullard said soon after the O'Connor, Sr Ambrose O'Connor, arrival of the sisters in WA, an irate Sr Vincent Stanley, Sr Helena Har- cleric had fumed they out-stepped nett, Sr Camillus Jackson, Sr Tere- the proper bounds for women. sa Daly. Sr Norma Schekowsky, Sr Sr Mary Berchmans Deane. who Agnes Ferrie. Sr Jilyan Dingle, Sr was named the founding superior Anne MacFarlane, Sr Mary O'Con- of the West Perth congregation nor, Sr Clare Rafferty, Sr Joan Buck- continued the tradition in her comham, Sr Carmel Wringe. Sr passion for a man wrongly-conBronagh O'Hagan, Sr Barbara Lee. victed for murder. Sr Kerry Willison, Sr Patricia Mr Dullard said: "I suspect histoGallery. Sr Bernadette Sheehy, Sr ry will recount that stepping out of Dympna Kelly, St Benignus Shee- their sphere is something the sishy, and Sr Mary Kelly. ters have continued to do to this In his homily, Bishop Healy said day." the 26 sisters had been pioneers in Principal, Peter Panizza said the the education and life of the local- sisters would always be fondly ity and the Nollamara parish, from remembered although the school the blessing of the first school was formally farewelling their building in 1958. physical presence. He said: "Sisters - you will always be a part of Our Lady of Lourdes, and you will always be welcome." He added: "Sisters, to each and every one of you, for all that you have done in your many years of dedicated and committed service to the school, the parish and the wider community, we sincerely thank you."

Brett Regan and Father Paul with volunteer assistant, Brother Tim and a group member.

Groups moving from excess to success

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Emeritus Bishop Healy distributes Communion at the farewell Mass.

The head girl and boy, Sarah Lipari and Clifford Marsiand, presented the hnour board to the Sister's Congregational Leader, Sr Beverley Stott.

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The sisters assembled for the celebratory Mass.

The student liturgical dancers perform for the congregation.

The congregation and guests gather for morning tea after the Mass.

Perth oL priest who has "lived rough" n cray boats in the north west and Notre Dame psychology major are making inroads into the drug and alcohol abuse problems with a healing program that is having notable success. Father Paul Bacynski introduced the program as the Cross Roads Community about three years ago and gained the support of Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey's Lifelink. He has the help of Brett Regan, a psychology major at Notre Dame, and three other staff along with a number of experienced volunteer counsellors. The Cross Roads program is based on a holistic approach to therapy for substance abusers, dealing with family and friends as well as the abusers, and aimed at healing, rather than just rehabilitation. Apart from substance abuse, the program is used for people with life problems, and while it is still too early for the normal, accepted yardsticks to apply, is considered to have a high degree of success. In three years, more than 300 substance abusers have been helped along with more than 700 family and friends. And now Fr Paul is getting close to realising a long-held and cherished dream of setting up a farm near Perth where the principles of the Cross Roads Community programs can be applied in a more concentrated form. The five step program - a condensed version with variations of some twelve step programs - is based on the work of Sister Alvira, founder of the Alvira method, and that of Italian Fr Pierino. Sister Alvira's methods are now used worldwide and have been operating 27 years with a 90 per cent success rate. Fr Pierino's principles have been going longer - 45 years - and have an 80 per cent success rate. Success rate figures are based on three years of drug-free living after 30 months

of therapy. The work of the Cross Roads Community passed another milestone last week with its first live-in retreat for substance abusers at the St John of God Retreat Centre at Shoalwater Bay, near Rockingham. Fr Paul said he saw the need for the program after rubbing shoulders with scores of people suffering from life problems and substance abuse while working as a professional pearl diver and on cray boats in northern Australia. Participants form groups - limited to 14 at a time - in a series of therapy sessions pursuing the five steps and working on 20 themes aimed at overcoming their life problem and substance abuse. The bonding that forms between the individuals in the groups helps fuel self awareness, boosting confidence and independence, but maintaining a support base for the participants. Each session of the groups is started with 15 minutes of relaxation and prayer in front of the Blessed Eucharist. with soft ambient music. Fr Paul said it might sound simplistic, but the relaxation sessions have a profound effect on the participants. "Even atheists - and we have a few of them - are profoundly affected," Fr Paul said. The participants work with their Faith, with prayer, and with their support for each other and for themselves along the path to healing. The addition of the farm to the community will add a new dimension to its activities and its success, Fr Paul said. "An offer has been made on a property. and it has been accepted. "All that remains is the council and regulatory approvals. "The farm is far enough out of Perth to further our aims for some isolation to clear the way for the therapy, but close enough for family to visit."

Members of the Cross Roads Commiunify group attending the retreat at the St John of God's Retreat Centre at Shoahvater Bay, near Rockingham.

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20 June, 2002

US Bishops' Conference-

Day of fast and prayer for US Bishops

Bishop David E. Foley (left), prays with fellow bishops on the second day of their meeting in Dallas on June 14. Photo CP, -4euters

DALLAS (CNS) - The U.S. Catholic bishops decided on June 14 in Dallas to fast and do penance on August 14 and pray on August 15 in repentance for their failures to prevent priests from sexually abusing minors. They invited Catholic priests and lay people across the country to join them. The bishops also made clear that they do not regard their mid-August commitment as a one-time thing - or as an adequate response by itself for the pain inflicted on victims by molesting priests or for the loss of trust that has been caused when a number of bishops treated sexually abusive priests too gently, allowing them to return to ministerial positions. The bishops approved the days of prayer and repentance at the end of an arduous day in which they hammered out a landmark "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" and canonical norms which, if approved by the Vatican, will give legal teeth to the charter as a mandatory national policy for every diocese, whether Latin or Eastern rite. The charter says no priest or deacon who has sexually abused even one child in the past, present or future will be given any assignment or allowed to engage in any ordained ministry for the rest of his life. Most will be asked to be laicized - removed from the priesthood. Some may be allowed to remain priests, on condition that they live

a life of prayer and penitence, Boston - ironically, the epicentre don't wear clerical garb and never of the national clergy abuse scanexercise ministry or celebrate dal that has rocked the country Mass publicly or present them- since January and provoked a call selves as priests. for a national repentance day When top officials of the U.S. said Sepember 14 would not work Conference of Catholic Bishops as a day of fast and penance in and the U.S. cardinals held a spe- Boston since locally it is a major cial summit with Vatican officials feast known as a solemnity - the in April to address the U.S. crisis equivalent of a Sunday as a liturof clergy sexual abuse of minors, gical celebration. The Boston one of the summit's recommendations was to hold a national day cathedral is called Holy Cross of prayer and repentance for the Cathedral. Romanian Catholic Bishop John sin and scandal of the abuse of M. Botean of the Diocese of St. children by priests. The agenda of the June 13-15 George in Canton, Ohio. said SepUSCCB meeting was subsequent- tember 14 already is "a major holy ly changed to devote practically day for us and a day of strict fast the entire meeting to three issues and abstinence." He suggested that lithe bishops - the charter to protect children, the corresponding legal norms, adopted that as their day of repenand the day of prayer. tance, they might want to borrow The USCCB Ad Hoc Committee from the lesson of humility taught on Sexual Abuse, which prepared In a meditation of the Liturgy of proposals for those issues, asked the Hours for that day in the the bishops to hold a national Romanian liturgy. prayer and penance day SeptemThe meditation, a copy of which ber 14, the feast of the Exaltation Bishop Botean provided to of the Holy Cross. Catholic News Service, records Archbishop John J. Myers of the legend that when the ChristNewark, New Jersey, who preian Emperor Heraclius tried to sented the proposal on the committee's behalf, said the major return the Time Cross to its place alternative proposals - August 15, on Golgotha in a religious cerethe feast of the Assumption, and mony in 628 AD., an "invisible September 15, a Sunday, had been hand" stopped him as he tried to rejected by liturgists because enter a church door in Jerusalem. According to the legend, until Sundays and similar major feasts are not supposed to be days of the emperor stripped off his jewfast, abstinence or penitence in els and finery and proceeded the liturgical tradition of the Latin barefoot in a simple robe, the Church. invisible hand would not let him Cardinal Bernard F Law of bring the cross into the church.

Victims share their stories of abuse

DALLAS (CNS) - Victims of sexual abuse by priests bared their souls before a hushed room of U.S. bishops in Dallas on June 13, laying out their painful stories of molestation and decades of struggles with depression and other after effects. In a later interview, one of the victims said - although nothing can make up for being abused - the experience of speaking to the bishops was difficult but beneficial for the emotional trauma he still experiences and for how his revelations were handled by church authorities. "Nothing can make it up to me," said Michael Bland, 41, who himself once was a priest of the same religious order as his abuser. Bland told the bishops of being molested as a teenager and of later leaving the order in frustration with the different treatment he and his abuser received from the church. Bland now is a psychologist for the Office of Assistance Ministry for the Chicago Archdiocese. "The one thing that has made it up to me today is approximately 300 bishops silently sat there and listened," he told a small group of reporters after the session. "And for that I thank them. It's unfortunate that not every victim, survivor, parent, family member, parishioner, faithful can't have that same opportunity. Hopefully in some way the four of us ... spoke for ourselves and touched common themes within others' stories." Bland said he finally revealed his abuse to superiors in his religious order after he was ordained. When he declined to meet with the order's attorneys and the priest who abused him, as the order requested, things changed for him. He said he began to feel as if his story wasn't considered to be credible, that the priest who abused him was seen as more important than he was. Although the priest, who he declined to name, was removed from his parish and entered a treatment program, the reasons given were that he was "dealing with personal issues and depression." Bland said the same priest is now con-

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Craig Martin, who shared his story of being sexually abused as a child by a priest, embraces Bishop John F. Kinney of St. Cloud. Four victims detailed their experiences for the bishops at the meeting. Photo CNS/Reuters

sidered "cured," has taught in a seminary and is a full professor and vice dean at a pontifical university. "At my last parish Mass,Ireverenced the altar, placed my stole and chasuble upon the altar and followed the procession out for the last time," Bland told the bishops. "The priesthood lost me, but kept the perpetrator. "Perhaps he (the perpetrator) is not saying public Mass or allowed to be alone with minors, but he has the privilege of choosing to wear the collar, being called father, or (to) baptize, marry and bury his family," he continued. "The church has taken care of him." Bland declined to say which religious order he was in, but the 1989 Official Catholic Directory lists a Michael M. Bland

as having been ordained in 1987 for the "John has shown symptoms of low selfServile order. Both Bland and another esteem, depression, anger and the need to speaker on the opening morning of the control," he said of himself. bishops' meeting, Paula Gonzales Clohessy said his own trauma from being Rohrbacher, told reporters they saw sever- abused meant that as recently as the early al bishops in the audience wiping tears 1990s there were days when he couldn't from their eyes as they listened to them, to muster the courage to leave his apartment, Craig Martin of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and and when his wife would try to comfort David Clohessy, president of the Survivors him as he sobbed in his bed, curled in a Network of those Abused by Priests, known fetal position. "My pain is no different than as SNAP. any others, and no worse," he said. "I find it easier to tell my story using the Naming other abuse victims who are in name John Doe," said Martin. "I can revis- those situations, he noted, "I haven't been it my pain and not hurt myself again." countersued, ... I'm not homeless, ...Ihaven't After being abused, Martin said he been in court for nine years, ... I'm not in became sexually active and developed jail, ... my perpetrator is not serving in a unhealthy attitudes toward women. Alco- parish, ... no parishioners have held a rally holism and sexual compulsion became In support of my perpetrator, ... I've never problems. had death threats."

Padre Pio

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20 June, 2002

odel for modern ti es

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In one of the largest liturgies in the Vatican's history, Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio da Pietralcina and said the Capuchin friar's spirituality of suffering was a valuable model for modern times. Underscoring his message, the pope announced at the end of the June 16 Mass that he was making Padre Pio's September 23 feast day an "obligatory memorial" on the church's general liturgical calendar, a rank shared by only one other 20th-century saint, St Maximilian Kolbe. More than 300,000 people, according to police, filled St. Peter's Square and surrounding streets in sweltering 90-degree heat: in improvised remarks after the two-and-a-half-hour ceremony, the Pope thanked the pilgrims for their "courage" mid sacrifice In attending. In his homily. the Pope said the holiness of Padre Pio - who was well-known for bearing the stigmata, or bleeding wounds of Christ - could not be understood without the friar's attachment to asceticism and the crucified Christ's suffering. "The life and mission of Padre Pio give testimony that difficulty and suffering, if accepted with love, transform themselves into a privileged path of sanctity, opening toward a larger good that is known only to the Lord." he said. He said Padre No's 'spirituality of the cross" was still valid today. "Our time needs to rediscover Its value in order to open hearts to hope," the Pope said. Padre No, who died in 1968 at A giant image of Padre Pio hangs from the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in San Giovanni Rotondo as the town marks his canonisation June 16. The cNs/Reutefs the age of 81, was also well known Italian Capuchin spent most of his life in the southern Italian village and is buried there. as a dedicated confessor, and the pope departed from his prepared "Prayer and charity: This is the Giovanni Rotondo, the southern "I've asked him to intercede to popemobile around the square homily text to recall that he, too, most concrete synthesis of Padre Italian town where Padre No allow my wife and I to have a and all the way down the Via della visited the Italian friar for the No's teaching, which today is re- spent most of his life and is baby," he said, adding with a Conciliazione, the main street that sacrament of reconciliation when proposed to everybody," he said. buried. As he was formally pro- smile, "I hope that after today... ." leads from it, waving to the cheerhe was a young theology student Thousands of tour buses began claimed a saint, they cheered and Also among the pilgrims was Dr. ing crowds. in 1947 dropping pilgrims at St. Peter's released thousands of blue and Wanda Poltawska, a Polish Later in the evening, pilgrims Referring to Padre No's reputa- Square at 5 a.m. for the Mass, yellow balloons into the air. woman for whom the future Pope gathered for a celebratory musition for sometimes refusing abso- which began at 10. Other pilgrims Investigated and cleared during John Paul asked Padre No's inter- cal performance in the Paul VI lution, the Pope said that this arrived from around Italy in 50 several Vatican inquiries into cession in 1962. As an auxiliary audience hall and watched a fire"apparent harshness" helped special trains. charges of sexual misconduct and bishop, the future pope sent Padre works display over the Janiculum penitents to realize the seriousThe crowd at the Mass, many fraud, Padre No has developed a Pio a letter asking him to pray for Hill next to the Vatican. ness of their sin and sincerely wearing yellow caps or white fish- worldwide following of devotees, Poltawska, who had been diagThe ranking of obligatory repent, and that the penitents erman-style hats to ward off the and 8 million people visit his nosed with malignant throat can- memorial accorded to Padre Pio "almost always returned for the searing sun, clapped and cheered tomb annually. Watching the cer- cer. Eleven days later he wrote means the celebration must be pacifying embrace of sacramental when the pope pronounced the emony from the shade of a build- again to say the cancer had dis- observed in Masses and the Liturforgiveness." Latin formula of canonization. gy of the Hours on the day it ing, Antonio Sergi, an Italian in appeared. He said he hoped Padre No's Organisers handed out hun- his mid-30s, said he was devoted Despite the heat, the pope held occurs unless an observance that example would inspire priests dreds of thousands of cartons of to Padre No "because he is a very up well during the Mass, though takes precedence - a solemnity or around the world to exercise their free mineral water, and volunteers humble saint. He came from sim- he appeared to tire toward the feast - falls on the same day. St. ministry in the confessional "with with fire hoses sprayed a cooling ple people and was always among end. He did not personally give Maximilian Kolbe, also in the Joy and diligence." mist over the crowds. Cardinals the poor." first Communion as planned to Franciscan tradition, is the only The Pope said Padre Pio saw and bishops near the altar shadSergi, like many in the crowd Matteo Colella, the 8-year-old boy other 20th-century saint whose prayer as his most powerful ed themselves with large white trusting in Padre No's reputation whose medically inexplicable memorial is obligatory. The June "weapon" and noted that the friar and yellow umbrellas. for granting favors, said he had cure from multiple organ failure 16 liturgy was the 45th canonisafounded a large hospital for the Tens of thousands more pilgrims traveled from his southern Italian in 2000 was deemed the miracle tion of Pope John Paul's nearly 24poor, called the "House for the followed the canonization by live home in Catanzaro to pray for a for Padre No's canonization. After year pontificate and brought to Relief of Suffering." audio link from a piazza in San small miracle. the Mass, the pope traveled in his 461 proclaimed saints.

All Saints pays special homage to Padre Pio A stained glass window depicting Padre Pio is a timely addition to All Saints Chapel in St Georges Terrace. Perth artist, Ted Gowers has depicted the saintly friar with a portrayal of his stigmata. Eucharistic and Marian devotion are among the principal features incorporated in the artistic work. The window has been installed in time to mark Padre No's canonisation by Pope John Paul II on June 16, in Rome. The new window joins those already positioned a year ago portraying St Peter and St Paul the Apostles. One more window is to be added to complete the series on the eastern side

of the altar - that of St Peter Julian Eymard. Four plain glass panes on the western side of the altar are eventually to feature Blessed Mary McKillop, St Therese of Lisieux, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and one still to be decided. Father Jim Shelton of the All Saints Chapel said the saintly friar of Pietrelcina, Italy, was no stranger to Perth. Renowned throughout the world, St Padre No has great numbers of devotees and spiritual children in Perth. A small but inspiring statue of Padre No has featured in the chapel for several years and the number of people pausing to pray under his patronage is evidence of his wide influence.

Fr Shelton noted Padre No's life is special in our own times. "Padre No tells us to participate at Mass," Fr Shelton said, "as Our Lady, St John and the pious women did on Calvary - with love and compassion. "It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun that to do so without the Holy Mass," the saint wrote. Padre No's presence in Perth gives mat solace to many people and all the community derives many spiritual benefits, Fr Shelton said. The Archbishop Barry Hickey is to celebrate a Mass honouring Padre No's canonisation and to bless the new stained glass pane at All Saints at 4pm Left, the stained glass window and, right, the statue of Padre Pio at All Saints Chapel on St George's Terrace. on Saturday, August 3.

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20 June, 2002

The World in brief

Abbey rededicated CONCEPTION, Mo. (CNS) -

- Celebration of the Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours resumed on June 12 in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Conception Abbey after a ritual of rededication following the shootings that took place two days earlier. Benedictine Abbot Gregory Polan rededicated the space where a stranger had shot and killed himself after a brief but violent rampage in the adjoining monastery, where he killed two monks and wounded two others. The 1983 revision of canon law stipulates that a sacred space must be rededicated if, in the opinion of the bishop, an act seriously in violation of its nature has taken place. Canon law does not prescribe a specific ritual. The rededication may be performed by the bishop of the diocese or his delegate. Bishop Raymond J. Boland delegated the authority to perform the rededication to Abbot Polan at the latter's request. As a part of the ceremony, Abbot Polan sprinkled holy water throughout the church.

Religious rights WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -The future constitution of the European Union should include provisions to protect religious rights. said Catholic and Protestant leaders in Germany. "The European view of humanity and the European Union's basic values bear the stamp of religion, and especially of Christianity.' said Cardinal Karl Lehmann, chairman of the German bishops' conference. and Manfred Kock, president of the German Evangelical Church, in a joint appeal to German delegates to the European Convention based in Brussels, Belgium. The European Union should anchor itself in these religious roots by including a reference to God in the constitution's preamble,' they said. Church leaders repeatedly have criticized the lack of acknowledgment of Europe's religious heritage in ELI documents.

Diamond conflict

FREETOWN. Sierra Leone (CNS) -- Catholic Relief Services is working with partner agencies to ensure proceeds from diamonds help develop areas where the minerals are mined. Sierra Leone's diamond industry was a major source of income for the Revolutionary United Front Rebels, fueling the country's decade-long civil war. Because of the savage attacks against civilians at the hands of the rebels, the diamonds have come to be known as conflict diamonds or blood diamonds. 'We and our American constituency are engaged in establishing a system that will effectively halt the deadly trade in conflict diamonds.' said Matthew Hochbrueckner, CRS country director in Sierra Leone. He said CRS is now engaged in working with local communities, nongovernment organisations and churches to promote the fair use and just management of legitimate diamond revenue. Page 12

International News

Fence prevents return home

Hussein Zawahreh, his son, Abdo, and a friend look over the large ditch dug by the Israeli army to separate the Palestinian area of Bell Sahour from the southern edge of Jerusalem. Photo CNSDebbio Hn:

By Judith Sudilovsky BEIT SAHOUR, West Bank (CNS) - A new security fence designed to protect Israeli settlers is preventing two Palestinian families from reaching their homes. This is part of the continuation of cutting Palestinian land into small controlled territories." said Yossi Schwartz, an attorney with the Latin Patriarchate's humanitarian legal aid society. Schwartz said he is trying to determine if Israel has annexed the land into Jerusalem or if the land has been reclassified as a military area. "That is important because if it has been (annexed), we need to find out if the people were told about it and whether they had the opportunity to appeal," he said. In order to reach their land, the families will need to be given Israeli identity cards or some other sort of permission, he said. Several years ago the Zawahreh family watched quietly as a new Jewish neighborhood - Har Homa - went up on the hill in front of their home. Some 24 people live in the small family compound that includes two separate living quarters and pens for a few animals. Family

members consider the over-50"This is the state doing it. not just year-old rock structure as their a person. I can't fight against a ancestral home. Some members government," he said. split their time between homes in A Greek Orthodox family was Bethlehem and the family com- evicted three months ago from pound in Belt Sahour. their home at the Belt Jalla-Gilo Hussein Zawahreh. 46, was dis- border. Raed Omaya, 26, said his mayed to see the fence upon family has not been able to return returning to the family compound to the house, which is also cut off recently. Construction of the by a security fence. security fence is not yet complete. "My grandfather built this allowing people to cross on foot. house. All my uncles and father But family members must tra- were born there. We live there verse a ditch and walk several and that is my home," Omaya hundred yards to reach the house. said. "I was very angry when I saw "Now we are in Bethlehem and the fence," Zawahreh said. there is no house for us. We want "This is the house of our grand- to go back to our home, our land parents. All our family lives here; and our lives. When somebody we were all born here. All the time loses $10 they feel bad, so you can we come and go between here imagine how you feel when you and Bethlehem." he said. lose everything - you are without Zawahreh said his family was anything, without clothes, withpromised that they would receive out your home," he said. permits, but he said he was doubtSchwartz said his office recentful this would happen: He said he ly sent letters to Israeli authorities believes Israel will take his fami- concerning the Zawahreh family ly land and home. but has not received a reply. "There is a problem now. We An Israeli police spokesman have never made any trouble for said he had no information on the anybody. We always wanted to Omaya or Zawahreh families. live quietly and peacefully with The spokesman, Gil Kleinman, everybody. Even now if the Israeli told Catholic News Service that soldiers come to kick me out I authorities were aware of a famiwould go, but only if they had a ly in Belt Jalla that had been discourt order," Zawahreh said. placed from their home.

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Offensive sign still stands By Ed Langlois PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) - A billboard calling the Pope the Antichrist is still standing along Interstate 5 in southern Oregon, despite the expiration of a contract and a promise by the sign's owners to remove it by May. The New York-based Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, which last August backed the Archdiocese of Portland in an effort to remove the large sign, has vowed a campaign against Medford-based Outdoor Media Dimensions. If the offending message does not come down soon, the Catholic League plans to rent its own billboard along 1-5. It will read, "Outdoor Media Dimensions sponsors anti-Catholicism." "They say that they believe in free speech so they shouldn't have any problem with us putting up our billboard," said Patrick Scully, the Catholic League's director of communications. "They've got something to answer for here." Scully said of the advertising firm. "They said it was not going to be renewed." Officials at the Archdiocese of Portland are less worried about the message itself than about the effect it has on unity between Catholics and the rest of the community.

Pope's words for suffering By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - While the Bible often views suffering as the result of disobedience or sin. that is not always the case. Pope John Paul II said. In the biblical vision, the just person "is filled with well-being, joy and long life as a natural consequence of an honest and faithful existence," the 82-year-old pope said June 12 at his weekly general audience. In the same way, sins are punished with suffering and misfortune, he said, but such a vision is only partially true. "The reality of human pain is much more complex and cannot be so easily simplified," the Pope said. "In fact, human suffering must be considered through the perspective of eternity."

Consecrated called to start afresh from Christ By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Catholic Church and the entire world need the clear example consecrated women and men provide of living according to the Gospel and caring for others as God does, said a new Vatican document. Difficulties stemming from declining numbers, from an increasing mix of cultures within religious communities, from hostility and a lack of appreciation cannot be allowed to triumph, said the document, released in six languages on June 14. "Starting Afresh from Christ: A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in the Third Millennium" was published with the approval of Pope John Paul II by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The congregation described it as a pastoral instruction aimed at

women and men in the world. The vast majority of them - more than 800,000 - are religious women. The document particularly praised the willingness of consecrated people to work in places and with populations that the world tends to ignore, especially with the poor, the aged, those suffering from AIDS and in countries where being Christian or working for justice can be dangerous. The few concrete recommendations in the document focused on the need for continuing education of religious, better recruitment programs and more cooperative efforts between orders in running Institutions threatened by the Nuns sing during a prayer gathering in the courtyard of the Church of St. Anne orders' dwindling numbers. in Jerusalem in April. Photo. CNS/Debbie Hill The document encouraged superiors and novice directors to encouraging religious communi- the root of present evils - can only ties to continue to be radical signs be overcome if the Gospel values be patient and careful with their of Christ's love, poverty and obe- of poverty, chastity and service new charges. "In circumstances in which rapidity and superficiality dience. "Greed, the craving of are rediscovered," it said. prevail, we need serenity and pleasure (and) the idolatry of According to Vatican statistics power - the triple concupiscence released this spring, there are depth because, in reality, a person which marks history and is also at more than 1 million consecrated is fashioned very slowly," it said.

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International News

20 June, 2002

US abusers will not return By Jerry Filteau

DALLAS (CNS) - The U.S. bishops on June 14 overwhelmingly approved a national "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" that says no priest or deacon can return to any form of ordained ministry if he has ever sexually abused a minor. By a vote of 239-13 the bishops approved the document after six hours of intense discussion behind closed doors on June 13 and a five-hour open floor debate on June 14. Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul-Minneapolis. head of the bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse, called the action "a defining moment for us bishops" In their efforts to "root out a cancer in our church." "This is a pastoral document," he said at the start of the debate. "In all of this we must not lose sight of our solemn purpose, to protect children." The crucial issue before the bishops began convening in Dal-

las - whether to allow some exceptions from a complete ban on ministry for priests known to have abused only once in the past - was resolved June 13 before the open debate began. The revised charter before the bishops on June 14 said all diocesan policies will provide "that for even a single act of sexual abuse of a minor - past, present or future - the offending priest or deacon will not remain in ministry and will not receive a future assignment." In the deliberations on June 14 it was revealed that the bishops had debated for two-and-a-half hours the previous evening before voting against giving past abusers any chance to remain in ministry In a voice vote they clearly rejected an amendment that would have permitted the possibility of reinstating a priest to ministry in some limited cases. While maintaining zero tolerance for a return of any child abuser to ministry, the charter offers three options: - He may be permitted to withdraw voluntarily from ministry

without laicisation, but if that is permitted he must not engage in any ministry or wear clerical garb and is to lead a life of prayer and penance. - He may be invited to seek laicisation voluntarily. - If he does not consent to voluntary laicisation, church procedures to dismiss him from the clerical state without his consent may be initiated. The charter requires every diocese to form a mostly lay review board to assess any sexual abuse allegations and a competent "assistance coordinator" to aid in the immediate pastoral care of anyone who claims to have been sexually abused as a minor by a priest, deacon or other church worker. It establishes a national Office for Child and Youth Protection and a national review board to assist and oversee diocesan implementation. Whenever a diocese receives an abuse complaint involving someone who is still a minor, the diocese must immediately report the matter to civil authorities, it says.

Human inertia and self-centredness contribute to hunger says Pope By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Hunger and poverty violate human dignity and threaten the peace and security of the whole world, Pope John Paul II told government leaders meeting in Rome. A lack of resources, natural disasters and bad organisation cannot take all the blame for hunger and malnutrition in the world, the pope said in a message to the opening session of the June 10-13 summit sponsored by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation. The fact that some 815 million of the world's people are hungry also is "the consequence of a more complex situation of resulting under-development from human inertia and self-centeredness," he said. The Rome summit was a followup to a similar meeting in 1996 in which world leaders pledged to reduce by half the number of the world's hungry by the year 2015. While Pope John Paul opened the 1996 summit at the FAO's headquarters in Rome, his message to the 2002 meeting said, "I am unable to be among you personally on this solemn occasion." However, the Pope had meetings scheduled at the Vatican with many of the visiting heads of state. "If the goals of the 1996 summit have not been met, that can be attributed also to the absence of a culture of solidarity and to international relations often shaped by a pragmatism devoid of ethical and moral foundations," the pope said in his message to the FAO summit. Solidarity must be the criterion that supports all international efforts to deliver emergency food aid, to improve harvests and food distribution systems and to help the world's poorest people grow the food they need, he said. Solidarity is not charity, he said, but justice, based on "the acknowledgment that the resources which God the creator has entrusted to us are destined

It says if the complainant is no longer a minor when the allegation is made, dioceses are to cooperate with public authorities in accord with local civil law. When lawsuits are settled, confidentiality agreements are out unless the victim insists on it "for grave and substantial reasons." The charter calls for "safe environment" programs throughout the U.S. church to educate children, youths, parents, ministers and others in sex abuse prevention. It mandates criminal background checks in every diocese of "all diocesan and parish personnel who have contact with children and young people." It calls for dioceses to establish communications policies that reflect "a commitment to transparency and openness." In the charter's preamble, the bishops express "great sorrow and profound regret" for the "enormous pain, anger and confusion" caused by sexually abusive priests and by the bishops' own failures to weed out predatory priests and keep children

safe in the past. The charter also calls for strict background reporting rules whenever a cleric moves from one diocese to another and for collaboration between bishops and religious superiors in determining clear roles when an allegation is made against a religious order member. The charter pledges the cooperation of the bishops in a new apostolic visitation of all seminaries. It calls for cooperation with other churches and other social organisations and institutions to address the issue of sexual abuse of minors throughout society. In the charter's conclusion the bishops pledged to "work to our utmost for the protection of children and youth" and to devote the necessary resources to achieve that. They also addressed "the vast majority of our priests" who serve faithfully and have never abused a child. They said that, while the charter focuses on the sexual abuse crisis and the protection of minors, the crisis has surfaced other issues in the church as well.

Catholic principals DAYTON, Ohio (CNS) - Since Over the past decade, according Catholic school principals no to NCEA figures, the percentage longer come predominantly from of lay faculty has risen from 85 religious communities, the need percent to 94.2 percent. The to train lay principals in Catholic remaining 5.8 percent are vowed philosophy and intellectual tradi- religious. tion is crucial, according to a The group recommended that group of Catholic educators. lay principals specifically learn About 40 Catholic school lead- the mission and culture of a ers, including representatives of Catholic school, financial skills the National Catholic Education- such as fund raising, how to work al Association, Catholic universi- with boards, strategic planning. ties, the U.S. Conference of Catholic school governance. Catholic Bishops, dioceses and Catholic and private school law, Catholic schools around the human resources management nation, developed specific recom- and how to provide spiritual formendations for lay principals dur- mation for themselves and staff ing a June 7-10 session at the members. University of Dayton called Strategies for learning can "Developing Educational Leader- include case studies, distance ship: Continuing the Conversa- learning courses, reading lists. tion." chat rooms, distance mentoring "The support systems for devel- and videos. They also mentioned oping principals that religious that colleges and universities with communities used to provide are religious studies and education not there to the extent they were programs could work with diocebefore," said Sister Dale McDon- san offices of education, and dioald, director of public policy and ceses could provide incentives for educational research for the principals and candidates to take National Catholic Educational professional and formational training. The group also recomAssociation. Sister McDonald, a Sister of the mended that a task force be estabPresentation of the Blessed Virgin lished by the USCCB and the Mary, pointed out that religious NCEA to develop specific curcommunities not only paid for riculum materials to enhance canhigher education for their mem- didates' spiritual understanding, bers who were school principals, knowledge of church documents, but they also provided "mentor- appreciation of the church's inteling that occurred as part of a life lectual educational heritage and in a community that ministered research on best practices in together." Catholic education.

No funeral Mass for mobster By Tracy Early

A malnourished child, unable to eat normally, is fed through a tube at a hospital in Zomba, Malawi. Photo CNS/Reuters

for all." While mainly an ethical obligation, guaranteeing that "everyone has their daily bread" is also a practical obligation for the international community because poverty and hunger "constitute a real threat to peace and international security." the Pope said. Pope John Paul also drew public attention to the summit and its goals during his June 9 recitation of the Angelus with visitors in St. Peter's Square. "Mil-

lions of persons who suffer daily because of hunger and malnutrition expect from this meeting a confirmation of the commitments made in 1996," he said. "May God bless this meeting and enlighten the leaders of nations so that they know how to express the legitimate aspirations of people and give new energy to the international community's struggle against hunger," the Pope said.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) - The Diocese of Brooklyn announced June 12 that John J. Gotti, the organised crime figure who died June 10 at the age of 61, could not have a funeral Mass. In a one-sentence statement, the diocesan chancellor, Father Andrew J. Vaccari, said, "The diocese has decided that there can be a Mass for the dead sometime after the burial of John Gotti." Diocesan spokesman Frank DeRosa told The New York Times that a priest would attend the wake and conduct a burial service. He said church officials decided against a funeral Mass because they felt an expected crowd of curious onlookers and

media "would take away from the decorum" of the service. Courting publicity, Gotti became the most famous of the mobsters, and his death was a front-page story in The New York Times. According to news reports, he was to be buried in a Brooklyn diocesan cemetery, St. John in Middle Village, which is a community in the borough of Queens. It is the burial place of his father and a son. Frank, who died at the age of 12 after being hit by a neighbour's car. Police did not hold the neighbour responsible. but he later disappeared and no one was charged with the neighbour's death. Ciotti was known as the "Dapper Don" because of his expensive clothes and general bearing. Page 13

20 June, 2002

Asian Catholic News

Re'cord

Nuns form AIDS awareness Parents' prayer group calls for vocations group in China HONG KONG (CNS) - Alarmed by the gravity of the AIDS/HIV epidemic in China, some Catholic nuns in Shaanxi province have formed an awareness group and are learning to overcome their own embarrassment to speak about the disease. A dozen nuns of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Convent in Xi'an, northwestern China, who mostly work in a medical ministry, formed an AIDS concern group in May after attending a two-day training session on preventive measures and medical treatment for AIDS/HIV patients, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. A foreign expert on AIDS and a representative from Missio, Germany's Catholic aid agency, conducted the course. Sister Liu Dalin, vice superior of the convent, told UCA News June 11 that the nuns were "shocked" to hear the official figures of AIDS patients and the seriousness of the issue in China. For a long time, many people in Shaanxi province, and perhaps in other parts of China as well, have been apprehensive about AIDS. not willing to learn more about the disease, she noted.

Although the nuns work in hos- count more HIV infections than pitals, their knowledge about any other country in the world," AIDS is "absolutely blank," she and it calls for urgent action. Inadsaid. equate govenunent response and During the training the nuns at an overall lack of openness in first felt it "unacceptable" and dealing with the epidemic fueled uncomfortable to talk openly the spread of AIDS in China, the about the fact that sexual contact report said. The report indicates is the most common way of that efforts have been far from spreading AIDS, she said. enough, although China was With encouragement from the lauded for coming out in the open two trainers, the nuns decided to about AIDS last year. work on a public education proIn the first national AIDS/Sexugram to draw greater attention to ally Transmitted Diseases Conferthe issue and formed the AIDS ence in Beijing last November, a concern group, she said. public health official admitted The group has not come up with that AIDS has become a crisis in any concrete plan, but hopes that China. The latest official statistics experts in and outside China estimate that there are 850,000 could teach them some effective people with HIV in China, out of ways of educating the population a total population of about 1.26 about AIDS, the nun said. billion. However, the United Meanwhile, the AIDS situation Nations places the figure of those In China has been described as Infected at more than a million. "unimaginable" by the latest U.N. Liaoning province in northeastreport, "AIDS in China. New Mil- ern China announced in mid-June lennium - Titanic Challenge." that, beginning in September, The report, circulated in there will be a two-credit comadvance by Agence France Presse pulsory health education proJune 6 in Beijing, indicates that gram each semester for all high "an HIV/AIDS disaster of unimag- schools and universities in the inable proportions now lies in province. wait to rattle the country." The program will include preThe document states that in just ventive education on AIDS and a couple of years, China might Illegal drugs.

Padre Pio attracts thousands of pilgrims

A tired pilgrim sits in Rome under a poster announcing the canonisation of Italian monk and mystic Padre Pio. Photo CNS Reuters

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia Local Church sources said that (UCAN) - Concerned about the almost all parishes in the decline of vocations in Indone- Yogyakarta Episcopal vicariate sia, a group of parents of priests, have similar parents' support seminarians and Religious has groups. met once a month to pray for Purba said that at home he vocations to the priesthood and and his wife pray, not only for religious life. their eldest son who is a priest, "We realised the imbalance of but for all their children. the number of priests compared "We do not want the other chilwith the number of Catholics," dren to be jealous. As a matter Petrus Garamim Purba told UCA of fact, they are also called by News May 10. The process of God to serve in their respective priestly formation is difficult and capacity." said the parishioner some priests have also left the of St. John the Apostle Church of priesthood, he added. Pringwulung, Yogyakarta. 405 Purba, father of a Sacred Heart kilometres southeast of Jakarta. of Jesus priest, said this situation Purba said that as a Batak, a prompted his family and 17 major ethnic group in North other families of St. Monica Sumatra. having a son is considPrayer Group to hold a monthly ered more valuable for the clan prayer meeting for vocations to than having a (laughter. the priesthood and religious life. "But for the sake of the Church. The prayer group was formed I will allow all my four sons to in 1986 initially by parents become priests or Religious whose sons are priests, semi- although my heart does not fully narians or men or women Reli- agree," he added. gious. Andreas Maria Djajus. a memIt was later called the "Voca- ber of the same prayer group. tions' Parents" group and includ- admitted that he and his wife ed parents who care about did not regularly join the monthpriestly and religious vocations ly prayer meeting. "But we pray even though they are not rela- for our son during daily Mass in tives of any priest, nun or broth- a nearby chapel," said Djajus, er, said Purba, father of four. whose son is a Crosier priest.

Canon lawyer calls for a pastoral divorce approach SINGAPORE (UCAN) - A canon lawyer has asked Catholic attorneys in Singapore to adopt a pastoral approach in dealing with divorce cases. Catholic lawyers need to make a certain judgement and ask themselves if they can help save the marriage, Franciscan Father John Paul Tan told some 200 Catholic lawyers, priests and social workers at a talk here. The canon lawyer told participants at the forum on "Divorce: The Role of Catholic Lawyers" that they can become "pastors," who try to reconcile couples at all cost "even if there is a minute chance." The Family Life Society and Catholic Legal Aid organized the May 18 talk to clarify the Church's teaching in light of the pope's January address to the Roman Rota, the Church's highest court of appeal in Rome, particularly on cases involving the validity of marriage. "If the marriage that comes to you has already broken down and all the couple wants is for some legal ties to be taken care of, in conscience you have to make a choice. Are you fulfilling your job

to defend the rights of the par- behaviour of a spouse. such as ties?" Father Tan asked. possessiveness, abusive behavHe noted that when marriages iour, indifference to the children. break up. Catholic civil lawyers habitual gambling and drinking. are caught in a dilemma, whether Judicial separation can be to fulfill their task as civil lawyers applied for the same reasons as or to fulfill their duty as Catholics. divorce, he said. One participant suggested that Lawyers can also apply for nullawyers "take on the role of a the- lity proceedings for the non-conologian and adopt the Church's summation of a marriage, invalid teaching." and bar themselves consent, mental disorder, comfrom participating in divorce promunicable sexual disease and ceedings. However, Father Tan clarified pregnancy by a third party, he that "the pope does not say that added. Noting that there were 5,000 Catholic lawyers cannot be divorces in 2000, the government involved in divorce" proceedings. "As lawyers, we need to be pas- has started the Project Heart protorally oriented. ... 'fry as much as gram in collaboration with the you can to promote family life, Family justice Court and five famhuman life, encourage reconcilia- ily life agencies to give couples a tion if possible. If the marriage chance to work out their marhas broken down, look at your riage, Family Life Society execurole as a professional, who can tive director James Wong said. Family Life Society has been protect the rights of the couple." Peter Low, the other speaker at chosen as one of the agencies the talk and a civil lawyer, said tasked with counselling and holdthat in Singapore people seek ing family therapy sessions for divorce because of the irretriev- troubled couples. able breakdown of the marriage After the talk, a volunteer with due to adultery, desertion and Catholic Legal Aid that provides separation. free legal counselling, announced Another cause for broken mar- the formation of a Catholic riage, he said, is unreasonable Lawyers' Guild.

Jesuit priest wins award for combining science and religion PATNA, India (UCAN) - An IndiAnnounced early May, the an Jesuit priest has won an inter- award comprises US$10,000 and national award for pioneering a a nine-day trip to Harvard Uniuniversity course that combines versity in June to address a workmodern science, traditional Asian shop on the course. religions and ecology. The award citation said Father The Centre for Theology and Kalapura's "breadth of vision" Natural Sciences of the Universi- and the resources in the course ty of California at Berkeley said it have impressed the judges. chose Father Jose Kalapura for its Father Kalapura, professor of John Templeton Award for "pro- Church history in a Jesuit regionmoting dialogue between science al theologate in Bihar, eastern and religions to serve some sub- India, noted that the one-year stantial human good." course for colleges combines the Rage 14,

•

gains of modern science and the values of Indo-Asian religions that foster "reverence for and harmony among man, nature and universe." The 46-year-old priest said the course came after some scholars, disturbed by the "deteriorating ecological equilibrium," decided to "symbiotically harness" scientific technology and the pro-ecology teachings in religions. According to the priest, science and religion aim for human good, but a "divorce" between the

two has led to ecological disas- Catholic college in the state capiters. This happens, the priest told tal of Patna, plans to introduce the UCA News, because science has course in July. bred "a mania for hegemony over Carmelite Sister Doris D'Souza, nature," while helping humans to Its principal, said the college "master nature and tame its opted for the course because it vagaries." The course, he said, wants students, "future mothers," helps students, mostly belonging to realise the need to protect and to religions originating in India, enrich the environment for their discern "the inherent inter-depen- progenies. The nun, a genetic scidence between man and nature," entist, said she also expects her and encourages them to check the students to view modern ecologi"whimsical mangling" of ecology. cal science through their religious Patna Women's College, a heritage.

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Archdiocesan Panorama "MOLOKAI" The story of Father Damien, a Belgian priest and his work among the lepers exiled to Molokai in the late nineteenth century. Sat July 6 at 2pm at Cinema Paradiso, James Street, Northbridge. A block booking has been made by the Hills Franciscan Companions of FMM to raise funds for sisters in missions in Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. Tickets, $13, available from: Jan Gardner 9381 4317, Audrey Lewis 9370 2864, Dorothy French 9291 6248, Des Ravenscroft 9371 1229, Jacky Todaro 9272 5500. MOTHERS' PRAYER MASS 10am, Thursday June 27, St Kieran's, cnr Waterloo and Cape St, Osborne Park. For all mothers and grandmothers coming together to pray for their children. Fathers, grandfathers welcome. Information: Veronica Peake 9447 0671. BUSINESS PERSONS' MASS Will be celebrated at All Saints chapel. A llendale Square, Perth, followed by a Breakfast Meeting at the WA Club, 101 St George's Terrace, Perth. Guest Speaker: Fran Martin - a Lay Preacher. Inquiries 9384 0809. DRUG-FREE DAY You are invited to the 2nd Drug-Free Day on June 23 in celebration of the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse.

Organised by the Coalition Against Drugs. A ssemble and Free sau-sage sizzle at Supreme Court Gardens; 1.30pm: Start march up Barrack St, 2-3.30pm: Rally and concert at Forrest Place - Free drug info displays. Inq: 9202 1300. A CATHOLIC RESPONSE TO DRUGS? How can parents, teachers and priests help prevent the drug problem? Switch on to 'The Layman's Hour' with Raymond and Theresa de Souza (Radio Fremantle 107.9 FM at 7.30pm on Sun 23 June) and participate in the discussion with organisers of the Drug-Free Day. ring 9494 2100 to have your say. EUCHARISTIC CONVENTION Come to the first Eucharistic Convention in the Archdiocese to hear Archbishop Barry Hickey speaking on the importance of Eucharistic adoration and his vision to have holy hours and perpetual adoration implemented in the Archdiocese. Saturday June 29 at 2pm. Inquiries: Fr Douglas Harris, St Mary's Cathedral 9223 1350. C ATHEDRAL YOUTH FORUM Tuesday 25 June at 7pm. Recommendations on how to implement the Archbishop's 10-PointPlan are welcome. Anyone interested in participating as well as any one interested in holding discussions live on radio on any of the 10-point plan, please contact Raymond de Souza at 9202 1300.

PLEASE NOTE For any item you send for this page (Classified ads or Panorama items) please use email address below: mattesrec@iinetnet.au TOWARDS THE FUTURE ARCHBISHOP'S TEN POINT PLAN Why is it that about 9000 of teenagers who leave the Catholic school system also leave the Church? Listen to and participate in the discussion on Archbishop Hickey's 5th priority in his 10-point plan: Catholic Education. Switch on to 'The Layman's Hour' with Raymond andTheresa de Souza (Radio Fremantle, 107.9 FM on Sun 30 June at 7:30 PM). Ring 9494 2100 and have your say. SUNG LATIN MASS Monday June 24, 6.30pm. Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. St John's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave, Perth. All welcome. Inquiries: Fr Michael Rowe 9444 9604. BULLSBROOK PILGRIMAGE Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. The next monthly pilgrimage will be held at the Shrine on Sunday June 30 at 2pm. Reconciliation from 1.30pm, followed by the Rosary procession, Benediction and the blessing of the sick. All are welcome. Bus transport 9277 5378. Information: SACRI 9447 3292. DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR Each Saturday of the month (except 1st Sat) from 2.30-3.30pm at St Francis Xavier Church, 25 Windsor St. East Perth. Celebrant: Fr Marcellinus Meilak OFM. Please bring a plate to share. Inq: John 9457 7771. MEDJUGORJE SEER'S VISIT CANCELLED Due to Vicka being pregnant and under Doctor's advice not to travel, unfortunately the Australian tour has been cancelled. MARRIAGE - A SACRAMENT OF HEALING HolyTrinity Prayer Group, Hilton will be hav-

ing a guest speaker, Fr Bob Carden OFM at their prayer meeting at Mt Carmel Church, Collick St, Hilton on Monday June 24. Prayer Meeting begins at 7.15pm with Prayer and Praise, followed at 8pm by Fr Bob's talk. All are welcome. Inq. Maria 9437 3224. ST BENEDICT'S PARISH, APPLECROSS Golden Jubilee Celebrations start with Dinner, Friday July 5. 7pm at Aquinas College. Sung Mass Sunday July 7, 9.30am St Benedict's Church. Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Hickey. Mass is followed by Morning Tea in the Parish Hall. Inq: Jill Norton 9317 6364. FLAME YOUTH MEETING 'I Ministry presents Flame Youth believe...we believe...'. Explaining the Nicene Creed. 8pm Fridays, starting June 28 till August 2. The Alverna Centre, St Lawrence Church, 392 Albert Street, Balcatta. Speakers will be the Flame Youth Team. The youth meeting caters for youth 18+. Information Linda 9382 3668, or email: fmi@flameministries.org RESTORING THE FABRIC A presentation of new developments in New Norcia's built and indigenous heritage. Saturday June 29 at St Gertrude's College, New Norcia. Information: Wendy McKinley, 9654 80189. SOUTHERN AREA MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP Bateman Parish Meeting Room. Wednesday June 26, 7.30-9.00pm. Coffee and tea provided. Please drop in and visit us. Contact Aileen 9330 2651, Jenny 9332 4532, Lesley 9337 6295, Margaret 9364 8146.

Page 15

The Last Word

Life just N all part of God's planning

By Father John Lisle as told to Neil Smith

othing could convince me more that life is just one big example of God's plan for us all than what has occurred in my later life. It seems that all that has gone before it the whole of my experience throughout my life - has been done just to prepare me for the here and now. When I had my stroke while serving in the Mosman Park parish in 1992, I thought I would be retiring. But I realise now that instead of being a retired priest,I am a recycled one - just as God intended. I am just as busy now as I have been at any stage of my life. I am saying Mass daily at the Joseph Cooke Hostel, hearing confessions, and counselling some of the residents. And it's not a small congregation. There are 26 Our Lady of Mission nuns, 10 Presentation and one Loreto, and some Josephites, two Christian Brothers and 32 laity. They range in ages up to 90-something. The nun who is 90 is as clear as a bell, as straight in physical stature and as aware as anyone you would wish to find anywhere. There are some that are younger who are not quite as with it. Ills remarkable how harmonious it is. Apart from Mass daily, the congregation upholds all the Holy Days and special observations, and I also celebrate Mass at the Regina Coeli Church, in the WillettonBrentwood parish. The grand plan is true of everything - my appointment to the position as curate of the Holy Trinity Strand

Court, in London; my early years ministering to prisoners in jail in the Bahamas; my friendship in the Bahamas with Monsignoi Hawes, the priest-architect of Geraldton; and a chance meeting with a ship's chaplain en route to Australia. Even Neil Smith coming to write the notes for this article - it is a re-run of his interview with me for the Sunday Times in 1967 in Armadale after my ordination as a Catholic priest - regarded as a rarity, a married Anglican priest converting to become a Catholic priest. Today (May 31) is the 60th anniversary of my ordination as an Anglican priest. My first appointment as an Anglican priest to the position of curate in London was to what is probably the greatest example of an Anglo-Roman church in all of England. I did not know it at the time, but it provided a foretaste of my interest in becoming a Catholic. When you are ordained an Anglican minister in England, you are required to sign a consent form volunteering to do service in overseas missions after serving your first eight years in England. You are also asked a preference on the areas to which you would like to go. I specified anywhere but Iceland, and got the Bahamas. At that time, they were a British colony, and still had capital punishment. I ministered to eight condemned men, preparing them for death. And I suppose the work here is also preparing people for death - all part of God's plan to give me prior experience. Also in the Bahamas I was a great friend of Mons Hawes - part of the plan that heightened my interest in Catholics, and in Western Australia. But it was not until after I had served six years in South Africa - my next appointment - and returned to England after a bout of illness, that God's plan for my conversion to Catholicism really began gathering momentum. I had to leave England because of the climate, and was assigned to Western Australia. On the ship on the way to WA I met the chaplain, and told him of my - by then - firm resolve to become a Catholic. He told me I was coming to the right place and that I could expect some help from Archbishop Goody - a firm advocate of encouraging Anglican ministers to take Holy Orders in the Catholic faith. It was all part of the plan.

Father Lisle with a certificate presented by John Paul ll to mark his 40th year of service in the clergy.

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