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WA's only Catholic weekly newspaper Perth: July 11 2002 Price: $1
WA abortion report 'a coverup' WAs Coalition for the Defence of Human Life has denounced the Health Minister's Review of the 1998 abortion law as "an exercise In concealment: The review was presented to Parliament last Thursday 27 June. CDHL Secretary Dr Ted Watt said of the review "This is not a report because it reports almost nothing. It's an extended coverup, an exercise in concealment. 'The report talks of legalised abortion "taking abortion out of the shadows". Instead, the report shows that the shadows are still there, and some new shadows have been crated. Dr Watt said some of the "more obvious shadows" included:
• The names of the people writing the report for the Minister have been concealed. "An application under FOI has been refused by the Health Department. • The names of their professional advisory committee have also been concealed, and access under FOI has been refused by the health Department. "The panel of doctors at KEMH who have power to authorise the abortions of babies old enough to need birth and death certificates has been concealed since is was set up in 1998, and the present review recommends (p.34) that their names remain concealed.
The minister agrees," Dr Watt continue this concealment from their medical practitioners since parents o information vital to their 1998 the true physical and psychosaid. • The seven illegal abortions at daughter's welfare. The Minister logical risks of abortion. "The department's 1998 informaKEMH in June 1998 which were agrees," he said. "Every citizen who has knowl- tion leaflets were written by four concealed at the time, are to remain concealed: `no further edge of a crime has a legal duty prominent abortion promoters. action is recommended' (p 34) by under the Criminal code to who systematically suppress releinform the police. Whenever a girl vant medical research showing the report. Dr WAtt also said the Health under 16 is pregnant, a crime has risks which they fail to disclose. This been committed. But children's has been exhaustively documented Minister agrees with this. • Under the abortion law, par- Court magistrates, far from In 1999 by the Doctors' Legal Safeents of a girl under 16 living at Informing the police, are conceal- guards Group in their booklet Aborhome can be denied any infor- ing the information. The anony- tion, Information and the law: what mation about a plan to abort the mous authors of the report have every doctor needs to know girl's pregnancy if the Children's no objection to this illegality. Nor "Though this booklet has been has the Minister. Has anyone court so orders. widely among WA doccirculated "The Children's Court has asked the director of Public Prosprofessionals for health and tors agrees? whether he ecutions approved every one of the 26 years, and though the four nearly • The WA Health Department has applications to date. The secret Continued Page 2 authors of the report are happy to been concealing from women and
Sydney Harbour not a bridge too far for bishops The Sydney Harbour Bridge became the focus for a new environmental initiative from the Catholic Church in Australia. Three of its Bishops climbed the Bridge on Friday 28 June to publicise the formation of a new agency of the church, Catholic Earilscare Australia. Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane, chair of The Bishops' Committee for Justice, Development Ecology and Peace, was supported by Bishops William Morris of Toowoomba and Christopher Saunders of Broome. "Catholic Earthcare Australia (CEA) is a response from the bishops of Australia to take Pope John Paul H's many pleas for people everywhere to take greater responsibility in caring for the increasingly threatened natural environment. The Pope has been speaking passionately about the environment for the past ten years," Archbishop Bathersby says. "This is a national initiative which plans to mobilise Australia's five million Catholics to take decisive action to protect the natural world before it's too late. We want to stress the fact that the environment is not a marginal issue for a few `greenies', but a mainstream social issue that has major implications for us all: Archbishop Bathersby, himself a keen bushwalker, explained that the CEA is guided by an advisors/ council comprising 20 environmental experts from around Australia. These include people such as Patrick Dodson, Christine Milne (Tasmanian Green), Father Brian Gore, Sandra Menteith (Oz Green) and Father Andrew Granc (Franciscan Priest). Bishop Chris Toohey, one of Australia's youngest Bishops from NSW outback (Wilcannia/Forbes), himself a
No, not a new group of metalworkers. Archbishop Bathersby of Brisbane, left, Bishop Christopher Sunders of Broome and Bishop William Morris of Toowoomba, second from right, were among those on top of the Bridge to publicise the Catholic Church's newest agency, Earthcare.
keen astronomer and sometimes Garden Planet", was the centredubbed the 'Bish with the Dish', piece of the launch function. A will also play an executive role in copy of the video will be sent to every Catholic school and parish the council. The official launch of CEA took in Australia. Colin Brown, an environmental place during a Mass and ceremony at St Francis of Assisi Church, lawyer who will coordinate the Paddington on Sunday, 30 June, new agency says that St Francis of Assisi Church was selected as the starting at 9.30am. A newly produced video, "The launch venue because of the
saint's powerful links with nature and animals. St Francis is the patron saint of the environment "Young people have been a potent force behind the project. In responding to the idealism and concerns of youth, the Australian Bishops will encourage schools throughout the nation to hold a
special St Francis of Assisi Day to take place on World Environment Day on 4 June each year," Colin Brown said. "A pilot activity by 40 Catholic schools in the Sydney and Wollongong dioceses held on 4 June this year was a successful precursor to what is hoped will become an annual event."
11 July, 2002
Record 111
The zenith of a teacher's vocation T
he Catholic Teachers' Conference was held at Notre Dame University earlier this week. I was invited to celebrate the Conference Mass in the Holy Spirit Chapel. I arrived in time to see a presentation which had been put together by the Conference organisers. Some children from the schools where the teachers have been working were asked to say something that they appreciated about their teacher. You can imagine the range of comments from pre-primary to secondary boys and girls. It created a buzz around the Conference hall and quite a lot of laughter. But what Ibelieve was the best thing for the teachers was to see and hear those young people give affirmation to them.
Affirmation goes a long way in giving a person a sense of being valued and lifting their selfesteem. I mentioned in my homily a saying that the late Archbishop Goody liked using at times: a compliment is like water off a duck's back - but doesn't the duck like it! The teachers who are engaged in our Catholic schools are in general just the same as the people in the wider community. They have the same joys and concerns, doubts and certainties, successes and disappointments. Teachers are caught up, as well, in the great mystery of God and his work. We believe that they are part of the whole range of people in the Church who assist in the office of teaching which belongs to the bishop. Teachers are at the zenith of their vocation
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Brothers of St John of God are men of hospitality who have for over five centuries given themselves to be a brotherly presence; a symbol of hope for the world, proclaiming God s hospitable love to all. Their core value - hospitality - compels and urges them to depth their relationship with God, and with those marginalised by society.
Are you interested in a life dedicated to hospitality? Br. John Clegg Vocation Director PO Box BN 1055 BURWOOD NORTH NSW 2134 Tel: 02-97471699 Fax: 02-744 3262 Email: jclegg@stjohnofgod.org.au Website: www.stjohnofgod.org.au
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when they are teaching, the gifts given by God, these are to young to know and love Jesus be used in service of the comChrist and to take their place in munity. Secondly, the gifts of faith, especially the faith that is the Church. I was reflecting with the teach- required to work miracles. Lasters on the instructions of St Paul ly, Paul believed there are gifts of when he wrote to the Corinthi- prophecy which requires the ans on the subject of the gifts of discerning of spirits, to see the Holy Spirit. The conference whether they are genuine or had in fact focused on the theme false. Teachers will be wonderful that teachers are like jewels in a great treasure chest. The Holy witnesses, mentors and educaSpirit pours into the church gifts tors if they have these sorts of of amazing diversity and rich- gifts. With the knowledge and ness. The gifts required by a understanding they gain by teacher to lead the young to being able to reflect on and see the presence of the Risen Christ Christ are there for the asking. St Paul reckoned that there In all the events of their lives, were three categories of gifts they will be able to speak to the being manifested in his day. young with authenticity. With faith, they will be capable Firstly the gifts of knowledge and understanding which are not instruments for God to work in meant to set people apart or to the lives of the young as they create an elitist class. Like all catch the fire of faith themselves.
by Bishop Donald Sproxton With the gift of prophecy, they will have a discerning spirit, learning how to judge between the genuine and the false, and being able to encourage the young to discover the truth and follow it.
Animal rights and wrongs BERLIN, (Zenit.org).- Germany's Upper House of Parliament, the Bundesrat, voted in favour of enshrining animal rights in the Constitution in late June, making it the first European Union country to do so. How that change will affect the legal status of animals is open to debate, the Times of London reported on June 22. Already Muslims have expressed concern about the amendment, fearing that their ritual slaughter of sheep could be outlawed. The change to the German Constitution involves adding the words 'and animals' to the clause obliging the state to protect human life. The article now reads: 'The state takes responsibility for protecting the natural foundations of life and animals in the interest of future generations.' When the Lower House, the Bundestag, approved the change a month earlier,
BBC quoted Consumer St. James and LaDonna Affairs and Agriculture Davis after the animal Minister Renate Kuenast of allegedly bit two people, the Green Party on May 17 ABC-TV reported on May as saying the constitutional 13. change could lead to new The Animal Legal Defence legislation limiting the test- Fund lobbied three years ing on animals of products ago to represent Moe in such as cosmetics and mild court by gathering experts pain relievers. who would formally assess Kuenast said the change what might make the chimdid not give animals equal panzee most content. Joyce rights with humans, the Tischler, executive director Guardian reported on May of the defence fund, says 18. But, in a remark the her group is getting newspaper said might have Involved in more common an ominous ring for kinds of cases involving researchers and farmers, cats and dogs. Kuenast added: 'Work is In custody battles over not stopping. It is just beginpets and in cases involving ning.' damage to pets, the legal In the United States, meanwhile, a chimpanzee defence fund has been subby the name of Moe is at mitting court briefs, sugthe centre of a legal battle gesting that judges look at on his status. His owners -- the case in terms of the anithe city of West Covina, Cal- mal's interest. In this way. ifornia -- and the Animal Tischler says, her group Legal Defence Fund have hopes to take small steps been involved in litigation toward gaining legal rights since 1998, when Moe was for animals. removed from the home of Continued Page 11
Prosecutor drops charges A police prosecutor in the Moora Court of Petty Sessions last week withdrew charges of disorderly conduct against pro-life activist and secretary of Coalition for the Defence of Human Life, Dr Ted Watt The charges had related to an incident on June 17, 2001, at New Norcia. Dr Watt had been alleged to have disrupted the official opening by the Western Australian Arts Minister, Sheila McHale, of the Blake Prize exhibition at the New Norcia Gallery and Museum. He was drawing attention to Ms McHale's role in the Acts Amendment (Abortion) Act in 1998. Dr Watt and his supporters had handed out pamphlets opposing the Act and abortion. Dr Watt said he welcomed the withdrawal of the charges.
WA abortion report 'a coverup': pro-lifers Continued from Page 1 miss or minimise the risk, and conceals nameless authors had certainly seen it, evidence to the contrary. Abortion has they neglect even to mention it in their not been taken out of the shadows. Aborreport. tion cannot be taken out the shadows. On breast cancer as one of the medical Abortion everywhere is surrounded by risks of abortion, the report, like the shadows, by euphemisms, by secrecy, by Health Department's 1998 leaflets, lies, by contempt for the law, and by bad quotes selectively from sources that dis- medical practice. Legalisation has done
nothing to change that. The coalition will be preparing a detailed analysis of the Minister's non-report for members of Parliament and the public. Meanwhile, no-one should take seriously this coverup of illegality and bad medical practice, written by a faceless group of non-persons,' said Dr Watt.
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11 July, 2002
11 Rec.ord
Archbishop objects to brothel publicity Archbishop Barry Hickey has into a lifestyle which seriously written to radio and television sta- damages their personality and tions in Perth objecting to their limits their future life choices. promotion of a Kalgoorlie broth- They deserve something better. The profits from this illegal el and its website. He received a number of com- exploitation of human sexuality plaints about an advertisement go almost entirely to the madams aired on several radio stations and and their silent backers. It has the promotion of tours of the been clear for some time that they brothel as a holiday destination in are engaged in a sustained camthe "Getaway" program on Chan- paign to sanitise their wretched trade and give it the veneer of nel 9. In his letters to the stations' man- social acceptability which would agement, Archbishop Hickey said make it even easier for them to that despite all the appearances seduce teenage women into this to the contrary, it remained illegal destructive way of life. "While it is true that our mornto conduct a brothel. As well as being illegal, brothels ing newspaper has been profiting were harmful to the community for years from worse advertiseencouraged ments, it is extremely disappointthey because Immorality and adultery. The pre- ing to find the cancer spreading tence in the advertisement and to radio and television. Your station is invited into promotional material that the activities of a brothel would be of many homes where such crass interest and value to normal, attempts to normalise the brothel healthy women was particularly trade has come as a shock and a disappointment. obnoxious. "In my own name and on behalf "Brothels seriously degrade and damage the women who work in of the many people who ask me them and the men who use them," to speak for them, I urge you not the Archbishop said. "Young to allow this or any similar matewomen, in particular, are dragged rial to be broadcast again."
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Students chose Indonesian dance as part of the entertainment which marked MCC's 10th anniversary.
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A giant birthday cake and Indonesian dancing were highlights of the Mandurah Catholic College 10 Year anniversary that was celebrated by the College community recently. Since it opened its doors in 1992 the College enrolment has grown from 51 - Phil Bayne, CEO Media to 976 students.
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11 July, 2002
Re-cord
70 priests in clergy competition Two vanishings in one week is almost too
Fathers Russel Hardiman, Monsignor Michael Keating, Fr Greg Carroll and Fr Peter Bianchini enjoy the atmosphere.
The annual CleRec West events were held in ideal weather over Monday and liresday May 27-28. This year the events for priests were sponsored by Bowra O'Dea, Seasons Funerals, Catholic Church Insurance and the Catholic Development Fund. A handicap golf tournament was held over the two days at Rosehill Country Club. After a determined battle over 36 holes Fr Jim Corcoran emerged as the winner. The tennis tournament resulted in a tussle between Monsignor Michael Keating and Fr Richard Doyle. While both showed the benefit of keeping in practice, it was Monsignor Michael who ran out the
eventual winner. The two days ended with the clergy dinner held at St Charles Seminary. This was attended by 70 priests and seminarians and provided an opportunity to socialise over a delightful meal. Bishop Healy attended on behalf of the Archbishop and spoke of the importance and value of clergy fraternity, strongly encouraging priests to take part in these days. In 2003 it is hoped to extend the number of events and attract more clergy The CleRec committee (Fr Tony Pires, Fr Peter Bianchini, Fr Robert Cross, Fr Joseph 11-an and Fr Francis Hoy) is already hard at work.
Last week's Record carried a front page report entitled 'Churches' letter to The West vanishes'. The report was about how a letter to The West Australian newspaper on stem cell research signed by 20 religious and medical leaders, a significant document for the community, had not been published. Unfortunately The Record's own continuation of the story, on Page 2, also disappeared. For readers who were wondering how the story finished the signatories to the letter were: Rev Peter Abetz of the Christian Reformed Churches of WA, Dr Graeme Carroll of the WA Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship, Pastor Dale Hewitt national leader of the Apostolic Church Australia, Archbishop Hickey, Pastor Graham Johnston president of the Church of Christ WA. Dr Al Jones of the Church of the Nazarene, Pastor Mike Keating vice-president of the WA Assemblies of God, Dr Amanda Lamont president of the Catholic Doctors Association, Pastor Geoffrey Woodward chairman of the Christian Outreach Centres, Rev Ian Touzel moderator of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Pastor Ashley Van Wyk supervisor of the Church of the Foursquare Gospel, Pastor Philip Baker
president of the Australian Christian Churches, Rev Dr John McElroy, director of the Southern Cross Association of Churches, Professor Brian Stone president of the WA Baptist Churches, Mr John Gilmour QC, Pastor Dwight Randall of Life Ministries, Rev Dr Margaret Court MBE senior pastor of the Victory Life Centre, Pastor David Storer of the Perth Christian Life Centre, Pastor Gerard Keehan of the Sunset Coast Christian Life Centre and Mr Robert Greaves chairman of the Standing Together Taskforce.
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Athletes remember prowess at YCW's big reunion A reunion at the Claremont Football Club, of former athletes who competed in the 1950s, organised by Mery Wells of the Mt Hawthorn Athletic Club, brought together many from the former YCW Athletic Club. In the early 1950s, the YCW Athletic Club was arguably the most powerful and most successful athletic club in Western Australia and possibly in Australia. The club was started in 1946 by the late Brian Ryan and Geoff Worner, both of whom were State champion athletes before the war. The late Gerry Hogan, who won the York Gift in 1929 became coach and developed an outstanding team. Hundreds of young men and women competed at Leederville oval, filling two divisions in A,B,C,D,E.F and junior grades. In 1953 YCW won every grade trophy except D grade; every relay
trophy. the Douglas Memorial Shield and the Club 11-ophy. YCW also produced numerous Western Australian and National senior and junior champions and record holders, the most outstanding being Herb Elliott who won the Olympic 1500 metres in 1960.
There is an interesting report in the Record of January 31, 1952 of a promising junior middle distance runner, Barry Hickey. The YCW Athletic club was more than just a large and very successful sporting team; it was an important social entity. It organised athletic meetings and much enjoyed tours to major country centres; conducted Former YCW athletes: From left Geoff Warner, Ted Hussey, John Chilvers, Brian dances in various suburban halls Peachey, Brian Werndley, John O'Connell, Bill DeGruchy, Des DeGruchy, Frank and the Perth Town Hall and there O'Connell, Evan Reid, Gerry Lambe. was the regular athletes Mass celebrated. It was a place for healthy like it exists today, but with deter- provide opportunities for the very socialising, resulting in numerous ruination and the will a YON Ath- good athletes developed in the lasting marriages. Sadly nothing letic Club could be reformed and Catholic High Schools.
Architect's recognition University of Notre Dame architect Marcus Collins has won a prestigious architectural heritage award for his work on the design and restoration of the university's College of Education and Drill Hall in Croke Street, Fremantle. The award, by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects' (RAJA) West Australian Chapter, was made in the heritage category and recognised Mr Coffins' restoration and adaptive use of the building. The judges commented on the total treatment of the building and its relationship to the old courthouse on Marine Terrace. Large glass bi-folding doors were installed on the southern side of the building linking the Drill Hall to the courthouse through a courtyard and creating a heritage precinct. The award-winning building had been in disrepair prior to the restoration work and is now used to house the College of Education and the Drill Hall. The hall is used for public meetings. university functions, exams, lectures and general university business including graduation ceremonies. Mr Collins said he was honoured to receive the award and said it recognised the university's commitment to preState's the serving architectural heritage. "Prior to the restoration, the building had not even been listed on the state or the council's inventory of heritage buildings; it had been overlooked because it was in such shabby condition." Mr Collins said. "It is wonderful to get public recognition for conserving old buildings like this one." The building was constructed in the 1920's for use as a Naval Drill Hall. It was renamed HMAS Leeuwin in 1941 and used as a training centre for naval recruits during World War II. In 1984 the building was taken over by the Maritime Commonwealth Safety authority and used as a workshop and offices. Notre Dame purchased the building in March 1999 and spent six months on the repair and restoration work. The latest RAIA heritage award follows two others presented to Mr Collins by the Institute for his work at Notre Dame. The earlier awards were for the restoration of the College of Law Building and for the main library, courtyard and chapel development.
St Michael's school wins LifeLink award The recipient of this year's "Archbishop's Spirit Award" for LifeLink Day was St Michael's Catholic Primary School in Bassendean. Archbishop Hickey presents this special award each year to the school that clearly demonstrates strong support for the his LifeLink Day initiative held each June. Principal David Hunter said: -The students, staff and parents of our school are really thrilled to receive this award. We believe it is important for us to all get Pictured: Bishop Sproxion, representing Archbishop Hickey, presents the Award to Michelle Kar and Kyle Myint, head involved, and support people who reach out for our help. girl and boy, St Michael's Primary School. Page 4
St Michael's school community may be small in number, but we show what can be achieved if we all work together". LifeLink Day promotes to catholic school students understanding of the Church's social service agencies and the Church's response to people in need in WA. It also encourages Catholic youth to practise charity by showing their support for people less fortunate through some form of fundraising effort. Archbishop Hickey hopes $55,000 will he raised for the LifeLink funded agencies this year.
11 July, 2002
It Record
St Benedict's celebrates 50 years as a parish Archbishop Hickey gives his homily on the importance of one's parish.
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Father John O'Reilly, Archbishop Barry Hickey and Father Rodney Williams at the Mass celebrating 50 years of St Benedict's parish, attended by past and present parishioners.
St Benedict's Parish in Applecross celebrated its 50th anniversary last Sunday with Mass followed by a community sausage sizzle and historic photo exhibition in the parish hall. . Archbishop Barry Hickey was the main celebrant for the 9.30am Mass with current priest Father John O'Reilly and past parish priest Father Rodney Williams also celebrating. About 400 people attended the Mass, including many past parishioners. Archbishop Hickey gave his homily on the importance of one's parish in a person's life "from birth to death." He said the Applecross parish had always been a very vibrant and active community in what used to be an "out of the way" suburb. A dinner was also held on the Friday before the Mass with the Archbishop and the Mayor of Melville Katie Mair attending along with 200 past
and present parishioners. The parish has only had three priests in its 50 years. Fr Albert Lynch was the founding priest and stayed at the parish for 20 years, Fr Williams was there for five years, and Father O'Reilly has been there for 25 years. The parish was founded in July 1952, which also coincides with the feast of St Benedict on July 11. Father O'Reilly said he was very pleased with the celebrations and there would be more in the following months. "It really was a marvellous event and I've had great feed-back from the parish community," he said. "People especailly enjoyed the photo exhibition which brought back a lot of good memories." Next year St Benedict's Primary School, which remains an important part of the church community, celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Plea for help in southern Africa The southern Africa region is facing a food crisis with more than 13 million people facing starvation in the coming months. Caritas Australia's, Africa Programs Coordinator Wendy Ngoma stressed the continuing need for assistance 'The situation is going to worsen in coming months with food supplies expected to run out by August. Without a further response by the international community there will be a humanitarian crisis,' she said. The food crisis is the result of a combination of natural, social, agricultural, political and economic factors. Excessive rains followed by severe drought during the last two planting and harvesting seasons and a predicted drought for the third season have been compounded by other factors such as cutbacks in agricultural investment, lack of a minimal food reserve and the HIV/AlDs pandemic in the region. Poor governance in a number of countries in the region has meant that governments have not been responsive to the urgent needs of their people. Inadequate management of food reserves means that the people are living a 'hand to mouth' existence where any shortfall in food supply may cause a crisis. 'The lack of government food reserve is a tragedy in a country such as Malawi where even after a good harvest the country is only marginally able to produce a surplus for its own maize needs,' explained Wendy Ngoma. The high rate of HIV throughout the region means that many people were too sick (or busy caring for sick relatives) to cultivate their land. Late and insufficient distribution of seeds, tools and fertilisers has resulted in lower-than-expected yields, with many people, due to severe hunger, eating the seeds meant for planting. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) indicate that an overall maize deficit of 3.22 million metric tonnes is necessary for the region, and four governments have already declared national disasters due to the actual and anticipated food shortages.
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Photo CNS DecIan Walsh
A severely malnourished child struggles to survive at the Nambuma feeding centre in Malawi.
Caritas Australia National Director Jack de Groot appealed to the Australian Community, 'I urge the Australian Community to contribute now, all donations will enable our partners in the region to provide relief food to those with severe food shortages,' said Mr de Groot. 'Although the emergency provision of food is absolutely critical we must note that this is only a short-term solution. "The international community and governments in the southern Africa region need to address some of the man-made reasons contributing to this food crisis. "As well as putting into place preventative and relief measures for future natural disasters,' said Wendy Ngoma. Donations to this appeal may be made by calling our hotline 1800 024 413, visiting our website www.c,aritas.org.au or may be posted to. Caritas Australia. 19 MacKenzie Street, North Sydney. 2060.
CHA is seeking to employ an education officer in its Canberra office. The education officer is responsible for the development and coordination of the CHA education program —forming ourselves ... healing society. CHA conducts an education formation program for staff employed in Catholic health and aged care services, and for those responsible for the governance of these services. The program is conducted across the country and comprises four major components. The program is designed to provide participants with educational opportunities to learn and reflect on the Catholic identity of health and aged care services. It is taught by highly qualified, experienced educators drawn from a number of educational, research and service delivery organisations. Salary is negotiable based upon qualifications and experience. For further information and a position description, please contact: Madonna McGahan —ph: 02 6260 5980 • mob: 0408 467 124 email: madonnam@cha.org.au Applications should be marked 'confidential' and submitted with your brief curriculum vitae and the names/contact details of two referees by 5.00pm Monday 12 August 2002 to: Francis Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Health Australia PO Box 330, DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600 [Street address: Rowland House, io Thesiger Court, DEAKIN ACT 26001 ph: 02 6260 5980 • fax: 02 6260 5486 • email: franciss@cha.org.au Page 5
Opinion
Reflection
Page 6
I say,i say... M
y local baker thinks the Cheryl ICernot story was a beat-up. Like a lot of level-headed Australians, he doesn't necessarily see the wisdom of the way the media reports things. The Cheryl Kernot-Gareth Evans affair is one example where confusion easily reigns. The nation's been consumed with controversy over a one-time affair between two now-retired politicians. No-one can seriously argue this is entirely the media's fault. After all, if no-one ever wanted to talk about the issues reported in TV bulletins, newspapers and magazines, news organisations would have nowhere near the vast number of consumers that they do. Blaming the media alone when a story like the Evans-Kernot affair takes off is much too easy. If anything, we should be blaming human nature itself. That's if there is anything wrong with discussing an issue like the Evans-Kemot affair in the first place. That we are wrong to talk about it is a verdict about which I am not entirely sure. Let me put it this way. Some people seem to be adopting the position of saying. in effect: "if something immoral is happening
in the world, you just shouldn't talk about it. Isn't it right instead to say: "if something immoral is happening in the world, it's actually a major moral negligence on our part not to talk about it." In fact, if we're Christians, shouldn't we be leading the conversation with our nonChristian friends and colleagues about whatever piece of human misbehaviour it is that happens to be exciting the public airwaves at the time? Sound judgment in what we say - that'sthe essential ingredient for a capable Christian handling of these matters, I believe. We need to be able to judge what are the real issues at stake in the story of the moment - like the story of Cheryl and Gareth. Issues like the Kernot-Evans affair can be difficult for modern Christians, I admit. That's because we're still somewhat stuck in a post-1960s, touchy-feely mindset that says whatever you do, don't condemn and don't judge other people. I agree - we shouldn't condemn, and we shouldn't judge other people. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," as Jesus said. But that doesn't mean we should also give up all attempts at thinking - particu-
with Paul Gray
larly, thinking rationally and systematicalI think most reasonable people, espely about issues such as this very public cially Christians, would agree that generaffair. ally speaking, the fewer restrictions that What should be considered appropriate exist on the reporting of immorality, the standards in public life? What restrictions, better. Evil hates exposure to the light if any, should be placed by Governments which is why people who do immoral on the free reporting of facts by the media? things always try to keep that business These are some of the questions we our- wrapped in secrecy. selves should be making intelligent deciThat's why when it comes to any kind of sions about. They're too important to leave public scandal,Ibelieve the real challenge to others. for Christians today is not to avoid makSome people might think the media ing judgments about it. should be restrained in what they report. Instead the real issue is to make the right But if we think this, where should society judgment - a judgment based on princidraw the line? ple, love for truth and a desire to see good For example, in recent years the Federal Increase in the world, and see evil diminGovernment has been imposing restric- ish. tions on the media - with regard to interIn this process, judging the person. views and film footage of asylum-seekers whether she/he be a politician or a jourdetained at Woomera. Do Christians nalist, is attractive - but it doesn't get us agree this is a good thing? very far. Jesus' teachings will take us furAnother major scandal dominating the ther. international news media in the past year He told us not to cast the first stone - and is that concerning the Enron corporation. he also urged us to be wise as serpents It's a story about immoral financial prac- and gentle as doves. And didn't He also tices perpetrated by a big business. urge us to teach His ways to all the nations? If the reporting of immorality is a probLet's talk about these things to others. lem, should there be restrictions imposed After all, there's little point being wise if on the way the media report on cases like we're not going to share that wisdom with Enron's? those who need it.
TO JESUS THROUGH MARY I t column of Marian devotion
A
A Layman's meditations
T
by Peter Dwan
he theme of today's readings is the Unless we see the sufferings of this life in seed of the word of God and the their true perspective, we can become overGospel (Matthew 13:1-23) points out whelmed by them. the rich harvest that can come from this seed. If we can remember our eternal destiny, we The theme is introduced in the first read- shall willingly make the sacrifices needed to ing (Isaiah 55:10-11) which says: "thus says keep God's commandments and those of his the Lord: As the rain and the snow come Church. down from the heavens and do not return The gospel is the parable of the sower. without watering the earth... so the word that Christ told many parables, but this is pergoes from my mouth does not return to me haps one of the most important, inasmuch as empty, without carrying out my will and suc- It is one of the few which Our Lord explained. ceeding in what it was sent to do." A parable has been aptly described as "an Explaining this passage, Father Kevin O'Sul- earthly story with a heavenly meaning." livan OFM in The Sunday Readings cycle A, The parable tells of a sower going out to p273, says: "The prophet Isaiah, in the first sow, and how the yield of the seed dependnine verses of this chapter 55, has been call- ed on the nature of the soil into which it fell. ing on the Chosen People to come back to Jesus said: "As he sowed, some seeds fell on God... He goes on to personify the word of the path, and the birds come and ate them Yahweh which is sent forth, from Yahweh, to up. Others fell on patches of rock where they accomplish a task, which it does. It is proba- found little soil and sprang up straight away, bly here that St John found the basis of his because there was no depth of earth, but as theology of the Logos - "the word became soon as the sun came up they were scorched flesh." and, not having any roots, they withered "The word God spoke through his prophet away. would produce its effect." Others fell among thorns, and the thorns It would not be in vain. Some listened and grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich were converted. But is was when the Real soil and produced their crop." Word of God came on earth that the real purThere were parts of the field suitable and pose of God was fulfilled. Heaven became the seeds produced a hundred percent yield, the inheritance, not only of the Chosen Peo- or sixty, or thirty, according to the difference ple, but of all men, and was made available In the soil. to all who would do the part required of Christ explained the parable to mean that them. The true Word of God did not return the seed is the word of God, and that the perto him 'empty', but as the 'first-fruits' of mil- son who hears without understanding, the lions to follow. Devil comes and carries off what was sown Commenting on this reading, the Glenstal in his heart, this is the man who received the Bible Missal, p44Z says: "In the context of a seed on the path. call to conversion, this little parable underThe one who was received it on patches of lines the effectiveness of the Word of God rock is the man who hears the word and welwhich always brings about the promises of comes it at once with joy. salvation." But he has no root in him, he does not last; In the second reading (Romans 8:18-23) St let some trial come, or some persecution on Paul says: "I think that what we suffer in this account of the word, and he falls away at life can never be compared to the glory, as once. yet tm-revealed, which is waiting for us." The one who received the seed in thorns is The Word of God reveals our eternal des- the man who hears the word, but the wortiny, and helps us see the sufferings of this ries of this world and the lure of riches choke life in their true perspective. the word and so he produces nothing. Page 6
pparitions in general. and espeThere is no room for any so-called cially Marian apparitions which "Intermediate coming of Jesus Christ" have been so frequent in these which certain self-styled modern seers last centuries, cause us to take stock of talk so much about. their value and of what position we For example. The crucifix that spoke ought to take regarding them. to St. Francis had a very personal imporLogically here we intend to speak only tance and many apparitions to the of those apparitions of a certain seri- saints gave rise to their vocations and ousness, not those of that swarm of missions. pseudo-seers, pseudo charismatics and The apparition of the Virgin Mary to the like, of whom the earth is full today Vincenza Pasini in 1476 was of great who say and write rivers of messages, importance to the city of Vicenza which often catastrophic (already a sure indi- was being devastated by the plague. cation of their falsity) who don't merit It even inspired the building of the our consideration. Sanctuary of Monte Berico which to But there do exist authentic appari- this day is the most visited in all of tions, in whose regard a position (which Veneto. The apparition of Our Lady of has nothing to do with the virtue of pru- La Salefte in 1846 was important for a dence) that has already prejudged and whole region. discredited them is to be condemned She reminded the inhabitants of their since they may well turn out to be duty to sanctify the feast days, to authentic interventions willed by God. observe the Friday fast, not to blasNot only the history of the Church, pheme. And later on the sanctuary acquired but the whole of sacred history is puncan importance that transcended nationtuated by apparitions. It is necessary then to keep in mind al borders. But there have been Marian apparian essential distinction between biblitions of even greater pastoral imporcal and extra-biblical apparitions. The apparitions reported by the Bible, tance, such as to mark an epoch and for example to Abraham, to Moses, to continue for centuries. If we were to indicate which ones, in the prophets, to St. Joseph (even in a dream God can send his messengers), our opinion, have been the most importo St. Peter, to St. Paul, etc, all these tant Marian apparitions in the history apparitions make up an integral part of of the Church up to now, we would not divine revelation and have the same hesitate to mention that of Guadalupe inspirational value as the rest of Sacred in the City of Mexico. Christianity risked being introduced Scripture. Extra-biblical apparitions, even if offi- into the Americas as one of many odicially approved by ecclesiastical ous impositions of the new conquerors authority, remain private apparitions from across the sea, whose comportwhich add nothing to the patrimony of ment left a great deal to be desired. The Virgin, appearing as one of the the faith, and their importance is highly diversified: for an individual, for a young women of the locality, an Aztec girl, opened the Christian faith to that city, for a temporary situation. But they can also have great impor- population, especially in Latin America, also as a religion revealed directly tance from the pastoral point of view. We immediately think of the impor- to them. tance of Guadalupe, of Lourdes, of Fatima. But ills good to repeat, with regard to all these private revelations, the conFrom The Gospel of cept that they add nothing to public THE Mary - a month with revelation. GOSPEL the Mother of God by Vatican II affirms this reality decisiveFr Gabriel Amorth SSP, OF ly: "No new public revelation is to be St Paul Publications, RRP MARY expected before the glorious manifes$23.50 tation of our Lord Jesus Christ" (DV 4).
Media and Party performances need review
M
The Record
ost Australians are probably One of the few real advantages of having grateful they do not often have to political parties in a democracy is that they put up with newspaper and telecan seek out and endorse as candidates vision reports about the sexual impropripeople whom they believe will have suffiety of various Members of Parliament. cient personal integrity to meet their obligHowever, not nearly as many would agree PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 ation to truth regardless of the pressure with the argument of journalists and politiTel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax: (08) 9227 7087 they are under. cians that personal immorality has nothcathrec@iinet_net.au Sadly, Australia's political parties do not ing to do with public performance. put enough effort into this primary responThe fact that Gareth Evans lied to Parlia- informed about the identity of those who of truth. During the very untruthful 1980s, sibility. ment in order to protect his own interests would betray their leaders. the High Court of Australia found that withIt is possible even that they have forgotwhen confronted with a hint about his Journalists argue that if they did not in the Australian Constitution there is an ten it, or, worse still, have decided they do long-running extra-marital affair clearly accept anonymous comments they would inherent or implied principle of freedom not want to be obliged by it. demonstrates that private infidelity affects not get any, but that is a dubious defence. of speech. While it is not true to say that all politipublic fidelity. This should not become the It would be a much fairer test of a leaderThe principle of freedom of speech car- cians are dishonest - they most definitely excuse for the media to publicise any sex- ship challenge if those mounting it had to ries with it an inalienable obligation to are not - it is true that in the last 30 years ual behaviour that takes their fancy, built face the public openly. The purpose of all truth. Compared with other forms of social or so we have elected more and more does raise some serious questions about the rumour-mongering is to put pressure government, democracy contains the ele- politicians who either do not understand the level of connivance that goes on on the intended victim, but the Australian ment of truth that all members of society the level of truthfulness required of them between politicians and journalists for people would be better served if the pres- are equal. or do not accept that they are bound by the what they consider to be their mutual inter- sure applied equally to the challenger. The presence of this truth at the heart of principle of truth. ests. If the need for the challenge is real it democracy is the source of the profound The weakness that prevents some living For example, if journalists allowed Evans would surface even without the cloak of obligation of those elected to practise truth- up to the standard is not as serious as the to get away with lying to Parliament anonymity. fulness. This obligation belongs to all per- conscious rejection of the standard. because to reveal the lie would have been During the Keating/Hawke leadership sons because, as St Thomas Aquinas said, The freedom of the Press is likewise to reveal the affair, their conspiracy of challenge, we had the case of Graham "Men could not live with one another if founded on the obligation to truth. silence has gone too far and has adverse- Richardson, then a senator and a minister, there were not mutual confidence that they In Australia today, Members of Parlialy affected the public performance of jour- deliberately giving his Prime Minister false were being truthful to one another." The ment, political parties and the media need nalists as well as politicians. advice in the hope that he would make a gift of communication contains the obliga- to examine their own understanding of the Similarly, there is a very low level of truth- decision that would undermine his posi- tion to use it truthfully because otherwise principles that bind them and assess the fulness and accountability In the way jour- tion as leader. Richardson (according to his it becomes a means of destruction. quality of their performance. nalists allow politicians anonymity in their autobiography) considered any lies This obligation reaches an even higher The starting point is that improvement is efforts to undermine their colleagues and appropriate if they helped to get the job level within Parliament. Dishonesty in a needed. their leaders. Anonymous figures are done. court is known as the serious crime of per• The opinions expressed in this editorallowed to peddle malicious gossip as part The media should not be willing partici- jury. Parliament is the highest court in the ial, and any other Record editorial, are not of real or potential leadership struggles pants in such dishonesty. land. The obligation to be truthful in Par- necessarily those of the Roman Catholic and the Australian people are never Behind all this is the fundamental issue liament is therefore the highest in the land. Archbishop of Perth.
Need for more direction
ing then that - according to an article in the West Australian newspaper (Start of life, June 25) - only one third of Australians believe that an embryo is human at the moment of conception. Others attribute humanity to the unborn baby at various stages of its development t would seem that we are surrounded We cannot ignore the fact that certain interby priests and religious who are either est groups have benefited financially from incessantly positive or incessantly negsuch an arrangement Doctors and medical ative. an unfortunately stark choice. Letters to the editor scientists involved in the abortion industry, In my three years as a Catholic (or at least IVF clinics and human embryo experimentaof trying to be) I have only ever heard two tion have exerted enormous influence to types of sermon - the excessively vague maintain the status quo. Some pharmaceutiand a-topical "Jesus loves you" sermon and cal companies have also exploited the the topical but unnecessarily brutal layingdown-of-the-law. Neither of these is true to kneel. About 75 per cent of the students the battle. By being honest, open and frank defenceless human embryo. the radical (and I don't mean leftist) pro- received Holy Communion. More interest about sexuality we can then dialogue about This is also the age of euphemisms. Medical ject that Jesus lived and charged us with. was shown in the solo student who sang things such as education regarding abor- terms such as 'zygote' and 'foetus' can be used Christ spoke to the experience of the peo- beautifully at the end of Mass than was tion, contraception, homosexuality, pre- to dehumanise the developing child in the ple he met and gave them a radically dif- shown during the Mass. womb resulting in the ultimate abuse of the marital sex and paedophilia. ferent way of living their lives, addressing The Celebrant had to tell the students The shame and guilt that people feel unborn. a wide array of then and presently topical what the responses were. The teachers about such subjects can lead to things such Those who cannot accept that the unborn issues. This is not what happens in any of made no effort to lead the students in the as mental disorder, addiction, violence and child in its early development is human need the parishes I have attended in the last responses or the actions required by the suicide. Thank God for True Love Waits! only ask an expectant mother what she holds three years. congregation. Why is it that the students The world and the flesh are only offering within her. The ultrasound image of the It would seem to me that many priests obviously do not know how to assist at emptiness and death where the spirit of unborn child also testifies to the fact that this and lay persons prefer general, ambiguous Mass? I believe that it comes down to the God is offering the fullness of life. Is a human being and not just a "bunch of messages that don't challenge us to change primary teachers, namely the parents. cells". Brother Tim Grace specific aspects of our lives, the way Christ If the students were asked who attends Cross Roads Community Joe Said did. One wonders how we are to make dis- Mass regularly, I have a fair idea that the East Ellenbrook Fremantle ciples of all the nations (Matthew 28: 19- majority would answer in the negative. 20) when we don't know what we are The parents, teachers and those respontalking about. sible for instructing these students have got The Vatican has a lot to say (praise God) a lot to answer for. This was a disappointn the article "A Catalyst for Schools" (dis- r'iongratulations to the Record for pubbut none of its more issue-based teachings ing experience for me. lishing topical issue by Anne-Marie covery), referring to the "Living the seem to find their way down to the laity nor L Dwyer Vision" Statement, those responsible for Langdon on Humanae Vitae (June 13) which are they fleshed-out and debated. Catholic Education in WA set out how they was an address to the Commission for Ocean Reef This may seem harsh but I write only out plan to empower our young people "to live Catholic Women, and the first positive reacof desperation. We sat in Church on Sunthe Catholic faith in the spirit of Jesus tion to that recently formed body that I have day asking ourselves why we were there. Christ." I should like to think that the sup- yet seen. To add to Anne-Marie's excellent Were it not for the Eucharist and my pride I low we thank God for the originality porting package which is being supplied to article, there is no "career" on this earth that In our Pope, I'm not sure I could answer Iland true deep richness of our Catholic every school to help achieve this focuses can match the enduring importance or chalthe question. faith found NOW every week in The on Christ himself, for only in getting to lenge of a new little life coming into yours, Record. Surely most days, every member know Him and love Him, can we hope to and the wellbeing of both mother and child Robert Hiini is crucial before, during, and long after birth of The Record team must know a joyful live in His spirit. Port Kennedy inner experience from being a part of this What better way than to have daily Bible for as long as it takes. This goes with a future wonderful and rare production each week, lessons, not only on the New Testament of well-balanced family and social life. By contrast, the letter on the commission's so precious in the eyes of God. Sincere which deals directly with His words and cently I attended the celebration of appreciation and a huge thank you filled deeds, but also on the history of salvation role in the same edition by Geraldine Hawkes oly Mass at a suburban church. The with God's love for each team member. starting with God's promise uttered at the seemed to me to be merely words strung Mass was attended by about 150-200 Fall of Man, and subsequently reinforced together to look like a reply Betty Peaker apparent 2002-school leavers, students of a It is unwise to underestimate the mind-set throughout the Old Testament by His co-ed Catholic College. Also in attendance Gracewood of the people in the pews - we are not all that covenants that reach fulfilment in Christ. were 7 or 8 teachers. Only then can we expect our children to thick The homily given by the Celebrant was a The Church has a different mission in the understand the full meaning of Christ's stirring account of what the students were ongratulations on the new discovery! saving power, and thus appreciate the priv- world, and the initial meetingIattended with likely to experience when they left school .....What a cool, hip and interesting new ilege of belonging to Christ's Church and the "Woman & Man. One in Christ Jesus" foland how they should pray daily for success paper! It was great to read about U2, David being able to access His sacraments. lowers, was enough to convince me thatIam In their studies and their future after leav- Wenham in Molokai and especially jRR G Aquilhm not in the Church to find out how we can give ing college. The Celebrant asked for the Tolkien's honest yet provocative views on Lynwood birth to a splinter group of aggressive femistudents to spend 5 minutes of their time sexuality. nists vs. tremulous bishops. I might remind each day in prayer. Tolkien's line is very much on par with Geraldine that I, as a Catholic woman, have It was disappointing to notice the num- the wonderful live Love Waits that pronever felt that my dignity or gifts were ever in ber of students that were not particularly motes chastity. The article was frank but rlommon sense is something which is jeopardy under the sole shepherding of the Interested in proceedings. On three occa- right on the mark We need to be upfront drastically lacking in the world today. bishops. Nor didIever feel the need for a few sions, the Celebrant asked the students to when discussing sexuality for the sake of This is evident when we examine the mind- career-minded women to tell the bishops answer the responses in a loud voice. our young and not so young. set of those who would deny human status to what I'm supposed to "want"! These requests were ignored. The devil is using sex in such a negative the unborn child. It seems that the essence of Maureen Federico They did not know when to stand, sit or way that we need to meet him head-on in life itself is now in question. It is not surpris- Frankston, Victoria
Aroun -the iva0(e
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Bible lessons
Women who see
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Thank you
Students at Mass
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Great discovery
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Common sense?
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Vow
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Good but not original
Tobey Maguire soars as the web-clad superhero in "Spider-Man." The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Spider -Man reviewed by Anne Navarro NEW YORK (CNS) - Kicking off the US summer movie season is the thoroughly enjoyable popcorn picture 'Spider-Man' (Columbia). With the exception of a few minor points. director Sam Raimi has remained true to Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's 1962 Marvel Comics creation of the arachnid crime fighter with the humble background. Bespectacled Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is an awkward high school nerd. bullied by schoolmates and even the bus driver. He can't get up the courage to speak to his pretty red-haired neighbor Mary lane (Kirsten Dunst), even though they've lived next to each other since they were 6. But Peter, an orphan raised by his doting Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) and affectionate Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson), is in for a major change when he is bitten by a genetically altered spider on a high school field trip. A large part of what makes this film work is Maguire, who infuses his working-class hero from Queens with quiet humor and vulnerability that allow Peter to connect with the audience. The day after he's bitten by the blue-and-red spider, Peter's vision is perfect. He stares in comic disbe-
lief at his newly buffed body. And it isn't long before he discovers that, along with his superhuman strength, he's capable of spinning industrial size webs and scaling tall buildings. Raimi handles Peter's transformation from dweeb to superhero in an affectionate and comical way. 'Hying to figure out how to shoot web strands from his wrists, Peter first tries to squeeze them out. Then he shouts words like "Shazam." taking a superhero stance in obvious self-mockery. When he finally gets it. he ends up swinging wildly from his web and smashing right into a brick wall. Peter uses his newfound powers strictly for fun, until the night his Uncle Ben is killed by a carjacker in New York City. Suddenly, Peter sees the hard truth behind his uncle's words, 'With great power comes great responsibility.' His purpose becomes clear: He must protect the innocent by fighting crime. Every superhero needs a worthy adversary, and Spider-Man gets one in the form of the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), a wicked creature fitted with metallic green armor who rides around on a souped-up glider like a rabid snowboarder. And like Spider-Man, the Goblin has a human alter-ego, Norman Osborn, a sci-
classification is A -III -- adults.
entist who swallowed an experimental with designs on Mary Jane, offers a fine potion that turned him into the evil green performance. His character provides an monster. But unlike Peter, Norman can't underlying tension that makes things intercontrol when the Goblin will come out, esting, and his vengeful attitude is fodder which produces some very good scenes of for the sequel (expected in 2003). Norman speaking to his schizophrenic self, More is likely to be expected from the as the Goblin pushes Norman into a mur- visual effects, however. While the bird'sderous rampage. Dafoe's over-the-top per- eye view of New York City as Spider-Man formance evokes the film's comic book swings from building to building is excitroots and works well with the film's fanta- ing, many of the computer-generated sy elements. images are stiff and obvious. Although the film has a lot of heart, it's And Spider-Man doesn't move with as missing a compelling story line. At its mid- much alacrity and grace as one would point, the film turns a corner to become a expect from the fast-crawling insect. But more conventional bad-guy-vs.-good-guy audiences may be willing to forgive the movie. This downshift is helped by some film these faults since it is a mostly divertclever details, such as Spider-Man fighting ing couple of hours spent with your friendbad press from a cynical newspaper editor ly neighborhood Spider-Man. (superbly played by J.K. Simmons) who, Although the stylized violence may be unable to snap a photo of the crime fight- too intense for younger adolescents, parer, barks out, 'If he doesn't want to be ents may decide their older teens might famous, I'll make him infamous.' enjoy the film while understanding its fanHowever, magnetic performances and an tasy elements. energetic pace fill in the narrative inconDue to sporadic stylized action violence sistencies and lack of cohesion. Maguire and menace with fleeting crass language, and Dunst are great together, fusing elec- the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops tricity and innocence in a convincing man- classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion ner. Simmons shoots out such great Picture Association of America rating is one-liners that the audience may wish he PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. would slow down just to catch them all. Some material may be inappropriate for And James Franco, as Peter's best friend children under 13.
Gentle and engaging old-fashioned tale
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron reviewed by Studi) is soon accorded the same punishGerd Pare ment but in a smartly shot scene, they NEW YORK (CNS) -- A wild mustang on escape together. Spirit wants only to return to his herd but the American frontier refuses to be tamed in the rousing animated tale 'Spirit: Stal- Little Creek puts him alongside blue-eyed blonde mare Rain and the two horses frollion of the Cimarron' (DreamWorks). The film combines mostly traditional ani- ic near the tribe until the cavalry attacks, mation with state-of-the-art computer tech- setting in motion a perilous series of excitnology to tell a story set in the Wild West ing chases and rescues. The movie is seen from the horse's point of the 1880s. Handsome colt Spirit is born and quick- of view using Matt Damon to occasionally ly matures to be the leader of the Cimar- voice the horse's thoughts. Keeping a liveron herd, running wild and free, protecting ly pace and using a minimum of dialogue, directors Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook his herd from wildcats and buffalo. His idyllic existence in the unspoiled draw in the audience with an emotionally environment is abruptly ended when cav- involving story about the quest for freealry soldiers capture the mustang, who sac- dom. Since the animals don't talk, the visuals rifices his liberty to allow the rest of the and the music score propel the story, herd to escape. Dragged to a fort, Spirit resists being har- helped by Bryan Adams' voicing the song nessed or ridden, prompting the cruel lyrics, and the expressive facial renderings colonel (voice of James Cromwell) to try to of the horses. The animation has a lovely painterly break his spirit by leaving him in the blistering sun without food or water. Captured quality, freely mixing backdrops from sevLakota Indian Little Creek (voice of Daniel eral iconic settings in the Old West in a film
that looks sadly on the taming of the great outdoors.When the action speeds up it's quite a wild ride as Little Creek, Spirit and Rain face life-threatening situations, including raging rapids, a deep waterfall and something like a runaway train. But most children, except the very youngest, should be able to handle it. Most big animated filins lately have been very sassy, stressing smart-alecky comebacks and wise-cracking talking animals. Not so this gentle yet sometimes cruel film which celebrates the beauty of nature, respect for life, homeland and family. It's not a comedy; its concerns are more serious, although it paints a somewhat simplistic portrait of Native Americans and wildlife at the mercy of villainous soldiers. And, predictably, it ends happily rather than realistically as far as the wild animals and Indians are concerned. Nonetheless, it's an engaging tale that's cinematically beautiful to behold. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-I -- general patronage.
Spirit and Rain
MIIB reviewed by Anne Navarro NEW YORK (CNS) -- The sci-fi sequel "Men in Black H' J (Columbia) is fairly entertaining and instantly forgettable. The film reunites Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones and director Barry Sonnenfeld, all of whom worked on the original 1997 film. This time around, Smith and Jones' roles are reversed, with Smith as the top honcho in a secret government agency (appropriately named Men in Black or MIB because of the black suits the agents wear) which monitors extraterrestrial activity on Earth. Jones, whose Agent Kay was Ineuralized* (a process which erases a human's memory of any alien sightings) in the last movie, is now working as the postmaster in a tiny Massachusetts seaside town. Jay (Smith) needs Kay back on the job.. Jay has uncovered a diabolical plot masterminded by Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle), an evil Medusa-like monster who transforms herself into a slinky lingerie model. Serleena has come to Earth looking for a light-emitting object, the light of Zartha, which will give her power over the universe, If and could mean the destruction of Earth. Somewhere trapped in the recesses of his mind, Kay has the information that could stop Serleena. The story's plot is pretty skimpy and it takes a backseat to the notable alien creatures created by Rick Baker and the flashy visual effects. Each creation is initially distinctive, but they begin to blur as more and more creatures come out of the woodwork The film's tongue-in-cheek humor - ever present in the original - is in attendance again. The comedy is mostly derived from Kay and Jay's nonchalant attitude about , aliens running amok in the country disguised as humans. (A running joke is that all postal workers are aliens.) It's a world where the MIB immigration department casually asks if an alien has brought any fruit or vegetables and - -44 warns another that if he goes out during the day, he can only go to the East Village. Since the film is set in Gotham City, many of the jokes poke fun at New Yorkers' attitude of 'nothing fazes me,' which may draw chuckles from the Big Apple, but may not tickle the funny bone of those in other parts of the world. But there are a few other off-the-wall gags that will have audiences chuckling. At one point, a celebrity, who's had more No. 1 hits than his co-star Smith, wants to be an MIB agent. And, apropos of nothing, Martha Stewart appears not once, but twice, on a video screen. The violence in this sd-ft fantasy is more cartoonish than menacing. As alien creatures burst into a bright fireworks display or Agents jay or Kay get into another gooey battle, the action is not of the serious kind.
The Worm Guys collaborate in a scene from the film "Men in Black II." The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is All -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is P6-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. A lot of energy is spent on trying to get Kay's memory back, and once he does, he's back in stoic straight-guy mode. It's a pleasant surprise that a feisty talking pug steals the show and turns Smith, who is usually a punchline machine, into the straight man for a little while. However, the role reversal of Smith and Jones hurts the film because it does not give Smith a chance to be as cocky and daring as he was in the original. His toned-down energy level is a drawback because audiences most likely will expect him to be the bold and funny guy. And Jones doesn't play that role, so some of the humour is lost. Both Smith and Jones seem comfortable - possibly a little too comfortable - as they get into a rhythm. However, there's a certain been-there-done-that quality to their performances that neither can really shake.
The original "Men in Black' racked up a whopping $87 million during its opening weekend and grossed more than $587 million worldwide. Since sequels lately have been garnering more than the original films, it's possible that 'Men in Black IV may do extremely well riding on the successful coattails of its predecessor. However, it's up for grabs whether fans will still be impressed enough by the hip black suits and Ray-Ban sunglasses to allow the watered-down sequel to match or even surpass the original's profits. Because of some cartoon sci-fi violence and crass expressions, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-II - adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Shaggy and Scooby a groovy experience Scooby-Doo reviewed by Anne Navarro NEW YORK (CNS) Zoinks! The Mystery Inc. gang reunites to solve the baffling events taking place at Spooky Island in the intermittently amusing comedy 'ScoobyDoo" (Warner Bros.). *Scooby-Doo' can often be entertaining in a silly way as It remains true to its cartoon roots while poking fun at the characters' distinctive trademark features. In fact, the funniest moments come when the film acknowledges what Scooby-Doo fans may have been thinking all along about Fred's narcissism, Daphne's vanity and inability to defend herself, Velma's contempt for Fred and just what exactly is in those Scooby snacks. And the comedy has all the hallmarks of a classic Scooby-Doo mystery: a haunted amusement park, a villain in disguise and, most importantly, a bunch of meddling kids. However, parents may be dismayed at the film's unnecessary inclusion of cleavage-revealing outfits, rude humor and innuendoes that vaguely reference pot smoking and sexuality. Most, if not all, of these jokes will go over the heads of youngsters, so it seems foolish to even include them. However, what is more troublesome is that this PG-rated film is aimed at a younger audience which doesn't need to be exposed to this material no matter how mild it is. All the groovy crime-solving cohorts from the Hanna-Barbera animated TV series are well and accounted for. The confident leader of Mystery Inc. is ascot-wearing Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.), who inevitably takes credit for all the work. The real brains behind the outfit is Velma (Linda Cardellini), who, hidden behind her thick, black-framed glasses and bulky tangerine sweater, is usually eclipsed by her mysterysolving companions. Redheaded fashion plate Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is the damsel in distress who inevitably finds herself whisked away by the bad guys. Rounding out the crew is gangly Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), Scooby's best buddy, whose constant junk-food cravings are matched by Great Dane Scooby's (voiced by Neil Fanning) insatiable hunger for Scooby snacks. Shaggy and Scooby are a matched set, ready to run away from any and all danger while the rest of the team looks for clues.
Also similar to the TV series, the film's skimpy, and sometimes confusing, story follows a formulaic path from setup to final discovery of who's behind the caper. Two years after the Mystery Inc. gang has gone their separate ways because of jealousies and resentments (which allows director Raja Gosnell to inject a bit of good-natured satire into the film by poking fun at each of the characters' vanity spots), the team is reunited at Spooky Island, a haunted house theme park that is a popular spring break spot for college coeds. Each has been invited by the resort's owner, Emile Mondavarious (Rowan Atkinson), who claims that strange things have been happening on the island. It seems that some supernatural forces have been transforming the normally upbeat coeds into sober, straight-laced students (a problem the Ft. Lauderdale police would surely love to have during spring break each year). The Mystery Inc. members suspect an actual person behind this supposed paranormal activity, which somehow includes an ambiguous ancient ritual that steals away the teens' spirits. The scary scenes in the film are very similar to the sort of violence seen in cartoons: lots of running and bumbling about without anyone really being hurt. The film's computer-generated effects are top-notch. Live action is seamlessly blended with the animation as actors convincingly interact with the computer-generated Scooby, whose lively facial expressions and movements are both funny and fun to watch. Although all the actors deviate very little in their performances from their animated alter egos, Lillard stands out as the scrawny Shaggy. Mimicking the voice, slouch, and awkward movements. Lillard brings Shaggy to life, as if he leapt off the animated page onto the screen. Among the tongue-in-cheek humor, 'ScoobyDoo' throws in a slight lesson on the value of teamwork as the Mystery Inc. gang finds that they are best when they work together. And cameos by rock band Sugar Ray and Pamela Anderson bring the film screaming into the 21st century. Due to some scary action sequences and puerile humor, and a few crass expressions and innuenMatthew Ullard stars in the live-action comedy "Scoobydoes, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classificaDoo." The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification tion is A-II -- adults and adolescents. is A-U -- adults and adolescents.
Page 8 Page 9
aptism
11 July, 2002
Conversion stories...
I
t is a common mistake among some Catholics to hold that the writings of eminent Catholics in Vatican II are somehow out-worn, superseded and even invalid; only post-Vatican II writing is relevant to today's Church. How wrong this view is! A wonderful example of how contemporary some pre Vatican ll writing still remains is to be found in the essays of the great French philosopher and lay theologian, Jacques Maritain. His writing between the two World Wars includes seminal works entitled The Degrees of Knowing (1932); Science and Wisdom (1935); Integral Humanism (1936); and his collection of essays Ransoming the Time published in 1941. Among the latter is possibly his most wise and beautiful essay entitled Who is My Neighbour'? Here he shows that efforts were being made, long before Vatican II, to improve inter-Faith relationships and bring closer together members of the various religious families
N
othing in history shows that religious feeling or religious ideas have been particularly successful in pacifying men. Religious differences seem rather to have fed and sharpened their conflicts If it is true that human society must bring together in the service of the same terrestrial common good men belonging to different spiritual families, how can the peace of that temporal society be lastingly assured, if relationships of mutual respect and mutual understanding cannot be established? I prefer the word fellowship to 'tolerance' for it connotes something positive - positive and elementary in human relationships It conjures up the image of travelling companions who must meet here below by chance and journey through life - however fundamental their differences may be - goodhumouredly in cordial solidarity and human agreement The problem of good fellowship between the members of the various religious families seems to me to be a cardinal one for the new age of civilisation, the rough outlines of which are beginning to take shape in our present night I should like to quote Pope Pius XII at his coronation: 'Our thoughts go out also in this solemn moment to all those who are outside the Church and who, we should like to think, will rejoice to leam that the Pope prays to Almighty God for them also and wishes them every possible good.'
Page 10
Do you have a conversion story to share?
by Maria Elizabeth Halter would never get a prayer for her of Medina Why I became a Catholic help over my lips, but the chaplain said to me, "Just wait and hank you Lord for my The Record, PO Box 75 Leederville WA 6902 pray; it will be given to you". conversion! It will be 50 email: cathrec@iinet.net.au And so I did.I have never foryears in October since I gotten that moment when, all converted to the Catholic faith, and by writing my storyIwould wanted to go to the cinema to der to then West Germany I alone in this little Catholic like to thank the Lord for guid- see a movie and my father was drawn to visit the little church, the candles burning would not let us go and said "If Catholic church for the peace in near the statue of Our Lady, and ing me along this path. I attempted for the first time to I was born in 1931 in Weimar, Jesus comes back this afternoon it. After once visiting there for pray the Hail Mary. Thueringen, in the so-called I don't want Him to find my the exposition of the Blessed This gave me such peace of "heart" of Germany. WhenIwas daughters in a cinema". Somehow, I still can only Sacrament I asked the parish mind and then it was 100 per three-years-old my father, a Lutheran pastor, was trans- admire my parents' convictions chaplain if he could instruct me cent clear to me that I wanted ferred to Jena, where I grew up. and the way they stood up for in the Catholic faith. He had to convert to the Catholic faith. Thueringen, Saxonia and Prus- their beliefs against Hitler's come from Catholic Bavaria to I just wanted and had to be a Thueringen and Russ- part of it. This was at the time sia, to the east of it, were 90% regime and later the communist docian communist of my final exams in the nursLutheran heartland. under occupation to ing school and just before the It was in Wittenburg where trines help the peo- time I turned 21 years of age. Luther placed his proclama- Russian occuple and Hence, I did not need my partions on the door of the cathe- pation. Someserve in ents' permission for any decidral. the It was also in Thueringen, liv- times I sions I made. ing in St Elizabeth of Hungary's would After finishing my examsI was castle, the Wartburg, where go sent to nurse in a children's Luther translated the Bible. As tuberculosis hospital in a little legend has it, he threw an village high in the Han MounInkwell at the wall against tains. It was a happy time for Satan, who had led him into me in spite of many children temptation. lb this day visitors dying of TB. to the castle can see the ink The only family member stain on the wall. knowing of my working to Jena was a town of many become a Catholic was my oldLutheran churches and only est brother - we were always one Catholic church which hapclose. At that time he was himpened to be just down the road self studying to become a from where I grew up. Next Lutheran pastor. Johannes was door to where we were living holidaying with my sister in was the Catholic school which October 1952 when she opened Hitler had closed after he came one of my -letters to my brothto power. The garden of the er and learned of my desire to Catholic presbytery joined on become a Catholic. to our garden. Behind the garShe wrote at once to me and den was the old Lutheran cemeurged me to reconsider, and to tery and the Lutheran military never do this to my parents, church. especially since our father had When the Catholic priest and a very bad heart condition. my father were gardening they She wanted to do everything had quite friendly conversato stop my conversion which tions and would call each other she said would destroy our fam"my step-brother." ily. Once a month they would That same day, after my nurscome together with other min- quicking shift.I went to the Catholic ly next isters to pray for peace. priest of this little town, and underIn spite of this, we five chil- door after a phone call to the chapground dren grew up in strict Lutheran into the lain who had taught me all this Catholic Church. My time, I was received into the instructions and lifestyle. intensive Church. A big "black cloud" and the church, that studies of the burden of my childhood was always felt so It was near midnight on the Catholic faith started October 16, 1952. my parent's fundamentalist peaceful with the under the guidance of the beliefs on the New Testament light glowing near the altar. The happiness and peace At the end of the war, when chaplain and for the first time which filled my heart on and the apocalypse - that we this were all living in the last days Hitler suicided, we children in my life I was taught and night is still with me today, even before Christ's second coming thought we would have to die understood that "God is love". though I lost my family and A real hunger to learn more many of my friends. I also had and the belief that Hitler, and too. We had been taught by the and all about the Catholic faith to leave the Lutheran nursing for that matter, Stalin, were the bosses of the "Hitler youth came over me. antichrists congregation. AllIwanted was to learn more My conversion was very hard All of my father's preachings movement", which we were all to and to con- on my parents. were: "Repent, repent; the Lord forced vert to the My father resigned from his is near! " "if you can't go join when Catholic faith ministry and wrote me a very through the eye of a needle.." starting primary school, and the God bitter letter, saying that when I and so on. "if Germany of love. was 30 years older, I would 'Hitler Youth From the beginning of the war loses the The only surely see the errors of my way. we were having air raids, mostbosses taught war problem for My dear mother cried and ly at night, and then also during all we will die with us would we all me was cried andIhave never forgotten the day and I have never forHitler". knowing her tears. die with Hitler' gotten how afraid I was. Thank God how much My chaplain teacher found Repeatedly I was asking this we didn't, this would me a nursing position in a pubrevenging God "Why did you but the Russhurt my fam- lic hospital and soon I was in give us life only to make us live ian commuily. political strife by not wanting to in such terrible times?" nist Since become a member of the comEvery so often the Gestapo occupation always want- munist party under Russian would come to our house and of Thueringen and Prussia only ed to search it, especially my father's changed our lives for the worse. ed help other people,Idecid- occupation. to become a nurse and again The underground Church was study. What was 'brown' before to once more study both ways alerted and in a matter of hours We children and a half Jewish became 'red' and the commu- of faith. they organised for me to leave cousin of my father's who was nist doctrine and the Russian I entered a Lutheran nursing East Germany before the Stasi. living with us, would hide in the language were compulsory school in Weimar where I had attic or at the cemetery behind subjects in higher school. The the happiest time of my youth, or secret police, could get me. They also organised a nursing our garden. Catholic school next door to us studying to become a nurse and job for me in Bavaria. I often recall walking home was never re-opened. by corresponding with and The underground Church is from school and feeling so My father encouraged me to meeting this chaplain, still still alive and working to this afraid that maybe all my family study at a catechist seminar to studying intensely the Catholic day in those countries where had been taken away by Jesus - become a teacher of Lutheran faith. religion is the "opium of the and I would be the only one, religion. From the beginning of I learned more and more and people" as Lenin said. "the black sheep of the family", my studies there,Iclashed with was overwhelmed by the richI thank the Lord for my life in left behind. the superviser and had a ner- ness of the Catholic teachings, Australia, for my Catholic hus"Repent! Repent!"Ialways felt vous breakdown after two the sacraments, the help of the band and for my parish friends that I had a guilty conscience, semesters. Being sent to a saints and Our Lady. and family here. Each day I but not really knowing why. health resort to recover - "BadMary presented a big obstacle thank the Lord for my converOnce, my older sister and I, Salzungen" not far from the bor- to me. I thought somehow I sion to the Catholic faith.
T
with Tony Evans
ReCord
Features
Re'cord
11 July, 2002
Animal rights
F
ive children at St Denis Primary School at Joondanna were Baptised in an end of term Mass last week. Father Leo Spicer celebrated the Mass attended by all students and teachers at the school. Those baplised included to sets of brother and sister. Baptised were Isaac and Lillian Ward. Nicholas and Elizabeth Chetkovich, and Shannon Larkin. The Baptisms followed that of another student in an an other Mass five weeks earlier. The Baptism candidates also mad the Gospel for the Mass, and delivered a special thankyou message. Fr Spicer praised the idea of having Baptisms coincide
with an end of term Mass.
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(Continued from page 2) One of those developing the theoretical case for animal rights in the United States is lawyer Steven Wise. His just-released book, 'Drawing the Line: Science and the Case for Animal Rights,' proposes that some animal species should be given legal rights. 'I don't see a difference between a chimpanzee and my 4 1/2-year-old son,' stated Wise in a presentation at a bookstore last month, the Washington Post reported. Wise bases his case on the capacities of some animals to experience emotions, use language, and interact in a social way. Apart from chimpanzees he says other species, such as gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, African gray parrots, African elephants, dogs and honeybees, would meet his criteria for giving them rights. He calls for basic 'rights of bodily integrity and bodily liberty.' Wise began representing animals in court in the late 1970s after reading Peter Singer's 'Animal Liberation.' He later became a vegetarian, and redirected his Boston law practice from personal injury to animal rights. The Washington Post noted that the concept of animal rights attracts strong criticism. Richard Posner, a U.S. appellate judge and lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School, says: 'It just is not feasible to equate animals to humans. There are too many differences. Their needs and our relations to them are too different from the needs and our relations to human groups to warrant actually granting animals rights.' Tibor Machan, a philosopher and professor of business ethics at Chapman University in Orange, California, argues that the criterion for rights is morality 'Such rights would only arise if animals developed into moral agents, which they haven't.' he says. Another critic is Roger Scruton, philosopher and the author of 'Animal Rights and Wrongs.' Writing in the Times of London on May Z Scruton commented on the UK government's proposal to establish a Bill of Rights for animals. Giving rights to animals is 'a downgrading of human beings from sovereigns to subjects in the animal kingdom,' argues Scruton. A more detailed argument on this matter is found in 'Applied Ethics: A Non-consequentialist Approach' by University of Reading philosophy professor David S. Oderberg. That an animal is a subject in the psychological sense, perceiving pain and pleasure, is not the same as saying it is a subject in the moral sense, with rights and duties, he explains. As to arguments based on an animal's self-consciousness -- for example, the fact that a chimpanzee will groom itself in a mirror -- we need to distinguish what type of awareness this is. Oderberg points out. There is no evidence, he says, that chimpanzees or any other animals have self-consciousness 'in the sense of being able to think about their own thoughts, to reflect on their own reasoning processes, to make judgements about their own judgements. Human beings have rights because human beings know why ills that they do what they do,' affirms Oderberg. As for infants, the senile or brain-damaged, they also have rights because of their very nature of beings whose members are capable of conscious self-reflection. Animals should also be excluded from the category of rights holders, continues Oderberg, because they do not have free will. On a more theological note, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in nos. 3424, explains that there is a hierarchy of creatures and that 'man is the summit of the Creator's work.' The Catechism also quotes Jesus when he says, 'You are of more value than many sparrows,' Luke 12:6-7. This does not mean that we should be indifferent as to how animals are treated. John Paul II has insisted on many occasions that humans are stewards of the created world. He has also said we should make 'the existence of creatures more dignified' This stewardship and ecological awareness must be based "on the centrality of the human person within creation,' according to the declaration on the environment signed June 10 by the Pope. Whatever is due animals, takes second place. Page, 11
11 1111Y, 2002
The World in brief
World Cup example RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNS) -- Retired Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales of Rio de Janeiro said the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which ended with Brazil's 2-0 win over Germany, resulted not only in temporary joy but also good examples to follow. 'Many nations have been witnesses to fair play and exemplary attitudes,' said Cardinal Sales. 'Distant nations, with so different cultures, were able to share together in a spirit of sportsmanship, which is based in the effort for victory, self-control and true respect for the rival. "lb the dark side of some excesses in celebrations, there was the bright side of a tournament in which rivals, after struggling for victory, were able to greet each other and exchange gestures of friendship and mutual respect,' the cardinal said. Cardinal Sales said that, during the tournament. 'both the referees and the public punished had conduct and (promoted) fair play, self-discipline and good conduct ... virtues that have to be seen off the fields and in public life.' He said soccer players were 'a metaphor of the effort and virtues we Christians must display in our world.' 'If we apply these examples in daily, public life, despite there being just one champion — and in this case, it is Brazil - all human beings will be winners,' he said.
International News
Record III
Vatican supports court NEW YORK (CNS) -- The Vatican declared its support for the new International Criminal Court by making a symbolic gift on the day it opened, July 1. On the following day the Vatican's U.N. mission in New York called the entry into force of the agreement setting up the court a 'historic day.' 'The Holy See has offered a symbolic contribution to the trust fund set up by the secretary-general of the United Nations to support the establishment of the International Criminal Court.' the release said. Koft. Annan, U.N. secretary-general, expressed hope that the court would 'deter future war criminals and bring nearer the day when no ruler, no state, no junta and no army anywhere will be able to abuse human rights with impunity.' Archbishop Renato R. Martino, nuncio to the United Nations, said in an interview that the Vatican's contribution was $3,000. But he said the Vatican had not yet announced a decision on whether to ratify the basic statute for the court, a treaty adopted in 1998 at an international conference in Rome. The court, intended to provide a permanent, ongoing authority to deal with cases such as those handled in the Nuremberg trials after the Second World War and, more recently, courts set up to deal with charges against participants in the Yugoslav and Rwandan conflicts, is authorised to try individuals for war crimes, genocide and other gross violations of human rights. It supplements the International Court of Justice at The Hague in the Netherlands, which deals only
The world's first permanent criminal court is located in a former KPN telecom building at The Hague in the Netherlands. 'hott.) CNS Reuters
with disputes between go\ iiments. The new court is also based at The Hague, and its current temporary facilities are to be replaced with a headquarters including a prison, a hospital and space for a staff of some 400, including 18 judges.
Its authority will not be retroactive, but will extend only to crimes committed after the court statute came into force. The treaty establishing the new court required ratification by 60 countries, and has now been approved by 74.
President Clinton signed the Rome treaty, but the Bush administration announced in May that the United States opposed it. On June 30, the United States vetoed a resolution of the U.N. Security Council extending the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia because U.S. personnel serving there were not given exemption from the court's authority. John D. Negroponte, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, objected that peacekeeping personnel would face 'the additional risk of politicised prosecutions before a court whose jurisdiction
over our people the government of the United States does not accept.' The United States was the only country voting against the Security Council resolution, and representatives of other governments said procedures of the court provided sufficient safeguards to accommodate U.S. concerns. Vatican representatives played an active role in a preparatory commission that negotiated wording for definitions of crimes to be covered by the court and rules of Procedure and evidence. The late Msgr. Vincent K LaRocca, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and a lawyer, was a principal negotiator for the Vatican, and told Catholic News Service in an interview in 2000 that church concerns had been resolved in an acceptable way. He was able to secure recognition of the confidentiality of confessions to clergy, and handling of the concept of 'enforced pregnancy' in a way that did not justify abortion, he said. Regarding the issue of 'enforced pregnancy,' he commented, 'This will he subject to careful scrutiny by the Holy See, but I do not believe there will be a problem.' Earlier, in the message for the World Day of Peace Jan. 1, 2000, Pope John Paul II had indicated his support for the idea of the court. 'Crimes against humanity cannot be considered an internal affair of a nation,' the pope declared. 'Here an important step forward was taken with the establishment of an International Criminal Court to try such crimes, regardless of the place or circumstances in which they are committed.'
Universal feel to New Zealan d No amnesty Vatican Masses bishops apologise to sex abuse victims
DILI, East Timor (CNS) -Amnesty should not be offered to those responsible for crimes against humanity during the violence that surrounded East Timor's 1999 bid for independence, said Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo of Dili. In a pastoral statement released in late June, Bishop Belo said amnesty could be offered to those who committed less serious offenses because newly independent East Timor's fledgling justice system could not bear the cost of prosecuting all offenders. 'However, persons who committed the most serious crimes such as mass murder, even for political reasons, should not be eligible for an automatic amnesty,' he said. Amnesty has emerged as a controversial topic in East Timor as the country tries to move from its violent, bloody past toward a peaceful future. Many want the militias responsible for the wave of violence during the U.N.-sponsored independence vote in 1999 prosecuted. More than 1,000 people were killed in the aftermath of the referendum. Rape and other human rights abuses also were used by the militias, who were financed and trained by the Indonesian military, as a tool to thwart independence supporters. Page 12
AUCKLAND, New Zealand nerable, fills us, your bishops, (CNS) -- The Catholic bishops of with a deep sense of sadness and New Zealand have apologised to betrayal,' the bishops said. victims of sex abuse by priests or In late June, the Catholic Church religious. in New Zealand revealed that it The bishops also offered to help had substantiated 38 complaints heal those who have been abused of sexual abuse by priests, brothby clergy, although their pastoral ers and lay people in the past 50 letter, read during Masses on June years. 29-30, did not specify what type of Nine priests and brothers have assistance they would provide to been convicted of sex abuse since victims. 1990. One priest was laicised, and 'To those who are victims of three brothers left their orders. abuse and to their families we The other five are in nonpublic express our deepest regret and ministry. most sincere apology. We pledge In their statement, the bishops our commitment to assist the said an 'overwhelming number healing of those who have been of our clergy and religious are abused,' the bishops said. people of integrity, whose dediThe bishops said that assisting cated and generous service to victims of sexual abuse was the God and the church is beyond focus of their policy, 'A Path to question.' Healing," put in place in 1998 and 'T Together with the laity they are revised last year. The policy calls suffering in spirit because of the for a prompt response to accusa- same sense of betrayal, the bishtions and assistance to victims; it ops said. also calls for offending clergy to They said they were committed be removed from public ministry. to a policy of 'openness and transThe bishops said the sex abuse parency,' but would 'respect the scandal was the "cause of grief wishes of any complainant who and shame to all of us.' asks for complete confidentiality.' 'The betrayal of trust and the They also said they would assist harm that has been done, espe- victims who took their complaints cially to the young and the vul- to the police.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When archbishop, Anthony G. parishes often struggle to juggle Meagher of Kingston. Ontario, the schedules of readers and was receiving the pallium. altar servers for Mass each A fellow North American Colweek, imagine what Vatican offi- lege seminarian, Matthew cials go through. LaChance of the Diocese of The normal public papal Mass Oklahoma, received his requires at least two deacons — assignment in a more traditionincluding one who can sing the al way; his name was drawn Gospel in Latin -- a dozen from among North American servers, as well as two people to College students who volunread the Scriptures and six to teered to read after the Vatican read the petitions, all in differ- phoned looking for an English ent languages. speaker. Fortunately, there are two varThe Vatican does make a ied pools of potential volunteers request of readers who are semnearby: Rome-based national or inarians but not yet ordained to international seminaries and the diaconate. Vatican Radio, with its three While North American Coldozen language programs. lege takes very seriously the Celebrations of the universal papal request that seminarians church require an international wear clerical dress in Rome, flavour, reflected mainly when they read at a papal Mass through the languages used for they are told to wear a suit and the readings and prayers of the tie. faithful. 'At a liturgy, everyone must hi!Bishop Piero Marini, papal fill his or her role,' Bishop Marimaster of ceremonies, also tries ni said. 'The readings are read to find deacons, readers and by lay people. Individual semiservers who have a connection naries have rules on how their to each particular Mass; for seminarians are to dress, but in example, when the founder of a liturgy those who have not yet religious order is canonised, been ordained to the diaconate members of the order are asked are laymen, and they are to to serve. dress as laymen.' Raymond J. de Souza, a semiWhile the Pope no longer pernarian from North American sonally greets each person College, was one of two "dea- assisting at the Mass, volunteercons for the pallium' at Pope ing does provide a behind-theJohn Paul H's June 29 Mass. scenes glimpse at the papal He volunteered because his liturgy.
i hily,2002
International News Kenya celebrates 100 years since first Mass
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TUTHU, Kenya (CNS) — More than 60,000 Evangelization of Peoples. Father Peter Trabucco, the Rome-based people journeyed through the Abedare forest to Tuthu to mark 100 years since the Consolata superior general, said, "Blessed first Mass was celebrated in central Kenya Joseph Allamano, sitting in heaven with his first missionaries to Kenya, would be by the Consolata missionaries. Fifteen Kenyan bishops, members of Par- pleased." The Consolata Missionaries were foundliament and Protestant church leaders ed in Turin. Italy, by Blessed Allamano on vilthe to traveled who those among were lage's mountain parish June 29 for the four- January 29, 1901. The first Consolata Mishour Mass. Traveling on foot, by bicycle, sionaries arrived in Kenya in June 1902. buses, trucks and cars, the crowd snaked They were given a region of 132,000 square up a meandering, eight-mile dirt road from miles, carved off the apostolic prefecture of Zanzibar, to evangelize. dawn to midday. Today there are eight dioceses and a vicSo jammed was the road to Tuthu that the Mass was delayed almost an hour, as sev- ariate -- with more than 2 million Catholics eral bishops abandoned their cars and out of a population of 5.5 million — in the walked half the way to the mountain peak. same region. On June 28, Maralal Bishop Virgilio Pante. Nyeri Coadjutor Archbishop John Njue arrived 45 minutes late, panting for breath, another Consolata, led a group of his with shoes that resembled a farmer's boots. order's seminarians in an almost incidentDelivering the homily in a mixture of Eng- free trek, tracing the path of the first mislish and local dialects, Archbishop Njue sionaries off the Nairobi-Naivasha Road. recounted how Catholics in central Kenya through the Aberdare ranges, to the first had come far and achieved a lot, but still mission station. Except for a herd of stubborn elephants had far to go. The commemoration's host, Bishop Peter that refused to give way before eventually Kihara Kariuki. a Consolata missionary, yielding to gunshot scares, the zealous read a message from Cardinal Crescenzio 'grandchildren" of the first missionaries Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the reached Tuthu fairly unscathed.
Thousands of people dot a hillside facing Mount Kanye in central Kenya for a service marking Pnoto the 100th anniversary of the first Mass celebrated there by Consolata missionaries.
Sister on the sisterhood
Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister addresses an ecumenical gathering of women at First United Methodist Church in Photo:. CNS/John Diugolecia Pasadena, Calif., June 29.
PASADENA. Calif. (CNS) -Humanity has lost its balance 'by emphasizing a Genesis story of domination rather than the Genesis story of relationship between humans and all creatures and the earth,' said Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister. She urged people of faith to reexamine how Judeo-Christian theology has justified what she says is an ethic of domination and the subsequent destruction of the world's resources. An international lecturer and author of more than 20 spiritual books, Sister Chittister gave the keynote talk at an ecumenical gathering of 900 women in Pasadena June 29. Theological beliefs that nature exists solely to serve human existence have been used by men in science, politics and business to justify the destruction of the globe in the name of human commerce, according to Sister Chittister. The consequences, she said, include a ruptured ozone layer, a melting polar ice cap, higher global temperatures, polluted air and water, the destruction of the rain forests, and the killing of 200 million animals each year for research purposes. An unquenchable desire for more, she said, needs to be replaced with an ethic of "enough-ness." To build a new world view, Sister Chittister said, 'Christianity must revive its sense of sacramentality -- the notion that
all things reveal the creative presence of God.' A theology of domination has been used to justify the unequal treatment of women in society and in the church, she said. But sexism, she added, ruins men's lives as well. 'Sexism isolates men emotionally, it distorts them socially, it overdrives them physically, it makes impossible demands on them psychologically, and all in the name of privilege,' Sister Chittister said. Ultimately, many men suffer heart attacks and die untimely deaths because of it, she said. Sister Chittister challenged women to examine where they perpetuate an imbalance in men's and women's roles, such as by putting pressure on men to buy their families better cars, clothing, colleges and houses. 'He wouldn't dare come home and say he wants to be an elementary school teacher and not the director of a bank,' said Sister encouraged She Chittister. women to adopt a feminist outlook that is inclusive. "Real Christian feminism is a new world view that transcends male chauvinism, that rejects female chauvinism, that embraces creation, rejoices in nature and sees the image of God in equal grandeur in both female and male, in the cosmos and in the totality of creation," she said. Eco-feminism, said Sister
Chittister, can bring humanity to wholeness. "Eco-feminism is the spiritual culmination that comes with the scientific awareness that life is not a ladder.' she added. 'Life is a weave of differences in concert.' In a response to Sister Chittister's address, the Rev. Mary June Nestler, dean of the Episcopal Theological School in Claremont, urged women to claim their place as theologians in Christian seminaries and to give voice to their different ways of leading and seeing. She urged women "to hear the voices of women who have glimpsed the reign of God -- that reign of equality, justice, mercy and compassion and to try to hold that in our hearts.' Sister Chittister said she continually turned to Jesus to renew her hope in a greater role for women in the church -- the Jesus who listened to women and who called them to witness his resurrection. 'Keep confronting the church with the Jesus story,' she said. She also encouraged Christian women to study Scripture and to publish their thinking on it. "We have got to have women who are doing theological reflection, Scripture study, liturgical development," she said. "You have got to encourage any woman who has that kind of background or talent, to publish,, so that there is a female voice out there and on the shelves someplace."
Vatican announces first deficit in eight years after US terrorist attacks VATICAN CITY. JULY 5, 2002 explained. (Zenit.org).- The Sept. 11 terrorThe Holy See's means of comist attacks had an impact on the munication include Vatican Vatican's finances, resulting in Radio, L'Osservatore Romano, its first operating deficit in eight the Vatican Press (combined years. with regard to administration), Cardinal Sergio Sebastian', the the Vatican Television Centre, president of the Prefecture for and the Vatican Publishing the Economic Affairs of the Holy House. See, said that the deficit for 2001 This is strictly the Holy See's was US$3.06 million. balance, which is totally indeAt a conference today in the pendent of that of Vatican City Vatican Press Office, he said the (ordinary life in this small city, total expenses for administra- with its pharmacy, supermarket, tion and for the 2,671 employ- employees. etc). ees of the Roman Curia Vatican City's financial stateamounted last year to $176.58 ment at the end of 2001 showed million , and a total income of earnings amounting to $12.4 $173.52 million. million, $4.5 million less than Cardinal Sebastian' explained the previous year, due especialthat the negative result was ly to the cost of restoration work caused by three decisive factors. on the basilicas of Rome and The first was 'the sharp fall in monuments of Vatican City. The Roman Curia only offers income from the financial sector -- within which the revenues services and has no income; the from securities and, above all, income from the Vatican Musefrom fluctuations in the rate of urns is part of the financial exchange — decrease,' he said in statement of Vatican City. a statement. The income stems primarily He added that this 'is attrib- from the Holy See's patrimony uted to the unfavorable course - real estate and financial — as of the world economy during well as donations from the faiththe year, heavily aggravated by ful. the Sept. 11 attacks." Last year the donations to the Second was "the increased Holy See from dioceses worldexpenses of institutional activi- wide increased by 5%, to $20.66 ty — higher costs of real estate million. Donations from religious conmaintenance, higher costs of gregations, foundations, associapostolic nunciatures." Last year, this factor resulted ations and private individuals in a $20 million increase in totaled $37.37 million. The Holy See's financial stateexpenses. was presented to the Pope ment in increase Third was "the expenses of the media compa- and the Council of Cardinals for nies," the cardinal added. In this the Study of the Organizational area, the deficit caused by the and Economic Problems of the Vatican media amounted to just Holy See, after being reviewed by the Council of International over $19 million. 'In contrast to the preceding Auditors. The financial statement will year, which registered some he translated into various now the to traceable ovement impr Jubilee Year, these organs pre- languages and sent to the bishsent signs of general sluggish- ops and superiors general of ness,' Cardinal Sebastian' religious institutes worldwide. Page 13
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Asian Catholic News
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Pope prays for peace in India VATICAN CITY, JULY 4, 2002 (Zenit.org).- As news arrived of anti-Christian violence in India, John Paul II prayed, in his missionary intention for July, 'that Christians in India not be impeded from professing their faith publicly and from freely proclaiming the Gospel.' India's 18 million Catholics comprise only 1.8% of the population. Yet, the Hindu majority country has had disciples of Jesus for 2,000 years, noted Cardinal Ivan Dias, archbishop of Bombay, in an interview with the Vatican agency Fides. Christians 'have contributed enormously to the development of education, social services, the promotion of the marginalized,' the cardinal said. "This Christian testimony of life and service has led many people to the faith.' 'India has always been a country open to all creeds; however, five years ago militant groups of Hindu fundamentalists began a campaign to turn the country into a totally Hindu state, just as Pakistan is a Muslim state,' the cardinal continued. In this context, 'the minority groups, Christians in particular, are the object of persecution and oppression; Christian missionaries and personnel of the local Church have been killed,' the cardinal said. The archbishop of Bombay also alluded to the 'anti-conversion laws' in force, which in many states have had a restrictive effect on pastoral ministry and social services. 'In three Indian states the police must be informed when there is a conversion, to verify if it took place in full liberty,' the cardinal explained. India's Supreme Court is now debating the rights of minorities. 'We trust that a decision will be reached that guarantees the secular tradition of this great nation, and that citizens of all creeds will be able to live in harmony,' the archbishop of Bombay added. According to tradition, the Christian roots of India date back to the preaching of the Apostles Thomas and Bartholomew, who ftrst brought the Good News of Jesus Christ to the area of Kerala. Jesuits, Franciscans, Dominicans and Augustinians are among the religious orders that have played an important part in the country's early missionary history. An archdiocese was erected in Goa in 1558; it had two suffiugan dioceses. The Archdiocese of Bombay was created in 1886, when the number of Catholics reached 1 million. According to the data provided by Cardinal Dias, the Church is flourishing in India and has numerous vocations, despite the persecutions. Today there are 23,000 priests. Christians in India are involved in many services. They
A Kanachak woman gazes at her home as she leaves her village, which is attacked each day, for a refugee camp in the Jammu Photo. CNS Reuters district of India June 6. Thousands living on the India-Pakistan border are fleeing their homes in fear of war.
are responsible for 20% of primary education; 10% of the East') at the Pope's request, 40,0(X) pilgrims went to that teaching of illiterates and of communal health care; 25% Marian shrine on the shore of the Gulf of Bengal. Cardiof the care of orphans and widows; and 30% of the care nal Dias recalled that, when the Pope went to India in 1999 to promulgate the postsynodal apostolic exhortation for the handicapped. AIDS sufferers and lepers. The Indian Catholic community is characterized by its 'Ecclesia in Asia,' he said: 'The first and second millennidevotion to the Eucharist. In Bombay, for instance, 80 of um belonged to Europe and Africa; the third millennium belongs to Asia.' the 115 parishes have eucharistic adoration all day. 'The prayer of all Catholics worldwide can support Devotion to the Virgin Mary is widespread too. Last February 11, on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, India's Christians to carry forward their mission of love,' which was celebrated in Vailankanny (the 'Lourdes of the the archbishop of Bombay concluded.
Spiritual music menu Hong Kong anniversary leads to calls for democracy HONG KONG (UCAN) -- The fifth anniversary of Hong Kong's reversion to China was marked by calls for democracy amid the prolonged economic downturn. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive Chee-hwa and his new government were sworn in for a second five-year term on July 1, the fifth anniversary of Hong Kong's reversion to China. The swearingin ceremony was witnessed by China's President Jiang Zemin. The day also saw a major shift in the administration as top officials of the government were appointed under the newly introduced executive accountability system, similar to the ministerial system in Western democracies. The new officials sitting in the Executive Council, supported by the central government in Beijing, Included five ministers handpicked by 'Rm. Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong told UCA News July 4 that the local government is being "irresponsible' by introducing the ministerial system without public consultation. With unemployment standing at a record high of 7.4 percent, Jiang and Tung, in their respective speeches, assured local people that the government would lead Hong Kong out of the economic downturn. For many citizens, the territory's economic problems have overshadowed other social issues in the past five years since Hong Page 14
Kong's reversion to China. However, some local organizations have also raised their concerns over the progress of democracy and freedom. The Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong diocese issued a statement urging the lay faithful to pray on July 1 for the new immigrants from mainland China, those who receive social security, and the weak and the vulnerable, Including the handicapped, AIDS patients and migrant workers. It also called for prayer for the upholding of the rule of law and self-administration in the SAR, and for Catholics, especially the clergy, to help safeguard human dignity and speak out against human rights abuses. The Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor, in its report reviewing the SAR's human rights situation, said that 'Hong Kong over the last five years has been a largely free society' and 'probably has the best legal system in Asia.' The NGO also reported that opportunities for women have improved and that there has been increased protection for the disabled, as well as reforms of the archaic village election system. However, it said that the rule of law is threatened due to the reinterpretation of the Basic Law in the lawsuits of mainland-born children of local citizens seeking the right of abode. It also noted the increasing restrictions on the freedom to demonstrate, the ban on "politi-
cally incorrect' visitors, the attempts to suppress academic freedom, problems of racial disminimal crimination and progress toward democratic elections. The Protestants' Hong Kong Christian Institute also criticized the government for increasingly restricting demonstrations and protests. Citizens could not fully participate in the election of the chief executive and legislators, and were not consulted regarding policy-making and reforms, it charged. The institute and 10 other labor and grassroots organizations issued a statement on July 1, expressing regret over what they see as a decrease in democracy and civil liberties, and the growing disparity between the rich and the poor. They called for direct election of the chief executive and legislators as a way to maintain citizens' political rights, and the upholding of the rights and freedom of Hong Kong citizens. They demanded greater labor protection through the setting up of laws to guarantee minimum wages and eliminate discrimination based on age, gender or ethnicity. They also demanded that more jobs be created and that social welfare be improved to protect the welfare of the poor and the vulnerable during this period of economic difficulty.
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (UCAN) — In the early evening after a hard day's work, young professionals flock to Malloboro, a main street in the heart of Indonesia's cultural city of Yokyakarta. They have a choice of discos and bars, but prefer the cafes, judging by the crowds. In the dimness of these cafes young people meet their friends and partners, and chat, drink and smoke while listening to music. They go to the cafes to 'kill their tiredness,' said a Protestant pastor in Yogyakarta who frequented such cafes when he was young. 'Ihad similar experiences with that of the young people, moving from cafe to cafe, from bar to bar, but ending up with nothing. The only thing I did in the cafe and bar was fantasize about something while listening to the music,' said Reverend Rudy R. Strait. Reverend Sirait told UCA News that based on his experience, the youth get nothing for their spiritual nourishment in the cafes. 'My spiritual life was never fulfilled,' he confessed about his trips to such cafes. So now he runs a cafe right on Malioboro street, an area locals and foreign tourists frequent. It Is called 'Kale Rohani" (spiritual cafe). While the lights may not be dim, the music is rock 'n' roll but the 'lyrics are spiritual or religious," said Reverend Sirait. Yet it is more than music the pastor has organized in his cafe which he opened March 8. The cafe has a talk show, lectures, games or a biblical quiz, pre-
sented in an 'attractive way that provides joy and spiritual relief.' Reverend Sirait said he started his cafe after having felt the need of young people. He also expressed hope that his effort would be a blessing for many. 'Imagine that some 100 people visit each cafe per night. How many people do indeed need to be entertained?' asked the pastor of the Yogyakarta-based Indonesia Bethel Church. After visiting Kafe Rohani, Andreas Handoyo and Magdalena Lire, a Protestant couple, told UCA News that people who visit cafes also need a "spiritual touch,' and they 'feel fresh' every time they leave the pastor's cafe. Bud! Susilo, a Buddhist student, told UCA News, 'I come here to get something different. I am interested in spiritual music. "My religion is more meditative. It has no strong tradition in music such as that of Christianity." Reverend Sirait explained that what he has done is based on the spirit of interfaith and interdenominational understanding. 'We are one, one family of God's people,' he added. The pastor said, 'For the time being, the program is limited to first and third Fridays of each month. Later, once we have enough funds, the program can be held weekly.' The program itself, according to Reverend Sirait, is an inclusive one. Though only Christian songs are played, there is a plan for songs from other religions to be played in the future.
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DEATH NOTICES DONNELLY (Paul) In loving memory of Paul, died 20 June 2002 aged 96 years. Dearly loved husband of Joan for 68 years and devoted father of Dominic, Joanna, Caroline, Patrick. Brigid and Olivia and their families. At peace. DONNELLY (Paul) Greatly loved and admired father of Patrick, father-in-law of Barbara, devoted grandfather of Simon. Fiona, Michael, Peter and Felicity and great grandfather of Jasmine and Ashton. Our enduring thanks for your friendship, love, wisdom and guidance. A wonderful example to us all, you are greatly missed and your treasured memory is now forever entrusted in our mind and hearts. Now within God's care.
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Arcfictiocesan Panorama MANDURAH CATHOLIC CHURCH CELEBRATES Parishioners of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish are invited to attend the Golden Anniversary on Thursday August 15. There will be Mass at 5.30pm followed by dinner (S20 per person), 7.30pm at the Mandurah Offshore Fishing Club. Bookings necessary. Details or tickets: Parish Office. weekdays 9am-4pm on 9581 2061. BULLSBROOK PILGRIMAGE in Honour of Our Lady of Mt Carmel at Our Lady of Revelation Shrine, Chittering Road, Bullsbrook on Sunday July 21. 11.30am Holy Mass,12.45 pm Picnic Lunch (BYO), 2.30 pm Holy Hour with R osary and Benediction, followed by the Enrolment in the Brown Scapular. Celebrant Fr Michael R owe. Phone 08-944 9604. MARIAPOLIS 2002 Will be held from 11 - 14 July (from 2pm Thurs to 12 noon Sun) in Fairbridge Village, Pinjarra. This year's theme is: "Walking His Way. Telling His Truth, Living His Life". If you are interested, please take an invitation at the entrance of the Church. For more info contact Focolare Centres: Nollamara 9349 4052, Bayswater 6278 3425. A PRACTICAL EVENING OF MUSIC FOR CHOIRS WORKSHOP The evening includes: Warm-ups and vocal exercises, Singing in parts, A two part Gospel Acclamation, Responsorial Psalm with four part response. Thursday July 25. St Mary's Parish Centre, Leederville. Time: 7.30 pm-9.30 pm. Register by Monday July 22. Archdiocesan Liturgy Office. phone: 9221 1548, Fax: 9221 3694. WHAT IS "GOOD"? WHAT IS "EVIL" AND WHO DECIDES? The Cathedral Youth Forum invites young adults f or its first educational seminar on the foundations of morality - the definitions of 'good' and 'evil'. Schoenstatt Shrine.Armadale, Saturday July 27 at 1.30pm. Youth group leaders and RE teachers are particularly encouraged to attend. To register ring 9202 1300 and leave your name and telephone number - and mark your diary. LINDA'S HOUSE OF HOPE The excellent documentary screened on Access TV on the work of Linda Watson and Archbishop Hickey to rescue women from prostitution will have its follow-up in "The Layman's Hour " with Raymond and Theresa de Souza on Sun July 14 at 7.30pm (Radio Fremantle 107.9 FM). Hear Linda live on air and feel free to ask your questions. SOLEMNITY OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL A Solemn Concelebrated Mass will be offered at the Carmelite Monastery, Adelma Road, Nedlands, on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Tuesday July 16, at 10am. Bishop Peter Quinn will be the principal celebrant. All are most welcome to the Mass and morning tea afterwards. NEXT DAY WITH MARY At St Brigid's Parish, 211 Aberdeen St, West Perth, Saturday July 20, 9am-5pm. A video on Fatima will be shown at 9am. A powerful day of prayer and instruction based upon the message of Fatima. Solemn mass. Reconciliation. Eucharistic Adoration, two talks, Rosary, Meditations on the Cross. Choir practice Thursday July 18, 7pm. All are welcome. Please BYO. Inquiries: Francsican Friars of the Immaculate 9574 5204. INFORMATION EVENINGS ON STEM CELLS The Maranatha Institute for Adult Faith Education has asked Perth moral theologian Fr Joe Parkinson to present an education evening on stem cell research. It will be held in four places in the Archdiocese. Tuesday 23 July, 7.30pm, Fr John Luemmen Hall, Riverton; Tuesday 30 July, 7.30pm. Floreat/Wembley Parish Centre, Floreat; Wednesday 31 July, 7.30pm, St Luke's Parish Centre, Woodvale; Wednesday 7 August, 7.30pm, St Benedict's Parish Centre. Applecross. Cost S5 per person. To register please phone Maranatha Institute of Adult Faith Education 9212 9311. MARANATHA INSTITUTE - TERM 3 COURSES 10 weeks cost $55. Beginning Tuesday 23 July. 9.30am-12pm Spirituality and Practice of Active Non-Violence , Mr Brendan Mc Keague, 1-3pm Faith & Life, Sr Shelley Barlow RNDM and beginning Friday 26 July, 9.30am-12pm Understanding
the Seven Sacraments Today, Fr Vincent Glynn. 1-3pm Jesus in the Gospels, Fr Pat Ahern. Enrolments or information phone 9212 9311, Tuesdays. Thursdays 9am-3.30pm Friday 9am-1.30pm and we will send you a Course Booklet. GOD'S FARM BUS PILGRIMAGE A springtime Pilgrimage to God's Farm. for a weekend retreat, will be lead by Father Pierangelo Repuyan, a vibrant young Priest. He will speak on the inspiration of St John the Evangelist. celebrate Holy Mass daily, the prayers of the Church and be available for Reconciliation. A bus will leave Perth 2.30pm on Friday September 6 and return 2pm Sunday September 8 arriving in Perth at 6pm. God's Farm Gracewood. PO Box 24 Cowaramup. 6284. Donation S80 includes all meals and suppers. Bus fare S50. Details. reservations Betty Peaker, God's Farm Phone/Fax 9755 6212. SPIRITUALITY IN THE PUB The Elephant and the Wheelbarrow (The Band Bar) Cnr of Francis and Lake Sts, Northbridge. Wednesday July 24 7.30 - 9.10pm. Guest speakers will be Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Bernstein and Andrew Karnia. Rabbi Bernstein is currently the Director of Jewish Studies for Carmel School. R abbi Bernstein's speciality is the study of Kabbalah and the traditions of the great Jewish mystics. Andrew Karnia is currently lecturer in Religious Education at Notre Dame Australia. DAY WITH MARY AT ST CATHERINE'S CHURCH GINGIN Sat August 17. Mary's Assumption is a pious myth. True or false? Find out! Coaches depart St Mary's Cathedral Victoria Square for Gingin at 9am. S14 return. (Contact Francis Williams 9459 3873 or 0404 893 877). During the day 11am Mass. Reconciliation, Adoration. talks. Rosary. Stations. scapular/Miraculous Medal enrolments: benefactors names ceremoniously sealed in Grotto. Please BYO. Inquiries: Franciscans of the Immaculate 9574 5204. FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL CELEBRATED AT HILTON A special Mass will be celebrated on July 16, 7.30pm at the Church of Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Collick St, Hilton. All are welcome. PRAYER VIGIL A peaceful prayer vigil with Rosaries and hymns is made outside the abortion clinic at 2 Cleaver ce Rivervale from 11am to 12noon on Saturday I July 20. Please join us. Inquiries: Colin 9409 4543. A PROGRAM FOR WOMEN SEXUALLY ABUSED IN CHILDHOOD This group is a confidential and safe environment comprised of fourteen 2-hour sessions led by two e xperienced facilitators, Celia Joyce and Elena Teleko. Commencing August 1. Information: Fullness of Life Centre 9389 8550. ALAN AMES AT PALMYRA Alan Ames will be speaking about his conversion and praying for healing at Our Lady of Fatima, 8 Foss St. Palmyra. Friday July 19, 7pm Mass. Contact Loretta 9444 4409 or 9275 6608. CELEBRATORY MASS FOR FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL 7.30pm, Tuesday 16 July at Infant Jesus Church, Wellington Rd, Morley. Tea and coffee after Mass in the hall. All are welcome. PRAYER SERVICE A prayer service against sickness and evil is held on Sunday July 14, 2.30-4.30pm at St John's ProCathedral, Victoria Ave, Perth. Inquiries: Fr John 9361 2000. EUCHARISTIC REPARATION There will be a Holy Hour on Sunday July 14, 3pm at the Immaculate Conception Church, Canning Highway, East Fremantle for the parishioners and the world Apostolate of Fatima. All are welcome. Fr B. Jones will officiate. MASS FOR FEAST OF ST BENEDICT Monday August 5, 7.30pm at Holy Rosary Church, Angelico St, Doubleview. Fr Anthony Van Dyke OP will preach on: Saint Dominic, a Saint for the third millennium. All are welcome to join in and have a cuppa afterwards at the priory.
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The Last Word
Crusader with the pen, not the sword Obituary Paul Donnelly AO Born, England, 7 June, 1906 Died, Perth, aged 96 on 20 June 2002
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he name Paul Donnelly would be unknown to the majority of students at Catholic schools and probably even their parents. 'Paul who?' they might respond when asked if they knew of him, thinking perhaps of Paul McCartney. And yet thirty years ago Paul Donnelly's name and reputation were seldom out of the newspapers and his mellow Oxford voice was familiar on the radio. Those same students would surely be surprised to learn that their Catholic education and the fact that their schools are now affordable to most Catholic families is due, in part, to Paul Donnelly's tireless work in the 1980s and 70s. He was one of the early forces in the Parents and Friends Federation which in 1960 made sustained representation to State and Federal Governments to win financial aid for non-govemmnet schools. Initial success was gained in the late 1960s and was enshrined in legislation related to the Australian School's Commission of 1973-74 and confirmed by a High Court ruling in 1981. Nongovernment schools now obtain, on average, more than 50 per cent of their costs paid by government. Paul Donnelly's interests and campaigns over the years were not confined to the State Aid question, as important as that was. He was an indefatigable campaigner. writing letters to the press, some In support of one favourite cause or another, others questioning facts and figures which less informed opponents had published without proper research. His published letters to the West Australian, the now defunct Daily News, The Sunday Times and The Record, must run to many hundreds. As one besieged editor was heard to say when felt he had published more than he enough of his letters: 'The trouble with Paul Donnelly is that he is so often right.' His arguments were always formidable, backed-up by his scientific training and his logical. common-sense reasoning. In 1985 he became an Australian citizen. But transcending all his work and underpinning his campaigns - whether on matters relating to road safety, fluoridation, population, child endowment, or pornography - was his deep Faith, his daily Mass and his loyalty to the Church. By these he was motivated and
Paul Donnelly at home with his wife Joan when interviewed by The Record in 1999.
by a concern for the community and the general good. The community rewarded him in 1989 with the Order of Australia for his work for education and social services. Paul Donnelly was born in Edwardian England and received his early education in the seaport city of Portsmouth. He won a scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, where he majored in Physical Chemistry. He joined the research staff of the London Gas Light and Coke Company where he was recognised as an expert on the efficient use of gas and coal. He was also inventive and published scientific papers for technical journals which led eventually to recruitment by the West Australian government for their chemical laboratories. With his wife and young family he arrived in Western Australia in 1947 to take up the newly created position of Government Fuel Technologist. After his retirement from government service in 1970 he was free to devote himself vigorously to his many community works and good causes including the Festival of Light established by Mary Whitehouse and the editor of Punch Malcolm Muggeridge, and the Australian Family Association. From 1960 he also devoted much time to the St Vincent de Paul Society, particularly with refugees from Darwin, Timor and Vietnam, and immigrants from Central Europe and South America. He was also often to be seen collect-
Photo: Colleen McGuiness-Howard
ing money in Bay View Terrace taste and near despair the decline for the causes of the less fortu- of moral standards, the declining nate. For many years he was the birth rate, the attack and break-up Society's reporter and photogra- of family life and the dwindling pher in Western Australia. natural resources of the planet. Mr Donnelly left his physical In an interview published in The mark on Perth for all time by hav- Recordin 1999, he said that he felt ing state and local governments sorry for the world "because I agree to ramp down street kerbs regard God as the ultimate enerat crossing points to facilitate the gy and the present generation passage of prams and wheel doesn't worry about how it all started and where it is going." He chairs. Among numerous other activi- warned that any people that loses ties for the benefit of society and its religious and moral values families Mr Donnelly was active eventually declines. He believed in such issues as child endow- with growing certainty that this ment, road safety, juvenile was happening in Australia. Together with his wife Joan Paul employment and recreation. In much of this work he helped a number of families and assumed the role of publicist and individuals on a long term basis spokesman who researched and with transport, blankets, food and wrote learned papers and, of accommodation. He believed course, despatched those fre- good works were an essential part quent letters to the press. A vig- of Christianity. His activities orous opponent, he was at heart became curtailed somewhat in a kind, compassionate man his eighties once he decided to whose personal generosity stop driving. towards the needy will ever Paul Donnelly died peacefully two weeks after his 96th birthday remain hidden. Those who knew him well and just four days before the remember his impish sense of anniversary of his father's death. humour, the hospitality in his His burial on Friday the June 28 Claremont home and visits to his commemorated, coincidently, the lush garden where vegetables 55th anniversary of the arrival of and flowers proliferated in defi- the Donnelly family in Australia. Like his namesake, St Paul, Mr ance of local climatic limitations. Remembered too is his never-fail- Donnelly was committed to his ing courtesy even when inter- Christian beliefs and at times rupted in his work, and his spoke and wrote in a forthright stimulating but invariably chal- style. He was born into an era lenging conversation. when the content of the message Towards the end of his life - his was still paramount. silent years - there was his sadA devout Catholic Mr Donnelly ness too, as he viewed with dis- attended Mass as often as he
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could though in the last year or so this was not always possible. He strongly believed in the power of prayer and said the Rosary and the Angelus daily, the Angelus being recited quietly even when visitors happened to be present. The Donnelly' early years in Western Australia were spent within the St Denis parish until, in 1960, the family moved to the Claremont parish of St Thomas. The last two years have been within the Kalamunda parish. Whilst at the parish of St Denis he was involved in numerous weekend busy bees such as constructing timber-framed classrooms, playgrounds and other facilities, along with work for CBC Highgate, the Highgate Sacred Heart primary and secondary schools, and the West Perth convent of St Brigid. Paul Donnelly played a significant part in the life of the Church in Western Australia which any future history must acknowledge. We are all his beneficiaries in some small way - and some of us in a very large way. May he enjoy the heavenly reward he so surely deserves. Paul is survived by his wife, Joan, six children: Dominic, Joanna, Caroline, Patrick. Brigid and Olivia, 12 grand-children and two great grand-children. This obituary was prepared by Perth author Tony Evans but also includes material subsequently supplied to The Record by Paul Donnelly's son Patrick
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