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AUGUST General: That respect for the environment God's gift to all men and women, may increase both on a personal level and on that of world public opinion. Missionary: That in the vast shanty towns of the world the efforts of missionaries may alleviate the suffering caused by injustice and foster the full development of those who live vi:th
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Stem cell showdown By Stephen Spited Pro-life MP's, including deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, are set to fight legislation to legalise the harvesting of embryonic humans in parliament next week. The Federal Government will attempt to steer the legislation through the House of Representatives beginning Monday August 19. Archbishop George Pell, a staunch opponent of the legislation, told ABC reporters in Sydney during a pro-life rally, that while new discoveries offer insight and hope, progress does not Inevitably follow. "Some in the [world of) medical science do not seek to create life in this instance," he said. "All medical science should take up the challenge of preserving life without wanton destruction." Scientific evidence points to problems with stem cells extracted from embryonic tissue. David Prentice, a professor of life sciences from Indiana State University, spoke of his research into the problems embryonic stem cells pose in an interview with National Review Online (www.nationalreview.com), including an increase in tumours.
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Nerve cells derived from mouse embryon-, ic cells at the University of Adelaide.
• See Editorial Page 7 "We thought from the first that problems would arise using Human Phuipotent Stem Cells (HPSCs) to make replacement tissues, indicating that the early stage cells are both difficult and slow to grow," Professor Prentice told National Review Online. 'More important, there's a risk of tumours. If you're not very careful when coaxing these early cells to differentiate - to form nerve cells and the like - you risk contaminating the newly differentiated cells with the stem cells. "Injected into the body, [embryonic] stem cells can produce tumours. No such problems exist with adult stem cells." Deputy Prime Minister John
St Pio's new light shines bright
Anderson was also present at the church-led protest in Sydney and highlighted possible problems with the research. "The problems of rejection will lead to calls for cloning, therapeutic cloning, it's no different to reproductive cloning, it's just they kill you off a bit earlier," Mr Anderson told ABC reporters. "There'll be calls for the development of such massive tissue banks to try to ensure compatibility ... that we will end up farming human eggs." The Deputy Prime Minister also told The Australian that women could end up being exploited by human egg farmers if Australia allowed research on embryonic stem cells to go ahead. The problems are not only medical in nature; embryonic stem cell research also raises a number of moral and ethical dilemmas. Richard Egan, State President of the WA National Civic Council, said that the embryo is an important stage in the development of human life. "We all came from embryos. We don't go around cutting up young kids and adults, and for the same reasons, we shouldn't be dissecting human embryos," Mr Egan said. Continued page 5
Don't miss out on great art Leon Butcher, left, Michael Bray and Josh Hart are all Year 12 students at Mazenod College in Lesmurdie. Together with Principal Fr Kevin Davine OMI they all share a passion for art; it's one of their Year 12 subjects for each of the three students. That's why all were recently keen to unpack a special consignment of paintings for this year's Mazenod College Fine Art exhibition, which kicks off at the hills school on Friday 16 August. The paintings are by one of Australia's best known artists, jack Absalom, and will be on display from Friday evening throughout the weekend together with paintings by Jules Sher, Owen Davies, Peter Bowles, Christian Fletcher and many other WA and international artists. Of special interest will be paintings by renowned Kimberley artists Ingrid Windram, Krim Benterralc, Helen Norton and Kerry Stokes. Over 350 paintings will be on display. The exhibition will open with a champagne supper on Friday evening commencing at 7.30pm (tickets $18) and will run from 10.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday and from 10.00am to 3.00pm pm Sunday.
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Archbishop Barry Hickey blessed the new stained glass window of St Pio of Pietrelcina (above) and celebrated Mass for an overflowing crowd of approximately 400 people at All Saints Chapel, Allendale Square, on Saturday August 3. A report, together with pictures, will appear in next week's Record. A procession of the Chapel's statue of St Pio began the ceremony as the faithful formed a line of four abreast and processed an area in front of the steps upon entering the Chapel. Archbishop Hickey spoke of the importance of St Pio's life as a great saint for our time and Fr Jim Shelton thanked the many persons for their coming and honouring the sanctity of St Pio with their presence. A holy hour and Mass are planned for the Feast Day of St Pio on September 23 at 4pm. Bringing a plate will be appreciated for a social gathering afterwards at All Saints Chapel.
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15 August, 2002
Record II
Join prayer campaign for peace in Israel Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has urged Western Australians to join a campaign of prayer organised by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches, Communities and Institutions in Jerusalem from August 15 to 28.
Prayers will be said at 6pm each day in different churches around Jerusalem and Jerusalem Patriarch Michel Sabbah has invited people around the world to join them in prayers for peace. The program of daily prayer was announced after a group of Christian clerics led by the Patriarch made a rare call on the spiritual leader of the militant Hamas movement, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, last Saturday.
It was the second meeting between Sabbah and Yassin, the first being in 1996 when Sabbah, the first Palestinian to hold the senior church position in Jerusalem, called on Yassin to congratulate him on his release from an Israeli prison. In announcing the call to prayer for peace, Sabbah said: 'We are convinced that God alone can rescue all of us from this intolerable position which is why we are calling upon all our people throughout this land to join us in intensifying our prayers for peace with justice and reconciliation. 'Hopefully our Moslem and Jewish friends will feel able to add their prayers, too.'
The theme of the prayers will be Church of Scotland; St James' Jesus' words: 'Peace I leave with Church in Nablus Road; and St you; my peace I give you; Do not Anthony's Coptic Church. let you hearts be troubled or The second week will begin on afraid.' (John 14:27) Thursday August 22 in Dormition The daily program of prayers Abbey, Mount Sion, and continue highlights the diversity of the rich at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Christian tradition in the Holy in West Jerusalem; Pater Noster Land. Church on the Mount of Olives; It will begin on Thursday August the Anglican Cathedral of St 15 (the feast of the Assumption of George; the Catholic Syrian Victhe Blessed Virgin Mary) in the Armenian Cathedral of St James ariate; St Mark's Syrian Orthodox in the Armenian Quarter of the Church; and conclude at the Maronite Vicariate on WednesOld City. On succeeding days, the prayers day August 28. Bishop Sproxton appealed to will be in the Chapel of Tantur Ecumenical Institute; the Luther- people to take up the call to prayer an Church of the Redeemer; the either individually or by organisGreek Catholic Church of the ing communal prayer in parish Annunciation; St Andrew's churches at suitable times.
Bishop Sproxton is asking Perth people to join a prayer campaign for peace in the Middle East
Mater Christi's divine light By Stephen Spiteri After two years of waiting, the new stained glass window at Mater Christi parish in Yangebup was finally blessed, consecrated and made an official part of the church on Sunday August 4 at the 10 a.m. Mass. Parishioners, families and students of Mater Christ! Catholic School turned up, filling the church to capacity, witnessing Archbishop Barry Hickey bless the window which has been warmly praised by many of the church goers. "I think it's wonderful," said the Archbishop. "It brings alive the white marble and brings a gentle,
divine light to the sanctuary area." The window which took two years to make, was made by couple Tony and Dana Quinn of Windsor Stain Glass. The window features at the peak, the coronation of Our Lady and just below that a statue of the body of Christ. The 'alpha' and 'omega' symbols also feature in the window referring to Jesus Christ as the "beginning and the end" (Revelation 22:13).
The Last Supper is also depicted reminding parishioners of the reason they come to share in the body and blood of Christ. Parish priest Fr Bryan Rosling said the window is beautiful
Archbishop Hickey looks upon the Marian Shrine.
Photo: Stephen Spiteri
because it depicts the major mysteries of our faith. The Archbishop said "many people could not read or write in the Middle Ages, so windows were used to teach everyone the mysteries of our faith. So not only are the windows beautiful, they exist to teach the people of their Catholic faith." In his homily, the Archbishop told parishioners of his experiences on the recent World Youth Day held in Toronto. The Archbishop mentioned how exciting it was to see God work through the lives of the 22 young adults he travelled with. He also thanked all that made the commissioning of the stained glass window possible. A heart-warming feature of the window was the inclusion of the presbytery cat, Benedict, who died just before the completion of the window. Benedict can be seen amongst the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper. The Mass concluded with the blessing of the Marian Shrine in the courtyard of the school, but rainy weather forced the consecration to take place inside the church. Archbishop Hickey blessed the shrine with a decade of the rosary and the act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Fr Rosling and Archbishop Hickey are excited by the work of the Mater Christi community and have strong hopes that the light will continue to shine on those involved for many years to come.
Archbishop Hickey blesses the stained glass window.
Corry Schoenmakers, volunteer extraordinaire, farewelled Photographed at her farewell afternoon tea in the lounge room at the HIV/AIDS Pastoral Care Centre in Burswood was volunteer extraordinaire, Cony Schoenmakers. After retiring from paid employment Cony took on the voluntary task of Volunteer Coordinator at the HIV/AIDS Pastoral Care Centre at Burswood. The Centre is backed jointly through LifelinIc and the St John of God Sisters. It assists families from all and every walk of life and depends heavily on its volunteers. Coordinating the cooking, transport, shopping, professional devel-
opment, caring and pastoral selfhelp activities of thirty plus volunteers was just part of Cony's work. In addition she was a key planner and facilitator of fundraising activities for the Fund for FAI.T.H. (Families Affected Infected Through HIV). Fund for FAI.T.H. dedicates its fundraising to the Centre, and Corry is pictured handing, on behalf of the Fund, an envelope containing a $1200 cheque to Centre Director, Bro Damian Walsh cfc. Retiring from one task, Corry is taking on another. She will be assisting in archiving Archdiocesan documents and artifacts. We all wish her well. Enquiries about the HIV/AIDS Pasand Suzuki Digital Pianos toral Care Centre can When only the Best will do be made on 9470 4931 and about Fund 14 AMERY STREET, COMO, 9450 3322 for FAI.T.H. on 9330 www.allenorganswa.com 3310.
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Corry hands Br Damian Walsh a cheque for $1200 raised for the HIV/AIDS Pastoral Care Centre.
•••1
15 August, 2002
Record
Statistics show 'self over faith trend
Fund appeal: WYD shortfall
TORONTO (CNS) - World Youth Day organisers in Toronto are appealing for S30 million (US $19 million) in donations to cover a funding shortfall. "The Catholic Church in Canada organised World Youth Day as an investment in the youth of the world. We knew that there was likely to be a shortfall and now we think it will be $30 million. We appeal to anyone who wants to help with this investment," said Archbishop Anthony Meagher of Kingston, Ontario, chairman of the Canadian bishops' World Youth Day committee. dioceses are Canadian assuming the shortfall, according to a statement released by World Youth Day organisers on August 9. However, donations births and deaths - has been below are being sought to offset dioceBy Cindy Wooden the immigration rate every year san contributions, the stateVATICAN CITY (CNS) — New sta- since 1989, it said. ment said. tistics on birth and marriage rates in Organisers estimated that Individually, Ireland had the highEurope reflect a growing sense of est natural growth rate, increasing 187,000 people paid to particiindividualism and of decision-mak- by 7.3 per 1,000 inhabitants, while pate in the July 23-28 youth ing without reference to the teach- Germany, Sweden and Greece each gathering. Thousands more ings of one's church, a Vatican reported declines. The population of participated without registerofficial said. the three nations would have ing,. the statement said. The split between faith and moral dropped without immigration. The United States had the decision-making can be seen in Of the former Soviet republics and largest contingent. with 51,273; European Union statistics for Italy, former communist countries of East- Canada had 48,970, followed by an overwhelmingly Catholic coun- ern Europe, the only nations that Italy. 20,455; Spain, 6,939: Gertry that, with Ireland, had the union's reported overall population increas- many, 6,124; and Mexico. 3,447. lowest divorce rate, but also one of es in 2001 were Azerbaijan, Croatia, World Youth Day officials said the lowest birth rates, said Mon- Slovakia and Slovenia. they would be appealing to signor Jacques Suaudeau, an official The report also said the total num- newspapers in the coming at the Pontifical Council for the Fam- ber of marriages went down by 15 weeks seeking free ads requestily. per cent in the European Union ing donations. Officials said those wishing to "If religion were the motivation, between 1980 and 2000, while the both Italy and Spain would have number of divorces increased by 40 help can call in a contribution using a credit card or mail a greater birth rates," he said. per cent. "The statistics reflect individual "During this period, the number of cheque to World Youth Day decisions and a general trend of indi- marriages per 1.000 people declined headquarters in Toronto. vidualism" more than the tradition- in every EU member state apart from al faith of each nation, he said. Denmark" it said. The statistics were released jointly "The most divorces per 1,000 peoon August 7 by the European ple occurred in Belgium (2.9 in 2001) Union's Eurostat office, the Statisti- with the lowest figures being recordcal Office of the European Commu- ed in Ireland and Italy," both counnities and the Council of Europe. tries with long, complicated divorce The combined population of the 15 processes. countries of the European Union In 2001, the report said, more than increased by 1.5 million in 2001, the 55 per cent of all births in Sweden report said. "occurred outside of marriage" and "Net migration accounted for about the rate was 40 per cent or above in three-quarters of the population Denmark, France, Finland and the increase in 2001. with natural growth United Kingdom. accounting for the other quarter," The countries with the lowest rates the report said. of births out of wedlock were in For the European Union as a Greece with just over four per cent whole, the natural growth rate - the and Italy with just under 10 per cent, difference between the number of It said.
Youth carrying religious icons leave Downsview Park after Mass with Pope John Paul II on July 28. The Mass closed the week-long World Youth Photo: CNS/Reuters Day 2002.
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15 August, 2002
Record
Contagious enthusiasm This afternoon I gave a blessing to our 40 or so young West Australians about to return after an Monsignor amazing World youth Day in Michael Toronto, Canada. The West Australians were all Keating housed in a public school, a fair distance from the city and I was letter from in a presbytery opposite. Toronto Those who went directly to Canada had spent four days in the neighbouring diocese of St Monsignor KEATING of Catherine's. Bateman accompanied There, we were assigned to host Perth youth to Toronto's families and treated very well with various special Masses, an World Youth Day and Italian procession in honour of filed this report. our Lady of Mt Carmel, a BBQ and concert in the city and a trip I found myself unconsciously on to Niagara Falls: the latter was "awesome" for all young pilgrims two occasions wiping away the and deeply spiritual for some of tears. As he passed in his 'Popeus. We had a wonderful gathering mobile' a few feet from us, he in Toronto with the other 1300 pil- turned towards the West Ausgrims and most of the Australian tralian group and the flag, it was Bishops present to set the scene an emotional moment and treaof World Youth Day and three sured by all of us. After he left at lOpm the weathdays of morning catechesis and Mass celebrated by a different er was much cooler and we settled down with a lovely group Cardinal or Bishop. Very impressive was the num- from Parramatta who had brought ber of young people who came to a tarpaulin. This was providential as there confession. Priests like myself offered our was a downpour in the early services and so were blessed by morning and, later, for one and a fervent and often tearful young half hours before Mass, there was A giant cross and stage are lit at dusk during the World Youth Day vigil service with Pope John Paul II at Downsview rain and wind. people moved by the occasion. Prio(o CNS Paul Frr,,-, It cleared almost miraculously Par* in Toronto on July 27. Lots of tears were shed in those days and the normally reserved soon after the Pope arrived. "Look youth day in the jubilee year 2000. themselves and the West could encourage young people and Once again the enthusiasm of the be proud of them. From the priests to keep Cologne, Germany Australians joined in singing in at the sun" he quipped. I'm not sure how much I slept young people was contagious for Broome and Bunbury contingents 2005, in mind for the future. buses and joyfully exchanged to the Perth group they were This is three years away, so as small koalas for American flags and was woken by a "vocations" him and all we older people. concert that started at midnight They genuinely love him and cheerful and amazing. not to clash with the 2004 and badges. cheered his every sentence. As one said to me "Some pil- Olympics). The Australian boys were the and went to 2.30am. The young people were very When they shouted "John Paul II grims especially from the US are Ihad the feeling, with many othflavour of the month for the American girls; very few had heard of kind to me and I was pleased I we love you" he replied "Pope staying in hotels, but that's not a ers, that perhaps this might be the stayed the night with them. They John Paul loves you too". "You are pilgrimage is it Father?" last WYD that the Pope, who startPerth but loved Australians. The food was simple and the ed these days, might be able to The conditions for the vigil and appreciated my presence and young the Pope is old" - he told them, tongue in cheek, as he left lodgings on classroom floors were attend. final Mass attended by some encouragement. About 2000 priests and 400 bish- after the vigil; "Sleep well." better than Rome, but not easy. 800,000 were not easy. I said to our young West AusThirty years ago he would have We walked about 10 kilometres ops concelebrated the Mass and The weather was mainly good, tralians, "You will one day tell to the venue and took up our posi- we were given the stole and cha- slept out with them. but many got sunburnt at the out- your grandchildren that you The coverage in Toronto papers door Masses; some became dehy- attended world Youth Day 2002 in tions at about 11am, and the day suble as a momento. and radio was mainly positive and drated and were a bit sick. But Toronto with the 'Great Pope John was very hot even then. The dishardened journalists were they helped one another and Paul II'. tribution of food to the vast numImpressed. laughed and sang and of course bers of pilgrims was very A constant refrain I heard from Policemen and bus drivers prayed. efficiently handled. all over the world was 'when are remarked to me how well The Pope's arrival for the vigil We were all challenged to exam- Catholic Church parishes going behaved and patient these young ine our commitment to Jesus to take young people seriously in was amazing. people were. Somehow his frailty, his struggle Christ. Lots of encouragement terms of resources and proToronto was friendly, welcom- was give to be "salt" of the earth grams?" to come and walk down the stairs To my mind, the Pope seemed ing and patient, but what of our and "light" of the world (the theme from the aircraft, provoked even Hopefully Toronto's World of the World Youth Day). the Prime Minister of Canada to stronger and his English was young pilgrims? Youth Day will give some impetus clearer than at the Rome world tears. They could well answer for Iam very gladIcame and would to this in Western Australia.
"...the enthusiasm of the young people was contagious..."
Catholic charity, Bendat, Rotary, open new Vinnies need help doors for the Nelsons for street appeal By Stephen Spiteri
Life has been difficult for sole parent father of five Richard Nelson, but even more so for his ten-year-old son, Stephen, who has cerebral palsy. But both of their lives will be made a bit easier thanks to the generous support of the state's largest charity, the St Vincent de Paul Society, Perth Rotary and Jack Bendat. Stephen was presented with a family sized van on lliesday July 23, which will help him travel with his family while in his wheelchair. Brian Lowe, a St Vinnies volunteer who first came in to contact with the Nelson family 15 months ago, says the society saw it as important to help the family overcome some of their everyday difficulties. "We hope that this will make their lives a little easier and help Stephen to be more involved with his father and his brothers and sisters," he says. State President, Brian Bull says that this is a great example of organisations working together to help a family in need. Page 4
Mr Nelson says that he is rapt with the support that has been given to his family and that he looks forward to using the van to go on family outings.
"The special van will give Stephen much more time with us all, and will open up a whole new world for him" said Mr Nelson.
The van is presented to the Nelson family by Brian Lowe and Jack Bendat. Photo: Stephen Spiteri
The state's biggest charity, the St Vincent de Paul Society, is calling for people to dust their walking shoes and save their tins, in preparation for the Society's Annual Street Appeal on Friday 27 September, 2002. This year the St Vinnies Street Appeal is aiming to collect $50,000, but in order to reach their target they need people to start planning now. St Vinnies is asking people to register their interest as a collector early. "We encourage people to volunteer for Just a few hours, to collect the donations that will go straight back into helping our community," says St Vinnies State President Brian Bull. "Every helping hand will make a difference," added Mr Bull. Mr Bull says that people willing to be a collector for the Street Appeal should call St Vinnies on 9475 5416. Collection tins are desperately needed. If people have any empty 450gram Milo tins or tins of a similar size, St Vinnies is asking for them to be recycled and put to good use, Tins can be dropped into any of the 43 St Vinnies shops in WA Each year St Vinnies assists 150,000 West Australians.
15 August, 2002
111 ReCord
Late is better than never Gerry ConIan is a Western Australian. His family live in Albany. Here he tells of how he found his vocation late in life. It's also a good lesson that no matter what our age we can always find out where God is calling us. I'm a late vocation, starting at the tender age of 35. 1 first came into contact with the Oblates through Mazenod College in Western Australia. My family lived on a farm andI had to board at Mazenod for the last three years of my secondary education. After leaving schoolI studied for 4 years and completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) degree at the West Australian School of Mines, Kalgoorlie. I thoroughly enjoyed university and the mining industry, and worked fcr a number of companies in several states of Australia and overseas over a period of 15 years. I first thought about priesthood when I was 25 years of age after Vocation Sunday that year (1987). After a few weeks I decidedI was not good enough to be a priest and kept working. Then in 1991,1 took 6 months off work and spent three of those months working in the Oblate mission in Cilacap, Indonesia. This was a time of introspection and seeking direction in life, and coming to terms with the death of my best friend two years earlier. During my time in Indonesia, I experienced a sense of wonder at the great disparity of material wealth between our two countries, while at the same time the
Bishop George Stack and Gerry in December last year. After working in the mining industry Gerry Donlan attended a Vocations weekend and wishes he had done it earlier.
sense of joy, faith and hope that the Indonesian people showed to each other. After three monthsIcame home, definitely my boundaries stretched, and thinking of priesthood once again.
"I felt that I was not good enough, or holy enough to be a priest" But again, I felt that I was not good enough, or holy enough to be a priest. So for another three years I worked in the mining Industry, while taking time out to talk to the Oblates every so often whenever the thought of priesthood returned to me. Eventually I came to St Mary's for one of the annual Vocation Weekends and wished I had taken the opportunity earlier. This was a very positive experience andI went home to make the difficult decision to leave mining and give the Oblates a go. OnceIhad made the decision, it was a great relief andIlooked forward to the following year (1997)
to begin another stage of my journey to Oblate life and possibly priesthood. I had always kept in regular contact (maybe once every year or two) with the Oblates who taught me at Mazenod, WA. They have always been a source of inspiration and friendship. Being one of 40 boarders at Mazenod was a great experienceespecially as I had previously been in a school with 300 boarders. This was my first experience of Oblate community life and I have much to thank people like Fr Michael McMahon OMI, Fr Ian Mackintosh OMI and Fr Pat Moroney OMI, for making us feel like a family at home, while being away from home. It was this experience of community and friendship that helped encourage me to join the Oblates. Four years after joining I had a pastoral year at Oblate parishes overseas which was very rewarding and confirming: it really gave a lot of perspective to religious life as opposed to seminary life. The last five years have been a
time of intense growth and struggle to develop a deeper understanding of my vocation, who I am and what I think God wants me to do. Living in community with a variety of nationalities and ages has certainly caused some changes in my life-for the better,I think! In many ways I think married couples probably go through the same journey of learning to give more than take, to think of the whole community rather than individual schedules. The study at Catholic Theological College has been challenging, but very enlightening and freeing. Understanding the Scriptures and the Church's teachings on morality has helped me to realise that God, as portrayed by the Christian faith, is indeed a God of love and mercy for all. We live in a secular society that largely fails to understand this properly (if at all). and incorrectly writes the Church off as being irrelevant. Nothing is further from the truth.
The Oblate website can be visited at: http://www.oblates.com. au/
Gerry and Mona
V a
S
'veral other vocation stories which were sent in to The Record for last week's special edition will appear over the coming weeks. Next week: Sr
loseph.
Stem cell showdown set to divide parliament Continued from page 1 Archbishop Pell told ABC reporters that they [embryonic stem cell scientists] want to destroy life, offering the possible trade-off of prolonging life for the sick Leader of the National Party Senator Ron Boswell wrote in a statement provided to The Record that morality like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. He said religion beholds the sanctity of life from its wry beginning. Meanwhile, investors behold potential profits; two clear-cut positions. But scientists are stirring a cloudy beaker by throwing new claims in to the solution. Investor scientists are increasingly at odds with not
only the original agreed COAG (Council of Australian Governments) position but also with those fellow scientists urging a return to moderation and facts. A leading Australian medical researcher has also cast doubt on the benefits of embryonic cell research "The scientific arguments in favour of embryonic cell research do not stack up," said Professor Good. Griffith University's Dr Peter Silburn, Adjunct Professor of Molecular Neurobiology backed up Professor Good's cornment by saying, "adult neural stem cells work has the clear advantage of being able to use the patient's own cells to repair
any deficits - and avoids issues of rejection and cancer formation." The fad remains that the use of embryonic stem cells is not infallible, he said. If science is the religion of 'fact' then perhaps stem cell researchers should heed the words of Louis Pasteur, founder of microbiology who said, "Never advance anything which cannot be proved in a simple and decisive fashion" Mr Egan urged people to express their views and support the pro-life campaign by contacting their federal member for parliament before August 20. The House of Representatives will sit beginning next week from August 19 - 29.
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Applications in writing, including names and contact numbers of 3 referees to: The Principal Bunbury Catholic College PO Box 414, Bunbury WA 6231 Page 5
I say,I say... M
ark Latham is the most sensible economic voice Labor has. He also seems to illustrate a very odd ALP rule: the better the economic brain, the nastier the mouth. His squalid attacks on Tony Staley and Tony Abbott seem part of a syndrome that could be politically deadly. Australians do not expect their politicians to be mealymouthed but they expect certain norms of decency from them. During World War II Curtin and Menzies behaved towards one another as gentlemen and friends, a big contribution to National unity when it was desperately needed. Australians should be proud of the relations of these two men in the great crisis. In 1940, Curtin as Opposition Leader paid tribute to Menzies's work of gearing Australia for war, his sensible outlook, concern for national unity and high considerations of patriotism. As Prime Minister Curtin told Menzies: "Dear Bob ... I thank you for your consideration and
with Guy Crouchback
courtesy which never once failed in your humanising language of Totalitarianism, dealings with me. I wish you good health produced its own negative reaction.. It went beyond "scumbag" and "criminal and fair going. [Ow] friendship is something I value, as I hope and know you do, garbage" to nastier things. Keating told as a very precious thing? Menzies in a let- Alexander Downer in Parliament on 11 ter to his son remarked that it would be May, 1995: "Fifty years ago your class was tragic if Curtin died without seeing victo- supporting [Nazis/fascists]." Downer's ry crown his work He paid tribute to him father was a Japanese prisoner-of-war. over many following years. A former teacher, he held classes in This decency is a real thread in the fab- prison camps and is credited with saving ric of Australian tradition. When it has prisoners' lives by keeping them alert been broken the result has often been mentally. Keating claimed of the Australian conservative leaders in World War counter-productive. Labor's Peter Walsh was a courageous II: "That nest of them - Menzies, Casey, voice for economic rectitude during the Bruce - nearly cost us -)ur liberty." The trimming and compromising years of word "nest" has associations of "nest of Fraserism and as Finance Minister. traitors" and of a dwelling-place of subHe could have built strong cross-Party human things. support with the increasingly disaffected Like Keating's allegations of British Liberal Dries. However, he seemed deter- betrayal at Singapore, this was nonsense mined to undercut his own influence by a and all competent historians knew it. vitriolic tongue which made it much hardKeating's childish attacks on Menzies er for the Dries to defend his policies. Keat- had an extra dimension of unpleasantness ing was in many ways a good Treasurer when Menzies's widow, Dame Pattie, was but his venomous rhetoric, often in the de- still alive, although in her 90s she
answered him with some spirit. At the
1996 election there was little between the
major parties' policies.I believe the landslide against Labor was largely because of Keating's hate-filled rhetoric. When I read Keating calling Tony Staley "twisted in body, twisted in mind," I was disbelieving. Simply, no decent man would say this. At schoolI saw bullies inciting hatred of another child because of that child's physical disabilities and even then, when all concerned were about 12 years old, it fitted Churchill's word "baboonery." I remember the pressure to join in lest I might be next. I also remember the brave boy who stood up and put a stop to it. The fact Mr Staley is seriously incapacitated from an accident should not exempt him from scrutiny and criticism like any other politician. But to ridicule him for it Is instinctively thought vile by many people and that instinct is right. It is a step in reducing civil life to the level of Lord of The Flies. And it will win no friends.
Perpetual Rosary Bouquet 2002
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A Laywoman's meditations by Norma Woodcock
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he theme of the scriptures this week is the call of God to all people. His great mercy and love extend to all nations and his invitation excludes no one. In the first reading, Isaiah 56:1. 6-Z we hear god's invitation to come to his holy mountain and to be joyful in his house of prayer. We respond in the Responsorial Psalm 66:2-3. 5-6, 8. '0 God, let all the nations praise you.' The second reading and the Gospel challenge us to look at the quality of our faith in Jesus and his great power to save. It is true that in our Western society we can grow comfortable in our environment and in our self-sufficiency. At times we are jolted into our true condition by the circumstances that come unexpectedly upon us. St Paul in the second reading Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32 says, 'Let me tell you pagans this; I have been sent to the pagans as their Apostle, and I am proud of being sent, but the purpose of ills to make my own people envious of you, and in this way save some of them. This theme is evident in the gospel, Matthew 15:1-20. Jesus is clearly challenging the traditions of the Pharisees, calling them hypocrites and accusing them of honouring God only with lip service while their hearts are far away from him. In contrast we now hear the story of this outcast, gentile woman. Jesus, after confronting the Pharisees, left that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon, v22 Then out came a Cananite woman from that district and started shouting, 'Sir, son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.' No waiting for polite introductions here, no abiding by normal formalities. She had a need and she shouted immediately she saw Jesus. She crossed over the social and religious boundaries that surrounded her. What is our need? Do we call out to Jesus in that need, placing Page 6
Norma Woodcock
it quite clearly before him? Asking him to take pity on us? Jesus 'answered her not a word'. The disciples pleaded with him to give her what she wanted because she was shouting after them. Jesus answers, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.' The scene is set for what followed next. The woman was not deterred, she came up to him and knelt at his feet. Bold faith, humble faith, inspiring faith. 'Lord', she said, 'help me.' Simple faith, expectant faith. Jesus replied, 'It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the house dogs.' In the corresponding scripture story in Mark's Gospel, 7:24-30, this saying is softened v27, The children should be fed first, because it is not fair to take the children's food and tirrow it to the house dogs.' We await the woman's response. She retorted, 'ah yes sir, but even housedogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master's table. She has turned Jesus' reply to her advantage. Even the housedogs belong to the Master's house. Even the scraps falling to the ground would be enough for her need. Her faith in Jesus' power to save was confident and immediate. Jesus is generous in his praise, Woman you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.' And from that moment her daughter was well again. With humble yet bold and persistent faith let us believe that Jesus has the power to help us. Let us kneel at his feet and say with expectant faith. 'Lord, have pity on me.'
his is the 14th year for the ject and asks God's blessing for 48 Hour Perpetual Rosary its success. All Catholic schools Bouquet, WA!s gift to Our throughout WA have once again Lady for her Birthday (8 Sep- been invited to participate. tember). A scroll has been prepared This year the Rosary Bouquet dividing the 48 hours into hourly will start on Wednesday Sep- segments for the names of inditember4 at 6pm and conclude viduals and parishes taking part. on Friday September 6 at 6pm. The scroll ensures all hours are For 48 hours prior to Her Birth- covered by prayer particularly day Western Australians are a the night hours. united front of prayer, linking up Please fill in your chosen time with each other so that the slot on the roster. Individual Rosary is said continually names are not necessary when throughout WA during the des- a parish is involved, only the ignated 48 hours. name of the parish and commitThe bouquet is free of any ted times. intentions. It is entirely for our The scroll is to be taken up durLady. All can take part. ing the birthday Mass of Our You can pray the rosary pri- Lady, this year being celebrated vately or in groups and wherev- at 10.30am on Saturday 7 Seper convenient. Archbishop tember (8th being a Sunday) at Hickey fully endorses this pro- St Mary's Cathedral. Celebrant:
Monsignor Thomas McDonald. Being the first Saturday of the month the program for the morning is 7.30am Eucharistic Adoration (Specific intentions - Our Holy Father Pope John Paul II) 9.45am Meditative Rosary (Fr Timothy Deeter) 10.30am Holy Mass (Celebrant: Monsignor McDonald) PARTICIPATIN the Commitments for Rosary Bouquet can be forwarded to Margaret Bowen, 2 Suso St Woodlands 6018, phone 9446 1935, fax 9446 email: 1933, bowen@iinet.com.au or to Janis Mackin, phone 9255 1382, fax 9255 4182; Kathy Varady Northam, phone 9622 5963.
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Embryos may create political watershed
The Record
The tiniest of all humans, embryos not yet implanted in their mothers' wombs, may soon create a watershed unparalleled in Australian political history. These tiny people at the earliest stage of PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 their development may inspire Federal Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax (08) 9227 7087 and State politicians to reverse the culture cathrec@anet.netau of death that has dominated public life for many years. As preparations are made in Canberra event. Other divisions began to emerge in Trounson, however, has no medical qualfor the debate in Federal Parliament about Cabinet as MPs took advantage of their ifications and he had no response when destructive research on embryos, astute right to a conscience vote, but perhaps the real medical authorities pointed out that political observers are beginning to sense most significant thing has been that sup- he was talking rubbish and offering cures an unexpected change in the attitude of porters of the Bill have invariably put their for diseases which would never benefit foot in it when declaring their support. from any form of stem cell research. the public and politicians. Slowly it has emerged that the main When the Prime Minister and Premiers Health Minister Senator Kay Patterson, for met at COAG to discuss embryonic stem example, declared that she believed in the appeal of ESCR is to create stem cells for cell research earlier this year, the Premiers sanctity of human life, but if she thought toxicology and drug studies where the big declared bombastically that there was she or her family could get some advan- money patents lie. The only trial conducted on animals with nothing to debate and that if the Com- tage out of it, the sanctity of life would embryonic stem cells has resulted in monwealth did not proceed they would go have to take a back seat. ahead and allow ESCR regardless of the The cynical irrationality of this and sim- tumours whereas trials and treatments PM's position. It was a position that ilar statements appears to have moved with adult stem cells have proved sucmany people to a clear realisation that cessful. seemed bound to prevail. It is also becoming more widely known The Prime Minister reached a compro- advocates of ESCR really are proposing mise position in which he said he would for themselves the right to experiment on among the public that the proposed legislate to forbid human cloning but living human beings in the earliest stages destructive research on embryos for the financial benefit of others is in conflict allow research on existing "surplus" of their development. Senator Ron Boswell made it clear in a with the Nuremburg Code, with the embryos under a licensing system which is rapidly becoming known as the James speech in the Senate that the rewards Helsinld declarations from 1984 to 2000, being sought were not altruistic, but the and the UN's 1997 Declaration on the 13ond system - a licence to kill. Just as it seemed all wrapped up with potential fortunes to be made by biotech- Human Genome Project which puts the full media approval, the wretched scheme nology companies of which some of the rights of the human subject above socileading researchers are major sharehold- ety's interests (real or imagined) and began to unravel. which forbids researchers to benefit finanOne of the first visible signs was the ers. from the project. cially ESCR camthe of face public main The John Anderson. Deputy Prime Minister, Only recently, the Australian National (not a Catholic) declaring that he would paign, Professor Alan 11-ounson, attemptoppose the Bill being introduced by the ed to induce public support by lavish University released the latest findings of its 10-year research into Australian attiPrime Minister. This is a rare political accounts of potential medical marvels.
the
Vocations inspiration
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lthoughIhave been a cover to cover reader of the 'Record' for many years I haven't been motivated to correspond with you about your paper before today. Now, I wish to offer my congratulations on last week's excellent Vocation Edition'. Using a series of stories from WA Catholics was a great idea. All the stories were inspiring but I was particularly touched by the short piece by Doreen Snell. Despite a formidable handicap, Doreen feels blessed by the love of God and endeavours to thank God by being, 'the best person (she) can be.' Were we all so clear sighted. I have already read a couple of the stories to my RE. classes and the whole edition will be going into the teaching resource file - it's spot on! Peter Higgins Wanneroo
Faithful cornerstone. espite the dire predictions coming JJ from the secular sources - that Christianity is in a state of a terminal decline,
irrelevant to, and out of the step with,the modern society - many of us find it heartening to hear that the number of the Christian believers is actually on the increase in the world. It is also gratifying for many Catholics to notice the respect accorded to our Holy Father in Rome by many prominent personalities who are eager to seek an audience with him. Christianity, the cornerstone of the Western civilisation and the basis of the Australian culture has been able to survive into the 21st century because it has refused to compromise its doctrinal teaching to become popular and fashionable in the eyes of the fickle, secular world. It was particularly the determination of the Catholics to remain faithful to the doctrine laid down by its founder that has inspired trust, confidence and respect amongst many of its followers in the rapidly changing world. Will all that now change, with the emergence of the new moral culture endorsed by our authorities? Will the Catholic Church today, too, be required to compromise its principles and accept the new ideology - which is devoid of the traditional morality, has a scant regard for the sanctity of the human life and a little respect for the institution of marriage and the family - to silence the
L ETTERS TO THE EDITOR
critics and be regarded as progressive and popular? Joe Stekl Gosnells
Brand new day... he Maranatha Ministries full page T advertisement (Sunday Times July 28) is a poorly disguised anti-Christian dia-
going too far? To some observers of this debate this subtle abhorrent shift has been entirely predictable. Hitler's human experimentation during WWII should be recounted as a reminder of what can go wrong when scientists and vested interests 'play God' with the natural order. We mustn't forget that embryonic stem cell research has only 'promised' positive consequences. On the other hand, adult stem cell research has 'proven positive consequences. Embryonic stem cell advocates loudly proclaim the benefits and trot out disabled and sick children in order to stir up public emotions. It seems some people in the community are going along with this social con. At the very heart of our concern is the promotion of a death culture, death that is unnatural and largely controlled by others with little regard for the psycho-social consequences to those directly or indirectly Involved. Organisations with a financial interest in promoting embryonic stem cell research have much to gain with little regard for those who have much to lose. Take one minute to ponder where this is all heading. Increased abortions and embryo destruction. Hardly life promoting. In fact, quite frightening.
tudes about the beginnings of life. These confirmed that Australians are steadily moving to the acceptance of the fact that life begins at the moment of conception. If the trend continues, that will be the dominant understanding within a generation. Some have noted that this trend is not consistent with the practice of abortion in this country, but even in the face of this apparent contradiction people are insisting that life begins at conception and it is not available for scientific experiments that destroy life. The growing force of this conviction is beginning to look like a demonstration of people power which may well make politicians snap out of their previous surrender to the culture of death. Whether it will carry the day in the debate in Federal Parliament remains to be seen, and if it does there is still the problem of what the States will do about it. However, there is no doubt that there is a real shift in Australia's awareness and attitude about the nature of destructive research on living human embryos. Those who would like to see the little ones win this struggle for their lives would do well to send a simple message to their Federal and State MPs before it is too late. They might also pray that wisdom will prevail and Australia will not go down the path that we detested so much when Nazi 'scientists first trod it. • The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth. thanked. We at FMI look forward to the exciting progress of these new changes. Well done. Eddie Russell FMI Senior Director Flame Ministries International
Leaping over obstacles
am becoming increasingly amazed Jsame about the cloying letters referring in the breath to the paedophile scandals
which have rocked the church worldwide and Jesus reference to the woman caught in adultery. I am sure the proponents of this mistake feel that Jesus only ever spoke lovingly and compassionately about everything but the facts differ. He was very definite and sharply spoken when the need arose, and I refer to Matthew 18: 'anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith in me would be better drowned in the depths of the sea with a great millstone around his neck. Alas for the world that there should be such obstacles. Obstacles there must be, but alas for the man who provides them." From Luke 17 1-3 he said to the disciples: 'obstacles are sure to come but alas for the one who provides them. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck than that he should lead astray one of these little ones. Watch yourselves.' Are so many would-be faithful followers so afraid of reality that they are 'hell-bent' on white washing everything to suit current 'we are all going to heaven anyway' trends?
tribe. The Saturday Sabbath is a purely Jewish concern. You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out thence with a mighty and outstretched arm. Therefore, Robert Hicks, Kalgoorlie Family Assothe Lord your God commanded you to keep Branch President, Australian ciation the Sabbath day. (Dent:5-15) The first day of Christianity is the day of Christ's Resurrection. Because it is the "eighth" day, following the Sabbath, it sym- Change is always with us no matter bolises the new creation ushered in by the what we prefer. Some changes are bad Resurrection. and some are for the good. Three good For all Christians then, ills the first of all changes in the WA Archdiocese recently is Maureen Federico days, the Lord's Day. the Record's venture into cyber-space with Melbourne the new web site and with the introduction B O'Grady of discovery. Claremont The Record newspaper has also taken a his visit to Canada, Archbishop new approach with the introduction of uring more local news, especially from the laity Pell has been criticised by the usual archers are now gloating that they along with the conversion testimonials: suspects, for stating that "abortion is worse ay be able to grow dissected remains The editor has grasped the importance and than child abuse." While I believe that paedophile priests from one embryonic human on the abort- role of lay people in the life and work of ed remains of another. Indeed, now we the church and this is a welcome initiative. and their guardian bishops, who shunted The print edition has long been an excel- them around parishes, should be sacked have an admission from the Prince of Wales Hospital that human foetuses are lent news reporter in Perth and now it has by the Church and jailed by the State,Ialso being used as a source of tissue to grow leaped into the 21st century in a bold way. believe that abortion is the ultimate in child These new ventures reflect the innovative abuse. embryonic stem cells. It doesn't seem enough that many people and entrepreneurial spirit of the new ediare shocked that abortion occurs in the first tor [and his well chosen team]. They are a F Bellet place but now aborted foetuses are being welcome development for the Catholic Petrie Qld consumed rather than being respected. We Media here in WA that will not only enrich go to great lengths to respect the adult bod- the local church, but also web surfers Something to say? ies of our loved ones who have died, why around the world. Then this is the page where your Each of these enterprises are refreshing should a foetus be any different? the and editor The . view might appear Nobody objects to the use of technology and forward-looking for the betterment of others, but isn't this Record team are to be congratulated and
A change for the better
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The right to life
The fight for life
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In the spotlight
dawn of a new era
problems with the method. By the end of 2001, 156,400 fertile Chinese couples had used the method for avoiding pregnancy and 3,268 infertile couples had used it for achieving pregnancy (these infants are affectionately called the Billings babies). Those statistics only account for cases that have been documented. What is also remarkable about the study, says Dr John Billings is that most of the women taking part were peasants and were illiterate. 'In fact the women who fell pregnant were usually higher educated and assumed they had mastered the method after hearing an hour talk and didn't carry on with the education,' he said. Dr Evelyn Billings agrees that 'it is very simple with proper education. If you can boil an egg you can use the method.' What has also made the method such a success is that women can see the change in their cycle for themselves. Since 1990 Drs John and Evelyn Billings have visited China about three times a year, along with Billings teacher Marie Marshall, to instruct Chinese women on the method, so that they can in due course, teach the method to other women. To date there are 7000 Billings teachers in China. What has also helped in this area is that most of the gynaecologists in China are women. It is has long been the theory behind the BOM that it is most successful when women teach other women. The Billings believe the method has been so widely received because of the Chinese people's respect for nature and the natural cycles of their bodies. 'In China we say that we have come to teach you how to solve your fertility problems by a method that is found in nature,' Dr John Billings said. 'They are very interested in that and they believe for that reason it must be good.'
"This only makes their marriage grow stronger. Couples have a renewed sense of security and fidelity and their love gets stronger." Dr Evelyn Billings says the Chinese women need no convincing of the dangers of contraception. 'They have seen first-hand the devastating effects of using an IUD,' says Dr Evelyn Billings.
China's one-child policy remains one of the most oppressive official government policies of our time. Since 1979 millions of women have been forced to hand their bodies and the lives of their children over to the People's Republic. But finally there is some change. Women are at last being given an alternative to contraception, which is in turn saving many lives - those of Chinese women and their children. By Bronwen Clune
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n many remote areas in China a silent but significant revolution is taking place. After many years of having their bodies violated by the People's Republic of China, Chinese women are embracing the chance to practise the Billings Ovulation Method (BOM) and restore their body's natural cycles. In 1979 China adopted its one-child policy and since that time the government has generally paid for birth control and abortions (a woman who has an abortion receives a vacation with pay). Any failure to abide by the policy usually results in job loss or demotion. The method of contraception most favoured by the People's Republic of China has until recently been the use of an IUD. There are also alarming rates of sterilisation. The country's first report on reproductive health in 1998 showed four out of 10 Chinese women had been sterilised under China's population control policy It was not recorded how many of these had been forced sterilisations.
By the end of 2001, 156,400 fertile Chinese couples had used the method for avoiding pregnancy and 3,268 infertile couples had used it for achieving pregnancy (these infants are affectionately called the Billings babies). A smaller study done in 1992 also showed alarming results with 16 per cent of all women in the Hunan province aged 20-24 sterilised; among those between 30 and 34 years of age, the number was 90 percent. Most people would then be surprised to hear that in 1995 the Chinese Ministry of Health approved the use of the Billings Ovulation Method. Page 8
Where possible, it is being taught to couples as a gov- due to use-related factors - that is the couples involved ernment-approved alternative to contraception. had failed to undertake full education on the method and The Government's approval of the method is in part due had practised it incorrectly. The method could then in fact to the fact that successful use of the method comes at no be regarded as having a 0 per cent failure rate when coucost, but more importantly it is because of the method's ples were properly educated in the method. success in avoiding pregnancy (which in turn also reduces In the IUD group there were 12 pregnancies, meaning a China's abortion rate). 2 per cent failure ratc. As well as this there were 15 expulChinese couples have responded to the Billings Method sions of the IUD and 38 removals of the IUD due to pain by taking the chance to learn and practise it in unprece- and bleeding. This meant that there were 65 discontinuadented numbers. tions due to problems with its use. Many women who It all began in 1986 when Drs John and Evelyn Billings, could not continue the trial for these reasons then went on to take up the BOM, as no one had experienced any the Australian doctors who pioneered the method more than 50 years ago, first visited China. Dr John Billings tells the story proudly about how his wife Dr Evelyn Billings piped up at a meeting with Chinese government officials who were casting some doubt on the effectiveness of the method. She suggested a trial comparing the use of the Billings Ovulation Method with couples using an IUD. In 1990 an official year-long trial involving 1,654 women was undertaken. In order to be considered for the trial women had to have proven fertility, be aged 25-34 years, with regular menstrual cycles and to have the support of their husband in using the BOM. The group was randomly divided into two groups with a ratio of 3:2, with 992 subjects in the BOM group and 662 couples using an IUD. In the BOM group five women became pregnant with a preg- Above: A Chinese woman walks past a poster advertising baby products. Chinese people have nancy rate of 0.05 per cent. Of a special love of children, say the Billings doctors. those five pregnancies all were Main picture: A typical Chinese landscape.
A Chinese man looks over a large poster featuring the Chinese Communisf Party emblem in Beijing on June 5. The poster was promoting July 1 celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the party. Religion is repressed under the Communist government, which : T officially claims atheism. •
A lot of the women they train complain about the tremendous pain and infection caused by an IUD. The IUD is also known to cause abortions, in some cases septic abortions that can be fatal. In this way the method has saved millions of lives all around the world, but with particular significance in China with forced abortions. One of the doubts of the method by Chinese women at first was that they would not have the cooperation of the men - but that was something the Billings had heard in every country they have visited. 'Just like in every other country it was not the case with Chinese men,' Dr Evelyn Billings said. Dr John Billings said men realise very soon that the discipline of it is very easy. 'The men learn that there is plenty of time for intercourse and the women respond well to their husband's cooperation,' he said.
-This only makes their marriage grow stronger. Couples have a renewed sense of security and fidelity and their love gets stronger.' Dr Evelyn says the idea of waiting makes sense to the couples because they can see the method working. 'With the rhythm method it was really a hit and miss thing and a lot of couples were abstaining for a long time not knowing why they should,' she said. 'What would happen then is they would get sick of it and have intercourse which could result in pregnancy if it was at the wrong time.' After all, says Dr John Billings, a certain amount of waiting is part of every marriage, be it due to sickness or birth of a child and it is important that a man demonstrates that he can accept that. Meanwhile, somewhere in China a life is being saved. You can't argue with that.
Lesson still to be learnt in the West While there has been widespread use o the Billings Ovulation Method in third-world countries, Australia and other developed nations have been slow to take it up. When will we be prepared to change things?
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aile Chinese women have seen the destruction of the contraception mantra, the lessons re yet to be learnt here in the West. It is not only China that has opened its heart to the Billings Ovulation Method - the method has been taken up largely in India, Indonesia and North Africa. In most cases, the population is poor and illiterate, but It has proved to have a 99 per cent success rate in trials in all countries. In the West however, the belief in the method has been slow to take hold. In part, it is because of the misunderstanding of what the method involves. There is still a belief among many that the method involves long periods of abstinence and is based on cyclic calculations. Doctors Evelyn and John Billings More importantly, the method goes against society's belief that everything comes at a cost The BOM costs nothing and nobody is making millions out of promoting Corkhill and Mrs Marshall. The doctors who attend the it. Volunteer teachers' visits to third world countries are course now receive official accreditation from the Ausmade possible with money from donations. World Organ- tralian Medical Association for attending the course as isation of the Ovulation Method Billings (WOOMB) is one part of their ongoing professional development. official group that continues to educate women in the Dr John Billings said doctors were method around the world. Marian Corldtill and Marie Marshall are two Billings beginning to respond very well to the teachers who have just returned from Afiica where they method, because they could no longer attended a conference as part of WOOMB, which highlighted the AIDS crisis ravaging that continent. ignore the overwhelming body of A senior official told them that one of the causes of AIDS evidence supporting the method. in his country was the erosion of family life. If the method could prove to strengthen marriages he would support it. Dr John Billings said doctors were beginning to respond The condom, he said, had done nothing to stop the AIDS very well to the method, because they could no longer epidemic. Ignore the overwhelming body of evidence supporting And slowly there is also some change in the West. the method. As well as this there continues to be a lot of contradicThe Billings doctors were recently in Perth to conduct a doctors' training course in the method along with Mrs tory material reported about the pill, made worse by the
Billings teachers Marie Marshall and Marian Corlthill
recent research which pointed to the damaging effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy. One of the aspects most widely accepted by doctors about the BOM is its success in treating infertile couples. This is very convincing for doctors about the accuracy of the method and they are prepared to turn it around and help people control their fertility naturally. If support from doctors has been slow in coming, it may be surprising then that support from parish priests has to date been virtually non-existent. 'We have had little support from priests in promoting this method to Catholic couples,' Dr Evelyn Billings said. 'It has been very disappointing to us. We still hope that this will change.' But while we continue to worship at the feet of multimillion dollar pharmaceutical companies, things in the West won't change. But maybe The real revolution or revelation begins at - Bronwen Clune home. Page 9
St Juan Diego
15 August, 2002
Record II
Pope beatifies martyrs who also happen, like St Juan Diego, to be laity
By Jo Tuckman
with Tony Evans
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ords of wisdom can sometimes be found in unexpected places, and be expressed by the most unlikely people. Among the Catholic writers quoted in this column you would hardly expect to find the triumphant militarist and dictator, Napoleon, who, after his bloody battles had himself crowned emperor by Pope Pius VII in Paris in 1804. And yet surprisingly Napoleon had many wise things to say on the art of government and particularly about education. We know this from a book I came across recently, published first in 1933, giving a report of what Napoleon said at the sessions of the Council of State at the Tuileries in 18045 The French critic, SainteBeauve, declared that Napoleon as a writer was a master of words. Who could argue with his prophetic wisdom on this occasion? IIHp to the present the only good education we have met with is that of the ecclesiastical bodies. I would rather see the children of a village in the hands of a man who only knows his catechism. but whose principles are known to me, than of a half-baked man of learning who has no foundations for his morality and no fixed ideas. Religion is the vaccine of the imagination, she preserves it from all dangerous and absurd beliefs. An ignorant friar knows enough to tell a working man that his life is but a passage. If you take Faith away from the people you will end by producing nothing but highway robbers."
MEXICO CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II completed his twoday stay in Mexico by beatifying two Zapotec Indian martyrs from the southern state of Oaxaca, the day after he had given the Americas their first indigenous saint in Juan Diego. It was an emotional farewell to a country that he has visited five times. The Pope ended the August 1 beatification service, held in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with the unscripted pronouncement, "I may be going, but my heart stays with you. Beautiful Mexico, may God bless you." He left the basilica to cheers even louder than those he received upon arrival. The Pope said he beatified Jacinto de los Angeles and Juan Bautista, who were killed in 1700 by a lynch mob angered by the pair's zeal in denouncing pagan practices, because they "gave their lives to defend the faith." It was a ceremony that mixed solemn church liturgy with colourful indigenous ritual before a congregation given to spontaneous applause, cheers and chants. The newly beatified Indians had been given the role of moral guardians in their highland village of San Francisco Cajonos in Oaxaca by the Dominican fathers in the area. Because of this, they reported to local authorities their discovery of an ancestral cult being carried out in secret. According to their official biography read during the service, an enraged mob first hacked the two men to pieces with their machetes and then tore out their hearts, throwing them to the dogs. During his homily, the Pope called the martyrdom "an example of how nothing, not even life itself, should go before the commitment of baptism." He also challenged the potential contradiction some observers have noted between the beatification of indigenous people
whose role was to crack down on their own ancestral traditions, and the church's current drive to show itself sensitive to indigenous culture. Juan Bautista and Jacinto de los Angeles were "an example of how you can reach God without renouncing your own culture," the pope said. Some 8,000 indigenous people from Oaxaca were in the basilica complex for the event. The Pope was wheeled along on a raised platform pushed by four indigenous people. The Pope's entrance was accompanied by the brass band of San Francisco Cajonos, which played throughout the ceremony. Near the beginning there was also a purification ritual carried out by a woman in traditional costume who gently waved medicinal herbs in front of the Pope. Several of the Mass' readings and prayers were given in the native languages of Oaxaca, home to 16 different ethnic groups. The celebration also included a version of a native dance in which men 'in enormous fan-shaped feather headdresses performed elaborate movements that prompted the Pope to smile and tap his hand to the rhythm. The beatification ceremony was also a chance for the Pope to bid farewell to the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe that hangs over the altar in the basilica. "Before the sweet face of the Virgin of Guadalupe who has been a constant support to the faith of her Mexican children, let us renew the commitment to evan- An image of the two martyrs is carried during the beatification ceremony at the gelisation which also distin- Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on August 1. guished Juan Bautista and Jacinto International Airport, the Pope The president also credited the de los Angeles," he said at the end slowly and deliberately climbed Pope with "leaving us a renewed of his speech. the stairs of the Aeromexico air- commitment to the indigenous After the ceremony the Pope was craft painted with the slogan community" and referred to St driven to the airport for the trip "Mexico, Always Faithful." Juan Diego as someone who back to Rome. As the plane taxied toward the "without doubt will also be an He was cheered by millions of runway, Mexican President inspiration to all Mexicans." Mexicans, as he had been Vicente Fox said in an speech that The papal plane circled Mexico throughout his stay. "there is sadness and happiness City once after departing the airIt was the end of a marathon in all of Mexico." port. international tour that began in He described the Pope's visit as Residents were asked to line the Canada on July 23 and included "without doubt a spiritual promo- streets with small mirrors reflectGuatemala before his July 30 tion, and a motivation to continue ing the sun, as a way to say a final arrival in Mexico. At Mexico City moving forward." goodbye to the Pope.
Indigenous see the humble St Juan as their own By Jo Tuckman MEXICO CITY (CNS) - As Juan Diego was raised into the canon of saints, Mexicans honoured him for being an indigenous hero and champion of the rights and culture of Mexico's 64 Indian groups. "He is our advocate, our representative before the Virgin of Guadalupe and before God," said Maria Dominga Martinez, a Nahuatl Indian from Jalisco who attended the July 31 Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II. Martinez was among the thousands of indigenous Mexicans who attended the canonisation service in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built in northern Mexico City on the site of Juan Diego's visions of Mary in 1531. "In the past, indigenous people have been discriminated against so much, even by the church," said Lucia Romero, a small and Impeccably neat 40-year-old Yaqui woman from the northern state of Sonora. "They would always allow you Into the church, but you could Page 10
Photo CNS/Reuters
Pope John Paul II blesses the relics of two Mexican martyrs during a beatification ceremony at Mexico City's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
sense that we had no rights in out to indigenous people who in there," she said. Mexico and Central America are St. Juan Diego's canonisation Increasingly turning to evangeliwas designed to create exactly the cal churches. This has been a paropposite impression, part of a ticularly worrying trend in the new drive by the church to reach southern Mexican states of Chia-
pas and Oaxaca, home to some of topped off with feathered headthe most important concentra- dresses. tions of indigenous peoples. And then came the dancers, So while Pope John Paul, the car- stomping out indigenous rhythms dinals, and other churchmen in to a beating drum as they came the front rows were all in familiar down the catwalk-like raised aisle vestments, and politicians and toward the Pope, who sat attendignitaries attending were all tive but slumped in his chair. dressed in protocol black, the rest "Iliked that bit very much," said of the huge tent-like basilica that Porfirio Hernandez, an Otomi seats 8,000 was significantly I ndian from the central state of brightened by a myriad of indigeHidalgo. "It gives me great pleanous costumes. sure to see Juan Diego made a There were the white smocks saint. He was one of us." and red headdresses of the Behind Hernandez in the basilTarahumara from the northern state of Chihuahua, the exuberant ica the incense was still smoking flowered dresses of the women of in front of a large portrait of St the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the Juan Diego placed to the left of South, as well as an eye-catching the altar, alongside other symboldelegation from Chiapas, com- ic offerings of cactus plants and plete with straw hats streaming traditional fruit. with multicolored ribbons that The portrait shows a whitethey waved effusively when the skinned and heavily bearded Juan Pope arrived and left. Diego who looks more like a EuroThe Mass was infused with pean missionary than an Indian. indigenous symbolism, most dra- In the days and weeks leading up matically during the rite of canon- to the canonisation the portrait isation. It began with the haunting had become deeply controversial, sound of conch shells blown by but on a day so steeped in indigemen dressed as ancient Aztecs in nous references nobody really metallic-coloured costumes seemed to notice.
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St Juan Diego
15 August, 2002
JPII: looking to the future ANALYSIS: By John Thavis MEXICO CITY (CNS) - On a demanding 11-day trip to the Americas, the selfdescribed "old" Pope John Paul II was looking toward the future - and to what he can leave behind to the new generations of Catholics around the world. In Toronto July 23-29 to celebrate World Youth Day, the Pope had words of hope and encouragement for young people who have experienced disillusion in the world and in their Church. In Guatemala and Mexico he proclaimed new saints, highlighting the importance of works of mercy and the place of native peoples in the universal church. On each stop, the Pope brought a disarmingly simple message, unburdened by theological analysis and far removed from disputes that have sometimes divided Catholics in recent years. Only Christ ... is the faithful friend who never lets us down," he told half a million cheering young people in Toronto. He sympathised with their problems and apprehensions, then prodded the young to make a personal choice: Embrace the Gospel and bring its healing touch to a world that seems broken in many ways. The young people called the Pope their "compass," an accurate description of a man trying to point to a few basic elements of hope and faith in the post-September 11 environment. At times it seemed he was looking back and summing up the essential moral lessons of his own time - the spiritual warrior of the 20th century passing the baton to "a new generation of builders." His words at the closing World Youth Day Mass deploring sex abuse scandals in the Church marked the first time the Pope addressed the crisis of the past year in such a public forum. But characteristically, he stressed the fact that the vast majority of priests have been untouched by such scandal. When he urged youths to trust their ministers, the young people cheered, and some of their priests shed tears of appreciation. Clearly, the priesthood looms large in Pope John Paul's vision of the future Church.
Although the Pope looked and sounded better in Toronto than he had in months, many young participants felt this might be their last such encounter with Pope John Paul. When he announced the next World Youth Day would be held in Germany in 2005, he did not say - as he has remarked in past years - that, God willing, he would see them there. Perhaps mindful of his frail health and the strain of travel, he said simply that the spirit of World Youth Day was now in the hands of the young people themselves. In Guatemala and Mexico, the legacy he was leaving behind was new saints: the first Central American saint in Pedro de San Jose Betancur, a missionary among the poor of Guatemala who is known popularly as Hermano Pedro, and the first American indigenous saint in Juan Diego, the peasant who saw the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe. By extending his trip to the two Latin American countries, the pope showed he recognised how much these ceremonies meant to local Catholics, who experience the faith largely through models of holiness and not theological teachings. The Pope is canonising simple people of great faith. This is very important for the people here, especially the indigenous, and for their traditions of popular piety," Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga told Catholic News Service. The pope wants those traditions preserved in the 21st century, as Latin American societies become more globalised and fragmented. That's part of his vision of the future, too. Be holy like these saints, he told his audiences, and put your faith into action. In Mexico, this simple message was accompanied by a burst of liturgical panache that featured dancers in feathered Aztec costumes who hailed the canonisation of St. Juan Diego with native drums and maracas. The success of such a trip will be measured not in the numbers or the massive crowds that showed up, but in changes that take place in the minds and hearts of his listeners.
Visit to the Americas
This was the Pope's 97th trip outside Italy, his third stop in Canada and Guatemala and his fifth visit to Mexico.
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Toronto
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• Mexico City Toronto has 1.4 million Catholics. Mexico and Guatemala are predominantly Catholic, with more than 85 percent of the populations claiming the faith.
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Guatemala City 2002 CNS Graphics
Source: CNS, 2002 Catholic Almanac
The messenger becomes a saint, part two Continued from Page 16 With St Juan Diego's canonisation, Pope John Paul has proclaimed 464 saints, more than all his predecessors combined. He insisted on making the trip to Mexico, even though some aides advised him to conduct the canonisation in Rome and save himself the toil and trouble. The basilica began filling up before dawn. By sunrise, it reached its 8,000person capacity, with another 12,000-14,000 filling the plaza outside. Large screens were set up out-
Pope John Paul II blesses indigenous Mexican children after they presented him with a gift of two trees during an arrival ceremony in Mexico City on July 30. Photo CNS/Reuters
side the basilica, with another screen installed inside. Scattered among the crowd were a few foreigners, with a large portion of the audience drawn from Mexico's 64 indigenous groups, dressed in colourful costumes. Those in attendance received tickets from their local parish. No one paid for their ticket, church officials said. Long lines of priests heard confessions outdoors throughout the morning before Mass. The same large crowd that witnessed the Pope's arrival lined the streets for his 13-mile ride back to
the nunciature in Mexico City. Police later reported that a 14year-old boy was arrested for firing an air rifle along the motorcade route around 2 p.m., about an hour after the Popemobile had passed. A police spokesman said the youth, who was arrested immediately, probably would be charged with illegal possession of a weapon. The youth remained in custody on August 1, but the incident could in no way be described as an attack on the pontiff, the spokesman said.
A Mexican woman prays in front of a statue of Juan Diego at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Diego, who was a Nahuatl Indian, was canonised by Pope John Paul II on July 31. P"oto CNS ReuteN
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15 August, 2002
The World in brief
US wants war, says Jesuit VATICAN CITY (CNS) Instead of trying to get inspectors into Iraq to see if the country is producing weapons of mass destruction, the United States seems set to launch another war, said Jesuit Father Pasquale Borgomeo, the general director of Vatican Radio. Saddam Hussein's recently expressed willingness to allow UN inspectors back into his country may well be a ploy designed to avoid a US attack, Father Borgomeo said in an August 6 radio discussion. But the Bush administration seems to have decided to Ignore the opportunity and continues to focus on "the military option," he said. "Experience should have taught us something about the recurrence of certain wars, Including those considered won, which are undertaken to resolve one crisis but are destined to create others, sometimes even more serious," Father Borgomeo said. "The United States is trying to combat terrorism, but it deals with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - even after Sept.ember 11 - as if it has no relation to the growing tide of resentment against the United States and the West on the part of large segments of the planet's Arab and Muslim populations," he said. The Jesuit also condemned Palestinian terrorist attacks on Israeli citizens.
International News
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Hardship for war-stricken By Judith Sudilovsky BEIT JALLA, West Bank (CNS) Michel Jarad, a Palestinian construction-business owner, used to be able to say his businesses supported 100 families. But after months of violence and an Israeli-imposed curfew, the Catholic businessman closed one company, and laid off half the staff at two other companies. To further complicate matters, the Bethlehem government has ruled that business owners must continue to pay salaries whether income is coming in or not. Jarad has been taking out bank loans to comply with the ruling. Some months he can pay his workers only half of their salary. The squeeze has been felt across the financial elite of Palestinian society. The significance is that when, or if, the violence ends and life returns to normal, there will be precious little funding to rebuild society from within. "I will have to see if I can handle this for one or two more months. If I can't I will have to fire my workers and stay at home," Khader Masur and Jawad Jayada stand idle near their trucks at the Al Etihad Ready Mixed Concrete Co. in BethleJarad said during a break from his hem. They report to the factory when Israeli-imposed curfews are lifted but there is no work for them. cNsioebbH3 meetings at the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce where he serves to build," said Jarad. "Every day eggs. They are now being forced the family business - if it survives as a financial officer and where the bank calls." to eat the chickens for food and - when he graduates, recently he rushes every time the IsraeliThree years ago he bought a top- she has taken to baking her own took a job after his allowance was imposed curfew is lifted. of-the-line, $420,000 concrete bread. cut. He has paid nearly $13,000 a pump for his concrete factory. "Before we wanted for nothing. "We are living on hope right month in salaries without receiv- Now it sits as idly as do some of We used to go to the sea: now we now," said his father. "We hope it ing any income. He's also tallying his employees who come in when barely have water to drink," Angel will open next week. We have up a $2,000 per month debt in the curfew is lifted although work said. been waiting for two years. Now bank interest. is rare and sporadic. Their youngest son, Samer, 20, all the politicians are saying that "In two years I have used up At home. Jarad's wife, Angel, 49, who is studying law in Amman, things will open up. When things everything that it took me 30 years no longer raises chickens just for Jordan, and who hopes to go into are open we can work"
Celebration of life, Bush Freedom of Excommunicated signs 'Born Alive' act religion breach
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Seven women who claimed to be ordained Catholic priests have been excommunicated. Despite a Vatican warning, they did not give "any indication of amendment or repentance for the most serious offence they had committed," said an official Vatican decree. "They have incurred excommunication," said the decree published on August 5 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The ceremony was performed by Archbishop Romulo Antonio Braschi, founder of the breakaway Catholic-Apostolic Charismatic Church of Jesus the King. The preface to the Vatican decree said that "as a schismatic" the archbishop has "already incurred excommunication." One of the women, Gisela Forster, told Catholic News Service on July 24 that they would appeal the decision if excommunication was imposed.
Nun wins award MANILA (CNS) - A Catholic nun from Pakistan has been cited for her work with people with leprosy by the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation. Sister Ruth Pfau, 72, was one of six recipients of the Magsaysay Awards, often referred to as the "Asian Nobel Prize." The annual Magsaysay Awards honour the selfless service of individuals or groups in Asia. Page 12
PT11SBURGH (CNS) - On a visit to Pennsylvania to celebrate the lives of nine rescued miners on August 5, President Bush, quoting Pope John Paul II, also signed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act into law, drawing praise from Catholic leaders and guaranteeing basic rights to children born alive during an abortion. "Today we're here to celebrate life, the value of life and most importantly the spirit of America," the president said at a Pittsburgh firehouse, where he addressed an audience of about 300 people. The crowd included the nine men rescued on July 28 after they spent more than 77 hours trapped in a flooded, abandoned US President George W. Bush signs the Bornmine in nearby Somerset County. Alive Infants Protection Act in Pittsburgh. Later at the bill-signing ceremony, Bush Photo CNS,Reuterc said the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act "ensures that every infant born alive - and protected in law." "This law is a step Including an infant who survives an abor- toward the day when America fully tion procedure - is considered a person becomes, in the words of Pope John Paul II, 'a hospitable, welcoming culture,'" he under federal law. This reform was passed added. with the overwhelming support of both Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh called political parties, and it is about to become the new law "a small but important step" the law of the land." in "the long, long struggle between the culThe measure amended the legal defini- ture of death and the civilisation of love tions of "person," "human being," "child" that has engulfed humanity for centuries." and "individual" to include a live birth that "What President Bush affirmed and what has occurred as part of an abortion proceCongress so unanimously proclaimed is dure so long as he or she displays a heart- the simple but beat, respiration and/or voluntary tums necessarymost basic of all human dicto sustain any level of civilmovements after "the complete expulsion isation: 'You shall not kill,'" he said. or extraction from his or her mother." Father Frank Pavone, co-founder and It passed the House of Representatives by senior adviser of Priests for Life, said the a voice vote in March, and was approved law makes it clear that the legal status of a by unanimous consent in the Senate in child "does not depend on whether anyJuly. one happens to want him or her," but rather "The issue of abortion divides Americans, deserves that status because "he or she is no question about it," the president said. human, period." "Yet today we stand on common ground. "Some newborn infants, especially those The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act who are born alive during abortions, have establishes a principle in American law been treated as nonpersons," said Douglas and American conscience: there is no right Johnson, legislative director for the Nationto destroy a child who has been born alive. al Right to Life Committee. "This bill says A child who is born has intrinsic worth and that every infant born alive, even during an must have the full protection of our laws." abortion and even if premature or handiHe called the measure "a step toward the capped, is a full legal person under federday when every child is welcomed in life al law."
PLENTONG. Malaysia (CNS) - The Catholic bishops of Malaysia have expressed alarm over the increasing politicisation of Islam in the country and the impact it has had on religious freedom. Malaysia has witnessed the "process of Islamisalon of our laws and regulations," the bishops said in an August I statement. It was issued during their 70th plenary meeting in Plentong, northeast of Johor Baharu, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. The statement, "Declaration of Catholic Bishops of Malaysia on the Freedom of Religion," was signed by Archbishop Anthony Soter Fernandez of Kuala Lumpur, president of the Catholic bishops of Malaysia. The Malaysian bishops belong to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia. Singapore and Brunei. According to the bishops, the bill breaches a fundamental social contract established at Malaysia's founding that cannot be amended without the consent of all the communities that make up the country. The bishops said that while the contract establishes that Islam is the religion of the nation. Malaysia was a secular state that guaranteed freedom of religion. Their statement expressed disappointment over media reports that the Terengganu chief minister said the Shariah bill will apply, in time, to nonMuslims. Terengganu, a state on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, is governed by the fundamentalist Party Islam Se-Malaysia. The bishops also noted that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said at a political gathering last September that Malaysia is already a model Islamic state. His remarks triggered widespread public debate, especially among religious minorities. Although the prime minister and leaders of his ruling National Front coalition have assured Malaysians that the constitution will not be amended, "such assurances do not offer a sufficient guarantee that Malaysia will not degenerate into something of an intolerant Islamic model," the bishops said. The bishops urged Malaysians not to politicise Islam and to respect the right to freely practise religion in the country.
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International News
15 August, 2002
Full circle for Polish Schools close for jailed nun Saint once doubted By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Twentyfive years ago, her writings were banned by the Vatican and her legacy — a special devotion to the divine mercy of God — seemed in doubt. Today she is a saint, her diary has been translated into more than a dozen languages and her Divine Mercy movement has attracted millions of Catholics around the world. For St Faustina Kowalska, it's been a remarkable reversal. And like several other sainthood stories in recent years, this one had a hidden protagonist: Pope John Paul II. The Pope, who beatified her In 1993 and canonised her in 2000, is going back to his Polish homeland in mid-August to inaugurate a $20 million basilica and pilgrim complex dedicated to St Faustina and the Divine Mercy movement. It's the latest chapter in the Pope's ongoing interest in the saint, who lived several years in the pontiff's archdiocese of Krakow and died there in 1938 at age 33. As a young man in the same city, the Pope used to visit a sanctuary dedicated to her after her death. After he became archbishop of Krakow in the 1960s, he pressed the Vatican for years to lift the ban on St Faustina's writings. Convinced that Rome's opposition was based on a faulty translation of her diary, he had it re-translated — and the ban was lifted in 1978, six months before his election as Pope. The second encyclical of his pontificate, 'Dives in Misericordial ("Rich in Mercy'), published in 1980, was dedicated to the divine mercy theme that drove St Faustina's spiritual life. Anyone who's ever waded through that papal text knows that Its language is not easy Buttressed by a footnoted explanation of the linguistic and philosophical history of the concept of divine mercy, it explains how 'in the eschatological fulfillment, mercy will be revealed as love.' Anyone who's ever read St
Pope John Paul!! canonised Polish Sister Faustina Kowalska in 2000. A vision of Christ inspired the sister of Our Lady of Mercy to promote the image known Photo: CNS as the Divine Mercy.
Faustina's diary knows that she wrote fairly simple thoughts, some based on her visions of Christ, who tells her plainly: 'I have opened my heart as a living fountain of mercy Let all souls draw life from it.' While simplicity may not be the Pope's own writing style, he is convinced that God sometimes speaks to the world through simple and uneducated people. St Faustina's followers now call Pope John Paul 'the Mercy Pope,' and his support of the mystic nun goes back many years. As archbishop of Krakow, however, he sometimes had to temper the enthusiasm of her religious order, the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy who wanted
him to fight the Vatican ban on Faustina's writings and get her sainthood cause rolling. Then-Archbishop Wojtyla did open the diocesan sainthood process and wrapped it up quickly, depositing the documentation at the Vatican in 1967. He figured the Vatican would be more open to dropping its ban on her writings once it had studied the beatification material. At the same time, he cautioned his own priests against celebrating weekly Mass at the 'altar of Mercy' lest this be seen as promoting her cult 'We are presently treading as if on glass,' he said of his delicate efforts to deal with the Vatican on the issue, according to Father
Boniecki's biography. The Vatican's attitude was dictated in part by the church's longstanding suspicion of private revelations. 'The church has always taught that revelation ended with the Apostles. For that reason, it has been deeply concerned not to give official credit to these presumed private revelations,' said Father Gianfranco Girotti, who worked at the Vatican's doctrinal congregation when the ban was in force. In the case of St Faustina, the imperative tone of some of the writings was also a factor. There was a 'categorical' style to the diary entries that only added to the Vatican's caution, Father Girotti said. Interspersed among the pages of the diary are warnings from Christ about dire consequences unless the mercy devotions are practiced and an annual Divine Mercy Sunday is established. 'I am giving them the last hope of salvation: that is, the feast of my mercy. If they will not adore my mercy, they will perish for all eternity.' one entry reads. Part of that directive was fulfilled in 2000, when the Pope proclaimed the second Sunday of Easter as Mercy Sunday throughout the world. St Faustina wrote that she had witnessed a vision of Jesus, one hand raised in benediction and the other resting on his breast. from which emanated two rays of light. She said Christ demanded to have this image painted and venerated. The image is now found in many churches around the world, including the Church of the Holy Spirit near the Vatican. The pope visited that church and blessed the painting in 1995. Some of St Faustina's reported spiritual gifts set her apart from the Catholic mainstream. According to a Vatican biographical note, in addition to revelations and visions they included hidden stigmata, bilocation, the reading of human souls and prophecy.
AMBIKAPUR, India (CNS) -Principals of some Catholic schools in eastern India were served contempt of court notices for closing their schools to show solidarity with a nun jailed for violating conversion laws. Father Xavier Ekka, education director of Ambikapur Diocese in Chhattisgarh state. said the principals appeared in court on August 3 to face the charge, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Father Ekka said church authorities closed the schools in solidarity with Ursuline Sister Bridhi Ekka, who was jailed on July 18 after the Ambikapur court dismissed her appeal against a conviction in a conversion-related case. The principals were cited for contempt by the same judge who upheld a 1996 court decision to punish Sister Ekka and a Belgian Jesuit missionary for not informing the district magistrate about the 1988 conversion of some tribal families to Christianity in Maheshpur village. The Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act of 1968 stipulates that those officiating in conversion directly or indirectly should inform the magistrate, the district's highest government official, within seven days of the ceremony. Sister Ekka and Father Louis Berge were each sentenced to six months in jail and a S13 fine. They appealed the conviction, but the priest died in 2000 at the age of 92. The nun spent a week in jail before being released on bail on July 24. Father Ekka wrote to the district educational officer in Ambikapur on July 19 that the nun was jailed 'unjustly.' Bishop Patras Minj of Ambikapur said the principals 'did not intend to condemn the court,' but only wanted to show solidarity with the nun. Sister Ekka describes her sentence as 'unjust,' saying the judge refused her lawyers' plea for bail.
Study findings can help improve seminary formation programs By Jerry Filteau WASHING1UN (CNS) -- Experts said the findings in a new study of recently ordained priests and ex-priests can help church officials improve seminary formation and their programs for transition after ordination. The study's author, sociologist Dean R Hoge of The Catholic University of America, said an unexpected finding in the study was the frankness with which recently ordained priests discussed homosexuality as an issue. Hoge's new book, The First Five Years of the Priesthood, was published in July by Liturgical Press in Collegeville, Minnesota. Reporting on in-depth personal interviews with 26 of the men surveyed. Hoge said one of the major concerns expressed by priests and ex-priests alike was a need in seminaries for "more open discussion of sexuality in general and of topics such as celibacy and
homosexuality in particular. Our "What emerged from the study, study was suffused with talk as I read it, is alarming evidence about celibacy loneliness, desire of the too numerous ways in for intimacy and homosexuality - which stress that is preventable is - more so than we expected,' Hoge being encountered by priests wrote. "Much of this is not new, today," said Jesuit Father James but the frank talk about homo- Gill, a psychiatrist often consulted sexuality is something new.... This by dioceses and religious orders, whole question cries out for more in one of the commentaries in the openness and more research.' book Hoge's research, carried out in Father Stephen Rossetti, head of 2000, also revealed a wide range St Luke's Institute, which treats of concerns affecting priests in the priests with problems, said, 'It first years after ordination, includ- appears that our young priests are ing loneliness in priestly life, placed in situations of great stress unrealistic expectations from with few personal supports. ... parishioners, overwork, difficulty Most of those priests who left the with celibacy and dissatisfaction active priesthood often they felt with living arrangements and lonely, isolated and unappreciated." with first assignments. He described the priesthood as Those who left within the first few years of ordination were more 'radically communitarian' and likely to express difficulty or dis- said it is important in seminary satisfaction in those areas than formation to foster an ability to those who remained priests, espe- build relationships. Franciscan Sister Katarina cially in the areas of loneliness and celibacy. Schuth, author of a major study of
US seminaries, said the Hoge study revealed several needs in the area of linking parish experience and seminary formation more closely. She noted that one of the findings was the importance of a recent religious experience or spiritual awakening as a factor precipitating the vocational call of many recently ordained priests. 'These data suggest that the majority of programs meet the needs of seminarians, but some do not. The present study is unable to discern whether it was an inadequate program or an unreceptive student that was responsible for the unsatisfactory results,' she said. Brother Loughlan Sofield, a Missionary Servant of the Most Holy Trinity and author of several books on collaborative ministry, said, 'One of the characteristics of good ministry is that it is relational. ... The priests described in
this study do not generally appear to be men who possess a great capacity for relationships.' 'The priests depicted in this study are prime candidates for burnout,' he said. Hoge reported the main findings of the study last year at the national meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. For the study, commissioned by the National Federation of Priests' Councils and funded by a clergy research grant from the Lilly Endowment, Hoge obtained survey responses from more than 500 still-active diocesan and religious priests ordained between 1995 and 1999. Because of difficulty locating priests who had left active ministry, that portion of the study was extended to those ordained since 1992. Of more than 200 names provided, the researchers were able to contact only 81, and 72 of those responded to the survey. Page 13
15 August, 2002
Record Reviews
Record III
The code they couldn't break by Anne Navarro
D
irector John Woo, known in the United States for his finely choreographed action films, ventures into the realm of period epics with 'Windtalkers' (MGM). However, he ends up with a monotonous, bloody World War II drama that fails to move the viewer despite the story's historical relevance. Inspired by true events, the film tells the story of how several hundred Navajos were recruited by the United States to be Marines. They were trained to use a secret military code based on their native language which, it was hoped, would foil the Japanese. Up to that point, the Japanese had continually broken encrypted military transmissions. These Marines were referred to as 'code talkers' and their code, which the Japanese never figured out, is considered to have been key in winning the war. Writers John Rice and Joe Batteer personalise the story by setting it during the 1943 Battle of Saipan. Marines Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) and Ox Anderson (Christian Slater) are assigned to protect code talkers Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach) and Charlie Whitehorse (Roger Willie). Their orders are clear: protect the code talkers, but protect the code at all costs.
This means that Enders and Anderson must be prepared to kill the Navajos if their capture is imminent. The premise has great promise, but unfortunately, its potential is never tapped. Instead, ultrabloody battle scenes are punctuated by dry storytelling that doesn't flesh out in a compelling manner the moral quandary faced by the protecting Marines. Nor does the narrative convey the clash of cultures between the American Marines and their Navajo counterparts in any meaningful way. And when the audience is not being bombarded with cacophonous explosions and gunfire loud enough to shatter the eardrums, the film is laden with cliches backed by swelling music. The narrative unfolds the parallel stories of Cage's Enders, who loses everyone in his squad during a battle in the Solomon Photo CNS MGM Pctutes Islands, and that of Yahzee, who Nicholas Cage and Adam Beach star in a scene from the movie "Windtalkers." has left his wife and young son Enders is supposed to be a comYet in the end the film shows a been included in a story such as back in Arizona to train as a plex man reluctant to form bonds change in his attitude, which this. Woo has been quoted as sayMarine. after the losses he has suffered some might consider late in the ing that, with this film, he wanted When the two finally meet, there but still determined to serve his game while others would consid- to send a message that war has to Is, predictably, no instant connec- country to the utmost of his abil- er it a saving grace. be stopped. tion. ity. 'Windtalkers' does not do jusDue to much graphic war vioThe brooding Enders has It is unclear whether it was the tice to the real life events. lence with sporadic rough lanretreated into his own world with bloodshed he saw at the Solomon It is a constant tug between the guage and profanity. the US the faces and screams of his dying Islands or previous events that battle scenes and the develop- Conference of Catholic Bishops platoon members constantly run- have made him renounce his ment of the slim narrative, which classification is AIV - adults, with ning through his head. faith. doesn't capture all that could have reservations. - CNS
Convincing portrayal of God's power Finding God in Unexpected Places, By Phillip Yancey (Hodder) $20.95 Reviewed by George Russo
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like a writer who allows himself to explore and explain how he finds God and His purposes in most unexpected places. How convincingly he has portrayed the presence and power of God through an unusual, yet very simple method. The American writer, journalist, and popular lecturer Phillip Yancey is just such a writer. I am also impressed by his skill in recounting a series of complex events, and relating their spiritual significance. And he records them from all over the world, with accuracy, Illustrating their momentous importance. He can, for instance, tell the story of the way prisoners were treated in the horrific gaols of Peru and Chile, and how impressed he was with the simple faith of many of the inmates in spite of inhuman conditions. And, how inexplicable he found such events as the fall of the Berlin Wall and the all-powerful Communist regime in Russia. Here is how he describes the fall of the Berlin Wall: 'Like a windstorm of pure air driving out pollution, the peaceful revolution spread across the globe. In 1989 alone ten nations comprising more than half a billion people _ Poland, East Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Yugoslavia, Mongolia, the Soviet Union - experienced non-violent revolutions.' And, here is his comment about the media coverage: 'We watched as the walls of totalitarianism came crashing down. But in the rush to cover the cataclysmic events, the story behind the story was overlooked. We Page 14
PHILIP Yi c FINDING GOD IN UNEXPECTED PLACES
trained our cameras on hundreds of thousands of people praying for freedom, votive candles in hand, and yet we missed the transcendent dimension, the explicitly spiritual and religious character of the story. We looked
right at it and could not see it." By nature, this, he felt, was journalism. The journalist speaks primarily of events, and his characters are revealed by statements and inferences.
w eb review
He comes at his characters by Carole McMillen mainly from the outside. On the other hand, the novelist has far greater freedom and can come at his characters from the Inside, even to the point of presenting streams of consciousness. And, when Yancey deals with his characters, it seems to me that he deals with their souls - he deals with them from 'within.' He is the consummate religious writer. But, Yancey is not primarily a novelist. He is an evangelical Protestant, whose works have won awards, www.theholyrosary.org/ and been sold throughout the world. any of us have seen They have been most influenRosary beads, they tial. Such titles, as 'What is so come in all shapes, Amazing About Grace?' have won colours and various sizes. him international renown. What is their significance, Many of his books are about his what do they represent, why own spiritual pilgrimage, yet they are they important and what are able to convey the impact of history do they hold? that pilgrimage upon others. Praying the rosary is a way of He has travelled to such places life for many Catholics devoted as Russia, China, South America to their faith. amid Muslims and strange creeds, This site contains the history undaunted about his own beliefs. the prayers and a documented And he is able to write about them list of the benefits of praying with interest and lucidity. the Rosary. He has won an audience on his Whilst other sites seem to own terms. complicate the Rosary and He shows that God is not only what it stands for with jargon, found in churches and cathedrals this site is straight forward and - or even in supernatural experieasy to read. ences - but can also be found in The gallery contains artwork such places as oppressive prisons of Our Lady and Lord Jesus, all like in South America and China. of which are able to be downHe also shows the beauty, love loaded. and power of God that are availIf you would like to keep a able for those who would only hard copy of this site permisseek Him. sion has been given to downHe encourages us to look load it and also for its beyond appearances and look for distribution (not many sites the grace of God in the world offer this). All visitors are given around us. the opportunity to leave a comYancey probes such authorities ment, and read through those as Chesterton, C S Lewis, Dostocomments left by others. evsky, Gandhi, Tolstoy and John A pleasant site with thorough Donne in his search for truth. And information that both adults he portrays God in a truly ecuand young children interested menical way. It is obvious that in exploring the Rosary further such books - and there are many will find easy to navigate - can only benefit readers spiri- k amund. tually. \.... } • Ay A me, PA. sns a I.',angl.ift ,.41.• I lir rA Lak ahls 1.11, A pot Fl.eet
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Official Engagements
Record, EYE OCATCHER
AUGUST 16
Blessing and opening of extensions, Canning Vale Primary School - Bishop Sproxton
17/18 Confirmation, Yangebup - Mgr Thomas McDonald 18
World Youth Day 'Welcome Home' Mass, Bateman Archbishop Hickey Mass, Procession and Benediction for Feast of the A ssumption, Mundaring - Bishop Sproxton
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HERBALIFE PRODUCTS
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Visit Confirmation candidates, Bassendean Bishop Sproxton
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Confirmation, Cloverdale - Archbishop Hickey
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Confirmation, Bassendean - Bishop Sproxton Confirmation, lnnaloo - Fr Greg Carroll 25-30 Clergy Retreat - Archbishop Hickey 27
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Archdiocesan Panorama GOOD SHEPHERD REVIVAL RALLY Good Shepherd parish Revival Rally Sunday 18th August 2002 from 2 - 4.30pm at Good Shepherd Catholic Church Cnr Morley Dye & Altone Rd, K iara. Speaker Eddie Russell (fmi). Rally will conclude with fellowship. Inquiries Colleen 9377 5133 or Shirley 9279 9165. Everyone Welcome. THE QUEENSHIP OF MARY August 22, St Mary's Cathedral. Victoria Square. Perth. On this special feast of Our Lady. we are offering a Novena of Masses for the Holy Father and his intentions. There are nine Holy Masses to choose from: 7am, 9am. 11am, 12.10pm. 1.10pm (Latin), 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm. C ATHOLICS AND POLITICS What are our responsibilities in this regard? Hear Mr Phil Pendal, independent member for South Perth, on Sun 18 Aug at 7:30 PM. Switch on to "The Layman's Hour - with Raymond and Theresa de Souza (Radio Fremantle 107.9 FM - the top of the FM band). ring 9494 2100 and ask your question, make your comment on the issues you consider to be important for family and nation. CHILDREN'S CATECHISM ON AIR! How well do your children - and you, too - know the Bible and the Catholic Catechism? Parents, children in Catholic schools and R.E. teachers are cordially invited to put their knowledge to the test. Radio Fremantle (107.9 FM every Sunday at 730pm after the family Rosary). MOTHERS' PRAYERS MASS Wednesday September 11, 1pm at Our Lady of Fatima, 8 Foss St, Palmyra. For all mothers and grandmothers coming together to pray for their children. Fathers, grandfathers welcome. Enjoy fellowship following the Mass over a cup of tea or coffee. Information: Veronica Peake 9447 0671.
sometimes empty? (Ignatian Spirituality, talk 2). Presenter: Murray Graham (lnigo Centre director) 11am-1pm. Saturday August 24 (cost: donation for 'nig() Centre). Talks are held at the Multipurpose Room. John XXIII College. Mt Claremont. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS BUILDING COMMUNITIES Community forum to be held to discuss Spirituality/Intellectual Disability. Is there a place in our Church? Saturday August 24, 9am-2pm, Warwick Leisure Centre. cnr Warwick and Wanneroo Rds. Warwick. RSVP 9275 5388. FEAST OF OUR LADY MARIA SANTISSIMA DEL TINDARI The celebrations will begin with a Triduum. which will be preached by Father Carlo Bertolini OME. from Thursday Sept 5 to Sunday Sept 7 in the Basilica Saint Patrick Fremantle at 7.45pm. The concelebrated Solemn Mass will be held on Sunday, September 8 at 9.45am. Principal celebrant: Fr Carlo Bertolini. The procession starts at 2pm. ISSUES FACING CATHOLICS LIVING IN TODAY'S SOCIETY A series of talks from September 9-13. 7-9pm, St Joseph Pignatelli Parish. 35 Davidson Rd, Attadale. Monday Sept 9. Therese Temby - Director of Catholic Education - Catholic Schools Meeting the Challenges of Today's Society. Tuesday Sept 10: Archbishop Barry J Hickey - The Family. Wednesday Sept 11: Fr Walter Black Director, LJ Goody bioethics Centre - Moral Issues. Thursday Sept 12: Fr Paul Baczynski Director, Crossroads Community - Youth. Friday Sept 13: Gerry O'Neil - director of Spirituality. Aquinas College - Building Parish Community. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Friday night will end with a supper, please bring a plate. Inquiries: Fr Geoff Beyer Ph: 9330 3727.
ALLIANCE AND TRIUMPH OF THE TWO HEARTS
GOD'S FARM BUS PILGRIMAGE
All night Eucharistic Adoration. Nine consecutive First Fridays of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary commences on Friday September 6 at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Girrawheen. Confessions from 8pm. Holy Mass at 9pm. Each vigil concludes on Saturday morning with Holy Mass at 7.15am Celebrants: Fr Hugh Thomas and Fr Oliver Ryan. Inquiries: 9342 5845. Candlelight Rosary and Eucharistic procession will follow the 9pm Mass in September and January. PADRE PIO DAY St Mary's Cathedral, Saturday September 21. 7.30am Exposition, 11am Mass, 12noon close.
A springtime Pilgrimage to God's Farm, for a weekend retreat, will be led by Father Pierangelo Repuyan. He will speak on the inspiration of St John the Evangelist, celebrate Holy Mass daily. the prayers of the Church. Bus leaves Perth 2.30pm on Friday Sept 6 and returns Sunday Sept 8 arriving in Perth at 6pm. God's Farm Gracewood, PO Box 24 Cowaramup, 6284. Donation S80. Bus fare S50. Details, reservations Betty Peaker, God's Farm Phone/Fax 9755 6212.
HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS For men and women discerning a call to priesthood or Consecrated Life. St John's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Ave, Perth. Thurdsay September 5, 7.30-8.30pm. Inquiries: Fr Doug Harris 9223 1350. TALKS AT JOHN XXIII COLLEGE Parenting: Understanding my child's emotions for better communication. Presenter: Lin Young (Psychotherapist) 7.30-9.30pm Tuesday August 20. Cost S5. Pay on entry. Why is my spiritual well
CROSS ROADS COMMUNITY Conducts on the first Monday of the month a Healing Mass at 7pm at East Fremantle Church. On the second Monday of the month, there is a Healing Mass at 10am at Spearwood Church. On the third Monday of the month, there is a healing Mass at 7pm at Innaloo Church. At Cross Roads C ommunity, there is a Support Group for Families & Friends of substance abusers on Wednesday, 7-8.30pm and on Friday, 2-3.30pm Support and Growth Group for substance abusers. Each Friday there is Holy Mass at 7.30pm followed by fraternity, prayer.Guest speakers on occasion. All are welcome. Queries:Cross Roads Community 9319 8344, www.crossroadscommunity.com.au
Page 15
Young girls dance before a Mass at St Raphael Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, on July 31 in celebration of newly declared St Juan Diego. He was pronounced a saint at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City during a Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II.
The messenger becomes a saint in a jubilant celebration that countries of the Americas and mixed native and European tra- said the church supports their aying tribute to Latin ditions. An Indian wearing the legitimate social aspirations and America's deepest popu- plumed "penacho" headdress efforts to protect their traditional lar devotion, Pope John blew a conch shell, a symphony ethnic values. Paul II canonised Juan Diego, the orchestra played, and dancers "In praising the Indian Juan Mexican peasant whose visions clad in feathered costumes that Diego, I want to express to all of of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 recalled the new saint's Aztec you the closeness of the church fuelled conversions among the ancestry shook rattles down the and the Pope, embracing you native peoples of the New World. main aisle. When St. Juan Diego's with love and encouraging you to The Pope, labouring through a picture was carried to the altar, overcome with hope the difficult lengthy Mass in Mexico City on the circular basilica was filled times you are going through," he July 31, said he was proud to pro- with incense from below and said. The Pope looked tired claim the first indigenous saint of showered in confetti from above. throughout the Mass. As he sat the Americas. a "simple, humble Lucia Romero, 40, of Sonora. slumped in a chair on the altar, Indian" who found faith by con- said the canonisation would his head at times slipped down templating the face of Mary. encourage indigenous people. on his chest, his gold mitre almost By accepting Christianity with"I feel something inside me, in his lap. He was on the last leg out giving up his Indian identity, very big. Now with Juan Diego a of an 11-day journey that also the saint became a catalyst for saint, we are going to feel more took him to Toronto for World Christian evangelisation in the confident. Indigenous people Youth Day and to Guatemala, region, the Pope said during a always feel less, and this is going where he canonised a 17th-cenvibrant liturgy in the Basilica of to encourage us," she said. tury missionary who worked Our Lady of Guadalupe. In his homily, Pope John Paul among the poor. In Mexico, he As the Pope read the canonisa- spoke about the Indians' precar- received the most exuberant weltion decree, the church erupted ious position in Mexico and other come of his trip, as 2 million people lined the streets and chanted their love for the 82year-old pontiff. Professing his "deep respect and admiration" for Mexico's indigePath to Sainthood nous peoples, the Pope carefully explained why the 1474 ca. Born in Cuauhtitlan, just north of what is now Mexico City. church sees in St. Juan Diego 1525 ca. Baptized with his wife. a model of the Gospel's inter1529 His wife dies after illness. action with local cultures. He recalled the essential 1531 Receives visions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, this representation of the saint's story: elements of Mary miraculously appears on his tilma -- or mantle his visions of Mary in 1531 1532-33 Small church is built at site of the visions. The time is kept and his unsuccessful efforts there and Juan Diego lives in attached room to convince local church authorities of the apparitions 1548 Juan Diego dies May 30 at about age 74 - until he unfurled a cloak 1666 Bishop of Puebla opens process to recognize the full of out-of-season roses to apparitions of the Virgin of Guadalupe. the local bishop. The peasant's cloak or 1667 Vatican receives the petition but does not act. "tilma," which hangs in a 1754 Benedict XIV accepts the petitions of church and glass case in the basilica, civil authorities and declares the Virgin of Guadalupe bore an image of a darkpatroness of New Spain (Mexico). skinned Mary, an image now 1910 She is declared patroness of Latin American byA,us X recognised around the world. The Pope said the 1945 Declared patroness of the Americas by Pius XII. \ "mestizo" or mixed-blood 1974 Mexican Catholics begin to discuss the possibility o izing features of the miraculous Juan Diego as a model Christian laypersok„,:1 4/ likeness expressed Mary's 1979 spiritual motherhood for all Pope John Paul ll visits Mexico, recalls the vistonarst and Mexicans. The "Guadalupe repeatedly requests devotion to Our Lady of Guadat event" gave evangelisation in 1981 Mexican bishops appeal to the pope to make him a saint , Latin America a new vitality 1982-86 Mexican bishops gather and submit to the Vatican th9Mtgsary and offers an important mishistorical documents. sionary lesson for the whole 1140' church, he said. 1986 Congregation for Saints Causes approves the work. The canonisation was not 1990 John Paul II formally recognizes the cult of Juan Diego without controversy. Some declares him blessed. church experts, including 4 2002 He is declared a saint July 31 by John Paul II at the U.blifillto three Mexican priests and the retired abbot of the Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Guadalupe basilica, maintained there is no proof of Sources El Encuentro de la Virden de Guadalupe y Juan Diego," 2002 Catholic Almanac, CNS. 2131:17 043 Graphics By John Thavis
p
Juan Die
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Indigenous Mexican dancers perform at the Mass of canonisation for Juan Diego at Mexico City's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe on July 31. Juan Diego's historical existence bile through the streets of the city and warned that declaring him a of 18 minion people. Mexicans saint would harm the church's have always professed a special credibility. affection for the Polish-born But the Vatican established a Pope, and it was visible and audispecial commission of historians, ble along the motorcade route, which concluded in 1998 that which turned into a flag-waving fiesta. Juan Diego had indeed existed. The Pope did not refer to the The Pope sat on an elevated dispute, but he said in his ser- chair holding onto a support bar, mon that simple people have waving occasionally as flowers always considered Juan Diego a rained down on the hood of the saint, proof of the biblical teach- vehicle. Traffic was tied up and ing that God is "glorified by the the workday interrupted humble." throughout much of the sprawlHe quoted the words of Jesus in ing metropolis, as residents stood the Gospel, saying that God has for hours to catch a glimpse of hidden some truths from "the the pontiff. As he reached the wise and the learned" and basilica on Tepeyac Hill, the site revealed them to the childlike. of the saint's Marian apparitions, The Pope began Mexico's "Juan the crowd burst into chants of Diego Day" with an hour-long "Viva el Papa! Viva Juan Diego!" ride in his glass-walled PopemoContinued - Page 11