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World media zooms In on weeping statue

Rockingham - everyone from the BBC to small Aftican papers is running the story Ihe Thousands turn out to see the statue • What the Archbishop said • What theologians make of it all

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12 September, 2002

No. 3327

The Record, established in 1874, is distributed to Catholic Churches, presbyteries, religious houses and subscribers throughout the Archdiocese of Perth, Geraldton, Bunbury, Broome and overseas.

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Re'cord 1111

Tests show not a hoax ed them and they had treated the story fairly in their news bulletin. Patty did not receive any money Statue Weeping for the story, but the tests were paid for by Channel Seven, which then had exclusive rights to air By Bronwen Clune and Neil Smith the test results. Patty told The Record, prior to Preliminary test results conduct- the conclusive test results being ed by Channel Seven on the Stat- made available to her that she was ue of Our Lady of Lourdes that confident the tests would prove appears to be weeping, have that no trickery was involved and shown that there is no obvious hoped this would allay some scientific explanation for the phe- sceptics. "For me in my heart there nomenon. is no need The execufor the tests tive producto be done," At the time The Record er of Today she said. Tonight prowent to print on Wednesknow "I gram on what I see, day the final results were Channel maybe Seven, Mario not known but the tests did but this will help D'Orazio, not indicate any attempt at some scepsaid univertics and fraud or hoax. sity tests prove to peoshowed the ple who have oil to be an doubts that olive oil with a jasmine. scent. this is not a fraud." He said Curtin University had She said she decided to do the taken X-rays, and the material in tests because she wanted people the statue was found to be fibre- to know that she had nothing to glass. Internally the material was hide and to put to rest all the porous, but externally it appeared rumours that have been circulatto be sealed. ing about the cause of the weepAt the time The Record went to ing. People who have touched the print on Wednesday the final oil or taken samples of it claim results were not known but the that it dissolves very quickly on tests did not indicate any attempt the skin and leaves no grease or at fraud or hoax. Today Tonight residue. was due to air the story on ThursPatty said she was very disapday night. pointed when Channel 10 ran a Patty Powell, the owner of the story on liresday night claiming statue, agreed to let Channel that tests done on the statue had Seven X-ray the statue and have a shown there was a vat behind the chemical analysis done of the oil- eyes of the statue, which was like substance the statue appears slowly releasing the oil. to be weeping. The tests were The report claimed that the vat being conducted at Curtin and had been put there by the statue's Murdoch Universities. Patty said maker to release the oil at a later the tests of the oil-like substance date. were done with the knowledge of Channel 10 quoted Murdoch the Archbishop. University radio station as the She agreed to the tests with source of the claims. They conChannel Seven because she trust- tacted Patty's house and were told

Phenomenon

COMMENT by Bronwen Clune The story of the weeping ing that the statue was not a statue of Our Lady of Lour- trick des in Rockingham has But there were also two struck a chord with many other stories that had rated people in the community. highly. The first was on a new There have been wide 'revolutionary' pregnancy reports of people coming patch. back to the Church as a result Despite its name the patch of having visited the statue. is actually about preventing Whether the statue proves to pregnancy and was touted as be a miracle or not is yet to 'the biggest family planning be decided by the Church, revolution since the pill.' but if one is looking for reaAnother story was on the sons as to why the Madonna fine given to a Chinese coumight be crying you don't ple for having a third child. have to look far. Local family planning The West Australian ran the a uthorities got wind of the story about the weeping Madonna in their Saturday birth and fined the man the paper after seeing it in The maximum amount sancRecord. The story ran on tioned by law. ($93,660). On Wednesday another page 5 under another story story appeared on the news that argued the case for further embryonic stem cell site among those of Our Lady. This time a Belgian doctor research. The irony could not was allowing couples to be lost. The story about the Rock- choose the sex of their chilingham statue has also dren for 6,300 euros. These assaults on the sancreceived a lot of national and tity of human life are enough International press. On the news site to make earthly mothers www.news.com.au there is a weep. section on popular stories. Mary, the Mother of God, On Tuesday the story of Our has told us, through other Lady was the most popular visions, that these things with the Archbishop claim- cause her great sorrow.

The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes shown weeping tears of an oil-like substance. The statue has grabbed media attention around the world.

that it was not true, but they ran In God and a strong family and the story anyway. friend base to help me through She says at the time the test whatever is dished up," she said. results were not known and there "Despite the Channel Ten story was apparently no basis to the I have a strong inner peace, I claims, other than some students know the truth andIbelieve in it." at Murdoch University were overShe said none of the theories heard casting doubt on the phe- put forward to her about why the nomenon. The scientist statue was weeping made any conducting the tests said that he sense. had no idea where the story came "Even the story about the vat from. ABC Radio also picked up behind the eyes can't explain the the false story and aired it. "Even fact that Our Lady has wept on with what was said on Channel Important days such as the Feast Ten I know in my heart what is of St Joseph and over Easter," she correct and I have a strong faith said.

International media hone in on Rockingham By Bronwen Clune The story about the weeping statue of Our Lady Of Lourdes, first reported by The Record last Thursday, September 5, has attracted strong international media attention. The story has been reported as far afield as Africa and Europe. Patty Powell, the statue's owner, has been inundated with media requests for interviews since the story broke. She has spoken to reporters from the BBC, done a radio interview with a South African radio station as well as fielded questions from Spanish and American news associations. The Record has also been widely quoted among international media organisations. The story made it on to the front page of a major Thai paper, as the statue was bought in Thailand eight years ago. Local media have also shown a great interest in the story, with the ABC, Channel 7 and Channel 9 giving it headline coverage. When the story was opened up to listeners on radio 6PR the switchboard was jammed. Patty said that some local journalists were visibly moved by the sight of the weeping statue, and overall they had reported the story in a positive way. She said there would always be sceptics out there and no matter what was proven to them they would always find a reason not to believe.

In the mean time she was looking forward to the limelight being directed away from her. "It's hard for the secular media to understand that the story in not about me, but about the statue of Our lady Weeping and why this is all happening."

Photo F fop M

A woman sets up a camera at Rockingham parish to cover the story.

12 September, 2002

111 Rikord

'Biggest congregations yet' the other man was his brother from eastern Australia. Congregations that have flocked to The man said his brother had been the Our Lady of Lourdes Church at a priest and left the Church when he Rockingham to view the Weeping became disenchanted - but that the Madonna statue are the biggest the statue had inspired him to return. parish priest has seen there. Fr Walsh also said there had been Father Finbarr Walsh said he had some problems with members of the been parish priest at Rockingham for congregation parking in the street and 26 years and had seen blocking the access of nothing like the size of neighbouring resithe congregation that Fr Walsh said he dents to their drivegathered there last Sunhad seen nothing ways and homes. day. One neighbour had He had heard one esti- like the turnout mounted a campaign mate of 3000 for last Sunagainst the church a day, but only about 200 to few years ago when 300 had attended the the local council deeded a former park church in the two previous weekends to the Catholic school. when the statue was displayed. Fr Walsh said he was considering He had seen a number of people in asking the police for traffic wardens wheelchairs and crutches, and many for future weekends to help control with terminal illnesses, who had traffic which at one stage banked up attended seeking a miracle cure. for 300m while trying to gain access However, he had not seen a couple to the parking area in the church who told media they were seeking a grounds. cure to drug addiction. There has also been an appeal by One wondrous thing had happened Church authorities for people wantihowever, Fr Walsh said. ng samples of oil to be considerate. He had noticed two couples, one of Only a small amount of oil is availwhich he recognised as regular mem- able. bers of his congregation, sitting among Last weekend some people wanted other worshippers. Later the man he to take larger samples, and some recognised approached him and said became abusive when prevented. By Neil Smith

Theologian calls for caution By Bronwen Chme People should be treating the occurrence of the weeping statue in Rockingham with great caution, says Dean of Theology at Notre Dame University Father Brian Boyle MSC. Fr Boyle said it was his opinion that the statue's weeping could be explained by any number of reasons, and often this was the case when it came to these things. He said it has even been plausibly suggested that this may be caused by pollution in Rockingham. "Even if there is no natural explanation for this happening it does not mean that this is a supernatural phenomenon: Fr Boyle said. He said the Catholic Church was often the biggest sceptic when it came to validating these sorts of events, but it did accept that some of these phenomena were genuine. An example, he said, was the recent canonisation of Padre Pio who was stigmatist and also made claim to bilocation. "Obviously by the Church canonising Padre Pio It is accepting that he had stigmata and that this was a supernatural occurrence," he said. "But people should be careful that they treat these claims with caution until such time as they are properly investigated. "For myself Iknow that I don't have to see these things in order to affirm my own beliefs: Fr Boyle said one of the ways the Church assessed whether these phenomena where genuine or not was to gauge the affect they had on the faithful and whether people were returning to the Church. Another was to investigate any alleged miracles that may have occurred. He said the Church also assessed whether the message being passed on is consistent with other validated messages from Our Lady. "In Lourdes and Fatima, which have been verified by the Church, the message of Mary was one of repentance and prayer," Fr Boyle said. "There has to be a consistent message that is being told to us by Our Lady" He said it was not a requirement that people believe that a miracle is happening in Rockingham. "It is not a matter of questioning one's faith If you choose not to believe that a miracle is happening," he said. "People also need to ask themselves why they want to believe in it because naturally we are drawn to the idea of a weeping statue or a bleeding stigmatist. "If these things are proved to be authentic maybe then we can reassess the situation. "There are so many claims like this being made you get to wonder which are authentic:

Crowds gather at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish last Sunday. An estimated 3,000 people turned up to see the ,noto EL)ger• Maces statue weep tears of what witnesses have described as a fragrant oil-like substance.

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12 September, 2002

No early inquiry about weeping statue

Archbishop Barry Hickey

Ac rchhishop Barry Hickey has ruled out an early hurch inquiry into the weeping statue at Rockingham and has said it is possible there may never be an inquiry. "The Church takes a patient view of phenomena such as this and, provided there are no negative effects, the Church lets them take their course," he told the secular media in a number of interviews. "I have satisfied myself there is no trickery involved. These are good people and there is no question of fraud in my mind. "On the other hand, I have not said it is a miracle because I do not know. "I cannot see any natural explanation for the phenomenon, but that does not mean there might not be one. "The Church's experience is that God and His Blessed Mother use many occasions to call people back to what He has revealed about Himself through Jesus. These may include supernatural events, natural events, and organised events such as World Youth Day and a variety of religious festivals. "The heart of the matter is the call from God to the human heart, not the circumstances in which it occurs. "I went to see this statue with some misgivings and scepticism, but frankly I must say I was very impressed. "I am also aware that even before Ibecame involved, many people were experiencing true spiritual effects, causing them to return to God. "For these reasons,I approved the story being made public in The Record. "Now we will just let matters take their course. I am likely to consider an inquiry only if the statue becomes a major event with many miracles and claims made in relation to it. The sceptics and other pundits who do not believe in miracles or even in God Himself will never be satisfied by any amount of testing because they have no faith. "People of faith know that the divine and the human intertwine in many ways and that miracles occur frequently. "People are entitled to visit the statue and pray if they wish to because it is an expression of their faith in the involvement of Jesus and Mary in their lives. Nobody is being exploited and I can assure the general public that nobody will be exploited in this matter." Page 4

Re'cord

Money goes to slums By Bronwen Clune The owner of the statue of Our Lady Of Lourdes in Rockingham, which is apparently weeping tears of an oil-like substance, said she would like to make it clear that money was not being collected by her, as was being reported in some media. Patty Powell said that when people came to the Rockingham Parish last week many of them left donations, but this was not asked for. Any money that was donated to the parish was being sent to Sister Joan in Thailand, a Presentation nun who works in the slums of Bangkok. It was through Patty's connection with another Presentation nun, Sister Monica that she came to meet Sister Joan and also

led to her acquiring the statue. Since attending Stella Mans College in Geraldton as a child she had been good friends with Sister Monica who had been one of her teachers. Sister Monica went to Thailand to work and from there she contacted Patty with the idea of arranging an English exchange program with students and seminarians from Ratchaburi, Thailand. Patty then visited Thailand some years later to catch up with the people she had met through the program, including Father Silvio who directed her to the shop where she bought the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. On that trip to Thailand she also went to meet Sister Joan who was working in the slums and had been inspired by the work she was doing there.

Patty Powell holds the statue which has drawn thousands to Rockingham.

The tears of Syracuse moved even popes By Bronwen Clune One of the Church's most recently approved apparitions of Mary is the Weeping Madonna of Syracuse in Italy, which occurred and was proven miraculous nearly 50 years ago. The statue only wept for four days from August 29 to September 1, 1953 and was officially recognised as genuine by the bishops of Sicily three months later after a thorough investigation. The story goes that the statue was given to a young couple Antonina and Angelo Iannuso as a wedding gift and the couple, who said they were neglectful Christians at the time, hung it above their bed without much reverence. Some months later, when Antonina was expecting a child a miracle occurred. Antonina was ill with toxaemia due to the pregnancy which caused her to have convulsions and left her partially blind. But she woke on the morning of August 29 and found that she could see and was immediately drawn to the statue of Mary which she noticed was weeping. At first her family thought it was an hallucination brought on by her illness, but on closer inspection they also saw tears welling in Mary's eyes. Neighbours were called who also confirmed the tears. Large crowds gathered to see the statue, which continued to weep on and off for the next few days until September 1.

The investigation News of the weeping statue spread quickly and three priests came to visit the home to see it. One of whom notified the chancery. A group of clergy, four from a scientific background and three as reputable witnesses, formed an investigating committee, which collected samples of tears for analysis and examined the finish and surface of the statue. They

0Lady of Tears, look with motherly goodness on the sorrow of the world! Dry the tear of the suffering, of the forgotten, of the desperate and of the victims of every violence. Make everyone weep tears of repentance and of new life, which will open their hearts to the generating gift of God's love. Make them weep tears of joy f or having seen the profound tenderness of your heart. Amen.

air-acour

- prayer composed by Pope John Paul II to the weeping Madonna of Syracuse The weeping Madonna of Syracuse which was approved by Sicily's bishops and supported by Pope Pius XII who asked in a radio broadcast "Will men understand the mysterious language of those tears?"

concluded that the statue had not been tampered with and that the tears were only forming in the eyes of the Madonna. A detailed analysis by doctors concluded that: "The appearance, the alkalinity and the composition induce one to consider the liquid examined analogous to human tears." On October 17, 1954 Pope Pius XII said in a radio broadcast, "we acknowledge the unanimous declaration of the Episcopal Conference

held in Sicily on the reality of the event_ Will men understand the mysterious language of those tears?" The little house where the Madonna first wept is now an oratory where Mass is often said. The image itself is enshrined above the main altar of the Santuario Madonna Delle Lacrima, built especially to accommodate the crowds that continue to gather to pray before the holy image.

Fire flares in church There was a fire in the Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Rockingham - while it was swamped by a congregation of more than 3000 people wanting to view the weeping statue of the Madonna last Sunday. More than 600 people packed the church at the time and hundreds more were waiting outside to gain entry Scores of people placed burning candles around another statue of the Madonna in the corner of the church. Flames from burning wax which overflowed from the candles ignited paper floral decorations. Two parishioners, one a former Naval officer from HMAS Stirling on Garden Island, stamped out the flames before they could become a real danger, the parish priest, Father Finbarr Walsh said. - Neil Smith

Customs eyed statue

A crowd queues to enter the Rockingham church.

Photo: Eugen Mattes

Australian Customs officers wanted to smash the statue that has become known around the world as Rockingham's Weeping Madonna. The Rockingham parish priest. Father Finbarr Walsh, said the parishioner, Patty Powell. who bought the statue in Bangkok eight years ago, asked her brother to carry it through Customs when they returned to Australia. He said Customs officers wanted to smash the hollow fibreglass statue, but did not know of any specific reason. It was only through some "fast talking" on the part of Patty Powell and her brother that the statue managed to survive.

Rokord

12 September, 2002

The Western Ausand Mrs Roberts tralian government is should be enforcing deluding itself in the existing prostituthinking it can legistion laws and helping late to make a "safe" sex workers to get out sex industry, former of the industry. madam and brothel"I see these girls keeper and now a every day in Linda's protector of former House of Hope. They prostitutes, Linda suffer so much physiWatson says. cal and psychological "The WA Police damage from what Minister, Michelle they do - Worksafe Roberts, wants to turn would go broke." the clock back - by Ms Watson said Linda Watson something like 140 Josephine Butler from years," Ms Watson said. the fledgling Salvation Army had Mrs Roberts wanted to brand sex battled for 20 years to have the 1864 workers for life, making it more dif- British legislation repealed. ficult for them to leave the industry. There was only some relief when As they cannot police illegal pros- the British returned to enforcing the titution now, there is no way they strict letter of the law. Licensing will be able to control it if Mrs stopped and the law came down Roberts' new laws are passed, Ms hard on those who exploit prostiWatson said. tutes - the brothel owners, madams "The new laws won't work. and pimps. "They will make things worse. "What if a girl gets a new infection "The WA government should go the day after her medical check? back to the drawing board." Ms Wat- Condoms can burst, and they do not son said. protect against things like genital "Back in Queen Victoria's time, the warts (a cause of cervical cancer), British government thought it could lice or herpes. make prostitution safe by licensing "These diseases are all spread by prostitutes and requiring them to skin contact. "And no condom will protect have regular medical checks. "It passed legislation called the against the enormous psychological and emotional damage suffered by Contagious Diseases Act of 1864. "It didn't work then, and it won't the girls - let alone the wives of their work now. Sexually transmitted dis- customers." Ms Watson also attacked suggeseases went up - not down. "The licensing system branded sex tions Worksafe could compensate workers for life. They suffered black- girls leaving prostitution. "All that talk about Worksafe is pie mail and abuse. "Pimps had a picnic," Ms Watson in the sky. The New South Wales government said the same thing said. Ms Watson who runs Linda's when they decriminalised brothels House of Hope, said the government in 1995."

Students from Notre Dame at Fremantle particularly the many American expatriate students - took part in candlelight vigil and sunset reflection on September 11 at Bathers' Beach to mark the first anniversary of terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. The vigil was organised by event coordinator, Damien Norris of the Edmund Rice Centre for Social Justice at the university as part of its Simplicity Week. from September 9. He said it would provide an opportunity for students and all those wishing to make a silent pledge for peace, to come together and share their thoughts and hopes for the future. Guest speaker for the vigil was Brendan McKeague, a staff member of the Pace E Bene Fransciscan community in Las Vegas who is in Fremantle working and conducting research for the centre. Born in Northern Ireland, he is an advocate for social justice and the development of the spirituality of active non-violence.

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Page 6

I Say, I Say.. T

s is a newspaper - so here is some Yet Gary Ablett, who has as much reason news. il Contrary to a belief that is as anyone to shun the media spotlight, popular in some parts of the football thinks the God question important enough world, Gary Ablett is not God. for him to want to put some proper perNor is Gary's son, Gary Junior, the Son spective on it by speaking out. of God. All persons referring to Ablett Snr Here's some of what he said in the Heras God and Ablett Jru. as Son of God - a ald Sun 'I realise that most people don't practice that has come into fashion down mean any harm by it and it's just their way Geelong way in recent months - are strong- of paying me a compliment for my footly urged to cease and discontinue this prac- ball. But it is quite inappropriate to refer tice right away. to me, a mere man, as God. Who by? Not directly by God or by any 'It is also disrespectful and dishonouring recognised church leader - but by the leg- to God. Not only am I human, but probaendary Gary Ablett himself. Ablett took the bly more human than most, and I would unusual but admirable step of addressing appreciate it very much if the tag was this issue in a recent media interview. dropped. This is not only one of the most The story is all the more unusual - and Intelligent things said by a sports person Ablett's initiative all the more admirable - in recent years. It's also one of the most for the very reason that as well as being humble and courageous. one of the great football stars of all time, None of us is without human faults. One "Gazza has long been a figure of contro- of the first precepts of the Christian faith versy off the field as well. Ablett's name Is not to judge others, so it is entirely inaphas been linked to some much-reported propriate for any of us to pass individual unfortunate incidents, including the tragic moral judgment on particular actions by, drug-related death of a young woman com- or allegations against a sports star. Though panion of the legendary Geelong player. of course we all need to be discerning

RD °n

Sunday

A laywoman's meditations

by Norma Woodcock

Do we remember past offences?

•

about what's going on around us in the world. For that reason, there's certainly no harm — and on balance, only quite a lot of good — that can come for most of us from being well-informed about the behaviour, including 'private' behaviour, of wellknown public figures.

"Such a confession of faith takes real guts in a nation with such a strong anti-Christian culture as Australia..." Gary Ablett has had his private life reported and commented on as extensively as anybody in Australia today. However there is no trace of bitterness about this in his remarks about God. That lends his remarks real credibility. Also making them credible is the fact that there appears to be absolutely nothing for him to gain by coming out and making such a direct appeal on behalf of the God he serves. Gary Ablett has often been the butt of scorn and scoffing for his Christian

with Paul Gray beliefs, and his public preparedness to affirm them. Many of us remember the occasion when, after playing outstandingly in a losing Grand Final side, he publicly thanked God for the experience, when speaking from the podium after the game. Such a confession of faith takes real guts in a nation with such a strong anti-Christian culture as Australia. It takes even more guts when nearly everyone seems to think that the confessor in question is, as Ablett says of himself, 'more human than most.' Whatever Gary Ablett might have done right or wrong in his life, his recent words about God give us a real insight into the nature of Christian belief. To be a Christian is not to believe that you are better than anyone else. It's to believe GOD is better than anyone else - and to feel deeply thankful that He Is so great and generous that He stoops to save the truly wretched like you and me. An acknowledged saint might be able to convey this truth effectively today. But I don't know if he or she could do it any better than Gary Ablett's now done.

TO JESUS THROUGH MARY 'A column of Marian devotion

ur Lady's birthday and first Satur- Bowen said. The difficult night and early day of Fatima were marked with a morning hours were the first slots takenspecial Rosary service at St Mary's the comment from those taking part being Cathedral on Saturday. "Give me the most difficult hours because It was the 14th annual Rosary Bouquet It is for Our Lady." Mass at the cathedral and was attended by Mrs Bowen said there was an increasing Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey. number of parishes taking up the full 48 Coordinator of the event, Margaret Bowen, hours. She also thanked the schools taking said once again Western Australians part - with children's prayer being so powshowed the deep love that flows so strong- erful Thanks were also made to Monsignly for Mary. Response to the 48 hour per- or McDonald, Father Timothy Deeter, Father petual Rosary Bouquet - considered the Doug Harris and Father Raphael, from the WA dioceses gift for Mary's birthday on Friars of the Immaculate, and the St AnthoSeptember 8 - had been "awesome,' Mrs ny's choir.

he scripture readings this week dred pence, he seized him by the throat are speaking to us of God's mercy and began to throttle him and demandand forgiveness towards each one ed payment. The fellow servant begged of us and the need for us to be full of for time to pay. The other would not mercy and forgiveness to others. agree and had him thrown into prison till In the first reading Ecclesiasticus 27:30, he should pay. On hearing this the king 28:Z 'Forgive your neighbour the wrong was furious and handed him over to the that is done, and then your sins will be torturers till he pay his debt of ten thoupardoned when you pray. ... remember sand talents. the end of your life, and set enmity aside. St John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor, In the Responsorial Psalm 102:1-4,9-12, in his homily on this Gospel, speaks the psalmist is singing of God's great for- about the "Sin of remembering past giveness and love. "As far as the east is offences." from the west, so far does he remove our He says that if this man had rememsins." bered the ten thousand talents, he would In the second reading, Romans 14:7-9, never have remembered the hundred St Paul is reminding us, "the life and pence. It was when he had forgotten his death of each of us has its influence on own great debt that he throttled his felothers; if we live, we live for the Lord; low servant and determined to get back and if we die, we die for the Lord: a few pence with the result that he Our homeland is not on this earth, so brought back on his own head the debt while we are here we must live for the of the ten thousand talents. Lord and to live for him is to die to our One dayIwas speaking to a lady in the sinful ways especially our tendency of course of my work in the Church. She not wanting to forgive others from the began sharing with me about her life of heart. suffering and pain. This theme continues in the gospel, I remember saying to God in my heart Matthew 18:21-35. In response to Jesus' thatIwanted so much to give her a word instructions to his disciples on forgive- of comfort. ness of injuries, Peter asks how often So when she mentioned her husbandI must I forgive, as often as seven times? thought, 'I'll be able to give her a word of Jesus answered, "Not seven, I tell you, comfort here.' but seventy seven times." So Isaid "Your husband dear,." "0, he's Then Jesus tells the parable of the dead," she replied.I thought to myself,I unforgiving debtor. There was a king could still give her a word of comfort, so who decided to settle his accounts with I said, "Never mind dear, he's waiting for his servants. One of the servants owed you with the Lord." him ten thousand talents but couldn't Her face grimaced and she cried, "0 pay. The king was going to sell him and God,Ihope not." We both laughed, but I his wife and children and all his posses- knew she was deadly serious. sions. The servant pleaded for mercy and Was she remembering past offences? the king felt so sorry for him that he canWe must not keep score but remember celled the debt. how God unconditionally loves and forHowever, after this, the servant met a gives us and with his grace do likewise. fellow servant who owed him one hunTo forgive is to forget past offences. Page 6

The McGinnffy family from City Beach - Justin and Sandra and their four children, Mart 6, Maria, 4, Francesca, 3, and Gabriella - offered the gift for the Mass in the cathedral.

Who is prosfituting what?

The State Government's latest attempts to manipulate public opinion on proposed prostitution laws are a classic study of the difference between the practice of public relations and the principles of sound Government. According to information leaked to The Australian, the proposed law will be discussed by Cabinet later this month and will subsequently be presented to Parliament in the form of a Green Bill which would then be open for public discussion and submissions for three months. The purpose of a Green Bill is to enable all sections of the community to see the full legislation and the Government's justification for it at the same time. The principle of open and accountable Government relevant to Green Bills is that the information is tabled in Parliament and simultaneously made available to the media and the community. People can see the fine print of the proposed law and make their submissions according to the detail instead of vague generalities. Furthermore, public debate, both in the community and the media, can proceed on the basis of everyone having access to the proposed law. Sadly, this Government does not have the courage to deal openly and honestly with the community about this legislation. Instead, it has begun a campaign of leaks which present snippets of what the Government thinks is good about the proposed law, but not enough information for anyone else to challenge the Govern-

Reply to Carnley The debate between Archbishop Barry Hickey and Anglican Primate Peter Carnley over the humanity of embryos in their early stages of development is continuing in the national news magazine, The Bulletin. On September 3, Archbishop Carnley criticised Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson for his acceptance of the principle that life begins at the moment of fertilisation. Archbishop Hickey replied with a letter to the editor, but The Bulletin, which usually sets a limit of 200 words on letters, invited him to reduce it to 300 words. The Archbishop agreed. The full text of his original letter is produced below for the interest of readers of The Record

ndividual life begins with conception by the union of gametes or sex cells... Growth and development continue thereafter.: (Brookes & Zeitrnan, Clinical Embryology 1998). "Conception: 1. The beginning of pregnancy, usually taken to be the instant that a spermatozoon enters an ovum and forms a viable zygote. 2. the act or process of fertilisation: (Anderson et al, Mosby's Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Directory 2002).

Archbishop Peter Carnley's attempt (Bulletin, September 3) to justify treating the human embryo as not really human in its first 14 days simply does not stand up scientifically or logically. Nor should his views be taken to be representative of Christian leaders in Australia. Archbishop Carnley has wanted to establish his thesis for some time, but unfortunately each time he attempts it he leads himself into difficult logical waters. This is clear in his attack on Deputy PM John Anderson's acceptance of the establishment of a unique DNA structure at the moment of fertilisation as the beginning of a human life which, if all goes well, will follow the pattern of that DNA structure to full human development. Dr Camley says: 'It seems incontrovertible that at the time of fertilisation of an ovum by a sperm a new and living cell comes into being, with its own unique DNA composition: He then goes on to try to reduce the significance of this by saying 'After all, a unique DNA profile will be found in cells produced by a swab of the inner mouth.' Unfortunately, he has missed the point. The cells taken from the mouth or any other part of the body do not have a DNA structure unique to each one. They share a DNA structure which is common to all of

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ment's self-congratulations. The first leak published an approving editorial. We thus appeared on Friday of last week in The had that marvellous trio, the Minister, the Australian with the emphasis on prosti- madam and the media telling us what is tutes being 'forced' to carry licence iden- good for us, but not allowing us to know tity cards. There's good strong exactly what is proposed. Government for you, 'forcing' these nasty Now it's just possible that Mrs Roberts prostitutes to come to heel! The most engaged in this campaign to ensure that revealing thing, however, was that The her Cabinet colleagues would feel unable Australian carried only two stories and to challenge any of her ideas when the quoted only two people - Police Minister proposed law finally gets to Cabinet, but Michelle Roberts and brothel madam it seems much more likely that she is tryMary-Anne Kenworthy, the only two peo- ing to soften up the community so the ple in WA, it seems, who knew enough public won't challenge the law when Cababout the proposed law to comment on it. inet approves it. The timing of the leak on Friday mornFurthermore, the Government will get ing ensured that talk-back radio would another slice of the PR pie when Cabinet have to follow the lead without reference promotes the wisdom of its decision. material to pursue other details they may Finally, Parliament will see the Green have been interested in. Bill and the media and the public will be The second leak appeared in The West so bored with the subject that critics will Australian last Saturday, this time empha- find it hard to arouse any interest in the sising various health, safety, workers' com- gaping holes and self-contradictory absurpensation, and industrial relations dities that will inevitably appear in this 'benefits' for prostitutes. Nobody in the latest attempt to sanitise an inherently community, however, has enough infor- misguided industry. mation to comment rationally on these At least, that seems to be the theory provisions in the proposed law. behind the PR practice adopted by Mrs By Tuesday, The West Australian had Roberts.

oN)S\

th e

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

them but which is unique to the person whose DNA structure was established at the moment of fertilisation. The DNA structure is unique to the person, not to each cell. The only exception is the very first cell created by fertilisation when the uniqueness of the person is present only in a single cell. From that point on, as cell division occurs, the DNA structure remains unique to the person but is common to all of the cells that will ever be produced by that person whatever the term of his life. It is therefore scientifically and rationally appropriate to say that life begins at the moment of fertilisation. Standard texts on embryology confirm this. It is not scientifically or rationally appropriate to say that this living organism must carry out a certain amount of its unique development before it can be said to be an individual life. Dr Carnley's intriguing but misleading comments on the meaning of the word conception - a woman withholding her menstrual blood - are meaningless because they relate the baby's status not to its own development but to a process in the mother's body. What would this definition say about a baby implanted in the womb of a mother who continued to present apparently normal menstrual cycles, a not unknown event? Ills reality, not linguistics, which must be our guide in these matters and the reality is that long before implantation in the womb scientists can tell us whether the embryonic person is male or female, whether it has certain health conditions, and a great variety of other information individual to each embryo. We know, for example, that when seeking treatments for terminal illnesses suffered by an existing child, parents and their doctors often generate many embryos by IVF procedures and test them in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The doctors are able to say that this embryo is a girl, and has the same disease; this one is a boy, doesn't have the disease, but is not a perfect match for his sibling; and so on. Parents are invited to make the terrible

choice about which individual child they will offer the protection of the mother's womb. They should not be put in this position. In the face of this reality, it seems impossible for anyone to deny that these are children in their earliest stages of development. The process of development begins at fertilisation and is continuous for as long as each life continues, whether a few days, a few months or a hundred years. To say that the life does not exist or something other than human development is taking place in the first 14 days is to contradict all that modern science has learned about the earliest stages of our development. Moreover, IVF researchers, such as Dr Trounson, confirm that any point other than fertilisation is totally arbitrary as a 'marker' for establishing when human life begins. If twinning is to occur in a particular case, so be it, but it is not rational to say that because an embryo may divide and create a new human being it is somehow not human until the division takes place (or does not take place). Only a living, developing human embryo can divide to make twins. An embryo is human life in its earliest stages of development and it deserves the respect and protection due to all human life. We have already made the mistake of allowing doctors to generate 'spare' embryos with little prospect of their being offered the opportunity of full development. More recent research shows that there are better ways to solve problems of Infertility in cooperation with the natural process of reproduction and it will be interesting to see whether the public health system and its massive financing through Medicare will challenge the IVF industry on this issue. In the meantime, we as a nation cannot allow ourselves to compound the original error by treating these tiny lives as 'surplus' and therefore available for destruction or other forms of experimentation. Ills not simply a debate about the rights of all human life. It is a profoundly important debate about the rightness of our attitude to life that is dependent on our protection. If we decide that we as adults are so important that we can use or destroy other human lives on the chance (or even the certainty) that we will benefit from their death, then at the core of our society we have granted ourselves the right to take life for whatever purpose we consider appropriate. The only remaining argument will be whether Parliament at any particular time will approve one particular purpose or another, and respect for life will have become a subjective matter dependent on the numbers at the time. +Barry Hickey, Catholic Archbishop of Perth.

It is a disrespectful way to deal with the commtutity who are entitled to the full information without the snow job designed to convince them they don't need the detail. One of the problems inherent in this approach was unwittingly revealed in The West's editorial. In its early paragraphs, the newspaper dismissed the prospects of police dosing existing illegal brothels, but by the end of the article we were assured "the job of the police will be clear cut, and the potential for them to to be seen as compromised will dwindle". Does this mean the police will suddenly rediscover the ability to close illegal brothels? Or does it mean the police will be removed entirely from the scene and the control of illegal brothels, under-age prostitution and the virtual enslavement of illegal migrants will be left to health inspectors, town planners and other bureaucrats? Unfortunately, neither the Government nor the newspaper has given us this vital information. There will be many other questions for the Government to answer. One is: what is so precious about this prostitution plan that will make it work where other plans in other States have failed spectacularly? A detailed, factual analysis for Parliament would be a novelty • The opinions expressed in this. editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth.

Real miracle at Mass statue of Our Lady weeps and sensaA Ilion seekers flock in their thousands. Yet at every sacrifice of the Mass an infi-

nitely greater miracle occurs. If we truly understood this wondrous gift of our God would we not flock much more eagerly to Mass? Rosemary Chandler Palmyra

The big picture es we are reminded about the tragic A vents of a year ago, including the thousands of people who lost loved ones

in horrific circumstances, is it not appropriate for us to consider the millions of abortions, worldwide, annually that we have come to accept? Is it not also appropriate that we remember and mourn their unnecessary deaths? Geoff Storey Hillarys

Mother has authority hile the editorial on 'Fathers are the W head of the family' quite rightly emphasises the importance of (29/8/02)

fathers in children's development, it does not respect my dignity as a wife, or authority as a mother. Marriages should be built on respect for each other's dignity and equal value. Standing side by side, as a team is the healthiest way to bring up children. For those who have been devalued/abused by the fathers/husbands, validating male authority can cause further pain and conflict. Tying in male authority with religion can be a serious emotional bar for many women to accept the church as relevant in their lives. A benign dictatorship is the very best scenario' men are head of the family' can be. The mother is usually more closely connected with the children. She is their first line of defence. To undermine her authority, can undermine the protection of the children and their needs even by well meaning fathers.Itotally agree there needs to be a far greater recognition of the importance of fathers, but please do not tie this in with undermining my dignity and authority as a wife and mother. J Cook Manning

A Bouquet thankyou

t is with thanks to all who took part in the 48 Hour Perpetual Rosary Bouquet,

WA's gift to Our Lady for Her Birthday. Once again WA showed the deep love that flows so strongly for Her by the 'awesome' response to the Rosary Bouquet. Continued on Page 10 Page 7

Can an attack 01 Ira be

justified,

An Iraqi man is reflected in a mirror in the kitchen of a humble tea house in central Baghdad on September 4. As US leaders considered possible action in Iraq, an English cardinal says military strikes are probably not the answer. Photo: CNS/Routers

While Tony Blair has given British backing to an attack on Iraq, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster has expressed strong opposition to what he sees as an unjustifiable war.

ardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster has expressed concern about the prospect of Western military action against Iraq. Writing in the London newspaper The Times, the cardinal, president of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, said there were good reasons why many governments regarded the regime in Iraq as a threat to the security of the region. But 'without persuasive, preferably Incontrovertible, evidence ... it is difficult to see how concerns in this country and abroad about this course of action could be allayed,' he said. The cardinal's article appeared in The Times of September 5, just days before British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush were to meet to discuss how to deal with Iraq. Bush has said he would convince foreign leaders, Congress and the American people that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein should be ousted. Cardinal MurphyO'Connor said Hussein 'has committed numerous atrocities against his own people. He has persistently refused to comply with the UN Security Council resolutions which require Iraq to surrender its weapons of mass destruction. There have been suggestions, but no proof to date, that he is intent on acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. 'Discussion among Western leaders today is now focused not just on the nature of the threat and on desirability of a regime change in Iraq, but whether that change should be enforced by outside military action: in other words by beginning a war,' he said. The Cardinal referred to the rigorous conditions in the 'Catechism of the Catholic Church' for an act of selfdefence - in this case a possible pre-emptive strike - to be regarded as legitimate. One condition, he noted, 'is that

'the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders British support for and involvement in a graver than the evil to be eliminated.' pre-emptive war by the United States 'A war in Iraq would cause great destruction and suffer- against Iraq. ing. It would also entail grave consequences for our own 'Opinions differ on the moral adequacountry and for the world,' he said. 'There is reason to be cy of traditional just-war theory as a criconcerned that military intervention would set the Arab tique of the use of violence to settle disputes between world against the West and undermine efforts directed at states,' the theologians said. 'However, by any measure, peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.' such an offensive (against Iraq) would not fulfill even the Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor also raised questions about minimum requirements for a just war in that tradition: the purpose of military action and whether this was to Notwithstanding the malignant character of the present neutralise a threat, to effect a change of Iraqi regime, the United Kingdom and the United States regime, or both. do not possess the necessary international authority to 'Will military intervention stabilise or remove by violence the ruler of a sovereign state. destabilise the region? Will it advance or 'The rhetoric of the so-called war against terrorism is delay peace between Israelis and Pales- being used to legitimate the selective and morally arbitinians? Does it have the endorsement of trary use of violence against regimes whose interests conthe U.N. Security Council and, in the case flict with our own. We fear that our country is being drawn of Britain, of the European Union? If not, what will be its into complicity with what would amount to an act of state effect on our efforts to establish a structure of international terrorism in pursuit of a dangerously uncertain political law which all nations will respect? outcome,' the theologians said. 'It seems to me that many British people will find it difCNS ficult to support the British and U.S. governments in what is now being contemplated unless, in addition to the evidence promised by the government, they can be given convincing answers to such questions.' Head-on confrontation in a time of crisis may be unavoidable, the cardinal wrote, but added that it was also liable to create as many problems as it solved. As an alternative, he suggested taking the money that would be used on war and channelling it into aid for the world's poorest people. 'Would not that be a more far-reaching, sustainable and positive way to challenge both the evil of terrorism and the scandal of world poverty? Terrorism can never be portrayed or defended as a protest against poverty; but neither can it be defeated simply by force of arms,' he said. The concerns expressed by the cardinal were echoed by members of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain, a professional association of Catholic theologians who teach in universities, seminaries and other institutions of higher education or who are active in pastoral work in England, Wales and Scotland. Following their annual conference early in September, An Iraqi family in the southern province of Basra heads home members issued a statement expressing opposition to with its monthly food ration on May 24.

"A war in Iraq would cause great destruction and suffering. It would also entail grave consequences for our own country and for the world."

Page 8

Support to doubt in 365 days /

n the weeks immediately after the ter- and lumber and domestic farm subsidies, to rorist attacks on the United States last his failure to participate in the World SumSeptember, there was no doubt that mit on Sustainable Development in JohanAmericans had the sympathy and support of nesburg and his unhesitating support for the better part of the world. Prayers, cards, e-mail messages and gifts What a difference a year ind from people in far-flung nations found their way to New York, Washington and Pennsylmakes. As the anniversary vania, where hijacked planes crashed,killing of the attacks neared, thousands. Stunned Americans everywhere - even those who knew nobody directly President Bush and his staff affected by the attacks - were the recipients feverishly worked of good-will gestures from colleagues, relatives and total strangers from around the diplomatic channels to world. Nations lined up to support the US round up backing for an military response in Afghanistan. Even countries like Pakistan, which previinvasion of Iraq. ously had been more inclined to back the neighbouring Taliban regime, came forward to help the wounded superpower strike at IsraeL Even Mexican President Vicente Fox the terrorist network responsible for the snubbed Bush this summer - cancelling a planned meeting at his U.S. counterpart's attacks. ranch at the last minute after Texas executWhat a difference a year makes. As the anniversary of the attacks neared, ed a Mexican citizen. Robert Lieber, a professor of government President Bush and his staff feverishly worked diplomatic channels to round up at Georgetown University who's backing for an invasion of Iraq, the next working on a book about how Sepphase of his quest to stomp out terrorism. tember 11 changed international But, except for British Prime Minister Tony relations, said despite appearances to the contrary not all that Blair, they've so far come up empty World leaders who 10 months ago were much is different 'International reactions to the lined up right behind Bush in his campaign United States are typically quite ambivaagainst al Qaeda are hanging back, at best, and vocally disagreeing with his plans for lent; he said. 'It's a love-hate relationship. A lot of outside reaction to us has to do with Iraq at worst. what we are, rather than what we do.' Criticism of the United States arises from The overwhelming influence of the United a wide variety of policy issues, ranging from States on culture, language, economics and Bush's support for tariffs on imported steel

globalisation has not changed in the last toward Colombia, growing evidence that year, and neither has the irritation that influ- many more civilians were killed than origience sometimes causes elsewhere, Lieber nally reported during U.S.-led bombing in said. He believes some of the reason why it Afghanistan, andBush's willingness to attack seems that global opinion has turned against Iraq as evidence of 'tunnel vision' in the the United States is simply the work of left- White House. leaning media, both in this country and 'George Bush talked a good game after abroad. September 11 about building coalitions,' 'Press coverage about Iraq in Europe has Zokovitch said. 'But by and large the United been outrageously slanted and biased,' he States has continued its unilateral approach. said. Lieber compared a 'whiff of appease- While the rest of the world is building conment tone in coverage that favours a non- sensus, it seems the Bush administration is military approach to Iraq to the early more determined to be unilateral,' he said. reporting about Hitler's rise in Germany in Last November in their pastoral message, the 1930s. 'Living With Faith and Hope After Septem'Idon't mean to compare Hitler to Saddam ber 11; the US. bishops said use of force to Hussein totally' Lieber said, 'but in region- root out terrorism is legitimate, but also laid al terms Saddam is a Hitler.' And most press out a variety of nonmilitary steps to address coverage doesn't address the atrocities Hus- injustices that may lead some people to tersein has conunittecl, he said. rorist acts. Lieber acknowledged that the United The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the sufferStates itself has probably brought on some ing of people in Iraq, the lack of participaof the recent hostility toward the country But tion in political life, the abuse of human he said that's primarily due to a failure to sell rights, endemic corruption, grinding poverAmerican foreign policy abroad. ty amidst plenty, and threats to local cultures But a spokesman for the Catholic peace are sources of deep resentment and hopemovement Pax Christi USA, sees many ways lessness which terrorists seek to exploit for the United States has blown the good will their own ends,' the pastoral letter said. that the rest of the world felt toward the Zokovitch said Bush hasn't learned the lescountry after September 11. Johnny son about working with other countries to Zokovitch, communications director for Pax address such common concerns. Christi USA, said that as the Bush adminisPeace activists had hoped after September tration has taken one tough stance after 11 that the United States could offer a difanother on issues that set it apart from other ferent way of leading; Zokovitch said. 'There countries, the rest of the world is less sym- was hope that the experience, in solidarity pathetic toward what it saw last September with others who experience that same kind as a vulnerable nation. He cited the admin- of vulnerability would lead to new collaboistration's support for Israel, its policies ration. We haven't seen it' - OVS

Just a war or a just war? responsible public authority? Is there a George Weigel', the Pope's 'right intention' (which, among other biographer awl am =pert is things, precludes acts of vengeance or reprisal)? Is the contemplated action briermaliomal rdalloms, 'proportionate: is it appropriate to the goal (or just cause); is the good to be roads ow *what lie last accomplished likely to be greater than l b" theory is - awl haft. the evil that would be suffered if noth-

atholic commentary on the grave moral issues involved in responding to the attack on the United States on September 11, and in taking effective measures to rid the world of terrorism and its capacity for mass violence, has been burdened by a shift in just-war thinking. The shift began decades ago, but its full import is only now coming into dear focus. Its important at the outset, to understand what the just-war tradition is, and isn't. The just-war tradition is not an algebra that provides custom-made, clear-cut answers under all circumstances. Rather, it is a kind of ethical calculus, in which moral reasoning and rigorous empirical analysis are meant to work together, in order to provide guidance to public authorities on whom the responsibilities of decision-making fall. From its beginnings in St Augustine, just-war thinking has been based on the presumption - better, the classic moral judgment - that rightly-constituted public authorities have the moral duty to pursue justice - even at risk to themselves and those for whom they are responsible. That is why, for example, St. Thomas Aquinas discussed just war under the broader subject of the meaning of 'charity,* and why the eminent Protestant theologian Paul Ramsey argued that the just-war tradition is an attempt to think through the public meaning of the commandment of love-of-neighbour. In today's international context, 'justice' includes the defence of freedom (especially religious freedom), and the defence of a minimum of order in international affairs. For these are the crucial components of the peace that is possible in a fallen world. This presumption - that the pursuit of justice is a moral obligation of statecraft - shapes the first set of moral criteria in the just-war tradition, which scholars call the 'ius ad belltun' or 'war-decision law:* Is the cause a just one? Will the war be conducted by a

tradition: the claim, frequently encountered in both official and scholarly Catholic commentary today, that the just-war tradition 'begins with a presumption against violence.' It does not It did not begin with such a presumption historically, and it cannot begin with such a presumption theoing were done, or if the use of armed logically. For as one of America's most force were avoided for the sake of other distinguished just-war theorists, James Turner Johnson has put it, to do this - to types of measures? Have other remedies been tried and effectively reduce the tradition to "warfound wanting or are other remedies conduct' questions - is to put virtually prima facie unlikely to be effective? Is the entire weight of the tradition on what are inevitably contingent judgments. there a reasonable chance of success? It is only when these prior moral ques- This error, in turn, distorts our moral tions have been answered that the sec- and political vision, as it did when it led ond set of just-war criteria -- what many Catholic thinkers to conclude, in scholars call the 'ius in hello' or 'war- the 1980s, that nuclear weapons, not conduct law' - come into play, logically. communist regimes, were the primary threat to peace - a concluThe positive answers to the first set of sion falsified by history in questions, the 'war-decision' questions, 1989. create the moral framework for addressThat just war-fighting ing the two great 'war-conduct issues: must observe the moral prin'proportionality,' which requires the use ciple of non-combatant of no more force than necessary to vinImmunity goes without saydicate the just cause; and 'discrimination,' or what we today call ing. That this is the place to begin the moral 'non-combatant immunity' Under the moral pressures created by analysis is theologically muddled and the threat of nuclear war, Catholic atten- unlikely to lead to wise statecraft. If 'war-conduct' judgments drive the tion focused almost exclusively on 'warconduct' questions in the decades after analysis, the moral foundations are knocked out from under the entire ediWorld War II. This, in turn, led to what can only be fice. - Zenit described as an inversion of the just-war

=•A We are approximately 5,000 priests & brothers worldwide. We see ourselves as an international family. We have given ourselves to God for the most abandoned. We are involved in a variety of missionary works in Australia and throughout the world. • parishes • education • overseas missions • youth • prison chaplaincies • hospital chaplaincies • social welfare We are the

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An F/A-18C Hornet is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson leading up to the strike against al Oaeda terrorist training camps and Taliban military installations in Afghanistan last October. Photo CNS Reuters

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Local News

12 September, 2002

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An office to answer Kit helps families all your questions A new family resource kits has been released by the Committee for Family and for Life in association with the L J Goody Bioethics Centre in Glendalough. The kit - the second and an updated version of one issued several years ago - can be bought from the Goody Centre and the Catholic Church Office for $2 plus postage. Natalie Tarkka, administrator of

the committee said the original kit had been very well received and had been found to be an excellent resource for parishes, schools, families and individuals. The new kit is already beginning to find it way into the broader community. She said: "I am sure the new one will be equally welcome, and with its broader range of service, more helpful." It contains advice for sole par-

ents on where they can look for help; who to call for individuals who feel they are out of control; help for pregnant mothers; crisis handling; and listings of support organisations for marriage and family problems and violence in relationships or child abuse. People wanting the kits or more information can write to the Goody centre at 39 Jugan St, Glendalough 6016 or phone 9242 4066.

Mass for Murdoch About 40 Murdoch University students and faculty attended the annual Archbishop's Mass at the university's Worship Centre last week. The Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, Bishop Sproxton, deputised for Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey who was attending a conference in Canberra. Bishop Sproxton said it was a joyous occasion, and he was pleased to see so many attending. Murdoch's chaplain, Father Michael Gitner, remarked about the strength of the university's congregation despite the hardships it faced being in a secular university.

The St Mary's Cathedral branch of the Knights of the Southern Cross and Saint Gabriel Communications have set up a Catholic Answers office in Perth. Catholics and non-Catholics from all walks of life will be able to approach the office to seek answers about the Church and its teachings. Those seeking answers will have access to seminars, individual talks, video and audio tapes, booklets, brochures, and face-to-face dialogue with repRaymond De Souza resentatives of the office. Perth Archbishop Barry Hick- Church's effort in the new evaney has given the project his gelisation. Pope John Raul added a new dimension to the apostoblessing. There will also be regular late of the Church by reintroradio programs on community ducing apologetics which had been relegated to the sideline in radio. To be run by the Knights, the the last few decades. John Paul said what the Catholic Answers Office will be widely advertised in Catholic Church needed was a new and secular media in Western apologetics for the people, so that they could understand what Australia. Establishment of the office is the Church teaches. He said this was especially so partly in response to an exhortation by Pope John Paul II to the In a world where people were Bishops of the Antilles in their continually assailed by the ideological and cultural pressures visit to Vatican. The Pope exhorted them - and of the media, and the aggresby extension all bishops of the sively anti-Catholic attitude of world - to strengthen the many sects.

R enowned Marist author for God's Farm retreats Prominent Marist priest-author, Father Paul Glynn, is to conduct two retreats at God's Farm in October and November. As part of the program, Fr Glynn, will remain in residence at the farm for two months from October 4. The first, from October 4 to 6, is to mark the second anniversary of the death of Brother Andrew, who died on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, and will feature discourses on Br Andrew's work and that of St Francis. The second retreat is scheduled from November 22 to 24, and has ben entitled a Christ the King weekend. Numbers attending the retreats will be strictly limited and early bookings with Betty Peaker at the farm will be essential. Contact details are phone or fax on 9755 6212, or the postal address is PO Box 24, Cowararnup, 6284. Fr Glynn's most recent work has been to author Healing Fire from Frozen Earth, and subtitled Lourdes - Facing 2000 AD, a thor-

oughly researched and detailed account of people contemplating suicide, or those who have given up on their marriages because of doubt, pain and loneliness. It is aimed at helping people who are thin on hope and peace of heart. And to compile his studies prior to writing the book, he spent three months of 1997 at some of the most renowned healing shrines in the world, in France, Poland, Portugal, England, Ireland and Mexico. His previous works have included Psalms: Songs for the Way Home; The Smile of a Ragpicker; A Song for Nagasaki; Thank You Brother Fire; and Hearers of Silent Music. He has told Betty Peaker at God's Farm that his two main aims in life have always been to bring people closer to God and to support aid to relieve suffering in the third world. All of the proceeds from the sale of his $10 books goes $9 to relief projects in East Timor and $1 to a local chapter of the Saint Vin-

Letters Continued from Page 6 The difficult night and early morning hours were the first slots to be taken. The comment being 'Give me the most difficult hours because it is for Our Lady". More and more parishes are taking up the full 48 hours. Thanks to those schools that took part, children's prayers are so powerful. It was fitting for the Bouquet to be presented at the celebration Mass for Our Lady at St Mary's Cathedral on Saturday September 7 (September 8 being a Sunday). The Mass was preceded by Eucharist Adoration, Meditative Rosary and Confessions. Our thanks to Monsignor McDonald, Fr Timothy Deeter, Fr Doug Harris and Fr Raphael (Friars of the Immaculate) also St Anthony's Choir. Margaret Bowen Woodlands Page 10

cent de Paul Society. No production expenses for the books are taken from the proceeds. In a letter to Betty Peaker, he said he hoped that his visit to Western Australia could be a kind of pilgrimage, aimed specially at getting people to spend time reading books about love and the Providence of God - and to generate assistance for the impoversihed of East Timor through further book sales. He points out that as a Marist, he does not have the liberty to dispose of monies according to his personal wishes, but that the Marist Provincials had permitted funds to go to East Timor and St Vincents. His books are now published in seven languages, and have raised $860,833 for the third world poor for medical and educational help, and $17,500 for St Vincents in Australia. The overseas portion has been directed since 2000 to nuns and brothers working in East Timor in medical and educational fields.

Father Glynn while on a tour of Australia promoting his books met a classical doll maker from Japan on a tour of seven Australian cities exhibiting her dolls as symbols of Japanese culture. Two of Fr Glynn's books have been set in Japan.

Birthday doubles for a worthy cause A keen supporter of God's Farm retreats and ministeries at Wilyabrup, Cheryl Gale, has used her 50th birthday celebrations to raise funds to further the charitable work done there. Mrs Gale, formerly of Burma, set up a box for donations at her party and raised $1293.

She is a regular visitor to retreats at the farm, making her eighth trip there last weekend. Invitations to her party held at Ballajura on July 20 specified for guests to make donations to the farm, rather than to bring personal gifts. Meanwhile, psychologist and counsellor, Dennis Tierney, is continuing his fea-

Mrs Cheryl Gale with her daughter, Rebecca, 21, and her son, Adan, 14, with the box for donations,

sibility study on the development of a portion of the farm as a self-sufficient healing environment for people suffering from modern day afflictions, of which drug addiction is a symptom. His work at the farm relies on support through voluntary help, prayer, donations and the effort of Mrs Gale proved a boon.

Mrs Cheryl Gale with some of her many Mends who accompany her to retreats at God's Farm, Wilyabrup.

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12 September, 2002

campaign Redemptorists in toContinuing help the disabled Yangebup mission

o far, the parish mission at Yangebup has been a roaring success. "The mission is great and I really like the songs," said Elizabeth De Aguiar, a year five student of Mater Christi School last week. She was talking about the parish mission being conducted by Frs John Hodgson, Gerard Neagle and the Redemptorist Monastery Mission Team in the Yangebup parish. Elizabeth, whose family hosted a Home gathering, also said she was praying for God's blessing on the mission so that many people would come along and learn more about Jesus. "A bit like a grade five pupil returning home after a day at the zoo, tired but happy," was Fr Bryan Rosling's comment when asked how he was feeling. Fr Neagle said, "If the warmth of our reception and the kindness of the people is an indication, then, this Is a good place full of encouragement." The mission has been held over three weeks. The first two weeks focussed on home gatherings and visits to schools. The preached mission concludes this Friday night. This week two Masses have been celebrated each day at 6.30 and 9.30am, and preaching in the eveningsAbout 500-600 people attended the first preaching on Monday night in the packed church.

Wally and Peter explaining the alarms to Sherilee.

Father Neagle with hands raised in blessing over Father Hodgson.

The Catholic Finance Office in its continuing efforts to ensure that people with disabilities have access to Church facilities and services, recently organised the installation of visual smoke alarms for the Emmanuel Centre and its Christian Community accommodation. Wally and Peter, who installed the alarms, explained how the alarms worked to Sherilee, profoundly deaf, who is part of the Christian Community. Sherilee said "I can not hear the smoke alarms but can see flashing red lights. I am safe now." Flashing alarm lights were installed both inside and outside the buildings. Fr Paul, Chaplain with Deaf and Hearing Impaired people said, "We hope that these visu-

al smoke alarms will never be needed. "It is a sign of caring though that is important for the people who visit the Centre or live in its accommodation. "Our thanks to the Catholic Finance Office for makingit possible." Julie Williams, Office Manager for the Agencies Administration at 459 Hay Street, who is coordinating the updating of the Archdiocesan Directory of churches and venues was very enthusiastic. "Access is more than ramps and -sliding doors", Julie said. "Attitude is a very core element". Julie continued, "and these visual smoke alarms show an attitude of care that looks toward finding solutions to access that benefit everyone".

Father Neagle guides the young parishioners in song.

Sheen foundation in Tasmania in Web liturgy coup beatification move A A foundation in the US supporting the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen has been given approval to proceed with the next step in its campaign. The Archbishop Sheen Foundation sought the permission of Bishop Daniel Jenlcy CSC, Bishop of Peoria, Illinois, who approved the cause for sainthood being officially opened. The process is a procedural one by which a bishop may petition the Cause for the Congregation of the Saints in Rome after the bishop feels the candidate is competent and has met the preliminary qualifications for nomination. Principal reason for the opening is to allow the foundation to collect details on Archbishop Sheen which becomes evidence and testimony to be presented to the committee in Rome. The process had begun in 1999 under the provisional permisArchbishop Fulton Ann sion of Cardinal John O'Connor, of New York, but lapsed with his Ordained in Illinois in 1919, he death in May 2000. first felt his priestly vocation Archbishop. Sheen became when a 12-year-old schoolboy. world renowned for his radio His great love of the academic and television ministeries enti- life elevated him to become tled Life is Worth Living. known as an intellectual marHe became much sought after vel. for his speaking ability, spirituHe became a Professor of Phial retreats for clergy and laity, losophy at the Catholic Univerand for his literary skills which sity of America. covered numerous newspaper The foundation is supported articles, a long-running newspa- in Western Australia by a Fulton per column and more than 60 Sheen Society that can be conbooks. tacted by phoning 9291 8224.

small Tasmanian Internet company has entered into partnership with a leading American publisher to publish religious texts online in the United States. LiturgyHelp.com is the first Catholic publisher in the world to gain the rights to electronically publish official documents and texts for worship on the Internet. The partnership with Chicagobased GlA now cements LiturgyHelp.com as the world leader in Catholic Internet publishing. The partnership will enable the company to expand its export base to the US. Further expansion Is planned for Britain, Ireland, other parts of Europe, India and South Africa. Fr Michael Tate, former Senator and Federal Minister, has been instrumental in setting up the company. Permission has been secured from Church organisations in Australia, New Zealand, the US, England, Scotland and Ireland to publish daily Scripture readings and prayers and other texts for worship. These fixed texts for worship have only been available in print form in many separate editions, many of which are out of print in Australia. LiturgyHelp.com is able to publish these texts as a single resource which can be downloaded at any time. "The Vatican is very supportive of our efforts. We are the only company in the world with Vatican permission to put the Latin texts on the Internet." Fr Tate said. "We have a computer program

Father Tate

which has the potential to publish any official text in a variety of languages. The Church's worship resources will now be more userfriendly to modern-day multicultural Church communities." he added. Specialist writers from Australia and all parts of the world are also featured on the site. Their contributions augment the official texts with scholarly commentaries, art, children's materials, prayers for people in need and music suggestions. Conceived five years ago, LiturgyHelp.com is an Australian company based in Hobart. After lengthy negotiations with individual Bishops' committees in a number of English speaking countries, LiturgyHelp is offering a new way of publishing these sacred texts, amounting to the greatest technological change in the Church since the introduction of the printing press. Two years ago LiturgyHelp began publishing in Australia

where it now has more than a 10 per cemt market share. During the last year it has focused on exporting to theUS where there is a population of more than 65 million Catholics. GlA Inc. specialises in publishing religious music and has existing customer relationships with nearly all of the 18,000 Catholic parishes in the US as well as the Episcopalian and mainstream Protestant Churches. GIA and LiturgyHelp will be working together to expand the service. Further development is planned for Britain, Ireland and continental Europe. It is fully approved by the Bishops' Committees in countries where it operates. A subscriber-based service, enables LiturgyHelp.com Catholic parishes, schools and other organisations to access the official liturgical resources online any Internet-capable from machine. In addition to the official resources, high quality material is produced by a team of consultant writers and artists from around the world. This material is specially formatted for the Internet and tailormade for ease of download and use in a variety of parish and school settings. LiturgyHelp's unique use of technology will allow for the simultaneous publishing of the official texts in multiple languages, a boon to multi-cultural parishes and those catering for tourists, foreign students etc. The LiturgyHelp.com site will continue to be created, developed and maintained in Tasmania. Page 11

12 September, 2002

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Net conclave interest By John Thavis

Speaking out a duty ARICCIA, Italy (CNS) - US Archbishop John Foley, the Vatican's top communications official, said Catholics must speak out courageously against immorality like abortion and homosexual activity despite the risk of causing offence. "We know well that today many people are prisoners of the 'politically correct,'" the archbishop, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said on August 29 at a media conference south of Rome. "They are afraid of speaking against abortion, adultery, homosexual activity, contraception and premarital relations because it could be considered offensive in our increasingly tolerant society," he said. But, he said, "We, as Catholics and Christian communicators, are obliged to speak the truth, in season and out of season, even when it is 'politically incorrect.'" Archbishop Foley pointed to the example of John the Baptist, who spoke out against King Herod's adultery even though the king later decapitated him for it. "As followers of Christ and in imitation of his precursor, John the Baptist, may we be men and women of integrity" who are "courageous combatants" against "the so-called 'politically correct' attitudes of a society that seeks to excuse and justify every type of immorality," the archbishop said.

Depression doesn't square with priesthood MANCHES1'ER. England (CNS) - Depression and priesthood do not mix, said a former master general for the Dominicans, who urged priests to look out for each other's happiness. Father Timothy Radcliffe, who served as head of the order for 10 years until earlier this year, said he had been told that many priests felt depressed or demoralised. "How widespread this demoralisation is I do not know. But regardless of how many priests are actually demoralised, there are many good reasons why we might be: the shortage of vocations, the lack of a clear priestly identity, the loss of respect for our vocation, the scandals of sexual abuse, the disappearance of the young from many parishes, disagreements with some statements by the church and so on," he said on September 3 in London in an address to the annual meeting of the National Conference of Priests of England and Wales. But there was, he said, a deep contradiction between priesthood and depression. Page 12

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - On the eve of the first of two papal conclaves in 1978, a group of North American journalists published an "instant book" of cardinal dossiers, in an attempt to fill an information vacuum about the world's most secret election. Whenever the next conclave is held, it promises to be different. It will be the first papal election in the Internet age, and Web sites are already gearing up for the event. Biographies of the current 118 cardinal-electors, timelines and blow-by-blow descriptions of how a conclave works, stories of past elections, and even the 43page text of rules governing the conclave are all available at the click of a mouse. Ironically, the cardinals choosing the next pontiff will be the only ones kept off-line: Rules stipulate that once the conclave begins, the cardinals must cease all communication with the outside world. But the rest of humanity can tune in on their computer screens, getting to know the candidates and the procedures. When white smoke puffs from the Sistine Chapel smokestack above St Peter's Square, it will no doubt be streamed on Web cams across the Net. Father John Wauck, who teaches communications at Rome's Santa Croce University, said he thinks much of the increased interest in cardinals and conclaves falls outside the communiP,, iterS ty of Church experts. "I run into housewives who are Pope John Paul 11 waves to those gathered for his Sunday Angelus on Septelling me about Cardinal So-and- tember 1 in the courtyard of his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, Italy. so, and I'm wondering, where do nals, they could arrive at a con- important church figure in Poland you get that information? There clave as "unknowns" to the rest of and in the universal Church, takseems to be a popularisation, and the world. ing a leading role in the Second I can't help but think the Internet Pope John Paul II was one such Vatican Council, preaching a Is feeding that," he said. unknown. When it was retreat to Pope Paul VI and advisOnce upon a time a few decades announced that Cardinal Karol ing him on the Humanae Vitae ago, members of the College of Wojtyla had been elected pope in encyclical. Today, a resume like Cardinals lived in virtual October 1978, only a few people that would probably stand out anonymity. Familiar only to their in St Peter's Square recognised among the dozens of Web sites own faithful and to other cardi- his name. Yet he had been an that feature cardinal biographies.

GM food barred to starving By Bronwen Dachs, CNS CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) - A warehouse full of food for starving Africans cannot be distributed because the Zambian government will not accept genetically modified food, a Catholic Relief Services official said. "We are waiting in the hope that a solution will be found soon," said Jennifer Lindsey, CRS director of media relations. "The corn is not really perishable but it's the people who are facing a time limit," she said. The UN World Food Program has said that Zambia is the only famine-hit southern African country to reject genetically modified food aid after concerns raised by Zimbabwe and Mozambique were resolved. "There is often a tension between relief agencies who know the situation on the ground and governments who make proclamations and might not be very aware of what is happening," said Father Ignatius Mwebe, secretary general of the Zambia Episcopal Conference. "It is a very precarious situation with the food available but the government saying 'hold on,'" Father Mwebe said in a September 3 telephone interview from Lusaka. Zambia is one of six southern African countries affected by a famine that is threatening 13 million people. The others are Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Avo successive years of poor harvests caused by drought, floods and frost, coupled with economic crises

and disruption of farming, have slashed food output and availability across the region. Prices of the staple food maize are soaring. "We have been distributing genetically modified food for a while and believe that ills saving lives," Lindsey said in a telephone interview from Malawi, noting that "studies have shown that there is no known risk in consuming this food." However, "if people plant the corn it could contaminate existing crops," Lindsey said. "We are educating people, telling them only to consume the corn and not to plant it," she said. Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa said his government has rejected the genetically modified food as there is no conclusive evidence that it is safe. Lindsey, who arrived in Malawi in late August, said that "the early warning systems that are in place" will prevent southern Africa's present crisis from reaching disastrous proportions. With about 60 per cent of Malawi's 11 million population living below the poverty line, "those already living in great poverty have been targeted as the most vulnerable," Lindsey said. Although Lindsey has seen children "with obvious signs of malnutrition such as distended bellies," and people looking for roots and grasses to eat in the absence of food, "we are reaching them in time," she said. But with the high rate of AIDS infections In southern Africa, "there is a double crisis," Lindsey said. "Many people are too sick to work the crops and to provide food for their families," she said.

Search engines reveal additional information about potential papal candidates - speeches, public appearances, news reports and even archdiocesan records can be consulted about many of today's cardinals. Biographies range from thumbnail reports at sites like http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/doc s_index_en.htm, http://www.osvpublishing.com/c atholicalmanac and http://www.catholic-pages.com to a remarkably complete cardinal record at http://www.fiu.edu/-mirandas/az-all.htm. The last site could be called an American success story. It was established by Salvador Miranda, a Cuban immigrant and former university librarian living in Miami who has taken a scholarly interest in the College of Cardinals since his youth. After his retirement, he had time to dedicate to the project, and the site now offers biographical information on all cardinals since 1900, documents about the origin and evolution of the Roman cardinalate, a photo gallery and many links. Here an Internet browser can discover, for example, that the fifth-century pope, St Symmachus, was the first to attempt to regulate papal conclaves after his own disputed election in 498. A synod he convened banned papal politicking during a reigning pontiff's lifetime, but allowed the pope to designate a successor if he so chose. That last provision caused an uproar when it was applied by popes in the sixth century. If Miranda's site is any barometer, interest in papal conclaves is on the rise. He said he was averaging 7.500 hits per month, with a peak of 120,000 per month after the last batch of new cardinals was named. From the daily emails he receives, he said he can tell his visitors include people from all walks of life.

Collection plate out, cards in By Victor Reklaitis WASHINGTON (CNS) - Catholics now have another way to give to their parish - by monthly payments automatically deducted from their cheque, savings and credit card accounts. ParishPay LLC, a New York company founded last year, provides the service to any parishes interested in electronic giving, which so far include churches in the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of San Jose, California. "This is about giving people more choices - we are making it easier for people to give," said Tom Dockery, development director for the Archdiocese of Chicago, in a statement. "Most Americans already receive their paycheques by direct deposit, and nearly half of all Americans are paying their bills through direct payments," he added. "You can now give to your parish.., in the same convenient way. You sign up once and there are no monthly cheques to write." Parishioners can sign up for the service by filling out an enrollment envelope or by visiting the ParishPay Web site, www.parishpay.com. They can also use ParishPay to send money to parochial schools, diocesan fund-raising campaigns and charities. But at least one diocese is not interested in enrolling in the service. Frank Galligan, the chief financial officer for the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, told Catholic News Service that the diocese does not want to encourage parishioners to incur credit card debt.

International News

11 Rec°nI

Hundreds gather for Mother Teresa CALCUTTA, India (CNS) Hopes for Mother Teresa's canonisation ran high as hundreds gathered to pay their respects on the fifth anniversary of her death. "The eagerness with which people would like to see her beatified shows how her message of love has been accepted," Archbishop Lucas Sirkar of Calcutta said during a September 5 anniversary Mass, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Hundreds of people from various religions attended the anniversary services that began with a morning Mass in the chapel of the Missionaries of Charity headquarters. For the first time, the nuns allowed the press into the chapel to witness the entire proceeding. Hindu devotees joined priests, nuns and overseas volunteers at the chapel, which had been cordoned off by wooden benches. During the Mass, Archbishop Sirkar reiterated the message of the late nun, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950 for "service to the poorest of the poor" "We globalise poverty, especially the poverty of spirit, but Mother Teresa globalised the vocation or the call to preach God's wisdom and spirit of love," he said. Sister Nirmala Joshi. Mother Teresa's successor, said that her congregation is opening a new house in Minneapolis to mark the anniversary. In a message, Sister Nirmala reminded people of the nun's love

An Indian man holds a portrait of Mother Teresa in a procession of school children marking the fifth anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa on September 5 in Calcutta, India. Mother Teresa, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, won a Nobel Peace Prize and was known throughout the world for her care of the sick and poor.

"for the poorest of the poor" and thanked God for "the gift of Mother Teresa." Other nuns told UCA News that the first to arrive for the Mass was a sweeper woman, who came at 4 am to clean the road outside the convent. She also brought along a garland of lilies to honour the late

nun. Others paid their respects in and harmony. The tomb was various ways. A hearing-impaired draped with garlands of lilies boy laid two roses on the tomb, Interwoven with pink and yellow while children and groups of peo- roses, while a single white candle ple from various religions sang burned in the centre. songs. As the day progressed, visitors Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus read covered the tomb with bouquets from their respective Scriptures of roses, orchids, marigolds, asters and prayed at the tomb for peace and lilies.

Alarm over activist's vanishing

No need to worry By John Norton VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul H said Christians should view the end of the world with hope and trust in God's plan and with a renewed commitment to build a "civilisation of love." At his weekly general audience on September 4, the pope focused on an Old Testament canticle of Isaiah that he described as a "prophetic vision of the last days." "This vision is a call to hope and trust in God's saving plan. Christians see this hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ and the church," he said. The pope called Isaiah's canticle, found at the beginning of the Book of Isaiah, "truly marvellous" and a work of "messianic hope in elevated poetic language." The biblical text foresees that in the last days, "at last the world will find peace in obedience to God's law and his word," the pope said. He said ancient Christian writers interpreted the canticle as a prophecy of Christ's coming. "In the mystery of the church. all humanity draws near to God and shares in the peace brought by Christ," the pope said. •

HONG KONG (CNS) - Catholic while attending a film screening rights groups in Hong Kong called in a Beijing cafe. Witnesses say on Chinese authorities to investi- they saw plainclothes men comgate the disappearance of a lead- municating through walkieing AIDS activist in mainland talkies outside the eatery China. Or said sources in China susThe Hong Kong Diocese's jus- pect Wan was apprehended by tice and peace commission, the the National Security Bureau Hong Kong Federation of Catholic because he previously disclosed a Students and a number of human number of confidential docurights groups petitioned the Chi- ments belonging to the health nese authorities to investigate the department in Henan province. August 24 disappearance of Wan Wan played a key role in exposYanhai, 38, coordinator of the ing the growing HIV/AIDS epiAizhi (AIDS) Action Project in demic in the province, where as China, reported UCA News. many as 1 million people may Wan had been under height- have been infected as a result of ened police surveillance for sev- unsafe blood collection practices, eral months, human rights groups human rights groups said. said. Or said Wan told him in tune Police officials have not that Wan and his co-workers were responded to requests for an under surveillance. investigation into his disappearWan said that although Beijing ance, according to the US-based authorities once approved his Human Rights Watch. work, a planned meeting with Or Yan-yan, project officer for officials in March was called off the justice and peace commission, due to complaints from the Henan said on September 2 that the liai- provincial government, which son office of the Chinese govern- accused him of subversion. ment in Hong Kong refused to Wan, a Fulbright visiting scholaccept a petition from the group. ar, is the first recipient of the "The security guards threw the Awards for Action on HIV/AIDS letter back each time the peti- and Human Rights, established tioners tried to place it inside the this year by the Canadian gate. Finally, they tore it," said Or, HIV/AIDS Legal Network and whose last contact with Wan was Human Rights Watch. on August 23. He was to travel to Canada in The justice and peace commis- September to accept his award. sion faxed the letter to the liaison "Many health experts fear that office and the Beijing Municipal the AIDS epidemic in China is Public Security Bureau, to which developing into one of the worst Wan's wife in the United States In the world," said Mickey reported her husband's disap- Spiegel, senior researcher in the pearance. Wan, a Chinese nation- Asia division of Human Rights al, was last seen late on August 24 Watch.

"It is only through the actions of people like Dr Wan that there is any hope of dealing forthrightly with this public health and Inman rights disaster. "Unfortunately, his courage in speaking out against human rights abuses in China has placed him at great personal risk," Spiegel said. In 1992 Wan established Beijing's HIV/AIDS hotline, a project of the Health Education Institute, but was criticised by the Ministry of Health in 1993 for advocating human rights and for his concern for homosexuals and prostitutes. After he was expelled from his Institute post in 1994 because of his work, Wan established the AIDS action project, which aims to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in Chinese society, protect the rights of HIV/AIDS patients and support homosexuals' rights. After a year as a visiting scholar at the University of Southern California in 1997, he continued his HIV/AIDS and education work internationally. In July, Chinese authorities pressured the Beijing Modern Management College Department of Health and Anthropology, where the AIDS action project has an office, to expel Wan. Wan is one of 18 intellectuals and dissidents who signed a "Declaration of the Rights of Internet Users" on August 1 to protest new Web site censorship rules Imposed by the Chinese government.

12 September, 2002

Blunt words on seminaries from Pope CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) - Pope John Paul II asked Brazilian bishops to exercise greater care in selecting candidates for the priesthood, with special concern for whether they would be able to live celibately. He also called for a general renewal of seminary training, saying the presence of professors who disagreed with church teaching or were underprepared was a "cause of great sorrow and concern." The pope made his remarks on September 5 to a group of bishops making their "ad limina" visits, which heads of dioceses make every five years. The pope received the bishops at his summer villa outside Rome. The pope said he felt dutybound to ask the bishops to pay more attention to the selection of seminarians and said they should use all the means at their disposal to get to know the priestly candidates, "mainly from the moral and affective point of view" May no bishop feel excluded from this duty of conscience, for which he will have to answer directly to God." the pope said. "It would be lamentable if, out of a misunderstood tolerance, they ordained young men who are immature or have obvious signs of affective deviations that, as is sadly known, could cause serious anomalies in the consciences of the faithful, with evident damage for the whole Church." he said. Part of the problem, the pope said, was that the "secularist and hedonistic" modern world was exerting a growing influence on Christians. especially young people. This meant that bishops would have to do more to cultivate "love for Christ and his kingdom" in priestly candidates, he said. The pope said bishops must remind seminarians that celibacy is "not an extrinsic or useless element - a superstructure - to their priesthood, but is intimately suited to participation in Christ's dignity and service to the new humanity that has its origins in him and for him and that he leads to fullness." The pontiff also called for a renewal of seminaries, including a more careful selection of professors who were holy, well trained theologically, and faithful to church teaching. He said that in some parts of the world, including Brazil, seminaries and theology institutes were promoting a "mutilated vision of the church" and were forgetting "the essential: that the church is participation in the mystery of Christ incarnate." In some cases, he said, legitimate theological efforts to make the Christian message more accessible to modern men and women had not been "duly controlled," resulting in "compromising the nature of theology and even the content of faith."

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12 September, 2002

Viewing and Reading

Record II

Not as cute as he seems By Anne Navarro, CRS

he sassy animated comedy "Lilo & Stitch" (Disney) stands out by injecting familiar Disney fare with some bold characteristics and a mildly irreverent attitude. But parents may not consider the cheeky dialogue, the rambunctious character behaviour or the discussion of genetics appropriate entertainment for the younger set at which this film is aimed. In the offbeat story, Lilo (voiced by Daveigh Chase) is a little Hawaiian girl living with her older sister, Nani (voiced by Tia Carrere), who has become her guardian since their parents died. Lonely and unable to get along well with others, Lilo prays that she be sent a friend, asking for "the nicest angel you have." Her prayer is "answered" when the next day Nani takes her to adopt a puppy. Lilo is enchanted by a disagreeable little blue creature she spots and instantly takes a shine to him, naming him Stitch. What Lilo doesn't know, but the audience has been clued into from the opening sequence, is that Stitch is actually an alien genetic experiment gone wrong who has landed on Earth after escaping imprisonment on his own planet, Miro. Created by the rogue alien scientist Jumba, Stitch has only one instinct destroy everything he sees. Once ihro's rulers discover that the Russian-accented Jumba had produced such a creature by manipulating genetic factors, Stitch is on his way to permanent exile - but manages to escape. The bumbling team of Jumba and an effeminate Earth expert named Pleakley (voiced,by Kevin McDonald) are then dispatched to Earth to recapture him. Stitch, with his long floppy ears, claws, pen-

itawakan skews Lilo and Nani, with their pet Stitch, catch a wave in a scene from Disney's 'Vki & chant for destruction and obnoxious temperament to boot, proves to be quite a challenge for Nani, who is desperately trying to keep her small family together despite attempts by Mr. Bubbles (voiced by Ving Rhames), a Mr. T-like social worker, to take Lilo away. Lilo's unsinkable optimism and hopefulness in the midst of a broken family life make her utterly sympathetic, and though the fearsome blue gremlin never becomes warm and fuzzy, Stitch (whose

grunts and few words are voiced by Christopher Michael Sanders) does eventually endear himself, especially when he Identifies with the fairy character of the Ugly Duckling, making him feel like even he needs a family. However, the mild sd-fl action sequences both at the beginning and toward the end are still quite intense, especially when one considers the target audience. The brazen dialogue is also a concern. For example, when Lilo sees the

Photo CNSiltValt Disney PIctures

disheartened David, a young man who has a crush on Nani, once again rejected by her sister, Lilo remarks, "Don't worry, she likes your butt" as a way of encouraging the suitor. "Lilo & Stitch" is a spunky change of pace, but the sometimes flippant tone it takes may be off-putting. Because of several scary moments and some slightly irreverent expressions, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is All adults and adolescents.

Australian cardinal calls out to the lost

COME BACK! The Church loves you, by Cardinal Edward Clancy St Paul Press RRP $17.95 Reviewed by George Russo

flexibility of his writing. In fact he demonstrated a perfect ear for the rhythm and fall of a sentence, and had a real awareness of the nuances of meaning when using difficult words. He was the envy of all the students, and will be of his readers. Later, I met up with him again in Rome where he was studying for his doctorate in Sacred Scripture at the Angelicum University. We met several times afterwards, too, but the most memorable occasions were when he visited the presbytery at Liverpool where he had served as a curate. The people remembered him, affectionately, as the good pastor. All of these great qualities and educational experiences have gone into this marvellous little book All the literary terms are there that you find in the best literary criticism. The introduction calls attention to the declining numbers practising their faith. It states his intention, "teaching rather than devotional," hence the clear, logical, appealing style, which is carried forward through the whole book And its focus is to bring back the strays to the Church, offering "encouragement and a helping hand to those whom Pope John Paul invited to come back to their spiritual home." Otherwise, its subject matter is simply the doctrines of the Church, put briefly, but clearly for all to understand. And that's its great merit. The most apt chapter for our time is the first, which deals with the secular world. He pinpoints secular philosophy as the great evil which denies the existence of God, and promotes materialism as the dominant good in peoples' lives. Money becomes "the key to earthly happiness," and the Christian gospels, Jesus and the Church are dismissed as irrelevant to the modern world. All morality is declared relative, denying any good and advocating evil under a spurious guise, with individualism, a major cause in extolling the rights of the individual and making him the centre of the universe, and actually "poisoning the very atmosphere in which we live our

et me say at the beginning that to review a small book such as this, with so much wisdom, is a great pleasure. As well, I feel personally involved, for the author I have known from my boyhood. CanIbe forgiven if Ireminisce? I first met Ted Clancy, as he was known, when I was a young student, playing outside centre in a rugby match at Springwood seminary. I marked him. He commented afterwards that 'everytime he got the ball I tackled him to the ground', and he pointed to the bruises during the picnic we celebrated in a paddock later. Ever the courteous gentleman, he sent me a letter of thanks for being his host for the day. Clancy was admired as a student for his If life is an allegory, it is perpetual, seeing outstanding English. He wrote well, as this an awareness and understanding of the little book testifies. He had acquired a style events in our lives but these are only means early, which contributed to the grace and to an end, as, through them, we get some Page 14

'intimation of immortality', a foretaste of transcendental love. This appeals to the poetic sense'. Yet, he points out that the unpoetic "secularism has not triumphed in its denial of the existence of God." God exists, a Being who is different, and "far beyond our comprehension." 'The God of our Catholic faith is totally OTHER than anything we can know or experience in this life', he says. He even expounds on the nature of God, stating that He is infinite, and a personal Being enabling us to know, love and serve Him concluding that "Our Catholic faith assures us that God is infinitely good and loves us as only God can.' The Cardinal writes: 'God has planted deep within each and everyone of us a desire for perfect happiness and total selffulfilment, and this is what drives our every initiative. God has reserved for himself the satisfying of this desire. We find much happiness and contentment in this life..., but perfect happiness in this life always eludes us.' Aptly, he quotes St Augustine: 'You have made us for yourself, 0 Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.' But the mystery of God remains. Nevertheless, the Cardinal begs us to believe, trust, and hope in God, and places his own Personal Reflection in every chapter to help us to trust in God and remind us "of the much greater difficulties we face if we suppose that God does not exist." Then, he proceeds with a chapter on 'The History of Our Salvation'. IfIgo on there will be no need to buy and read this marvellous book But I want to allude to his last chapter, as something special, which applies to all of us. It has the poetic title of 'The Wood in the 'Frees', and discusses the hollow formalism to which all religions are vulnerable. 'Without doubt, Vatican II was the most significant and influential even of the 20th century. It put an end to the ghetto mentality that had largely prevailed in the Church, opened doors and windows and let in the winds of change to blow through, and positioned the Church to engage and challenge the secular world.' Cardinal Clancy clearly sees Pope John XXIII as the leader who had the vision of

one flock, one shepherd, and knew the meaning of God as the communion of the faithful'. 'None within the Church has been more affected by the decrees of Vatican II than the lay faithful,' writes the Cardinal. But, you will have to read those for yourself. Only remember that the author is writing about the true Church, which is impregnated by centuries of faith and prayer and through that Catholic Church lies our salvation. Would that the young could see that!

wet r iiew LIDEDEMIIE1E]

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops www.usccb.orp/movies The site for the USCCB is interesting in itself, my interest however was to determine the rating by the USCCB of various movies and the extent of the movies provided for ratings. I was astounded by the amount and complexity of movies dating back as far as 1905 that have been included. The breakdown of movie and video reviews is thorough. The coding of the USCCB is made clear and definite, the rating by the Motion Picture Association of America follows each USCCB rating allowing the reader to make a judgement based on both ratings. Every movie I searched for was listed, and the review plain and simple. The lovely thing about this site is you can search the Vatican top 45 which have been broken down into categories for ease of searching. Of course, if you can't find a movie, you could always email the USCCB and ask for their review and rating.

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official diary panorama September 12-26

Colloquium for New Bishops, Rome Bishop Sproxton

Confirmation, Kwinana - Bishop Healy

Confirmation, Gingin-Chittering Mgr Thomas McDonald Ministry of Acolyte. North Beach Parish Archbishop Hickey

Confirmation, Armadale - Mgr Tim Corcoran Confirmation. Lynwood/Langford Archbishop Hickey Confirmation, Midland - Mgr Thomas McDonald Confirmation, Port Kennedy - Mgr P McCrann Mass to celebrate 100th birthday of Sr Florentine Byrnes RSJ - Bishop Healy Golden Jubilee, Sisters of Mercy - Bishop Healy

Celebration of the Word, Midland - Bishop Healy

Visit Confirmation Candidates, Woodvale Archbishop Hickey Confirmation, Mercedes College Archbishop Hickey

17/18/21 Confirmation, Whitford - Bishop Healy 19

Meeting with CEO Team - Archbishop Hickey

20 & 21 Confirmation, Greenmount - Mgr Tim Corcoran 20 & 22 Confirmation, Riverton - Mgr P McCrann 21

90th anniversary of Sacred Heart Catholic School, Goomalling - Archbishop Hickey

Confirmation, Attadale - Archbishop Hickey Confirmation, Bayswater - Mgr Thomas McDonald

Celebration of the Word, Mirrabooka Parish Archbishop Hickey

Ecumenical Service for the Australian Primary Principals' Assn Conference, St Mary's Cathedral Archbishop Hickey

Confirmation, Woodvale - Archbishop Hickey

26 Presentation of Youth Book to Year 12s at Corpus Christi College - Archbishop Hickey

0: How many surrealists does it take to change a lightbulb? A: A fish

Stargazing Virgo As Venus bisects the arc created by Pluto ascending, the Voyager II satellite continues to disrupt the normally benign effect that this conjunction would have. Virgans should be wary of paranoid Librans and resist the temptation to stand on top of the parish Church and transmit binary data to NASA headquarters in Florida through a piece of wire wrapped around their arms. Fortunately I have discovered a mathematical formula which may be applied to neutralise the effect. It is easily written down on a piece of paper and may be worn inside one's underwear, where it will have most effect. Cheques for $1000 may be sent to myself at The Record offices. Lucky objects: cricket bats. Lucky number: a2sine. Biorythms: + or - .11111111111111111111 Dr Moonunit Vacanstare PhD (Oxen) Dip. Fencing has befriended many dumb animals.

Deadline: 5pm Monday

Saturday September 14 NEXT DAY WITH MARY A ll Saints Chapel. 77 St George's Terrace, 9-5pm. A video on Fatima will be shown at 9am. A day of prayer and instruction based upon the messages of Fatima. Includes Sacrament of Penance, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, talks, rosaries, procession and Stations of the Cross. All very welcome. BYO Inq: Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 9574 5214, Parking: 18 The Esplanade S3.50 per day, St Martin's Tower S5.50 per day. Monday September 16 A N EVENING WITH FR IVANHOE - FOR MEN A t the Schoenstatt Shrine 7.30pm, 9 Talus Drive, Armadale. Making God a reality every day. All men welcome. Inq: Ralph Ph: 9457 0762, or Schoenstatt Sisters Ph: 9399 2349. September 16/17 REFLECTION DAYS FOR WOMEN Conducted by Fr I Allies, Schoenstatt Father. Monday and Tuesday 9.45-2pm. at the Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Drive, Armadale. Talks, reflection time. Reconciliation and Holy Mass, BYO shared lunch. Tea/coffee provided. Cost by donation. Inq: Schoenstatt Sisters Ph: 9399 2349. Friday/Saturday September 20/21 EUCHARISTIC TEACHINGS - FR ERASTO FERNANDEZ SSS Eucharist as the Prayer of Praise Fri, 9-10am, St Gerard's Church, 36 Changton Way, Mirrabooka. Eucharist - The challenge to be radically new, Fri, 7-9pm, St Anne's Church, 11 Hehir Street, Belmont. Eucharist - As covenant, Sat 10.10-11.15am, Holy Sprit Church, 2 Keaney Place, City Beach. Eucharist as covenant, The call to die and rise again, Sat 4-6pm, Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett Street, Embleton, Eucharist-Builds Community Sun 9.3010.30am, Good Shepherd Church, 215 Morley Drive, Kiara. Please bring a plate. September 20-22 WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST Fr Gino Henriques, CSsR, the Director of Evangelisation (Asia-Oceania) comes to invite you to be like: Jesus Christ, walking His way, telling His truth and living His life. Institute for Human Development, Jarrahdale, Cost: $95 cottage. S70 dormitory. For information and registration contact Rita (9272 1765, Doreen (9470 4886) or Gertrude (9445 6576). Saturday September 21 PEACEFUL PRAYER VIGIL Peaceful prayer vigil with rosaries and hymns outside abortion clinic at 2 Clleaver Tce, Rivervale every third Saturday, 11-12noon. Next vigil on Saturday. Please join us. Contact Colin 9409 4543 Saturday September 21 ST LORENZO RUIZ CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP RETREAT On Saturday at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Girrawheen Avenue, Girrawheen, Fr Hugh Thomas CSsR, from the

Redemptorist Monastery is leading the retreat. The theme is "The Challenge to be holy, an urgent challenge for today's Christians". The retreat commences at 8.30am-4pm. Please bring your Bible and a plate of food or soft drink to share . Inq: Julie to confirm you attendance 9343 3105.

Saturday September 21 CHARITY BALL AND PARISH RAFFLE Gingin-Chittering parish invites all to our Charity Ball at Queens Park Recreation Centre, Cnr of Centre and George St. Tickets $12.00 per adult & $6.00 per child (under 12). BYOG.Tickets: Francis Williams 9459 3873 or mob: 0404 893 877 or Fr Paul 9571 1839. 1st Prize: $10,000. All proceeds will go towards building a small church in the parish. Saturday September 21 A SPRING AFTERNOON IN MONET'S GARDEN Gayle Monzu, an experienced lecturer, gardener, will present an inspiring talk, accompanied by a wonderful visual of this beautiful garden created and painted by Monet. Enjoy afternoon tea. The Palms Community Centre, Nicholson Road, Subiaco at 2pm, $15 per person, pro-

a roundup of events in the archdiocese ceeds going to support the Franciscan Sisters. Tickets: Jan Gardner 9381 4317, Dorothy French 9291 6248. Sunday September 22 PILGRIM MOTHER A t the Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Drive. Armadale. 1.30pm. Talk by Fr Allies. 3pm. Covenant Devotions and Benediction at the Shrine. Recommissioning of Coordinators of the Pilgrim Mother Apostolate. Afternoon tea, all welcome (11am Holy Mass for those who would like to spend the day at the Shrine). September 27 - 30 WEEKEND RETREAT FOR 'YOUNG KNIGHTSAn intense schedule of prayer and activities beginning with Holy Mass, few instructions concerning the Fatima message. Latest Inq: Sun 22, Contact: Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 9574 5204 or PO Box 1028 Toodyay, 6566 (No fees, alms graciously accepted. bring bedding!) September 29 BULLSBROOK PILGRIMAGE Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Commencing with Holy Rosary 2pm in the Shrine followed by Marian procession. Reconciliation from 1.30pm. All welcome. Bus transport: 9277 5378, Inq: SACRI 9447 3292 October 4-6 BROTHER ANDREW RETREAT Marist Priest, Fr Paul Glynn well known author of "Healing fire from Frozen Earth" will celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of Brother Andrew's going to God, with a retreat at God's Farm. Holy Mass daily, Prayers of the Church. and confession available. God's Farm. Gracewood. 7.30pm Oct 4. to 2pm Oct 6. Suggested donation S80 inc meals. Contact Betty Peaker PO Box 24. Cowaramup. 6284. Phone/Fax 97 556212. Sunday October 6 A NNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Immaculate Heart of Mary Prayer Group invites all to the celebration of our sixth anniversary on Sunday at 2.30pm at SS John & Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. The afternoon consists of Thanksgiving Mass, Crowning of Our Lady, homily, procession and Rosary Prayer. Please bring a plate. Inq: 9310 1789 (Anna/Peter) Sunday October 6 DIVINE MERCY The Divine Mercy Apostolate celebrates 'Ten Years of Holy Hours' in the Archdiocese of Perth on Sunday at St Mary's Cathedral, Victoria Square. Perth in thanksgiving for graces and favours received in abundance. 2.15pm reconciliation, 2.30pm Holy Rosary, 3pm Holy Mass, 4pm Benediction. Refreshments will be available at Mercedes College Hall. Please bring a plate to share. parking will be available at Mercedes car park, Goderich Street. Inq: John 9457 7771, Linda 9275 6608 Every Wednesday

NOVENA DEVOTION IN HONOUR OF ST JOSEPH Wednesday 1pm, at St Mary's Cathedral. Please join us in prayer for Our Holy Father. Priests and Religious, Holy Vocations, the sick, the deceased and all your special intentions. God Bless You. THE DIVINE OFFICE Few people know that all of us are allowed to use the Breviary. In fact, Pope John Paul ll has urged the laity to pray the liturgy of the hours. Come along and learn the 'liturgy of the hours' on Friday evenings, 6pm. Inq: Mark Balnaves, 9370 6867. DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR The Divine Mercy Apostolate invites all parishioners to a Holy Hour of Adoration on each Saturday of the month (except the 1st Saturday) from 2.30 to 3.30pm at St Francis Xavier's Church. 25 Windsor Street, Perth. On the 2nd Saturday there is Anointing of the sick, celebrant Fr Marcellinus Meilak OFM. The afternoon concludes with refreshments, please bring a plate to share. (Also at Sts. John and Paul Church, Pinetree Gully Road, off South St, Willetton from 11am to 12 noon every Wednesday). Enq John Ph: 9457 7771

Page 15

Pilgrims honour Black Madonna

The Black Madonna is paraded through the streets of Fremantle. About 2000 people gatbered in Fremantle to celebrate the annual procession.

Thousands turn out to honour the legendary Black Madonna in Fremantlle

St Patrick's Basilica, Freamantle was packed for a special Mass celebrating the annual feast and procession of the Black Madonna.

The Church procession leaves the Basilica for the streets of Fremantle. where hundreds lined up to see the procession

More than 2000 people gathered at Fremantle on Sunday for the annual feast and procession celebrating the legend of Our Lady of Tindari. The legend of the Black Madonna began in Sicily in 726AD when a ship carrying the statue sheltered from a storm in a bay on the island, but after the storm abated, the ship would not budge. Sailors disembarked the statue and

The statue on display in the Basilica, where a special Mass was held.

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only then would the ship move. In Fremantle, the Association of Maria Santissima del Tindari obtained its own statue of the Black Madonna seven years ago and since then has held an annual festival. The festival coincides with Mary's birthday. St Patrick's Basilica, Fremantle. was packed out for a special Mass at 9.45am on Sunday, followed by a feast and a procession through Fremantle streets with crowds lining the pavements to the Fremantle Esplanade where there was a fireworks display. Perth Archbisop Barry Hickey took part in the services and the procession. - Story and photos by Neil Smith

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from A rchbishop Hickey the Record is our own Catholic weekly newspaper. It tells us what's happening in the Church locally and internationally. The television and the daily newspaper don't give much space to the Church and when they do, it's often bad news. Find out what is really going on. There is always something in The Record to interest and inspire every member of the family. Buy it every week