Join John Paul II in pra
HONDA
FOR A GREAT DEAL
TEL: 9449 9000
ACCESSORIES, SERVICE, FINANCE OR ANY MAKE OF QUALITY USED CAR.
HONDA, NORTH ON A NEW PARTS,
NOVEMBER General: For widows and widowers, who _Alen feel the pain of loneliness, that they -nay find comfort and support in the Christin community.
432 SC ARBOROL GH BEACH RD OSBORNE PARK. DL
Missionary: That the active participation of Thristians may encourage the spreading of - le Gospel through the mass media.
WA's only Catholic weekly newspaper Perth: November 7 2002 Price: Si
He's two. He's alone. e's dying. See how South Africa's only public Catholic hospital grapples with the tragedy of children Page 4 dying of AIDS.
F EATU RE
Tracey Rowland on JP II's teaching on human sexuality and the family Page 8 and 9
It's a golden milestone for the church of gold Kalgoorlie celebrates its centenary
Page 16
Sifiso, a 2-year-old boy who has AIDS, hugs a toy at the Cotlands child sanctuary in Johannesburg, South
Africa, in late November. Two-hundred babies are born H1V-positive each day in South Africa. By 2005 the country will have around 1 million AIDS orphans under age of 15. Photo CNS/Reuters
zzrie a
alimat
Looming LifeLink appeal aims high for WA's neediest The Archbishop's Christmas Appeal for LifeLink will be launched in every parish in the Archdiocese next weekend, November 16-1Z Parishioners will be handed a special letter from His Grace this weekend, November 9-10, in which he will inform them why this appeal is so important in the life of the Archdiocese. The Archbishop's letter this year will include a special family
prayer card. The Archbishop's Christmas Appeal for LifeLink raises funds for the welfare and social service organisations that work on behalf of the Church to assist West Australian families and individuals in need. More than 48,500 West Australian families and individuals each year will turn to a LifeLink agency for help. The agencies supported by LifeLink deliver a total of $19 million of aid and
support across a wide variety of areas of need, including help for the disabled and people affected by AIDS. All funds raised in the Archbishop's Christmas Appeal are spent "right here at home" on programs and services across WA. The target this year is a minimum of $350,000. Individuals, families and parishes have been asked for enthusiastic support for the appeal.
More than 100 parish priests and parish appeal representatives met at the Mercedes College last week for the Liturgical Launch of the appeal which provides an opportunity for those who are responsible for the appeal to join together in prayer and mutual support. They were given a briefing on the work being done and the target for the appeal and were formally commissioned by the Archbishop for the work they will
undertake in their parishes. Guest speaker at the function was Tony Pietropiccolo, Director of Centrecare and President of WACOSS. Centrecare is supported by Lifelink and provides a variety of counselling, and support services for people suffering from addiction and other problems. Centrecare recently extended their support and professional assistance to help victims and families of the Bali tragedy.
"DON'T PAY THRU THE NOSE AT... ME AMIN' Fla SS, S PACK, ACCLAIM, CALAIS. BERLINA. EOUIPE. SEDANS. WAGONS AND UTILITIES.
CNR ALBANY HVVY AND WHARF STREET, CANNINGTON. gardnermotors.com.au
COUNTRY CALLERS1800 999 121 wEENtAlitin=crardnermotors.com.au
a so, go00
SS, SV8, S PACK, ACCLAIM, CALAIS. BERLINA, EXECUTIVE AND UTES
• • ••
THE RECORD
2 7 NOVEMBER 2002 No. 3334
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.
Managing Editor Peter Rosengren Production/ Advertising Eugen Mattes Office Manager Carole McMillen
Bronwen Clune Neil Smith Stephen Spiteri
Hugh Ryan, Paul Gray, Fr Tim Deeter, Tony Evans, George Russo, Peter Dwan, Fr Anscar McPhee OSB, Norma Woodcock, Guy Crouchback
Goodness the path Science continues to union with God to back the child VATICAN CITY, OCT. 30, 2002 can dwell, without suffering harm, (Zenit.org).- The Bible shows that near the divine fire, a source of benthe path to communion with God is efits for him," the Holy Father said. summarised in a profound rejection "The first commitment consists of of evil, John Paul II says. walking in righteousness," the Pope "God is not indifferent before good said, "namely, in considering the and evil," the Pope said during his divine law as a lamp that lights up address at today's general audience the path of life." in St. Peter's Square. Indeed, in the "The second coincides with loyal pursuit of goodness, man can dis- and sincere speech, sign of correct cover God's dwelling, he said. and authentic social relations," he Commenting on a canticle in Isa- added. "As a third commitment, Isaiah 33:13-16, the Holy Father was iah proposes rejection of 'gain from continuing his series of reflections outrage,' thus combating the oppreson the Psalms and canticles of the sion of the poor and unjust wealth." Old Testament which have become In the fourth place, "the believer is part of daily Christian prayer. then determined to condemn politiAddressing the more than 12,000 cal and judicial corruption, shaking faithful gathered for the audience, 'his hands, lest they hold a bribe,' a John Paul II said, "The just and holy thought-provoking image that indiLord cannot tolerate impiety, cor- cates the refusal of donations made ruption and injustice. He is deflect the application of the laws unleashed as a 'consuming fire' and to and the course of justice," the Holy 'everlasting flames' against evil to continued. Father annihilate it." fifth commitment is "The The Pope said that God, who is goodness itself, cannot dwell with expressed with the significant gesevil; this is why the Bible states: "as ture of 'stopping his ears,' when wax is melted by fire, so the wicked bloody proposals are made, acts of violence to be perpetrated," he will perish before God." "God is not indifferent before good explained. Lastly, the sixth commitment and evil, but shows himself annoyed and angry in the face of wickedness," implies "the complete refusal of any contact whatsoever with evil." the Pontiff stressed. Whoever chooses to follow this not sombre, Yet, Isaiah's canticle is because its ultimate objective is the honest and righteous conduct "will receive the security of that external encounter between God and man. Because of this, "Isaiah lists six and internal well-being that God moral commitments for the true gives to the one who is in commubeliever, faithful and righteous, who nion with him," John Paul II added.
Saints galore for students
Subscribe to The Record $55 per year, 12 issues. Send subscription with cheque or money order. See subscription form page 16
Editorial: Tuesday first mail Advertising: Booking: Monday midday Copy: Tuesday midday
587 Newcastle Street, West Perth, WA 6005 PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 Tel. 9227 7080 Fax 9227 7087 or find us on the web www.therecord.com. au Editor cathrec@iinet.net.au Classifieds/ A dvertising mattesrec@iinet.net. au Accounts carolerec @iinet.net.au
Home-schooled students dressed up as their favourite Saints.
All Saints Day left Halloween in example of the opportunities for the lurch by the proverbial mile originality and ingenuity available when Perth's home schoolers gath- to home schoolers. ered at St Simon Peter's Church, November will also see the first Ocean Reef, for their annual All Catholic home schooling conference Saints Day parade last Friday. in Perth, to be held at Holy Name There were 14 families with 56 Church hall, Carlisle from 9.30am to children dressed up as their 3pm on Saturday November 30. favourite saint. Archbishop Barry Hickey will give Padre Pio and other recently an address at 10.45am. canonised saints were prominent, All who are interested in home but the lesser known saints includ- schooling are welcome to attend to ed Blessed Margaret of Metola (also hear practical advice from experts known as Margaret of Citta-di- (i.e. mothers and fathers) and learn Castella, sometimes known in Eng- about the benefits of home schoollish as Costello). Margaret was born ing. Books and tapes will also be in 1287 dwarfed, blind, hunchthat are helpful in raising available shortbacked and lame, with one leg joyful, knowledgeable, practising er than the other. She had a hard Catholics. time from her parents, but a great The cost is only $10 (family $15) relationship with God and when she and morning tea is provided. BYO died at the age of 33 more than 200 lunch. Details are available from Lormiracles were recorded. raine 9446 9682 The day began in the church with prayers and hymns to honour God in his saints, and the MANNING & ASSOCIATES colourful parade of the heavenly cohort followed. Contact Lens Consultants A sumptuous lunch Mark Kalnenas (B. optom) prepared by the mothers Grove Plaza, Cottesloe was followed by games, chocolates and goodies 9384 6720 galore. It was a grand
OPTOMETRISTS
3111
the University of Michigan, said abortion increased the risk not only of breast cancer but also of premature birth. She cited two The scientific research of studies that showed women who recent years has brought had abortions were more likely to increasing evidence that commit suicide later, but said the reason for the connection had not the life destroyed by aborbeen established. Women subject tion is human from its earli- to depression may be more likely est stages and that abortion to choose abortion, she said. Maggie Gallagher, a columnist threatens the health and author of several books on and women, CNS welfare of marriage, said legalising abortion reports. had failed to produce the freedom Sidney Callahan, a visiting pro- for women that its advocates had fessor at Vincentian-run St. John's promised. Instead, she said, more University, where the symposium men have been refusing to accept was held, said the research of responsibility for children they physicists into the smallest parti- father, and arguing that if the cles of the universe undercut the woman does not get an abortion argument that human zygotes and she has sole responsibility for takembryos could be disregarded ing care of the child. Women have been under more because they were merely tiny to submit to "meaningpressure clumps of developing cells. The genetic composition of these less, random sex with men they earliest forms of human life makes knew were irresponsible," she said. them "dynamically potent as a 'What is described as an increase In freedom turns out to be a shift nuclear explosion,' she said. Callahan said it was 'disappoint- In power.' Callahan said she had ing that many Catholic thinkers supported a 'feminist for life' posican give a green light to early abor- tion throughout her working life, tion' with the argument that and had 'rejoiced to see this group embryos 'do not meet develop- and these attitudes increase in mental criteria that hark back to number." Although the 'iron grip" of crumedieval philosophical categories saders for abortion still prevails in of thought.' Current biological understand- Congress and other 'high political ing of 'each zygote's dynamic and legal circles,' Ills not as strong uniqueness' means that moral sta- 'In the country at large, or among tus should not be denied until women or, more important, among implantation 'or some other arbi- young women: she said. Referring to an earlier period of trary milestone,' she said. The symposium, held to survey the abortion debate, Callahan said the results of 30 years of abortion advocates called it a 'tragic choice' since Roe vs. Wade and its impact that could be allowed because of on women, was organised by "the uncertainty of the fetus's Americans United for Life, a Chica- human status and the belief that go organisation that describes legal abortion would serve itself as 'the only public interest women's health and psychological law firm dedicated exclusively to well-being." 'All of these beliefs are now being nationwide efforts to reinstate by new scientific challenged respect for human life.' Feminists for Life of America and research,' she said. In addition to the research by Women Affirming Life served as co-sponsors, and local arrange- physicists. Callahan cited recent ments were handled by the Vin- studies of the unconscious showcentian Centre for Church and ing it carries a sense of values that may not always be a part of conSociety at St. John's. Angela Lanfranchi, a medical scious awareness. Violating these values through a doctor who is co-founder of the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, "supposedly voluntary choice" can reported evidence that abortion lead to the stress of "post-abortion increased the risk of developing syndromes,' she said. 'The basic affirmation of a probreast cancer. But she said health woman, pro-life position is that care professionals were reluctant to undertake research in this area, women cannot be protected and and male doctors refrained from flourish unless fetal life is protectgiving information about the abor- ed.' Callahan argued. 'The kind of tion-cancer link because they society that legally permits fetal life to be extinguished at the will feared attacks by feminists. 'Women's lives and health are of a woman, as a private unilatersacrificed to maintain political cor- al decision, will never be able to muster the principles of justice and rectness,' she said. Elizabeth Shadigian, a physician communal obligations or laws that who is clinical associate professor can protect and care for women of obstetrics and gynaecology at and their children.'
Human Life
WANTED: VOLUNTEER WORKERS DIOCESE OF BROOME WA Catholic Volunteer Service Kimberley, WA
The Diocese of Broome has immediate vacancies for VOLUNTEERS to serve on remote Missions and Communities of the Kimberley. Single people and married couples considered. Duration of service - twelve months to two years. For further details and an application form please contact: The Diocesan Secretary Ph: (08) 9192 1060 Fax: (08) 9192 2136 email: secretary @broomediocese.org PO Box 76, Broome WA 6725
^
THE RECORD
7 NOVEMBER 2002
3
Looking at Islam The world in Perth
Dialogue is now more serious The Christian-Muslim dialogue around the world is now much more serious, much tougher, and better than it was before the events of September 11, 2001, according to Fr Tom Michel SJ, head of the Office of Islam of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. He was addressing about 40 Christian and Muslim religious leaders in Perth at a gathering hosted by Archbishop Barry Hickey. Fr Michel has spent the last 30 years teaching Islamic studies in Christian institutions and Christian theology in Islamic institutions in many parts of the world, Including Turkey and Indonesia. For long periods of time he has been the only Christian in a totally Muslim environment. "September 11 has not affected relations Christian-Muslim because the terrorists are so far removed from the great majority of Muslims that it is impossible for them or us to make any connection," he said. "We can no more understand Islam by reading the interpretation of it by fanatics on the fringe than Muslims could understand Christianity by interpreting the Jonestown massacre," he said Since September 11, however. there had been a great change in the number and nature of con-
Fr Michel talks with Haji Madralie Bohin, President of the Islamic Association of Christmas and Cocos Islands. tacts between Christians and an event which he thought would have been unthinkable before Muslims. "Many of the initiatives in the September 11. One of the Saudi speakers said: last year have come from Christian groups who realise they know "Tell us what we must do to show very little about Muslims, and the Christian world that we are many have come from Muslim not the enemy!" Fr Michel said that in reply he groups who don't want to see a division of Muslims and the West. suggested that a Saudi university "They want to avoid the polari- set up a centre for peace studies, ty that politicians and journalists make it inter-religious and present the Muslim understanding of like so much." An example of the change in peace and the nature of conflict in contacts was a recent multi-faith the world. Fr Michel said there had also conference held in Saudi Arabia,
The real Muslim's view
of terrorism Fr Michel said that Muslims throughout the world have condemned terrorism and it would be helpful if Christians and others in the West paused to consider their statements, such as the following statement (which Fr Michel read to the gathering) made by HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal. of Jordan, after the Bali bombing: "Terrorism is not islamocentric. It is islamophobic. "Whoever is responsible for this crime against humanity must know that they cannot hide behind the religion of a fifth of humankind. Muslims have now to wake up to the enemy within and expose these evil fanatics for what they are. "Those who commit such atrocities and claim to do so in the name of any religion shame us, and shame our heritage. Such people do nothing for religion. They have, on the contrary, taken up arms against true
people of faith. As a MuslimIbelieve God does not order men to commit evil deeds. "As a Muslim I believe there is no compulsion in religion. "I believe that what I share with people of other faiths is more precious and meaningful than the narrow interpretations of extremists with a political agenda. "Terrorism is thus the maintenance of narrow, often political, ideologies that are increasingly bereft of their humanity. "Rigid and puritanical interpretations of scripture that are merely dry, legalistic theories of a dogmatic ideal can only be imposed as they have no natural affinity with the fluid and progressive spiritual faith of ordinary believers. "It may be that such ideologies are ONLY capable of finding expression in the actions of extremists, for where else can they be understood?"
OUR LADY OF L()URDES PARISH, LESMURDIE
50 YEARS OF OBLATES IN THE HILLS Inviting all past and present members of Lesmurdie Parish to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in our Hills Community. DINNER: Saturday 7th December, 7pm to 12pm Mazenod Gymnasium, Gladys Road, Lesmurdie Cost: $25/head. BYO Drinks MASS: Sunday 8th December, 9.30am Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Lesmurdie Road, Lesmurdie TICKETS: available after all Masses, or from Parish Centre, or by phoning 9291 8197 or 9359 1704.
been a change in the nature of the dialogue among established contacts. "It is now much more serious and is not merely an enunciation or platitudes or even of ideals," he said. "The trouble with statements of ideals is that we tend to judge others against our ideals, but we don't judge ourselves by them or by the other person's ideals. "When we were just being 'nice' to one another, we didn't ask the hard questions; we didn't express the prejudices we were hanging onto; and we didn't consider the real-life situations and weaknesses that influence the way we live out our faith, whether Christian or Muslim. "We need to promote the study of peace and we need to set up these programs together so that we actively become peacemakers in the world. "We must underline the effects of any geo-political decisions on ordinary people - such as the effects of bombing on a mother raising her children or an ordinary citizen going to work. "We must keep pushing this understanding onto political leaders. It is too easy for them to talk about collateral damage, or necessity, or breaking eggs to make an omelette," Fr Michel said.
New Book Release! I the Lord Am With You Always Prayers and Meditations for Eucharistic Adoration
All procee s to elp the projects of Aid to the Church in Need for the persecuted Church in Sudan
What is Jihad? For the vast majority of Muslims - 99.9 per cent of them the greater jihad is the interior struggle to submit every part of oneself to God, Fr Michel explained. If people die in that struggle. they receive paradise from God. This is the truth of Islam for the mother raising her family. the teacher in the classroom. the storekeeper, the labourer. If they die in the practice of their faith, they will receive paradise. There is also the struggle against injustice and oppression which calls some people and if they die in their faith while engaged in that struggle they expect to receive paradise. To associate jihad and paradise with war or suicide bombing is to completely misunderstand what is going on the lives of 99.9 per cent of Muslims. For them. Islam is their relationship with God: they have never owned a weapon, have never wanted to kill a Christian, and don't indulge in any sort of violence.
-The Eucharist is at the heart of our life as Catholics and adoration of the Eucharist has been and continues to be an unrivalled source of grace and support for all who seek to follow Christ faithfully. I the Lord Am With You Always is a wonderful collection of prayers. meditations and reflections on the reality of Our Lord in the Eucharist. I am sure it will be a great aid to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament." Most Rev. Dr. George Pell - Archbishop of Sydney "This book ... contains a wealth of prayers. thoughts and meditations, all centred around the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It is a privilege for us to be able to spend time before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. During those precious moments we sense Jesus' tremendous love for us. We bring to Him our joys and our sorrows, we talk to Him about the needs of those around us. and we ask for that deep conversion of the heart and mind that will make us one with Him ... I commend this book to all, especially to those who have rediscovered the beauty and joy of Eucharistic adoration..." Most Rev. B. J. Hickey - Archbishop of Perth A beautiful set of Vatican Rosary beads will be sent to all those who give an additional charity donation of S10.00 or more to help the projects of Aid to the Church in Need for the persecuted Church in Sudan*. Please tick the box below if you would like to receive the Papal Rosary beads.
Order Form: "I the Lord Am With You Always"
Send to: Aid to the Church in Need, PO Box 6245 Blacktown DC NSW 2148 Phone/Fax No: (02) 9679-1929 E-mail: info a aidtochurch.org Web: www.aidtochurch.org Payment method:
Please send me:
Number
OR Please debit my credit card
Amount 1 the Lord Am With You Always ($10)
L Cheque/money order enclosed
Bankcard
Visa
Mastercard
Plus $1 per item for post and packaging Charity donation for Sudan* Total enclosed Please send me the Vatican Rosary beads*
Signature
Exp Date .
BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Rev ACN is an international Catholic charity dependent on the Address Holy See, supporting the faithful in countries where the Church is poor or persecuted.
Postcode
4
THE RECORD
7 NOVEMBER 2002
ords 0 W ISD M
Where every day is sad How South Africa's only public Catholic hospital faces a never-ending struggle to care for the most innocent victims of AIDS her, Ross said during a late-October tour of the hospital by a delemong the very sick babies gation from Catholic Relief n the cramped paediatric Services, the US bishops' interna'ntensive care unit is a 3- tional relief and development month-old boy painfully battling agency. The delegation was led by to breathe, with nose tubes admin- Bishop Robert Lynch and Bishop istering antibiotics. John Ricard. His mother watches him, wringOwned by the Missionary Sisters ing her hands, periodically getting of the Precious Blood, St. Mary's up to wail what sound like des- Hospital, about 36 kilometres outperate prayers. side of Durban. is South Africa's The baby has a persistent lung only public Catholic hospital. An infection and tuberculosis, ram- average of 5,000 patients a month pant among HIV-positive infants, are seen at the 234-bed hospital. said Dr Douglas Ross, superinten- "We're seeing the weirdest strains dent of St. Mary's Hospital in the of ordinary ailments, like impetiMariannhill Diocese in South go, all as a result of HIV," said Ross. Africa's Kwazulu-Natal province. People with AIDS are filling the One in three people in the casualty ward, using resources that province are estimated to be infect- would otherwise be used by viced with the human inununodeft- tims of violence or accidents, he ciency virus that causes AIDS. said. While St. Mary's provides Despite his mother taking the anti- trauma, obstetric, gynaecological retroviral drugs offered to all HIV- and pediatric care, Ross said, positive pregnant women at St "We're all broad generalists and Mary's, the baby was infected. work where it's needed." "The drugs only reduce the risk In the neonatal ward, nurses by 50 per cent, from one in three watch over premature babies on to one in six," Ross said, noting that ventilators. "We only ventilate "of those born here with HIV, we babies that are over 1.2 kilograms lose about half within two years." (two pounds. 10 ounces)," Ross In a recent study done at the hos- said. Many of those turned away pital, South Africa's Medical would be successfully treated in Research Council found that 51.4 the United States, "but our per cent of pregnant women test- resources are limited and so 1.2 ed were HIV-positive. Adults with kilograms has been set as a rule." HIV receive no antiretrcrvirals at St. he said. Mary's because of the high cost. "Although medical care in the Ross said, noting that the hospital U.S. is much more specialised," St. is seeking benefactors to pay for Mary's is "very comparable" to the treatment that would extend hospitals in the United States in the life expectancy of those infect- terms of care, efficiency and cleaned. In the nearby pediatric ward, a liness, said Bishop Ricard. small girl with AIDS, her entire Bishop Lynch said seeing the sufbody covered in severe eczema, fering babies and children in St. stretches in her sleep in a corner Mary's was "heartbreaking" and cot. "The mother has died, the said his only consolation was that grandmother is struggling. There's they were being loved and cared basically no one" left to care for for. By Bronwen Dachs, CNS
i
with George Russo
A
s a young manI discovered the Catholic poet, Francis Thompson, and just loved his poetry. Perhaps, the best of it, and the most moving, was his "Hound of Heaven." "IFLED Him down the nights and down the days; IFLED Him down the arches of the years, I FLED Him down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind, and, in the midst of tears, Ihid from Him, and under running laughter" Thompson was a man of genius as well as being a celebrated poet of the later romantic period and devout Catholic. My purpose is to say something about the man: it is biographical rather than critical. It was a life full of conflicts and drama. His young years as an adult were unhappy, principally because he was unsuccessful in training for the priesthood and failed in his attempts to study medicine. These failures led to an addiction to opium that lasted all his short life. Destitute, he lived for three years on the streets of London. without proper food or shelter. The little food he got came from begging, and provided little necessary nourishment. He was rescued by the Catholic writers Wilfred and Alice Meynell, and this brought about his poetic awakening. Gradually, against the contrasting background of the Sussex Downs, London lodging houses, seedy cafes, and the Welsh mountains, Francis Thompson began to realise the potential of his poetic gifts. But, unfortunately, publication brought little recognition and even less financial reward. The young poet fel that he was a dismal failure. The remainder of his life was a continuing struggle against the evils of drug taking, poverty and malnutrition. Consequentially, his body deteriorated and life gradually faded from him. His lonely death was the ultimate tragedy. Thompson left several notebooks and diaries, which gave an account of his tragic life and troubled literary personality in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Whatever one may say about his failures as a literary personality drug addict, and social misfit, Francis Thompson was a poet of genius, and a man of great faith, and should be remembered by posterity Francis died, prematurely, in 1907 at the age of forty-eight. Perhaps, then, he found that peace and contentment that alluded him all his troubled life.
Pediatric ward patients lie in beds awaiting care at St Mary's Hospital in the Diocese of Mariannhill, South Africa. Photo CNS/Bronwen Dachs
H
Nkosi Johnson, an 11-year-old stricken with AIDS, takes his daily cocktail of drugs at home in Johannesburg in South Africa.
Ross said hospital staff struggle to look more broadly at what it with seeing so many of their could offer patients, she said. patients die. "We realised that the solution lies "Most of us can deal with it intel- in the community, and so we focus lectually, but not emotionally," he on counselling and home-based said, noting that "staff here take a care," Mahilall said. lot of strain, especially the young Giving care and support to ones, in the face of all this death, orphans is high on the program's doom and destruction." list of priorities as AIDS deaths Ronita Mahilall, who runs the leave "more and more grieving hospital's community outreach children without adults to provide centre, said young nurses, many of for them," Mahilall said. whom are infected with HIV, are The program, partially funded by urged to use the hospital's CRS, has trained about 250 homeresources to ease their load. Nurs- based caregivers, she said. es are given free care at the hosAbandoned bodies have overtakpital and encouraged to talk to the en abandoned babies as a cause psychologist on the staff, she said. of major concern at St. Mary's, with The hospitals' well-trained about 500 bodies left in the hospistaffers often are recruited to work tal every month. Ross said. He said at hospitals overseas. Some leave among the facilities in need of for better-paying jobs at local hos- expansion is the mortuary. "It cost us about 50.000 rands pitals. Some resign after burning (US$5,000) last year to cremate the out, Mahilall said. Mahilall is responsible for train- bodies that were left here," he said. "We used to do pauper's funering caregivers to assist people with AIDS in their homes. The program als, but there's no space in the area was born out of a hospital decision for that now," he said.
ello, my name is Stephen Spitwo thousand years ago. Jesus lives I teri andIam 21 years old. My inside every one of us today, and life began the same way as anyone you cannot put an expiration date else's would have; you are born, on that. you grow up, you embarrass your I can remember my days at high mum when necessary (like now), school, where even in a Catholic you grow up some more, you go to secondary institution, one was school or uni, you grow up some mocked for wanting to go to Mass more, and here you are now. every Friday (let alone every SunIf only it were that simple. Seriday) morning before classes started ously, life has had its dramas, but for that day. I could not have asked for things A lot of my classmates thought of to have turned out better in my me as the person most likely to life. become a priest after I had left Some people say that the school, something I should have Catholic Church is old and outtaken as a compliment at the time. dated, and I can honestly say that if I listened But my vocation in life has turned out to be to those people,Iwould not be here writing this completely different since then. It is like the old piece today. saying which goes, "Whatever doesn't kill you Fortunately for me,I grew up in a family and makes you stronger", and I can vouch for that. in a wonderful community (the Disciples of I feel very blessed with what I have been Jesus Covenant Community) of people who through in my short life thus far. My experibelieve that God, Jesus and a sacramental life ences have made me stronger, and with God on are the "bee's knees" of everything. my side, all I can say is, "bring it on" I had the full support from a majority of my I've heard a lot of people say that "love confriends and family to stick with my faith, a pit- quers all", well, God is love, and he conquers tance compared to what Jesus did for me almost all. God rocks.
Surprised by Truth
) Readers Testimonies
This week: Steve Spiteri
THE RECORD
7 NOVEMBER 2002
5
It's up to the laity: Glendon By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) - The laity in the United States can help the Catholic Church overcome its current crisis by learning the truth about what has happened and by ensuring fidelity to and a stronger formation in the faith, a Harvard Law professor told a Rome audience. Mary Ann Glendon, a Boston resident, said new lay groups organised in the wake of the clergy sex abuse crisis too often act as if lay administrative control of the Catholic Church would end the crisis and scandal. "I personally do not think the cause of the crisis is a failure of leadership or authority," Glendon said in a November 4 speech at the Legionaries of Christ's Regina Apostolorum University. Church leaders have admitted making mistakes, particularly with regard to their use of medical and psychiatric reports on offenders, and "the media could have been handled differently," she said, but the key to the crisis lies with individuals. "You must start with the human person," she said, responding to questions after her talk. "There has been a lapse of fidelity, little by little, that's how sin starts: Glendon said that when the media began reporting on the cases the attempts of Catholics in the United States to provide accurate information were too weak. "A narrative was being constructed abcut what happened." she said. The sense was that the abuse was massive.
ongoing, ignored by church leaders and Glendon said the response of Catholic that it was a problem particular to the laypeople must be to learn their faith, Catholic Church's celibate clergy "This is take it seriously, get involved and a false storyline imbedded in the minds "embrace the callings that are theirs in of many Catholics," baptism." Glendon said. Without formation, It was only after she said, "we are going months of front-page to have trouble defendheadlines that the ing our beliefs - even to media began "to dribble ourselves. We are going out the information that to feel helpless when we come up against the most of the cases, nay, nearly all of the cases, secularism, historicism took place long ago in and relativism that are the '60s, '70s and '80s," so pervasive in our culshe said. "Was it really ture." It is understandable news that a tiny minorthat many well-intenity of Catholic priests tioned laypeople have succumbed to the genbeen drawn into new eral sexual bacchanalia Photo: Kairos movements, such as the of those years?" Mary Ann Glendon Boston-based Voice of In addition, she said, the media created an atmosphere of near the Faithful, she said. "Many Catholics hysteria by initially describing the cases are, of course, deeply concerned about as involving pedophilia, the abuse of pre- recent revelations of clerical sexual pubescent children, when in fact most of abuse; they want to do something about the cases involved priests and teen-age It and they grasp the slogans that are in the boys. The media attention to the story, air." But believing that "the church and particularly the massive coverage of the her ministers are to be regarded with Boston Globe, is fuelled by a deep-seat- mistrust and that she stands in need of ed and long-standing anti-Catholicism, supervision by secular reformers" are not Catholic positions and will not strengshe said. "I often hear it said that the Globe will then the Catholic community she said. Authentic reform and renewal of the receive a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting on this matter," Glendon said. "All I can church, she said, must focus on faith and say is that, if fairness and accuracy have on living the Christian virtues, not on tryanything to do with it, awarding the ing to seize power. Mary Ann Glendon's complete speech Pulitzer Prize to the Boston Globe would be like giving the Nobel Peace Prize to will appear on Thursday on The Record's website www.therecord.com.au Osama bin Laden."
Paris archdiocese launches its own funeral service
STEFANELLI SAWMILLERS & TIMBER MERCHANTS
The people who specialise in timber for the builder & handyman 426 Great Northern Highway, Middle Swan. WA 6056
Ph: 9250 1899
Italian Holiday
FOR ALL THINGS ROMAN ' A feet i. Greet Boutique Hotels * B&B * Country or City * fonasteryConvent Accommodation * TheatrelLangua
Assistance * Restaurant, " Private Car Tounng
Contact Michael or Sabina (08) 9322 2914
Flightwo-rld
NNERICaN EXPRESS
Travel Services
* 200 Si George's Terrace. Perth WA 6000 Email: admin@flighrworkkornaur
Home & Contents Insurance from
CCI Call 1300 655 005 for a competitive quote now. www.ccinsurances.com.au
Excellent policy with honest cover
n available to discount Up
45%
n Pay by the month option excess for retirees d Nil over the age of 55 Cover for Investment & d Holiday homes available
Catholic Church
111 Insurances Limited
tKi,st
PL (Et)
CNS Reuters
A man pauses in front of a grave at the Ciriego cemetery in Santander in northern Spain on November 1. PARIS, NOVEMBER1. 2002 (Zenit.org)- Disturbed Catholic Funeral Service [SCF] , which I created in that death has become a mere business for many Paris in the year 2000, at the request of Cardinal undertakers, the Archdiocese of Paris is launching Lustiger. Beginning on November 1, 2002, the SCF will become a funeral ceremony service. its own service to provide funerals. Q: What services will be offered? Christian de Cacqueray, 40, director of the De Cacqueray: Like any company, but maintainCatholic Funeral Service, has just published a book, "Confiscated Death: Essay on the Decline of Funer- ing the identity of its association, the SCF will offer al Rites," with a preface by Cardinal Jean-Marie all funeral services in the event of death. The fact that SCF is an association means that the logic of Lustiger, Archbishop of Paris. the market is not our first concern. Q: Why do you speak of "confiscated death"? Q: Given the scene that you describe, in which De Cacqueray: More than being confiscated, death is hidden. Ills the result of many social tendencies death is increasingly "confiscated," how do you see that have arisen in Western societies; in particular, the future? De Cacqueray: We are facing a decisive moment the present concept of medicine. Concealment, which banishes the reality of death from social life, in France. Before increasingly de-Christianised genfavours the extreme professionalisation of funeral erations, what answer will the Catholic Church give, which does not allow herself to be influenced services. Given that relations among neighbours and reli- by the logic of organisations or money? Funeral gion no longer make it possible to respond to the pastoral care, so dependent on these systems, runs needs of a family in mourning, funeral service com- the risk of losing its true identity. What is needed, panies occupy a place that has been left empty. This therefore, is a reaction, and proposals for proper can be seen especially in the new places where the funeral pastoral care. Q: Of what type? deceased and their families are received, for examDe Cacqueray: The SCF of the Archdiocese of ple, crematoriums. In this connection, it may be said that death - our Paris offers a modest and simple answer. Given that death - is turned into a confiscated reality And, as funeral service structures have a preponderant role you can imagine, this confiscation has particularly In the organisation of funeral rites, we have decided to give the Church an equivalent structure. grave human and religious implications. Q: How have you come to this conclusion? There are three objectives. For the families, it is a De Cacqueray:Ihave been involved in the funer- concrete sign of the Church's solicitude in regard al sector for professional reasons for over 10 years to the people In mourning. For the Church's pas- first as director of communication of a large funer- toral care, it is a concrete means to transmit her al services company, and then as director of the Christian view of death.
Twice the Dealer - Twice the Service
Mr Paul Zappia
Mr Denis McInerney cordially invites the Catholic Religious Orders and WA's Catholic Community to contact our representative, Mr Paul Zappia, for your next new vehicle.
239 Walter Rd, Morley (opposite ICFC) Phone 9275 1222
website: www.mford.com.au email: fordsales@mford.com.au A/Hrs 9275 1531
Di 2371
6
THE RECORD
7 NOVEMBER 2002
Opinion
Reflection
Catholic opinions from around Australia
I Say, I Say.... F
Steve Rossetti is one of the most it, it's a terrible thing, but when a priest does respected voices in America on the it, it's particularly despicable. "But there are issue of child abuse by priests. Author other levels, and one of the levels is how the of four books and a psychologist with exper- bishops make their decisions and impletise in the treatment of sexual disorders, he ment them. Over the last decade, they were has frequently been asked by America's doing a lot of good work, in a lot of cases, bishops to speak to the media on the issue. but people didn't know about it, and so they I met Fr Rossetti during his visit to Aus- assume the worst when a case like the tralia recently. He said "any sane person" Boston case of John Geog,han came up." should feel sympathy for the bishops, in In a lengthy article written last April, Fr view of the intensity of the media spotlight Rossetti included increased openness as on them recently. one of five essential resolutions that should "They (the US bishops) have made some be adopted by the Church in America in mistakes - there's no doubt about it. But I response to the recent crisis. frankly do not personally believe they Others include listening more to parents. deserve the intensity of the mistrust and "One of the 'disconnects' has been that, obvihostility that they've received. I'm disap- ously, no-one likes child abuse - but the parpointed by it, frankly." ents have a particularly strong response Fr Rossetti believes the church's bishops because they have this intense connection are working hard on the issue of rebuilding with their own children," Fr Rossetti said. trust in the church. However, the nature of "That sort of parental rage when their chilthe problems that have arisen don't neces- dren are violated needs to be heard by the sarily admit of simple solutions. Church, more." "There are several levels of problems and While urging a greater stress on accountcrises going on," Fr Rossetti says. "One is ability in church decision-making, Fr Roschild abuse itself - whenever anyone does setti defends the hierarchical nature of the
on
RD
Sunday
A laywoman's meditations by Norma Woodcock
Are we ready and waiting?
T
he theme of the scriptures this Those who were ready went into the week is telling us that we must be wedding hall with him and the door was ready at all times for the coming closed. of Christ. The other bridesmaids arrived back In the first reading Wisdom 6:12-16 we late and wanted the door opened but are encouraged. 'Watch for her early and were refused entry. "Lord, Lord,' they said you will have no trouble; you will find 'open the door for us'. But he replied, 'I her sitting at your gate'. tell you solemnly, I do not know you.' Wisdom in the Old Testament is the Jesus finishes the parable by telling us to creative spirit of God. The reading leaves stay awake for we do not know either the no doubt that wisdom is readily found by day or the hour. those who earnestly seek her. We can take this parable and apply its I have heard it said that God plays hide truth to our meeting with God at our and seek with us, but he hides so that he death, but we can also apply it to the can be found.I was reminded of this the journey we are on. other day when my little 2 1/2 year old We are the bridesmaids. The bridegranddaughter was hiding from me. groom is Christ. The oil is the love, life With great glee she called out, 'Come and presence of this Jesus sent by God and find me, come and find me, I'm hid- to take us to Him. ing behind the chair'. Each person is responsible for their We have a God who wants to be found. own oil, it is not transferable. Our response in the Responsorial Christ seeks to meet us as we go about Psalm 62:2-8 is 'My soul is thirsting for our earthly lives. He wants to be involved you, 0 Lord my God.' in every moment, every decision, every In the second reading, 1 Thessalonians joy, every sadness, the good times and 4:13-18, St Paul is reminding the people the bad times. that we are not like those who have no As we actively seek him in all our activhope, but rather our comfort is that we ities, relationships and in our thoughts, are to be raised to life with Christ and words and deeds, a bond develops, a death has no power over us. communion, a union of hearts, minds In the gospel Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus and wills. tells this parable. There were ten bridesThis union strengthens and confirms maids who took their lamps and went to us in this graced life so that we are conmeet the bridegroom. Five of them took nected to Christ in our consciousness no flasks of oil to reffil their lamps, the other matter what comes along, be it in this life five didn't. or the moment of death that leads to our The bridegroom was late and the resurrection as persons even unto the bridesmaids fell asleep. When the bride- resurrection of our bodies one day. groom finally arrived, the bridesmaids Through our sacraments, through our woke up and the five bridesmaids who lives of lived service, through deep heart hadn't brought the extra oil found that felt prayer, which is a 'being with' God their lamps were going out. and through good sound spiritual readThey asked the other five bridesmaids ing, let us always keep our lamps full so for some of their oil, they refused as to be found ready and waiting for him because they were worried that they may whom we love. not have enough for themselves and the Yes, Jesus has come into the world, he others. is constantly coming to us anew in this The five went to buy more oil and so life and he will come again at the end of missed the coming of the bridegroom. time. Page 6
with Paul Gray
Catholic Church's structure. "There's a hierarchy in every organisation," he says. "You have a boss. Your boss has a boss. Hierarchy's one of those words where people say, 'isn't it awful', but hierarchies are everywhere - including families. "The parents are in charge, the kids are not If the parents are not in charge, the family falls apart. So hierarchies are a good thing - but the implication is right: the implication is that it can't be without accountability. "There needs to be a balance between proper authority proper hierarchy, which is not a bad thing, and some accountability." Fr Rossetti rejects many "grand theories" that have emerged about why the crisis has occurred. "There's lots of 'good' theories: there's the theory that it's caused by celibacy, that it's caused by homosexuality, that it's caused by not having married priests. "All those things assume that somehow there's a unique problem in the Catholic Church. And there's not. This is not a priests' problem. it's a human problem. You look at the percentage of priests who molest minors. One is one too many, but the best numbers
suggest that it's no more prevalent in the Church than it is in society. "The 'sexual revolution' may have had some impact, but this has been going on before the sexual revolution even started" Fr Rossetti also says that the Church must continue preaching Catholic doctrine including doctrine on sexuality. "There's a well of anger against the Church for a variety of issues, and one of the issues is the Church's teaching on sexuality "People say they don't like the Church's teachings, and they get angry. One reporter said to me, 'isn't the Church abusing the people by its teaching on sexuality?' My response to that is that teaching the truth is never abusive. "You might not like it, and it might be counter-cultural. but I think that society's approach to sexuality Is bankrupt. I think the Church has an important message to bring when it comes to sexuality. "I think that sexuality is a wonderful gift from God, but it must be used in a way that's appropriate to one's state in life. There are boundaries and limits."
TO JESUS THROUGH MARY
gt column of Marian devotion
This week The Record publishes the first instalment of John Paul ll 's Apostolic Letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae". Readers may find it solid going, but every little bit helps and it is worth its weight in gold.
On the most Holy Rosary 1. The Rosary of the Virgin Mary. which gradually took form in the second millennium under the guidance of the Spirit of God, is a prayer loved by countless Saints and encouraged by the Magisterium. Simple yet profound, it still remains, at the dawn of this third millennium, a prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness. It blends easily into the spiritual journey of the Christian life, which, after two thousand years, has lost none of the freshness of its beginnings and feels drawn by the Spirit of God to 'set out into the deep' (duc in altum!) in order once more to proclaim, and even cry out, before the world that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour, 'the way, and the truth and the life' On 14:6), 'the goal of human history and the point on which the desires of history and civilisation turn'. The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium. It is an echo of the prayer of Mary, her perennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer. The Popes and the Rosary 2. Numerous predecessors of mine attributed great importance to this prayer. Worthy of special note in this regard is Pope Leo XIII who on 1 September 1883 promulgated the Encyclical Supremi Apostolatus Officio, a document of great worth, the first of his many statements about this prayer, in which he proposed the Rosary as an effective spiritual weapon against the evils afflicting society. Among the more recent Popes who, from the time of the Second Vatican Council,
have distinguished themselves in promoting the Rosary I would mention Blessed John XXIII and above all Pope Paul VI, who in his Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus emphasised, in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. the Rosary's evangelical character and its Christocentric inspiration. I myself have often encouraged the frequent recitation of the Rosary. From my youthful years this prayer has held an important place in my spiritual life. I was powerfully reminded of this during my recent visit to Poland, and in particular at the Shrine of Kalwaria. The Rosary has accompanied me in moments of joy and in moments of difficulty. To it I have entrusted any number of concerns; in it I have always found comfort. Twenty-four years ago, on 29 October 1978, scarcely two weeks after my election to the See of Peter,I frankly admitted: 'The Rosary is my favourite prayer. A marvellous prayer! Marvellous in its simplicity and its depth. L.J. It can be said that the Rosary is, in some sense, a prayercommentary on the final chapter of the Vatican H Constitution Lumen Gentium, a chapter which discusses the wondrous presence of the Mother of God in the mystery of Christ and the Church. Against the background of the words Ave Maria the principal events of the life of Jesus Christ pass before the eyes of the soul. They take shape in the complete series of the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries, and they put us in living communion with Jesus through we might say the heart of his Mother. At the same time our heart can embrace in the decades of the Rosary all the events that make up the lives of individuals, families, nations, the Church, and all mankind. Our personal concerns and those of our neighbour, especially those who are closest to us, who are dearest to us. Thus the simple prayer of the Rosary marks the rhythm of human life'. With these words, dear brothers and sisters, I set the first year of my Pontificate within the daily rhythm of the Rosary. Today, as I begin the twenty-fifth year of my service as the Successor of Peter, I wish to do the same. How many graces have I received in these years from the Blessed Virgin through the Rosary: Magnificat anima mea Dominum! I wish to lift up my thanks to the Lord in the words of his Most Holy Mother, under whose protectionIhave placed my Petrine ministry: Totus Thus! To be continued next week!
THE RECORD
T
7 NOVEMBER 2002
7
Catching up with a stumbling old man
The Record
he visit to Perth of Dr Tracey Rowland over the last week or so, Dean of the recently-launched John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family in Melbourne, went unnoticed in PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 most places but was like a breath of fresh Tel: (08) 9227 7080, Fax (08) 9227 7087 intellectual air in an otherwise sterile clicathrec@iinetnetau mate. It is for this reason that we should all be grateful to Mandurah Catholic College that it was the institution which invited and a way they least expected - and from the the large family known as society have usuarranged Dr Rowland's visit to the West. Catholic Church at that ally been described as progress. Hopefully, it will not be the last. And although Dr Rowland could only They are partly why, in a bizarre way, the Her visit gave Dr Rowland the opportu- cover so many bases in a week of lectures destruction of true love and fidelity in marnity to spread an unexpected message from in Western Australia it is certain that she riage (not to mention the children, casualthe Institute, and of its founder Pope John has helped plant a small seed which may ties of friendly fire) have commonly been Paul II, which is catching on everywhere on yet become a mighty tree. But how can this asserted to be definitive expressions of true the radically liberating teaching of the be? human freedom. Church about what it is to be fully human, They are why the industrial scale killing Our era has witnessed unparalleled and what the real meaning of sexuality and achievements in science and economic of unborn children at any stage of pregmarriage actually is. Part of what grabs endeavour but it has also seen a seeming- nancy and its whole accompanying edifice people's attention is that the Pope's devel- ly unmatched surrender to the various of lies is a subject almost impossible to talk opment of Catholic teaching about such expressions of what John Paul II calls the about in public or argue in what people 'small' things has such huge and liberating "culture of death" which, because of their regard as public or polite society, for it Implications on a worldwide basis. Anoth- commonplace nature are almost invisible, inevitably means discussing or arguing er reason is that in the eyes of a credulous and really are invisible to those who do not something about which they fear they may public spoonfed mythology as fact by print think deeply about the world or what it is become uncomfortable. In this regard Ausand electronic media the last person in the to be a truly human being. Much of this tralian public and private life are now indisworld who should presume to offer insights rests upon the sad reality that the more tinguishable from the Deep South before Into sexuality is the ultra-conservative, puri- human beings are materially comfortable the Civil War which could see the blatant tanical, patriarchal, patronising, anti- the less they are inclined to care about any- truth but would not admit that a person is woman figure of John Paul H (even worse, thing other than that upon which their com- a human being no matter what the colour he's a Pole). It is no accident that he and forts depend, or to think about it for very of their skin. Meanwhile, woman, the new secondthe Church are being ridiculed by those long. These are some of the reasons why over class citizen, is now the permanent underwho stand to lose. Despite the myth, what is really happen- the last 50 years the various legal and social writer of pharmaceutical empires worth ing is that as it spreads John Paul ll's phi- developments which have collectively billions of dollars. Girls are raised from losophy of humanity and its sexual and moulded generations of individuals who childhood to believe in the liberation of the marital expression is rejuvenating the afti- are visibly deficient in the resolve to be an Pill, and lied to about its effects on themtudes and lives of all those who hear it in enduring part of a marriage or a family or selves and its killing of their unborn babies.
A new look at Confirmation
A woman's views
es, I'm sure Fr Walsh deserves this visitation' honour by the Blessed Virgin Mary. I also think that she chose carefully the lady whose statue she would use to deliver her message, one who could withstand the pressures of the media, curiosity seekers and the sceptics. And the message? Well, why weeping - we have to ask ourselves - here in Western Australia? Could it be all the ungodly laws, which have been introduced and the plans to introduce more in the near future? Our Heavenly Mother is not weeping for nothing. I'm sure she is interceding for our State and our country, not to mention the World, before the throne of almighty God for us, Her Children, but I'm just as sure she wants our prayers to join with hers at this present time. We are all guilty of not praying enough: is this not our 'wake up call'? Margaret Walsh North Perth
he Knights of the Southern Cross have T lost credibility in my eyes (Divorce: a big cost to society, 17/10/02) after learning
have read with great interest the many wonderful letters from concerned Catholics about the faith education of their children. I have been teaching the Sacrament of Confirmation in a parish-based program for 12 years. My students are from State LETTERS TO THE EDITOR and non-Catholic schools. Confirmation in Australia is administered In year Z at the end of Primary School. In my experience students are far too immature to understand the full meaning and commitment of the Sacrament. Children of ages 11 and 12 are generally comfortable with their life. Therefore they rom time to time the argument pro and do not face problems and difficulties that con Catholic education emerges in the make knowledge and experience of faith letters to the Editor of the Record. so important. For people who work with the system, Older students being more mature can be especially those employed by it, Catholic challenged in their faith development, and education is doing its job. their interest captured in the 'why' of For those who lost their children to irre- 'Vour editorial "Monuments and the church doctrine, mission, Eucharist, prayer, ligiousness after years of Catholic school1Meaning of Life" 31/10, read like Vicscripture and who Jesus is for them, with ing, Catholic education is a failure. tor Frankl's "Mans Search for Meaning", the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. one of your best efforts, in my opinion, and, And the argument rages on. If Confirmation makes us adult members After Vatican II, it has become common- so apt, in relation to the conversion story of the church, students should have a of Lisa Irvine. Searching the world, when mature understanding of the sacrament. In place for dioceses to hold a synod from the Truth is here, everywhere, under our the USA, Canada, and other countries it is time to time, in which the clergy and the very noses! laity, from all walks of life, participate in given at the age of 15 or 16. aimed at taking stock of P Bertola It seems that a 2 year program starting in discussion panels discuss means to Esperance year 9 and making Confirmation in year 10 the current situation, plans for the specific adopt and it mprove i might be a way to address the drift from togetherness. positive of spirit a in future, followed be faith by teenagers. This could The Perth Archdiocese would make hisby youth discipleship and retreats run by Deter and Marya Stewart ask who we by calling an education synod in which tory committed youth communities. believe re the enneagram: Arnold Jago I stupast and Young people making their own commit- parents and teachers, current Richard Rohr. How about the concluFr or ment to faith would make a difference dents, would participate in discussion pan- sion reached by the US bishops' Secretariinstead of doing it because of their parents' els aimed at taking stock of the current at for Doctrine and Pastoral practices part situation, discuss means to improve it and wishes. specific plans for the future, in a spir- of which states: adopt At the same time there should be obliga"An examination of the origins of enneatogetherness. positive of it tory courses for parents of teenagers makgram teaching reveals that it does not have Unless a measure such as an education credibility as an instrument of scientific ing Confirmation, therefore connecting synod is adopted,Ibelieve, the current sit- psychology and that the philosophical and faith with life and family. If parents are serious about their chil- uation will go on until the number of religious ideas of its creators are out of dren's faith, a commitment should include teenagers who keep the faith after achool keeping with basic elements of Christian is reduced to zero (it's already less than faith on several points. The attempt to Sunday Mass. The old adage that faith is caught, not 10%, according to Archbishop Hickey). adapt the enneagram to Christianity as a Synods are a post-Vatican II Church poli- tool form personal spiritual development taught, still runs true, so let's work on three fronts, teachers who are examples of living cy to give participation and voice to the shows little promise of providing substanfaith, parents who put God and prayer into voiceless in the Church. It would be a tial benefit to the Christian community. family life and teenagers who are seeking shame if the only sector of the Church that The complete document can be accessed the meaning of life. h is time to stop putting denies participation and voice to the voice- at www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/doculess is Catholic education. faith education in the too hard basket. ments/ennea2.htm Raymond de Souza Lucile Yearwood Gillian Gonzalez The Layman's Hour W000dlands Willetton
ea.
otn
An education synod
F
• The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth.
Another theory
y
I
An essential part of this bitter pill of deception is that women should be kept in ignorance. And in a sad irony the millions of children in this country who are now more or less permanently fatherless are presented not as victims but as emotionally better off than if their parents had both tried to make a go of it. These are generalisations, and while certain exceptions can be made, they still remain generally and powerfully, true. Our era is privileged to witness a supreme battle between two forces struggling for the soul of humanity: one is the rejection of God, the other is the universal Church. Some of the general consequences of rejecting God have been described above and are best described as 'misery,' both personal and social. John Paul II, on the other hand, stuttering, stumbling, dribbling and shaking, points to the joy of knowing God, of knowing that He has made us in His image, of knowing how to talk and listen to him and knowing that He has given us a plan for our lives. His philosophy of humanity and sexuality an exciting development of the Church's teaching, gives witness to the truth that it was the Church, all along, that was light years out in front It's up to societies and nations, now, to play catch-up. Fortunately for all of us the young listen to JPII because they recognise truth when they see it
Editorial OK
Enneagram
they asked the Men's Confraternity to talk about marriage breakdown. This group twists statistics to suit their purposes: quotes research that uses questionable methodologies: and blames government systems and agencies for men's suicide rates. To allege males suicides are a direct result of family breakdowns. Family Court actions and having to pay child support is irresponsible. People commit suicide for a number of reasons, including a lack of support and emotional strength to cope with loss and grief. A lack of adequate men's health services and society's conditioning of them not to seek help for fear of being 'unmanly' or 'weak' is an important reason men feel so isolated and distressed that they take their own lives. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) states that every year, more women than men attempt suicide. The fact men succeed in killing themselves at a higher rate than women is attributed to the methods they use. The article quoted one in four men who were 'seen as victims of the injustices in the system' committed suicide. Where does that statistic come from? One in four men, who didn't have a decision, go their way are committing suicide - I don't think so. It must be also pointed out that, according to the Family Court, men gain 'residency' or custody approximately 40% of the time, mothers around 50% and other carers, such as grandparents, 10%. The Child Support may indeed cost $2.80 for every $1 it raises but what does that say about these fathers? The Men's Confraternity admit there are men who would rather go on the dole than pay child support and yet they don't seem to see anything wrong in this abrogation of their moral and legal responsibility as a parent to see that their children do not suffer hardships. As a direct result of receiving Child Support, a custodial parent's Family allowance payments from Centrelink go down, thus reducing the government's welfare burden. Yes, I agree, the Family Court system should change. It should be made more open and accountable. And yes, the Knights should take it upon themselves to lobby for change to this flawed system but it should do so with an even hand. Liz Owers Westminster
THE RECORD
8 7 NOVEMBER 2002
THE RECORD
7 NOVEMBER
FEATURE
Spreading the Good Word
Human sexuality inherently good In Perth recently to give a series of talks DR TRACEY ROWLAND, of the John Paul ll Institute in Melbourne, spoke about human sexuality and the family as a domestic church. By Hugh Ryan
T
9
The interest of Pope John Paul II in the theology and pastoral care of marriages and families goes back at least to his days as a young priest and university chaplain.
There were a number of philosophical attempts to explain the significance of gender in malefemale relationships. Sex Polarity saw the genders as markedly different and led to attitudes of superiority and inferiority. The philosophy of Sex Unity tried to protect the equality of the sexes by arguing that biological differences had no theological meaning. Contemporary Catholic philosophy of the kind taught by Pope John Paul ll emphasised what is called Sex Complementarity which argues that biology does not affect the basic equality of male and female as made in the image and likeness of God, but it does affect the individual's spirituality and soul. In philosophical terms, gender is of the essence, not of accident. Pope John Paul II had said that observations about anthropology must be related to Trinitarian theology if they were to he accurate. In the Trinity, each person is equal, each is divine. but each is different in relation to one another. So it is with humans: each is different, but each is equal.
he Catholic Church has always taught that human nature is good and therefore sexuality is good, Dr Tracey Rowland, of the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne told a gathering of about 50 people at the Leederville parish centre last week. She said sexuality is a gift from God that was 'neither lost in the fall nor washed away in the flood'. The profound goodness of human sexuality is reflected in the fact that marriage is one of the Sacraments of the Church. a physical and spiritual union according to God's plan. When God said "Let us make man in our The only divergence from this teaching came image and likeness", the likeness of the when the heresy of Jansenism infected the Church in France. It was a heresy which presented communal relationship in the Trinity was mankind, and therefore sexuality, in a negative expressed in the male-female relationship. way. (Jansenism also taught that people were so bad they should never receive Holy Communion, When God said "Let us make man in our image with the result that strong measures had to be and likeness", the likeness of the communal relataken by the Church to restore the Eucharist to its tionship in the Trinity was expressed in the malerightful place.) female relationship. Dr Rowland said that because of the English The relationship of love of the Eucharistic Jesus suppression of the Catholic Church in Ireland, a with the Church was similarly a model of the great many Irish priests were trained in seminaries in France during the Jansenist period and con- human marital relationship. Dr Rowland said we trivialise sex in our society sequently some people in other places may have because there is not an adequate theological encountered Jansenist attitudes to sexuality. framework to develop a correct anthropology. "A negative attitude to sexuality is a distortion of Radical feminism, for example, was engaged in Catholic teaching," Dr Rowland said. Protestant theology took a different view which the masculinisation of women in a technological saw human nature as so badly flawed after the society in support of the mechanical nature of Fall that there was no basic goodness left in it. In modern culture. "The sexual dimension must be related to both consequence, marriage was seen only as a defence against concupiscence. The theological the spiritual and the physical," she said. "We need women to restore the importance of debates about this raged from the time of the interiority - of being rather than doing or having." Reformation onwards. Modern evangelical Protestantism maintained In response to a question about man being the the Protestant position and held that women head of the family, Dr Rowland said the answer should be subservient to men. This was said to be depended on the interpretation of headship. St required because woman was created second and Paul spoke of man as head the family, but he went Eve led Adam into sin. on to the draw the analogy of Christ's relationship "None of this is Catholic teaching," Dr Rowland of love with the Church and to say that a husband is to lay down his life for his wife. emphasised. In response to a question about women priests, She said it was important for Catholics to understand the way these things are expressed so they Dr Rowland said her position was on the public could make clear to the community, and to young record before Pope John Paul II made his formal Catholics in particular, the real quality of Catholic statement that the Church does not have the authority to ordain women priests. Her view was teaching on sexuality. A good recent example of the way Catholic teach- that since masculinity or femininity was of the ing is distorted came in the film "Chocolat", which essence of a person, it was necessary that those she described as powerfully anti-Catholic. The who stood in the place of Jesus sacramentally film presented a miserable sexuality as though it must share his sexuality. were Catholic and then contrasted it to a neoAs her final message, Dr Rowland predicted: "As pagan 'happiness'. our society implodes, true Catholic families are Few people in cinemas would realise that the going to stand out like islands of love, stability and film was presenting a Jansenist distortion as beauty. They will be beacons of hope for other though it were truly Catholic. people."
Photo: CNS/Reuters
The Trinity is the basis for all human relationships and in particular the prototype for how families should operate.
Putting the family in its rightful place Dr Rowland said the point had recently been highBy Bronwen Clune lighted by Cardinal Ratzinger, who said the most n his time as pope, John Paul II has written extensively on the family which has always important concept to come out of Vatican II was that been a priority for him, says Dr Tracey Rowland of the communion of persons within the Trinity and the theology of how that Trinitarian relationship of the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne. Dr Rowland was speaking at a small gathering at can benefit families. Trinitarian theology is based on a relationship of the Li Goody Bioethics Centre last week on the love and in order to have proper relationships one Family as a Domestic Church. It was in 1994, during the year of the family, that must• reject what John Paul II calls the utilitarian John Paul II issued an encyclical letter in which he relationship, which is the selfish relationship and is essentially the act of using people. talked about the domestic church. • In order to have these proper relationships the In this letter he argues that families are much more than just the basis of society, but further that bonds in the family and within the Church should the family as an institution should operate as a very much be focussed on Christ. That is to place the spiritual dimension of the famdomestic church. Dr Rowland said this was not a new concept and has its roots in the early Church. ily above all else, in particular the economic. This The Pope's concept of the family as a domestic means more than just family prayer, but making the church is based on Trinitarian theology - that is spiritual health of the family the most important God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spir- thing. Dr Rowland said that as society becomes more secular, families tend to operate on a secular it. It is the unity of persons in the 'ninny which is the level. It is through this secularisation that families basis for all human relationships and in particular have lost the gift of grace. Increasingly failure to celthe prototype for how families should operate. ebrate the great feasts of the Church is becoming
I
part of Western Culture. Families have to take time out to observe their faith and operate in a way that places Christ at the centre. This could mean observing Saints' feast days and important dates in the Church calender. She said Cardinal Ratzinger recently pointed out that often families weren't self-consciously choosing the economic over the spiritual, but that society is set up for us to operate in that way. For example, often a working parent had to spend long hours away from home in order to keep a job or gain a promotion. But in order for families to operate as a domestic church, the spiritual dimension should always be given priority. She said John Paul II constantly refers to the need for re-evangelisation. Re-evangelisation refers to those countries that were predominantly Christian, but which over the last couple of decades have become either atheistic or non-Christian. John Paul II argues that the major intellectual problem facing the world today is the problem of what we make of the nature of humans. He argues that the Western World is currently facing a dilemma whereby we
have to choose between the value system based on Christianity or the value system based upon what he call "the culture of death". But it is only through knowing Christ that the human person can have any hope for salvation. We are all called to place Christ at the centre of the family in order to operate as a domestic church and have "proper relationships" within that unit, with God and with each other.
One area in which the family has an irreplaceable role is that of religious education, which enables the family to grow as a `domestic church'. Religious education and the catechesis of children make the family a true subject of evangelisation and the apostolate within the Church. - John Paul II, Letter to Families
As an academic he wrote extensively on these matters; as a young bishop he established an institute for the study and pastoral care of families; as Pope he has often taught in this area, including his great Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio which followed upon the 1980 Synod of Bishops, devoted to the family. Also in response to needs identified by that Synod, John Paul II created the Pontifical Council for the Family and planned the establishment of a new "Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family". He intended to announce this in the course of his Wednesday audience in St Peter's Square on May 13 1981. Just before he could do so, however, the Holy Father was shot by Mehemit All Agca. The attempted assassination delayed the promulgation of the Institute, and its Apostolic Constitution, Magnum Matrimonii Sacramentum, was not issued until the Feast of the Rosary in the following year. The Pope has empowered the Institute to grant postgraduate degrees and diplomas and direct research in its own right. At the same time, however, the Institute enjoys a special relationship with the Pontifical Lateran University. The President of the Institute, who is directly appointed by the Pope. is currently Bishop Angelo Scola, who is also Rector of the Lateran University. The degrees are awarded under the titles of both institutions. In addition to addressing the theological and pastoral issues of marital and family life, some campuses of the Institute also offer courses of study in bioethics - especially as it relates to respect for the dignity of the human person, for marriage and for the natural family. By the 1990s, full 'sessions' of the Institute had been established or were evolving all over the world. The Holy Father noted on a number of occasions, the last region of the world without a campus of the Institute was Australia, South East Asia and Oceania. In response to his express desire that the Institute be present on all continents and in all parts of the world, various investigations and discussions took place as to the feasibility of an Australian campus. It is widely recognised that married couples and families in Australia and the neighbouring region labour under enormous and ever-increasing pressures. Individuals and local communities, confident that the Church has a particular wisdom to offer on these matters and relying on the Church's pastoral care, look to her for renewed leadership in this area. Following feasibility studies and a visit by the then President of the Institute in 1999, Bishop Angelo Scola (now Patriarch of Venice), the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference unanimously resolved: "Conference shares the Holy Father's express desire to see a branch of the Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family established In Australia to serve the needs of Church and society in our region In this vital area. Conference wishes to convey to the Holy Father, the Chancellor, and the President of the Institute our support for the proposal that the Institute be established in Melbourne in the near future." As a result the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family opened in July 2001 under the auspices of the Melbourne Archdiocese. The Minister for Education and Training (Victoria) recently accredited the Institute as a higher education provider authorised to conduct its several graduate diploma and degree courses.
JPII courses for Perth
The John Paul II Institute in Melbourne hopes to offer two intensive courses for students in Western Australia next year. The Melbourne Institute is affiliated to both the Lateran University in Rome and Notre Dame at Fremantle. Distance (correspondence or Internet) education is not permitted by the Lateran, so the alternative to make courses more widely available is intensive courses with 36 hours of lectures crammed into a short time span. Details of the Perth courses will be announced when they have been finalised, Dr Rowland said in Perth last week
THE RECORD
wrap.,
10 7 NOVEMBER 2002
B erth
Local News Catholic news from the Archdiocese of Perth
Opening tops 20 year effort
Bishop Sproxton blesses a crucifix for the school.
Good Shepherd Primary School in Kelmscott recently marked the completion of its building program with a blessing and opening ceremony attended by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton and Therese Temby, the Director of Catholic Education in WA. In blessing the new and refurbished facilities, Bishop Sproxton called on the students to become future leaders and people who feel a sense of responsibility for the world in which they live. 'We are all part of this fantastic universe. We are all inter-related. There is a connection between you and the smallest creature as we are all in God's plan. "We learn about this (in our schools) so that we can take what we learn and live with respect for other people and for (our) world. We ask God to bless these build-
ings so that his spirit will always be within them and contribute to your joy and hope for the future,' he added. Mrs Temby paid tribute to the members of the broader school community - from the parents and students, to the staff, priests and parishioners. The school is an integral part of the Church's mission where the three parts of the triangle - family, school and parish - work together to build this important group of people into a Catholic faith community, she said. Offering his thanks to all involved in the blessing and opening ceremony, Principal Red Berson said the day's proceedings were the culmination of some 20 years of work by many dedicated people. - Phil Bayne, CEO Media
Students sing for the opening.
Ursulines celebrate 50 years in WA Catholic Seminarians I'he current Mother Superior of the Ursuline Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, M. Maria Luisa Cappelletti, travelled from Italy to help the Order's local community celebrate 50 years in WA at a Mass of thanksgiving in Saint Patrick's Basilica Fremantle on October 24. Many supporters attended the bi-lingual Mass which Archbishop Hickey concelebrated with Father John Sherman PP and several other priests who have had a long association with the Congregation, including Father Nanni the parish's Italian Chaplain. The Mayor of Fremantle, Mr Peter Tagliaferri, was also present.. During the homily, Archbishop Hickey spoke of his personal association with The Ursuline Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, recalling their days at Saint Charles' Seminary in Guildford. He said the Congregation had always been very committed to their religious life and the apostolate that flows from it. Mass was followed by a splendid supper in the parish hall, during which Fr Sherman presented the Sisters with a gift from the parish and the Sisters cut a magnificent anniversary cake made by one of the parishioners. The Order originated in Parma, Italy in 1575. One day a pious priest, Don Giovanni Vairo, a member of the Confraternity of the Church of Steccata, was on his way to the church, when he came across an abandoned girl of about six years. The little one was poorly dressed, her thin body was covered in sores and she sat upon the muddy ground crying helplessly. Don Giovanni could obtain no information from her. Unable to pass her by, he gave her the name Domenica (from the Lord) and took her to a widow Lucia Zanacchi, asking her to care for the child. Thus began the order of The Ursuline Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. As with other ministries in the Church, there was no elaborate well-funded plan; only a generous and compassionate response from one individual heart. For three centuries the Congre-
Mob Patriarch
The best moment of all: the cutting of the Anniversary cake.
gation dedicated itself to the they had an Italian school for Christian Education of the youth migrants. This was closed in 1982 of Parma. to commence the apostolate in Towards the end of the nine- The Philippines. teenth century, new convents They established the communiwere opened in Italy and the Con- ty in Attfield Street Fremantle in gregation began to look at mis- 1962, through the generosity of sionary work in foreign countries. the Fishing Fleet Community who The first mission was opened in donated the land for the purpose China in 1926. In 1951 the Com- of educating the children of the munist Regime expelled all for- Italian migrants. eign missionaries. Maristella Kindergarten and St The Chinese Ursulines contin- Patrick's Pre Primary continue to ued under the direction of Moth- the present day, now also embracer Maria Agnese Shih, who later ing the needs of the multicultural died in a labour camp for her community. faithfulness to the Catholic Apart from education, a small Church. but untiring Congregation has The foreign Ursulines were continued to carry out various housed for several months by the work within the parish. Canossian Sisters of Hong Kong. In 1988, the Sisters started a Lay From there they went to other mis- Association in response to the sionary fields: Macao, Japan, Aus- request of several women in the tralia, Taiwan and most recently parish to be involved with the The Philippines. Congregation and the work they The Australian delegation, con- carried out. More recently they have sisting of nine Sisters, arrived in Fremantle on March 21,1952. The responded to requests to reviSisters undertook their first apos- talise youth formation, from tolate at Saint Charles Seminary. which vocations have resulted. This was followed by a parish pri- They continue to be part of the mary school at Carilla. fabric of the Fremantle communiPastoral and social work was ty, where they are held in deep undertaken in North Perth where affection and are a blessing to all.
An Australian delegate from the Council of Churches in W A and the Perth archdiocesan task force for building bridges between Orthodox and Catholics. Mr Philip Shields, attended the recent week-long visit to Rome by Patriarch Teoctist of Romania. During the visit. Pope John Paul II and the Patriarch gave a clear indication of the possibility of Orthodox-Catholic unity for the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. After attending the liturgical events Mr Shields said the visit was an enormous step forward in showing the Lord's vision for the future. More than 200 Catholic seminarians emotionally surrounded, greeted and honoured the Patriarch of Romania in the great basilica of St John Lateran on the fourth day of his historic return visit to Pope John Paul. The patriarch walked among them, smiling and blessing them as a spiritual father. The event was the historic gifting of the relics of the first century Pope Silvester I, who is also deeply revered among Orthodox Romanians. The relics will be enshrined in the Church of St Silvester in Bucharest and will "bring miracles to the faithful of Romania", declared the Patriarch. At the final solemn Mass in St Peter's. the Patriarch stressed that it might well be the young who will build on the unprecedented events of 1999 in Romania and witness reconciliation. It was the young in Romania who cried from the heart "Unitate. Unitate....unity!" and we dare not ignore those cries, he said. Both at the joint Catholic and Orthodox blessing of a new icon to the martyrs of the 20th Century in newly restored St Bartholomew's Church near the Vatican and in St Peter's the next morning for the Catholic Holy Liturgy, the Romanian Orthodox Choir sang along-side the Catholic Choir. Fr Titsa, the Patriarch's secretary, remarked that the Patriarch
Patriarch Teoctist and Pope John PaulIIat the ceremony in St Peter's, Rome.
was very happy that a far away country like Australia should be represented at this historic meeting, sending his warm regards to Australian Orthodox and Catholic people alike. During the final Catholic Mass Orthodox and Catholic deacons jointly honoured the Book of the Holy Gospels with incense, as well as all clergy and the congregation. Perhaps the most moving gesture was when the Orthodox deacon honoured the Holy Altar and then the Holy Father as celebrant of the Holy Eucharist. The affection between the prelates was clear and brought rapturous applause from the congregation as they embraced. The Patriarch assured all present that they would continue the dialogue and cooperation with both the Greek Catholics (Eastern) and the Roman Catholics (Western) so that they could give a common witness to the Gospel of Christ.He thanked the Pope for the support given to the Romanian Orthodox community in Rome that allowed them to preserve their own identity and at the same time live the experience of ecumenical brotherhood. In his address the Pope greeted the Holy Synod, clergy and faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Church "who opened their arms and heart to me on the occasion of my visit to Bucharest in 1999".
THE RECORD
7 NOVEMBER 2002
100 Years in Kalgoorlie
11
Perth
Catholic news from the Archdiocese of Perth
Bacon, eggs and Solidarity for breakfast
Archbishop flaw blesses the centenary plaque on St Mary's Church. The weekend saw lots of ex-parishioners who had not seen ascii other for years renew old friendships.
A return to the horse and buggy days as Archbishop Hickey follows the centenary procession through the streets of Wal'.
By Stephen Spiteri
What do you get when you cross about 30 Christian men, a hearty breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, sausages, and His Grace the Archbishop of Perth Barry James Hic.key? No this is not a riddle, but if you happened to he at the Railway Hotel in Kalgoorlie on Saturday November 2, then perhaps the words 'fellowship' and 'brotherhood' may have entered your mind. But this was a special brotherhood. dedicated to support of the family. Kalgoorlie is a bustling mining town and men are on call to various mine sites and are sometimes away from their families and loved ones for days and weeks at a time, putting enormous strain on family dynamics. About a year ago, it was decided that a stand should be taken on the sudden breakdown of family amongst the Kalgoorlie community. People of Kalgoorlie from different denominations got together and opened the Family Training Centre. The Family Training Centre holds weekly classes and seminars on 'family' with strong Chris-
Archbishop Hickey displays the ring given to him during the centenary dinner.
in Kalgoorlie, and the theme for his talk, fittingly enough, was "Solidarity of Christians". The Archbishop covered a number of issues and contributing factors to the breakdown of the family structure. One of these was the world's enormous opposition to Christianity, and more so Australia's increased resentment of Christian values. "Family breakdown can be attributed to the promotion of 'the self', the Archbishop said, explaining that a 'worldly sense' is turning people away from their faith in God and placing it in the hands of themselves and other men. It was documented in the last census that over a quarter of the Kalgoorlie population were Catholic, approximately 7500 citizens. Of those, only 11 per cent (roughly 800) were regular parishioners at Sunday Mass. It is at places such as Breakfast for Blokes and the Family Training Centre that common ground can be found on what is right and wrong, and where people can work together to bring Christ back to the centre of people's lives, stopping the slide into deeper secularism. Their joint vision for the city of Oily katgaidte's basketball stadium was big enough to hold the congregaKalgoorlie is to bring people back Nan at Statarday morning's Liturgy. tian foundations. As a result of the Centre's establishment, an interdenominational men's group, 'Breakfast for Blokes', was formed with the agenda of Christian solidarity. Breakfast for Blokes holds meetings on a regular basis throughout the year, each time featuring a guest speaker to talk on a particular issue. Archbishop Hickey was the featured speaker on the weekend of the centenary of St Mary's Church
Kalgoorlie Parish Priest Fr Tony Vailis with Bishop Matthew Gibney's pectoral cross, made from Kalgoorlie gold.
to their faith and, in doing so, to become a witness for larger cities, particularly Perth. The Archbishop concluded his talk by saying that Christ had meant us to be part of society, to be in the world. It is also the vision of these two organisations that, by faith, religious values will affect the nation, and that the whole of Australia will one day follow Christ and returning to faith. It was H.G. Wells who once said, "A downtrodden class will never be able to make an effective protest, until it achieves solidarity," he said.
Parishioner Robert Hicks presents a painting of St Mary's Church to the Little Sisters of the Poor. The congregation has been in Kalgoorlie for many years.
Retired Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy, right whir was stationed in Kalgoorlie earlier in his career, catches up with old friends.
Page 11
12
7 NOVEMBER 2002
THE RECORD
nternational News Catholic news from around the world
The internet is challenging the Vatican in new ways New By John Norton
Jesuit magazine rejects war ROME (CNS) - An influential Jesuit magazine rejected the idea of a 'preventative war' by the United States against Iraq, saying it would be an illegitimate and counterproductive use of force. The concept of 'preventative war, cannot be accepted, because it would hold the entire planet in a state of permanent war.' the magazine, La Civilta Cattolica (Catholic Civilisation) said in an unsigned editorial in its November 2 issue. For the United States to think it can become the guardian of peace, threatening to intervene in any part of the world where a state may be preparing war, would be a dangerous illusion, destined not only to bring failure but a proliferation of wars without end,' it said. The Vatican's Secretariat of State reviews the content of the Jesuit biweekly prior to publication, and the magazine's positions are believed to reflect Vatican thinking.
Christ at root VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In separate meetings with the president of the commission drafting the European Union's new constitution and with Belgium's new ambassador to the Vatican, Pope John Paul II repeated his insistence that a united Europe must recognise and protect its Christian roots. The European Union hopes to finalise and adopt its Constitution in June 2003. It is hoped the Pope's concerns would be addressed 'in some way.'
frontiers
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Five www.vatican.va. One of the pioyears after its launch, the Vatineers of this trend was Cardinal can's Web site has become one Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the most visited in cyberspace, of the Congregation for Clergy, and its library of papal and Vatwho is known as a technophile, ican documents grows more vast a hands-on administrator, and every day. someone who doesn't like tak, Now the site's directors have ing no for an answer. \taken some first tentative steps His bare-bones site toward interactivity, a feature of The Holy Father www.clerus.org - offers docucyber-society that often is taken mentary resources for priests, for granted but for the Vatican deacons and catechists, as well represents a host of challenges as periodic live Web casts of theand risks. ological conferences with speakAs much as recent Vatican docers in studios around the world. uments have stressed the need Other breakaway sites include for the church at all levels to www.fides.org. site of the Conembrace the new media, the Vatgregation for Evangelisation the ican's historical caution and Italof Peoples; www.healthpa sian-style bureaucracy have toraLorg, of the Pontifical Counslowed its entry into the Internet cil for Health Care Workers; and The Vatican's website as it is now age. The media's innate interactivity also challenges traditional entrance: the first drawing on the who was showing reporters the self-explanatory www.swissmodels of church communica- Vatican's teaching authority and some of the new Web site's fea- guard.org. Even within Vatican offices that tion. looking much like the current tures accidentally closed his One new experiment was site, and a second area that will Web browser window - and operate independent sites, a launched on the Vatican Web have an evangelisation empha- couldn't figure out how to sense of institutional propriety can sometimes clash with Intersite in late October a revamped sis and be more dynamic and reopen it. net visionaries on the staff. section dedicated to the Vatican interactive. Breaking the awkward silence One example is the new site of library that offers a wealth of digIf the plans go ahead, it will while a technician in the audiital images of its more famous mean a significant expansion of ence ran to the rescue, Joaquin Vatican Radio's "One-O-Five program holdings, like ancient Bible man- the Vatican's Internet office to Navarro-Valls, the Vatican press Live" uscripts and letters written by Include an editorial staff and office director, joked: "You www.105live.vaticanradio.org Martin Luther and Michelange- journalists who for the first time always hear that it's easy to get which is linked to Vatican lo. At a press conference to also would be linking to other onto the Internet. Now we know Radio's www.vaticanradio.org but is independent. announce the new section, offi- Catholic sites, an informed it's also easy to get off it." Stephen Banyra, webmaster cials also proudly disclosed source said. The proposed site also is likeplans to rework areas for the VatOfficials declined to offer even ly to come up against hard ques- for the 10511ve site, said, "We felt ican Museums and the Vatican an estimated timeline, but the tioning from Vatican officials too restricted by Vatican Radio's archives. By mid-December, source said full implementation concerned about even the slight- institutional site" because it does cyber-visitors should be able to of the new site was probably still est appearance of compromise not allow external links to other tour the Vatican Museums "three years away." in Rome's role as ultimate sites and has the feel of "a 1950s church bulletin." online, said Archbishop Claudio The site's new proposed direc- guardian of church teaching. Maria Celli, head of the office tion faces a few obstacles, rang"We wanted to provide exterThe safe route - the one purthat oversees the Vatican's Web ing from the practical to the sued until now - is to post only nal links and to have a more site. theoretical. official texts of church teaching commercial feel to appeal to a More significantly, he One problem is that the Inter- or materials that first have been broader audience," he said. announced plans for a "great net culture has still to take hold carefully vetted by the Vatican's Archbishop Celli said he evenCatholic portal" that would offer at the Vatican, where most Secretariat of State. tually would like to see the indeInternet surfers a unique bureaucracy is still handled with But that approach, as well as pendent sites return to the "encounter with the Catholic paper files, and even employees the fact that the pages for many Vatican Internet fold, but Church." who are enthusiastic about the Vatican offices are buried deep acknowledged the fact that they In an interview with Catholic technology often have only rudi- In the site, has driven some "go a little bit beyond official News Service, the archbishop mentary surfing skills. heads of Vatican offices to documentation makes it a little said the new, overhauled site is During the Vatican library launch their own Web sites more complicated to see them expected to have a two-pronged press conference, the official independent of the official inside ours."
Woman sues over abortion TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) - A woman who said she was told her first-trimester abortion did not end a human life can sue her doctor for severe emotional distress, a New Jersey appeals court ruled on October 29. The ruling reversed a previous court's dismissal of Rosa Acuna's claims that her physician committed medical malpractice in 1996 for failing to tell her she was aborting a human life. According to court documents, Acuna was advised by her physician, Dr. Sheldon Turkish, to have an abortion when she was seven weeks pregnant, because the pregnancy was causing damage to her kidneys. When Acuna, then a 29-year-old mother of two, asked her physician if the human life had already formed in her pregnancy, she claims he told her, "Don't be stupid; it's only blood." During the hearing, lirrkish testified that he did not remember being asked that question, but acknowledged that if a patient had asked, he would have answered that a "seven-week pregnancy is not a living human being." Acuna signed a consent form, but she now says it was not informed consent, which is required by New Jersey law before an abortion. Since then, she said she has suffered depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosexual dysfunction.
Acuna's attorney, Harold Cassidy, said that the upcoming trial, scheduled for next May, needs to prove that the doctor failed to provide his patient with all information about the abortion procedure - including disclosure that it was "terminating the life of a human being." Cassidy said it is the only case he is aware of that looks at informed consent prior to abortions - something he said tends to be lacking in abortion procedures. When women want to give their babies up for adoption, he said they are "counselled on all the ways to keep their rights" but when women want an abortion, he said, "they are not always given all the facts." Cassidy praised the appellate court's ruling and said it will now be up to a jury to decide if "an abortion terminates life." The trial court had initially dismissed Acuna's lawsuit, saying she had no basis to seek damages because the U.S. Supreme Court had declared that the fetus is not a person. But the appellate court found that this case would not challenge the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision but instead would look at the possibility of malpractice in the case of the expectant mother. Cassidy called the case "a great victory for the rights of pregnant women,"
Pope gives East Timorese hope By Cindy Wooden backs and a crucifix or statue of Our Lady VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Catholics in of Fatima. The same emphasis on holdEast Timor held firmly to their faith dur- ing firm to the faith must continue as the ing their struggle for independence, and country rebuilds, the pope said. Parish communities, he said, will be now they must bring their Catholic values to bear on the new society they are called "to offer a reconciling embrace, like the father of the prodigal son, to those building, Pope John Paul II said. Even though the memories of blood- brothers and sisters who return home shed, murder and violence may still hoping for fraternal pardon." Pope John Paul said he knows many weigh on people's hearts, the pope said, the country's future lies in reconciliation. East Timorese ask how anyone could have engaged in "such cruel and irraforgiveness and hope. The pope met on October 30 with the tional violence," and they worry that by two bishops of East Timor, making their forgiving those who acted with the pro"ad limina" visits to the Vatican five Indonesia militias they would be tainted months after their country became inde- by "the contagion of that homicidal viopendent. Heads of dioceses normally lence." Reconciliation, the pope said, does make such visits to the Vatican every five not mean forgetting what was done nor ignoring the demands of justice, but it years. Pope John Paul not only congratulated does involve an "examination of conthe people of East Timor for their new- science" on the part of all citizens and a found freedom, but also offered his commitment to bringing healing. prayers for the victims of the violence Christians, he said, must remember that, particularly in 1999, marked the 24- Jesus' words to the men who were about year struggle for independence from to stone the woman caught in adultery, Indonesia. Freedom, he said, should "Let the one among you who is without mean freedom to express and to rein- sin be the first to throw a stone." force the Catholic faith of the majority of "To believe in Jesus means to believe East Timorese citizens. When hundreds that love is present in the world and that fled the cities for the safety of the moun- this love is stronger than any kind of evil tains in 1999, he said, many took with in which a man, or humanity or the world them nothing but the clothes on their is involved," he said.
THE RECORD
7 NOVEMBER 2002
13
International News C atholic news from around the world
Abuse laws not "softened" By Jerry Filteau
WASHINGTON (CNS) - Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, HI., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said on November 1 that the Vatican "did not reject or even 'soften'" the U.S. bishops' proposed norms for dealing with sex abuse allegations against priests. The result of the October 29-30 mixed commission meeting of Vatican and U.S. church officials In Rome "substantially confirms the decisions made at the June general meeting of the U.S. Catholic bishops," Bishop Gregory said. "Contrary to many news reports, the Holy See did not reject or even 'soften' this work" he added. "In fact, it is the foundation for what will become 'particular law' In the Catholic Church in the United Sta os" if finally approved by
the bishops at their November meeting in Washington and then confirmed by the Holy See, he said. Bishop Gregory made his comments following numerous news reports speculating that the Vatican had required major modifications in the policies and norms adopted by the U.S. bishops. Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, said on October 31 upon his return to Chicago that in fact Vatican officials made an "enormous concession" to the US bishops' concerns when they agreed to the possibility of suspending the church's statute of limitations for trying crimes on a case-bycase basis. The statute prohibits trying a cleric for the crime of sexual abuse of a minor if more than 10 years have passed since the victim of the alleged crime has turned 18.
Bishop Gregory
Photo CNS
Its suspension would permit hi-
als to go forward when deemed necessary even in cases where the victims are now well past the age of 28. Bishop Gregory said the proposed new U.S. laws "will be complementary to the universal
Peace talks stalled in Philippines New People's Army and the Abu tember 11, 2001, attacks in the WASIIINGIDN (CNS) - Peace Sayyaf, a Muslim extremist group. United States. Two other Islamic rebel groups, "But that does not necessarily talks between the Philippine government and rebel groups are the Mom Islamic Liberation Front mean that these groups accept the hindered by the US-led fight and the Mom National Liberation Ideology and methods" of al against global terrorism, said a Front, are not listed as terrorist Qaeda, the priest said. "The fact that our Muslim Filipino priest acting as a media- organisations. The Mom Islamic front signed a cease-fire agree- groups want to engage in talks is tor. The Philippine government is ment earlier this year with the a sign of their moderation," he being pressured by its armed government; the Moro national said. Father Mercado said several forces not to engage in peace talks front signed a cease-fire agreebecause the military sees fighting ment in 1996. But neither accord rebel leaders in August repeated to him a willingness to resume a counter-terrorist war as the best has led to a final peace treaty Father Mercado said it was rea- negotiations. The main issue now way to receive more US military aid in the political climate after sonable for the United States to with rebel groups is local autonolast year's terrorist attacks, said help strengthen the military of its my rather than carving out sepacountries from the Oblate Father Eliseo Mercado, Southeast Asian ally, "but without rate chairman of the National Peace poking its fingers into our inter- Philippines, he said. "The issue is finding what forCouncil. Also, several Filipino nal affairs." "We can't continue the peace mula for autonomy is acceptable rebel groups have been listed as terrorist organisations by the talks until these groups are delist- to all sides," Father Mercado said. The Islamic Conference, an United States since the attacks, ed" as terrorist groups, he said. "It's the money. The military sees umbrella group for Islamic govtying the hands of the Philippine government, which has a policy that the only way to get mod- ernments, has told rebel forces of not negotiating with terrorist ernised is to play the anti-terror- that it would not support a sepaist game," he said. "They can't get rate Islamic country in part of groups, he said. what is now the Philippines, he Talks are currently stalled, open- it if they deal with terrorists." A US State Department official said. The Philippines is the only ing the door to an all-out war, said said that the Philippines received Asian country with an overFather Mercado. The priest was interviewed on US $117 million in fiscal year 2002 whelming Catholic population. October 29 while in Washington for counter-terrorism activities About 83 percent of the 83 million for meetings with US church offi- and to improve military equip- inhabitants are Catholic. About 5 cials. The National Peace Council ment and training. The official percent are Muslim. Father Mercado said that the FilIs recognised by the government said that the U.S. government supand the different rebel groups as ports peace talks between the ipino Catholic bishops are aware their official channel for negotia- Philippine government and the of his work and support the peace tions. Each group is involved in two nonlisted groups. process. "The Catholic Church is Father Mercado said that the against all-out war," he said. separate talks with the governIslamic groups had some contacts ment. Father Mercado is an expert on Two rebel groups are listed by with people now identified as Islam and was the president of the United States as terrorist linked to al Qaeda, which is con- Notre Dame University in Cotaorganisations: the communist sidered responsible for. the Sep- bato City from 1992 to 2002. By Agostino Bono
Setting the Spirit free By Thomas Papeika the Diocese of WheelingWHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA. Charleston, where the Gospel (CNS) - Every Catholic household message of Jesus Christ and the In the Diocese of Wheeling- good work of the diocese can be Charleston is now receiving the brought into Catholic homes 10 diocesan newspaper, The times per year," Bishop Schmitt said. Catholic Spirit, for free. In the diocese there are 100,000 Bishop Bernard Schmitt said he Catholics scattered across 24,078 hoped the change from subscripsquare miles of West Virginia. The tion-only distribution will help mostly rural nature of the mounenergise the state's Catholics as tain state and its rugged topograwell as the church itself. phy contribute to parish Under the new distribution plan, communities being isolated from which began with the Sept. 27 one another, a situation the bishissue, the paper is going to 42,000 op hopes will be eased by broadhouseholds in the statewide dio- er delivery of the diocesan paper. cese. "It is my sincere hope that "This step offers an exciting new Increased distribution will help opportunity for evangelisation in energise Catholics ... and help the
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston become a truly vibrant and mission-centred local church" Bishop Schmitt said. The bishop noted that The Catholic Spirit, which is published 10 times per year, has the potential to reach more than 13,000 nonpracticing Catholics in West Virginia. "It is my hope that the new distribution plan will reach out to our brothers and sisters in faith whom we miss and whom we would like to welcome home to a parish," Bishop Schmitt said. The paper will be funded by a diocesan subsidy, advertising revenues and a solicitation for donations that will be put in the paper twice a year.
law of the church, which itself treats the matter of sexual abuse of minors with the utmost gravity." Here is the text of Bishop Gregory's November 1 statement: Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Clergy or Other Church Personnel, which the USCCB sent to the Holy See for its "recognitio," substantially confirms the decisions made at the June general meeting of the U.S. Catholic bishops. Contrary to many news reports, the Holy See did not reject or even "soften" this work. In fact, it is the foundation for what will become "particular law" in the Catholic Church in the United States, if the revised norms are approved by the USCCB and receive the Holy See's "recognitio." This law will be complementary to the universal law of
the church, which itself treats the matter of sexual abuse of minors with the utmost gravity This "particular law" will provide every diocese in the country with standards in canon law for protecting children and young people, reaching out to victims, assessing allegations against clergy, with the benefit of the advice of competent lay persons, and for keeping permanently from ministry anyone who would harm children. In elaborating the canonical procedures to be used in dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of minors, the Holy See has shown a legitimate concern for the rights of the accused while fully supporting the obligations of the bishops, in the governance of their dioceses, to ensure these rights and the right of the faithful to be protected.
Population growth no obstacle to wealth
Afghan children push a cart full of cans from a garbage dump for recycling in Kabul Photo CNS Reuters By Tracy Early UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -
The Vatican has challenged a UN report that calls population growth a primary obstacle to overcoming poverty More significant, said the Vatican nuncio to the United Nations, are such factors as "natural disasters, armed conflict or the oppression that causes the movement and displacement of persons, separation from homes and families and the disruption of lives." Speaking at UN headquarters in New York on October 30, Archbishop Renato R. Martino said attributing the problem to population growth was "not only untrue but harmful to those struggling to overcome the burdens of poverty" "The elimination of poverty is more than the simple changing of numbers," he said. "It takes great effort and political will as the world has already and continues to realise." Archbishop Martino made his comments to a committee of the UN General Assembly assessing the results so far of the 19972006 Decade for the Eradication of Poverty. A report from the UN secretary-general said progress was "mixed at the regional and national levels," and that at cur-
rent rates "many countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa," were not likely to achieve goals that had been set for the year 2015. The report said social obstacles could impede development, and that among these "some of the most significant are population growth and a lack of access to education and health care." Archbishop Martino said that "progress is being made" but that "for too many, progress is too slow." He questioned, however, whether anyone could really believe that achieving even zero population growth would ensure that the world reached the goal of reducing poverty. Pope John Paul II has characterised extreme poverty as not merely "an unfortunate situation" or a "state of life" that some people were born into or fell into, but a "pervasive and paralysing form of violation of human rights," the nuncio told the committee. In a consistent message over the years, the church has taught that "the call for justice and the recognition of human dignity" are the factors that will lead to the eradication of poverty Archbishop Martino said.
14 7 NOVEMBER 2002
THE RECORD
Reviews A Catholic perspective on popular culture —w
MOVIES
Scandal films aim at making an industry out of mocking the Catholic Church
S
ome media outlets seem to be making a year-round sport of attacking the Catholic Church. Take the case of the latest scandal film, The Crime of Father Amaro. The movie, due to open on November 15 in the US, has been a box office hit in its native Mexico, the New York Times reported on October 21. US media coverage has focused on the aspects of the film dealing with forbidden passions and abuse of power in the Church. Protests against the film by the Church were countered by familiar appeals to the right of freedom of expression. 'It is very healthy that the Church understands that It no longer has so much power, that its power is not absolute,' said the film's director, Carlos C.arrera, according to the Times 'It must now be very clear to the Church that at least in terms of censorship, it has no influence.' Mexico's bishops explained in a statement on August 12 that there is more at stake than a question of censorship. The film, they said, 'constitutes an offense against the religious beliefs of Catholics and mocks the most sacred symbols of the Catholic community? Freedom of expression, they contended, does not mean the right to denigrate persons or institutions. As Archbishop Alberto Suarez Inda of Morelia told a local news service, El Observador de la Actualidad, in its August 25 bulletin, the film's gravest offence is not the attempt to run down the image of priests. Rather, it is its sacrilegious treatment of the Virgin Mary and the sacraments, including the Eucharist, he said. In one scene of the movie, for example, a woman takes a host out of her mouth and gives it to a cat. Another recent example is The Magdalene Sisters, winner of the Golden Lion award at this year's Venice Film Festival. The film tells the story of three wayward girls sent to live in a home run by nuns in 1960s Ireland. The film, promoted as a true story, shows how the three were abused, mentally and physically. The film comes from Miramax, well
Chris Rock, Jason Mewes and Salma Hayek star in the film -Dogma." The film is an example of the anti-Catholic rhetoric in the media.
known for hostility to the Church. The company's 1995 film Priest led to a boycott of Disney, Miramax's owner, by some churches. In 1999 Miramax was poised to release Dogma, but then dropped the plan when protests erupted over its blasphemous content. Just how reliable is the content of The Magdalene Sisters? Italian Catholic writer Vittorio Messori analysed the picture in a September 14 article in the Milan newspaper Corriere della Sera. For starters, he noted that the Irish reform schools were run under strict government supervision. Moreover, almost all the girls sent there had been sentenced for crimes by juvenile tribunals. The film, instead, portrays the three girls as being sent to the nuns at their parents' request. Messori also noted that the Catholic reformatories of the age were no worse than others - whether run by the state or of by religious denominations - which means the film unfairly singled out Church-related facilities. He further pointed out that corporal punishment was common even in costly private boarding schools of the time. Moreover, in real life the girls could have been released from the institutions at their
parents' request, unlike the practice depicted in the film.
Reality ignored
er, hardly ever appears in Hollywood or television portrayals of contemporary American society,' Medved observed. Radio too has its problems with religion. In England, BBC Radio 4's long-standing 'Thought for the Day' has been a place where people from a range of religious backgrounds contribute a brief reflection for listeners. Recently, the National Secular Society, the British Humanist Association and other groups asked for a part of this radio time to contribute their non-religious thoughts. The BBC's refusal to grant this request occasioned criticism by Polly Toynbee in the Guardian on September 6. Reserving the daily 2-minute, 45-second slot for a spiritual commentary was, in her view, a dangerous decision at a time when religious fundamentalism 'threatens global Armageddon.' According to Toynbee, Christian fundamentalism has turned 'every' US politician into a 'crusader' — and each is on a par with Islamic radicals. She also lumped the Pope into this category because he 'kills millions through his reckless spreading of AIDS.' For Toynbee, 'religion is not nice, it kills: it is toxic in the places where people really believe it.' And how would she like to see 'Thought for the Day' used? 'Militant secularism is what should be spread with, yes, missionary zeal,"lbynbee wrote. "Religion belongs in the personal, never in the
public sphere.'
A fashion accessory
John Paul ll's recent decision to suggest When not attacking religious belief, the another set of mysteries to the rosary met film industry often simply ignores it. In a with a generally favourable reaction. But commentary on August 2 in the Washing- not in the British newspaper The Indepenton Post, Donna Britt wrote about the movie dent. In an October 20 article. Catherine Signs and admitted she was 'stunned to Pepinster lamented that the Pope's changes hear a film character speak to the Deity at meant she wasted her money earlier this all.' 'In movie after movie," Britt observed, year when she bought a rosary for a friend. 'TV show after TV show, people face every The proposed mysteries, Pepinster said. manner of terror, crime, illness and betray- are just part of a sinister Church plan to al without ever turning to, or even acknowl- 'bring extra money flowing into the Vatiedging, a higher power.' can's coffers as the devout dump their old Only rarely is religion portrayed 'as any- beads' and have to buy new ones. thing most people want to be a part of,' She also considers the rosary to be largesaid Britt, quoting filmmaker Sushama ly ignored by the faithful today. As a remeAustin-Connor. By censoring out such an dy, she recommends that the Church seek Important part of people's lives, the char- the advice of experts in order to market the acters depicted in the media just aren't rosary - in the same way she says the crureal, said Austin-Connor. cifix has succeeded as a fashion accessory. Media critic Michael Medved noted in As the Second Vatican Council's decree his essay 'That's Entertainment: Holly- on the means of social communications, wood's Contribution to Anti-Americanism Inter Mirifica, observed that the media, 'if Abroad,' in last summer's edition of The properly utilised, can be of great service to National Interest, that surveys suggest mankind.' Yet, the Church also grieves 'at about 40 per cent of Americans attend reli- the harm all too often done to society by gious services on a weekly basis - four their evil use. That decree seems as reletimes the percentage of moviegoers. vant today as the day it appeared in 1963. 'Church or synagogue attendance, howev- Zenit
vides them with clear and understandable alternatives. A must-read for those in their late teen-age to early college years, Dodds has captured Catholic faith in a way that resonates with his audience and is just edgy enough for teens to take his words seriously. Parents will appreciate "When Teens Stray." Scott Larson has seen it all, heard it all and lived to tell the tale in his work with troubled youth. His book, filled with practical, faith-based solutions, touches the direct experience of parents who are at their The Ride of Your Life, A Road Trip for wit's end with their troubled teen-ager. Catholic Teens Larson simply meets parents where they are. by Bill Dodds ,Servant Publications He values marriage and offers advice on protecting that sacred relationship through times of upheaval with a When Teens Stray: Parenting for the troubled teen. Long Haul He also values counselling as a way to help a troubled by Scott Larson, Servant Publications marriage, a struggling teen or a parent in need of nurturing. Books available through order at most major Larson's book tilts toward the evangelical side of a faith bookstores that give teens a healthy sense of themselves as individ- tradition, but I think Catholics can certainly find wisdom Reviewed by Mike Hayes uals. He writes about a God who is not "the cop pulling in what he says and will clearly see that he couples his (Catholic News Service) you over and writing you a ticket" but rather the one who biblical references with rock-solid experiences with dif"put up the road signs warning you to be careful and who ferent families. Is the medic pulling you out of the car after you've He does not address prayer as a "leave it in God's hands" ill Dodds debunks the myth that adults don't smacked into a tree." type of solution, but as a way for parents to care for themunderstand teens. In "The Ride of Your Life" Dodds Dodds is smart enough to know that in a world of seek- selves and their child throughout their relationship, trouavoids religious jargon, speaks teens' language ers, teens need to seek healthy alternatives to what Madiand references pop culture effectively and htunourously. son Avenue offers but he avoids going on a diatribe bled or not. Most of all, Larson asks parents to understand their chilThis is not a book on how to start the "Catholic geek against modern culture. dren as persons and not to make the mistake of projectclub," something that most teens secretly fear when they He encourages wariness of images that tend to only venture into Catholic teen circles. provide short-term shock value and encourages teens to ing their wishes on their children. Dodds takes teens on a "road trip" to making everyday focus on "what you really want out of this life." He acknowledges the uphill battle that parents face and spiritual choices. Good friends are crucial to spiritual journeying, Dodds offers help and hope in this sensible guide for all those He speaks to the average teen-ager who encounters sex, says, and these friends should "want not only what's best who care for troubled youths. drugs, school pressure and new and unnerving experi- for them but also what's best for you." He acknowledges Hayes is content editor of the Paulist Young Adult Ministries ences. He addresses all of these and encourages practices teens' fears and complaints in a healthy way but also pmWeb site, www.bustedhalo.com.
READING
Help for Catholic parents of teenagers
B
THE RECORD
eya eatcher CLASSIFIEDF
7 NOVEMBER 2002 15
Classified ads: $3 per line (plus GST)
BUILDING TRADES
BUILDING TRADES
LIC. PLUMBER/gas fitter, Contact John on 9457 7771, Mobile 0412 185 209.
PICASSO Painting. Top service. Phone 9345 0557, fax 9345 0505.
PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd for all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Phone Tom Perrott 9444 1200.
CARPET CLEANING
PAINTING by qualified painter. Tel: 9354 9442, Mob: 0414 595 605.
CARPET Cleaning, all areas. Andrew: 0412 930 522
ELECTRICIAN, Power/light points from $50 each. Rewiring our speciality. 0418 941 286, 9279 5008.
FURNITURE REMOVAL
BRICK re-pointing. Phone Nigel 9242 2952
ALL areas. Mike Murphy 0416 226 434.
24-hour Hotline: 9227 7778
Deadline: 5pm Monday
HERBALIFE PRODUCTS
MEDJUGORJE MESSAGE
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
NEW NORCIA GUEST HOUSE
PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT
NEED additional income? Genuine opportunity. www. workfromhomeindustry. For products ph 9487 1787.
w ww.wn.com.au/avemaria
**HAPPY BIRTHDAYMICHAEL AZAR '8.11.2002'
VESTMENTS
Happy 19th Birthday Michael darling from your loving Mother. I am always here for you and Francis waiting with open arms. May all your wishes come true and prayers be answered as we trust in the Sacred Heart of jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Our Blessed Lady. God bless you both. Your ever loving Mother (Janet) and loving nanna (Doreen Lockyer.
RETREAT from the everyday pressures of life and experience Benedictine hospitality at the Monastery Guest-house. Situated 132 kms north of Perth in the historic town of New Norcia. Twin rooms with ensuites or single rooms. Join the monks for daily prayer and Mass. Directed retreats by arrangement. Tariff by donation, suggested donation $45 full board. Inquiries: Guesthouse sec. phone (08) 9654 8002, fax (08) 9654 8097. Email: guesthouse_nn© hotmail. com. Please quote ref. R3
HOLY SPIRIT you solve all problems light all roads, so that I can attain my goal. You gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life you are with me. i want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as I confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you ever, inspite of all illusions. I wish to be with you in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. Grateful thanks for favours received from the Holy Spirit. (AB)
HOUSE FOR SALE GOLDEN BAY, suitable as holiday house for priests. Ring 9537 1696
LUXURY HOUDAY RENTAL DUNSBOROUGH Holiday rental Ph: 9309 2659
KINLAR Vestments: Made to order, quality fabrics. Ph: 9378 4752
If you like to email items for this page the address is
carolerec@ iinet. net.au
of events official diary panorama a inroundup the archdiocese NOVEMBER 8
Catholic Adult Convention, Foundations Catholic Ministry Bishop Sproxton
9/10
Confirmation. Girrawheen - Rev Fr G Carroll
10
St Rocco Association Mass and Procession, St Mary's Leederville - Archbishop Hickey Confirmation, Ellenbrook - Mgr Thomas McDonald
12/13
Confirmation, Morley - Bishop Sproxton
13
Opening and Blessing of the Ursula Frayne Unit, Mercy Hospital Mt Lawley - Archbishop Hickey
15
End-of -year Thanksgiving Mass for Archdiocesan Liturgy Committees, Leederville - Archbishop Hickey
15-24
Celebrations for Silver Jubilee of Priesthood. Adelaide Bishop Sproxton
17
Mass for Feast of Vietnamese Martyrs, Balcatta Archbishop Hickey Confirmation, Shenton Park - Bishop Healy Mass to Celebrate Centenary of St Brigid's Primary School. Midland - Bishop Quinn
21
Visit Confirmation Candidates. Divine Mercy College Archbishop Hickey Principals' Thanksgiving Mass and Dinner Archbishop Hickey
Love hidden in Eucharist By John Norton
Pope John Paul II urged local churches to reach out to those "who do not yet deeply know the love that is hidden in the Eucharist," calling the
sacrament a source of life and church unity. Speaking November 5 to participants in a plenary meeting of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, the pope said renewed emphasis on the Eucharist was especially important because of "threatening clouds" over humanity at the start of the third millennium. "Already one sees clearly how necessary the light of Jesus Christ and the life he offers in the Eucharist are for all humanity and for the church," he said. The pope encouraged the committee's members to persevere "with commitment and passion, animating and diffusing eucharistic devotion in all its expressions." "The (international eucharistic) congress, seen in profundity, is a fire to forge animators of lively eucharistic communities and evangelizers for those groups who do not yet deeply know the love that is hidden in the Eucharist," he said. Among the meeting participants was Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez of Guadalajara, Mexico, who will be hosting the next International Eucharistic Congress in October 2004 on the theme: "Eucharist: Light and Life of the New Millennium."
Stargazing with Dr Moonunit Vacatistare PhD (Oxen) Dip. Fencing. Sensitivity in the 21st Century
Aquarius (the Fish)
Aquarians are strongly influenced by C-G49-82, a previously undiscovered planet orbiting the twin stars of Alpha and Beta Centauri. Unfortunately. Athena Starwoman. my well-known and widely-respected syndicated colleague who works for Rupert Murdoch's News Limited - or is it Kerry Packer's Consolidated Press?Ican't remember - is unaware of this important factor which explains why. her predictions which appear in Who Weekly. the monthly Australian Women's Weekly and other esteemed publications guided by science, logic, reason. discretion and prudence only have a -3.874 per cent accuracy. Fluctuations in C-G49-82's orbit this month will take one light year to have any effect. So I wouldn't worry about them if I were you. Luckily. I'm not.
Sunday November 10 PURGATORY EXISTS S witch on to *The Layman's Hour' with Raymond and Theresa de Souza (Radio Fremantle 107.9 FM at 7.30pm) and hear the continuation of the first broadcast on the 'New Apologetics' that Pope John Paul II asked for. Ring 9494 2100 to participate in the only radio talkback run by lay Catholics in Australia and ask your questions. Monday November 11 NORTHERN AREA MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP This meeting for carers is held on the second Monday of each month commencing at 7.30pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Marda Way. Nollamara. These meetings provide the opportunity to share information and offer mutual support. Contact: Pat Mahoney 9275 2809. Wednesday November 13/Saturday November 16 TALKS AT JOHN XXIII COLLEGE Personal freedom and boundaries for self -care. Presenter: Ean James (Clinical Psychologist) S5 (donation unwaged) Wednesday 7.30-9.30pm. Growing in love. Ignatian Spirituality. Presenter: Murray Graham (Inig() Centre Director) Donation (for centre costs) Saturday 11am-1pm. Saturday November 16 NEXT DAY WITH MARY St Anne's church, 13 Hehir Street. Belmont 9am 5pm. A Video on Fatima will be shown at 9am. A day of prayer and instruction based upon the messages of Fatima. Choir practice Thursday November 14 7pm.BY0. Enq: Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 9574 5214 Saturday November 16 PRAYER VIGIL A peaceful prayer vigil with Rosaries and hymns is made outside the abortion clinic at 2 Cleaver Tce. Rivervale every third Saturday of each month, from 11am to 12 noon. The next vigil will be held Saturday 16. Please join us. Enq: Colin 9409 4543 Sunday November 17 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF SCHOENSTATT SHRINE BLESSING To mark this special occasion families are invited to attend with their children, and to entrust them in a special way to the care, love and educational influence of the Mother of Jesus. Parents can also come without the children. 9Talus Drive, Armadale 3-5pm, please bring a plate for afternoon tea. Ph: 9399 2349 Monday November 18 MOTHERS' PRAYER MASS For all Mothers and Grandmothers coming together to pray for their children. (Fathers. grandfathers welcome). Holy Rosary Church, Angelico St, Woodlands. For further information: Veronica Peake 9447 0671. Sunday November 24 DIVINE MERCY PILGRIMAGE 11-12noon Hymns by choir group. 12non -12.30pm Sung chaplet of Divine Mercy, 12.30-1.30pm BYO lunch. 1.30pm Eucharistic Procession. 2.50pm Divine Mercy Chaplet and 3.00pm prayers. 3pm Holy Mass/Rosary and Benediction. 4.15pm consecrationNeneration Relic of Saint Faustina. 4.30pm Afternoon Tea provided. Coaches depart: Mercedes College Car park 9.30am. To book please phone Francis Williams 9459 3873 or Mob: 0404 893 877. transport cost S15.00 per person (return). For more details phone John 9457 7771 or Fr Paul: 9571 1839.
Sunday November 24 SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING Most Rev. Bishop Peter Quinn will preside over the ceremonies at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation. 36 Chittering Rd. Bullsbrook. 2pm Holy Mass followed by Eucharistic procession. Enq: SACRI 9447 3292. Bus 9277 5578. a/h 9342 3826. cost S7. Sunday November 24 ARANMORE CATHOLIC COLLEGE CLASS OF 92. YEAR 10 REUNION O xford Hotel. Leederville (on top of the cellar) 26pm. RSVP: Danni, 15 November. dnaproductions@connexus.ent.au or PO Box 112. Mt Hawthorn. 6915 WA. Monday November 25 REFLECTION DAY FOR WOMEN Schoenstatt Shrine. Armadale. 9.45am-12noon, talks given by Sister M Isabell. Schoenstatt sister of Mary. Ph: 9399 2349 Thursday November 28 MOTHERS' PRAYER MASS For all Mothers and Grandmothers coming together to pray for their children. (Fathers. grandfathers welcome). Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church. 57Tudor Avenue South. Riverton. For further information: Veronica Peake 9447 0671, November 29 - December 1 ANCHOR WEEKEND A fun and meaningful weekend packed with music, drama, games, opportunities for quiet time - prayer and reconciliation. For all high school students, Friday 5pm to Sunday 5pm. at Daybreak Campfarm, Bakers Hill. S50 includes meals and accommodation. Contact: Dave 9245 2377 or Megan 9341 8506. For further details contactTeam manger Martin Pannell 9445 9802. 0407 637 040. December 6 - December 8 ANNUAL RETREAT AT THE REDEMPTORIST MONASTERY The Secular Franciscans invite interested Catholics to join them in their annual retreat. Retreat presenter will be Fr Robert Stewart OFM Capuchin. Under the guidance of Fr Robert we will study some of the Admonitions of St Francis. There will be time for communal and private prayer. Interested, want more information? Ph: Pat 9349 1474. Sunday December 8 S ACRED HEART SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY REUNION 1952 - 2002. 50th anniversary reunion Sunday 11am - 4pm. Sacred Heart School, Mundaring. Past students, families and staff are invited to attend a celebration Mass followed by a light luncheon and historical display. Please contact the school office on 9295 1562 or confirm attendance on: sacredheartps@sacredheartps.wa.edu.au CHRISTIAN MEDITATION SOUTH WESTERN SUBURBS Three groups, following the method of Father John Main, meet regularly and we love to share this way with anyone who feels the need to deepen their prayer and who is willing to devote half an hour morning and evening to prayer at home plus an hour weekly in a group. Times are Mondays 7.15-8.15. Thursdays 10.30am-11.30am, and Saturdays 4-5pm. I would be happy to begin a fourth group if these times are not convenient. Please ring Rosemary on 9319 9560 for venues and details.
THE RECORD
16 7 NOVEMBER 2002
The Last Word
St Mary's Church in Kalgoorlie marks its one-hundredth anniversary By Stephen Spiteri The weekend November 1-3 marked the one-hundredth anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of St Mary's Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. In 1902, the Most Rev. Bishop Matthew Gibney blessed the corner stone of what would be a house of great spirituality for many in the years to come. Celebrations were kicked off with a centenary dinner held at the Mining Hall of Fame on Saturday evening. People turned up in their masses, elegantly and handsomely dressed, and were surrounded by lavish and chic decorations which gave the main room of the Hall of Fame a delightful ambience. Decorations were put together by Kalgoorlie local, Annette Joyce. It was fair to say the Mining Hall of Fame was given the Midas touch. The hall was decorated with historical paraphernalia including copies of the original architectural designs for St Mary's Church, pictures of priests and parishioners of past and present, including a photo portrait of ArchbishChurch. op Barry James Hickey, taken just after leaving St Charles' The altar and tabernacle, heart of the seminary. "They should use this picture for my perspecAlong with his speech, Fr Tony Vallis made a presentative in The Record' the Archbishop joked. tion to the Archbishop - a chasuble especially made for The centenary dinner saw guests travel in from many the centenary Mass. The chasuble featured a mining rig, corners of the country, including some from Northam a symbol of the town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and various parish which recently celebrated its centenary. other symbols significant to the town. The Archbishop was The dinner was also an excellent opportunity for Kalgo- deeply touched by the presentation as the town on Kalorlie historian Harry Argus to launch his book, 'St Mary's goorlie-Boulder had played a very important role in his Kalgoorlie-Boulder 1902-2002' a history of St Mary's life. Church. But the presentation that caught everyone by surprise It was calculated that a total of 1200 hours was spent by was the pectoral cross worn by Bishop Gibney during his Mr Argus researching the book, through numerous visits time as Archbishop of Perth. The cross, made from Kalto local and Perth archives, and documentation of accounts goorlie gold with an emerald in the middle, was provided given by past priests and parishioners. by the Archdiocese of Toowoomba for display on the cen500 copies of the book arrived on the Friday just in time tenary weekend. for the weekend celebrations. As Archbishop Hickey was wearing a silver ring, he comMr Argus said he was very pleased to have the book fin- mented that it would not match the pectoral cross worn ished and enjoyed every moment spent on his project. Mr by Bishop Gibney for the Mass. So the Archbishop was Argus was also very thankful for all the help he received presented with a golden Episcopal ring with an amethyst In the middle, a gift from the people of Kalgoorlie-Boulin putting the book together. Richard Scallan, Chairman of the Parish Council, said it der. 'This is a celebration of the formation of the faith and was a great honour to be speaking in the same light as good news received over one-hundred years... It's trementhose who had been present throughout St Mary's pro- dous to see so many people coming to this dinner, and I know that many more will be at the Mass tomorrow,' he found history over the last century. Dean of the Goldfields and parish priest, Fr Tony Vallis said. On Sunday November 3 the Kalgoorlie-Boulder people gave a heart warming speech during dinner as he told a story of a tiny corn seed that was rejected by one man, took part in the centenary Mass which was celebrated by taken by another and sown and eventually provided a rich Archbishop Hickey. The Mass was preceded by a liturgical service held at St harvest which would nurture many over the years to come. The tiny corn seed of course was St Mary's Church which Mary's honouring the dedication of the church during has nurtured the spiritual needs of thousands of parish- which the Archbishop blessed the inside and outside of the church and unveiled and blessed the centenary plaque. ioners over its 100 years.
The pm-Mass procession winds down Brookman Street. The Archbishop then blessed the church bell as it was rung for the procession down Brookman Street to the basketball stadium where Mass was held. The procession included representatives froni parish organisations, local schools, religious orders, parish council members and parish and guest priests. The Archbishop rounded up the procession as he rode in on a horse and buggy thanks to Barry Silver, Les Rich and Dennis Hicks. The Kalgoorlie basketball stadium was packed as many parishioners and guests were only too happy to join in the centenary celebrations. The Mass was followed by lunch organised by the parish council, as parishioners and guests were free to feast once again for St Mary's one-hundredth birthday. Fr Tony Vallis felt the weekend was a complete success and said he was tremendously privileged to be a part of the centenary. celebrations. 'We're part of a continuous history and so ills our duty to ensure that faith is made a reality in the town of Kalgoorlie,' he said. The Archbishop, priests and parishioners alike all agreed they look forward to the next hundred years, even if they will not be present at the bi-centenary. More words, pictures - Page 11