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WA's only Catholic weekly newspaper Perth: November 21 2002 Price: $1
Bishop Healy goes home to God B
Bishop Healy in a photo taken at the time of his retirement in October 2000.
Photo: Peter Rosengren
ishop Robert Healy, the former Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth and Titular Bishop of Mayo died in his sleep in the early hours of Monday morning 18 November at his home in Manning. By the time his body was discovered later in the morning by his housekeeper, Archbishop Hickey and 11 other priests were on the tennis courts at nearby Aquinas College for their regular Monday morning exercise. All 12 went immediately to Bishop Healy's home to anoint him and "send him out in style", as the Archbishop put it Robert Healy was born in Cruttinclough, Kilkenny, Ireland, on July 17, 1925, the eldest of seven children. After education at St Kieran's College, Kilkenny, he was ordained a priest in Ireland on June 5, 1949 and arrived in Perth on February 23, 1950. There followed more than half a century of dedicated service to the Archdiocese of Perth, including 27 years as a bishop. He had a variety of appointments in South Perth, Queens Park, Maylands and Claremont, before beginning a decade of service in the Goldfields. He was initially appointed Priest in Charge at Boulder on March 20, 1955 and then on March 4. 1956 he was appointed Administrator of Kalgoorlie, a position he held until March 1965 when he was appointed Parish Priest of the new parish of Willagee. On his official retirement he said the Willagee experience had been a highlight of his priestly life because of the cooperative effort of all the people in building the church and the life of the parish. On March 14, 1971 he was appointed parish priest of Cottesloe and held the position until he was chosen in October 1975 to be Auxiliary Bishop of Perth and Titular Bishop of Mayo. He was ordained as Bishop on December 9, 1975 and served the Archdiocese under Archbishops LJ.Goody, W.J.Foley, and B.J.Hickey. His time as Auxiliary Bishop included two stints as Administrator of the Archdiocese, initially when Archbishop Foley was seriously ill and again following his death. Bishop Healy celebrated his golden jubilee as a priest in 1999 and officially retired in October 2000 after 25 years as a Bishop, but continued to carry a full workload until Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton was ordained in February 2002. At the time of his official retirement and again on his death, Archbishop Barry Hickey said that outstanding among his many qualities were his integrity, his deep spirituality and his Continued page 5 love of the priesthood.
Statue inquiry announced Archbishop Barry Hickey has appointed a Commission of three members to investigate the weeping statue of the Virgin Mary at Rockingham. "The phenomenon has been going on for more than three months now," he said. "The faithful and the community at large are entitled to as clear a statement as I can make about whether the tears can be explained by some natural process or human intervention, or whether they defy scientific explanation. "The owner of the statue, Mrs Patty Powell, whom I trust completely in this matter, has agreed to my appointing a commission," he added. The three commissioners appointed by the Archbishop are: Fr Kevin Long, Rector of St Thomas More College.. Dr Thelma Koppi, a scientist from UWA and a non-Catholic. Dr Michael Shanahan, a surgeon. The commissioners will not be person-
ASTRA CITY SEDAN
ally responsible for tests carried out on gate claims of healings associated with the statue. Instead they will arrange the statue and the scented oil flowing whatever scientific tests they consider from the eyes, but they may investigate necessary and will determine who is best any matter they consider relevant. The statue was first noticed weeping on equipped to carry them out. As well as their own scientific, theolog- March 19, the feast of St Joseph, the husical and historical expertise, they will be band of Mary, and then over the four able to take suggestions from anyone in days of Easter. It began weeping again on the scientific community who has ideas August 15, the feast of the Assumption of on what would be needed to determine Our Lady into Heaven, and has wept conwhether the phenomenon can be tinuously since. The statue underwent a number of tests explained. The only stipulation is that the statue is not damaged, but with mod- at Murdoch and Curtin Universities ern technology this is not considered to arranged by the Channel 7 program Today Tonight. The tests included analybe a limitation. The commission has said that it will not sis of the oil, x-ray examination and comment on its work or on the results of examination at magnification of 40 times. individual tests until all tests have been The scientists said they were unable to completed and it has reported its con- identify any fraud, but felt the tests were inconclusive in terms of offering an clusions and advice to the Archbishop. The Commission will interview the explanation. people immediately involved, including The statue will continue to be available Mrs Powell and Rockingham Parish for public veneration at Our Lady of Photo Carole McMfllen Priest Fr Finbarr Walsh. Lourdes Church, Rockingham, on Sun- Still weeping after three months - the statue of Our Lady photographed by The Record on Monday. They have not been asked to investi- day afternoons.
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THE RECORD
2 21 NOVEMBER 2002
No. 3333
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, Norma Woodcock, Guy Crouchback
Further clergy appointments for Perth announced Archbishop Hickey announced further clergy appointments for the Archdiocese of Perth on Wednesday as The Record went to press.
PARISHES Fr Giosue Marini has been appointed Parish Priest of Bencubbin and surrounding areas from January 31 2003 Fr Freddy Gerardo-Hernandez has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Mosman Park from January 1 2003.
ASSISTANT PRIESTS, D EACONS Fr Huy Thanh Nguyen, currently Assistant Priest of Willetton Parish has been appointed Assistant Priest of Kalgoorlie/Boulder from January 31 2003 Fr Joseph Tram currently Assistant Priest of Bateman Parish, has been appointed Assistant Priest of Whitford from January 31 2003. Fr Chien Nguyen, currently Assistant Priest of Mirrabooka Parish, has been appointed Assistant Priest to the Vietnamese Community from January 31 2003. Fr Son Kim Nguyen, currently Assistant Priest of Greenwood, has been appointed Assistant Priest of Northam commencing January 31 2003.
Vale Robert Healy, Bishop of the Church of Jesus 's
Fr Richard Tomelty, currently Assistant Priest of Bencubbin, has been appointed Assistant Priest of St Mary's Cathedral from January 31 2003. Deacon Richard Smith has been appointed to work at St Mary's Cathedral from November 27 2002, during which time he will assist the Chaplaincy at Royal Perth Hospital.
NEWLY ORDAINED Following ordination to priesthood the newly ordained will be appointed as follows: Rev Conran Pike to the Parish of John Paul, Willetton. Rev Benedict Lee to the Parish of All Saints, Whitford. Rev Dat Vuong to the Parish of St Thomas More, Bateman. Rev Abraham Rodriguez to the Parish of Mirrabooka. Rev Sagay Arokiadoss to the Parish of Bencubbin
OUTSIDE PERTH From January 2003, Fr Eugenio Zurias-Diaz and Fr James D'Souza have been appointed to assist Bishop Ted Collins in the Diocese of Darwin.
Kidnapped Bishop freed
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ishop Healy came to Perth in 1950, the year I entered St Charles' Seminary. Fifty two years later I have the privilege of farewelling him from this world by anointing him and celebrating his Requiem Mass. News that he had died in his sleep came as a shock, as he had not been dangerously ill or in hospital. Like Archbishop Foley he died at home, unexpectedly, during the night. I saw him still in bed as if asleep. Kath, his housekeeper, went to wake him up because she thought he had overslept and might not be well. He was already dead for some time when she went in to see him. He was well prepared for death. His whole life in a sense had been a preparation for his death. Being a man of strong faith, he had offered his life in the service of God knowing that the final act of self-offering would be his abandonment to the love of God in death in the hope of the resurrection. "In joyful hope" was his motto. The words come from the prayer following the Lord's Prayer in the Mass - "as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our saviour Jesus Christ", echoing the words of St Paul to the Romans "Let your hope keep you joyful" (10:10). It was in this joyful hope that Bishop Healy lived his life, always ready for the coming of his Saviour in death. Despite all the troubles the Church has been facing
Caritas trains military, police By Alpha Jalloh
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since he became a Bishop 27 years ago, he remained firm in his confidence that the Church would always continue to offer Good News to the world. His hope came from his love for Christ and the Church. He came to Australia among a band of priests to serve in this distant land. For many years it was impossible to return to Ireland except by sea. Australia became his adopted country, which in turn adopted him. Nevertheless his love for Ireland never lessened and he was able to return home more frequently in recent years by air. We have a photograph of Bishop Healy with some of his Irish contemporaries taken in 1999. Now in a brief 3 years they are gone - Fr Sean Sorahan, Fr Jim Muffins, Fr Alex Morahan, and Fr Michael Ryan. Bishop Healy was a source of pride for the Irish priests who came to Australia with him. He symbolised their contribution to the local Church, their standing in the community and the precious gift of the Catholic faith that their predecessors had planted so firmly in Australian soil. Many will mourn Bishop Healy. The priests of Perth will mourn the loss of someone who took a special interest in them, cared for them, visited them in hospital or retirement, and defended them. I, too, will miss his loyalty, his wisdom, his faith, and his friendship. May he rest in peace.
Colombian Bishop Jorge Jimenez Carvajal smiles as he is surrounded by media after being rescued from leftist rebels on November 15 outside of Bogota. Bishop Jimenez and Father Desiderio Orjuela were freed by anti-guerrilla troops in the Andean mountains about 50 miles outside the capital city. The clergymen had been kidnapped on November 11 on their way to a confirmation service.
Annual Solemn Novena at the Cathedral I n honour of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Photo CNS/AFP
And in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (which this year falls on Monday December 9) St Mary's Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth From Sunday December 1 to Monday December 9, 2002 at 7.30 each night, except Saturday December 7 - devotions will start at 5.30pm. Novena preacher Fr Leo Spicer OSM All are welcome to make this Novena. Parking in the Cathedral grounds.
FREEThWN, Sierra Leone (CNS) - To prevent the future use of child soldiers, a church agency has begun a program to educate police and military on the rights of children in postwar Sierra Leone. Aminata Jalloh, assistant project officer of the child rights advocacy program of Caritas, the church's charitable agency said UNICEF estimates some 4,500 children were recruited by both sides during Sierra Leone's civil war. She said she is convinced that the church-run education program will curtail violation of children's rights by members of the military and police. Jalloh said the Caritas program seeks to help Sierra Leone comply with the 2000 Accra Declaration on War-Affected Children adopted by members of the Economic Community of West African States. The declaration sought the release of all children abducted and conscripted into military service and sought to ensure that educational and social programs would be available to children in post-conflict situations. Caritas conducts the program at two sites in the country's interior. The goal is to teach a team of trainers among the military and police who would educate recruits on the rights of children. During Sierra Leone's 10-year civil war, those who fought alongside government soldiers, local militia or rebels often
were killed or injured. Others were tortured or used to carry looted property. According to the National Commission for Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration, more than 3,800 children were recruited by the Revolutionary United Front rebel movement, some 260 by the Sierra Leone army and 16 by the Armed Forces Ruling Council, the junta that ruled Sierra Leone from May 1997 to February 1998. 'We discovered that they (officials) used to detain child suspects and adults in the same cells, thus exposing the children to more heinous acts,' Jalloh said. She said the program's facilitators discovered that most times police did not know they were violating the rights of children in custody. Jalloh said that during the war soldiers plundered villages and often resorted to sexual violence. 'Children most times become the victims,- she said. 'But through this program we can orient (officials) to be disposed in identifying and monitoring child rights violations, reduce the specific impacts of conflicts on children and respect the codes of conduct and golden rules. 'They are also enlightened on different international conventions on the rights of children', she said, adding: 'We also inspire them to monitor and report child abuse in their communities.' A spokesman for the military, said soldiers 'have benefited immensely from this program.'
THE RECORD
21 NOVEMBER 2002
Losing your hair for Bali -a great idea
On Sunday, 17 November ioner of Sacred Heart Parish, 2002, the Parish of Sacred Heart, Thomlie. Thornlie held a "Hair Cuts For Linda and her husband, Adrian, a Qantas employee, set out Bali Appeal'. A total of $2760.00 was raised to organise this worthy cause by in the marathon of discounted appealing to many local busihaircuts by nine volunteer hair nesses asking for their support dressers, who gave up their and generous contributions The Sunday for the victims of the towards this appeal. response was truly overwhelm'Bali Bombing.' ing! The bulk of the Funds raised Various items contributed will go to Caritas to help those included, sausages, drinks, most in need in Bali and a por- wines, bread rolls, cakes, baltion will be forwarded to the loons, printing, gift vouchers, Red Cross Appeal. food vouchers and much more. The idea came from Linda A sausage sizzle and Cake stall King (hairdresser) and parish- was held after the 10.00 am Sun-
day Morning Service, Qantas printed and donated caps & TShirts for the helpers and hairdressers to wear with the slogan for the day. Advertisements for the appeal came from the Parish Bulletin over the last 2 weekends, the Newsletter of Sacred Heart Primary School, Thornlie, The Quokka, Comment News, Channel Access 31 and word of mouth! • Perth Caritas has received more than $10,000 to assist victims of the Bali disaster said the agency's director Anne Fairhead this week
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FEBRUARY SPECIAL - MEDJUGORJE Come, be a pilgrim of peace to the grace filled village of Medjugorje. "Dear Childen! In this time of grace,Icall you to become friends of Jesus. Pray for peace in your hearts and work for your personal conversion. Little children, only in this way will you be able to become witnesses of peace and of the love of Jesus in the world...I am close to you andIbless you all. Thank you for having responded to my call" Our Lady of Medjugorje, 25 February 2002 Medjugorje (8 nights) Optional Rome Extension (3 nights) Departing 27 February 2003 Accompanied by Tour Chaplain
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New Book Release! I the Lord Am With You Always
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
Prayers and Meditations for Eucharistic Adoration
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WANTED:VOLUNTEER WORKERS DIOCESE OF BROOME WA KIMBERLEY CATHOLIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE has immediate vacancies 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
CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH
PERSONAL ADVOCACY SERVICE
Committed to the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR (0.8) The Personal Advocacy Service provides support to enable people with intellectual disabilities to live fully as active members of their local community. The direction comes through personal development programs conducted by staff and volunteer advocates. PAS requires a person to assist the Executive Director in the education, development and ongoing support of volunteers and local communities. The successful applicant will possess: • education qualifications and experience • commitment to the Catholic faith • excellent communication and organisational skills • the ability to take initiative and to work in a team Experience in the areas of disability support, special needs education, pastoral ministry or religious education would be considered an advantage. Interested people should contact the Executive Director, Leonie Reid. on 9275 5388 or email pas@starwon.com.au for further information. Applications close: Wednesday 4 December 2002
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THE RECORD
21 NOVEMBER 2002
Rights challenged The Catholic Church in Queensland has signalled a possible legal challenge to Queensland's new anti-discrimination laws giving legal rights to de facto and gay couples. Under the laws, if a school considers its religious teachings warrant discrimination against a potential employee living in a de facto relationship, the school must take the case to the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal. Opposition leader Mike Horan said the government's amendments were an attack on religious freedom and should be redrafted. 'It takes away freedom of choice of parents who pay fees and make a conscious decision to send their children to a particular school based on their values and religious teachings: Mr Horan said. Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director Joe McCorley said religious institutions should be able to refuse employment to applicants who did not abide by the doctrine of the religion involved. David Hutton. executive director of Catholic Education in the Brisbane archdiocese, said he did not believe the appeal process was a suitable mechanism because it reversed the onus of proof by requiring schools to prove an applicant should not be employed.
Bishop s push to get asylum seekers in Catholic schools Bishop Eugene Hurley of Port Pixie is pressing the Federal Government to let asylum seeker children from the Baxter Detention Centre attend the local Catholic school. saying he is distressed by the messages that emerged from Port Augusta last week The city's mayor. Joy Baluch, says strong community opposition has stalled the Federal Government's plans for Baxter children to study at local state schools. Ms Baluch said Bishop Hurley should steer clear of politics. 'The church needs to get back to its aim, which is to get people back to church: she said. But Bishop Hurley says asylum seekers are welcome in the church's schools and hopes to get them into the local Caritas Catholic College. Caritas principal Catherine Mead said the Immigration Department relected the school's offer to educate detainee children, saying they had an arrangement with the state Education Department. A spokesman for Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock said Caritas College could be a last resort, but detainees had opposed enrolling their children in Melbourne Catholic and Anglican schools in the past. At Woomera, 1851cm north of Port Augusta, area administrator Bob McKenzie was keen for children from the local detention centre to enroll in the local school for the first time, in a bid to keep the centre open. Until now, children from the centre have attended St Michael's Catholic school in the town.
Jesuit schools take stand
The headmasters of Australia's Jesuit schools have opposed tables that compare year 12 results, claiming they fail to accurately reflect school performances and could be misleading. Fr O'Kelly, headmaster of Adelaide's St Ignatius College, said there are concerns that new VCE information to be published by the Victorian Government next month could easily be turned into tables ranking the best to worst performing schools. The Victorian Government announced last month that the median VCE study scores for each school, together with the percentage who pass and the proportion of high-performing students at each school will be published for the first time. Fr O'Kelly said the principals wanted to take a stand to help other schools. 'They can't say that about us because our schools do well academically," Fr O'Kelly said. Fr O'Kelly said he was concerned that league tables would "entrench intellectual snobbery' and favour selective schools that took brighter students.
Question: What is the teaching of the Church regarding fasting before receiving Holy Communion? Answer: Here are the regulations in Canon Law: 919.1 - One who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion. 919.2 - A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day may take something before the second or third celebration, even if the period of one hour does not intervene. 919.3 - Those who are advanced in age or who suffer from any infirmity, as well as those who take care of them, can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have taken something during the previous hour. By way of explanation, it should be noted that the fast begins one hour before Communion, not before the start of Mass. Most of us are not eating on the way to church, and thus the time of travel plus the length of the liturgy up to Communion can all be counted into the hour's fast. However, note that 919.1 advises 'at least the period of one hour' - meaning that a longer fast is praiseworthy. This is what Pope Pius XII encouraged when he originally shortened the fast, which until 1957 was observed from midnight onward. In those days, people who wished to receive Communion generally went to the early morning Masses, and then ate afterward: thus the origin of the word 'breakfast'. There were those hardy souls who wanted to attend a later Mass and would therefore fast all morning (there
were no evening Masses in those days). But the later the Mass, the fewer the Conmnmions it was not uncommon to find people fainting from a combination of hunger and the summer's heat. Pius XII reduced the fast to three hours, and later Pope Paul VI in 1964 reduced the fast to one hour, because they recognised that times have changed and most of us are no longer farmers, up at the crack of dawn and easily able to get to a 6 a.m. Mass. The shorter fast, plus the introduction of evening Masses, was intended to encourage frequent reception of the Eucharist. Likewise the dispensation for the sick and their carers. This covers those situations in hospitals where the priest or Eucharistic minister may visit the patient with little or no advance notice. The category of 'carers' is broadly interpreted by canon lawyers to include those who provide moral and emotional support, such as attending Catholic family members and Catholic visitors. If they are properly disposed, they may receive Communion on these special occasions without fasting. Fasting, of course, is an important part of Christian asceticism. Jesus tells us that it is as necessary as prayer (cf. Mt 8:16), and that His disciples should fast (d. Mt 9:15-18). The short Eucharistic fast was unknown in the first three centuries of the Church - but, then, the early Christians fasted on bread and water every Wednesday and Friday as a mat-
Ze4r Don't be afraid of asking Fr TIM DEETER a difficult question. Send yours to: near Pi/are, PO Box 75 Leetierville. WA 6902
ter of course, and on Saturdays in preparation for the Sunday Eucharist. After Christianity was legalised in 313 A.D., the hordes of new converts couldn't handle the weekly fast days, which went out of fashion except for Lent and the old Ember Days. But by the end of that century, the custom of fasting all night before the morning Mass was observed virtually everywhere, and St Augustine wrote that such a universal practice must have been on divine inspiration. Why do we fast before Communion? • to show respect for the Bread of Life as our most important food: • to teach us to hunger, in a real sense, for 'our daily bread': • to help us to 'stay awake and alert' for Jesus' coming in the Liturgy (since we tend to become sleepy after meals); • to provide ourselves with a small act of penance and self-denial in preparation for the all-holy Sacrifice of the Mass: • to teach us to organise our spiritual priorities, consciously putting God first In our lives in this little way: • to show that we surrender ourselves completely, body and soul, to the saving God; as Mary said, 'He fills the hungry with good things'.
On family and sexuality clarity is the key: Pope By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - All who teach in the name of the Catholic Church must be absolutely clear in transmitting the church's position on matters related to the family and sexuality, Pope John Paul II said. When priests, religious or theologians show "uncertainty or confusion" about church teaching, they "confuse and tend to anaesthetise the consciences of many of the faithful," the Pope said in a November 17 message to bishops from Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo states in Brazil. The Brazilians were in Rome for their "ad limina" visits, which bishops make every five years to report on the status of their dioceses. Pope John Paul encouraged the bishops to strengthen their pastoral outreach to Brazilian families, many of whom are in P1 OtC, CV'S Hook' precarious situations because of "struc"The love of a mother precious gift..." Pope John in the is a Paul said. home tures of injustice," poverty, unemployment, moral confusion or a lack of able dignity of women in order to The family is "a school of love in which housing, hygiene or education. strengthen her role both in the sphere of each person preserves his or her own The two keys for strengthening families the home as well as in society in gener- identity, a community built on the love highlighted by the Pope were to promote al," the Pope said. between a man and a woman, founded respect for women and motherhood and Concretely, he said, the church must on matrimony and open to life," he said. to proclaim clearly the teaching of the work with the government and other secPope John Paul urged comprehensive church about marriage, fidelity, parent- tors of society to prevent the sexual abuse efforts to educate all Catholics about love. hood and family life. of women and their exploitation by men. respect and the importance of family life The family always has been "the nat"It is necessary to make public institu- and to take advantage of marriage prepaural environment for the human and tions sensitive to the need to protect fam- ration courses as an opportunity to Christian formation of new generations," ily life based on matrimony and to strengthen the faith and moral values of the place where children learn the val- protect maternity in respect for the dig- young people. ues of honesty and fidelity, of hard work nity of all women," he said. In addition, he said, the church must be and trust in God, of hospitality and soliPope John Paul said the media are help- more active in reaching out to families in darity, the pope said. ing to spread "moral relativism" in West- trouble, but any pastoral action on their The role of women in the process is ern culture, and it is accompanied by a central for the formation, stability and "semantic evolution in which homicide behalf must have, "as a preliminary survival of family life. Her "physiology, is called assisted death, infanticide is requirement, doctrinal clarity." If a couple's crisis reaches the point of psychology, character, intelligence, sen- therapeutic abortion and adultery passsitivity, affection, understanding of life" es as being simply an extramarital adven- separation and seeking an annulment of the marriage, he said, diocesan and and spirituality usually are the first force ture." behind helping each person feel loved Without a firm grounding in morality, regional tribunals must follow the rules and learning to love, he said. he said, people leave themselves open to of the church. A pastoral desire to help the couple "The love of a mother in the home is a whatever opinion is in vogue. The key to learning how to love and must never place in doubt the credibiliprecious gift which one keeps forever in how to give of oneself, he said, is to expe- ty of the church's belief in the indissoluhis heart," Pope John Paul said. bility of marriage, he said. "It is necessary to respect the inalien- rience being loved.
THE RECORD
21 NOVEMBER 2002
5
Bishop Healy dies, aged 77 continued from Page 1 Bishop Healy's love of the priesthood extended to care for his fellow priests and he was known throughout the Archdiocese for his support of his colleagues. While he was still at Cottesloe, he was elected Chairman of the Council of Priests and was then appointed Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy in 1973. Archbishop Hickey renewed his appointment as a Vicar for Priests after Bishop Sproxton's ordination this year. In the same spirit, he continued as the Archbishop's liaison with the Little Sisters of the Poor, Foley Village and St John of God Villa regarding the accommodation of priests. He also continued as Chairman of the Family and for Life Committee and as a member of the selection committee for the diaconate.
Bishop Healy spent many years as Episcopal Vicar for Education and as Chairman of the Catholic Education Commission. Therese Temby, Director of the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, said Bishop Healy was "overwhelmingly a priest who cared and this caring was very evident in his role as Chairman of the Commission." "He first and foremost cared for our students followed closely by his care and concern for staff in Catholic schools. Bishop Healy saw many changes in Catholic education during his time as Chairman - the growth in the number of students enrolled in Catholic schools, the building of new schools, and the changes in curriculum," Mrs Temby said. "While he considered all aspects of decisions at Commission meetings his perceptive comments
The Bishop surrounded by friends and well-wishers in June 1999 after a special Mass at St Kieran's Church in Osborne Part celebrating Bishop Healy's Photo Peter Rosengren 50 years as a priest.
often turned the focus of discussion and decision to the needs of students in the schools. He was a caring friend to all in Catholic education." On his retirement, Bishop Healy said he had not taken easily to being a Bishop, but had developed his own style and felt happy with it. He was realistic about the problems facing the Church, but insisted he was still an optimist. "I've always been an optimist and I think Christians have to be because of God's strong arm behind them," he said in a retirement interview. "I'm still full of hope because it's not our Church; it's God's and He'll look after it." His advice to all, and to the young in particular was, "do small acts of love for other people" because they would eventually lead to "a great commitment to the Lord". "Love grows on love, and if you're prepared to give little acts of love I think your love will grow and lead you to God Himself." He regarded the 1998 Synod of Bishops for Oceania in Rome as the highlight of his time as Bishop because of the great sense it gave him of the universality of the Church and because of his experience of the "extraordinary commitment" of Bishops from all sorts of dioceses. He described Pope John Paul II, whom he met during the Synod in Rome, as "one of the all-time greats among the successors of St Peter" and as "a rare phenomenon in the life of the Church". "We couldn't have anticipated
NOW ANuTHEN
A younger Bishop Healy flanked by Bishop Peter Quinn and Archbishop Photographs courtesy Archdiocesan Archives Launcelot Goody. that his pontificate would be so month, it is certain the Bishop extraordinary and include so would like someone, metaphorimany great and outstanding cally speaking, to take up his events, or that he would lead the beads for him and continue the Church in such an outstanding devotion to Mary. way." he said. Anyone wishing to endorse his Vigil and Funeral view of the Pope and to make a Vigil prayers and Rosary are personal tribute to Bishop Healy to be offered at St Mary's Cathecould well take up his devotion to dral at 7.30pm on Friday Novemthe Rosary. ber 22 with the body lying in Having learnt the Rosary as a state from 6.30pm. boy in Ireland, towards the end of The funeral Mass will be celhis life he described devotion to ebrated at St Mary's on Saturthe Rosary as a mainstay of his day November 23 at 9.30am priestly life. with the body lying in state from In the Year of the Rosary 8.30am. announced by John Paul II last
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The new Auxiliary Bishop as he then was, as caught by a professional photographer.
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6
THE RECORD
21 NOVEMBER 2002
Reflection
Opinion
Catholic opinions from around Australia
I Say, I Say.... 0
ne wordI hope will never go completely out of fashion is "sin." Sadly, it's considered a dirty word these days. Not just by unbelievers, but by Christians also. Sin is one of the oldest words in the English language - it comes all the way, with only a slight change in spelling, from the days of "Old English" long before the Norman Conquest (which happened in 1066, remember.) "Syn," the Old Poms called it. Nowadays the word seems to hardly get used at all except in the liturgy and the Bible, from where it cannot be easily removed. It's ironic, really. All sorts of foul language from F-words to S-words to C-words seem to be increasingly acceptable everywhere, from schoolkids talking on the street to our public TV and radio airwaves. If someone uses an "F-word" in conversation with you, the expected response in polite society seems to be that you're meant to play it cool. Act like nothing has happened.
on
But if you drop an old word like "sin" into cope with most of those physical problems the average conversation, it's like you've pretty well. got the plague. "Don't use that word: you'll But the effects of sin are disastrous: everysound like a religious nut" seems to be the thing from war, terrorism and racial prejunspoken rule. udice to family conflict, crime and bullying Even many Christians and Christian lead- can be directly attributed to its effects. ers seem to have this silly idea that you So why don't we say "sin" more? Chrisshouldn't use the word "sin." It might give tians particularly should lead the way here. people a guilt complex, they think. Why? Because it is religion, especially "If your right hand causes you to say 'sin,' Christianity, that has always had most to cut it off." These are not the words in the say about this particularly useful concept. Sermon on the Mount, but many people in Writing about a book called "Sin" by today's churches seem to think they are. Hugh Connolly in the Times literary SupHow far from the truth this attitude is. plement recently, reviewer Theo Hobson "Sin" has always been one of our most use- reminded us of this. ful words - because it has direct relevance "Like other religions, Christianity to our everyday lives. claimed to offer the antidote to sin, but did We all sin - don't we? Even if some of us so in a new, problematic way," Hobson aren't quite ready to come at that proposi- wrote. "Church teaching developed in tion, at least we can all surely agree that reaction to a legalistic account of sin, and other people sin. Insisted that human nature is inherently It's why the world can be such a difficult flawed because we are all affected by Origplace to live in. Natural disasters, drought inal Sin." and back complaints are all bad enough, From this starting point. Hobson argued, but as ingenious humans we can learn to several different historical strands have
RD
Sunday
A laywoman's meditations by Norma Woodcock
Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King ' Whatever you do for the least of these you do for me'.
W
henever I read or hear that we are about to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, I am filled with hope, with awe and with anticipation. The first reading, Ezekiel 34:11-12, 151Z presents the image of our God as the good shepherd. 'I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the far and healthy, I shall be a true shepherd to them'. In the New Revised standard version, v16 reads, 'but the far and the strong I will destroy'. This is a difference worth noting. But surely in the journey the weak become strong with his strength, his power filling their weakness, his shepherding watching over their even greater transformation. The passage ends, 'As for you, my sheep, the Lord says this; I will judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and the goats'. There is a requirement we have to fulfil. Ills tied in with the Gospel theme. We respond with the responsorial Psalm, 22:1-3, 5-6, The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothingI shall want'. The second reading 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 begins with Paul stating the great truth of Christ's resurrection, 'Christ has been raised from the dead'. The reading moves powerfully into the second section, connecting Christ's resurrection with his Kingship. 'After that will come the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, having done away with every sovereignty, authority and power. '... the last of the enemies to he destroyed is death'. Our hearts must leap as we hear these words. St Augustine, bishop and doctor in his homily on the 'Kingship of Christ' says, 'That the Son of God therefore, equal to the Father, the Word by whom all things were made, wished to become King of Israel was a favour to us, not an honour to Him; a sign of His mercy, not
with Paul Gray
an increase of His power. For He who on earth is called the King of the Jews, in heaven is Lord of the Angels'. In the Gospel, Matthew 25:31-46, we have the much-loved story of the end time when Christ will come in his glory escorted by the angels. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate the sheep from the goats. The sheep are those who choose to love, in a practical way, their neighbour. whether the one in need of love was their husband, wife, mother, father, son. daughter, brother, sister, priest, work colleague, parish council member or the neighbour next door. In doing this, Christ says they are loving him. V35 'For I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, This identifies our service with our love of Christ. This gospel was addressed to Christians and states quite clearly that discipleship to Christ is a practical religion of deeds of loving kindness and that we must prepare ourselves to enter the kingdom of heaven. V41-43 is worth looking at, Jesus addressing the goats, Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Go away from me. with your curse upon you for I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink ' The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, page 669:145 says, These harsh words stem from Deuteronomistic theology of a covenant conditioned by human obligation as opposed to the covenant of unconditional divine commitment, represented in the New Testament by Paul's theology It presupposes human responsibility and conscience and God taking human actions seriously. God placed his love within us at Baptism. He asks us to love him in return and to show that love by our decision and commitment to love others in a practical way, thus we are loving him.
developed. Catholics emphasised "repentance, good works and the sacramental system" and Protestants stressed "human depravity and justification by faith." That's a broad-brush account, but it makes a valid point. Human nature is deeply flawed, and it's only common sense - or sanity, you might say - to recognise this fact. Christianity, through its historical emphasis on sin, keeps this reality before our minds. Of course, that's not all Christianity does: it also emphasises the even greater power and greater glory of grace. Grace: the action of God in our lives and in the world. That is THE core message of Christianity But we have to remember that without the concept of sin before our minds, the concept of grace means nothing. If we've no need to be saved, then why should we feel excited about God saving us? Thank God for sinners, I say, and thank God for "sin." Without the word, we'd all be asleep.
TO JESUS THROUGH MARY column of Marian devotion Prayer for peace and for the family 6. A number of historical circumstances also make a revival of the Rosary quite timely. First of all, the need to implore from God the gift of peace. The Rosary has many times been proposed by my predecessors and myself as a prayer for peace. At the start of a millennium which began with the terrifying attacks of 11 September 2001, a millennium which witnesses every day in numerous parts of the world fresh scenes of bloodshed and violence, to rediscover the Rosary means immerse to oneself in con templation of the mystery of Christ who 'is our peace', since he made 'the two of us one, and broke down the dividing wall of hostility' (Eph 2:14). Consequently, one cannot recite the Rosary without feeling caught up in a clear commitment to advancing peace, especially in the land of Jesus, still so sorely afflicted and so close to the heart of every Christian. A similar need for commitment and prayer arises in relation to another critical contemporary issue: the family, the primary cell of society, increasingly menaced by forces of disintegration on both the ideological and practical planes, so as to make us fear for the future of this fundamental and indispensable institution and, with it, for the future of society as a whole. The revival of the Rosary in Christian families, within the context of a broader pastoral ministry to the family, will be an effective aid to countering the devastating effects of this crisis typical of our age.
'Woman, behold your son!' (Jn19:26). Well-known are the occasions in the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries on which the Mother of Christ made her presence felt and her voice heard, in order to exhort the People of God to this form of contemplative prayer. I would mention in particular. on account of their great influence on the lives of Christians and the authoritative recognition they have received from the Church, apparithe tions of Lourdes and of Fatima: these shrines continue to be visited by great numbers of pilgrims seeking comfort and hope.
Following the witnesses 8. It would be impossible to name all the many Saints who discovered in the Rosary a genuine path to growth in holiness. We need but mention Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, the author of an excellent work on the Rosary, and, closer to ourselves, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, whom I recently had the joy of canonising. As a true apostle of the Rosary, Blessed Bartolo Longo had a special charism. His path to holiness rested on an inspiration heard in the depths of his heart: 'Whoever spreads the Rosary is saved!". As a result, he felt called to build a Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Pompei, against the background of the ruins of the ancient city, which scarcely heard the proclamation of Christ before being buried in 79 A.D. during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, only to emerge centuries later from its ashes as a witness to the lights and shadows of "Behold, your Mother!" an 19:27) classical civilisation. By his whole life's 7. Many signs indicate that still today the work and especially by the practice of the Blessed Virgin desires to exercise through 'Fifteen Saturdays', Bartolo Longo prothis same prayer that maternal concern to moted the Christocentric and contemplawhich the dying Redeemer entrusted, in tive heart of the Rosary, and received great the person of the beloved disciple, all the encouragement and support from Leo sons and daughters of the Church: XIII, the 'Pope of the Rosary'.
THE RECORD
21 NOVEMBER 2002
7
The King and the Crown of Thorns rif
-i his weekend, Catholics the world over celebrate the feast of Christ the King, a glorious celebration of the fact that Jesus is the Lord of history. It is a wonderful way to revitalise our faith and our optimism because, to paraphrase Bishop Robert Healy who died this week, 'you have to be an optimist because Jesus is in charge'. It isn't a reason for abandoning our own efforts, but it is a reason for cheerfulness when our best efforts are looking remarkably unsuccessfuL It is also the ultimate reason for always following Jesus' constant admonition: -Do not be afraid." Whatever appears as though It may happen and whatever it is that actually does happen, all come under the Lord of History, Christ the King. The march of history should convince us of this even if faith in Jesus does not, but it is better if we get there by faith. The other really important thing we need to remember about Christ the King is that the only crown he wore was a crown of thorns. This is so utterly contrary to all our inclinations and all the messages the world showers on us that it bears a great deal of thinking about Like all great symbols, the crown of thorns is testimony to its own truth and to the untruth of everything that is contrary to it. The crown of thorns is not just a passing event in the extraordinary suffering that preceded the death of the king on the
Meditation seeks reality
A
s a Christian who meditates
.
would like to respond to Fr Elias Mary F1's letter entitled 'but is it real meditation?' When we meditate as Christians we go in search of reality. We seek to strip ourselves of all the illusions that surround us. 'Be still and know that I am God.' (Psalm 46:10)
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cross. It is a declaration of the meaning of the life of the king on earth. The crown of thorns is the rejection of all the appeals the world makes to our senses: fame, fortune, pleasure, success, popularity, acclaim. It is not a rejection of these things because they are natural and good. It is a rejection of them because they do not possess or add to the goodness of our true nature. If we are to grow as the image and likeness of Christ the King, we must learn to wear his crown, or, at the very least, we must learn not to desire the opposite of his crown. Most of us will not be asked to go through the extreme physical pain or the extreme self-abnegation of actually wearing such a crown. For most of us, It is too hard to even think about such a thing. But each day we get the opportunity to consider which we want, and if the good one is too hard to contemplate, the folly of the world's offerings should be enough to help us keep our will pointing in the right direction. The world's appeals to our senses as the way to happiness and fulfilment of our human nature simply do not work.
Fame, for example, is a disease, a crippling disease which promises to fill lives, but which actually leaves them empty and the flowers of our nature dry and wilting. Fame has been so thoroughly promoted as a worthwhile achievement that people set out to achieve it for its own sake. Such people are known as "celebrities" those who are famous not as a consequence of any noble or even worthwhile achievement, but for their pursuit of fame itself, through immorality, absurdity, vacuity or madness. They fill the gaping holes in their lives with a variety of addictions, including a narcissistic addiction to self. The emptiness promoted by the big screen, the small screen and the parasitic magazines that flourish in their service is probably the clearest sign that the crown of thorns is true. Unfortunately, those who are caught up in the daily diet of this insane world seldom have time to consider the alternative. The second major lesson of the crown of thorns is that suffering is the way to strength, an idea that is barely heard in a world which considers suffering an
6 th e 4c‘ I(c? \, 0 d
By all means pray, but pray also that men of good will would stand for council and dose such places down. Encourage others to pray. Letterbwdng even 11 houses a day would cover 4000 homes in one year and reap the benefit of early action coupled with your prayers and those of many in the community. Perhaps then, the worldwide stock market would discover that it is not the fertility rate that has fallen because women are as robust as they ever were. It is the birth rate that has fallen. Because of this all those future consumers on which the market so desperately depends have disappeared. Gerard Sutherland Penrith NSW
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
i
0' 1:
All my life I have been encouraged to be still and listen to God in prayer, in the silence of my heart. Meditation is merely one way, not the only way, into that silence, Laden's messages drip with hatred of the that stillness, that simplicity. United States. There are many US and Jesus himself tells us not to babble a lot Israeli injustices - but killing people indiswhen we pray.I also pray with words, and criminately by blowing up Indonesian and use discursive meditation, and make use of African churches, nightclubs in Israel and my imagination in prayer but I make time Bali, and a US barracks, or shooting pea to pray without words, images, and ple returning from prayers is not God's thoughts by simply being still, silent and way. simple like Mary at the feet of Jesus. In previous years the Iranian religious Care is taken to choose our Christian leadership, with huge crowds in the city Mantra, with most Christian meditators squares, cursed America as "The Great using the words `Maranatha' (Come Lord) Satan." The Iranian clerics declared a or 'Abba'. The repetition is akin to praying "fatwa" against a novelist, offering a reward without ceasing as Jesus asked us to. to anyone who killed him. Did the Muslim Twice a day,Itry for 30 minutes to become world leaders - religious and civic - constill and peaceful and silent and simple like demn Iran for this perversion of religion? a child in the presence of the Lord and If history bores you, just cast your mind without words, thoughts, images, simply be to the November 13 tape by Osama back with Jesus.! have meditated on the train, in which included six counties, Laden, Bin the plane, and all sorts of places but my ncluding Australia, as targets of assassinaI favourite place is in the silence of the tions and bombings. He claimed that AusChurch. And my favourite time for quiet an "ignoble contribution" to meditation is before Mass.I find it a won- tralia made Timor. Isn't Bin Laden in East separating Mass the and praying derful preparation to East Timor? about error grave singing the hymns with great feeling and official Muslim leaderwhole the Does enthusiasm. a "fatwa" against declare worldwide ship Meditation is real, all right. Ask all those filled with hate messages his for Laden Bin who have been meditating for some time. and error? What is the theology of inciting Gerald Searle people to commit mass murder, and saying Ocean Reef as he did "we pray to God to aid us that His religion might triumph"? John Massam T want to support K Brosnan (14 Novem- Greenwood it for opposing the idea that "jihad" or "holy war" of the Muslims against other religions is opposed by 99.9 per cent of Tt is good to pray anywhere, even outside Muslims. She exposed the attitude of the campaign opposing Australia's present pol- Ia local abortion clinic, so that the unborn baby might have a mother who would seriicy on people smuggling. In the Catholic Church, auxiliary bishops ously contemplate, whilst she is still with for centuries were given local titles of the child, giving her budding human life the lost dioceses in north Africa and the Near chance we all had of terminating a pregEast. Have the Church leaders forgotten nancy naturally in just somewhere around how these dioceses were destroyed? Bin nine months.
oqi \,\''
Loud silence on Jihad
Prayer outside clinics
Meditation, again 'he letter by Father Elias Mary Fl of Toodyay calls for a response. As one of the original organisers of Christian Meditation groups in Western Australia almost ten years ago,I would like to put an alternative point of view. Father Elias's opening question is: does the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) promote really Christian meditation? To answer this, let's refer to the Word into Silence by Fr John Main, OSB, who initially proposed the technique practised by the WCCM. "Mediation... is a process of learning to pay attention, to concentrate, to attend. However, the all-important aim (of the WCCM meditation technique) in Christian meditation is to allow God's mysterious and silent presence within us to become more and more not only a reality but also the reality in our lives (page 3)." On page 5 of the book: Fr Main writes: "In (Christian) meditation we do not seek to think about God nor do we seek to think about His Son, Jesus, nor do we seek to think about the Holy Spirit. We are trying rather to do something immeasurably greater. By turning aside from everything that is passing, everything that is contingent, we seek not just to think about God, but to be with God, to experience Him as the ground of our being. It is one thing to know that Jesus is the Revelation of the Father, that Jesus is our Way to the Father, but quite another to experience the presence of Jesus within us, to experience the real power of His Spirit within us and in that experience, lobe brought into the presence of his Father and our Father." Of necessity, therefore, this form of prayer must be non-discursive. Father Elias Mary especially objects "to the reference of using 'mantras', in any way
affront. As the difficulty of daily life diminishes, we have become terrified of actual suffering. The two most gruesome demonstrations are abortion and assisted suicide. Our strange fear that a child might be a nuisance, or possibly even a real difficulty, is now legally enough reason to kill it. At the other end of the scale, the fear that we might suffer some actual pain in a year or two, or that we might lose a loved one before it is our turn to go are being promoted as sufficient reason for killing ourselves or allowing others to do it for us. One would think that the obvious insanity of these propositions would be enough to rule them out, but in a world which recognises neither the king nor his crown, blindness is endemic. Fortunately, because Jesus is the Lord of History, the signs are clear that the young will reverse these trends, and they will reverse them because they are responding to an old man who will be famous for evermore and who wears his crown of thorns in the form of frailty and very public weakness. As with Jesus, so with John Paul the Great, the crown of thorns only strengthens the love in his heart. Our invitation, our challenge, and our reward is to associate ourselves with the king and his crown. • The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth.
whatsoever, as being a Christian form of prayer". So, what is a 'mantra'? I will quote from The Breath of the Mystic by George A Maloney, SI: "In all religions we find the ancient practice of either continuously chanting or reciting aloud or mentally reciting a set phrase._" "In the Byzantine Christian East, the Christian learned to synchronise his breathing with the invocation of the sacred name of Jesus. With no discursive thought about the content of the prayer, the Byzantine Christian learned to occupy his sense and imagination with a fixed point of attention that then freed his mind to be free, docile, supple to God operating in a nonverbal manner.... for the Christian of the East, the name itself was not unimportant. In Father Elias Mary's opinion, "to liken the Jesus prayer to a mantra sounds blasphemous".I beg to differ. The word, the mantra, recommended by Father John Main to be 'the fixed point of attention' in Christian Meditation, is the Scriptural word "Maranatha". This is an Aramaic expression that means either "The Lord comes' or 'Come! Lord Jesus' (Rev. 22:20; 1 Cor. 16:22, 1Cor. 11:26). This is comparable to the Jesus Prayer. Father John Main describes the process of Christian Meditation thus (Word into Silence; page 14): "Sit down comfortably and calmly then start saying MARANATHA in the silence of your mind. Repeat the word calmly, serenely and above all faithfully for the full time of your meditation, that is for about twenty to thirty minutes." How can this sound blasphemous? Father Elias Mary wants evidence that the Desert Fathers prayed the way of the mantra. May I recommend that the excellent and closely researched book I have already referred to above: George A Maloney SI The Breath of the Mystic (Dimension Books, Denville, New Jersey, 1974) Anthony Albuquerque Lesmurdie
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JESUIT MISSION Australia.
';
Zealanders Sharing in the International mission of the Jesuits
Health Care and Education. Saving Lives Changing Lives With your help Jesuit Mission continues to support life saving health
care
and
life
changing
education and rural development for thousands of poor villagers in India. Now we are also reaching out to the poor in South East Asia. We rely on the Grace of God and on your generosity. Jesuit Mission supports health clinics
especially
in
the
most
isolated areas. These clinics enable villagers to get help with health problems that cause high infant and maternal mortality.
A new mother with her 7 day old baby seeks help from the clinic at Nawadih in northern India
P romoting Human Dignity and Understanding
Jesuit International Mission
Nov/Dec 2002
The Jesuits help young girls combat illiteracy Low caste girls like the girls pictured here have for centuries been barred from any chance of going to school and breaking the cycIe of poverty that feeds on illiteracy and exploitation by the upper castes. Jesuit Mission is providing education for thousands of low caste girls in India. A girl who has been to school is transformed into a woman
who changes her family and even a village. She makes sure that her own children, like her, go to school. She has the wisdom to resist those who prey on ignorance. She has the courage to stand up in public and defy prejudice against women, and also to demand reasonable health care for women and girls too.
New challenges in Cambodia
Double amputee Tun Channereth and his family rebuild their lives with the help of Jesuit Mission.
The Catholic Diocese of Battambang covers eight provinces in the northwest of Cambodia. These provinces remain heavily affected by the thirty years of conflict in Cambodia, which ended with the surrender of the Khmer Rouge factions in December 1998. They saw some of the fiercest battles, they are still the most heavily mined regions in the country, and because of the isolation of the war years. their people have long been deprived of services of health, education and infrastructure development. Hundreds of people are still injured or killed by landmines each year and many others are crippled by poliomyelitis or cerebral palsy because of the years without vaccinations.
Well over two thirds of the refugee returnees from Thailand came back to the northwest of Cambodia. Many returnees remain quite poor, since they neither own land nor belong to stable communities, and they are often in dire need of help and organisation. Jesuit Mission is helping the people of northwest Cambodia to rebuild their lives would you like to help us help them?
P romoting Human Dignity and Understanding
Jesuit International Mission
Nov/Dec 2002
Supporting the work of a new generation of Jesuits The Jesuit Mission established in southern Bihar State in north eastern India 50 years ago is now Hazaribag Jesuit Province covering 8 of the northern districts of the newly created State of .Tharkhand. These 8 districts are home to about 10 million of India's 1000 million
people. More than 50 Jesuits from Australia and New Zealand have given their lives to India... some have died there.... many continue to work there with more than 140 Indians who have joined them. Education and community development remain priorities of Jesuit Mission.
Young Jesuits need help to continue the wonderful work begun by the Jesuits from Australia.
Promoting human dignity & caring for the land
The community gathered at one of their homes for prayer
Hope comes to the people of Ta Phung Ta Phung is a very poor village in a remote part of Cambodia. The village is composed of families who returned from the refugee camps and poor farmers who had to suffer from the war and from the Khmer Rouge domination until the late 1990s. Because of the difficult life, bad communications by road, and the lack of work, people travel to other places to look for jobs to earn a little money.
The community gathered at one of their homes for prayer. They asked for help to build a hall for praying and for faith education and development programs. We also helped this village through literacy training, the development of a small library, health care, school support. skills training and income generation handicraft and sewing through production. Now we want to offer the same help to another poor village.
Caring for the sick Health clinics and dispensaries supported by Jesuit Mission help to prevent and treat a wide variety of diseases such as malaria, dysentery, cholera, typhoid. tuberculosis, diptheria, scabies, tetanus, polio and leprosy. Sisters supported by Jesuit Mission run mobile clinics in remote areas, caring for the sick, running immunisation programs and providing information on hygiene, sanitation, family planning. child care and nutrition. Such health education enables people to prevent many common illnesses.
In the rapidly changing social and economic environment of developing countries those without basic skills of literacy and numeracy are open to exploitation. The forest around a village provides many different kinds of food and useful materials that traditionally belong to the villagers. But when the land is resumed for industrial development, the villagers are not necessarily compensated for the loss of forest resources. Many farmers lose their land because of industrial developments such as coal mines and hydro electric dams. Educated villagers are better able to proper to rights their assert compensation for the loss of the land that has provided the families livelihood for many generations.... Fr Tony Herbert from Australia visits a new mining development with villagers from the area.
A concerned father nurses his infant daughter who is being treated for Malaria at a Jesuit Mission clinic near Mahuadanr in India.
P romoting Human Dignity and Understanding
Jesuit International Mission
Nov/Dec 2002
The mission of the Jesuits: "The service of faith and the promotion in society of that justice of the Gospel that is the embodiment of God's love and saving mercy".
Thank you for your interest and concern.
Indian women labour in brick kilns to earn enough money to support their families during the dry season. They are often cheated of their just wages and exploited by contractors.
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P romoting Human Dignity and Understanding
THE RECORD
8 21 NOVEMBER 2002
21 NOVEMBER 9
THE RECORD
life
FEATURE
• Young, hip and Pro ife
Students of St. Cecelia Academy in Tennesee, kneel in prayer among 4,000 crosses set up on campus to recall the number of abortions taking place each day in the United States. January 22 marts anniversary of the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling that legalized abortion throughout the United States.
H is now coming up to its 30th anniversary.
Photo: CNS,Firck Musacchro
The changing face of the pro-life movement in the US is injecting it with new life
Young people in America are beginning to dominate the pro-life movement and have contributed substantially to what is now majority US opinion in favour of substantial restrictions on abortion. This follows a significant change in teen attitude to pre-marital sex as reported in The Record, October 31. The strength of young people's opposition to abortion was highlighted by the US Bishop's Conference in a letter to mark the forthcoming 30th anniversary of the notorious Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which made abortion legal in the US.
T
he US Bishops wrote: Each year on January 22 — the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade - people pause to recognize the date in some way. Some speak out, some march, some reach out, some educate, some just reflect. Many pray. Each year, for thirty years, pro-life Americans have shown that their commitment will not waver, their efforts will not cease. Our firm conviction as Catholics that "life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception" (Second Vatican
Council's Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, no. 51) has been a part of the Church's constant witness since the Apostolic age and has inspired millions to defend human life at every stage. Against the backdrop of a society in which many institutions of influence endorse legal abortion, the pro-life movement has grown year by year, in numbers and in vitality.
this anniversary is how many young people have taken up the cause for life, and how impassioned is their support. Those under thirty support greater protection for life in larger numbers than almost any other age group. In recent Gallup polls, major restrictions on abortion were supported by 55% of adults under 30 years old - a higher figure than for any age group except those aged 65
Pro-life supportersJane Heimlich and Sean Devine-Meyer pray the rosary with Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel outside a clinic that performs abortions in Indianapolis in mid-July. Photo CNS Mary Ann Wyand
As we reflect on the thirtieth anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we express gratitude to those who have worked tirelessly for human life and against this ruling from the very beginning and continue to do so. They have lobbied, counselled and prayed. Many have suffered for their pro-life convictions. At the same time, what is perhaps most striking on
and over. This generation was born into a society already altered by Roe v. Wade and brings a special enthusiasm to the movement. This is the generation that knows it was born at a time and in a place where there was no legal assurance of continued survival at the earliest stages of life, in the womb.
In the United States abortion is legal throughout pregnancy. Yet abortion is a violation of human rights incomparable in magnitude and an atrocity for the whole human family. While Roe v. Wade appeared to create a right with some limitations, Doe v. Bolton, which was decided the same day, erased those limitations by creating a "health" exception to include "all factors physical, emotional, psychological , familial, and the woman's age". It effectively allows abortion for any reason at any time. The lack of any limits to legal abortion was never more clear than in the case of Stenberg V. Carhart in 2000, when the Supreme Court ruled that even the horrific partial-birth abortion procedure could not be restricted. Most Americans are surprised and shocked to learn about the lack of any meaningful legal limitations for abortion. Most know things have gone too far. In a July 2000 CBS/New York Times poll, 40% of Americans supported stricter limits on abortion and another 22% said it should not be permitted at all. Together with those from many other faith communities, we work to bring about a society that recognizes abortion for what it truly is. Many young people today comprehend the legacy of Roe. They look at thirty years of legal abortion and weep over the 40 million lives destroyed. They are aware that one in every four pregnancies ends in abortion, and they grieve for the world they will soon inherit. They mourn the fact that each year approximately 1.3 million abortions take place, and that thousands of them are done In the sixth month of pregnancy or later, when the child would likely survive if born. Many who came of age at the time of Roe were hopeful about what it was said to promise: an end to poverty and abuse. Who would not hope for these things? But legal abortion promised what it could not give. It promised women a freedom to participate more fully in society, but it took their children and broke their hearts. Countless women have suffered physically, emotionally, and spiritually because of abortion; many have even lost their lives. Many men, too, •
mourn the loss of their children, while others carry the heavy burden of having persuaded their daughter, wife, or girlfriend to have an abortion. Thirty years after Roe v. Wade, some may think that the pro-life movement's efforts have amounted to nothing because Roe v. Wade still stands. But that misses the heart of the matter: Today fewer abortions are being done each year, and fewer doctors are willing to be Involved in abortion.
Many young people today comprehend the legacy of Roe. They look at thirty years of legal abortion and weep over the 40 million lives destroyed. They are aware that one in every four pregnancies ends in abortion, and they grieve for the world they will soon inherit. More Americans identify themselves as pro-life, while the numbers of those saying they are "pro-choice" have declined significantly. Gallup says that "prior to 1996, Americans were more likely to call themselves pro-choice than they are today"; in Gallup's August 2001 poll, "pro-life" respondents matched those calling themselves "prochoice" (46% vs. 46%). Ultrasound and other medical advances have made possible a greater appreciation of the humanity of the unborn child. In these three decades thousands of prolife groups, individual parishes, Catholic social service agencies and pregnancy resource centres have provided practical assistance and support to thousands of women facing difficult pregnancies. Most state legislatures have enacted measures to restrict or regulate the practice of abortion and reduce its incidence. Above all, the pro-life movement is brimming with the vibrancy of youth. Why so much youthful energy in the cause
of life? Because the hearts of the young are open to life and are filled with love of life. The minds of the young are open to the truth about abortion. They dream of a world without Roe v. Wade, and they live as if the dream were true. Their hearts are full of compassion for unborn children and for young women who are confused and suffering, and they look for ways to serve them. Many in the last generation fought for legal abortion; but more today know that women deserve better, and so fight for true freedom for women. Young people know that the future is in their hands, and their hearts yearn to bring a message of hope and healing to a culture in great need of hearing it. Among those who defend abortion, there are many who do so despite the pain abortion has brought into their lives, or even sometimes because of it. Many contemplating abortion believe they have no other choice. We listen to them, we understand their sense of isolation and despair. We must strive to know their hearts. We renew our offer of assistance to anyone considering abortion: If you are overwhelmed by the decisions you face, if you cannot afford medical care, if you are homeless or feel helpless, whatever your needs, we will help you. The Church and her ministries, inspired by the word and example of Jesus Christ, will help you with compassion and without condemnation. (This pledge made by the American Bishop's echoes the pledge made years ago in Perth by Archbishop Barry Hickey and carried out by Pregnancy Assistance.) Roe v. Wade has left a trail of broken hearts. Through Project Rachel and other ministries, we will continue to help the brokenhearted. Those who resort to abortion out of a sense of desperation often find the cruel reality of abortion too difficult to bear. But it is too difficult only in a world without God and therefore without hope. We must reach these hearts and give them hope. These are the converted hearts that will at last bring an end to abortion. Roe v. Wade cannot stand as the law of this
Photo CNS/Fteuters
The writing on their faces reads "yes life". Young pro-lifers demonstrate in a Madrid rally against a controversial bill making it easier for women to get an abortion in Spain in 1998. great nation, a nation founded on the self-
evident truth that all people are created with an inalienable right to life. We are committed, no matter how long it may take, no matter the sacrifices required, to bringing about a reversal of this tragic Supreme Court decision. We will speak out on behalf of the sanctity of each and every human life wherever it is threatened, from conception to nat-
ural death, and we urge all people of good will to do likewise. For, as Pope John Paul II reminds us, "it is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all the other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop" (The Gospel of Life, no. 101). Roe v. Wade must be reversed.
10 21 NOVEMBER 2002
THE RECORD
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Local News
Rath
Catholic news from the Archdiocese of Perth
Always looking out for others W
Sister Mary Emmanuel Lynch 0.P.
tien Philip and Sarah Lynch left Ireland in 1909 to come and setle in Western Australia, they brought with them six sons and a small daughter, Bridget At first, the family settled in Perth where, very soon after their arrival, the young Bridget died of pneumonia. Philip's brother, Patrick, who had previously settled in Perth, was interested in acquiring land in the country and Philip and Sarah with their family, decided to take up land at Three Springs. Following the birth of a seventh son. Peter, in 1911, a girl, Mary, was born in Three Springs in 1913. It was only 11 months later that her mother, Sarah, died. For some years, the young Mary was cared for by her uncle Patrick's family in Perth. Later, when the family moved to Three Springs, Mary attended the Dominican Sisters' school, which had opened in 1917, and then continued her education at St Dominic's boarding school for girls (later renamed Dominican Ladies' College) in Dongara, where she remained until she had completed her Leaving Certificate. After leaving school, Mary followed a Commercial Course in Perth and it was
New post-natal service at St John of God
soon after this that she made the decision to become a Dominican Sister, influenced no doubt by the deep faith of her family and by the Sisters who had taught her in Three Springs and Dongara On February 2, 1934, Mary entered the Novitiate in Dongara and six months later she received the habit of the Dominican Sisters and was given the Religious name of Sister Mary Emmanuel. Her Profession of Vows took place in Dongara two years later on August 4 1936. After studying at the University of WA for one year, Sister Emmanuel continued her studies towards an Arts degree externally while teaching at the country schools to which she was assigned - Cue, Dongara, Three Springs and Meekatharra. Further studies resulted in her achieving the "C" and "B" Teacher's Certificates. Sister Emmanuel filled many positions of responsibility and trust during her religious life. She was Mistress of Schools in Dongara and Prioress of Santa Sabina Convent, Scarborough, for a number of years. She served two terms as Provincial of the Congregation in the Vatican II period, a difficult time of upheaval and changes within religious life and in the Church. Many decisions had to be made and she
faced each one conscientiously with courage, and with faith and trust in God. Sister Emmanuel was a person of strong principles, but humble and compassionate, with a real sense of humour and fun the heritage of her Irish ancestry and fostered by the example of her seven brothers. Her gifts of graciousness and hospitality endeared her to all the Sisters and to all who knew her - priests, visitors, those she met in the street, workers about the convent. ex-students. To the end of her life, she showed a keen interest in people and their activities. Her concern for others was in-built, and during her last year when her own health was failing and she was being cared for at the St John of God Villa, she still saw it as her responsibility to ensure that the other residents were happy, too. Sister Emmanuel died peacefully at the Villa on Monday September 30 after a short illness. She is remembered by her family and her Sisters of the Dominican Congregation as a gracious and gentle lady and a great Dominican, compassionate and joyous of spirit, who preached God's love for all by her prayers and example. May she rest in the peace and joy of the Lord forever.
The power of Mothers' prayer witnessed at Woodlands
health St John of God Health Care has opened Western Australia's first integrated, multi-disciplinary community-based postnatal depression service, launched by Minister for Health, Bob Kucera, at a ceremony held on November 7 at its Subiaco campus. The St John of God Health Care Raphael Centre has been established to provide support and treatment to families who are affected by pre and postnatal axudety, stress or depression. National Chief Executive Officer, Dr Michael Stanford, said that St John of God Care is committed to a new beginning in the provision of mental health services to the community, building on its mission, vision and history. "The development of mental health programs, such as the Raphael Centre, has ensued from the funds made available by the Sisters of St John of God," Dr Stanford said. The family focused, community based service will offer assessment, individual and group therapy, telephone support and information for parents. The Raphael Centre's interactive website and information database on parenting, mental health and available resources is the first of its kind in Western Australia. The Health Minister said that the State Government is very supportive of initiatives that address postnatal depression, with Raphael Centre a significant community service that complements the State Government in achieving its mental health vision for Western Australia.
(Left to Right) Dr Neale Fong, Trish Sullivan, Minister for Health Bob Kucera and Dr Caroline Zanefti.
Fr Aquinas McComb and parishioners sing the entrance hymn at the beginning of the Mothers' Prayer Mass. By Stephen Spiteri
E
very Monday morning since February this year, mothers (and some fathers) from around Perth have been coming together at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Woodlands, to pray for their families. The Mothers' Prayer Mass was started in Kent, England by a few mothers who decided to come together every week to pray for their children and loved ones. With a special devotion to Our Lady, the mothers spend time in prayer and fellowship interceding for the protection of their families. On Monday November 18 at 10am, mothers from around the metropolitan area came together for a special Mass celebrated by Fr Aquinas McComb. Many of those present at the Mass gave testimony to miracles they have received through the intercession of Our Lady. From much wanted holidays to children overcoming addictions and returning to the faith, the 'persistent in prayer' mothers were all extremely thankful to God for all that has changed In the lives of their loved ones. Since February this year, a total of 10 parents meet regularly at Woodlands to attend Mass and pray for
their loved ones thanks to the organisation of parishioner Veronica Peake. Anne Marie Johns, a member of Our Lady of the Rosary parish, says that there is great joy in the simplicity of the meetings. She continued that it was good to connect with other prayerful mothers around the district, who were like-minded in their faith. After the 10am Mass, all gathered for a morning tea where some personal testimonies were shared. One came from a mother who had been praying for her son who had been suffering from a drug addiction for a number of years. Leading up to this year, the son overcame his addictions and in late October, he became married. Some mothers agreeing that the life of St Monica has been an inspiration to them. St Monica spent a life time praying for her son, Augustine, who eventually became St Augustine of Hippo (even saints were rebels in their day). The mothers attending the Mass said that they would encourage any mother or parent to come along to pray and lay their intentions before the Lord.
THE RECORD
21 NOVEMBER 2002 11
Local News
Perth
Catholic news from the Archdiocese of Perth
60 years a Carmelite 0
By Stephen Spiteri n November 19 1942, aged 19, Fr Martin McMahon entered the Carmelite Order to begin his education for the priesthood. Ordained a priest in 1949, Fr McMahon has enjoyed a memorable life of service which has consisted of teaching and ministry in schools, churches and communities on a global scale. In 1952 Fr McMahon was sent to Zimbabwe to set up a teacher training school for the underprivileged living in third world conditions. Fr McMahon returned to Australia in 1958 for health reasons. From 1960 to 1970, Fr McMahon held senior education posts in Melbourne. Fr McMahon came to Perth in 1983, and became assistant priest at the then new Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Hilton until 1988. In total, Fr McMahon had spent 50 years teaching and in pastoral roles among many Catholic institutions in Australia and around the world. When asked to talk about a favourite moment over his 60 years as a Carmelite, Fr McMahon said there were too many to choose. He then said that he has enjoyed a good majority of the work, and has tried to handle the circumstances of life as best as possible. Fr McMahon is now resides in the Foley Village Nursing Home. He enjoys reading his books, watching his favourite television programs and going to Fremantle for a 'cuppa'. Fr McMahon, being an Irish boy himself, enjoyed seeing the Irish rugby team trounce the Wallabies during the recent rugby World Cup warm up match.
Fr Martin McMahon
New director for lj Goody Bioethics Centre By Stephen Spiteri
F
r Joseph Parkinson, currently the Parish Priest of St Columba's, Bayswater, has been appointed Director of the LI Goody Bioethics Centre. succeeding Fr Walter Black Fr Parkinson said he was very happy to be given the position as he felt it was an area of work he would enter since 1986, when Archbishop Foley asked him if he would study moral theology. The LI Goody Bioethics Centre maintains a theological and moral perspective in the field of medicine. The Bioethics Centre is the current headquarters for the Catholic Doctors' and Nurses' Association. Fr Parkinson said it was very important the Church maintains a voice in the decisions and practices carried of the medical industry.
With state parliament due to begin debate on euthanasia once more, Fr Parkinson said it was essential that the LI Goody Bioethics Centre provide the members of the public, parliamentarians and medical associations the information and reasoning needed to make moral decisions. The LI Goody Bioethics centre has recently provided information for various groups regarding the stem cell and reproductive technologies debates. Fr Parkinson says that the Bioethics Centre exists to "clear the mud" on life issues. Fr Parkinson will continue the work Fr Black had started in his years there, which Fr Parkinson described as an "extraordinarily wide ministry". Fr Black will remain a consultant to the Bioethics Centre.
Masterminds at work By Stephen Spiteri St Brigid's College Lesmurdie took out the Tournament of the Minds first place for both the maths and engineering categories. Tournament of the Minds is a nationwide competition covering a number of disciplines and learning areas, involving students in solving problems creatively and efficiently. Students are given six weeks to produce their solutions, which can be presented in a drama or skit, with reference to texts assigned to each problem. St Brigid's staff said they were very proud of all students who took part in the competition.
Winners are grinners.
Fr Joseph Parkinson
Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary to open in Sydney By Stephen Spiteri Archbishop George Pell of Sydney, has begun a Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary in the Sydney archdiocese. Fr Eric Slcruzny, currently at the Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary in Perth. has been assigned to take post at the new seminary in Sydney at the beginning of 2003. Fr Slumzny said in a statement that he leaves behind some unfinished work, but will take with him many fond memories. "My time in Perth since arriving at the end of 1994 has been nothing less than a blessing for me... it is my hope that we will find as many dedicated friends in Sydney to support us as we have found here." The seminary in Sydney will open with 11 seminarians.
Fr Brian still helping Bali victims By Stephen Spiteri he hospitals in Bali have received a helping hand this week, thanks Father Brian's Crisis Care Centre, World - Link International, QANTAS staff in WA, Girl Guides, and several Perth school, universities and Catholic parishes. Father Brian's Crisis Care Centre is an 'instant response unit' that over the years has helped out hospitals from around the globe dealing with international disasters, such as the horrific Bali bombings. This week, a total 22 and a half cubic metres of medical equipment will be flown to Bali followed by further airlifts over the next few weeks. "I just want to say thankyou to so many people... the cargo will be perfectly safe and distributed properly to the different hospitals with our own administrators, and with the support of the Indonesian government, it's going to be good" Fr Brian said. Among the cargo are bandages. new sealed syringes, soaps and other toiletries, burns gauze, burn aids, SSE) cream, chlorhexidine soap, light summer clothing, towels and face washers, large amounts of cotton wool, new hospital bed sheeting and ordinary bed sheeting, soap powders, 20 new child-wheelchairs and 200 trauma teddybears. It was reported that the cargo had an estimated Fr Brian Morrison stands amongst the crates which carry an estimated $1.2 million worth of medical equipment for hospitals in Bali. value of $1.2 million.
T
12 21 NOVEMBER 2002
THE RECORD
nternational News Catholic news from around the world By Nancy Frazier O'Brien
Sowing trust, generating hope VATICAN an(CNS) - Pope John Paul II said the Old Testament description of Jerusalem as the spiritual home of all peoples anticipated modern interreligious dialogue and the Second Vatican Council's emphasis on universality of Christian salvation. At the weekly general audience on November 13, the Pope focused on Psalm 87, which he said 'with extraordinary audacity' calls Jerusalem 'the mother of all humanity and not just Israel.' 'In Jerusalem, everybody must discover their spiritual roots, feel at home, rediscover themselves as members of the same family (and) embrace as brothers returned home,' he said. The Pope said the psalm's universal approach made it a 'page of true interreligious dialogue* and anticipated the Christian tradition that speaks of the 'heavenly Jerusalem' as the mother of all peoples. 'In the line of Psalm 86 (87), the Second Vatican Council also sees the universal church as the place in which 'all the just, from Adam and from Abel, the just one, to the last of the elect,' are reunited,' he said, quoting from the council document 'Lumen Gentium.' The psalm praises Jerusalem as 'the city of peace,' which the Pope noted 'unfortunately stands in contrast with the historical experience that the city is living' amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 'But the task of prayer is to sow trust and generate hope,' he said.
Milingo to resume ministry VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican announced that Zambian Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo will resume his public ministry on November 21, ending more than a year of penitential isolation following his return to the church. In a brief November 15 statement, the Vatican said the archbishop would preside at a public Mass for the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at an 11th-century Cistercian abbey about 60 miles southeast of Rome. In mid-September, Archbishop Milingo, 72, returned to Italy from Argentina, where he had been praying in a house run by the Focolare movement. He has remained out of the public view except for an Italian television interview in which he said he was eager to resume his faith-healing ministry and that he prayed for the woman with whom he had a shortlived marriage last year. Archbishop Milingo renounced the marriage in a private audience with the Pope.
Bishops confer
WASHINGTON (CNS) Although the U.S. bishops' November 11-14 meeting in Washington featured votes on a historic joint pastoral letter with the bishops of Mexico and a dozen other action items, the fall 2002 assembly will be best remembered for its approval of the revised norms on clergy sex abuse that emerged from a joint Vatican-U.S. commission in October. At the meeting, which closed with an unusual second executive session, the bishops also held an extended discussion on the just-war ramifications of a possible war with Iraq but made quick work of documents on domestic violence, poverty in the United States and abroad, abortion, Hispanic ministry, several liturgical and canonical matters, stewardship. Catholic schools and border concerns with Mexico. But the focus for much of the week was on the bishops' response to the clergy sex abuse crisis. Opening the meeting on November 11, Bishop Wilton Gregory of Belleville. Illinois, Photo CNS/Nancy Wiechec president of the U.S. Conference Boston Cardinal Bernard Law (centre) joins other U.S. bishops at a final press conference wrapping up their of Catholic Bishops, vowed, "We annual fall meeting in Washington. will not step back from our compassion for those who have been and cooperation with civil Ramirez of Coatzacoalcos. Mex- military and political choices but harmed, or from our determina- authorities. ico, a member of the Mexican also moral ones involving mattion to put into place policies that As Cardinal George led a two- bishops' commission for pas- ters of life and death. Also added will protect children." hour discussion of the new toral care of migrants, attended to the already heavy agenda was Thro days later, the USCCB gave norms before the November 13 the Washington meeting, as did a letter expressing solidarity Its overwhelming approval to the vote, bishop after bishop stood Cardinal Lubomyr Husar of Lviv, with the Colombian bishops folrevised norms which Cardinal to praise the revisions as a refine- Ukraine, who in a brief address lowing the kidnapping of Bishop Francis George of Chicago, the ment and strengthening of what on November 13 asked the bish- Jorge Jimenez Carvajal of senior U.S. member of the joint the bishops had done at their ops to help the United States Zipaquira, president of the Latin commission, said were intended June meeting in Dallas. The final regain its role in the world as a American bishops' council. both to protect minors and pro- vote on the norms was 246-7. moral leader. Approved in a 249-2 vote with tect bishops' relationships with In their statement on bishops' The migration statement, one abstention, "When ICall for their priests. accountability, they apologised approved 243-1 by the U.S. bish- Help: A Pastoral Response to Although many people - from for past mistakes in dealing with ops, said the two episcopal con- Domestic Violence victims' advocates to canon sexually abusive priests and ferences were "united in the Women" is an updated Against version lawyers - say the bishops cannot spelled out what they will do if view that migration between our of a 10-year-old pamphlet-sized do both, "the bishops, being men a bishop engages in sexual mis- two nations is necessary and document, with new statistics of unity, want to do both," the conduct. beneficial." It calls for parishes that reflect the scope of domescardinal said. "In particular, we acknowledge to support migrant families, for tic violence against women and Also approved on November our mistakes in the past when dioceses to sponsor social and updated information on 13 were slight changes in the some bishops have transferred, legal services for immigrants resources available to help them. "Charter for the Protection of from one assignment to another, and for the two conferences to "Violence in any form Children and Young People" to priests who had abused minors," train priests and laity for service cal. sexual, psychologica- physil or verconform with the norms; a delib- they said. "We recognise our role to migrants. bal - is sinful; often it is a crime erative process that may lead the In the suffering this has caused. On other international issues, as well," says the new statement, bishops to call for a plenary We apologise for it." the bishops voted overwhelm- echoing the 1992 version. council of the U.S. church; and a But clergy sex abuse was far ingly to urge the United States to On stewardship, the bishops statement committing the bish- from the only topic before the "step back from the brink of war" approved an updated preface for ops to "fraternal support, frater- bishops at their fall meeting. with Iraq, saying the current dr- the 10th anniversary edition of nal challenge and fraternal "Strangers No Longer," a pas- cumstances did not justify the their pastoral letter on stewardcorrection" of one another toral letter on migration use of military force, and recom- ship and okayed a pamphlet-size regarding their decisions on approved by the Mexican bish- mitted themselves to fighting statement intended for young clergy sex abuse. ops on November 14, is one of poverty here and abroad with people on the principles of stewThe norms and the charter call the first statements to be issued the same urgency devoted to ter- ardship. for removal from ministry of any jointly by two national bishops' rorism and other threats. The bishops ratified new priest or deacon who has sexu- conferences, said Auxiliary BishThe Iraq statement, which national norms for church fund ally abused a minor. They also op Thomas Wenski of Miami, prompted an hour of debate, raising and the sale or lease of contain provisions for victim chairman of the bishops' com- said the "grave choices about church-owned property, as well assistance, review boards at the mittee on migration. war and peace, about pursuing as a lengthy new handbook on diocesan and national levels, Bishop Carlos Talavera justice and security," are not only diocesan financial concerns. AU11111111111111111111111111111111111k
Other food sources available, say church officials By Bronwen Dachs CAPE TOWN, South Africa ((NS) - While a food crisis threatens a large portion of Zambia's population, a church official said there are crops available for consumption other than corn, the national staple. Father Joe Komakoma, director of the bishops' Centre for Justice, Development and Peace in Lusaka, Zambia, said vested interests have prevented government and civic leaders from distributing crops such as sweet potatoes, cassava and rice. Cassava, a drought-resistant root
crop, is found in the northern parts of Zambia, and although Zambians in other areas are not used to eating it "they would now, when people are starving," he said. "These are easy alternatives and can be accessed within the country," he said. "What is needed is transport and distribution arrangements, but this is not being looked into," Father Komakoma told Catholic News Service. Government officials have rejected genetically modified food aid from the United States, saying that there is no conclusive
evidence that the food is safe. Food aid from the United States forms the bulk of food being distributed in Zambia by the U.N. World Food Program. Father Komakoma said that, "although a political decision has been made" by the government to reject the genetically modified food, opinions on the issue "are split in all quarters, including the church, civil society and even government." Because many parties involved have vested interests, "no one seems to want to look at foods other than maize," he said in a telephone interview from Lusaka.
Two successive years of poor harvests caused by drought, floods and frost, coupled with economic crises and disruption of farming, have slashed food output and availability across much of southern Africa. Zambia is one of six southern African countries affected by a food shortage that is threatening 13 million people. Some countries have accepted genetically modified corn, insisting that the crop be milled before distribution in order to prevent people from planting it. Zambia is the only country in the region to have rejected the aid outright.
THE RECORD
21 NOVEMBER 2002
13
nternational News Catholic news from around the world
Pope addresses Italy's crises Meanwhile, moved by papal speech to Italian parliamentarians on family values, Mafia fugitive hands himself in.
By John Norton
The pope also encouraged Italy to draw on its Christian roots to ROME (CNS) - Pope John Paul work to solve problems facing all II addressed the Italian Parliahumanity, including international ment, a historic first hailed as terrorism and chronic conflicts symbolically dosing more than a like that in the Holy Land. century of sometimes-rocky relaChristians had a special respontions between the Vatican and sibility in this regard, he said, Italy. because their faith "proposes The pontiff used the November itself as the religion of mutual 14 visit to weigh in on a series of respect, forgiveness and reconcilnational challenges, urging Italiation." ians to preserve the country's "Italy and other nations whose Christian identity, work for world historical mold is in the Christian peace, reverse the country's danfaith are almost intrinsically pregerously slumping birth rate and pared to open new paths of peace reach out to prisoners, the poor to humanity - not ignoring the and immigrants. dangerousness of current threats Italy's president and most of the but also not letting themselves be country's 315 senators and 630 imprisoned by a logic of conflict deputies turned out to greet the that sees no solution," the pope pope in the glass-roofed chamber said. Broadcast live on national teleof the Montecitorio Parliament vision, the pontiffs address struck building, which in earlier times a chord among some Italians, housed the papal central adminIncluding a fugitive Mafia boss istration offices for Rome. Interrupted by applause two Pope John Paul II, the first pope to address the Italian Parliament, stands in its Rome chambers on November 14. The who felt prompted to surrender to dozen times as he read his 50- pope discussed Italian-Vatican relations, prison reform and Italy's low birth rate with legislators in a building that for- authorities. According to the Italian news minute speech, the 82-year-old merly belonged to the Vatican when it governed Italy. Photo CNS/The Vatican agency ANSA, Benedetto Marpontiff looked in exceptional form One Italian problem he espe- - citizens to make a responsible prisons and offered a concrete ciante, a 50-year-old wanted by and spoke in a clear and animatdally targeted was "the crisis of and broad commitment to pro- proposal that lawmakers shorten authorities to serve a murder sened voice. After he finished with the birth rate." which he called a mote a clear reversal of the trend," prisoners' sentences. tence, turned himself in at Rome's the words "God bless Italy." the "serious threat that weighs on the the pope said. He said sentence reductions Rebibbia prison hours after the parliamentarians gave him a two- future of the country." Italy has He called for political initiatives would be "a clear manifestation pope's speech, saying he had minute standing ovation. one of the lowest birth rates in the to give incentives and legal pro- of sensitivity" that would motivate been moved by the pontiff's Betraying lingering discomfort world - about 8.9 births per 1.000 tections to families and the insti- detainees to reform and success- defence of family values. among some Italian lawmakers inhabitants - and one of the old- tution of marriage, as well as fully reintegrate into society. For The pope's visit to Parliament about what they see as potential est populations. greater emphasis on the quality Italy's politicians, the issue has was seen as definitively capping church interference in the counHe said the statistic foretells of schools and the importance of been a subject of heated debate a sometimes-turbulent period in try's political affairs, about a inevitable human, social and eco- children's moral education. since a recent government report relations between the Vatican and dozen lawmakers announced nomic problems for Italy's future. The pope also asked for clemen- warned that the country's prison the modern Italian state, which beforehand they would not attend "But above all it encourages - cy for prisoners to relieve "dis- system "will collapse within 30 the pope's predecessors initially the papal visit in protest. indeed. I would dare say obliges tressing overcrowding" in Italy's months" unless action is taken. refused to recognise as legitimate.
Timor aid visitor optimistic By John Roscoe ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNS) - On his second trip to East Timor, Anchorage Archbishop Roger Sdiwietz said he saw sobering challenges facing the new nation but also seeds of hope in the work of Catholic Relief Services. The Massachusetts-size nation, the eastern half of an island situated on the southern edge of the Indonesian archipelago, achieved full independence in May. It had been occupied by Indonesia since 1975, and prior to that had been a Portuguese colony since 1520. CRS, the U.S. church's overseas relief and development agency, has worked in East Timor for decades. Archbishop Schwietz is on the executive board of CRS and has now visited East Timor twice to look over its program there - for a week in February and again from October 13-22. He said his most recent trip left him sobered at the prospect of "so much work to do" in East Timor, a land that has endured grinding poverty and episodes of brutal violence in its quest for independence. CRS estimates that between 1,000 and 3,000 people were killed during the final push for independence from Indonesia. Another 300,000 fled their homes for West Timor or the forests of East Timor. Even after the 1999 vote in which the East Timorese overwhelmingly chose independence from Indonesia, anti-separatist factions and their Indonesian sympathisers continued to attack people and property According to a CRS report detailing the organisation's work in East Timor, 75 percent of the country's infrastructure was destroyed. In pursuing its mission "to facilitate the development of a peaceful and just society" in East Timor, CRS is focusing on four areas: agriculture and economic empowerment, peace and reconciliation, civil society, and
micro-financing. Teaching farmers better harvesting techniques and setting up savings and credit operations to help the poor get started in business are standard roles for CRS all over the world. But CRS officials said the particular challenges of East Timor have led the agency to develop innovative responses. The people of East Timor have been subjects of foreign governments for centuries; they experienced their first independent elections in 2001. CRS' civil society projects are meant to share basic concepts such as citizenship and democracy with the mostly uninitiated populace. This is a natural role for the church, said Jamieson Davis, CRS' country representative in East Timor. "During the war, the church and its leaders were called upon to play what is often considered the role of government: to channel the voice of the poor and marginalised to the outside world, to protect human dignity and promote the common good," she told the Catholic Anchor, the Anchorage Archdiocese's newspaper. She said that in the mostly undeveloped country - large parts of which have no electricity, newspapers or radio capability - the local church has asked CRS to "join them in ensuring that citizens have access to basic information about their rights and responsibilities in a democratic system." Archbishop Schwietz said he was excited about the projects he witnessed that are aimed at giving Timorese youths training in peace building and reconciliation. "They are working with the young people because that's where the hope lies and the energy will be to build up the country," the archbishop said. The young people he met are members of parish youth groups - East Timor is about 97 per cent Catholic - with whom CRS is working. He said they are "positive, hopeful and energetic," and "seem very capable" of stabilising and developing their neophyte nation.
Speakers urges teachers to reject 'Catholic-lite' approach By Elaine Spencer
PEORIA. ill. (CNS) - lb survive and flourish in the 21st centwy, Catholic schools must be mission-driven rather than market-driven, Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky told a gathering of University of Notre Dame alumni in Peoria. Catholic schools at all levels are called "to teach as Christ teaches" with "no apologies" for their beliefs and practices, Bishop Jenky said. He added that Catholic schools can model the life of the Minity by embracing holiness and service as well as academic excellence - an approach invented by the founders of his own religious community the Congregation of Holy Cross. "The challenge of today ... is to stand out and not to sell out," he said. He made the comments on October 29 in delivering the Hesburgh Lecture at Notre Dame High School. In his talk, Bishop Jenky said Christian education began with Christ, whom the apostles addressed as "teacher" and who sent his followers into the world to "teach all nations." During times of persecution, Christian education was carried out at home or in secret places of worship. After Christianity was legalised in the Roman Empire, instruction was carried out publicly in schools established by the bishops of historic sees such as Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandria After the collapse of the empire, monastic communities preserved history and literature throughout what came to be known as the Dark Ages, he added. "Catholic Christianity ... taught the Western world how to read and write and invented the idea and the reality of the university" Bishop Jenky said. The church also produced "an almost
endless number of great teachers" such as Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas, he added. While the Renaissance is commonly thought of as "a time of scepticism and doubt" when thinkers such as Copernicus and Galileo began to challenge traditional beliefs, Bishop Jenky said, all the great scientists, artists, and authors of the Renaissance era "were actually grounded in a profound culture of faith." During the Counter-Reformation, St. Ignatius Loyola's Society of Jesus pioneered the "ratio studencli," an organised program of study and character formation that combined learning, culture and moral responsibility. "The academic program of the Jesuit Fathers has influenced all subsequent education from Rome to Beijing and from the 16th into our 21st century," he said. However, Bishop Jenky said that after World War II Catholics in America began to distance themselves from their cultural and religious roots, striving instead to "be accepted in the country club" and other circles of society that had been closed to them. The most famous example of such thinking, he said, was John F Kennedy's speech to a gathering of Protestant ministers during the 1960 presidential campaign, in which he pledged that if elected his Catholic faith would "not get in the way" of his decisions as president. When this mentality filters down into Catholic schools, Bishop Jenky added, they become "more market-driven than missiondriven" and turn into little more than "a private school substitute for public education" Catholic schools must reject a "Catholic lite" approach that downplays unfashionable or countercultural teachings, and avoid creating a "false dichotomy between excellence and holiness," he said.
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14 21 NOVEMBER 2002
THE RECORD
Reviews A Catholic perspective on popular culture
READING
Not just a piece of bread by the author, Fr Paul Glynn SM henIhad been a priest for 25 years, a magazine editor asked me to write an article. "As a priest you would have dealt with a wide spectrum of people; the good, the sad, the had, the in between, the ordinary, and the brilliant. Would you write me a few pages on what most important lesson you have learnt? What in your opinion Is the key issue, what makes the difference?" I had no hesitation in writing about Matthew 6:5-8: "Go into your private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in that secret place._ don't worry about the quantity of words. Your father knows what you need before you ask". People who do that, day after day get the necessary answers to peace of heart and fruitfulness of life. I have become convinced of that simple truth. Now, 24 years later I woukl still write the same. If you grow to be at home alone with the Father, meeting Him regularly in your "private room", which can mean all manner of places - life never Three years ago I gathered there such overwhelming sufferloses its meaning and wonder, nor Its fruitfulness.I would add a few together about 20 stories of des- ing across the whole globe? Doeslines today that I neglected to perately sick people who were n't He care? Can't He stop it? Does Include 24 years ago. Words about Instantaneously healed at shrines He exist, or is life just mysterious Lectio Divina. St Benedict used of Our Lady. I went overseas to blind fate? A shocking thought, those words 1500 years ago when meet some of them personally but it was nagging at me, unsetadvising his monks on how to and gather in the essential com- tling me. The Eucharist became the focus keep their prayer-life fresh and ponents of their experience. With so much bad news getting of growing doubts about Catholideepening. The two Latin words simply Into our heads and hearts via that cism. indeed about the whole mean "Divine reading". The mixed blessing, the modern Christian story. Sure, the miracle essential meaning is opening media, I wanted to counterbal- stories in the Gospels are beautiyour heart as you quietly and ance the gloomy headlines with ful, but how can we be sure those 2000 year old stories really hapmeasuredly read the words of the hopeful stories. Over the years I have found sto- pened. Maybe they are just a Bible. But the words also take in unhurried reading of books about ries about Our Lady's healing vis- batch of nice stories, essentially the love of God, books by or about its to pilgrims at Lourdes, Knock no different from that lovely story the saints who experienced the and other places have greatly about Cinderella and the Fairy love of God. That book, The Story encouraged me to keep spiritual- Godmother. It was a very unsetof a Soul, by everyone's favourite, ly cheerful. tling and anguished time for me. Ihad another purpose in writing St Therese of Lisieux, is an examThenI came across a number of the book, Healing Fire form books written by medical doctors, ple. St Benedict would emphasise Frozen Earth. It began, really in claiming that at Lourdes in France that reading is to be "heart read- my early twenties, in the immedi- extraordinary instantaneous healing', not just head reading. This ate Post World War Ago years. ings were happening, just as we kind of reading helps us "lose The media was full of shocking read in the Gospels. I read those your mind and come to your sens- stories Hiroshima, books doggedly trying to find bout es. The head is a good place for Auschwitz, of Iron curtained slave loopholes or inconsistencies. prayer to start but a poor place for labour camps. The stories started Finally, and with a wearied sigh it to end up" as Anthony de Mello to get to me. If the Creator is all of relief,I decided they were true, once said. loving and all-powerful, why is they were miracles that proved
MOVIES
Promising beginning fails expectations by Edward Blank
rr
he Ring (DreamWorks) builds promisingly before burying itself in the well at which it winds up.Ehren Kruger based his screenplay on the first part of a Japanese trilogy that started with the 1998 Ringu and spawned a sequel and a prequel. All were adapted from stories by Koji Suzuki.
that God existed and was at least began reading. "By page two I very friendly. knew it was true", he said "and Furthermore, many of the what I had to do". He is now Instantaneous healings happened readying for ordination. when the sick were blessed with So why not give a Catholic book the Eucharist at the conclusion of for Christmas. It is a seed planted. the afternoon procession - or Maybe it won't be picked up for when the sick received the years, but one day, when doubts Eucharist at Mass. It certainly was and pain arise it might be the key not just a piece of bread! back to faith and wholeness. A huge number of our Catholic Your son, daughter or grandyoung seem to be experiencing child might begin to read it and today the doubts that made me say, "Hey, this might be true. If it miserable in my early twenties. wasn't the priest who wrote it The statistics recently published could be in the courts for libel, he by Br Marcellin Flynn, FMS show names doctors, hospitals, medical that only 5 per cent of Catholic professors.... Maybe it is true: students, high school and univer- maybe I could find peace again at sity, honour the 10 command- Mass. Maybe Mary is more than ments by 'keeping holy the a fairy godmother". Sabbath' in attending Mass. The Frederic Ozanam who founded chilling statistics on youth suicide, the St Vincent de Paul society said: and heroin shocked me. AddicThere are two kinds of poverty, tion, rising, youth crime rate, etc ad nauseam indicate to me that physical and spiritual. You help huge numbers of our vitally the physically poor with food gifts important young people have lost, and blankets. You help the spirior all but lost the Christian faith. tually poor - the ones who don't If I was helped to regain faith, in believe in God or, what is as sad. my early twenties, by Lourdes who have lost trust in God's love miracle stories, maybe an updat- for them - by giving Catholic ed book on medical miracles of books. Healing Fire from Frozen Earth instantaneous healing might help some young moderns back to the Is a 196 page paperback with practice of the Faith - that is the many photos and costs $10. Every sure answer to the sadness, the cent of profit from the book goes alienation, the anger, the violence, to East Timor - to help Bishop Belo the despair that make life miser- get schools going. He said recentable for so many of our young and ly that 65% of the East Timore.se of the parents and family who women and 51% of the men couldn't read or write because love them. With this in mindIchose a scorn there are so few schools. of miracle stories with doubters Copies of Healing fire from in mind. I concentrated on very Frozen Earth that have been physical healings rather than the brought to Perth have been paid more numerous and more mean- for from previous sales. So if you ingful spiritual transformation at buy a copy the whole $10 goes to Lourdes etc. help get schools going in East The book came out three years Timor. ago and has sold 22.000 copies. 22,000 copies of the book have many of which parents bought to been sold because ordinary peogive to their non-Mass going chil- ple have promoted it; people saddren. dened by modern youth's loss of With Christmas coming up, I'd the Faith, and or people keen to like to put this thought to parents; help the East Timorese. The book Why not buy a copy as a Christ- is not a deep and scholarly tome. mas present for a son, daughter. It is just a collection of authentior grand child? Don't be put off by cated instantaneous healings. the less-than-pleased face when Though the hardline Reds cheapthey undo the wrapping. ened the words, you could call it A few months ago I met a semi- a "people's book". narian close to ordination. He told me how he played fast and loose Two voluntary outlets in Perth where as a youth, giving up Catholic you can purchase it am: On the south practice and morality. His wor- side of the Swan River. Ted Neesham. ried Dad gave him a book about 2 Baal St Palmyra. 6157, Tel: 9399 an apparition of Our lady. He said 1298 north of the river. Maggie Jeffer"Thanks Dad" and shoved the son, 32 Peasholme Street. City Beach, book away, having absolutely no 6015, Tel: 9341 8935. intentions of reading it. Six years Postage/Package for one copy is $2.60. later he was living alone and Also available from these volunteer picked up a savage virus, running outlets, are 'A Song for Nagasaki" and "Psalms: Songs for the Way Home". a very high temperature. He by the same author and at the same thought he might be dying and cost of $10 each plus $2.60pp. was scared stiff. He knew he Also available from the St Vincent de needed help and hunted around Paul shop, Bunbury. and "God's Farm" for Dad's book He fount it and Tel/Fax 9755 6212
Naomi Watts, noted for her work in Why they broke up is as unclear as why ton state photography, mostly in and David Lynch's MulhollandDrive, becomes her job was in jeopardy at the beginning. around Seattle. Hans Zimmer's scoring caught in a mystery whose weirdness Noah is a good father and a good com- adds a chilling touch, but director Gore recalls such Lynch films but that strives panion. Verbinski succumbs too frequently to the for a more conventional approach, albeit Individually, Rachel and Noah view the use of abrupt sound effects to spook the a barely coherent one. video and receive their death threats. audience. She does most of the sleuthing, which is Watts portrays Rachel, who saves her job Viewers also may find tiresome the as a newspaper investigative reporter by often difficult to follow because so much quantity of scenes that conclude just short promising a story about the bizarre sui- of the screenplay relies on coincidence, of the disclosures toward which they've cides or murders of four teen-agers - chance and illogical behaviour. been building. Her search takes her to a ranch where including her niece, Katie (Amber TamIt's a ploy that announces all too obvithe lonely, haunted Richard Morgan blyn). ously that the movie is marking time rather (Brian Cox) seems to withhold more All of the teens died exactly seven days than letting the audience participate in the after watching a short, highly stylised Information than he discloses. unraveling of the mystery. Dr Grasnick (Jane Alexander) is more video they'd been passing around. Each To broaden the audience base with a forthcoming but apparently has less to viewer was phoned immediately after the less restrictive PG-13 rating, the adult elescreening, promising death in precisely a offer. ments of sex, violence and language are With a lot of the dumb luck and poor week judgment that has become indigenous to not overdone. Rachel's young son, Aldan (David Dorf- such low-aiming horror movies, Rachel Because of intermittent violence, an man), forecasted the death of cousin Katie wends her way to a solution that resolves Implied sexual encounter and some by drawing pictures of a buried girl. some of her issues but that answers too crude language, the US Conference With the aid of Aidan's father, the ami- few of the questions the audience has of Catholic Bishops classification is able Noah (Martin Henderson), Rachel accumulated. A-III — adults. Some material may be begins her search for answers. The Ring has some attractive Washing- Inappropriate for children under 13.
THE RECORD
21 NOVEMBER 2002
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a roundup of events p anorama official diary in the archdiocese
NOVEMBER 22
Vigil Prayers and Rosary for Bishop Robert Healy RIP, St Mary's Cathedral, 7.30 pm
22-24 Parish Visitation. Ballajura - Archbishop Hickey 23
Funeral Mass for Bishop Robert Healy RIP, St Mary's Cathedral, 9.30 am
24-29 Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Sydney Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton 29
End-of-year Supper. St Charles' Seminary Archbishop Hickey
30
Home-schooling Conference - Archbishop Hickey Mass for Miriam House. Archbishop Hickey
DECEMBER 1
Confirmation for Divine Mercy College, St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey Silver Sundowner for i.d.entity.wa, Aquinas College Archbishop Hickey Melkite Liturgy, St Andrew's Church - Bishop Sproxton
3
End-of-year meeting of LifeLink Fundraising Committee, Archbishop Hickey Visit of Ambassador of Ireland - Archbishop Hickey Mass and Dinner, Redemptoris Mater Seminary Archbishop Hickey Maranatha end-of-year Mass and Presentation, CEO Chapel - Bishop Sproxton
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Sunday November 24 THE ENNEAGRAM: PIOUS OR PAGAN What is the Enneagram: a Christian method of selfawareness? Or a Sufi (Muslim) method of spirituality? Should Catholics be involved with such a thing? Hear the bible Scholar Fr Mitchell Pacwa SJ telling it 'as it is' about the Catholic spirituality. Switch on to 'The Layman's Hour' with Raymond and Theresa de Souza (Radio Fremantle. 107.9FM) and hear all about it in the 'New Apologetics' that Pope John Paul II has exhorted all Catholics to become involved with. November 27/30 TALKS AT JOHN XXIII COLLEGE 'Inner Peace. Inner Freedom, Ignatian'. Presenter: Murray Graham (Inigo director) 7.30-9.30pm Wednesday November 27. (Donation for Inigo Centre). 'Live Healthy, LiveYoung. Live Long'. Presenter: Carlo Mandofia (Retired Swiss Medical Practitioner) 10am - 5pm, Saturday November 30. Venue for both talks Multipurpose room John XXIII College (follow signs). Details Murray 9383 0444. Wednesday November 27 SOUTHERN AREA MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT MEETING This group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at St Thomas More Church Parish Meeting Room. 100 Dean Road, Bateman, starts at 7.30 and finish about 9pm. For information contact: Aileen 9330 2651. Jenny 9332 4532. Lesley 9337 6295, Margaret 9364 8146. Monday November 25 REFLECTION DAY FOR WOMEN Schoenstatt Shrine. Armadale, 9.45am-12noon. talks given by Sister M lsabell. 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, 57 Tudor 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, $50 includes meals and accommodation. Contact: Dave 9245 2377 or Megan 9341 8506. For further details contact Team manger Martin Pannell 9445 9802. 0407 637 040. Friday November 29 BUSINESS PERSON'S MASS Will be celebrated at All Saints Chapel at 7am. followed by a Breakfast meeting at the WA Club, 101 St Georges Terrace, Perth. Guest Speaker: Sr Corona. St John of God Foundation. Saturday November 30 YOUTH RETREAT Everyone has a vocation. Come and discover yours! The servants of the Holy Family invite all young people to attend a half-day retreat on Saturday from 2.15pm to 6.00pm. The retreat will include Mass at 2.30pm, at Our Lady's Assumption Church, Dianella, 356 Grand Promenade, next to Dianella Plaza. The celebrants will be His Grace, Archbishop Hickey and Fr Ossie Lewis. Please bring your Bibles, refreshments provided. For enquiries contact sister-in-Christ Bernadette: 9275 7765 Saturday November 30 TWILIGHT RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS Saturday from 3 till 8pm, Our Journey through Advent. Concluding with Carol singing at the Shrine. Please bring some food to share for tea. Ph: 9399 2341. Saturday November 30 HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE Hear from the experts - Catholic mothers who are raising joyful, faithfilled children. Catholic books and tapes
available. Archbishop Hickey will give a short talk at 10.45am. Holy Name Church Hall. Marchamley Place. Carlisle. 9.30am to 3pm. Cost S10 (family S15), morning tea provided. BYO lunch. Enq: Lorraine 9446-9682 Sunday December 1 ANNUAL ROSARY PROCESSION St Joseph's Parish, Bassendean invites everyone to the procession in honour of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Hamilton St. Bassendean at 3pm.The procession will be followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, light refreshments afterwards. Enq: contact parish Priest on 9279 1549, Parish Council President 9377 2591. Renato 9279 2163. Colin 9279 9750. Sunday December 1 DIVINE MERCY An afternoon with Jesus and Mary at St Mary's Cathedral.Victoria Square. Perth at 1.30pm. Holy Rosary and R econciliation, Sermon Fr Michael on St Francis Xavier. Followed with Divine Mercy Prayers. Friday December 6 ALL NIGHT EUCHARISTIC ADORATION A lliance and Triumph of the Two Hearts. first Fr-Sat devotions and reparation to the Sacred heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Church. Girrawheen on Friday. Confessions from 8.15. Celebrants: Fr B Fonseca and Fr 0 R yan. Enq: 9342 5845. December 6/8 ANNUAL 40 HOUR ADVENT FAST AND PRAYER The Cathedral Knights invite you to join in their 40 hour A dvent Fast and Prayer event held between December 6-8. For further information contact: 9328 5043 and leave a message. Friday 6 - Sunday 8 December ON FIRE WITH THE SPIRIT A powerful weekend experience that will change and enrich your life. Friday 7.30-9.30pm, Saturday 1.306pm, Sunday 1.30-6pm at the parish hall. Our Lady of the Rosary, 17 Angelico Street. Woodlands. Teaching and ministry by Bernard Yap and the team from the Blessed Sacrament Prayer community. Singapore. Contact: Celine: 9446 2147, Julie: 9446 3089. email:jkwhitely@wn.com.au Tuesday December 17 CROSS ROADS COMMUNITY OPENING AND CONSECRATION Recently, Cross Roads Community acquired a City Base building at 6 Council Place East Fremantle, from which they are now fully operational. There will he an official opening lead by the Archbishop of Perth at 6.30pm with a Mass followed by supper. All welcome. December OUR LADY'S COLLEGE, VICTORIA SQUARE REUNION Our Lady's College, Victoria Square, reunion planned for Class of 1955. Any interested persons please contact Julie Howe (Aitken) as soon as possible. Phone/fax: (08) 9457 7801 Every Wednesday NOVENA DEVOTION IN HONOUR OF ST JOSEPH Held every Wednesday at 1pm at St Mary's Cathedral. Please join us in prayer for our Holy Father, Priests and Religious. Holy vocations, the Sick, the Deceased and all your special intentions. God Bless you. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AND PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE Communal Holy Hour on Fridays after 9am Mass (Except 1st Fridays). 2nd Fridays of the month, Prayer and Veneration of St Faustina's Relic included in Holy Hour. Rosary and prayer for World peace - 7pm every Monday. Come and join us at St Gerard Majella Church, Westminster. Contact: Des 9344 6724. Norma 9342 4136.
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21 NOVEMBER 2002
THE RECORD
cific, to 'sexual sins'. Once I had done this I began hoping I could 'stay dean' for Christmas, which happened, and a very special 'Chris,' previously Christmas Day Mass it was. From living in a there on, my doubts multiplied. I began wanting to "stay clean' homosexual longer, and this then put me in a relationship, shares very difficult position with my friend, Matthew. How was Ito tell the story of his him I had started thinking differently about things? return to the On January 6, I began a second Catholic Church Novena of Communions, this time for Matthew, andIasked the Lord wing Advent, on the Feast to help me to solve this whole of the Immaculate Con- messy situation. Somehow, ception, to be exact, I please, could He change came across a leaflet in the Matthew's heart, get him to Catholic bookshop concerning approach me and say. 'I want us Devotions to Jesus King of All to give up see, not because I was Nations. The promise of 'power- afraid to broach the subject ful and unprecedented effects' myself but because it was such a was attached to a Novena of Holy complex issue. I didn't want to be seen as Communions in honour of Jesus enforcing my Catholic conunder that title. science upon him, nor didIwant The very next dayIwent to Mass to put him off the Church he'd and began the Novena. It was dur- often shown interest in, by insisting that time (nine consecutive ing the physical side of our love communions but not necessarily cease. After all, it was our devonine calendar days in a row), that tion to each other - unrelenting I began to have overwhelming against every obstacle over eight doubts about my lifestyle. years - that had brought so much As a Catholic with same-sex healing for him. He had suffered attractions who had lived the past Multiple Personality through eight years with a non-Catholic childhood abuse, and we had man in a faithful, committed rela- always felt this healing came from tionship, I had previously had God through the love we shared. After my second Holy Commudoubts - so had he - about the sexual aspect of our relationship, but nion for this Novena - Sunday both of us always managed to shut Mass, January 10 -I was to get the out these nagging thoughts. About surprise of my life. Later that day a week before Christmas I went Matthew told me he had someto Reconciliation (which is a con- thing serious to discuss with me. dition of the Novena) and timidly 'I want to become a Catholic,' he confessed, without being too spe- announced, 'I want to go for
Instruction and be baptised.' I nearly fell over backwards, especially at the next piece of news: 'I also want to receive Holy Communion, and that's the tricky bit I'm sorry but we'll have to end our sex life. I couldn't possibly go to Communion and be sexually active. It had to come to this eventually anyway - my childhood has ruined that part of me - so how do you feel about chastity?' Three days laterIwent to a full and proper Confession.
D
appointment. Heart in mouth, I wandered over to the Presbytery, hoping I might bump into the priest I had met here 18 months ago who had really impressed me. He opened the door! He agreed to hear confession. Thankfully, he didn't sound judgmental when I spoke about my homosexuality but acknowledged mildly, 'So you've sinned with another man.' He was far more concerned about my reception of Holy Communion while in a state of sin. At that point,I felt no remorse (in a way, I still wasn't convinced my confessed sins were truly sins). I felt nothing and thought I should.
"It felt so amazingly good to be pure, to be chaste. 'restored to innocence...I began despairing about the
many sacrilegious communions, untilI discussed this again with the priest. From that day on I began to have a deep yearning to attend daily Mass (whenever I could) and with each succeeding Mass I was gradually regaining my spiritual eyes to see that homosexual sex was wrong; I wept from time to time before the Lord;Ibegan to experience a profound and moving sense of union with Jesus at Communion time;I began to recall how wonderful it had once been to be so close to Him eight years ago, and realise I Too late to catch the priest at was now able to resume this spirthe inner-city chapel I often itual intimacy with nothing on my attended, I decided to call off at conscience. the Cathedral on the way home. It felt so amazingly good to be For more information on the There I found a newsletter saying pure, to be chaste, 'restored to Courage Apostolate, visit Confession could be arranged by innocence through the Sacrament http://plweb.c.ouragerc.net
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of Penance.' Over the days and weeks that followedIhalf expected Matthew to change his mind and recant his wish for chastity. But he didn't. By the end of January he was suggesting we establish separate bedrooms, which we did. Over four months later, our chastity continues. What has helped us tremendously in our ongoing efforts is Courage, which does not require its members to change their orientation but does encourage and support them in their walk with God to live chaste lives and develop their spiritual commitment to the Catholic Faith. Unbeknown to me at the time, the priest I had approached for confession at the Cathedral was chaplain of the diocese's first chapter of Courage just starting to find its feet. Isn't God wonderful? Father gently suggestedIlook at joining. Taking home the Courage Handbook to study, Matthew andIread it together and both agreed to start attending the following Wednesday. Today Matthew also goes to private instruction with the same priest, preparing to become a Catholic, and I sit in on the sessions. Now firm in his conviction that "gay sex acts are against God's will, he has found peace for the first time in 31 years and eagerly looks forward to baptism and first Holy Communion.
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