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Sex speakers urge Perth parents, teachers, to get wise

THE PARISH. THE NATION. THE WORLD.

THURSDAY MARCH 8, 2007

Western Australia's award winning Catholic newspaper

Perth, Western Australia • $2

How future Bishop inspired a young lad to think big in life

Mercy Sisters and Christian Brothers set to boost singlesex education with Catholic Education Comm isssion

John Paul II Institute graduates tell parents, educators to set the agenda for young when it comes to sex. If they don't, someone else

• By Anthony Barich

• By Anthony Barich Congratulations - if you are a young person who is a virgin or who chooses to live a chaste life then you are in the majority, you are courageous and, unlike many others, you are a master of your own life. That was the message to parents, teachers and young people aged 14 and upwards from Jonathan and Karen Doyle at the forum organised by The Record and the natural family planning agency Natural Fetility Services at the Italian Club in North Perth last week. The Doyles quoted a 2002 La Trobe University report into Australian secondary students which showed that 54 per cent of Australian year 12s live chastely. However, while disproving the theory that most young people are sexually active, it was still a startlingly large figure for some parents to digest. The Canberra-based Doyles, both students of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies in Melbourne and currently completing their Masters, brought a message of hope and encouragement to their Perth audience - young and old alike. The forum focused on issues of selfrespect in sexuality, dignity and seeing the value and uniqueness of others and sexuality as a gift. They also spoke about how to distinguish between love and lust and the practical reasons behind saving sex for marriage.

Encounter: Emmanuel College students listen to Bishop Sproxton talk about what lead him to the

priesthood.

Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton has revealed the first trigger that drew him to the priesthood: Archbishop William Foley. Speaking to 170 year eight students of Emmanuel College as part of their Religious Education program last week, Bishop

Page S

Sproxton said that when he was 15 he was good at and enjoyed art so initially wanted to be an architect, and chose subjects for years 11 and 12 accordingly. But by halfway through Year 12 he started wondering what God was calling him to do with his life, and whether architecture would give him the fulfillment he sought. A visit from then-Fr

Foley to his high school in Highgate clarified things for him when the future Archbishop of Perth gave a personal talk to Bishop Sproxton's school class on his ministry, his fears and what life as a priest was like. Bishop Sproxton vividly recalls that the then-Fr Foley's talk had humanised him in the eyes of the Continued on page 4

The Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy are set to join forces with the Catholic Education Commission to establish new single-sex schools in the northern suburbs. The Brothers are already in consultation with the CEC to open a new school in Joondalup - a commission owned and operated school but conducted in close collaboration by the Christian Brothers, and in the future by Edmund Rice Education Australia. EREA will carry forward the work of what has been known as Christian Brothers Education and come into operation as of October 1, taking over the 38 schools they currently govern in Australia. Catholic Education Office assistant director of planning, resources and governance Tony Giglia said the CEC has been in discussions with the Brothers for 18 months. The CEO's WA director of education, Ron Dullard, said the CEC is also in consultation with the Sisters of Mercy to open a girls' school in Joondalup. Land has been bought for both schools, set to be co-located and will share some facilities and permission has been granted from both the State government and Archbishop Barry Hickey to establish the schools, which should open in 2009. An interim board will be appointed to oversee the development of both schools before being split up. "We want to build on the strong ethos of Edmund Rice and (Venerable) Catherine McAuley Continued on page 4

it

Archbishop Barry Hickey has hit out at proposals to legalise prostitution. His weekly messages can now be viewed and heard on the Internet. You should see it.

PHOTO: GERARD DE SOUZA

• By Anthony Barich

Continued- Page 2 What our audience thought - Page 2 True Love Waits grows - Page 2

ARCHBISHOP ONLINE

Single-sex schools hope for northern suburbs

•

INDEX Editorial/Letters - Page 8 - Vista 4 At Home with Catherine Parish - Pages 10-11 The World Reviews - Page 14 - Page 15 Classifieds

WHAT WOMEN WANT A special women's-only forum on March 14 offers a refreshing initiative: women sharing their perspectives and feelings, working for a culture of life.

Editorial Page II, VISTA 1-3

March 8 2007, The Record

Page 2

True Love: happiness

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Explain: Jonathan Doyle, right, chats with Stephen Court, Pierrette Kelly and Daniel Berry.

Choicez offers hope Continued from page 1

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EDITOR Peter Rosengren Letters to: cathrec@iinet.net.au JOURNALISTS Mark Reidy (Opinion) reidyrec@iinet.net.au Sylvia Defendi (Parish/State) sdefendi@iinet.netau Anthony Barich (Parish/State) anthonybarich@hotrnaiLcom Paul Gray (National) cathrec@iinetnet.au Bronwyn Clune (International) clunerec@iinet.net.au OFFICE MANAGERS inc. sales/subscriptions Cathy Baguley - Accounts recaccounts@iinet.netau Terri-Lee Clarke - Administration administration@therecord.com.au Typesetter Terence Boylen production@therecord.com.au

Judged by the rapidly-dropping standards of the media and popular entertainment the Doyles' message may not be fashionable, but they encouraged teachers and parents to get educated and resourced so that they can be the guide that their children need and, in many cases, want them to be. "As parents, it's your job to be the gatekeepers, to choose what comes into your home, to get involved in your children's lives and be aware of who they are socialising with and what their influences are," Mr Doyle said, urging them to "Find out what your kids are being told in school. Don't be afraid to be a nagging parent - you have that right. "Speak to your children about issues that involve their sexuality, because if you're not talking to them, someone - or something - else is. "To teachers: the children need you to be informed educators, to talk to engage with your kids about these issues." The Doyles also presented a startling picture of the sexual activities of teenagers. Quoting La Trobe University's latest study released in 2002, Jonathan Doyle said that 46 per cent of Australian year 12s are sexually active, so "if you're not sexuallyactive and you're a year 12 student, you're in the majority. However, while this shatters the myth held by many youth that "everyone is doing it", it is still a high figure for parents to digest. Mr Doyle said that based on evidence, early sexual activity has been found to lead to more likely sexually transmitted infection, a higher rate of unplanned pregnancy, chances of living in poverty, abortion rates, rates of depression and reduced adult happiness. Mrs Doyle, who is also a trained nurse, said that even for teenagers who have already lost their virginity, it is not too late

What our Choicez audience thou • ht... "It was very informative. Some of the statistics were very startling, as was the perception that youth think everyone is doing it." - Lisa Hogg, 43. "Jonathan and Karen were right when they said that what was needed was a change of heart, an understanding of the value of each human being," - Sarah Warren, 20. "I didn't feel as though they presented anything new, but that they made the issue a lot clearer! - Sol Laskewski, 15.

587 Newcastle Street, Leederville Post: PO Box 75, Leederville, WA 6902 Tel: (08) 9227 7080 Fax: (08) 9227 7087 The Record is a weekly publication distributed throughout the parishes of the dioceses

to start again. "Don't feel like you are trapped now that you've given yourself to someone before marriage, whether it had been consensual or not," she said. "If you have decided not to have sex, hold on to that. To the boys: use your masculine strength to hold on to that and give it as a gift to your wife on your wedding night. To the girls: don't feel like you are trapped into a decision to give yourself away for fear of losing your boyfriend." Mrs Doyle warned teachers, parents and teenagers to "understand the culture you are swimming against," and quoted Pope John Paul II: "Just as there can be no trial love, there can be no trial marriage." Drawing from her experience working as a health officer at a Catholic secondary school where teenagers had startling rates of sexually transmitted diseases and lack of knowledge about their own body, Mrs Doyle also explained the difference between love and emotions: "Love is often wrongly diagnosed as just a feeling, but love is a decision to love someone despite how you feel. A decision to have sex cannot be based on a feeling. The human is not an object of use, like a pen." Mr Doyle urged teenagers, especially males, to see the female body as sacred. "The body is an integral part of the person, it must not be treated as though it were detached from the whole person. The problem with pornography is not that it reveals too much, but that it reveals too little." Mr Doyle pointed out that John Paul II had professional artisans remove loincloths from nude figures on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which is now called "The Sanctuary of the Theology of the Body".

"The messages are extremely important for all to understand, be they parents, children or couples." - Patrick Laundy, 20. "I realised just how influential the media is." - Carson Feltoe, 17. "The statistics shocked me. They were a lot higher than I expected." - Ben McCabe, 14.

"I was very interested in the way the media portrayed sexuality and the effects it is having on society." - Keryn Pestana, 20. "I think all parents should experience some sort of education in this generation's perception on sexuality." - Maria Wainwright, 48. "llw statistics concerning pornography exposure was disturbing. Young people deserve to be given the truth on issues such as pornography." - Conrad Gagatek, 20. "This form of education could be very useful to parents and children, because what we believe to be a widespread view is actually in the minority and as such hides the wisdom of most who do abstain." - Marion, 50. Compiled by Sylvia Defendi

True Love Waits Catholic WA (TLW) is getting fired up for another year of witnessing to the truth and meaning of our sexuality - no small task. According to a survey conducted by La Trobe University in Australia in 1997, we all have reason to be concerned. The survey found that by the age of 19 years old, 66 per cent of both men and women have initiated sex. A 2002 study by the University reports that three quarters of men and women believe that sex before marriage is acceptable. In my experience, once all is said and done, young people really desire to be happy. They want to love others and be loved in turn. But they often don't realise that this is exactly what Christ and the Church desire for them all along. TLW was formed in response to the current misunderstanding about sexuality. TLW is first of all a place to experience support and fellowship with those who already believe in saving sex for marriage as well as those wanting to discover and understand the issue for the first time. Regular seminars by guest speakers and the TLW team occur each fourth Monday of the month. Through these and by the witness of those already trying to live a life of chastity, people can deepen their understanding of the joy and beauty of embracing chastity and God's plan for love and happiness in their lives. At the centre of living chastity in our daily lives though is Christ. Having died and risen for us, our sexuality can be redeemed when we invite Him to work in our lives. It is His grace that makes our efforts effective. Sincere prayer is vital. In our meetings we invite Jesus and Mary to be with us as He is the model of man and Mary is the model of woman. Many young people in True Love Waits have believed so firmly in the value of chastity that well over a hundred people in WA in the last few years have publicly made a pledge to save sex for marriage. They join at least 1.5 million other young people around the world doing exactly the same thing. Last year between July and September over 120 young people came to hear about God's plan for sexuality during an eight-week seminar series on JPII's Theology of the Body. At this point some may be thinking: "Well all this might be well and good, but it's a bit too late for me!" Many people have made mistakes in their life in this area. Christ died so that you and I could be forgiven for our sins, that we could experience the grace to be free, and once again set our sights on following Him. He also gave us each other to help us along on that path. To find more information about True Love Waits visit www.truelovewaitswa.com. FOR MORE INFO CALL: STEPHEN 0431 228 630, BRON1A 0407 430 478 OR EMAIL: TRUELOVEWAITSWA@YAHOO.COM

Page 3

March 8 2007, The Record

Help Keep

Bishop slams Christianity faulty theology Alive in &dilate= of conscience Bishop Fisher reignites debate on denying Holy Communion to politicians who vote the wrong way • By Paul Gray

In an important lecture on conscience delivered at the Vatican last weekend, Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney lamented the fact that there are Catholic politicians and voters who are "willing to cooperate" in "evils" such as abortion and IVF. He gave new fuel to the heated Bishop Anthony Fisher debate over the rightness of denying Holy Communion to polititeaching of the Church is 'suscepticians who support legalised abortion - a debate which flared during ble to error and therefore fallible'," the last US Presidential election Bishop Fisher said. Much of this 1970s and '80s style campaign. moral thinking filtered down of conThe Bishop told a Vatican ference, sponsored by the Pontifical through society, and in a slightAcademy for Life, that it beggars ly more sophisticated form "was taught to a generation of priests belief there could still be Catholic lay theology students." and institutions in some places collabosaid it will take time to He sterilisaIVF, rating in abortion, recover a more Catholic sense of tion and euthanasia. the role and content of conscience "That there are still Catholic theologians and pastors supporting and magisterium." Bishop Fisher quoted Pope these or similar practices means we XVI, who as Cardinal Benedict the of sense a recover to are yet ecclesial vocations of theologian Ratzinger had described some and pastor," he said, arguing that modern views on conscience as "a cloak thrown over human subthe papal teaching against aborjectivity, allowing man to ... hide example an is tion and euthanasia from reality." doctrine magisterial" "infallible of In a 1991 lecture on conscience which demands the unconditional and truth, the then Cardinal "obedience of faith." In his papal encyclical on bioeth- Ratzinger described conscience ics, "Evangelium Vitae," Pope as the core issue in contemporary John Paul II was careful to cite moral theology. The future Pope the Vatican II texts regarding the warned against what he called a Pope's and bishops' "magisterium" "canonisation of subjectivity." When a fellow academic posin moral matters, Bishop Fisher that the Nazis were saints tulated said. "The clearest exercise of the because they followed their own highest level of papal magisterium consciences, Ratzinger replied that was with respect to direct killing of "there is something wrong with the theory of the justifying power of the innocent," Bishop Fisher said. the subjective conscience." this applied then II "John Paul Ratzinger's exploration of the teaching to abortion and euthanasia, both of which he confirmed thoughts of John Henry Newman, Socrates and other authorities led were grave moral disorders." Bishop Fisher's lecture focused him to the view that the notion of conscience needed to be "thoron the Church's teaching on conoughly purified," Bishop Fisher science as expressed in the documents of the Second Vatican said, adding that in today's debate on conscience, there are two poles Council, which mentioned "conof opinion, both of which are at science" 52 times. odds with the Church's authentic that out pointed "The Council conscience often goes wrong," the position. One pole is the view that if peoBishop said. "Conscience, like any intellectual ability, can err because ple only paid more attention to the the human mind can be more or magisterium instead of the spirit less mature, experienced, trained, of the times, everything would be healthy, sophisticated, imaginative, well. According to this view, conprudent, integrated with passion, science is like a motor car driver who obeys an ecclesiastical sateletc." lite navigator, called Magisterium, Vatican of Against the teachings tells us to turn left or right 1970s "who the in theologians II, some denied that the Scriptures, the in the next 500m to go to the only Tradition of the Church and the destination that matters." The opposite pole is the "prihierarchy of Pope and bishops have of conscience" view, which moral macy in " any strong "magisterium they are free to "switch people tells said. bishop the matters, Some of these theologians off the ecclesial satellite navigator" and make moral decisions for argued that it was impossible for the Church to teach infallibly in themselves. He said both these morals. Others said that while it polarised views have a lot in comcould in principle, it had never mon - "both view the magisterium as an authority external and often done so. rival to personal conscience." e ordinary "Both agreed tha

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March 82007, The Record

Page 4

Fr Peter Bianchini: the poultry priest

How a life-long love of nature became a fortunate obsession U By Anthony Barich Organising a mass slaughter would not, one thinks, be a popular pastime for seminarians. But then again, Fr Peter Bianchini has a passion that not every priest shares - the wonder of animal life. Highgate parishioners - and an increasing number of his priestly fraternity - are aware of this passion, but don't worry, the mass slaughter was for a good cause. It also gives a glimpse of how long this passion has been going on. When Fr Bianchini was doing the theology part of his seminary studies in Adelaide, he started a poultry farm and sold the eggs to the seminary kitchen as a way to make money for the seminarian students for social events. A fter the chooks stopped laying their eggs, Fr Bianchini would organise a "mass killing" by chopping their heads off and again sell them to the seminary kitchen. Fr Bianchini has always had a fascination for animals, ever since his father's family moved from New Norcia to Queens Park and had poultry and his mother's family had a dairy farm at Beechboro. His legend really grew, however, when he was parish priest in Bencubbin from 1982-85. To this day, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton, then a priest, loves telling the yarn of a garden party Fr Bianchini had with Archbishop William Foley that was interrupted by Fr Bianchini's ducks doing...nature's work. "It's a standard joke that I start-

ed with all these poultry and a vegetable garden, and while a few priests since have thrown the bird cages in the trash, the current parish priest there, Fr Chien Nguyen, is keeping the tradition going," Fr Bianchini said. In fact, Fr Nguyen gave him six Japanese quails, as he heard Fr Bianchini was interested in them. Today, Fr Bianchini has three types of quail, including several of these Japanese quail, canaries, budgies and four different finches. He had more finches until last week, when he gave a couple of finches and a quail to Fr Alfonsas Savickis of West Perth parish. Fr Alfonsas was actually looking for geese as 'watchdogs' - after all, the Romans used geese to guard their temples. But back to Fr Bianchini and his addiction.. .because make no mistake, that's exactly what it is. He freely admits it. But it is a vice that has him constantly in awe at the beauty of nature. "Once you start, there's nowhere to stop with them, as they do draw you in," he says. "Part of the addiction is the fascination with life and nature. When they start to breed it's that whole cycle of life, watching the way the mothers care for their little ones is truly beautiful. It's quite extraordinary what they do." There are also plenty of mice scurrying around his house, and while he tries to keep them under control (that requires more catching and killing), he finds watching them play an intriguing part of his day. Touch wood, there are no rats in

Loving embrace: Fr Bianchini and some of his small friends in one of two aviaries at his presbytery. his busy presbytery on Mary Street. They would create major problems eating the birds. Given his house is near a Highgate park, he sees it as a possibility in the future, but it's not one he'd choose. Also not quite commonplace in your average presbytery is the large bucket that is a "meal worm" farm, in which he "grows" worms for his birds to eat.

The importance avocation Continued from page 1 year 12 student, as at the time priests were held in such high esteem as to almost transcend humanity. "Even when in doubt, I had decided on studying architecture at university, but the question kept coming back to me - 'will this really make me happy?" Bishop Sproxton said. "Once that priest visited my school and spoke, it was then that I started to think that calling may be what would give me excitement, and would fulfill me." In 1977 he was ordained a priest and will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his ordination in December this year. A student then asked him whether he always wanted to become a priest, whether he felt like he had a choice, to which he replied without hesitation, "I always had a choice. "In fact, I was convinced for a while that I would become an architect." Discussion ranged from his role as a Bishop, those who came before him and the role of other hierarchy in the Church like Popes, Archbishops and Cardinals The students were particularly fascinated by the details of the stories of the recent unearthing of Perth Bishops Matthew Gibney and Martin Griver and the assas-

He also has a plastic incubator full of the birds' eggs with a flickering light that keeps the temperature inside it constant. There was, however, a larger bird that brought him widespread fame, for want of a better word. Or rather, to the bird in question. When Paul Bui took photos of Fr Bianchini and his feather-footed bantam (chicken) and printed one in the widely-distributed calendar

sination attempt on John Paul II's life in 1981. Bishop Sproxton took the opportunity to inform the students of how these stories reflected important aspects of their ministry as Bishops in the line of the Apostles, saying John Paul II visited his would-be assassin, Turkish man

Mehmet Ali Agca, in prison, which showed compassion and forgiveness. In talking about Bishops Griver and Gibney, he took the opportunity to tell the students about examples of saints in history who are incorrupt, and how it is a sign of their sanctity or sainthood.

J iO

ANTHONY BARR, r,

produced by the Catholic Youth Ministry, people would see him and say, "Oh, you're the fellow with the chicken". Fr Bianchini became secondary to the bird, so to speak. Alas, it died last month, and he buried it. And no, it died of natural causes. However, one feels Fr Bianchini's reputation as a bird-lover will live on.

Mercy Sisters and Christian Brothers plan new schools Continued from page 1

His story: Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton speaks to students from Emmanuel Catholic College.

H

(the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy) in single-gender schools with the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy," Mr Dullard said. The Brothers have formulated these proposals following a series of meetings the Brothers have had, including with other members of the Edmund Rice network, since 2003, the most recent last week at Victoria's Amberley Retreat House and in Perth. They will also elect seven-man a Oceania Province Leadership Team. Br Kevin Ryan, the WASA province leader of the Christian Brothers, says the Oceania Leadership Team, to be confirmed by April, will also free up the Brothers to continue to tend to new needs in Oceania, especially with young people at risk those not attending or having trouble with school or suffering disabilities.

The Brothers are already strongly involved in education for the disabled in Papua New Guinea, opened a new venture in the Philippines last year and another community is set to open there next year. These changes are in line with the original spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice, who founded the Christian Brothers in 1802 in troubling times in Waterford, Ireland when it was illegal for a Catholic to educate his children as Catholics or for a teacher to undertake the work. The wretched state of Catholic boys in Waterford also elicited a great sense of pity in him. Christian Brothers used to be one big province in Australia, before spitting into two in 1953 - Queensland-NSW and the four southern States together - Western Australia, Australia, South Tasmania and Victoria. In 1967 WA and South Australia became one province with Victoria joining with Tasmania,with Queensland and NSW, New Zealand and PNG going solo.

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March 8 2007, The Record

Government ignores damage to women upsetting, and they wish that professors and lecturers would not inflict their beliefs - or unbeliefs - on their students. I think it is an abuse of their position if they do that. Professing atheism today is almost a declaration of liberation from religion and limitations on personal freedom. This is the first time in history that unbelief in some form of supreme being has become widespread. People everywhere have always had a sense of the transcendent, of a god in some way. The search for God is part of the search for meaning - where didI come from, what is the purpose of life, what happens after death, is this all there is? The belief that we are more than the chemicals that make us up lies deep within us. We recognise that we are spiritual beings as well as material. We have in the core of our being a thirst for fulfilment, almost an echo of the divine. We sense it in silence and in

contemplating the wonders of nature that we didn't create. We want to praise the creator of all we see and give thanks. We cannot prove the existence of God to everyone's satisfaction. We can only have, as St Thomas Aquinas said, ways to God, things that lead us to God, whether through nature, through pondering on the origins of the universe or on the marvellous spiritual gifts we have, like love, unselfishness, compassion, even conscience, the inner judgements we make about what is right and what is wrong. Where did all these come from? Don't be intimidated by the brainy people who deny God. There are plenty of brainy people who acknowledge God and millions to whom God is a daily reality. God is not just an impersonal creator. He's very personal and he loves you and one day he will call you home.

Pell wary of Muslim influence

A 'BAD APPLE' SPOILS THE WHOLE OFFICE

A rchbishop Barry Hickey has used his weekly video message to question the State's prostitution laws. The State Government's proposals to control prostitution totally ignores the damage that prostitution does to the girls and women who are involved in it, according to Archbishop Barry Hickey, the Catholic Archbishop of Perth. In a weekly video message posted on his website, Archbishop Hickey says that most women involved in prostitution take drugs to be able to continue what they are doing. He adds that it also damages the men who exploit the girls. The Archbishop questions why the Government wants to license an occupation that damages and degrades women, destroys their self-image, turns them to drugs,

and ruins their chances of a normal life. He says the only way to minimize prostitution is to clamp down on it, and suggests that a good first step would be to close all brothels in residential areas now. "It sends a powerful signal that society does not want its daughters to finish up in brothels or its sons to exploit them. No brothels in residential areas would be a good start," he says. "Equally important, encourage girls to leave the trade and make it possible to do so through rehabilitation centres and re-training courses." Archbishop Hickey began posting videos on his website (www.perthcatholic.org.au) on Ash Wednesday and intends to post a fresh message each week, commenting on a wide range of topics.

Cardinal George Pell has warned against society "losing its identity" under the influence of Muslim immigration reports Paul Gray. Speaking at a Deliberative Poll about Muslims and non-Muslims in Australia, Cardinal George Pell said integration of migrants is necessary for a harmonious and secular democratic society. "Equal rights carry with them equal responsibilities - problems arise when minorities demand special consideration that places them outside the law as it applies to other citizens," he said. "Flexibility and adaptability are called for when refugees and immigrants arrive in our country, but there is a limit to adopting minority demands beyond which a democratic host society cannot go without losing its identity." Deliberative Polls are a method used to find out what ordinary people think about a topic after taking the time to con-

Bishop Joseph Grech

sider both sides of an argument. The Deliberative Poll at which Cardinal Pell spoke revealed lower levels of concern about Muslim immigration after the pro and con arguments had been considered, than before. Cardinal Pell said that a small minority of Muslims "really don't identify with Australia at all and are hostile to it." He said that there is evidence that some members of this minority "are planning violence against us here and else-

Archbishop Barry Hickey

Here is the text of Archbishop Hickey's previous webcast on the subject of atheism.

/

t seems to be fashionable today to deny the existence of God, particularly in universities among professors and some of their students. A number of Catholic students have told me they find it very

where - that doesn't seem to happen in any other migrant group." Cardinal Pell also said that Muslim countries overseas do not afford the same rights to non-Muslims that are afforded to Muslims in the democratic West. "Idon't think we could be having a meeting like this in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia," he said. "Christians are being harassed, they're being persecuted, and even sometimes, in the Sudan, being sold into slavery. I would like to know where my Muslim friends stand on this issue." Before Cardinal Pell's comments were reported, Bishop Joseph Grech, spokesman for the Australian bishops Commission for Pastoral Life, warned that a "confrontational approach" to insisting on Australian values for new migrants could backfire. The Commission issued a statement urging the Federal Government to take a more moderate line on its official citizenship requirements for migrants. Bishop Joseph Grech, the commission's spokesman on immigration issues, said that the bishops agreed wholeheartedly with

the government that it is important for migrants seeking citizenship to appreciate the significance of the step they were taking. Some sense of the basic values and heritage of the new nation should also be soundly grasped by migrants, Bishop Grech said. However the government should not be too harsh on migrants in the area of formal language and values testing. "A formal test would be particularly difficult for some older people and for many whose first language is not English," Bishop Grech said. "An unfortunate consequence of this confrontational approach is that some people could be discouraged from even attempting to seek citizenship." Bishop Grech made the point that a citizenship test would not necessarily show that a migrant had taken Australian values to heart, but merely that they had learnt the required responses. The bishop said that an alternative approach would be to make greater efforts to impart an appreciation and knowledge of the English language and Australian values.

One "bad apple" can quickly spread negativity in the workplace and spoil the whole team, according to a study reported in the journal Research in Organisational Behaviour. The effect cannot be reversed just by one or two good workers. If someone like that slips through in the hiring process, he or she should be placed to work alone as much as possible, the report suggests. "Negative" workers are defined as those who do not do their fair share of work, are chronically unhappy and emotionally unstable, or bully or attack others. Lead author William Felps said he got the idea for the study from his wife, who told him how much her office had improved when a "bad apple" was off sick for several days. When the worker returned, the situation deteriorated again. Felps recommends more thorough screening of job applicants to weed out those who are "really low on agreeableness and emotional stability."

Council advocates HARVEST PILGRIMAGES for disabled The Australian bishops have undertaken a new initiative to raise the profile of disability in the church community. The formation of the Australian Catholic Disability Council was announced on February 23 by the bishops' conference. The council's chair, Michele Castagna, said the establishment of the Council is "an opportunity to promote and encourage the building of a truly inclusive body of Christ where all are welcome." The Council's membership

includes disability projects officer Mrs Patricia Mowbray, and Bishop Max Davis. It will seek to develop national policies and guidelines, with two objectives in view. .full participation of people with disability in Church life .advocacy in support of people with disabilities. "The Council believes that its formation is a celebration and expression of the prophetic voice of Jesus in the Catholic Church in Australia," Ms Castagna said.

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March 8 2007, The Record

Page 6

Indonesian Catholic community booms • By Anthony Barich

There is a vibrant young Catholic community south of the river that is bursting at the seams. The Indonesian Charismatic community, formed on August 20, 2000, now boasts about 80 people aged between 12 and 35 who meet seven times a month to support each other in faith development and their everyday lives. Three weeks ago they heard about Bo Sanchez, a Filipino preacher who was visiting the Disciples of Jesus Charismatic Covenant Community. Inviting him to address them, the leaders - in their early 20s - hastily organised a forum. One of them worked at Australia Post, and started handing out flyers where he worked. Many of them had never heard of Bo Sanchez, but the young leaders hyped him up and told people he would touch their lives and boost their faith. The forum was held barely a week later, and over 300 people showed up at Bateman parish, from their early teens to the elderly. And didn't they put on a show. Dancers performed with streamers to the tune of the slower music - songs of praise, including a few from Hillsong - that preceded Bo Sanchez speaking. The strength in numbers despite short notice is a reflection of the strong bond that exists in the Indonesian community.

Committtid: Gabriella Sudjana (right) led the praise and worship session at the Indonesian Charismatic youth community's PH111, , ANirHON , PAPIk event that drew over 300 people at St Thomas More parish. The more regular twice-a-month meetings, held at the Epiphany Centre in Rossmoyne on the first Sunday of each month and at St Thomas More Church in Bateman on every third Friday, see about 80 people turn up for praise and

worship. While most meetings are Indonesian, they are trying to make the Friday meetings as English as possible, for Indonesians who bring their friends along or are not first-generation Indonesians. Cell groups numbering about

10 in each meet once a week away from the main prayer meetings for personal reflection, testimony and prayer at a participant's house. This cell group environment allows for participants to relate their problems on a personal level

without telling a whole prayer meeting about it, and they pray for each other. The Indonesian Charismatic community uses as its vision the spirit of Ephesians 4:15-16: "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and builds itself in love." Tommy Segoro, 23, the community leader, says it's about building the body of Christ. "Our vision is to encourage as many young people as we can to see that although we come from different backgrounds, we all have different gifts and skills, and can help each other be closer to God," he said. "It's important for young people to be close to God, and the cells and prayer meetings are a medium for this to happen. "From my own perspective, it's impossible to live in this world, to be faithful all the time to Jesus, without the help of others, and when you start losing your faith you start losing hope and worrying about your life. "I find it's so hard to live without Jesus. Some believe going to Church each Sunday is enough, but sometimes you have problems in life and cell groups help me deal with them." For more information contact Tommy Segoro on 0404 457 754 or Gabriella Sudjana on 0423 778.

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March 8 2007, The Record

Page 7

Singing sister celebrates 25 years

Sr Jacinta Unger speaks on her vocation and the years that followed

• By Anthony Barich When Good Shepherd Sister Jacinta Unger was a child growing up in Burma she wanted to be a singer. She still got her wish, as the parishioners of Mirrabooka found out,includingone Donald Sproxton, the parish priest who would later become Perth's Auxiliary Bishop. It was fitting, then, that Bishop Sproxton led the Mass on February 18 celebrating the 25th anniversary of her first profession of vows, which she took in Burma, 16 years before she moved to Western Australia. The actual date of her anniversary, February 21, is also the same date as Bishop Sproxton's consecration as Auxiliary Bishop. In his personally touching homily, Bishop Sproxton said he remembered Sr Jacinta's great cooking, but it has been her passion for social justice and helping those to whom life has dealt an unfair hand that has been the hallmark of her ministry. She is currently a family counsellor for Cent recare, a job she feels privileged to do, helping people who need her help. Due to the difference in cultures between Burma and Australia, the nature of her work back home,

which involved informal counselling, and here is different, but the spirit remains the same - the Spirit of The Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. "I'm very fond of music and singing," said Sr Jacinta, who works with the WA Vocation Network. "I wanted to become a singer, not a Sister, but once I got my calling I didn't even explore other congregations. I just went and did it, and it felt right." She is now involved in the Mirrabooka parish music ministry playing the organ and has a bit of a sing too, so she gets the best of both worlds. "The one thing that has stayed with me throughout my ministry is to stand by people when things aren't fair for them - people who are on the edge, marginalised or lost. "Always in the back of my mind is the motto of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd: 'One person is more precious than the whole world'. It reflects the Spirit of the Good Shepherd." Now based at the convent at Ballajura, Sr Jacinta was born in Rangoon, Burma, but now finds her most rewarding duties in the service of others. "It's tough but very rewarding to touch lives," she said. "I feel now that when you have

Celebrate: Sr Jacinta Unger enjoys the festivities at her 25th anniversary celebration. a calling, you don't 'hear God', you just feel you want a life more rooted in prayer and solitude in that Spirit, with the quietness that comes with living together with your fellow Sisters.

"But that wasn't the story for me at the start. InitiallyI was attracted to the Sisters of the Good Shepherd when I sang with them and other young people back in Burma." She entered the convent with

three others. Two of them remain in the order today, both of whom also celebrated their 25th anniversary in Burma - Srs Veronica Anthony and Bridget Myo, both in Myanmar.

A little Lenten love needed ei By Sylvia Defendi

Happy bunch: Archbishop Barry Hickey is surrounded by tutors, students, Campus Minister, Tom Gannon and the McCormack family.

Perth's Catholic Mission Office is offering secondary school students the opportunity to share the message of Easter with those less fortunate. The Tor the Risen Christ' Easter Project is available to schools throughout the Easter season. Students are asked to set aside money that may otherwise be spent on chocolate eggs to send a small Easter gift parcel to assist poverty stricken children with their education. "These children are living and studying in impoverished and marginalised overseas communities where our Catholic missionaries live and work," said Director of Perth's Catholic Mission Office, Francis Leong. "In preparing and sending educational gift parcels to children struggling to afford their education, our students will be giv-

UNDA welcomes families Over 200 families of new Notre Dame University students attended the university's Family Day just before the academic year kicked off in late February. The day gives families the opportunity to tour the Campus and to hear first-hand what is involved in the early days of university life. A number of staff gave presentations on a range of issues such as; "Transition Into University - What can you Expect.. .How can you Help?, "Safety on Campus" and "Ministering to Campus - The Role of Campus Ministry at a Catholic University". James Scannell, Student Association President for 2007, welcomed students and their families and outlined some of the activities planned for the year. Arts and Sciences Behavioural Science lec-

turer, Dr Dawn Darlaston-Jones, emphasised 'drawing the line in the sand' for parents on how involved they could be with their child's degree. The days have now gone for calling the teacher for an explanation on progress! A fter Dr Darlaston-Jones explained the differences between high school and university Prospective Students Officer, Ms Fiona Whiteway said University is about students gaining their independence and it's important for parents to encourage them to handle issues on their own. After the presentation, families enjoyed afternoon tea together before having guided tours of the Campus. The day concluded with Mass in the University Chapel celebrated by the Archbishop Barry Hickey.

ing tremendous hope to poor children in a very tangible way, as well as reinforcing the work of our missionaries in spreading the message of the resurrection to all," he added. The 1-2kg educational gift parcel with accompanying Easter greetings is directed to a missionary lay person, sister, brother or priest who will be responsible for distributing them to the most needy. Once a school's interest is registered, the Catholic Mission Office will supply contact details and will inform the school when the parcel arrives at its destination. Mr Leong said ideal items for the parcel should not be too bulky or heavy. Boxes of chalk, pencils, notebooks, pens as well as vegetable seed packets and shirt buttons are among the most needed items. "These gifts will be a tremendous encouragement for children struggling to afford the resources necessary for their education," Mr Leong said.

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Page 8

Perspectives

editorial

Offering a real choice

he month of March this year represents the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery by the British Parliament and the occasion has been rightly seized in the United Kingdom to celebrate the life and dedication of the individual most commonly regarded as the crowning figure in slavery's demise - William Wilberforce. It was Wilberforce, the dissolute-turned-evangelical campaigner who entered Parliament in 1780 as the Member for Hull and spent his entire career working for slavery's abolition, finally achieved in 1807. Wilberforce also lived to have the great consolation of seeing the emancipation of the slaves throughout the British empire by Act of Parliament shortly before his death in 1833, but it had taken a lifetime's work to achieve and his own victory could only have come as the result of a sustained campaign by many others over many decades of apparently thankless labour. March also sees an event in Perth which in some ways closely parallels the push in Georgian Britain to end the evil of slavery when hundreds of women are expected to gather at the University of WA on Wednesday evening March 14 to hear Sydney-based writer Melinda Tankard-Reist and eight other women speak about another currently legal social evil - abortion. It is gratifying to see this women's only event being held here in Perth and Bunbury, even more gratifying to see the support it has attracted from across the political spectrum with Western Australian women ALP and Liberal MPs due to speak on the night as well as a female Christian Democrat. And one of the clear advantages of this event is that it will speak with a strong voice that government will have to listen to, because it consists of women speaking with the authentic voice of experience and conviction on an issue that, while it affects all, affects women and their children most immediately - and devastatingly. The difference between slavery and abortion is that the latter is far more deeply entrenched in our society, indeed in the culture of most affluent nations throughout the world, than slavery was in 18th century European and American life. Slavery affected 12 million Africans PO Box 75. Leederville, WA 6902 but abortion's victims now number in Tel: (08) 9227 7080. the hundreds of millions of children Fax (08) 9227 7087 throughout the world and the hundreds cathrec@iinet.net.au of millions of women who have been sold the lies that most commonly justify it. The toll of the last 30-plus years continues to mount, but events such as the WFA forum indicate that the tide is slowly turning. But like slavery, abortion rests on the falsehood that another person is a possession to be disposed of according to will. The evening seminar, which is for women only, is an exceptionally important development in the effort to build a culture of life and The Record urges women everywhere - whether of faith or of none at all - to be there to hear what the speakers say. The importance of this refreshing event lies in several things. One of the great developments of the pro-life movement has been the growing understanding that it is not enough simply to win the intellectual argument against killing unborn children. This has been clearly won over recent decades by writers in Australia of the calibre of Ms Tankard Reist, and by high-profile conversions elsewhere to the culture of life such as Dr Bernard Nathanson (the man who led the way to the legalisation of abortion in the US), Carol Everett, Dr Anthony Levatino, Dr Beverly McMillan (who visited Perth in 1998) and a string of other former abortionists. While their success is obvious on rational and empirical grounds, it has not led to legislative or even administrative changes. It has, however, greatly strengthened the position of those working for a culture of life who also walk with the women facing the abortion abyss before, or after - offering them the possibility of life and hope, or helping them to rebuild their shattered lives after they have experienced the lies of the abortion industry and its associated political lobby. Many women and men who may have considered themselves 'pro-choice' during parliamentary debates about legalising abortion have come to realise that the 'choice' offered to women has not been a real choice, and the outcomes - in terms of numbers of aborted babies and suffering mothers - is not a choice any self-respecting community could reasonably accept. They have come to realise that the parliaments where the majority declared themselves 'pro-choice' have subsequently proved themselves to be 'pro-abortion' because they have allocated almost no resources to ensure that pregnant women have real choice about giving birth to their babies. Experience has disproved the chanted slogans about freedom, and our society is beginning to demand true freedom. It is a mark of our own Pregnancy Assistance, which engages in precisely this work, that while many men assist, it is its women who carry out the bulk of its work, who have built it and continue to maintain it, especially in the often heartbreaking counselling of other women faced with crisis pregnancies and abandoned by family, partners and our medical and legal systems. This points very clearly to the fact that there is work to be done in the cause of life which women do especially well. In contemporary Australian political and social culture, women have a special role to play and a special voice of authentic experience and expertise in the ongoing effort to protect and build the culture of life. When the pro-life movement in its many forms is more widely represented by well-versed, intelligent, and capable women it will win the hearts and minds that will one day create a society that is childfriendly again, and truly respects women for all of their feminine genius.

Rile°

March 8 2007, The Record

letters to the editor ç

th e

,.ETTERS TO THE EDITC

Take stock, stop the rot Eor those who don't see any connection to what goes on in government and social justice, open and honest government is definitely another clear aspect of real social justice. to Local In relation Government in particular, before throwing in the towel, it would be very wise to consider a tested and proven method of weeding out corruption in Local Government. It is called the Precinct System of Open Participatory Government - a practical, common-sense approach which gives ratepayers, residents and business people the opportunity for community consultation before Council makes decisions which can so often dramatically and drastically upset people's lifestyles. It also calls upon Councils to be fully open in all their dealings, so that secret arrangements cannot be conducted behind closed doors. If the people of Western Australia have had a 'gut full' of the blatant corruption which seems to now permeate all levels of Government, then it is time to really ask whether they really

Prayer's staggering power

A

full colour advertisement depicting a rural scene appeared in one of my local area newspapers on Wednesday February 14. It was lodged by the Seventh Day Adventist Churches of Western Australia. They were inviting any one in the community to attend a prayer service commencing 1lam on Saturday 17 February. The prayer service was linked Australia-wide so that every Adventist church community could be found in prayer united in a common theme which was Praying for rain, an end to the drought and for blessings on those affected by the worst drought in recorded history. Fantastic! I noticed that around llam that day it began to rain and Perth received showers on and off for about two hours. Coincidence? I don't think so. Skeptics may say that the Bureau of Meteorology predicted rain anyway. However if! had received a bottle of bubbly for every time the Bureau predicted rain and nothing happened then I could open a fair sized bottle shop. Absolutely well done to the Adventists of Australia. While Federal and State politicians rabbit on and on about the water problem of Australia, and scientists predict dire consequences for Australia because of climate change, and whilst the largest Christian church in Australia, (Catholics) do relatively little about the situation our separated brethren decide to be politically incorrect on a national level and do the best thing about the lack of rain - get down on their knees and pray! We should be ashamed by our lack of response to this horrendous situation. Why is that we do not have an annual Sunday where ALL of the Catholic parishes of Western Australia offer up every Mass together with coordinated Rosary's and prayers for rain? It is simply not good enough that a few scattered metropolitan parishes pray for rain once or twice around about autumn time. Our church leaders are always asking for a deeper faith and a stronger showing of faith to a disinterested secular society. Surely there must be more Catholics out there who like me truly believe that when enough prayer is offered up for rain, then in spite of every prediction made by man, the Lord will make it rain. To our church leaders both priestly and lay, let's organize something similar to what the Seventh Day Adventists have had the courage and vision to do John Gilmour Mt Claremont

want to see honesty and openness or a continuation of more of the same. Perhaps it is time to take some personal responsibility and involvement in local level

politics, if is not already too late. I believe it is time to take stock and stop the rot. Marie Slyth West Perth

Safe rooms in East Timor In April 1999 the life of Luisa, from Dili, East Timor was changed forever. She was working as a nurse and midwife in Gelno, expecting her fifth child, when the referendum for an Independent East Timor took place. During this time the militia and the military undertook a campaign of terror and intimidation on the people in the hope to influence the upcoming vote. Luisa's husband was killed and her home was burnt by the militia. She then moved her family to Dili to live with relatives. After the announcement of Independence in September 1999 violence erupted again. Luisa and her children fled to the UNAMET (United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor) compound in Matadoru for safety and were evacuated to a refugee safe haven in Sydney, Australia. Whilst in Sydney, Luisa was given the opportunity to receive training in trauma counselling. Having experienced trauma first hand she was able to work with others, helping them to talk about their own personal experiences. After returning home in June 2000, Luisa joined PRADET (Program for Psychosocial Recovery and Development in East Timor) Timor Lorosae, working as a counsellor supporting survivors of violence, (including domestic and sexual). "Independence meant we had to rebuild our own country but first we needed to rebuild our broken people," said Luisa. Sadly, rape and sexual assault were used as a form of cruelty against women by the Indonesian military in East Timor. As many survivors of sexual violence did not attempt to seek help because of the stigma attached there was a great need for counselling and community education in this area. Luisa conducted training for the community where she provided

information and advice on how communities and individuals could assist a survivor of violence. The Caritas Australia Human Rights Law and Justice Program has been working on the issue of sexual violence since 2001. Caritas Australia was one of the first organisations to form a team to develop culturally appropriate training to address local community groups on the issue. By 2005 the program had moved towards strategies to prevent sexual violence and strengthen survivors. In April 2005 Luisa approached Caritas Australia to discuss the possibility of building a safe room at Dili National Hospital. A safe room is a place where survivors of domestic and sexual violence can go to undertake medical and forensic examinations in privacy. Caritas Australia Human Rights Law and Justice Program signed an agreement with PRADET Timor Lorosae to work as partners to build the new safe room at Dili National Hospital. Today Luisa works as a counsellor at the safe room. "Working in partnership with Caritas Australia's Human Rights and Justice Program has given me new opportunities to expand my knowledge and help assist the survivors of violence," Luisa said. As well as completion of the safe room, Caritas Australia assisted in developing and printing pamphlets about the facility in the local language which have been distributed to organisations, police stations, health clinics and hospitals throughout East Timor as a way of promoting the service. Caritas Australia is now providing support for a second safe room to be built in Oecussi, West Timor. Your donation to Project Compassion will allow Caritas Australia to continue to provide support for the people of East Timor as they rebuild their lives.

• Rehecort1

March 82007, The Record

Vista

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PHOTO AAP

A new voice: Melinda Tankard Reist says Women's Forum Australia started as an idea among friends.

Forum challenges the "Choice" myth At the Octagon Theatre at the University of WA on March 14 a Women's Forum entitled "Real Choices for Women" will bring together authors, politicians from a number of political parties, social activists and counsellors, all of them women. The meeting represents part of the tidal change in public thinking on aboriton. Forum organisers hope to peel back the slogans and examine how the so-called "choices" are really experienced by Australian women. The Forum is being organised by the newly formed Australian Women's Forum which is an independent women's think tank. The Record's Anna Krohn asks one of WFA's founders, author Melinda Tankard Reist, to tell us more about it.

7-1

h e Record: Melinda, Women's For= Australia (VVFA), is a new entity- a force for advocacy for women by women. Tell us something of WFAs genesis and your role in it? Melinda: WFA is a new movement of women which began as an idea among friends. I ran into old friend at a bioethics conference in Sydney We got talking late one night and discovered that both of us had been stewing on the idea of bringing women who were both pro-woman and life-affirming together to declare that women really deserved

better solutions than abortion. The abortion debate had gathered momentum at that time and we were concerned that debate would get bogged down in the usual polemics and sloganeering with no definitive progress for women. For all the noise, the great number of women would end up with abortion and more methods of abortion. The polemics simply shrink the space for the discussion in public policy for options which allow women to continue their pregnancies. So a couple of weeks later we organised a meeting and nearly 800 women turned up.

Even we were surprised by the sheer scale of the attendance. It was a great night, and there was a buzz in the air. Women were saying: "so, what next?" This can't be a one-off or simply a response to a single issue" The women said they were tired of the status quo - not only on abortion but on other issues which affected women every day We agreed. We have seen the carnage of abortion, the so-called sexual revolution and objectification of women posing as sexual liberation, the

pornographising of the culture and the effects born out on the bodies of young women - an epidemic of eating disorders, binge drinking and self-harm. In light of the response we received, the time seemed right to encourage this fresh voice for social change which was gathering force around a central ethic of concern for women's wellbeing and which was itself generated by women. We all realised that we did not like what the culture was doing to women and thought let's start a new women's movement and cater for women who feel their voices haven't been heard. We have since had several other very successful women's meetings around Australia. VVFA was incorporated as an Independent women's think tank a bit over a year ago and is now seen as a serious player in public debate The Record: The hundreds of women finding out about your meetings and Continued on Vista 2

National RCIA Conference

ui iij Wew Catholics

His Eminence, George Cardinal Pell, Patron

And Jesus said to his disciples Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, bprising the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to have commanded you. Mt 28:19-2,

Friday 15th - Sunday 17th June 2007 Mary MacKillop Place, Sydney NSW

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process of formation by which adults become members of the Catholic Church. Who is this conference for? Everyone who is interested in the growth and spread of the Catholic Faith in the twenty-first century! • Catechists and other members of parish RCIA teams will have an ideal opportunity to look again at the rites, and to re-evaluate their parish RCIA process. • Those who would like to learn about the RCIA process will find the presentations informative and inspiring.

III rit •

Our conference is designed to provide a comprehensive and organic understanding of the RCIA process. A stimulating, dynamic and practical guide to successful parish implementation will be presented. All liturgical, pastoral, and catechetical aspects of the RCIA process will be explained. The Conference will be run by 5 INTERNATIONAL GUEST SPEAKERS from The Association for Catechumenal Ministry. View their website for more information: www.acmrcia.org You are cordially invited to take part in this unique opportunity We recommend early registration to ensure your place, as numbers are strictly limited. For more information, or to obtain registration forms for the Conference, contact Anna Messina: Phone: Email:

Or 1800 775 102 (free call) info@formingnewcatholics.org.au

02 9251 5969 Fax: 02 9251 9833

Joanne Zwaans, Executive Officer Catechumenate Office Sydney Archdiocese

vr Yes, please post me an RCIA registration booklet today! I

Yes, I would like to receive ongoing information about the Catechumenate process

Name: Address:

State:

Postcode:

Phone: Email: Please complete and return the above form to: RCIA 2007 Conference GPO Box 62, Sydney, NSW 2001

National RCIA Conference

His Eminence, George Cardinal Pell, Patron And Jesus said to his disciples Go therefore and nklict- Chsc.ipie.5 &± Sill natioi1c 4,,wcising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Sant, teachipg them to r se have commanded you.

Friday 15th - Sunday 17th June 2007 Mary MacKillop Place, Sydney NSW

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process of formation by which adults become members of the Catholic Church. Who is this conference for? Everyone who is interested in the growth and spread of the Catholic Faith I in the twenty-first century! • Catechists and other members of parish RCIA teams will have an ideal opportunity to look again at the rites, and to re-evaluate their parish RCIA process. • Those who would like to learn about the RCIA process will find the presentations informative and inspiring. Our conference is designed to provide a comprehensive and organic understanding of the RCIA process. A stimulating, dynamic and practical guide to successful parish implementation will be presented. All liturgical, pastoral, and catechetical aspects of the RCIA process will be explained. The Conference will be run by 5 INTERNATIONAL GUEST SPEAKERS from The Association for Catechumenal Ministry View their website for more information: www.acmrcia.org You are cordially invited to take part in this unique opportun.rty. We recommend early registration to ensure your place, as numbers are strictly limited. For more information, or to obtain registration forms for the Conference, contact Anna Messina: Phone: Email:

or 1800 775 102 (free call) info@formingnewcatholics.org.au

02 9251 5969 Fax: 02 9251 9833

Joanne Zwaans, Executive Officer Catechumenate Office Sydney Archdiocese

Nor Yes, please post me an RCIA registration booklet today! Yes, I would like to receive ongoing information about the Catechumenate process Name: Address:

State:

Postcode

Phone: Email: Please complete and return the above form to: RCIA 2007 Conference GPO Box 62, Sydney, NSW 2001

•

•

March 8 2007, The Record

Page 2 • Vista

Vista • Page 3

March 82007, The Record

&logging bishops: prelates embrace new mediums to spread Gospels Podcasts, satellite radio among the latest venues where Church leaders reach out • By Michelle Martin

A new age is dawning in spreading the Word. In a faith as old as the Apostles, many Catholic prelates and other Catholic organisations are embracing new ways to communicate: the Internet and subscriber-based satellite radio. The Internet offers a way for bishops to reach their flock oneon-one, with a direct link to their computer.:, MP3s or personal digital assistants. In the case of blogs essentially online journals- readers generally have a chance to respond, as well. Proponents of new media efforts say they are simply going where the people are. "I have a teenage daughter, and this is the way they communicate," said Terence Donilon, communications director for the Archdiocese of Boston. "If you want to reach them, you have to use the iPod, text messaging, the web." According to a study by the Diffusion Group, 840,000 Americans listened to a podcast last year. Diffusion predicted that 56 million Americans would be podcast listeners by 2010; other studies put the figures much lower, but still in the millions.

The blogging cardinal To reach them, Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston last year started a blog (www.cardinalseansblog. org), a weekly web journal that gives

taking Sirius Satellite Radio up on its offer to develop a 24-houra-day, seven-day-a-week Catholic radio station that is available to the service's more than six million subscribers. While the Archdiocese controls the content of the message, Sirius helps present it in a way that will draw and hold an audience, said Joseph Zwilling, communications director of the Archdiocese of New York "We have a great message; we have the Gospel" Zwilling said. "You can't beat that. But we believe the listening audience is sophisticated now. When you turn on the radio, you have certain expectations of what you're going to hear. If those expectations are not met, you'll turn it off." The Catholic Channel debuted with Mass from St Patrick's Cathedral on the first Sunday of Advent last year and then went live with its full lineup, Zwilling said.He has no figures yet about how many people are listening - satellite radio does not use

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This week I met with several different groups of people in the Archdiocese of Boston, including women religious, directors of religious education, newly ordained priests and those who are preparing to be welcomed into the Church this Easter. Also, we announced yesterday that the 2006 Catholic Appeal rased 13.8 million dollars. Please know that I am most grateful to all who made our campaign a success. Through participating in the Appeal, Catholics express their heartfelt support for the programs and services that allow us to put our faith into action by helping meet the needs of our Catholic family and all who turn to us for assistance. To ad the Catholics who gave so generously, and the pastoral leadership seen in all of our parishes, thank you. Your support of the Catholic Appeal sustains the vital work we do today, and establishes the foundation for the way forward.

On Sunday, we welcomed over 500 catechumens (those who are not baptized) and candidates (those who are baptized Nit not Catholic) to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross for the Rite of Election. The Rite is one of the final steps in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (commonly referred to as the RCIA), the pnmary way non{atholics are prepared to enter the Church at Easter. As in the past, the ceremony was very impressive. The number of people — including their sponsors, relatives and directors of RaA — is so large that we split them up into two separate ceremonies. the first group filled the cathedral, and the second group was nearly as large.

the Arbitron ratings of broadcast commercial radio but feedback has been good. Talk-show hosts have had increasing numbers of listeners call in, and they are calling from all over the United States, he said.

Inexpensive venue An attraction to such direct channels of communication, both for Church leaders and other organisations, is that they can reach people directly, without the filter of the secular media. In Boston, that's an advantage especially with the publicity surrounding the sexual-abuse crisis that broke in 2002 and the subsequent parish closures and reconfigurations, Donilon said. While such efforts have some costs, including Web design and maintenance, offering podcasts and blogs is doable, Garcia said "It's extremely inexpensive' she said. "There was no reason not to do it."

Broadcasting: Morning host Gus Lloyd and Cardinal Edward Egan of New York during the debut of the Catholic Channel in the studios of Sirius Satellite, New York.

PHOTO- ENS/CHRIS SHERIDAN

Cardinal feedback

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hen Cardinal Sean O'Malley started blogging - writing a weekly journal on the Internet - last year, he was taking advantage of an opportunity to communicate directly to his people with information about what he had been doing, photographs of places he had been and people he met and explanations from his homilies. But at the same time, he gave his virtual flock an opportunity to communicate directly with him. Responses have come from around the world and every state, and for the most part they have been positive, despite a rocky period in the history of the Archdiocese over the past several years. The sexual abuse crisis that has rocked the US Church started with an investigative story in the Boston Globe in 2002, and Boston's former Archbishop, Cardinal Bernard Law, eventually stepped down. The Archdiocese had to close dozens of parishes. But most people have been very appreciative of Cardinal O'Malley's commitment to spend some time each week teaching and talking to them. The questions and comments that come his way are thoughtful and not unexpected," said Terence Donilon, communications director for the Archdiocese of Boston. "He enjoys the give and take."

Spreading the Good News: Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston was one of the first to begin blogging. Pictured is a page from his on-line blog.

him the opportunity to share what he has been doing, teach something about the faith and answer questions from the faithful. "Essentially, the cardinal recognised that we have some enormously valuable tools at our disposal," Donilon said. "We have a good opportunity to reach young Catholics in ways that weren't even on the table 20 years ago, and we can do it in a way that allows the Archdiocese to take care of its own destiny." "I'm amazed at the response." Cardinal O'Malley said in a

video available on iCatholic - part of the Archdiocese's Catholic TV website. "There were thousands upon thousands of hits, from every state and many, many countries?" That video, and the others on iCatholic, now are available as podcasts - audio or video segments available to be downloaded to iPods or other MP3MPEG4 players. Many, but not all, podcasts contain material produced for radio or television that is repackaged so that individuals can tune in on their own, any time they want.

Spreading the Gospel Since starting "Cardinalcast" at the beginning of the year, Cardinal O'Malley has offered talks on topics such as the Mass and its structure and origins and the faith life of the Hispanic Catholic community. In doing so, the Archdiocese of Boston joined other large sees, such as Chicago and Los Angeles, who make podcasts available on their websites. Even the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, which started making the readings of the day

'Real Choices' for women

W A's Melinda Tankard Reist speaks to The Record about the up-coming Perth Women's Forum Continued from Vista 1

simply turning up is remarkable. Now we all know insisting on the dignity of women is a concern for all men and women. But somehow the Women's Forum idea has provided the right mix of space, acceptance, honesty and security to attract the crowds? Yes. It's a particularly effective way of showing the media and politicians that the usual coalitions of the pro-abortion, proreproductive technology pressure groups do not own all women's voices. We represent the voices of women, who have been underrepresented in public debate. We want a better deal for women than the one we've got now, and we don't believe the answer lies in the methods of liberal prochoice feminists who have actually been a dismal failure for women in so many ways.

available via podcast starting with the first Sunday of Advent in 2006, is using this technology. "With the readings, there was a demand for it" said Pat Garcia of the Catholic Communications Campaign, the agency that coordinated the podcasts. The readings were available as text before, she said, but people were asking for it in an audio format.

On the radio The Archdiocese of New York adopted a different technology,

The Record: Having scanned through your webpage, your many press releases and newsletters, I see that you have a very active base drawing together contributions from a great diversity of women- both sides of the political party system, from different religious and ethnic groups, different age groups, even different ideological positions. Is there a particular philosophy which draws the WFA together?

actually makes practices that involve self-harm seem like the path of least resistance. The Record: You were part of a broad coalition of women calling its campaign "Hands Off Our Ovaries" in the recent parliamentary debate over the cloning of human embryos. The title was very arresting and overturned the predictable political responses to that slogan. Tell us about that experience?

We had had a couple of opinion pieces We - and our allies - share a common p ublished about the risks of cloning to women, ground in wanting to expose the hidden point that without dangerous making the coercive factors which motivate women to i of multiple eggs taken nvasive harvesting make so-called 'free choices' such as abortion, from bodies, there were no embryos women's prostitution, surrogacy or egg donation and and no experiments were possible. other exploitative practices. No one in the debate seemed to be asking: When women engage in anything that W here do the eggs to create human embryos harms their own bodies and selves, it is a come from? wake-up call to examine the circumstances Our articles were seen by the international of her choice, and to discover how genuine steering committee of the "Hands Off our her freedom was. We realised good research O varies Campaign" a broad coalition of women was and information gathering initiated by us who had come together to oppose cloning. We essential. were asked to join and were very happy to Our research shows strong associations, do so. We joined forces in Australia with the for example, between domestic violence and C oalition Against Trafficking in Women and abortion, between poverty and egg donation, F INRRAGE. between drug addiction and prostitution. The Record: The WFAs interventions Making all of these things seem sociallY acceptable or quicker and easier does not during the recent proposal to provide funding enhance women's decision making at all. It for pregnancy support and counselling

seems to have drawn a lot of angry fire from the more old-styled "choice" coalition. What made them so enraged? I think the family planning/reproductive choice establishment is used to having everything its own way. It becomes shocked when an alternative view point gets a public forum. The 'safe, risk-free, harmless' mantra surrounding abortion has become so automatica dissenting voice shocks its proponents. As a recent example, "The Choice" is a documentary shown on SBS. It included footage of women who regretted their terminations and of women who said they didn't. Pretty fair you would think. Yet one reproductive rights group has complained to SBS about the film - It seems they would not be happy until SBS complied with one hour full of happy abortion stories. Whenever we speak out, questioning abortion, providing evidence-based medical research demonstrating the many physical and psychological harms of abortion, we are labelled `anti-choice". Yet we are the ones calling for a range of real choices for women - not just the one choice of abortion. The Record: It seems to me that you are forming, very rapidly. a sort of alternative political or ethical community which is powered

by virtual communication and technology What keeps the momentum between your diverse support base "plugged in?" Ithink what keeps the momentum is the very scale of the need for social and cultural change - all of our women understand personally what a brutalised and toxic culture means not only for us but especially for our daughters. Our girls are growing up in an environment which is destructive to their self-esteem and overall wellbeing. They realise that by adding their voice to the work of WFA, maybe we can make a difference. As the saying goes "change begins with you." The Record: Along with your 'virtual" communication - perhaps the most emotionally effective arm of VVFAs work is your public "forum"- that is actual meetings with large groups of women. Tell us about the meeting you're planning in Perth? We are bringing our 'Real Choices for Women" forum to the west for the first time, following on from successful forums in other states.Ihaven't been to WA for almost 10 years and am really looking forward to it. We start in Bunbury March 13 then have the Perth forum on the 14th. There's a great line up of speakers, including MP's, women who have had abortions and a special guest speaker from Tasmania -

Bernadette Black, who has just launched a book called "Brave Little Bear" about her experience of being pregnant and having a baby at 16. The book challenges the stereotype that to have a baby so young will only end in disaster for mother and baby. The Record: What's on for the future for WFA? What can women do to find out more about joining or supporting the Forum? I think the future for WFA is bright We have new women coming on board every day, women who say 'where have you been all my life?" and who feel they have found a home with us. We are a grass-roots movement- and our lifeblood is the women who join us. There are new opportunities for womencentred advocacy - every day seems to bring reports of violence against women, trying to balance working life and family, reports about body image issues or the mistreatment of vulnerable and marginalised women. So while these issues continue there is a future for us. Women can find out more about us at www.womensforumaustralia.org They are welcome to join our mailing list or become members for a donation. - Anna Krohn writes a regular column for The Record and is an adjunct lecturer and tutor at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies in Melbourne.

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March 8 2007, The Record

Opinion

Spiritual spring-cleaning Catherine Parish

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he latest fad apparently sweeping that hotbed of the quick-fix, the USA, is 'spiritual housecleaning'. Ha, you might say, the Catholic Church has been talking about that -for centuries. But no, this is in fact about physical, actual housecleaning as in dusting and scrubbing bona fide toilets. By radically tidying and cleaning your house you somehow reach a sort of higher plane of consciousness and level of happiness. With all our talk of careers and fulfilment, it seems we women still have an ineradicable guilt about the cleanliness of our houses. Whilst this is providing a very nice little earner for a few women who have recognised and tapped into this yearning for household perfection, it also provides an intriguing insight into our still fundamentally simple human selves. Just as our recoil from ageing indicates the ingrained knowledge 'written on our hearts' that we are meant to

live forever, and our quest for physical perfection and willingness to undertake the arduous programs that promise it is a warped expression of that truth deep within us that knows that there is perfection to be found, so the urge to 'purify' our lives is the dim realisation of a very real human need. The only thing we get wrong consistently is where to find that eternal life, that perfection, that ultimate loving fellowship and communion with other souls, that cleanness and purity we all crave. Rather than looking at it as a human desire for a truth that begins within us but reaches its fullness beyond ourselves, we seek the solution only in ourselves, and the things with which we surround ourselves. Only natural I suppose for a blend of flesh and spirit that lives in a world where the material dominates. The answer for us is in both spheres. That is why we are called to do penance, to perform acts of reparation, pray; but these acts are not ends in themselves, they are done to show our love and goodwill - if we come to the altar and are at odds with our brother, we are supposed to first make our peace with him and then come back to the altar with our offering. A physical, actual act shows that we are really trying. We would all do well to take the advice about clearing out our houses and apply it to our souls! St Therese of Lisieux

Necessary chores: Keeping a clean soul is just as important as keeping a clean house.

used the same simile based on the novel experiences of cleaning in the convent for Jesus to come to her in Holy Communion. Dusting out the cobwebs, discarding anything that sullied that space, ruthlessly if need be, so that she had a worthy - or at least a less unworthy - dwelling for her Lord. We all need to shine the strong

light of grace into the darkest and dustiest recesses of our soul where neglected sins and faults are allowed to skulk and fester. We need to get into the places we avoid going to in our lives to clear out the useless accretions of years, whether it be sinful habits, resentment of past wrongs, or even just pinching the pens from work. We need to

recognise truthfully what is necessary to advance in the spiritual life towards holiness, and what holds us back. Lent is so valuable because it is our serious soul-cleaning time. And Mother Church knows that, like any cleaning, it has to be done regularly or the job just becomes too daunting to contemplate even starting!

inding peace with Gibney Fr Robert Cross, also an archaeologist, has been excavating the site of St Mary's Cathedral as large parts of it are dismantled in preparation -A( for its completion. This is part six in his series of his findings.

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aving successfully exca- insert timbers to support the base vated the coffins of of the coffin which had been eaten through by white ants. Bishops Martin Griver Confident that Bishop Gibney's and Matthew Gibney from under the floorboards of St soul was resting in eternal peace, I Mary's Cathedral, the next problem felt some sense of peace in dealing was how to remove the coffins from with his mortal remains! The next day, the coffins were the graves. From all appearances, the older successfully removed and placed coffin of Bishop Griver seemed on the Cathedral floor before a to be structurally sound, both in crucifix and candles for further terms of the outer wooden coffin archaeological investigation. and the inner zinc coffin. However, The coffin of Bishop Griver was the younger coffin of Bishop in a good condition. Unlike Bishop Gibney's coffin, Gibney was in a perilous state and required substantial support to lift it was little affected by white ant activity, probably because of some it intact. Two mechanical lifting devices protection afforded by the woolen with slings were used to lift the cof- material which covered the coffin. Apparently, white ants are fins. But before the slings could be placed under the coffin, lengths of deterred by the protein found in timber had to be inserted between wool. It was decided that the coffin of the coffin bases and the soil on which the coffins rested. This was Bishop Griver would be left intact for the time being and investigated not an easy task given the very conat a later date. fined space in which to work. On the other hand, white ant The night before the coffins were lifted from their graves, I became activity had seriously compromised very familiar with Bishop Gibney. the integrity of both the outer For, alone at night in a darkened wooden and inner zinc coffins of Cathedral,I found myself suspend- Bishop Gibney. Because there was ed on a plank only centimetres a fear that the coffin could disinteabove the skull of Bishop Gibney. grate when moved, the coffin was With arms reaching around both completely opened to investigate sides of Bishop Gibney's coffin, I the remains of Bishop Gibney. excavated beneath the coffin to Unfortunately, the white ants

had also affected the internal fittings and contents of the coffin as well as the normal body decaying processes. However, there was still much that could be discerned. Contrary to liturgical protocol, Bishop Gibney was vested in green Mass vestments. He should have been vested in purple. Obviously the Bishop's Irish heritage took precedence! The Bishop was also wearing a red zucchetto (skull cap), a roman collar, and ornate green Mass vestments, including a maniple. A green mitre with glass "stones" was resting over his stomach. As the white ant material was removed, a metal cylinder became visible along the side of the bishop near his right leg. Initially it was thought to be a crozier, but further cleaning revealed that it did not extend beyond the upper leg. There was much excitement as it became evident that it was a document cylinder. The cylinder had been severely corroded and there was doubt about whether the contents of the cylinder could be salvaged. The cylinder was carefully removed and a document conservator was contacted to see if the contents could be salvaged. To our surprise, the cylinder was found to contain

Anticipation: The intact coffin of Bishop Griver is carefully lifted.PHOTO FR ROBERT CROSS

five separate documents. Some were official Roman documents relating to his Titular Sees, the others being typed pages giving historical details about the Titular Sees. There were also a couple of Italian stamped envelopes in which the original Roman documents were sent. These documents have been conserved and are currently awaiting further investigation and translation. When the archaeological team

had completed archaeologically recording the coffins, a ceremony was conducted by Mgr Thomas McDonald to accompany the translation of the coffins from the Cathedral to temporary storage by Bowra and O'Dea Funeral Directors.

Eventually the remains of the two Bishops will be returned to a new crypt being constructed beneath the new High Altar of the Cathedral.

March 8 2007, The Record

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World Youth Da FEATURE

Goldfields get ready for WYD • By Sarah Fletcher and Harry Anus

The Catholic youth of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder parish celebrated the official launch of their journey towards the Sydney 2008 World Youth Day, on December 3 last year. Six young people aged from 15 to 20 were commissioned by Frs Phong Nguyen (parish priest) and Nelson Po (the Goldfields youth coordinator) as the Parish's 2008 WYD team leaders during the 5.30pm Mass at All Hallows Church in Boulder. Fr Po and Sr Rita Odelia LSP organised three previous meetings in 2006 with the young parishioners, which stirred their interest to travel and share their faith with the youth of the world at Sydney in 2008; and for them to also have the privilege of being the representatives for the parish of KalgoorlieBoulder. These six youth leaders are Ross Fletcher, Tim Cudini, Beth Banasik, Amy Joyce, Rachel Mills and Hayley Mincham. The Goldfields WYD team had

also made a banner and decorated the church for the special Mass. They also provided the music and participated in the liturgy. During the Eucharistic celebration, Fr Nelson gave an encouraging homily to the young, which included a video showing a detailed coverage of the 2005 WYD in Cologne, Germany. After the Eucharist, the families and friends of the six newly commissioned youth representatives enjoyed a pizza supper on the lawns of the church, during which some were interviewed. "I am especially looking forward to when the WYD Cross comes to our region in 2007," said Ross Fletcher, one of the youth representatives. "It is very moving to know that the Cross is travelling the globe connecting the Catholic youth and touching so many lives." Rachel Mills, another WYD team member, said: "We have plans for a quiz night and maybe a ball to help with fundraising so that the opportunity to attend Sydney in 2008 will be available for many of the Goldfields youth."

Well prepared: Six newly commissioned youth eagerly await their duty as representatives of the Goldfields region.

"Our families are already planning their own pilgrimages," she added. Fr Nelson, the Goldfields youth coordinator, said that he was very

pleased with the interest and commitment displayed by the six young people, and is looking forward to the journey to WYD 2008. "This is a lifetime opportunity not only

for the young people, but for all Catholics," he said. Any young people of the Goldfields who are interested in joining the WYD team should contact Father Nelson on 9021 2100.

South Perth nuns re-create the wonder of Taize • By Anthony Barich

In a remote countryside in the south of Burgundy in France you will find a place widely considered one of the most spiritual places in the world. It is called Taize. On any given day you're likely to find hundreds of young people there, from early teens to early 30s. Sometimes there are thousands. They seek quiet time for solitude

and prayer, away from the bright city lights, deadlines and daily hassles that dog their day and keeps any sense of God hidden from their lives. Here, in Taize, an international ecumenical community exists, where Catholics, Anglicans, people of any faith or no faith, come to find themselves and God. It has been run since 1940 by Brothers who live by their own work, accept no donations and are completely self-sufficient.

They did not ask the young people to come, they just came. They were drawn to it. How is it possible? You won't find any shops, no TVs or DVD players, no PS3s or iPods. These Brothers live in small groups - "fraternities" - among the extremely poor. In Perth, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart run their own little version of what Taize has to offer in their convent chapel in South Perth, just around the cor-

ner from the Perth Zoo, where a cacophony of a different kind can be heard. When Sr Maree Riddler, from the St Joseph of the Sacred Heart order, visited Taize a while ago, there were no less than 10,000 young people. They lived, for the most part, in silence. While walking to the hill of prayer in preparation of spending time with God they carried banners in each of their own

native language, saying one word: "Silence". And they abided by it. It was a mutual sign of respect for each other and the God they were about to let come into their hearts. The Sisters have done their best to recreate this in their own convent chapel, with Gregorian-like music which carries one above the clouds as if closer to God Himself, but, believe it or not, without any hallucinogens. To take part in Taize sessions, contact Sr Maree on 9334 0933 or email mriddler@sosjwa.org.au.

World Youth Day Cross finds new home in Perth • By Derek Boylen

A wooden Cross has found a new home in the Perth World Youth Day Office headed by Anita Parker. It was given to the young people of Oceania at the second World Youth Day in Buenos Aires, 1987. Back then World Youth Day was still a growing phenomenon and few people in Australia new much about it. Its journey to the current World Youth Day Office is an interesting one. In 1987 one million young people gathered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As far as we know, none of

the young people of Oceania attended this great gathering. Certainly none were registered. This created a particular problem. On the occasion of the second World Youth Day the Pope spoke extensively to the young people on the meaning and significance of the Cross. Towards the end of the week-long celebration he wished to give a wooden cross to each of the continents of the world. The problem for the coordinators was: who would receive the cross intended for Oceania? It was the day before the actual ceremony that by happenstance a Bishop recognised the

accent of a young Australian in a bar. The young Aussie from Albany was Catholic and just happened to be in Buenos Aires at the time. He was backpacking around South America at the time. It was an opportunity not to be missed. The next day he was whisked around Buenos Aires to be fitted for a suit and got a hasty lesson in papal etiquette. That evening he received the cross from His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Not liking the prospect of lugging a big Cross around South America the organisers had the cross shipped to his home in Albany, Western Australia where he

found it on his return. Not realising the cross' significance but thinking it might be important he sent it to the Catholic Youth Office in Perth where it was safely stored away and forgotten. It was not until ten years later in 1998 that it was discovered by youth ministry workers while cleaning out the store room clutter. Unfortunately, details regarding the identity of the young man from Albany have been hard to come by. Derek and Anita would welcome any information that readers may have. They can be contacted at derek. cmes@perthcatholicorg.au or Anita. parker@highgate-perthcatholicorg.au

Origins unknown: Anita Parker stands by the mysterious WYD cross at Perth's Catholic Pastoral Centre.

PHOTO ANTHONY BAR1CH.

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The World

March 8 2007, The Record

Scepticism over film claims

• By Vicente Poveda

N

o, long ago, Dan Brown's best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code postulated that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene were man and wife and had a child. Now the director of Titanic, James Cameron, claims to have tantalising archaeological confirmation of this. This week he released a documentary which purports to demonstrate that Christ did not rise from the dead, that the place where his body lay after the Crucifixion is not in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and that the central events of the Gospels are false. The Lost Tomb of Jesus was produced by Cameron and directed by an Israeli-born Canadian, Simcha Jacobovici, for the Discovery Channel. Its focus is a tomb found in 1980 in Jerusalem which, they say, appears to contain the remains of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, Mary Magdalene and their son. If the documentary's thesis is confirmed, the history of Christianity would have to be rewritten. However, the level of scepticism amongst the experts is very high. The government of Israel does not seem to attribute the slightest importance to the discovery. One proof of this is that Israel's Archaeology Authority handed over the ossuaries (boxes of bones) for the documentary's opening night in New York on February 26. Would it have been so easy to obtain permission if there were the slightest suspicion that these stone boxes really were amongst the most important relics in the history of the world? In any case, this is hardly a new story. Antonio Banderas starred in a 2001 film with the same storyline, The Body. He played Jonas McCord, a priest in charge of a similar discovery. And in 1996 it

The Lost Tomb of Jesus as alleged by a new documentary was the theme of a BBC documentary so sensational that it prompted a headline in the Italian newspaper La Stampa: "Jesus did not rise from the dead: we have proof". Strangely enough, however, Mary Magdalene, now in vogue after The Da Vinci Code, was not mentioned. The underground gallery in which the ossuaries were discovered in 1980 was unearthed during building construction in the district of Talpiot. Inside were ten boxes which apparently belonged to the same family. Six of them bore Aramaic inscriptions which identified the deceased as "Yeshua bar Yosef" ("Jesus, son of Joseph");

"Maria"; "Yose" (a nickname for Joseph), who must have been a brother of Yeshua); "Matia" (Matthew), presumably another brother; " Mariamene e Mara" ("Mary the master" or "Mary the teacher", according to the filmmakers), and a child named "Yehuda bar Yeshua" (Judah, son of Jesus). The Israeli Archaeological Authority is the body responsible for more than 30,000 sites in the Holy Land, amongst which are thousands of tombs similar to the one in the documentary. When Israeli archaeologists find a tomb like this, after analysing what has been found, they bury the remains

of the deceased and seal up the site. This is what happened to this particular gallery, which is now cemented over in an area next to an apartment block. The archaeologists who studied the tomb at the time say that in spite of the coincidence of names, nothing special struck them about the discovery. These names were very common in the time of the Second Temple, when Jesus lived. Critics of the documentary are describing it as a mere money spinner. Last year Cameron and Jacobovici released another Bibledebunking documentary for the Discovery Channel, Exodus

Decoded. It was highly profitable in spite of the fact that experts criticised it as containing numerous historical errors. The Lost Tomb of Jesus seems to run in a similar vein. The fact that they spent five years to produce it is a sign that the directors and the Discovery Channel which commissioned them are confident that it will turn a handy profit. Amongst the principal sceptics of the tomb of Jesus is Amos Kloner, emeritus professor of the University of Bar-Ilan. He was the director of the archaeological work carried out in the 80s in Talpiot. In recent times, he says, three or four ossuaries of the Second Temple period have been found with the inscription "Jesus, son of Joseph". One of these is in the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem - and no one has linked it to Jesus. "The name 'Jesus son of Joseph' has been found on three or four ossuaries," Kloner told the Jerusalem Post. "These are common names. There were huge headlines in the 1940s surrounding another Jesus ossuary, cited as the first evidence of Christianity. There was another Jesus tomb. Months later it was dismissed. Give me scientific evidence, and I'll grapple with it. But this is manufactured." Kloner has been completely dismissive of the so-called discovery. "It makes a great story for a TV film. But it's completely impossible. It's nonsense. There is no likelihood that Jesus and his relatives had a family tomb. They were a Galilee family with no ties in Jerusalem. The Talpiot tomb belonged to a middle-class family from the 1st century CE. Kloner's assertions were supported by other experts "Simcha has no credibility whatsoever," Joe Zias told Newsweek. Zias was the curator for anthropology and archaeology at the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem from 1972 to 1997 and personally inspected the ossuaries found at the Talpiot site.

Anti-terrorism concern for Bishops

Postal strain on JPII card requests

Philippine bishops express concern over abuses in antiterrorism bill

Rome office inundated with requests for JPII prayer cards, relics

Bishops in the Philippines have expressed concern over potential human rights violations which could result from an anti-terrorism bill. Bishop Martin Jumoad of Isabela said that, although he is "glad" the Human Security Act was passed by Congress, an independent body is needed to avoid such violations. "There should be another body of civil society that will evaluate or analyse the implementation," he told UCA News, an Asian church news agency, on February 28. However, he said, the bill could stabilize peace and order in his prelature on Basilan, an islandprovince. The Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, who have been blamed for bombings, kidnappings and kill-

ings in the southern region, have camps there. The bishop also expressed hope that the legislation will result in "respecting the bill of rights of every citizen." The House of Representatives passed the bill on February 19 after the Senate had passed it 11 days earlier. If President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signs the bill into law, authorities may detain suspects for three days without a court warrant and without filing formal charges. People "wrongly arrested" or detained as terrorism suspects would be entitled to compensation of up to $10,300 a day. The bill defines a terrorist act as "sowing and creating" a "widespread and extraordinary fear and panic" to "coerce the government to give in to an unlawful demand." The maximum punishment is 40 years in prison. Meanwhile, during a press conference Feb. 20 at St. Peter's Parish

in Quezon City, Bishop Antonio Tobias of Novaliches presented a statement that called the bill "despotic and tyrannical." The statement from the Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya, a nongovernmental advocacy organization, was signed by Bishop Deogracias Iniguez of Kalookan and retired Bishop Julio Labayen of Infanta. The statement said the bill would "strip the protection of every Filipino citizen against unwarranted government abuse." Terrorism is defined "so broadly" in the bill that citizens "legitimately expressing dissent," such as those working for political, social and economic change, are "at risk," it said. At a February 23 press conference, Ricardo Blancaflor, defence undersecretary, said there "must be something good" in the proposed law, since critics call it both "too draconian" and "lacking teeth." -CNS

The Rome diocesan office charged with promoting the sainthood cause of Pope John Paul II has exceeded its postage budget because of increased requests for prayer cards and relics of the late Pope. "We were getting about 50 requests a day, but overnight it grew to between 500 and 1,000 requests," a spokeswoman for the office said March 2. "We could not have foreseen this demand," she said. "It's an avalanche." Franciscan Brother Chris Gaffrey, who assists the office with English translations, told Catholic News Service that the vast majority of requests in late February and early March were coming via e-mail from the United States.

CNS had published a story about the cards and relics on February 26 and dozens of Web sites and blogs, or Web logs, ran links to the story. The prayer cards and relics, a small piece of one of the white cassocks worn by Pope John Paul, always will be distributed free of charge, but without an increase in donations the office cannot afford to mail them, Brother Gaffrey said. While one writer kindly sent the office his express mail account number, others wrote requesting cards for their entire parish without even thinking of what it would cost to ship them from Italy, he said. Several options for sending donations can be found on the official Web site of Pope John Paul's sainthood cause - www. JohnPaulIIBeatification.org The mailing address of the office is: Postulazione Giovanni Paolo II, Vicariato di Roma, Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano 6A, 00184 Rome, Italy. -CNS

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March 8 2007, The Record

Page 11

The World

Book by Polish priest creates more division Polish bishops criticize priest's book on clergy links to c ommunists • By Jonathan Luxmoore Polish church leaders have criticized a priest's book that examines clergy links with communist secret police in Poland. "It shows a worrying lack of concern for humanist principles," Archbishop Jozef Zycinski of Lublin told Poland's Catholic information agency, KAI. "I fear God will deal severely with those who've created such a sensation, treating secret police notes as a fount of truth which needn't even be contrasted with other sources." Archbishop Damian Zimon of Katowice said in a March 1 statement that the book "tendentiously selected" secret police material "with the aim not of seeking truth but of impugning the good name" of Bishop Wiktor Skworc of Tarnow, who was accused of collaborating with cornmunists in the book. Archbishop Zimon said he had instructed Bishop Skworc to meet with the secret police to "defuse social tensions" in southern Poland. He added that the book's author,

Archbishop Tadeusz Goclowski of Gdansk, Poland, talks to reporters after an emergency meeting of Poland's bishops on January 12 in Warsaw. PHOTO CNi , Father Tadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski, had "no formal or moral right" to investigate priests outside of the priest's Archdiocese of Krakow. The book, called "Priests in the Face of the Security Service," was released on February 28 by the Catholic Znak Publishing House

and is based on Father IsakowiczZaleski's 18 months of archive analysis. The book names several dozen priests as suspected former secret police collaborators, and says several bishops were registered as collaborators, including Archbishop

Wojciech Ziemba of Warmia. Father Isakowicz-Zaleski said at the book's launch in Krakow that he believed the Polish church had emerged victorious in its struggle with communism," but still had to confront the "Trojan horse" of the secret police archives.

He said church leaders had been reluctant to study material about the past because they feared further revelations. He added that the church's image would be "damaged by hiding the truth, not by revealing it." Father Isakowicz-Zaleski, who was harassed by regime agents, was permitted access in 2005 as an "injured party" to the archives housed at Poland's official National Remembrance Institute. However, in June 2006 Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow warned him to stop "throwing accusations," and in October 2006 the cardinal barred him from more research and public statements. Father Isakowicz-Zaleski said he had been "condemned to civil death" by Cardinal Dziwisz's October decree and said that he was prepared for legal action. Cardinal Dziwisz said in a February 28 statement that he had asked an archdiocesan commission to investigate whether the book conformed with church guidelines. Most of Poland's 44 dioceses have set up commissions to investigate the communist-era role of clergy since the January resignation of Archbishop Stanislaw Wielgus of Warsaw, although some Catholics have criticized the church control over the new bodies, which are staffed by clergy. -CNS

Pope's letter to Chinese Catholics to be released at Easter Pope Benedict XVI's letter to Chinese Catholics will be released at Easter time and will encourage the faithful, clarify issues of doctrine and call for full religious freedom, said China's cardinal. Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong told Catholic News Service in Rome on March 1 that he has seen drafts of the Pope's letter. A fter a two-day meeting in January on the status of the Catholic community in mainland China, the Vatican had announced that the Pope would be writing the letter. "On issues regarding the divine position of the church and freedom

of religion, the Holy Father will seek to clarify the truth," Cardinal Zen said. The cardinal, a Salesian, was in Rome to give a speech and preside at a liturgy at the Pontifical Salesian University. Cardinal Zen said that as a diplomatic courtesy Pope Benedict's letter will be translated into Chinese and will be sent to the government of China several days before it is released to the public. The situation of Catholics in China today is still very confused, the cardinal said. There are reports of arrests and of underground bishops who, hav-

the world in brief Abused women at risk When women are considered inferior beings, they face increased risks of exploitation, abuse and even death, said the Vatican's permanent observer at the United Nations. "The inferior status bestowed upon women in certain places and upon female infants in particular" makes them particularly vulnerable, Archbishop Celestino Migliore told the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women March 2. "In some local traditions, they are thought of as a financial burden and are thus eliminated even before birth," he said. "In this way, abortion, often considered a tool of liberation, is ironically employed by women against women."

ing come out into the open, are forced to concelebrate Masses with government-approved bishops, he said. A fter decades of harsh persecution of Catholics who maintained their ties to the Vatican and stringent efforts by the government to exclude Vatican influence over all areas of church life in the country, the communist government had appeared to be relaxing its stance. In 2005 several bishops were ordained who were approved both by the government-controlled Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Vatican. However, in 2006 the patriotic

Those who are allowed to live, he said, are often treated as a piece of property to be disposed of as soon as possible, contributing to a system in which marriage is simply a cover for "sexual exploitation and slave labour."

Hospice priest shot An Irish priest who runs an AIDS hospice in South Africa has been shot twice in the chest by robbers in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria. Passionist Father Kieran Creagh, 44, was shot in the early morning hours of March 1 when he answered the doorbell to his apartment in the back of Leratong Hospice, said Father Sikhalele Anthony Mdhluli, the superior of the Passionists in South Africa. Father Creagh

association moved forward with the ordinations of three bishops without Vatican consent. The Vatican issued statements after each of the ordinations expressing its disappointment that the patriotic association went ahead with the ceremonies. The statements also pointed out that canon law establishes penalties, including excommunication, for the bishops ordained and for those participating in the ordinations if they were acting of their own free will. Cardinal Zen said that while priests certainly were pressured into participating in the ordina-

thought someone was summoning him to see a dying patient, but he opened the door to eight men, Father Mdhluli told Catholic News Service on March 2. "He refused to let them in and called for help, but the security guard at the hospice had been tied up," Father Mdhluli said. The men fled with money from Father Creagh's safe as well as his mobile phone, television and other electronic equipment, he said.

Priest reinstated A Jesuit priest is to be reinstated as a chaplain at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Centre after a federal board ruled that he was fired because of religious discrimination. Father Henry Heffernan, 76, was ordered to be reinstated at the

tions it is unclear exactly how strong that pressure was. Some bishops have said the pressure was overwhelming, while others have disagreed on the extent of the pressure, the cardinal said. "What we know for sure is that there was economic pressure," he said. The government threatened to take subsidies away from those who refused to participate in the government-approved ordinations, he noted.The last parish that hosted a government-approved ordination was promised about $775,000, while one of the bishops ordained received nearly $26,000, he said. -CNS

NIH clinic in Bethesda, Maryland., by the Merit Systems Protection Board. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled in January that Father Heffernan was wrongly suspended and fired in 2004. The merit systems board, a quasi-judicial entity, upheld the decision.. The EEOC found that Father Heffernan was suspended and fired because of concerns he raised with the way the spiritual ministry director at the centre insisted upon a multifaith chaplaincy that Father Heffernan believed did not accommodate the spiritual concerns of Catholic patients. Among Father Heffernan's objections to the multifaith approach advocated by the office were that non-Catholic chaplains would not approach topics such as death and dying from a Catholic perspective and that they could not immediately provide sacraments to patients. -CNS

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March 82007, The Record

Page 12

Giving kids a fighting chance

Good News spread at doorsteps

Joondanna parish has been successfully running a program to give public school kids a chance to learn about the Bible, the fun way

• By Sylvia Defendi

• St Denis' parishioners starting 'em early

• By Sylvia Defendi St Denis' parish in Joondana has made a conscious effort to grow, as a parish, in the image of Christ, during the Lenten period. The family-friendly Lenten program is a first for St Denis' and allows adults, youth and small children to grow spiritually at levels that suit each age bracket. At the first meeting, held at the parish on February 28, small children played with playdough as their guardians spoke to them about Jesus Youth gathered in the church with their workbooks as they listened to the words of the Bible, and the adults gathered to discuss their spiritual journey, knowing their children were in good hands. The Lenten program, led by parishioners Barbara Harris and Fr Paul Pizen, was run during Lent last year, but, it did not accommodate the large number of families with young children. This year's focus on the family has blended the social with the spiritual and encouraged parish growth and community among families. "Ideally we would like people within the parish to share their spiritual journey with each other, to feel comfortable in sharing their struggles, hopes and fears in community," Mrs Harris said. "Those involved have the opportunity to share but are not forced to in anyway. "The main focus is to learn about the faith during this pertinent time of Lent," she said. The American-produced program will foster, among the adults involved, an understanding of

Loving it: Younger children have fun with playciough while others learn about the Bible.

PHOTOS S'I'L4lA DEFEND!

what it means to grow in the image of Christ with weekly readings and discussion sessions. The success of this initiative can be measured by the 16 families involved, most of which had enjoyed the parish's program last year and were glad to bring the family along this year. "I went to the Lenten program last year and believe it will provide good Lenten preparation for the whole family," said Vin Rees, who has been a parishioner for 45 years. For others, the six-session program has provided an opportunity to participate in the Lenten program. Parishioner Andrea Marinucci said she intended to attend the program last year and was encouraged to do so this year by the family friendly nature of the program.

PHOTO SYLVIA DEFEND!

Learning: St Denis' Primary School teacher Gerard Franchina teaches kids.

Singles Ball planned for May • By Mark Reidy The lack of opportunity for Christian singles to meet one another is what is motivating Julie Pearce to organise a Singles Ball at the Sheraton Perth Hotel on Saturday May 5. Miss Pearce, founder of Figtrees Christian dating agency, knows firsthand the difficulties of meeting others of similar faith and values - it is what inspired her to finance and establish her own business. In generations past, she says, Christians were able to meet partners through church and associated dances, but now that people's time is spread over a broader range of interests and activities, these opportunities were no longer available. In her experience since becoming a Christian four years go, Miss Pearce has noticed that while

smaller churches seem to have a family and community spirit, there were often not many singles, and that larger churches, which contained many singles, had no regular or organised means of meeting one another. "God started prompting me to step out in faith and do something", she says. Shortly after Figtrees was conceived and through her individualised attention she has been able to successfully provide group dinners and one-on one dating service for her members. Miss Pearce sees the Christian Singles Ball as a natural extension of her agency, although it is open to all single Christians, not just Figtree members. "This is the opportunity for all adult singles within the body of Christ to gather together for a night of dancing, great food, fellowship and loads of fun", she says. The Black Tie event will be

hosted by John Donoghue (JD) from Christian radio station 98.5 Sonshine FM and will include activities such as Red Faces, Dancing with the Stars and much more. Miss Pearce says that a fun-filled evening is guaranteed for all who attend, as well as the opportunity to meet that someone special. The Ball will be held in the Sheraton's Golden Ballroom from 7pm to 12am. Tickets are $150 per person and include Pre-dinner drinks & canapes, Main course, Dessert, tea, coffee, chocolates, beer, wine and soft drinks. For more information visit the website www.figtrees. com.au or contact the Ball Hotline on 9487 8218 and leave details for a brochure to be sent.

Spearwood parish has gone out of its way to bring the Good News to the entire parish area this Lenten season. Inviting the Legion of Mary to conduct a Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC), which essentially means Traveling for Christ, the parish was able to update its records while evangelising the parish area one door at a time. Groups of Legionaries scoured the 15 km' parish area knocking on doors. Each group was armed with parish Mass times, Rosary beads, miraculous medals and prayer cards. "We undertake to knock on every door and get in touch with every soul," said Marie Callander, a Legionary from Melbourne. Approximately 14 people, most of whom traveled from Melbourne and Adelaide, took part in the 14day PPC which began on February 17. The PPC group visited 5780 homes in total and were able to provide parish priest Fr Valerio Fenoglio with a good understanding of his growing parish community and those who were interested in the faith. Antoinette Waite, a Legionary from Melbourne, who participated in the Spearwood parish PPC, said knocking on doors was difficult and took a lot of courage. "Legionaries seek to imitate our mother Mary's humility, obedience, heroic patience, self sacrifice and courageous love of God and faith," she said. Each day the Legionaries met at 8am for communal prayers, followed by Mass. The Legionaries spent five hours walking the streets of the parish each day, returning in the afternoon to meet those who were not home in the morning. "God wants everyone to be saved, even the most lost. God does miracles with our cooperation. He will do the rest," said spiritual director of the Spearwood presidium, Fr Johnson Malayil. Legionaries were cared for by the parish community, who provided homes, beds and food. With over 17,000,000 members worldwide the Legion conducts many PPCs throughout the year, allowing any active legionary over the age of 18 to participate. One Legionary, present during the Spearwood PPC, was 87 years of age and had participated in over 43 PPCs. Experience is not necessary though, Mrs Waite said, "however it does prepare you to face adversity". "Sometimes residents confuse us with other religious organisations and we don't have any time to introduce ourselves before the door is shut on us," she said. Despite the difficulties, Fr Fenoglio said he was grateful to the Legion for the work they had successfully done throughout the parish. "We decided to host a PPC in order to know how many parishioners were within the parish surrounds, to alert those who have an interest in the faith of opportunities within the parish community and most importantly to create a renewed interest in those who may have strayed," Fr Fenoglio said.

March 82007, The Record

Page 13

Dropping off the edge, and out of sight • By Paul Gray

A Jesuit Social Services report has identified 68 local government areas around Australia which are home to much greater social problems than the rest of the country. The 'Dropping off the Edge' report indicates that those who suffer most acutely from social disadvantage are largely out of sight and out of mind, most of the time, as far as the rest of the population is concerned.

The 68 most disadvantaged areas all suffer from higher rates of criminal conviction, disability support pensions, psychiatric admissions and long-term unemployment. The study includes data on disadvantaged communities in all Australian states including Western Australia. Speaking at the report's launch at Parliament House in Canberra, Professor Tony Vinson from the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Sydney listed six specific characteristics of Australia's

most depressed localities. He said they suffered from: • Double the rate of unemployment compared with other places in Australia. • More than two and a half times the rate of long-term unemployment. • Almost double the rate of disability support and psychiatric admissions. • More than double the rate of criminal convictions. • Nearly three times the rate of imprisonment. • Confirmed child

maltreatment cases more than

three and a half times higher than elsewhere in Australia. Also speaking at the launch, project manager Fr Peter Norden SJ said that Jesuit Social Services has been examining the data on disadvantaged communities for the past 10 years. Australia has become more prosperous as a result of economic growth over the last 15 years, but it is clear that not all Australians share in the good times, Fr Norden said. "We were amazed," he said.

'Stoners' are the new `bogans' • By Paul Gray

You may have heard of "bogans"

- a slang word for the socially

unfashionable - but "stoners" is a new term for many of us. According to the National Drug and Alcohol and Research Centre, "stoners" is a new term of disapproval used by young people to denote those who are fond of smoking cannabis. The drug, considered fashionable in the 1960s and '70s, is now increasingly viewed by young Australians as a socially embarrassing indulgence, the Centre found. The Centre, based at the University of NSW, released a

survey of 1500 adult Australians. It showed that it is "not as acceptable as it once was to be stoned," said the Centre's Paul Dillon. Other findings in the survey were that around 20 per cent of respondents believe marijuana use always leads to harder drugs. Today, more people than in previous generations also think that cannabis is highly addictive. Three in four Australians today think cannabis use is dangerous or very dangerous, the report's authors say. Despite these encouraging signs, cannabis use remains widespread with almost half (47 per cent) of Australians aged under 30 saying they have friends who use

cannabis, according to the Centre. A further problem also brought out in recent National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre findings is that young Australian males are still prone to alcohol abuse, despite education about the issue. The Centre found that young men do not respond to school-based drug education programs as well as young females do. "Young males are a much harder group to reach," said Laura Vogle, researcher at the Centre. The recent alcohol and marijuana studies highlight the struggles by secular, universitybased professionals to combat signs of spiritual sickness among young Australians.

Lobby attacks rating change attempt • By Paul Gray

The Australian Christian Lobby has denounced a move to overturn the X-rating of pornographic films which depict actual sex. "Rather than giving films showing real sex an R classification, the Office of Film and Literature Classification needs to be making tougher classification decisions," said the Lobby's managing director Jim Wallace. The Office's guidelines should be amended to get rid of loopholes which already allow real sex to be shown in R-rated films

for reasons such as artistic merit, Mr Wallace said. The Lobby was reacting to news that an "adult shop" proprietor was taking court action to challenge an X-rating given to a film which depicted real sex. The film chosen for what has become a test case of the law in this area was one which the Office's Classification Review Board had deemed to have no artistic merit, but had been put together "solely for the sexual stimulation and arousal of the audience." The movie had no plot, the Board said. "The persons (in it) are not given names. There were no discernible themes of any note." The presence of X ratings

means that such films cannot be sold in video shops or shown easily in cinemas. One report estimated the potential market for such films, should the X classification be removed, at $400 million a year. Feminist academic Sheila Jeffreys commented that the word "pornography" was in fact too soft to describe these "apparently non-violent films." Rather, she said they represent a form of abuse, of women. "The films can take 12 hours to make," Dr Jeffreys said. "Women have to take double or triple penetration, they take pain killers and muscle relaxants, drugs, alcohol to dissociate, to help them cope."

"Holy Father,Iwant to ask you something!" Pope Benedict XVI answers questions on Vocation, Marriage, understanding Holy Scripture, and speaks of the Last Supper and the meaning of EASTER. For your FREE copy write to: Tyburn Priory, 325 Garfield Rd East, Riverstone, NSW 2765 (Printed with permission of Libreria Editrice Vaticana)

e—Couples Corner Hints for a Happy Marriage with Derek Boylen

Poor Expectations One of the main reasons people cite for their divorce is that marriage wasn't what they expected. Uncommunicated expectations can be a large cause of disappointment and conflict in marriage. Make time to share your expectations for each day, before going out, going on holidays, etc. And evaluate if your own expectations of yourself, your spouse and your marriage are realistic. Catholic Marriage Education Services

• Join Pope Benedict XVI in prayer February General intention: Hearing God's Word. That the Word of God may be ever more listened to, contemplated, loved and lived. Mission intention: Lay formation. That the

training of catechists and lay people may be the constant concern of those responsible for the young Churches.

Reflective reading from This week The Record offers its readers two insightful books in family development. With a focus on marriage and children both resources are a must for developing and established familes.

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"Our previous findings in 1999 and 2004, focusing on NSW and Victoria alone, have now been reinforced and we've discovered that it is a pattern throughout Australia." Fr Norden said that as with the challenge of indigenous disadvantage, the alienation of whole communities within mainstream Australian society should not be tolerated, especially in times of obvious economic growth and prosperity. The report can be ordered online at www.a ustraIia ndi sadva ntage.org.a u

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Page 14

March 8 2007, The Record

Reviews

The humanity and horror of war Sharpe's Fury by Bernard Cornwell HarperCollins $32.99

Sharpe's

Fur4ir 30,

Reviewed by Hal Colebatch

Once again, Bernard Cornwell has outdone himself in the masterful historical fiction, Sharpe's Fury.

I

t is traditional in the officers' messes of British regiments for Mr Vice, the junior officer present, to propose the toast to his brother officers: "Gentlemen, The King!" (or Queen). In 1811, in the evening after the Battle of Barossa in the Peninsular War, the 28th Regiment had to modify this toast to remove the plural "Gentlemen," for there was only Mr Vice and one other officer alive to drink it. A model of the scene is preserved in the regiment's museum. The Battle of Barossa, which the British won against impossible odds, makes a resounding climax to Sharpe's Fury, the 21st book chronicling the career of Bernard Cornwell's fictional soldier, the promoted ranker Major Richard Sharpe. A new Sharpe story is an event, and the growing army of Sharpe's devotees will not be disappointed by Sharpe's Fury. Cornwell is a splendid teller of military and historical tales. His research seems faultless, but he carries it lightly. Above all, his work has such an air of realism about it that one wonders if he was somehow actually there (he has also written of ancient Britain, King Arthur, King

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Alfred the Great, the Grail Quest and the American Civil War, so if he has a private Time Machine it is a versatile one). The soldiers of the British Army in the Napoleonic Wars, paid a shilling a days less stoppages, were described by the Duke of Wellington in a moment of particular but passing fury as "The scum of the Earth, enlisted for drink." Cornwell does not falsely glamorize the soldier's life, but nor does he go too far in the other direction. Cornwell's characters, like those of C. S. Forester, Patrick O'Brien and others in the first rank of historical novelists of the period, are not clichés but real and believable and may be convincingly surprising. It was a world and a time in which there

was not only savage war and iron discipline, but also gleams of enlightenment. Laws and regulations were important and newspapers were beginning to become so. Most British officers still bought their commissions about 5% were promoted rankers - and there were still rich men who raised and led their own regiments, but considering how relatively small a role merit seems to have played in promotion they did win a large number of battles and ultimately the war, and did so with relatively little of the looting and devastation that seems to have been universal where the meritocratic French Army marched under the ideals of liberty, equality and brotherhood. Given all this, and the character of Sharpe, a man hard as nails but also capable of both shrewdness and humanity, and, as a Rifleman, serving with the British Army's first elite of "thinking soldiers," who were meant to use individual initiative rather than be drilled into automatons, Cornwell has made another rousing and enthralling story that shows the humanity as well as the horrors of Nineteenth-Century war. Cornwell also shows a niceness of feeling others might do well to emulate in that he is at pains not to defame the memory of real people involved. Real heroes are mentioned but the villains have fictitious names. Among the real heroes recalled, incidentally, is the Irish Sergeant Masterson who made the British Army's first capture of a Napoleonic Eagle standard with the memorable words: "Bejabbers, boys, I've got their cuckoo!" (He also got a battlefield commission). The first part of Sharpe's Fury also shows Cornwell's masterful knowledge of the complex diplomacy of the period. When Napoleon invaded the Iberian Peninsular, those traditional enemies,

England and Spain, with memories stretching back to Drake and the Armada (and they had fought as enemies at Trafalgar only six years before) were forced into an uneasy alliance. There was certainly a religious element in that fact that Catholic Spain and Protestant England saw France, still, despite Napoleon's brutal pragmatism, claiming a sort of heritage of revolutionary atheism, as a common enemy This was further complicated by the fact that the British Army was full of Irishmen. Indeed, the British government had set up and financed Maynooth College for the training of Catholic Priests in 1795, only a few years earlier. An interesting cartoon from the period by James Gillray shows, after centuries of antiPopery, Protestant Britain coming to accept Catholic Spain as a strange and unexpected, but nonetheless welcome and valuable ally. To complicate matters further, the British kept an iron grip on the traditionally Spanish Gibraltar, but also defended the Spanish Government which had retreated to a last, besieged fragment of territory at Cadiz. Furthermore, there were various proFrench elements in Spain at odds with the conservative government. The Spanish troops were capable of great bravery but inefficiency made the Spanish Army and administration unreliable. Sharpe, before finding himself at Barossa, must rescue some purloined letters in the stews and Cathedrals of Cadiz, while doing nothing to upset the fragile Anglo-Spanish alliance. Cornwell can write compellingly of intrigue in dark alleys and dingy editorial offices as well as of cannons and bayonets. This is a rousing and expertly-written, if sometimes bloodthirsty, piece of historical fiction.

The value of family The Namesake w By Harry Forbes (CNS)

NEW YORK (CNS) - "The Namesake" (Fox Searchlight) is a superb, beautifully acted over-the-years saga of cultural assimilation. It starts in 1977 as Indian newlyweds Ashima (Tabu) and Ashoke Ganguli (Irrfan Khan) emigrate to New York after their arranged marriage. When they first arrive, living in a cold, dreary apartment, they hardly know each other and Ashima can barely conceal her homesickness, but as time passes and they face life's challenges, a deep bond develops, a love that will be only articulated in the most understated way during a family trip to India. The film seamlessly jumps through the years without the usual onscreen transitional devices, resulting in a fairly fast paced narrative. Daughter Sonia (Sahira Nair) marries and moves away, while Yale-bound Gogol (Kal Penn), named for Ashoke's favourite author, is a loving son, but like many teenagers, he gives his now comfortably well-off parents - Ashoke is a college professor, and Ashima a librarian - thoughtlessly short shrift, and is indifferent to their sacrifices and his rich heritage. Gogol would rather spend more time with the shallow - but not altogether insensitive blue-blooded Maxine (Jacinda Barrett). A later romance with the sophisticated, fellow Bengali Mazumdar (Zuleikha Robinson), whom he had met briefly when she was a pre-

cocious child, illustrates a different side of straddling the cultural divide. Ashoke's graduation present to his son - a volume of the Russian author's writings - is unappreciated until years later, when Gogol poignantly learns the full significance of his moniker. The joys and vicissitudes that befall the Ganguli family result in a universal story to which every family - no matter the ethnicity - should relate fully. Director Mira Nair's sensitive adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri's acclaimed novel (script by Sooni Taraporevala) - a far cry from her last film, the underrated adaptation of "Vanity Fair" holds your interest right up to its emotionally devastating two-hankie conclusion. The lovely Tabu is the film's warm centre, conveying every subtle emotion effortlessly, and like Khan, aging most convincingly over the decades. Penn, in a serious change of pace from films like "Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle," also skillfully undergoes several transformations, both physical and emotional. Though there are a few uses of the "s" word, and some minor sexual elements, this is highly recommendable for upper teens and up - in fact, some parents might even think it should be required viewing - for its emphatic affirmation of family, appreciation and respect for one's parents, and embracing one's heritage with pride. Nair's uplifting and beautiful film encapsulates all the important elements of our humanity so deftly that watching it almost offers the palpable essence of life itself.

The in-laws: Tabu, Kal Penn and Jacinda Barrett star in a scene from the movie "The Namesake! PHOTO. CNS PHOTO/FOX SEARCHLIGHT

The Eternal Word Television Network On Access 31 every Sunday 1pm - 2pm Coming Programs - March 4 11

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The John Paul II generation / Fr Benedict Groeschel with Fr Mitch Pacwa [EWTN Live] Round Table on the Eucharist / Fr Gray Bean, former Baptist pastor ; Shawn Reeves, non-denominational ; Noah Lett, Lutheran, with Marcus Grodi [Journey Home] St Thomas More,Faithful Statesman! Dr Gerard Wegemer with Fr C.J. McCloskey: A Christian Socrates in action ; St Thomas More on Education Sponsored by Monsignor Keating and the parishioners of Bateman Parish Where didIcome from? - Where am I going - How doIget there? ; The winning side, the culture of life / Dr Charles Rice and Dr Theresa Farnan with Doug Keck [Bookmark]

If there should be any change in this timetable, we will notify you in Panorama Rosary Christian Tutorial Association P.O. Box 1270, Booragoon 6954, Enquiries: 9130-2467

March 82007, The Record

Page 15

Classifieds

P ANORAMA

a roundup of events in the archdiocese Tuesdays March 6-27 CATHOLICS MAKING A DIFFERENCE Through Works, Witness and Words, is the title of a series of four challenging an inspiring video talks to be held at the John Paul Church hall, Willetton at 7.30pm. The talks, by a variety of speakers is a CaFE (Catholic Faith Exploration) program especially appropriate for Lent. All Welcome. Saturday March 10 EVENING PEACE PRAYER VIGIL North Perth Redemptorist Monastery Church 6pm - 9.30pm. Join us as we pray for PEACE in the many countries of the world where fighting, terrorism, fear, massacres, oppression, unlawful imprisonment, denial of human rights, etc. prevail. Exposition of Blessed Sacrament, Prayer Leaders, Music, Overheads, Quiet Time, concluding Blessing. Monday March 12 to Friday 16 LENTEN MISSION 6.30pm - 8.30pm each evening: Preached by Fr John Rizzo of the Fraternity of St Peter with Mass at 6.30pm followed by spiritual conference, Holy Hour, confession, silent adoration and Benediction. Please attend as part of your Lenten devotions. Spiritual conferences on the seven capital sins at St John/s Pro Cathedral, Victoria Ave, Perth. Inquiries 94449604 Wednesday March 14 LENTEN MASS FOR CHILDREN IN POVERTY A Lenten Mass offered for children in poverty starts at 10am, St Therese of Lisieux Chapel at the Catholic Pastoral Centre. Main celebrant: Fr Patrick Byrne SVD, Secretary-General of the Pontifical Society for the Missionary Childhood. Light refreshments and an opportunity to speak to Fr Byrne after the Mass. RSVP Catholic Mission on 9422 7933. Friday March 16 CATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL - CATHOLIC ADULT FAITH EDUCATION At 7.30pm at LJ Goody Bioethics Centre, 39 Jugan Street, Glendalough. There will be a Catholic Adult Faith Education conducted by Fr Greg Donovan. All Welcome. Enquires Rita 92721765, Rose 0403300720. Saturday March 17 SAINT PATRICKS DAY MASS The annual Saint Patricks Day Mass organised by the Irish Club of WA, will be celebrated at 10.30am by Archbishop Hickey at Saint Joseph's Church, Salvado Road Subiaco. All welcome. Saturday March 17 YCS RIVER CRUISE The Young Christian Students are running a River Cruise to take off from Barrack St Jetty, Perth, at 7pm to return at 10.30pm. There will be a DJ, nibbles and 'mocktails' provided, all included for $30. Dress: neat casual, in St Patrick's Day theme if you like. Contact Catholic Youth Ministry on 9422 7912. Saturday March 24 CELEBRATION MASS Archbishop Hickey will celebrate Mass on the Day of the Unborn Child, to be held at 10am on Saturday 24 March at St Joachim's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Park. Followed by a Holy Hour. All welcome to attend, especially children. Monday 26 March SPIRITUALITY AND JUSTICE: BEING HUMAN IN A CHAOTIC WORLD. 5pm -8.30 pm at the Perth Theological Hall, Worship Centre, Murdoch University (including light refreshments and worship) Registrations to 9360 6880 or a.watson@murdoch.edu.au. March BIBLE REFLECTIONS The 'Workers in the Garden of the Holy Family' are conducting fortnightly Bible reflections at St Mary's Church, Parish Centre (40 Franklin St, Leederville) commencing at 7pm, March 14 and 18, April 18, May 2, 16 and 30, followed by refreshments For enquiries phone 9201 0337. April 15th CORRIGIN CONVENT REUNION As the school rooms are to be demolished a reunion of all past pupils of the Corrigin Convent parents and friends will be held on April 15th at 10.30am in Corrigin. Please contact Gwenda Walton PO Box 92 Corrigin or 90632740 after hours. Sunday May 6 BUSSELTON MAY ROSARY CELEBRATION In Honour of Our Lady held at Bove's Farm, Roy Road, Jindong. Singing at 12.30pm. Mass led by Fr Tony Chiera, commences at 1pm, followed by Rosary Procession and Benediction, refreshments provided. Bus bookings from Perth to Bove's Farm can be made with Francis Williams 94593873 or 0404893877.

Every Month MONTHLY SCRIPTURAL PRAYER PROGRAM The Council for Australian Catholic Women (CACW) is offering a Scriptural Prayer Program developed in the Jesuit tradition. This form of prayer can lead to more reflective living, greater spiritual depths and promotes lay spiritual leadership in the Church. Led by Kathleen Brennan (ibvm). February 26, March 26, April 23, 7.30pm, 49a Vincent St, Highgate. Enq: 9345 2555. Every Saturday HOLY HOUR St Francis Xavier's Church, 25 Windsor Street, East Perth, every Saturday afternoon from 2.30pm a Holy Hour will be held with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet and prayers plus Reconciliation and Benediction. Every Sunday BULLSBROOK SHRINE Mass celebrated with Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 2pm at the Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Reconciliation in Italian and English before every celebration. Monthly Pilgrimage last Sunday of the month. Anointing of the sick during Mass on the second Sunday of the month. Side entrance of Church and Shrine open daily 9am and 5pm for private prayer. Enq SACRI 9447 3292. Every Monday WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FOR THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS The Emmanuel Centre are offering to help people who gain weight because they are using medication for their mental illness. The group helps participants to manage their weight safely and healthily. Mind-Body-Life meets at the Emmanuel Centre on Mondays from 12.30-2.30pm. Free. The group starts with a weigh-in, then a talk on nutrition and healthy eating tips, goal setting and then half an hour of exercise. Enq: Amanda - Emmanuel Centre, 9328 8113. Every 1st and 3 Friday of the month CATHOLIC FAITH RENEWAL Every 1st Friday of the month, Praise and Worship Evening held at St John and Paul's Church, Pinetree Gully Road, Willetton at 7.30pm and every 3rd Friday of the month, Catholic Adult Faith Education by Fr Greg Donovan held at LJ Goody Bioethics Centre, 39 Jugan Street, Glendalough. All are welcome, Enq: Rita 9272 1765, Rose 0403 300 720. IS YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER UNDECIDED AFTER SCHOOL? If your child has finished school unsure of what they really want to do, offer them a productive year discovering God's purpose for their life while learning practical life skills. They will develop leadership skills, communication and public speaking skills, and learn more about the Catholic faith and deepen their own faith in God. Contact Jane Borg (Acts 2 College) on 9202 6859 or 0401 692 690. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Is alcohol costing you more than just money? Alcoholics Anonymous can help. Ring 9325 3566. AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS If a loved one's drinking is worrying you - please call Al Anon Family Groups for confidential information meetings etc... Phone Number 9325 7528 - 24 hrs. LINDA'S HOUSE OF HOPE APPEAL To enable us to continue to provide and offer support for girls wishing to leave the sex trade we need your help. We have achieved already new offfices which are now complete at the rear of the shelter and are fully functional. Donations are also required to complete the internal layout of the shelter itself. Please send donations to Linda's House of Hope PO Box Z5640, Perth, St George's Tce 6831. Ph: 0439 401 009. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Panorama Panorama entries must be in by 5pm Monday. Contributions may he faxed to 9227 7087, emailed to administration@therecord.com.au or mailed to PO box 75, Leederville, WA 6902. Submissions over 55 words will be excluded. Inclusion is limited to 4 weeks. Events charging over $10 constitute a classified event, and will be charged accordingly. The Record reserves the right to decline or modify any advertisment.

Classifieds: $3.30/line incl. GST

24 hour Hotline 9227 7778 Deadline: 12pm Tuesday

A DVERTISEMENTS ACCOMMODATION

EVENTS

MI ACCOMMODATION WANTED Retired Catholic married couple wishes to house sit for part of Victorian Winter (June-Sep), somewhere close to Edgewater. References available. Sober habits and will take good care of your home. For further information please contact strathcarmel@bigpond.com or telephone (03) 5439 6235

IN PILGRIMAGE Dear Pilgrim, You are invited to come on a 15 Days Spiritual Pilgrimage. Medjugorje: 6 Days. Rome: 4 Days (audience with Pope). Garabandal: 4 Days. Spiritual Directors: Fr Paul Fox & Fr Aruiraj. Depart Perth: Wed 16 May 2007. Cost: $4958 P/P (twin share). Call Helen Cockrell Tel: (08) 9453 3218/0431 689 128. Sky air services - 9TA1220. Thank you for responding to my call.

I I DENMARK Holiday House 3bdr x 2 bath, sleeps up to 8. BOOK NOW. Ph: Maria 0412 083 377. • FAMILY/GROUP ACCOMMODATION Fully furnished luxury beach houses, Perth metro. Visit www.guadalupehill.com Call 0400 292 100.

BLINDS • BLINDS SPECIALIST Call AARON for FREE quotes 0402 979 889.

BUILDING TRADES IN BRICK RE-POINTING Phone Nigel 9242 2952

FURNMIRE REMOVAL • ALL AREAS Mike Murphy 0416 226 434.

RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS • CATHOLICS CORNER Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for baptism, communion and confirmation. Ph: 9456 1777. Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Road. Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat. • RICH HARVEST -YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP

• PERROTT PAINTING PTY LTD For all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Phone Tom Perrott 9444 1200.

Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts. statues, baptism/communion apparel, religious vestments, etc? Visit us at 39 Hulme Court (off McCoy St), Myaree, 9329 9889 (after 10.30am, Mon-Sat) We are here to serve.

I I PICASSO PAINTING Top service. Phone 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505.

SERVICES

EMPLOYMENT • POSITIONS VACANT Cleaner/Office business, 4hr/week, North Perth, Telephone Joanne 0409 375 817 I I CLEANER SCHOOLS, OFFICE Cleaning Carlisle Area, Christian. Ph Tania 9361 5779, mobile 0448 741 209.

• MASSEUR Indian masseur offers reflex-relax massage. $30 for 60 min. Phone Jai 0438 520 993. IN REPAIR YOUR LITURGICAL BOOKS Repairs to all sorts of books and leather bindings; reliable, reasonable rates. Ph. (08) 9293 3092.

DEMENTIA REMISSION • DEMENTIA REMISSION Do you, or your loved one, suffer Dementia. GET into Dementia Remission like me! http://www. wgrey.com.au/dm/index.htm or (02) 9971 8093

Classifieds Must be submitted by fax, email or post no later than 12pm Tuesday. For more information contact 9227 7778.

Official Diary - March 7-9 Permanent Committee, Sydney - Archbishop Hickey 7

Investiture of Murdoch University's 5th Chancellor, Mr Terry Budge - Fr Brian O'Loughlin VG

8

Ecumenical Opening Ceremony for Prison Chaplains' Conference, Safety Bay - Fr Brian O'Loughlin VG

10 YCW Chaplains & Mentors Gathering, Leederville - Archbishop Hickey 11 Mass at University of Notre Dame Australia - Bishop Sproxton 12/13 Ministerial Community Round Table on Child Protection - Archbishop Hickey 15 Launch of St Mary's Cathedral Fundraising Appeal - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton 16 Opening of Mandorla Art Exhibition - Archbishop Hickey 16-18 Parish Visitation, Woodvale - Bishop Sproxton 17 St Patrick's Day Mass for The Irish Club - Archbishop Hickey 18 6th Anniversary Mass of Canning Vale Parish - Archbishop Hickey 20 Ordination to Diaconate (St Charles' Seminary) at St Joachim's Pro-Cathedral, Victoria Park - Archbishop Hickey, Bishop Sproxton 22 Visit to Centacare Employment and Training Offices - Archbishop Hickey

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The Last Word

So you'd like to be a Knight errant (or a Grand Dame)?

March 8 2007, The Record

The grand badges of the pontifical Orders of Knighthood

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Honours, which date back to the 1300s, go to laity and heads of State serving the Church in a big way.

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is granted traditionally to Catholic lay people (and also to non-Catholics) to salute them as role models.

• By Matthew Bunson

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n the long history of the Catholic Church, one of the most enduring images of dedication to the faith is the Christian knight. Sadly these days, knighthood and chivalry are often considered out of touch with the modern world. In truth, however, knighthood has lost none of its relevance, thanks to the great traditions of pontifical knighthood and orders of chivalry in the Church. Modern orders of papal knighthood and chivalry are granted for a lifetime of service, giving and love of the Church, and far from being anachronisms they are a testimony to the timeless power of charity.

Five knighthoods There are five different pontifical orders of knighthood: Supreme Order of Christ, Order of the Golden Spur, Order of Pius IX, Order of St Gregory the Great and Order of St Sylvester. The highest and certainly the rarest of the five is the Supreme Order of Christ (or the Militia of Our Lord Jesus Christ) and the Order of the Golden Spur (or the Golden Militia). An extraordinary honour that must be bestowed in the presence of the Pope or by his own hand, the Order of Christ was first approved in 1319 by Pope John XXII and is today restricted to Catholic heads of state and sovereigns. The Order of the Golden Spur is perhaps even older and was long granted to Catholics who served the Church through their exemplary feats in writing, the arts and even through military service. Membership is restricted to 100 throughout the world. In 1841, Pope Gregory XVI combined it with the Order of St Sylvester. But in 1905, Pope St Pius X restored the Order of the Golden Spur. Since 1966, the award has been restricted to heads of state. The Order of Pius IX (the Pian Order), meanwhile, was founded by Pope Blessed Pius IX in 1847 as a reward for outstanding services to the Church and society. Today, it may be given to non-Catholics as well as Catholics who deserve particular praise, but it is especially presented to diplomats of the Holy See when they end their service. The last two knighthoods - the orders of St Gregory the Great and St Sylvester - are the most common, and many Catholics have received them. They are given usually at the suggestion of a Bishop or an Apostolic Nuncio (or papal representative). Pope Gregory XVI established the Order of St Gregory the Great in 1831 to honour citizens of the papal states. It is conferred on men and women distinguished for personal character and for notable accomplishments. The Order of St Sylvester

Chivalry isn't dead Far better known are the grand and venerable orders of chivalry that exist today in the Church: the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Malta. Both orders are intimately associated with the Holy See, but they are not considered to be awards bestowed directly by the Pope. Also, while both claim long and valiant military histories, today they are among the most dedicated organisations anywhere to the very highest aspirations of Christian charity. Membership is restricted to Catholics of great reputation and is exclusively by invitation. The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem was founded in 1099 by the crusader Godfrey de Bouillon in the days after the capture of Jerusalem by the First Crusade. The knights defended the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Christian cause in the Holy Land until the departure of the last Crusaders from Palestine at the end of the 13th century. After that, national divisions were slowly established in various countries. The knights are dedicated to supporting and caring for the Church in the Holy Land through charitable work, schools, seminaries and the defence of Christian rights in Palestine.

St Gregory, Order of the Golden Spur, Order of Pius IX and the Supreme Order of Christ.

You'll know them by their signs

The grand master is the only person other than a cardinal accorded the title "eminent" by the Holy See.

Malta's knights The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta began also in the Holy Land around 1050, when merchants from Amalfi were inspired to found a Christian hospital for the care of pilgrims and the sick. The group was approved as a religious order - the Hospitallers of St John - by Pope Paschal IIin 1113. The order is unique in its relationship to the papacy, for even while it depends on the Popes as a religious order, it is an independent sovereign State and maintains full diplomatic relations with the Holy See - as well as over 94 other countries. The grand master (currently the Englishman Fra Andrew Bertie) is the only person other than a cardinal accorded the title "eminent" by the Holy See. The 12,000 Knights and Dames of Malta, along with the 80,000 trained volunteers and 11,000 employees, are active in over 120 countries.

They run hospitals and centres for the disabled and elderly, manage disaster relief and care for those afflicted with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and drug addictions. Recent efforts have included relief work in the violent regions of Darfur and Southern Sudan. - Our Sunday Visitor

Knight of Malta cross

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oth the knights of the Holy Sepulchre and the knights of Malta are easily recognised by their famous symbols.

Holy Sepulchre medal

Knights of the Holy Sepulchre claim as their flag the great Jerusalem Cross that consists of five crosses, with a gallow cross in the centre, inset at the intersections with four small Greek crosses. Together, the five crosses represent the five wounds of Christ. The Knights of Malta use the so-called Maltese Cross, an eight-pointed cross that has the shape of four "V" shaped arms joined together at their bases, so that each arm has two points. The eight points of the cross signify the Beatitudes. The contact in Western Australia for the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre is Robert Peters, the Lieutenant of WA, who can be contacted on (08) 9388 2863.