The Record Newspaper 26 December 1996

en ecord

Perth: December 26, the Year of Jesus, 1996

WA's only Catholic weekly newspaper

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Warring nations, tribes 'must otter forgiveness' VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Achieving global peace in this complicated age required forgiving, but not forgetting, Pope John Paul II said in his annual message for the World Day of Peace on New Year's Day. Addressing current conditions alone would not pave the way for forgiveness, the Pope added.

"History carries with it a heavy burden of violence and conflict which cannot easily be shed," he said, adding that this historic burden could only be overcome with a "healing of memories."

"This does not mean forgetting past events," he noted.

"It means re-examining them with a new attitude .... The deadly cycle of revenge must be replaced by the new-found liberty of forgiveness."

The World Day of Peace is meant to encourage people to reflect on peace and the steps needed to achieve it.

The message, dated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8 December, and released on December 1Z is entitled "Offer Forgiveness and Receive Peace."

Agencies such as the United

Nations were essential to promoting peace, Pope John Paul said.

Experience world-wide had shown that wars, while seeming to "solve" the problems which caused them, left other problems in their wake which impeded peace, he said.

Developing a "culture of peace" was all the more urgent in a time when increasingly sophisticated technology for destruction was available, the Pope said.

He began his message by noting that "only three years separate us from the dawn of a new millennium."

"This time of expectation is a time for reflection, inviting us to make an assessment, as it were, of mankind's journey in the sight of God, the Lord of history" Pope John Paul praised the establishment of war crimes tribunals and other investigative bodies "as a first step toward reconciliation" among individuals and nations.

And he supported the granting of amnesty in some cases where people have publicly admitted to committing crimes during turbulent times, as long as it served "the fundamental good of consolidat-

ing peace" and promoted improved relations between opposing groups.

When reparations were made or justice meted out, the Pope said, these must be done in the interest of reintegrating the wrongdoers into society or the community of nations.

"No punishment can suppress the inalienable dignity of those who have committed evil," he explained. "The door to repentance and rehabilitation must always remain open."

Pope John Paul stressed that reconciliation was essential to creating a durable peace. This did not rule out penalties for crimes, he said, but it meant people should forgive the perpetrators in their hearts.

"When such forgiveness is lacking, wounds continue to fester, fuelling in the younger generation endless resentment, producing a desire for revenge and causing fresh destruction," the Pope said.

"Offering and accepting forgiveness is the essential condition for making the journey toward authentic and lasting peace."

Forgiveness "can seem contrary to human logic," he continued.

"But forgiveness is inspired by the

Pope John Paul with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, centre, and Berlin Mayor Eberhard Diepgen at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate last June 23, a symbol of national unity found after decades of injustice. Photo: CNSReuters logic of love, that love which God has for every man and woman, for every people and nation, and for the whole human family." As

the World Day of Peace message was being released, the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace was arranging an urgent pre-Christmas meeting of bishops from some of the countries plagued by remembrance of past injustices - Rwanda, Burundi and the surrounding region.

Led by the council's president, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, the meeting in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, was to discuss the crisis in the Great Lakes area and to demonstrate their solidarity.

The gathering was to involve all of the bishops of Rwanda and Burundi, plus a number of others from Zaire, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

One result of the ethnic violence was that hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced people remained without food and medicine in parts of eastern Zaire.

Some church leaders in the Great Lakes region have prompted resentment for taking a stand against violence and for their perceived partisanship in the conflicts.

Fun text of Message - Pages 8 and 9.

Victim finds peace - Page 13

Fr Tim Corcoran appointed rector of St Charles' seminary area and that I will have the support of my brother priests and God was calling many men to the people of the Archdiocese," the ordained priesthood, new St he said after Archbishop Hickey Charles' Seminary rector Father announced the change last week.

After having spent 29 years Tim Corcoran said this week, and he hoped to be seen as someone ministering in parishes, however, they could trust in answering that he felt he could make a contribution to the formation of future call.

Archbishop Barry Hickey has priests.

Fr Corcoran said he would be given the current rector, Father Paul Fogarty, leave of absence to encouraging future priests' pursue a monastic vocation over- capacities in a number of areas.

"I would like to encourage the seas and will retire from his rectorship at the end of this month. priests of the future to be priests Fr Corcoran, parish priest of able to communicate the Good Whitfords in Perth's northern News effectively; good shepsuburbs, told The Record last herds involving themselves in week he would take up his new the lives of their parishioners and role at the end of January as sem- not remaining distant or remote," inarians returned from their he said.

He would also encourage them Summer break "Imust confess to feeling rather to be men who could "identify daunted by this appointment; I closely with Christ the Good am very much aware that I do Shepherd who came to serve and not have a great deal of experi- to make this central to their spirence in seminary formation, but itual life" and to be men of prayer Iknow thatIwill be working with able to lead people in liturgy and others more experienced in that in prayer.

By Peter Rosengren

Australians monitor Zambian poll - Pages

Fr Corcoran points to the seminary on a map of Perth. He also hopes to show young men the path to the priesthood, and encourage them on their way.

He said he believed that God was calling many men to the ordained priesthood and he hoped to be seen as someone they could trust. "I am there to help them respond to God's call to serve his people," he said.

Archbishop Hickey said he was delighted Fr Corcoran had accepted the rectorship, which oversees the training of seminarians for WA dioceses.

"He is known to be every inch of a priest, and will be an excel-

Well-known nun heads for Rome - Page 2

lent model for priests of the future," Archbishop Hickey said.

He was known to be "a man of prayer and a good pastor to the people." These were the qualities needed to be absorbed by seminarians on their way to priesthood.

The archbishop said the search had also begun for a formation director to oversee seminarians' spiritual development.

The Archbishop thanked Fr Fogarty for his contribution to the seminary. "He has had the difficult task of re-establishing a full seminary in place of a vocations residence, and has already successfully launched it," the Archbishop said.

He wished him well in his future spiritual journey.

Normally students spend six or more years undertaking philosophical and theological studies before they are ordained as priests.

There are currently 10 students at St Charles' seminary.

Movie reviews and ratings for holidays - Page 10

Pray that world finds peace this New Year G

uide us into the Way of Peace (Luke 1:79). January 1st is World Day of Peace.

On this day the Holy Father issues a plea for world peace and asks all Catholics to pray and work for peace.

Ills a sign of hope that the first day of the new year is set aside as World Day of Peace.

Despite all the conflicts of the past year, we believe that things can get better.

We should never despair about peace, even though the record of the human race does not give much cause for optimism.

In fact, the history of the world Is in many ways a history of war, conflict and domination of one nation over another.

Since the end of World War II we have seen hundreds of local wars break out, some of them

major, and some of them threatening to develop into a new World War. Nevertheless we must remain optimistic, not because of our track record but because our hope comes from the power of Christ to change hearts.

Most world conflicts are resolved through the triumph of powerful forces.

But a conflict settled in such a manner is not really settled.

In time the residual anger boils over again into a new conflict.

International trade agreements can help avoid conflicts and have an important role to play.

Nevertheless they can be a temporary and, at best, an artificial way of containing conflicts by promoting economic interdependence, but they do not resolve underlying problems. The way of

Jesus Christ is one of justice, forgiveness and reconciliation.

No true peace can ever come unless underlying injustices and wrongs are set right.

If not, they will simply bubble away underground until the opportunity arises to redress the wrong.

The uprisings after the end of communist rule are a clear example of this.

Jesus asks us to go even further than righting wrongs.

He asks us to forgive past injustices and be reconciled.

This is not easy to do, either at the personal level or at the international level.

Resentment and the desire for revenge is a strong force in human hearts. But it is not the way of Christ, nor will it ever lead to

peace. We who bear the name of Christ must bring to international consciousness, as much as to personal relationships, this unique perspective - right past wrongs, forgive past injustices and be reconciled to one another.

Perhaps at the beginning of this New Year, we should bring this healing message of Jesus Christ to our own personal world first, to our family and to our personal relationships with others.

It works and it brings peace.

We might then be better prepared to take it to our political leaders as the way to lasting peace both nationally and internationally.

I pray that this New Year will be a Year of Peace for the Church, for Australia and for the world.

Archbishop's

Perspective

Sr Ryder to help lead in Rome has just finished her term as Province Leader of the sisters' As part of the newly elected Australian Province and her sucGeneral Leadership Team of the cessor is Sr Anne Noonan.

Joining Sr Anne on the Province Our Lady of the Missions congreleadership team for the West are gation, and based at the GenerSisters Maureen Belleville and alate in Rome, Sister Veronica Martin.

Marie-Therese Ryder could be Making up the East Province said to be returning to her old team, are Srs Catherine Braben-stamping ground."

Having spent nine years there. der (Sr Marie-Therese's Province predecessor), and Lorna Brown. directing her congregation's Preparing to celebrate the cenRenewal Program, she admits to tenary of their arrival in Highgate a fondness for the city and the in October, 189Z the Our Lady of Church in Rome which she the Mission sisters are looking at describes as "exciting!" their past achievements and takQualifying this, Sr Marie- ing stock of their future direction.

Therese said they share memberThere are 58 sisters across Ausship in an international tralia, working in the Kimberley, missionary gathering called Perth, Bunbury, and Melbourne, SEDOS, which provides the pos- while a thousand sisters work sibility for interaction with mis- worldwide in 20 countries. sionaries from all over the world.

A mission established in Papua "That inspiration and challenge, New Guinea's Southern Highenthuses, inspires, and energises; lands was an Australian initiative and it's that which we want to 25 years ago but has since share with our other sisters become autonomous. throughout the world, she said.

The congregation started in "It's a bit like throwing a stone Lyons, France, in 1861. Its first misinto a pond," she added. sion target was the Pacific region.

"We receive a lot from our own And since their arrival in Highsisters, their inspiration and com- gate, followed by Melbourne 25 mitment; it's a two way affair." years later, the sisters' primary In Rome, each sister on the team focus has been on formal educais responsible for a region or area, tion. with Sr Marie-Therese's sphere of Then the emphasis changed work embracing France, Ger- somewhat, according to Sr Mariemany, the Philippines, Latin Therese, as "an army of lay teachAmerica, and Canada. ers came upon the scene with the With her on the Team are Sis- expansion of the Catholic educaters Bernadine, their first Asian tion system, particularly since the leader; Louise from Scotland; seventies," and they looked again Joanne from Peru, and Reba from to their founder's ideal and built Bangladesh. Sister Marie-Therese on that.

By Colleen Mc Guiness-Howard

Sr Marie Therese-Ryder is off to Rome to join the General Leadership Team of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions.

Secretary

"Her vision was to go beyond the barriers of gender, race, and religion, and we see that is particularly important in order to build right relationships," affirmed Sr Marie-Therese, who sees as part of her own hope, to be a source of support and empowerment in that exchange.

"And this is the challenge for the world today; to break down destructive powers and all prejudicial barriers, so right relationships are created for the whole of creation and our earth."

This area of relationships was looked at by the sisters in their last Assembly, she stated, with a targeted examination of youth, refugees, tribal and indigenous people, "and particularly women where they are oppressed."

As an example, she said, the sisters will be working in collaboration with Aboriginal women in Australia (while continuing to teach their children in schools), in the south Philippines with Muslim women at Cotabato, and with the Jesuits in India "in a very deprived area called Bidjapur."

In Australia, asserted Sr MarieTherese, "we have a responsibility to our other sisters in missions throughout the world."

Regarding their work in Australia, Sr Marie-Therese said the sisters are engaged in a collaborative mode in diverse ways, working with men and women to bring about the Kingdom of God in whatever way they can.

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The Record, December 26 1996 Page 2

DIOCESE OF BROOME WA The Diocese of Broome has immediate vacancies for VOLUNTEERS to serve on remote Missions and communities in the Kimberley as: Catechists, farm labourers, handymen, housekeepers, teachers, nurses, domestic staff, mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, administrators, book-keepers, secretaries, general hands, electricians, tutors. For a period in excess of six months up to two years.

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Please contact: Bishop Christopher Saunders, fax for application form Fax 091 922 136 or write to: Catholic Lay Volunteers, Diocesan Office, PO Box 76, Broome WA 6725

Please include in your fax or letter a recent reference from a parish priest, or name a person involved in the work of the apostolate as a referee for you.

Why not try a

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Oceania sy od topic chosen Jesus Christ and the Peoples of Oceania: Walking His Way, Telling His Truth and Living His Life has been chosen as the topic for the Synod of Bishops of Oceania likely to be held sometime in 1998 or 1999.

The planning committee preparing for the synod completed the first stage of preparations during its recent meeting in Rome last month, Archbishop Barry Hickey, a committee member, said last week.

The committee, composed of bishops from Australia, New Zealand, Oceania and the Vatican will throw open synodal topics to discussion by a variety of sectors in the Church in the leaclup to the actual Synod due in 1998 or 1999.

"The task of the recent meeting in Rome was to draw up the 'Lineamenta', or outline of the topic, in a way that would make it suitable for discussion at all levels in the Church. That task has been completed," Archbishop Hickey said.

The Archbishop attended a meeting of the planning committee, the Pre-Synodal Council for the Synod of Oceania, in Rome last month.

He said a second working document would be drawn up after widespread discussion of the Lin-

The committee for Synod of Oceania in Rome last month with Pope John Paul II: Cardinal Jan Schotte, left, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops; Archbishop Karl Hesse MSC, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea; Archbishop Michel Calvet SM, Noumea; Cardinal Thomas Williams, Wellington, New Zealand; Cardinal Pio Taafinu'u SM, Samoa; Pope John Paul II; Cardinal Josef Tomko, Prefect, Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples; Cardinal Edward Cassidy, President, Pontifical Council for Christian Unity; Archbishop Peter° Mataca, Suva, Fiji; Archbishop Anthony Apuron ORfeap, Guam; Photo L Osservatore F?ornano Bishop Peter Connors, Melbourne; Archbishop Barry Hickey, Perth.

eamenta, which in turn would become the final document guiding discussions at the Synod.

The Archbishop said he expected another 12 months would be spent in discussion of the chosen

topics "by different groups and levels within the Church so that the Synod becomes an authentic discussion about the Church in this region of the world and looks at the challenges that face it in the

next millennium." He said a series of General Synods of Bishops have been held in Rome approximately every three years since 1967 "The last one, for instance, was

Pentecostal churches win non-Catholic Sunday worship

By Peter Rosengren Pentecostal churches now possibly attract more people to services around Australia on an average Sunday than any other non-Catholic church group, according to Philip Hughes of the Christian Melbourne-based Research Association.

The Catholic Church still leads with Sunday religious observance among Christian Churches.

Mr Hughes reviewed data from the latest Religious Community Profile published by the Bureau of Immigration, Multicultural and Population Research in the September bulletin of the Christian Research Association.

The CRA said that, despite being

ignored or criticised by what are usually called 'mainstream' churches, the Pentecostals had become one of the largest Church groupings in Australia during the last three decades.

From being almost statistically non-existent in Australian Christianity in 1960, Mr Hughes said, Pentecostals have now become a significant part of Australian society and have profoundly influenced many other Churches.

A major feature of their growth, he said, had been their ability to attract younger people from all parts of society.

They have also attracted many people into their communities who have had no previous religious involvement, as well as sig-

The Pentecostal Churches have nificant numbers of individuals from other denominations, Mr also had a significant effect on other denominations, he said.

Hughes said, Many mainstream churches The explosion in numbers and participation rates for Pentecostal today describe themselves as churches has occurred consis- charismatic, having adopted tently and at the samd .time that music, speaking in tongues and attendance and participation fig- other practices brought into ures of other major denomina- prominence by the Pentecostals.

Mr Hughes said one possible tions have continued to decline.

And while the mainstream reason for the success of PenteChurches had usually imagined costal Churches was that the culthat involvement with Pentecostal ture of the 1960's and '70's churches would remain a tempo- produced a new receptivity to rary phenomenon for most indi- Pentecostal patterns of faith and viduals, Mr Hughes said, the worship. which included music Pentecostals had in fact retained pitched at a younger generation, a significant number of their con- informality of worship and an verts, many of whom appeared to emphasis on feelings and on an have found a permanent home in individual's personal relationship with God. their congregations.

in 1994 on "Consecrated Life," he said.

He pointed out that special Synods, based on regions of the world, have been held over recent years. In 1991, a Synod for Europe was held, another synod for Africa was conducted in 1994 while a synod for war-torn Lebanon concluded last year.

The Oceania synod will see representatives coming from places such as Papua New Guinea.

Noumea, New Zealand. Samoa.

Fiji. Guam and Australia.

It is one of a number of regional synods being conducted in the leadup to the end of the second millennium, the Archbishop said. among which are the Synod for North and South America planned to take place at the end of 1997 and the Synod for Asia to be held during 1998.

The year preceding the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christ should see another Synod of Europe as well, he said.

He said the date for the Oceania Synod had not been fixed yet because of "obvious difficulties in arranging for all these Synods before the Year 2000," but that "an announcement should be made before long."

Clergy change and correction Archbishop Barry Hickey has announced the appointment of Father Anthony Fernando as priest-in-charge to Bencubbin parish, conimencing from 27 December, 1996.

Last week, The Record reported on the basis of information supplied by the Catholic Church Office that the newly-ordained Fr Michael Separovich had been appointed to Spearwood when, in fact, he had been appointed to Rockingham parish.

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It seems that a lot of us feel more at ease expressing We are also active members of the Australian our feelings with a woman, and being able to Funeral Directors Association. release these emotions is a vital part of If you would like know more about this progressing through the grieving process. welcome alternative, please call in to For this reason, Bowra & O'Dea office at 231 Grand Promenade, our opened Leanne O'Dea Funeral Directors, e a nne ' D EA Dianella or phone Leanne on 371 1155. a division staffed entirely by women.

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The Record, December 26 1996 Page 3

TOMORROW TODAY

Youth Day planners expect 200,000

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Although event: at a prayer vigil on the last eight months remain before the next evening and at Mass on the morning World Youth Day, planners already are of the last day. stirring up support for the material Leading up to these occasions will be and spiritual preparations for the Masses led by Church officials in event.

France and from various other parts of Local communities commemorate the world, get-acquainted meetings World Youth Day every year, and an and projects to support the poor. international celebration is held every Organisers said they anticipate more two years in a different location. than 200,000 young people will particParis will host the next celebration in ipate in World Youth Day 1997.

August 1997.

Attendance in previous years has The Paris Archdiocese is encourag- ranged from 100,000 to 250,000. ing local residents to host young peoMsgr. Boccardo said preparations are ple, who are expected to come mostly under way, but they are overshadowed from Europe, but will also be travelling In importance by spiritual preparafrom faraway countries, according to tions that the Pope asked participants Msgr. Renato Boccardo, an official in to undertake when he announced the charge of youth affairs at the Pontifical theme of the next World Youth Day: Council for the Laity. the question posed by the disciples to "Above all, the idea is that the young Jesus in the Gospel of St. John, "Maspeople can lodge with families, shar- ter, where do you live?" and his ing in this way the daily life of a fam- response, "Come and see." ily, promoting dialogue, mutual "And so, in accepting this invitation understanding and the exchange of of the Pope, the young people will experience," Msgr. Boccardo said in an come to Paris reflecting, praying, interview with Vatican Radio on searching for the way through their December 9. own action from the point of view of a Pope John Paul II is expected to personal encounter with God," Msgr. Pope John Paul II meets young people in Perth appear at least twice in the five-day Boccardo said. in 1986

THE VOICE WITHIN

1997 Catholic Youth Convention January 12-18, 1997 VIE VOICE WITlifN is your chance to join hundreds of other

Age

young people for seven nights and six days of excitement, challenge and fun. For the first time in its seven year history the convention will be run in the beautiful surroundings of St Brigid's College, Lesmurdie, and will feature inspiring speakers, great music, and many outrageous, action packed events!

The convention is open to those aged 16 - 25, those turning 16 in 1997 or those entering Year Ii in 1997

Come to THE VOICE WITHIN for an unforgettable week of comedy, drama, reflection and the challenge to achieve your best. You will be inspired by the dreams, encouraged by the hopes and uplifted by the vision of what THE VOICE WITHIN can be.

RESERVE YOUR PLACE TODAY!

Accommodation Option 1: 'Tent City' Registering early will guarantee you a spot in the roomy eight-person tents making up Tent City. With comfortable camp beds and its own lighting system, Tent City will be the place to be all week.

Option 2: 'Dormitory Style' For the more sedate, St Brigid's College and nearby Mazenod offer first class dormitory style accommodation, however, only limited beds arc available on a first come, first served basis.

T-Shirts ' THE VOICE WITHIN' T-Shirts will be available at the Convention. The cost is $25 and should be added to your registration fee.

Part Payment Why pay the whole cost of the convention at once when you can pay it in instalments between now and January? Phone Penny at the Youth Office for details How To Register To receive a registration form, send this form to: Catholic Youth Convention PO Box 141 North Perth WA 6006 Telephone: 328 9622

Please send me a registration form for the 1997 Catholic Youth Convention, "THE VOICE WITHIN".

Name:

Cost The cost of the convention includes all meals, accommodation, transport and entry to THE VOICE WITHIN Youth Rally on January 18 at Perth's Superdrome. The cost for accommodation in Tent City is only $225 ($195 for Club Members). The cost for those choosing Dormitory Style accommodation is $255 ($225 for Club Members). A deposit of $30 should accompany your registration form, with the remainder due by 5pm Friday, January 3rd 1997.

Address: P/C: DO NOT MISS OUT!

NEED MORE INFORMATION? Call the Catholic Youth Office on 328 9622

REGISTER NOW! The Record, December 26 1996 Page 4

Leaders pursue music companies over `gangsta rap' •

•

WASHINGTON (CNS) - A Catholic who is co-director of Empower America joined on December 10 with the head of the National Political Congress of Black Women and a US senator to complain that MCA Records has reneged on an agreement to not distribute or profit from albums of the "gangsta rap" genre of popular music.

At a press conference in Washington, William Bennett, DeLores Tucker and Democratic Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut pointed to such titles as Snoop Doggy Dogg's "The Doggfather" and "Don Killuminati - 7 Day Theory" by Makaveli, a pseudonym for murdered rapper llipac Shakur.

They also took aim at the Marilyn Manson rock band - whose members have all adopted the first names of female celebrities and the last names of serial killers - for its album "Antichrist Superstar."

All three albums were released on the Interscope label, half of which was purchased by MCA soon after Warner Brothers gave up its 50 percent stake in the company following criticism by Bennett. Tucker and Lieberman.

A March 11 letter to Tucker from MCA vice president for public policy. Matthew Gerson, said MCA "will not have any ownership interest in or profit from" new or old Interscope albums whose content MCA deemed to be objectionable.

Either "their word isn't worth anything" or MCAs standards are too low to be believed. said Bennett.

He added that he had talked with MCA head Edgar Bronfman on the phone on December 9.

In what he described as a "candid, contentious" conversation, Bennett said Bronfman told him he was "proud" of some of the things MCA had done in the music business under his leadership.

Interscope recently had each of the top four slots on Billboard magazine's "Hot 200" album chart, a feat that had not been accomplished by one recording company in 20 years.

Leading the way was the Makaveli album, which sold 684,000 copies in its first week in stores.

Now, albums that "denigrate our most fundamental values ... are pitched as holiday gifts," Lieberman said.

'Those records and their corporate sponsors are telling our children that it's the season for senseless violence, for hopelessness, for violenoe against women."

The trio praised the Wal-Mart retail chain for insisting on having cleaned-up versions of albums it considers offensive before it will stock them on its shelves.

The 'timer Records, Transworld and Kmart chains also were commended for following a similar policy to Wal-Mart, or for refusing to sell albums with a parental advisory sticker to minors.

Lieberman said he would like to see other music retailers - he specifically mentioned Best Buy, Circuit City, Sam Goody and the Warehouse - to follow Wal-Mart's lead.

Bennett said that if recording artists and their labels were concerned about "artistic integrity," they would proclaim: 'This is our art. We will not surrender it."

In truth, he added, 'That's a facade. It's all about profits."

Record labels routinely alter the albums to meet Wal-Mart's demands.

Wal-Mart's position is not censorship, Benneft said.

"Wal-Mart is doing nothing different from what your newspapers and television stations have done," he said, by refusing to show indecent material to a larger audience.

Lieberman said that environmental polluters started cleaning up their act and the environment because "top executives didn't like being scorned in their community."

The same pressure needs to be applied to music moguls, he added, because "they are polluting the hearts and minds and souls of these children."

Zambian elections successful in face of massive problems To say that Zambia is a typical case of a Third World nation bound desperately by external debt and internal problems is no exercise in exaggeration. Sister Beverley Stoft RSM, Perth Archdiocese's Vicar for Social Welfare, who recently visited the country as an observer-member of an international delegation to monitor the country's second multiparty elections, reports.

Zrj ambia is in many ways a beautiful country both in its physical features and blessed in its people.

On its southern borders are the serene shores of Lake Kariba and the popular tourist attraction of Victoria Falls.

On its northern border just north of its famous Copper Belt is Zaire.

Many of the people still live in villages of grassed-roofed mud-bricked dwellings throughout the countryside but there is the inevitable drift towards larger town and city life But Blaine Harden in his Africa: Dispatches from a Fragile Continent, calls Zambia "sad" and a "basketcase."

Its first President since Independence In 1964- Kenneth Kaunda - left the country in a sorry state of crippling international debt and universal poverty.

Even the copper deposits on which the country depended will not save them.

The easily-mined copper is giving out and there is no technology to extract the deeper copper veins.

Another disaster not much discussed in local Zambian press is health, especially AIDS. Archbishop George Pell who was in Zambia for Caritas Australia earlier this year cites the statistic - 50% of the adult male population is HIV infected.

A representative of Barclays Bank said that the Bank loses 30% of its staff in the country annually to AIDS. Zambians went to the polls on November 18th in a multi-party election.

The Election Day dawned to a drenching rain.

Nevertheless its people came out in numbers from 6am hours onwards, sheltering under their larger-than-usual multi-coloured umbrellas.

Appreciating this opportunity they formed their lines patiently and in a respectful silence to cast their vote.

This is the second time (the first was in 1991) that Zambians have gone to the polls with a number of Candidates contesting the Presidency and Parliamentary seats in 150 Constituencies.

When the poll closed at 5pm the count took place in front of the Monitors and Party Agents in the Polling Station itself and by candle-light.

This was how Election Day passed in Zambia where in neighbouring countries the tragedy of inter-racial war and exploitation have been the rule of the day.

But Zambians everywhere congratulated themselves on the peaceful way in

If you are Spiritual or a Church goer and wauldLike improvedsFirituai Life,I advise you to get in touch with St. Francis Secular Order, Victoria Park. (especially if you Live South of the river).

We meet every 3rdSunday of the month at 3pm at Marie Isaiah Place, dackof St. loachims Church, 'Victoria Park, Plume 361 5060 Doug cliVigiams A voter requests his voting card at a polling station while a monitor, centre, looks on.

Monitors, right, question polling officials.

which they had gone about the election process.

The National Council of Churches of Australia (NCCA) of which the Catholic Church has been a member for the past two and a half years was invited to participate in monitoring these General Elections.

NCCA participated in the process of these elections by sending me as part of the International Monitoring Team.

The Team was composed of 32 people who were local Zambians, regional representatives from Malawi, Kenya, Swaziland, Lesotho Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

The Team had the task of observing the elections in and around the capital city, Lusaka.

Despite fears of intimidation and violence the elections occurred in an orderly and peaceful manner and were declared by the Monitoring Team to have taken place in a "free and fair atmosphere."

Although there were a number of

attempts to destabilise the situation, such as the boycott of the elections by a major opposition party, Zambians have elected their Government for the next 5 years.

In a clause in the new Constitution President Chiluba who is re-elected for his second term declared Zambia a Christian country.

He appealed for a Day of Prayer the day before the elections.

Zambians at this time are relieved that the elections went off without incident and, despite the many claims of unfairness surfacing in the week following the election, continue to pray for peace, calm and the goodwill to work through the many pitfalls ahead.

On the road towards that democratic society it is to be hoped that Zambia will be able, as well, to address the tasks of removing the poverty of its beleaguered People whose only form of social service is a return to the village of one's origins if life does not work out as wished.

Otherwise a Zambian has to turn to the streets of the cities and towns and become a markey hawker of small items; video tapes, umbrellas, plastic combs, men's ties, bags of tomatoes or onions.

The market may serve Zambians' needs very well and the recently re-elected President, in one of his pre-election speeches, encouraged the people to look at selling in the streets as a dignified worker's occupation.

A major support to Zambian development is donor aid and the voice of reason in Australia continues to support Australian Overseas Aid. But hanging over every project in Zambia and in surrounding African countries are the questions of how long this should continue, how many projects would continue to stand if the support from outside the nation were withdrawn, and whether the donor aid truly has lifted the standard of living.

Our voices should be strong in the search for the best solution as we continue to support these Zambian brothers and sisters of ours.

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The Record. December 26 1996 Page 5

Faith helps families get through Granting equal A Layman's

Peter Divan continues meditations on the readings for Sunday Mass.

This week the readings for the Feast of the Holy Family, Year B

I

t is common knowledge that family life today is undergoing a crisis, with a spiralling divorce rate giving much cause for concern.

The American Fatima priest, Fr Robert Fox, has warned that only heroic families will survive today The important role religion can play in fostering good family life is found in the statistics that while the divorce rate for families where no member of the family prays is 1 in 2, the divorce rate for families where all members join in family prayer is 1 in 500.

Today's readings show something of what living faith can do to strengthen family life, and family prayer both indicates and strengthens faith.

The first reading (Genesis 15:1-6, 21:13) shows how God rewarded Abraham's faith, by giving him the son whom He had promised him, although both he and his wife Sarah were beyond the normal child-bearing age.

It takes faith which shows itself in confidence in God's goodness to have children today, when contraception and abortion are so freely available.

When the Church selected a patron of Mothers, she chose St Gerard MaleIla,

Meditation whose confidence in God was remarkable, even for a saint, and who answered those who considered his generosity imprudent with the reply "God will provide."

A living faith makes one believe God's promises and obey His commands.

This is brought out in today's second reading (Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19).

"It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a country that was the inheritance given to him... It was equally by faith that Sarah, in spite of being past the age, was made able to conceive.... It was by faith that Abraham offered up Isaac... He was confident that God had the power even to raise the dead, and so, figuratively speaking, he was given back Isaac from the dead."

A living faith also shows itself in fidelity to religious observances.

Today gospel passage (Luke 2:22-40) tells of how Mary and Joseph went to the Temple 40 days after Christ's birth, although, due to the unique circumstances of Christ's birth, Mary and Joseph weren't strictly obliged to do so.

Parents need to show by their example what their faith means to them. Ills from homes where the Family Rosary is

To Jesus through Mary. . .

said that vocations are more likely to come.

A strong faith and mission-mindedness also go hand in hand.

The gospel passage relates that when Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms, he said: "Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised, because my eyes have seen the salvation, which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans, and the glory of your people Israel."

The Feast of the Holy Family is a good time for families to check up on their missionary commitment.

The following questions should help families examine their conscience.

Are the missions remembered in Family Prayer (offering a daily decade of the Rosary for the missions is a practical way of doing this)?

Are there mission magazines in our homes?

Do we as a family support missionary endeavours, if it is only by going to functions held to raise funds for the missions?

Do we cut down on pleasure as to be able to send more to the missions?

If these questions have shown that we have been "falling down on the job," when it comes to mission-mindedness. we have practical suggestions to follow up when making our New Year Resolutions.

a column of Marian devotion

By Archbishop Barry Hickey

T

here are many feasts of Jesus, but the feast of Christmas is one that we could not celebrate without His mother. Mary.

As His mother, the virgin Mary brought Jesus into the world. In a sense, she presented Him to the world as if to say "This is Your Saviour".

The Angel Gabriel has already informed her that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Saviour.

"Mary do not be afraid. You have won God's favour. Behold, you are to conceive and bear a son an you must name Him lesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High". (Luke 1:31-33) Her role had already been foreshadowed in the Old Testament in the words of Isaiah the prophet - "A Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Emmanuel (God-with-us)" (Is 7:14) So Mary and Jesus are inseparable at Bethlehem.

Mary, in her wordless serenity, asks us to recognise Him as the Son of God Most High and the one who would free us from our sins.

Throughout her life she quietly accompanied Him as He "carried out His Father's business", and now she is still calling us to recognise Him as our Saviour.

In the build-up to the year 2000 the Pope has set a central theme for each year. The year 1997 is the Year of Jesus.

I ask all who love Mary to enter fully into this coming year and insist on the

Mary our Mother leads us now, as she did when on earth. to Christ her Son and Salvation.

Photo CNS/KNA-Bild

centrality of Jesus. So much modern spir- in a mistaken effort to draw people in. ituality sets Jesus aside for other forms. ignore Jesus Himself who is the Way, the Even Catholic circles are guilty of this.

Truth and the Life.

I saw recently a Catholic Student ConMary and Jesus were inseparable at ference that listed a number of spiritual Bethlehem. seminars, such as Aboriginal spirituality.

Then, as now, she leads us to Him, she and women's spirituality, but nowhere asks us to listen to Him and do whatevwas there a mention of Jesus. er He asks, she accompanies Him on His The danger of the modern search for sorrowful journey for the expiration of spirituality is that it might bypass com- sin and rejoices in His Resurrection and pletely the central belief of the last 2000 the gift of eternal life. years of Christianity that Jesus is the She, the first one to receive to the fullest unique and only Saviour. and that we extent the anticipated effects of His cannot hope to reach our eternal fulfil- Death and Resurrection, reminds us that ment in any other way except through we are to accept her Son, love Him and Him. follow Him, as only so will we too receive It is a sad day when Catholics, perhaps the fullness of Redemption.

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II?, Record, December 26 1996 Page 6

rights for gay couples won't bring happiness

With Paul Gray

E

qual rights - it's all the rage in the modern world. Since the 19th century. we've gone well beyond demands for votes for women, equality of the races and fair treatment for the disabled.

As the famous joke - "Land Rights for Gay Whales!" - suggests, these days the list of "equal rights" demands from different groups who feel cheesed off with their lot seems endless.

One of the most recent demands is for equal legal recognition, not of gay whales, but of gay relationships.

The push is on for laws on division of property for "same-sex" couples to be the same as those covering de facto heterosexual couples.

The point of this column is not to dwell on the rights and wrongs of homosexual claims to equal recognition.

Rather, the point is to offer a reminder that granting legal rights does not automatically bestow happiness - something those pushing hardest for greater legal and social recognition of their private lives often seem to overlook.

Will they really be happier as couples, have lower rates of relationship breakdown and generally lead more fulfilling lives, after they've won their struggle?

There are sound reasons for being sceptical on that score.

The point is shown in an important case reported in the Alternative Law Journal recently.

There Sydney University law teacher Jenni Millbank analysed a court ruling in a dispute between two lesbian "co-mothers" whose relationship had broken down.

The case involved a claim for maintenance costs by one women - "Wendy" - against her former lover - "Grace".

Wendy. who had two children by inseminating herself with sperm donated by a friend, claimed Grace was legally bound to pay for the upkeep of the children, even though the two women were no longer living together.

Grace disputed this, claiming that the sperm donor should be seen as the father, and therefore he should pay.

The court accepted Wendy's argument. and Grace was ordered to pay maintenance.

In a sense, the case can be seen as a victory for "Gay rights".

The women were treated by the law in much the same was as a de facto heterosexual couple could expect to be treated.

That is, the partner with more earning power (in this case, Grace) was obliged to pay for the upkeep of children she was seen as having helped to bring into the world - if only by moral encouragement.

Yet as author Jenni Millbank, who is openly sympathetic to the gay rights cause, points out, the case hardly seems to do much to improve the lot of homosexual couples.

Effectively, all it proves is they now "have the right to sue each other."

An objective outside observer is entitled to ask, how does this add to the happiness of gays?

The answer, of course, is that it doesn't. For happiness does not, and can never depend on whether or not the law, or society, recognises one kind of private relationship as being just as valid as another.

Happiness depends on whether or not the relationship itself is sound and productive emotionally, spiritually, morally.

Gay couples may claim their relationships are sound in these terms, and that "straight" couples are the ones with all the problems.

However, cases like Wendy's and Grace's tell a different story Not exactly a rosy one. either.

The tough love of forgiving past injustices

The Record

p

ort Arthur gunman Martin Bryant walks into a cafe and blasts away more than 30 innocent lives; your neighbour and friend, a Hutu in Rwanda, walks in and hacks to death your wife, mother and young daughters while you are at work; many Germans stand by while the Nazi Party slaughters six million members of your Jewish race.

All this and we are asked to forgive, and to forgive so that the peace of societies and nations is secured in the future.

This is what Pope John Paul II asks of those who have suffered injustice in his message to mark the 1997 World Day of Peace celebrated on New Year's Day injustices that stretch from the horror of inter-racial warfare carried out with genocidal intent to the petty slights that are part of daily living.

The Pope's message, published in full in the centre pages of this week's Record, has clearly been written not just to underline the timeless message of forgiveness but with an eye to today's fratricidal conflicts in central Africa, Chechnya, Northern Ireland, Somalia and many other places.

And while the tragic history of Aboriginal-European relations, along with the historical enmity of some Aboriginal groups with other Aboriginal groups, may not

have been in the forefront of the Pope's without the help of the source of all Mercy, mind, his exhortation to "offer forgiveness God Himself. and receive peace" applies equally in AusForgiving "seventy times seven" reaches tralia as elsewhere in the world. its full truth and expression when the culThat the Pope had specific conflicts in prit confesses his or her fault and makes mind can be seen in that the Pontifical appropriate reparation or compensation, Council for Justice and Peace's president, the Pope says.

Cardinal Roger Etc.hegaray, was reported The forgetting part of forgiving cannot to have taken the Pope's message person- be truly put into practice until compenally to a meeting of all the bishops of satory justice has been done.

Rwanda and Burundi, and bishops from He notes that it would be imprudent to other central African countries, due to be urge forgiveness on racial and national held before Christmas. groups particularly without taking into There is no doubt the bishops would be account - not forgetting - the need to comdiscussing how to stop genocidal violence pensate past injustices, even if only in a in central Africa. symbolic manner.

And the Pope's message also applies to The good pawned or lost to evil must be the Christian churches in their quest for redeemed by the one responsible, either unity: they are to forgive any past injus- financially or by loss of privileges. tices against one another if they are to The offender's true human dignity is make any meaningful approach to full devalued and the opportunity for his propunity. er reintegration into society lost if is he is As one who experienced the maelstrom not punished, whether by the 'slap' of a of injustice during the Nazi, and then feather or by more serious methods.

Russian Communist, occupation of But no person can fully compensate for Poland, Pope John Paul knows how diffi- evil done; this has only come as a result cult it is for men and women to forgive of the sinless and Divine Jesus Christ

&Hers fo /Ae Ccirlor

97P011/2o(IA'e

Election-time distortions

T

he State secretary of the National Civic Council, Richard Egan, (The Record. 5 December) deserves censure for his disgraceful, distorted and superficial "analysis" of my position on vital pieces of legislation before the State Parliament.

The fact that he did so in the last edition of your paper to reach parishioners prior to the election (with no chance for me to rebut his conclusions) made it all the more disgraceful.

In the first place, he distorts the facts when he says that I ignored public warnings from Archbishop Hickey about the dangerous implications of the Medical Care of the Dying Bill and the Equal Opportunity Bill.

I did no such thing. To "ignore" is to disregard, or fail to take into account.

It is therefore false to accuse me of ignoring the Archbishop's views.

Quite the contrary,I carefully listened to the Church's advice in both cases.

In the instance of the Medical Care of the Dying Bill, I took detailed advice from Fr Walter Black, of the L J. Goody Bio-Ethics Centre, and in fact was able to help change the shape of the Bill. (As a matter of interest, the Bill was never anything remotely

resembling euthanasia.) Mr Egan could not resist a parting shot at me when he stated that in supporting both Bills I had voted with the ALP Once again he's wrong. I voted in both cases on the merits of the legislation:I was neither supporting the ALP nor opposing the Coalition.

Mr Egan can no longer be taken seriously on any of these issues. If he wishes to be so taken he ought to subject himself to some of the rigorous intellectual discipline of his founder Bob Santamaria.

In the meantime, Mr Egan should desist from pontificating in such a transparently superficial way.

It may come as a surprise to him that, notwithstanding that I take my faith seriously, I am not his or the Church's representative in Parliament.

I represent my electorate, and since Mr Egan's distortion of my positionIhave been re-elected by the electorate.

Finally I suggest The Record itself show a little more care in the way in which it gives such generous space to people who have shown an incapacity to present other than a distorted position.

Phillip Pendal MLA, Member for South Perth Editor's note: It should be remembered that Mr Egan referred to Mr Pendal's "strongpro-life record" and his presence at the Cemetery of the Innocents anti-abortion rally.

redeeming us from evil with His Body and Blood. As the Pope says in his 1997 message, based on his 1980 encyclical Dives in Misericordia (Rich in Mercy), the mercy of forgiveness and the compensation due to justice combine in Jesus Christ to make reconciliation and peace possible.

In Australia, true reconciliation between Aborigines and other Australians can only take place when the good lost by Aborigines over 200 years has been bought back - that is, redeemed from evil - by compensation.

The return of land to Aborigines and the more than $1 billion spent each year on Aboriginal welfare, education, health and other services must be, by reasonable standards, a significant admission of guilt and a first step in seeking forgiveness from Aborigines.

Pope John Paul entitled his 1997 World Day of Peace message: Offering forgiving and receiving peace.

For reconciliation and peace to reign in Australia between Aborigines and Europeans, compensation and forgiveness must continue, and must be embraced by everyone.

• The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth.

Bishop selection

13

atriarch Bartholomew, first among equals in the Orthodox Church, during a recent visit to Perth said, "his message to Australia was a message of peace flowing from Christ." (The Record, 14 November.)

Why then did Archbishop Stylianos, head of the Orthodox Church in Australia and who was in Perth to greet the Patriarch see fit to disparage Pope John Paul II about his method of appointing bishops?

Archbishop Stylianos thinks papal selection of bishops in the Catholic Church rather than election by the faithful is "laughable". He is entitled to his opinion but does peace flow from such tactless language. Pope John Paul 11 would not stoop to a like comment about leaders of separated brethren.

In any event, as a matter of wisdom, to attain the unity of doctrine - so necessary for one fold under one shepherd - Pope John Paul II's method of appointment of bishops world-wide is certain in the end to ensure fidelity in teaching the Gospel and Holy Tradition.

Election of bishops by the faithful may be democratic but, in this day and age, it would aggravate confusion.

Jesus personally appointed the twelve and the Apostles took care to appoint suitable men to succeed them.

Pope John Paul II in appointing bishops In the way he does merely follows the process adopted by Christ and the Apostles. What's laughable about that?

The Orthodox Church has problems with papal primacy and infallibility, the filioque and other Catholic doctrines.

Archbishop Stylianos is also critical of what he calls the Church's "two hands" ie.

State acts and religious acts.

The Universal Church, besides its fundamental purpose of preaching the Gospel to every creature, administers Vatican City's temporal activities and utilises temporal realities as often as its mission requires it.

It will, however, give up the exercise of certain legitimate rights whenever it becomes clear that their use will compromise the sincerity of its witness to Christ's teaching (Vatican Council II, The Church in the Modern World No. 76).

The one true Church guided by the Holy Spirit wisely separates the two roles of State acts and religious acts.

In response to another of Archbishop Stylianos' criticisms of the Church, it is, the Church's magisterium, not its negotiators, who approve or reject conclusions reached in dialogue with the separated brethren.

The Universal Church's certainty that it teaches the truth is based on the Gospels and Tradition, one of the most important of the Gospel texts being "Jesus said to Peter, you are Peter, and on this rock I will bad my Church andIgive to you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Hilary Ryan Rossmoyne

Mother refuses chemotherapy to save baby daughter

By Steve Neill MIDDLEBROOK, Virginia. (CNS) - Vickie and John Desmond often refer to their eighth child, Mary Michaela, as their miracle baby.

That's the term some of the staff used at Augusta Medical Center, where Mary Michaela was born last 4 April.

Mrs Desmond was 47 when her young daughter was born. During her pregnancy she had a cancerous breast removed and underwent regular chemotherapy treatments.

Doctors had suggested the Desmonds might want to consider an abortion, a notion quickly rejected by the Catholic couple.

The Desmonds, who live on a 48-acre farm in Middlebrook and are members of St Francis of Assisi Parish in Staunton, already had six sons and a daughter when they learned Mrs Desmond was pregnant

Their seventh child, Matthias, was born when Mrs. Desmond was 42. "We did not think we would have any more children after Matthias was born," Mrs Desmond said in an interview with The Catholic Virginian, newspaper of the Richmond Diocese. "In early September (1995) I found out Iwas pregnant.Iwas so excited,Iwas walking on cloud nine. We were absolutely thrilled."

Earlier in June 1995 Mrs Desmond had noticed a lump in her breast. She insisted that a biopsy be done because her mother had died of breast cancer at age 49.

Photo: CNS/Steve Neill, Catholic Virginian On September 5 the biopsy results came Desmond with Mmy Michaele.

John and Vickie Sepon later back positive. Three days tember 8 Mrs Desmond had a modified radical mastectomy and some lymph radiation. "At that point the oncologist asked us did we want to terminate the nodes were removed. pregnancy," Mrs Desmond continued.

-Then I was given a diagnosis of stage "We gave him an emphatic no. So he three cancer which means the tumour said we would have to wait until the first lymph was large andIhad more than five nodes positive," she said. "1 was told I trimester was over before I could begin would need aggressive chemotherapy and chemotherapy"

Mrs Desmond began chemotherapy on October 31. She was to have treatments once every three weeks until just before the baby was due in early May. The baby arrived a month early, weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was in top-notch health.

"In the hospital the doctors and nurses were amazed that the baby was born healthy after all she had been through because of the chemotherapy," Mrs Desmond said.

Mrs Desmond endured "six gruelling weeks" of radiation therapy in which she had to drive 90 miles round-trip to Harrisonburg Monday through Friday.

"It was almost like a prison because they lock you in a room by yourself with a door about a foot thick," she said.

"It was awful andI got depressed. But I got through it through prayers from the church community friends and family. I firmly believe those prayers made a difference."

The Record,December 26 1996 Page 7

World Day of Peace Message 1997

Devote yourselves to reconciliation Here is the Vatican text of Pope John Paul ll's message for the celebration of the World Day of Peace, January 1.

It was dated December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and released at the Vatican on December 17.

0

nly three years separate us from the dawn of a new millennium.

This time of expectation is a time for reflection, inviting us to make an assessment, as it were, of mankind's journey ill the sight of God, the Lord of history.

If we look back on the last millennium, and on this century in particular, it must be acknowledged that mankind's path has been greatly illuminated by progress in the sociocultural, economic, scientific and technological spheres.

Unfortunately, this new light coexists with persistent dark shadows, especially in the areas of morality and solidarity.

Then there is the real scandal of violence, which in old and new ways still strikes many human lives, and tears apart families and communities.

The time has come for a resolute decision to set out together on a true pilgrimage of peace, starting from the concrete situation in which we find ourselves.

At times the difficulties can be daunting: Ethnic origin, language, culture and religious beliefs are often obstacles to such a pilgrimage.

To go forward together when we have behind us traumatic experiences or even age-old divisions is not an easy thing to do.

This, then, is the question: Which path must we follow, what direction should we take?

Certainly there are many factors which can help restore peace while safeguarding the demands of justice and human dignity.

But no process of peace can ever begin unless an attitude of sincere forgiveness takes root in human hearts.

When such forgiveness is lacking, wounds continue to fester, fuelling in the younger generation endless resentment, producing a desire for revenge and causing fresh destruction.

Offering and accepting forgiveness is the essential condition for making the journey toward authentic and lasting peace.

With deep conviction therefore I wish to appeal to everyone to seek peace along the paths of forgiveness.

I am fully aware that forgiveness can seem contrary to human logic, which often yields to the dynamics of conflict and revenge.

But forgiveness is inspired by the logic of love, that love which God has for every man and woman, for every people and nation, and for the whole human family.

If the church dares to proclaim what, from a human standpoint, might appear to be sheer folly, it is precisely because of her unshakable confidence in the infinite love of God. As Scripture bears witness, God is rich in mercy and full of forgiveness for those who come back to him (cf. Ez 18:23; Ps 32:5; Ps 103:8-14; Eph 2:4-5; 2 Cor 1:3).

God's forgiveness becomes in our hearts an inexhaustible source of forgiveness in our relationships with one another, helping us to live together in true brotherhood.

Yearning for Healing sIhave said, the modern world, despite A its many successes, continues to be marked by contradictions.

Progress in industry and agriculture has brought a higher standard of living to millions of people and offers great hope for many others.

Technology has shrunk distances, while information has become instantaneous and has made possible new advances in human knowledge.

Respect for the environment is growing and becoming a way of life.

A great army of volunteers, whose generosity often remains hidden, is working tirelessly in every part of the world for the good of humanity, sparing no effort especially in meeting the needs of the poor and the suffering.

The Record.December 26 1996 Page 8

How can we fail to acknowledge with joy these positive aspects of our times? Unfortunately, however, the present world scene also presents more than a few negative signs.

These include materialism and a growing contempt for human life, which have now assumed disturbing proportions.

Many people live their lives with no other allegiance than to the laws of profit, prestige and power.

As a result, many feel imprisoned in a deep inner loneliness.

Others continue to be deliberately discriminated against on grounds of race, nationality or sex.

Poverty is driving masses of people to the margins of society or, even worse, to extinction. For too many people war has become a harsh everyday reality.

A society interested only in material and ephemeral goods is tending to marginalise those who are not useful to its purposes.

Faced with situations like these, involving real human tragedies, some prefer simply to close their eyes, taking refuge in indifference.

Theirs is the attitude of Cain: "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gn 4:9). But the church

attitude and learning precisely from the ments and the international community experience of suffering that only love can remains essential in these matters. build up, whereas hatred produces devasIlls for them to contribute to the building tation and ruin. of peace through the establishment of solid The deadly cycle of revenge must be structures capable of withstanding the replaced by the new-found liberty of for- uncertainties of politics, thus guaranteeing giveness. to everyone freedom and security in every For this to happen, we must learn to read circumstance. the history of other peoples without facile The United Nations, for example, in fideliand partisan bias, making an effort to ty to its founding inspiration, has recently understand their point of view. taken on ever more extensive responsibilThis is a real challenge also on the level ity for maintaining or restoring peace. of education and culture.

In this regard, 50 years after its establishThis is a challenge for civilisation! If we ment, it seems fitting to hope that the agree to set out on this journey, we shall means at its disposal will be appropriatecome to see that mistakes are not all on ly reviewed in order to enable that organone side. isation to face effectively the new We shall see how history has sometimes challenges of our time. been presented in a distorted and even Other organisations at the continental manipulated way, with tragic results. and regional level also have great imporA correct reading of history will make it tance as instruments for promoting peace: easier to accept and appreciate the social, It is reassuring to see them committed to cultural and religious differences between developing practical mechanisms for recindividuals, groups and peoples. onciliation, working actively to help peoThis is the first step toward reconciliation, ples divided by war to rediscover the since respect for differences is an inher- reasons for peaceful and harmonious coexently necessary condition for genuine rela- istence. tionships between individuals and These are forms of mediation which offer between groups. hope to peoples in apparently helpless situations.

Nor should we underestimate the activity of local organisations: Present as they are in places where the seeds of conflict are sown, they can reach individuals directly, mediating between opposing factions and promoting mutual trust.

Lasting peace, however, is not just a matter of structures and mechanisms. It rests above all on the adoption of a style of human coexistence marked by mutual acceptance and a capacity to forgive from the heart.

We all need to be forgiven by others, so we must all be ready to forgive.

Asking and granting forgiveness is something profoundly worthy of man; sometimes it is the only way out of situations marked by age-old and violent hatred.

Certainly, forgiveness does not come spontaneously or naturally to people.

Forgiving from the heart can sometimes be actually heroic.

The pain of losing a child, a brother or sister, one's parents or whole family as a result of war, terrorism or criminal acts can lead to the total closing of oneself to othPope John Paul putting forgiveness into practice: In 1985 photo, he talks with Turkish terrorist ers.

Mehmet Ali Agca, who tried to assassinate him in 1981, in Agca's prison cell in Rome. During People who have been left with nothing their meeting the Pope forgave Agca for his attempt to kill him. Agca is serving a life sentence. because they have been deprived of their land and home, refugees and those who has the duty to remind everyone of God's The suppression of differences can result have endured the humiliation of violence severe admonishment: "What have you in apparent peace, but it creates a volatile cannot fail to feel the temptation to hatred done? The voice of your brother's blood is situation which is in fact the prelude to and revenge. crying to me from the ground!" (Gn 4:10). fresh outbreaks of violence.

Only the warmth of human relationships When so many of our brothers and sismarked by respect, understanding and ters are suffering, we cannot remain indifacceptance can help them to overcome ferent! Their distress appeals to our such feelings. conscience, the inner sanctuary where we The liberating encounter with forgivears, even when they "solve" the probcome face to face with ourselves and with ness, though fraught with difficulties, can lems which cause them, do so only God. How can we fail to see that, to differbe experienced even by a wounded heart, ent degrees, we are all involved in this revi- by leaving a wake of victims and destruc- thanks to the healing power of love, which tion which weighs heavily upon ensuing sion of life to which God is calling us? has its first source in God, who is love.

We all need forgiveness from God and peace negotiations.

Awareness of this should encourage peofrom our neighbour.

Therefore we must all be ready to forgive ples, nations and states once and for all to rise above the "culture of war," not only in and to ask for forgiveness.

Its most detestable form, namely, the power orgiveness, in its truest and highest to wage war used as an instrument of form, is a free act of love. But precisely supremacy, but also in the less odious but because it is an act of love, it has its own no less destructive form of recourse to arms intrinsic demands - the first of which is he difficulty of forgiving does not only as an expeditious way to solve a problem. respect for the truth. arise from the circumstances of the prePrecisely in a time such as ours, which is God alone is absolute truth. But he made sent. familiar with the most sophisticated tech- the human heart open to the desire for History carries with it a heavy burden of nologies of destruction, it is urgently nec- truth, which he then fully revealed in his violence and conflict which cannot easily essary to develop a consistent "culture of Incarnate Son. be shed. peace," which will forestall and counter Hence we are all called to live the truth.

Abuses of power, oppression and wars the seemingly inevitable outbreaks of Where lies and falsehood are sown, there have brought suffering to countless human armed violence, including taking steps to suspicion and division flourish. beings, and even if the causes of these sad stop the growth of the arms industry and Corruption, too, and political or ideologevents are lost in the distant past, their of arms trafficking. ical manipulation, are essentially contrary destructive effects live on, fuelling fear, susBut even before this, the sincere desire to the truth: They attack the very foundapicion, hatred and division among families, for peace has to be translated into a firm tions of social harmony and undermine ethnic groups and whole peoples. decision to remove every obstacle to the possibility of peaceful social relationships. Forgiveness, far from precluding the These are facts which sorely try the good achieving peace. will of those who are seeking to overcome Here the various religions can make an search for truth, actually requires it.

The evil which has been done must be their past conditioning. important contribution as they have often The truth is that one cannot remain a done in the past by speaking out against acknowledged and as far as possible corprisoner of the past, for individuals and war and bravely facing the consequent rected. Il ls precisely this requirement which has led to the establishment in varpeoples need a sort of "healing of memo- risks. ious parts of the world of appropriate proBut are not all of us called to do still more ries," so that past evils will not come back cedures for ascertaining the truth by drawing upon the genuine patrimony of again. regarding crimes between ethnic groups This does not mean forgetting past events; our religious traditions? or nations as a first step toward reconciliAt the same time, the duty of govern- ation. it means re-examining them with a new

Practical Reconciliation

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The horror of tribal warfare on a national scale: two boys lie dead on July 21 this year within a camp for displaced Tutsis in Bugendana, Burundi, after the camp was attacked by Hutu rebels. Some 300 people, mostly women and children, were killed in the massacre. Forgiveness, the Pope says, with a prudent, merciful, remembrance of past injustices, is the key to ending these horrors.

There is no need to insist on the great prudence which all parties must observe in this necessary process in order not to accentuate contrasts which would then make reconciliation even more difficult.

Not uncommon are cases of countries whose leaders, looking to the fundamental good of consolidating peace, have agreed to grant an amnesty to those who have publicly admitted crimes committed during a period of turmoil.

Such an initiative can be regarded favourably as an effort to promote good relations between groups previously opposed to one another.

Another essential requisite for forgiveness and reconciliation is justice, which finds its ultimate foundation in the law of God and in his plan of love and mercy for humanity.(1) Understood in this way, justice is not limited to establishing what is right between the parties in conflict but looks above all to re-establishing authentic relationships with God, with oneself and with others.

Thus there is no contradiction between forgiveness and justice.

Forgiveness neither eliminates nor lessens the need for the reparation which justice requires, but seeks to reintegrate individuals and groups into society, and states into the community of nations.

No punishment can suppress the inalienable dignity of those who have committed evil.

The door to repentance and rehabilitation must always remain open.

Our Reconciliation ow many situations today call for recH onciliation! In the face of this challenge, on which peace to a great extent

depends, I appeal to all believers and in a special Way to the members of the Catholic Church to devote themselves in an active and practical way to the work of reconciliation.

Believers know that reconciliation comes from God, who is always ready to forgive those who turn to him and turn their back on their sins (cf. Is 38:17).

God's immense love goes far beyond human understanding, as sacred Scripture says: "Can a woman forget her suckling child, that she should have no compassion

on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you" (Is 49:15).

Divine love is the foundation of the reconciliation to which all of us are called.

"It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one of your ills; who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion.... He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults" (Ps 102:3-4, 10).

In his loving readiness to forgive, God went even to the point of giving himself to the world in the person of his Son, who came to bring redemption to every individual and all humanity.

In the face of human offenses, which culminated in his condemnation to death on the cross, Jesus prayed: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Lk 23:34).

God's forgiveness is the expression of his loving kindness as our Father.

In the Gospel parable of the prodigal son (cf. Lk 15:11-32), the father runs to meet his son as soon as he sees him coming home.

He does not even let the son apologise: Everything is forgiven (cf. Lk 15:20-22).

The intense joy of forgiveness, offered and received, heals seemingly incurable wounds, restores relationships and firmly roots them in God's inexhaustible love.

Throughout his life Jesus proclaimed God's forgiveness, but he also taught the need for mutual forgiveness as the condition for obtaining it.

In the Lord's Prayer he makes us pray: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Mt 8:12).

With that "as" he places in our hands the measure with which we shall be judged by God. The parable of the unforgiving servant, punished for his hardness of heart toward his fellow servant (cf. Mt 18:23-35), teaches us that those who are unwilling to forgive exclude themselves by this very fact from divine forgiveness: "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart" (Mt 18:35).

Our prayer itself cannot be pleasing to the Lord unless it is preceded, and in a certain sense "guaranteed" in its authenticity, by a sincere effort on our part to be reconciled with our brother who has "something against us": Only then will it be

possible for us to present an offering pleasing to God (cf. Mt 5:23-24).

Reconciliation's service

J

esus not only taught his disciples the duty to forgive, but he also intended his church to be the sign and instrument of his plan of reconciliation, making her the sacrament "of intimate union with God and of the unity of all humanity."(2) In the light of this responsibility, St. Paul described the apostolic ministry as the "ministry of reconciliation" (cf. 2 Car 5:1820).

But in a certain sense every baptised person must consider himself a "minister of reconciliation" since, having been reconciled with God and the brethren, he is called to build peace with the power of truth and justice.

AsIhad occasion to state in my apostolic letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente, Christians, as they get ready to cross the threshold of a new millennium, are invited to renew their repentance for "all those times in history when they departed from the spirit of Christ and his Gospel and, instead of offering to the world the witness of a life inspired by the values of faith, indulged in ways of thinking and acting which were truly forms of counter-witness and scandal."(3) Among these, the divisions which harm the unity of Christians are of singular importance.

As we prepare to celebrate the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, we must together seek Christ's forgiveness, beseeching the Holy Spirit to grant the grace of full unity.

"Unity, after all, is a gift of the Holy Spirit. We are asked to respond to this gift responsibly, without compromise to our witness to the truth."(4) Fixing our gaze on Jesus Christ, our reconciliation, in this first year of preparation for the jubilee, let us do everything we can through prayer, witness and action in order to advance toward greater unity.

This cannot fail to exercise a positive influence on the peacemaking processes going on in different parts of the world.

In June 1997, the churches of Europe will hold in Graz, Austria, their second European ecumenical assembly on the theme "Reconciliation, Gift of God and Source of New Life."

In preparation for this meeting, the presidents of the Conference of European Churches and of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences have issued a joint message calling for a fresh commitment to reconciliation, the "gift of God for us and for the whole of creation."

They have listed some of the many tasks which await the ecclesial communities: the search for a more visible unity and commitment to the reconciliation of peoples.

May the prayer of all Christians sustain the preparations in the local churches for this meeting and foster practical gestures of reconciliation throughout Europe, opening the way to similar efforts on other continents.

In the above-mentioned apostolic letter, I expressed the lively hope that along the way to the year 2000 Christians will take the texts of sacred Scripture as their constant inspiration and reference.

An extremely relevant theme to guide this pilgrimage could be that of forgiveness and reconciliation, to be meditated upon and lived in the concrete circumstances of every person and community.

To all of Good Will wish to conclude this message which I I am sending to believers and all people of good will for the coming World Day of Peace with an appeal to every individual to become an instrument of peace and reconciliation.

In the first place I address myself to you, my brother bishops and priests: Be mirrors of the merciful love of God not only in the ecclesial community but also in civil society, especially where nationalistic and ethnic conflicts are raging.

In spite of the sufferings you may have to endure, do not let hatred enter your hearts, but joyfully proclaim Christ's Gospel and dispense God's forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation.

To you parents, the first educators of your children in the faith,Iask you to help your children to look upon all people as their brothers and sisters, to reach out to others without prejudice, with an attitude of trust and acceptance.

Be for your children a reflection of God's love and forgiveness; make every effort to create a united and harmonious family.

Continued on Page 11

The Record,December 26 1996 Page 9

"IT WAS GOD'S BLESSING FOR YOU TO BE HERE" W hen we entered the tiny home of Olia Kindratovets, something about the way she held herself told us she was a proud, strong woman, full of energy and capable of hard work. She seemed to have much to do about her home. The room we entered was heated by a wood burning oven built into the structure of the house. Her elderly mother sat nearby and four of her nine children gathered on the small bed to listen and gazed at us quietly as Olia, her arms crossed in front of her broad body, spoke to us about her life.

"I work as a librarian at a school and receive a salary," said Olia. "But with this, I can only buy things of prime necessity." She told us of the small plot of land where she is able to grow garden vegetables, wheat, rye and potatoes to supplement her family's diet, and of the cow which provides some milk for her children. "This year we had a very poor potato crop, but I can't imagine what life would be without it," she said. During the winter it is too cold and the garden does not produce a crop, so Olia must store enough food from her garden for her family to survive the winter. "Everything is used and nothing wasted," she explains. Although her

children help as they are able, Olia must do most of the work herself. She even chops all the wood for the fire.

Olia takes all these hardships in her stride, "But the most difficult thing," she says, "is that we are spiritually poor. We need more Christian literature to feed on. Spiritually, it would be difficult if I did not trust r o God. Mama has had two strokes and tries to manage.

W e have no opportunity to buy the medications she needs. When you are in a helpless situation and you are unable to help the ones you love, that's when it is most difficult — though in everything God sustains us."

When MWB workers presented Olia with Operation Christmas Love food and hygiene parcels and a Children's Bible, she was very thankful. "Now that I have received soap powder and all the things you've brought, I am able to use the money which I was saving to buy these things for some other needs of my family!" she exclaimed joyfully. "I want to thank the people of the West for this kind gesture of help and sympathy. It was God's blessing for you to be here. Thank you for coming to our house!"

Will you be the one to lend a helping hand?

Place a parcel in the hands of a needy family, or even give for two or more families.

What will you give? Food to bring hope and cheer for everyone. A Children's Bible placed into a child's hands will give him the bread of Life. As Olia said, "Thank you for coming to our house. It was God's blessing for you to be here."

You and I cannot deliver our parcels by hand personally, but they will be handed out both personally and individually to those like Olia, Petro and Maria. You will bring great joy and encouragement by giving one or more parcels through Operation Christmas Love.

"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shams his food with the poor." Proverbs 22, 9, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31, 20.

With the assurance of scripture I am able to offer you many thanks and indeed the blessings of God for your love to those in need. Thank you for caring and sharing with others. We at Mission Without Borders regard you as our partners. Thank you for your prayers and help as we share the love of God in word and deed. May you and all in your family know His love, joy and peace Jesus came to bring to us all.

Robert Imlach Director Mission Without Borders P 0 Box 265 Bankstown NSW 2200. Phone (02) 793 8100.

Aiewr 701171frilAre yeve 011IPM/4 MOO

mier air/mos4 RE41/7Y! pmeiymerra fiv nier mouer iifirriav 10/1711M7 gOZDAer OPF1'47104/ a/VOWS'IOW Mission Without Borders P 0 Box 265 Bankstown NSW 2200. Phone (02) 793 8100.

MWB Focus October 1996 Australia

o1FINA/4 WA/Dr Hands are a powerful expression of the human soul. We talk with them. We play with them. We work with them. We comfort and love with them. A serious disability to the hand affects every part Of, person's life. Your hands can bring great blessing by giving 9 gift of love to those in need.

Will you place yourself in the picture? Young Maxim Olinic, his brother, and both parents must survive on only twenty dollars a month. Here is a happy scene as on; parcel was delivered with love last year to this family in need.

Will you please give a hand to help as we meet the needs of farflies in Albania, Ukraine, Bosnia, Romania, and Moldova this Christmas? A parcel will be personaly delivered to families in these countries by our Christian partners who will share the love of God with the family. What a joyous time it will be. You can make it come true. Please read these two stories from Ukraine. and see how much these people need help, and how grateful they are for Christian love.

LIVING FROM HAND TO MOUTH Petro and Maria Mikhalets live with their four young children in the same two-roomed house Petro has lived in all his life. "This was my father's house," Petro explains. "I was born in this house and I finished school here."

Inside the house was small and crowded for a family of six. The floors are bare wood and the walls simply whitewashed. Maria washes all of the family's clothing by hand and hangs it out to dry on a rope suspended between the wall and a ceiling beam.

Petro used to work with the department of forestry but he's been out of work for two years. He explained how the family survives. "In the summer we gather mushrooms and berries from the forest.

We also have a plot of land where we grow potatoes, beets, onions, beans and peas. And we preserve cucumbers and tomatoes. If the plot yields a crop, then we have something. But there are years when that does not happen. Then we must do without — we live on bread and potatoes."

"We receive a State allowance for our children but it's not enough to buy the things we need for our

family," explains Petro. "So one month we buy flour with the allowance, the next month we buy sugar, and in three or four months we are able to store something for winter." Although they grow much of their own food and even own a cow and a pig, the Mikhalets family lives in a radiation zone and everything that lives and grows is contaminated. Yet without these things they would die of hunger. "I have a family.I must work on the land," says Petro.

"We are not in a situation where we have completely nothing," says Maria, "but we live from hand to mouth. My son is coughing but there are no medicines in the pharmacy. My daughter Tamara has a problem with her heart but I cannot find the medicine she needs. It's available on the black market but the price is too high. Our problem is that we have no money. We try our best to find a way to survive on the little allowance we receive."

Petro and Maria were very thankful to receive an Operation Christmas Love parcel filled with clean, uncontaminated food items, as well as a hygiene parcel with soap, detergent, and other items they could never afford on their own.

Yfr, P/1114111,4 illiPM/4 114A0 With thankfulness for my many blessings, please accept my love gift towards parcels for the needy children and families.

Here is my love gift of $

$100 for two parcels. $50 for OM parcel. $150 for three parcels.

Please make your cheque payable to

MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS P 0 Box 265 Bankstown NSW 2200.

Phone 02 7938100.

Office Use Only 2640 50 All donations will receive an official receipt from MWB. See over.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2

Our Commitment to You. Integrity: We are commited to deliver 12,000 parcels to the needy people of Albania, Romania, Bosnia, Ukraine, and Moldova this Christmas season. Our workers will deliver these personally to the people, and share with them the gospel message. Should we receive funds in excess of the costs for 12,000 parcels, these funds will be use for Family Care parcels to needy people in these lands in the following winter months. Our Family Care programme continues throughout the whole year with Food parcels, Hygiene parcels, Mothercare parcels, and specific help for families.

Accountability: Every donation will be acknowledged with an official receipt. We are audited annually by Ernst and Young, international auditors, who provide independent appraisal that our funds are used as our supporters designate.

Purpose: Mission Without Borders, formerly Underground Evangelism, is an international and interdenominational Christian mission providing support to the people of the former communist lands. Our support is both spiritual and compassionate with Bibles and Christian literature, as well as material aid. We have been helping the Christians in these lands for over thirty-six years, and with the support of Christians in the West will continue to bring help and encouragement to our brothers and sister in Christ who request our help.

Robert Imlach Director Mission Without Borders.

MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS P 0 BOX 265 BANKSTOWN N.S.W. 2200

Movie Reviews

Space Jam A refreshing, delightful movie free of violence is bright, and gutter language a tribute to human spirit good fun F

I

t's superstar athlete Michael Jordan to the rescue when the Looney Tune characters get in a Jam - a -Space Jam".

The movie is a madcap mix of animation and live action, blended well enough to make the elements come together in a frolicsome fusing of cartoon chaos with helpful humans.

Bugs Bunny (voice of Billy West) and friends must win a crucial basketball match.

If they lose, they must relocate to the boring distant planet their animated alien opponents come from.

And so Jordan finds himself sucked into Looney Tune Land with such crazy critters as Daffy Duck, the Tasmanian Devil, ntreety Bird, Sylvester, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam. The mostly computer-generated animation is bright, colourful and more dimensional than the usual flat-looking cartoons.

Although the visual effects may be highly sophisticated. there is simple, unsophisticated fun to be had from this creative, feature-length cartoon.

Due to some comical cartoon violence, the US Catholic Conference classification is All adults and adolescents.

Trekky plc a fun flick

T

he captain of the Starship Enterprise faces a dual threat - aliens on board and humankind imperilled - in -Star Ti•ek: First Contact" (Paramount).

A ruthless alien race, the Borg, are invading Federation airspace to launch an attack on Earth. Worse; the Borg have insinuated themselves into the Starship and have begun assimilating the crew.

As Picard, android Lt Data and Klingon Lt Worf try to isolate and neutralise the Borg on board, other Enterprise crew members time travel back to the year 2083.

With its double-edged storyline, confident pacing and sleek special effects, "trelddes" can expect fun.

Due to some stylised violence and fleeting sexual innuendo, the US Catholic Conference classification is All - adults and adolescents.

or an airily uplifting movie, the lofty "Fly Away Home" (Columbia) fills the bill.

A tribute to the creative spirit and the possibility of reconciling ruptured relationships, the movie opens to a stylised fatal car crash in New Zealand.

Only-child Amy (Anna Paquin), 13, wakes up in a hospital suddenly motherless, with the estranged dad (Jeff Daniels) she hasn't seen in years set to take her home to his rural Ontario farm.

Settling in for the grieving child isn't easy; her sculptor dad is preoccupied and she chooses to resent his friendly girlfriend (Dana Delaney).

One day Amy rescues an endangered nest of orphaned goslings about to hatch and the next day she has 15 chirping chicks on her hands.

Dad agrees to let her keep them, but there are problems.

For one, to avoid becoming a nuisance, domestically raised wild geese must be rendered flightless, a prospect that horrifies both father and child, but which

Anna Paquin, Dana Delaney and Jeff Daniels star in -Fly Away Home," which the US Catholic Conference Office for Film and Broadcasting has called -a tribute to the creative spirit."

the local lawman intends to enforce.

More vexing is that the goslings have "imprinted" on Anna, thinking she is their mother, and hence the one who must teach them to fly - and to migrate to the South if they are to survive the winter.

Dad, a solo flying enthusiast, hits

on the idea to lead the rapidly maturing geese in flying formation southward in an ultralight aircraft.

But no dice; they will only follow their human Mother Goose.

So he builds two solo ultralights - Amy's painted to look like a giant goose - and off they start an

adventure-laden four-day journey to a North Carolina wetlands endangered by encroaching developers.

Oscar-winner (for "The Piano") Paquin makes an appealing adolescent dealing with so much overnight change in her life.

The nature photography is delightfully captivating, particularly the eye-level shots of the goslings scampering after Amy. How refreshing to see an entertaining movie virtually free of violence, using no gutter language, and whose only sexual reference is that dad's girlfriend admits to occasionally staying over.

There may be some concern over dad's allowing his daughter to fly his handmade contraption, but he feels it's for a greater cause of wildlife preservation.

But the movie is sweetly charming without being overly sentimental, deserving an audience.

Due to an implied live-in relationship and mild menace, the US Catholic Conference classification is All - adults and adolescents.

Dragonslayer a good frolic Revenge film

I

n one of his more unusual big heart, on Einon's vow to be a heart donor are forever intertwined. All else in director Rob roles, Sean Cannery gives kind and generous king.

The movie picks up 12 years Cohen's medieval fantasy pales voice to the huge, flying, English-speaking dragon who later, King Einon is crueller than next to the visually magnificent unwisely gave his heart to anoth- his father ever was, and estranged dragon, whose expressiveness is er, in "Dragonheart" (Universal).

Bowen, blaming the dragon, greatly enhanced by Connery's This medieval romantic fantasy roams the countryside as a free- polished delivery.

Cannery brings a real poignanis set in an oppressed 10th- cen- lance dragonslayer. tury kingdom where high-mindWhen only one dragon remains cy to this computer-generated ed knight Bowen (Dennis Quaid) - in a remarkable scene where marvel just as the script underIs training young Prince Einon Bowen finds himself precariously scores that it is the last of this life(David Thewlis) in a code of hon- inside its giant mouth with a form to roam the earth. our to live by, unlike the lad's cor- sword aimed at its brain - man Once the novelty of gazing at the rupt father. mammoth talking beast wears off, and beast call a truce.

A peasant revolt kills the king In fact, after several philosophi- the audience is left with a rather and gravely wounds the prince - cal discussions they end up agree- simple if colourful romantic fanuntil his mother (Julie Christie) ing to help a fiery maiden (Dina tasy. has Bowen bring young Einon Meyer) lead an uprising.

Because of stylised battlefield into a dragon's cave.

Victory, however, would mean violence, the US Catholic ConferThere the giant beast saves the end of the dragon species as ence classification is All - adults Einon by donating half his own the physical fates of the king and and adolescents.

The muscles from Brussels stoops too low

F

ailing back on the tired con- vengeance on his killers. This cept of the man mistaken takes him to the Big Apple, where for his identical brother is it seems Mikhail was active in the Jean-Claude Van Damme's latest Russian mafia but had been tryartless action flick, "Maximum ing to go straight by turning eviRisk" (Columbia). dence over to the FBI. Van Damme, as retired French Unfortunately, he picked dirty military sharpshooter Alain, agents so now look-alike Alain is feigns deep emotion when he in the line of fire from both sides comes upon the body of the iden- of the law. tical twin, Mikhail, that he never On the other hand, he gets to knew about. pick right up where Mikhail left Adopted and raised by a Russ- off with his slinky girlfriend ian family in New York, the dead (Natasha Henstridge) whose grief brother was tortured and killed in is so momentary she's soon stripFrance. ping down for Alain.

Alain decides to assume his Director Ringo Lam's threadidentity to track down and wreak bare narrative is just an excuse

for a dreary round of repetitive shootouts, car crashes, bone breaking and mindless mayhem on crowded streets.

All the bad guys act on overdrive, in contrast to stoney-faced Van Damme and blank-faced Hensfridge.

Whether the action is in a men's sauna in New York or France, expect blood, gore and brainless brutality.

Because of much murderous violence, a brief sex encounter, fleeting nudity and occasional rough language, the US Catholic Conference classification is 0 morally offensive.

is just a load of old crow

A

dead man returns from a watery grave to wreak vengeance on his killers in the clunky sequel, "The Crow: City of Angels" (Miramax).

The murdered Ashe (Vincent Perez) is revived through the powers of a magical crow who helps the dead find peace by providing the chance to complete unfinished earthly tasks.

Following that premise, Ashe proceeds to litter the screen with the mangled bodies of the gang members responsible for his death and that of his young son.

He finally finishes the job by disposing of the gang's nasty boss, Judah (Richard Brooks), with the help of a tenderhearted tattoo artist (Mia Kirshner) and a swirling mass of CrOWS.

The thin mythic fantasy turns into an episodic gorefest as exploitative as its bogus use of occult lore and pseudo-religious trappings to evoke an eerie atmosphere.

Because of excessive violence, sexual situations, fleeting nudity, some profanity and a great deal of rough language, the US Catholic Conference classification is 0 - morally offensive.

Movie Ratings NEW YORK (CNS) - Here is a The Associate, AIII list ofrecent films the US Catholic Bad Moon, 0 Conference Office for Film and Big Night, AIR Broadcasting has rated on the Bitter Sugar, AM basis of moral suitability.

Bound, 0 The symbol after each title is the The Chamber, A-III (R) USCC classification. USCC classi- The Crucible, AM fications: A-I - generalpatronage; D3: The Mighty Ducks, All A-ff - adults and adolescents; A- Dear God, All III adults; A-IV - adults, with Emma, Al! reservations (this indicates films The English Patient, AIV that, while not morally offensive Entertaining Angels: The In themselves, are not for casual Dorothy Day Story, All viewing because they require Extreme Measures, AM some analysis and explanation to First Kid, All avoid false impressions andinter- The First Wives Club, AIII pretations); 0- morally offensive. Fly Away Home, All The Record,December 26 1996 Page 10

The Funeral, AIV Get on the Bus, AIII The Ghost and the Darkness, All The Glimmer Man, 0 High School High, AM The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Al Independence Day, AIII Jack, All Jingle All the Way, All Jude, AIV Larger Than Life, All Lone Star, AM The Long Kiss Goodnight, 0 Looking for Richard, All Mad Dog Time, 0 Man with a Plan, All

Matilda, All Mercy All Michael Collins, All The Mirror Has Two Faces, AIII Mother Night, AIII The Nutty Professor, AIII 101 Dalmatians, Al Palookaville, All Phenomenon, AIII Ransom, AIV Ridicule, AIV Secrets & Lies, All Set It Off, 0 Shine, AIII Sleepers, AN Sling Blade, AM Space Jam, All

Stephen King's Thinner, AIII Supercop, AIII Surviving Picasso, All Swingers, All That Thing You Do!, Al! A Time to Kill, AN Tin Cup, All To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday, 11.ainspotting, 0 Twelfth Night, All 2 Days in the Valley 0 Unhook the Stars, AM A Very Brady Sequel, AM The War at Home, All William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, AM

1996 Catholic World in Review

Pope's health a worry for many Some of the main events reported in The Record during 1996, compiled by Record staff with the assistance of the Washington-based Catholic News Service

APRIL

Archbishop John Quinn sparks debate with call for new ecumenical council and Roman Curia reforms in Oxford University address.

reforming welfare; bishops back first two, oppose third as hurting poor and immigrants. Chicago Cardinal Joseph Bernardin announces Catholic Common Ground Project to restore unity among polarised US Catholics; less than three weeks later he learns he is dying of cancer.

US National Council of Churches reports more than $8.6 million collected for burned black Churches in less than two months. Mother Teresa survives life-threatening complications after hospitalisation for malaria.

New Pregnancy Assistance Centre announced for Perth. Media allowed for the first time into a session of Australian Catholic JULY Bishops' Conference. Cardinal JANUARY Clancy defends Church from alleAustralian Catholic bishops critOne hundred and fiftieth gations of slowness in dealing icise cuts in migrant levels. Bishanniversary celebrations of with sexual abuse following evi- op George Pell appointed arrival of Mercy nuns and Bene- dence given to NSW Royal Com- Archbishop of Melbourne. Perth dictines to Western Australia mission into Police Corruption.

Pope John Paul II visits Tunisia. Catholics donate $20,000 to begin. Australian Catholic BishNorthern Territory anti-euthanaops' Conference releases issues Vatican official, anticipating June sia court challenge.

Habitat Ii conference, says houspaper on politicians' roles and Voluntary euthanasia becomes responsibilities. ACBC Conunit- ing is a moral right. US cardinals legal in the Northern Territory. tee for Media chairman, Bishop condemn President Clinton's veto Current exercise of papacy called SEPTEMBER Geoffrey Mayne doubts viability of Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. major obstacle to Christian unity I n five-week White House vigil of Catholic pay TV in Australia.

by World Council of Churches 150th anniversary celebrations of Ursuline Sister Dianna Ortiz leader and the ecumenical patriFirst legalised death in Australia arrival of Mercy nuns and Bene- starts bread-and-water fast, seek- arch of Constantinople. Republi- by euthanasia. Federal private ing US documents on her 1989 dictines to Western Australia. cans struggle over "tolerance" members Bill to overturn NorthPope John Paul II calls for total abduction and torture in language in anti-abortion plat- ern Territory euthanasia laws.

Guatemala.

Pope urges global ban on nuclear testing. Chinese Catholics report government ban on anti-personnel land agents infiltrating Catholic com- mines. munities. In first self-rule elecMAY tions Palestinians elect Yasser Arafat president. livo missionary nuns from United States and Australia's Catholic Bishops Canada murdered in Ghana. Two announce nine-point strategy to nuns killed, two severely beaten. by mentally unstable man in weed out and prevent sexual abuse by clergy and Religious:, Maine in the United States. and designate last Sunday in May each year as Day for Life. Leaders FEBRUARY of 15 churches in Australia back Government moves to restrict Father Chris Saunders consefirearm access.

Former Christian crated second Bishop of Broome.

Brothers' students consider offer A deliberately lit fire causes $3.5 of settlement in long-running sexmillion damage to the oldest ual abuse case. church in Australia, St Patrick's Secret taping of Oregon jail Cathedral. Parramatta, in Syd- inmate's sacramental confession ney's western suburbs. Federal draws sharp objections from the The president of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference. Cardinal Edward Court upholds refugee status Catholic Church in the US. Pope Clancy of Sydney, logs into the new ACBC home page on the World Wide Web claim of couple fleeing China's visits Slovenia. Vatican says the watched by the chairman of the Bishops Committee tor Media. bisnop Geofforced one-child policy. secret ordination of a woman frey Mayne, left, and Bishop Michael Putney. The page was launched last Pope John Paul II visits priest in Czechoslovakia under month.

Guatemala. Nicaragua, El Sal- communism was invalid. US vador and Venezuela and says lib- coalition We Are Church starts Catholic Health Care Associaeration theology no longer signature campaign for women form. Explosion of TWA flight relevant. Pope issues new rules priests, other changes in Church over Atlantic kills 230. Celebra- tion and Bishops' Conference for conclave of cardinals to elect practice; Bishop Pilla calls cam- tion of athletic ideals at Olympic intervene as friends of the court his successor. New US law calls paign divisive. Seven monks kid- Games in Atlanta marred by in Superclinics High Court aborbomb at Olympic park. Pope con- tion case. Bishops launch statefor V-chips in TVs to let parents napped in Algeria are killed. demns massacre of 300 displaced ment on eradication of poverty. block offensive programs. French Tutsis in Burundi refugee camp. Australian nuns detained by bishops' committee says conGreek Orthodox Archbishop Sudanese rebels in August JUNE doms can he used in some cirIakovos of North and South Amer- released unharmed. cumstances to prevent AIDS. ica retires.

Archbishop, two nuns, murArchbishop Leonard Faulkner of dered in Burundi amid Hutu-Tutsi MARCH Adelaide warns anti-gun control ethnic violence. Pope visits HunAUGUST protesters risk dividing Australia. gary and France. All US cardinals Australia's Bishops condemn Australian Catholic Relief gather in Washington to ask US anti-Aboriginal remarks made becomes Caritas Australia after Australian Catholic Church Congress to override veto on parduring February's Federal elec- 32 years. Pope appoints Archtion. Kalgoorlie celebrates 100 bishop Hickey to committee plan- agencies express regret for tial-birth abortion ban. Vatican i years as a parish. ning synod of bishops for nvolvement in separation of Abo- announcements on Pope's health riginal children from families. $5 - recurring appendicitis and a Illness forces Pope John Paul H Oceania. million settlement reached neural disorder causing hand Israelis elect Benjamin cuts back schedule for a week. between Christian Brothers and tremor - fuel speculation. CardiPope's apostolic exhortation on Netanyahu as prime minister, men suing them over sexual nal Ratzinger calls relativism the consecrated life urges greater putting Israeli-Palestinian peace abuse as children. Milan's Cardi- newest danger to the faith. New decision-making roles for women process on back burner. Catholic nal Carlo Martini visits Australia. violence in Israel leaves 76 dead. religious. Islamic extremists kid- Theological Society of America Bishops launch research project World Lutheran body seeks delay nap seven French Trappist monks asks for year-long study of Vatican on women in the Church. until 1998 in joint Catholicin Algeria. Bishop Fabian Bruske- doctrinal statement on women Lutheran statement on condemGasoline bomb kills Algerian meet in Orewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska, issues priests. US bishops nations of 16th central?: special law excommunicating gon, approve liturgy texts, nation- bishop and his chauffeur. Some 3,000 frozen human embryos are for millennium Catholics in Call to Action and al office OCTOBER observances. Pope visits Ger- destroyed as five-year storage other groups. l imit takes effect in England.

US many. US bishops start national Edmund Ignatius Rice, founder Cardinal Carlo Martini of Milan, postcard campaign asking Con- President Bill Clinton signs laws Italy, says issue of women priests gress to override Clinton's veto on increasing minimum wage, pro- of the Irish Christian Brothers, needs more study. partial-birth abortion. Retired US tecting healt!i insurance coverage, beatified in Rome. East Timorese

Bishop Belo co-winner of Nobel Peace prize. WA Coalition for Defence of Human Life announces abortion now equal to all other causes of death combined in the State.

US Supreme Court agrees to review constitutionality of New York and Washington state laws against physician-assisted suicide. Mother Teresa becomes fifth person in history to be named an honourary US citizen. Pope has appendix removed. Pope provokes stir with statement that evolution can be recognised as "more than a hypothesis." South Africa and Poland legalise abortion.

Church aid agencies move to help refugees fleeing camps in Zaire: Hutu militia in one abandoned camp kill four Spanish Marist brothers.

NOVEMBER Orthodox leader. Patriarch BartholomewIof Constantinople. visits Austrdlia. Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne launches fivepoint strategy to deal with problem of sex abuse by clergy Melbourne archdiocesan seminary staff resign rather than implement Victorian bishops' spiritual formation measures for seminarians, including dai4 Mass. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference launches Internet home page.

Vatican suspends donations to UNICEF over abortion, contraception activities. Pope and more than 1.600 other priests ordained in 1946 gather in Rome to celebrate their golden jubilee. US Cardinal Bernardin dies of cancer.

Mother Teresa, hospitalised to unblock coronary arteries, is told her world travels will have to end.

Pope calls worldwide food gap intolerable as World Food Summit meets in Rome. Pope and Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro meet for first time.

DECEMBER Australia's bishops call for reasoned debate on Aboriginal funding and immigration issues.

Church in Perth says it will strenuously oppose plans to phase out denominational chaplaincies in public hospitals. New Perth Catholic pregnancy assistance centre opened.

Pope and Anglican Archbishop George Carey meet, call opposite stands on women's ordination obstacle to Catholic-Anglican reconciliation. Hawaii court rules law against same-sex marriages violates state constitution. Papal call to Chinese Catholics to unite around Rome is criticised by Chinese government. At Vatican meeting on women, Pope says equality of sexes must respect differences. At Vatican symposium on papal primacy, Pope calls exploration of the question important for ecumenism. Bishop Belo receives Nobel Peace Prize.

Pope John Paul's Peace Day message: in forgiving we will find true peace Continued from Page 9 And you educators, called to teach young people the true values of life by introducing them to the complexity of history and human culture, help them to live In every situation the virtues of tolerance, understanding and respect; hold up to them as models those who have been artisans of peace and reconciliation.

You young people, who cherish great hopes in your hearts, learn to live with one another in peace, without building barriers

which stop you from sharing the treasures of other cultures and traditions.

Respond to violence with works of peace in order to build a world which is reconciled and fully human.

You men and women in public life, called to serve the common good, exclude no one from your concerns; take special care of the weakest sectors of society Do not put your personal advantage above all else; do not

give in to the lure of corruption and, above all, face even the most difficult situations with the weapons of peace and reconciliation.

To you who work in the mass media, I ask you to consider the great responsibilities which your profession involves and never to be promoters of messages marked by hatred, violence or falsehood.

Always keep in mind the truth of the human person, whose welfare the powerful means of com-

munication are meant to serve.

Finally, to all of you who believe in Christ,I address an invitation to walk faithfully on the path of forgiveness and reconciliation, uniting yourselves to his prayer to the Father that all may be one (cf. In 17:21).

AndIexhort you to accompany this unceasing prayer for peace with deeds of brotherhood and mutual acceptance.

To every person of good will eager to work tirelessly in the building of a new civilisation of

love,I say once more: Offer forgiveness and receive peace!

Notes 1.

Cf. John Paul II, encyclical "Dives in Misericonlia" (Nov. 30, 1980), 14: Ada Apostolicae Sedis 72 (1980), 1223.

2.

Second Vatican Council, "Lumen Gentium," 1.

3.

No. 33: AAS 87 (1995), 25.

4.

Ibid., 34.

The Record,December 26 1996 Page 11

International News

Cardinal condemns 'survival of fittest'

By Cindy Wooden

(

ROME (CNS) - Applying Darwin's theory of the "survival of the fittest" to human society violates human dignity, said Cardinal John O'Connor of New York.

Speaking on December 13 to Roman politicians, civil servants, business and labour leaders, the cardinal said virtue in public life is found in those who serve the weakest members of the community.

Cardinal O'Connor opened a series of Rome diocesan gatherings to prepare the city's Catholic community to celebrate the year 2000 and to host millions of Holy Year pilgrims.

The cardinal spoke briefly about Pope John Paul ll's recent remark that decades of scientific research support the conclusion that the theory of evolution is more than a hypothesis.

"The crucial point" in the Pope's talk, he said. "is that the soul, which makes a being a human person, comes directly from God and makes every creature a unique person, a reflection of the divine image and, therefore, sacred, with an inestimable value

and dignity."

The inability to recognise the importance of the human soul combined with an erroneous use of Darwin's theory about biological evolution favouring the survival of the species "have provoked serious damage for society and the individual," the cardinal said.

Social Darwinism or social evolution have pervaded modern thought and behaviour, extolling the survival of the fittest in society, Cardinal O'Connor said.

"Applying this principle, there is no place for the poor, the homeless, the leper, the handicapped, the elderly, those with cancer or AIDS. nor for children who are unborn and unwanted," he said.

According to the theory, only the powerful are worthy to survive and only the most powerful have a right to govern, he said.

"But in such a society, no one is safe. A time comes when everyone is vulnerable because of illness or old age," he said.

In a society in which only the powerful count, there is no room for the mystery of God, Cardinal O'Connor told his Roman audience.

Mother Teresa walks from hospital, bows to crowd CALCUTTA, India (CNS) Mother Teresa walked unaided out of the B. M. Birla Heart Research Center last week. 19 December, smiling and bowing to about 300 people who waited to greet her.

Before she left she said: "What you all did to me, you did to Jesus.

Thank you so much, God bless you."

Mother Teresa, who has been suffering near fatal heart problems, was accompanied to a waiting car at around noon by her doctors and Sister Frederick Lewis, one of her top aides within the Missionaries of Charity Dr Devi Shetty said he had found Mother Teresa standing in her room when he visited her earlier that day. A. K Chatterjee, hospital spokesman, said: "This morning she grabbed (Shetty's) arm and pulled, saying: 'See how strongI am?I will be walking out of here."

Dr Shetty said: "She challenged me in a boxing bout and threw her fist in the air. She is very happy that she could return home before Christmas."

Doctors praised her recovery.

"At least on four occasions she was almost dead, but she pulled herself up," said Dr Patricia Aubanel.

Another doctor who treated Mother Teresa attributed her dramatic recovery to inner strength.

Hospital workers say farewell to Mother Teresa as she leaves a Calcutta hospital.

Photo CNS/Reuters "It is not easy at 86, particularly when you have got heart, kidney and lung problems. But she gets strength from inside," said Dr. Tarun Praharaj.

Mother Teresa was taken to the order's motherhouse in Calcutta.

As she was helped up two steps leading into the house, some sisters rang the chapel bell as others gathered around her, singing, dancing and applauding.

"It is God's wish," Sister Priscilla Lewis told Reuters, the British news agency. Preparations were made at the motherhouse to provide her with oxygen, a special chair and chest massage.

The Record, December 26 1996 Page 12

US Bishops' committee on science backs Pope's evolution comments WASHINGTON (CNS) - The US bishops' Committee on Science and Human Values has expressed its agreement with remarks made in October by Pope John Paul II on the theory of evolution.

The Pope, in an October 22 address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, had said that over the last 50 years, "new knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis," a statement which garnered wide attention in the religious and secular press.

In a "reflection" on the papal text the bishops' committee said the Pope's remarks, while they "do not enjoy the solemnity of an encyclical or other magisterial teaching ..., would appear to represent a significant advance in the official Catholic attitude toward evolution."

The reflection was released in Washington in mid-December.

"Pope John Paul II begins by stating that 'truth cannot contradict truth," the committee said.

"In other words, the truths that science uncovers and the truths of revelation are always reconcilable."

The reflection pointed out that

the Pope cited Pope Pius XII's

1950 encyclical, Humani Generis,

which stated there is "no opposition between evolution, correctly understood, and Catholic doctrine about humanity."

The encyclical called evolution "a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study equal to that of the opposing hypothesis."

The committee's reflection pointed out that some of the Pope's words, originally delivered in French, were "the subject of some controversy" after being translated incorrectly into English by the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano.

The paper wrongly quoted the Pope as saying there was recognition of "more than one hypothesis in the theory of evolution."

The paper later pointed out the discrepancy.

But the committee's reflection said that regardless of how the words were translated, "the sense of the paragraph is clear."

"Rather than remaining neutral as regards evolution and 'its opposite hypothesis,— the reflection said, "the Holy Father recognises that work in fields like geology,

anatomy, paleontology and human genetics constitutes an argument in its favour.

"It is important to note that acceptance of evolution does not mean an acceptance of a materialist or reductionist version of the theory. The Holy Father insists that the human person is created in the image and likeness of God and 'cannot be subordinated ... either to the species of to society."

The Pope "does not dispute science's contention that our physical body is a product of evolution," the bishops' reflection said.

"This is a scientific assertion on which the church takes no position."

But on the other hand the Church insists "that the human being is unique, the only creature God wanted for its own sake," the committee said.

"This is a theological assertion on which science, with its reliance on empirical analysis, takes no position.

"The two assertions, both true, are not in conflict. Rather, they Illuminate different aspects of our complex human reality."

Disney targetted on 'sweatshops'

By Tracy Early NEW YORK (CNS) - Hundreds of Church and labour representatives joining hands to address economic issues turned out on December 14 for a united demonstration in New York against Disney's wage scales in Haiti.

"Workers in Haiti get paid as little as 28 cents an hour producing Mickey Mouse and Pocahontas pajamas for Disney subcontractors in horrible conditions," said a leaflet passed out in front of a large Disney store on Fifth CNS Ffr' Avenue.

The leaflet also charged that the Campaigners claiming exploitation of Haitian workers by the Disney compaDisney subcontractors had fired ny protest outside a Disney store in New York on December 14. or laid off union organisers and pressed to end exploitation of and healthy workplaces be prothat workers were fired for child labor in Thailand and to vided: that only individuals protesting the dismissal of an withdraw from Burma because of whose presence is voluntary can organiser. its military dictatorship. be employed: and that wage and Barbara DiTomasso, director of Ken Green, a spokesman for Dis- hour laws and fair employment the Peace and Justice Commis- ney in Burbank. California, told practices be followed. sion of the Albany Diocese was CNS in a telephone interview on As a result of concerns raised among the demonstrators.

December 16 that Disney, in grant- over employment practices of DisShe said that she visited Haiti ing licenses to Haiti companies ney's Haitian subcontractors, earlier this year, and found work- and other outside manufacturers Green said, US Ambassador to ers took jobs such as those in the to produce Disney-branded prod- Haiti William Lacy Swing paid plants where Disney merchan- ucts, requires them to comply visits himself and had staff visit dise is made only because of the with several conditions set out in most of them. desperation brought on by its contract, including safe work Swing, in a letter to the head of extreme poverty. conditions.

Disney's consumer division, said Rev. David Dyson, a PresbyterThose conditions stipulate, that many of the plants pay highian pastor in Brooklyn, said after according to Green, that no child er wages than the legal minimum the demonstration the Disney labor can be used in the manu- and that no visit by embassy staff Company had toys made in Thai- facturing, packaging and distribu- had "turned up any evidence of land and Burma, and was being tion of Disney products; that safe substandard working conditions.

UK pro-lifers consider airing abortion film MANCHESI'ER, England (CNS) If Prime Minister John Major broadcast of film of a late-term - Pro-lifers in Britain hope to field loses his slender majority in the abortion. at least 50 candidates for Parlia- House of Commons, the opposi"If people say it is a person's ment in the next general election tion parties might force him into individual choice to do these and may use television to draw an unwanted early election. things, perhaps they should see attention to the issue of late-term Prominent Pro-Life Me David what it is they are prepared to abortions.

Alton, representing Liverpool, choose," he said.

A group called the Pro-Life welcomed the news that the ProThe driving force behind the Alliance, set to be launched in Jan- Life Alliance was seeking to Pro-Life Alliance, Bruno Quinuary, would be entitled to a free increase the political profile of tavalle, a 25-year-old student, said party political broadcast on prime abortion before the election. recent events in Britain had time television if it reaches its tarSpeaking to CNS in a telephone served to highlight pro-life issues get of 50 candidates. interview, Alton said the alliance's again.

One possibility being consid- primary purpose was not to win Quintavalle said the Pro-Life ered by the alliance is to show a votes, but to "force the issue on to Alliance would only field candifilm of a late-term abortion. the agendas of the mainstream dates in seats where none of the The date of the election is still a political parties." existing candidates was suffimatter of speculation.

He also welcomed the proposed ciently pro-life.

International News

Murder victim parent finds peace in forgiveness forms of human life, from the "And I do love them because 'Jesus I love you,' " Stevens said. unborn to the elderly. they are children of God. I know "I say it over and over."

"I'm against anything that takes it's hard for people to understand LOUISVILLE, Kentucky. (CNS) The healing process begins It took faith, fortitude and nine human life, whether it be abor- that but I've seen them change when you start doing what you're tion, euthanasia or the death too." years of spiritual wandering. supposed to be doing - really Stevens said he knows precise- what the Lord wants you to do," But Paul Stevens finally man- penalty," he said.

"I'm just against anyone taking ly the bitter odyssey of parents he said. aged to pull himself out of the who experience the murder of a emotional morass of hatred in another person's life."

"Once you're able to do that ...

Stevens is a member of Resur- child. which he found himself after his the healing is going to be there." rection Catholic Church in Dawdaughter's murder in 1969.

However, as much as he might He added, 'The Lord wants us to The turning point, he said, was son Springs. have wanted in the past, he now visit the sick, clothe the naked, For the past 11 years, Stevens has no desire to be party to a feed the hungry, house the poor, the "walk with the Lord" he made has been a chaplain in prison death wish. at a Cwsillo retreat in 1978. visit the imprisoned. When you Finally letting go of the feelings ministry at the Kentucky State For years Stevens couldn't bear do that for the least of these peoof bitterness, anger and hatred he Penitentiary in Eddyville. to be in Evansville, Indiana, where ple, you're doing it for Christ. He's had toward his daughter's killer Stevens reaches out to the his daughter was murdered 27 in those people." was a spiritual experience, inmates on death row by seeing years ago.

Stevens said his stance against recalled Stevens, 75, in an inter- Christ in each of them.

He said he still occasionally has capital punishment is part of his view with The Record, newspaHe does not coddle them or con- problems with the images of the firm belief that the state does not per of the Louisville Archdiocese. done their crimes but sees each tragedy flashing through his have the right to kill.

His change of heart has made one as a child of God. mind. He dispels those thoughts "The right to life is from conhim an outspoken opponent of "Itell them each timeI go to ser- by reciting a short prayer he ception to death, regardless of not only capital punishment but vices with them that Ilove them," learned at the Cursillo. how long, and we must give the of any other attack against all Stevens said.

"To get things off my mind I say, right to life to people regardless

By Roy Horner

Theologians back Balasuriya in Vatican fight TAGAYTAY, Philippines (UCAN) - More than 80 Christian theologians from around the world meeting here agreed unanimously to support Oblate Father Tissa Balasuriya, who has appealed to the Pope against Vatican sanctions.

The fourth international assembly of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT) in Tagaytay, southwest of Manila, resolved to write to Pope John Paul II urging him to allow the Sri Lankan priest a public hearing.

The assembly also decided to Inform the Pope that it would still Fr Tissa Balasuriya regard Father Balasuriya as a priest and theologian even if he and original sin to be in error, he were excommunicated. said.

The priest acknowledged that The decisions came after an unscheduled presentation to the his book discusses these topics, assembly on December 15 by the but claimed that the errors cited Oblate theologian, who said that by the CDF are "misrepresentaArchbishop Osvaldo Padilla, the tions" of what he wrote. apostolic nuncio to Sri Lanka, told The threat of excommunication, him on December 7 before he left he said, is due to his refusal to for the EATWOT meeting that he sign a profession of faith that the may face excommunication. congregation prepared specificalFather Balasuriya explained that ly for him. he had been under investigation Among elements of the profesfor the last four years because of sion that he said are not neceshis 1990 book Mary and Human sarily defined doctrine is part of Liberation. paragraph 14, that reads, "I firmly The Congregation for the Doc- accept and hold that the Church trine of the Faith (CDF) judged has no authority whatsoever to questions the book raises con- confer priestly ordination on cerning Mary's Immaculate Con- women." ception and Assumption, Jesus "What right does Rome have to

force a Sri Lankan to take a profession of faith that no one else has to take?" asked Jesuit Father Samuel Rayan.

The Indian theologian reminded the assembly that theologians speak and write "with responsibility, not infallibility."

"We try our best and we are judged by others. This is the way we discover truth," Father Rayan said.

Father Balasuriya, 72, has been a priest for 44 years and has been affiliated with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate for more than five decades.

He said a Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith judgment that he has defected from the Catholic faith would lead to his automatic dismissal from his congregation.

"The superior general and general administration of the Oblates, and the provincial and council of the Oblates in Sri Lanka, who have known me and my work during the past 51 years, are apparently not able to have a say concerning this," the priest said.

"Iam prepared to correct myself publicly before a fair tribunal, if I am proven wrong in terms of contemporary theological scholarship," he reiterated.

The letter to the Pope regarding Father Balasuriya is among documents the EATWOT assembly is set to release on December 18.

TAGAYTAY, Philippines (UCAN) - Women members of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT) staged a symbolic walkout to prod their male counterparts into serious reflection on gender issues.

gestions from the women on the annual circulation among EATWOT members of articles on feminist theology for study.

Obligatory dialogues between male and female theologians on gender issues will also be held at all regional assemblies.

The meeting agreed to attempt an integrated theological perspective, which will include gender, race, ecology and class, Sister Mananzan added.

Women walk out, force (obligatory dialogue

"These issues weren't being taken as seriously as we would want them to be" at the fourth international EATWOT assembly here, Benedictine Sister Mary John Mananzan, conference plan-

ner, told UCA News. On December 15, pastor Elizabeth Tapia brought the evening Plenary on Women to an abrupt halt when she announced, "We will leave you for a moment for serious reflection."

Sister Mananzan, women's committee chairperson, said that the symbolic gesture resulted in an apology to the women and a "serious discussion."

The meeting resumed with sug-

of who they are. No one has the right to take that life," he said.

Stevens believes that if you take a person's life - no matter how criminal the person is - that person might be denied the conversion that will get his soul into heaven.

"You don't want to cut short anyone's life because they may change or have the opportunity to change," Stevens said.

"Look at St Paul.... What if someone had come and killed him out of revenge when he was doing what he was doing? He sure wouldn't be called a saint, would he?

"I'm not holier than thou," Stevens said. "But I am trying to do the best I can to do what the Lord wants me to do. I'm better thanIwas ... because I've changed within."

Faith can assist healing process: US doctors BOSTON (CNS) - Nearly all family physicians think that religious belief can contribute to the healing of a patient, according to a new survey.

The survey of 269 members of the American Academy of Family Physicians was conducted by Yankelovich Partners in early October at the academy's annual meeting in New Orleans.

Results of the survey were announced on December 16 in Boston during a three-day Harvard Medical School continuing education course on "Spirituality and Healing in Medicine."

"Through the ages physicians have witnessed recoveries they can't attribute solely to medical procedures," said Dr Herbert Benson, president of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston, which is affiliated with Harvard.

"Now, many physicians are beginning to hold that belief can have a profound influence on health and well-being, and they see it as an integral part of their traditional treatment plan," Benson added.

The survey found that 99 percent of family physicians responding agreed that spiritual beliefs can be helpful in medical treatment Ninety-one percent of the physicians said they have had patients who sought the aid of a spiritual leader to help with their medical condition, but 55 percent said they have not directly sought the assistance of spiritual leaders for their

patients. Although only 44 percent of family physicians said they learned relaxation and/or meditation techniques in their medical training, 55 percent said they currently use such techniques in their practices and 80 percent said they thought the techniques should be part of formal medical training.

Only 20 percent of the doctors responding to the survey said they had been taught about spirituality and healing, but 58 percent said they had since pursued such information through reading, lectures or continuing education courses.

No information was released on the survey's margin of error.

An open-ended section of the survey also allowed physicians to offer their own comments on spirituality and healing.

"Patients who have negative beliefs about their illness never do as well as those who maintain hope," said one doctor.

"Many examples of mind/spirit healing occur in my practice on a week-in, week-out basis," wrote another.

"I've seen miracles after prayer," said a third physician.

"If nothing more, it eases the mind-set of patients who know that prayer is a healing art."

The December 15-17 course on "Spirituality and Healing in Medicine," fundedin part by the John Templeton Foundation, was designed to examine scientific studies linking religion or spiritual practices to medical outcomes.

Politician turned priest dies in Italy after stroke ROME (CNS) - An Italian priest who as a young political leader had a significant influence on the evolution of postwar democracy in Italy was lauded for his achievements after his death in mid-December.

In the 1950s, Catholic scholar and activist Giuseppe Dossetti left politics, founded a modest-sized religious order called the Small Family of the Annunciation and became a priest.

He died on December 14, two months after suffering a stroke at age 83. In announcing the news, Italian Premier Romano Prodi called Father Dossetti "a man of

great civil, religious and moral passion" and "one of the few spiritual guides of the country."

His career as a civil and spiritual leader was shaped by events that also left their mark on the country's development in this century Born in the northern Italian city of Genoa in 1913, Dossetti studied and taught canon law at the Catholic University of Milan.

He joined the anti-fascist resistance in World War II and was among the group of young antifascist Catholics who secretly formed the Christian Democratic Party in 1943.

The Record,December 26 1996 Page 13

Asian Catholic News

Malaysia bishop fears for youth TAMBUNAN, Malaysia (UCAN) - Bishop Cornelius Piong of Keningau in East Malaysia said at a recent confirmation service that he feels apprehensive about the country's slogan, "One Nation, One Language, One Religion."

"Not everything said and wished for is good. What about our rights to practice our own faith? What about our belief in Jesus Christ?" the bishop asked at the December 8 ceremony at St Theresa Church in Tambunan, Sabah state.

"Our country has achieved many good things, but we do not have to take in all that the government is trying to wish for us," he said in his homily.

"My greatest fear is about the depth of the faith of all of us, especially your knowledge of the faith," he said, addressing the youth in the audience.

"Many of you find it so easy to leave your faith because you do not have that 'personal relationship' with Jesus in your prayers and in your life. Material things can easily convert you," he warned the 150 youths.

"Because you do not have that close relationship with Him, you do not have the commitment to life with God, even in bad times," he added, urging them to conunit their lives to God and always be prepared to be His witnesses.

The bishop also reminded parents of their role as their children's primary educators in the faith.

"Do not leave these tasks any more to catechists. Religious and priests," he said.

"Left uncared for, our children suffer," he added. "(They) seek attention elsewhere, often landing them with other uncared-for children who are already involved in the sicknesses of our society: loitering, drugs and sex."

He cautioned that a country cannot be built on a society in which children grow up without proper attention and direction in the shaping of their values.

Synod fails to agree on liturgy, leadership VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II has accepted the resignation of Indian Cardinal Antony Padiyara and appointed an archdiocesan administrator, the Vatican said on December 18.

Cardinal Padiyara, who headed the Archdiocese of ErnakulamAngamaly for four years, submitted his resignation earlier this year at age 75, as required by canon law.

He had been head of the southwestern Indian archdiocese for four years.

Its members belong to the SyroMalabar rite, found chiefly in India, who account for about onefifth of India's Catholics.

Pope John Paul • appointed Redemptorist Father Varkey Vithayathil as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese.

The full synod of the Syro-Malabar Church ended in Kochi this week without resolving several

issues vexing the larger of India's two Oriental Churches for years.

Father Jose Porunnedom, chancellor of the Church's archepiscopal curia in the southern Indian city of Kochi, said the closed synod "couldn't arrive at any particular decisions" on controversies over liturgy and leadership.

According to a press release, the synod approved the Church's marriage laws, its major archepiscopal assembly's statutes and by-laws of an oriental institute of studies.

The press release acknowledged that the October 28November 15 meeting studied disputes within the Church and that the synodal members admitted the solution lies in their unity on the controversy over liturgy One faction, led by Archbishop Joseph Powathil of Changanacherry, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India,

wants to restore the Church's kilometres south of New Delhi, ancient liturgy, pruning Latin ele- amid a protest by Church activists ments that have crept in over time. against the alleged domination of The other faction, allegedly led the Church by the Vatican Conby Cardinal Padiyara, rejects the gregation for the Oriental Churchmove as obsolete and irrelevant. es.

The Church is also divided on Some 100 Malabar Church the appointment of bishops to Action Council members, includMananthavady and Palghat dio- ing priests and nuns, marched to ceses and a successor to Cardinal the synod venue decrying Rome's Padiyara as major archbishop. retention of the power to appoint Archbishop Powathil was bishops even after the Sro-Malexpected to succeed him, but no abar Church was made "sui juris" such announcement was made at (self governing) in 1992. the synod.

The Vatican also retained the "Everything is still in a fluid state and the synodal fathers couldn't right to decide on liturgical matreach any conclusions," Father ters.

Pope John Paul II accorded the Porunnedom said.

The synod addressed amend- Church sullulls status, asked it to ments to laws on Holy Orders, form its own synod to handle guidelines for priestly and faith administration and named a formation and the need for coop- major archbishop to try to end eration between bishops and infighting in the Church that traces its origin to Saint Thomas Religious.

It opened at Kochi, some 2,565 the Apostle.

Chinese Church a political issue, leaders insist HONG KONG (UCAN) - Pope John Paul Il's recent call for Church communion in China is seen as a political issue, not a religious one, by Church leaders in China, who say Catholics there are in communion With the Pope through prayer.

In a December 3 Mass marking the 70th anniversary of the ordination of the first group of Chinese bishops and the 50th anniversary of the Chinese hierarchy, the Pope urged Catholics in China to "remain loyal to the faith."

He called on them to be "united with Christ. with the Successor of Peter and with the whole universal Church, also and especially through the ministry of Bishops in communion with the Apostolic See." Bishop Joseph Zong Huaide of Jinan and Zhoucun, president of the government-sanctioned Bishops' Conference of the Catholic Church in China, says the open Church recognises the Pope as leader and openly prays for him.

Underground Catholics should visit the open Church and see that it prays for the Pope openly and is in communion with him, he told UCA News on December 5.

"Seeking communion should

not emphasise the underground Church too much or it will hurt the feelings of the open Church counterpart," he said.

He added that unless the Vatican and China establish diplomatic relations, which is what he hopes for, there is little hope that the Pope can visit China, a desire the Holy Father reiterated in his message.

Pope John Paul asked the bishops in China to "express and promote full reconciliation between all the faithful" and to "prepare the flocks spiritually for the celebration of the Holy Year 2000."

He stressed the need for integral formation for priests, men and women Religious, catechists and laity to properly develop the Church in China.

China's civil authorities need not fear God nor the Church, he assured, saying Christians can live their faith "in any political system."

At the same time, the Pope urged the authorities to respect each person's innate right to freedom, and to ensure that believers in Christ have the opportunity to Increasingly contribute to the development of the country.

Responding to the Pope's message, Anthony Liu Bainian, vice

Photo The Par East magazine

Mame pilgrims gather at Our Lady of Shesan shrine, near Shanghai.

chairman of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, told UCA News on December 9 that in China, Church communion is a political issue rather than a religious one.

Church communion is not a problem as both the open and underground Church share the same faith and both pray for the Pope.

They differ in that the former supports the socialist system and the latter does not, he said. "Bish-

ops have to be patriotic and act according to the country's conditions," the Catholic layman added.

A Church-in-China watcher in Hong Kong regarded the Pope's call as a response to the pastoral letter of the underground bishops dated October 28.

The letter expressed the desire lobe in communion with the Pope and asked the Chinese authorities not to crack down on religious believers.

Retreat ends crippling dowry practice Mass wedding helps couples ATAMBUA, Indonesia (UCAN) Catholics in a western Timor diocese in eastern Indonesia have resolved to change some of their ancestral customs by lowering dowry values and eliminating animistic mourning rites.

Catholic leaders of St Cecilia Parish of Kota Foun in Atambua diocese decided to change some ancestral traditions at a special spiritual exercise, known as Retreat 3-BER, led by Divine Word Bishop Anton Pain Rain of Atambua.

Retreat 3-BER, introduced in 1972 by Bishop Pain Rath. then a diocesan adviser, is attended by parish categories known as "berpendidikan" (educated). "berkedudukan" (with formal position), and "berpengaruh" (influential).

At the September 27-30 retreat,

136 parishioners agreed to lower dowries from an average of 10 million rupiah (US$4,280) to 500,000 rupiah and eliminate animistic mourning rites, including keeping the remains of the dead for days.

"The change that we made regarding the marriage custom is really a revolutionary one," Arnold Ma, 54, told UCA News.

"The 10 million rupiah dowry required from the groom and his parents is too much to pay, even though they are also supported by their relatives, given the fact that local people are generally farmers with low income," Asa added.

Asa said that the parish leaders also agreed to simplify wedding parties, and urged parents and families to give support to newly wed couples.

The Record, December 26 1996 Page 14

"Instead of demanding that the groom and his family pay the expensive dowry to the bride's family, both sides should save the money to assist the newly wed couple to own farm land and a house," Ma said.

According to Marsel Seran, 40, also a local leader, the major decision made at this retreat concerned traditional mourning rites.

Traditionally, bodies are kept for days and baptised villagers would recite Christian prayers.

But then they also follow the animistic rites led by a traditional leader, Serail said.

The retreatants realised that the traditional practice is against Christianity, Seran said.

"We decided to eliminate the animistic rites and to reduce the mourning time to only 24 hours," he said.

achieve their true dream

SOE, Indonesia (UCAN) - Over rimonial rites in local Catholic 2,000 Catholic and Protestant cou- and Protestant Churches on ples in Nusa Tenggara Timur November 18 and 19.

(NTT) province have received At the celebration, Musakabe matrimonial rites and obtained lauded Sabuna, a Protestant, for marriage certificates with the gathering the couples. help of their governor and his Many couples in the predomiwife. nantly Christian province, espeThe wedding celebration for the cially on Timor and Sumba 2.128 couples was held on islands, circumvent the expensive November 20 in Soe, capital of dowry tradition by living together Timor Tengah Selatan (south cen- without an official marriage. tral Timor) district.

Protestant couple Susana. 58.

NTT Governor Herman Musak- and Mikael Tifu, 60. said they abe and his wife Agnes Jeanette were happy to be finally reconacted as the couples' parents, ciled with the Church. while district head Petrus Sabuna Agnes Jeanette initiated the marand his wife Yohana Charlota wit- riage program as one of the activnessed the couples' civil mar- ities of NTT Dharma Wanita riage. (association of civil servants' The couples had received mat- wives), which she heads.

Official Engagements DECEMBER 28 Feast of the Holy Innocents, Vigil Mass St Mary's Cathedral offered in Reparation for Abortion Archbishop Hickey 31 Procession and Midnight Mass, Bullsbrook - Archbishop Hickey

i Record EYE 1110CATCHER

JANUARY 5 Induction Ceremony for Fr Benedict Quadros at Maddington Parish Archbishop Hickey

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US Catholics, other Christians, fail to pick the reason for the season ST. LOUIS (CNS) - When asked what makes Christmas an important day, fewer than half of all Christians surveyed in a US poll said it is the birth of Jesus.

Only 29 percent of the Catholics in the group said the birth of Christ is the most significant aspect of the season, according to a study conducted by Lutheran Hour Ministries and released on November 28 in St Louis.

It said 37 percent of all Christians, and 33 percent of all adults - Christian and non-Christian - identified the birth of Jesus as the most significant factor.

The most likely answer in the survey was family time, mentioned by 45 percent of the 1,006 adults in the survey, conducted by the Barna Research Group.

Taken together, the birth of Christ and family time accounted for about eight of every 10 responses about what makes Christmas important.

But that provided little comfort to the researchers.

"We have contracted acute amnesia regarding the spiritual significance of December 25," said George Barna of the Barna Research Group in Oxnard, California, in a statement accompanying the survey results.

The Christmas question was the only one commissioned by Lutheran Hour in a lengthy telephone survey of adults within the 48 contiguous states.

After family time and the birth of Jesus, no answer got more than 10 percent of the responses.

Nothing" and "don't know" accounted for 5 percent each, "day off/holiday" and "presents/parties" got 3 percent each, and other reasons accounted for 6 percent.

Among the few groups in which the birth of Jesus was mentioned, a majority of the references were by people who identified themselves as evangelical Christians, at 77 per cent; born-again Christians, 52 per cent; and those who said their religious involvement was high, 63.5 per cent.

Regular churchgoers and those committed to

Only 33 per cent of adults surveyed said Christ's birth was the most important aspect of Christmas.

Christianity mentioned the birth of Jesus 48 percent of the time, those attending evangelical denominations did so 46 percent of the time. and those in mainline denominations 42 percent.

Thirty-nine percent of married adults and 27 percent of unmarried adults mentioned Jesus' birth.

Forty-four percent of respondents who cited the birth of Jesus as being the most important aspect of Christmas identified themselves as belonging to the so-called religious right.

Among those who said they were theologically conservative. 39 percent listed Jesus' birth; among those describing themselves as religious, it was 39 percent; as fundamentalist, 32 percent; as theological liberal, 24 percent.

The older the respondents were, the more likely they were to mention Christ's birth as being most important.

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Simple decoration encourages meditation on bare essentials of the spiritual life

Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Karrinyup: parishioners literally built it up from rock

A touch of rural simplicity in the midst of city hurly-burly

By Peter Rosengren

A

parishioner stands beside me in the aisle at the back of the Church looking forward to the sanctuary area where subdued light filters in from either side.

He points out various features of the building, including the wooden pews and Stations of the Cross, "scrounged" as he says, from other parishes; he also points to the original wooden altar and the tabernacle stand built by the parish's first fulltime priest, Fr Michael Byrne.

"A born carpenter," he says admiringly as we both stand and absorb the atmosphere.

We are in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Karrinyup, one of Perth's smallest parishes in terms of population - second smallest in fact, with about 800 parishioners - on a cool, overcast Friday morning.

Outside, a slight breeze gently stirs the roses in the small garden of remembrance at the front of the Church where the ashes of some former parishioners are interred.

Inside, the architecture and Church furnishings are not grand. But, in Christian terms, a simple and functional decoration can inspire humility among Christ's faithful who live and work in the world to come together and worship and reflect.

And if the faint, steady roar of Perth's preChristmas traffic in the distance was not there, you might think you were standing In a simple country parish church somewhere out in Western Australia's wheatbelt.

But the simplicity is deceptive. A quick browse through the parish profile and directory will show that beneath the surface of this still relatively young and small parish there is a lot happening, and from the beginning.

The parish was established in 1965 but a Church was not built until 1970.

Prior to that Fr Depiazzi visited the area from 1962 to 1965 to say Mass in Scarborough State School and to attend to the religious education of children in the area.

With the founding of Our Lady of Good Counsel School, next to where the Church stands, by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1965, Mass was transferred to the school and after that to the newly built Church.

And, as with most things in this parish, the building of the Church came direct from the people. The church was planned and built almost exclusively by the men of the parish under the direction of W Hoskings and the guidance of Fr Byrne who was to remain as parish priest until 1984

In the true style of St Peter, Fr Byrne built a Church on a rock. Why? Limestone was belatedly discovered on the Miles Street site in Karrinyup and parishioners had to chisel out the rock inch by inch so the building could continue.

It took 18 months to complete; the men were rostered on each weekend and the women provided morning and afternoon tea.

And Fr Michael not only laboured on the building site with the men of the parish but In the Year of Jesus, a statue of the Sacred built the main altar which is still in use Heart of Jesus guards the sanctuary today.

Fr Byrne was followed by Father Geoff Vincent De Paul conference, to name some Beyer, a convert from Anglicanism and one of the others.

There is also the Christian Life Group, of Perth's few married Catholic priests rostered drivers for the elderly, and a Focothrough his conversion. Together with two other former Anglican priests, Fr Beyer was lare family group.

The Marian Villas, comprising 9 units, ordained to the Catholic priesthood in provide a home for retirees in an enter1969, an historic first for WA. Following his appointment to Karrinyup prise jointly administered by the parish in 1984, the small parish became very and Homeswest.

With all of this going on, and more, it is active as prayer groups sprang up, while Fr no surprise that the parish centre, located Geoff was particularly supportive of the in Thomas Street behind the Church, is school and loved by the children.

Fr Richard Rutkauskas was appointed used every day of the week by parish parish priest in 1995 and today spiritual groups.

And helping to link these together is the and apostolic activities continue to flourquarterly Good Counsel newsletter which ish.

Eucharistic Adoration once a week com- reports on parish activities and provides menced in August this year and runs from plenty of local food for Christian thought.

So the message from Our Lady of Good 12pm to 5pm each Sunday afternoon, finishing with Benediction. The Rosary is said Counsel parish in Karrinyup is simple: after Mass every morning, except for Sun- small is not necessarily less.

In this case it is rather more. days.

There is an Advent Reflection group, an active group of acolytes and Eucharistic ministers, and a group of after-school catechists who teach Catholic children attending State schools all about their faith.

Parish Patron: Our Lady of Good CounAltar servers (open to both boys and girls), sel an altar society which prepares the Church Parish Priest Fr Richard Rutkauskas for Mass and a Children's Liturgy each Address: 27 Thomas Way, Karrinyup Sunday from 9.30 until 10am are all parish WA 6018 features.

Telephone: 245 3899 But this is only the beginning. There is Masses: Saturday 6.30pm, Sunday the Lenten Reflection Group, the Majel730am, 9.30am lans, the Meditation group, the Mothers Reconciliation: Saturday 11am - 12 with Young Children prayer group, the noon.

OLGC Charismatic prayer group and the St

At a Glance

Advent wreath decorations adorn the sanctuary earlier this month

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH - EMBLETON New Year's Eve: There will be adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament from 8pm until 11pm and Benediction.

This will be followed by a Mass of Thanksgiving. After Holy Mass, there will be a get together at the parish hall.

Please bring a plate and your own drinks.

Coffee and tea will be supplied.

Enquiries: 271 5528 or 272 1379.

QUEEN OF MARTYRS - MAYLANDS New Year's Eve: A special Mass starting at 11:20pm introducing the NewYear with a sign of peace and reception of the Lord.

All welcome.

The Church is located at number 75, on

The Record, December 26 1996 Page 16

Archdiocesan Panorama 7th Ave, Maylands. Enquiries: 271 3731.

NOVENA OF DAYS FOR PRIESTS On 7 April 1997 (next year) the Church will celebrate the Annunciation (due to Holy Week and Easter). This is a day when a Novena of Days for Priests will commence at Holy Spirit Church, City Beach. The idea being one day a month for 9 months a day of prayer for priests will be held at different parishes corn-

mencing at Holy Spirit Church, and concluding December 1997. Please make a note of this and if your parish is interested in holding one of the days next year, please contact Margaret Bowen 446 1935 or Holy Spirit Church, City Beach.

CHOIR VACANCIES The Julian Singers is a Catholic Liturgical Choir whose repertoire consists of sacred and liturgical music of the past

five centuries. There are currently several vacancies in the choir. Interested choristers who would like to join are invited to contact the choir's Musical Director, Mr Chris de Silva on (09) 276 2736.

PASTORAL TRAINING SCHOOL '97 The Disciples of Jesus Community invites young Catholics (17-35 years) to attend their annual week long Pastoral Training School, from 19 - 26th January 1997 at Catholic Agricultural College, Bindoon.

It's fun and instructive. Cost $210 or $195 (concistudents): live-in, all meals provided. For further information phone: (09) 341 6171 or (09) 446 1686.