The Record Newspaper 13 January 2000

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Christian radio call for prayer - Page 2

Our Pope could resign: bishop By Glynnis Grainger and agencies A leading German bishop said on Sunday he thought Pope john Paul II would resign if ill health made it impossible for him to fulfill the responsibilities of the Papacy. Bishop Karl Lehmann, of Mainz, president of the German bishops' conference, made the remarks in an interview with German Radio. He expanded on kif Reuters them in another radio interview Oman &shop Kart Li:Imams. the same day. On Monday, after Italian media Pope's "extraordinary intellectual reported his comments as a call presence" at last autumn's Eurofor the Pope's resignation. Bishop pean bishops' synod and on other Lehmann said he was not at all occasions. "I must say that after questioning the Pope's present this experience my respect and capacities but discussing a hypo- appreciation of the Pope are thetical situation in the future. stronger than ever," he said. The 79-year-old pontiff has But if the Pope's condition worsappeared frail and unsteady in ened in the future, he said he recent weeks as he opened thought the Pope would resign if Jubilee year activities. he decided he could no longer He is believed to suffer from lead the Church. "I personally believe the Pope Parkinson's disease, a debilitating has the capacity, that if he were to nervous system disorder. But the Pope's top aides say his feel that he simply is no longer mental faculties are undimin- sufficient in his role - to lead the ished and that his work schedule Church in a responsible way has remained virtually unchang- then I believe he would have the strength and the courage to say, 'I ed. The Bishop said: "I do not have can no longer adequately carry the (medical) competence to out my role as is necessary," he judge whether his evident Parkin- said. The Bishop said he was not son's disease has any repercus- certain that those around the Pope sions on his ability to guide the "and all the others who give advice" would agree with a resigChurch and make decisions." Bishop Lehmann said that he, nation. Page 4- Continued too, had recently witnessed the

Chinese ordination controversy - Page 14

MS sufferers show true rourage - Page 8

Jazz trumpeter wows Leeuwin By Brian Coyne Australia's newest concert Impresario, Bishop Peter Quinn, was understandably pleased last Saturday night with the huge turnout at Leeuwin Estate for a Jubilee Charity Concert starring international Jazz virtuoso, James Morrison. More than 4,000 people spent an idyllic summer evening commemorating the 2000th Anniversary of Christian culture by attending the concert and contributing tens of thousands of dollars to social welfare initiatives in the Bunbury diocese. The Jubilee Charity Concert had been advertised extensively through the Bunbury Diocese. other Christian churches and the local media. Bishop Quinn told The Recordhe was delighted with the success of the evening but added that he wasn't about to become a concert impresario. He said the credit for obtaining the outstanding talent of James Morrison, his band and the other artists had to rest with Dennis and Thcia Horgan. owners of the Leeuwin Estate". Morrison. who comes from New South Wales, but has carved an international reputation with his virtuosity on the trumpet. opened the concert by telling his audience. "this is our first gig for the year. We're all here to celebrate the Great jubilee!" Sitting under a jewelled sky in the idyllic garden setting of the

Leeuwin Estate and sipping some of the best wines produced In Western Australia on the most beautiful summer evening we have had this year, as well as listening to one of this nation's most acclaimed jazz musicians could be many people's idea of paradise. While the concert enabled Morrison to demonstrate why he has become an inter- Nstastio national jazz icon, he used the opportunity to also demonstrate the links between contemporary music and the gospel message. In two powerful duets in the second half on the program. Morrison and vocalist Emma Pask

Vocalist Emma Pasic

Photos Brien Coyne

Woo an the trumpet at UMW&

brought tears to many eyes with their spine-tingling renditions of "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Amazing Grace." As well as perfect weather, an outstanding venue and brilliant performances, the audience was treated to a beautifully orchestrated, understated lighting display on the artists; the acoustic shell and the sound engineering was second to none. This is not the only occasion on which this venue is to be used for a jubilee celebration. Fr Pat Rooney, Parish Priest for Margaret River and Augusta told The Record, "'Dicta and Dennis Horgan have also kindly offered their grounds for a special jubilee Mass on Easter Sunday at 11.30am. Our parishes will be hosting an outdoor celebration to highlight the spiritual significance of the Great jubilee and Jesus' resurrection. followed by a family picnic."

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Sonshine Radio spreads Christian message By Anthony Barich Perth's Christian community radio station Sonshine FM is once again asking for prayers from its listeners as Christianity moves into the new millennium with the release of its Prayer Notes 2000. With the Bible text from Hebrews, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever," 98.5 is appealing to Christians all over the metropolitan area to pray for the success of the radio station's mission to preach the Good News. Sonshine FM general manager Barry Grosser said he believes Christians must pray for each other if they are to grow in faith. "Scripture says we need to be fishers of men, not keepers of aquaria," he said. "We have to go to the people. Forty per cent of our listeners say they don't even have a faith to

speak of, they just like the goodnatured lyrics of the songs we play. That is why one-third of our songs are specifically by Christian bands but all are Christianoriented songs. "If we can turn a person's life around just by presenting them with positive values, then we are doing our job." Mr Grosser said he knows there are Catholics who listen to his station, and support it, but he believes more people should listen to the word of God. "Archbishop Hickey has been extremely supportive of our station," he said. We are really thrilled about that, putting it mildly." The station's prayer intentions are that it may achieve its goal of reaching out into the community. Mr Grosser said the staff at the station work so that the words of the Old Testament ring true:

• Message from Our Lady, Queen of Peace, given to Marija Pavlovic Lunetti for the village of Medjugorje and the world on December 25, 1999

This is the time of grace. Little children, today in a special way, with little Jesus Whom I hold in my embrace,Iam giv-

ing you the possibility to decide for peace. Through your 'yes' for peace and your decision for God, a new possibility for peace is opened. Only in this way, little children, will this century he a time of peace and well-being for you. Therefore, put little newborn Jesus in the first place in your life, and He will lead you on the way of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call." (it is accepted that the final authority regarding apparitions of Our Lady at Medjugorje rests with the Hely See of Rome)

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Several parishes north of the river have reported bag snatchers who take handbags while parishioners are receiving Holy Communion and away from their pews. Father Ibm Phelan, parish priest of Holy Spirit parish, City Beach, told The Record that the young woman suspect obviously knows the times when people went up to receive Communion and gets the bags. Parishioner Mary Nicholas. of City Beach. said her handbag which was stolen on the morning of New Year's Eve had $150 in it. "A man said: 'That girl took your handbag.'" she said. "I said: 'Why didn't you do anything?' "He said he was deep in prayer." Mrs Nicholas said the girl who took the bag spoke to a couple of people and said: "I have to get my car keys," and rushed out.

spirit meet." "We need to build relationships between people so that we live out what we believe," Mr Grosser said. He said the staff

"She was only 18 or 20," she said. It is very, very sad. "I said some prayers for the poor thing. "The bag was found in a wheelie bin in Daglish the next day. All my cards were in it but when it was returned, I didn't want to touch it." Fr Paul Fogarty, of Our Lady of Victories parish. Wembley, said a young woman with long hair dressed in dark colours struck at the 6A5am Mass on New Year's Eve, before targeting City Beach church. "The lady whose purse was taken didn't realise it till later," Fr Fogarty said. "All that was in the purse were house keys and car keys - she didn't get them back. It was the first time in the parish I warned the people last week. "There was a male accomplice in a yellow car - either a Mazda or a lbyota." Fr Aquinas McComb. of Our Lady of the Rosary church, Doubleview, said two bags were snatched, one at the 7am Mass on 26 December and one at the 10am Mass on 2 January. He said the youngish

girl suspect probably wore wigs and had dyed hair. There was $100 in one of the bags, Fr McComb said. One lady lost her bag in All Saints Chapel in the city as well, he said. Dean of St Mary's Cathedral Fr Tom McDonald said bag snatching had happened in the Cathedral but not recently - about September or October last year. Cathedral sacristan Tam Mahady said they hadn't had any complaints about bag snatching at the Cathedral. He said: "We got a drug addict a couple of years ago and we banned him from the Cathedral. I caught him redhanded and he hasn't come back since. "About a year ago there were a few purses taken but the last few Sundays there hasn't been anyone reported. "We warn people to take their bags with them. We try not to leave temptation in people's ways. "People try and get into the money boxes as well. They still try," he said.

Jesuits support call for prisoners' amnesty The Brosnan Centre in Melbourne supports Pope John Paul ll's recent call to set some prisoners free in this year of the new millennium. Run by the Jesuits, the Centre is an Australian Catholic Church agency working with younger prisoners. Jesuit Social Services Director, Father Peter Norden, said: "The Year of Jubilee Is well founded on Jewish and Christian traditions. "Part of the central celebration of that jubilee is the exercise of forgiveness." Among themes of the Year of Jubilee were the restoration of right relationships. the freeing of those in captivity and the cancellation of all debts. Jesuit Social Services urge an amnesty he granted this year to: • all prison inmates serving a sentence of 12 months or less, and • all women inmates who have two years or less to serve and have dependent children. It feels that family life would be better

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enhanced in the future if imprisonment was used less and the resources saved put into constructive restorative options. Prisons are still bound up with 19th century philosophy and practice in the way they are run. Jesuit Social Services feel that imprisonment should be the very last line of resort in the sentencing process. Prisons fail to rehabilitate - almost 80 per cent of inmates re-offend again within a short time. They are also extremely expensive at $50,000 per person, which is money wasted. The Book of Isaiah says: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the Year of Favour of the Lord." Jesuit Program Director, Bernie Geary, a member of the Victorian Youth Parole Board, believes this is the time to reconsider our draconian laws which incar-

cerate far too many Aboriginal and Vietnamese young people. in particular. "Many of these kids have committed no serious crime, but they fall victim to the criminal justice system often because they are homeless or don't have the protection of wealthy families." Mr Geary said. "At least let's get the young people already locked in police cells because there is no room for them in youth training centres, into supportive accommodation in the community," he said. Fr Norden challenged those States of Australia which have introduced mandatory Imprisonment for repeat offenders to think again in this Year of Jubilee. "The imprisonment of many young Australians for minor thefts reflects a law which is equivalent to those imposed by England leading to the transportation for the theft of a loaf of bread." Fr Norden said. "Throughout Australia, prisons are bursting at the seams," he said.

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Father Michael Gall has been appointed parish priest of St Kieran's, Osborne Park. from 3 February, for six years. leaving a vacancy at the parish of Manning. Archbishop Barry Hickey is therefore calling for expressions of interest for the parish of St Pius X. Manning. Fr Anton Hesse is stepping down as parish priest of St Kieran's, and will be available for parish supply work, while Fr Benedict Quadros has been appointed parish priest of the parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Karsrinyup, from January 8. for six years.

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The Record, January 13 2000 Page 2

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Bag snatcher strikes in churches

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Good vibrations - Barry Grosser, Sonshine FM general manager, In a studio.

made up their own mission statement, which is," To be a reflection of Christ's love in all that we say and do." Mr Grosser said the specific prayers for the station is part of uniting Christians' thinking. "Faith comes from the heart, not the mind," he said. "As Jesus said, if two or more people agree on something then I am with them. "It is vital to make the different religious denominations aware of one another. We are all God's people. "Knowledge is power and if people are specific in their prayers and know what they are praying for then Jesus will make it happen." He said many people are attracted to the Christian message which the station gives to the community and join the Christian experience.

Top TEE achievers By Glynnis Grainger Medicine is the popular choice of three out of eight winners of General Exhibitions for the TEE from Catholic schools. Carlo Bellini, from Trinity College, rang The Record from Adelaide, and said he hopes to do Medicine and possibly specialise in Psychiatry. He is travelling Australia as WA Lions Youth of the Year, with all expenses paid by Lions. Paul Byrne, who attended Chisolm Catholic College, said his first choice was Medicine and he would probably specialise after he finished his degree. He said he has been working for KMart at the Galleria for a year and a half and joined a band from Years 8 to 10. Corpus Christi ex-student, Kevin

Kwan, also said he chose Medicine, but he didn't know if he had been accepted. He would probably specialise but Economics was his best subject in the TEE. Paul Ricciardo, from john XXIII ( .011ege, is going to Brazil as a Rotary exchange student for a year and is learning Portuguese. His father is a doctor hut he hasn't decided what to study at University. Dux of his school, Daniel Stacey, one of four successful students from John XXIII College who won General Exhibitions, said he would probably do a Bachelor of Music degree at UVVA. 'I did Music for TEE and have been playing Classical Guitar since primary school' he said. He spoke to The Record from Margaret River where he has been surfing.

Paul Byrne, Chisolm Catholic College. The other two students from John XXIII who won General Exhibitions are Alycea Foo and Kym Greenwood. Kym said she hasn't decided on a career but will study CommerceEngineering at UVVA this year. Applicable Maths was her best subject in the TEE, for which she scored 97.8.

The second Corpus Christi College student to win a General Exhibition Is lkavers McLeod, who plans to do Law-Politics at UWA. "My best subject at school was English Literature - I scored 97 in the TEE in it but the one I enjoyed the most was probably Physics," he said. "I had heaps of support as head

boy - and committee meetings and groups outside of school - so it got pretty hectic. "Corpus fosters a great working environment." Catholic students who won Subject Exhibitions were Katharine Emery, John XXIII College (English), Ilaria CoIli, Aquinas College (Italian), and Belinda Gibbs, Mater Dei College, and Derek Rijnhart, Aquinas College, joint winners for Discrete Mathematics. Winners of Wholly SchoolAssessed Subjects from Catholic schools, were Carita Kazakoff, (Beliefs and Values), and Renay Lambert (Business Information Technology) both from St Brigid's College, Candice Boswell (Early Chikiho( )(1 Studies) Santa Maria College, Sophie Clabburn (Senior English) Iona Presentation College, and Matthew Charlton (Work Studies) Aquinas College. The Director of Catholic Education, Therese Temby, told The Record: "I would like to congratulate all the students who have been awarded General Exhibitions, Subject Exhibitions and other awards of merit. "Catholic schools endeavour to cater for the whole range of students and their abilities. "The TEE result is one indicator of the outcome of schooling. "Many other students would have received recognition in their selected areas of study during 1999."

,rry Bane,

Paul Ricciardo and Kym Greenwood, from John XXIII C,ollego.

1 0th Annual F l ame C ongress

"When the Son Sets you Free, You are Free indeed."

J an 21 FRIDAY EVENIN ct 7.30pm Jesus is, The Jubilee Eddie Russell FM 7.30pm J an 22 SATURDAY EVEN. When the Son Sets You Free, You are Free indeed Rev. Russell Sage. Travers McLeod and Kevin Kwan, from Corpus Christi College.

Religion courses growing By Glynnis Grainger attending Though numbers churches are declining, in WA high school students are flooding into religion courses. About 80 times the number of final year students in WA were choosing religion in 1998 compared with 1989, according to a recent report in The Australian newspaper. This figure topped the nation, according to the report. A decade ago, only 27 WA students were studying religion in high school, compared with 1621 students in 1998. The acting head of Catholic Education was interviewed on Radio 6PR on the Howard Sattler Show last Friday. Bernie Boss, who is head of the curriculum and teaching sections of Catholic Education, spoke on behalf of Catholic high schools. Mr Boss said: 'Teachers who are working in schools are doing a great job. Adolescents have a deeply spiritual aspect to their being. .. "1 think also they become more educated and more discerning -

youngsters see through the shallowness and the tackiness of a lot of the materialistic aspects of life. "You can learn about all sorts of religions but have no faith. "You don't really get faith by sitting around talking about it. It's the way one lives one's life - the two things go together. "The intellectual aspect of learning about something can help faith grow and likewise if somebody experiences kindness, compassion, something really good in the person who espouses Christianity or Judaism, or whatever, it can lead a person to do some more study in it. "We encourage, we present what we believe are the truths and beliefs. . . . . Fifty years ago they wouldn't have been encouraged to do that either . . . certainly these days they are encouraged to inquire, to question and to think about things." "Churches have founded a good future. We have been through difficult times - all of society has. Howard Sattler said he was not of the faith but it was good to see the church moving with the times and getting a result.

J an 23 SUNDAY EVEtilti 7.30pm The Great Jubilee and what is means for today His Grace, Archbishop Hickey. J an 24 MONDAY EVENt. . 7.30pm Igniting the Moment: Revival in 2000 & Onwards Freddy Gomez (YPM Singapore). 7.30pm J an 25 TUESDAY EVEN FMI Tassone The Spirit of the Lord is Upon, You Frank

T HE DAYTIME SES J an 22 Saturday Session 1 @ 9am: Getting Free in the Power of Prayer Kaye Roilings FMI. Session 2 @ 11.30am: Getting Free from Emotional Baggage Steve Peake FMI. Session 3 @ 2.15pm. Freedom through the Messiah Anointing Rev. Russell Sage. Session 4 @ 4.30pm: Make the Change, Break the Chains Frank Tassone FMI. ons Only) Mass - 10.30am Session 5 @ 1.30pm Running the Race Towards the New Millennium Freddy Gomez (YPM Singapore) Session 6 @ 3 45pm Healing and the Divine Will Ede Russe

2 1 to 25 January 1000 AD

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Cooing infants at Baptism make the Pope smile By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In a ceremony enlivened by a chorus of crying infants and the smiles of their older brothers and sisters, Pope John Paul II baptised 18 babies, including one from the United States, in the Sistine Chapel. "I hope these little ones will grow in the faith they receive today, in a way that allows them to participate actively in the life of the church," a visibly pleased Pope said during the liturgy on 9 January. After anointing the 18 babies 10 boys and eight girls - with holy oil, he deftly poured water over the heads of each and welcomed them into the faith. Some cried, some slept and some chewed on their pacifiers, while their parents beamed. l'he heartiest cries came from

young Jacopo Guglielmo. The quietest was Maria Chiara Mirabella, whose sister stood on tiptoes afterward, waiting until she could give the Pope a kiss on the cheek. Six brothers and sisters of the baptised took the Offertory gifts to the altar, and a few of them, ignoring official prods to move on, paused in conversation with the 79-year-old pontiff, who seemed delighted. Among the newly-baptised were 14 from Italy and one each from Brazil, Spain, Switzerland and the United States. The US baby, Alberto Coles Vollmer, was born in Miami in late November to two Venezuelan parents. He is the grandson of Venezuela's ambassador to the Holy See. Early in his pontificate, the Pope began the tradition of baptising infants in the Sistine Chapel on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This year's Mass

was celebrated a few weeks after completion of a 20-year restoration project of chapel frescoes by Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists. If the babies did not notice the art, the Pope did, saying the setting offered a fitting reminder of the history of salvation, the origins of the human being and the universal judgment to come. The Pope told parents and godparents of the baptised that they had a responsibility to guide the children along the path of faith in Christ and the Gospel. "Be for them examples of solid faith, deep prayer and active involvement in church life," he said. Speaking afterward at a midday blessing from his apartment window above St Peter's Square, the Pope said all Christians should meditate on their own baptism and view it as a "call to return to the roots of the Christian vocation."

Pope John Paul II baptises Alberto Coles Vollmer of the United States 9 January in the Sistine Chapel, one of 18 babies he baptised in a service marking the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Perth forum set-up for young people Canadian uni students By Peter Rosengren Starling on the first Sunday of each month, St Gabriel Communications will commence a Catholic Youth Forum especially for young people at the Cathedral Parish Centre in at 450 Hay Street In Perth. The Forum is a joint initiative of the Friends of the Cathedral organisation and SGC. Participation in the forum is one of many SGC initiatives designed to help educate Catholics and answer their questions about the Church in a world which seems largely bent on discrediting it. The Forum will be held after the 5pm Mass each first Sunday. Like its work in a variety of other areas. SGC, an initiative from Perth lay apologetics specialist Raymond de Souza. was founded two years ago for a simple reason. "II did itl because I felt that lots of Catholics wanted to ask the hard questions and they needed direct answers," he told The Record last week. Mr de Souza has a longstanding interest in helping young people. Not only are he and his wife Teresa busily engaged in raising their family of seven children, over the years he has often been approached by parents who see their own children drifting away from the Church and don't know what to do or how to go about it. In the forum, Mr de Souza said, communication is the name of the game; young people will he able to come along and ask any questions they like in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The parish centre also houses the St Gabriel's Evangelisation and Apologetics Resource Centre where lay Catholics are able to avail themselves of books, magazines, videos and audio tapes. With approximately 20 years

'7 ST GABRIEL C,

1MUNICATIONS

call pro-life symposium By Mike Mastromatteo

TURUNTO (CNS) - The head of a network of Canadian university pro-life groups is optimistic that the organisation's upcoming symposium will generate renewed incentive for on-campus pro-life efforts. "We will discuss some of the current struggles on campuses and emphasise strategies to deal with explicit opposition that is coming from university/college administrations." Denise Black, executive Raymond De Souza at the St Gabriel Communications display stall at the Royal director of the Canadian NationPerth Show in 1999. al Campus Life Network told \ !whence in apologetics work at St Gabriel's is starting an apolo- Catholic News Service. an individual level, Mr de Souza getics course by mail which 'Through an interactive forum, said Catholics today want to know Includes a monthly package of an our members will develop stratethe mind of the Church. in effect audio tape and a study guide. gies that will be effective for prothey are saying: "Tell us how it is, Another set of tapes will focus active work on campus." she said. he told The Record. on the meaning of Jubilee, espeThe National Campus Life Net"Because the Church's teaching cially such Church teachings as work, an organisation linking uniis attacked from so many quar- indulgences, purgatory and the versity pro-life groups across ters: the media - anti-Catholic reli- nature of sin which will match the Canada, will hold its annual symgious groups and even lapsed dominant themes of the Great posium from 14-16 January at St Catholics or dissenting Catholics Jubilee. Augustine Seminary in Toronto. - people like the opportunity to Mr DeSouza said he is available The network, established in ask me those questions in an open to visit parishes and schools and 1997, represents more than 20 colforum," he said. present a pilot talk However, overall, SGC's aim is The work of SGC is also to equip lege-based pro-life groups across to help the New Evangelisation lay Catholics to help the Church Canada. within the laity of the Catholic reclaim the ground lost to secular Black said a key component of Church. humanism, materialism and the each National Campus Life Net"We want to equip lay Catholics exodus towards fundamentalist work symposium is an opportuwith sufficient knowledge of sects. nity for student pro-lifers to share Sacred Scripture, patristic tradi"Its an apostolate by Catholics experiences and discuss setbacks. tion and the Catechism within the for Catholics," he said. Black said 1999 was a difficult tradition of logic so as to enable St Gabriel's also issues a quar- year for university pm-life organthem to take a greater interest in terly newsletter, The Lapsed isations in Canada. their faith, learn it and defend it. Catholic, which is "addressed "We have hit several roadAs the news of SGCs work has from a former lapsed Catholic grown so have the requests for me - to all lapsed Catholics who blocks." said Black an Arts stuspeaking engagements. are interested and any Catholics dent at the University of Ottawa. Last October, Mr de Souza con- who have lapsed Catholics in "The University of Victoria ducted a special seminar organ- their families." (British Columbia) lost their club ised by the youth ministry of the For further information about status, and students at the Uniarchdiocese of Melbourne on the the Youth Forum SGC can be con- versity of British Columbia were Divinity of Christ. In January 2000 tacted on 9453 9177. not allowed to show the truth

about abortion." "We are hitting brick walls, and it is getting tougher for the often burned-out students to continue their work." -Nevertheless, there has been a recent increase in the number of post-secondary groups starting up across Canada." One of the speakers at this year's symposium is Scott Klusendorf, director of research for the San Pedro, California-based Stand to Reason organisation. Klusendorf said his presentation. "Pro-Life 101: How to Make Your Case on Campus," will be "a two-hour crash course in pro-life apologetics." "Participants will learn to persuasively defend the pro-life view In the public square," he said. Black said the symposium will also include strategies for bringing pro-life work to university campuses in the new millennium. pro-life feminism, post-abortion syndrome and guidelines for personal right-to-life activism. Black said the National Campus Life Network seeks to equip its members with a solid foundation in life advocacy. "Pro-life students are the future leaders who will help to develop our culture and our society." Black said. "At present, our students are doing research, working with pmfessors, and changing the nature of our educational system," she said. She said in addition to increasing awareness of pro-life issues on university campuses across North America, the network seeks to ease the transition of high school students to a deeper pmlife involvement.

Tope John Paul II could resign' German Bishop tells the media

Continued from page 1. He said it was "not easy to think about this. No one is accustomed to something like that happening, like a Pope resigning." But he cited one precedent, St Celestine V, who resigned from the papacy in the 13th century Bishop Lehmann said he was not sure whether the Pope's present illness was having an influence on the leadership of the Church and on decisions reached in the Vatican. He said he had the impression that the Pope had gathered all of his strength for Holy Year 2000, and that the highlight of the jubilee year would be his visit to the Holy Land in March. He said that in effect, the Pope was enjoying the "decisive high point" of his pontifiThe Record, January 13 2000 Page 4

cate. In the later interview with South-West German Radio, Bishop Lehmann said the Church needed as Pope a "strong man who could lead," because otherwise he "could not hold together a world Church of a billion people with so many differences." But he said the Church also needed strong local churches which should have the courage to bring their concerns to Rome. He said that if the Pope should one day resign, he thought it would be wise to call a third Vatican council to deal with several important pastoral issues. "That would be a possibility to overcome blockages which are simply there," he said. Bishop Lehmann said that, although he did not want to discuss the issue of an eventual successor to the Pope, he thought the Church would look to Latin America to find one. He added, however, that "one has

learned once more to value what the Church in Italy means for the world Church." The Italian Press was abuzz with statements that the bishop made on German radio. ANSA. the leading Italian newswire, interpreted this as a direct call for papal retirement. La Repubblica, one of Italy's leading newspapers, described the report as "the shocking proposal of the German bishops" under the headline, "The Pope is Tired, Resign." "I must say that we have a Holy Father who is excellent and exceptional and there is absolutely no need," for him to step down, clarified Cardinal Pio Laghi, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education. The Vatican had no immediate comment on Bishop Lehmann's remarks. In recent

months, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls has said the Pope recognises that age and infirmity have placed some limits on his activities, but that the Pope has been the best judge of what he should and should not undertake. Vatican officials have pointed to the packed schedule of Jubilee-year events as evidence that while the Pope's stamina may have slipped a notch or two, he is still leading a vigorous papacy. The Pope himself responded to questions of retiring almost five years ago, when he turned 75. He asked reporters: "To whom would I turn in my resignation?" And in national Australian media on Wednesday the Pope was reported as saying "She must be led by suffering," in comments about the Church. Page 10- Resignation not impossible

Venezuelan prelate calls other Teresa Catholics to solidarity tops US poll of the 20th century By Jerry Fitteau WASHINGIUN (CNS) - Mother Teresa of Calcutta came out as the most admired person of the 20th century in a year-end Gallup Poll of more than 5(X) Americans. Of those surveyed, 49 per cent called her one of the people they admired most in the century. Other Catholics in the top 10 were President John F Kennedy, who was third, and Pope John Paul II, who ranked eighth. Most admired after Mother Teresa was the slain US civil rights leader, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. The Gallup/CNN/USA Today poll of 511 adults was conducted by telephone on 20-21 December and had a statistical margin of error of plus or minus 5 per cent. Those surveyed were given 18 names and were asked, "For each one, please tell me if you consider that person to be one of the people you admire most from this century; a person you admire, but not the most: a person you somewhat admire: or someone you do not admire at all." They were allowed to name more than one person among those they most admired. For Mother Teresa, 49 per cent said she was one of the people they admired most, and 32 per cent said she was someone they admired, but not the most. Only 3 per cent said they did not admire her at all. Thirty-four per cent said Reverend King was one of their most admired figures and an additional 33 per cent put him in the next

CARACAS, Venezuela (CNS) Archbishop Ignacio Velasco Garcia of Caracas called on Catholics to "express unity and solidarity" with flood victims as more rain fell, threatening more flooding. Before the country could recover from the floods and landslides that partially destroyed the central state of Vargas in mid-December, leaving as many as 50.000 dead and about 400,000 homeless, new heavy rains and floods were reported on 4 January in Caracas and in the north-eastern State of Tachira, near the border with Colombia. Officials said the final death toll from the December rains might never be known, since most victims were swept out to sea or buried under earth and rubble. The Venezuelan air force meteorology director, Jose Pereira, told Radio Caracas in early January the rains would "continue for 15 days or a month," and said people living on -unstable lands" should take precautions. Authorities forced hundreds of people to leave slum dwellings in Caracas in early January, warning new

Most Admired

Mother Teresa was named most admired person of the last century in a recent poll. Adults nationwide who said they admire these individuals Mother Teresa Martin Luther King Jr. John F Kennedy Albert Einstein Helen Keller Franklin D. Roosevelt Billy Graham Pope John Paul II Eleanor Roosevelt

49% 34 32 31 30 26 26 25 22

Respondents could name more than one person

rains could result in more deadly landslides. Archbishop Velasco urged Venezuelans to "go above circumstantial differences and unite to prevent another tragedy." -This is not the moment to look for whom to blame, but the moment to stay alert and join forces to prevent more destruction and human tragedies," he said. The remarks were an apparent reference to a dispute between President Hugo Chavez and critics, who accused him of ignoring weather warnings as he concentrated on campaigning for a new constitution. which Venezuelans approved on December 15 as the flooding developed. Chavez said -traditional politics and politicians are the ones responsible for the disaster, because they have been destroying the country for 40 years." Archbishop Velasco placed Caritas, the local church's charitable agency, on a -state of alert" and urged parishes to continue collections of food, medicine and money for flood victims.

they admired

Source Gollup/CNNIUSA Todoy Po11 is 1 c 2O (NS Graphics

category. The rest of the top 10, followed by the percentages that said "admire most" and "admire" respectively, were: • Kennedy, 32 and 34. • Albert Einstein. 31 and 39. • Helen Keller, 30 and 33. • President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 26 and 34. • The Rev. Billy Graham. 26 and 26. • Pope John Paul. 25 and 34. • Eleanor Roosevelt, 22 and 34. • Winston Churchill. 20 and 36. The other eight people listed in the poll, in the order of how they

were rated, were: Dwight D. Eisenhower. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan, Henry Ford, Bill Clinton and Margaret Thatcher. Ironically, while the Pope came out slightly below Reverend Graham on the "most admired" poll, the world-famed evangelist picked the Pope as the man of the century. Pope John Paul -has brought the greatest impact of any Pope in the last 200 years." Reverend Graham said in a December interview with The Associated Press.

Northam door shows hands of Jesus By Glynnis Grainger The new Holy Door of St Joseph's Parish. Northam. was designed by two women. They are Lucy Lombardia the art teacher at St Joseph's School. and Mrs Margaret Bignell, pictured, who painted It. It was erected by Joseph Dietrich. Parish Priest Father Robert Carrillo said the design could he interpreted as the hands of Christ encompassing the entire Catholic Church. "The people on the steps of the Church symbolise the multicultural aspect of the people who belong to the Parish of St Joseph, and the river is, of course, the Avon River," he said. "The Alpha and Omega symbolise that Jesus is the beginning and end of all things. . . . the white dove symbolises the Holy Spirit." "The words 'This is the Gate of the Lord' indicate that we are not just entering the church, but a new millennium and a period of God's Grace from forgiveness to salvation."

CATHEDRAL YOUTH FORUM Invites teen-agers and young adults to come to the Cathedral Parish Centre to ask any of those questions about the Catholic Church, Faith and Morals you have always wanted to ask, but never had the opportunity. Vec, Ylk is the time to find out ever, thing about Jesus Christ, His Church and the road to happiness both in this life and beyond.

Join us at the Cathedral Parish Centre to revitalise the certitude of our Faith in the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Jubilee year.

First Youth Forum: Sunday 6 February 2000 after the 5:00 pm Mass. Join us for a cuppa at the Cathedral Parish Centre, 450 h ay Street, Perth - andfire your questions.'

Gattline helped those in need at Christmas Father Michael Gall's annual 24-hour Christmas Help-Line attracted quite a few calls from the lonely and those needing counselling, This year, "Crisis Care" asked Fr Gatt, parish priest of St Pius X parish in Manning. to help them with counselling and he had a number of

City workers tear down housing in a Caracas slum on 4 January. The government began demolishing flood-ravaged areas in the Venezuelan capital to prevent a repeat of the nation's mudslide tragedy.

referrals from them, especially during the night. Altogether he had 45 calls, covering many areas of concern in the community. The calls included drug issues, domestic violence. sexual assault, contemplating suicide, loneliness and extreme poverty.

Speaker: Raymond de Souza Founder and Director of St Gabriel Communications 14 estern Australia% first Catholic .4po1oget1cs outreach

Inquiries:

Fr Paul 9223 1350 Raymond de Souza 9453 9177 The Record, January 13 2000 Page 5

We are called to be His apostles Peter Dwan continues with his meditations on the readings for Sunday's Mass. This week, the second Sunday, Year B

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n one sense, it could be said that Christian living is our response to God's call. God has called us to perform some mission in life, and it is not always immediately obvious what this mission is, what it will entail, and how we are to accomplish it. Today's readings invite us to explore this theme. In the first reading (1 Samuel 3:3-10) we find the call to be a prophet set out In outline. A prophet is primarily someone who speaks for God, whether or not this involves foretelling the future. At our baptism, we were given a share In Christ's royal, prophetic and priestly mission, and so we consider Samuel's call to be a prophet as something which has a pertinent message for our own lives. The Glenstal Bible Missal says; "God chooses and calls those who, thanks to their inner poverty, are prepared to receive him. When they have taken the first steps, he draws nearer to them and sends them on some mission." Sometimes what we think is of minor Importance can have a major impact in

epistle to the Corinthians had been written was the depravity and licentiousness of Corinth, which bears an uncomfortably close resemblance to today's permissive society. Unless we heed Christ's call to purity, "Blessed are the pure of heart for they our lives. In the reading, we hear how shall see God," we won't see Him when Samuel thought Eli was calling him, He calls us to respond to a need. Impuwhen in fact it was God who was call- rity can blind us to God's call. In today's gospel passage, (John 1:35ing him. We may receive begging letters from 42) we hear of the call of the apostle missionaries, organisations or Move- Andrew, one of St John the Baptist's disciples, and when he and his companion ments. Unless we recognise that God is call- heard John say: "Look, there is the lamb ing us through them, we won't respond of God," they followed Jesus. Jesus said; "What do you want?" They as God would have us respond. Of course, selfishness can limit our replied: "Rabbi - which means Teacher response. The late Mother Teresa of Cal- - where do you live?" This question could best be paracutta maintained that holiness isn't luxphrased as "What are you on about?" ury but a simple duty. This is the basic question. If people In today's second reading (1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20) St Paul recalls the realise Christ's one concern is their dignity of the human body, which is the happiness here and hereafter, they will temple of the Holy Spirit and destined respond to His call, for to know Him is to rise again, and shows that fornication to love Him. Andrew said to his brother, St Peter Is wrong, saying: "Keep away from fornication_You are not your own proper- "We have found the Messiah." The Jews were awaiting the Messiah. ty you have been bought and paid for. That is why you should use your body Our call to follow Jesus also involves leading others to Him, for the glory of God." St Alphonsus Ligouri maintained that If we consider what aspect of Christ's all those in Hell are there for impurity, personality and message will attract a or at least impurity was one of their particular person, we may well be sins. amazed how many we can be instruThe context in which St Paul 's second mental in leading to respond to Ills call.

A Layman's

Meditation

To Jesus through Mary . . . a column of Marian devotion Here is the Vatican tvxt of Pope John Paul H's remarks in English at his weekly general audience on 5 January.

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ear brothers and sisters. In the first audience of the year 2000. I wish all of you a happy and blessed new year. Our thoughts today turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom God the Father chose to be the mother of his Son. At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel greeted Mary with the words, -Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28). These words reveal God's intention to communicate to humanity the true and definitive joy which comes from having the Son present among us. Mary herself received the fullness of God's blessings from the moment of her conception. This enabled her to live a life of outstanding holiness. All through his childhood. Jesus called Mary his mother. When he later addressed her as "woman." he was emphasising that she is not just his biological mother but also the mother of the people of the new covenant. She is the humble servant who, in listening to God's word and welcoming it, came to know and love the Father more profoundly. Today Mary fulfills the task of helping the church to follow Christ as she did, with all the love of her heart. I cordially welcome the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present, and I pray that your visit to Rome will help you to live a grace-filled jubilee year. God bless you all! - Catholic News Service

Despite heat, Christmas draws Karrinyup crowds In spite of the heat, big crowds attended the evening Masses on Christmas Eve at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish, Karrinyup. Father Benedict Quadras, pictured with the nativity players, who has been acting as locum priest for the past five months, planned everything in detail, even holding rehearsals, and his efforts were rewarded in the smooth running of both the Vigil and Midnight Masses. Many of the parishioners were surprised to see Father Patrick Lim had returned from Ireland sooner than expected so the Masses were concelebrated. Both Masses were preceded by half-anhour's carol singing outside the church. At the Vigil Mass, the children, dressed for the Christmas mime, added colour to the scene. At 7pm the Holy Door was opened and as the usual door served as the Holy Door, it was re-opened for Midnight Mass, when a curtain was pulled back With the Alpha symbol at one end and the Omega on the other, it was simple and tasteful. Acolyte Geoff Edwards led the procesThe Record, January 13 2000 Page 6

sion into the church, followed by the children in costume, one of them carrying the newly-repainted Infant Jesus figure to place in the crib. Readers and altar servers came after them, then the priests, followed by the congregation. Incense wafted over the crib before the

Infant was laid in it. Concelebrated Mass followed, and Fr Patrick read the Gospel. Two commentators told the story of the first Christmas, while the children in costume acted it out. After the little play, the performers departed and Fr Patrick told the congregation tales of his travels.

Atelier Benedict Ouadrns and Nativity players at OLSC, Karrinyup, at Christmas.

It's time to start being the person God made each of us to be

With Penny Ashcroft

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ere we are, midway through the first month of not only a new year, but a brand new era. There is something special about beginnings. The beginning of a new year offers new hope. new life, the chance to put the past behind us and move forward. If we have a positive attitude about the future, remember with pleasure the good times from the past while putting the bad times to rest, it can be akin to death and resurrection - death to non-life-giving behaviours and experiences and resurrection into the hope and promise of the future. With every new dawn can come a new step forward for us. An opportunity to advance with hope, cheerfulness and dignity. Happiness can be won through our struggles with, and triumph over, the realities of the here and now. If we look at our present situation with appreciation for the good things and praise for this place, this time, these people, whom God has given us, our confidence and vigour and love of life can only grow. The beginning of a new year is a good time to reflect on the past, and in doing so, we may see that many of the barriers to our growth towards happiness have been self-erected. We live and work in a world where partial beliefs, partial truths and sometimes false beliefs and false truths are prevalent. We react to the world, the "truth", as we perceive it to be. If we can begin to look with new eyes, with appreciation of our world and the people in It. then perhaps we can unlock the doors to the freedom and happiness that comes with being our true selves. The basic premise to work from has to be love. God is love. Whenever we share or receive love, God is right in there with us. A wise priest commented to me that if there is goodness and peace in our endeavours, our relationships. then God is present. We all know and understand that society has developed a strange value system. I believe that it is up to us as Christians, to try, in our own little corner of the world, to change that. Those things about life in general which have become "acceptable", perhaps even expected, which in reality fragment society, like unethical behaviour, abortion, euthanasia, marriage breakdown. can, I believe, he turned around. It will take effort, but the buck has to stop somewhere and it can stop with us. As individuals, we can strive to live out our faith on a daily basis by making a commitment to love our neighbour, even when we do not feel very charitable. We can strive to engender stability and live out Christian values in our family and work life. Bringing our faith into everyday life, integrating it into everything we do, is what Christianity is about. It will always take effort and commitment, but if we want to contribute to positive changes in a world that is hungry for peace and good news, then any effort we make will he worthwhile. We can support one another in our efforts, that's what "church" is all about. Church is people interacting with each other in communion with God. If we, as followers of the greatest lover the world has ever known, cannot make a commitment to love, then who can? When the time comes for us to leave our life, nothing will matter more to us than the quality of our family life and the depth of our relationship with God. The meaning of our life is drawn from these two experiences. Why then, should we not grasp this opportunity of a brand new beginning, do our utmost in the here and now, to live our lives with love, joy and thanksgiving for the many good things we have been given and experience? Let us move forward into the Year 2000 with the joy and peace that comes from learning to he the people God intended us to be.

s

Of news and despair, of youth and hope

The Record

ome years ago Father Chuck Gallagher SJ, an American Jesuit, was fond of quoting the following statistic: In the US the divorce rate is approximately 1 in 3; for couples who go to Church together it is approximately 1 in Conversely, here in Perth only a few weeks trivial affairs is that it can leave the young 50; for couples who pray together it is the threat by the Russian military to with a false impression of the world and ago approximately 1 in 1105. destroy a city in a neighbouring the society within which they live and totally By any measure this is a good news story and to kill up to 100,000 people move. country for Catholics, Christians and people of living it within 24 hours received less in This is not to say that things are not perfaith, and it should be good news for every5 seconds' exposure on major com- fect. However the truth is that most peothan one else: want to cement your marriage in TV news at the end of the ple are getting on with their lives on a true love, respect and perseverance? - then mercial evening's broadcast. daily basis. here's a hint about how you might do it. treatgenerally is news former the But for the young the problem remains. That But it is not a story we are likely to see the is latter the the massive influence the media than important more as Given ed in the pages of the daily news or heading kind of view that really only requires a rel- and entertainment culture has in their the newslist on the nightly TV news. Sadly, quite the opposite. If anything, the atively simple operation on the frontal lives, the path to cynicism and the belief that there is nothing they can do to change evidence reveals an inverted principle lobes of one's brain to believe. the world is closer. In fact, it is facilitated. media. the bash to easy too it's course, Of often at work in the world of the media: from immune be not should media The same can be said of reporting of polthe But the more important it is, the less likely; the itics which, while it can be accurate, is constructive criticism either. more bizarre it is, the more likely. The fact is that a lot of what we see on usually sensational and hardly ever seems For example: it's more likely - as we have all seen in recent days - that the top news TV and read in the newspapers is nega- to encourage hope or public service. That it is made easier for the young to will be whether recently-divorced tennis tive, sensational or without any intrinsic to cynicism is a depressing thought. turn worth. fellow and first-timer marrying is A star But against this state of affairs and the For the first news items mentioned above tennis star B, or a report of the latest marriage breakup of a billionaire cable net- the following questions can be asked: Are overarching culture of shallowness there former they important? Do they help us lead bet- Is the Gospel, which is not only Good his and owner work News, but realistic and full of evidence for actress/exercise-guru/activist wife who is ter lives? Do we really need to know? A substantial problem with this state of hope. Jesus says: in the world you will about to become just his plain ex-wife.

Arouno 1,1e ggae T A capital point for the Mass

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hat has happened to the use of the capital letter 'M' when referring to the Mass? Of late there is a growing tendency to refer to the Mass as 'mass' (small 'm'). Even our Catholic press is guilty of following this trend. According to both the Websters and Chambers dictionaries mass (small 'm') is described as "a quantity of matter in a body; a shapeless lump", whereas Mass (capital 'M') is The celebration of the Lord's Supper or Eucharist in the RC Church". As children we were taught that the Mass Is the same sacrifice as that of the Cross though offered in a different manner, which to me is quite a different thing from "a quantity of matter in a body; a shapeless lump." What can be done to bring back the reverence for the sacrifice of the Mass, even if only to the extent of giving it the dignity of a capital letter? (Mrs) A. Evans Shelley

AIDS letter missed

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he letter "AIDS Report Concern" (Record 30 December) appeared to be an attempt to misinform your readers in relation to a global matter of Immense concern. The World Health Organisation. UNAIDS and the Vatican Health Care Council are in total agreement as to the pandemic nature and spread of HIV the virus which causes AIDS. There is absolutely no case to answer that "this is simply a reporting of unsubstantiated propaganda." World wide there are now more women than men infected by HIV at a ratio of 6:5 and the percentage increase in women and children under 15 with the virus is growing at an ever increasing rate. Heterosexual contact is the primary cause of HIV in most countries of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The various diseases such as tuberculosis, influenza, pneumonia mentioned in the letter are in epidemic proportions in Africa, however the advent of HIV and AIDS Into this situation has exacerbated an already difficult situation as AIDS destroys the immune system which would otherwise be able to fight off disease. Various bodies with impeccable credentials, often led by Catholic organisations, are championing the need to recognise the plight of the AIDS orphans in the countries which The Record article of 6 December alluded to. Pope John Paul and the Vatican Health Care Council have for over a decade been

have trouble, but be brave; I have conquered the world." We should remember this and take it to heart with joy, remembering it as we see the nightly prime time gospels. We know the world isn't perfect but much current reporting gives us a problem with the way we see the world and institutions, whether they be governments or the Church. 'Ordinary' goodness and the happiness of people is not seen as newsworthy, so the news we see is not of life at it really is. This is an imbalance. Being people of the Good News we welcome goodness and truth wherever it is found. As an earlier bearer of excellent news once wrote to people living in a city called Corinth: "Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes." Undermining hope in the young is a terrible thing. Raising them on an intellectual, emotional and spiritual diet of mush must be a boring job, at best. • The opinions expressed in this editorial, and any other Record editorial, are not necessarily those of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth.

Leffers fo lAe Cofifor

How would we face our own judgement speaking in support of the need for the sorship in place became apparent; we did such event? Another effective means by n I night the on amount enormous an achieve true the recognise to world the of peoples which we can spread this message, is by on a much-reduced budget. nature of the HIV pandemic. I would also like to thank Fr Paul Fox and displaying a sky-sign trailing in the wake of It is time for all right-minded and thinking people to acknowledge that we are not the committee that was responsible for the a light aircraft and covering the entire metropolitan area of Perth. fighting a homosexual disease nut one post-midnight Mass Vigil. We sure have to fly God's flag if we want In particular,Iwould like to single out the which is affecting in ever-growing numInitiative taken by Stephonie Crease of that to make Jesus and ourselves known! bers the global village we inhabit. committee and the private sponsors she William Thomit s Br. Damian Walsh efc organised to pay for the Jubilee messages Medina Director. HIV/AIDS Pastoral Care towed behind two planes at Cottesloe Burswood Beach on New Year's Eve. From the reportsIhave received, the sight ritain's churches "apologising" for of the words 'Jesus Christ - Yesterday. lbday Christianity's "sins" - racism, war, ould I congratulate The Record on & Forever' in the sky above Cottesloe as the the Holocaust . . . Fashionable. yes the excellent coverage of the open- sun dipped below the horizon for the last ing of the Great jubilee. time in 1999 was spine-tingling and in - but what does it mean? That public opinion - not God - is our On behalf of the Archbishop's Committee excellent taste. for the Great Jubilee could I extend thanks We have had an excellent start to the Year judge? Apologising for someone else's errors is to the many hundreds of people in parish- of Great Jubilee. Let us all continue the es who have helped prepare Holy Doors. effort over the coming year and give Christ no substitute for doing right yourself. At least Mr Howard understands that put up banners and helped prepare the the gift he would most appreciate - a liturgies for Christmas and the arrival of deeply reinvigorated Church in WA for the Arnold jago the Year 2000. Mildura third millennium of his reign. While WA has copped a bit of flack in the Brian Coyne secular media concerning our New Year's Member of the Committee responsible for Eve celebrations,Iam sure God would have Media Liaison and Promotion ne of the principal forces of destabeen pleased with the many ways in which This letter was edited for length - Editor of society is the easy and bilisation we have celebrated the arrival of the Great availability of credit ie universal Western in Church Jubilee in the Catholic are so widely used by which cards, credit Australia. people. most Archour Grace His thank sincerely I point out to the few people who took Anything can be had with these 'innobishop for his stirring call to action to exception to the proposed activities at St bits of plastic, and, by anyone. Even cent' "Be the Light of Jesus" and his timely Mary's Cathedral on New Year's Eve that use them. children "are laity the form who we that exhortation January) (6 Record The the centre pages of to sex, anything at all, even sugar From carried an excellent CNS report on what charged with the mission of spreading the financiers supply the goodOur holidays. Christ." happened in St Peter's Square: 'While the mission of Jesus Jesus Himself has also told us: 'Let your ies, at a price of course. skyrockets scream skywards Pope wishes Is it a wonder then, that profits of the light so shine before men, that they may peace to world.' and such-like keep growing expobanks your to glory give and works good your see I Holiness, His for enough good was If it real productive industry on the nentially, am certain God would have appreciated us Father in heaven." struggles or even disappears hand other getof way best the know well As we all kicking up our heels in Perth in the grounds overseas. of St Mary's for the arrival of the Year 2000. ting a message across is by hammering it I was amazed recently to see examples of In the end I take responsibility that the out long enough in the media of commusocially destructive practice, where this nication. be to had Eve Year's New for plans original were given credit to go around youngsters Why then do we not adopt the same curtailed because we didn't have enough to study. mind you. simply not world, the God's of message the spreading time to secure the sponsorship that would method of travel. to have paid for it all and made it accessible holy word? How can supposedly-educated mature Our whole purpose for doing so should without cost to anybody who wanted to practice or countenance such adults greater the achieving toward directed be come. activities is beyond me. destructive It is a fact of life today that it costs an enor- glory of God and the salvation of souls. country of ours operated with this When pubwidely we that suggest To this end I mous amount to publicise events and get a little more than one gencommonsense licise the following words from Scripture: people to come along. unheard of for banks to was it ago, eration It is no longer just good enough to put on "Unless a man believes that Jesus is Lord, of time and consumption for purely lend Him raised has Father the God that and front a liturgy and expect that people will uxuries. l up. Jesus and the Church are like every- from the dead, he will not enter the kingWe live in a fools paradise. body else in the modern era of communi- dom of Heaven." Amassing huge debt, destroying the I earnestly request that the manner of cations: we all face stiff competition for and inexperienced by allowing, even young spreading the word be undertaken by the people's attention and enthusiasm. the 'easy credit' culture. encouraging, the Committee, Jubilee Archdiocesan The New Year's Eve liturgy at the Cathein every sense is sacrificed, ndependence I dral this year attracted about double the Knights of the Southern Cross, the St Vincontinually make and operto have people men's number of last year, the first that it had cent de Paul Society and any other over their poised axe credit the with ate generous or group women's Catholic or a also be to me to seemed It held. been against made often are decisions So neck! person who night be willing to financially broader cross-section of the population. their better interests. venworthwhile this towards contribute That reflected the input of energy, money This mad practice urgently needs overand promotion that the groups associated ture. hauling and put under a sensible disciShould we not endeavour by every means with the celebrations this year put into it. else pline we'll have to sell more of the spiritually the bring to good to the news Hickey Archbishop thank I would like to country. for continuing to back me and the Jubilee poor of the world who do not know why Committee when the disappointment of they are here, where they have come from Peter Bertola Esperance not having enough time to get the spon- and where their ultimate destiny lies?

What does it mean?

The Jubilee is on track

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Danger in easy credit

Our responsibility now

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The Record. January 13 2000 Page 7

Features

Catholics with MS face future with courage By Lou Panarale

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hose who think getting multiple sclerosis is the end of the road for a fulfilling life should talk to a former store manager from Nebraska and an exteacher from California. Jill Manning-Fitzgerald of Doniphan, Nebraska, and Tom Crain of Santa Cruz, California, both Catholic, were chosen by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as 1999 MS Mother and Father of the Year. The two spoke with Catholic News Service in separate telephone interviews from their homes They received the awards in the Oval Office from President Clinton. Jill, 31, is a divorced mother of Stephen, 14, and Natalie, 8, who have learned to care for her with help from jill's parents, Jeanie and Wayne Manning. Ihm, 52, is married and the father of Jack, 9, born after Crain was diagnosed with MS. He and his wife, Peggy, have two other sons in their mid-20s. like fill. "Ibm said his Catholic faith has sustained him throughout his ordeal with MS. He said if he hadn't had early Catholic training, "I would have lacked the strength to get through this." Toni said he is also grateful for having a wife and son who care for him with love and affection. When I got MS, my whole family got MS," he said, adding that his wife and sons willingly h ared and helped ease his burden from the beginning. ' I think the caregivers are often overlooked," he said. "I am fortunate that my wife is a nurse who has that desire to help make things better for others." As for his youngest son, Crain said, "He has seen his father go through debilitations and can

Tom Crain, accompanied by his family, receives the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Father of the Year award from President Clinton in the Oval Office of the White House. photo CNS/Whtte House

understand and love him." Before being stricken with MS three years ago, fill managed a Pier 1 Imports store and was active in local social

and civic activities. Tom, a former English teacher, had received the Dorothy Wright Award six times from Sacramento State College.

The award is given to the teacher stuck and her helping me out," said who students say had the most Manning-Fitzgerald. impact upon them. "Other drawings showed us Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, wheeling around town, having often disabling, disease of the cen- fun," she said. "Natalie finished the story, saying, 'I love my mum and tral nervous system. Symptoms range from mild she loves me." Jill said her parents also play a numbness of the limbs to paralysis major role in helping her adjust to and loss of vision. Jill was diagnosed in 1996, at age MS. They went with her to the Mayo 31, with a rare aggressive form of Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for MS. Within six months she had two brain surgeries to reduce her tremors in her arms and hands so tremors. She said the operations have severe she could no longer walk, mproved her ability to get about i write or drink from a glass. and do things, although she is still "It (MS) came on so rapidly for physically limited. me. I had to quit driving my car Toni left his teaching position in because of my impaired eyesight. And by that February,I was unable 1989 after discovering he had MS, and later began promoting yoga to walk," she told CNS. for the disabled. If that was not enough, she and He said yoga helps relieve sonic her husband separated six months of the pain that almost all people after she was diagnosed with MS. with MS stiffer. They later divorced, leaving her "I think that the better we take to care for their children, with the care of ourselves, the better are our help of her parents. chances to live a reasonably long When asked what has been her and productive life," he said. major source of pride in coping "I don't think the general public with MS over the past three years, realises that about MS." she gives a simple two-word reply He said he was "both relieved - "my kids." and devastated" when on 17 JanuShe said her illness and subse- ary. 1989, doctors told him he had quent divorce made her resolve, MS. more than ever, not to be a burden "I was relieved that it was not on her chiklren. something inoperable like a "I think that's what keeps me brain tumour, and devastatedIhad going," she told CNS. MS because I had little underShe said her Catholic faith has standing about the disease." been a source of strength in helpUnlike Jill, Tom's MS has been ing her resolve to be a good and slow but persistent, giving him loving parent, despite her trials time to make adjustments in with MS. operating his computer and She said that while struggling doing other things. early on with MS, one of the most "Having time to get used to each memorable gifts she ever change has been very important." received came from her daughter, he said. who currently attends CCD class"All the things I had enjoyed doing were taken away, like runes. "When Natalie was 6, she gave ning, playing the guitar, and holdme a picture story chronicling our ing hands with my wife on long days together. One drawing walks." - Catholic News Service showed my wheelchair getting

Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady finds a niche on the Net By Usa Mendez-Fernandez

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n an increasingly crowded field of World Wide Web sites, six monks housed in a quiet rural abbey 400 kilometres from Chicago have found their niche. The monks of Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Spring Bank in Sparta, Wisconsin, have designed a new Web site. The site. www.monksonline.com, offers often hard-to-find spiritual books that uplift the spirit. According to Cistercian Father Bernard McCoy, steward of temporal affairs and creator of the Web site, everyone can find something of value in these books, but the site is aimed at people who are seeking some kind of spiritual nourishment. The idea for the Web site came about when people would ask the monks to recommend quality spiritual hooks for them to read. At first, Father McCoy said, the monks would recommend books and simply give them away. But the cost of passing out free publications started to become a financial burden for the abbey. Father McCoy enrolled in a few graphic and Web site design classes at the nearby community college and created monksonline.com. "Iknew of amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com and I thought the abbey could create a Web site like that but with a spiritual twist," said Father McCoy "We wanted to

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make spiritual books available to all masses of people, not just ones from a religious background. We also wanted to give people easier access to finding those books." The project is not that different

The Record, January 13 2000 Page 8

from what monks in the Middle Ages did when they translated the Bible from Latin into different languages, enabling the masses to read the documents, he said. The Wisconsin-based group is like-

wise dedicated to spreading the news. Their medium, however, is the Internet. The Web site that was started in July 1999 is currently featuring four books, "The Hermitage With-

in' by an anonymous French monk "Toward God" by Michael Casey; "Spiritual Passages" by Father Benedict Groeschel; and -live Prayer" by Kenneth Leech. The site also features a CD of Gregorian chant. 'We put the CD on the Web site because chanting is such soothing music," Father McCoy said. The Web site has been successful thus far, according to Father McCoy: "I have gotten a positive response from people. They have told me that the Web site is refreshing, and the books aren't the run of the mill," he added. Father McCoy, who has been at the abbey for 11 years, plans to update the Web site in midJanuary and add new books. One new addition will be "Cloud of Unknowing," a classic from the 14th century, and books by Father Raymond Brown. the famous Scripture scholar. "We plan to have a good variety of books for readers come this January," Father McCoy said. The monks are hoping to expand the Web site and put other products online such as religious icons, vitamins and herbs. "We want to choose products of quality for people that will not only take care of their souls but also care for their bodies," said Father McCoy. Currently, all the books on the site are in English. but Father McCoy plans to provide publications in German, Italian, Spanish and French in the future. - CNS

Features

Pope welcomes new millennium with prayer for Christian unity

Upon entering St Peter's Basilica, Pope John Paul ll gestures to priests he ordained bishops on 6 ?not°. CNSReuters January.

Bishops lie prostrate in St Peter's Basilica during their ordination on 6 January Pope John Paul II ordained 12 bishops from Feast of the Epiphany.

of the Holy Door." After the parade and Angelus prayer. the Pope sent Christmas to the Eastern Orthodox and Eastgreetings ()pc John Paul 11 prayed for Christian Churches, which were to Catholic ern-rite unity as he ordained 12 bishops from on 7 January. Christmas celebrate seven different countries - including this New Year. while of beginning the -At the United States - and said their diversity with intensity, let Jubilee Great the live we reinforced the true message of the Church. "You come from different nations and rep- us entrust to Mary, 'Star of the Morning.' the resent the universality of the Church that Church's evangelising mission and the jouradores the Word made flesh for our salva- ney of Christians toward the full unity tion" the Pope told them during a 6 January desired by our Redemptor," said the Pope. The Pope began the annual tradition of Mass in St Peter's Basilica. "Around you are gathered the faithful from episcopal ordinations on the Feast of the various parts of the world, to whom you are Epiphany in 1979, during the first year of his sent as successors of the apostles." he said. pontificate. -It is a tradition that possesses an intrinsic After the Mass, the Pope greeted thousands of people who had packed St Peter's Square theological and pastoral eloquence, and we introduce it with joy into the third millennifor Rome's 15th annual Epiphany parade. Several hundred costumed participants um," he said. The Pope prayed that the light that led the paraded up the Via della Condliazione to St Peter's. waving mediaeval banners and Magi from the East to Bethlehem would singing along to traditional music played by "continue to lead the peoples and nations of the entire world along the same route." marching bands. Among the paraders were -la Befana." the He said the three kings' journey had also Italian good-natured witch who brings chil- inspired "popular piety, becoming a tradidren gifts on Epiphany, and three men tional element of the Nativity scene." dressed as the Magi. Four of those ordained were appointed Rather than bearing gold, frankincense apostolic nuncios: Archbishops lozef and myrrh. though. Vatican Radio said the Wesolowski for Bolivia: Giacomo Guido modern-day wise men were to bring a Ottonnello for Panama: George Panikulam bronze representation of a millennial pil- for Honduras: and Alberto Bottari de Castelgrim and -a painting with a surrealist vision lo for Gambia, Guinea. Liberia and Sierra of St Peter's cupola against a background of Leone. The Pope said the new envoys would a crowd of pilgrims crossing the threshold act as pontifical representatives and "in the By Benedicta Cipella

13

comilrlas ea Se Phok. CNS,Reuters

service of the local Churches and of the authentic human progress of their respective peoples." Two of the newly-ordained bishops were named apostolic administrators: Bishop Anton Cosa of Moldova. and Bishop Giuseppe Pa.s.sotto of the Caucasus, seen as

a difficult post due to the ongoing war between Russia and Chedmya. The Pope also ordained Bishop Ivo Baldi of Huaraz, Peru; Coadjutor Bishop Gabriel Mbilingi of Lwena, Angola: and Coadjutor Bishop David L Fticken of Cheyenne. Wyoming. The others ordained by the Pope Included: Auxiliary Bishop Andras Veres of Eger. Hungary; Auxiliary Bishop Peter Erdo of Szekesfehervar. Hungary: and Franco Croci, who was to Bishop assume the post of secretary of the Prefecture of Economic Affairs of the Holy See. In his 21 years as leader of the Church. the Pope has appointed 3,004 bishops, Vatican Radio said. He has personally ordained 290 bishops. 278 in Rome and 12 abroad. Page 14 - Chinese Bishops controversy

Pepe John Paul II ordains Peter Erdo as auxiliary bishop of Szekesfehervar, Hungary, while other Photo CNSRetiter, newly-ordained bishops look on in St Per's Basilica on 6 January.

Rome crowds flock to Jubilee memorabilia at St Peter's

similar jumps in sales because of est shopper. "We walked straight pilgrims on the hunt for Holy Year past the shops," David Watkins of Sydney, Australia said, whose only t the start of the Jubilee year, mementos. was a calendar from thc purchase jubilee official the with Trinkets the ring of cash registers at depicting fresMuseums Vatican souvenir shops threatened 2000 logo, like candles, plates, the Sistine Chapel. from coes were T-shirts, and glasses iqueur l to drown out the sound of church 'The stores are pretty tacky." the store's best-sellers, Conforto bells. One Canadian tourist also used Holy Year guidebooks and histo- said. word "tacky" to describe the the a also Savelli designed Galleria ries, ceramic ashtrays depicting a myriad religious souvenirs for sale it applying own, its of logo Jubilee youthful Pope John Paul II. official but then you understand the hisjubilee 2000 perfume bottles and to, among other things, golf balls. behind the objects, so you tory howNot all pilgrims were buying, velveteen wall hangings of Rome's know what it really means, and you four major basilicas were just some ever. accept them for what they are," she While Italians filled souvenir said. of the wares tempting shoppers. "We're packed from morning till shops, those from other countries, More than a dozen stores around night," Massimiliano Contort°, and English-speakers in particular, St Peter's caused some to reflect on manager of the Galleria Savelli sou- seemed to have little time for shop- whether the jubilee had become venir store near St Peter's Basilica, ping. too commercialised. Despite being -I'm not planning to spend any- pleased over Galleria Savelli's said. The crowds in Rome over the thing (on souvenirs)," said Copen- increased intake, Contort° emphasised the need for perspective. Christmas-New Year period trans- hagen native Eeskil Thylstrup. -1 don't like any of them." lated into a 30 per cent increase in "It is too commercial. You risk forbusiness for Galleria Savelli comCrowded stores and overwhelm- getting the religious aspect" of the ing arrays of knickknacks were jubilee, he said. Souvenir hunters check out the "bargain of the month" -- jubilee key chains pared to the same period in 1998. -Catholic News Service Other stores in the area reported enough to frustrate even the savviPhoto CNS/Crpoila - at Galleria Savelli, near St Peter's Basilica on 4 January. By Benedicta Cipolla

A

The Record, January 13 2000 Page 9

Features

Ambon military accused of exploiting the killing M ilitary officers formerly more, numbers uncertain, have stationed in East Timor fled Seram and Halmahera; 1000 and political leaders from Ternate; Sanana is now totalfrom Jakarta are exploiting disor- ly emptied of Christians. der in the Moluccas, for personal Of 24 Christian communities in gains. Seram only 3 remain. They are the ones responsible In Buru, five Catholic nuns are for fomenting inter-religious con- missing: nothing has been seen or flict which broke out a year ago heard of the women Religious for in this far eastern part of the days now. Indonesian archipelago. They are thought to have fled to These charges are made by the hills after many Christians Father Agustinus Ulahayanan, were massacred by Muslims. aged 41, head of the .Crisis Centre Fr Ulahayanan said: "there in Ambon diocese, who seeks to seems to be an intentional effort mediate between the Protestant to expel Christians from the communities islands, particularly in the north, and Muslim involved in conflicts which, offi- east and west." cial sources say, have already Nevertheless he says the fighttaken 1,500 lives. ing cannot be described as "a horbetween The Vatican's missionary news izontal conflict agency, Fides, interviewed Fr Ula- Christians and Muslims". hayanan, who supplied for the High ranking army officers are first time a report on war dam- implicated in the fighting, includages suffered by Catholics in the ing, Colonel Irwan Kusnadi, forarmy Indonesian Moluccas: 100 have been killed in mer the south east (Ambon and Key commander in East Timor "where Islands); 38 in Buru, and an he betrayed commitments taken unknown number in Seram and with local leaders." in the north. Mansion in the Moluccas is Although no precise reports are exploited to recycle in the politiavailable from more remote loca- cal arena certain individual pertions Fr Ulahayanan said he sonalities and the army, presently knows for certain that 18 Catholic under strong criticism in Indonechurches have been damaged or sia. burned (8 in Buru; 6 in Serum; 1 Political leaders such as Amien In the north; 1in Key; 2 in Ambon.) Rats, House-Speaker, is using The violence is producing thou- instability in the Maluku Province sands of refugees: 1000 Catholics to attack political adversaries like fled Bum, when fighting broke out Megawatt Sukamoputri and even at the end of December; many President Abdurrahman Wahid.

A girt cries amid ruins in the city of Ambon on Indonesia's MOIUCCa Islands on 11 January. Fighting between Muslims Photo: CNS/Routefs and Christians in the spice islands has raged for about a year, killing more than 1,500 people.

A solution for the crisis, accord- Ambon priest calls for a UN ing to Fr Ulahayanan, must be Human Rights Mission or at least found first of all locally, with the a UN Observer, to gather facts and intervention of "the police force, Information too often manipulatinstead of the army", equally com- ed in a confessional sense by the posed of Christians and Muslims, media. "The Islamic daily Republika impartial and supporting neither and SCIV television station, in the side. At the international level, the capital of Jakarta." - Fr Ula-

hay anan told Fides - "always report as if only Christians slaughter Muslims. . . . While we see, both parties slaughtering each other." The Catholic priest's latest undertaking is a local mixed commission, Protestants and Muslin's, committed to protecting human - FIDES rights.

Resignation of a pope? It's not all that inconceivable By John Thavis

A

German bishop's suggestion that Pope John Paul II could one day resign has stimulated open discussion on a once-taboo subject at the Vatican. The remarks by Bishop Karl Lehmann on 9 January - misreported by the Italian press as a request for the Pope to step down - provoked immediate controversy and a rush to defend the Pope by Roman Curia officials. A flurry of denials and clarifications followed, with everyone - including Bishop Lehmann - agreeing that the 79-year-old pontiff was fully capable of continuing in office. "Even though the Pope appears very tired, the Holy Father is in the fullness of his mental faculties. I don't think the hypothesis of resigning has been considered, not even recently," said Dominican Father Georges Cottle': theologian of the papal household. Cardinal Pio Laghi, a longtime Vatican official who recently retired, said: "We have an excellent Holy Father. I think a decision like resignation cannot be suggested to the Pope. It's a decision that would be his alone." The Pope appeared to offer an unintentional response to the debate when, speaking about the elusive goal of world peace, he told diplomats on 10 January: "God never asks us anything above our capabilities, in the sense that he gives us the strength to complete what he expects of us." But even at the Vatican, some acknowledged that Bishop Lehmann, president of the German bishops' conference, had voiced what many people have privately wondered as they watched the Pope struggle through the first big Holy Year events, frequently looking frail and unsteady Bishop Lehmann said that while he thought the Pope was at the "high point" of his pontificate, it was not being disloyal to talk about papal resignation as a future possibility . , Several experts pointed out that Pope John Paul II uses his cane as he walks into a meeting with Church law allows a Pope to resign, Vatican diplomats on 10 January. A misreported statement by a and there has been at least one Pope German bishop recently caused a furore about papal resignation. who did. "This is not an eternal The Record, January 13 2000 Page 10

assignment. It is limited first of all by death, and then perhaps by other circumstances. If a Pope, having reflected and prayed deeply, feels in conscience that he no longer has the capacity to carry out the office, he could decide to resign," said one highly placed Vatican source who asked not to be named. Such a resignation would not show a lack of confidence in God, he said. "God entrusts responsibilities to people who are capable of carrying them out. Even someone ill can do this. But suppose the Pope were to lose his ability to speak. for example. That would raise a very delicate pmblem," the source said. Modern medical advances have made it more likely that the Church will sooner or later have to face such problems, he said. Pope John Paul is being treated for a nervous system disorder believed to be Parkinson's disease, a debilitating illness. "A Pope might reach the point where he thinks he can continue in office only with a miracle - but you can't demand a miracle," the Vatican source said. Other observers who have closely followed the Pope praised his current leadership role, but believe resignation is possible at some future moment. Vittorio Messori, an Italian who has interviewed the Pope at length, said the Pope could choose to withdraw in seclusion to a Polish monastery if his health fails. "On a human level, the temptation to return to Poland to die is very strong," Messori said. Luigi Accattoli, an Italian journalist who has written extensively about the Pope, said in the newspaper Corriere della Sera that the pontiff "who has brought so many new things to the throne of Peter would also be capable of stepping down from that throne." "One has the impression that John Paul II would not be convinced to remain for reasons of 'image' if he felt he could not continue to govern the Church," he said. Resignation is more likely in the modern age, Accattoli said, because there no longer exist political impediments to retirement, such as the risk that a retired Pope would mobilise

forces against a reigning pontiff. Pope Paul VI, who is said to have considered and rejected the idea of retirement late in his papacy, once said that a paternal role - that of the Holy Father - cannot be resigned. That's a point recalled by US author George Weigel. who spent many hours with Pope John Paul in preparing the papal biography. Witness to Hope. He said the fact that Church law makes provisions for papal retirement shows that "it's not inconceivable." "But it does raise a question about the theological character of the Pope's paternity for the universal Church." Weigel said. "It seems to me that one way to think about this is: fathers and families. Fathers get old, and it's not a bad thing for families to have parents who are older," he said. "From what I've seen publicly, and at lunch with the Pope a few days before Bishop Lehmann's remarks, John Paul II has the strength, the courage and the will for the job." he said. The last Pope to resign voluntarily was St Celestine V. who stepped down in 1296 after a short reign. Canon 332 of Church law stipulates that a papal resignation be made freely and "duly manifested," which Is generally understood to mean in writing or in the presence of witnesses. Most experts believe a papal resignation would have to be communicated to the College of Cardinals, which elects Popes. But Church law makes clear that no one need accept a Pope's resignation in order for it to be valid. A sick Pope can delegate much of his authority to trusted aides. But if a Pope becomes incapacitated without having previously delegated responsibility, no decisions that require papal authority can be made. Vatican sources, speaking privately, have suggested that Pope John Paul may have already made provisions for any such eventuality It would even be possible, one source said, for the Pope to stipulate that if his physical condition were to deteriorate to a certain point, it be considered equivalent to an act of - CNS resignation.

Features

John Paul II reveals to diplomats he thinks of millennium with hope Diplomatic Corps, wished him many more years as successor of ope John Paul H said that as Peter, because we need you to he pushed open the Holy invite us to follow Christ with you Door at St Peter's Basilica and to communicate your Christmas Eve, he was thinking dynamism to us." The Pope said that people in the with optimism about world progress in the new millennium. 21st century, uniquely linked by The Pope, in an annual speech communications technology and given this year on 10 January to the effects of globalisation, are Vatican-accredited diplomats, called to even greater personal said he felt called by God from responsibility and responsibility the beginning of his two-decade for each other. Religious believers have a spepontificate to encourage the world to think of itself as one fam- cial duty to take active roles in their societies, he said, not least ily-ft,venty-one years ago, when I because of their important witbecame successor of the apostle ness of hope to their contempoPeter. I felt myself charged with a raries. "We know one thing today more universal fatherhood which embraces all the men and women than in the past: We will never be of our time without exception." happy and at peace without one another, much less if some are the Pope said. -Today, in addressing you who against the others," the Pope said. "The century now beginning represent practically all the peoples of the earth. I would like to ought to be the century of solishare with each one something darity." he said. The witness of religious believpersonal: At the opening of the doors of a new millennium, the ers in public life helps "ensure Pope began to think that people that there is a perception that our might finally learn to draw world and our personal and collective history are invested with a lessons from the past." he said. Characterised as a sort of "State Presence," he said. "I therefore insist that believers of the World" address, each January the Pope highlights what he be granted a place in public life," considers the high and low points he said, "because I am convinced of the preceding year and the con- that their faith and their witness cerns to be addressed in the next. can reassure our contemporaries, The 79-year-old pontiff, his who are often anxious and disupper body shaking from what is oriented, and can ensure that presumed to be Parkinson's dis- despite failures, violence and fear, ease, stood focussed and intent as neither evil nor death will have the last word." he read his 40-minute speech. Noting the Pope's "strength and In a review of the past 100 years, courage" in preparing and open- the Pope hailed advances in sciing the Holy Year, Giovanni Galas- ence and information technology. si, San Marino's ambassador to But the century's progress was the Holy See and Dean of the marred, he said, by bloody wars, By John Norton

p

forced mass exoduses of people, genocide, the arms race "which fostered mistrust and fear," terrorism and ethnic conflicts. Despite beneficial applications being found for biotechnology, the life sciences "raise the problem of the limits imposed by the need to safeguard people's dignity, responsibility and safety" the Pope said. Globalisation has created unexpected possibilities for economic growth but "has also resulted in many people being relegated to the side of the road," he said. He named specific areas in which he said solidarity was especially needed: • Sharing of technology and prosperity, including debt relief for poor countries. • Respect for human rights. 'Not to ensure these rights means quite simply to flout the dignity of persons and endanger global stability." • Conflict prevention. "Appropriate international means are not Nit Jahn Paul II listens to comments of a membir of the Vatican diplomatlacking; they need only to be ic Gimps on 10 January. The Pope gave his annual speech to diplomats, sayused." ing ha kit called to encourage the world to think of itself as one family. • Dialogue between cultures and rebels and the fact that "the pie and countries. "In a world and religions. 'This dialogue Chinese people are speaking to structured around sovereign but would also make it possible in the de facto unequal states, it is indisfuture to avoid arriving at an one another." Nonetheless, the "typical traits" pensable for stability, underabsurd situation: that of excluding and cooperation or killing others in the name of of the past century include reli- standing God. This undoubtedly will be a gious persecution, "frequent and between peoples that internationrash recourse to war." social al relations be increasingly decisive contribution to peace." The Pope praised "far-sighted" inequalities, the gap between rich imbued with and shaped by the multilateral diplomacy aimed at and poor countries, and "exclu- rule of law," he said. "Surely what is lacking is not building an authentic community sive trust in profit alone," he said. new texts or juridical instruments; The Pope said that "this troubled of nations and "new world order." He cited current Middle East world, at once magnificent and it is quite simply the political will peace talks, dialogue between unstable," should renew its 1945 to apply without discrimination North and South Korea, regional annmitment in the preamble to those already in existence," the African peace initiatives, contacts the UN Charter in favour of the Pope said. - Catholic News Service between Colombia's government equal dignity and rights of all peo-

Iraqi Archbishop keeps the hope flickering By John Thavis

A

t the Chaldean Catholic Church of St George, the rhythm of the liturgy and the smell of the incense would be familiar to Western Catholics. But there are differences. Every man, woman and child in the crowded pews prayed and sang with force and verve. The Mass was celebrated in Arabic, except for the Lord's Prayer and a final, ancient hymn to Mary, for which Old Chaldean or Aramaic was used. 'This is the same language that Jesus used," Father Joseph Habib, pastor and religious historian, said afterward, beaming with pride. This tie to Christ was reiterated by many Iraqi Catholics. "This is not missionary work the Apostle Thomas came here before he went to India," said Mgr Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, an Indian cleric who serves as secretary to the apostolic nuncio in Baghdad, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto. "In Iraq, the Chaldean Church has kept the original traditions," the monsignor said. Two wars - with Iran in the 1980s, then the Persian Gulf War - followed by 10 years of economic isolation drove many middle-class families to flee a disintegrating country. By various accounts, several hundred thousand Christians

have fled the country since 1990. 700 families and about 140 liirkey to Europe, St George had Today there are 600.000 Chris- orphans receive food, water and many at the Mass. Father Habib, tians, representing 3 per cent of small amounts of money from the who is also dean of Iraq's Institute Iraq's 22 million residents. archdiocese. of Theology, said the parish had More than half are Chaldean These include equal numbers of 40 dubs and activities to keep its Catholics. Catholics and Muslims and one 15,000 members involved. One of the traditions they cling of the only Jews left in Basra. The economic isolation and to is Aramaic, which Jesus and the The city was in the middle of the shrinking Catholic population are Apostles are believed to have spo- Persian Gulf War and suffers from taking a toll on the Chaldean ken. poverty and shortages far more Church in Iraq, where there are The ancient Semitic language than Baghdad. few religious congregations. was common in the Near East Despite an exodus of most No new orders have come to until supplanted by Arabic Catholics, the diocese remains Iraq since 1968, other than the around 650 A.D. vibrant. Missionaries of Charity, who were Aside from its liturgical uses, it The daily evening Mass at Pius invited by Iraqi President Saddam survives in several Lebanese vil- X Cathedral is chanted in Arama- Hussein to run a small orphanage lages and among pockets of Chris- ic by a small crowd illuminated in Baghdad. Despite trips to speak in the US, tians in Iraq, Syria and other by candlelight because of the regMideastern countries. where he has six brothers, Archular electricity blackout. The cathedral, bombed during bishop Kassab expects little outIn Basra, a southern Iraqi city, Archbishop Djibrail Kassab the Gulf war, was rebuilt, though side help with his bare-bones speaks colloquial Aramaic with It is rarely used to save costs. network of social services. 'The people who used to supseveral of his parishioners. Ninety children attend a churchDuring a tour for an American run kindergarten, and 22 cate- port us have forgotten about Iraq," delegation from Voices in the chists teach Friday classes to 450 he said. "Now they're sending Wilderness, a group working children and 180 college students their money to Kosovo." against US policy toward Iraq, picked up in church buses. He ticked off evidence of a colKassab showed off a patchwork Catholic commitment seems lapsing society - children without of the Church's charitable efforts. bolstered by a deep sense of pride clothes to wear to school, the spread of once rare diseases such His former rectory - tidy despite in their history. dirt floors and crumbling steps "Iraq is the house of Abraham, as polio and tuberculosis, unemnow houses three families ren- the prophets and the patriarchs," ployment, hyperinflation. dered homeless by the growing Archbishop Kassab said. The hearty archbishop seemed poverty. That Sunday in Baghdad's St to lose steam for moment, then One mother shows off a photo George Church, the first reading paused before resuming more of a beaming infant, 7-month-old told of Yahweh's call to Abraham slowly. Noras Adib, who died from to leave his homeland in Ur - just "If not all, more than half, espeinfluenza for lack of medicine. 150 miles south of the Iraqi capi- cially the young, have lost hope," A Church pharmacy fills 40 pre- tal - for the Promised Land. Archbishop Kassab said. "I never scriptions daily and was about to Though most parishes have few lost hope, I believe in God. Now run out of medicines until the US young men, who are usually the is the time to show our Christiangroup replenished supplies. In all, first to get out of Iraq through ity" - CNS

Paper now

the largest

NEWARK, N.J. (CNS) - The Catholic Advocate, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Newark, has become the largest weekly newspaper in the state of New Jersey. Effective from 5 January, distribution of the paper increased from 25,000 to 130,000 homes, or an estimated 300,000 readers. A subscription for the Advocate will be given to any Catholic in the archdiocese who contributes annually to the archdiocesan stewardship program. The Advocate's board of trustees announced it was looking to even further expanding the paper's circulation, and eventually bring every registered parishioner to the paper as a subscriber. Robert Dylak, publisher of the Advocate, said the "entire effort reflects a major commitment" on the part of Newark Archbishop Theodore McCarrick "to build up and better inform the family of faith in this archdiocese." 'This kind of circulation is a whole new idea in the Catholic press," he said. "And we expect it will have an impact on cultural, legislative and other nonsectarian areas of life."

The Record, January 13 2000 Page 11

nternationa

News

call change Security Protests for In Brief

debt relief

WASHINGTON (CNS) - US Superior Court Judge Stephen Milliken on January 4 released four Catholic protesters seeking debt relief for poor countries, on condition they not break the law over the next seven months. The four, members of the Religious Working Group on the World Bank and IMF (International Monetary Fund), were arrested on 23 September in the US Capitol Rotunda when they staged a peaceful demonstration urging Congress to "do its share" In funding debt relief for the world's poorest countries.

Bombing shock COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CNS) - Sri Lanka's bishops expressed shock and sadness at continued violence, including a suspected Tamil militant's suicide bombing that left 13 people dead. "Once again blood has been shed and lives lost in the unending spiral of violent attacks on political leaders, security officers on duty, and civilians. We note with sadness the intensification of such attacks in the past few weeks: the bishops said in a statement on 5 January, the day of the

Iraqi frustrations WASHINGTON (CNS) Frustration and anger are beginning to settle into the minds of sanctions-ravaged Iraqis, according to a Jesuit priest who spent six weeks at the end of 1999 in Iraq. It was Father Simon Harales third trip to Iraq, and he said he saw in his six weeks there 'a deepening of the anger and frustration of 10 years (of sanctions - actually, nearly nine years) and absolutely no change." Father Harak was one of an eight-member delegation sponsored by Voices in the Wilderness, a Chicago group that has sponsored regular trips to Iraq to bring in food and medicine outlawed by the United Nations-imposed sanctions. The other seven visited from 16-30 December, Father Harak preceded them by a month, shuttling three other groups in and out of the country.

Radio station gift St CLOUD, Minn. (CNS) - A St Cloud radio pioneer has given the Christian radio station known as Spirit 93 and its parent company. Gabriel Communications Company, to the Diocese of St Cloud. The 31 December gift of the for-profit radio station to a Catholic diocese may be unique, said the donor, Andy Huger. "I consider this model a trailblazer in that it is a forprofit corporation designed to serve the entire community," he said. St Cloud Bishop John Kinney expressed gratitude to Huger for the gift. adding that he was "excited about the opportunity to reach out to new audiences including youths and young families."

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNS) - An Indonesian bishop urged his country's president to change government and security officials to end the prolonged sectarian conflict in riot-torn Moluccas province. Bishop Petrus Mandagi of Ambon recommended the change to President Abdurrahman Wahid during a meeting at the state palace on 5 January. He was accompanied by Archbishop Renzo Fratini, apostolic nuncio to Indonesia. "I call it a refreshing of leadership. The leaders should be replaced, not because they are bad or incapable, but rather because they have been tired with the long-lasting conflict," Bishop Mandagi said on 6 January. Large-scale sectarian clashes around Christmas and New Year's Eve occurred throughout the Molucca Islands, killing hundreds of people and forcing displaced people to flee to northern Sulawesi and Irian Jaya provinces. After the meeting in Jakarta. Bishop Mandagi said Wahid shares his view that new and neutral leaders are needed for the province. To guarantee neutrality, the bishop said. Wahid promised to appoint neither a Muslim nor a Christian military officer to replace the current chief of the Moluccas military command, who is a Protestant native of Moluccas. "He said he wants a Hindu officer to be the next chief of the Maluku military command. He will also appoint an acting governor." the bishop said. Maluku is the Indonesian name for Moluccas. During the meeting, Bishop

Indonesian Muslims chant 'jihad, jihad" at a rally in Jakarta on 7 January. Thousands of Muslims gathered to demand a holy war against Christians in pritgo. c • • ;euters the Molucca Islands.

Mandagi also asked Wahid to give serious attention to displaced people, especially those fleeing to the forests. The bishop said Wahid expressed gratitude to Catholics for not getting involved in the conflicts between Muslims and Protestants and for taking initia-

tives to mediate between the two groups despite suffering the Impact of the conflict. He said he told the president that as a bishop, he always tells Catholics to be peacemakers. avoid violence and help the victims with food and medicine. Bishop Mandagi added that the

president also shares his view that security personnel should take stern measures against rioters but should avoid brutality, and that there is a need to control people entering Moluccas, especially around the Muslim feast of Id alFitr, which ends the holy month of Ramadan. The bishop said Wahid told him that he had just ordered the military commander to ban passenger ships from entering Moluccas in efforts to restore security in the troubled province. On 7 January, at least 10,000 Muslims demonstrated in Jakarta, demanding a holy war against Christians in the Moluccas. Two days earlier, some 200 activists of the Front of the Defenders of Islam rallied in the street in front of Jakarta's cathe.dral, shouting threats. "If the slaughtering of Muslims In Maluku is not stopped, we will flatten the cathedral," shouted the protesters. "Listen, you minority Christians, some day we will avenge the blood of Muslims shed on Ambon land," others yelled. Se( ttrity guards at the cathedral cli ) ( ql the gates to prevent Muslims from entering the compound. In dashes on Buru Island on 23 December, dozens of Christian churches, including a Catholic church and a convent, were burned and destroyed. Some 30 Catholics were reportedly killed on Buru, and hundreds fled to the forests. Two nuns were missing. Bishop Mandagi said. He said the clashes were caused by internal political conflict among Muslims for the control of the newly established province, where local minority Christians - CNS became victims.

US abortion figures drop Medjugorge guidelines WASHINGTON (CNS) - A dropped from 314 in 1996 to 305 spokeswoman for the US Catholic In 1997 which CDC officials claim bishops lauded the newly Is the lowest level since 1975. The national abortion rate, released figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Preven- defined as the number of legal tion which showed US abortions abortions per 1,000 women aged in 1997 were at their lowest level 15-44 years. has remained steady In two decades. at 20 from 1995-97 Although Alvare was heartened Helen Alvare. director of planning and information for the bish- by the CDC figures. she said they ops' Secretariat for Pro-Life are about 10 per cent lower than Activities, credited the decline in the figures reported by the Alan Institute, the part to the four-year campaign Guttmacher against partial-birth abortions, research organisation for the which she said "exposed people Planned Parenthood Federation to the reality of abortion." of America, because some states Figures released by the CDC in do not have centralised reporting Atlanta showed that US abortion of abortions. rates had climbed during the Authors of the report. published 1970s, remained stable during the in the 7 January issue of the CDC 1980s and began a gradual publication Morbidity and Mordecline in 1991. tality Weekly Report, attribute The statistics indicate that there several factors to the decline in ‘vere a total of 1,184,758 abortions abortions including a reduced performed in 1997, which is 3 per number of unintended pregnancent less than the 1,221,585 abor- cies, "attitude changes" about tions performed in 1996, and is having an abortion and reduced the lowest number performed access to abortion services. since 1978. The CDC statistics from all 50 The number of abortions for states showed that in 1997 only 19 every live 1.000 births also per cent of the women receiving abortions were married. Approximately 20 per cent of the women who obtained a legal abortion in 1997 were 19 or younger while 32 per cent were between the ages of 20 and 24. According to the report, 88 per cent of all legal abortions were performed within the first 12 weeks of gestation. Laura Echevarria. director of media relations for the National Right to Life Committee, said she was pleased with the "continuing trend toward fewer abortions" and said her organisation would "continue working to educate Americans Helen Alvare about the tragedy of abortion."

'The Record, January 13 2000 Page 12

By Bronson Bayard DALLAS (CNS) - The Diocese of Dallas has adopted guidelines on Medjugorje-related activities that dearly define as "private" any devotion to the reported Marian apparitions in the former Yugoslavian republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bishop Charles V. Grahmann issued the guidelines on 22 December for pastors "to clarify the situation on the Church's position." The guidelines were drawn up following efforts to organise a large gathering for Medjugorje visionary Ivan Dragicevic, who now lives in the United States. He frequently tours US cities and claims to have Marian visions wherever he is. Organisers of the Dallas event Invited Dallas diocesan priests to concelebrate Mass and hear confessions. Bishop Grahmann advised priests that such a large gathering would give the false impression that the Church endorsed the event. Most priests reportedly stayed away, but several thousand people showed up and one Melkite Catholic priest celebrated Mass. Dragicevic claimed that Mary appeared to him at the 10 November gathering and advised him that Y2K fears were unfounded, according to a news report in The Dallas Morning News. Dragicevic advised people not to store water and food in their cellars. Homes in the Dallas area do not have cellars. Dallas

is the location of a large Medjugorje following. A private foundation here called the Queen of Peace Centre promotes Medjugorje activities. The new guidelines are as follows: • The official church position Is to view Medjugorje as the focus of private devotion. • Individual Catholics are not barred from making private pilgrimages to Medjugorje or holding personal belief in the events at Medjugorje. However, priests, parishes or church organisations may not sponsor pilgrimages. • Promotion of the Medjugorje events within the Diocese of Dallas should be done from the context of private devotion, not giving the appearance that it has the official approval of the church. Such activity should make clear that the Holy See has not confirmed the authenticity of the Marian apparitions. • When utilising parish literature such as bulletins to promote the activities, the disclaimer that "the Catholic Church has not given endorsement of authenticity" must be Included. Priests are not permitted to promote the activities from the pulpit. • Clergy of the Diocese of Dallas may participate in activities associated with the Medjugorje events as private individuals, not as an official representative of the church. However, large gatherings of priests should be avoided because it would give the appearance of institutional support.

nterna ional News

Jubilee activities start sees Rome swamped - but with how many? By John 'Mavis VAUCAN C1TY (CNS) - There are no turnstiles leading to the Holy Door in St Peter's Basilica, and for Vatican officials that's part of an unforeseen problem: How to measure the jubilee's success. Everyone agreed that a lot of people converged on Rome at the start of the Holy Year, which featured mega-gatherings in and around the Vatican that far exceeded organisers' expectations. The crowds overflowed in St Peter's Basilica and Square on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and on 2 January, during a celebration of the children's jubilee. Meanwhile, a swift-flowing river of pilgrims passed through the Holy Door at St Peter's and through Rome's other major basilicas and religious sites. How many people? Since no one was actually counting, everyone could guess. But the estimates varied so wildly that even the Vatican's spokesman said a more scientific approach was needed. Rome newspapers decided that 1 million people had traversed the Holy Door during the first 3 days of the jubilee; five days later, the reported figure had become 3 million.

Was the Vatican counting with TV cameras? An infra-red trip device? Nothing of the sort. One reporter who dug a little

deeper discovered that the count was based on the "visual method" - a pair of Swiss Guard's eyes. The 3 million figure seemed unrealistic, especially to those who did their own counting at the Holy Door on an average weekday: 110 per minute or 6,800 per hour or 72,600 per 11-hour day. That put the count around 726,000 for the jubilee's first 10 days. Rome authorities were no help when it came to pilgrim numbercrunching. They had no method of determining how many people were in town for the jubilee at any particular time. And if counting was difficult, predicting the flow of jubilee visitors turned out to be impossible. On Christmas Eve, even Vatican officials did not expect a multitude to arrive in St Peter's Square to watch Pope John Paul 11 on four

giant TV screens as he celebrated Mass inside the basilica. Yet the square was standingroom-only, with some 60.000 people braving the cold - and lack of toilets - for several hours. For the children's jubilee on 2 January, organisers were expecting 35,000 children and 10,000 parents or escorts for celebrations in St Peter's Square. Instead, three times that number showed up. leaving church officials stunned. "There are a lot of us. From here you can't see where the crowd ends. Maybe down to the Tiber

f-NS

A crowd packs St Peter's Square on 2 January for the first of many special jubilee celebrations put on by the Vatican. There were estimates that millions had already passed through the open Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica.

River. Maybe past the Tiber River," said a surprised Pope as he looked out over a seemingly endless panorama of people from the steps of St Peter's Basilica. Why were the predictions so far off? A lot of people in Italy simply caught "jubilee fever" and wanted to be part of the celebrations, so they brought their children down to the Vatican. Organisers called them the "selfinvited" and termed the day a great success. But the massive turnout had a down side: Many kids never made It inside St Peter's Basilica because of the crowd, traffic was snarled for much of the day and the few portable toilets near the Vatican were overtaxed. The "self-invited" turned up on New Year's Eve, too, transforming St Peter's Square into a crowded global village. They listened to a concert of Gospel and pop music, cheered the Pope at midnight. marvelled

at the fireworks, then went home accents of Roman dialect and feeling they'd been part of some- Latin American Spanish. thing historic. Jubilee authorities have officialThe criticism began the next day, ly estimated that the Holy Year as Romans complained about the will bring 26 million pilgrims to all-night traffic jams caused by Rome, but other experts' guesses the unexpected flow of people range from 15 million to 30 miland cars. Why weren't city plan- lion. World Youth Day festivities in ners ready for the onslaught? One city official said simply: "We don't August are expected to draw at least 1 million young people, at have a crystal ball." Meanwhile, Vatican spokesman events located far from the city was centre and the Vatican. Joaquin Navarro-Valls But after witnessing the snowdivulging new numbers of his own: Some 2 billion people ball effect of opening jubilee around the world had followed crowds, some organisers now say the 24 December opening of the the youth turnout could hit 2 milHoly Door on TV Of that number, lion. Massive crowds could also materialise for jubilee events for 1.8 billion were Christians. At the Vatican, he said, the workers, for priests and for familargest numbers of Vatican jubilee lies, they say. For now, the Vatican prefers to pilgrims were coming from Rome and Latin America. in particular focus on the enthusiastic and posMexico, Argentina and Venezuela. itive start of the jubilee year. He offered no numbers. but - Spokesman Navarro-Valls said relying on what could be called the logistical problems caused by the "audio method" - said that if huge crowds are simply the price you stand next to the Holy Door, to be paid for "an excess of sucyou'll hear the predominant cess.**

Unity hope 'still a long way off' Bolivian Bishops found prisoners commission By Jonathan Luxmoore

WARSAW Poland (CNS) - The leader of the world's 200 million Orthodox Christians said hopes that Christians will achieve unity soon are "groundless." He added that Pope John Paul II had taken "larger steps" toward Christian unity than previous popes, but warned that his exercise of papal primacy was still unacceptable to Orthodox churches. "For me, fundamentally, the papacy expresses a spirit far removed from the spirit of the Orthodox Church," said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians. "The Orthodox Church expects mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and sound cooperation irrespective of religious confessions. But it's groundless to hope the ecumenical movement can immediately produce a dogmatic unity between Christians and churches," he said. In an interview with Poland's church-owned Catholic Information Agency, Patriarch Bartholomew said Catholic and Orthodox leaders had achieved continuous improvements in dialogue and interpersonal relations since the time of Pope Paul VI. However, they had not succeeded in returning to the "common faith of the undivided Church,"

Christian Orthodox leaders meet in Jerusalem on 4 January on the occasion of the Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated on 7 January. From left is Alexei II of Russia, Ilia ll of Georgia and Teoctist of Romania. Photo CPIS Reuters

the patriarch added. "After John Paul II's election, both aspects of our relations grew stronger, but the progress has been neither satisfactory nor complete," the Orthodox leader said. "John Paul II's two decades on the throne of Rome are too short a period to establish the results of any initiatives and decisions within the massive community of the Roman Catholic Church." he said. He said the sense of separateness between Catholics and Orthodox could not be suddenly removed, even if the Pope "acknowledged that certain past facts were improper and needed revising in the interests of Church unity." "We've already achieved something important: recognition of

the need for unity, abandonment of previous hostilities and cooperation in various fields for the general good," he said. "This is a long road, requiring spiritual changes. We must concentrate on it, working with everyone of good faith and with His Holiness Pope John Paul II. But the results of our efforts won't be seen until the next generation and will only affect the spiritually mature," he said. The world's Orthodox population includes nine historic patriarchates and 15 self-governing churches, varying in size from 50 million in Russia and 20 million In Romania to 20,000-strong communities in japan and China. Patriarch Bartholomew is recognised as first among equals.

LA PAZ. Bolivia (CNS) - The Bolivian bishops' conference announced the establishment of a commission to negotiate for the release of prisoners from Bolivian jails during the jubilee year. Juan Carlos Nunez. bishops' conference spokesman, said the commission was established to "ensure that all technical aspects are covered to make the release of some prisoners possible." Nunez said that in late 1999 the bishops' conference requested the release of prisoners for Christmas as part of the jubilee initiatives. But the government released only 27 inmates from Bolivian prisons, arguing that a greater

number would had been inconsistent with its new policy on crime. The spokesman added that through the work of the commission the bishops expect to provide a list of inmates who could be released for humanitarian reasons during Holy Week, in the same spirit of the jubilee. "As an example, there are more than 400 inmates older than 65 or younger than 21, plus many others who have acquired a fatal disease or a significant disability," said Nunez. "This group is the main target for the Church's proposal, especially those who have shown good conduct," he added.

Sfeir condemns violence JERUSALEM (CNS) - Lebanon's Maronite bishops, led by Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir of Beirut, condemned recent incidents of violence against Christians in Lebanon. They "strongly condemned" the murder of Antonine Sister Antoinette Zeidan, 60, a school principal found strangled in East Beirut on 3 January. Media reports said Sister Zeidan was raped before being killed. The nun's murder "strikes the religious and educational values for which she lived." the bishops

said in a 5 January statement. Sister Zeidan's murder would not prevent her congregation or other congregations from "pursuing their religious and humanitarian mission," the bishops said. They also noted the spate of bombings near or inside various churches in recent months in central and southern Lebanon. do 'The series of explosions not inspire confidence. . . . The condemnation by most Lebanese sides of all that has happened is a sign we mostly need to show our national unity.," they said.

The Record, January 13 2000 Page 13

Asian Catholic News

Chinese Bishop loyal to Pope By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In a move that appeared to aggravate China-Vatican divisions, the government-approved Chinese church ordained five new bishops without papal approval. However in a startling revelation newly-ordained Bishop Than Silu said he pledged allegiance to the Pope during the ceremony, but others were unsure or would not say if they had. He also said some of the new bishops had pledged obedience to the Pope during the ceremony - a point the others did not confirm. He added that the timing of the ordinations was not confrontational. -We were ordained today because it is the Epiphany Day, a big feast day in the Church. If it happens on the same day as the Vatican's ordinations, isn't it even better?" he saki. The vice-chairman of the patriotic association. Liu Bainian, told the Italian news agency ANSA that the ordinations were a sign of the Church's vitality. "The Chinese Church has bishops who are helping it prosper as in few places in the world. So I think the pope should be pleased," he said. He added that there would be more ordinations In the future because the average age of Chinese bishops was too high. Italian Father Giancarlo Politi, who follows Chinese affairs as editor of the magazine Mondo e Missione (World and Mission), said the Vatican has viewed the ordinations of bishops of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association as valid because they have been performed by validly ordained bishops, but illicit because they are done without a papal mandate. That leaves individual bishops in a difficult position with the Holy See. But the Vatican has always avoided using the term -schism" to describe the situation in China, recognising the political pressures involved, he said. He added some Chinese bishops who belong to the government-sanctioned Church wen' said to have secretly reconciled with Rome. and others would probably not have too much problem reaching a similar understanding at some point in the future - especially older bishops who had suffered strong political

pressure. However the Vatican missionary news agency Fides reported that the ordinations were a failure for the government and the patriotic association. It said nine of 12 original candidates refused to participate in the ceremony because it wasIn dear competition with the Holy See." In addition, Fides said, more than 130 seminarians at the national seminary in Beijing decided to boycott the ordination Mass after participating in a rehearsal the day before. Fides said only one of the ordaining bishops had relations with the Vatican, and all of those ordained had "suffered extreme pressure" from Chinese authorities. The ordinations were performed on 6 January during a Mass in a Beijing cathedral, just hours before Pope John Paul II ordained 12 new bishops in St Peter's Basilica. Church officials in Rome said the timing was a deliberate provocation, and the Vatican expressed its "astonishment and disappoint-

Bishop Liu Yuanren, head of Class's government-approved Catholic bishop's conference, arrives at the Befog cathedral 6 January. Photo: CNSIReuters

ment" at the act. -This decision comes at a time when voices have been raised in many parts which lead one to hope for a normalisation of relations between the Holy See and Beijing." spokesman

Vietnamese Website up HO CHI MINH crry, Vietnam (CNS) - The Vietnamese bishops' conference has launched a Web site to help inform Catholics in the country and overseas about activities of the Catholic Church in Vietnam. The site at www.vietbishops. net carries major Church documents and pastoral instructions of interest to the Catholic Church in Vietnam, as well as local Church news. A local Church source said this was the first time the bishops' conference had a forum through which it could make available bishops' homilies and interpretations of Church doctrine for easy access by laity. The Web site is also a new way of evangelising through advanced means of communication, the source said. The site was launched through the generosity of a group of Vietnamese Catholics residing in

the lJniied States, the source said. Thrtai,411 this new conununi(Atif )11 tool, the Church hopes to keep abreast of emerging trends and receive feedback from Catholics, said the source. Church pastoral activities will target not only Catholics inside the country but also Vietnamese living overseas, according to the same source. Contributors to the maintenance and development of the Web site expressed hope that with this new initiative "the Church in Vietnam will develop further." Uploaded on the Web site are the first five issues of the bishops' quarterly newsletter Hiep Thong (Communion). The Vietnamese government only recently approved the newsletter.

The Record, January 13 2000 Page 14

Joaquin Navarro-Valls said. "But this gesture poses obstacles that certainly will hamper that process," he said. China's long-standing refusal to recognise the Pope's right to appoint bishops has been one of the biggest obstacles in ChineseVatican relations and a major factor in the division between the Chinese underground Church loyal to Rome and the government-sanctioned Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. Some 300 people attended the ordinations at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Among the congregation were representatives of the Communist Party's religious affairs office. Bishop Liu Yuanren of Nanjing, president of the Bishops' Conference of the Catholic Church in China, was the ordaining bishop, with Bishop Michael Fu Tieshan of Beijing, chairman of the patriotic association, as co-ordainer, reported UCA News, an Asian Church news agency based in Thailand. Five additional bishops and 30 priests concelebrated the ordination Mass. All the bishops laid their hands on and embraced the newlyordained bishops. Bishop Pa told the congregation that the ordinations reflected China's prosperity and said the development of the Church in China had to keep pace with the development of the country. The newly ordained were Bishops Peter Fang fianping of Tangshan. 39; lin Daoyuan of Changzhi, 71; Lu Xinping of Nanjing, 36; Su Changshan of Baoding. 74; and Zhan Silu of Mindong. 39. The Pope made no mention of the new Chinese bishops during his annual ordination Mass at the Vatican. But veteran China-watchers said the Vatican saw the Chinese ceremony as an act of defiance at a sensitive moment in Church-State relations. Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong said the ordinations were an "act of confrontation" that shows that China has "no real intention of reconciling with the Vatican." LICA News reported. He said the ordinations conformed with an internal Communist Party memorandum that surfaced in 1999, which called for more ordinations of bishops chosen by secular officials and further division of the underground

Ikwly ordained bishops leave the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing on 6 January. Chinese Bishop Liu Yuanren ordained five new stateapproved bishops in defiance of Pope John Paul II, who alone has the authorPt- • CNS,Reutefs ity for naming bishops in the chutr.h.

and the state-sanctioned Church. In Rome. the missionary news service MISNA said the "Chinese government, which once again forces upon Catholics its desire for absolute control, is surely behind the decision of ordination." Father Politi said the ordinations highlighted a worrisome trend toward greater government Involvement in the bishop selection process and raised questions

about the eventual reconciliation of the bishops with the Vatican, especially because three of the new bishops were so young. While China maintains that the election of bishops is a legitimate function of the local Church, in practice it is the government and the Communist Party that control the selection of episcopal candidates, Father Politi said.

'Asian Church must become local' SAM PHRAN, Thailand (CNS) A Philippine archbishop told an Asian bishops' assembly that Asians must be credible witnesses of faith in Jesus through action. Archbishop Quevedo, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, described his vision of a renewed Asian Church as a prayerful Church in dialogue with Asia's ancient religious traditions and in which the laity would play a major role. 'The Church cannot be uninvolved in the joys and sorrows of Asian peoples. She cannot be triumphalistic. She has to be a humble companion and partner of all Asians," the archbishop said. He added that the Church must become "what she claims to be a true prophet, a countersign" to Asia's prevailing materialistic values in order to be a sign of God's kingdom. The Church must shift "from clericalism to lay empowerment,"

he said. "It is the laity that can archbishop is nuncio to Thailand, ably bring the Good News of Jesus Cambodia and Singapore, and to bear upon the fields of busi- apostolic delegate in Brunei, Laos, ness and politics, of education Malaysia and Myanmar. The Church in Asia cannot be a and health, of mass media and the world of work It requires a credible witness to Jesus unless it spirituality of discipleship," he follows the radical footsteps of his • "servant-journey of the Paschal said. The prelate called for "the build- Mystery," Archbishop Orlando ing of a truly local Church that Quevedo of Cotabato, Philippines, enfleshes the Body of Christ in a told the seventh plenary assemgiven people, a given place and bly of the Federation of Asian time," in dialogue with Asia's reli- Bishops' Conferences. The theme of the assembly was gious traditions. Archbishop Quevedo added, "A Renewed Church in Asia: A "We must continually discern Mission of Love and Service." To evangelise well, missionaries what image of Church we are projecting to our Asian brothers and must stress "the primacy of Jesus sisters. Do they see us embodying Christ in all evangelising work," the compassionate self-emptying he said, quoting Pope John Paul and self-giving of Jesus the Lord, ll's apostolic exhortation "Church who became a humble servant In Asia" (-Ecclesia in Asia"). In for our sake?" this process, he said, the Church -There can be no true evangeli- must move "from comfortable sation without the explicit procla- and uncritical relationships with mation of Jesus as Lord," said the rich and powerful to a Archbishop Adrian() Bernardini Church of the poor and a at the meeting's opening. The Church of the young."

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Sisters cancel 19 debts

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CNS) - To mark the jubilee year 2000, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield have cancelled 19 debts owed to them. Most of the debts were loans to community-organising groups that help poor people become self-sustaining. Sister Mary Jean Traeger. prioress general of the 312-member congregation, announced the action during community prayer on 1 January. "Our world needs signs of hope from people of faith." she said. "It needs our energetic commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel. It longs for some assurance that peace with genuine justice is possible." She added. "We hope that our commitment will awaken in others the desire to engage in acts of forgiveness, healing and justice." Sister

Beth Murphy, communications coordinator, said the sisters debated whether to publicise their action because they didn't want to "blow our own horn." She said they decided to make it public, but without announcing the amount of money involved or names of the beneficiaries, in hopes of sparking the "creative imagination" of others to observe the jubilee year. She said 17 of the debts were loans the order had made to organisations involved in alleviating poverty She said they include such things as a low-income housing project, a group working with poor women in the Mississippi Delta, several microcredit groups helping people start their own businesses, and a self-sufficiency project in the Caribbean for women who head households.

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Fundraising Dinner for Vietnamese Community Archbishop Hickey

Arch/diocesan Panorama DIVINE MERCY An afternoon with Jesus and Mary at St Mary's Cathedral, Victoria Square, on Sunday 6 February 2000 at 1.30pm. Program: Rosary and Reconciliation. Sermon: Fr Jordan Perry OP (St A gata) followed by Divine Mercy prayers and Benediction. Afternoon concludes at the Mercy C onvent with a video (family life made holy). R efreshments provided, please bring a plate. Inq: John 9457 7771. Adam 9448 0002. CHANGE OF VENUES The Chinese Mass is now being held at Holy Family Church, cnr Thelma Street, Canning Highway, Como. CHINESE NEW YEAR MASS The Chinese Catholic Community of WA invites y ou to celebrate the Eucharist for the Chinese Year of the Dragon on 6 February at 5.30pm at Holy Family Church, cnr Thelma St and Canning Highway. Como. All are welcome. PERTH ECUMENICAL TAIZE GROUP Lenten Hour of Prayer using the music and style of Taize. Sunday 12 March at 7.30pm, followed by supper. St Peter's Anglican Church, 11 Leonard St, Victoria Park. Inquiries: 9361 1233. ANNUAL REUNION SIC (New Norcia) Marist reunion at Newman College, PE Centre, Tuscany Way, Churchlands on Wed 19 Jan, 4pm. BYO everything. BBQ facilities available. All Old Boys are welcome. Please contact others. Inquiries: John Monkhouse. tel 9328 6811 (day), a/h 9409 8529. mob 0419 914 340. HOLY FACE OF JESUS PRAYER GROUP We are meeting on Tues 18 Jan at Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett St. Embleton, beginning at 7.30pm with Adoration, followed by prayer meeting. Please bring a plate to share a •cuppa'. SUNDAY MASS AT BULLSBROOK His Grace. Archbishop Hickey has authorised the celebration of the Holy Mass for the Jubilee every Sunday at midday to assist pilgrim groups at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Where a priest leads a pilgrimage he is invited to be the celebrant or to c oncelebrate. Reconciliation is available. All are welcome. Inquiries: SACRI 9447 3292 or write to PO Box 311 Tuart Hill 6060. The monthly pilgrimages take place as usual on the last Sunday of each month at 2pm. FAMILY PRAYER CRUSADE Palm Sunday Procession and Passion Play, 16 April, 2-4pm. Plan to be a part of this important event. Come! Join us for a procession with the Blessed Sacrament through the city streets. We will begin at 2pm sharp from the Esplanade and process up Barrack St to Forrest Place. After Benediction and Address by Fr John Phalen CSC,

a Passion Play will be performed in Forrest Place. This is a great opportunity to witness to our faith in the year of the Great Jubilee! Contact: Fr Paul 9223 1350. HEALING MASS 11 February at St Mary's Cathedral. Principal celebrant: Archbishop Hickey. 7pm Rosary and 7.30pm Mass. Contact Fr John 9223 1350, C ATHEDRAL YOUTH FORUM Sunday 6 February, after 5pm Mass. Speaker: R aymond de Souza. Invites teenagers and young adults to come to the Cathedral parish Centre to a sk any questions about the Catholic Church, Faith and Morals you have always wanted to ask. but never had the opportunity. Join us for a cuppa at 450 Hay St. Perth and fire your questions! Contact: Fr Paul 9223 1350 or Raymond de Souza 9453 9177. CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM A n invitation to be a member of Couples for Christ and to build and strengthen a Christian life. Membership open for Catholics and Christians of other denominations. All validly married couples and all male or female singles including widows and widowers are all welcome to join. Requirements: To become a member you need to attend a Christian Life Program (CLP) of 12 weekly sessions each of about 2 1/2 hours duration which c onsists of talks, group discussions, fellowship. This course is free. St Francis of Assisi Hall, 6 Lilian Rd. Maida Vale, Friday 28 January at 7pm. THE BEGINNING EXPERIENCE The Beginning Experience (WA) runs a six -week (one night per week) Coping Program designed for people who are in the early stages of loss. Do you know anyone who may benefit from some support from people who have also experienced this loss? If so, this program is for them. Our next Coping Program commences on Tues 18 Jan. Information: Adell 9367 8794. ECUMENICAL SERVICE AT ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL By kind permission of Archbishop Hickey the annual Ecumenical Service will be held on Sun 23 Jan in St mary's Cathedral, Perth at 3.30pm. The service will begin with a procession of the Heritage Candle and laying of gifts on the altar. Participants will include clergy from the main Christian denominations. Sean Doran. director of the Festival of Perth and officers of the AIHA. Mr Denis Glennon will deliver the homily and the Scottish Gaelic Ensemble will provide music. A fternoon tea will be served in Mercedes Convent after the service - and a gold coin donation to cover cost will be requested. The theme of the service is Peace and Reconciliation in thanksgiving for the miracle of peace that has eventuated in Northern Ireland.

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Page 15

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V oices By Anthony Barich

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, f you happened to walk into the grounds of St George's College, Nedlands last week, you would have heard the sounds of heavenly bells coming from one direction, and a glorious choir from another. You'd have sworn you were in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. But follow the source of the bells and you would have found a group of people - in a workshop in fact - learning how to play heavenly tunes on handbells under the instruction of one Monica McTaggart The choir singing and the bell ringing were all part of the Royal School of Church Music's 45th annual Summer School, two years in the making. With expert tutors such as Summer School Musical Director Barry Smith, 36 years the Cathedral organist at Capetown's St George's Anglican Cathedral, the famous church of Archbishop Desmond ilitu during the transformative years of the late 1980s and early 90s; Dominic Perissinotto, the director of music at St Patrick's Basilica in Fremantle and John Beaverstock, the music master at All Saints College and recently appointed Director of the University Choral Society, the week held the promise of great things and holy noises. Monica, a now-Australian resident who moved from Indiana only three years ago, brings an element to the art of bell ringing not seen before in WA. A member of the Handbells Society of Australasia, Monica is well versed in the ways of the handbell, as the musical instrument plays a major role in church sermons of most denominations in the United States. *Some of the people in my class have done it before, but not the way I'm teaching them," Monica

1111wpwat Nicol is illuminated by the soft light of stained glass in the chapel of St George's College, Nedlands, as she performs sacred music on the chapel's Photographs Anthony Banch wypimiliwparet was taking part in the Royal School of Church Music held at the college from 5-12 January. "Then there are people who said, is to better the musical skills 11 January at 8pm, with songs said. "I incorporate different bell of parishioners from most both imported from England and techniques like plucking, shaking have never sung a note. and martellato" (bringing the bell "The whole course is geared up denominations Australia-wide - South Africa and commissions down onto the pad with a clunk for people from basic up to pro- mainly Anglican, Catholic and from Australian composers at the end of a verse). fessional level - as long as they're Uniting Churches. All the hard Including Victorian Jesuit priest Presbyterian-grown but married willing to put in the work and work and enthusiasm will climax Fr Christopher Wilcock. Anglican in a final concert involving all par- nun Sandra Sears and Australianto a Catholic. Monica shares with enthusiasm." her students more than just the And while choirs usually sur- ticipants at Christchurch Gram- born Episcopalian Virginia organexperience of creating a sound to vive with a conductor, Joan, a mar School Chapel, Claremont on ist Gordon Atkinson. complement the choir. Catholic, is convinced there is a "Handbell ringing is a group need for a teacher of voice proeffort," she said. "Each person duction, "especially with a big plays about two notes and each choir." bell is an actual note." "The whole idea is for the par"We enjoy the same camer- ticipants to go back to teach their aderie that would go into sport." choirs." Meanwhile, across the courtSo don't be surprised if next yard of St George's College, voice week you see in your parish choir specialist Joan Hind is conduct- one enthusiastic singer with a ing voice workshops to hone the brilliantly honed voice. You'll baritones, sopranos and altos know where s/he came from, and from parishes around the country you may learn a thing or two from them as well. to perfection. The theme of the Summer And no one doubts Joan's ability to, either. She is a former stu- school was "Peri Choresis", meandent of conducting at Cambridge ing "Dancing around the Ilinity" University and is a graduate of the in Greek. This just about summed Guildhall School of Music in Lon- up the spirit of the week as 85 don. participants from age 16 to 60 "The (voice) course is very have jumped into each activity, Important," said the master of the including writing of the Liturgies for use in churches on occasions RSCAs church vocals. of baptism, marriage and death. "There are choristers who don't They then relate liturgy into always get the chance to go into the depths of voice production to song, "as the clergy would write," improve their vocal tone and as RSCM West chairperson Monica McTaggart teaches the use of understand the logistics and Deirdre Russel said. hand bells for heavenly tunes. The aim of the camp, Deirdre Summer school participants learn how to play handbells for church settings. mechanics of vocals.

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