Issuu

41.1r

Perth: January 20 2000 Price: Si

Iliecord

TEL: 9449 9000 432 SCARBOROL GH BEACH RD OSBORNE PARK.

FOR A GREAT DEAL ON A NEW HONDA, PARTS, ACCESSORIES, SERVICE, FINANCE OR ANY MAKE OF QUALITY USED CAR.

DL 001

WA's only Catholic weekly newspaper

Pope's monthly Prayer Intention for jubilee 2000 - Page 11

New Norcia Perth historian's series on 2000 years jubilee pilgrimages of Church History - Page 8

- Page 9

Youth pilgri s prepare Selina is currently in Rome, liaising with and Willetton. More than 1,000 young Australians WYD officials for Australian DelRoman A number of Catholic colleges, as well Year's Jubilee attend the Great could as the University of Notre Dame Australia World Youth Day in Rome next egates. Ms Prentice told The Record this week In Fremantle, are also sponsoring deleAugust, with at least 115 young Westdelegations from Perth, Sydney, Mel- gates: Aranmore, Aquinas, Sacred Heart, large ern Australians among them. bourne and Brisbane would join together Ursula Frayne, and Servite College. With the jubilee Year 2000 finally here, for the Youth Day, as well as smaller Archbishop Barry Hickey will join the preparations for the day are going full groups from other cities and towns. in Rome. pilgrims steam ahead. She said Brisbane and Melbourne had 1995 1 joined more than thirty young "In Last Saturday, Pope john Paul II met with also planned a pre-WYD pilgrimage to the Western Australia for World from people the youth day's international planners of Holy Land. so Perth delegates who have in Manila." the Archbishop Day Youth including an Australian World Youth Day. chosen this option will meet with other delegate from Sydney. Australians prior to the commencement said. "Hundreds of thousands of young peoThe Pope said he was looking forward of the Roman celebrations.. to the celebration, when more than one Ms Prentice also said that, according to ple gathered in Paris to celebrate with the million young people are expected to con- Selina Hasham. Perth was leading the Pope in 1997. verge on Rome. field in organisation and preparation for Iwould like to see as many of our young He told organisers from 70 countries that the August meeting. people from the Archdiocese of Perth be he wanted the young participants to leave "WA currently has 115 delegates who able to attend the occasion of World Youth the event as evangelisers and "builders of have paid deposits and others who are Day in Rome where I will join them. a civilisation of love." still interested in receiving information." "As pilgrimage is one of our themes of "I would like to greet them through you she said. Jubilee,I encourage each parish and secand tell each one of them: 'The Pope loves "Due to a fantastic effort. 78 of these del- ondary school to sponsor a delegate for you, he's counting on you and he's expect- egates are parish representatives." this once in a lifetime journey. ing you for the great festival of faith and I iiventy-five Perth parishes are actively "Ifeel honoured to be leading this imporwitness that we'll celebrate together next sponsoring young people: Applecmss. pilgrimage in the year of the Great tant August!" he said. Attadale, Balcatta, Bateman, Belmont, City Jubilee. Perth's Catholic Youth Ministry director Beach, Embleton, Fremantle, Greent is a visible sign from Perth. Australia Karen Prentice recently met with Selina mount. Greenwood. Karrinyup. Kwinana. I Hasham. the national world youth day co- Leederville, Lesmurdie, Lockridge, Mor- and indeed the world that young people ordinator for Harvest Pilgrimages in Syd- ley, North Beach, Ocean Reef. Port are alive and well in the Catholic Church ney to continue discussions of details and Kennedy. Redemptorist Monastery. Rock- today." Continued on Page 15 ingham. South Perth. Subiaco. Whitfords planning for the pilgrimage.

The Pope and teenagers: Pope John Paul II meets young Americans during a youth rally on 26 January a year ago at the Kiel Centre la St Louis is the Phofo CNSNancy WiedleC United States.

Sampson puts shoulder to the Catholic Mission wheel By Glynnis Grainger The new Perth Archdiocesan director of the Catholic Mission office is a woman who has wanted the job for 10 years. Sherie Sampson has succeeded Patsy Godwin in the position. In the past 10 years Mrs Sampson has been working in her career as a nurse and nursing administrator, after graduating from Curtin University in 1989. She combined her studies, career and motherhood - she has two grown-up daughters - with the help of her late parents and husband, Ian. Besides other casual jobs, Mrs Sampson has worked as a nurse at Royal Perth Hospital, as a nurse manager at St John of God Hospital. Murdoch, done clinical

Mrs Sampson, 1et4 and Bishop Robert Healy sign her contract last week.

supervision of undergraduate students at Curtin University, and performed contract management for the Health Department. A member of the Bateman parish of St Thomas More, she

has been active in parish and school activities. Born in Boulder and educated there, Mrs Sampson said she has always had an interest in Third World countries. She went to India in 1995-96

with the assistant parish priest from Bateman parish, and worked in a leprosarium in Calcutta for six weeks with Mother Teresa. "I am going to Burma on January 30 as I was asked to set-up a program for the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition," she said. 'Patsy left on December 10 to read books and become a grandmother and I started between Christmas and New Year. "My contract is between the national office in Sydney, where Father Brian Brock is the national director, and the Archdiocese of Perth, where the Archbishop is my immediate boss." Mrs Sampson said Pope John Paul II had said that it was every Christian's job to go out and promote mission.

"We need to be going out and actively promote the Good News. "I hope to go out and see ladies' groups and other community organisations and give talks about my trips to India and Burma, after I return at the end of February. "They can contact me here at Catholic Mission and I will be only too happy to speak to them." Mrs Sampson hopes to increase local commitment to Catholic Mission programs such as Children's Mission Partners, St Peter Apostle and the Propagation of the Faith appeals. Her colleague, Sr Margaret Culham, who has recently returned from doing missionary work in Uganda. will be visiting schools to give talks on mission during 2000.

For the best deals on Holden, H.S.V., Volvo and Suzuki and a great range of used vehicles talk to Brian Gardner Motors on 9356 9000 _ _

or just call in and speak to their friendly staff at Brian Gardner Motors, Cnr Wharf Street & Albany Highway Cannington.

mei

The New Evangelisation? It's all up to us

n my first Perspective for the New Year, I made the point that Christians must find ways of living the Gospel without compromise in a society that gives religion very little support. Secularised society pushes religion very much to the margins, making it only a personal and private matter rather than something built into the fabric of society itself. This "post-Christian" environment poses new challenges to those who wish to follow Christ with fidelity. Following Christ requires a personal commitment to him. It also implies that one belong to His community of disciples, which we call the Church. Being committed to Him further requires that one seek to affect the surrounding society in ways that will produce a social order in accord with the will of God. This

Year of Jubilee is an opportunity them and their lives. They were for us to reflect on the strength of drawn to enter into a personal our personal commitment to relationship with him. Jesus became a constant companion, Jesus Christ. We need to ask ourselves one they could turn to in their whether that commitment has hearts, a loving Saviour who perhaps been compromised by could change their lives. In this Jubilee Year we all need selfishness, by the exaggerated pursuit of money, power and to reflect on how "real" Jesus is to other "false gods", or simply by us. neglect of prayer. Without a personal knowledge If our prayer-life is weak, our and love for him we can hardly desire to accept the discipline of make a commitment that will the Christian life will also weak- carry us through the harsh realities of our modern world. en. The personal commitment to Attending a recent Summer School conducted by the Disci- Jesus is to be lived within the comples of Jesus for young people, I munity of the Church. A Christian without that support saw how the faith of young men and women was brought alive by will easily give up. being drawn to the person of The Church provides the means Jesus. of holiness in the Sacramental life, Christian commitment arose in its teaching, its moral guidance, joyfully and enthusiastically as Its treasures of the Holy Scripthey came to know the Risen Lord tures, and in the fellowship of as "real", intensely interested in brothers and sisters with whom

MANNING & ASSOCIATES

OPTOMETRISTS Contact Lens Consultants Mark Kalnenas (B. optom) Grove Plaza, Cottesloe 9384 6720

BOOKSHOP BOOKSHOP REOPENS Monday 24 January Call in and inspect our large range of books videos and audios. Many books are great for children. 15 Bronte Street, East Perth

Tel. 9325 3474 Fax 9325 6917 Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm

For all your Business, Holiday or Pilgrimage Travel Contact Michael Deering or John McCarthy

Flightwarld American Express Level 3. 184 St. George's Terrace. Perth.WA 6000 Tel 9322 2914 Fax 9322 2915 Email admimgflighriforld.com.au network' is a divisvon of loterworld Travel tic No 91A7%

Gowe0'

ove'

Archbishop's

Perspective the world the love and forgiveness of God. This is the agenda of the Holy Father for the New Millennium. It must also be ours.

Heads pray for unity By Cindy Wooden

SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Michael Deering

we are united in Jesus through Baptism. The Church is not some impersonal multi-national organisation out there; it is our community of brothers and sisters united in the Body of Christ. Our Christian commitment is to be lived in such a way that we have an effect on the society around us, like leaven or yeast that permeates everything, to use Jesus' own words. The Holy Father's term the "New Evangelisation" refers to the action of committed Christians in our world, possibly in new ways in order to deal with new situations. That action of followers of Christ will eventually affect our laws, our social customs, and our ways of thinking as a nation, so that God is acknowledged as supreme. Committed followers of Christ will also draw the "lost sheep" back to the fold and proclaim to

Travel SersKr,

Why not include Pilgrimage in your itinerary? 4, 5 and 8 day Pilgrimages starting and ending in London.

LOURDES FATIMA - ROME - HOLY LAND Inc details contact: St Peters Pilgrims

87ii Rushey Green, London SE6 4AF, ENGLAND

Tel 0011 44 208 244 8844, Fax 0015 44 208 697 2466 f'lleb site www.stpeter.cauk, E-Mail 1nfo@stpeter.co.u1 .9

Church news from all over the world. Read it in

The Record

The Record, January 20 2000 Page 2

ROME (CNS) - Pope John Paul II opened the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity kneeling in the doorway of a Rome basilica, flanked by the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and by an Orthodox prelate. "We ask Christ's forgiveness for all which in the history of the Church compromised his plan of unity," the Pope said during the on 18 January service in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls. The service began with the opening of the basilica's Holy Door, the oldest in Rome. The bronze door at St Paul's was fused in 1070 in what was then Constantinople. the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Anglican Archbishop George Carey of Canterbury England, and Orthodox Metropolitan Athanasios of Helioupolis and Theira, a representative of the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate. joined Pope Anglican Archbishop George Carey, left, and Orthodox Metropolitan Athanasios kneel with Pope Photo CIVS`Reuters John Paul ll before the open Holy Door at the Basilica. John Paul in pushing open the door. Then, departing from the Vatican's tional Protestant Church groups did not "In this year of grace," Pope John Paul script for the event, the archbishop and attend the service, because it included said. "there must increase in each one of the metropolitan dropped to their knees, opening the Holy Door, a ritual connect- us an awareness of our own personal praying in silence on either side of the ed with the practice of gaining indul- responsibility in the fractures which kneeling Pope. mark the history of the mystical body of gences. Representatives of the World Council of Most Protestants would say the Church Christ." Churches and 22 Christian denomina- has no power to offer penitents indulBecause the Church was created by tions participated in the service and gences, or ways to lessen the punishment Christ and belongs to him, division canattended a luncheon afterward hosted by they will receive for the effects of their not be seen as a natural part of its life. the Pope John Paul. Pope said. sins. "We know we are still divided brothers The divisions in Christianity, he said. The Pope, however, said the door was a and sisters," the Pope said, "but we have "humble symbol" of Christ, whom all "witness to the human weaknesses of placed ourselves with decisive convic- Christians profess as the only way to sal- Christians." tion on the path which leads to the full vation for all men and women. A US Pentecostal at the service praised unity of the Body of Christ." "This proclamation will arrive with Pope John Paul for his ecumenical vision The Pope walked more quickly and greater force the more we are united, and leadership. spoke with a clearer and stronger voice allowing us to be recognised as disciples The Rev. Barbara Jean. a minister now than normal. of Christ in loving one another as he has studying at King's Seminary in Van Nuys, Italian Protestants and several intema- loved us," the Pope said. California. said the Pope worked not only "to gather his own flock. but he's also bringing all the other ministers together." Reverend jean said she hoped other Christian ministers would take time "to contemplate what ills to be divisive. If we VI I TOURS IN ASSOCIATION WITH SINGAPORE AIRI INI are Christians, we cannot be divisive. We Once in a lifetime/fully escorted 18 Day must be one." tour departs 14 May and 8 October Greece Sister Nirmala Joshi, superior of the and Turkey including the Greek islands Missionaries of Charity and successor of Includes: Mother Teresa of Calcutta said the 18 JanTwo tour escorts, Airfares. Hotel uary event was her first ecumenical seraccommodation, Breakfast and dinner where vice. specified, all taxes, sight seeing/transfers/porter"The whole atmosphere of love and age moving toward unity was beautiful," she Highlights: said. Athens, Olympia (home of the first Olympic Games), Delphi Pope John Paul told the congregation Santorini, Rhodes, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Troy, that theological dialogue alone could not Canakkale, Gallipoli (visit Anzac Cove) Istanbul restore Christian unity; a conversion of Tour cost hearts and minds also was needed.

etset.Travel So

lands

$5599 per person/share twin $635 per person/single supplement $3969 per person land only Conditions apply, prices subject to change

Please call Tony Templeman, Owner/manager jetset 'Ravel Southlands 08 9332 4066 letset 'Ravel Bullcreek 08 9310 2900 Mobile No: 0417 940 127 a/h 08 9433 2037 Register now for free information evening

Alana Marshall Senior International 'Ravel Consultant Group Coordinator jetset 'Ravel Southlands 08 9332 4066

134t004t0atK STRESS AND COMMON SENSE by Dr Arnold Jago ....stress as a spiritual problem 64 pages $6.95 ($8 if posted) from: PO Box 533, Mildura Vic 3502 Enquiries: Ph (03) 5022 1366

'Trust Church leaders' The Disciples of Jesus should trust Church leaders and be happy to be worthy of carrying the Cross, Archbishop Barry Hickey told Disciples of Jesus Summer School participants at Bunbury in the first two weeks of January. Two summer schools, each a week long, were held this year due to interest from young Catholics. The Archbishop told the participants they could not have faith without personal crosses. "You can't have faith without the cross. Things will go wrong and we must accept the cross. Embrace the cross because it is a part of God's glorifying plan," he said. The Disciples of Jesus should be happy to be worthy of carrying the cross," he said. He also urged participants to trust in the leaders of the Church. The Church is being lead by people of great holiness," the Archbishop said. "Have trust in the people whom he (the Pope) chooses to be his assistants in Rome. "The other thing that impresses me is that you have found the great secret of being a disciple. It Is that great moment when Jesus comes alive and becomes real for you. He becomes a part of your life. "People talk about the historical Jesus but the Jesus we know is the Risen Lord and he is with us now." Meanwhile, seven young men and women have come from the

eastern states of Australia to live in Perth for a year to evangelise WA youth. They make up the Disciples of Jesus Youth Mission Team for 2000 and have been commissioned to bring the news of God's unconditional love to Perth's high schools. The team presents an authentic witness to the youth of Australia that Jesus Christ is alive in the hearts of all who seek Him. Archbishop Barry Hickey met the new members of the team at the summer schools. About 120 people from WA and All for one and one for all - participants at the second of the summer schools around Australia attended the pose for the camera. The schools covered a wide range of topics relevant to schools to study the foundations modern day life for young people. of the Catholic faith and to experience the power of the Holy Spir- focused on drawing inspiration of it through the Life in the Spirit modern-day Confessors - people who have faced death because of seminars. their faith and survived. Participants were able to renew He gave examples of a priest their faith and draw closer to from Vietnam and one from SloJesus through stimulating lectures vakia who suffered great tortures and preaching on the Gospels, and prolonged imprisonment at prayer, growing as a disciples of the hands of Communist governJesus Christ. Mary the Mother of ments. The Pope has now selectGod, spiritual warfare, conflict ed them to be cardinals. Christian resolution, the The Disciples Youth Mission approach to relationships, contra- Team for 2000 comprises Mary ception and chastity. Issa and Catherine Endicott from Archbishop Hickey said he was Sydney; Bernadette McKinley Impressed by the lecture topics from Wodonga in Victoria; and and said very few lay groups with- Robyne Ferri from Hobart. The Youth Mission team members in the Church were offering such four men are Bruce Sinclair . also include, left, YMT manager Nick solid formation for their mem- from Sydney; Joseph Frick from Dabbs, Catherine Endicott, Mary lssa, bers. VVhyalla in South Australia; Rob Bruce Sinclair, Archbishop Hickey, He also spoke to the summer Chellingworth from Cairns in Bernadette McKinley and Robyne schools about celebrating the Queensland and Lucas Hurley Ferri. Absent are Joseph Frick, Rob Chellingworth and Lucas Hurley. Great Jubilee of Christianity and from Perth.

Maida Vale Disciples pledge to evangelise the Hills The Maida Vale unit of the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community has pledged to intensify evangelisation in the Hills area of Perth. About 20 community members met at the St Francis of Assisi Hall, Maida Vale on 16 January and said they would bear better witness to their spirituality in the hills. Better fellowship, renewal of sacraments, confession, and a deeper prayer life are some of the agendas for infusing more life into the Church, they said and added that they would focus on the lapsed Catholics and the young people in a very special way. The Maida Vale unit covers the 1-ills areas on the east of Perth from Greenmount to

Lesmurdie and from Madding ton to Cloverdale. The Community would serve as an effective tool in these areas to build dose relationships within the parish. "Stronger family relationships and a deeper prayerful life of the MCC members can serve as a powerful witness to others, " the members stressed. The community members shared their Summer School experience and described it as a "gentle journey with God." Many things happened during the summer school because of the 'goodness of the Lord.' Stephen Johnson said as he told how he had met people during the school who wanted to live God's will - Fr Geo Patrick in honest ways.

Gospels delivered in Timor The Australian Army has distributed 10,000 copies of the Gospel of Luke to Catholic churches in East Timor. In their native language Tetum Prasa - which has been suppressed for the past 24 years under Indonesian rule, the Gospel was secretly translated by East Timorese Christians. It was edited, funded, printed and supplied by the Bible Society in Australia. Dr Geoffrey Hull, from the University of Western Sydney, prepared the text; the Bible was prepared at the request of Nobel Peace laureate Prize-winning Catholic Bishop Juan Carlos Belo. "This is an important step for the people of East Timor in reclaiming their culture," the Bible Society's Director of Text and Translation, the Rev Dr John Harris, said. Before the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975, the people mostly spoke Tetum, but also Portuguese. Being a European colony, Portuguese was the main language of education and even the Church. but there was was some literacy in Tetum and it was accepted as the lingua franca. East Timor is essentially a Catholic nation. "This translation honours both their faith and their culture." Dr Harris said. The Australian Army Catholic Chaplain in Dili is Deacon Graeme Ramsden. Bishop Belo

Terry O'Neill addresses the Disciples Hills group.

INTRODUCING THE OWNERS OF BOWRA & O'DEA. . ..

M R O'DEA, MR O'DEA, MR O'DEA AND MR O'DEA.

O'Dea family have been extremely proud to earn. As you can see, Bowra (St O'Dea is very much a And with innovations such as our Bereavement Western Australian family owned and operated Education Division, Female Staffed Division (Leanne funeral company. O'Dea Funeral Directors), Pre-Paid Funeral Plan and With an alarming number of funeral direction our Monumental Works, Bowra & O'Dea strive to companies around Australia now owned and offer families even greater support today. it is corporations, controlled by large American For further information, or a brochure detailing our O'Dea the rely on can that you know to a comfort services, please call any of our many suburban branches professionalism for reputation family's and genuine care. This reputation is & O'DEA or visit our head office at 68 Stirling Street, Perth. Phone us on 9328 7299. FUNERAL DIRECTORS something that four generations of the

BOWRA

BRAND 00EA 0112R

The Record; January 20 2000 Pag 3

Cultural program offers entry to another world By Glynnis Grainger The Daiwul Gidja Culture Group at Warman, in the East Kimberley, offers CrossCulture Awareness training programs and Aboriginal Culture and Bush Tucker tours to business, industry and tourists. People can participate in a unique crossculture experience in the spectacular East Kimberley countryside with traditional members of the local Gidja Aboriginal people. The Gidja people have lived in the area for thousands of years and have developed the cross-culture programs to share their history, culture, language and lifestyle with non-Aboriginal people through the Daiwa' Gidja Culture Centre. Opened in June 1998, the centre is conveniently located for travellers on the Great Northern Highway, approximately half way between Halls Creek and Kununurra, and is the result of a joint effort between the people from Warmun Community (flukey Creek) and the Argyle Diamond Mine. Centre manager Gus Tampalini said: The

An Aboriginal culture tour in the Kimberley. cross-culture programs - run from April to October - began four years ago and were initially established to provide cultural awareness training to the staff at the Argyle Mine. "As news of the programs spread, the cen-

Yorkshire nurse follows Mary Ward's footsteps An Englishwoman from Yorkshire, who came to Australia 26 years ago as a highly qualified nurse, made her first profession as a Loreto sister this month. Sister Pat Leadbetter was professed in Loreto, Mary's Mount Chapel, Ballarat, Victoria, on January 6. She became Unit Manager at Queen Elizabeth Village Nursing Home, Ballarat, in 1993. and entered the Loreto Institute as a Candidate in 1997 Sr Pat pronounced her vows in the newly-restored chapel, in the presence of 102 guests. Including Loreto sisters from almost all States of Australia. The profession of vows took place before Sr Mary Wright, Loreto General Superior from Rome, and Sr Deirdre Browne, Australian Provincial, and Sr Pat was received into the Institute during the Liturgy. The celebrant was Father Paul Chandler, and concelebrant Fr Luke Fay. Mary Ward, the foundress of the Loreto sisters, was born in Yorkshire, so it was with great joy that the Loreto sisters welcomed a woman from the same country as their foundress into

Ire expanded its services to other government and non-government organisations from both within the Kimberley region and other parts of WA and the Northern Territory." The Cultural Program manager is Paddy McGinty, who has lived most of his life in the region, with an assistant and six Community elders, who act as facilitators, sharing their life stories and knowledge of their culture and traditional lands. -Starting from the Culture Centre, opposite the Turkey Creek Roadhouse, the program covers Aboriginal law, the local kinship system, skin names, social structure and communication protocols, before heading 'out bush'," Mr Tampalini said. "Here participants visit a number of historic sites and bush locations, providing an understanding of Dreamtime stories, traditional lifestyles, archaeology and the impact of the early settlement of Australia. Evening activities around the campfire encourage involvement and interaction and include singing, dancing and storytelling. "The two-day cross-culture program costs $450 per adult and a special 10 per

Age not an issue for John Paul II By Benedicta Cipolia VAFICAN CITY (CNS) - Following controversy over a German bishop's comments on the possibility of a papal resignation. Pope John Paul II played down his age, said a general audience participant who met the Pope. Interviewed on Vatican Radio on 12 January, Ernesto Oliver° said he approached the Pope after the audience and thanked him for his "old age." "But I'm not old." Olivero said

Catholic churches can make things more comfortable for the elderly in their congregations. Most Australian churches are currently dominated by older people. There are approximately 1.8 million Australians (10 per cent of the population) in church (including Catholics) on any particular Sunday. Of these, 43 per cent, or 775,000 people, are over the age of 60. Here is short checklist for the elderly: • Gentle ramps to avoid steps. • Adequate sound systems, preferably with loops to link to hearing aids. • Words of hymns and songs clearly visible. Overhead projection and small print in hymn books may both cause problems. • Comfortable and supportive seating. • Standing periods in the Mass not too lengthy. • Masses which are not too lengthy. • Church buildings which are warm in winter, cool in summer. The Record, January

the 79-year-old pontiff responded. Olivero said he agreed with the Pope, assuring him he was "very young, younger than many young people." Comments made on 9 January by Bishop Karl Lehmann, president of the German bishops' conference, were misreported by the Italian press as a call for the Pope, whose health has deteriorated in recent years, to resign. The controversy provoked a swarm of statements from several Vatican officials affirming that

the Pope was capable of continuing as the leader of the world's 1 billion Catholics. Oliver°, the founder of Sermig. an Italian youth missionary organisation, attended the 12 January audience with other members of his group. He presented the Pope with part of a kilometre-long parchment containing 1 million signatures from all over Italy to promote World Youth Day.

Marriage defended against cohabiters The newly professed Sr Pat Leadbetter - hails from Yorkshire, home of Loreto founder, Mary Ward.

the Australian Pros ince of the Institute. Sr Pat's sister Gay Leadbetter, who lives with her mother in Yorkshire, was able to be present for the profession of her sister. After a short holiday together. Gay will be returning to Yorkshire. - Glynnis Grainger

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - After a decision by Italy's Latium region, which incorporates Rome, to grant cohabiting couples some of the same rights as married couples, Pope John Paul II asked civil authorities to vigorously defend the institution of marriage. During an annual meeting with regional and city officials on 13 January. the Pope urged them to "dedicate diligent care to the family," which, he noted, is enshrined in the Italian Constitution as "a natural society founded on matrimony." "I ask authorities to avoid any initiative which could favour or

Australia's elderly growing in number By Glynnis Grainger

cent "Early Bird" discount applies to all deposited bookings received by the end of February. "The price includes all food, refreshments, transport from the Centre, camping and hunting equipment, skin name t-shirt, certificate of attendance, detailed course notes, and a TAFE accreditation certificate. "It is nationally accredited through the Kimberley College of TAFE, Kununurra, and is one of the most interactive programs of its type in Australia. "As a result, it is a must for government or private sector organisations with professional involvement with Aboriginal employees, clients or services." Half and full-day Aboriginal Culture and Bush Tucker Tours are available from the Centre every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the year from $48 per adult and $25 per child under 12 years. Participants learn about the Gidja traditional way of life and bush survival skills, including bush tucker, bush medicine and local Dreamtime stories and look at Aboriginal rock art that dates back many thousands of years.

About 2.2 million Australians By 2041, Australia will have are over the age of 65: about one more than double the numbers of Australian in every nine. people over the age of 65 that it Of these people, 57 per cent are currently has: some 5.5 million women, as the life expectancy for people. women is longer than for men. They will represent more than Among Australians over the age one in five of the total population. of 80, there are nearly twice as Currently, there are 100 people many women as men, and four in the workforce for every 18 peotimes the number of men over the ple over 65 years of age. age of 95. Thus, financially, the workforce In 1900, the average life is able to support the elderly popexpectancy for men at birth was ulation. only 46 years, and for women 51 This ratio will change from 2011. years. By 2041, there will be 35 aged peoNow, at birth the average Aus- ple for every 100 in the workforce. tralian boy can expect to live to It will be much more difficult for 75, and the average Australian girl the workforce to financially sup81. port the aged in the way it is doing Among those who reach 65 years of age, life expectancy is at present. In the past Year of Older Perlonger. sons, we are reminded that it is Most people can look forward to many years of activity, of world also important to provide for the travel, of social life and produc- older people in our community, tivity when they reach 65 years of providing Mass that is physically accessible and conceptually age. Two-thirds of all Australians meaningful. As we do so, we will appreciate between the age of 65 and 75 are married - a proportion higher all the more the strengths of their than among Australians in their way of life, their values and their 30s. faith.

?p 2000 Page, 4

legal equality guarantee between the family and other forms of living together." he said. The Pope's remarks appeared to refer to a law passed in October by the Latium region. The law offered financial "assistance to family groups." including couples with children who are registered civilly, without specifying whether the parents need be married or unmarried. Shortly after its passage, the Pope supported a sharp critique of the law by the region's bishops. In his address to the civil authorities, the Pope asked that

they make it easier for young couples to marry and have children. "Remove those obstacles, such as the scarcity of affordable housing and lack of day-care centres for the smallest children, which make difficult, and sometimes almost impossible, the formation of new nuclear families and their openness to the gift of life," he said. The Pope also gave the civil officials a positive assessment of the jubilee year's opening weeks. He singled out Romans "for the generous willingness with which they welcomed sacrifices and inconveniences."

Plan for Ben Kingsley to play pontiff in movie By Benedicta Gipolla ROME (CNS) - Italian broadcaster Mediaset announced plans to film a television movie on the life of Pope John Paul II, with Ben Kingsley as the pontiff. Mediaset talk show host and producer Maurizio Costanzo made the surprise announcement on 14 January at a company conference in Orvieto, Italy. Company officials were reportedly trying to reunite "Gandhi" star Kingsley and director Sir Richard Attenborough for the project. Costanzo said Ettore Bernabet, the president of the Italian production company Lux Vide and former head of Italian state television RAI, would produce the film. But Costanzo seemed to jump the gun in making the announcement, as the project has yet to receive the Vatican's stamp of approval. While Costanzo said the Vatican had already given its go-ahead, Matilde Bernabei. Lux's chief

executive officer, said in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. "We have neither asked for nor obtained authorisation from the Vatican." The Vatican has not issued any comment on the film. "Up until now, we have received no request (for authorisation)," Mgr Enrique Planas Coma of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications told La Repubblica. Bernabei remained optimistic, telling Reuters she was confident an agreement would be reached with the Vatican. Discussions with Kingsley and Attenborough were already under way, she said. The choice of Kingsley for the role of such an important religious figure should come as no surprise to Italian television viewers. The British actor played Moses in a 1996 Mediaset television production. But Kingsley is best known for his 1982 Oscar-winning portrayal of the Indian nonviolent revolutionary Mahatma Gandhi, whom the current Pope greatly admires.

Parishioner a sprightly 100 years By Glynnis Grainger A woman who celebrated her 100th birthday last month has looks that belie her age and still lives at home with her daughter. Elisabeth Strk (pronounced Stirk), nee Graf, was born on 14 December 1899, in what was then Austria-Hungary. A German citizen, Mrs Strk speaks German, Hungarian, English and Croatian, and her daughter, Eleonore Goetz, of Morley, said she has a encyclopaedic memory. Mrs Goetz said Father Dan Foley, of Good Shepherd parish, Lockridge, held a special Thanksgiving Mass on her mother's birthday. The family, however, belong to

Infant Jesus parish, Morley. George Stark, her son, told The Record Mrs Strk "loves going to church every Sunday to Fr Terence (Cahill) at Morley parish." "Sunday wouldn't be Sunday without Mass." He said that her living descendants were two children, two grandchildren, six great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. "She came to Australia from Germany in the mid-'60s to be united with her family of two children and grandchildren," he said. "A birthday celebration was held on 19 December at the Alexander Hotel, Dianella, with an afternoon buffet meal attended by 75 people. "Congratulatory letters were

Mrs Elisabeth Strk on her 100th birthday.

received from the Queen, the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Governor of WA, the Premier of WA, the Leader of the

Opposition of WA, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the Consul-General of the Republic of Germany, the Department of

Seniors Interests, and relatives in Australia, Germany, Scotland and Canada." Mr Stark said she enjoyed the celebrations and was very grateful to the people who came along and sent messages. He said: "She is very happy and is enjoying relatively good health. "She is mobile, can do her washing and ironing and can still give all the birthdays of the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren - her memory is 100 per cent." "She is blind in one eye, which could be operated on and rectified, but she doesn't want another operation," Mr Stark said.

Bethlehem gets Aussie Mary statue Thanking police, Pope links security to peace By Glynnis Grainger

"'Ivo st Australians took a pilgrim statue of Our Lady Help of Christians from Australia to Bethlehem for a special "Night of Peace" on Christmas Eve and Morning. Edit and Hugh McHugh, from Fremantle, took the wooden carved statue - made in Sydney by an Italian-Australian - and were among representatives from 48 countries from around the world who who gave gifts brought forward in procession and placed at the base of a large Crib. These gifts are to he placed in a museum to be built in Nazareth. In Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, a solemn High Mass was celebrated in the Church of Nativity, attended by ticket-holders only as space was limited. Parallel to this celebration, three kilometres away in the Shepherd's Field. the all-night Vigil was held on the site where the angels appeared to the shepherds. This was attended by the McHughs, who spent 11 days in the Holy Land. A few days before Christmas. the statue was blessed in a little chapel, pictured right. in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem by Franciscan priest Father Angelo. pictured reading a prayer. Fr Pat Dwyer, Pallottine priest from Ireland, kneels to the left in the chapel before the statue on the altar. The inscription on the statue reads: Our Lady Help of Christians. Patroness of Australia, presented by the Shrine. Our Lady Help of Christians. Marian Valley. Canungra. Q1c1. Australia." This chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. and which holds only about 16 people, has been locked for the past 40 years and Fr Angelo was the only one with a key. Before Christmas, he decided to open it and say a Mass there. He said that when crossing the square. he prayed to get someone to serve the Mass. Next minute. a young Australian man approached him, and there was the answer. It developed that the young Australian had come to Jerusalem with the sole purpose of trying to get perpetual adoration going in Jerusalem. He had no money, no connections, but plenty of faith. Fr Angelo said the next day, this French woman was desperate. She had left her job in France, rented out her small apartment and had gone to

VATICAN CHY (CNS) - Pope John Paul II thanked Italian police who patrol the Vatican. saying their longer hours during Holy Year 2000 would translate into a safe, successful jubilee. "You are called to a greater com-

mitment so that jubilee celebrations and events take place in an orderly and useful manner." the Pope said on 14 January at an annual audience with 110 members of the Italian police force assigned to the Vatican. In his address to the Pope. Carlo Fellico, chief of Italian police at the Vatican, acknowledged the "crescendo" in activity caused by the jubilee. He said he welcomed the increase In work and praised his staffs efforts to achieve the goals set when planning for 2000. "Based on a summary survey, the results have been more than satisfactory, even if there is still much to be done." Fellico said regarding security during the first three weeks The Australian statue in the Holy Land last December.

Jerusalem to try and get perpetual adoration going there. The night before, her bag was stolen. When she was at her lowest and wondering if she had done the right thing. she came across the young Australian in the square. Mrs McHugh told The Record Mass was said every afternoon in the little chapel. followed by an hour of Adoration. On 25 and 26 December permission was given to hold an all-night vigil there till 5.30am. She said the little chapel is right next door to Golgotha. There was a Sound and Light show in Shepherd's Field on the theme of the Nativity at 10.15pm on Christmas Eve with the mountain as the stage. "The story was narrated a few lines first in Arabic. then French, then English, in the most melodious voice I've ever heard," Mrs McHugh said.

About 120 Italian police officers, in collaboration with Vatican security officials and Swiss Guards, keep watch over St Peter's and other basilicas and travel with the Pope on papal visits within Italy. Their number increases for special events. The Vatican's security staff is comprised of fewer than 300 police and Swiss Guard members.

J UBILEE 2000 PILGRIMAGES MEDJUGORJE FEBRUARY SPECIAL Departing 26 February 2000

MEDJUGORJE FROM with Fr Michael Mullen ONLY $2195 With $100 bonus flights extension Rome (1 night) • Medjugorje (8 nights) with Dubrovnik & Rome ext.

ROME AND HOLY LAND From the sacred landscapes of the home of Christ Jesus to the majestic grandeur of Rome 4 night Rome stay 10 night Holy Land stay

.4 17 day journey from

4290

Departing in 2000: • 15 Feb at $4290 • 18 March at $4590 • 12 Apr at $4890 • 16 May at $4990 • 16 Sept at $4790 • 7 Nov at $4590

OBERAMMERGAU PILGRIMAGE Rome • Assisi • Siena • Florence • Padua • Venice • Innsbruck Oberammergau • Leichtenstein • Einsiedeln • Lake Lugano or Turin (Shroud)

The Year 2000 Passion Play Only once every ten years! no. 2TA 003632

need to be needed. . . . People have been given things by God and should feel good about themselves." Fr Baczynski said they might become defiant and their parents become an emotional mess. He said the Archbishop's farm (for drug addicts) in the South-West should be running soon. He has about 10-12 volunteers, whose services range from secretarial work to psychiatrists and psychologists. User-friendly pamphlets about the drugs to help people learn about what they are taking are also planned. "We also offer a holistic sense for the body exercise, good food, and a good night's sleep. focusing academically on the good," he said. "Some of the work will be at the coalface and seriously about giving up what they are addicted to. "Referral to Dr George O'Neil and many other professional services and detox centres in Perth [will be an option]." - Glynnis Grainger

said.

Harvest Pilgrimages

Addiction help role for priest A local Catholic priest has a new role developing Church support for drug-affected people and their families. Father Paul Baczynski told The Record it has been the desire of the Archbishop for quite a few years to set up a support service. He will be based at Bateman parish until February 13. He has been holding a Prayer Night on the first Monday of each month at East Fremantle church, with approximately 80 to 100 people who have a family member who is affected attending. "People are very touched that the Archbishop and one of his priests are wanting to help them with support and prayer," Fr Baczynski said. "It has been supported very well. People have come to me who recently lost a 15-year-old daughter." "Other people with children have been wanting to do something." "I hope to get together a workshop to tailormake to the age and the specific situation." "People are turning to drugs because there is a

of the Holy Year. He assured the Pope that his office's top priorities were to control the areas around St Peter's and other patriarchal basilicas, ensure all pilgrims have a peaceful stay, and preserve the holiness of sacred sites. In thanking Fellico and his staff for their work, the Pope elevated their security mandate to a higher level. "External order, which you keep vigil over with attentive care, cannot help but foster internal order, permeated by serenity and peace," he

Visit some of Europe's most acclaimed sacred places on a true pilgrimage journey that culminates with the world renowned Passion Play. A 14 day journey from Departing in 2000: 7 Jun, 29 Jul, 16 Aug, 2 Sep, 19 Sep

• HARVEST PILGRIMAGES •

Interworld Travel • Tel (08) 9322 2914 Inter Travel • Tel (08) 9409 1080

www.pilgrimage.net.au

For full itinerary details call

1800 819 156

The Record, January 20 2000 Page 5

Why do many ignore God's call? Were Mass Peter Dwan continues with his meditations on the readings for Sunday's Mass. This week, the third Sunday, Year B

A Layman's Meditation

oday's liturgy gives us the salutary warning, "Beware of the whale!" The first reading (Jonah 3:1-5, 10) comes from the Book of Jonah and relates what Jonah did after having spent three days in the belly of a whale which had swallowed him up. Jonah had disobeyed God's call, and it was only after he had experienced the trial of being swallowed by a whale that he went to Nineveh as he had originally been commanded by God to do. The reading tells us that the people of Nineveh renounced their evil ways after Jonah preached to them, and God didn't inflict on them the punishment He had threatened. Scripture scholars claim that the Book of Jonah isn't to be taken literally. Whatever about that, there can be no doubting that for all of us, who are sailing on the sea of life, if we fail to heed God's call, we shall most certainly be swallowed by a whale; whether it be the whale of materialism, the whale of mediocrity, or the whale of despair. If failing to respond to God's call leads

to such unfortunate consequences, why then do so many fail to respond? The answer can be gleaned from a careful perusal of today's second reading (1 Corinthians 7;29-31) in which St Paul inculcates detachment. A detached person will always respond to God's call, while without detachment such a response is unlikely at best, unthinkable at worst. We would do well to remember the words of the rhyming couplet: "God will act beyond our powers, if we don't mix His plans with ours." Why has the renewal envisaged by Vatican II so far failed to eventuate? While there have been many contributing factors, in the final analysis the problem has been that people haven't been sufficiently detached from their own will to follow God's plans as outlined in the Council documents. In particular, we have shied away from following the Council's directives when following them would have involved sacrifice. One major reason why Catholics, either married or unmarried, don't do

more to help the Church's prophetic mission of evangelisation is that they don't realise how much people are yearning for certainty in religious matters. The Gospel passage, (Mark 1:21-28,) tells us that Christ's teaching in the synagogue made a deep impression on people because He taught with authority. Many converts are attracted to the Church though she claims to teach authoritatively. The great English convert, G.IC Chesterton, said that we don't need a Church which is right when we're right, we need a Church which is right when we're wrong. What a scandal it must be for those seeking faith to find that whenever a major papal statement is made, whether it be Pope Paul's Encyclical Humanae Vitae, or Pope John Paul's statement ruling out women priests, or the latest statement from Rome declaring injecting rooms for heroin immoral, dissenting Catholics appearing on television advocating the opposite position. If those people had experienced the confusion which is the lot of those outside the Church, they would be more appreciative of the gift which Christ gave us when He gave us a Church which would teach in His Name and with His authority.

To Jesus through Mary . . . a column of Marian devotion

etired Bishop Pavao Zanic Mostar-Duvno. Bosnia and Herzeovina, whose diocese included the site of alleged Marian apparitions, died on 11 January. The bishop, who was admitted on 5 January to a hospital in Split, Croatia. due to declining health, died at the age of 81. He was known for his statements against the reported apparitions at Medjugorje, which he said were linked to a long-standing dispute between the (Bocese and local Franciscan priests over control of parishes. A funeral Mass for the bishop was to be held on 13 January in Kastel Novi, his birthplace and where he had been living since his retirement in 1993. He was to be buried in the local cemetery. Since 1981, when the apparitions reportedly began to six young people. Franciscans guided the visionaries and the visitors over Bishop Zanic's objections. The bishop once called the alleged apparitions a "collective hallucination." Bishop Zanic, who appointed and headed a Church commission to investigate the apparitions shortly after they began, said he was especially upset by the way in which the authority of Mary's "messages" were asserted against his own episcopal authority. Bishop Zanic said he began to doubt the authenticity of the alleged apparitions at Medjugorje when the Virgin Mary, in a reported message to a seer, was said to have sided with two expelled Franciscans against the bishop. The priests were expelled from the Franciscan order in 1982 after refusing to hand over control of their parish to the diocese. When the apparitions began, Medjugorje was in what was then western Yugoslavia. The apparitions were reported to have begun in a field outside Medjugorje and later moved to a small chapel in St James Church. Bishop Zanic accused the Franciscans who run St James Church of disobeying

photo. cNsJosp shiinowc Bishop Pavao Zanic

his instructions on several matters relating to the apparitions, including his disapproval of pilgrimages and his ban on pilgrimage Masses. The Franciscans said the instructions were unenforcable and that they had a duty to provide pastoral care for the pea pie who visited Medjugorje. The Vatican and the Yugoslavian bishops' conference discouraged Churchorganised pilgrimages to Medjugorje. Millions of Catholics have continued to flock to the site, however, and many supporters describe it as a place of spiritual conversion. Now-retired Archbishop Frane Franic of Split-Makarska said in 1984 he thought the Marian visions were "of supernatural inspiration." He said he had drawn his conclusions after seeing the "undeniable fruits" of the apparitions - "prayer, penitence and conversions that the Madonna advises as the way to peace." In April 1990, Bishop Zanic met with

Vatican doctrinal officials and gave them copies of his 16-page tract, titled, "The Thuth About Medjugorje." He also said he sent a copy to Pope John Paul II. The Yugoslavian bishops said in November 1990 that, based on evidence studied to that time, "it cannot be confirmed that supernatural apparitions and revelations are occurring" at Medjugorje. The bishops also said, however, that the Influx of pilgrims to the site required closer pastoral attention. They said the bishops' conference was willing to help Bishop Zanic organise programs for the visitors. Bishop Zanic said later he was "completely satisfied" with the bishops' statement and noted that of 20 bishops present, 19 approved the statement and one abstained. "The whole world now knows the judgment of the bishops, and there's no going back," he said. The alleged apparitions have been under examination by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for several years. While the Vatican has never said that Catholics may not go to Medjugorje, it has told bishops that their parishes and dioceses may not organise official pilgrimages to the site. A Vatican spokesman said when Catholic faithful go anywhere. they are entitled to spiritual care, so the Church does not forbid priests to accompany layorganised trips to Medjugorje. Bishop Zanic was born on 20 May, 1918, In Kastel Novi, in what is now Croatia. He completed seminary high school in Split and studied philosophy and theology at the Split College of Theology. He was ordained a priest on 1 June, 1941, and served in parishes in Srednje Selo and Rogotina, and in 1959 at the Split Cathedral of St Dominus. In 1970 he was named coadjutor bishop of Mostar-Duvno and was ordained a bishop in 1971. He became head of the diocese in 1980. - CNS

Pope teaches pilgrims Mary's role turns people to Jesus

ary's example of humility can lead all people to God the Father during the jubilee, Pope John Paul II said. "As the mother who gives the Saviour Son to all people, Mary is located on the path from the Father to humanity." "At the same lime, she is on the path that men must journey to reach the Father," the Pope said at his 12 January general audience. "With her help and support, let us undertake to respond to the special graces of this jubilee year in a spirit of humble and generous service," Thp.F!ecorci, Janpary 20 2000 Page 6

he said. Mary's humility and obedience set an example for all people, the Pope told the 7,000 pilgrims from more than a dozen countries gathered in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall. "Mary, in reality, does not want to attract attention to herself." "She lived on the earth with her gaze fixed on Jesus and the heavenly Father," said the Pope. The Pope said Mary's unwavering focus on God "encourages the Church and its believers to fulfill the Father's will, as manifested by Christ." Recalling Mary's words at the wedding

at Cana, "Do whatever he tells you," the Pope said that "Mary teaches us that holiness consists in doing the Father's will." He called Mary's maternal mediation as mother of God "parallel or concurrent" to Jesus' role as the sole mediator between God and all people. "Mary's co-operation in the plan of salvation is founded on Christ's unique mediation, and nothing takes away from Him as the unique mediator between God and man. .. . Her role is directed to bringing us into a more intimate and profound encounter with Him," he said.

changes what Vatican II bishops wanted?

With Paul Gray

hat Catholic liturgy needs is a "reform of the reform." So a number of Catholics, particularly in the United States, firmly believe. The "reform of the reform" idea is growing in significance. The reform in the first instance, of course, refers to the big changes in Catholic liturgy made since the Second Vatican Council. Mass in local languages instead of Latin and a deliberate effort to give lay people more visible roles at various points in the Mass have become the distinguishing features of liturgical reform. But somehow lost in the process of reform, many people believe, has been a strong, transcendent sense of God and the practice of appropriate reverence and solemnity by the faithful during Mass. This is what has given rise to the "reform of the reform" idea. Its supporters believe that reform of the liturgy was necessary at the time of Vatican II, but the true aims of the reform have not been achieved. Accordingly, we need to honour the intentions of the original reformers, who did not want to strip the liturgy of transcendence, reverence and solemnity but to enhance these essentials with a stronger sense of dignified lay participation. Reform-of-the-reform advocates propose incorporating some easy-to-use Latin chants and music from the pre-Vatican II era, within the modern Mass. In general, they stress the need for greater solemnity and a stronger sense of the Mass as a divine occasion. The reform-of-the-reform movement is separate from the Catholic Latin Mass movement, which is very strong in France and present around Australia. Catholic Latin Mass advocates (not to be confused with followers of the excommunicated Archbishop Lefebvre) believe that practising the old. pre-Vatican II Rite of the Mass with permission from the Pope and local bishops is still worthwhile, that it acts as a helpful "leaven in the bread" of liturgical renewal, showing by example something of what a truly dignified and well-celebrated Catholic liturgy should look like. At the same time in many parishes and Catholic communities there is the trend to communitarian liturgy - making the Mass ever more obviously into an expression of local community and family life. This trend appeals especially to those who fear that without strong local colour, the Mass becomes a dry abstraction. What is missing from many discussions of what's right and wrong with liturgy today is a universal sense of what the Mass is. Whether celebrated in St Peter's Basilica or an outback shed, the Mass expresses the worship of God by His whole Church, living and dead. The drama of this view of Catholic liturgy is thought about too little these days. Think of it: when we kneel down beside our neighbour at a parish Mass, we transcend our local surroundings entirely and join a special company in praise of God. This company includes our deceased loved ones who have been accepted into heaven, as well as other saints. Who could behave irreverently, with this perspective in mind? Rather than making the liturgy a battleground of competing factions, the essential need for Catholics today is to re-study, re-learn and regain the habit of reflection on what the liturgy really means. It's a key part of the faith we have inherited. Further and deeper education in the liturgy, for adults as well as children, is clearly a burning need. We need real "liturgical literacy," based not on a childish wish to put more lay people around the altar, but on a studied understanding of what the Mass is and reveals. Surely, this is worthy of everyone's serious attention.

Worldly presumption versus spiritual thinking T

he recent speculation as to whether Pope John Paul II will resign due to ill health is another example of the difference between the ways of the world and the ways of the Spirit. Naturally, the world outside the Church finds it incomprehensible that anyone in the 20th and 21st centuries would want to work beyond the age of 55 let alone 79, as in the case of this Polish Pope. Add to that the prospect of working under the disability of Parkinson's Disease and other creaks and strains, and people with a worldly outlook that seeks only the easy way will naturally begin to Infer that the only reason a person with the Pope's punishing schedule would continue is either madness or a desperate wish to cling to worldly power. For those who have fallen for the trap of uncritically adopting modern management practice and wanting to apply it to the administration and mission of the Church, there is something mediaeval about the notion that the earthly governance of an institution should depend, in the final analysis, on one person who will stay in that position of leadership until God calls him beyond death to eternal life. These apparatchiks, outside and inside the Church, as part of their worldly thinking naturally think all is politics in the life of the Church - that progress in the Church must mediate itself through the friction of

rouno Unnecessary pain inflicted

The Record

role of complete service and not worldly power that self-sacrificing love is the standard by which Church administration should be judged, and not the canons of modern administration that decree retireone group or another jostling for advan- everybody else, is called in his last days to ment at a certain age, It is Pope John Paul's offering himself to tage. imitate Jesus Christ in His last days and God on his personal calvary in old age It is then comes as no surprise that they hours - offering whatever sufferings and that is more useful in Christian terms to use the media to attempt to influence pub- Joys that come our way to God for the the building up of the Church than any lic opinion as a means of putting pressure whole world. It is this self-sacrificing service in the retirement to a Polish contemplative on Church officials and belief. monastery. The secular media, always primed to see path that God has laid out for a Pope that As Mother Teresa of Calcutta declared provides the key to interpreting the 'signs public affairs as a matter of 'who's in and that she wanted to die with her boots on who's out', naturally adores those Church of the times' in the latter years of a papa- in God's service, so will this Pope, probamembers who speak with a wisdom that cy. bly somewhere on one of his pilgrimage This is the true and ultimate Christian travels to the People of God around the makes sense only to those whose sole standard of interpretation is 'who's eating reality here on earth for all of us - we will world. all have to climb this calvary in our old who on the political menu today.' In any case, given the command strucBut there is another, truer interpretation age in one form or another. ture of the mystical Body of Christ, the And we will have to accept that cross Church, of which the Pope is Vicar, who of what Pope John Paul is hoping and praywillingly, eagerly and on our own, not would the Pope offer his letter of resignaing to do. This is an interpretation based on God's looking for some excuse for an early retire- tion to, as Pope John Paul once asked? lordship over all creation and the human ment. Understanding the Pope's service to the race. There is no problem with taking an early Church needs a broad, spiritual view and Pope John Paul knows that he has been retirement from a paid occupation, espe- not a limited, political or management selected by God to lead His Church, the cially if the retirement is used for com- view. Body of Christ, for a number of years. munity and religious purposes. After all, observers should look to the As his predecessors before him, he But from an unpaid occupation of evan- wood of the matter, and not the trees. knows and trusts that God will bring his gelical service there can be no retirement service to an end when He wants to and as, for all of us, it goes on to the point of • The opinions expressed in this editorIn the manner and circumstances that He death when we accept God's will for our ial, and any other Record editorial, are wants to. not necessarily those of the Roman departure to eternal life. Pope John Paul knows that he, along with It is precisely because the papacy is a Catholic Archbishop of Perth.

would like to san. thank you to The Record for its articles on mental illness. My husband and my son both have a bipolar mental illness (Ed: forms of manic depressive illness). Because of this, I have several very close friends whose lives are affected by mental Illness, either their own or a close member of their family who all suffer from the cruel and uneducated attitude held by a vast majority of the public Many of these people do know better but prefer to run down people with this illness because it is easier than sticking up for them. Each time one person with a mental illness gets the headline because of a murder or some equally dreadful crime all people afflicted with these illnesses are lumped into the same basket and made to feel they are criminal also. In fact, most of these people that I know cause no one any grief or harm and are not dangerous to anyone but themselves. In all cases like any illness they are a victim to it and have no control over their body and just do the best they can to live with it as best they can.

L'effers fo

Cofilor

It saddens me greatly when I see these tem of government swear on oath to God many think was the foundation stone of unreasonable things happening and it In a ceremony rich in Christian symbolism English liberty, was also inherited by Ausmakes me so mad that regular people who and tradition, some going back centuries, tralia which has a Westminster system of consider themselves kind and caring that they will uphold Christian principles, government. Freedom for the Church (people) was human beings can behave to other poor laws and values in their kingdoms. Personally. I suspect the real motives of brought about through the work of Stephen people in such uncaring and unchristian many republicans is to free themselves of Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury ways. Therefore, we should think very carefulSo thank you for your articles and I hope what they see as one of the last vestiges of ly before we change our constitution which you will write many more so that the vast Christianity. the other being the Church. That would mean writing God out of the is a Christian document. majority out there hopefully will realise We should also think about electing some the unnecessary suffering and pain that Constitution. Let's not forget that monarchical systems Christian politicians their carelessness is inflicting on innocent of government in the Christian sense are people. meant to serve the people just as Christ Patricia Halligan Marie Bedford came to serve the people. They are meant Mandurah Ballajura to be 'watch dogs' over the people's rights. St Thomas Aquinas was a firm believer in royal authority but in his book De t was interesting to read all of the ohn McKay (The Record. 6 January) is Regimine he emphasises that there are Christmas messages from our WA Bishright when he points out that "immense moral limitations and obligations on royal ops (The Record. 23 December) for the power and despotic economic domi- power. cusp of the Third Millennium. His insistence was not so much on the i ation" reside with those who "govern Iliked Bishop Quinn's "You've got to focus divine right of kings as on their sacred on the Positive." All is gained by positive credit". He is also right when he says the only responsibility. thinking. It is true that many so-called Christian change the people need to retain their sovI always enjoy Bishop Robert Healy's ereignty (ultimate authority) is that politi- monarchs have failed in these sacred writings. This time I agree with his views cians keep to the spirit of the Constitution responsibilities. on the Pageant. Henry VIII in effect robbed his own peowhich, I might add, they have not always I decided to visit this - not having seen it been doing, especially when they bind us ple when he took it upon himself to rule for years - and photograph the colourful absolutely. to international laws. floats because it was a special celebration. He robbed them by his plunder of Church Why then should we have given them I did notice a sizeable float for the crib, more power under their so called 'repub- (the people's) wealth which the also, so lic' which anyone could see was a 'rich called 'bad' king John had reluctantly been which added more meaning to the Christman's republic'. forced to protect through his signing of the mas preparation. Thankfully, the people weren't that silly. Magna Carta at Runnymede in 1215. Patricia Kennedy Stein Christian monarchs in a monarchical sysThe essence of this document, which Beverley

Interesting bishops

Christian royals serve

English-speakers tardy at St Peter's confessionals By Cindy Wooden

he Holy Door in St Peter's Basilica is not a car wash for the soul. Rivers of people flowed over the threshold in the early days of 2000, many of them devoutly seeking the special Holy Year indulgence. But visiting St Peter's, one of the other major basilicas in Rome or a designated church in another diocese is not enough; conversion and reception of the sacrament of reconciliation also are needed. In addition to underlining the Importance of confession in documents, speeches and even fliers for Holy Year pilgrims, the Vatican has recruited and vetted extra confessors for Rome's major basilicas. The Vatican considers the min-

istry of confessor in the Basilicas or Polish and Italian or Spanish. of St Peter, St John Lateran, St English did not seem to be a Mary Major and St Paul Outside very popular language over the the Walls to be specialised. holidays, and the basilica confesThe confessors are appointed sor said that was not unusual. by US Cardinal William W. "I have the impression it is not Baum, head of the Apostolic Pen- a regular practice for English itentiary, a Vatican court, after an speakers," the Italian priest said. oral examination on moral theol"We have one or two confessors ogy who understand only English; The long lines in front of the often while we have long lines, confessionals at St Peter's Basili- they have none." ca in early January proved that at Mgr Roger Roensch, head of the least some people saw the sacra- bishops' office for US visitors to ment as an important part of their Rome, agrees with the confessor pilgrimage. and is trying to turn the tide. 'There usually are more people He tells people: "You don't just at Christmas and the Epiphany, walk through the Holy Door and but not like this - this is incredi- all of your sins are forgiven." ble," said one of the 13 ConvenThe monsignor, who has tual Franciscans whose full-time worked in Rome for three years, ministry is hearing confessions keeps a purple stole in the sitting in St Peter's Basilica. room attached to his office, just The longest lines were in front In case one of his visitors asks to of confessionals offering the go to confession. sacrament in Italian only, Italian The request is much rarer than

he expected after working with visitors at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. he said. "Confession was very much a part of the pilgrimages" to the shrine, he said. "Here in Rome it is different," he said. "Most Americans are taking a trip." In an extraordinary move for the Holy Year, the confessionals at St Peter's and at the Basilica of St John Lateran are open even during the traditionally respected lunch and rest period between 12:30pm and 3pm. The extra hours and the expected larger crowds are being han- Someone you might meet in a St dled with the help of 14 Peter's confessional on Good Friday supplementary confessors at St this year. Here Pope John Paul II leaves a basilica confessional after Peter's. The 27 priests each spend five offering the Sacrament of Reconcilior six hours a day in the confes- ation to 13 people chosen at random on Good Friday, 1997. Photo CNSReute-• sional. The Record, January 20 2000 Page 7

Features

Jubilee begins to take shape worldwide New Norcia By John 'Mavis

t the Vatican, in US dioceses and around the world, the jubilee spirit was catching on through a variety of Holy Year initiatives aimed at pilgrims, prisoners, women, the poor and fallenaway Catholics. As visitors continued to stream through the Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica and other Rome churches in mid-January, Church officials here were emphasising the importance of Confession for spiritual renewal during the jubilee Year. The Vatican recruited and vetted extra confessors for Rome's major basilicas, and the long lines in front of confessionals in St Peter's proved that at least some people were making the Sacrament of Penance a part of their pilgrimage. Meanwhile, US seminarians at Rome's North American College launched a series of guided minipilgrimages for visitors who might not know how to be a pilgrim. The year-long program covers 25 possible churches and holy sites in Rome, focusing on the spiritual meaning of each place and leaving time for prayer. Most pilgrims in Rome made tracks for the Vatican, where Pope John Paul II continued to preside over a heavy schedule of special events and weekly general audiences. The Pope addressed one important practical aspect of the jubilee when he thanked Italian police for their extra work during the Holy Year. Meeting with the police force on 14 January, he heard a report that called the security performance during the first four weeks of the jubilee -more than satisfactory" in ensuring a peaceful experience for pilgrims. The biggest crowd expected in Rome during the Holy Year - about 1 million young people for World Youth Day in August - was the focus of a Vatican-sponsored meeting that began on 14 January. Experts from 70 countries were planning thematic encounters for the 15-20 August event and trying to prepare for logistical problems. In the United States, the US bish-

ops' Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women and Youth published a guide to reflection, prayer and celebration of the faith for young people as a resource for preparing jubilee year youth events. It was posted at the bishops' Web site at www.nccbuscc.org/laity. The main themes of the Holy Year - conversion, forgiveness and rekindling of the faith - were evident in initiatives in several counjj1 .1111 tries: • In South Africa, Archbishop Wilfrid Napier of Durban asked pardon for harm and pain caused by the church's failings. The special Mass on 9 January responded to the Pope's call for the Church to become more aware of the sins of its own members, past and present. The archbishop asked forgiveness for the part played by the Church in the disruption and destruction of African cultures, failure to support people with AIDS, ecumenical shortcomings and failure to promote the rights and digise A*.e4 6 nity of women. Franciscan monks pass near a sign welcoming visitors and pilgrims to Jerusalem for the year 2000. Israel expects a large • In the Philippines, Bishop • t. , Romulo de la Cruz of Isabela Increase in tourism during the Jubilee Year and has stepped up security around popular religious sites. announced he was writing off all morality, marriage outside the at the Second N,atican Council. debts owed to his territorial prela- Church or even a move to a new While the Pope was busy with ture; fifty prelature workers were location. He said Catholics should jubilee activities nearly every day, the first beneficiaries of the debt listen carefully to those who had he was also looking ahead to his been hurt in some way by the remission. biggest personal pilgrimage of the year, a week-long trip to the Holy The Bishop explained that the church and gently apologise on the Land. Church cannot demand interna- church's behalf. • In Florida. Church planners tional lending institutions and The Vatican announced that the donor countries write off debts to were gearing up for a jubilee gathPope would make his long awaited poor countries if it cannot forgive ering of women aimed at thanking visit to Jordan, Israel and Palestinthem for their participation in the its outstanding debts. ian territories from 20-26 March, • In Bolivia, the bishops' confer- Church. celebrating Masses in Jerusalem, With as many as 4,000 women ence announced the establishment Nazareth, Bethlehem and other of a commission to negotiate for expected to attend the West Palm sites. the release of prisoners from Boli- Beach event on 25 March, it was On 15 January an Egyptian Govvian jails during the jubilee year, shaping up as one of the biggest ernment spokesman said that Pope after a Christmas request for pris- millennial celebrations in the state. John Paul II would make an oner release fell short of hopes. • In Rome, the Vatican and the overnight trip to Mount Sinai in The bishops noted that more than United Bible Societies began free Egypt in late February. 400 Bolivian prisoners were older distribution of an inter-confessionHe said the Pope would arrive in Like thousands of others, a pilgrim than 65 or younger than 21, and al Bible booklet for pilgrims. touches a panel on the Holy Door at St Egypt on 25 or 26 February and many others were terminally ill. The ecumenical project was Peter's Basilica. Inside, the Vatican return to Rome the following day. • In Wilmington, Delaware, Bish- funded in large part by the Ameri- hopes pilgrims continue their jubilee The highlight of the trip would be op Michael Saltarelli issued a call can Bible Society, which donated journey by receiving the Sacrament of a visit to the fourth-century for the faithful to reach out to inac- most of the US $700,000 needed Reconciliation. Photo CNSiReuters monastery of St Catherine, which tive Catholics during the Holy Year. for a first printing of 2.5 million of Christian unity events. One Vat- lies to the north of Mount Sinai, the He said there were many reasons copies. place where Moses was called to why people have drifted away from In an ecumenical advance on a ican official said the number of the Church, including a lack of bigger scale, Christian leaders Christian denominations that lead his people out of slavery and vibrant services, hurtful experi- were arriving in Rome for an 18 accepted the Pope's invitation was received the len Commandments. ences, conflicts over faith and January prayer service and a week the largest ever, greater even than - Catholic News Service

"IT" noiendis Jerusalem

W r_Cnt' IF TO

JERUSALEM 2 000

INFORMATION TEL: 02-622-2000

beckons Holy Year pilgrims By Peter Rosengren

ust as millions of people around the world have responded to Pope John Paul calls to participate in and mark the Great Jubilee Year, here in Perth Catholics at all levels - from individuals to parishes, religious orders and the entire archdiocese - have set about the task with evident enthusiasm. At the heart of the pontiff's message Is the theme of pilgrimage forward through time to Jesus,

away from sin which binds and blinds us. For the year which officially marks the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ eight churches and shrines have been declared official pilgrimage sites places which, if, among other conditions, pilgrims visit and enter their holy doors, they will gain the plenary indulgence associated with the Year of Jubilee. And although there are a multi-

tude of activities that will keep New Norcia's monks busy dealing with the public throughout the Jubilee Year, the Benedictine monastery's Prior and Procurator, Dom Christopher Power said that. in the end, the Benedictine community there only wanted to give pilgrims one thing. The motto of Benedictine monasteries throughout the world is just one word: Pax," he said. "It's the thing most people say that they find here and that's what we'd like to give those who come here during the jubilee." Like sev-

eral other Jubilee Year shrines, New Norcia is well outside the metropolitan area and lies approximately one and a half hour's drive north-east of Perth. But it is the fact that it is a centre of an ancient model of monastic life with traditions hearkening back to the Dark and Middle ages that should also add a special feeling of achievement to a TwentyFirst Century pilgrim's experience. Like pilgrimages of an earlier era it conjures up visions of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales or John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress or even an Hilaire Belloc tramping across Europe composing poetry and reliably drinking red wine. For the more sober WA pilgrim. however, New Norcia already has a comprehensive range of activities on offer which run from packages for parishes and schools throughout the year to programmed retreats. In the meantime the normal daily cycle of life in a monastery, which visitors can share in through joining the monks at prayer and absorbing some of the monastic atmosphere, will continue. Four jubilee Year weekend retreats have been programmed and will run in April, May, August and October. The April retreat will focus on preparing for Easter, while May's retreat will follow the theme of 'Entering the World of the Thoughts' and reflect on relationship with God. The August and October retreats will offer a more 'Benedictine'

W:esiwy. Meeks, WA bishops and clergy gathered to mark the instalMerries wale dismal offside the lation at Dew Medd Spew* as abbot Is es* 1 7.

rhythm of life with opportunities for retreatants to join the monks for communal prayer, praying with Scripture and celebrating the Lord's day. Meanwhile, on most Saturday afternoons throughout the year a Benedictine monk or sister will give a short talk on ''what we do and why we do it: with optional discussion to follow. The special packages which are on offer to parishes and schools mean that parishes can choose from either a Week Day Pilgrimage Package or a Weekend Pilgrimage Package. Both inc.lude the opportunity for pilgrims to join the monks in the monastery chapel for prayer and visit the Museum and Art Gallery. Well before the jubilee year began, schools have also responded well to New Norcia's offering of pilgrimage opportunities - seeking days not only for students but staff as welL For instance. Dom Chris told The Record, one school has already booked 60 of its staff in for a daylong Jubilee retreat. The New Norcia Education Centre, which works with schools visiting the monastery and its surrounds, offers a Jubilee package specially designed for primary and secondary students with

New Marcia is set only ettradhe le ley peeislc kasits of WA's Christian churches went ea retreat at liew lords o 1M.

hands-on activities. These include entering the new millennium through New Norcia's Holy Door, travelling the monastic pilgrimage trail, experiencing the monastic life and an overall focus on reconciliation, one of the Jubilee's key themes. More information on packages is available from New Norcia's Education Officer, Robyn Watson. on (08) 9654 8107. So whether you

want to undertake your own individual pilgrimage - with yourself. your family, your friends - or participate in a parish-organised group, the monastic walls of New Norcia in Western Australia's bush and wheatbelt may just be calling you to come and absorb the atmosphere of the Jubilee-tinged with a little Benedictine something as well. It's called 'Pax'.

For Ignatius, martyrdom was not a problem. . . . it was an apostolic opportunity to spread Jesus' Good News St Ignatius of Antioch (died c. AD 107) e will begin at the very start of

St John the Apostle: St Ignatius of Antioch was probably alive at the time of St John's old age. John was one of Christ's 12 apostles and traditional author of the fourth Gospel. He was a fisherman and likely a disciple of John the Baptist St John is here depicted In a church window in Soest, Germany. Photo: CNS/Crosiers

The Record, January 20 2000 Page 8

the second century. when the last of the apostles were appointing their successors. The four second century saints which we will cover in coming weeks - St Ignatius of Antioch, St Polycarp, St Justin Martyr and St Irenaeus - were all bishops, who left considerable writings describing the very early Church at the time of the apostles and shortly afterwards. They faced sporadic persecution from the official authorities, and more serious opposition from mobs incited by other religious groups. They were, without exception, highly educated and intelligent men, who took Christianity to all levels of society. Contrary to popular belief, the life of the Early Church is not shrouded in mystery. Although these people lived nearly two thousand years ago, their extensive writ-

Lye e4Ast 2000

ings were preserved. Consequently, we in Rome, and one to Bishop PolyIn Ignatius' letters, the role of that the Christian church in Rome holds know a good deal about life and belief in carp. They record his trip. All along bishops, as leaders of the Church, pre-eminence in the whole Christian his journey, he was met by delethe very early Church. and safe-guarders of the true 'community of love'. teachings of Christ, is dearly estabSt Ignatius was Bishop of Antioch in gations from local churches, and Ignatius' letters clearly depict the lished. Syria, one of the most important and influ- even accompanied from town to Church, as we would recognise Catholic town by other Christians. erth historian Dr Jennifer Skerritt this week begins ential cities in the Eastern part of the These bishops were the immedifunctioning in AD 107/8. it, When he and his captors reached Roman Empire. a weekly column that sheds light on Catholic ate successors of the twelve aposSmyrna, they were greeted warmtles; many had known the apostles Church witness and history to mark the Great Jubilee It was one of the first cities outside Judea His association with the Apostles and personally. to have a significant Christian communi- ly by the bishop, Polycarp, who celebration of 2000 years of Christianity. their disciples provide clear evidence that ty, and the first place where the followers became a close friend of Ignatius. It is probable that Ignatius knew we have inherited the Church established The series will follow the Church's history through the It seems very strange to modern of Jesus were called Christians. the Apostle John welL They were by Christ. li ves the Saints with of a different saint featured alive at approximately the same He was martyred under the Emperor eyes that Ignatius should be arrestweekly. Each story will illustrate a significant aspect of ed, later to be executed, for being That the Church is unchanged in any time, and in the same area of the Trajan in the Colosseum in Rome. the life of Christian people as the Church makes its pila Christian, yet the Roman authoraspects, since the time of the fundamental world. Two lions leapt upon him and devoured ities were powerless to stop grimage through history. Dr Skerritt has a Doctor of his trip by Ignatius' letters, is apostles, as shown all but his largest bones. Ignatius' own position of bishop to Rome becoming a 'world tour', Philosophy Degree from the University of Western Australia in the to the continuing work of the testament also demonstrates apostolic sucIn the Middle Ages a pious story claimed drawing Christians from miles history of the First Century AD Romans and Celts. cession, that is, that Catholic bish- Holy Spirit. that Ignatius was the child which Christ around. ops can trace their authority held when he said "Suffer the little chilIf people suggest that the 'Primitive This was because the Roman from the apostles. directly dren to come unto me." state was very inefficient in controlling just 'disappear'. As he travelled towards early Church. They indicate that the Church' was in some way different from St Peter was the first bishop of Antioch. the Catholic Church, or that the Apostles Ignatius was arrested during a local per- 'dissidents'. Rome, Ignatius wrote to the Christians Church taught of the Virgin birth from the secution of the Church in Antioch. When he went to 'tome,he was replaced and Early Christians worshipped or Consequently, intelligent and dedicated there, asking them not to seek a pardon time of the apostles. Very little is known of his life before his Churchmen, such as Ignatius, were able on his behalf, because he wished to parby Evodius, who was in turn succeeded believed differently, tell them to read the Ignatius also wrote against heresy, warnarrest, however, between the time he was to exploit even their own deaths to spread ticipate in Christ's Passion through marby Ignatius. letters of Ignatius. ing his readers against false doctrines and captured in Antioch and when he was the Word and demonstrate the power of tyrdom. Ignatius used, for the first time in Christeachers. false Ignatius died in c. AD 107, probably executed in Rome, he wrote seven letters Christianity. Saint Ignatius' seven letters, written as tian literature, the expression Catholic which have been preserved. He advised Christians to follow the Church, meaning the whole church which before the Apostle John. He believed as It is much more difficult for modern mar- he was transported from Antioch to Rome Five of these were written to other tyrs, in countries such as China, because to be executed, are some of the most instructions of their clergy, and especial- is one and the same where ever there is we believe, he worshipped as we worchurches in the region, one to the church their governments can ensure that they important documents to show the very ly their bishops, in all religious matters. a Christian congregation. He also wrote ship.

The Record, January 20 2000 Page 9

More Holiday Movie Reviews

Movie Ratings NEW YORK (CNS) - Here is a list of recent films the US Catholic Conference Office for Film and Broadcasting rated on the basis of moral suitability. USCC classifications: Al general patronage; All - adults and adolescents; A111 - adults; AIV- adults, with reservations (This indicates films that, while not morally offensive in themselves, are not for casual viewing because they require some analysis and explanation in order to avoid false impressions and interpretations); 0 - niorally offensive. All About My Mother, AIV American Beauty, 0 Angela's Ashes, AN Anna and the King, All Any Given Sunday, AIV Anywhere but Here, All Bachelor, The, AIV Being John Malkovich, AIV Best Man, The, AIV Bicentennial Man, All Blue Streak, 0 Bone Collector, The, AN Buena Vista Social Club, All Cradle Will Rock, Alit Diamonds, MV Dogma, 0 Drive Me Crazy, Alit End of Days, 0 End of the Affair, The. MV Fantasia 2000, Al Fight Club, 0 Flawless, MV Galaxy Quest, All Girl, Interrupted, Atli Green Mile. The, All House on Haunted Hill, All Insider. The, All Inspector Gadget, All Liberty Heights, Alit Light It lip, All Limey, The, AIII Magnolia, AN Man on the Moon, All Messenger, The: The Story of Joan of Arc, AN Pokemon: The First Movie, Al Runaway Bride, All Sixth Sense, The, All Stigmata, 0 Straight Story, The. Al Stuart Little, All Superstar. MV Sweet and Lowdown. All Talented Mr. Ripley, The, AIV Third Miracle. The, All Thomas Crown Affair, The, AN Three Kings. All Three to Tango, AIV Toy Story 2, At World Is Not Enough, The. AIV

Oh, just another anti-Catholic flick By Gerd Pare faith-challenged priest, a Ah seductive atheist and a psyotic cardinal are the key players in "Stigmata" (MGM), an absurd horror film fuelled by suggestions of a Vatican conspiracy. Father Andrew Kiernan (Gabriel Byrne) is sent by Vatican Cardinal Houseman (Jonathan Pryce) to rain-drenched Pittsburgh, where hairdresser Frankie Paige (Patricia Arquette) appears to have stigmata-like wounds on both wrists. He witnesses fierce seizures, which leave her inexplicably covered with bloody slashes, and watches her frantically scrawling ancient Aramaic words. Gradually, he uncovers that she is duplicating the text of a "lost Gospel" that the Vatican wants suppressed at all costs lest its message undermine the legitimacy and the relevancy of the Church. Meanwhile, the simmering attraction between Paige and the priest culminates in her attempted seduction, which turns into a full-scale demonic attack upon him. It seems there is no distinction made between being a stigmatic and being possessed by the devil in a movie of bogus theology and cheap thrills. Adding to the exploitative and anti-Catholic tone of the film, the cardinal arrives on the scene, having decided that strangulation would be the most effective exorcism. However, the priest stands in his way and later acknowledges his feelings for Paige with a clearly sexual kiss. The film's epilogue

states an ancient text was discovered in 1945, became known as the Gospel of St Thomas, but that the Church would not "describe" it, calling it "heresy" Although "Stigmata" can be dismissed as a failed horror movie borrowing elements from "The Exorcist," it takes itself seriously, and its message would certainly leave audiences with the false impression that the Catholic Church has actively tried to prevent Christ's words from being heard. Riddled with religious inaccuracies - the Gospel of Thomas has been available in bookstores for years - it plays upon spiritual sentiment to service a tawdry, nonsensical conspiracy plot. Take, for example, the pathetic explanation for atheist Paige receiving the stigmata: She touched a rosary that belonged to an excommunicated Brazilian priest who had the stigmata. Assorted lame thrills pad the cheesy fllm, such as when Paige risks life and limb tearing through traffic to rescue an abandoned infant, which turns out to be just another hallucination. The priest is able to walk through a raging inferno to carry out Paige in the fiery conclusion, another example of how miracles, demonic possession and gory visitations of the stigmata are all tossed haphazardly together. potboiler-style. The priest may be a thoughtful character struggling with his faith and intent on helping the afflicted woman, but, as directed by Rupert Wainwright, the main focus is on his uncovering the Vatican's deliberate evildoing and

HOW'S YOUR FAITH T HESE DAYS?

/I!.

D ON'T

f' tt :5:11:11:1;f:V.. It

HAVE TO BELIEVE. T O SUFFER

kifIRO-GROWIN-MARR PICIIIRES MISR'S showing him as a man ultimately unable to resist the temptations of the flesh. Although Paige experiences demonic possession, the villain is not the devil but a prince of the Church intent on silencing her with a murderous hands-on approach. Freely mixing horror with phony theology, "Stigmata" can only

wound its audience by misleading them. Due to its exploitative use of religion with an antiCatholic flavour, a shadowy sexual encounter, frequent violence involving the stigmata and demonic attacks, occasional profanity and rough language, the US Catholic Conference classification is 0 - morally offensive.

Gripping tale of the Big Smoke Grab the gold or

he Insider (Touchstone) tells the factbased story of a hesitant tobacco company whistleblower and a CBS news producer up against his own parent company when it sabotages his hard-won story. In the deft hands of director Michael Mann, who co-wrote the script with Eric Roth ("Forrest Gump"), the documentary-like movie is a gripping experience even at 155 minutes. Sleekly shot with many revealing close-ups that underline the characters' churning psyches, the movie explores ethical issues in rivening fashion that with a lesser cast might have ended up a dry, talking-heads film. Instead, the audience is immediately transported to a tense Middle East meeting place where "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman (Al Patina) has arranged for Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer) to interview a Hezbollah sheik - but not before Wallace decisively makes clear to all assembled he's

Bicentennial Man uturistic fantasy spanning two cen-

the man in charge - a power play that sets the tone of his character. The movie, however, centres on Bergman stumbling onto a big story when he calls a former tobacco company biochemist, Jeffrey Wigand, for a simple consultation. But the man is extremely reluctant, even fearful. And so begins Bergman's subtle seduction of Wigand to spill the beans. Wigand is torn between his responsibility to his family and his outrage at how the seven big tobacco CEOs knew that tobacco was addictive yet lied about it before Congress. Some may find the movie too long and detailed. But with its electric storytelling and masterful cloak-and-dagger style, it is perhaps the most involving of the whistleblower genre since "All the President's Men." Due to frequent rough language and its mature subject matter, the US Catholic Conference classification is AIII - adults.

Holiday Movie Briefs

F turies in which a family's robot (Robin Williams), found to have emotions and Catholic Conference classification is 0 creativity, actively seeks to become fully human and marry the great-granddaughter (Embeth Davidtz) of the original family that encouraged his odyssey. This bland tale gently examines what it is to be human in terms of free will, love and mortality. Mild sexual innuendo and references, and occasional profanity. The US Catholic Conference classification is A-I! adults and adolescents.

The Cider House Rules D omanticised 1940s drama in which a

1.young man refuses to perform illegal 1 abortions until he resorts to the procedure when a farm worker (Erykah Badu) becomes pregnant by her own father. The movie is emotionally manipulative in its pro-abortion stance, and the story's humanist themes fail to apply to life within the womb. Positive treatment of illegal abortions, references to incest, violent and suicidal behaviour, drug abuse, a fleeting sexual encounter and brief nudity. The US The Record, January 20 2000 Page 10

morally offensive.

face High Noon?

our American soldiers get wind of a golden opportunity at the end of the Gulf War in "Three Kings" (Warner Bros.). With a March 1991 cease-fire declared, Sergeant Barlow (Mark Wahlberg). Elgin (Ice Cube), Vig (Spike jonze) and Green Beret Captain Gates (George Clooney) are set to head home when they come upon an Iraqi prisoner of war with a concealed map of an underground bunker of gold bullion Saddam Hussein's army stole from Kuwait. The quartet locates the gold but matters are complicated by the need to protect Iraqi villagers from troops trying to kill them. Due to some fairly graphic violence, a brief sexual encounter and recurring profanity and rough language, the US Catholic Conference classification is Al!! - adults.

uine humour in repetitive comic situations, corny dialogue, weak sight gags, much menace and assorted vulgarities. The US Catholic Conference classification is Al! - adults and adolescents.

encounter and intermittent profanity and rough language. The US Catholic Conference classification is Al!! - adults.

Sleepy Hollow

n this violent adaptation of WashingI ton's Irving's spooky tale of the headless athetically unfunny comedy in which horseman, Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) opey spoof in which seven would-be I a klutzy loser (Rob Schneider) tries is a pompous, fearful New York constable .1f superheroes (including Ben Stiller, and fails at temporary male prostitution in sent to Sleepy Hollow to find a triple murHank Azaria, Janeane Garofalo and order to pay his debts. The film dredges derer who has made off with the victims' William H. Macy) combine their kooky up lame double entendres and toilet heads. Recurring grisly decapitations and talents to outwit a nasty megalomaniac humour when not mocking characters a discreet sexual encounter. The US (Geoffrey Rush) intent on levelling their with assorted physical diseases and dis- Catholic Conference classification is MV metropolis. A chaotic script further dilutes abilities. Sexual situations, comically adults, with reservations. the comedy-fantasy. Intermittent comic intended violence, brief rear nudity and Snow Falling on Cedars violence and some toilet humour. The US occasional profanity. The US Catholic onderous drama in which the internCatholic Conference classification is All - Conference classification is All - adults. ' ment of Japanese-Americans during adults and adolescents. Double Jeopardy World War II has resonance when one Dudley Do-Right Q leek thriller in which a probation offi- (Rick Yune) is put on trial for murder in cer (Tommy Lee Jones) chases a 1050 and a reporter (Ethan Hawke) hesihin live-action comedy based on the (Ashley Judd) across the country tates to reveal evidence helpful to the parolee hopethe which in 'IV cartoon series lessly square Canadian Mountie of the to prevent her from murdering the two- accused because he is still obsessed with title (Brendan Fraser) gets some help from timing husband (Bruce Greenwood) who memories of a love affair with the man's his faithful horse in saving his dim sweet- framed her. Director Bruce Beresford's wife. Discreet sexual encounters, wartime heart Nell (Sarah Jessica Parker) from the story maintains suspense without relying violence and an instance of rough lanvillainous Snidely Whiplash (Alfred Moli- single-mindedly on the expected revenge guage. The US Catholic Conference clasna). Some easy laughs but not much gen- motive. Some violence, a shadowy sexual sification is Al!! - adults.

Mystery Men

Duece Bigalow: Male Gigolo

Features

For this priest, Mother was 'Number One' By Mary Ann Wyand

conversation with Mother Teresa's longtime spiritual director is a lesson in faith, hope and love. Jesuit Father Donald McGuire of Chicago, who has served the Missionaries of Charity as their spiritual director since 1983, smiles constantly when he talks about Mother Teresa. "Her faith was enormous," Father McGuire said during an Interview at Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis, where he presented a retreat. "Her spirit of hope was enormous. But her driving force was the love of Jesus Christ, and especially the love of Jesus Christ crucified." Born on 26 August, 1910, the former Agnes Gomdia Bojaxhiu joined the Sisters of Loreto at age 18 and later taught at the order's school in Calcutta. In 1946, while praying on a crowded train in northern India, she saw an image of the crucified Christ, who told her. "I thirst!" She decided to leave the order to found the Missionaries of Charity and minister to the poorest of the poor. When asked how she was able to minister to the sick and destitute, Father McGuire recalled, "Mother Teresa would say. 'I am married to Jesus.Iam in love with

Him, andIam in love with all His children. All the people in the world are God's children.Mother Teresa frequently spoke of the first time she picked up a dying man from a street, Father McGuire told The Criterion, newspaper of the Indianapolis Archdiocese. "It was clear that, besides the crucified Christ, a companion image for her was of Jesus, sometimes, as she would say, 'in a most distressing disguise.' She would talk about that so lovingly, and in awe of herself, in awe of him, and in awe of the event. It was always awesome for her." "She would say, 'Imagine, Father, this dying man. I reached down and I lifted him up, and I have in my heart that I don't want him to die without experiencing God's love and man's love.Mother Teresa is "the greatest example of charity" in the modern world, Father McGuire said. "Her name is a household word that means absolutely selfless charity?' Many people think Mother Teresa chose her religious name because of St Teresa of Avila, he said, but she picked the name because of her devotion to St Therese of Lisieux, whom she called "the little Teresa." All of her life, Mother Teresa consulted with confessors. Father McGuire said, because she want-

ed to grow closer to God. "After Jesus Christ, she loved the priesthood," he said. "I think one of her great works was inspiring priests throughout the world. Mother launched a special program to support the priesthood. Each sister was assigned a certain priest to pray for." Mother Teresa also had "a great love for young people and a great love of marriage," he said. "She honoured marital love as a sacrificial love, an everlasting love, in the image of Jesus Christ." Throughout her life, Father McGuire said, "Mother Teresa liked to talk about taking what God has given you - your soul, your mind and your heart - and giving it back to God. She frequently spoke of the importance of 'making of your life something beautiful for God." Even as her health continued to decline, he said. "she would never stop. The sisters would say, 'Father, she obeys you. Tell her to rest.' So I would tell her, 'Mother, you're tired. You really ought to rest. Sit down.' And because of her respect for the priesthood, she always obeyed me - untilI turned my back! She often told me, 'Father. I want to die with my shoes on.Father McGuire was not with Mother Teresa when she died on 5 September, 1997, but a medical

By the time she died in on 5 September in 1997, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, missionary to the poor and sick and founder of the Missionaries of Charity order had become a household name throughout the world. Her cause for beatification, the first step before being officially proclaimed a saint by the Church, is already underway. photo Cists.t.teutets

sister in attendance later described her last day to him. "The sister told me the doctors had arrived and were trying to do emergency treatments," he said, "but it stormed and the electricity suddenly went off in Calcutta and the medical instruments failed. I believe it happened so she could go home to God." "The electricity was off long

enough so the doctors could not revive her. . . . It must have been an answer to Mother's prayer." Father McGuire said. "And so she went to God, as she would always say, with her shoes on. But that was her spirit. As long as there was one person in need of love, that was the driving force In her life, because to her, that - CNS person was Jesus."

Jewish convert chooses heritage to sculpt life statue T

By Cathy Blankenau Bender

culptor Sondra Janson says her statue of "Rachel Weeping for Her Children" at a Nebraska Fatima shrine stands as a prayer that all people "may realise the gift of life." jonson, a magma cum laude graduate of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, has been a professional sculptor for 15 years and has done numerous religious works. Her newest, of Rachel, is the latest addition to the statues in the Fatima shrine at St Germanus Church in Arapahoe in

southwestern Nebraska. In 1996, Jonson In Jonson's sculpture. an empty blanket was asked by Father Mel Rempe, her pas- lies across Rachel's lap and her face is full tor at St John's Church in Cambridge, who of sorrow. is also the pastor in Arapahoe, if she would The artist said: "Rachel seems to say, 'Here sketch ideas for a new memorial to life to is the blanket in which my child should be placed at the Fatima shrine at St Ger- have nestled against me. It is empty: my manus. heart is more than empty; my sorrow is The artist, the mother of three and a con- beyond words and God alone is my help vert from Judaism to Catholicism, became now. My prayer is not just for myself, but an active member at St John's after settling for all people, that they may realise the gift In Cambridge from Philadelphia in 1994. of life and never willingly destroy it, that The Old Testament figure of Rachel was God may heal and help us all." anguished for not being able to bear chilAt the side of the statue is a rose repredren but later was blessed with two sons. senting life and hope. "It is so satisfying to

Artist Sondra Jonson looks over her creation of -Rachel Weeping for Her Children." prvtc oiss

have created a sculpture with a spiritual message that I can share with my Jewish family as well as with my Christian circle," - Catholic News Service she said.

Pope John Paul's Great Jubilee Year 2000 prayer intentions January

General Intention:

That believers in Christ, of every nation and culture, may increasingly live in communion and reciprocal respect for one another. Mission Intention: That the International Year for the Culture of Peace, drawing inspiration from the Christian mystery of Christmas, may be a source of authentic and lasting peace for all men and women.

Holy Year, a favourable time for repentance and mercy, may foster in us deep and lasting conversion.

Jubilee remembrance of the new martyrs may bring about a renewed missionary spring.

Mission Intention: That the

June

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Saviour, may protect and sustain missionaries in their apostolic work. April

General Intention: That,

through Christians' generous welcome, refugees and immigrants may experience God the February Father's goodness. General Intention: That Christian communities may be Mission Intention: That the such as to welcome all conse- peoples of Africa, torn by discord crated vocations, however and wars, may find in the Gospel the strength to repress any urge diverse they may be. to revenge and violence and to Mission Intention: That the open their hearts to mercy and pilgrims who will visit Rome, reconciliation. Jerusalem and other Christian sanctuaries may become mesMay sengers of the "Good News" of hope for contemporary men and GeneralIntention: That Mary, Mother of the Lord, may be the women. model of faithfulness and genMarch erosity in following Christ. General Intention: That the Mission Intention: That the

General Intention: That Christ - adored and celebrated in the Eucharist' may increasingly be welcomed and shared as Bread of life for the good of the world. Mission Intention: That in China priests, religious men and women and the laity may he animated by an apostolic and Catholic Spirit. July

General Intention: That the followers of the various religions may grow in respecting one another and collaborating to consolidate justice and peace in the world. Mission Intention: That all those who are tried by sickness and loneliness may offer their suffering with Christ for the amversion of the world.

August

Mission Intention: That a

young Christians may unite in testifying that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God come to dwell !among us. Mission Intention: That the Churches of Oceania may work with true missionary Spirit for the propagation of the kingdom of God.

may multiply initiatives of missionary co-operation among the local Churches.

awareness of the univerGeneral Intention: That all revived sal co-responsibility of Bishops

September

General Intention: That scientists and the academic world may find in the search for truth the way to God, the heavenly Father. Mission Intention: That Muslim-Christian relationships may be marked by mutual understanding and respect. October

General Intention:

That young married couples may be sustained by the example and assistance of their parents and other families.

November

General Intention:

That politicians and economists may feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people, giving first place to the most poverty-stricken. Mission Intention: That reflection on the missionary roll of religious institutes may foster the growth of new and holy vocations to the consecrated life. December

General Intention: That the celebration of the Jubilee may become the source of a new commitment in men and women of good will to protect and promote human life. 1/fission Intention: That children may be respected in their dignity and that all child abuse may stop.

The Record. January 20 2000 Page 11

International News

In Brief Garbos meet Pope ROME (CNS) - Pope John Paul told the people who clean up after tourists and pilgrims that the extra visitors were good for Rome. The Pope met on 9 January with Rome's street sweepers and garbage collectors as he paid his annual visit to their intricate Nativity scene. While an increase of tourists and pilgrims during 2000 undoubtedly will mean more work, the Pope asked the workers to be good-natured about it, "well aware of the advantages which the movement of pilgrims and tourists brings to the entire community. Il•

Teen pill 'false' VATICAN CITY (CNS) Hedonistic egoism and poor science underlie the growing popularity of the morningafter pill in Europe to combat teen-age pregnancy, the Vatican's newspaper said in a 12 January article. The article came in the wake of Britain's publicised pilot plan to distribute the morning-after pill to underage girls for free after the girls have a brief consultation with a pharmacist. The morning-after pill. which "provokes the destruction of the already fertilised egg." is "simply abortifacient." the article's author said. In early January. France authorised distribution of the pill in schools without informing parents.

Nun murdered JERUSALEM (CNS) Lebanon's Maronite bishops. led by Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir of Beirut, condemned recent incidents of violence against Christians in Lebanon. They also "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.

Pro-life petition ST PAUL, Minn. (CNS) - A local pro-life group's petition effort to end tax funding of abortions in Minnesota is picking up steam. Neighbours for Life, a St Paul-based, nonpartisan, citizen action group. has accumulated nearly 20,000 signatures on a petition asking state legislators to ban the use of state tax money for abortion.

Lubich honoured ROME, January 13 (ZENIT) Rome authorities named Ciara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, an honourary citizen of Rome, "for the work carried out by the Focolare Movement during its 51-year presence in the Italian capital" and "for having promoted dialogue and understanding between different worlds." The award will be conferred on January 22 at the Roman City Hall, on the Capitoline Hill.

US double standard: Fides VATICAN CITY, January 13 (ZENIT) - The Gospel phrase "don't let your right hand know what your left is doing," aptly describes US policy in Africa, according to the Holy See's missionary agency "Fides." "Fides" published its view following an announcement by US Vice-President Al Gore that he is committed to give additional funds for the struggle against AIDS. Gore said at the United Nations that, beyond the US $225 million allocated to fight the illness that undermined the future of Africa, he would request an additional

US $100 million from Congress to assist those countries lacerated by this virus. During the current year 2000, the US would invest over US $800 million to combat the virus. This was a major decision, given the fact that in 1998 Washington drastically cut funds for humanitarian aid. However, according to recent research by the organisation "Demilitarisation for Democracy," the Clinton Administration allocated US $21.3 billion for armaments, of which US $8.3 billion had been allocated to non-democratic regimes. "Fides" reported

that last November the African Centre for Strategic Studies was founded in Dakar, Senegal. This was the name of a combat school, created by the US Defence Department. The centre was open to highlevel military officers and African civilian leaders. Courses will be taught by retired US officers, who in the past participated in similar undertakings in Latin America, which gave birth to a controversial generation of military leaders. Registration in this military institution was handled through US

Embassies in the African countries. The only countries excluded were those sanctioned by a UN embargo or those suspected of funding terrorism. The limitations did not affect leaders of regimes at war or representatives of dictatorships. According to "Demilitarisation for Democracy," 43 African countries, 26 with non-democratic governments, had US military advisers. In 199Z nine of the 11 countries involved in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo received arms and instructors from the US.

Kosovo Christians 'a Muslim target' Avila saint VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Kosovo's Christians are facing increasing violence from militant Muslims in the war-scarred southern Yugoslavian province, said Fides, the Vatican's missionary news agency Jesuit Father Mato fakovic, coordinator of Jesuit Refugee Services in Macedonia and Kosovo, said in a 12 January Fides report that Catholic cemeteries in the cities of Prizren and Pec had been destroyed. In his most recent report Fr Mato said that Catholic cemeteries in Prizren and Pec had been destroyed and the vandals "still unidentified" profaned the graves of Bishop Nikola Prela and Mgr Nikola Mini. The Fides report said the relatives of priests are "ever more frequently maltreated," adding that the homes of relatives of two Franciscans were torched on 6

December. Ethnic Serbs, who were mostly Orthodox Christians, also faced continuing shootings and home-burnings. "At least 250,000 Serbs and Gypsies have left the area and those who remain live in small protected enclaves but they constantly fear being attacked," the news agency said Fides said the more than 2,000strong UN police force, installed last summer after NATO's 11week bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, found it difficult to keep order "because not many of them speak the local languages." An effort to incorporate some 200 Kosovar police officers was inadequate, the agency said. Also complicating matters was ethnic Albanian vigilantism and confusion over which law should be applied in the province. "Yugoslavian law is no longer valid since the status of the terri-

tory has yet to be defined." Fides said. authorities International favoured applying the law which was in force until Yugoslavia's 1989 revocation of Kosovo's local rule, "but Kosovar judges are not happy," the agency said. In the meantime attacks against Kosovar Serbs continue. On 9 January a Serb was shot dead in front of his home at Gnjilane in east Kosovo. A spokesman for the UN Mission in Kosovo said the aggressors spoke Albanian. On the same day, two Serb homes were set on fire. "To add to the confusion, a selfproclaimed minister of internal affairs is authorising certain civilians to make police operations in the name of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, including arrests and house-to-house searches," Fides reported.

Child soldiers liberated to Caritas' care MAKENI. January 14 (ZENM. - After fighting for years in guerrilla columns in Sierra Leone. hundreds of child-soldiers are being liberated and welcomed in centres established by Caritas in Lungi and Port Loko, in the diocese of Makeni. The announcement was made by Bishop Giorgio Biguzzi of Makeni. "We must do cartwheels to be able to take them all in." the Bishop said. Last week in Kabala alone - some 100 kilometres north of Makeni. 260 children were freed. Now "we need funds to carry out a project that will free these young victims forever from horror and a future of death." The liberation of the child-soldiers was the first

petition the Catholic Church made to the rebels. The Church has had to buy freedom for each of the child-soldiers. Bishop Biguzzi said the "situation is more peaceful now, and life begins again." "Of course the liberation of the child-soldiers is of great benefit to the peace process and represents a clear sign of hope for the future of Sierra Leone," a country that has been devastated for years by civil war. Bishop Biguzzi participated in the Children's Jubilee held in Rome on 2 January, in the presence of the Holy Father, in the company of 10 boys he had liberated from war.

promoted as Doctor

January 14 MADRID. (ZENIT) - The Spanish Episcopal Conference has petitioned the Holy See. requesting the Holy Father to declare St John of Avila a doctor of the Universal Church. The Bishops highlight the figure of the saint as a model for the new evangelisation in his work as catechist and pioneer in educational and cultural pastoral care, but also because of his concern for vocations, and his outstanding life of poverty and prayer. In his preaching and writings St John of Avila stressed the sacramental dimension of Christianity, particularly the Eucharist. St John of Avila was the founder of a University and numerous schools, as well as three centres for the continuing education of the clergy. In addition, he was the author of an original catechism in verse, which was so successful "that the Jesuits used it in their schools: it was used in the greater part of Spain. especially in America. and even in Africa." the Episcopal Conference emphasised.

Early cyber birds appear to have caught Vatican 'worm' By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican says the Practice is underhanded, but people who have registered Internet addresses similar to the Vatican's say ills good business. The Vatican owns the Internet domain name vatican.va, but not its major variations, vatican.com and vatican.org. World Wide Web businesses, private citizens who have something to say about religion - good or bad - and cyber squatters who buy a name hoping to resell it at a high price have staked a claim on the Vatican name. Domain names are registered on a strictly first-come, first-served basis; the only protected names are trademarks. Although the Vatican had no plans for a Web site in 1996, US Archbishop John Foley realised it was important to reserve the Vatican's name. However, no one thought to register vatican.com and vatican.org, he told Catholic News Service. Squatting was not a well-known problem then, said the archbishop, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. "I thought that once we had vatican.va we had all the variations," he said. The Vatican has exclusive control over the suffix .va, which is the international code for Vatican City State. Any Internet or Web

The Record, January 20 2000 Page'12

address containing the suffix is authorised by a spokeswoman for Network Solutions which the Vatican and can be trusted, the archbish- controls the worldwide registry of all .com, .org and .net domains. op said. But, for the Vatican, the problem is that someAlthough il ls possible to contest domain one surfing the Web probably would assume ownership on the basis that the name was that "vatican.com" and "vatican.org" have a registered in bad faith, no action is pending against Beals, said Nancy Huddleston, the Vatican connection. They do not. In early January, Italian media reported that Network Solutions spokeswoman. While Network Solutions registers names, it a website at www.vatican.org imitated the Vatican's official site, but included irreverent does not police the use of the names, she said. The owners of two Italian domains with the material and altered papal speeches. Vatican.org is registered to Gerald Beals, a Vatican name say their sites will never carry non-Catholic who lives in Massachusetts. information the Vatican would find objectionHe said he claimed the domain name able. Venanzo Bruzzechesse, who lives in central because he is "interested in religion." He also Italy, says his vaticano.com, will feature useowns papacy.com. In a telephone interview with CNS, Beals ful, respectful information about the Vatican said he has never posted anything on vati- along with paid advertising for anything that can.org. The anti-Vatican Web page posted is not obscene. Giancarlo DeMenna, the Rome co-owner of there until 7 January was the work of a hackvaticano.org, claims his site will be constructer, he said. Beals said he would describe himself as "a ed in co-operation with the Vatican Museum conservative Christian" and that if he ever to publicise the museum's lesser-known holdposted anything on the site it would reflect ings. The museum press office said it knew nothing about the planned site. that point of view. Bruzzechesse said he does not see an ethiWhen asked what he thought of Pope John Paul II, he said, "I would consider him one of cal problem with knowing that people will the most influential figures of the century - type www.vaticano.com and find his privatemostly for good." Beals was first to claim the ly owned site. "They will arrive at the Vatican," he said. address and has paid his US $70 fee, which gives him rights to the name until 2001, said "We'll help them get there with a hyperlink."

International News

UK nun leaves Loretos over women priests, Pill said that the invention of the pill, of artificial means of contracepMANCHESI'ER, England (CNS) tion, had been one of the most - A well-known British nun important scientific discoveries of announced she will leave reli- the 20th century, in that it had gious life after coming under pres- allowed women, for the first time, sure from the Vatican to declare control over their own fertility." It was this view, she said, that support for Church teaching against contraception and caused problems with the doctrinal congregation. women's ordination. She said she was upset by the Sister Lavinia Byrne, known for her broadcasting and writing, doctrinal congregation's insisannounced on 12 January that she tence that she should publicly was seeking to be dispensed from state her support for 1968 and her vows as a member of the Insti- 1994 papal documents on Church teaching. tute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "It does seem to trivialise the "My dilemma of conscience came when I was asked by the Catholic faith and tradition to Congregation for the Doctrine of reduce it to two statements which the Faith to make a public state- have only been fairly recently ment saying that I supported issued - if they'd asked me about 'Humanae Vitae' and the papal the Creed. I would have had no document restricting priestly problem with that," she said. Pope Paul VI's 1968 encyclical. ordination to men only.I am profoundly sad that this is whyIhave "Htunanae Vitae," affirmed severto leave," she said in a 12 January al other popes' teachings against statement. artificial contraception; Pope John She told CNS the same day: In Paul ll's 1994 apostolic letter, my book Women at the Altar' I "Ordinatio Sacerdotal's," said the By Paulinus Barnes

Church "has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women." Sister Byrne is a regular broadcaster on the British Broadcasting Corporation's Radio 4 "Today" program, where she presents a short "Thought for the Day." She teaches theology and frequently writes in the British Catholic press. Sister Byrne has been a member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary for 35 years. She said she would remain a Catholic and an enthusiastic supporter of her religious communiSister Byrne said she wrote "Women at the Altar," published in 1993, "in total good faith at a time when discussion about women priests was the subject of open debate, especially in the UK." "Subsequently the book was condemned by the (doctrinal congregation), who introduced retroactive sanctions against it and

forbade its distribution from St John's Press in Collegeville, Minnesota, where it has either been burned or warehoused," she said. The book is still available in the United Kingdom, where it was published by a secular publisher. Sister Byrne said she would continue her work at the Cambridge Theological Federation, preparing students from the Anglican, Methodist and United Reformed Churches for ordination and preparing Catholic women for active ministry in the Church. In her CNS interview, Sister Byrne said she made her decision to leave religious life during a Christmas visit to New York "I read in the paper there that more than 3 million Catholics had been to Mass in New York over Christmas, and I wondered how many dollars that represented to the Church -Ialso wondered how many of those people were not obeying the Church's teaching on birth control," she said. "Just before I went to the States, one of

Pope Israel go ahead By John Davis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican confirmed that Pope John Paul II will travel to Jordan. Israel and Palestinian territories in March on his long-awaited visit to the Holy Land. The highlights of the 20-26 March visit include liturgies in Jerusalem and Bethlehem and meetings with representatives of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The Pope will also celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Israel, which became a site of controversy last year when Muslims announced plans to build a mosque next to the church. The Vatican announced the trip on 12 January after several months of talks with Israeli. Palestinian and Jordanian officials. The Vatican statement noted the main events but did not provide a detailed schedule of the Pope's visit, his first to the Holy Land. In Jerusalem, Latin-rite Patriarch Michel Sabbah said on 12 January that the Pope would also visit the city's Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and a Palestinian refugee camp near Bethlehem. In Jordan, the Pope will visit a pilgrimage site on the Jordan River commemorating Jesus' baptism, he said. Despite continuing problems in the region. the Pope was determined to make the trip during the jubilee year, which commemorates the 2,000th anniversary of Christ's birth. In Jordan, from 20-21 March, the Pope will also visit the Monastery of Mount Nebo, the mountain from which Moses looked upon the promised land of Canaan after leading the Israelite tribes to safety. He will also celebrate Mass in a stadium in Amman, the capital, and hold meetings with Jordanian King Abdullah II. In Israel and the Palestinian territories from 21-26 March. the pontiff will celebrate Masses in Bethlehem; at the Cenacle, or Hall of the Last Supper, on Mount Zion in Jerusalem; at the Mount of Beatitudes near the Sea of Galilee; at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth; and at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The Vatican said the Pope would be accom-

place. Patriarch Sabbah said the local Church welcomed the Pope and the realisation of his desire to visit the Holy Land. "The Pope has always wanted to visit the Holy Land, and now he is realising his hope and (the local Church) is welcoming him." Patriarch Sabbah said at a press conference. 'This is a religious and spiritual visit, and we expect spiritual fruits for the local Christian Church. "We hope the meeting with religious leaders will bring about more openness and more fraternity among all Christians and among all religions," he said. The Pope will bring a message of peace. justice and reconciliation to the region. said Patriarch Sabbah. "The Pope's message is always for the whole world and for all human beings," he added. Wadie Abunasser, executive director of the Office of the Great Jubilee of the Holy Land who is also in charge of press co-ordination for the local Church, said more details of the Pope's pilgrimage would be forthcoming. Patriarch Sabbah said security for the Pope's pilgrimage would be handled by those authorities in charge of the locations the Pope visits. Patriarch Sabbah said that in Jerusalem that means de facto the Israelis will be responsiThousands of Christians process to a site near the ble for security Jordan River on 7 January that Pope John Paul "De facto that is what is existing here," he intends to visit. Christ is believed to have been bapsaid. "But de facto does not mean de jure? tised by John the Baptist at this spot. The ChrisThe Pope's visit to Nazareth is not an inditians were marking the opening of the location to cation that the controversy over the mosque tourists. The area had to be cleared of land mines has been solved, said Patriarch Sabbah. it before could be opened to the public for the Similarly, he said. the Pope's visit to the JorJubilee year. Photo CV,Reuters danian Wadi al Kharrar baptismal site on the 'milled by Catholic bishops from the Holy Jordan River does not indicate any papal supLand and would also hold a meeting with the port of the site as the true location of Jesus' heads of other Christian churches in the area. baptism. • The Pope will make an overnight trip to In Jerusalem, the Pope will greet Jewish religious authorities at the Western Wall, or Wail- Mount Sinai in Egypt in late February, an ing Wall, the place most venerated by Jews, Egyptian government spokesman announced. The spokesman said on 15 January that the and will meet briefly with Muslim representatives at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the ancient Pope would arrive in Egypt on 25 or 26 February and return to Rome the following day. centre of Muslim worship. The highlight of the trip would be a visit to The Pope was to hold meetings with Israeli President Ezer Weizman, with Israeli Prime the fourth-century monastery of St Catherine, Minister Ehud Barak and with Palestinian which lies to the north of Mount Sinai, the place where Moses was called to lead his peoNational Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. The Vatican did not specify when and where ple out of slavery and received the Ten Comthe meetings with political leaders would take mandments.

Vatican prepares to publish results of cohabit discussion VATICAN CITY (CNS) - After bringing from the 3-14 December meeting "to give a together a small group of scholars late in 1999 certain order, a certain logic to all these proto examine the growing practice of unmarried posals," the family council expected to pubcouples living together, the Vatican was lish a booklet by June, Mgr Di Felice said. preparing to publish the group's findings, an The official declined to name who particiofficial said. pated in the cohabitation meeting, but said it Officials at the Pontifical Council for the was a very small group. Family "are gathering together the material The issue of cohabitation has come under which came from suggestions of these pro- increasing Vatican scrutiny. fessors, experts," Mgr Francesco di Felice, the During a September family council meeting council's undersecretary, said on 12 January. with the heads of the European bishops' famAfter editing the written and taped content ily commissions, speakers warned that weak-

ening the institution of marriage by granting equal legal status to cohabiting partners was morally unacceptable and undermined society. "The institution of marriage guarantees the nature of social commitment in favour of the weaker members, especially the children," said Italian Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi of Genoa, one of the meeting participants. "Therefore, the stability which political powers must guarantee is not a strictly religious good, but a human good."

our sisters, who was not much older thanIam, died, and it made me realise that life is too short to go on pretending about things that you do not believe in? In an 11 January statement, the order's provincial, Sister Cecilia Goodman, said the English province had been saddened by Sister Byrne's decision. "She has been a greatly valued member of the IBVM for the past 35 years," she said. "We accept that each individual must ultimately follow the dictates of her own conscience, and in the light of that we can only accept her decision to forge a new path. "She knows that she has our warm good wishes in her future as a lay member of the Church. Now that Lavinia Byrne has made her decision, it would no longer be appropriate for her religious superiors to comment on her stance in respect to the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith," she said.

God is on our side: faith heads NAIROBI. Kenya (CNS) Kenyan religious leaders declared God was on their side as thousands gathered at Uhuru Park mandated them to proceed in spearheading the country's deadlocked constitutional review process. A rare public prayer meeting on 11 January brought together leaders from nearly all faiths in the country. who resolved that Kenyans would only accept a people-driven and religious-groups led constitutional review process. The prayers were attended by more than 22 opposition members of Parliament, political party leaders and members of civil society, who seemed to see the religious leaders as trustees of the constitutional review. The religious leaders told the crowd they would be guided by three principles: transparency, accessibility and accountability toward the people. The steering committee announced it would hold a second forum at Nairobi's Christian Leadership Centre on 27 January to present and discuss programs of action. Earlier, Catholic leaders said the Church would not compromise its position in favour of an all-inclusive and peopledriven constitutional review process. Restating the Church's position to a packed Holy Family Basilica, Bishop John Njue of Embu, chairman of the Kenyan bishops' conference, said the religious leaders would lead Kenyans in reviewing the constitution and would not relent in criticising the government whenever it went wrong or abdicated its responsibilities to citizens. In September, Kenya's bishops criticised government inaction on the constitutional review process and launched a program to educate people about the procedure. They initiated the program as the deadline approached for a new constitution before the 2002 general election.

The Record, January 20 2000 Page 13

Asian Catholic News

Political relations top Indian Church list NEW DELHI, India (CNS) - A review of the Indian Catholic Church's relations with the country's pro-Hindu federal government tops the Church's list of priorities for the new year, said the president of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of India. The threatened situation of Christians under the pro-Hindu Indian Peoples' Party-led coalition government has made it necessary to review Church-government relations. said Archbishop Alan de Lastic of Delhi, bishops' conference president "The Christian community is alert and aware of challenges that seem to threaten its identity and existence," he said. reported UCA News. an Asian Church news agency based in Thailand. Christian leaders say that during the 13-month period of the Indian People's Party government since March, 1998, missionaries and Christian institutions were the target of more than 100 violent attacks from Hindu nationalist groups. Archbishop de Lastic said the Church could not remain silent in the face of such attacks. To be "effective in the service of the nation," the Church needed guidelines on "how to react to the government with programs that would rectify injustice," he said.

"When the government doesn't do its duty, the Church must act as the conscience of the nation," said Archbishop de Lastic. He added that three major Church meetings in January in the southern Indian city of Chennai would help the Church formulate Its policies. Archbishop de Lastic said the Church should have close relations with government because Its "mission cannot function in a vacuum." adding that the Church shared concern for the country's problems such as poverty and injustice. The media co-ordinator for the 16-24 January general meeting of the country's bishops said the meeting might polarise the prelates who wanted to take an aggressive stand against the government and those who did not want to do so. Father John Noronha said several bishops wanted the Church to play a low-profile role - for instance, to not go to the media to air grievances. Father Arland jojo, the bishops' conference assistant general secretary, said the bishops would together issue guidelines on "how the Church should work with the government without antagonising anybody."

Belo asks Muslims to forgive DILL, East Timor (UCAN) - Salesian Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, apostolic administrator of Dili, asked forgiveness for past wrongs from Indonesian Muslims and congratulated them on the occasion of Id al-Fitr day. "From the depth of my heart and on behalf of Catholics in Dili diocese,Icongratulate Muslims on Id al-Fur day and beg pardon for mistakes in the past, especially in connection with interreligious relations," Bishop Belo told UCA News in Dili on 8 January. Bishop Belo said that living together with "Indonesian brothers and sisters" during the 24-year integration gave him a good lesson for building interreligious harmony in the newly-independent East Timor. He said he was happy about the mutual understanding and co-

operation between Christians and the minority Muslims in East Timor after the UN-sponsored referendum last August was helping the poor and displaced people. "Based on the common life experiences, we are determined to cooperate to build East Timor toward a more just, peaceful, and democratic welfare society in the future," Bishop Belo said. As in previous years, he said he looked forward to visiting Muslim leaders in Dili and An-Nur (light) Mosque, the oldest mosque in Dili on Id al-Fitr, the feast that ends the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan on 8-9 January this year. Hundreds of Dili's Muslims attended the Id al-Fitr prayer at An-Nur Mosque. The number was much lower than in previous years, because most migrant Muslims had

Bishop Belo

returned to Indonesia. The mosque was built with help from the late Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart the first bishop of Dili.

Catholic church burns Seminarian A man walks past a destroyed Catholic church on the Indonesian island of Lombok last Tuesday, 18 January. Thousands of angry Indonesian Muslims went on an anti-Christian rampage destroying at least 11 churches and burning shops. Witnesses said the riots erupted after a Muslim rally urging an end to Muslim-Christian bloodshed turned violent. Signs saying 'Death to Christians' were painted on several buildings. Violence between Muslims and Christians on the Islands has raged for more than a year.

first to die

ENDE, (FIDES) - A 29-yearold Indonesian Catholic seminarian, El.ater Yosef Jami, belonging to the Divine Word Mission Society, was killed on 1 January. He is the first missionary martyr of the year 2000. For reasons, still unknown, Prater Jarni was attacked by an unidentified gang, while walking along the beach at Ende in the afternoon of I January. His body was discovered at dawn on 2 January and transported immediately to Ende hospital where he was confirmed dead. The funeral was held on 4 January. Frater Yosef jami was born on 11 January in 1972 at Ladok, Ruteng (Flores). He was admitted to the Divine Word Novitiate in Kuwu. Ruteng. He made his first vows on 2 August, 1995.

Hindu threats force nuns to leave BETTIAR India (UCAN) - Hindu extremists' threats have forced nine nuns to leave an eastern Indian state mission, while several missioners have stayed on but under police protection. The Daughters of Mary Immaculate nuns left their convent in the Madhubani district of Bihar state, but a Catholic priest and some 20 Protestant pastors have remained, guarded by police. The nuns moved out on 21 December following repeated warnings from Hindu militants to "evacuate." They said that the nuns would "not survive to celebrate Christmas" if they did not leave the convent, Church sources added. "Unfortunately the situation still remains precariously menacing," said Jesuit Bishop John Baptist Thakur of Muzaffarpur, whose diocese includes the mission. Bishop Thakur said he expected the situaNew Delhi Archbishop Alan de Lastic joins other religious leaders in New Delhi tion to calm down soon and the nuns to be back to on 30 December last year to pray for an end to the Indian Airlines hijacking. their convent, "but now I have asked them not to

return until normalcy is restored." Six armed men ransacked the Madhubani mission on the night of 23 December and looked for the mission's Jesuit Father Sudeep Chacko. he said. The priest escaped attack since he was then out Christmas shopping, he added. Father Chacko said that despite the incident and threats to the mission, "we had a grand Midnight Christmas Mass" at which "many of our Hindu friends, too, joined us." The service was conducted under armed police protection. On Christmas night, some 100 members of Hindu jagran Manch (Hindu awakening front) gathered in protest outside the nearby Protestant Christ the King Academy Church, Father Chacko said. A Manch member alleged that a Christian tried to force his Hindu wife to convert to Christianity and that the woman had been held in the church campus.

Protestants deny Catholics ecumenical church for midnight Mass SERUI, Indonesia (UCAN) - Catholics in a resettlement area in Indonesia's easternmost Irian Jaya province attended a Christmas liturgy in a tent, since they were denied the use of an ecumenical church built by the government. Catholic settlers in Yapen Waropen district on Yapen Island, northwest of layapura, the provincial capital, had to set up a makeshift tent in the yard of a Catholic family only hours before the Christmas liturgy was to begin. Catholics had to find a new venue for the Mass after Protestants informed them that the ecumenical church was needed for the Protestants' Christmas service, Laurens Tae TheRecord,:Januars&20 2000- Page14

Seran, leader of the migrant Catholic com- Waropen district for three Christian munity in Waropen Bawah subdistrict, told denominations including the Catholic Church. UCA News on 25 December. The denominations take turns in using went notification the although Seran said church for Sunday liturgy. the against an earlier agreement among the Waren subdistrict, local Catholics held n I three Christian denominations that liturgy in a classroom of a local Christmas allowed Catholics to use the church for the school building. high public midnight liturgy, Catholics left the Church Kobogou, leader of a Catholic Lukas and built the tent church. community in Waren subdistrict, told UCA "As a minority group, we left the church News on 26 December that although the and built the tent in the yard of a home of liturgy was held in a classroom and witha Catholic family for the liturgy," said Seran, out a priest, local Catholics were happy. a migrant from western Timor in Nusa Kobogou, a soldier, said that priests rarely Tenggara Timur (NTT) province. visit the Waren parish station, and there is The government built the ecumenical no catechist. Several laypeople used to lead the Liturchurch in Bath Zaman village of Yapen

gy of the Word and prayer meetings in the neighbourhood. "I am an active military member, but I also take turn leading the Liturgy of the Word," said Kobogou, a father of five. L Hub', a police officer and chairman of the pastoral council of Waren parish station, said the number of Catholic migrants has declined. Although some 450 families arrived from NTT in 1996, now only some 200 remain, he said. Hubi added that many Catholic migrants have returned to NTI' as their farmlands were not productive, while others moved to Nabire district to try traditional gold mining.

Record EYE OCATCHER

BUILDING TRADES PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd for all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Phone Tom Perrott 9444 1200.

Deadline for classie ads: 5pm Monday Phone 9227 7778

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE

SEEKING ACCOMMODATION

WIN SUM SUN BREZ Kalbarri, 2 b/r, s/c home, Tel. Pat (08) 9572 3297

PRIVATE board available. Prefer female student. Close to transport, university, colleges. Ph: 0401 031 584.

ROOM with Italian family with 1 meal a day preferably north of river close to beach.

LIC. PLUMBER/gas fitter, Contact John on 9457 7771, Mobile 0412 185209.

SIGNS/ADVERTISING

K AVANAGH'S POOL SERVICE, for all your pool needs. Ph 9349 0223.

KIWI Signs and Advertising Ring Graham on 9244 2944

CARPENTER, qual. tradesman Ph: Graham, mob. 0417 900 054.

STATUES

BRICK re-pointing. Phone Nigel 9242 2952 PICASSO Painting. Top service. Phone 9345 0557 MACCA'S Building and Maintenance. No job too small. Phone 9451 1481.

MUSIC TUITION TEACHER of Piano & Electronic Organ has some vacancies for students of any age. Enjoy learning music. Phone Thelma 9316 4493.

SACRED Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary statues suitable for church or chapel. Donation. Call 0418 917 371.

ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE SUDDENLY - single, celibate. practical Catholic gentleman. seeks residential accompaniment of fellow Marian devotee in Franciscan simplicity, in quiet Como villa. Please call Mark on 9450 7610 before 4pm.

UNIT for rent. Near new, Vic Park, quiet location, close to Uni and shops, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, S180 per week. Tel. 9397 6449, 9397 5560.

THANKS Holy Spirit you solve all problems, light all roads. so that I can attain my goals. You gave me the divine gift, to forgive and forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you, for all things as I confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you ever, in spite of all material illusions. I wish to be with you in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy toward me and mine. Grateful thanks for favours received from the Holy Spirit. AB

ear, R

No: 3190

ISSN: 1327 - 3531

Managing Editor: Postal address: Street address:

David Kehoe PO Box 75, Leederville, WA, 6902 587 Newcastle Street. West Perth. WA. 6005. Phone: (08) 9227 7080. Fax: (08) 9227 7087 e-mail: cathrec@iinet.net.au Publisher: Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth. The Record, established in 1874, is distributed to Catholic churches. presbyteries. religious houses and subscribers throughout the Archdiocese of Perth and the Dioceses of Geraldton. Bunbury and Broome. Advertising rates Display: $6 col cm. Classifieds: $3 a line Deadlines: Editorial: Tuesday, first mail. Advertising: Booking: Monday midday. Copy: Tuesday midday. Aust Catholic Press Association: Aust Religious Member: Press Association. The Record follows the Holy Spirit's teaching at the Second Vatican Council on the role of the Catholic print media. The Record will not return copy or photographs submitted for publication unless specifically requested in writing upon submission. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any material submitted and to edit such material for clarity and brevity without recourse to the author.

JANUARY 2000 10th Annual Flame Congress, John XXIII College Auditorium - Archbishop Hickey

Australia Day Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving ( Australian Irish Heritage Association), St Mary's Cathedral - Bishop Healy

44Issyr1V-C) Classified ads: $3 per line

Official Engagements

Fundraising Dinner for Vietnamese Community Archbishop Hickey

Australia Day Flag-Raising. Citizenship and Local Government Awards Ceremony. Council House Archbishop Hickey Australia Day Flag Raising Ceremony (Combined Rotary Clubs of South Perth and City of South Perth), Bishop Healy.

FEBRUARY 1

Jubilee Mass for Staff in Catholic Schools. Challenge Stadium - Archbishop Hickey. Bishop Healy

WA Studies Forum Dinner. Government House Archbishop Hickey

CHRISTENING

Your message reaches readers of

The Rosa Linen now the Galleria Bimbi. We stock Perth's largest selection of Christening and Holy Communion gowns. Ph: 9275 8252.

The Record

Archdiocesan Panorama WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday 3 March. Copies of the service book, music and other information available from Mrs Jan Graham 9291 9424, a/hours 9291 7352. City Service at Perth Trinity Uniting Church. 72 St George's Terrace at 1pm on this day. AUSTRALIA DAY HOLY HOUR A Holy Hour (Rosary and Benediction). Wed 26 Jan at St Francis Xavier Church. 25 Windsor St. East Perth from 3-4pm. All are welcome. THE KNIGHTS OF THE IMMACULATE A Marian-Franciscan association for young single men (15-30). who live their Christian vocation heroically through Marian Consecration. Next meeting: 5 Feb, 2pm, St Vincent de Paul Centre. 15 Bronte St, East Perth. Under direction of the Franciscans of the Immaculate. Mass, Rosary, f ormation classes. Contact: Fr Joseph M. Mary 9574 5204 or Joseph Galea 9444 4003. IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES Fri 11 Feb. with Rosary and torchlight procession around Lake Monger. Starts 7.00pm, north-west c orner at Dodd Street. All welcome, especially families. Paths are wheelchair and stroller-accessible. Contact: Judy Woodward 9446 6837.

Como. All are welcome. PERTH ECUMENICAL TAIZE GROUP Lenten Hour of Prayer using music and style of Taize. Sun 12 March, 7.30pm. St Peter's Anglican Church. 11 Leonard St, Vic Park. Inq: 9361 1233. SUNDAY MASS AT BULLSBROOK Mass for the Jubilee will be celebrated every Sunday at midday to assist pilgrim groups at the Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Reconciliation available. All welcome. Inquiries: SACRI 9447 3292. BULLSBROOK PILGRIMAGE Next pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation. 36 Chittering Rd. Bullsbrook: Jan 30. 2.00pm. Rosary. homily. Benediction and Blessing of the Sick. Confessions at 11.30am. Bus bookings 9277 5378. Info: 9447 3292. FAMILY PRAYER CRUSADE Palm Sunday Procession and Passion Play. 16 April. 2-4pm. Procession with Blessed Sacrament through city streets begins 2pm from the Esplanade. After Benediction and address. a Passion Play will be performed in Forrest Place. Contact: Fr Paul 9223 1350.

DAY WITH MARY - HAMILTON HILL

HEALING MASS

29 Jan, 9.30-5.30. BYO lunch. A day of prayer and instruction based on the messages of Fatima. A lso: hymns. music. Mass, rosaries, confession, processions and Eucharistic adoration. Inquiries 9574 5204, Franciscans of the Immaculate.

World Day of the Sick. Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. 11 Feb, St Mary's Cathedral. Principal celebrant: Archbishop Hickey. 7pm Rosary and 7.30pm Mass.

DIVINE MERCY

Sun 6 Feb. after 5pm Mass. Speaker: Raymond de Souza.Teenagers and young adults invited to ask any questions they wish to about the Catholic Church. 450 Hay St. Perth. Contact: Fr Paul 9223 1350 or Raymond de Souza 9453 9177.

St Mary's Cathedral. Vic Square, Sun 6 Feb. 1.30pm. Program: Rosary and Reconciliation. Sermon: Fr Jordan Perry OP followed by Divine Mercy prayers and Benediction. Inq: John 9457 7771. Adam 9448 0002. CHINESE NEW YEAR MASS The Chinese Catholic Community of WA invites you to celebrate the Eucharist for the Chinese Year of the Dragon, 6 Feb. 5.30pm. Holy Family Church. cnr Thelma St and Canning Highway.

C ATHEDRAL YOUTH FORUM

CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM Invitation to join Couples for Christ. Membership open to Catholics and other Christians. All validly married couples. all male or female singles are welcome to join. St Francis of Assisi Hall, 6 Lilian Rd. Maida Vale, Fri 28 Jan. 7pm.

Perth's youth pilgrims prepare for Roman gig Continued from Page 1 With an average attendance of 70 young people and adult supporters, monthly preparation meetings have been offering a program of spiritual, practical and financial preparation.. The first meeting in 2000 is scheduled for 7pm on the 25th of January. Ms Prentice said any interested people could contact her or Derek Boylen at Catholic Youth Ministry on (08) 9221 5904 or cym@cymperth.iinet.net.au. The main events of the 14-20 August celebration in Rome will be a vigil on 19 August and a

Mass on 20 August, both presided over by the Pope in a field on the outskirts of Rome. The preliminary attendance estimate is one million young people, but officials are preparing to accommodate up to twice as many. The huge numbers have led organisers to plan for very limited movements of groups into the city centre, where the Vatican and Rome's major religious sites are located. Meeting with Vatican officials from Saturday to last liresday, the national youth ministry representatives discussed everything from catechesis programs to accommodations during the World Youth Day program. When partic-

ipants in the Vatican planning session took a tour of the Mass site, which stands adjacent to a branch of the Rome university, bulldozers were levelling the groundwork for the papal altar and widening roads. Over coming months, workmen will install electricity, phone lines and dozens of service areas throughout the field, where food, water and medical assistance will be provided. As youth day approaches, giant TV screens will be added to each sector of the site, along with sound and lighting systems. The Pope recently toured the site by helicopter and said it

looked good, according to Vatican young people will check in and officials. receive orientation. "One thing we is there will be a lot of walkknow They said he also remembered ing." the heat in France three years ago, "This will be a pilgrimage in the noting that the Rome field offers sense of the word," he said. literal virtually no protection from the young people to advised He summer sun. bring a pair of comfortable shoes. US bishops' secretariat for famBasilian Father Thomas Rosica. ily, laity, women and youth direc- in Rome to help plan the Canaditor Richard McCord said Church an participation at World Youth officials in Rome were working to Day, said he was impressed that co-ordinate logistics, such as food, about 300,000 Roman families transportation and accommoda- had pledged to open up their tion, so that they do not become homes to accommodate young a distraction during the youth day people, following a promotional activities. campaign by the Italian church. Toronto, Canada. is expected to He said one good sign was the deep level of involvement at host the next international World Rome parishes, where most of the Youth Day gathering in 2002. The Record, January 20.2000 Page 15

The Last Word

This agent's gun definitely not for hire By Kris Radish

I j ric Szatkowski lives in a world of crime, corruption and callousness that would more than shake the faith of most people, but he has learned to use his belief in God as the most powerful weapon he carries. Szatkowski, 38, is a special agent for the Wisconsin Department of Justice. His days and nights are filled with the crimes that often lead off the nightly news. He investigates murders, arrests sexual predators and has developed the unique specialty of posing as an undercover hit man. When a disgruntled woman wants to kill her husband or a husband puts out the word that he is looking for someone to kill his wife, Szatkowski is the man who slicks back his hair, drives through the night, and poses as a hired killer. "My Catholic faith is a very Important part of my life and what I do for a living," said Szatkowski, who with his family is an active member of a parish within the Milwaukee Archdiocese. "I really don't think that I could do what I do day in and day out if I did not have a strong faith," he told the Catholic Herald in an Interview conducted in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Holding to that faith has not always been easy for Szatkowski. He spent years being angry at God. -Today I truly believe that God cares about me and my family," he said. "1 really do feel as if God has a plan for me, and it's a plan that I follow very eagerly" As a young boy growing up in

Photo - CMS/Alen Frederickson/Calholic Herald

The work of special agent Erfc Szaffrowid requires kir pose RS al 111111116 cover hit man. He says kis jab at tire Wbcartsie Department et Justice, Saw" fits with his belief in the impedance at defending ill&

the Milwaukee area, Szatkowski attended weekly Mass with his parents, was an altar boy and attended the parish school He said his Polish Catholic upbringing was important to him. but in 1985, his faith was shaken. He watched his father. Waclaw - a Polish immigrant who sur-

vived the Nazi regime - die a slow and painful death from stomach cancer. At the time, Szatkowski was working as a broadcast journalist in Madison. He was married and until his father's illness he felt as if everything was just as it should be. His

father died, and less than a year ited with the pontiff in Rome. later his mother, Lucy, was hospi- "Both were incredible, faithtalised when her diabetes spun instilling experiences," he said. His wife said the change in her out of control. She seemed to improve, but died husband was noticeable almost immediately, as if a great wall of of a heart attack Szatkowski had to face his anger, peace had washed over him. his grief, and the loss of the guid"Now, God is the most important ing hand of his mother. thing in his life and it's like he He and his wife had a baby, a needs this special kind of nourdaughter, and he left journalism ishment each week that he can to become an FBI agent, but that only find by going to church," she didn't work out. said. Szatkowski said he kept going to She said her husband's renewed church but it was only a gesture faith has strengthened and deepto make his wife happy. ened her own faith, which also Eventually he found his way gives her great comfort, especialback into law enforcement with ly because of the dangerous the Wisconsin Department of Jus- nature of Szatkowski's work. tice, where he found a profession "He is often in a great deal of that he loved. danger, and we all take great comHe and his wife had another fort in knowing that if anything child, a son, and then his faith were to happen to him that he journey got back on track, while would be safe in the arms of God," he was preparing for a difficult she added. murder-for-hire trial and his "It really helps us get through daughter was preparing for her some pretty tough days." first Communion. I bugh days are a way of life for "I thought there was something Szatkowski. missing in my heart about my One week he may be staying in daughter's first Communion," a sleazy hotel while he is posing Szatkowski recalled. Ihad not been to weekday Mass as a hired killer and the following part in about 10 years, but on that week he may be in another track paetrying to of the state morning, I thought I would give who use the Internet to the Church another chance and dophiles children to prey on. find when the priest began Mass by During his often long days and announcing the feast of St.Stanislaus, the patron saint of Poland, I nights as a special agent, Szaknew that God was sending me a tkowski said he often prays and message. I was overcome with talks about his faith with as many emotion and received Commu- people as possible. "If someone can learn from my nion that day with a renewed faith journey then that is somesense of faith." Since then, Szatkowski has thing positive and special that I relied on his faith in both his per- can give back" he said. "My life has had interesting sonal and professional life. and I am now grateful for turns, travelled Szatkowski family The to St Louis to see the Pope in early every one of them." - Catholic News Service 1999 and Szatkowski also has vis-

King declaration unlikely this year CNS on 14 January that no specific recognition of martyrdom Vatican official down- for King was planned for the 7 played speculation that May service. The ceremony "will not involve Pope John Paul 11 would declare the Reverend Martin any canonical process of recogLuther King Jr. a Christian "mar- nition of the martyrdom of individuals, in the sense that they tyr" during the jubilee year. He said that current plans call would be presented to the faithfor a no-names prayer service ful for veneration," said Father honouring all Christians who Maj, a member of the commis died for the faith in the 20th cen- sion planning the event and an official of the Pontifical Council tury. US media reported in mid-Jan- for Promoting Christian Unity. Father Mal said the Vatican has uary that King, a Baptist who led the US civil rights movement opted to avoid promulgating or until his assassination in 1968, publicising the thousands of indiwould be declared a martyr by vidual martyrs whose names the Catholic Church, one of a have been sent in from around long list of martyrs expected to the world, because it could give he unveiled by Pope John Paul II rise to misunderstanding or even at an ecumenical service at division. "The collecting of names was a Rome's ancient Colosseum on 7 May. purely internal matter, in order But Jesuit Father Jozef Maj told to take a better look at the situaBy John Thavis

tion. The names will not be presented at this ceremony, which is a general thanksgiving for those who witnessed the faith (in the 20th century), even to the point of giving their blood," he said. He said the Vatican was still studying the possibility of making public a few of the names, who could symbolise groups of martyr-witnesses. While Martin Luther King Jr. was an admirable figure and was certainly motivated in part by his faith, he is known more for his political and social activism, A Catholic school girl holds up an image of Martin Luther King Jr. during a Father Maj said. honouring the slain civil rights leader in Newark, New Jersey. program He said one reason the Vatican had decided for now not to hemisphere autumn, the Vati- the beginning, the idea of comemphasise names of individuals can's New Martyrs Commission piling a list of martyrs was conwas because some are closely said it had compiled 10,000 troversial inside the Vatican tied to the causes of specific com- names of Christians who died for because of potential confusion munities, but would not neces- their faith. Most of the names with the Church's official and sarily be equally appreciated by were sent in by bishops' confer- lengthy process of beatification - CNS all Christians. Last northern- ences and religious orders. From and canonisation.

Family Subscription

A Message

$55 for 52 issues of The Record Name

Please debit my [I] Bankcard ri Mastercard

Address

D Visa Card

Suburb

Postcode Telephone

Expiry Date: —/— Signature:

I enclose cheque/money order for $

Send to: The Record, PO Box 75, Leederville WA 6902

from Archbishop Hickey rehe Record is our own Catholic weekly newspaper. It tells us what's happening in the Church locally and internationally. The television and the daily newspaper don't give much space to the Church and when they do. it's often bad news. Find out what is really going on. There is always something in The Record to interest and inspire every member of the family. Buy it every week The Record, January 20 2000 Page 16