The Record Newspaper 07 December 2000 by The Record

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itinnies to m I I HQ to larger building Cramped office space and a severe shortage of parking are just two of the problems that have forced the Society of St Vincent De Paul to move its headquarters from East Perth to Belmont. The Society, the State's largest charitable organisation, has purchased new headquarters at 76 Abernethy Road in Behnont, SVP State President Brian Bull told The Record last Thursday. The move is expected to be completed by the beginning of February. Nor is the transfer expected to cost the Society, Mr Bull said. With a cost of $1.12 million for the new building, and expected revenue from the sale of the present headquarters somewhere in the vicinity of $1.5 million, the transfer should be costneutral. "You've only got to walk around this place to see that it is inadequate for our needs," said Mr Bull, a former WA Commissioner of Police. The two-storey building in Bronte Street has been in use as the Society's headquarters for the last six years. Bronte House, the current site, was originally built by voltmteers in the late 1940s as an overnight shelter for alcoholics and derelicts. Mr Bull recalled that, as a newly-graduated policeman in 1953, he would bring homeless drunks for overnight acconunodation to the building as part of his normal duties. "On van-patrol we regularly used to pick them up in parks and bring them here," he said.

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Mr Bull said the current premises had long ago lost their usefulness; on several occasions the upstairs floors had been fiddled with white ants. Another major problem was that a building with stairs had proved to be a big problem for elderly volunteers forced to walk up and down the stairs many times each II 11 are cramped, with even day. the men's toilets being partially used as storage facilities. Working areas are more like compartments than offices. The new single-storey Abernethy Road headquarters is considerably younger. larger and has 53 parlcing spots. The new building is in "excellent" condition, has been repainted and re-laid with new carpet. "We're very fortanate to get a building so close to our needs," he said. Mr Bull said the Society had consulted with members on the need for new premises. "And with rare exception they said `go for it'," he said, adding, "Even some of the original builders [of the Bronte Street building] said 'progress is progress'." Mr Bull said the Society has approximately 4,000 volunteers in WA who are constantly visiting the organ tion's headquarters for meetings and Sodety-related Brian Bull last WOOk work.

Disabled couple Future represent Perth priests speak in Rome - Page 3

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Reconciliation wins at Perth bridge walk

Perth's Catholic Social Justice Commission supporters, top, and St Brigid's, Lesmurdie, students, left, get ready for last Sunday's historic walk over the Narrow's bridge in support of reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Austrrlians. Many individual Catholics and representatives from Catholic groups were among the thousands of people who turned out for the Reconciliation Walk in Perth last Sunday to add their support to the push for reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australia. Perth Awdliary Bishop Robert Healy represented Archbishop Barry Hickey. Aboriginal Ben Taylor, also a member of the Catholic Aboriginal Ministry, welcomed the vast crowd in his indigenous language to Nyoongar land on the eastern bank of the Swan River. And Cathislic schools were also represented, including among many others the pipes and drums of 'niftily College in East Perth and St Brigid's College in Lesmur-

The 'Beyond the Bridge' walk represented the WA effort among walks for commitment, unity and hope in reconciliation

that have been talcing place across the nation during 2000. And although the occasion was a serious one, the atmosphere was festive as brightly-coloured banners predominated together with performers strung out at various intervals along the march. The crowd, estimated later at approximately between 40-50,000 people, gathered at McCalltun Park on the far side of the Perth Causeway. After an initial welcome gathering, police then blocked off the Perth-botmd lanes of traffic along Albany Highway as the thousands of people of a types and backgrounds, with many caming personal or organisational banners calling for advances in reconciliation, surged towards the Supreme Court Gardens in the city for a concert. - Peter Rosengren

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Aid groups ponder definition of what . it is to be a 'Catholic' organisation By John Norton VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A top US Catholic aid official said a late-November meeting called by the Vatican to define the identity of Catholic aid agencies was long overdue, given a recent boom in Church-related charitable activities. But Kenneth E Hackett, executive director of Catholic Relief Services, said he and other meeting participants were avoiding drafting a definition that would be narrow and exclusive. Representatives from more than a dozen Catholic aid agencies from around the world attended the 27 November all-day meeting, hosted by the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," the Vatican's charity arm. In addition to CRS, the US bishops' international relief and development agency, participants Included France's "Secours Catholique," Germany's "Deutscher Caritasverband," the Germany-based Aid to the Church in Need, the St Vincent de Paul Society and Caritas organisations from Italy, Poland, Korea and Mexico. In a 23 November statement, "Cor Unum" said the meeting's purpose was to draft a "brief and concise text which describes the global identity of a Catholic agency or organisation committed to humanitarian assistance and/or development aid." "A clear identity of the Catholic agencies involved in these activities will, without a doubt, serve to promote their mission," it said. The text drafted at the meeting will not be released Immediately, and more meetings of the same C HRISTIAN C HANTELLE M OLISE

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The contribution made to the development of Catholic education in Western Australia by the Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy was officially recognised at a Thanksgiving Mass hosted by the Catholic Education Office. More than 700 people joined with Archbishop Barry Hickey, Bishops Peter Quinn of Bunbury, Christopher Saunders of Broome and Justin Bianchini of Geraldton at the Mass. Archbishop Hickey, speaking on behalf of all the Bishops of Western Australia, offered his thanks and congratulations to Bishop Healy, who has retired as an Auxiliary Bishop and also as chairman of the Catholic Education Commission of WA. "In the field of education, Bishop Healy Bishop Healy delivers his homily during the Mass of thanksgiving at the CEO. has been single-minded," he said. "Since becoming a priest in this Dio- in our daily lives," he added. The Bishop cese he has always supported Catholic also thanked everyone with education and its growth, and has recog- has been associated over whom he the last 50 nised the important role that the school years. plays in the local community." "I want to assure you that each and Delivering the homily, Bishop Healy every one of you have a permanent place said teachers had a special and impor- In my heart and I would like to thank tant vocation to fulfil as they attempted everyone here this morning, especially to provide the best in education to the the students, some of which have travchildren in their care. elled great distances to be here," he said. Drawing a parallel to the Gospel read"I am grateful to God for all that has ing of the Mass (Matthew 18:1-5), he said happened in my own lifetime andIhope there was no doubt that Jesus was an that the good work continues in the Dioexcellent teacher and an example from cese as I'm sure it will under the guidwhich all could learn. ance of the Holy Spirit" "If any of you in the teaching profession Bishop Healy's association with ever doubted it, you have here in the Catholic education dates back to 1951 Gospel a very strong indication of the during the sector's initial development Importance of your vocation," he said. phase. "For the greater part, we all, whether He has been chairman of the CECINA. Recognising an enormous contribution to WA we be teachers or not, also have the for the past eight years. Catholic education: CEO Director Therese responsibility of giving witness to Jesus - Phil Bayne CEO Media Temby with Bishop Healy at the farewell.

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kind might be convened, a "Cor Unum" official told CNS on 27 November. Hackett, interviewed by CNS during the meeting's lunch break, said the question was raised in the morning session whether "we are looking for some kind of definition or statement that would be inclusive or exclusive." 'There was no specific answer," he said, "except to say definitely not one that is exclusive: not that It would include everybody, but it's not meant to exclude." Hackett said the meeting participants represented a diversity of organisational structures and operational practices, each of which was being examined for potential impact on an organisation's Catholic identity. Of the participants, he said, CRS was unique in that it was owned by and directly responsible to a bishops' conference. He said CRS's Catholic identity also comes from Its underlying motivation and philosophy - the Gospel and Catholic social teaching - as well as its primary focus on working with and through local churches. In addition, he said the US agency placed great emphasis on professionalism because "we have consciously determined that the poor deserve the best." "When we support programs to build peace and foster reconciliation, we better be good at it. When we're talking about agriculture or child survival or AIDS programming, we better be good at it and have the best people operating out of the highest commitments and motivation, dedicated to a sense of Church, but also dedicated to values that spring out of our faith," he said.

Clergy appointments Archbishop Barry Hickey has appointed Father Minh Thuy Nguyen, currently parish priest of Our Lady of Monserrat, Southern Cross, chaplain to the Catholic Vietnamese Community from the end of January, 2001. In other clergy announcements, Archbishop Hickey said Fr Stephen Casey, currently parish priest of St

Joseph's, Kellerberrin, has been appointed parish priest of St Joseph's, Northam and Dean of the Avon Zone from 17 March 2001. Father Robert Carrillo, currently parish priest and dean of Northam, will be the parish priest of the new parish of Canning Vale from 17 March, 2001.

Couple commissioned for Jubilee Christmas in November was celebrated at the Emmanuel Centre last Wednesday 29 November. A concert, carols and prayer service with Archbishop Barry Hickey, saw him commission and bless Bernadette and Bob Jolly before they left for Rome the next morning for the Jubilee for the Disabled. The Jollys represented Western Australia and the Centre in Rome at the celebrations with Pope John Paul!! on 3 December (see story below). Archbishop Hickey said there were more people present this year than last. He said it was great this year to be here, not only to thank

Emmanuel and all those assisting with Emmanuel for the wonderful work they do all year. "They have given us a sign of the real Church, where everybody is beckoned and everybody is [welcomed]," the Archbishop said. "Last night a woman said to me her husband couldn't understand why she had to go to the Cathedral or St Patrick's Basilica for part of this year of Jubilee - to gain the special Jubilee indulgence. "Ihave been to Rome three times this year; I am still jealous of Bernadette and Bob going this year, now, to be in Rome with all the people from the rest of the world for People with Disabilities."

The Archbishop said, "St Paul is writing in the First Century for all the people in Rome and it was St Paul who said once we are baptised, there is no discrimination of creed, colour, disability, or race everybody in this world is equal; everybody in Christ is equal." "I haven't been able to discover anyone else from Australia who are going," he said. "We commission you on behalf of this Archdiocese and perhaps in the whole of Australia." Mercy Sister Kerry Willison officially opened a door of the Centre with new hinges. Christmas presents distributed afterwards. - Glynnis Grainger

Archbishop Hickey blesses Bob and Bernadette Jolly the day before they left ,noro G,yrnis Grainger for the Jubilee for the Disabled in Rome.

Disabled cheer their man the Pope in happy Jubilee encounter By John 'Mavis ROME (CNS) - Pope John Paul II celebrated a jubilee Mass with thousands of disabled, and told them they deserved not just assistance but love, respect and social acceptance. "Through your presence, you reaffirm that a disability represents not only a need, but above all a stimulus and a challenge" to a society that often prizes "gratification, appearances, speed and efficiency." the Pope said on 3 December. Reflecting on the word "disability." he said: "I like to look upon you in a more authentic light, as bearers of a different kind of ability." The liturgy at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls was attended by some 5.000 disabled, along with 7.000 family members and assistants. Some arrived in wheelchairs, others leaning on canes and crutches. Groups of deaf mutes followed the Mass with the help of a signlanguage translator, and the first liturgical reading was done by a blind person reading Braille. The 80-year-old Pope, who has trouble walking long distances, rode a mobile platform up the main aisle of the basilica, past a panorama of smiling faces and waving hands. He mounted the altar slowly and unsteadily, then listened to a greeting from a 18-year-old wheelchair-bound Italian girl suf-

Disabled people applaud Pope John Paul II as he arrives to celebrate Mass for the Jubilee for Disabled on 3 December. Pnoto CAs.S.F?th,te -s

fering from hydrocephalus. Addressing the Pope as "papa" because "we feel you are the father of us all." she told him that the disabled "have a bigger spirit. because it's not oppressed by the thirst for success." The Pope told those present and others following the Mass on television and radio that he considered the jubilee for Disabled one of the most significant events of the Holy Year. He was visibly moved several times during the liturgy in the packed church, especially at the offertory procession. As the blind, deaf, lame and mentally disabled slowly brought

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time for Christians to recall their duty to serve the disabled and others on the margins of society. just as Jesus did. Thanks to Christ, he said, "disability is not the last word of existence; love is the last word." At the end of the Mass, the Pope greeted English-speaking pilgrims. According to statistics cited by Vatican officials, more than 500 million people around the world live with disabilities. Of that number, about 85 per cent live in developing countries. As the Pope was leaving the altar at the end of Mass, a disabled woman approached and spoke quietly to him, caressing his cheek, as security agents looked on. The pontiff was smiling a few moments later as he rolled back down the nave of the basilica, past a throng that filled the basilica with cheers.

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gifts to the altar, the Pope blessed each one and touched their faces. Later he distributed Communion to a group of blind people, one of whom was accompanied by a white seeing-eye dog. In his sermon, the Pope said modern societies should increase the opportunities for the disabled and make sure their human dignity is protected. "In a society rich in scientific and technical knowledge, it is possible and necessary to do more. . . . in biomedical research to prevent disabilities, in treat-

ment, in assistance, in rehabilitation and in social re-integration," he said. He said the disabled require not just care, but respect and appreciation through all stages of their lives. Their very presence is a "provocation to the individual and collective selfishness" that exists in developed countries, he said. The Pope received loud applause when he said the Church appreciates the difficult chapters in the lives of the disabled, particularly when they become adults and must move toward some form of independence - a moment, the Pope said. which is "faced with trepidation by many parents." But the trials of the disabled have a deeper meaning for society as a whole, especially as a reminder that all people are, in a sense, waiting for a liberation" from the suffering of this life, he said. He said Advent is a good

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Foss rejects Churches' new call for WA Royal Commission on prisons

Three WA Christian church social justice bodies last week threw their weight behind the call for a Royal Commission into WA prisons. The Anglican Social Responsibilities Commission, the Catholic Social Justice Council and the Uniting Church Social Justice Commission said on 27 November they were echoing concerns raised by the WA Deaths in Custody Watch Committee, the United Nations' Committee Against Torture, the Association of Heads of Churches of WA and the Western Australian Ombudsman in relation to prisons in this State. But State Attorney General Peter Foss rejected the organisations, telling The Record that reports from the UN Committee and the Ombudsman had not substantiated allegations of systematic torture and bashing in the prisons system. Anglican Social Responsibilities Commission spokesperson Theo Mackaay said that a call in June from the Heads of Churches for a Royal Commission into Western Australian prisons had been dismissed by the government. "In similar fashion, the Watch Committee's concerns have often been sidelined as based on anecdotal and unreliable material," he said. "The government has been very quick to dismiss criticism in the past as coming from groups with axes to grind or with political agendas. It cannot do so with the Ombudsman nor with the United Nations' Committee." But Mr Foss said that the UN Committee on Torture had not supported the call for a Royal Commission. "Nor did the Ombudsman's annual report refer to one single case of alleged abuse," the Attorney General said. "In fact, according to the Ombudsman, a large number of

the more than 500 complaints he received were about the frustration prisoners experienced in not getting basic information or assistance with simple, everyday issues," he said. The Uniting Church's Rosemary Miller said the three church bodies acknowledged the material presented in the earlier Heads of Churches' conference on prisons, as well as the material in the Watch Committee's submission to the United Nations' Committee, has not been tested under rules of evidence. "Therefore, we re-iterate the call for a Royal Commission. This would also enable the Western Australian Government, in a proper forum, to call the federal government to account over its failure to present its reports to the Committee Against Torture on time." The Catholic Social Justice Council's Terry Quinn said: "The state of WAs prisons is a central social justice issue. Prisons do not prevent crime and they are being used to lock up a whole underclass of people deprived of a productive life. It is time Western Australia took seriously the criticisms about the system and put in place a Royal Commission." Mr Foss said the Ombudsman's report had made no mention of the sort of claims being made by the Deaths in Custody committee. "I have asked the Deaths in Custody Watch Committee on several occasions to furnish the relevant authorities with hard evidence so that their allegations can be properly and thoroughly investigated. "To date they have failed to respond. Rather than repeating their call for a Royal Commission. the Church commissions might consider joining me in my call for evidence to back up the watch committee's allegations."

Clontarf class a rich story

Physiotherapist Ross Hart presents an award at Clontarf College.

By Anthony Barich The Clontarf Aboriginal College graduating class of 2000 is a story of spiritual growth and the development of a good conscience and mind, according to Robert Isaacs. In an address to graduates at Clontarf on Thursday 23 November, Mr Isaacs said that as a graduate of Clontarf Boys' Town in 1960, he is living proof that Aborigines can carry into their lives the Christian values and education that he received from the Christian Brothers Mr Isaacs, who was also married at the Clontarf chapel, said he was, "thankful to the Christian Brothers and the Church in the Catholic Education Commission,"

Stalwart Brother Titus dies aged 85 Obituary

Christian Brother Bernard Laurence (Titus) Murphy, who taught for 40 years in Western Australia. died on 28 November. aged 85. His funeral was held on Monday morning at Aquinas College Chapel, Manning, with Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy officiating. Br Murphy died at Two Pines Nursing Home, Maylands, after suffering a stroke. He was born in Sydney on 30 April, 1915, the second of six chil- Peter Rosengren dren born to Joseph and Sara Murphy, newly-arrived in Australia from Ireland. There were five boys in the family, two of whom became Christian Brothers, and one a priest; the only daughter died LIVING AND PROCLAIMING in childhood. GOD'S HOSPITABLE LOVE. Br Murphy is survived by his younger brother, Patrick, "...the suffering ofmy neighbour breaks my heart..." who is a Christian Brother in (St. John ofGod. rs4o) Ballarat, Victoria. He entered the Christian As lived out by St. Our core of Brothers at the end of 1929, John of God over five Hospitality compels made his first profession of centuries ago, our and urges us to depth vows on Christmas Day, 1931, vocation is to give of our relationship with and his final vows on Christourselves completely God, ourselves and mas Day, 1940. His teaching and freely: to be a with those whom we career involved 10 years in Brotherly presence: a share our lives, NSW schools - Lewisham, symbol of hope for our community and Rose Bay, Manly and Goulworld; proclaiming ministry. bourn; 15 years in Victoria God's Hospitable love North Melbourne, Ballarat

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for his education. "Values start at home, and for me, as an orphan, this was my home. The unconditional love that God has for us was shown to me by the Christian Brothers," he said. "Education is the way to go to set yourselves up for life," Mr Isaacs told the students. "Football only goes for so long you need something to fall back onto." Before presenting Principal's and Citizenship awards to Crystal Garlett and Steven Dewar (who is currently training with AFL club West Coast Eagles) respectively, Archbishop Barry Hickey said the significant outcome of the Catholic schooling was to gain solidarity with each other, along

with love and compassion. "Equipped with a strong spiritual basis of education at Clontarf, the students can recognise those whose dignity must be respected," he said. "The values which are taught here at the college are those which have kept me going more than any position or human success." He said these values are only recognised once a sense of "who we are as spiritual people" is established. "The invisible presence of God the Creator is staring us in the face, in everything we see around us. "By observing Christian values we gain a sense of worth, and that we have an eternal destiny." The Archbishop said the greatest comfort the students can take when they feel down-hearted is the example of Christ Himself. "He took the suffering of humanity upon Himself. Jesus is a powerful symbol for those who feel oppressed." Ross Hart, the first indigenous person to graduate in physiotherapy, said the best result of a Catholic education is the feeling of empowerment and self-determination. "When we take that step forward - that is when we become empowered," he said. He broke down when he told of how his Aboriginal mother gave him such a strong example of how to live as a Christian.

Brother Bernard Murphy

and Box Hill; four years in South Australia - Rostrevor and Gullies Plains, and 40 years in WA - Leederville, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Aquinas College and Fremantle. He was both Superior and Principal in Leederville, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie, and Community Superior in Rostrevor and Fremantle. He retired from active classroom teaching about 10 years ago, but continued to be a strong influence on both staff and students until he moved from Fremantle to the Clontarf community in early 1996, and then to the Christian Brothers Aged Care Hostel in Wembley in mid-1998.

years of his life, and just prior to his moving to livo Pines, he had spent several weeks in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital as the result of a broken thigh bone. "He was a man of dignified bearing, and was at all times the pergentleman; fect though conservative by nature, he was always open to the advantages of innovation in education, and was keen to lead students to a wide range of cultural experiences beyond formal schoolwork," Br Pat Cronin said in the eulogy at the funeral. "He was a gifted teacher, though not very highly qualified academically, and had a remarkable influence on senior boys - and girls in later years; it was an influence that carried on long after their schooldays were over. "Despite shortage of funds in schools, especially in Leederville and Geraldton in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was able to enthuse parents, old boys and the wider community to give him support, and so he completed seemingly impossible building projects In these schools and later in Kalgoorlie. "The late Bishop Gummer in Geraldton acknowledged this by publicly dubbing him in 1961 'Bernard the Builder.' "In addition to school buildings, Br Murphy built great school communities wherever he was sent." Br Cronin said at the funeral, "In Bernard, the Brothers realise they have lost one they came to revere and love very much." - Glynnis Grainger

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One small step for Christmas By Anthony Barich The distinct lack of emphasis on the Holy Family in the Christmas decorations in Perth city has led one man to do something about it with the help of the Multiple Sclerosis Society David Crann abhorred the pagan nature of this year's decorations, and what they said abut the Christian faith. "It is foolish to say you can't celebrate when the vast majority [of Australians] are Christians," he said. "The most important thing is the family. If we remind people of the role of the Holy Family in Christianity then they will realise the significance of the traditional family in society" He approached his local City of Victoria Park, but they said they had done enough with their Christmas decoration by showing a mother and child. "But that Is not the family," he said. "Joseph is just as important - he was chosen among all men on earth to be Jesus' father." "He made a tremendous sacrifice - it was a virgin birth, but the prophecy was that he would be born to Joseph and Mary. He saved Jesus from King]

One of the banners destined for Perth Railway Station. Pro:us Anthony Banch

Herod. The father figure is paramount." Although Perth City councillors were hesitant about Mr Crann's proposal, Lord Mayor, Dr Peter Nattras was enthusiastic. "It is important to spread the Christian message, and this is an ideal way to do it," he said.

When the decorations went up in August, Mr Crann, disgusted at the pagan symbolism of dragons with Christmas candles around them and holly everywhere instead of images of Jesus, began asking questions. He rang 35 insurance companies, banks, stores and restaw ants to ask if they wanted to put meaningful decorations on their windows. They all gave excuses, except for Hoyts Cinema manager Robert Crescoe, who accepted Mr Crann's bid. Now as "patrons walk out of horrific movies, they will be greeted with this beautiful painting by artist Susan Bowerman," Mr Crawl said. He also persuaded Transperth to have two banners on the central railway station. Dr Nattras said the Hoyt's painting has given him the idea to begin a competition for budding artists to decorate the City of Perth Council's new Council House windows. "I can foresee the council offering a prize to the winning artist. It will create more interest and spread the Christian message." Any proceeds from the project will go to the MS Society Saving Christmas - Pages 8-9

No, it's not Father Christmas, but Perth Lord Mayor Peter Nattras at the launch of the Christmas window at Hoyts.

Oblate elder goes to his eternal reward Diamond jubilarian Oblate priest, Father James Sullivan, died last WednesObituary day at Mount Saint Camillus, Forrestrield. aged 9Z Many Catholic young men and women His funeral was held at Our Lady of met their future spouses at the dances. Fr Lourdes Church. Lesmurdie, at 10am on Sullivan then served in Brisbane. GeeMonday. long, Lesmurdie, Sefton in New South He was born in 1903 at Rossnagreena, Wales and Massey parish in Auckland, Glengariff, County Cork, Ireland, one of New Zealand, before finally returning to eight children. Our Lady of Lourdes, Lesmurdie. in 1978. The young James Sullivan first became When parish priest at Lesmurdie, he a sergeant in the Irish police (Garda) to was spiritual director of the local St Vinraise money for both his and his sister's cent de Paul Society Legion of Mary and education. In 1930. he entered the Late Marian Movement, said Mass Vocation College in Dublin. daily at nearby Villa Maria NursIn September, 1933, he entered the novi- ing Home, attended the Holy tiate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Hour on Monday afternoons, and and was ordained in June, 1939, fulfilling was always available on call to his ambition to become a priest. say Mass at Karragullen or CarAfter working in the Oblates' Anglo- illa. Irish province, he volunteered for AusPerhaps because of his childtralia, and arrived in 1950, working in hood farming days, Fr Sullivan Victoria. Queensland and Western Aus- had a love of gardening and used tralia. to potter around the beautiful His big achievement was the comple- gardens at Lesmurdie, which tion of the Fremantle church - St Patrick's included rose bushes. - where he was parish priest from 1954 Former WA Oblate of Mary to 1960. Immaculate and Marriage He supervised the building of St Encounter pioneer, Fr Patrick's hall in which around 500 young Joseph McCann, dies in people once danced on Sunday nights. Sydney - Page 7

As The Record was about to go to press on Wednesday, news came through that the former prior of the Norbertines at Queens Park, Father Peter O'Reilly, died that morning. Fr O'Reilly was also a former parish priest of St Patrick's, York. Perth Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy told The Record Fr O'Reilly had been suffering from cancer. Father James Sullivan, OM

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The Record, December 7 2000 Page 5

Work for the Kingdom now Record journalist Peter Rosengren this week continues a series of layman's reflections on the Sunday readings for Advent with the 2nd Sunday of Advent.

his Advent, are we are moving towards Christmas Day with Jesus, or is it the Day of the Nintendo; is it Christmas at Bethlehem or Christmas a la Supermarket? At the beginning of the new millennium, the Church is found not only in presbyteries and behind altars but in the kitchen, behind the steering wheel, in the classroom, at the office, on the building site, nursing an ill or dying spouse or feeding a crying baby at 3am in the morning - and a million and one other situations. For the laity, sanctity is not in being pseudo-priests or nuns. It is a thing of the ordinary moment, the daily job, the apparently mundane encounter - of living life to the full. Our faith contradicts the Secular Empire. This is why the real Revolution Is the subversion of being a disciple of the Lord. In this weekend's first reading (Baruch 5:1-9), the prophet Baruch foretold the Messiah and what will come. Addressed metaphorically to Jerusalem, God's message is to "put the diadem of the glory of the Eternal on your head: since God means to show your splendour to every nation under

With Peter Rosengren heaven." God kept His promise and revealed to us - including 21st century Australia at the bottom and other side of the world - the splendour of Jerusalem in Jesus Christ, God and Man. It is now up to us to reveal Jesus' glory and attraction to our fellow Australians through our action and teaching. Psalm 126 in response is a song of returning exiles and of joy. Its response could almost be taken to express the miracle of Christmas: "What marvels indeed he did for us, and how overjoyed we were: One can imagine the shepherds and wise men, years afterwards, dreamily remembering the manger on a night so cold it smarted their eyes, and saying something similar to each other. The second reading (Philippians 1:46,8-11) sees St Paul writing in a similar vein to last week's letter to the Thessalonians. In verse 9, St Paul writes: "My prayer Is that your love for each other may increase more and more and never stop Improving your knowledge or deepen-

ing your perception "This, he says, will help prepare us for the Day of Christ when we will reach the perfect goodness which Jesus produces in us. But how many of us really try to 'improve our knowledge' or 'deepen our perception' of our faith, if only by looking at a map of St Paul's travels to spread the Good News and reading about his life. It would put his apostolic letters into a completely new perspective, bringing them alive as history. Finally, in the Gospel (Luke 3:1-6) John the Baptist goes throughout the whole district of Jordan announcing a baptism for the repentance of sins that is also an announcement of the imminent arrival of the Lord. Only one thing is important to us here. As we go about our daily lives, how often do we as Christians in the world listen to John the Baptiser? Are we, at Advent, really preparing for Jesus? In moving through Advent towards Christmas we have the chance to deepen our faith inside the Church. encounter Jesus and the Holy Family at Christmas, and then take it out into the world in the way we are meant to: as Individuals, families, workers and men and women of the Church. That's what's unusual about being a lay Christian. It's subversive. It's different. It's also what took over the Roman Empire.

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

Franciscan priest who became a spiritual guide and friend to millions of pilgrims visiting the unofficial Marian shrine of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina died on 24 November aged 54. More than 20,000 people packed the Church of St James here in Medjugorje on 26 November for the funeral of Father Slavko Barbaric. 'IWo days earlier, the priest had a heart attack and died after leading a group of 70 pilgrims on the Way of the Cross on Cross Mountain in Medjugorje. Bishop Ratko Peric of Mostar-Duvno celebrated the funeral, a move that surprised many since Bishop Peric and his predecessor have had an uneasy relationship with the Franciscans in the region. Both bishops publicly doubted the authenticity of the reported Marian visions that six young adults claim to have had daily since 1981. In 1983 the Franciscans sent Fr Barbaric, a qualified psychotherapist with a doctoral degree in religious pedagogy from the University of Freiburg, Germany, to Medjugorje to make a psychological assessment of the six young seers. He was so convinced of their authenticity he became their spiritual director and a spiritual guide, counsellor and friend to many of the estimated 20 million pilgrims who have visited Medjugorje. Fr Michael O'Carroll, a theologian and

Photo CNS/Juke Oenesha

A cross on a hill near Medjugorje.

Internationally renowned Mariologist, told Catholic News Service, "Slavko was a highly qualified psychologist, and many people thought, 'He will put a stop to all this,' but he didn't and became

totally convinced and remained loyal to Medjugorje." Fr Barbaric was the mainstay of the liturgical and devotional life of Medjugorje, leading pilgrims in prayer and giving talks in different languages. In addition to his native Croatian, he was a fluent speaker in English, German, French and Spanish. Denis Nolan, president of The Children Of Medjugorje based in Notre Dame, Indiana, said Fr Barbaric "was a great inspiration for pilgrims all over the world. Every evening he would lead a three-hour program of prayer." Mr Nolan said the priest kept a tireless schedule that took him to five continents. and he made regular visits to the United States. A final judgment on the authenticity of the claimed apparitions at Medjugorje has not been delivered. On April 10, 1991, a commission of the Yugoslavian bishops' conference stated, "So far it cannot be affirmed one is dealing with supernatural apparitions and revelations." Seven years later, Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of the Vatican's Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, clarified Rome's position, saying no final decision had been made on Medjugorje. He said the way was open to the new bishops' conference of Bosnia-Herzegovina to make its own investigation. - Catholic News Service

Ecumenism and Church's 'visible limits'

"'Under the influence of the Holy Spir- and skipped several paragraphs* of his it, who is also at work outside the visi- prepared text, but his voice gained ncouraging Christians to appreci- ble limits of the Church," the Pope told strength as he continued with his cateate other religions, Pope John some 30,000 people in St Peter's Square, chests. Even as Catholics adhere to the Paul II reaffirmed that the Holy "people in every part of the world seek Church's mission of making the kingSpirit works outside the boundaries of to adore God in an authentic way" dom of God and Christ known to oththe Catholic Church. While Christians bring their faith in ers, he said, they must also recognise Reflecting on the theme of interreli- Christ with them when engaging in that "this kingdom also can be found gious dialogue at his weekly general interreligious dialogue, he said, "this beyond the Church's boundaries, for audience on Wednesday, 29 November, same faith teaches them to recognise example in the hearts of the followers following an ecumenical focus in weeks the authentic religious experiences of of other religious traditions." past, the Pope said sacred texts of other others." Mentioning in particular the religions "point to a future of commuThe Pope urged the crowd to listen monotheistic faiths of Judaism and nion with God, of purification and sal- closely to other faith experiences in a Islam, the Pope expressed the hope that vation." "spirit of humility, in order to discover Holy Year 2000 might further reciprocal "And they encourage people to seek and appreciate every ray of truth, from dialogue "until one day, all together the truth and defend the values of life, wherever it comes." Jews, Christians and Muslims - we will holiness, justice, peace and freedom," His diction unclear, the Pope exchange the sign of peace in he said. appeared tired at the audience's outset Jerusalem." By Benedicta Cipolla

The Record, December 7 2000 Page 6

Legal euthanasia? Killing the sick and frail will then become normal

With Bronwen Clune

lie recent finding by a Perth magistrate that there was not enough evidence to commit three people to trial for the murder of a terminally ill woman has foreshadowed the re-ignition of the euthanasia debate in Western Australia. As Catholics we must prepare for the next wave of anti-life rhetoric that is set to sweep across our community. Church teaching is fundamentally opposed to active euthanasia - to be distinguished from the practice of withdrawing life support once there is no hope of recovery - and this should be enough to convince every Catholic that active euthanasia is wrong. However, the teachings of Christ and the natural law of God may not be enough to convince those in power that the state-sanctioned killing of the sick is bad law. In order to convince these people, other arguments may be needed. For a start. the Catholic Church is not the only organisation opposed to legal euthanasia. A good number of government reports and studies both here and overseas, such as the 1994 report of the Select Committee of the House of Lords on Medical Ethics, have reached the same conclusion. To counter this, supporters might say that the majority in WA wants euthanasia legalised, and therefore it should be legal. But where was the vote for mandatory sentencing, or the speed limit? The truth is that the vast majority of laws are given to us by parliament and judges without a direct vote. So far, the debate on legal euthanasia has overlooked even the basic questions, such as the role of the law itself. The secular law does more than permit and forbid certain acts. It defines what is normal by setting society's boundaries, and no matter where those boundaries are, there will always be people demanding that they be pushed even further. If euthanasia becomes legal, killing the sick and the frail will become normal. If there is no debate today, it will be perfectly acceptable and much cheaper in ten years time to assist patients to kill themselves, rather than keep them alive, or find a cure. Even worse, the decision to kill could be placed in the hands of someone other than the patient. Those who can't imagine this happening need only look at the Netherlands, where euthanasia has recently become legal, after years of being a defence to homicide. At last count there were thousands of cases there of active, involuntary euthanasia. This is despite the fact that voluntariness was supposed to be the hallmark of euthanasia's introduction into the Dutch legal system. Even in the Northern Territory, where euthanasia was legalised for a short time in 1996, palliative care facilities were virtually non-existent. Euthanasia supporters weren't concerned about this because with euthanasia normalised, why should anyone need palliative care? Such an attitude, when coupled with the 'economic rationalism' facing our hospitals today, paints a very bleak picture for the terminally ill of the future, which is just about all of us. In such an over-burdened health care system as ours, any law that gives the sick, the weak and the lonely the 'choice' of being killed by their doctor will, in all likelihood, leave them with very little choice at all. Such laws would simply allow us to wash our hands of those who are in most need of our care and support. It is ironic that it is the supporters of euthanasia who have proudly flaunted the law by practising euthanasia while it remains illegal. It is obvious that they have no respect for the law. Any 'safeguards' these people try to introduce will only be good for as long as it suits them.

The sick can offer their own service of healing I

The Record

t was not surprising that news reports of the Vatican's 23 November release of its Instruction on Prayers for Healing focussed on the rules set out in its pages for regulating healing services. After all, it was the possible abuses and misunderstandings of these services that ered from ill-health and misfortune. Yet, if Church," to indicate that the sick, only by moved the Congregation for the Doctrine God so chooses not to answer that prayer the redeeming power of Christ's death of the Faith to explain the Church's under- immediately or never in this life, then well- and resurrection, can mysteriously join standing of the charism of healing, espe- balanced people can gain an even greater Christ in his mission of redemptive sufgood than earthly good health - they have fering. cially of physical ailments. Consequently, the sick whose prayers for The proliferation of healing services the opportunity to join their sufferings are not answered have no need to with the redeeming sufferings of Jesus healing since Vatican II, particularly associated Himself. despair. with the growth of the Catholic CharisThe Instruction, after pointing out that In fact, they can become "bearers of the matic Renewal and its off-shoots, made the Church always gives the sick the lov'joy inspired by the Holy Spirit in much the need for such teaching all the more ing care that is their right, then refers to affliction' (1 Thess 1:6) and be witnesses necessary. the teaching of Pope John Paul II in his to Jesus' resurrection," Pope John Paul says But one key aspect of this teaching was apostolic exhortation to the Christian laity in the exhortation. generally overlooked in the rush to report in 1988 when he teaches that the sick are This has particular meaning for the on the rules set out by the Vatican. called "to participate in the growth of the euthanasia debate as no one can fully This was the fact that prayers for healing kingdom of God in a new and more valu- escape the pains of death. are not always answered in this life able manner." In fact, a true philosophy of palliative because God allows the innocent to conThe Pope points to the proclamation of care would include this teaching of the tinue suffering, even up to death. St Paul in Colossians 1:24 that "In my flesh mysterious joy that comes with offering Naturally, as the Instruction points out, Icomplete what is lacking in Christ's afflic- inescapable suffering with Jesus for the all well-balanced people pray to be deliv- tions for the sake of his body, that is, the salvation of others, always and only with

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7aa: .C-)elfers fo Coluor

John A Rayner Hillarys

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

Hu Me chads of US po By Joseph Young

Praise and p doubts over Subiaco was wondering what the general consensus of opinion was regarding the jubilee Celebrations at Subiaco Oval last Sunday week. I too feel that the effort of those who had organised it deserved congratulations. I was delighted by the way that the excellent horn theme was used to open the proceedings. Those young people are to be congratulated on their talent. Indeed, an inspired "jober call! The Archbishop spoke well, fittingly and movingly, but then he does, doesn't he! You report that 12.000 attended. I am not much good at guessing crowd numbers but there was certainly room for many more. I suppose that I did not much know what to expect at this gathering and I realise that all tastes had to be catered for and that what I feel is appropriate, is not quite what other people think. Ididnot expect a very loud Rock concert, but then, my taste in music is more directed towards melody and harmony than insistent rhythm and volume. I did not enjoy having to stick my fingers in my ears in an attempt to save my hearing. It was brought home to me just how much, these days, girls leave boys behind in communication skills. I realise that liturgical dance is one way in which many of the present generation can express themselves but, as the horn players demonstrated, that is not all that they can do, surely. The final celebration of Benediction somehow seemed quite out of place with what had preceded. Indeed, many were of the same opinion, judging from the continual stream bringing back hot chips and other foodstuffs throughout.

the help of God's grace. With St Paul, they can "learn from the Lord that 'my grace is enough for you; my power is made perfect in weakness'" (2 Cor 12:9), as the recent Instruction concludes. When this full Christian understanding of suffering is understood, then those whose prayers do not appear to be answered need not fall into the despair that comes from unfulfilled expectations. This despair and cynicism, sometimes of the Faith and the Church, is a serious danger when wild and emotional predictions of faith healing are made. But the Church teaches that our suffering, especially of the innocent, when offered with Jesus, is itself a service of healing for the physically and spiritually sick. This gift or grace from God enables us to join Jesus in helping heal others, spiritually and physically.

uring this year's prolonged election for President in the United States - with its ballot recounts, court challenges and chads of every description - neither presidential candidate would merit a halo. And both Texas Governor George Bush and Vice President Al Gore could learn a lot from one Catholic saint. Consider the life of a seventhcentury saint who, according to the Venerable Bede's Church history of England, was ordained bishop of York in 665. Bede described this saint as "a holy man of modest character, well versed in the Scriptures, and practicing with diligence what he had learned from them." His name was Chad, and chad is the small bit of paper debris punched out by US voters using punch-card ballots, including the disputed ones in Florida. St Chad St Bede did not say whether St Chad had a dimpled counte- was the rightful bishop of York. nance, and Chad's story suggests How did St Chad react when that he never hung around. Theodore asked him to step But Chad had one thing in com- down? mon with the lower-case counAccording to the Butler entry terpart that has been so much in on St Chad, he replied. "If you the post-election news - he was consider that I have not been properly ordained, I gladly displaced. St Chad, as those familiar with resign. I never thought myself Bede's writings or "Butler's Lives worthy of the office and agreed of the Saints" know, was dis- to undertake it, though unworplaced as bishop of York in 669. thy, under obedience." However, Theodore was so His superior - Theodore, the new archbishop of Canterbury - Impressed by Chad's humility ruled that a man named Wilfrid that he sanctioned his ordination

as bishop and named him to head the English see at Lichfield. According to an Associated Press report, St Chad researcher Joseph Harbaugh, law dean at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said that "it certainly benefited St Chad when he humbly stepped aside." "Who knows if doing that might benefit Governor Bush or Vice President Gore," he added. The events leading up to St Chad's resignation had as many twists and turns as any presidential campaign. historical to According accounts, in 664, the son of King Oswy of Northumbria, an English kingdom, appointed Abbot Wilfrid as bishop of the Northumbrian diocese of York But Wilfrid went to Paris to be ordained bishop, and then lingered there for two years rather than return to the wild moors of York. When it seemed that Wilfrid intended to stay in Paris, King Oswy intervened. He sent Chad, who was then abbot of Lastingham, to be consecrated bishop of York by the bishop of Winchester, who had to be assisted by two other bishops. Wilfrid apparently had gone to Paris for his ordination so that it would be done in the Roman tradition rather than in the Celtic tradition then practiced in England. At that time, most Catholic

Marriage Encounter pioneer dies An Oblate priest educated in Western Australia and who preached parish missions in WA from the Oblates Lesmurdie base, Fr Joseph Bernard McCann, died in "From here he preached missions St Vincent's hospital, Sydney on last Mon- throughout WA. He undertook the same day 4 December after a long illness. work from the Oblate Mission House at Oblate parish priest of St Patrick's, Fre- Penshurst, New South Wales," Fr Hughes mantle, Father Don Hughes, said this said. He became parish priest of Hillcrest, Wednesday that Fr McCann, 74, a pioneer South Australia in 1967 and built the large, of Marriage Encounter in Australia, was modern church of St David's, Tea Tree born in Scotland but educated by the Sis- Gully. ters of Mercy in Perth and the Mans! Sent overseas in the early 1970s, he Brothers at St Ildephonsus College, New returned eager to spread Marriage Norcia. Encounter and did so in New South Wales He studied for the priesthood at Corpus and then in other parts of Australia and the Christi College, Werribee and Our Lady's Pacific; he was full time National Director Oblate Scholasticate in Piltown, County of the movement for seven years. Kilkenny, Ireland where he was ordained The last twenty years of his life were a priest on 22 June, 1952. spent in Parish work in Sefton, NSW Fr Hughes said Fr McCann's appoint- (where he was Parish priest) and as assisment was to the parish of Moe, in Gipps- tant in Springvale North and Moe in Vicland in eastern Victoria, from where he toria and again in Sefton, NSW. was appointed to the Mission staff in Eagle Fr McCann was buried in the Oblate plot Junction, Brisbane and subsequently to the in the Necropolis, Springvale, in Melmission staff at Lesmurdie. bourne.

Obituary

churches on the continent followed Roman customs and the calendar of the Roman rite, which had been laid down by the Council of Nicea. Those in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and much of England. however, followed Celtic customs and calendar - including the date for celebrating Easter. This created problems for St Chad. The two bishops who assisted the bishop of Winchester in ordaining Chad followed Celtic customs. And, in Theodore's eyes, that was enough to invalidate Chad's ordination and bring about his chad-like displacement. But, in his three year tenure as bishop of Lichfield, St Chad was known for his missionary zeal. In the spirit of the first apostles, he made all journeys on foot. According to Bede's history, Theodore eventually insisted that he use a horse on longer trips. St Chad died on March 2, 672, apparently from the plague. His feast day is 2 March ,and he is the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Though it would be an interesting coincidence, St Thomas More - not St Chad - is the patron saint of statesmen and politicians. The British martyr, who lived 800 years after St Chad, was given this patron's recognition by papal proclamation just this year, on 31 October.

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• The Record, December, 7 2000 Page 7

Features

Cali for women as young as Out of the fire of Vietnamese suffering sixteen to join the Catholic walk three vocations for Perth Women's League By Peter Rosengren

By Glynnis Grainger

he President-elect of the WA branch of till, Catholic Women's League has suggested a "Young Eller's' group - like the Young Vinnies - could be established to cater for girls as young as 16. Janet Wallace thinks the CWL should be attracting women in their 40s and 50s as well as ethnic women to counter its image as an older women's group. "A lot of younger women and priests are not familiar with the work we do," she told The Record last Thursday at her Riverton home. "The image in WA is that ills all old ladies who started off as vibrant young women, who haven't got the energy they used to have. "We want to be able to visit parishes and explain the League's work; a lot of people are so busy these days and are not able to attend meetings, so we want to have brief meetings and two levels of membership - auxiliary, and the more active. "We want to talk to young women and get their ideas on what they would like to happen on the local leveL "We could perhaps have informal meetings for young women to get to know one another and the work of the League." The CWL was formed in 1906 in England and attracted women because it was national, organised, disciplined, united in aim, secular and loyal to the hierarchy - characteristics preserved to this day. It was set up in 1928 in Sydney with the majority of the States represented. The CWL was formed in WA in May, 1937, at the invitation of the late Archbishop Redmond Prendiville. A lot of CWL members are mainstays in their own parish groups, she said. They have made hundreds of knitted blankets, from squares, for the St Vincent de Paul Society, and have made and collected children's clothes for the Aboriginal mission in Broome. Members also attend meetings and functions of a number of women's organisations within the community "We need workshops to help us to deal with the media, and such things as public speaking training," she said. "We have been too self-effacing in the past." Mrs Wallace also hopes to produce a pamphlet promoting the League and outlining the aims of the organisation. "There is something for everyone in the League, depending on their needs, interests and talents and availability of time," she said. "There is such a myriad of skills out there which we want to draw on - if we could have a bank of people that we could call on from time-to-time." Born in Perth, Mrs Wallace was a secretary before having to leave her Government job when she married her husband, Len. The couple met in Canberra at a National Catholic Girls' Movement and Young Christian Workers' conference; she was from the Bunbury diocese where the late

Walking down a shady footpath outside the picturesque buildings of St Charles Seminary in Guildford, they look like the Three Musketeers. Maybe the Three Vietnamese Musketeers. But Huy, Phong and Son (pronounced 'Sun') Nguyen have all had to clear big hurdles, perhaps unlike those experienced by their contemporaries. All have been refugees. All have risked life and limb on the high seas in leaky boats to escape a puritanical and repressive regime. The three will be ordained priests by Archbishop Barry Hickey at St Mary's Cathedral on Friday, 15 December. Also joining them will be Deacon Charles Waddell, an American by birth but who has lived and worked as an academic in Western Australia for the last two decades before studying for the priesthood in Rome. All have fascinating stories to tell of why they are becoming that most unlikely of things in the eyes of a pleasure-seeking world without responsibility: a Roman Catholic priest. And now each is prepared to give his life to serving other people in the particular way he feels God is calling. Take 29-year-old Huy Nguyen. One day he was sitting in an intensive Englishlanguage class in Swanbourne. He remembers being asked by his teacher what he would like to do with his life. • thought about it and the first word that came to my mind was 'priest'," he said. It was this that started the process of discernment that eventually led him to St Charles. But Huy (pronounced 'Hee') came from a village in South Vietnam that is strongly Catholic. In childhood, parish life was a part of everyday life. Asked why he wants to become a priest he said that over the years he has come up with different answers to that question. His own Vietnamese parish was very active and as he grew up he progressed through the different groups organised by the parish for children, teenagers and adults. 'I thought, if I became a priest I might be able to organise groups of people and

involve them in the parish, bring them back to their faith and help them reconnect their lives to God,' he said. But, at the same time, he has also seen the hand of God at work in his life, guiding both himself and his family 'in a very mysterious way.' Huy's family have come through hardships and occasional tragedies but they have all survived and drawn closer to each other in the process. Unrelated and unexpected people have come at just the right moment to help his family survive. In Vietnam, Huy's mother died in 1982, when he was just 12. His father, at that

For Phong, thoughts of the priesthood The last of the trio, Son Nguyen, 31, had been present since his teenage escaped Vietnam in 1987 and ended up years. Here in Australia, two years after in a Philippines refugee camp for four he arrived, he heard that his sister in years. Vietnam had married and the news left His brother, who had escaped in 1981, him thinking about the purpose of his was already in Australia working as a life. tailor and was eventually able to spon'That's whenIfirst thought I wanted to sor him out to Australia. For three years Son worked in his be a priest,' he said. Another Vietnamese-born schoolfriend also wanted brother's shop and then began to study to be a priest and the two friends would English. As a child in Vietnam he would go to often talk about it on the way to school. Both would go to talks on vocations Mass every day, seeing the priest as a figand even visited the Redemptorist ure of authority who lived well in comFathers in Sydney. Neither at that stage parison to his family, who were very knew that St Charles Seminary even poor. At first, that was what attracted him to the priesthood. But the thought of priesthood didn't become serious until he found himself in a refugee camp. There, he said, 'I saw so many people living in very hard situations and with almost nobody to help them - only one American Jesuit.' Although he hadn't thought of what it means to be a priest for years, the image of priesthood began to keep coming back to existed. Phong's friend today is Fr Joseph him, stronger and stronger. 11.an, now stationed as an assistant priest He asked the Jesuit for advice and was at St Thomas More parish in Bateman. told to spend time discerning what God A few years later, when his parents had wanted from him. But soon after, the arrived in Australia, he heard them men- American was called home. Son arrived in Australia in 1991 and at tion an inquiry day at St Charles. He attended and met the-then Fr Justin Bian- that stage, he said, 'I thought my vocachini who later received him into the tion was totally lost because of the lanseminary. guage problems.' Why does he want to be a priest, His family had arrived here one year though? earlier and soon after his oldest brother 'I also came from a very strong, tradi- married, making Son the oldest - and tional Catholic family,' he said. responsible - son. 'Here in Australia I was struck by the 'So I thought my responsibility was to Son Nguyen, Phong Nguyen and Huy Nguyen at St Charles' Seminary in Guildford last Monquestion because of my younger broth- care for and help my parents,' he said. Photo Peter Rosengren Which takes us back to the tailor's shop. day. er. 'My parents would write [from Viet'Iworked hard for three years,' he said. Eventually, after hearing a seminarian the priesthood later in life than the three naml and urge both of us to go to Church. 'Then, one day, I was lying on my bed, speak, he visited St Charles where the- Vietnamese deacons. My younger brother didn't want to go so looking at the ceiling.Iwas very tired but then Rector, Fr Paul Fogarty, introduced For 23 years he was a medical anthroI was confronted with the question of couldn't sleep andIwas wondering what him to seminary life. pologist at the University of Western Auswhy I wanted to go. I was working so hard for Today, he said, the most important thing tralia, leaving there as an Associate Initially, he said, he thought that priestHe remembers thinking there must be a priest can be is to be a witness, some- Professor four years ago to take up his hood was the way for him to develop more to the meaning of life than work- one to bring Jesus to other people. studies for the priesthood in Rome. and grow in his faith. ing to earn money so he could live a In Rome he lived at the Pontifical Beda 'My image won't do it, but Jesus will do However, he said, he has come to comfortable life. it through me, as His tool, and He will College and studied at the Angelicum realise 'that faith is not just for me, but 'Maybe God was calling me back,' he do the rest,' he said. University, graduating with honours in something I have to live out and share said. So, for the next year, he prayed to Now, Son said, he wants to give his theology. with others.' God saying 'If you want me to be a priest, faith to others. And, he added, he would The author of four books and over 70 'I guess to be a priest is to help others give me a way.' like to help young people discern their articles in anthropology, medicine and also to experience the life of Jesus and He wanted his parents to be comfort- vocation. theology, he has a strong love of research to share their own faith and to journey able, but he still couldn't shake off the Doctor Charles Waddell, 40, is the and writing. with me as well,' he said. thought of priesthood. Continued on Page 15 American of the bunch and has come to

'There must be more to the

meaning of life than earning money to be comfortable.'

Janet Wallace: hoping to attract young women to the CWL

Bishop Launcelot Goody was then national chaplain of the NCGM. She has also worked part-time, and has raised two sons and a daughter, she has has two grandchildren. Mrs Wallace has been involved in voluntary work for most of her adult life and never ceases to be amazed at the generosity of so many willing to share their time and talents for the good of others. "It is amazing how much we collect for the Bandyup Prison women, and we would like to augment our contribution to St Charles Seminary; the financial drain must grow, with so many seminarians coming through. "The young people out there are responding to God's call; we can all respond in our everyday lives - we can all make a difference. "Mother Teresa said: 'Begin where you are at.' The Perth branch of the CWL extends up to Kalgoorlie. Mrs Wallace said she would like to be able to visit the country branches and revive interest in the League as "the need is always there; the talent is always there." She believes people are returning to the idea of clubs as a way of "starting to enjoy 'local' more than they used to, returning to the village concept." "People really don't want to travel too far any more except for something special," she said. Mrs Wallace said the CWL is targeting those women who are still at home during the day and who can attend even one meeting a month. The CWL can be contacted at its office at 49A Vincent Street, Mt Lawley WA 6050, phone/fax 9328 4767.

stage, was still in a Communist re-education camp, one of the many making up the Vietnamese gulag after the Communists took over the South in 1975. With no social security system in existence, the family faced disaster. But a friend of his mother's stepped in and helped his eldest sister run a small retailing business selling food to local villagers. 'Somehow, things seemed to go in a smooth way for our family,' he said, adding that the hardship had drawn the family closer together. Today, he said, his hope as a priest was to bring God's love and presence into people's lives, to help them identify it at work and to share with them in their difficulties. Phong Nguyen, also 29, has been in Australia since 1986. Like his two friends he was a boat person, part of the human tide forced to escape Vietnam in the years of persecution and repression in the late 1970s and 1980s. Aged just 13 at the time, he escaped on a boat with his younger brother, then 11, and their uncle. The brothers were held in an Indonesian refugee camp for 15 months - a relatively short time - before being accepted by Australia.

If we can't defend Chfistmas, then how will we defend other challenging truths?

any years ago the slogan "put Christ back into Christmas" was coined to protest the commercialisation of that celebration. The slogan is now somewhat dated, and could be replaced with "put Christmas back into Christmas". Iam referring to a trend started by American liberals in the '90s of calling the festive season simply "the holidays", omitting all reference to Christmas. Many negative social trends originate in the US, and are spread around the globe through their dominance of visual media. You will see this occurring in current affairs programmes such as NBC Today, on the larger web sites such as Alta Vista and CNN, and in various sitcoms, which have now replaced the traditional Christmas episode with a "holiday" show. It will not be long before Australian liberals adopt the tend in force. Some have done so already. Denying the existence of Christmas is not new. Decades ago an atheist card manufacturer invented the banal "Season's Greetings" and "Merry Xmas" - All such Christ in Christmas in Northbridge in 1998: Stefan cards I receive, including one from a Catholic charity, go straight into the bin. Adamache's icon of the Nativity in a Greek shop. The Record, December 7 2000 Page 8

We have even seen sporadic attempts to resurrect the pagan festival of Yuletide. Yet it was not until the Nineties that liberals united in a final offensive to banish Christmas from public language under the banner of political correctness. Just which part of Christ's teachings do they find so offensive that they refuse to celebrate His birth? Do they have something against peace, love, equality and care for the poor? Many of them claim they hold these values. No, liberals worship human sexuality and their own intellects, which are both anathema to the chaste and humble Christ whose birth we celebrate. That is the real reason they want to abolish Christmas. When liberals do something sinister, they always make out there's a reason for it. Their justification is that saying "Christmas" upsets those who don't believe in it. Let us assume there's a liberal who really feels the pain of Moslems who have been wished a happy Christmas by their TV sets. Now this liberal believes what liberals say, rather than what liberals do. To him all cultures are equal, so he has no basis for preferring the sensitivities of one culture over another.

The disintegration of Christian civilisation in Australia is nowhere seen more graphically in the way Australians celebrate Christmas. Perth lawyer Stephen Gethin takes up the challenge of urging Christians to insist on their right to celebrate this major feast with the same pride as other religions celebrate their major feasts. He should therefore also be sensitive to out huge protests. As a result the media are our offence at being deprived of our sec- hyper-sensitive to "gay" concerns. Yet as ond holiest celebration. This liberal is, in Christians we allow the media to attack us fact, related to the tooth fairy - he does not with impunity. We are in the middle of a exist. long-term trend back towards the persecuAustralia was established as a Christian tion of the Church. country. It is Christianity that made it the It may not be too late for us to stem the sort of country that people of all creeds tide, but we will have to act now before the have flocked to in large numbers. balance of power shifts further towards the They should not come here and then mess left up their host's party Liberals don't believe in freedom for all, Indeed, most immigrants don't want to do only freedom for liberals. that, it's just their self-appointed represenThe first stage of the campaign, which tatives taking their names in vain to began in the Sixties, was for various obnoxadvance another un-Australian cause. ious minorities to claim equal rights to the You can't deny that its Christmas without Church. offending Christians, or at least you shouldThis is not because they believed that, for n't be able to. example, the homosexual lifestyle had Christians, although being perhaps the equal merit with the Christian one, it was largest potential lobby group, have always just too early to tell us that they thought it been the least concerned to defend their was superior. own interests. It's not too early now. Now that the eneYou can't offend homosexuals on TV with- mies of the Church have their places in the

sun, they feel the confidence to try and suppress her. Of course, they still pay lip service to freedom of religion, except when our civil liberties come into increasing conflict with what they claim to be theirs. Isn't it odd how in many social debates where freedom of religion conflicts with some other "freedom", religion has to give way? A top Australian federal human rights official recently denied the rights of Christian employment agencies to require Christian values of their staff. In New South Wales, you can be punished for making statements which are offensive to homosexuals. The proponents of the law claimed that the very teaching that homosexual acts are wrong itself encourages violence against them, and should not be allowed. The Church's enemies have subdued her as a social force because of the overwhelming apathy of what certainly was, and may still be, a Christian majority. If this apathy continues there will come a time, if it has not come already, when you can go to jail for preaching aspects of the Christian faith. The fight for the public celebration of

The American Family Association has, for Christmas is a vital battleground in the war example, waged many successful boycott for Western culture. Having Christmas on the calendar says campaigns against companies that attack that we are still a Christian culture, not a Christian values. pagan one. II we can't defend Christmas, They were successful in having the 7-11 which evokes positive images for the vast chain (a large group of convenience stores) majority of people, then how can we hope cease to stock pornography by encouragto defend the more challenging aspects of ing Christians to complain about it We can the faith? learn from their example. If we can't convince people that it's If it's not Christmas in a particular store, acceptable to have a good time celebrating then don't do your Christmas shopping the birth of Christ, how can we possibly there, or any other shopping for that mathope to convince them of Christ's message ter. Let the management know why you're of restraining our passions and self-sacri- doing it fice for the good of others? If it's not Christmas on your favourite sitIlls these internal restraints, not the mder- com, don't watch it. nal restraint of the police force, which holds When the sitcom star or current affairs society together. presenter denies that its Christmas, get on "good" out of fear of are only If people the phone or write in to the TV station in punishment, rather than because of inter protest nal conviction, then we are halfway down It is no excuse that they regularly import the slope to social ruin. the show from America, and it's just what Defending Christmas is a battle we can easily win, if only we occasionally fire our they say this time of year. Those episodes are offensive to us, so they guns. There are many inspiring instances of should refuse to screen them. It only takes grassroots Christian activism changing cor- a few minutes to make some calls or write some letters. porate behaviour. As this cultural disease originated in the Tell these Grinches that we want our US, so has the potential cure. Christmas back! The Record, December 7 2000 Page 9

Issue 6

MS( \ fission Office, PO Box 177 Kensington NSW 1465 Phone: (02) 96970983, Fax: (02) 96970984

Fact File on Water

T IS ESTIMATED that 1,200 million people do not have an adequate supply of water. In Papua New Guinea less than one third of the rural people have access to a proper water supply and 80 per cent of the population live in rural areas. People in developed countries spend in excess of 17 billion dollars each year on food for their pets. It would require only half this money to ensure that everyone had access to clean water.

DRINKING, COOKING & WASHING Two-thirds of the world's households use a water source outside the home, and women often walk long distances to collect it.

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When God would save a world from sin He chose with mothers to begin And, through a virgin mother birth To bring good will to men on earth When Christ the way of life would tell A woman listened by a well When he was tired and needed rest Two women honoured him as guest. He caused a maid to walk again And raised a widow's son at Nain

Please ponder this ... for it has been estimated that ... • Households with dishwashers, washing machines and sprinklers use — 1000 litres a day • Households with a piped supply and taps use 100 to 350 litres a day • Households using a public hydrant in the street use - 20 to 70 litres a day

A mother's love will stand by you When other friends have proved untrue She'll round your bed her vigil keep While other eyes are closed to sleep She'll cleave to you till life shall end And be on earth your dearest friend Our mothers steer the ship of state 'Tis they who make the nation great Our nation will be bad or good According to its motherhood And back of all great men is seen The image of an uncrowned queen The main purpose of Mission Outreach, a newsletter of the Australian Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, is to inform the people of Australia about our mission work in the world today. We will suggest areas where you can support and assist the missionaries such as by: (a) prayers and contact with individual missionaries; (b) becoming lay, religious or clerical missionaries; (c) giving financial and other support. Design & Layout by Pixie Publications Pty Ltd. Burleigh Waters Qld 4220 Fax: (07) 55 200102

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Fr Adrian F Meaney MSC, OBE ECENTLY I was in Papua New Guinea for the ordination of Bishop Alphonse Chaupa an auxiliary Bishop of Archbishop Karl Hesse MSC. The ordination ceremony was most prayerful and it lasted 4 hours and 20 minutes. Such an extended length of time was due to the participation of the faithful. Everyone wanted to take part, and the impression gained was that almost everybody did in fact participate. Missionary churches are sometimes described as young churches. They exhibit youthful enthusiasm and look forward in hope, rather than back in dismay. Moreover they have the satisfaction of growth in numbers, especially an everincreasing number of local priests and religious. In our 'MSC Mission Outreach' we put before you a number of requests for assistance. They come from many parts of the world, but we try to concentrate on the Asia Pacific region. We support the education of students in a number of countries. Our Clean Water projects have assisted hundreds with good water, and we plan to assist many thousands in the future. Recently we have been able to send over a dozen Lay Missionaries from many parts of Australia You will notice that a number of our articles have reference to the Society of St Vincent De Paul. Fortunately we have a strong working relationship with the Society. But we would also like to point out that we are privileged to work with Rotary and other organisations. In so doing we try to keep alive the Angels' song 'Peace on earth to all those of good will'. Mary the mother of Jesus is described as 'Blessed' because of her FAITH (Lk1:45). She is blessed not simply because of something physical, but because she heard the word of God and kept it. St Augustan wrote, 'Mary first conceived (lived with) her Son in her heart, before she conceived Him in her womb'. As you read through the following pages we urge you to open your hearts in faith. You or someone you know might be able to do something practical about the needs of others. We urge you to keep in touch. Let us pray for one another.

Fr Meaney offering Mass in a PNG village near Bereina

HE WARS of the next century may well be fought over water. Apart from air, water is the most essential commodity. But it is becoming more scarce by the day for human life. By the end of this year, global consumption of water will be ten times greater than it was in 1900. Forty per cent of the world's population has no access to clean drinking water. Our bodies are seventy percent water. Without water, we would die within 3 days. A person needs a minimum of 5 litres a day for drinking and cooking. Eighty percent of diseases in much of the undeveloped world is related to poor drinking water and lack of sanitation. UNCOOL DAMS Big dams started well, but have ended badly. All over the world there is a growing movement against dams. They are uncool, undemocratic. They are a brazen means of taking water, land and irrigation away from the poor and giving it to the rich. The reservoirs displace huge populations of people, leaving them homeless and destitute. Prize winning author Arundhati Roy, writing to the Indian magazines, 'Frontline' and 'Outlook' estimate that 33 million people have been displaced by dams in India alone.

Clean Water Project is an initiation of the MSC Mission Office. As you continue to read we will suggest where you can support and assist those in need of an adequate water supply. For further information, you may contact: Clean Water Project, Mission Office, PO Box 177, Kensington NSW 1465 Phone: (02) 96970983 Fax: (02) 96970984

?eá2 fIi beetidoz Allow me to drop in a THANK YOU note to your generous office for helping me in the purchase of a laptop computer. The computer helps me in keeping and recording the necessary documents efficiently in the parish where I am working. It helps me with the recording of: I. Baptism and Confirmation Records 2. Matrimony Records and Certificates 3. Church correspondence I have worked with computers and I know that they save time, are efficient and give you a neat presentation. Once again, thank you very much for your generous gift. Yours in His Heart Fr Maukai Ititaake MSC Greetings from Melbourne. I am well and adapting to the cold winter of Melbourne. Study has been quite tough and challenging. Ibelieve I am doing reasonably well, in spite of almost ten years away from books and lectures since leaving the seminary. It was difficult from the beginning of the year, but I managed to get myself back into it as weeks rolled by. I want to thank you and the Australian MSC Province for giving me this opportunity at Heart of Life Spirituality Centre, to prepare me for formation work. The course has been very good for me personally as far as my spiritual development is concern. I continue to pray that you will be able to get enough support to continue the good work in supporting others like me and work of the Church overseas. Yours in Christ Fr Patrick Bai MSC

The Vision of MSC Mission Office

will be attentive, as our Founder was, to those who suffer and are in need. We will seek to identify the causes of their suffering, and to discern what our response will be by following in the light of the Gospel and by listening to the world and to the Church. In the poor and the little ones, in all the victims of injustice and violence, we will discover the face of Christ. He asks us to bring his love into their lives. In answer to his call, we will show our compassion towards them by working courageously to guarantee their human rights, and to change the hearts of their oppressors. MSC Constitution #21 & 22

We would appreciate your letters with suggestions, advice or requests for Mass to be offeredfor your intentions etc. Editor

A few rosaries toi ) our Missions at last. Production has been very slow for some time as my 'partner' in the Rosary Factory decided he didn't want to make rosaries any more. My 'apprentice' is not very energetic. It takes him several weeks to make just one decade. In more than a year, he produced 2 rosaries, one of which is enclosed. However, things should speed up a bit soon, as I've been told that the aforesaid 'partner' wants to begin making them again. It didn't help matters that I'm not as nimble fingered as I was years ago, in fact I seem to be losing the sensitivity in my finger tips and it is only when I am making a rosary that my fingers begin to work properly. You might spare a prayer for me also, because if my fingers and eyes give up on me. there'll be one rosary maker less. May God bless you and Our Lady keep you. Yours in Mary's service, Cecilia Donovan It is with great joy and happiness that I am able to enclose my Money Order for $300.00 as a donation to your 'Clean Water Project'. Recently, my hot water service did not function two days and I was obliged to pay a down payment on a new hot water system. However, it was discovered that the problem was only a faulty relay in the meter box, and my deposit was refunded in full. Ibelieved this to be Divine Providence and felt that the Lord was demonstrating to me that although I am only on a widow's allowance, I could well manage without this little 'nest egg' and donate it to a worthy cause. For some weeks, I deliberated as to which one it would be and whenI saw your 'Clean Water' layout and the Divine Image of the Lord's face reflected in the pool of water — I knew this indeed was the one. I recall the words of the hymn: 'Come to the water, you who are thirsty'. May God bless you in your wonderful work. Margaret Noonan

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Fr CASPAR TO VANINARA MSC Provincial of PNG Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Fr Caspar was born at Vunalalca East New Britain and educated by the FM! Sisters (a local congregation) and did his secondary studies at St Peter Chanel Minor Seminary. He took his first vows as an MSC in 1975 and was ordained a Priest in 1982. As a young priest, he ministered at Fane in the Papua Highlands and later in the Diocese of Kavieng and Rabaul. He contributed greatly to the local church during his years at the Melanesian Research Institute. He is working towards his Masters in Sociology.

As Provincial he is responsible for over 150 Priests and Brothers working in seven Dioceses. One of his special concerns is the formation of his Priests and Religious. Fr Caspar is anxious to find assistance by way of scholarships and burses for students.

Fr BILL LINDEN MSC Born in Holland in Haarzuylens near Utrecht (03.08.1932) 'My primary schooling was in that city and in Grade 1 & 2, I was taught by the Brothers of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, a smallish teaching order mainly from Holland and Belgium. High school education was with the Priests of th Sacred Heart (S.C.J.) in Helmand and Bergen op Zoom, where John Bosman, now a fellow MSC, joined me. In 1955, my whole family migrated to Australia an in July,Icame to Douglas Park. Seminary studies were in Croydon, Victoria, followed by my appointment t Papua New Guinea in 1964. I am now in the Holy Name Parish on the outskirts of Port Moresby. Most parishioners live in rural shanty towns like settlements and some have a little income from vegetable and swamp fish selling. Before this parish, I was in Popondetta, Boregaina. Erima, Badili, Sogeri and Mount Hagen.' Fr Bill Linden would like to use the area under the Parish House so that it could be used as (a) Small Chapel (b)Community meetings youth, women, Parish Council, Civic development etc and (c) classes for Catechists . This will require: m*a 1. Cementing floor - $2,700 2. Plumbing (2 toilets and kitchen sink) - $2,600 3. Material for walls - $5,200 4. Furniture etc - $1,800 Total amount — approximately - $12,500

MSC IN INDIA

NDIA HAS a Christian population of 25 million, a lot of people, but not among one billion. Of these, some 17 million are Catholic and most of them live in Kerala state, the SW corner of India's tip. Here long ago about 52AD, the apostle Thomas is reported to have come to the port of Cranganore which traded with foreign lands and probably had Jews of the diaspora. Tradition says that he founded several churches and then went around to the SE coast near Madras (Chenew) where he was killed at Mylapore where some of his relics are at the Cathedral of San Thome. Kerala Catholics hold this tradition strongly and are devoted Christians, with at least 2% of the state's 33 million being loyal to the Faith. There are three Catholic rites — Latin, Syro-Malibar and SyroMalanmara. There was an unfortunate schism among the Syro Christians in 1653 when many broke away from Rome. In the 1930s. A group of these returned to Rome in the Syro-Malanmara rite.

It is the Syro-Malibar rite that impresses the visitor. It provides 60% of the vocations of India, men and women, with vocations still being numerous if dropping as the birthrate in South India declines. Our novitiate is in a large Syro-Malibar parish, Kanjoor, in the diocese of Emaculism where perhaps half the population is Catholic. Close to our house is the huge seminary of Alwaye, which was a Latin-rite seminary and a Syro-Malibar seminary totalling nearly six hundred students. Our parish was founded in the year 1001 (one thousand and one AD). We are in very good company, and crowds throng the churches in a way to make us envious. In this MSC house, I assist with instruction in English, spiritually and in general formation, and watch the light of truth shine in a fascinating land whose culture is so different to ours. Tyson Doneley MSC

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Fr Ignatius Tyson Doneley MSC was baptised at Oakey in Queensland where his family was engaged in grazing. He attended Marist Brothers schools in Rosalie (Queensland) and Hunters Hill (NSW). After ordination in 1946, he began University studies in Sydney and then commenced his appointment as teacher at Downlands ( 17 years). Chevalier at Bowral (6 years), St John's in Darwin (6 years). Chanel Seminary (6 years). More recently he teaches in Indonesia and India. Photo: Fr Tyson with some MSC students in India

MSC Mission Office Statement 1

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The MSC 'Human Development & Mission Promotion' (MHDMP) acts by analysing the cause of injustice and poverty, by seeking remedies, through raising awareness and support (personnel, goods, funds) for those with whom we work or those who seek our assistance. In this way we strive to share with others a common vision and mission for justice, peace and integrity of all creation.

Our Mission Office is in Sydney.

We are On-Line You can email us on the Internet simply by entering: Email: mscmisio@acon.com.au Our Web Page is: www.mscmission.acon.com.au

Photo: Fr Hansotte with a newly married couple at the entrance to the church. Father Hansotte has had a most varied ministry. He is a gifted teacher and was Headmaster of a government high school in PNG for many years. As a good citizen of France, he spent a period of his life in Vietnam during the war, but he was greatly relieved when he could answer his deepest call — to be a missionary.

From Kiribati Dear Adrian, I hope this letter will find you in great form. As for me, everything is going as well as can be. I am now a parish priest in Fiji and I enjoy it enormously in spite of the coup. My parish has a sea front of 28 km with all the Pacific scenery and includes 5 hill villages, which reminds me of Papua New Guinea. You know that I went to South Africa in 1998 and I enjoyed the MSC Community there but then my visa and contract expired. I then went back to Paris and acted as translator and guide, and returned to the Pacific — the hest part of it. On the morning of the coup,I was in Suva and did not see anything. The worst impact is, and will be for a long while, economic and the little people will suffer as usual. I am doing my best to find those in my parish and elsewhere who require assistance. I hope there will not be hard sanctions. They wouldn't help and would increase the sufferings. God bless you and your work. Please remember Fiji in your prayers. Father Henry Hansotte MSC Fiji

SUVA In Suva the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have a HOSTEL for 'STREET YOUTHS' as well as a FARM in the countryside. These facilities have been a great support for the hundreds who have been accommodated, as well as an opportunity to be given some work experience. The MSC's run a drug and alcoholic centre where continuous assistance can be offered to those addicted, or want to prevent forming an addiction. Recently we received a letter from the Director of the CHEVALIER FARM asking for scholarships ($500.00) for student scholarships as well as kitchen & dining items and tools for work. Are you able to assist??

Dear Adrian, I would like to convey my word of thanks for supporting my work here on Abemama Parish and the outer islands. Thank you for the solar panels and other goods. Thank you for helping to repair the boat. With the boat.Ican visit my other two parishes (Kuria and Hanuka). I have been hard at work building a water well for the parishioners and the students. However, there is still work to be done. I want to go to Tarawa to buy PVC water pipes so that we can provide water to more people in the villages. See you when you come next. Father Tatieru Ewenteang MSC, Kiribati Fr Tatieru is seeking $5,300 for his water problems. Unfortunately Kiribati is a long way from anywhere, and costs are high. Also the island of Abemama is 12 hours out to sea from where goods are purchased.

I write to acknowledge and thank your office for subsidising my university fees (A$5,574) I regret that I wasn't able to do this earlier, I thank you for your kind considerations. My studies would not have continued without your valuable assistance. I am very grateful to the Australian Province and your office. Thank you. Your sincerely Fr Edward Meli MSC

HOMILY GIVEN BY BISHOP TED COLLINS AT THE FRANK FLYNN FUNERAL MASS OF FATHER what a tribute to our great ce press VIP CT R1-; III Jf

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-ular lam quoting, end Frank Flynn! He was no ordinary doctor. He was an tstanding Eye Specialist graduating in medicine th first class honours from Sydney University in 1930. He then went to London to specialise in eye surgery where he won international recognition before returning to Macquarie Street, Sydney in 1934 for two years. He dropped a bombshell when he left his practice and entered the Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart to study for the Priesthood as a Religious. He was ordained in March 1942 as a MSC Priest. He arrived in Darwin in September 1942 as an Army Chaplain and an Opthamologist - filling both roles admirably. In 1943, on a trip to identified he Hermannsburg, slaus Flynn disease widespread a as Trachoma cred Heart among Aborigines in Central irop. AO. AC mber 1906 Australia. He made an invaluable study of the situation and shocked iarY 1937 ch 1942 medical and army authorities with his .9 July 2000 reports. He treated many victims of the disease, moving through the !rritory whenever possible. He was not only a Religious priest, he was also a baler. This was a real following of Jesus Christ.

Father Frank Flynn in the company of a young Sir Michael Somare, first Prime Minister of PNG, his children and Archbishop Virgil Copas MSC in 1975

Photo: Fr Hansotte with a newly married couple at the entrance to the church. Father Hansotte has had a most varied ministry. He is a gifted teacher and was Headmaster of a .

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K!t Dear Adrian, I hope this letter will find you in great form. As f me, everything is going as well as can be. I am ric a parish priest in Fiji and I enjoy it enormously spite of the coup. My parish has a sea front of 28 km with all ti Pacific scenery and includes 5 hill villages, whi4 reminds me of Papua New Guinea. You know thal went to South Africa in 1998 and I enjoyed the MS Community there but then my visa and contra expired. I then went back to Paris and acted translator and guide. and returned to the Pacific — ti best part of it. On the morning of the coup.I was in Suva and d not see anything. The worst impact is. and will be f a long while. economic and the little people w suffer as usual. I am doing my best to find those my parish and elsewhere who require assistance. hope there will not be hard sanctions. They wouldr help and would increase the sufferings. God bless you and your work. Please rememb Fiji in your prayers. Father Henry Hansotte MSC Fiji

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SUVA In Suva the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have HOSTEL for 'STREET YOUTHS' as well as a FARM in the countryside. These facilities have been a great support for th hundreds who have been accommodated, as well an opportunity to be given some work experience. The MSC's run a drug and alcoholic centre where continuous assistance can be offered to tho addicted, or want to prevent forming an addiction. Recently we received a letter from the Director the CHEVALIER FARM asking for scholarshij ($500.00) for student scholarships as well as m* kitchen & dining items and tools for work. Are you able to assist?? 6

Australian Province and your office. Thank you. Your sincerely Fr Edward Meli MSC

HOMILY GIVEN BY BISHOP TED COLLINS AT THE FUNERAL MASS OF FATHER FRANKwhatFLYNN a tribute to our great

secular press Iam quoting, HE FIRST READING (Isaiah 61:1-3a) is very friend Frank Flynn! appropriate as it is used in the Ordination to He was no ordinary doctor. He was an very the Priesthood. The Gospel too is also outstanding Eye Specialist graduating in medicine appropriate (Luke 18:35-43) as it reminds us Jesus with first class honours from Sydney University in healed and cured the sick, giving sight to the blind. 1930. He then went to London to Fr Frank Flynn also healed the sick specialise in eye surgery where he and restored sight to the blind. won international recognition before Before I boarded the plane at to Macquarie Street, Sydney returning Darwin yesterday morning,Ibought in 1934 for two years. He dropped a a copy of NT News, because I knew bombshell when he left his practice that Peter Forrest, one of our learned and entered the Society of the history scholars was writing an of the Sacred Heart to Missionaries article about Frank Flynn. It was a Priesthood as a the for study two-page spread in the middle Religious. pages. There were nine photos. He was ordained in March 1942 as Four of them from the Second World a MSC Priest. He arrived in Darwin in War, another was of the Darwin 1942 as an Army Chaplain September Cathedral. I think that I should Opthamologist — filling both and an quote the opening lines of the article roles admirably. because it sets the scene. In 1943, on a trip to 'Grief hangs everywhere in the identified he Territory following the news that Fr Father Francis Stanislaus FI nn Hermannsburg, disease widespread as a Trachoma Frank Flynn died in Sydney last Missionary of the Sacred Heart Central Saturday night. It is right that we M.B.. B.S.. M.D.. Dip. Anthrop. AO, AC among Aborigines in should be sad, for we have lost a Born Sydney, 6 December 1906 Australia. He made an invaluable Professed: 26 February 1937 study of the situation and shocked man who was undoubtedly one of 10 March 1942 Ordained: medical and army authorities with his the greatest figures in our recent Entered Eternal Life: 29 July 2000 reports. He treated many victims of history. However, it would be right the disease, moving through the also for us to be glad that this great man was among whenever possible. Territory us for so long, grateful that he did so much to help He was not only a Religious priest, he was also a others, and thankful that he leaves such an immense legacy for good.' It is hard to realise that this is the healer. This was a real following of Jesus Christ.

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Father Frank Flynn in the company of a young Sir Michael Somare,.first Prime Minister of PNG, his children and Archbisho Vir. il Co as MSC in 1975

Jesus healed and then preached. Fr Frank did not use miraculous powers, but rather relied on his skills of diagnosis and treatment. He also preached by being himself, a man of God who offered love to all who needed it. He was the one who had a vision of a Cathedral for Darwin. He stayed in the Territory preaching and launching an appeal whilst also healing, teaching and preaching. In 1967, he went to Papua New Guinea where his influence again was large and well received by authorities and people alike. The Darwin Cathedral was completed in 1962; that was one of the reasons he was able to go. He also helped in the erection of the Port Moresby Cathedral by using his influence on the authorities there. He had been a founder of the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery and when he returned to Darwin in 1977, he continued his work with them as though he had never been away.

Icould be here all day talking about Frank's feats. Let me sum up by saying that he was a special person. One who served God faithfully, without losing his sense of humour. He has been honoured by his country and his Church. I had to bring his medals and decorations from Darwin yesterday, a box so large that I had to change the case I was carrying. He loved his God and he loved people. He made many friends. We are proud to call him a great Territorian, a man who has touched our lives so that none of us will ever be quite the same again. A special person who had the gift of making others feel special. What a gift! In coming together to offer this Funeral Mass in his honour, we are taking part in what he regarded as being the very foundation of his whole spirituality — the Mass. His great devotion to the Mass is something that everybody remarks on, and after all. it is the very centre of our Catholic Faith.

Greatness is measured not by what we have, but what we share Blessed are the poor in spirit, the kingdom of heaven is theirs. (Matt 5 v 3)

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-The first Beatitude tells the rich, who enjoy material wellbeing or who accumulate a disproportionate share of material goods, that man is great not by reason of what he possesses but what he is — not by what he has but by what he shares with others. a) Poor in spirit is the rich man who does not close his heart, but faces up to the intolerable situations that perpetuate the poverty and misery of the many. So often these people are constantly hungry and deprived of their rightful chances to grow and develop their human potential, they lack decent housing and sufficient clothing,they suffer illness for want of basic health care, and grow desperate for want of employment that would enable them to provide, through honest work, for the needs of their families. b) Poor in spirit indeed is the rich man who does not rest, so long as a brother or sister is entrapped in injustice and powerlessness. c) Poor in spirit is the one who holds political power and remembers that it is given for the common good only. Such a one never ceases to devise means to organise all sectors of society according to the demands of the dignity and equality that is the birthright of every man, woman and child that God has called into existence." Pope John Paul II. To the people of Tondo district, Manila.

LAY MISSIONARIES

VISITED PNG during the Easter period so that Ihad the opportunity to participate in the Easter ceremonies as well as undertake c.-)me work. The purpose of my visit was to meet people and to undertake surveys of the land and to teach and train people wherever I went. From the very first, great interest wa, shown in my instruments and people Peter Gately with his assistants in Kerema were eager to try them out. Among the surveys undertaken were a topographic contour survey for the new Kerema Cathedral and exploratory surveys of missionary lands in the mountains. Ileft PNG amazed by the strength of the faith of the people and with the greatest admiration for the farmers who clear, burn and plant the precipitous mountains slopes, people who wish to help themselves but who are also deeply appreciative of the help, spiritual, economic, technical and professional, given to them. Peter Gately

L 1Y MISSIONARY DESIGNS CATHEDRALS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA Through the St Vincent de Paul, Fr Meaney organised for a land surveyor from Canberra to visit the site. Father then asked me in May 2000 if I would use Peter Gately's work and prepare sketch plans for a new Cathedral at Kerema. Iheld phone discussions with Bishop Paul Marx, who told me that among other requirements was seating for approximately 400 people with overflow space for large crowds on covered verandas. I visited the site for six days in August 2000 and spent several days at the drawing board developing sketch proposals and exploring the alternatives with Bishop Marx. Written approval was obtained for the siting of the building before my leaving Kerema. The week spent at Kerema was most enjoyable with a lot of time spent in discussion with members of the local Catholic community. The visit gained an ecumenical flavour when I was asked by the Lay Reader of the Anglican Church to prepare a design for a new church for their community. By the end of a few weeks, a sketch plan had been agreed upon and a site plan approved by the Department of Land and Physical Planning. On returning home to Queensland, a coloured set of sketch plans at 1:100 scale were prepared and forwarded to the Bishop. John Donnelly (Architect) Brisbane

KIRIBATI I'm writing to let you know how things are going with the workshop and to tell you what a pleasure it is to have the privilege to work with the people of Kiribati. They are so happy and enthusiastic about learning new skills as well as to show us a little bit of their ways of doing things. I think the students and myself are growing from the experience. We have built a workbench and some shelving. We have performed maintenance tasks around the parish buildings including the presbytery, formation centre and the catechists' house. These include guttering, fitting doors, fitting springs to doors, locks, pad bolts and latches, fitting security wires to windows and painting wood workshop. We have spent some time replacing plumbing at the Formation Centre. Everyone seems to smile a lot and when you say `Mavri Co Vara' their friendly faces light up and they greet you like a long lost friend. The traditional dancing is very graceful and well co-ordinated. The singing is unique and touches your soul. Phil Elliot (Phil Elliot went to Kiribati with Tony Muir (regional President of St Vincent de Paul mge in Devonport, Tasmania)

The Daughters of Mary Immaculate (FMI Sisters) are a national PNG congregation of religious women founded in 1912. At present there are 118 professed members and their ministry is throughout the New Guinea Islands. and also in the Highlands and in Eastern Papua. During the volcanic eruption in Rabaul in 1994, their main administrative house was washed into the sea, and their new Generalate has only recently been constructed at Vunapope, although there is still work to be done. The biggest burden they face at present is that there are very inadequate water :upplies at their novitiate house, where there are 25 Sisters in formation. They need a new water pump for the novitiate, and new roof guttering and tanks for collecting rainwater. The corrosive nature of volcanic ash has damaged their existing equipment. The volcano in Rabaul is still very active, after nearly six years since the destructive eruptions of September 1994. Being a totally national congregation, the FMI Sisters do not have access to overseas help, like other international religious congregations.

Sister Bernadette Lik FMI uperior General of the Congregation

A minimum of $5,000 AUD is needed to cover the bare essentials of these projects.

LAY MISSIONARIES

Maree Miller in her office (an air-conditioned container) at Alotau, Eastern Papua. Maree is a staff member of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School in Alice Springs. She enjoyed her stay in PNG and her accounting skills were greatly appreciated by the nursing and diocesan staff.

Peter and Sherin Crosbie, a happily married couple, went as lay missionaries from Newcastle, New South Wales, to Tarawa in Kiribati. They never stopped working while they were there and when they departed, the Parish Priest Fr Albert said they left behind a huge vacuum. Is anyone prepared to fill it?

Dr Ron Hambleton took a month from his dental activities in Brisbane to volunteer his services in Aitape, PNG. Before he departed he was able to collect over $20,000 worth of dental equipment. He installed and used this while he was there. Ron is a devout member of the Society of St Vincent de Paul and is currently preparing to send a dental caravan to Timor. 1()

Richard Cliesse spent 3 months in Kiribati as a plumber and mechanic. During his stay he was able to start a conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. In Australia, he spends most of his free time helping the Carmelite Sisters at Ormiston. A.

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RIGINALLY the archdiocese of East New Britain or Rabaul, included Kavieng and Manus. New Britain became an archdiocese on 15 November 1966 under the first Archbishop John Hoehne, although the Catholic Church. was brought to the country in 1882. The archdiocese has had three archbishops during those 34 years — John Hoehne, Albert Bundervoet and the current leader, Karl Hesse. Six other bishops were consecrated, either as bishops of the church or as auxiliary of the diocese, the newest being Bishop Alphonse Chaupa, who was consecrated auxiliary bishop in September 2000. Over the years, the archdiocese has opened its doors to other religious orders in the country, attracting a number of vocations to them like the Franciscans, Capuchins, St John of God Brothers. The main religious orders being MSCs, Christian Brothers, FMI, OLSH and MSC Sisters.

Compassion Our love of neighbour Should be tenderhearted and compassionate. The Samaritan should be our model. Along the road he meets a wounded man, half dead, stripped, dying of hunger. He is stirred at the sight, and his heart touched with compassion (Lk 10:33) Let us not close our heart to pity, when along life's road we come across a person wounded by sorrow, bruised by ingratitude, calumny or sin, prostrate in the mud of a disorderly life, or a poor person lacking everything, or a needy family. Like the Samaritan, let us draw near to these unfortunate people, and do everything in our power to comfort them. Fr Jules Chevalier Founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

Beginnings Bishop Couppe was the real founder of this He had a Mission. practical mind, and was a realist. He never departed from his 'fundamental • intuition' which was the guiding light of his action: of work the evangelisation, to be efficient needed a solid material infrastructure. To oppose the spiritual Bishop Alphonse Chaupa and the temporal was false. The two were complementary. Starting from this principle, Bishop Couppe developed its consequences. On 50 hectares of land, he created an important centre where he opened mechanical and joinery workshops, as well as a boat yard. He inaugurated a large cattle farm for the meat supply. Thanks to all this, he could build and equip his primary and technical schools, his centre for the formation of teachers and catechists, and the hospital. And he could feed all his people. And lest anybody made any mistake about his religious denomination and intentions, he changed the name of the place to Vunapope 'The residence of the Pope', an annex of the Vatican. Nothing less! In a territory annexed by Bismarck's Germany, it was a real symbol, almost a challenge. In fact, Vunapope became the heart of the Mission ... and of the province because of its vitality. And thus it has been so even to the present time. Because of the recent volcanic eruptions, Vunapope has become an even more important centre. At the time of writing this outline, the volcano is still active and St Mary's Hospital is overwhelmed with patients requiring medical assistance. In fact, St Mary's Hospital Vunapope, Papua New Guinea, is looking for medical equipment and doctors, especially surgeons. Can you help?

*11

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that inost frightens us. We ask ourselves: 'Who amI to be brilliant?' Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to inake manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberatedfrom our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. From Nelson Mandela's Inaugural Speech in 1994

Jesus said to his host, one of the leading Pharisees, 'When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers. relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No, when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame. the blind tIat they cannot pay you back•means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous fise again'. Luke 14: 12-14

To Help Our Missionary Work Please Remember Us In Your Will Where there's a will, there's a way Please post the coupon below to: MSC Mission Office PO Box 177 Kensington NSW 1465 Australia Email: mscmisio@infinet.net.au

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Features

The Record 100 years ago With Mary Busher, Perth Catholic Church Archives volunteer

You've got problems? Ponder China's Catholics By Mark Pattison

I Kangaroo useful Excerpts from the WA Catholic Record 8 December, 1900.

A report on a new use for kangaroo carcasses suggested that in future instead of being killed, this animal would be cultivated. 'Mr Brisson, a French surgeon, says there is likely to be an exceptional demand for these animals in consequence of the success attending the use of kangaroo tendon in hospitals. It has been employed in scores of instances to tie up the fractured bones of a man's leg In order that he may use his knees while the bones are knitting together. Kangaroo tendon is as strong as silver wire. It is taken from the tail, and being animal in its nature is absorbed, and the leg does not have to be cut open, as is necessary when silver wire is used.'

Driver injured A Victoria Park report. 'A young man, Robert James Wreford, was driving a sanitary cart and it is surmised that he unfortunately fell asleep and lost his balance. The result was that a wheel of the vehicle passed over his loins. As the cart was loaded. weighing between two and 2 and a half tones, the man was fortunate not be killed outright. He was found to be suffering severely from internal injuries.'

Bazaar a gala A bazaar at Fremantle Town Hall in aid of St Patrick's Church was a gala affair. 'The seven stalls are most artistically arranged, with the centre of the hall occupied by a flower Rotunda. A lavish supply of goods is on display and some very choice works of art are available. A Japanese tearoom is arranged on the stage, with the attendants all attired in oriental costumes and the drapings in harmony.' It was hoped to surpass the 1000 pounds raised by a similar event the previous year.

Concert popular A grand concert by pupils of the Dominican Convent Greenough, was popular. 'St Catherine's Hall was the scene of a monster assemblage. Long before the entertainment began, people began to muster in large numbers, every vehicle and horse round for miles was full, or carrying a rider. Extra seats were required and by the rising of the curtain some 200 people were waiting for what proved to he one of the most interesting programmes yet arranged for a Greenough audience.'

magine being imprisoned for 21 years just for practising your Catholic faith. That's exactly what happened to Catherine Ho in China. Ho, who spoke at a 29-30 November symposium at the Family Research Council in Washington on China's rights abuses, not only suffered abuse at the hands of her jailers, but her younger sister, who was also arrested, died in a Chinese labour camp. Ho also married and gave birth to her first child while a prisoner. Now 65-years-old, Ho, speaking in sometimes-broken English, said that though not a Catholic at birth, she was educated by nuns and joined the Church at the age of 14. She also joined the Legion of Mary with the purpose of evangelising others about the Catholic faith. Within two years, her entire family had joined the Church. But in 1949, the year Ho joined the church, Mao Zedong's communist insurgency wrested control of China. Ho said one nun told her, "We're all facing persecution. I want you to think about your baptism." "I thought in my heart when God called me I would follow him forever," Ho said. On 8 September, 1955, at age 19, Ho was arrested for "crimes against China" because she refused to denounce the Pope or renounce her faith. "They tried to brainwash me. They said if I kept my faith they would threaten to kill me," Ho said. But then, she said, she thought of the passage from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians: "If I gained the whole world but lost my faith I would have nothing." "I would not give up. Many Christians would not give up," Ho said. She had been sentenced to seven years in prison, but at the end of that time, "when they found out I would not give up my faith, I was sentenced to 21 years in a labour camp." There, she said, she suffered "physically, mentally and spiritually." Labour camp prisoners were fed starvation rations. Some would try to catch and eat frogs and mice to supplement the rotten potatoes they were served. Ho said, adding many prisoners

Another person who suffered in a Chinese prison for refusing to renounce the Pope and Church: the late Cardinal Ignatius Kung Pin-mei, of Shanghai. In his case it was 30 years. Photo CNS Stephen Steele

would die from starvation overnight in the bed next to hers. Her own hunger was so bad that Ho would lean against the machine she ran to avoid accidentally falling into it, which would have killed her. They slept four to a bed - which was nothing more than a board. When one of them needed to move, she would have to call out "one, two, three, roll over," Ho said, because all needed to turn simultaneously for one to move. And if prisoners got solitary confinement, they would be put inside a box too small to stand up in for days or weeks at a time. "Every day after work, we got a two-hour socalled 'political study.' That means brainwash," Ho said. But "God's teaching I always keep in my mind and my heart." Prisoners could not call each other by name but only by prisoner number. "They degrade every value of being human," she said of her jailers. When she learned of her sister's death, she

found out that "in the labour camp you are not allowed to mourn or to cry." When she was first imprisoned, her jailers took away her Bible and rosary. One man was sentenced to life in prison, she said, for secretly distributing literature inside the prison. Another was sent to the firing squad for converting a prison guard to the Catholic faith, she said. She met her husband, Joseph, through an exchange of letters that lasted 10 years; his brother was married to a friend of hers. Joseph had been sentenced to 17 years in another labour camp for being counter-revolutionary. After lying to camp officials about the fact they had been engaged prior to her imprisonment, Ho received permission to walk five miles to the train station to meet him so they could wed and serve out their sentences in her camp. Ho said she fretted, "How will I recognise him?" and wondered, "How will I know what he looks like? A111 had was a 10-year-old photograph." Joseph's train came early, and he met her halfway along her walk to the train station and spotted her first. On the way back to the labour camp, Ho said, "those two-and-a-half miles became our dating, our wedding procession, everything." On their wedding night in 1969, they used the mosquito net to cover a picture of Mao tacked onto the wall. Five years later, their first son was horn Inside the camp. After another five years, in 1979, Ho was released after her parents, now in Hong Kong, persuaded officials to let her go since she was their only living child. Ho wrote a book in 1993 chronicling her labour camp experiences. It was published in English, Chinese and Italian. She met Pope John Paul II soon after its publication and said she told him, "WhenI was in prisonIprayed andIsurvived.Iwould tell you how we Chinese Catholics suffered for our faith, how we love the universal Church." She said the Pope answered her, "I pray for the Church in China every day.- Catholic News Service

Franciscans died for their faith in China

he Boxers was a name given by Europeans to a Chinese secret society that practiced a form of martial arts which, its members believed, made them impervious to bullets. At the turn of the century the Chinese government, at that time under the control of the Empress Dowager, used the Boxers in an attempt to drive all foreigners from the country. Rather than oppose the European Imperialist governments and their economic activities in China, much of the Boxers' anger was directed towards Christian missionaries, who they viewed, quite correctly, as trying to change the basis of traditional Chinese society. Christian converts in China did not participate in other religious ceremonies or practice ancestor worship. Humble people who became Christian were more difficult to exploit through the legal system or direct seizure of their property because they were supported by other members of their congregation and by foreign missionaries. By 1899 Boxers were attacking Chinese Christians and foreign missionaries in outlying regions of China. The Chinese govern-

The Record, Decemp.er.7 2000 Page 10

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e4r4st 2000

Perth historian Dr Jennifer Skerritt sheds some light on Catholic history to mark 2000 years of Christianity This week: The 29 martyrs of China (Franciscans killed in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900)

A painting by Li Chien-yi depicts the Chinese martyrs. Pope John Paul 11 on 1 October canonised the 120 martyrs of China who died between 1648

and 1930. Photo. CNS/I.ICAN ment claimed to have no connections with them. Then, in June of 1900 the Empress Dowager of China blocked European troops coming into Peking. The Boxers were given free reign in the city They burnt Churches and homes, and killed foreigners and any Chinese even suspected of being Christian. The German ambassador was murdered and other foreign offi-

dais and their families were besieged in their embassies. Hundreds of Chinese Christians were trapped in the Catholic Cathedral in Peking. Finally in August of 1900 an International force took Peking and delivered the surviving Chinese Christians and foreigners. By the end of the Boxer Rebellion, among the Catholic Europeans, five bishops, 30 missionaries, ten nuns and four lay brothers were dead. Over one hundred Chinese priests and religious were also killed and thirty thousand of the faithful. With such a large number of martyrs, it has obviously taken the Church some time to organise their causes. The first group of twenty nine martyrs from the Boxer Rebellion consisted mostly of Franciscans. It included three bishops, Gregory Grassi, Francis Fogolla and Anthony Fantosati. five Francis-

can priests, seven nuns (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary) and five seminarians. The rest were lay Catholics and servants of the Mission. On the first of October this year, John Paul II canonised a further 120 Chinese martyrs, including two French Jesuits, Father Leo Magin and Fr Paul Denn, who were killed in their Churches, with their congregations, at the start of the Boxer Rebellion. The Chinese government has expressed great disapproval of the canonisation of these Chinese martyrs, describing it as "an interference in the internal affairs of China." This is a very strange attitude for a government which officially does not believe in the communion of Saints. Obviously and quite correctly the government of China sees the prayers of the Church as a threat. If the government of China does not underestimate the power of prayer, neither should we.

The Challenge of Family Harmony

Soft voices, harmony, doesn't always mean a family is at peace By Andrew and Terri Lyke

he family is a system, an organisation with rules, goals, purpose, leadership and conflict. In businesses, conflict must be handled so that the organisation doesn't lose sight of its goals and stray from its purpose. Conflict that escalates to violence is out of bounds. Rules and civil laws protect organisations from violence. However, when violence erupts In the family, those protections aren't nearly enough. Families need deeper healing and faith for restoration and renewal. They need God. Any organisation of two or more people will have conflicts. Different perspectives, needs, personalities, goals and drives inevitably will fork the road. However, good organisations learn to manage conflict through compromise, negotiation, persuasion and sacrifice. This is true of business organisations, social clubs, community groups and church organisations, as well as families. But certain "guiding principles" can serve as the invisible hand that successfully directs organisations through conflict.In business, for example, the financial bottom line may serve as the guiding principle that motivates conflicting views toward coalescence, if not consensus. For the sake of a common goal, members may even agree to disagree. However, family life isn't nearly as focused as business. Family conflict often generates from separate agendas competing for primacy. A desire to keep peace in the family may restrain members from going to extremes to advance their personal agendas. But a lofty Ideal such as this sometimes seems too ethereal to rein in selfcenteredness. What helps to keep the peace in the family is: • Our understanding of what it means to be in conflict. • Working for peace where it matters most, and • Knowing when conflict could erupt into violent language or physical violence. An outward appearance of tranquillity could result from indifference. But true peace at home comes from living in the midst of

conflict and nonetheless choosing loving behaviour for the sake of the family. Family life without conflict might be boring and stagnant. Friction actually pushes and stretches us. Through conflict we learn about each other and learn how to live with each other; we discover what each one needs. As a result of conflict we experience our diverse needs or wishes in pronounced ways. So we are learning to appreciate each member's uniqueness. Soft voices and calm ways of doing things don't necessarily reveal that a family is at peace. True peace comes from living in the light of truth. What do Imean by this? The truth we know and believe as a family is that each of us is born into love, with God-given dignity and worth, and that our family is sacramental, blessed by the sacraments of the Church, a living witness to God's presence. When self-centeredness or anger tempts us to view a family member or the family as a whole outside that light, we clash with the truth. When family conflict shades us from the light of this truth, hurtful words, selfish actions, emotional and spiritual violence may begin to take their hidden toll, even when no physical violence

occurs. When our actions deny our dignity and denigrate our family's holiness, the resulting violence separates us from the light of truth. Our sinful nature also is part of the truth about us. We will at times be self-centered. Our anger will at times lead us to say hurtful things. We sometimes will forget that we are a reflection and witness of God's love. Because of our human frailties, we are susceptible to various forms of violence in our families. Finally, the same violence that threatens the broader society may creep into family life. In a world that suggests it is fine to classify and rank people according to material wealth, genealogy, race, education, intelligence and religious or political affiliation, violence among the disenfranchised is predictable. What erupts in the streets of urban cities is just one of many different manifestations of the violence that results when the truth that we all are created equal is denied. To stay focused in the family on the light of truth, we regularly go to the well of the living waters. Through prayer, worship and service, we are in relationship with God.

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Hugging is a great way to preserve family peace and maintain love.

A common reading from the Gospel is one way of encouraging peace in the family.

Holding bands while arguing with your spouse? By Father John Crossin, OSFS

've known some people who have the gift of Inner peace. When I'm with them awhile, their peace seems to transfer to me. This peace is a gift of God coming to me through others. But Ifind it only lasts for a time; thenIreturn to "normal." I know some families who seem to have this peace - even in the midst of daily work, events, confusions and differences of opinion. Inner peace in families comes most frequently through parents. It is not present constantly but can be sought constantly. This search occurs in prayer. Peace flows from God to us through our lives of prayer. A home where prayer is valued makes for

peace. Children learn how to pray through along with a tape or CD. Regular practices example. We really don't have a mature of prayer help create an ambience of peace understanding of prayer until adulthood. at home. This peace manifests itself in daily But we can learn to pray quite early in life. love and respect. Family members take the I have participated in a variety of family time to be with one another. We have a prayers in homes. A favourite form is the deep interest and concern for the activities expanded grace before the evening meal. and interests of the other family members. Here everyone has a chance to offer a petiThis is not just "quality time" but "wasttion for a special intention: a classmate at ing time." Ills the willingness just to be school, a colleague at work or a neighbour with one another. This peace is not the who is ill. Thanks for the meal becomes absence of conflict. Rather, it involves manthanks for one another. aging well the inevitable conflicts in living At other limes Ihave been part of a fam- together. ily evening prayer before bedtime. Each On a recent Engaged Encounter weekfamily member participates by taking a end,Iheard the presenting couple urge the role: engaged couples to hold hands whenever • One may read from a children's Bible. they argue. To me, this seems like a high • Another might say a special prayer of ideal. But it speaks to the fact that conflict - often quite trivial - is passing, while the the day's saint. • Everyone might sing a hymn or sing marriage bond is deep and lasting.

This peace is humble. Our inevitable human weaknesses and sins call for repentance. Peace can be restored by an apology when we are wrong. Peace returns more profoundly when we ask for forgiveness of our faults from family members and from God. This peace is active. Real inner peace reaches out to preserve the dignity of others. Peace seeks the good of our neighbourhoods and communities. Peaceful acts that oppose domestic violence, abortion, euthanasia or capital punishment flow from our inner peace. Work for the common good, for justice, flows from our inner peace. Peace is more than a feeling. Peace is a prayerful way of life that works for the good of family members, friends, neighbours and the wider community. The Record, December 7 2000 Page 11

International News

In Brief Fashion heads for Vatican VATICAN CITY (CNS) Fashion designers will converge on the Vatican on , December 16 for an audience with Pope John Paul II, Florence-based fashion event promoter Pitti Immagine announced on 27 November. Before the papal audience, the group, expected to include anywhere from 500-1,000 designers, fashion industry workers, students and fashion writers, is scheduled to pass through the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica and attend Mass. Expected to participate are the fashion designers Valentino, who traditionally attend the Pope's annual 8 December homage to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Baghdad Bishop VATICAN ary (CNS) - Pope John Paul II named a top administrator of the Order of Discalced Carmelites as the Latin-rite archbishop of Baghdad, Iraq. The Vatican announced the appointment of Father Jean Benjamin Sleiman to head the Archdiocese of Baghdad on 29 November. Archbishop-designate Sleim-an, who joined the Discalced Carmelites in 1962 had been the Order's general definitor - a sort of high-level assistant to the order's superiors - since 1991.

Melkite elected DAMASCUS, Syria (CNS) The Melkite Catholic synod elected Archbishop Loufti Laham of Jerusalem as the new Melkite patriarch. He becomes Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem and All the East. The new patriarch replaces Archbishop Maximos V Ilakim, 92, who has been bedridden since a stroke in February. The synod accepted his resignation 22 November.

Kidnap fears

FREE TOWN, Sierra Leone (CNS) - A Sierra Leonean Church official expressed frustration that two priests kidnapped by rebels in September have not been released. Fr Lusuono Pittoliruil of the Diocese of Makeni in northern Sierra Leone said he believes there has not been a consensus within the leadership of Revolutionary United Front rebels as to whether Xaverian Fathers Victor Mosellie, 64, and Franco Manganello, 62, abducted on 8 September, should be released.

No to loyalty call COWGNE, Germany (CNS) - The Central Committee of German Catholics rejected the pleas of individual delegates not to take a position against the Vatican and reiterated its support for abortion counselling provided by the organisation "Donum Vitae". Committee President Hans Meyer said Catholic laity had a duty under the Vatican II to follow their consciences, including on such issues as abortion counselling.

Pope vows Church for debt-relief campaign By John Norton VATICAN CITY (CNS) - As the holy year neared its end, Pope John Paul II vowed continuing efforts to reduce the foreign debt of poor countries - one of his jubilee priorities - as a crucial step in fighting global poverty. "We cannot permit fatigue or inertia to weaken our commitment, when the lives of the poorest in our world are at stake," he told participants in a Vatican seminar on debt relief. In a 4 December message to the seminar members, whom he received the same day in an audience, the Pope said debt relief must be carried out in a way which makes the poor themselves the protagonists of their own development. "Debt relief is part of a broader effort to achieve changed relationships between peoples and to establish a true sense of solidarity and sharing among all the children of God, among all people," he said. More than 55 representatives

from 19 poor debtor countries and 11 Catholic aid agencies were meeting from 3-6 December at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace under the theme, "From Debt Relief to Poverty Reduction." A key focus of the meeting was how the Catholic Church, which has an organised grass-roots structure unique in poor countries, might contribute to fostering civic participation in international debt relief processes. Bishop Diarmuid Martin, the council's secretary, said that the group's papal audience went longer than expected because the Pope wanted to personally greet each delegate, especially the lay representatives from poor countries. In his message, the Pope called for the rapid "full fruition" of international debt relief initiatives, "in a manner which will enable the poorest countries to become themselves the driving force of efforts to fight poverty and bring the benefits of economic and social progress to their people." Such an approach, he said,

requires that all sectors of society to fight poverty in consultation become engaged in the debt relief with civil society. process. "This is a revolutionary conHe said there was a need "to fos- cept," Bishop Martin said. ter the 'subjectivity of society,' a The program is a recognition society which enables each per- that "the politics of development, son to be an active subject by if not accompanied by democraplacing their God-Oven talents at cy - the participation of citizens the service of the wider commu- do not have hope." nity." The Catholic Church could have Bishop Martin, at a 4 December an important role in countries just press briefing, said international emerging from conflicts or dictaorganisations had made "revolu- torships, where groups who pretionary" strides in debt relief ini- sent themselves as representative tiatives over the past few years by of civil society may not really linking relief to the fight against speak for the poor and the local poverty and by requiring the par- communities, he said. ticipation of civil society. "In many of these poor coun"Until five years ago, the negoti- tries, the Catholic Church repreations to reduce debt were con- sents an organisation that is ducted in Paris behind closed present geographically in the doors and sometimes not even the whole country. So the participaparliaments of the poor countries tion of the Church could also be were able to gain access to the Important in these projects," he accords made," he said. said. The latest debt relief program Bishop Martin said he saw the signed two years ago and called momentum and "desire for "enhanced HIPC," which stands change" within institutions like for Highly Indebted Poor Coun- the International Monetary Fund tries - requires that applicant and the World Bank, but that there countries draft a national strategy is still a lot of resistance.

Chilean bishops ask for forgiveness Help call

SANTIAGO, Chile (CNS) - Forty bishops asked forgiveness for the Chilean church's sins in a culmination of Holy Year celebrations. "To ask for pardon is an act of humility and of courage; it's a choice that calls us to new behaviour and a new spirit. It's what tradition calls to make amends," said Archbishop Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa of Santiago. "A true request for pardon is not about forgetting and covering up the painful past transgression," he said. "Rather, ills about unloading the burden of remorse and getting back on the right track with renewed energy" As a culmination of the Chilean celebration of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 celebrations, Cardinal Juan Francisco Fresno Larrain led the ceremony in Santiago's

metropolitan cathedral on 24 November. Among those in attendance were Chilean President

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The genetic modification of plants and animals offers new opportunities to feed the world's hungry but the risks demand better international monitoring, a Vatican official said. Up to now, the advance of transgenic modification has been more determined by commercial interests than by safety standards or even by the food needs of developing countries, said Archbishop

Agostino Marchetto, the Vatican's permanent observer to UN food and hunger agencies. Archbishop Marchetto made the remarks in a speech at a biotechnology conference in Rome, reported in the Vatican newspaper, L'Ossematore Romano, on 29 November. He noted that 826 million people currently live in a condition of chronic malnutrition, and that UN efforts to halve that

A Chilean Mapuche woman stands outside the presidential palace in Santiago in 1998 displaying a picture of a Mapuche man who allegedly disappeared during the Pinochet dictatorship. Photo CNS/Reuters

Ricardo Lagos. The bishops sought forgiveness for transgressions such as intolerance of other religious faiths, political violence, tolerance of social injustice and human rights abuses. Bishop Enrique Troncoso 11-oncoso of Melipilla called for forgiveness for the church's failure to protect human rights, "because some sons of the Church, in tense and difficult circumstances, on many occasions made arbitrary use of their power and failed to respect people's right to life, physical integrity, freedom, to live with their loved ones and to be buried with dignity." The latter was seen as a clear reference to the thousands who disappeared during the military regime and whose bodies were never recovered for Christian burial.

Genetic modification hope and caution

number by 2015 have fallen far short of expectations. Against this backdrop, he said, the genetic modification of natural resources has already shown promising results. In Africa, he noted, genetically altered millet, sorghum and other grains have been successfully introduced. But such modifications raise serious questions about health risks, ecological damage and economic fairness.

for Eritrea By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN MY (CNS) - The arrival of UN peacekeeping troops along the EthiopianEritrean border is a boost to peace, but relief and development aid are needed urgently, said the Vatican's nuncio to both countries. "Only international solidarity can facilitate the peace process and trigger development in these countries, among the poorest in Africa," Archbishop Silvan° Tomasi, the nuncio, told the Vatican's Fides news agency. In June, Ethiopia and Eritrea agreed to a cease-fire along their disputed border and to the deployment of 4,200 UN peacekeepers. Archbishop Tomasi told Fides on 27 November that about 1,000 troops had already arrived. The entire contingent is expected lobe in place within a few months. Now that the skirmishes have ended, he said, "tens of thousands of displaced persons in camps - mostly in Eritrea - require international assistance.

. insn trust Church less but young stick to tradition and parish curates remains high. The number of Irish people expressing a DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) - The Irish "great deal" of confidence in the are becoming more like the Ameri- churches has fallen from 48 per cent cans in their attitudes to matters of in 1991 to 28 per cent in 1998. Those faith, God and Church, according to who think the churches have "too a new survey into religious attitudes much power" in Ireland have increased from 38 per cent to 46 pe and behaviour in Ireland. rcent. The survey also found a sigThe survey, conducted for the nificant change in Irish sexual moralDominican publication Doctrine & ity, with a decline in the proportion Life co-authored by Chicago sociol- of Irish people thinking that preogist Father Andrew Greeley and marital sex, extramarital sex, samepublished in late November, also sex relationships and abortion for shows that confidence in Church eugenic reasons are "always wrong." leadership has fallen dramatically, However, the report found that though confidence in parish priests young Irish people, those born after

The Record, December 7 2000 Page 12

By Cian Molloy

1970, are more likely than their elders to support traditional Catholic teaching on morality and sexuality. • The president of the Irish national seminary of St Patrick in Maynooth, Ireland, told a Sacramento gathering that deeply spiritual and well-educated priests are needed now more than ever. Mgr Dermot Farrell said "One thing is certain that when the faith is under attack one needs to look at the history of Christianity, particularly in Europe," he said. "What (held) the Church in good stead in times of difficulty. . . . was that it had a clergy that could articulate the faith."

Father Andrew Greeley

International News

Condoms have not stopped AIDS spread: Holy See By John Norton VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Vatican officials fended off insistent questions about the Church's condemnation of condoms in AIDS prevention, turning attention instead to Church education programs they said tackle the roots of the problem. The officials, opening a 30 November-1 December Vatican conference on AIDS with a press conference, stated categorically that condoms could never be morally allowed. But they lamented that the condom issue had overshadowed broader questions of human formation. "Ibelieve we must open our eyes enormously," said Bishop Jose Ftedrado Marchite, who spoke so passionately that he followed his remarks with an assurance that he was not angry. The condom

issue "is not the human reality and the reality of the suffering that we are living, and we must combat (AIDS) in a way that goes to its roots, and not only superficially," said the Bishop, who is secretary of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. The officials said that freshly released UN statistics showing an unpredicted boom in new HIV infections demonstrated the ineffectiveness of condoms in fighting AIDS. "We've seen that they've filled South Africa with condoms, and ,3 7oto L'Osservato the cases (of AIDS/HIV infection) Javier Lozano Barragan Bishop lessenhave increased instead of ing," said Archbishop Javier international attention should be Lozano Barragan, president of the given to the Church's AIDS prehealth care council. vention campaigns in countries "Experience tells us that they are like Senegal, Ivory Coast and not so effective," he said. India. "Let's ask if, observing the speFiorenza Deriu Bagnato, an Italian social researcher also on the cific action of the Church in deterpress conference panel, said mined contexts, the results that

these give can in some way" contribute to the containment of AIDS more effectively than condoms, she said. The health care officials also categorically rejected the use of condoms. "The position is very clear. The Church does not accept condoms," Archbishop Lozano said. Because the Church teaches that all sexual relations outside of marriage are immoral, the question of condom use in those circumstances is superfluous, said Camillian Father Felice Ruffini, the health care council's undersecretary. Within a marriage, even one in which one partner is infected with HIV, condom use is always prohibited, he said. "Certainly, it's difficult, it's tough to be able to maintain matrimonial chastity in this case," Father Ruffini said, but moralists cannot

craft "an exception to Christ's law." He said, however, that given the difficulty of couples in that situation, the Church entrusted "to God's mercy" those who used condoms. Discalced Carmelite Father Bonifacio Hollings, a Dutch moral theologian who consults for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said an HIV-infected husband had no right to request sexual relations from his healthy wife. "If it is true love on the part of the husband, he will do everything possible to not demand such a dangerous relation from his wife," he said. At the same time, the wife could choose to consent to sexual relations "to avoid worse things - her husband becoming intractable, or the husband being unfaithful to her, etc.," he said.

Vatican plans AIDS minist guidelines Vatican condemns Dutch law

Sudanese bombs kill 60 innocents By Cindy Wooden

ROME (CNS) - More than 60 people, most of them women and children, died in a series of bombing raids carried out by the Sudanese military on towns and schools in southern Sudan, a missionary news agency reported. 'The situation is becoming more serious day by day," Bishop Cesare Mazzolari of Rumbek, Sudan, told MISNA, the Romebased agency Bishop Erkolano Lodu Tombe of Yei said the bombardments are "war crimes" for which General Omar el Bashir, the Sudanese President, should be prosecuted.

By John Norton VATICAN CITY (CNS) - As the United Nations released fresh AIDS statistics showing an unexpected worldwide increase in HIV infections, the Vatican announced plans to publish a document giving Catholics moral and practical guidelines for AIDS ministry. The document, in the form of a "vademecum," will provide Catholics who serve people with HIV/AIDS with "specific principles for how to deal with diverse problems that present themselves," Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan, head of the project, told Catholic News Service on 4 December. A second draft of the document was presented at a 30 November1 December intercontinental Vatican working group on AIDS hosted by Archbishop Lozano's Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. No date had been set to publish the document, but "by the end of next year, we could have something more substantial," he told CNS. As dozens of Catholic AIDS experts gathered for the Vatican meeting, UNAIDS, the UN agency tracking the disease and co-ordinating international response efforts, said the number of people living with HIV or AIDS was 50 per cent higher thaA predicted a decade ago. In an "epidemic update"on 1 December, which was also World AIDS Day, the agency said 36.1 million people worldwide have HIV or AIDS. It counted 21.8 million AIDS deaths since the disease was identified two decades ago, of which 3 million occurred in the year 2000 alone. Also in

2000, 5.3 million people were newly infected with HIV, it said. AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is an affliction in which a virus weakens the body's immune system and a serious disease or infection occurs. The scientific name for the virus that causes AIDS is human Immunodeficiency virus, or HIV Archbishop Lozano, at a 30 November press conference, said that Catholic agencies accounted for nearly 25 per cent of all care provided worldwide to people with HIV or AIDS. To be consonant with Catholic teaching, prevention of the epidemic's spread must focus on values consonant with human dignity, not on condoms, he said. Sexual abstinence outside marriage and fidelity within marriage was the best course of action for the prevention of AIDS, "even if that means going against the tide in a pansexualist society like today's," he said. "In any case, ills the law of God which is always current and which is always observable," he said. Father Robert Vitillo, the US representative at the Vatican meeting and executive director of the US bishops' Catholic Campaign for Human Development, said he expected that the vademecum's drafters would focus on providing the basic principles and moral guidelines for this work." To assist in the vademecum's drafting, Father Vitillo said he gave the Vatican training materials developed by the National Catholic AIDS Network, titled, "Many Threads: One Weave." The health care council had begun translating the program into Italian, he said.

"Bashir is cutting civilians to pieces with bombs," he said. Sudanese war planes bombed the town centre of lkotos on 27 November, killing four people and seriously injuring 30 others. The Government claimed it was attacking a stronghold of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, but Samson Kwaje, a spokesman for the rebels, told MISNA his group has no base in the town. MISNA and the Washingtonbased organisation Sudan Relief and Rescue also reported the government bombing on 24 November of a Catholic school in the southern Sudanese village of Pan-

By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The Vatican condemned the Dutch parliament's approval of a bill to legalise euthanasia, calling it a violation of natural law and human dignity. The legislation was passed by the Parliament's lower house on 28 November and will become law if, as expected, the upper house approves it next year. The Netherlands would thus become the first country to make it legal for doctors to help patients commit suicide. "This is certainly a sad record for the Netherlands, to be first in passing such a law. . . . that violates the dignity of the human person," Vatican spokesman Joaquin

Joaquin Navarro-Valls

Navarro-Valls said. He said an immediate and important issue raised by the legislation is the "serious ethical problem for the doctors that are supposed to carry it out." "Once again, we are faced

Catholics and Orthodox must press On: Pope By Benedicta Cipolla VATICAN CITY (CNS) Catholics and Orthodox must persevere along the sometime arduous path leading to unity, Pope John Paul II told the ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch. Holy Year 2000, the Pope said in a message to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, has provided an opportunity for both churches to offer a "common witness of our faith." The message, released at the Vatican on 30 November was delivered to the Patriarch's headquarters in Istanbul, Turkey, by a Vatican delegation. The delegation, led by Australian Cardinal Edward Cassidy,

president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, travelled to Istanbul to participate in the patriarchate's celebration of the feast of St Andrew. In the message, the Pope recalled the July meeting of the international Catholic-Orthodox dialogue commission in the US, and expressed regret that it had not led to "real progress in our dialogue." The high-level talks ended in disagreement over issues of papal primacy and infallibility. Nevertheless, said the Pope, the commission "highlighted the need to continue dialogue and to search for the most fitting ways to pinpoint and to discuss further the issues at stake."

lit The missionary news agency said 14 bombs were dropped during the school day, destroying much of the school and sending the students and staff fleeing. Sudan Relief and Rescue said the Diocese of El Obeid, which runs the school, did not have an accurate count of the casualties because so many of the children ran into the bush and are unaccounted for. MISNA said that since 1983, when fighting began between the Muslim-dominated government and the mainly Christian and animist population of the South, more than 2 million people have died.

with a law of the state which goes against the natural law of the human conscience," he said. He added that the legislation also violates principles of the 1948 Geneva declaration on medical ethics and human rights, approved by international medical organisations, and a 1987 European medical ethics agreement. Pope John Paul II and other Church leaders have condemned efforts to legalise euthanasia, saying that it goes against the basic principle of protecting life at all stages of human existence. The Dutch legislation would allow physicians to carry out euthanasia or assisted suicide of a patient, if the doctor is convinced the patient has made a voluntary request to die and has considered the question carefully.

Process for accused WASHINGTON (CNS) - A task force of US bishops is studying the feasibility of setting up due-process guidelines to deal with cases of pastoral workers accused of being in disagreement with Church teaching. It was formed last July by Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, at the request of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men. NCCB spokeswoman An said the task force was not asked to develop guidelines, but only to assess whether ills feasible for the NCCB to do so, and make recommendations.

The .139c9rd,..Dec,ernt?95 7,2000 Page 13

Asian Catholic News

Justice, peace call for Irian Jaya JAKARTA (UCAN) - As Papuans day, police arrested Theys Hiyo in Indonesia's easternmost Eluay, the head of Papua Presidiprovince of Irian Jaya marked um Council (PDP, Indonesian their unrecognised 1961 declara- acronym). tion of independence on 1 Earlier on the same day, police December, a bishop said that arrested Thaha Al Hamid, PDP Papuans were demanding justice secretary general, a Muslim. and peace. On 4 December police detained Franciscan Bishop Leo Laba Reverend Herman, a PDP memLad jar of Jayapura told UCA News ber, after he showed up with a that the Papuans had commemo- Bible in hand and flanked by his rated their independence in a family and members of his conpeaceful way. gregation, reports said. Thousands of Papuans assemThe three, along with two othbled in the historical site of Taman ers, are under the custody of the Imbi (Imbi park) hoisted the Bin- provincial police of Jayapura. tang Kejora (Morning Star) flag, They have been charged with and proclaimed their aspirations. violating Articles 106 and 110 of Church observers said. the Criminal Code on subversion, The Church's support of which carries a maximum senPapuans is humanitarian in tence of life imprisonment. nature, the Bishop said, adding In Jayapura, Father Jack Mote that the Church has nothing to do and Reverend Corinus Berotabuy, with politics since that is the vicar general of Jayapura diocese responsibility of the Government and secretary general of the workand the Papuans. ing body of the Christian EvanIt was expected that the govern- gelical Church respectively, said ment and security officers would that all parties must be open to respond to people's aspirations in dialogue and the soldiers must a rational way, that is, without vio- stop intimidating people in the lence, he said. villages. "Papuans are demanding justice In Jakarta, the council of the and peace and they are anti-vio- Community of Churches in lence," the Prelate said. Indonesia (PGI, Indonesian "We hope that there will be no acronym) said that, "The struggles physical violence. The govern- of our Papuan brothers and sisment must be brave (enough) and ters for justice, truth and human (be) open to talk with the Papuans rights were something that to reach their hearts," the Bishop pleased God." commented. Since 1 December, 11 people Bishop Ladjar called on the Gov- have been killed, four seriously ernment to pay serious attention injured and dozens arrested in to Papuan demands, particularly connection with the Papuans' the demand for justice in all independence celebration and aspects. the ensuing crackdown, reports A day before commemoration Say.

Estrada: a Couple for Christ? MANILA (UCAN) - President Joseph Estrada stalled another resignation from his Cabinet by offering to join a Catholic couples' renewal movement. Filemon Uriarte Jr, secretary of the Department of Science and Technology told reporters on 29 November that Estrada offered to join the Couples for Christ (CFC) if he stayed beyond 30 November. Uriarte agreed to stay until 31 December. He explained that he wanted to return to the private sector in April, but Estrada asked him to finish funding proposals for information technology projects, including one for US$1 billion from the Japanese government. Two other Cabinet members have resigned since Governor Luis Singson's 9 October confession that he gave Estrada millions of pesos in illegal gambling payoffs. Uriarte said that when Estrada realised his decision to resign was firm, the president told him, "Just stay till end of December, and then I'll join you." Estrada reportedly added, "Isn't it true that you've been inviting me to join you (in the cFor According to Uriarte, the guid-

President Joseph Estrada

ing principle of the CFC, a Catholic renewal movement for married couples, is that the family is a "very important unit of society" and the relationship between husband and wife is "very important." He said he told Estrada that the president would have to complete a Christian Life Program, 13 weeks of personal and family renewal sessions. He added that when he kidded the president about whom he would bring with him, Estrada replied, "Of course, the first lady." Estrada has admitted to extramarital affairs. Before the House

Nun returns to serve Viet poor HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (UCAN) - An elderly missionary nun who returned to Vietnam in 1992 after a 23-year absence says she is happy to be back in the country serving "the poorest tribal people." Sister Lorence Sheila O'Toole has been co-ordinating smallscale projects for the Stieng, one of the ethnic minorities in Binh Phuoc province, some 150 kilometres north-west of Ho Chi Minh City "Lam happy with my current service among tribal people, because they deserve dignity as human beings created by God," the Our Lady of the Missions nun told UCA News. "I am already in my 70s. but I still feel fit enough to continue to serve in Vietnam for a few more 'years," she added. A native of New Zealand, Sister O'Toole came to then South Vietnam in 1969 and helped run a rattan furniture factory. However, the reunification of Vietnam under

One of the problems that poor people In Vietnam have to deal with: A man's house is surrounded by floodwaters in the Vinh Hung district of Vietnam's Long An province on 20 September. Photo CNS Reuters

Communist rule in April 1975 put an end to that ministry in what became Binh Phuoc province. Noting that the Stieng live in very difficult conditions, Sister

Indian priest kidnapped, Archbishop's strict rule on shot to death in Manipur Muslim-Catholic marriages MAUMERE, Indonesia (UCAN) marry Protestants, Hindus or Bud- A Catholic diocese in eastern dhists," the prelate said. Indonesia has a strict policy on The archbishop asserted, "The marriage between a Catholic and Muslims are not our enemies, but a Muslim. they always cheat us. So,I should Archbishop Abdon Longinus da clearly say in this forum, the local Cunha of Ende, some 1,630 kilo- Church never gives dispensation metres east of Jakarta in Nusa for a Catholic-Muslim marriage." Tenggara Timur province says However, the archbishop told that, "if a Catholic marries a Mus- the youths, "Don't let the rights of lim, the Catholic Church will not anyone be abused or violated." give dispensation." The archbishop also called on This was the archbishop's candid reply to a question from one all Catholics in the archdiocese to of some 10,000 youth millenium pay attention to the area's emergcelebration participants on 19 ing problems. "Poverty is still part of most November at St Thomas More Catholics' life here. The Church Church in Maumere. The archbishop maintained, strives to free people from pover"The Muslims always defraud us ty," the prelate said. "There is no way to eliminate and do not like to cooperate with the structure that brings about us." Ende, the largest archdiocese on poverty and suffering except Flores island, has more than through solidarity and unity 75,000 Muslims among some among us." He also urged the youth to build 600,000 Catholics. "The Catholic Church only gives interreligious solidarity for a life dispensation to Catholics who of harmony for everyone. The Record, December 7 2000 Page 14

of Representatives impeached him on 13 November, newspapers ran photos of mansions he allegedly gave his mistresses. In late October, the CFC placed a full-page advertisement in newspapers criticising Estrada for amassing wealth instead of helping the poor and for being a bad example to youth due to his gambling, drinking and womanising. Singson, governor of the northern province of Ilocos Sur, also alleged that Estrada pocketed tax funds intended for northern Philippine tobacco farmers. Meanwhile, Clarita Paner, a founder of the CFC's St Thomas More and Associates, noted that the group's program requires study, renewal, and transformation from old habits, and is "not a simple thing." "You have to be humble enough to admit that you've not been perfect," she explained, stressing that Estrada would have to stop seeing his mistresses and commit to his legal wife alone. The corruption allegations would also complicate his renewal program, Paner said. Estrada's offer to join the movement would not affect the group's call for his resignation, another CFC member predicted.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A 30- them to a meeting with their chief. year-old priest was kidnapped After they turned off onto a secand shot to death on 2 December ondary road, the men ordered the in the Indian state of Manipur, the priest and the driver to lay face Vatican's missionary news agency down on the ground. The priest reported. was shot in the head and the driFides, the newsagency of the ver fainted, Fides said. Congregation for the EvangelisaWhen the driver regained contion of Peoples, said Father Sha- sciousness, the gunmen had gone, jan Jacob Chittinapilly and his but had shot the tyres on the jeep. driver were forced to drive to an The driver walked back into town isolated area by two armed men. where he informed the police of The priest was shot, but the dri- the murder. ver escaped unharmed. According to the Diocese of Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Imphal, "a prominent underAgra, secretary-general of the ground group" in Manipur had Catholic Bishops' Conference of demanded money from St India, wrote to India's Prime Min- Joseph's and eight other Catholic ister and Minister of Internal schools in the area. The diocese's Affairs asking for government response was that it would not intervention to halt the newly- give in to extortion, Fides said. increasing attacks on church perUCA News, a Thailand-based sonnel, Fides reported on 4 Catholic news agency, said Indian December. media speculated the murderers Father Chittinapilly was were part of the Revolutionary ordained in 1999 and was serving People's Front, which had as assistant pastor of St Joseph demanded 50,000 rupees Parish in Sugnu. He was on his (US$1,087) from St Joseph's way home when he and his dri- School. More than a dozen underver were asked by two armed ground groups reportedly operate men on a motorcycle to follow in Manipur.

O'Toole said, "I wish to see their livelihood improve, their children having access to education and their women's status enhanced." She wants "to help them cope."

Pope's man in Ambon AMBON, Indonesia (UCAN) - Pope John Paul ll's representative in Indonesia, in a four-day visit, has taken the papal message of peace to the people of the country's conflict-prone Maluku islands. Archbishop Renzo Fratini, nuncio to Indonesia, called on some 20,000 Christians and Muslims attending the blessing of a 13-metre Christ the King monument at Masbait Hill in Maluku to work for harmony and peace in the area. The papal representative told religious leaders, 'Pray, for In doing so we can feel the unity among us as believers in the one and the same God.' Jesuit Father Ignatius Ismartono, who accompanied the nuncio to Maluku, said the nuncio met Protestant and Muslim leaders, visited mosques and cluirches, and called on the conflicting parties to reconcile.

Official Engagements

Record EYE •CATCHER fjt

DECEMBER 8

Solemn Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey

Redemptoris Mater Ordinations to Priesthood, St Mary's Cathedral - Archbishop Hickey K SC Members Mass and Breakfast, Nedlands - Bishop Healy

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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 Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth. Publisher: 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: $6.60 col cm (GST included) Classifieds: $3.30 a line (GST included) Deadlines: Tuesday, first mail. Editorial: Booking: Monday midday. Advertising: Copy: Tuesday midday. Member: Aust Catholic Press Association: Aust Religious 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.

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Archdiocesan Panorama NEW YEAR'S EVE ALL NIGHT VIGIL A ND MIDNIGHT MASS Celebrated in honour of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the Solemnity of Mary. Mother of God. Principal celebrant: Archbishop Hickey. Sun 31 Dec to Mon 1 January 2001. Commences 11pm at St Mary's Cathedral. Victoria Square. Holy Rosary, Reconciliation, followed by Midnight Mass and Prayer of Dedication of the New Millennium to the protection of Mary, followed by Adoration till 6.45am, Holy Mass (Tea and coffee provided throughout the night). ECUMENICAL CEREMONY AT NEW NORCIA Ceremony with carols within the 12 days of Christmas with the Georgian Singers in the Abbey Church. New Norcia, on Sat 30 Dec at 5pm. Celebrant: Abbot Placid Spearritt. Complimentary afternoon tea will be served from 3.30-5pm. Collection to defray expenses. Inquiries: Sally Osborn 9654 8018. PRAYER VIGIL A peaceful prayer vigil with Rosaries and hymns is made outside the abortion clinic at 2 Clever Tce, Rivervale, every third Saturday of each month f rom 11am to 12 noon. The next vigil will be on Sat 16 Dec. Please join us. Inq: Colin 9409 4543. PRAYER NIGHT Conducted by Fr Paul Baczynski at St Dominic's Church. 19 Phillips Grove. Innaloo, on Mon 18 Dec from 7-9pm. This prayer evening is for healing and also for those and their families affected by addictions. Program: Mass at 7pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Benediction and healing prayers. All are welcome. THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THEIR IMPACT ON OUR DAILY LIFE This will be the subject of a series of talks at Gracewood - God's Farm. Also Exposition, daily

Mass and Rosary. It begins 8pm. Fri 29 Dec and ends 2pm, 1 Jan 2001 .The format will be a "retreat cum break", as the afternoons will be free for a swim at the beach, a visit to the caves, or to enjoy the wonders of the local surrounding area. Inquiries: Betty Peaker. PO Box 24 Cowaramup WA 6284. Phone/fax 9755 6212. DISCIPLES' SUMMER SCHOOL 2001 Join us for one of our Summer Schools. Either 714 Jan or 14-21 Jan at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School. Registration forms at the back of the Church or ring Julie Osman on 9342 3707 (W). 9245 3701 (H) or 0413 303 769 (7am to 9pm). HOLY FACE OF JESUS PRAYER GROUP Our next meeting will be held on Sun 10 Dec. 7pm at Holy Trinity Church, 8 Burnett St. Embleton. There will be Exposition, prayers, hymns in praise of the Lord. Please bring a plate to celebrate our little Christmas gathering. HEALING MASS A Healing Mass in honour of St Peregrine, patron of cancer sufferers and helper of all in need will be held at the Church of SS John and Paul, Pinetree Gully Rd (off South St) Willetton, on Fri 15 Dec at 7pm. Info: Noreen Monaghan 9332 8292. DIVINE MERCY PILGRIMAGE AT BOVE FARM The pilgrimage is held on 21 Jan 2001. Buses leave Perth at 9am and return approx 9.45pm. For people on buses a packed meal is included. (Limited number of bus seats still available). Inquiries: John 9457 7771. Linda 9275 6608. ADDICTION SUPPORT GROUP Cross Roads Community is holding a weekly support group for the addicted and those recovering from addictions each Thursday afternoon from 1.30-3pm at 26 East St. East Fremantle. All are very welcome. For further inquiries please phone Glenda on 9319 8344.

Destined to bring Jesus to Archdiocese of Perth Continued from Page 9 Deacon Waddell's journey to the priesthood began 35 years ago, when he was living and studying for five years in a seminary in Baltimore in the United States. It was after Vatican II, and the young Charles Waddell elected to leave the seminary and work in the slums of New York City The social factors contributing to poor health and premature death of minority peoples there were what brought him to medical anthropology. After earning his Doctorate, he came to Australia as an anthropologist to help with Infant and child mortality among Aboriginal people in the State's northwest, while

working at UWA. During this time he married and had a son, Gregory. Today Gregory is 20, and studying at the University of Connecticut. Greg's move to the US gave Charles the opportunity to return to his studies for the priesthood, and Archbishop Hickey's acceptance enabled him to take advantage of the opportunity. Rome being closer to the USA than Perth, enabled Greg to visit the Beda often and to keep in close touch with his Dad. Deacon Waddell told The Record that, for him, the priesthood was many things. 'With all its possible foibles, it gives a human face to our wondrous God who walks hand-in-hand with each of us amidst

all our goodness and sinfulness, our triumphant and disaster,' he said. 'In short, the priesthood continues the ministry of our Lord Jesus - the face of God.' Nowhere is this more poignantly realised than in the Sacrament of Penance, he said. 'Through this sacrament, Jesus turns our hearts and souls to look directly into the loving face of God Himself.' For the last six months Charles has been a deacon at Mater Christi Parish with Fr Bryan Rosling. Perhaps the most eloquent observation on the journeys of each of the Vietnamese seminarians was made by Huy. Language, he said, may have been a disadvantage for each but in their faith they

have been blessed because each has been through suffering. 'We know what it is to go through the Way of the Cross,' he said simply. He noted that 'young people in Australia are blessed with freedom and a comfortable lifestyle, but somehow they seem to lose their direction.' It was a sad thing in a sense, he said, pointing out that 'young people are looking for something, but contemporary society distracts them from discerning their spirituality.' Somehow, each of these four, Huy, Phong, Son and Charles, will spend their lives looking for ways to help their fellow Australians solve that problem.

The Record, December 7 2000 Page 15

Seven decades of parish and community support for wheatbelt school

St Mary's Primary School Merredin

n 1927 the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart opened a small school in a lean-to on the side of St Mary's parish church in Merredin. In the spirit of their foundress, Blessed Mary MacKillop, the Sisters were striving to provide a Catholic education for the children of the wheatbelt. A couple of years ago the Catholic community of Merredin celebrated 70 years of the Sisters' presence in its community. The stories the Sisters shared of the difficulties they had to overcome as pioneer educators made everyone realise how much things have changed and devel- A long way away from the 1927 lean-to; the school as it is today with the oped. covered area showing the Jubilee logo and Aboriginal Studies mural. A common theme among the stories was that the Sisters only their equipment and expertise to attracting stnIf was the lack of suitable accommodation for the managed to meet the challenges prepare the ground work. A convoy of farmers' and Shire teachers. they faced through the support of trucks carted over 1,000 tonnes of their community. With at least six teachers in need This remains as a strong feature topsoil donated by one of the of accommodation, this on-going of St Mary's primary school today farming families who have a long problem was consuming considas parents and the community association with the school span- erable time and resources of the ning several generations. continue to support the school. staff and community. The Shire assisted once again In 1995 the school completed a This shared building project has significant building and refur- with the levelling of the topsoil helped strengthen the links and the site was ready for the between the Parish and school bishment plan. Children now have access to a installation of reticulation and the which are so important in Catholic education which strives planting of the grass. Catholic schools. to provide for all areas of their Much of the work involved was Parish priest Father Francis Kot development in very comfortable completed by 'Busy Bees' and the of the Salvatorian Order is often air-conditioned classrooms sur- children now enjoy a grassed oval at the school to work with the chilrounded by landscaped gardens. that wouldn't have been possible dren and to support and work A grassed playing field is one of without this community support. with the staff. the latest improvements. Another significant and much As well as the usual involvement This was a long-time goal of the needed improvement demon- of the parish priest in the sacracommunity that was difficult to strating this community approach mental preparations and the liturachieve due to the expense of to education has been the build- gical life of the school, the staff establishing and watering the oval ing of two Teacher Accoimnoda- work with Fr Francis to prepare without access to suitable ground- lion Units on parish land with and celebrate a monthly school water. However, reflecting the provisions for a third in the future. Mass on Sunday. community spirit common in the Compounding the problem The enthusiasm of the children country, the local shire donated country schools already have in for this initiative has been most heartening. Celebrating the Jubilee Year has been another strong theme in the school this year. A very visible reminder of the year has been the painting of a large Jubilee symbol on the outside wall of the computer room. This wall opens up to the central quadrangle of the school to make quite a visual impact and serve as a lasting reminder. The Jubilee feature is completed by a Jubilee Wall featuring the named handprints of all staff and students of the school in the year A feature of the Prayer Room. Students with the Jubilee logo. 2000. Alongside the Jubilee sym-

Mmmmmmm. Have colour, will create. Pre-Primary students ready their artistic talent to show what they can do. Below: technology conquers distance.

bol is an Aboriginal Studies mural reflecting the integration of Aboriginal studies into the curriculum for many years. As well as respecting and building on the traditions of the past, the school looks to the future with an extensive computer network and well-resowred computer laboratory allowing all children to gain access to today's technology. The school is also involved in a very exciting potential project in collaboration with the other schools in Merredin. The plan involves all schools being linked via radio technology to the satellite Internet 'feed' or connection currently available at the local High School. This will improve the efficiency of Internet access and allow the children of all Merredin schools to be linked via computer. Another educational innovation at the school is its change to foursession kindergarten in 2001. St Mary's operates an integrated pre-primary and kindergarten in which the pre-primary children attend full time with two groups of Kindy children attending for four sessions. Although this provides some unique challenges, it also means the transition from lcindy to preprimary and then to Year One is made easier for the children as

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At A Glance Principal: Mr Des Wilkie Address: PO Box 41, Merredin WA 6415 Telephone: (08) 9041 1907 Fax (08) 9041 2929 Enrolment: 155 Boys and Girls from k-7 Email: stmarys@merredin.wa.edu.au

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they move into familiar environments with well-established routines and support already in place. The school hopes to develop and integrate an evangelisation plan that will address many of the challenges faced in encouraging and supporting the faith growth and life of the students in the future. A key point in this plan will be the establishment of a Prayer Room in the school for the use of staff and students to help enrich the prayer life of the school.

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