No. 3646. PERTH, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1973
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Catholic increase steady; parish estimates are low The Catholic percentage of the population of Western Australia has continued to rise steadily over the past ten years, according to the latest figures released by the Commonwealth Bureau of Statistics in Perth this
week.
Based on the census will have to study more are considered as one. believe population of 1,030,469 on intensely, together with Commentators June 30, 1971, Catholics parish priests, ways of that the number of other with Christians using the word contact as keeping were numbered would be "Catholic" 267,990, which is 26 per people. The figures on Mass at- minimal. cent. 1956, Catholic In This compares with tendance will have to be tried unsuccessbishops commentary a as studied 25.5 per cent in the 1966 fully to unify people's decensus and 24.4 per cent on whether the new liturgical reforms have claration to "Catholic", in 1961. yet reached people in the excluding "Roman CathoThe other revealing spirit in which the Second lic." statistic is that the Catho- Vatican Council intended. [ The largest denominalic population of the • The census figures tion in W.A., Church of Archdiocese of Perth is represent replies given as England, are at present c alculated to be about either or 35.2 per cent. In 1961 they "Catholic" 215,000, which is far in "Roman Catholic." For were 39.3 per cent and in excess of the 145,000 that practical purposes these 1966 37.7 per cent.] were estimated on parish returns in 1970.
Bishops on schools, divorce and youth
A SEMINARY'S People who Buy Hoidens from FULL CYCLE KEVIN JAMES
• Father Simon Carson, who was ordained by Bishop Quinn last Saturday, ( pictured above), was the 75th priest to have studied at St. Charles Seminary, Guiidford.
USUALLY COME BACK FOR A NOTHER . . . AND ANOTHER A ND ANOTHER . . .
The year 1973 is the op Quinn was one of 25th year since the the first 20 students first priest from St. to enter St. Charles in Charles, Father Harold 1942 under its foundparish ing rector, the present Middleton, priest at Carnarvon, Archbishop Goody. Bishop Quinn was was ordained in 1949. For Bishop Quinn it the sixth priest to be St. from was also a special oc- ordained casion as he conferred Charles and its first the bishop when he was for priesthood first time on a student ordained to the episcofrom St. Charles. Bish- pate in August, 1969.
Trial closing
KEVIN JAMES PTY. LID. THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN CARS A UTHORISED GENERAL MOTORS HOLDEN DEALER
1308 Albany Hwy., Cannington PHONE: 68 1826
PHONE: 68 1826
Editorial deadline The deadline for editorial copy is noon on Monday. The editor should be advised if it is anticipated that material will arrive after that time; otherwise the inclusion of copy cannot be guaranteed.
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The period of experi- should be extended parishes that mentation in constitu and tions for parish pas- should be invited to for practica' toral councils will be look where brought to a close in alternatives they had found tho March, 1974. This was announced draft constitution to by the Pastoral Activi- be impractical. When suggested ties Committee of the Archbishop's Senate olf changes and additions are all in hand by Priests. This group were March, 1974, it is likely first charged with pro. that a more widely com ducing the interim r epresentative constitution that wn mittee will be formed produced four years to see the constitution ago on a trial basis. through to a conLast year the Senate clusive format that voted that the period will then be binding experimentation on all parishes. of
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The total population of the Archdiocese is estimated to be a little more than 801,000, giving an archdiocesan percentage of 26.7 per cent. These figures are con firmatory of the general The most significant items to emerge from assumption that Catholics number about a quar- the half yearly meeting of the Australian Bishops ter of the Australian Conference were on the Karmel Education Compopulation. This percent- mittee Report and the proposed relaxing of age made a significant divorce legislation in Australia. gain with the arrival of bishops granted to receive Holy five Thirty migrants from strong from all over Australia Communion in the hand. Catholic countries after met at St. Paul's College, A two thirds majority World War II. Kensington, N.S.W. for a of bishops is required beeffect of t his five day conference. The fore such a request can Catholic migration can be forwarded to the Holy of question the On • be seen in the figures a the Bishops pos- See for ratification in supplied on page 8, in divorce country. particular the that suggested which shires with larger itively • In another decision, period required than usual concentrations present the bishops agreed that of notification the for of Catholic migrant famiwith marriage (7 days) was they would meet iles have Catholic perin NovBishops Anglican short to benefit those centages much higher too to continue discusmaking a decision to ember than average (26.7). period sions on the respective the that and marry Other features of the of the Euchshould be extended to 30 theologies to comalso tables shown are the and arist days or more. on weaker percentages oi They also insisted that mence discussions the Catholic population the government provide ministry. Bishop Muldoon had alin rural areas, running more funds to marriage from Goomalling, with education services at all ready had an initial meet33.45 per cent, down to levels in order to arrest ing with Methodist repBrookton, with 10.14 per the steady growth of resentatives to have dison baptism. cent. breakdown in marriage. cussions Bishops conference The The average over the They said that the proCentral Agricultural Divi- posed divorce urged that on the local easier in the diocese every sion is 23.03 per cent. would do nothing to en- level The most telling corn- courage couples to take encouragement be given mentary that these figures their commitment more to all Catholics, includmake is that the per- seriously and in the end ing young people particucentage of people attend- would do harm both to larly, to participate in ing Mass is far lower married persons and the Church's life and than the 40 per cent pre- children. (See page 3). work. of Bishop Faulkner viously estimated. • On the Karmel edusaid: "We The archdiocesan Mass cation committee report Townsville count which was cond- the Bishops were positive- found that adults, and ducted on August 5 and ly appreciative of values especially people like 12 showed a gross total expressed in the report. Bishops, find it hard to appreciate the lives of of some 58,000 people At the same time they young people. attending Mass on the expressed reservations "Through young people latter Sunday when at- that the right of every tendances were better child to freedom of helping the Church in improved choice of education ap- various projects, we reto owing ceive some light on the weather. peared to have been hopes and aspirations of This is only one quar- abandoned. the younger generation." ter of the archdiocesan They then made their Catholic population. realready publicised ON INSIDE PAGES The problem of keeping quest recurrent for 5 contact with people in a grants for every child, Calendar modern mobile society is and encouraged all Cath- Catholic Numbers ... 8 being increasingly dis- olic levels of education Children's World .,. 7 cussed in areas with to give all possible sup- Classified large blocks of flats, port to children who Advertisin ... . ... 10 apartments and home might be excluded. Letters ... ... ...... .... 9, 11 units. ( The full statement is Pars ... ... ,.. In 5 News In the light of the dis- printed on page 6). crepancy between parish • For the third time, Sister Philomena 6 Earle ... records and the official the bishops rejected by ... 12 statistics, it is likely that 19 votes to 17 a request Sport .. parish pastoral councils for permission to be Theatre. .................. .... ... 8