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No. 3664. PERTH. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1974
Concern over the family Law Bill
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Father Barry Hickey, Director of the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau, is concerned that irretrievable breakdown of marriage as a ground for separation is being tied to a period of twelve months in the latest Family Law Bill before the Commonwealth Parliament. The Bill was explained by the Attorney-General, Senator Murphy on December 13. Father Hickey said that it ought to be appreciated that this was legislation in a new field for the Commonwealth and that if it gave proper support to f amily life then it ought to be welcomed. However, he had misgivings on several of its provisions. In his opinion, 12 months was no length of time in which to estimate that a marriage had irretrievably broken down. Often it could take that amount of time for a couple simply to appreciate that there was hope for their marriage to be retrieved. The twelve month period was open to abuse, he said, as one partner could now simply walk out against their partner's consent and a marriage was automatically broken down.
family legislation should the actual breakdown. contain strong provisions The 12-month period on for reconciliation, if at all the other hand, would not possible. allow for the fact that in This could be achieved by that time the marriage was compulsory attendance be- far from "dead" in the fore an approved marriage mind of one partner at counselling service or other least; yet the other party agency, he noted. could break up such a marAlready there was pro- riage legally. vision for a compulsory Father Hickey said that, conference where children although the Catholic under 18 were involved. Church had well defined at"The older legislative pro- titudes to the question of vision for reconciliation divorce and re-marriage, simply did not work. Law- there was no need for Cathyers were obliged to pro- olics to ignore the effect vide a list of Marriage that the new legislation was Guidance Organisations and going to have. magistrates had the discretionary power to order such TOTAL CONCERN counselling, yet there are The Church needed to be only four recorded cases in the whole of Australia concerned with the welfare where the latter course was of the whole community in followed," Father Hickey its family concerns. said. Also, it was predictable that not a few Catholics TIME NEEDED might find themselves inAnother comparative featvolved in such litigation or ure of the two sets of legits consequences. islation was that the former He said that it was not five-year period of separ"AT WILL" ation required for divorce just a question of having a "Divorce at will is now was at least ample time to theological opinion on the with us," he said. prove that a marriage had stability of marriage. ExFather Hickey said that "died". It did not cause perience shows the disastrous results of marriage breakdowns. It might have to be accepted that for some people in a secular society, irretrievable breakdown is the most acceptable ground for divorce. "Families will dissolve despite the provision of the law, but there is no reason why the law should aid and abet this process," he said. Catholics, could approve the elimination of the undesirable features associated with former legislation such as trumped-up adultery charges, the unnecessary scrutiny into details of private life, the airing of these facts, and the acrimony and bitterness that often accompanied divorce proceedings. (CONT. ON PAGE 3)
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• Father J. V. O'Reilly, of Holy Rosary Church, Nedlands, who is a keen yachtsman, blessing the Australian America's Cup challen3er, Southern Cross, during the christening ceremony at the Yanchep Sun City Marina last Saturday. A t left can be seen some of the 30 leading Australian yachtsmen who constitute the training squad and man the Southern Cross and her training companions, Gretel I and Gretel II. From the squad will be chosen the crew of
the challenge series at Newport later in the year under skipper, the Olympic gold medallist John Cuneo. ( See also page 12).
School requisites mart School-books, school uniforms, and other accessories are going to be on a lot of people's minds in the next few weeks, as preparations are made for the recommencement of school. If you have these items surplus in your home, there is a buyer waiting in the classified columns of The Record. If you are looking for a bargain purchase of school items, then the place to shop is in the classified advertisement columns of The Record. Remember that in The Record you are dealing with a reading public with a specific interest in Catholic education. For as long as the de-
mand lasts, The Record classified advertisements will in future carry a special section: SCHOOL REQUISITES, EXCHANGE OR SELL. Send your classified advertisement to: Classified Advertisements The Record Newspaper, G.P.O. Box R 1279, Perth, W.A. 6001. If you are disposing of articles, put the school name first in the advertisement: for example, AQUINAS blazer, sporting clothes, etc. If you are looking for items commence your advertisement as follows: "WANTED AQUINAS sporting clothes, etc.". "WANTED fourth year chemistry books, etc." Indicate clearly in the
advertisement your telephone number, or your full postal address, or you may apply for a Record Classified Box Number (It will be necessary for you to call to collect any replies). On a separate section of the page write clearly the full name, address and telephone number of the person to whom the advertisement is to be charged. You will receive an account shortly after the advertisement has been printed. ( You will also be agreeably surprised to to find that THE RECORD CLASSIFIEDS are mach more economical than similar advertisements elsewhere). (•SEE PAGE 10)
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