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Internationally renowned Catholic lay lecturer and psychiatric consultant, Dr Jack Dominian in Perth for lecture series. See page 2.
FATHER AHERN STEPS DOWN
Number 2402
PERTH, WA: August 10 — 16, 1984
A DDRESS 26 John Street, Perth, WA. 6000 PO Bdx 50 Aberdeen Street, Perth WA, 6000
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Australia and Australians must be seen as a force for peace says the president of the National Council of Religious, Sister Elizabeth Murphy.
Popular chief in Perth of overseas mission, Father Ahern to step down and concentrate on his parish next year. See story and picture of his successor page 3.
G ERALDTON ACOLYTES Geraldton under the guidance of their new bishop, Bishop Hickey, trains acolytes to help overcome the shortage of priests. See story and pictures, page 4.
MEN FOR RAINING
Pictured (RIGHT) is the scene at the University of WA on Tuesday night when some 200 men began their training before being instituted as acolytes on October]. The last intake of acolytes was in 1982 when nearly 200 were admitted to the ministry. The present intake will bring the number of acolytes in the archdiocese to near 800. The acolytate as a widely based parish ministry was pioneered in Perth archeiocese in 1974 with an intake of 46. Since then acolytes have been introduced into Sydney and several other NSW dioceses, into the diocese of Bunbury and most recently into Geraldton diocese (see page 4). Because 10 years have elapsed since its introduction, Archbishop Foley has asked for a survey to be made of the ministry in Perth archdiocese and questionnaires will be sent soon to all acolytes elegible for service.
In a plea coinciding with the anniversary of the World War II Atom Bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leaders of Australia's Catholic orders of priests, brothers and nuns said "peace is possible .”.. and the . arms race must stop.
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They called on Christians to spread that message to their fellow Australians. The National Council of Religious represents 15,500 religious priests, brothers, and nuns. Peace is at the heart of the Bible's message, the call says. It also says the living standards of the world's poor and oppressed are being eroded by insane expenditure on arms. Christianity does not entail unilateral disarmament. But, it adds, Christians "should welcome some unilateral initiative which would create a climate of trust and foster a greater level of dialogue." The superiors call on Catholics: • to urge their fellow Australians to consider ways in which we can work for peace. • to pray more earnestly for peace in our time. Sister Elizabeth Murphy of Sydney, president of the National Council of Religious, said in Adelaide peace is very much the concern of priests, brothers and nuns. "Peace is everyone's concern," she said. "It is especially the responsiblity of Christians. "We believe Christ came to redeem us and bring peace to our world. "We are called to work for peace — peace in our lives, our families, our neighbourhoods, our work places, our communities and in fact, our whole environment. "We must become more conscious of injustice,
Sister Elizabeth Murphy oppression and violation of human rights in our country and in other parts of the world. "Injustice and oppression cause violence. "That violence often frightens those responsible for the oppression., "They react by imposing harsher measures. "It can become a terrifying cycle. "Christ's message is one of love, of peace, of justice and of joy. "There is no doubt where Christians must stand. "We must stand with the oppressed," Sister Elizabeth Murphy said. The National council of Religious has issued its statement at the request of an assembly of the National Council of the Major Superiors of the Religious of Australia. The May meeting in Melbourne was attended by the leaders of 110 religious orders in Australia.