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Liberation theology ... priests in politics or the Church taking an increasing political role in oppressed and poverty-stricken countries ... is one of the most controversial issues in the modern Church. We continue our in-depth coverage on pages 4 and 5.
PERTH, WA: September 6-4-2., 1984 aco —
ADDRESS 26 John Street, Perth, WA. 6000 PO Box 50. Aberdeen Street, Perth, WA, 6000
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• r ev APPOINTMENTS A mong numerous appointments f or members of Perth clergy and religious is that of John XXIII principal, Sister Denise D esmarchelier to a special Federal G overnment advisory panel . See page 2.
Number 2407
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SYDNEY: "What Australia needs is its own Minister of Overseas Aid," says Mr Michael Whiteley, National Director of Australian Catholic Relief.
Its present control lies with the Minister of Foreign Affairs whom, Mr Whiteley suggests is "an overworked minister", unable to see that our overseas aid programme becomes "a just and efficient" operation. tie is aware that such overseas than it is to But it is the political humanitarian pura proposal will be met the poor". And he use of aid which Mr poses. And Mr Whitewith some resistance, quotes the frequently Whiteley deplores ley offers the opinion especially as succes- expressed opinion most, and he instances that a majority of Aussive governments have that "overseas aid is a the termination of aid tralians want to see the sought to use overseas way that resources to Vietnam as blatant quality of life improved for those in aid as an adjunct to from poor people in example. Similarly, in aid to Third World counlitical policy; but he rich countries are also believes that as transferred to rich peo- Papua New Guinea, Mr tries. present expenditure ple in poor countries." Whiteley believes that we should expect our out of the taxpayers' Report to be used for aid pocket means that NEWMAN ment, not for develop conis Australian every S OCIETY Newman The While not wishing to the expansion of the tributing $60 annually Society celebrated to overseas aid, they denigrate Australia's Public Service in PNG its 60th anniverwould want to see it efforts — almost one or for the erection of sary at the VATICAN CITY: Brazweekend. See phospent in a way which billion dollars in the buildings to house ilian Cardinal Paulo Arns tos pages 1 and 3. "went to the people in current year — he is such bureaucracies. who accompanied Father An examination of Leonardo Boff to Vatican disappointed by the greatest need". Mr Whiteley asserts Jackson Committee this "political distor- talks on his liberation a that a great deal of our Report which he sees tion factor" stands theology writing gave thumbs-up salute to the aid "is of more assist- as an "ambivalent doc- high in the priorities of press as they came out of ance to the rich at ument", without any those wanting to see the four-hour meeting. The cardinal and another home (in Australia) or clear goals defined. our aid used for Brazilian archbishop were sos essossomr,swes ••••••••••••••••ssm ••••••••••••••••••••• III•• I • present for the 1ast90 minutes • • of the four-hour meeting with • • • Cardinal Ratzinger. • • Father Boff discussed his •
Boff's 11 book discussed 'aidprogramme
• • • •
book The Church: Charisma
Mass numbers are static
• and Power first published in • Portuguese in 1981. The Vat• ican called the meeting with
Father Boff a fraternal conversation. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Father Boff said • "It was good." • He added: "I was happy to • • . explain my arguments. I think this will be very good for the situation between the Church • • in Rome and my Church in • \, Brazil. There was no talk of • • change or correction." • Father Boff said he was • satisfied with the meeting, • which he agreed could not be called a "trial". Father Boff had received a • • letter commenting on six-page • • • his book from Cardinal Ratzin• • ger about four months ago. s The letter will be made public I • • later. • • When he met the cardinal • last week, he began by reading ▪ • Caps and academic gowns were in evidence at the Newman Sunday Mass at St Thomas More College. his own 50-page reply to 'last Sunday. Pictured outside the chapel are (centre) Dr Michael Walsh, Newman Society vice-president• land Mrs Eileen Towton with Dr Vincent Moleta fright) of the UWA Italian Department and his wife Clare: Cardinal Ratzinger's queries, ,u/eft). The Mass and following luncheon celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of the society. but both men agreed to take • the reply as read and conlone of whose goals was the establishment of a Catholic College within the university. 111 tinued the meeting in a more • SEE ALSO PAGE 3 • 1 11•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• informal manner. • • • •
must be a just and efficient one... Michael Whiteley'
In the archdiocese of Perth the same number of Catholics is attending Sunday Mass as in 1978 hut only a little over ball of that number may haze attended Mass on the Assumption Holy Day of Obligation last month. Thefigures are revealed as the result of a Mass count requested by the bishops of Australia to help them come to a decision about the present number of holy days of obligation in Australia. The total arcbdiocesan Mass attendance on Sunday, August 19 this year was 65,250. A count in Lent 1978 produced a total of 65,771. Although the number attending Mass has not decreased, there is no doubt that the nominal Catholic population has increased in the last six years. Therefore the percentage of the nominal Catholic population attending Sunday Mass is probably less than 25 per cent. On the feast of the Assumption this year a total of 55,049 attended Mass. This included 21,145 attending Mass in school groups. At Christmas 1977 the total number attending Mass in the archdiocese was 121,700. In August 1973 the number attending Sunday Mass UYIS 58,000.
THE SUNDAY FIGURES ARE PUBLISHED ON PAGE 12.