THIS vif eir S‘I° Father FRANCIS MOYLAN ODC looks at the history of a 19th century nun, bom in a military barracks and whose name means, in Hebrew, "house of God." See story and pictures page 4 and 5
Number 2410
PERTH, WA: 22 — 28 November. 1984
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ADELAIDE: South A ust ra l i an churches are seeking an unequivocal commitment from both political parties to give priority to directing the benefits of economic recovery to Australia's poorer families and i ndividuals. on Speaking behalf of the Joint Church Action on Poverty Committee, Coadjutor Archbishop Leonard Faulkner, of Adelaide, said the parties' emphasis on stimulatIii' growth was an appropriate r esponse to economic needs in the community. "But growth by itseff will not be enough to r ight the injustices entrenched in our economic system." Archbishop Faulkner said 1/Ve also need a deliberate effort by Government. working through the taxation system. to ensure that growth helps those people wtio need rt most and have been wa g for it the longest . The churct,ies believe election promises not to increase over-all tax revenues would be an obstacle to any government seeking to achieve a fairer. more just society in Australia 'True social justice in
Arcilishop Faislatte our society demands that those sections of the community which can afford to pay more tax should do so "Only then can there be r eally significant increases in Social Security payments and a change to the tax scales to reducde the amount of ii tax paid by low-income earners " Archbishop Faulkner said the pension assets test. and proposed lump sum superannuation and capital gains taxes must lead to significant gains for disadvantaged persons in the community • Cont page 2
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A IA BUILDING SOCIETY
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The Church in Australia was at the crossroads, Archbishop Foley told about 80 people attending Saturday's consultation for the Catholic Social Justice Commission. Presenting his charter for the commission, Archbishop Foley said it was aimed primarily at the structures in society which caused much of the suffering seen in modern times. The new commission, formerly known as the Justice and Development Committee, is dedicated to working for social, economic and political justice in WA. Sister Adrianne Dyte, on behalf of a six member panel of lay, religious and clergy, presented to the 80 participants a critical overview of the Church's Social Justice work. Some key areas of concern were: • racism in our community; the recent campaign against Asian migrants and refugees. • the racist and misleading anti Aboriginal land rights campaign: • minority gmups — single parents and divorcees. • WOMCn — including sexist material in our liturgies. • poverty, including unemployment and homelessness. • peace and nuclear disarmement. `AV'here is the Church present in these areas?" Sister Adrianne told participants we have yet to feel the suffering of the poor in our parishes. "In the face of the enormous task found quite the Church's reponse inadequate." Archbishop Foley, in ghing his full SUpport to the work of the commission, cautioned that the rescnirces of the Church were limited. and the commission V4-ould have to direct its energies WiSCly.
Director of St Charles' Vocational Reshhoce Fath-er Brian Rosling speaking at a gathering of priests at the seminary. In the picture (from left) are Archbishop Goody, A rchbishop Foky and seminarian Gary Hansen. So far only one WA student has enrolled to study for the diocesan priesthood in Adelaide next year. This is the reality facing
Archbishop Fo fey Commenting on the $1.5 million building program of three parishes. Father Charles Tory. suggested it may not he a problem of resources. A matter of. priorities then?" Father John Gheradi asked. suggesting the financial commitment of the C.hurch to social justice work WAS minute compared to the resources committed in building programs and the Catholic Education System. • Cog page 4
the Church and its bishops in WA. Archbishop Foley said he was disappointed with the situation. "I am riot sure where the fault is," he said. "Either people are not prepared to answer the call or perhaps we're not praying enough." At the same time Archbishop Foley is optimistic and is not afraid to throw the challenge out to his priests. In a recent Ser1110O tO 100 priests at St Charles, Guildford he told them to be "good priests." He spoke of the wed for priests to call people to
the servico of the Church. Archbishop Foley said if more priests were available he could place at least 12 around parishes in Perth. "With only a trickle of n ew priests coming through oor seminaries. is there a need to amalgamate small parishes?" he asked. The Archbishops said he would hesitate to amalgamate because of the "closeness to parishes" felt by both priest and parishioners_. Also he said stiiree small parishes could "inhibit the growth" of a larger parish. Bishop Hickey of Geraldton believes 004 solution lies in riot haring one
vocations director. bat that all priests be vocations directors. 'If you have a vocations "rector people sit back and Mame him if there is a lack of vocations," he said.