THE RECORD
“Be indefatigable in your purpose and with undaunted spirit resist iniquity and try to conquer evil with good, having before your eyes the reward of those who combat for Christ.” -Bishop Matthew Gibney 1874
the Parish. the Nation. the World.
www.therecord.com.au
Western Australia’s award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday April 1 2009
Perth, Western Australia $2
Ratzinger specialist kicks off the Year Benedict for Murdoch’s chaplains, students appoints
two Perth priests as Monsignors Honours highlight importance of priests’ roles, Archbishop says.
Newly-named Monsignors Kevin Long, above, also the new Rector of St Charles Seminary and Brian O’Loughlin, below, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Perth.
Dr Tracey Rowland, the Dean of the John Paul II Institute for Family and Marriage in Melbourne, centre, in turquoise, speaks to students and staff at Murdoch University’s Worship Centre on March 24. Her address, ‘Christianity in the market-place of faith traditions,’ launched the academic year for Murdoch University’s chaplains. Her visit to the University had been organised by Murdoch’s Catholic chaplain, Fr Joseph Cardoso OCD, and the students of the Murdoch Catholic Society. Later, she took questions from her audience, including Archbishop Barry Hickey. Story-Page 4 PHOTOS: CATHERINE GALLO MARTINEZ
US Bishops say Reiki inappropriate for hospitals Popular belief in a 19th century Japanese form of alternative medicine has no place in Catholic hospitals, US Catholics bishops declare. WASHINGTON (CNS) Reiki therapy, an alternative medicine originating in Japan,
is unscientific and inappropriate for use by Catholic hospitals, clinics and retreat centres and people representing the Church, the US bishops’ Committee on Doctrine said on March 26. “For a Catholic to believe in Reiki therapy presents insoluble problems,” the committee’s guidelines said. “In terms of caring for one’s physical health or the physical health of others, to employ a technique that has no scientific
support (or even plausibility) is generally not prudent.” The bishops said the technique - which involves a Reiki practitioner laying hands on a client - also is encouraged as a “spiritual” kind of healing, but that for Christians “access to divine healing” comes through prayer to God. A Catholic who puts his or her trust in Reiki “would be operating in the realm of superstition,” they said. The US bish-
■ By Anthony Barich
ops outlined their position in “Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy.” The guidelines are available online at www.usccb.org/dpp/doctrine. htm. They were approved by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Administrative Committee on March 24. The Administrative Committee is the authoritative body of the USCCB that approves committee statements.
Pope Benedict XVI has bestowed the title of Monsignor on Perth Vicar General Fr Brian O’Loughlin and St Charles Seminary Rector Fr Kevin Long. Fr O’Loughlin has been made a Monsignor, Protonotary Apostolic. He is believed to be the first priest in Perth to be given this category of Monsignor since Mgr Patrick Verling in the 1930s, Vicar General and parish priest of Subiaco who oversaw the con-
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Archbishop, West Australian, settle legal case
Camino looks at the life of a mysterious young girl now up for canonisation. Page 5
Archbishop Barry Hickey and The West Australian newspaper settled their defamation case last week after Archbishop Hickey took legal
action against the newspaper last year. The paper expressed regret at hurt and offence caused by its publication and made
a donation to the Daydawn agency established by Archbishop Hickey, which assists Aboriginal people, especially the homeless.