THE RECORD the Parish. the Nation. the World.
Western Australia’s award-winning Catholic newspaper - Wednesday March 12, 2008
www.therecord.com.au
Perth, Western Australia $2
Perth forum offers hope to girls, women Hundreds attend a counter-cultural gathering focussed on reclaiming true social respect, dignity for girls, women Twenty years ago then-Cardinal Josef Frassati’s body Ratzinger said a Christian’s supreme duty in today’s world is to be to head ‘Down counter-cultural. At a public meeting Under’ for WYD in Perth, women are leading the way. Christian families can learn a lot from their approach in key areas.
■ By Cindy Wooden
ROME (CNS) - Logistical details are being finalised in an attempt to fly the body of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati to Sydney, for veneration by young people at World Youth Day in July.
■ By Anthony Barich
Women’s Forum Australia has called for a new women’s movement and strategy that challenges the industries that feed on body insecurities among girls and women. “WFA is building a new women’s movement in this country. We are calling for a new strategy for girl and woman advocacy. We hope that you will join us,” WFA founding director Melinda Tankard Reist told the “Get Real” forum at Government House last Friday. The packed forum, held the day before International Women’s Day and attended by over 300 people - mostly women – examined issues around female body image, the sexualising of girls and the commodification of girls’ and young women’s bodies in advertising, marketing and popular culture. “Life has become one big beauty pageant,” Ms Tankard Reist said. “Despite all the great opportunities on offer today, girls are struggling. “In an age of girl power, girls are feeling powerless.” She said teenage girls are facing unprecedented social pressures. “Their emotional and psychological well being are at risk in ways never before imagined,” she said. Continued - Page 4 More coverage - Vista 2 & 3
Sydney-bound: Italian Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died at 24 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1990. PHOTO: CNS PHOTO: SYLVIA DEFENDI
Bunny girl? No, it’s not a scene from some sleazy nightclub. In fact, Julie Gale was making a point about how women are expected to be and present themselves in today’s society. Julie, founder of Kids Free 2B Kids, was one of several speakers who addressed the Women’s Forum Australia gathering at Perth’s Government House last Friday evening March 7 which focussed on female body image and the negative ways in which girls and women are pressured to conform. At a time when issues such as eating disorders and sexual violence against women are at historic highs one key concern is the sexualisation and exploitation of girls by a consumerist culture that has accepted the idea that women should be exploited with little, if any, concern for the consequences. As Christian families struggle against the powerful corrosive peer pressure created by the media and corporate culture, the WFA message offers a freash breath of hope. Story, reports - VISTA 2 & 3
Among Italian young people and a growing number of their peers around the world, Blessed Pier Giorgio, who died in 1925 at the age of 24, is seen as a special patron because he combined his enjoyment of life and sports with strong faith, serious charity and a commitment to social justice. In a service combining prayer and church legal procedures, Continued : Page 8
SINGLEMINDED VISION
SERVITE COLLEGE HITS 50
SELLING THEM SHORT?
Perth woman Julie Pearce, at right, asks whether an increasing trend in the marketing of faith to families has alienated the growing number of singles.
Principal Phillip Cox shares an insight into a golden jubilee of life and education as his school celebrates half a century of service - and Servites.
John Heard reviews a statement issued by clergy from various denominaitons challenging traditional Christian responses to same-sex attraction.
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- Pages 4-5 - Pages 6-7 - Page 8 - Vista 4-pg 9 - Pages 10-11 - Page 14 - Page 15
BACK IN THE GOOD BOOKS? Protestant Reformer Martin Luther is in the news again after it was reported that the Vatican could be set to ‘rehabilitate’ the author of the 99 theses.
World: Page 11
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