The Rite:
NEW COLLECTION!
The Making of a Modern
Modern Catholic t-shirts.
Exorcist
Record Bookshop - Page 18
Author offers eyewitness accounts, history galore about exorcisms. Review: Page 14
“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. Western Australia’s award-winning Catholic newspaper - Wednesday April 22, 2009
www.therecord.com.au
Perth, Western Australia $2
THE PARISH Mary Ward lives
Easter 2009/ Across Western Australia, Catholics turn their thoughts to death - and resurrection
400th anniversary celebrations around the State prove that the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary that Ward founded is still vitally relevant - Page 16
Thousands celebrate Christ’s victory
Patrists struggle on Running a mission caring for the poor on limited funds is taking its toll on a new order in Perth. Robert Hiini reports - Page 16
On top of the world The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate led 30 guys on a twohour climb up Bluff Knoll to meet Christ, and found out something about themseves too. Anthony Barich was there. - Page 17
THE NATION Human Rights ‘ ‘Pandora’s box’ WA Attorney General Christian Porter debates merits of a human rights charter with his predecessor Jim McGinty at Murdoch University - Page 18
Priests revel in Chrism Mass The Chrism Mass was a virtual non-event 40 years ago as far as laity were concerned, until the Marriage Encounter movement stepped up to the plate - Page 3
THE WORLD Out of the frying pan... Notre Dame University in the US finds itself increasingly isolated for awarding a Doctor of Laws to a man who is advancing the killing of unborn children - Page 15
Vatican investigates American sisters The Vatican has launched a second investigation into US women’s religious leadership. - Page 14
Quotable “George Pell’s recent pronouncement, which supported the Pope’s claim that condoms do nothing to stop HIV transmission, puts him in the same league as flat-earthers and creationists.” - Ross Fitzgerald, columnist, The Australian, April 20 “The Pope is correct or, put it another way: the best evidence we have supports the Pope’s comments.” - Dr Edward Green, Director, Harvard University’s AIDS Prevention Research Centre, March 19
Geraldton keeps millennial time
B
ishop Justin Bianchini of Geraldton was delighted to be able to distribute Easter eggs to the equally delighted young after Easter Sunday Mass - a liturgy that is nearly 2000 years old. The moment was captured by a statewide network of volunteer photographers for The Record. PAGE 6
The relentless message from the media and contemporary culture is that Christianity is irrelevant, repressive, selfrighteous and seeks to impose its harsh beliefs wherever it can. Nevertheless, this year across WA and further afield around the world, Christians embraced the true meaning of their faith by gathering to celebrate with hope and joy the sacrifice of Christ - and the overwhelming truth of his resurrection. As they did, they marked their celebrations with variety and unique contributions from national background, spirituality and locale.
City Beach gathers the crowds
A
t Holy Spirit parish in City Beach, Fr Don Kettle was on the receiving end of Easter chocolate. For many parish priests, Easter Sunday was the culmination of the busiest time of the year as they lead their congregations through the ceremonies of Holy Week, communicating through ritual, PAGE 5 homilies and proclamations.
■ By Record staff
P
arish churches were packed repeatedly as Catholics flocked to the major Easter liturgies over the four days from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday. The crowds included 150 people who entered the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at the Easter Vigil on Saturday night and an unknown number of others who were baptised Catholics as infants but who had not subsequently received other Sacraments such as Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. The celebrations began in the familiar atmosphere of suppressed excitement at the Mass of the Last Supper, recalling the occasion when Jesus instituted the Blessed Eucharist and washed his Apostles’ feet as a sign of their priesthood. The evening ended with the stripping of the altar and, in many churches, a period of adoration of the Eucharist in the altar of repose. Good Friday saw a variety of formats for the Stations of the Cross. Continued - Page 3
A new life, a new creation The waters of baptism cascade from two-month old Felicity Bernadette after she was baptised and welcomed into full membership of the Church by Kelmscott Parish Priest Fr Francis Sundararajan at an all-night Neocatechumenal Way vigil in Good Shepherd Parish at Easter. “Behold God’s new creation!” he told delighted friends and relatives. Across WA individuals were either baptised or welcomed into full communion with the Church at the most important event in the Christian year, PHOTO: PETER ROSENGREN which commemorates Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross - and his victory forever over death.
Benedict’s Easter/ Pope appeals for a new kind of offensive - of love
‘We must use mercy, justice, to end conflicts’ ■ By Carol Glatz
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Christ’s resurrection is not a myth or fairy tale; it is the one and only event that has destroyed the root of evil and can fill the emptiness in people’s hearts, Pope Benedict XVI said in his Easter message. But Christ still wants humanity to help affirm his victory by using his weapons of justice, truth, mercy and love to end the suffering in Africa, build peace in the Holy Land, and combat hunger and poverty worldwide, he said on April 12 in his message “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world). “Africa suffers dispropor-
tionately from the cruel and unending conflicts, often forgotten, that are causing so much bloodshed and destruction in several of her nations,” and increasing numbers of Africans fall prey to hunger, poverty and disease, the Pope said in the message broadcast from St Peter’s Square to millions of people worldwide. He said when he visits the Holy Land from May 8-15 he will “emphatically repeat the same message” of reconciliation and peace he brought to Africa during his March 17-23 visit to Cameroon and Angola. While reconciliation is difficult, he said, it is an indisContinued - Page 13 Easter with Benedict - Page 13
Clarkson honours His sacrifice
W
atched by fellow believers, Clarkson parishioners re-enact the Passion. It was a profound moment illustrating the way in which religious belief, for many people in our society, is a matter of the greatest importance despite seemingly endless persecution in the media. PAGE 11
The flame burns in Rockingham
F Catholic clergy process with candles during the Holy Thursday liturgy at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 9. PHOTO: CNS/AMMAR AWAD, REUTERS
r Michael Separovich of Rockingham blesses and inscribes the Paschal candle, held by Fr Vittorio Ricciardi, during the Easter Vigil ceremony. As in so many other parishes across WA, many gathered on Saturday evening for the mysterious candle-lit ceremony. PAGE 11