CONTINENT of HOPE
The Pope visits Africa Vista 1-3
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.
Western Australia’s award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday March 25 2009
www.therecord.com.au
Strong fathers and stable families ‘the best defence’
Perth, Western Australia $2
Notre Dame student cameras catch Project Compassion’s work helping others build a new future
Archbishop Hickey has re-emphasised the fundamental link between the state of marriage, fatherhood, and burgeoning social problems.
Obvious but little practised? Fathers are of vital importance to raising children, says Archbishop Barry Hickey.
Stable families and committed fathers are society’s best defence against crime and violence, and a great many other ills as well, Archbishop Barry Hickey said last week. “Tougher laws and more prison sentences might have their place, but if we want to understand why our society has become so violent we must look at the state of marriage and family,” he said. “In 1993, when there was great concern Continued - Page 2
Get Benedict. Quick. AMONG those backing Pope Benedict on AIDS and condoms is the head of Harvard University’s AIDS Prevention Research Centre. But will you see it reported in the media here in WA? At the root of recent controversies is a a fundamental media failure to report what is really happening or to comprehend what Pope Benedict actually stands for, and why - hence the concerted, and now open, campaign to bring him down. VISTA 4
Images tell in ways words can’t how - and why - people should give during this Lent for the greater needs of the human family around the world. THE little fellow at the centre of this photograph, pictured at left, probably didn’t suspect he would be helping communicate the message in Australia of the need for global solidarity. But the images taken by students from the University of Notre Dame’s Fremantle campus during an immersion trip jointly organised by the Australian Catholic Church’s aid and development agency Caritas, and the University of Notre Dame Australia, inspired their takers to do just that. Together with seven other staff and students, University of Notre Dame second year medical student Elizabeth Connor travelled to India in November and December last year to see firsthand how Project Compassion helps local communities to build their future. Project Compassion is the Church’s annual appeal throughout the season of Lent in Australia to raise funds for much-needed aid and development work, both within Australia and abroad. One unexpected result from the trip was a photographic exhibition, currently showing at UNDA’s School of Arts and Sciences, which opened as The Record went to press at Notre Dame’s Fremantle campus on March 24. Meanwhile, Ms Connor shared her impressions of the trip at the launch of Project Compassion in WA at Parliament House on March 11. An edited version of Ms Connor’s talk together with some of the photos from the exhibition can be found on page 6