The COLD of Winter Medjugorge questions... The ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY has launched its Winter Appeal - it’s a big chance to reach out and help - Vista 3
In 25 years, millions have visited it. Now, a new book by a researcher of Marian apparitions is asking questions that supporters of Medjugorje don’t necessarily want to hear - PAGE 10
A GREAT RECORD RESPONSE! Readers dig deep for Fr Ruiz and the lepers of China! - Page 5
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Apology call doubts Reports Pope urged PM to apologise may be exaggerated ■ By Paul Gray
Pope Benedict XVI’s name has been dragged into the long-running controversy over whether the Commonwealth Government should issue an apology to Aborigines. According to a report in Melbourne’s The Age newspaper earlier this week, the Pope told Australia’s new ambassador to the Vatican, Anne Maree Plunkett, that an apology should be issued to the Aboriginal people. “Pope calls for an apology,” the report’s headline stated. The report was picked up and widely transmitted by Catholic news services. Tuesday’s West Australian newspaper reserved its Page 1 lead story for the issue under the headline ‘Pope tells PM: Say sorry to Aboriginals.” The West Australian used The Age’s report by respected religion editor, Barney Zwartz, with additional material from another reporter. If accurate, the story that Pope Benedict XVI wants Australia’s Prime Minister, John Howard, to apologise on behalf of the Australian nation is deeply significant, politically and morally. But serious doubt remains about whether this was the Pope’s intention in making the comments. According to the report, the Pope spoke to Ms Plunkett when she presented her diplomatic credentials as Australia’s new Ambassador late last week. “I encourage you and the Government to continue to address with compassion and determination the deep underlying causes of Continued on Page 4 Archbishop Hickey elected to Bishops Commission on Aboriginals - Page 2
Towards fulfilment: Deacon Luis Tijerino, holding the book of the Gospels aloft, leads Deacon Hong Pham down the central aisle of St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday evening on May 12 in front of hundreds of people. Deacon Pham was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Barry Hickey. Photo: Jamie O’Brien
Perth’s latest priest forged in the crucible of life ■ By Jamie O’Brien
He rides a motorbike, was formerly a De La Salle Brother, and spent ten years in a Communist prison in Vietnam. St Charles Seminary’s latest semi-
BUNBURY CATHEDRAL INVITE Catholics in the diocese of Bunbury have been invited to a meeting with the architect who will design a new Cathedral to register their feelings and views on what is needed.
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narian to be ordained to the priesthood has had his fair share of suffering. Despite his experiences, Hong Pham said he doesn’t hate the people who hurt him but finds strength from the experiences that caused him much suffering. “I have used
my experiences to help other seminarians,” he said. Now with 40 years behind him as De La Salle Brother, ten of those being lived in prison, Hong Pham was ordained a priest at St Mary’s Cathedral last Friday May 12 in front of more than 500 people.
INDEX Letters I say, I say - Mark Reidy The World Reviews Classifieds
Among the guests were his mother and sister, who both travelled to Australia from Vietnam for the occasion. In his homily for the occasion, Archbishop Hickey said that every ordination is a sign that someone Continued with more photos on - VISTA 2
THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY - Page 6 - VISTA 4 - Pages 8-9 - Page 10
A new series of articles starting in The Record looks at the relationship between the Church and our society in a landscape vastly different from previous years.
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