“But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law, locked up to wait for the faith which would eventually be revealed to us. So the Law was serving as a slave to look after us, to lead us to Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. But now that faith has come we are no longer under a slave looking after us; for all of you are the children of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus, since everyone of you that has been baptised has been clothed in Christ.” Galatians 3:23-27
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
the Parish. the Nation. the World.
Western Australia’s award-winning Catholic newspaper since 1874 - Wednesday November 26 2008
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Perth, Western Australia $2
Delay Confirmation! Bishop issues radical call for new approach to Sacrament - given most Catholics are ignorant of its key role Prelate confronts issue that practising Catholics know is real - but have often been too delicate to mention. BISHOP Gerard Holohan of Bunbury has called for a radical reconsideration of the age and practice of conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation at a meeting with the school principals of the Bunbury Diocese. He said that “in every practical sense, Confirmation had become a ‘Sacrament of Farewell’”. The Bishop contrasted the gap between the practice of today and the pastoral practice of the Early Church. Most Confirmation candidates today are the children of parents who have little if anything to do with the Christian community. T he ea rly Church conferred the Sacraments of Initiation on the children within families in which they were receiving, and would continue to receive, initiatory catechesis. The current practice of confirmBishop Holohan ing children from families incapable of giving the necessary catechesis would not have been allowed in the Early Church. Sacraments were seen as sacraments of faith, and would not have been conferred outside a faith context. The Bishop noted that today, instead of catechesis, we make do with religious education. Initiatory catechesis is an ‘apprenticeship in the faith’, whereas religious education is an educational discipline offering an ‘understanding that leads towards faith’. Confusing the two, he said, is like confusing an electrical apprenticeship with the TAFE course required to qualify as an electrician. One reason why the age for Confirmation has to be reconsidered is because of the move towards ‘Middle Schooling’ in Western Australia. Another reason the Bishop cited is Pope Benedict’s call for a review of pastoral approach to Confirmation in the light of whether it led into the ’community’ where people ‘received formation’ needed to appreciate the Eucharist as ‘the climax and summit’ of the Christian life. He suggested that the current approach did the reverse. He said a diocesan discusContinued on Page 6
Second spire erected
Progress: The second spire on St Mary’s is in place as a workman prepare to position the crucifix. The white verticals at the bottom of the picture below the spire are the outer supports of the new section that will be the centre of the cathedral. More photos Page 3. PHOTO: FR ROBERT CROSS
The practical love of Christ shines through Church-run Shopfront helps more than 6000 ■ By Robert Hiini
ONE Archdiocesan outreach organisation is set to mark the birth of Christ by celebrating a year of assistance to and friendship with many battling West Australians at their upcoming
Christmas party. On Saturday December 13, The Shopfront in Maylands will celebrate with the many visitors, volunteers, donors and parishioners who have made a connection with the centre over its six years of operation. Funded by donations made through the Archbishop’s annual Lifelink appeal as well as through private and corporate contributions, the agency assists over 6000 visitors every
year through the distribution of food and emergency financial assistance. Shopfront’s Director, Br Peter Negus CFC, says that the most important aspect of the agency’s life is the friendship between volunteers and visitors; providing a place where people can talk and share their lives with others. Br Negus says that visitors to The Shopfront come from Continued on Page 6
Ready: Shopfront volunteers prepare meals for the homeless.
SEXUAL WISDOM
BENEDICT ON CAPITALISM
GOODBYE, ANNE
Archbishop Barry Hickey has spoken out on why our culture needs a longlost virtue - wisdom - when thinking about sex, gender and relationships.
The Pope has been speaking out about the importance of charity in the Christian life - and has said some interesting things about capitalism too.
Caritas in Perth gathered with other Church representatives to farewell Anne Fairhead who headed this charitable arm of the Church for many years.
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