CONSPIRACIES EVERYWHERE The best conspiracy theories have no evidence. Is this what makes the DA VINCI CODE so popular? - PAGES 10 & 11
Rediscover the Passion in your Marriage? - PAGES 7-9
THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2004
THE PARISH. THE NATION. THE WORLD. soon to be on the Web
Western Australia’s Award-winning Catholic newspaper
Perth, Western Australia ● $1
New life: Sent to cover the Vatican, a journalist converts Page 14
Principle: Pharmacist faces court over refusal to prescribe Page 13
Parade?: Christians, Jews oppose Jerusalem Pride Parade Page 13
Social text released New social compendium focuses on dignity Mercy Sisters begin talks
Social doctrine text says its mandate is human dignity, common good ■ By Cindy Wooden
■ By Jamie O’Brien
T
he God-given dignity of humans and the obligation to promote the common good of all the world's people require the Catholic Church to speak on social issues, said the new "Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church." The church's social doctrine offers criteria for judging various aspects of public and social life and provides guidelines for "conforming them to the demands of Christian morality," said the book, released on October 25 at the Vatican. Drafted at the request of Pope John Paul II by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the compendium explains church teachings related to politics, war, the economy, the environment, work and legislation impacting family life, among other topics. Not counting the index, the English volume presented to the press was 331 pages. Continued on page 2
Pope John Paul II prays in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on October 22 as he attends a special Mass for the opening of the pontifical universities’ academic year. The Pope said the opportunity to study at one of the Vatican-chartered uniPhoto: CNS versities in Rome is an opportunity to experience “the unity and universality of the Church.”
Doctor starts adoration for Culture of Life Adoration for Life is a new prayer project launched in the Archdiocese by Dr Amanda Lamont and Fr Doug Harris, with the approval of Archbishop Barry Hickey. Dr Lamont described it as a contemplative missionary response to the need for a culture of life in our hearts, our city, our country, and our world.
“We know that the battle for a culture of life is in essence a spiritual battle, and that the visible efforts of those in active apostolates for life will be most successful when bathed and swaddled in prayer,” she said. Adoration for Life provides an opportunity for people to come together to provide a perpetual chorus of prayer for a cul-
MOVIES
ture of Life before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is ‘virtual’ in that adorers can choose the Adoration chapel in which they will pray. They will simply commit to a specific hour (or more) to be spent in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament for the culture of life each week. A network of ‘Adorers for Life’
INDEX
Shall we dance? A Hollywood remake of a great Japanese movie looks OK - for once Page 14
World News Reviews Classifieds The Last Word
- Pages 12 & 13 - Page 14 - Page 15 - Page 16
will be formed, with an email communication chain for the distribution of specific prayer requests. It is anticipated that a regular newsletter emailing will develop, containing reports on issues of relevance to the culture of life as suggested points for prayer. The administration of the project will be largely by email. Continued on page 3
Sisters of Mercy congregations around Australia have begun looking at re-configuring their existing relationships in a move that may lead to the formation of one national body. At present there are 17 autonomous congregations or institutes of Mercy Sisters around Australia, two of which are present here in Western Australia – the Perth and West Perth congregations. The Sisters of Mercy arrived first to Perth in 1846, settling in Victoria Square and in 1871 because of the increasing number of Sisters arriving from Ireland, built the convent that we can see today. The Sisters at West Perth became an autonomous congregation from the Perth Sisters in 1896. According to Sister Beverley Stott from the West Perth congregation, in those days whenever new convents were built the new resident Sisters would become an autonomous congregation. At that time there were also a number of other autonomous congregations, which eventually combined to make the Perth congregation. The decision was recently taken at a chapter meeting of all Mercy Sisters in Sydney, which involved three sisters from each congregation. “We do believe that this is the call of the spirit,” Sr Joan Smith of the Perth congregation based at Victoria Square told The Record. “However, the decision didn’t come easily.” Continued page 3
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
End of the Big Fella’s? Monks plan to end their St Bernard outreach to the lost and stranded in the Alps Page 12
ALSO INSIDE: Forum on suicide ● Notre Dame funds increase ● Heroic Perth Catholic Doctor dies