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Archbishop asks for views on local Synod By David Kehoe
Archbishop Barry Hickey wants the views of parishioners of the archdiocese of Perth on whether he should call an archdiocesan synod or assembly and what issues it could discuss. Archbishop Hickey told The Record last Tuesday he had
already begun seeking the
views of parish priests, religious and archdiocesan agencies. But he wanted to extend this consultation to all members of the archdiocese. The Archbishop said Catholics In the archdiocese could contact the Catholic Church Officcs in Victoria Avenue, Perth, (ph: 9223 1351 and fax 9221 1716) to ask for a brief questionnaire to be sent to them.
The questionnaire is to be returned by mid-June. It asks two simple questions: • "In your view, what important issues would you like to see discussed at a Synod or Diocesan Assembly?" • "What would you like to see come from a Synod or Diocesan Assembly?" But Archbishop Hickey emphasised that he had not yet made up his mind as whether or not he would call either a synod or an assembly. He said the priests of the archdiocese wanted to leave this question open at the moment until as many views as possible had been sought. The current consultation would be the first of two before any final decision was made, he said. "On a few occasions lately,Ihave
raised the possibility of holding a Diocesan Synod some time after the year 2000 in order to set the direction of the Church into the new millennium," the archbishop said. He noted that a synod and the less formal format of an assembly were two different ways the bishops, clergy, religious and laity of the archdiocese could meet "A Synod is a formal assembly bound by Canon Law requirements, involving priests, Religious and lay representatives," he said. "It may legislate as well as make recommendations." But there were "other less canonical forms of assembly that we may choose instead, depending on the desired outcome." Archbishop Hickey said that in discussions he had had so far with clergy and others, the following issues had surfaced:
• The evangelisation of fallenaway Catholics; • Addressing the loss of young people to the Church; • Problems facing family and married life today; • Evangelisation "ad gentes" (to non-believers); and • Catechesis at family, school and parish level. But, in mentioning the points raised so far, he did not want to limit the areas of discussion that might be raised in this round of consultation. The Council of Priests discussed a possible synod or assembly at a meeting earlier this year. Recently, the questionnaire had been sent to priests, religious orders, archdiocesan agencies and was about to be mailed to parish pastoral councils. Continued on Page 15
Archbishop Hickey prays with Perth pilgrims at Perth International Airport Last Wednesday week as they prepare to leave on Jubilee pilgrimages overFull story - Page 3. seas.
Unmarked graves of Irish pioneer priests remembered By Glynnis Grainger Bishop Robert Healy unveiled and blessed a Celtic Cross at East Perth Cemetery last Sunday to remember seven Irish priests buried there in the 19th century The six priests are: Fr John Coyle, who died of dysentery aged 36 on 23 December, 1853; Fr Thomas O'Neil, who died suddenly aged 24 on 25 April, 1854; Fr Michael Kirwan died of poor health aged 30 on 14 November, 1872; Fr John Quinn ,died of heart disease aged 43 on 23 September, 1896; Fr Denis Long, died of typhoid fever aged 29 on14 May, 1899, and Fr William Prendergast died of poor health aged 57 on 2 July, 1899. A seventh priest, Fr Michael O'Shea, who died of ill-health aged 29 on 16 December, 1898, was exhumed to Karrakatta on 30 August, 1939, 41 years after his death.
He is remembered on the plaque under the Cross. The Cathedral Choir, led by Fr Timothy Deeter, sang hymns and businessman Mr Denis Glennon was master of ceremonies. Bishop Healy said a suggestion was made in 1880 in The Record that a memorial be erected to the priests buried in the East Perth Cemetery. The suggestion was repeated in The Record about 1900 but nothing had happened until now. 'It would not have happened were it not for the efforts of a number of people: Mr Graeme Gerrans; Sister Frances Stibi, of the Archdiocesan Archives; the Karrakatta Cemetery Board, which provided the cross; Mr Ronald Bodycoat, the honourary architect; the National Trust, and the Karrakatta Monumental Works, which carried out the work of erecting the monument.' Bishop Healy said.
Bishop Healy unveils the memorial at East Perth Cemetery.
'Most of (these pioneer priests) died in their twenties, victims probably of the hazards they faced in their pastoral ministry. Fr Prendergast who ministered at Roebourne, Geraldton, Toodyay, Northam, Guildford,
Southern Cross, Kanowna and Coolgardie, died at the age of 57, "the only one to live for a reasonable time," Bishop Healy said. 'Sometimes, he travelled by boat but mostly on horseback. It may help us to assess the ardu-
ous nature of his ministry when we realise how far he travelled to bring his spiritual assistance to the people of Western Australia.' Bishop Healy said the memorial was an expression of gratitude to the priests for their witness. 'It is also a reminder to us that we, too, are committed to Jesus Christ and that eternal life is also our hope and our expectation.' Dr Jenny Gregory, president of the National Trust of Australia (WA division) told those at the graveside the East Perth Cemetery has been classified by the National Trust and listed by the Heritage Council. Burials took place there until 1924 and it was the main Perth cemetery until 1899. "Only about 800 headstones and memorials exist, the headstones revealing much about everyday life in early Western Australia," Dr Gregory said.
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