Letters

Church leadership (letter)

Mary Daly

Contents - Oct 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Liturgy: light at the end of the tunnel - Michael Gilchrist Archbishop George Pell: 'The strong family is a religious family' - Archbishop George Pell News: The Church Around the World Events: Gerry Matatics Visit / Catholic Homeschooling Conference, Parramatta - AD2000 Anglican General Synod 2001 - moves towards women bishops delayed - Nigel Zimmermann Cardinal George of Chicago sacks leading 'progressive' liturgist - Michael Gilchrist Can US bishops enforce Papal teaching on Catholic universities? - Zenit News Service Archbishop Hart opens Thomas More Centre Bookroom - Catherine Sheehan Salesian Archbishop from India visits Australia - Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil SDB Education: Mass attendance: a key measure of Catholic schools' effectiveness - Br John Moylan CFC Eternal Word Television Network's missionary outreach - Michael Daniel Letters: Liturgy translation (letter) - Jack R. Nyman Letters: Church leadership (letter) - Mary Daly Letters: True picture (letter) - Christine Slagter Letters: Homosexuality (letter) - Arnold Jago (Dr) Letters: Papal teaching (letter) - John Young Letters: First parents (letter) - Scot Chaston Letters: Non-Christian gods (letter) - Jane Wilks Letters: Cult (letter) - Wal Maggs Books: 'Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine', Archbishop Sheehan, Fr Peter Joseph - Br Christian Moe FSC (reviewer) Books: 'The One Minute Philosopher' by Montague Brown - Catherine Sheehan (reviewer) Books: 'The Spirit of the Liturgy' by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - Christopher Quinn (reviewer) Books: Tales Without Reason: Forgotten Heroes of the Apostolate in 1840s Australia - Michael Daniel Books: Seeds of Life: Early Christian Martyrs; Martyrs of Lyons and Vienne - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Poetry: Feast of St Francis of Assisi (4 October) - A. Muir Reflection: Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist - Bishop Kevin Manning

Congratulations to Archbishop Pell for all he has done and is doing for the Church. He has fearlessly stood up for the Church's teachings without compromise. Australia is lucky to have a bishop as strong and orthodox as him.

Archbishop Pell has also provided leadership in matters of social justice. I am writing to ask the Archbishop to consider the plight of illegal immigrants in Australian detention centres. Whilst the Church is doing a great amount to help refugees through various organisations, it is probably time for some more direct action. Many refugees have been left in these centres for years without any hope of a positive outcome. Many who have been deported have been sent back to either certain death or torture.

If all the Christian Churches could get together and oppose Australian immigration policy, maybe something could be done. The Churches need to encourage their members not to vote for a party which imprisons innocent men, women and children without trial for indeterminate periods.

It is often said that the Coalition Government is pro-family, but there seem to be just as many abortions done under a Liberal Government as under a Labor one. Australia also seems to be repeating the "Stolen Generation" fiasco with refugees, separating children from their parents in some cases.

Australian bishops were once true leaders in society. Figures such as Moran and Mannix had great political sway. Archbishop Pell and the other Australian bishops need to make their voices heard in Australian society. Terrible injustices such as abortion and the imprisonment of illegal immigrants need to be attacked head on - not with half-hearted wimpy statements, but with real conviction. If Australia's bishops can do this, the Church will one day be strong again in Australia.

MARY DALY
Flynn, ACT

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 9 (October 2001), p. 13