Letters

Non-Christian gods (letter)

Jane Wilks

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

If your correspondent is correct, that the Commission for Australian Catholic Women is praying to the goddesses Gaia and Sophia, then I question whether this body can adequately represent the needs of Catholic women who believe in and worship the One, True and Triune God.

Worship of non-Christian gods excludes the reality that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Blessed Trinity, won our Redemption through his Resurrection. It has no place for Divine Mercy and the transmission of grace through the Sacraments.

The well known prayer "Hail Holy Queen" followed by an invocation to Our Lady Help of Christians would have been a more inclusive choice for a body seeking to meet the spiritual needs of Catholic women. Whatever, the preference of the Commissioners, I think the inclusion of some Marian devotion prior to their meetings would be not only appropriate but also go a long way to restoring confidence among Catholic women that the CACW is resolutely Catholic by name and nature.

JANE WILKS
Magdalene Foundation
Baulkham Hills, NSW

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