Letters

Christian principles (letter)

Errol P. Duke

Contents - May 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: A moral challenge for society - Peter Westmore Liturgy: New edition of the Roman Missal released: vernacular translations to come - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Catholicism in Australia: facing the challenges of Western secularism - Archbishop George Pell General absolutions continue in the Toowoomba Diocese - Michael Gilchrist US Jesuits' action against Father Fessio sparks worldwide protests - AD2000 Report US research puts clerical sex-abuse in perspective - Philip Jenkins Gregorian Chant's new lease of life in Brisbane - AD2000 Report 'The Resurrection in the university' - IMCSA National Conference in Sydney - Nicholas Rynne Letters: Hymns (letter) - David Schutz Letters: Farewell Mass for Fr Des Byrne (letter) - Barry O'Brien Letters: Priestly formation (letter) - Cyril Drew Letters: Liturgical abuses (letter) - Name and Address Supplied Letters: Decline of the faith (letter) - Brian Carter Letters: Christian principles (letter) - Errol P. Duke Letters: Transubstantiation (letter) - Fr G.H. Duggan SM Letters: Correct Greek (letter) - Fr J.B. Cotter Letters: Need for prayer (letter) - Kevin Pitt Letters: Harry Potter? (letter) - John F. Doherty Poetry: Two Loves - John Meston Books: Demons and Democrats: 1950s Labor at the Crossroads, by Gavan Duffy - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) Books: The Forty Four: The Martyrs of the English College Rome - Christopher Quinn (reviewer) Books: Beyond Gay, by David Morrison - John S. Webster Books: Pedophiles and Priests: Anatomy of a Contemporary Crisis, by Philip Jenkins - David Ross (reviewer) Books: Prove It! Church, by Amy Welborn - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: Father Ian Falconer's Latin Course - Ken Bayliss (reviewer) Books: New Titles from AD Books Reflection: The Ascension: climax of Our Lord's life on earth - Fr Ian Falconer SJ

In the most recent controversial SA State Election, one bright light has emerged.

Despite only having been formed some six months ago, the new Family First Party has created a sense of significant political history in winning a seat in the parliamentary Upper House.

Its leader is the former Australian leader of the Assemblies of God Church, Andrew Evans, and one of the three key players behind the Party is the prominent Adelaide Catholic laywoman, Dr Toni Turnbull.

Although the party highlights the fact that it is not a "religious party", its platform of policies supports the implementation of Christian principles that address the ethics of family life and "non-destructive" issues about which many parties and politicians seem unconcerned.

Its platform includes opposition to legalised euthanasia and prostitution, zero tolerance for drug-taking and trafficking, working towards and reducing the current dependancy of government revenue on gambling - particularly poker machines - and seriously to tackle reforms of taxation, health, education and law so as to benefit the family.

In a way, it is a "resurrection" of our former predominantly Catholic DLP. Hopefully, this emergence of "Family First" in South Australia will sow seeds around the Australian continent and see God's life principles return to the rather sad secular-driven governance that prevails in our country.

ERROL DUKE
Elizabeth East, SA

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 15 No 4 (May 2002), p. 14