Letters

God's Champion

Robert Garrett

Contents - May 2005 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Challenges facing John Paul II's successor Benedict XVI - Michael Gilchrist 'Santo Subito': the impact of John Paul II - Peter Westmore News: The Church Around the World Year of Eucharist: Religious education: Catholic youth have their say - Shannon Donahoo Catholic beliefs and practices: the challenge ahead for Australia - Michael Gilchrist The Da Vinci Code and the itching ears syndrome - John Young UK survey: why church pews are emptying St Patrick's Church, Soho Square, a spiritual oasis in London - Tess Livingstone Bioethics: IVF and embryonic stem cell research: the social and ethical issues - Kerrie Allen Letters: Appeal to the young - Justin Lynch Letters: God's Champion - Robert Garrett Letters: Theology at ACU - Henk Verhoeven Letters: Overseas priests - Jenny Bruty Letters: Priest shortage - Jeff Harvie Letters: Heroic virtue - Bob Denahy Letters: Catholic education - Geoff Storey Letters: Private revelations - Anne Boyce Letters: Sex before marriage - Dr Arnold Jago Letters: Society of St Pius X - Stephen McInerney Letters: Ecclesial unity - Meg Fennell Letters: Correcting pastoral blunders - Kevin McManus Letters: Catholic hymns - Dolores Lightbody Letters: Latin Mass Times in Hobart - Kevin Tighe Letters: Corpus Christi Procession in Brisbane - Josie Mangano Books: Sacred and Secular Scriptures / The Catholic Revival in English Literature - David Birch (reviewer) Books: A GENTLE JESUIT: Philip Caraman SJ, by June Rockett - George Russo (reviewer) Books: Remembering Pope John Paul II Reflection: Pope John Paul II and the redemptive power of suffering - Fr Paul Stuart

The first Pope, St Peter, was chosen by Christ after his wonderful manifestation of faith, when he said to Our Lord: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

Though Peter is the foundation of the Church, Christ is the rock, primarily, and from Christ, Peter and his successors have derived their strength.

Now that the Holy Father's life has drawn to a close, we can be confident that blessings will be bestowed on him beyond the power of human reckoning. For his whole life has been one of long preparation for that inevitable ending of his mortal life. And now his work on earth has been completed.

What joy for our champion, Pope John Paul II, to hear God's words: "Well done good and faithful servant."

ROBERT GARRETT
Wodonga, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 18 No 4 (May 2005), p. 13