Tui Motu InterIslands May 1998 Price $4

+ peace at last in Ireland + focus - three wise men + when does art become sacrilege?

Tui Motu InterIslands 1 editorial

tradition which goes back long before Contents the divisions of the Reformation. There are real prospects for a glorious future 2-3...... Editorials o single event has made this Easter for the Emerald Isle and its people: –Pauline O’Regan so much a time to rejoice as the whether it is to be a united future will 4...... Letters N peace accord in Northern Ireland. Looked be for the ordinary people to determine Promoter’s Corner at from afar it is all too easy for us to miss in the course of time. 5...... A Wondrous Achievement the deeper meaning behind this most – Caitlin Mulligan here a few lessons to be learnt from blessed event. We may see it as another 6-7...... Sanctions, Bombs and this whole process: inevitable stage in the letting go of Ireland T People • that agreement becomes possible when by Britain, another sunset to the end of – Timothy Radcliffe people cease hurling insults and slogans Empire. That is certainly one aspect. More 8-15...... Focus: at each other and start to communicate. profound, however, is the ending of civil –Three Wise Men The British have had to climb down off conflict. Civil war means brothers at one their high horse, admit their mistakes another’s throats, neighbours perhaps for 16-17...... When does Art become and treat with the Irish Government generations nursing the grievance of past Sacrilege on equal terms. The Irish on their part wrongs and vowing that eventually those 18-19...... Poems have had to renounce their claims to wrongs will be repaid in blood. Perhaps the 20-21...... Heavenly Abodes and sovereignty over the North. The rival greatest tragedy has been that these terrible Human Develop- factions in the North have been dragged animosities were between two avowedly ment kicking and screaming to the negotiat- Christian communities. – Aung San Suu Kyi ing table — and made to listen to each 22-25...... Dialogue If the Stormont agreement is to succeed it other instead of to their lunatic fringes. – Peter Murphy will happen because the common people, The Americans have proved to be the 26-27...... Requiem too long victims of terrorism and oppres- ‘honest broker’: an essential mediating – Joan Waters sion, are now so deeply committed to role in such a deep-rooted conflict. – Jan Dijkman peace that they are determined to make • that the solution to political, social or MHM it happen. In an interview with Tui Motu religious difference is rarely to be found 28-29...... Book Reviews last September Lady Eames, wife of the in partition which simply sets divisions 30...... Television Church of Ireland Primate, said the people in concrete, but by setting up a just, 31...... Overseas News of Ireland had had their fill of violence Cover multicultural society which honours the and yearned for a settlement which would The “Red Hand” of Ulster is rights of minority groups. Christians preserve what was sacred to their traditions. the traditional Unionist symbol should be to the fore in guaranteeing She acknowledged that religion had been of Northern Ireland. It origi- that those minorities are being cared for. nates from the rebellion against an ingredient in the conflict — but insisted the English of “Red” Hugh it must be part of the solution. • that there can be no coming together O’Donnell in the 17th Century. unless major causes of discrimination Another cause of conflict has been social and injustice are addressed first. Where division. Northern Catholics were poor there are major differences in economic Independent Catholic Magazine Ltd and in a minority: often they were denied opportunity between peoples, there is P O Box 6404, Dunedin North access to jobs and were discriminated Phone: 03 477 1449 little hope of harmony. Regional devel- against politically. Economic imbalance opment in Europe, targeting economic fortified by religious difference makes a Editor: Michael Hill, IC aid to the most depressed areas, has been fruitful recipe for conflict and bigotry. Assistant Editor: Frances Skelton a hidden bit vital ingredient in the peace Illustrator: Don Moorhead ut now, because of the Common Mar- process. Here in New Zealand ‘Regional Directors: Bket, the Republic has become pros- development’ is a concept scarcely Tom Cloher perous. It is the North that looks to be understood by our market-obsessed Annie Gray the poor relation. Dublin has cleaned the political leaders. Elizabeth Mackie grime of centuries off its gracious architec- Indeed there are many lessons to be Judith McGinley ture and has become one of the cultural gleaned for our own increasingly di- Paul Rankin capitals of Europe: the place where the vided land from what has happened in Patricia Stevenson young love to gather to sing and dance and Ireland this Easter. talk into the night. The Celtic revival has Printed by John McIndoe Ltd given a spiritual boost to the Irish religious M.H. Dunedin

2 Tui Motu InterIslands A Society crying for the Spirit of Mercy

t seems a pity that something that sounds so good should be so profoundly disquieting. You’d think that a booklet with the title Towards a Code of Social and Family Re- Isponsibility would be received with unreserved gratitude – as indeed it should, if only there were not so many obvious pointers to what its true agenda might really be. Even when you read it with an open mind, accepting it for what it claims to be, with no attempt to analyse its content, you can scarcely avoid the feeling that something quite essential to the common good is missing. What is it that is lacking in this carefully crafted document? It is surely that fundamental human quality that we call mercy – mercy as defined in the original Hebrew understanding of that beautiful word, where it is given four distinct strands of meaning: • leaning over and reaching out to someone

• suffering with and sparing, out of pity does not read every day of factory closures somewhere in • providing comfort like a mother New Zealand, be it car assembly plants or clothing firms or freezing works, each leaving a trail of hundreds of lost jobs? • relieving someone, stopping their groans by Or perhaps, it’s just small firms, each with a few employees, helping them to breathe which can no longer carry on? Who could dare to say when they hear these things that the workers themselves have created Sadly, much of what is implied in the Social Responsibility this problem? Who could dare to suggest that they should not booklet is completely at odds with this understanding of go on a benefit to sustain their families? Who could seriously mercy. There is no leaning over and reaching out to those deny that the fault lies, not with the workers but with the people who are in the greatest need; there is no sparing, economy? Bill Clinton got it right, “It’s the economy, stupid!” out of pity; no comfort; no help to breathe in the stifling environment of poverty that chokes their lives. There is But you will look in vain in the social responsibility ques- nothing but reproach, as though what the poor are suffering tionnaire for space to make any adequate comment on the were their own fault. It is, in fact, a classic example of that state of the economy. The document chooses to disregard the well-tried political stratagem for deflecting attention from economy and concentrate instead on the so-called dependency the shortcomings of government policy. You simply blame of working people. Poverty, of course, is not even mentioned. the victim. Blame the poor for their poverty. It is almost too We are being asked to accept that our social problems of easy to do. Your targets are people who are too demoralised unemployment, poor health and hopelessness are not the and too powerless to make a stand on their own behalf and fault of the economy, but rather the fault of individuals and too caught up in the struggle to survive to recognise that families who do not take proper responsibility for their lives. they are being used as political scapegoats. The real tragedy happens when the rest of us are seduced into taking up the When we see the demoralising effects of all these things on cry against them. people who, through no fault of their own, have to live on a benefit, we are seeing all over again the cruelty of the play- This government document takes up the constantly repeated ground, where the powerful victimise the weak. Most of all, contention that we have an enormous welfare dependency we see a society crying out for a spirit of mercy; the mercy of problem in this country. The implication is that by cutting the Hebrews, the mercy of Jesus, the mercy of God. ■ benefits, people will become more responsible for their own lives and solve their social problems with minimum help from government. The whole argument is an unqualified fallacy and it should be challenged at every turn. Who is there who Pauline O’Regan

Tui Motu InterIslands 3 Virgin in the Condom is binding on all Catholics. You have no The notorious Te Papa exhibit brings right or authority to peddle your dissent letters ✍ up questions about the nature of art round the country via Tui Motu. and also definitions of freedom versus E Pickering, Raumati Beach license. But I think the main question Be fair to Christian martyrs! is: was insult intended? Considering all McAfee Brown’s “sage” comment the evidence, I am sure that it was, just quoted in your March issue is an in- as I am sure that the noisy demonstra- The Assembly is ailing sult to the many Christians who also When I read Peter Murnane’s article on tions would have given the artist some suffered and died in the Holocaust. the ailing Assembly in the March issue, I satisfaction. Most of them were arrested for their almost cried with relief that these things I remember words from Mahatma stands, not their ethnicity. Does Terry are being brought into ‘the public cogni- Ghandi: “When I see a man doing good, Wall (Anti Semitism and the Christian tive arena’. It is so – I have seen it for I seek to be like that man. When I see Story) claim that Christ was not with myself. The image of the Assembly as a a man doing evil, I look to my own fine men like Maximilian Kolbe and terminally ill body no longer capable of heart”. I think that this is a good time Dietrich Bonhoeffer who gave their lives housing the Spirit of Jesus rings so true, for us all to reflect on the amount of for others and for their principles? My as do the situations he identifies, where respect we afford the sacred images of late husband was a German political not only is the Spirit not housed, it is other religions. prisoner who suffered unspeakably and actively quashed! Joy Cowley, Picton never compromised or lost his faith. He was a Christian and the grandson of an As an institution which has claimed Ashkenazim Jew, equally proud of both A dissenting voice to speak God’s mind, truth and will, his inherited traditions. I have read the March issue of Tui Motu. the Assembly has a lot to learn – and It is clear that you do not accept the humility must be a priority. God is not Attempting to endlessly apportion teaching authority of the Church or its confined – even to Christianity. I love blame for historical events, personal or hierarchical structure. In these circum- Edwina Gately’s poem which begins: societal, is fruitless. For the future to be stances if you were honest with yourself God ran away when we imprisoned her better we must learn from the past, and you would do the right thing and resign and put her in a box named Church move on. It is only in “letting go” that from the priesthood. Teaching people to recognise God in all we are healed. Christ belongs without The recent instruction regarding ex- that is life-giving is, I believe, the best exception to the whole human race. He traordinary ministers is not saying any- service that can be rendered both to showed mercy to all on the cross, even thing new–refer Inaestimabile Donum10 them, and to the God who is like our to those who had hurt him most. which has been in existence since 1980. best friend, only more so! Marina Middelplaats, Wellington You will have noted that the instruction Trish McBride, Wellington

At two large city parishes in Auckland 103 and 173 persons Promoter’s Corner recently left names and addresses in response to this approach. irculation describes the economic health of a magazine It is clearly an acceptable one but it obviously needs to hap- Cas well as it does our physical health. Poor circulation is pen elsewhere and preferably sooner, not later. Would you no use to either. To be fair to Tui Motu though, it’s a question be prepared to do this? of limited, not poor circulation. It’s just not sufficiently ‘out Too difficult? Not really: every parish priest thus far (nine there’ yet, however much it needs to be. parishes) has willingly co-operated. I have available a copy The challenge is typical of a new venture. It needs to be of the introductory paragraphs that appear to go across quite known and supported, but it has limited resources to fund well. The only other job is to send the lists on to theTui Motu advertising and publicity. So like many another worthwhile office. This approach does not lay any extra jobs on parish ad- enterprise we volunteer to do what we can’t pay for. ministration; it is courteous, leaving listeners free to list their names or not, and eventually to subscribe or not; it works. In my case this has taken the form of a two-minute introduc- tion to Tui Motu before the last blessing at Sunday Masses Please contact me if you feel that you can join our promotion ending with an invitation to anyone present to leave a name team (currently numbering three!). It’s probably the best way and address on the clipboards provided; a complimentary we have of spreading the good news we believe Tui Motu to be. copy is subsequently sent to those who do, together with subscription details and a reply-paid envelope. In their home Tom Cloher (Director, Promotions) and at their leisure they decide whether to subscribe. 26 Hopkins Crescent, Kohimarama, Auckland 1005

4 Tui Motu InterIslands concessions and with both traditions and loyalties and the fear of weakness letting go of old prejudices and in upholding precious tradition.” He animosities, the moment came prayed that their hearts might remain when once and perhaps the most open to one another in generosity, that important time ever, Ulster said they might forgive and that they might Yes. In formal terms, the new ac- accept sacrifice for the sake of the cord opened with a declaration of peace which people desire. Dr Walton Support, stating, “We, the partici- Empey, the Church of Ireland Arch- pants in the multi-party negotia- bishop of Dublin, thanked God that tions, believe that the agreement we the politicians from all the many strands have negotiated offers a truly historic of politics both in Ireland and Britain, opportunity for a new beginning”. had their strenuous efforts crowned with success. “So often much cynicism about Politicians in the South saluted the vi- our politicians is expressed by not a few sion and tenacity of the parties, and the citizens in our society,” he said, “but I Of all days in the year, Good Friday infinite patience of the talks’ chairman, hope that even they will recognise the was perhaps the most appropriate for George Mitchell. In the Republic’s press courage, skill and determination exer- the Peace Process in Northern Ireland praise was expressed too for the officials cised by them on this occasion.” to inch its way to its conclusions and and advisers who laboured with untir- to agreement. ing energy and great imagination. Nor While the results of the opinion poll A Wondrous Achievement

Thirty years of agony, 21 months of held in the South and in Britain in tedious and painstaking negotiations the immediate aftermath of the Agree- along with many false dawns, gave ment offered high hopes of a lasting way that day to real hope that Ulster peace, euphoria alone will not carry might at last escape history’s chains. through assent. Sixty one percent Described by John Hume, leader of in the republic and 73 percent of the SDLP, as “a very Good Friday” Northerners will vote Yes, accord- and by Bertie Ahern, the Irish ing to the Irish Times/Guardian Prime Minister, as “a day we should poll published 16 April. The proc- treasure”, Good Friday 1998 may, ess of endorsement cannot be taken in time, resonate in the collective for granted. Dissident fringe groups memory of future generations of Irish have already expressed, in word and people just as the year 1798 or Easter action, their opposition to change and 1916 has done for us in our time. to the possibility of reconciling two exclusive concepts, the United king- On 10 April this year, at the traditional dom and the United Ireland. They will time of three in the afternoon, people was the contribution of ordinary people need to be engaged through persuasive throughout the country had celebrated overlooked. Individually and in com- political dialogue to respect diversity the Lord’s Passion in chapels, churches bination, they consistently supported and to yield on the absolutism of their and cathedrals. Shortly after 5pm they the process, urging those in authority positions. listened on radio and television to to build peace. Senator George Mitchell’s glad words, What has been achieved is a beginning. “I’m pleased to announce that the two The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Now the real work is getting under way. governments and the political parties of Desmond Connell, speaking at Easter With it are interwoven the hopes and Northern Ireland have reached agree- morning Mass, said of the negotiators: dreams and prayers of all who have lived ment”. Many tears of relief greeted this “They have confronted with courage for too long with ghosts of the long- news. It seemed incredible that Ireland the historical accumulation of griev- distant past and of yesterday. ■ could, at last, know true Easter peace ance, misunderstanding, profound and joy. Through a final balancing of and conflicting personal aspirations Cait Mulligan CHF

Tui Motu InterIslands 5 overseas Sanctions, Bombs and People In February Timothy Radcliffe, Master General of the Dominicans, found himself on visitation to Iraq with the threat of American bombing hanging over the country. He calls it a ‘bitter- sweet visit’. he visit to the brethren and sis- vulnerable and apparently unprotected. cause. The real question was whether ters in Iraq had been planned Even more surprising was to find the after death there is life, and whether long before the crisis. It was brethren building a new priory, to there is a God who hears us. It was as if providentialT that it was now that I and accommodate the postulants for the the embargo had sometimes seemed to my regional assistant Fr Daniel Cadrin Order. It was a sign of hope to see the shut out even God. The nuncio, Mgr could pass a week with them, as they workmen completing a building that Giuseppe Lazzarotto, told me that when waited for the bombers to arrive. The might easily be destroyed within a week. he asks for support for projects from only way to enter Iraq during the em- The young architect explained that the international aid agencies, he is refused bargo is a 15-hour drive from Amman building was intentionally a symbol unless it is for food or medicine. But, as to Baghdad across the desert. It is like of what the people were suffering. our Sisters told us: “We are not animals entering a high security prison, and It looked as if it were cracked open, such that it would be enough to have a we wondered, as most people going to fractured, and yet strong. He explained full stomach. What this people hunger prison do, when and if we would get that it represented a people who are for more than anything else is a world out again. crucified and yet hope for healing. of hope.” It took four hours to cross the frontier, Before we arrived in Iraq I had shared in very Monday more than 1,000 even with the help of a young Iraqi the general obsession with news of the young people come to the the- Dominican who was returning home latest developments. In Istanbul we had ology classes offered by the Do- after finishing his studies in France, listened to every bulletin of the BBC minicanE brethren in Baghdad. Almost and the lavish distribution of cans of World Service, wondering when the as many come to the priory at Mosul, Pepsi Cola, which appears to be the denouement would come. Yet we found in northern Iraq. These are Christians local currency. Then as throughout the the people we met in Iraq were less of every denomination, drawn to study trip I was astonished by the exquisite concerned about this. Long years of suf- the Scriptures, to argue about Christol- courtesy of everyone I met. Never once fering, the war with Iran, the Gulf War, ogy and the doctrine of the Trinity. was I reproached for being British, al- the seven long years of the embargo, had Meanwhile the world was waiting for though our aircraft carrier was waiting pushed them to deeper levels. the bombs to fall. in the Gulf to add its bombs to those of the Americans. What would it have A Dominican Sister told us: “We are In the north of the country we found been like for an Iraqi coming to Britain ground down, exhausted, by years of a flourishing movement of Domini- if there had been one of their aircraft death. Since the Gulf war, 600,000 can laity, in the villages populated by carriers waiting in the English Channel? children have died of malnutrition and Chaldean and Syrian Christians. They a lack of medicine. We live with death.” gather in each other’s homes every week When we arrived in Baghdad there were Somehow these years of deprivation to study the word of God. Faced with few signs of defensive preparation. The and isolation have eroded such minor life or death they can no longer be satis- Iraqis discovered during the Gulf War questions as to whether one might die fied with superficial answers. What does that there is little that one can do against next week because of a bomb from the God have to say to us, they ask? American bombs. The city waited, air, or in 10 years’ time from another

6 Tui Motu InterIslands All over the country we found that ity which I have found throughout make straight in the desert a highway Christian communities were weakened the Arab world, that in the name of for our God.” We followed much the by emigration, especially to the United civilisation we would even contemplate same route that those exiles took when States, both paradise and enemy. Yet so barbarous an act as to attack this they went home, and it was certainly we met one young man who, having people. How could we, in the name of straight and flat. But I did not feel as if got as far as Morocco, decided to come peace, consider launching a war that I was going home. I felt sad and almost back. His village is just a few miles would probably bring devastation to guilty to leave these people, Christian from Nineveh. He told us that he was the region for years? It seemed as if with and Muslim, to their fate. like Jonah. Though he tried to flee, he the fall of Communism we had lost our knew he must return and share with his traditional enemy and needed another. Now it seems they have been spared people their fate and his hope in Christ. Iraq was chosen. As in an old-fashioned attack, at least for a while. The world Western movie, the hero must find the breathes a sigh of relief. We can think ne of the faces I will always enemy and kill him, again and again. about something else now. But for the remember is that of Sr Olga, Iraqi people the old and long struggle young and strong. She is an When we drove back across the desert continues, to survive under the em- OAssyrian Christian. They are usually to Amman, I thought of the words of bargo, to hope for a future. ■ called “Nestorians” by the Catholics, Isaiah to the exiles in Babylon: “In the though this is a name that they dislike. wilderness prepare a way of the lord, Courtesy of the London Tablet She felt called to religious life, although there have been no communities of religious in her Church for centuries. Stop the Sanctions now ! Because she trusted that we would not try to “capture” her for the Catholics, “The US/UN sanctions against “Hospitals make do with what is she asked one of the brethren to help Iraq have killed over a mil- available.. operations are car- her in this new venture. When she made lion and a half people since ried out without anaesthesia. her vows to her bishop, this brother Maintenance of all public serv- preached, the first Catholic priest to do their imposition”, says Ramsay so in an Assyrian church after centuries Clark, former US Attorney Gen- ices such as telephone cables, of hostility. She and her little group of eral who leads a delegation this water and sewage lines and novices visit the mental hospitals and month to bring badly needed their attached equipment, public prisons of Baghdad as a sign of the God medical supplies to Iraq, in di- transport, streets etc have all who has not forgotten. rect defiance of sanctions. “It’s been brought to a halt. Unem- We feasted with our Brothers. They the clearest form of genocide.. ployment has increased up to had managed to find a few bottles of it is incumbent on us to chal- 80 percent, and even for those wine. “All this must be drunk before lenge the sanctions and bring who are employed a month’s you leave”, said Fr Yussuf. We knew that medicine to the people of Iraq. wage is not enough to buy a kilo they had spent more than they could The only way to stop the human of wheat. Diseases, suicides, afford, and that when the French pro- madness, depression, crime vincial came next month there would tragedy is to completely lift the be nothing left for him. In Mosul, we sanctions.” and all other social diseases visited the house of formation of the have increased to a frightening Dominican Sisters, filled with young Nidhal Mohammed, an Iraqi degree. Some Iraqis have al- postulants and novices. Since it was hard woman engineer working in ready given up. A man has killed to come by the ingredients to make a Auckland, describes the situa- his family, 3 children, wife and cake, they performed a dance in which tion in her country: himself because he does not each one represented some element of want them to suffer any more. the cake that they would have liked “Problems in Iraq started as to make, the cream, the almonds, the shortage of food and medicine “All sanctions prove is that it is a wheat that they did not have. Then they and gradually increased to be- savage way to kill civilians. It is put on the traditional clothes of their come shortage of all essential an illegal action against human villages and we danced and sang until life requirements. Now food and we were exhausted. rights and should be stopped.” medicine are scarce and very It is not possible here to discuss their expensive. Many Iraqi children Contributions to help buy medicines perception of the political situation. I born since the Gulf War have for Iraq to Joyce Brown, Pax Christi can only say they shared the perplex- never tasted many kinds of fruit. PO Box 68 419 Newton Auckland

Tui Motu InterIslands 7 Three Wise Men

Rev Selwyn Dawson Canon Paul Oestreicher

Fr Tom Fahey Last month Tui Motu spoke to three people who between them have spent 150 years in the service of Christ – a Catholic priest, a Methodist minister and one-time Moderator, and an Anglican Canon. Each of them looks at the Christian vocation with a critical eye; each radiates an Easter hope

ixty years ordained — and Fr Tom trained by rote learning. There was no celebrated! A lecture was given to the stu- Fahey is still a very active part of library. We were cut off from commu- dents that night and we were told: ‘Think the Dunedin diocese, looking nication with the outside world, so the what she will be in the grave – worms! afterS more than just penguins in the clergy became an enclosed system. The Women are a temptation!’” little communities of Macandrew Bay students themselves sorted out one an- and Broad Bay on the Otago peninsular. other’s vocations: there was a lot of trust. The church’s attitude to women in those Looking back over 60 years of service as days was often lamentable. Fr Tom a priest he sees much to be thankful for, “Every year there used to be a large recalled that at his own ordination his a world and a church that has changed gathering at the College for the Feast father was invited to have dinner with beyond recognition — but he also sees of Christ the King: family, friends, local the bishop, while his mother had to many challenges for the priesthood in people. It was a tradition. One year how- go out into the town to find fish and tomorrow’s church. ever one of the Profs observed a student chips. He remembered a priest saying having his photograph taken with some to him once: “No woman will get into “At Holy Cross before the war we were girls. That was the last time the feast was my sanctuary

8 Tui Motu InterIslands without a broom in her hand”. It was was a church of sodalities: Holy Name, you if I can join your church community Vatican II which gave women a place in Children of Mary, Catholic Women’s while I am living here’. It was a turning the Catholic church. League. One of the aims was to bring point for them and for me. They told about more frequent communion. The me later, ‘No priest has ever spoken to om always wanted to be a priest. rule of the sodality was that commun- us like that’. An early mentor was Fr ion was to be received by the members Scanlan, the much beloved “You have to give people some hope monthly. “Everyone went to confession pastorT of his native Lawrence — a very they will have the Eucharist — and that beforehand. So one Saturday evening kindly man and a great influence. In looks to be the major problem. But the you would see all the men of the Holy the years before the Vincentians came early church didn’t have a problem with Name Society going to confession. he had been a Professor at Holy Cross: supplying presiders. If the church was People would often make up sins — the he was zealous for the welfare of the established they prayed and found a ‘laundry list’!” students. “Liston had been the rector, presider. So who laid hands on the per- but Liston’s idea was that if you ate too As for preaching, the priests received a son: the community — or the bishop?” well, you didn’t study too well — the schedule of sermons once a year from What about priestly celibacy? brain needed to be deprived of food. the bishop. There was a three-year cy- “I believe celibacy is a gift. Thank God But Scanlan really looked after the cle: the Creed; the Sacraments and the I had it. I can see the advantages of it, students”. Commandments. Everybody preached the freedom it gives me. I have never the same things. There was no chal- In 1938 Tom was ordained early and wanted to be married, but on the other lenge. Fr Tom sees only good in the way sent to complete his studies in Rome hand I have never holidayed with my Scripture has been given a central place in the company of Fr Jack Pound (now fellow priests. You become part of many once again in the Catholic church’s mis- in semi-retirement at St Mary’s, Inver- families. I have had great support from sion. But he fears that many priests still cargill). Before then Tom had never women in my life, and they have had have a rigidity and want to go back to been further from home than Oamaru. great support from me. I had a gift and I the way things were before Vatican II. “In Rome I saw the universality of the thank God for it. Impose it on a person “We haven’t got rid of clericalism yet”. Church”. who has not got that gift — and you’re So how does he see the church of the asking for trouble”. One of his richest experiences was going future? to Brussels to study the Young Christian At 83 Fr Tom is still fit and active. “The most significant thing to happen Workers at the training institute set His priesthood has brought him many since Vatican II has been the decline in up and run by Canon (later Cardinal) friends and much satisfaction. But he priestly vocations. Who am I to inter- Joseph Cardijn. “Cardijn was the most still has a sharp eye on today’s needs pret the work of the Holy Spirit? What revolutionary thinker in the Church this and demands. “It’s clericalism that has happened since Vatican II is that century,” said Fr Tom. “He anticipated bothers me!”, he cries. He looks back the laity have taken notice — studying the base Christian Communities. He on his long life with serenity and with Scripture, catechetics; looking on the had no great master plan to redeem the a characteristic twinkle in his eye. When church with a different view. When I youth of the world. His idea was to get he speaks of the church of the future visited Maynooth (the main seminary small groups of young workers together his voice gains an extra energy: he is a in Ireland) a few years ago I saw 200 and listen to them. Cardijn was an person full of hope. ■ students preparing for the priesthood eloquent man with tremendous enthu- — and 500 lay students. It seemed to siasm – a ‘political animal’. His aim was me there was a message there. to educate the workers. Not go in as a Fr Tom celebrating 60 years of priesthood with do-gooder to save them – but educate “We are faced with the situation that for family and friends them to save themselves.” Cardijn’s every priest who dies, there is a parish famous catchphrase was ‘See! Judge! without a priest. Is the church going to Act!’ Start with the situation as you see die — or are we going to find another it (social inquiry); use the gospel as the way? There are two ways the clergy can standard on which to judge (gospel in- look at it. They can say: the people are quiry); and then decide on appropriate trying to get in behind the altar and action. Fr Tom sees Cardijn’s method as push me out — or they can rejoice. The no less valid today than in the 1930s. four years I spent at Tapanui (1990-94) were a wonderful revelation to me. The And what sort of church was Fr Tom ordained into? people were responsible for everything. In the New Zealand church of that time I said to them: ‘Before I came you have the priest had unquestioned authority. It been a church community. I am asking

Tui Motu InterIslands 9

focus — three wise men

A Man for All Seasons “A voice still heard and heeded in the secular wilderness” –– Annie Gray talks to the former President of the Methodist Church and of the National Council of Churches

elwyn Dawson – pastor, preacher, is one of the most remarkable people then a ten-year sojourn with the Central writer, theologian, former head of I have met in life, a genuinely modest Methodist Church in Christchurch’s both the New Zealand Methodist man and a genuinely decent man.” Durham Street followed. The years ChurchS and the National Council of here until 1972 saw him develop a Churches – is, at 80 years old, a man And this decency and clear thinking strong friendship with Bishop Brian has not been silenced by age, illness who maintains an intellect many half his Ashby. Back in Auckland he joined the or retirement. After his 40-odd years age would envy and an unerring sense Pitt Street Methodist Church, another with inner city ministries around New of right and wrong. While he may no inner city ministry, and until his formal Zealand Selwyn Dawson is still a voice longer have a pulpit to preach from, being heard in the secular wilderness. retirement in 1982 he was at the Glen his retirement sees him reaching a far He writes a regular column in his local Innes Anglican-Methodist Parish of St wider audience than regular church- community newspaper along with Mary’s. The Dawsons remain in the area goers, offering a glimpse of God to an articles for the New Zealand Herald, and still attend the church. They have increasingly secular world through his Metro and North and South magazines. four children and 10 grandchildren. insightful, beautifully honed, articles “At a time when you (can) fade out The time in Auckland also saw Selwyn and “think” pieces in both the national and lose your voice, I have had a wider elected for two terms (from 1974 to and local media. audience. I am not a gifted person 1980) onto the Auckland City Council. theologically but I have found I can He has been referred to as “the con- While he is modest about his achieve- write in such a way to communicate science of Auckland”, an accolade he with non-church people. Sometimes ment as a councillor he says he tried dismisses as “much too big a claim”, the church talks to itself.” hard not to betray his own personal only noting that sometimes he raises beliefs and philosophies. “I steered clear his voice to put the other side. And the Selwyn Dawson’s life within the of attempting to represent religion and other side appears to be that of the in- Methodist church began in Japan as a ... while I think I was always regarded dividual whose role in society has been chaplain with J Force. On his return he as a token liberal ... I think I kept them undermined by the growing dominance and his wife Enid (with whom he will aware of the social function of the coun- of market forces and the ideological celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary cil.” He recalls sitting alongside Cath right. Selwyn Dawson’s friend and this year) went to Porirua where they Tizard whom he says taught him a great neighbour, the writer and broadcaster set up a number of new churches. A deal about the nature of politics. Gordon McLauchlan, says he can’t stint on Auckland’s North Shore and speak highly enough of the man. “He

10 Tui Motu InterIslands So what of the future of Christianity in or political arena, as a danger pointing have been stripped down or sold off. New Zealand? Institutionally he is not variously to the Moral Majority in the “But if the little guy has not got the state keen to make any predictions but says United States and politically to New to stand up for him and watch over his anyone would be foolish to write off the Zealand’s move toward the right and interests he is left to the mercy of the continuing influence and presence of toward market dominance. While in soulless market.” Jesus. “Secularism, which in the West- the past we have seen the excessive Selwyn Dawson doesn’t see himself as ern world has secured such a hold, has dominance of state over individual or a theological academic but describes such terrible deficiencies. It is not able excessive individuality over the well- himself as a “GP” – his years of ministry to answer the deep, personal needs of being of the state, any decent society in the inner cities meaning he has human beings. In one form or another, does two things. As well as preserving had to keep working and thinking to religion will keep raising its head. People the welfare and the freedom of every meet the challenge of the pulpit. He who imagine the secular condition of individual it also preserves a wholesome is a greater believer in balancing faith the Western world is the last word, do society “without which no satisfactory with reality and quotes the need to not know their history.” individual life can be lived”. He points pray with the bible in one hand and a to the swings in the pendulum which, newspaper in the other. To quote one unless heeded, can mean the reaction is of his own articles on the relevance a violent one. He sees no solution except of God and religion today which was secularism cannot answer a hope than an awareness will grow that published in Metro: “No proofs can if politicians are considering only eco- indeed be offered, but the rewards of the deep personal needs nomic indices and not the continuing faith, exercised in the teeth of doubt, damage they are doing to large sections of human beings... can be immense.” ■ of the community “they are flying with one wing. Behind the philosophy they However, he says the institution of have is the concept that the state needs Auckland journalist Annie Gray is a the church has got to change. Today’s to cut down to size. One by one (areas) member of Tui Motu Board denominations were built up in times of what might be called Christian dominance, and now, when faith is exercised by people as of choice often Pastoral Centre Palmerston North against the popular tide, the structures will have to change to express the modern nature of the church. “The Theological Symposium other thing is the church will never go back to rigid denominations before the on ecumenical movement and the second Vatican Council.... there are movements of history that are movements of God.” HOPE He says the Christian faith has to have structures but the structures have to be Prof Mary Collins, OSB very flexible or else they become prisons. Catholic University of America “If they refuse to be flexible the revival movements will shatter them.” ...and Jo Ayers, Helen Bergin OP, Jim Consedine, Neil Darragh, He points to both the Protestant faiths John Dunn, Scott Eastham, Anne Gilroy RSJ, Manuka Henare, and the Catholic Church noting the Vincent Hunt, Peter Lineham, Anna Thompson, Neil Vaney SM movements pushing for priestly celibacy ...introduced by Bishop Peter Cullinane and Bishop Owen Dolan and women as priests. “I honour the present Pope. He is a magnificent man, but he belongs to yesterday in some Course Fee: $130 for week attitudes ... you can’t keep the door Course Fee and Full Accommodation: Sponsored by shut against movements of the spirit $482 single room; $432 shared room CARITAS permanently.” Lunch $11 per day Dinner $18 per day Selwyn Dawson sees any form of fun- Registration: P O Box 9063, Palmerston North damentalism, whether in the church Fax (06) 357 3624 Phone (06) 357 7444

Tui Motu InterIslands 11 focus — three wise men

“So do you believe God deliberately shaped your life with all these influences to make you a missioner for peace?”, I asked

The Canon smiled and reflected for a moment. “I believe firmly in free will. I believe we choose to follow the invitations of God – or not. It’s a sort of dialogue between God and the human spirit.” Prophet of Peace

orty years ago when the Cold War was at its most in- extraction. They settled in Dunedin where his father prac- tense a motley crowd of politicians, trades unionists, tised medicine. The family found a special welcome among Pacifists, church people and hundreds of ordinary men the Quakers, and these were a powerful influence on Paul’s Fand women converged at Easter on the Atomic Weapons childhood. Research Centre at Aldermaston 50 miles west of London. It was the first of the Aldermaston marches and the beginning In 1955 Paul went to Germany to do postgraduate studies. of CND — the campaign for nuclear disarmament in Brit- His tutor was a man called Helmut Gollwitzer who had been ain. Among the marchers was a young New Zealander, Paul assistant to the famous Pastor Niemoller, one of the very few Oestreicher. Paul had left home a few years earlier to study in Christian churchmen to stand up to Hitler. Gollwitzer him- Europe, had been ordained to the Anglican ministry and was self had been 6 years a prisoner-of-war under the Russians, serving his apprenticeship as a curate in a parish in London. where part of the regime had been to attempt to brainwash the prisoners to Marxism. Back to England to prepare for Forty years on Canon Paul is still Vice President of CND, but ordination; ministry in the east End among immigrant Jews he is keeping the anniversary on the other side of the earth, and West Indians — and Aldermaston. Then a call to work celebrating his retirement from active ministry by catching for the British Council to set up the Eastern European desk up with his roots down under. So many events and factors to build up contacts behind the Iron Curtain. in his background seem to have prepared him for a lifetime dedicated to God’s work and the cause of peace. His parents Following a prompting of the Spirit, Paul decided to become escaped from Germany in 1938; Paul’s father was of Jewish a Quaker. The Church of England rejected (by the

12 Tui Motu InterIslands narrowest of margins) the proposed corporate reunion with Methodism. Paul was greatly grieved by this and as a sort of gesture to show his belief that no Christian denomination has a monopoly of truth he decided to follow his parents and join the Quakers, while remaining an Anglican. The Anglicans in Britain found no problem with this, though it did raise a few Quaker eyebrows. It was the fact that he was a Quaker which was held against him when in 1986 he had been invited to return to New Zealand to become Bishop of Wellington. The Wellington Synod voted for him. After much soul-searching he and his wife accepted the call. Then two of the other New Zealand bishops blocked it. That door was closed; yet immediately another one opened which proved to be the climax of his life’s work for peace. He was made “International Director” of Coventry Cathedral. It was an ecumenical position: his predecessor had been a Scottish Methodist. It entailed being a sort of Ambassador- at-large for peace. Coventry Cathedral — and much of the inner city — was destroyed by German bombing in 1940. After the war the Cathedral was rebuilt but with a special emphasis on peace and reconciliation. The city was twinned first with Keil, then with Dresden: both German cities heavily damaged by the RAF during the Second World War. ss

n 7 August 1945 I was a 13- So with my wife, our daughter in a Europe-wide movement, even daring year-old schoolboy in New pushchair, we marched with thou- to surface precariously east of the Zealand. That winter morn- sands of others whose hearts beat for Iron Curtain. The politicians too were ingO we asked our physics master how the survival of the world’s children. beginning to listen to a frightened it was possible for one bomb, the day At the head, pipe in mouth and in his world. Reagan, animated by a patently before, to turn the whole city of Hi- black cassock, strode out Canon John sincere Gorbachev, said ‘yes’ to the roshima to ashes. He was one of our Collins, Dean of St Paul’s. With him first stage of nuclear disarmament. The best and most respected teachers. He walked Michael Foot (later leader of crisis had passed. The Nuclear Non- told us of Lord Rutherford, the great the Labour Party). The Rev. Donald proliferation Treaty commits Britain New Zealand physicist and his atomic Soper, Moderator of the Methodist and all its signatories to the eventual experiments at Cambridge that had Church, writers and playwrights were abolition of all nuclear weapons. A now evidently led to the harnessing of at the head of the march. But the thou- judgment of the World Court now such unimaginable destructive force. sands, old and young, who year by backs that process. But I will never forget his words as year converged on Trafalgar Square Illusions of great power are still Brit- the lesson ended: “Boys, either we were not an intellectual elite but ain’s and France’s problem. “Bomb now learn to abolish war — or war simple, ordinary, caring people. Yes, Iraquis if their leader makes a bomb will abolish us”. Quakers and the principled pacifists — and cling to ours!” Sadly the CND were there. So were a handful of Com- in its fortieth year is still needed. It By the late ‘50s I was a young curate in munists and their fellow travellers, has the better argument, but it has the East End of London. What could I enough for the hostile media to smear yet to win it. Never again, given our do to avert the threat of the Cold War, the thousands who would gladly, had fearsome knowledge, will our world now at its height, turning into a nu- it been possible, have carried the same be safe. The long road from what Al- clear holocaust? My place that Easter banners in Moscow. was not only at the altar praying for dermaston still symbolises is no long peace but on the Aldermaston Road. The campaign for Nuclear term recipe for human survival. We Aldermaston, then and to this day, is Disarmament declined but survived did not march 40 years ago in vain. the cradle of Britain’s potential to con- too, to revive, with even greater The road may still need our hearts and tribute to the end of life on this planet. numbers in the early 80s, now a minds and feet. Paul Oestreicher

Tui Motu InterIslands 13 focus — three wise men

ssCoventry and its new Cathedral became an agency of support wherever reconciling ministry was happening throughout the world. For instance, it helped in the found- ing of the Corrymeela Community in Northern Island, an ecumenical initiative for peace. During his own time in this position Paul visited Southern Africa frequently and was even expelled by the Afrikaans Government. “Peace and Justice can be very uneasy bedfellows”, he says. To follow the dictate of Christ to love one’s enemy can be a very lonely path. People throughout the world involved in the struggle for peace often lead very lonely lives, What they need is our support and encouragement. This is what Coventry tries to provide: To be present wherever reconciling ministry is going on”. One of the turning points of his life in the peace movement was the false spring of 1968 in Czechoslovakia. Alexander Dubcek had tried to provide Communism with a human face. The Russians moved in and overthrew the Dubcek government by force. The Peace movement was split asunder. Paul was expelled from the Christian Peace Conference because he protested against the injustice of the Russian action. The crushing of the Prague “spring” was for many people the end of a dream: the creation of a just Socialist society and the idea that Communism could have a human face. The Peace movement has often suffered these tensions. Paul sometimes found his fellow peace activists to be more bel- ligerent than members of the armed forces, many of whom in his experience are, in his words, “much more lovable people”! That is why he considers it important for Christian people to exert influence. For instance Desmond Tutu has had a profound influence on the journey towards reconciliation of President Nelson Mandela. The Archbishop’s personality has had a huge effect in overcoming racism. He is so clever — a fact that infuriates his white opponents — yet he has that impish simplicity which is disarming.

“I the Lord speak peace, peace to my faithful people who turn their hearts to me.” Love and fidelity embrace, peace and justice kiss. Fidelity sprouts from the earth, Justice leans down from heaven.

14 Tui Motu InterIslands “In you own life”, I ask, “has there been a conflict between Nevertheless he sees a great opportunity here for the churches. your priesthood and your politics?” The challenge is going to be to reconstruct social democracy. Paul smiled sadly. The conflict has been between the calls of The Christian ethic teaches us that society needs to be co- his family, his wife and four children, and the all-consuming operative rather than competitive. He recommends that we demands of an active apostolate. Paul can well appreciate the in New Zealand should examine the letter issued last year by call of many priests to be celibate. In his own case there had the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, clearly setting been a cost. He has not always been able to give enough of out Christian social teaching for post-Thatcherite Britain. himself to his family, and his own daughter had been deeply resentful when a few years ago, at the age of 19, his adopted One problem he sees in New Zealand is the apparent irrel- son took his own life. Nevertheless Paul did not agree a priest evance of the Christian voice. Britain is hardly a Christian should never get involved in politics. When Desmond Tutu society, yet Christianity still permeates every layer of British was accused of being too political he said, “I don’t know which society. Men like Cardinal Hume, the Orthodox Archbishop bible they’ve been reading!” Now Paul has retired from active Bloom, the Archbishop of Canterbury are public figures, and ministry, so he has to get used to “being rather than doing”. when they speak people listen. When the Anglican bishops Coming to New Zealand for a leisurely six months is part here issued an excellent statement regarding the Iraq situation of the strategy; also to introduce his wife to his native land. no-one took any notice. It went unreported. The media seem to be entirely secular.

“And so, how do you find your native land after over 40 years One thing he is really enthusiastic about is the Maori renais- away?” sance, and he is pleased that the Anglican church especially has Beautiful, yet sad. It was sad to return to a land where now played a significant part. He very much likes the new Anglican you had to lock your door when you leave your house. That Prayer Book. And he’s impressed by the fact the laity seem to was not as it used to be. It seems that in the New Zealand have been well prepared to exercise leadership in the liturgy. of 1998 it has become ‘every man for himself’. This country After a lifetime striving for the cause of peace Canon Paul had been a pioneer in building the Welfare State: now she Oestreicher fully deserves a holiday in the sun and a good had become a pioneer in abolishing it. rest. Somehow, though I wish it for him, I doubt whether his Paul recalled the joy his father felt in being able to practice restless spirit will allow him to hang up his boots just yet. ■ medicine back in the 40s and 50s without having to worry about charges. That same Health Service is being demolished and its running taken over by Business Studies graduates. “I grieve for what has happened here in New Zealand.” Michael Hill The Invitation It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have: It doesn’t interest me what you do for a I want to know if you can get up after living: the night of grief and despair, weary I want to know what you ache for, and and bruised to the bone, and do what if you dare to dream of meeting your needs to be done for us and/or for the heart’s longing. children.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are: It doesn’t interest me who you are: I want to know if you will risk looking I want to know if you will stand in like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the centre of the fire with me and not the adventure of being alive. shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are It doesn’t interest me where or what you squaring your moon: have studied: I want to know if you have touched the I want to know what sustains you from centre of your own sorrow, if you have the inside when all else fades away. been opened by life’s betrayals or have I want to know if you can be alone become shrivelled and closed from fear with yourself, and if you truly like the of further pain! I want to know if you company you keep in empty moments. can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it (Oriah Mountain Dreamer. Indian Elder, or fix it. May 1994)

Tui Motu InterIslands 15 art, life and faith When does Art become Sacrilege?

The Virgin in the Condom has outraged many Christian people as well as others who simply see it as bad taste. Whether or not you think so much energy should be spent on something so trivial, the fact is that controversy sparks discussion and provokes questions about the meaning of art: it demands to know when the unconventional becomes sacrilegious. There is nothing new in this. Michelangelo’s nude figures in the Sistine Chapel provoked outrage in the Papal Court. The artist got his revenge by caricaturing the official who tried to censor his work putting him among those being thrust down into Hell and giving him ass’s ears! Tui Motu invited comment from its own regular contributor, Dunedin artist Donald Moorhead.

it might be termed powerful art, because of the response it has produced. But do you approve of it? Is it good art? I find it disturbing. It would be hor- rifying to call it good art. Whereas the Fatima Madonna by the same artist is quite graceful and non-provocative. The artist is a person of faith: by making her artistic statement public she is laying herself open to criticism. All artists do that. Simply by putting it in the public arena, one takes the risk of people tak- ing offence. The Gallery chose to exhibit theVirgin in the Condom. In that sense the Gallery was being selective. By sticking to their guns they are inviting artists to compete in outrageousness. I cannot approve of that. In my opinion by choosing this work for their very first Exhibition the Gaze of the Eternal Mother Museum has done a very foolish thing. So what about your own art? What rude provocative art has been criteria do you use? with us for many years, notes I always start with a concept. I want to Donald Moorhead. Early this create something classic which will last, Ccentury a mass-produced urinal bowl something of my own making that ar- was exhibited and called Fountain. rests the viewer. Personally I am not into The modern art world says the art is in the idea; it has little to do with the craftsmanship. The idea is intended to evoke a response from the observer. The Virgin in the Condom evokes a response: The Nativity – Tui Motu, Christmas 1997

16 Tui Motu InterIslands ‘shouting’. I like to create something which you can look at and meander through: something meditative, some- thing you can live with. In my opinion the Virgin in the Condom shouts. But will it last? Can we look at an example — your Behold the Lamb of God. This tries to celebrate an aspect of Mary which is totally away from traditional Marian art. As an artist I have been immersed in traditional Madonnas, and I love them. I come from an Anglo- Catholic tradition. My work arises out of the context of my own personal faith. Here I am trying to recapture the Mary of the gospels. Therefore, Incarnation is of the essence of this painting. We are flesh. In the Incarnation God is enfle- shed. Mary is enfleshed too. So I paint her in this way.

I try to paint a beautiful picture. Water Did you see Garrick Tremain’s Good symbolises both cleansing and ecstatic Friday cartoon? What about that? joy: the sheer joy of simply splashing The cartoon shows the incongruity around. This is a very human thing. So of two kids making comments out of the infant Jesus is shown throwing his the depth of their ignorance. It shows tiny arms about! their ignorance of faith — and that is how society is these days. I think the It is a Nativity painting. So it focuses offensive aspect is that children should on the Christ-child — who is destined be left so ignorant. in a sense always to remain a child, for all eternity. If people’s faith is so fragile they feel threatened either by Virgin in the Con- I have painted it as a triptych showing dom or by Tremain’s cartoon, what does past, present and future. John the that say about their own faith? My reac- Baptist represents Old Testament tion to them is: your God is too small! prophecy pointing towards the coming of Christ. The Madonna and Child is No, I think that God will be having a in the here-and-now. On the right hand good laugh at Tremain’s cartoon. ■ side is Jesus, the eternal Christ-child of the future.

From the Otago Daily Times, 11 April. Reproduced by courtesy of Garrick Tremain The Nativity – Tui Motu, Christmas 1997 See also page 18 s

Tui Motu InterIslands 17 spirituality

Dream Rising The Sacred Place Souls awaken. I search for the sacred place And oh! In the glade, by the stream, Their sounds grow round and round On the high rocky ridge, in thin alleys But the spirit has threaded away where smells of tamarind and through the trees, cinnamon and almonds seep into clothes. Spiritual Awakening Flowed away with the water, Till in my dreams I woke up today Blown away with the wind. it seems from my soul-less slumber I am woman of Jerusalem. I shed a tear today I scan the star-decked sky, for a life I now have Look into the eyes of friends, I stand before the altar, By Damascus Gate I felt the feeling an old Arab But the spirit is consumed, hawks eggs and breads My spirit sang a song absorbed, departed from a box on a bicycle, A rhythm, a melody Into the mist and darkness, his face ravined A tune to let me know Out of reach, beyond sight, with loss of land. there is a meaning to it all eluding imagination. Till in my dreams Dance the dance of life The once sacred places are it seems I am a place to stand. You hold the world in deserted your hands And I am abandoned. The tomb guard You should know the meaning is a man to it all If I search no more, Still my reaching, upright and grand Feel the energy as a piano. silence my seeking, e His ivory hands And just let it b If I wait, only wait, hurry people along. Simon Baird (18 Shall I discover the sacred place Till in my dreams again? it seems Not there, but here, I am a song Here, closer than my hand, bright in the breast of a lark rising. my eyes, my thought. Anne Powell Penelope Whitaker

Probably the very earliest representation of the Crucifixion is a blasphemous graf- fiti found in the middle of Rome in what is thought to have been a school building. It dates from the second Century. A man with the head of an ass is strung up on a cross and underneath is the inscription crudely scratched on the stone: ALEXAMENOS WORSHIPS HIS GOD

18 Tui Motu InterIslands A LEGEND OF THE EASTER BUNNY Like the animals that gathered on Christmas night, To welcome with joy the Lord of Light, Perhaps Easter Bunny was there to follow The Lord of Love through those days of sorrow... Perhaps the Easter Bunny nibbled with delight, Under the table of Last Supper’s night. In the garden, when Jesus thought of tomorrow, Perhaps Easter Bunny gently soothed his sorrow, With warm, soft-furriness cuddling-close When Jesus sadly grieved alone... On Good Friday, when Jesus carried the cross, Perhaps Easter Bunny hopped sadly along. Perhaps he sat there, sad and still, Beneath that cross on Calvary’s hill. Perhaps he wondered, softly crying, Why his gentle friend was dying... Perhaps he waited, all alone, When Jesus was lying in the tomb. Long ears dropping, sadly-sighing, Easter Bunny quietly-crying... BUT LISTEN, EASTER BUNNY! HEAR THE SOUND! OF DANCING FEET UPON THE GROUND! WAKE UP, EASTER BUNNY! The day is dawning. DANCE, EASTER BUNNY! It’s Sunday morning... Fill your bright basket with Easter Eggs, And dance with JOY on your furry legs. Smile with JOY, Laugh with DELIGHT, Welcome with LOVE – THE LORD OF LIGHT. SING ALLELUIA! SHOUT HURRAY! JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN TODAY! – Judith Park

Tui Motu InterIslands 19 peace and justice

Heavenly Abodes and Human Development

Burmese Nobel Prize-winner, Aung San Suu Kyi (pictured compares Buddhist and Christian values, and shows people”. Yes, I said, that was so, because below) I would always stand by those who were how these may be applied to human development. weaker; they were the ones who needed support. But, came the query, what if sincerely believe that all peoples the weaker side were in the wrong? In and creeds can co-exist in peace, that case I said, I would try to correct that whatever our race or religion, them with metta. Later I asked myself weI can all learn to agree on certain basic what one would do if metta did not human values essential for the develop- succeed in correcting those who were ment of human society. weak but patently in the wrong. The conclusion I arrived at was that one The goals of Buddhist development are would have to work at perfecting one’s “equality, love freedom and liberation: metta because perfect metta cannot fail! the means of achieving these lie within the grasp of any community — from a In practising Buddhist metta medita- village to a nation — once its members tion, we start by directing metta towards begin the process of reducing selfish- ourselves, wishing that we might be ness. To do so two realisations are neces- happy and be at peace. Then we direct sary: an inner realisation concerning The Lord Buddha too set examples metta towards our benefactors, those greed, hatred and delusion; and an for the application of loving kindness. who have helped us. Then we move on outer realisation concerning the impact Once the Lord Buddha and his cousin to loved ones. From loved ones we move these tendencies have on society and Ananda came across a sick monk ly- on to those we regard with negative the planet”. ing in his own filth and tended him. emotions. Successful metta meditation should result in a state of mind that em- Buddhists speak of four ‘heavenly Then the Lord Buddha called the other braces all beings with loving kindness, abodes’ or divine states of mind: metta monks together and admonished them favouring neither oneself nor others, — loving kindness; karuna — compas- for neglecting the sick brethren and taught them it was more important to sion; mudita — sympathetic joy; upekka 2. Compassion. But what about self- care for the sick than to care for him, — equanimity. sacrifice which demands that one puts the Buddha himself. Upekka means much more than equa- others before oneself? This is where nimity in the conventional sense and Development projects should be essen- compassion — the second of the heav- is beyond the attainment of ordinary tially humanitarian labour on varying enly abodes — comes in. What causes human beings. The other heavenly scales. Whether it is distributing milk men and women to leave comfortable abodes however are well within our powder to malnourished children or homes and give up lucrative positions reach and germane to the ideal type of building a mega-dam, it should be done to go out to bleak, even devastated lands development, whether termed Christian with people in mind, people who need for the sake of bringing relief to people or Buddhist. the balm of loving-kindness to with- of an alien race or creed? The motivating factor is surely compassion, which has 1. Loving kindness. stand the rigours of human existence. been defined as “the quivering of the While Buddhists speak of metta, Chris- Projects undertaken for the purposes of heart in response to others’ suffering, the tians speak of Christian love. Both refer upping statistics or for love of grandios- wish to remove painful circumstances to disinterested love, a love that seeks to ity or praise, rather than for the love of from the lives of other beings”. give and to serve, rather than to take and human beings that can be hurt, minds that can be damaged and hearts that can demand. Inherent in the concept of this There is a solid core of common sense be bruised, seldom succeed in fostering kind of love is understanding, sympa- to Buddhist teachings. That is why the kind of development that enhances thy, forgiveness and courage. A Father compassion is but one aspect: the other human life. Damien or a Mother Teresa give tender aspect is wisdom. Compassion must be care to those whom humanity in general Once during my years of house arrest balanced by wisdom, and wisdom must find physically repugnant, because Jesus one of the people who were, shall we say, had shown love and kindness towards ‘taking care of me’ said in an accusing the rejects of society, the lepers and the tone that I was “always on the side of the insane, the sick and the lame.

20 Tui Motu InterIslands be balanced by compassion. dragon king became tame, the children Paradise on earth is a concept few people would have become tender. But that is believe in any more. But we can cer- “Once there lived a dragon at the foot not always how it happens. In the plan- tainly seek to make our planet a better, of the Himalayas, a fierce dragon king ning and implementation of develop- happier home for all of us by construct- that breathed forth fire and smoke ment programmes the correct balance ing the heavenly abodes of love and and reduced creatures to ashes with between compassion and wisdom has compassion in our hearts. Beginning his incendiary glare. He was, not un- to be constantly sought. with this inner development we can go naturally, the terror of all who dwelt in on to the development of the external that region. One day when the dragon 3. Sympathetic joy. Where there is world with courage and wisdom. ■ was in one of his less amicable moods, loving kindness and compassion, sym- a bodhisattva came by. The dragon king pathetic joy (mudita) naturally follows. “Without love, human society is in proceeded to give a fine display of his The fruit of successful development a very difficult state; without love, propensity for violence, no doubt imag- projects should be the greater happiness in the future we will face tremen- ining he would succeed in terrifying the of the beneficiaries and the reward for dous problems. Love is the centre holy one before reducing him to ashes. those who planned and implemented of human life.” (Dalai Lama) To his surprise the bodhisattva showed the projects should be the mudita that no fear but instead gave him a brief rejoices in the good fortune of others, sermon on the virtues of non-violence free from envy and ill will. and compassion. The dragon king was instantly converted to the path of non- Fundamental to the kind of develop- violence and decided that never again ment that enhances the quality of life Free justice would he harm any being under any is . If there is true loving kind- Christopher circumstances. ness that regards all beings with equal benevolence and there is compassion “In an ideal world that would be the balanced by wisdom, surely justice will News Notes happy end of the story. But ours is not not be lacking. And it will be the best an ideal world. When it dawned on the kind of justice — tempered by gentle Over 60 titles to choose from – children who lived within the vicinity of mercy. the dragon’s lair that the fire-breathing #392 EVERYDAY ETHICS monster had ceased to bristle with py- Sulak Sivaraksa suggests that a truly Understanding ethical rotechnic ferocity, they began to touch developed city may not perhaps be considerat- ions demands the dragon king. On finding how docile “distinguished by a multiplicity of work at forming – a n d and patient the dragon had become, skyscrapers but by the values attend- informing – your conscience #383 SHARING THE GOSPEL OF LIFE the children handled it more roughly. ant on its growth: simplicity, comfort and respect for the community of life A look at Pope John Paul Eventually the children got into the II’s habit of ill-treating the dragon, making around it. People would enjoy a simpler, healthier and less costly diet. Animals encyclical on moral issues life a misery for him. #379 LET GO....LET GOD IN YOUR LIFE would no longer be annihilated at the Rely on the Lord’s help in good “When the bodhisattva came by again rate of half a million per hour merely times and bad the dragon king complained how un- to be an option on every menu. A new #373 TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR happy he had become since following work ethic would be to enjoy our work THE 21ST CENTURY the path of non-violence. Thebodhisat - and to work in harmony with others, as How they shape our lives tva replied that this had come about opposed to getting ahead of others and #370 LIVING PEACE, GIVING PEACE because the dragon had not balanced having a miserable time of it”. A look at the words known as compassion with wisdom: when the the Prayer of St Francis children became unruly, he should show There are people who think the worth #359 SAINTS: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE his fire to stop them proceeding to cruel of a society is measured by its mate- Holiness in action changes the actions. The dragon king’s failure to rial wealth and by impressive figures of world #353 PRAYING TOGETHER balance compassion with wisdom had growth, ignoring the pain and injustice that may lay behind them. But then If unavailableJoin others at yourin prayer local and Parish spir- been harmful both to himself and to the itual growth children, who had been turned into lit- there are those who believe that devel- Church, write to us today...all tle bullies by his excessive forbearance”. opment must be measured in terms of items available free on request human happiness, of peace within the The Christophers, P O Box1937 In an ideal world, the kind of world community and of harmony with the Wellington we would like to develop, compassion environment. We come back to loving Inspirational ❖ Timely ❖ Practical would be met with compassion: as the kindness and compassion.

Tui Motu InterIslands 21 dialoguedialogue 1 - Cries from the Heart Responses to Denis Horton’s March article

Stagnation is not an option everything that has given one’s life its way to go and that is through it. There meaning and purpose. are no short cuts. ennis Horton’s experience of leav- Ding the priesthood as being “like “Breakdown leads to breakthrough” In the case of many priests who leave, a a death” (Tui Motu, March) echoes in may appear a facile statement, but in my relationship with a woman is a catalyst many respects my own experience in case this has been true. An image that in the process. It is fortuitous that love leaving the ministry just over ten years keeps recurring for me is taken from is so often blind, for the agenda carried ago after serving for 17 years. My own the title of a book called Diving Deep into such a relationship is enormous memory is that it was like a complete and Surfacing. Leaving the ministry was and requires an extraordinary amount of mental and spiritual breakdown. The like diving into the abyss with a sense of courage and perseverance on the part of priesthood is more than a job. Com- reckless abandon. It took four and a half both to see it through. Our training did bined with celibacy it is a total way of years to bottom out, and since then each not equip us for the world of relation- life. Leaving it is more than changing year has been a gradual re-emergence ships. The whole psycho-sexual one’s livelihood: it is departing from and a re-establishing of myself in a new way of life. Like death, there is only one he article by Fr Denis Horton touched me deeply. In Letters to the Editor Tmy own parish we have lost three priests in the past five On leaving the priesthood years. One has married, one is about to marry, and one has become an Anglican priest. These men were fine priests who he church is strident on justice, but strangely muted on had each given many years to the church. Tmatters of fairness and equity. I suspect the church is simply not able to distinguish the elements. Justice is no more I think it quite disgraceful that men of their calibre are about fairness than equity is about equality. treated in the punitive fashion that Denis Horton describes. To prevent an ex-priest from taking Communion is both un- I was deeply moved by the plight of Denis Horton. So often Christian and a source of scandal in itself, adding heartache I have seen the church fail people, fine servants, because they to the pain of resigning their positions in the church. Is the responded to the cries of their own humanity. Many fine peo- Sacrament of Matrimony less than the other six? The rule of ple the church has driven away for the want of a modicum of celibacy is a church law, made by those who prefer to keep kindness. There is no more desolate death than to be treated priests under the control of the church, not respected as men in life as one who never existed — “Denis Who??” who are fully adult and admired for the work they do To this day my wife and I are profoundly grateful to a caring, Is it a financial matter? Would married priests cost more? Very sensitive hospital chaplain who by wise counsel and comfort probably. We know St Peter himself was married and that lifted her spiritually and led her through the trauma of serious many of the leaders of the early church had wives and children. surgery and deep spiritual need at the time. When that same When did celibacy become an essential part of the structure man called out in his own need his colleagues spurned him. of the church — and why? I feel for Denis Horton and all He married a nurse from that hospital and, I think, fulfilled other priests who have suffered under this cruel rule. Where his life. But the cost was complete ostracism. He was a dead is the gratitude for the many years of service they have given? person as far as the church was concerned. What a waste! As for the parishioners who feel “betrayed”, why should this How many who could have gone on to serve the church in be so? None of my friends felt that way when our much re- some capacity have been wasted in the same way? So it was spected parish priest resigned and married. We were happy that Denis was left for dead by the very people who should for him and wished him well in his marriage. To lose 30 years’ have had the courage to reach out to him. So too will the experience in the church he served so well was a fault of the church be left for dead if it does not soon address these issues present rules and regulations. No other employer would be of simply humanity, fairness and equity. allowed to treat an employee in such a fashion. John Drury, Christchurch J. A. Parkinson, Woodlands (abridged) (abridged)

22 Tui Motu InterIslands development that is the passage of the and it is only when average young man, we by-passed; the the conservative in result being we are often totally naive it wakes up that it in relating closely with women. When will really move. I came out I recall vividly my way of relating to the world was that of a I can empathise too 17-year-old, the age at which I entered. with Peter Mur- It was as if I had been locked in jail all nane in his deci- those years and had just been set free. sion to stay in the ministry and at the any in Auckland may feel a sense same time carry on Mof betrayal at the six priests who a supreme juggling have left in the past year or so. At the act between being same time the situation gives Catholic authentically where people the chance to grow up. The call he is and balancing to holiness is universal and not depend- the many contra- ent on the clergy, despite the special dictions that are function they have. Those who left are apparent in the church. Whether the preciation for the work they have done men who I know gave their all to the decision is to leave or to stay it must be and prayerful support in their decision. church. I recall myself at the time feeling a free decision. Those who stay need to be committed to I could no longer be a caretaker for a birthing a new church that transcends community that was still shell-shocked Above all it must be a now choice, not the spiritual, social, intellectual, sectar- by Vatican II. It was too large a burden one based on a decision or a ceremony ian and ethnic boundaries in which to carry. The people who wanted to in the past, nor one based on a sense it has become trapped. Clericalism is move ahead eventually gave up in frus- of obligation to others, be they family a hangover of the past. Like the elder tration at the slowness of change and or the wider Catholic community. If brother in the parable of the Prodigal walked out. This is not to pass judgment people are hurt, so be it. One ultimately Son, there are no plaudits for simply on anyone. The church is of its nature an answers to God alone. The choice, hanging in there. Stagnation is not an organic system and can only move from whatever it is, calls for a ruthless honesty option. its centre. By nature it is conservative, and truth. Those who leave deserve ap- Peter Murphy 2 - Social Responsibility Document Various comments on the Government’s Questionnaire towards a Code of Social Responsibility have been received, official and unofficial. A selection is printed below. They are invariably critical of the Code

The values proposed in the discussion we are one family, sisters and brothers document focus on individual respon- of each other, with God as our Father. Statements from Cardinal Williams sibility for self and family. This focus Each has the personal responsibility to and Bishop John Dew leaves out important notions: respect the dignity and rights of every • the link between responsibili- other person. e welcome a debate on ‘values’. ties and rights.. With the duty of living We are citizens, not simply consumers WCatholics are familiar with val- life decently comes the right to a decent and taxpayers. Citizenship involves the ues — another name for virtues. At the standard of living: to food, clothing, crucial principle of solidarity and the heart of such discussion is the common health care, work, education and so on. search for the common good. good. • as people of faith we believe (continued overleaf)

Tui Motu InterIslands 23 dialogue

(continued from previous page) The Bishops restate the five principles put NZ Association of Social Workers together in 1993 by Church leaders: • structures in society exist to serve Regarding the Code the Association observes in its newsletter: the well-being and the dignity of every human • the research design (of the Document) is inadequate person, not the other way round; and masquerades as a serious attempt by the government to be • human beings are interdependent; a informed by selected citizens; it seems far more like a public fundamental concern of government must be relations exercise for more cuts to benefits and social services; support for the family and for the well-being of it seems to focus on moralising about the behaviour of the children; poor, as opposed to genuine social research for the benefit of • the purpose of government is to the whole country. provide conditions where each person is ena- • The experience of social workers is that their clients bled to respect the rights of others, and where are not requiring more sanctions against them but are needing each can enjoy freedom and fulfilment in the religious, economic, political and cultural life of better provision of housing, employment, health and income the nation; support. In the meantime they need social services to assist • work is a means whereby people take them deal with the lack of state services. Social workers are responsibility for their lives and their depend- often stretched beyond their limits dealing with the human ents, and contribute to the welfare of others; fallout from government funding cuts. therefore full employment must be the basis of The association wants a more socially inclusive society, not any government’s economic strategy; one where the division between ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ is made • the moral measure of any government wider by arbitrary sanctions. ■ is how the weakest are faring.

A Guide from Caritas Caritas Aotearoa has issued its own children get to school ready for learning. Support. To assist beneficiaries with guide to answering the questionnaire. 6. Young Offenders. A reduction of dependants to find adequate and mean- In particular, Caritas lists some expec- parental resources may actually inhibit ingful employment, a subsidy for child- tations which citizens have a right to parents’ abilities to support and reha- care ( up to 14) should be introduced. expect in a just society: bilitate their children. Parenting courses Beneficiaries doing part time work who should be made more readily available have dependants should not be forced 1. Looking after our children . Wages and affordable. to accept full time work, since they have and benefits need to be at a sufficient Greater resourcing is needed for crime duties towards their families and need level where all parents can provide for prevention and habilitation services for to properly care for them. their children adequately. (Refer the UN young people and children at risk. 10. Managing money. Budget advice Convention on the Rights of a Child, 7. Sharing Parenthood. In the case of must be freely available to beneficiaries, which NZ signed in 1993) families where the parents are separated, and needs to be better resourced and 2. Pregnancy Care should be available work income and benefit levels need to publicised. free of charge to all. Low income earners be adequate to allow non-custodial par- 11. Keeping Ourselves Healthy. Those and beneficiaries should have transport ents to have regular access and quality on low incomes should be able to afford to venues where such care is available. time with their children.. and provide good health care. The health of the na- 3. Keeping Children Healthy. Plunket financial support. tion is improved by healthy, appropri- Line needs adequate funding. Healthy Labour laws and employment expecta- ate and affordable housing; adequate housing should be available to all par- tions must be reviewed with a view to income; healthy work environments. ents at a cost they can afford. enabling employees to have a more bal- Mental health services need to be 4. Learning for the Under Fives. There anced lifestyle with adequate time to be resourced to a level where they can

should be provision of fully resourced, with their children and families. provide free, immediate and effective affordable, quality pre-school education 8. Training and Learning from Em- service. in all areas including outlying com- ployment. Tertiary education must be munities. equally accessible to all. 5. Getting Children to School Ready People on sickness or invalid’s benefits to Learn. Parents need adequate time — and beneficiaries with dependants Note: The above is a summary of a at home. Reducing or eliminating a — should not be forced to undertake much longer document which is avail- person’s benefit because a child plays job search or training. able from Caritas; PO Box 12-193 truant will not help ensure those 9. Work Obligations and Income Wellington 6038.

24 Tui Motu InterIslands Findings of a Family Discussion Group many people the jobs are not available. Many people work long hours, having he Code of Social Responsibility expectations of those with work. People more than one job etc — while others consists of one group of people on low incomes often feel very isolated T have no paid work. Work has become setting up standards for others, while simply because they cannot afford to increasingly unevenly distributed. One’s ignoring their own responsibilities. It is move about. ‘living’ is still tied to one’s work — even a political document. What inspires this though many are deprived of the chance Code are the gurus who travel round the hen benefits are targeted there of working. world, like Robert Sirico, reinforcing Wis a danger that the recipients will become scapegoats. A universal a New Right dogma. It appears that Another recent change is that a family child benefit paid to the caregiver would the Business Round Table is bent on now needs more than one income to help all those who care for children, for bringing right-wing Catholics on board give adequate support. Some benefits the sick and elderly etc. This would be with them. But the Church leaders for- became inaccessible because people were better than a targeted benefit which is tunately are seeking different mentors. required to estimate their income in divisive even though few abuse it. In advance. If they underestimate they are The Document categorises people as justice there needs to be some sort of constrained to pay back some of what ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ — as if universal wage — or at least a universal they have received — but it is already there were two distinct groups in so- care-givers benefit. spent. Rather than risk this, they do ciety: taxpayers who contribute and not bother. The Department of Social beneficiaries who receive. In fact people Benefits at present are not adjusted to Welfare is often backward in letting move in and out of these situations. inflation. The so-called explosion in people know what they are entitled to: Many beneficiaries are themselves con- welfare costs is largely due to inflation. this reticence appears to be a deliberate tributors: caring for children, doing The real increase is relatively small. cost-cutting exercise. ■ community voluntary work. Likewise it is stated that there are “more jobs” — but there also more people The word “dependency” has undergone of employable age. The fact is that for a development in meaning. Once it A Group Response simply meant that employed people We do not have confidence in were ‘dependent’on their employer, who • the process that led to the content of the Discussion Docu- had a responsibility for their welfare. ment But the meaning has become debased and now has a negative connotation. • the balance of information and views that the Document Yet everyone at times in their lives is is likely to draw from the NZ public dependent. Once upon a time it was • the ability of those responsible to evaluate the Document. accepted that a person out of work re- ceived a benefit until they could return While the Document does highlight some of the important issues to normal employment, when they a community needs to be concerned about, it is not about social would be in a position to repay. But responsibility... now no one is trusted to receive now It demonstrates no recognition of the fact that there is a direct re- and pay back later: they must pay back lationship between the power an individual or group holds within while they receive. society and the social responsibility that corresponds with that The holder of a DPB is presently power. In other words, that those with more power (in terms of expected to return to work when the wealth and social status) are the ones who have correspondingly children reach seven — but how many greater obligation and ability to practice social responsibility. This suitable 9-3 jobs are there? The question Document in fact seems to be an attempt by those in power to is: can they satisfactorily care for their abrogate their social responsibility to those with the least power children and return to work, especially if they are solo parents? The impetus in our society — this is a gross and shameful abuse of that power. now is to get back into the workforce; this is unreal when jobs are very hard A “secure and confident community” (Discussion document) will to find. Indeed we are looking ahead to only eventuate when that community is founded on just and equita- a future when there will be fewer and ble social and economic structures, a sustainable relationship with fewer jobs. This increases the number the land and its resources, and is led by eminently wise women of the disempowered: they feel a sense and men whose values transcend self and individual interest. of failure because of the demands and (St Peter’s Parish, Beckenham)

Tui Motu InterIslands 25 requiem I Never Met Anyone Like Her! Joan Elizabeth Waters — a Personal Memoir

oan Waters died of cancer on 5 Feb- For the rest of her life Joan maintained lot of what Joan accomplished is now a ruary, the eve of Waitangi Day. She an interest in different people and part of our history. will be remembered as a brilliant different cultures. It was not merely Jteacher, a prison reformer, a social ac- academic: it was accompanied by a Of all her many causes the one Joan tivist, an eccentric — and a mentor for sensitivity to any racial or cultural looked back on with most satisfaction her many young friends. She was born inequality. Throughout her career she was Project Paremoremo. The Maxi- in Waiuku in 1939, the youngest of six fought passionately for equal rights and mum Security Prison was opened in children in a strongly Irish Catholic dignity for all. 1969; her work covered four years in family. Both these words — Irish and the early 1970s. Her main concern was Catholic — are central to the way Joan In spite of frailty of health Joan lived D Block, the isolation block supposedly saw herself. Ireland and Irish charac- life to the full — as a list of the main for the most dangerous prisoners, where teristics, good or bad, were a topic on organisations via which she carried on the treatment was brutal and restric- which she never tired. her work for justice, will testify. She was tive with no educational or religious secretary of the Auckland Council for opportunities, and where riots were In her younger days she often talked Civil Liberties, a committee member common. Joan met and became friendly of becoming a journalist, and in fact of the Howard League for Penal Re- with some of these men, all Maori and for some years she was Auckland cor- form, a foundation member of Project Pacific Islanders, most in fact not seri- respondent of the New Zealand Tablet. Paremoremo, a committee member of ous criminals: she was shocked by the However, it was as a teacher that she CARE and a foundation member of conditions. ended up earning her living, and it HART. seems the direction of her adult life was She battled with the authorities to bring very much influenced by the time she In addition she worked for the rights about change, bombarding officials and spent in Kenya in the early 1960s. of political prisoners in Northern Ire- members of parliament with letters, land through the H Block committee. gaining access to lawyers and people At the age of 22 she went off to Kenya In support of this cause, as recently as of influence. A booklet produced later as a missionary, to teach young Africans March 17 last year only a few weeks be- highlighted Project Paremoremo as the at a teacher training college run by some fore being confined to a wheelchair, she group which “had achieved more in the Irish nuns. She had a wonderful time marched with an Information of Ireland shortest time than any other group in there and made lots of friends among protest group at the St Patrick’s Day the history of NZ.” Joan commented: her students and their families, becom- “My forte was a dull and deadly accu- ing fascinated by Kikuyu culture and A lot of what Joan racy.” She succeeded where many others tradition. Among many stories she told accomplished is now a failed because of sheer hard work and was one about a weekend trip up coun- meticulous research, making sure of try to some celebration with a group of part of our history her facts, writing and re-writing press African male friends. On the way back releases and submissions. to Nairobi they were stopped by a group Parade and argued with the police who of armed white men who took exception As a social activist Joan Waters was cer- challenged the group’s right to join the to a blond, white woman in the com- tainly a success story. But what was it Parade. Later she phoned me gleefully pany of black men. They were in real that motivated her? She loved to analyse to say: “I’m just writing a letter to the danger. Joan, although terrified, fronted other people’s interactions and motiva- police assuring them I was not drunk up to them, until eventually help arrived tions. Joan would never waste a phone and disorderly on St Patrick’s Day!” and they were able to move on and re- conversation with “hello” or “How are port the incident to the police. On her Over the last 12 months I spent a lot of you?” It would be: “Now, I want you to return Joan was reprimanded sternly by time with her as she reminisced on her explain this to me.” Looking back on a disapproving Reverend Mother, not work as a social activist: Bastion Point, her own life she subjected herself to the because of the very real danger to her 1981 Springbok Tour protests, her ‘sit- same self-analysis. She was convinced life, but for the non-existent threat to in’ of several hours outside the Herald that her compelling need to work for her virtue from her young friends! Editor’s office until he agreed to print justice came from her Catholic faith, a press release on prison conditions. A and it was all simply a matter

26 Tui Motu InterIslands of right and wrong, which her Catholic interested in heaven or hell; all upbringing had taught her. I’m interested in is doing the right thing.” Another achievement, a more private one, was the influence she had on her To many people Joan appeared young friends, many of whom she had eccentric. She was a familiar taught, all of whom she continued to figure walking the streets of advise and support. These young people Papatoetoe with a mass of are her living legacy. After she died some of them shared memories of her, and I frizzy hair, wearing jandals and noted down the following: “She was a scarf. In action she appeared such a mentor!.. I’ve never met anyone something of a firebrand. But as like her.. she had such strong moral a friend I found her a genuinely values.. she knew right from wrong.. caring person, loyal and sup- her instruction and ideals will remain portive. I always felt the better with me all my life.” for talking with her, even when we disagreed. She was a woman Her faith and principles stood her in of keen and perceptive intelli- good stead in the last few months of her life. She told a story about being visited gence, with great determination by two Jehovah’s Witnesses. On being and strength of mind, a lively greeted by her in her wheelchair, hearing sense of humour and an ability to enjoy herself. Life was never of her cancer and being assured that she Joan Waters (1939-1998). read her Bible regularly, they offered to dull when Joan was around. She has left Taken during the 70s give her their particular insights into a huge gap May she rest in peace. heaven and hell. Joan replied: “I’m not in the lives of many people. Margaret France Fr Jan Dijkman MHM

and making it all a thoroughly enjoyable they would take this man out of his experience. administrative duties and send him round the country giving people the He had not received any special training sort of experience with the word of in the Scriptures. Simply that the Mill God we have enjoyed.” Hill Fathers gave their missionaries a month’s sabbatical for each year of He was a gentle teacher, with a quick service, and Fr Jan made a point of wit and a ready smile. He spent his using this invaluable time to immerse priestly life happily here in New Zea- himself in Biblical study. It is an an Dijkman, parish priest of Wiri in land so far away from his native Hol- opportunity which could and should be South Auckland, scholar, friend of land. We are grateful for the privilege J made available to any priest or teacher the Maori, catechist and lover of the of having known him and imbibing a of the faith. I recall one teacher after ■ word of God, died last month after a little of his wisdom. experiencing a weekend course with Jan long struggle with cancer. Fr Jan worked saying: “If the bishops had any sense, for many fruitful years in the Maori ap- Michael Hill ostolate in Auckland and also as part of Fr Jan composed his own funeral the Religious Education team. He was drown. Caring family ties and royal service, and put a strong emphasis Director for a few years during the 80s. adoption.. all the time a destiny in on Baptism, which was always his the making. He was an outstanding atechist, some- favourite among the Sacraments. one who could bring the word of God The Exodus reading about the birth On the second reading from Ro- to life in a wonderful way. He had the of Moses took him back to his own mans he commented, propheti- gift of engaging his listeners and bring- childhood and baptism: The read- cally: Although we are joined to ing them on board what seemed to be ing speaks of birth and threats of Christ’s death through baptism, the an adventure of discovery: making the death, of a basket — coffin or ark? baptismal journey is not completed Scriptures come to life, applying them Cries for help — a helping hand. until we personally experience to the reality of one’s daily existence, Waters that save or waters that death.

Tui Motu InterIslands 27 book reviews Institution in crisis:

The Silent Schism: Renewal of Catholic documented. Yet they could not be ’ S u l l i v a n b e g i n s b y Spirit and Structures more different. Owen O’Sullivan is an examiningfour ‘models’ of the by Owen O’Sullivan OFM Cap Irish Capuchin who served in New Zea- Catholic church (not the land some years ago but whose recent ODulles models): the church as successor Gill and Macmillan Price: $55 approx. experience has been African missions, of the Roman Empire; as a sacred particularly in Zambia. He focuses society separate and alternative to The Threshold of the Future: Reforming exclusively on the church he knows. the modern state; as a sort of one- the Church in the Post-Christian West For him the fatal disease is the Catho- party state; as a crusading army. He by Michael Riddell lic church’s misuse of power. Michael notes aspects of each of these in the SPCK Riddell writes from the Protestant contemporary church, but concentrates Price: $49.95 tradition – primarily Baptist – and he on one common characteristic: “their Review: Michael Hill IC structures, channels of leadership, authority and commun-ication are essentially of the top-down variety, nce upon a time books about without an adequate comple-mentary the church by church people element from the bottom up (p27)”. For usually fell into the category O’Sullivan the damning indictment is Oof Apologetics: a description of what that this top-down character is not only the church is, or should be, according unrelated to the democratic age we live to a theological ideal. Such writing in: it is opposed to the life and teaching was intended to define or help build of Jesus as revealed in the Gospel. up the faith and loyalty of believers. The marks of the church would be Inevitably this indictment falls most discussed, its scriptural origins; there heavily on the style of rule of the present might be references to the church as a papacy. One example he explores in “perfect society”. some detail is the way in which the ap- pointment of bishops during the 20th These two books about church, by au- Century has become more and more thors with a New Zealand background, concentrated in the hands of Rome. differ utterly from such a classical Even 30 years ago the wishes of the lo- genre. They both treat the institutional cal church seem to have been far more sees the malaise in more general terms: church as a patient in a terminal state of influential in the choice of a new leader a betrayal on the part of all the main illness. Yet they are both written from than now. The book also deals critically churches to be faithful to the radical call ‘within the family’: they are far from with many of the problems assailing the of Christ. Reading the two alongside being hostile assaults from outside. Catholic church at the present: the posi- each other is a good deterrent from the They see the situation as grave, critical tion of women, the lack of vocations, alluring temptation to look over the — but not without hope. It is a happy democracy – or the lack of it; conscience wall to pastures which seem greener: if coincidence that they should appear and marriage matters. about Eastertime, when we have just institutional Catholicism is so corrupt, journeyed with Jesus through failure perhaps things will be better in the An- What is impressive about O’Sullivan’s and cruel death to the surprise and the glican communion or with the AOG. style is the wide sweep of his interest, explosive joy of the resurrection. In- The fact is we are all in the same boat: the sureness of his historical touch, his deed this resurrection hope is a thread mainline Christian churches are losing effective use of anecdote. For instance, underlying the shock diagnoses which numbers at the rate worldwide of some he speaks of his own experience as a leap out from virtually every page of 50,000 per week. Catholics are foolish pastor in Africa, and describes how he if they think that this fatal haemorrhage discovered that the most self-reliant and both works. is something happening elsewhere. The mature lay leadership arose in those The two books are written from a similar lessons and challenges of these two parts of his mission he visited least. critical standpoint; they are well-written books are relevant to all of us who care The reader is nudged into wondering and easy to read; authoritative and well- for the future of the mission of Christ. whether the so-called vocations crisis in

28 Tui Motu InterIslands fears and hopes for the Church the church is not rather a real oppor- past, a stepping out again onto the wa- While reading these sections I thought tunity for an educated laity to take on ters of a dangerous, unknown future. of the Christian base communities of the leadership which is its due! To enable him to take this step he had the third World, also of the success in not only the memory of the firm touch our own corner of Catholicism of the Just when the reader thinks that the of Jesus’ hand but also the fire of the Passionist Family Movement. Small cells narrative is about to wind down and spirit within him. The church is faced of believing people under lay leadership spend a few final pages in summary, with exactly the same challenge at this which exist to sustain and promote O’Sullivan explodes his bombshell. moment of destiny at the end of the the living out of Christian values in a The urgent surgery which an ailing second millennium. The old ways and world which is in desperate need for church needs is to get rid of the Vatican. structures are irrelevant or in need of precisely that – countercultural yet He hastens to remind his readers that radical restructuring. highly relevant. throughout the book his reference to “Rome” or the Vatican refer to the He also notes that chaplaincy in its Roman Curia, the City-State and the broadest sense is a paramount oppor- College of Cardinals; not to the papal tunity for Christians to be a rich and office which he accepts as given us by hidden leaven in a secular society. To Christ and therefore of the church’s achieve this the churches need to train essence. suitable people and that may mean a radical redistribution of funds away from bricks and mortar: instead, invest- ompared with The Silent ing in people. Schism, Threshold of the Future is like examining a piece of Cmodern sculpture after looking at one oth these books challenge your of Bernini’s flamboyant extravaganzas complacency: they are ‘naught in St Peter’s. It is a more down-to-earth for your comfort’. Yet what is style, looking at the Christian church Bconsoling is their genuine call of hope. in a post-modern world, with special The message of Christ is by no means focus on the Protestant churches, yet dying. It is the speaker system which is with obvious application to all mainline due for drastic overhaul – if not for total Christian bodies. Riddell paints on a Yet Riddell is full of hope. If Christians replacement. n much broader canvas. He always has can only have the courage to ‘step out- an eye to the needs and aspirations of side the square’, to embrace the modern We will find those books the human person in today’s or tomor- world with all its frailties and apparent row’s context. It is a study for the end for you! godlessness, then the Spirit will be with Books mentioned in this paper, or of one millennium, yet full of hope for us and the Gospel will not fail to be any other books you can’t find the future. Riddell looks to Scripture heard. But the church of the future will can be ordered from for an answer to the present calamitous be quite different from what we have situation and focuses specifically on known in the past. the story of Peter and the conversion OC Books of Cornelius in Acts Chapter 10. Peter Riddell makes a particular appeal to the the Jew was faced with yet another crisis need people have in this post-modern Tollfree 0800 88 OC Books of faith. The mission of the gospel of world to belong, to have community. (0800 886 226) Christ meant the creation of a society This is something the church must 4 Dowling St, Dunedin which would leave behind the com- work to provide just as Peter and Paul Ph/Fax (03) 477 9919 munity of the Jewish covenant and set up the first Christian communities. Freepost 58574 circumcision. Peter was being invited He quotes a few examples from his email: [email protected] to close the door on so much that he experiences among alternative church Visit our website loved. It meant a death to his religious communities in Auckland. http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~mcrowl

Tui Motu InterIslands 29 television

ajor changes are taking place in What future for TVNZ? MTelevision New Zealand. Neil Keith Harrison Roberts, their flamboyant director has resigned after a less than flattering aster, the festival which is pivotal great fun. In general they have failed to article appeared in the latest North and to Christianity, passed with almost sustain such humour, almost as if they E South. At the same time the public has no acknowledgement on our various are afraid of what they have created. As been rather coyly informed by TVNZ television channels. This was in stark a people we tend to have a rather laid chairwoman, Rosanne Meo, that the contrast to National Radio and Concert back, dry and laconic sense of humour Corporation had hired Australian firm FM in which there was a strong Easter which was well caught by Fred Dagg McKerlies to “carry out strategic direc- focus demonstrating their ability to and the late Barry Crump. But the tion” work. She denied that this had any meet the spiritual needs as well as the eccentricities of individuals are not as bearing on a possible sale while Trevor intellectual needs of their listeners. much a subject for humour as they are Mallard, Labour’s State Services spokes- in Britain. Easter Day had an extended Praise Be man, reported that treasury had spent a entitled Easter in Otago – 150 Years On. It is not easy to forget the sophisticated six-figure sum on a “scoping” study by This was an ecumenical service from humour of a show like Yes, Prime Min- investment banking firm Ord Minnett. Dunedin’s First Church conducted ister, in which its success is due in no This study recommended TVNZ should by the Minister, Rev Denis Povey. It small part to the manner in which its be sold in its entirety. was well done but was relegated to the bureaucrats parallel rather than parody It is danger time for the future of tel- margins of the day at 8.30am. reality. Many of the plots were real evision in this country. The politicians stories which were supplied to writers appear to have forgotten the promises The only discussion which took place Anthony Jay and Jonathon Lynn by top made at the time of coalition and look was on Holmes on Good Friday. I find officials, whereas our humour is often as if they’re ready to accept a sale. TVNZ it intriguing that the producers of the based on the comparison between the management is clearly in disarray and Roman Circus which Holmes has be- practical man or woman and the person has lost direction with the defection come can’t abandon their gladiatorial who can’t handle the situation. ambitions for one programme. We are of key executives and an accusation officially a Christian country with a na- We have many political situations which from Roberts that the chairwoman, tional ethos based on Christian values, could be parodied and we have the writ- Rosanne Meo, had interfered in the and the programme could surely have ers waiting to have the opportunity of editorial process. TV1, in spite of all the examined the strengths of the Church writing them down and weaving them re-structuring and re-organisation, still today instead of having Jim Veitch ridi- into a story. It is therefore alarming represents much of what middle New culing belief in the Resurrection. Shots to hear of the report from NZ on Air Zealand wants from the medium. If it of children in a Catholic school being Chairman, David Beatson, that there could be saved as a public service chan- questioned about their beliefs were ob- has been no increase in locally produced nel, with all the licence money which is viously meant to portray brainwashed programmes. “Few developed countries now distributed and dissipated by NZ children who have been indoctrinated have such a low level of local content on On Air directed into it, with limited by the Church. The intention, on this their free-to-air TV Channels as New advertising arranged around a show most holy of days, was obviously to Zealand,” he said. “America enjoys over instead of tailoring everything to the show that Christians are clinging to an 95 percent, Britain has over 80, Canada advertising, it would be an economi- outmoded set of archaic and unfashion- 60 and Australia 55. New Zealand has cally feasible project. All we lack is the able beliefs. It was only the children’s in- only 21 percent local content and one political will. nocent faith which shone out from this quarter of New Zealand programming I wonder how many of us would be pas- is repeats.” meanest of offerings on Good Friday. sionate advocates for such a project. Or nd just as our television masters are If our writers are to survive and if we shall we turn up our toes, lie back and Aafraid to acknowledge spirituality are to see adequate local programming allow it to become the bland pap which in human affairs, so they seem to have which would include home-grown is currently fed to the world through difficulty in finding programmes which humour, we are in desperate need of the Murdoch Empire. “Let them eat make us laugh. We are still tentative some kind of Charter to protect and cake,” was Marie Antoinette’s frivolous about laughing at ourselves and at nurture our culture. We must continue and mindless answer to a plea for bread. capturing the humour of those around to pressure our MPs in the hope that Television New Zealand is treating its us. McPhail and Gadsby have often suc- some appropriate political action will public in the same way and unless they ceeded in holding a mirror up to our be taken to rectify the situation. take a radical change of direction, they society and have given us moments of too are heading for the same inevitable end. ■

30 Tui Motu InterIslands overseas news

Child sponsorship from the gospels and runs through 2000 between the country’s two Cardinals. The discovery that some children in years of Christian history”. Third World Countries individually Cardinal Varela of Madrid says that many Catholics worked hard to oust sponsored by New Zealanders had actu- Fr Kung, who claims he has always Franco and achieve democracy and “the ally been dead for many years, has left followed the Vatican Council, said this rest should be left to historians and the many benefactors questioning the value is “a sign of hope for the church... a judgment of future generations.” But of this kind of charity. The Catholic signal that either now or in the future Cardinal Carles of Barcelona is in fa- agency Caritas and the ecumenical we can have an orthodox Papacy with- vour of some “gesture of reconciliation” Christian World Service do not support out excommunicating and silencing regarding the Church’s collaboration child sponsorship; they seriously ques- theologians”. with the regime of General Franco. tion the ethics of marketing a message of The Vatican agrees that some statement ‘one dollar, one child’, focusing on the should be made but prefers to wait until desire of people to have an emotional Cause of Pope John the year 2000 rather than linking it with commitment to a particular child. Preliminary stages in the canonisation the anniversary. process of Pope John XXIII have been Elizabeth Mackie, Projects Secretary for completed. The next step is for the Con- CWS, says, “We find that poor com- gregation for the Causes of the Saints munities care for and look after their to give approval and declare the former Third World Debt The Archbishop of Canterbury has own children — provided they have Pope, already looked upon as a saint by declared that Third World debt raises the resources to do so”. Donations to many people, as ‘Venerable’. This could “sharp moral questions”. The combined CWS and Caritas are channelled into still take some years. resources for communities rather than debt of sub-Saharan African countries for individual children. (CWS Update) has reached US$235 billion. He criti- cised the World Bank and the IMF for Repenting the Spanish Civil War the unequal terms imposed on poor Next year is the 60th anniversary of countries. The Archbishop urges sup- Missionary murdered in Bihar the ending of the Spanish Civil War. A port for the Jubilee 2000 campaign for Another Catholic missionary has been proposal that the Spanish bishops ask cancellation of unpayable world debt, murdered in the Bihar province of forgiveness for the Church’s support of calling the year 2000 a ‘kairos’ moment, Northern India. Br Luke Puttaniyil the regime of General Franco’s Fascist a moment of truth. ■ was killed while bringing a truckload dictatorship has caused a difference of medical supplies and clothing from Calcutta for the poor. In March a priest was stabbed by a group of masked men in his church compound. No arrest Tui Motu InterIslands has yet been made for the beheading last year of a Jesuit priest who worked among low-caste people in the town of Subscription Hazaribagh. NAME:______Hans Kung back in favour ADDRESS:______In an extraordinary move a high ranking ______Area Code______Vatican Cardinal has praised contro- versial Swiss theologian Hans Kung. $20 for FIVE ISSUES Twenty years ago Kung was declared “no $40 for ONE YEAR Subscription (11 ISSUES) longer a Catholic theologian” because Overseas: $50 Australia and South Pacific: $60 elsewhere of writings on issues such as infallibil- ity, birth control, women priests and I enclose a cheque for $______compulsory celibacy for priests. or please debit my credit card (Visa/Mastercard) Card No:______On March 24 Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican Secretary of State, said that Expiry date______Kung had demonstrated “faith in the Signature______river of goodness and mercy, of solidari- Mail to P O Box 6404 DUNEDIN NORTH 9030 ty and willingness to help, which springs

Tui Motu InterIslands 31 postscript

elected and employed, of the people of Russian Seafarers – A Moral Dilemma New Zealand. That’s us, folks. The moral question to be faced is, does he abandonment of 89 Rus- This is the moral dilemma. The Lyt- providing justice to these men by paying sian seafarers in Lyttelton is a telton combined Churches Commit- wages due take precedence over collect- moral issue as much as it is a tee, in a letter to the High Court, has ing fines? The short answer is, yes. politicalT or economic one. The facts are stated clearly that the principle of the fairly clear. A New Zealand Company, Common Good should be the guiding This type of situation will not be the last Abels Fisheries, contracted five jointly principle. In their opinion the Russian of its kind now our coastal waters are owned Russian-Liechtenstein trawlers to seafarers are in far greater need than crewed by ships flying all sorts of flags fish. Unfortunately for the crew, Abels either of the ministries or the port of convenience. Whose moral respon- had no quota. The ships were arrested by company. sibility is it to protect the sailors? Since the Ministry of Fisheries and the court it was the government which changed The men have been abandoned on ordered the seizure of the ships as part the rules and threw these enterprises our shores. They came in good faith, penalty. Abels conveniently went into to the market winds, it is clearly they left their families behind and have liquidation, leaving the men high and who should take final responsibility for been badly treated by a local company. dry without $1.1 million in wages. overseas workers when these operations They have lived for months, with little collapse. There are four parties to the court ac- money or food, no electricity and little tion. The men want their wages, the hope. Some have been sick. Their very It is time for the appropriate govern- Ministry of Fisheries want their ships, survival depends on the humanity of ment authorities to sell the ships, pay the Immigration Department want the New Zealand. Legally the ships now, by the men their wages and fly them back Russians back home, and the Lyttel- court order, belong to the Crown. But to Russia to their families. With the eyes ton Port Company want the wharves the Crown is not a piece of metal. It of the world upon us nothing less will vacated. consists of the legal representatives, both be honourable, moral or acceptable. ■ Jim Consedine

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32 Tui Motu InterIslands