Jubilee Justice A Statement for Social Justice Sunday 1999 from the Catholic of

Chairman’s Message:

On behalf of the Australia Catholic Bishops’ Conference, I am pleased to present the Social Justice Sunday Statement for 1999. As we express our commitment to justice and peace, we are guided by the Church’s tradition of Catholic Social Teaching. The Biblical Jubilee is one of the sources of modern Catholic Social Teaching, which focuses on restoring the poor and the marginalised to the centre of the community and organising the common good. These characteristics of a Jubilee year speak strongly to contemporary Australia.

The need for a just reconciliation with the original owners of this land couldn’t be clearer. I would like to thank the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) for their gracious engagement in dialogue with us on the question of reconciliation. Their contribution to the preparation of this statement has enriched it enormously. This statement also addresses international debt and issues concerning the dignity and rights of asylum seekers and refugees, and of women. These are also critically important issues for Australia Catholics today. We can help to renew our society by working for change on each of these issues.

I hope that this statement will inspire ongoing action for social justice. The Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, and other Church agencies named in this Statement give expression to the Church’s commitment to justice and peace in the world. They need the commitment to justice and peace in our world. They need the support of the whole Church. Please contact them to find out how you can join the work of building a more just, humane and Christian world.

The Most Rev Kevin ManningChairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council

INTRODUCTION:

The approach of the year 2000 has been recognised world wide as a time of great significance in human history. Governments, organisations of various kinds and individuals are preparing to celebrate the event.

In a certain way the celebration ‘belongs’ to the church more than anyone else. it is, after all, from the birth of that we count the 2000 years. So the Church, under the leadership of John Paul II, has been planning a major celebration for that year, including a three-year period which began in 1997.

For the Church the focus of the celebration is on the significance of the life of the one who was born 2000 years ago. In Jesus, God became human and the human, in a sense became divine. This has enormous importance for all Christians.

As the Pope expressed it in his Apostolic Letter on the Jubilee Year:

As the image of the invisible God, Christ is the perfect man who has restored to the children of Adam the divine likeness which had been deformed by sin. In his human nature, free from all sin and assumed into the divine person of the Word, the nature shared by all human beings is raised to a sublime dignity.

(Tertio Millennio Adveniente, n.4)

Another striking expression of this profound truth is found in the celebration of the . As the celebrant pours a drop of water into the wine, he prays:

By the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

Not only are we created in the image of God, but we are given a share in the very divinity of God.

Through the Incarnation, every human being is possessed of a dignity that is beyond measure. Through the Incarnation, the true meaning of the word ‘human’ is revealed.

These truths form the basis of the Church’s teaching on human rights and social justice.

Every member of the human race should be treated with the respect which his or her dignity demands. The fact that many people in out time endure lives stunted by poverty, homelessness, unemployment or violence, is not an offence against their true humanity, but also an offence against God.

In reflecting on the significance of the birth of Christ, Pope John Paul reminds us of another dimension. The Son of God, by taking flesh, not only reveals the true dignity of humanity, he also renews the cosmic order of creation (TMA n.4). It is not only humans who are caught up in the miracle of the incarnation, but all of creation as well. The mystery of his will, says St Paul, is a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (Eph. 1, 9-10). St Paul also tells us that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage and decay, and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Romans 8, 21) Jesus is Lord, not only of the human race, but of the entire universe. When we call him our Lord, we are not only acknowledging our dependence on him, but also our solidarity with the rest of creation.

These are some of the themes that resonate throughout our celebration of this great anniversary. Our Holy Father has referred to it as The Great Jubilee. We are accustomed to use this word for anniversaries of special significance - twenty-five years is a silver jubilee, fifty years is a golden jubilee. But the term ‘jubilee’ is biblical in origin and a brief explanation of what it originally represented will cast light on how we might appropriately celebrate this Great Jubilee.

Jubilee in the

The clearest reference to jubilee in the Bible is in the Book of Leviticus, chapter 25, although earlier passages in Exodus and Deuteronomy show that some aspects of the jubilee tradition go back to a very early date in the life of the people of . There are also later references to ‘jubilee’ in Isaiah and in St Luke’s Gospel in the .

The word comes from the Hebrew word ‘yobel’ - the horn or trumpet that was to be sounded to mark the beginning of the jubilee year. In Leviticus the people are instructed to observe a jubilee every 50th year.

Then you shall send abroad the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month.... and you shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants; it shall be a jubilee for you. (Lev. 25, 9-10)

A jubilee year incorporated a number of key characteristics: land is to be left fallow and uncultivated, debts are to be forgiven, land is to be returned to its original owners, people are to be enabled to return to land they have lost, justice is to be established. Each of these commandments has a rich meaning of its own. Behind all of them and giving them unity, however, is a common concern for the poor and oppressed. Jubilee year was a time for the people of Israel to remember that once they had been slaves in Egypt, but had been liberated by God’s grace and power. Therefore, now they should look in a kindly fashion on those who are poor and oppressed. But the year was not just a time for temporary charitable activity. The jubilee commandments to the people were designed to ensure that no one could accumulate so much wealth and power as to be able to reduce others to destitution.

The command to let the land lie fallow is expressed in a striking way - the land shall keep a Sabbath to the Lord (Lev. 25,2). It was as though the land also had a right to rest. It was an acknowledgment that God was the ultimate owner of the land and that its fruits were intended for all, not just for a few. In the Book of Exodus the command is to let the land lie fallow that the poor of your people may eat, and what they leave, the wild beasts may eat. (Ex 23,10).

In later biblical passages the prophets use strong words for those who can scarcely bring themselves to stop the process of production and wealth accumulation.

Hear this, you who trample the needy....saying, when will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain and the Sabbath that we may offer what for sale? I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. (Amos 8, 4-5.10)

The command to forgive debts is another essential characteristic of the biblical jubilee. In Leviticus this refers to those whose inability to repay debts has made them slaves to their creditors (Lev 25, 35-42). In Deuteronomy the command is more general and its purpose is clear.

Every creditor shall release what he has to his neighbour; he shall not exact it of his neighbour....there shall be no poor among you. (Deut. 15, 2-4).

The proclamation and the practice of freedom is a third dimension of the jubilee.

You shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. The God of Israel is a God who gives freedom. A man whose debts have bound him to others shall be released in the year of jubilee, he and his children with him. (Lev. 25, 54-5).

The people of God who liberates are themselves to practise liberation.

The prescription aimed at reuniting land with its original owners is a central aspect of the celebration of jubilee. Land was regarded as belonging to God, and given into the care of families and household. If property changed hands it was really only the yearly crops that belonged to the new owner. If someone had been forced to sell land to repay a debt, a relative should try to help him redeem it. Failing that, the land must return to him in the jubilee year.

In this year of jubilee, each of you shall return to his property...the land shall not be sold in perpetuity, God says, for the land is mine (Lev. 25, 13.23).

Underlying all of these jubilee traditions and commands is the call to justice, the call for every person and thing to have what is due by right. The fundamental aim of biblical justice is to ensure that right relationships exist in all of creation - among people, and between people and the other creatures - among people, and between people and the other creatures of the world and the land itself.

Whether these biblical commands for the year of jubilee were ever fully observed or not is unclear. It is certain that some of them were. In 1 Maccabees 6,49, we are told that the city of Beth Zur could not withstand a siege because, being a Sabbath year, it was low in provisions. It is also clear, however, that in many cases the jubilee was not properly observed, although it always remained as an ideal in the consciousness of the people. Still the prophets were able to appeal to Sabbath and Jubilee principles in their calls to the people to be more faithful to their God.

Some of the prophets recalled the jubilee when they spoke of the coming of the Messiah, suggesting that his coming would introduce a time of ongoing jubilee. Listen to the words of Isaiah, for example:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted, he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour...(Isaiah 61, 1-2).

The year of the Lord’s favour is a reference to the jubilee year, and it is significant that it was these words that Jesus chose to read, more than five hundred years later, when he entered the at and announced the beginning of his ministry (Luke 4, 16-20). in the town where he had grown up, he was invited to read and having read the passage from Isaiah, said simply, Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.

With these words Jesus was using the concept of the Jubilee, already familiar to his hearers, to describe his ;life’s work. Jesus introduces, not just a jubilee year but an unending jubilee era, a time when all that needs to be forgiven will be forgiven, when families will be restored to their homes and homelands and when all will enjoy a secure livelihood and a sharing in community life.

This is the challenge Pope John Paul II has so wisely placed before us today. We are about to celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus. How are we to take up the challenge to bring the principles and values of the jubilee tradition, which Jesus placed at the centre of his ministry, into our lives and our society in contemporary Australia?

Because of the emphasis in the biblical jubilee on the establishment of justice and the focus on the poor, we cannot approach the Great Jubilee without turning out eyes to those who are suffering in our own society and in the world community. The Holy Father leaves us in no doubt about this matter:

It has to be said that a commitment to justice and peace in a world like ours, marked by so many conflicts and intolerable social and economic inequalities, is a necessary condition for the preparation and celebration of the jubilee. (TMA n.51).

Jubilee inspires Catholic Social Teaching

We are not the first generation of Christians to grapple with the question of how to respond to the Gospel imperative to act for justice, and we won’t be the last. WE are guided in our actions by the teaching of the Church on matters of social justice, bringing the light of the Gospel to bear on the issues we face in the social dimensions of our lives.

Catholic Social Teaching promotes a vision of a just society that is grounded in biblical revelation, in the teachings of the leaders of the early Church and in the wisdom gathered from experience by the Christian community as it has responded to social justice issues through history. As a formal body of teachings the Church’s social doctrine has developed markedly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries so that at the end of the millennium we have inherited a rich body of authoritative teaching documents addressing social justice matters.

Illustrating important enduring characteristics of catholic teaching on social justice, the jubilee tradition is one of the source of modern Catholic Social Teaching. Jubilee practices were not individual acts of charity, they were social processes aimed at restoring justice to the way in which society operated. The fundamental concern of the Jubilee practices was the restoration of the poor and the marginalised to the centre of the community and to the enjoyment of the benefits that life in the community provided. These practices were an attempt at organising the common good - the collection of social conditions that make it possible for each social group and all of their individual members to achieve their potential. Although we live in a more complex society that that which developed the Jubilee practices, modern Catholic Social Teaching retains the same focus on restoring the poor and the marginalised to the centre of the community and organising the common good.

With these words in mind, we present some reflections and suggestions for action on a number of issues that are of contemporary concern both in Australia society and in the global community.

Reconciliation

In 1986 Pope John Paul II clearly directed the Australia to joyfully received the contribution of its indigenous people. The challenging question to all of us as we approach the great Jubilee is: Have we joyfully received that contribution and allowed them the freedom to express themselves as Aborigines? The Great Jubilee offers us the opportunity, according to Pope John Paul II, to reflect on some of the major challenges of our time. He specifically mentions the difficulty of dialogue between different cultures (TMA n.51).

In Australia we have experienced this difficulty of dialogue since the beginning of European settlement. Even today, after more than 200 years of living together, there are huge gaps in understanding between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders have suffered gross failures of justice which have resulted in individual and collective suffering of an intensity that can hardly be comprehended by those who have not endured it.

Nor can it be said that this is merely a problem of the past. The ill effects are a matter of public record and, indeed, public shame. In areas such as health, education, housing, employment or criminal justice, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people fare significantly worse that other Australians.

The Pope’s call challenges us to examine our conscience, personally and as part of a life-giving society. This is particularly true in light of the biblical Jubilee’s emphasis on reuniting people with their land. Thankfully, we can acknowledge that some considerable progress has been made in this dialogue in recent weeks. The judgements of the High Court in the Mabo and Wik cases, the negotiations leading up to the Native Title Act, the long and passionate debate on the present Government’s so-called Ten Point Plan, the establishment and work of the National Reconciliation Council, have all brought the issues of Aboriginal land rights and reconciliation to the centre of the national stage.

The Church has become deeply involved in the movement towards reconciliation. Demonstrating their official commitment, all the Catholic Bishops signed the ‘Sorry Books’. Parish and Church-based groups across Australia helped organise civic events to mark Sorry Day.

The Bishops also issued a formal apology to the indigenous people of Australia for any Church role in the separation of Aboriginal children from their families. The Australian Catholic social Welfare Commission is working with the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes (ACLRI) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) to compile a complete listing of all known Catholic institutions that provided care to children since 1840, and to develop an agreed set of guidelines for access to their records.

Many Church organisations have directed their efforts towards justice and reconciliation; in 1995, for example, the member churches of Queensland Churches Together made an historic commitment to work towards partnership with indigenous Australians in order to learn from one another’s cultures, spiritualities, traditions and ways of living with the land. Endorsing the Churches Together Aboriginal Partnership, Archbishop John Bathersby, Archbishop of Brisbane wrote:

Social Justice is an integral part of the Gospel. Within an Australian context Social Justice means recognising and working for the place of Indigenous people within our society. Social Justice also means examining our local situation to discover structures or influences that prevent people living as children of God.

Bishops and others within the Catholic Church have lobbied the government on Northern Territory issues; NATSICC, whose members are elected representatives of their communities, has been appointed as an official adviser to the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference; Aboriginal Catholic Ministries have been established across Australia and the growing interest in Aboriginal spirituality is shown officially by the attempts in some places to incorporate Aboriginal symbols into the liturgy and the appearance of Aboriginal art in a few . Many Church groups now open their proceedings with a formal acknowledgment of the original custodian of the locality.

The Toowoomba Catholic Education Office has developed an Aboriginal Studies resource, "A Place at the Table". The title relates to some community reactions following the Mabo High Court Decision of 1993. With the implementation of the Native Title Act a small section of the community reacted with hostility. For the first time stakeholders were required to sit down and talk to Aboriginal people about the use of land.

‘A Place at the Table’ draws on oral histories of Aboriginal community members from the country that makes up the Toowoomba Diocese. It presents local historical documents and challenges many of the myths about Aboriginal people that are present in Australian society.

With a focus on reconciliation it was appropriate that the resource was launched by Ethel Munn, who shared the Australia Day Achiever Award for 1999 with Camilla Cowley. The story of Camilla and Ethel is also part of this resource. A two-day in- service for teachers followed the launch. One of the most powerful sessions was one in which Murrie community members shared their stories. The majority of secondary schools within the Toowoomba Diocese are now looking at implementing units of work based on the resource, ‘A Place at the Table’.

Reconciliation is not an act. It is a process that can be shared by all Australians through their church groups, schools and local community efforts. It will take time and will required courage, honesty and prayer. The process is under way. It is now the responsibility of us all to ensure that the momentum is not dissipated. For Catholic people especially, recognition of the need to prepare for Next year, the Year of Jubilee, presents a prayerful and active, challenge and opportunity.

Refugees and Asylum seekers

We have seen that one of the central practices of the biblical jubilee was enabling people to return to their homelands (Lev. 25, Is. 27-28.41). Today, around the world there are literally millions of people who have been driven from their homelands by war, persecution of famine and who have become refugees.

The ideal solution to this most pressing problem is for refugees to be able to return safely to their own country. Tragically, for a very large number the conditions from which they have fled will not change quickly enough to allow this to happen. These people need to find asylum in other countries if they are not to be forced to spend significant periods of their lives in refugee camps. It is a sad fact that there are many thousands of people for whom the refugee camp becomes their only home when they are not granted refuge in other countries.

Each year thousands of people seek asylum in Australia. In general, this country has a good record in generously welcoming refugees and assisting them to settle here. the Church, mindful not only of the jubilee provision mentioned above, but also of the fact that the infant Jesus himself at one stage a refugee in Egypt, commends the work done by government and non-government organisations and urges the government to extend its humanitarian program. There could be few better ways for Australia to mark the Year 2000 than by opening her doors more widely to those who so desperately need and whose lives will be impoverished in countless ways if they are rejected.

The case of asylum seekers in Australia, however, needs particular mention. ‘Asylum seekers’ is the technical term for those who have fled their homeland in fear of death or persecution and have come to Australia asking to be considered as refugees. Because of the extremity of the dangers facing them at home, many of them arrive on tourist or temporary visas or without any valid papers. While their case is being considered by the Government, they are called ‘asylum seekers’. They are among the poorest people in Australia and have rightly been called ‘nobody’s people’. They are afraid to go home, but they are entitled to none of the benefits we take for granted here. They may not entitled to Medicare; they may not be entitled to work; they cannot claim any living allowance from the Government. Those who arrive without any papers are subject to internment, in some cases lasting for years.

There is no doubt that the situation of these people has worsened in recent years as the increase in harsh regulation have made it progressively more difficult for them to live with dignity in the period prior to the settlement of their case. We find this situation morally unacceptable, as it offends against the dignity of the human person. We urge the Government to ease the regulations regarding asylum seekers. It is understood that careful consideration must be given to each case, and that a number of people have attempted to gain refugee status on inadequate or even fraudulent grounds, but the majority of honest asylum seekers should not be made to suffer on this account.

Acknowledging the Dignity and Rights of Women

The Jubilee spirit is a spirit of inclusion. Lack of respect for the dignity and rights of women remains one of the great injustices of our world, affecting women in every country and culture. A just society respects the dignity and rights of all of its individual members and of each group. In Tertio Millennio Adveniente Pope John Paul II asks us to reflect on the problems connected with respect for women’s rights and the promotion of the family and marriage (TMA n.51) as part of our preparation for the Great Jubilee.

Too often women have been pushed to the margins of society and their contributions overlooked. Roles typically undertaken by women rather than men are frequently accorded little social status. Women who undertake the demanding and important work of raising children are not properly valued by our society. Paradoxically, in Australia those who provide services such as childcare or cleaning on a commercial basis are considered to be gainful employed and their work is measured as part of the Gross National Product, whereas mothers at home are not considered to be part of the workforce and their work is not reflected in the Gross National Product. They literally are not counted when it comes to measuring the output of our nation.

Women have aright to be part of the paid workforce and can contribute much to the common good of the community in this way, but the financial demands on the family very often leave them little effective choice about combining work in the home and work outside the home. Women, and some men, frequently lament the lack of ‘family friendly’ workplaces. Many man, and an increasing number of women, are locked into employment structures that severely limit their capacity to contribute an equal share of the work of parenting. When employment is not structured to take account of the parenting responsibilities of workers, the mothers, fathers and children suffer, indeed the whole community suffers.

Women make up the majority of those living in poverty around the world. Even in Australia groups of women often lag behind men in comparative income. Our women are not adequately represented in decision-making and leadership roles in business, community or government. Many women line in fear of violence in the domestic and public spheres. Even within the Church the dignity and rights of women are not always respected.

A society that denies women the free and full realisation of their potential diminishes its own potential . A whole society needs and values the contributions of both women and men. we in Australia miss something of the experience of God’s self-disclosure if we do not see the image of God in all people, female and male. In his , Pope John Paul II led the Church in an examination of conscience, writing:

Women’s dignity has often been unacknowledged and their prerogatives misrepresented; they have often been relegated to the margins of society and even reduced to servitude. And if objective blame, especially in particular historical contexts, has belonged to not just a few members of the Church, for this I am truly sorry. May this regret be transformed, on the part of the whole Church, into a renewed commitment of fidelity to the Gospel vision. (Letter of Pope John Paul II to Women, n.3).

It was in this spirit of fidelity to the Gospel vision of the equal dignity of all women and men that the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference commissioned The Participation of Women in the Catholic Church in Australia. The objective of this major research project was to gather information that would provide a sound basis for theological reflection, pastoral planning and further dialogue with women and women’s groups. The Bishops’ Conference received the Report from the researchers in April this year and decided that it should be published in full.

In order to effectively acknowledge the dignity and rights of women, the lived experience of women must be listened to attentively and respectfully. The views of women as well as those of men must be sought on any matter that affects both women and men. The Bishops’ research project is a hopeful start. We can all participate in responding to the information that was gathered so that our Church will be truer to the Gospel vision of the equal dignity of women and men.

International Debt

At the International level, few problems are more urgent or deep-seated than that of debt. Thirteen years ago the problem was already serious enough for the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace to publish a Statement outlining the responsibilities of all concerned and the ethical principles to be followed in seeking a solution. Today, the problem is considerably more serious. The total amount of debt owed by the world’s developing nations has more that quadrupled since the early 1980’s, from $440 billion in 1982 to an unimaginable $2.2 trillion in 1998.

The increased mobility of international capital in the 1970’s and the mistaken belief that sovereign nations cannot go bust (Walter Wriston, President of Citycorp) led to a rapid rise in lending in order to finance modernisation and development projects in developing nations. Private banks, governments and mulitlateral creditors such as the World Back and the International Monetary Fund pumped huge volumes of money into these nations. Interest rates were low and growth prospects considered high. it is generally agreed, however, that irresponsible decisions were made at this time by both borrowers and lenders.

When interest rates rose in the early 1980’s the borrowers were caught in a debt trap from which few have been able to escape.

The effort made by poor countries to repay these debts has been phenomenal, and has cost more than just money. Whether on their own initiative or under a so-called ‘structural agreement program’ imposed from outside, many countries have drastically cut their spending, reducing money for sectors such as health, education and housing, cutting subsidies on essential items like food and fuel and cutting basic wages. The poor of these countries have borne the brunt of these changes, and UNICEF has estimated that hundreds of thousands of people die each year as a result of the efforts made to repay foreign debt. Statement On East Timor by the Central Commission of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference

199909153.htmThe tragedy of East Timor continues to unfold. No single event since the Second World War has so united all Australians in horror and dismay. We cannot even be sure that the worst is behind us, as difficulties still surround the deployment of a peace-keeping force and the air-drop of food to local inhabitants. The long-term future could be even more hazardous.

The Central Commission of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference condemns the violence and anarchy of the militias in East Timor and expresses sorrow and prayerful sympathy for the many thousands of victims and their families. We particularly think of Belo, Bishop Nascimento and the priests, brothers, and church workers who have been killed. We also deplore the brutal murder of the General Secretary of the Christian Church of East Timor and the suffering of countless other innocent victims.

We commend the Prime Minister, his government and the whole Australian parliament for their bi-partisan efforts to stop the killing and thank the media for their effective coverage and often careful reflection on this ongoing disaster, close to our shores.

We respectfully urge the Australian Government to continue in their generous hospitality to the East Timor refugees and promise our prayers for the safety of the peace-keeping forces, including our own Australian troops, if they are deployed.

We do not underestimate the difficulties which lie ahead for East Timor in implementing the majority decision for independence and then building a stable, peaceful community. We regret the unfortunate deterioration in Australian - Indonesian relations and pray that our Australian Government will continue to be wise and strong as we all work progressively to improve the situation.

The Catholic community also pledges to do what it can to assist the refugees now among us, to support the efforts of our agency, Caritas Australia, and other agencies, to bring aid and relief to the suffering, and in the longer term to work for reconstruction in East Timor itself. Our immediate concern is to see urgent humanitarian issues addressed, including the establishment of safe havens for displaced persons inside East Timor and beyond, and the safe return of those forcibly deported.

We promise our continuing prayers and practical help for all those caught up in this terrible human tragedy.

On behalf of the Members of Central Commission

Edward Cardinal ClancyArchbishop of SydneyPresidentAUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE East Timor - A Call to Prayer and Action

199909084.htmThe Australian Catholic Community has viewed the catastrophic events in East Timor in recent days with horror and a growing sense of outrage and shame.

Just one week ago, the East Timorese people celebrated the announced result of a decisive act of self-determination which unambiguously signalled the will of the people to be independent. The subsequent tragic events, including systematic slaughter, intimidation, violent crime and massive internal dislocations - a form of "political cleansing" - have engulfed East Timor in a manner that is difficult for us to fully comprehend.

Indonesia’s leadership has lost control over what has become an orchestrated reign of terror instigated with the connivance of certain elements in the military.

The time for a United Nations mandated peacekeeping force is now. Australia must join this international effort and provide a key leadership role. To do anything less is a betrayal of the long history that we share with one of our closest neighbours. In the words of Cardinal Clancy, "the wound inflicted on our reputation will not be healed".

The heroic Bishop Belo has drawn attention to the plight of refugees and the need for Australia to provide safe haven. We cannot ignore this plea from one who for the present is now himself a refugee. Just as Australians responded so generously to the plight of Kosovo refugees, we call on the Australian Government to open our borders and provide sanctuary.

In solidarity with our East Timorese sisters and brothers, we hear the cry of pain. We ask all people of goodwill to heed that cry. We invite Australian Catholic and all believers to pray for a peaceful and rapid resolution that restores human dignity to the suffering people of this emerging nation.

Caritas Australia and its partner agency, Caritas East Timor, are the official agencies of the Catholic Church responsible for emergency assistance in east Timor. They will have the capacity to continue their key role. Please support them financially as a practical display of Australian solidarity at this most critical time. Catholic Bishops' Committee calls on Government to review its current handling of pregnant refugees

1999050616.htmThe Bishops' Committee for Family and for Life is calling on the Government to review its current handling of pregnant refugees following the reported near full-term abortion of an unborn child just days after the mother was deported from Australia to China.

Although the Department for Immigration has announced that it will hold a departmental investigation into the incident, the Bishops' Committee does not believe this will provide the best long-term solution in avoiding this tragedy again.

"If the departmental investigation shows that a woman who was eight and a half months pregnant with her second child was sent back to China, which we know to have a very strict One-Child Policy, then I believe the Australian government has blood on its hands," said Bishop Pat Power, Secretary for the Bishops' Committee for Family and for Life. "We cannot be responsible for all pregnant women in China but we should be responsible for those in Australia. The most significant question in my mind is why a woman who had been detained in Australia as a refugee for nearly three years was sent back to China only weeks before her baby was due to be born?"

The Bishops' Committee suggests that Australia should look more towards the American model on this issue in which asylum seekers can seek refuge on the basis of China's one-child policy.

"I am sure that most Australians sitting in their kitchens this morning would have been repulsed by this story this morning," said Bishop Power. "The disregard shown to this poor mother cannot go unnoticed. We, as a nation and as individuals, have responsibilities not just under human rights but as human beings to ensure this atrocity does not happen again." Catholic body calls for Minimum Wage increase of $26.60 per week

200403254.htmThe Minimum Wage should be increased by $26.60 per week, the Catholic Church's employment relations body has told the Safety Net Wage Review hearing yesterday.

Frank Costigan QC, appearing for the Australian Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (ACCER), said the evidence demonstrated that the needs of the low paid warranted at least this level of increase.

ACCER's submission referred to the circumstances of people in paid work who are forced to seek help from welfare agencies. In these cases, workers with families on low wages lack the ability to send their children on school camps, to adequately educate, clothe, feed and house their children.

"A worker needs to live with dignity. A worker needs to be able to provide for the family, or to look forward to doing so when the family arrives. A worker must not be placed in a position where it is said “I can't afford to get married or have a relationship”, or “I can't afford to buy or rent a house”, “ Mr Costigan told the hearing.

Mr. Costigan also submitted that the needs of the low paid must be addressed by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission: “It is not enough to say that they would be better addressed through the tax transfer system , as is suggested by the Commonwealth.”

“The reform of the tax transfer system is entirely a matter for the Commonwealth. If the Commonwealth believes there is a demonstrable link between the tax system and the needs of the low paid, then it should reduce the level of taxation for the low paid ", Mr Costigan told the hearing.

Mr. Costigan called on the Federal Government to fund and develop further research so that the needs and circumstances of the low paid can be fully identified and properly targeted actions implemented. Catholic Bishops Welcome Extra Funding In Anti-Drugs Campaign

1999041014.htm"The Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference welcomes the Prime Minister's latest announcement of funding for education and diversion programs in the fight against illicit drug use.

"The Bishops highlight the lack of a sense of purpose and meaning in life as the basic cause of the drug problem. It is in such a climate that drug-taking becomes attractive. Unless this basic cause is addressed, the drug problem will remain and grow. The whole of Australian society must be concerned with the basic messages being given to the young about the meaning of human life.

"The Catholic Church at different levels can play a major role in the fight against drugs. Helping to shape public policy, educating its own people and the wider community, allocating more of its resources to rehabilitation and counselling programs, supporting ecumenical and community initiatives are just some ways the Church can respond to the Gospel in the face of one of the great social problems of modern times.

"Young people are often in the best position to help and influence for good other young people who may be caught up in the drug scene or tempted towards it. Young People and the Future, the 1998 report coming from the Bishops' consultation with young people, identified drug and alcohol abuse as being one of the major issues facing the younger generation.

"The Bishops recognise that:

· The drug problem is having a destructive influence on Australia's population, especially among the young, is causing great heart-ache to many families and is a major cause of death and social disorder.

· The drug problem is a highly complex one and there is no single or simple solution. For this reason governments and the community should be open to a range of strategies in attempting to assist victims and in setting up preventive measures.

· Spiritual values need to be offered to people who are searching for deeper meaning in life and those who are depressed, in such a way that they will not be tempted to take solace in drugs. Faith communities and individuals should appreciate what they have to offer to others in need.

· Education is vitally important in the fight against illicit drug use. Hopefully, the success of the anti-smoking campaign in changing public opinion will be a model for anti-drug education. Schools obviously have a key role in educating their students against drugs. The widespread acceptance of drug-taking by society must be challenged.

· The illicit drug problem needs to be viewed more as a health and sociological issue than simply as a matter of crime. Alternative measures to imprisonment should be welcomed, with a strong emphasis on rehabilitation. Greater opportunities for treatment should be provided for drug-affected prison inmates.

· Organised crime is deriving huge profits from illicit drug use at the expense of countless victims. Such criminal activity must be vigorously prosecuted.

· There are still long waiting lists for people seeking detoxification and other treatment programs. Greatly increased funding is needed in these areas.

· A greater awareness is needed in the community of the human dignity of the people caught in the spiral of drug addiction. Too often such people are viewed by others as simply a threat to their lives and property.

· A wholesome family life provides important protection in safeguarding young people from the perils of the drug scene. This is not a judgement on families suffering through drug abuse, but a call for support for families at all levels.

· Unemployment contributes substantially to the drug problem and success in tackling unemployment will reduce the incidence of drug dependence.

· Governments, churches and the community as a whole have a special duty of care towards their most vulnerable citizens." The World Day of the Sick to be held in Australia next year

2000101310.htmIn an Australian first, Sydney will play host to the Vatican’s celebrations of the Ninth World Day of the Sick to be held on 11 February 2001.

This will be the first instance in which Vatican World Day celebrations of any kind have been celebrated in Australia. The World Day of the Sick is usually celebrated in only moving outside the city every five years.

The theme for the Ninth World Day of the Sick is, The New Evangelisation and the Dignity of the Suffering Person. The Holy Father has released his Message marking the occasion in which he says, "The choice of the Australian continent with its cultural and ethnic wealth highlights the close bond of ecclesial communion: this bond transcends distances and fosters the encounter of different cultural identities made fruitful by the one liberating message of salvation". (A copy of the Message is attached.)

A Conference on the theme will be held on Saturday, 10 February 2001 in Sydney. The keynote address will be given by President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers, Archbishop Javier Lozzano Barragan. Other details of the Conference programme are yet to be finalised.

On Sunday, 11 February 2001, a will be held at St Mary’s in Sydney at 2.30pm. This celebration of the Eucharist will be the official Vatican Mass marking the occasion.

The weekend’s activities are being organised by the Bishops’ Committee for Health and Catholic Health Australia, in consultation with the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers.

It is anticipated the Conference programme will be made available in the next few weeks. World Day of the Sick Conference Program now available

200011212.htmA forum of international and local speakers will gather in Sydney on Saturday, 10 February 2001 to discuss Catholic Health Care Ministry as Australia plays host to official World Day of the Sick celebrations.

The Conference, which will be held at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney from 9.00am – 5.00pm, will share its theme with that of the Ninth World Day of the Sick, "The New Evangelisation and the Dignity of the Suffering Person".

People working in hospitals, hospices, community health care or aged care services are encouraged to attend. Conference organisers, Catholic Health Australia, hope the event will provide participants with a forum to network and share their experiences in serving in the health and aged care systems throughout the world.

Speakers will include, among others:

Most Rev Javier Lozano Barragan, President, Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care Sister Annette Cunliffe, RSC, Chair, Catholic Health Australia Rev Place, Chairperson, International Association of Catholic Health Associations Rev Dr Gerald Gleeson, Catholic Institute, Sydney Professor Gian Luigi Gigli, MD, President, International Federation of Catholic Doctors Ms An Verlinde, Secretary-General, International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants Cardinal Clancy appointed Papal Envoy to the IX World Day of the Sick

200001225.htmThe Holy Father has appointed His Eminence Cardinal Edward Bede Clancy his Special Envoy to the IX World Day of the Sick which will be held in Sydney on 11th February 2001.

"It is a great honour and privilege to represent the Holy Father on any occasion and therefore, I am very honoured to be his representative for this current pontifical World Day of the Sick," said Cardinal Clancy in response to his appointment.

As Papal Envoy, Cardinal Clancy will be officially acknowledged in his capacity as Papal Envoy by the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Mr Frank Sartor, with an ‘invitation only’ Civic Reception to be held at the Town Hall on Friday, 9 February 2001. Also in attendance will be the official Vatican delegation, comprising 19 people, including the President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Workers, Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan.

The theme for the Ninth World Day of the Sick is, The New Evangelisation and the Dignity of the Suffering Person. In His Message for this celebrations the Holy Father said Australia has been chosen as the host of this year’s celebrations because, "its cultural and ethnic wealth highlights the close bond of ecclesial communion: this bond transcends distances and fosters the encounter of different cultural identities made fruitful by one liberating message of salvation".

On Saturday, 10 February, a Conference sharing its theme with that of the World Day of the Sick, will be held at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. The Conference is designed to provide participants with a forum to network and share their experiences in serving in the health and aged care systems throughout the world.

The World Day of the Sick program will culminate with the celebration of the Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney at 2:30pm on Sunday, 11 February with Cardinal Edward Clancy as the Principal Celebrant. Vatican Delegation arrives for World Day of the Sick celebrations

200102079.htmThe twenty person Vatican delegation and group, headed by the President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care (PCHPC), His Excellency Archbishop Javier Barragan, arrived in Sydney today to take part in events being held over the weekend celebrating the World Day of the Sick 2001.

The World Day of the Sick is officially celebrated on 11 February, the Feast of . In keeping with the Marian tradition for this celebration St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, dedicated to the Mother of the Church, has been chosen as the site where the official celebration of the Eucharist will take place on Sunday at 2:30pm. The Holy Father has chosen the Oceanic region because her "cultural and ethnic wealth highlights the close bond of Church communion."

The Vatican delegation which includes, Archbishop Javier Lozano, President of the PCHPC, Bishop Jose Redrado, Secretary of the PCHPC, Fr Gianfranco Grieco, a reporter for the official Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, and Fr Antonio Soto, Personal Secretary to Archbishop Barragan, will begin their official commitments tomorrow. This will include a site visit to St John of God Hospital in Burwood tomorrow morning.

On Friday, the delegation will visit St Vincent’s Hospital Campus in Darlinghurst. In the afternoon the group will receive a briefing on the Australian involvement in East Timor. The Lord Mayor of Sydney, Mr Frank Sartor, will host a Civic Reception for the Vatican Delegation and invited guests in the evening.

The Health Care Conference focusing on the theme of the Ninth World Day of the Sick, The New Evangelisation and the Dignity of the Suffering Person will be held on Saturday, 10 February at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. The Vatican Delegation and Group will be in attendance.

The Mass for the World Day of the Sick 2001, will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral, 11 February 2001. This celebration of the Eucharist will be the official Mass marking the occasion with Papal Envoy, His Eminence Cardinal Edward Clancy, Archbishop of Sydney as Principal Celebrant. Cardinal Clancy says sick and dying are not a burden

2001020915.htmCatholics around the word will turn their attention to Australia this weekend as St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney takes centre stage as the official location for the worldwide celebration of World Day of the Sick 2001.

The World Day of the Sick is celebrated on Sunday, 11 February with Pope John Paul II selecting Sydney, Australia as the host city for this year because her "cultural and ethnic wealth highlights the close bond of Church communion". St Mary's Cathedral has been chosen for Sunday's official Mass because it is the Mother Church of Australia dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christians.

Around 22 bishops from Australia, as well as bishops representing Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Africa will be attending Sunday's Mass which will be held at 2:30pm at St Mary's Cathedral. The Mass is dedicated to the sick and dying around the world, as well as those people involved in their care. Sunday's ceremony will include a special ceremony in which 25 people who are ill will receive the sacrament of the Annointing of the Sick.

Cardinal Edward Clancy, Archbishop of Sydney, has been chosen by the Holy Father as his Papal Envoy (Pope John Paul's representative) for the occasion. "By the sick and afflicted we mean all those who suffer, either by reason of disease - be it physical or mental - or by reason of the frailties and incapacities of advancing years," said Cardinal Clancy. "One thing is certain. In the providential scheme of things, the sick are not just an unfortunate minority and something of a burden to the Church and society, they are an essential part of our community. There is much that we can learn from their suffering."

Also in attendance will be a twenty strong Vatican delegation including His Excellency, Archbishop Javier Lozano, President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care and Bishop Jose Redrado, Secretary of the same organisation.

Whilst in Australia the Vatican delegation will be visiting a number of hospitals in the Sydney area. On Saturday they will take part in an International Health Care Conference based on the theme of the World Day of the Sick, The New Evangelisation and the Dignity of the Suffering Person being held at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. International visitors from America, Spain and Asia will also be in attendance.

Media are invited and welcome to attend both the Conference on Saturday and the Mass on Sunday. Cardinal Clancy's Homily The World Day of the Sick - 2001

2001021310.htmWe live, still, in the glow of the Great Jubilee, mingling now, however, with the dawning of the New Millennium. Pope John Paul has reviewed the blessings of the Year of the Great Jubilee in his Apostolic Letter . In that Letter he recognizes the great flowering of Jubilee exercises and initiatives that took place in dioceses and parishes throughout the world, but he devotes his reflections to the events that took place in Rome, or of which he was personally and immediately involved. All of these, of course, had universal significance.

He recalls the apology on behalf of all the Church for the wrongs committed by her sons and daughters over the centuries – what he calls the purification of the Church’s memory. He recalls the witness given by so many in our own times; the pilgrim nature of the Jubilee Year as manifested by so many , especially of the youth, to Rome and the tombs of the Apostles; the Eucharistic Congress; the ecumenical occasions and events; and his own memorable to the . He finds in the Holy Year; with all its activities the world-over, a dramatic expression of the presence, the mystery, the face of Christ. Calling to mind the words that certain Greek pilgrims addressed to the Apostle Philip, "We wish to see Christ", the Holy Father asks, "And is it not the Church’s task to reflect the light of Christ in every historical person, to make his face shine also before the generations of the new millennium?" Christ is our all, he is "our way, our truth, and our life", all things are gathered together in him, we are all united with him and with one another as members of the one mystical body.

This total absorption and incorporation into Christ whereby he becomes our be-all and end-all, our alpha and omega, is the consistent theme of today’s readings. The prophet, Isaiah in the first reading speaks lyrically of the Savior who is to come: "The people that walked in darknesshas seen a great light;on those who live in a land of deep shadowa light has shone …For there is a child born for us,A son given to us…" (Is 9,1-6) To the words of Isaiah we find a beautiful echo in those of St. Paul writing to the Ephesians: "Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence, determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ for his own kind purposes, to make us praise the glory of his grace, his free gift to us in the Beloved" (1,1-6) In the Gospel Christ himself seizes the occasion to confirm this truth when reference is made to his mother and relatives: "Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother" (Mk 12,50)

Pope John Paul, having brought us, through his reflections on the Jubilee, face to face with Christ, now invites us with and in Christ to face the future and respond to its invitation and it challenge. He quotes the words of Christ to face the future and respond to its invitation and its challenge. He quotes the words of Christ in St, Matthew’s Gospel: " I am with you always, to the close of the age" (28,20). "This assurance, dear brothers and sisters", the Pope says, "has accompanied the Church for 2000 years, and has now been renewed in our hearts by the celebration of the Jubilee. From it we must gain a new impetus in Christian living, making it the force which inspires our journey of faith. Conscious of the risen Lord’s presence among us, we ask ourselves today the same question put to Peter in after his Pentecost speech, "What must we do?" (Acts 2,37)

The Holy Father points out that it is not a matter of inventing a new programme. There is in fact only one programme, and that is the programme of the Gospel and the Church’s tradition having its centre in Christ himself. "This is a programme", he says, "which does not change with shifts of times and cultures, even though it takes account of time and culture for the sake of true dialogue and effective communication. This programme for all times is our programme for the Third Millennium". What does await us, however, "is an exciting work of revitalization - a work involving all of us". He goes on to indicate certain priorities, such as holiness, prayer, the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, grace and the revealed Word of God. He places special emphasis on charity, especially that of koinonia or communion, and the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. Just as Christ bade Peter cast the net yet again where all night he had laboured without success, so, the Holy Father bids us with faith and courage, and not disconcerted by past disappointments, to undertake this new work of revitalizing the Church of the New Millennium. It is the Christ of the Great Jubilee who leads us.

The Pope stresses that all the baptized without exception are called upon to participate zealously in this new and blessed enterprise. In doing so he draws attention to St. Paul’s teaching about the unity and diversity of the Church as illustrated in the human body – one head but many members. "Therefore", the Pope says, "the Church of the Third Millennium will need to encourage all the Baptized and Confirmed to be aware of their active responsibility in the Church’s life".

The Pontifical World Day of the Sick at this point occasions us to ask where the sick and their carers stand in this new initiative of revitalization. By the sick and afflicted we mean all of those who suffer, either by reason of disease – be it physical or mental – or by reason of the frailties and incapacities of advancing years. We mean both those who are permanently afflicted and those who suffer periodically, those who suffer severely and those whose sufferings are perhaps slight.

One thing is certain. In the providential scheme of things, the sick are not just an unfortunate minority, the legacy of Original Sin and something of a burden to a Church striving, not withstanding, to build up the Kingdom of God. They are not to be thought of as negative factor in the Church’s mission. This can be deduced simply from the numbers of people involved. And who, after all, is not sick at least sometimes? More importantly, however, it can be deducted from the prominence of the sick and afflicted in the earthly mission of Jesus. Much of his time was spent in curing the sick. "His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralysed, were all brought to him, and he cured them." (Mt. 4,24)

Suffering is the key to the significance of the sick in the works of redemption and salvation. Christ’s work in relieving suffering was symbolic of his forgiveness of sin. "He took our sicknesses away and carried our diseases for us." (Is 53,4) But, more than that, he chose suffering for himself as the means of our redemption. Those who patiently suffer are united with Christ our Savior in a unique and privileged way. St. Paul was well aware of this: "It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that still needs to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church" (Col 1,24). Speaking of those who suffer, in his message for this Day, the Holy Father says: "I invite them to contemplate with faith the mystery of Christ crucified and risen, in order to discover God’s loving plan in their own experience of pain. Only by looking at Jesus, ‘a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief’ (Is 53,3), is it possible to find serenity and trust.’" The sick and the suffering, intimately united as they are with Christ, are, through their suffering, active and, indeed, key ministers of the . Suffering is sanctified in faith.

And if those who suffer become one with Christ, so do their carers. They continue Christ’s mission in bringing solace, compassion, relief and encouragement to the sick, and sometimes working human miracles by their skill. Above all does it fall to them in this technological age to bring that personal warmth and love that embraces fellow human beings as children of God and heirs to the kingdom of heaven, and recognizes Christ himself in the sick. "I was sick", Jesus said, "and you visited me" (Mt 25,35)

Suffering, and caring for the suffering, are two parallel and mutually dependent apostolates that draw their nourishment directly from the Gospel, and make Christ present in our world as do few others. They are both destined to play a central role in breathing new life into the Church of the new millennium.

The Church in Australia enjoys an enviable record in terms of the health care apostolate. Very early after white settlement, and following the lifting of restrictions on the Catholic Church, Catholic hospitals began to appear in the major centres of population. This was mainly the initiative of the Religious Congregations. The excellence of the Church’s hospitals and other health care facilities has always been recognized by the wider community, and Australia’s doctors and nurses have been, and still are, among the best in the world. In recent years, however, the Church’s health care services have had to face problems of increasing magnitude – as have hospitals the world over. There has been a staggering increase in costs, fewer young people are taking up the nursing profession as a religious vocation, new life- threatening illnesses are taxing available resources, and the medical profession finds itself confronted with complex medico-moral problems on an almost daily basis. Such are the challenges that we have been discussing during these days.

With this Mass we address ourselves to God in prayer, thanking him, in the first place, for the divine assistance that has been our assurance in the past. We also pray that he will enlighten, strengthen and guide us as we meet the challenges and embrace the opportunities that now face us. Especially must we pray for religious vocations to the health care apostolate, for they will always have a major role to play. The Holy Father has stressed the priority of fervent prayer and close union with Christ as we move purposefully into the new millennium.

In our Catholic tradition Mary has always been recognized as the friend and patroness of the sick and the suffering in whom, especially, she sees the clear image of her divine son. Mother of us all, she has a special compassion for her children who are sick. We invoke her as Health of the Sick and Comforter of the Afflicted in the Litany of Loreto, and Mary has herself demonstrated her special compassion for the sick and afflicted at such places as Lourdes and Fatima. It follows that those who care for the sick also have a special place in her heart. It is entirely appropriate, therefore, that the World Day of the Sick should always be celebrated in association with a Marian shrine. Hence our Mass this afternoon in this beautiful Mother Church of Australia dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christians.

Mindful that this Day is dedicated, not just to the sick in Australia, but to the sick throughout the world, we on this the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes entrust all sick people, together with their carers, to her maternal heart. Pope's Personal Message for World Day of the Sick

2001021314.htmTo My Venerable BrotherArchbishop Javier Lozano BaraganPresident of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care

In the peace which comes from God, I greet you and all who are gathered in Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney for the Eucharistic Sacrifice that is the very heart of the Ninth World Day of the Sick. I ask you to convey to Cardinal Edward Clancy and to the church in Sydney and throughout Australia the assurance of my closeness in prayer as you meet to reflect on how the new evangelisation needed at the beginning of the Third Christian Millennium must respond to the many complex questions arising in the field of health care, always in the light of the Cross of Christ, in which human suffering finds "its supreme and surest point of reference" (, 31).

Few areas of human concern are as subject to the profound social and cultural changes affecting contemporary life as health care. This is one of the reasons why in 1985 I established the body which has become the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, over which you preside. Down the years, the Pontifical Council has rendered an invaluable service not only to those directly involved in Catholic health care, but to the wider community as it grapples with the many issues which have become still more pressing in the time since the Council was established. For that service, I give fervent thanks to Almighty God.

At the dawn of the new millennium, it is more urgent than ever that the Gospel of Jesus Christ should permeate every aspect of health care, and therefore I welcome the choice of theme for this World Day of the Sick: "The New Evangelisation and the Dignity of the Suffering Person". Evangelisation must be new – new in method and new in ardour – because so much has changed and is changing in the care of the sick. Not only is health care facing unprecedented economic pressures and legal complexities, but at times there is also an ethical uncertainty which tends to obscure what have always been its clear moral foundations. This uncertainty can become a fatal confusion, manifested as a failure to understand that the essential purpose of health care is to promote and safeguard the well-being of those who need it, that medical research and practice must be tied to ethical imperatives, that the weak and those who may seem unproductive to the eyes of a consumer society have an inviolable dignity that must always be respected, and that health care should be available as a basic right to all people without exception. Regarding all of this I would apply to the work of the Pontifical Council and the discussion of your Conference what I said in my recent Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Inuente at the close of the Jubilee Year: it has become increasingly important "to explain properly the reasons for the Church’s position, stressing that it is not a case of imposing on non-believers a vision based on faith, but of interpreting and defending the values rooted in the very nature of the human person" (No.51).

The World Day of the Sick has a vital word to say, and the Pontifical Council has an indispensable role to play, in the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel of life and love to the world.

As you gather on this day dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, in the Cathedral dedicated to Mary Help of Christians, I commend you and Cardinal Clancy, the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care and all taking part in the World Day of the Sick to the loving intercession of Mary Most Holy, the Woman whom the Church invokes as "Health of the Sick". As a pledge of my joy and peace in her Son, the Redeemer of the world, I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, 18 January 2001.

John Paul II Competition for the Design of a Logo for the Bishops' Committee for Laity

2001041216.htmFollowing the closure of the Jubilee Year 2000, the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference is redesigning its stationery. This is an appropriate moment for the Bishops' Committee for Laity to consider the inclusion of a Committee logo on its letterhead and other Committee stationery.

The Committee's Mandate requires it to promote and encourage the mission and vocation of the laity in dialogue with lay leaders in dioceses, movements and other organisations. This lay mission is rooted in and it seems appropriate that a logo adopted by the Committee should reflect and embody the lay vocation by the use of some form of baptismal image.

In keeping with the Committee's ongoing dialogue with the laity, lay leaders, organisations and other interested individuals are invited to submit suggested designs for consideration by the Committee. The selected entry will be eligible for a prize of $500. Two other prizes of $100 may also be awarded.

The competition brief and Conditions of Entry are listed below.Peter J. ConnorsChairmanBishops' Committee for Laity

Design of a Committee Logo - Competition Brief 1. Specification

The logo will be the official emblem of the Bishops' Committee for Laity of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference. Without limiting the scope for original design, it is envisaged that the logo will convey in symbolic form the mission and vocation of Catholic laity conferred on each person by his/her Baptism. The design to be adopted must be capable of reproduction/printing without loss of clarity in a range of sizes from 10 mm to 150 mm height. The design may be in either colour or monochrome. 2. Submission of Entries

Entries are to be submitted in both hard copy and electronic forms. The hard copy shall be printed on an A4 sheet. Ten copies are required. Both large and small versions may be printed on the one sheet, if convenient. The electronic version shall preferably be in JPEG format. Entries shall be submitted by C.O.B on Friday 22 June 2001. The address for submission of entries is:The Executive SecretaryBishops' Committee for LaityGPO Box 368CANBERRA ACT 2601 3. Judging

Entries will be judged by a committee to be appointed by the Bishops' Committee for Laity. The winning entry will receive a prize of $500. The judges may also award up to two other prizes of $100. The judging committee will not be obliged to select any entry as the winner, nor to award any prize. 4. Copyright

ACBC shall have the right to print, exhibit or publish any entry, whether in hard copy, electronic form or via the Internet. Copyright for the selected logo and any other entry published or exhibited shall be vested in ACBC. Laity Committee's winning logo Logo Design Competition

2001082811.htmThe Chairman of the Bishops' Committee for Laity, Bishop Peter Connors of Ballarat, is pleased to announce the winner of the Committee's logo design competition - Michael Fitzgerald of Narooma in NSW. In announcing the winner, Bishop Connors observed that the winning entry meets the Committee's requirement that the logo should symbolise the mission and vocation of lay people, which is rooted in their baptism. Bishop Connors said, "I hope that this logo will come to be seen as an affirmation of the lay vocation and the desire of the Australian bishops to engage in dialogue and cooperation with the People of God." An explanation of the logo may be seen on the Bishops' Conference website. The winning design is illustrated below and will be awarded a prize of $500. Two other entries have also been awarded minor prizes of $100 each.

First Prize ($500): Michael Fitzgerald of Narooma, NSW

Prize ($100): Peter Foster, Camberwell, Vic

Prize ($100): Margaret Job, Port Macquarie, NSW Explanation of Laity Committee's winning logo

Logo for: The Bishops' Committee for Laity

The Cross: represents the mission of the Church

The wavy shapes: represent the Waters of Baptism

The oval shape: (a table) with the two large enclosing arcs (the people gathering under the guidance of the bishop) is symbolic of the dialogue between the church leaders, the bishops, and the lay leaders as they gather to promote and encourage the mission and vocation of lay people, movements and other organisations within the church.

The inner white space: symbolises the flame of a candle that represents the new life within the Church generated by dialogue with lay leaders and other organisations. A review of the Holy Days of Obligation

2001082312.htmThe Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference has decided that, in addition to all the Sundays in the year, the only feast days to be observed in Australia as holydays of obligation are the solemnities of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Decree of Promulgation becomes effective on 16 September, 2001. DECREE OF PROMULGATION On 28 November 1996, the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference made the following decree:

That 15 August (the solemnity of the Assumption) be a holyday of obligation in Australia, even when it falls on a Saturday or a Monday.

That decree was reviewed and confirmed by the Congregation for Divine Worship & Discipline of the Sacraments, by virtue of faculties granted it by Pope John Paul II, and by means of a recognitio (Prot. N: 366/97/L) signed on 23 January 2001 by the Prefect, Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, and the Secretary, Archbishop Francesco Pio Tamburrino.

The decree effectively modifies the decrees of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference concerning holydays of obligation effective from 1985 and 1991 so that, in addition to all the Sundays of the year, the only feast days henceforth to be observed in Australia as holydays of obligation are the solemnities of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Moreover, these two holydays of obligation are to be observed annually, regardless of the day of the week on which they fall.

As President of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, I hereby decree that these provisions become effective on 16 September 2001.

Given at the Secretariat of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Canberra Australian Capital Territory, on this 15 day of May, 2001.

Signed by:The Most Rev. Francis P. CarrollPresident, Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference &Rev. Brian V. FinniganSecretary, Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference Prayer Entrusting Australia to Mary Help of Christians

200105232.htmWoman, behold your Son! (Jn 19:26).

Leader:We have celebrated the great jubilee of the birth of Christ.We rejoice that the Virgin Mary has offered us Jesus anew,the blessed fruit of her womb most pure,the Word made flesh, the world's redeemer.We now hear more clearly his words on the crossentrusting the apostle John and all of us to Mary,making her the mother and help of all Christians.

All:Mary, our Mother and our Help,through you, there shines the fullness of grace;you are the splendour which does not dim the light of Christ,for you exist in him and through him.Christ our saviour entrusted the apostle John to you,and, with him, the family of the Church and all people.Here, then, are your children, gathered before youat the dawn of the new millennium.The Church today seeks refuge in your motherly helpand trustingly begs your intercessionas we face the challenges which lie hidden in the future.

Leader:We recall, in this centenary year of Australian federation,the dedication of our nation to Mary Help of Christiansby the first Australian provincial synod in 1844.Now we entrust to Mary the future that awaits us.Today's Australia is exhilarating, yet full of contradictions.Humanity has instruments of unprecedented power:we can turn our country into a garden,or reduce it to a pile of rubble.Humanity has the astounding capacityto intervene in the very well-springs of life:we can use this power with respect for every human beingor succumb to the pride of a science without limits.As never before in the past,Australia stands at a crossroads.

All:Therefore, O Mother, like the apostle John,we wish to take you into our home,that we may learn from you to become like your Son.We stand before you to entrust to your maternal careourselves, the Church, and the Australian nation.Plead for us with Jesus your dear Sonthat he may give us in abundance the ,the Spirit of truth which is the fountain of life.May the Spirit open our hearts to justice and love,and guide the people of Australia to mutual understandingand a firm desire for peace and reconciliation.

Leader:The Virgin Mary knows the sufferingsand hopes of the Church and the world:she comes to the aid of all her childrenin the daily trials which life brings to each one,interceding on their behalf thatthe darkness will not prevail over the light.

All:Mary, Help of Christians, we entrust to youall people, beginning with the weakest:the babies yet unborn,and those born into poverty and suffering,the young in search of meaning,the unemployed,and those suffering hunger and disease.We entrust to you all troubled families,the elderly with no one to help them,and all who are alone and without hope.To you, Dawn of Salvation, we commitour journey through the new millenniumand the new century of our history in Australia,so that, with your help, all people may know Christ,the light of the world and its only saviour,who reigns with the Father and the Holy Spiritfor ever and ever. AMEN.

Leader: Mary Help of Christians,All: pray for us.______Based on the text used by Pope John Paul II in October of the Year of Great © 2001 The Liturgical Commission, GPO Box 282, Brisbane 4001. All rights reserved.Nihil obstat: Rev Dr PascoeImprimatur: . J A Bathersby, Archbishop of Brisbane, 26 January 2001 Need for increased palliative care services not supported by the Federal Government in the Productivity Commission Report on Private Health Insurance.

1997041116.htmThe Australian Catholic Bishops wish to voice in the strongest possible terms their concern at aspects of the changes proposed by the Federal Government as outlined in the Productivity Commission Report. The changes will mean that health insurance companies will not have to offer palliative care coverage in all their products, and may further disadvantage long term access for psychiatric cover.

People seeking health insurance will need to decide whether palliative care is a service which they will require either immediately or at some time in the future.

The long term consequences of these changes on the nature and array of services in the private sector go against the agreed need for increased palliative care services. An obvious effect will be to undermine the viability of established palliative care services. Moreover, hospitals which have a duty of care to provide needed treatments to patients will be financially disadvantaged if those patients are not covered for palliative care. Church body steps up push for fairer deal for low paid workers

2004022419.htmThe Catholic Church's employment relations body, has stepped up its push for a fair federal minimum wage in a new submission to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission's Safety Net Review.

The Australian Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (ACCER) submission followson from a submission last year, in which it argued that the Commission should conduct an inquiry into the needs of the low paid and review the Federal Minimum Wage.

The 2003 submission also argued that the Commission should establish a benchmark against which the Federal Minimum Wage should be set.

However, in its 2003 decision, while acknowledging the relevance of the questions posed by ACCER, the Commission rejected the ACCER's proposal that an inquiry be conducted into the needs of the low paid. claims made by ACCER and the Australian Council of Social Service for an inquiry into wage-fixing issues, but said it was prepared to consider further material.

ACCER's current submission argues that the material now placed before the Commission by the ACTU provides it with empirical evidence to address the matters raised in 2003, and in particular, the needs of the low paid.

"The central issue for the Commission is whether the Federal Minimum Wage is a fair minimum standard in the context of living standards generally prevailing in the Australian community," the submission says.

"Is it a living wage?"

ACCER's submission argues that the Federal Minimum Wage must provide a standard of living to enable a worker and his or her family to live with dignity.

It supports an increase in the Federal Minimum Wage of $26.60 per week and argues that in any adjustment of other award rates of pay, the primary beneficiaries should be those at the lower paid levels of the award system.

"The claimed increase of $26.60 is a modest first step in the transition to a fair minimum wage as required by the Act," the submission said. Catholic Bishops announce membership of the Commission for Australian Catholic Women

2000121114.htmThe Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference is pleased to announce the nine person membership of the Commission for Australian Catholic Women. The Bishops have appointed Mrs Geraldine Hawkes, from South Australia, as Chairperson.

The members are: Bishop Peter Connors, Bishops' Committee for the Laity Mrs Geraldine Hawkes, Chairperson, Salisbury, SA Father Peter Comensoli, Wollongong, NSW Professor Patrick Duigan, Sydney, NSW Mrs Teresa Lynch, Whyalla, SA Dr Marie Macdonald, Brighton, VIC Mrs Coleen Muckan, Mt Isa, QLD Dr. Jennifer Skerritt, Perth, WA Sister Sonia Wagner, sgs, Sydney, NSW The position of Executive Officer for the Commission for Australian Catholic Women will be advertised early in the new year.

CURRICULUM VITAES

GERALDINE HAWKES: Currently employed as Coordinator of St Paul's City Ministry, an ecumenical centre promoting and facilitating the integration of Christian values and ethics in government and in workplaces across South Australia

Mrs Hawkes is married with three children and migrated to Australia from Scotland in 1988.

Her formal education includes:

MA French and Sociology, Glasgow University, 1971

Institute for , Banyo Seminary, Brisbane, 1991

Leadership Education Program, A/D of Adelaide, 1992-93

Theology (Summer Course), University of Louvain, Belgium, 1996

Principles in Adult Education - Catholic Adult Education Service, Adelaide, 1998

FATHER PETER COMENSOLI: Father Comensoli is a priest in the Diocese of Wollongong.

He has recently returned to Australia following study in Rome.

His formal education includes:

Pontifical Bachelor of Theology, Catholic Institute of Sydney, NSW, 1986-1991

Pontifical Licentiate in Moral Theology, Academia Alfonsiana, Rome, Italy, 1998-2000

Bachelor of Commerce (p/t) - not completed, 1982-85

PROFESSOR PATRICK DUIGAN:Currently employed as Foundation Chair & Head of School, School of Education Leadership at the Australian Catholic University.

Also, National Director of EDUCARE which is a leadership development sponsored by Australian Catholic Health Care Association for managers of Catholic Health and Aged-Care institutions.

His formal education includes:

Bachelor of Arts, University College, Dublin

Honours Diploma in Education, University College, Dublin

Bachelor of Education, Canada

Masters of Education Administration, Canada

PhD in Education Administration specialising in Educational Management, Canada

TERESA LYNCH: Mrs Lynch is a full-time wife and mother whilst studying part- time for a Bachelor of Social Work.

Mrs Lynch is extensively involved in her parish life where she serves as a Parish Pastoral Associate.

Her formal education includes:

Bachelor of Social Work (p/t), University of South Australia, Whyalla campus - not yet completed.

DR MARIE MACDONALD: Dr Marie Macdonald was the Executive Officer for the Report Implementation Committee on Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus. Dr Macdonald also served as Project Coordinator for the research project precluding the Report. She also has a long history in the education and religious education faculties and departments of universities and government bodies.

She is married with three children and two grandchildren.

Her formal education includes:

T.P.T.C Presentation Teachers College, 1966

Bachelor of Theology, College of Divinity, 1980

Doctor of Theology, Melbourne College of Divinity, 1989

COLEEN MUCKAN: Mrs Muckan is a Church Elder commissioned by the Diocese of Townsville in September 1989. She is currently studying for her Associate Diploma of Theology at Wontulp Bi Buya/Nungalinga College.

Mrs Muckan is a mother and a grandmother.

Her formal education includes:

Mission and Formation Studies, Columban Mission Institute, 1995

Certificate in Theology, Wontulp Bi Buya/Nungalinga College, 1996

Associate Diploma in Theology, Wontulp Bi Buya/Nungalinga College - not yet completed

DR. JENNIFER SKERRITT: Jennifer was born in 1968 and is currently employed as Office Manager at the Langley Medical Services at Joondalup Medical Centre.

Dr.Skerritt is a member of The Record (Perth Archdiocesan newspaper) Board as well as a weekly columnist. She also works on the ongoing committee for donations for Pregnancy Assistance.

Her formal education includes:

Bachelor of Arts (Hons 2A), University of Western Australia

Masters (Archaeology), University of London

PhD, University of Western Australia

SISTER SONIA WAGNER, SGS: Sister Wagner is the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict. Sr Wagner has also served as a Member of the Project Management Group and the Implementation Committee for the Research Project, Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus on the Participation of Women in the Catholic Church in Australia.

Sister Wagner serves as the Deputy-Chancellor for the University of Notre Dame. She was also recently re-elected to the Executive of the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes where she serves as Vice-President.

Her formal education includes:

Doctorate in Ministry,The Chicago Theological Seminary, USA, 1987

Master of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University of Chicago, USA, 1985

Diploma in Tertiary Education, University of New England, Armidale NSW, 1979

Bachelor of Arts, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 1978

Diploma in Theology, Theology Faculty, Sydney, 1971

Diploma in Teaching, Good Samaritan Teachers' College, Sydney, 1968.

Catholic Bishops pleased the High Court will hear their application on IVF

200010178.htmThe following Statement is made by President of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Francis P. Carroll:

"The Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference is pleased that Justice Ian Callinan decided that the High Court will hear the Church's application for orders concerning the Federal Court decision known as McBain vs. State of .

"The Catholic Church looks forward to advancing arguments of law, especially concerning the rights of children, before the Full Bench some time in the future."

Australian Catholic Couple wed by the Holy Father

200010179.htmThis article is reproduced with the kind permission of the author, Manika Naidoo. The article was originally published in The Age on Tuesday, 17 October 2000 on page 3.

Victorian couple's dream comes true with holy 'Si'

Byline: MANIKA NAIDOO with AP

There was no chance of a stolen kiss or second thoughts when Shepparton couple Robby and Liz tied the knot last Sunday.

There was no chance of a stolen kiss or second thoughts when Shepparton couple Robby and Liz tied the knot last Sunday.

Not only was the wedding internationally televised, but the celebrant was none other than Pope John Paul II.

Standing before the Pope at St Peter's in Vatican City, Robert Nicholas Slee and Elizabeth Ann Mills, with seven other couples from five continents, tied the knot.

They were part of a mass wedding marking the Pope's Jubilee of the Family, the latest in the Roman Catholic Church's 2000 Holy Year celebrations.

The Pope conducted the service in Italian, so when a response to his questions was called for, it was "Si'' instead of "I do''.

Yesterday morning the man who nominated the Slees to represent Australia at the mass, Bishop William Brennan from the diocese of Wagga Wagga, watched the ceremony on SBS news.

"To have your marriage blessed by the Holy Father is a great honor. I was absolutely delighted for both of them. Elizabeth looked radiant - it was obviously the greatest moment in her life,'' he said.

Late last year the secretariat of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Office asked bishops to nominate a couple who might like to be married by the Pope.

Elizabeth Mills had read about the papal invitation in the parish notice sheet at her local church in March, when the couple lived in Albury.

She sent a letter to Bishop Brennan who recommended the couple to the Bishops' Office. "There was no set criteria, other than the basic one of being good practising Catholics,'' he said.

The couple are in their early 20s. Mrs Slee is a waitress and Mr Slee graduated from the Academy early this year.

Bishop Brennan said he had known the couple and their large farming families for at least 10 years.

Mr Slee's family are from the small rural community of Yundool, near Benalla. The Mills family lives about 20kilometres down the road.

Yesterday Peter Slee, one of Mr Slee's 11 siblings, said the family was very excited.

Mr Slee's parents and eight-year-old brother Joseph, as well as Mrs Slee's parents and two sisters travelled to Rome for the wedding. -- with AP Catholic Church seeks High Court ruling on IVF

200010177.htmThe Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference will make an application today to the High Court of Australia seeking to have the decision in McBain v. State of Victoria quashed and the matter reheard.

The Bishops of Australia, through their application, are seeking to have the High Court determine critical issues regarding IVF, especially in relation to children.

The ACBC is advancing arguments similar to those in the McBain case, where, as a ‘friend of the court’, the Catholic Church in Australia sought to defend and protect the fundamental rights of the child Bishops respond to Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus

200009130.htmThe Catholic Bishops in Australia are committing themselves to pursuing opportunities for women to undertake a greater role in the Catholic Church in Australia in their official response to the Research Report entitled Woman and Man: One in Christ Jesus.

The Bishops’ response will be launched today by President of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Francis Carroll, at the Australian Catholic University in Watson at 11:30am. The Response is the subject matter of the Statement marking this Jubilee Year’s Social Justice Sunday which will be celebrated on 24 September.

"Through a number of proposed actions the Bishops in Australia are looking at ways and means of promoting the equality and dignity of women," said Archbishop Carroll, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. "These range from efforts to create a better balance of women, men, clergy, religious and laity on existing councils, organizations and advisory bodies to the fostering of research into the ministry in the church and in particular the role of lay faithful and especially women in ecclesial ministries, from the scriptural, historical, theological, liturgical, sociological and canonical perspectives."

As announced previously, one of the key projects the Bishops will be establishing is a Commission for Australian Catholic Women. The Bishops’ response outlines in detail the role and purpose of this Commission. Primarily, the Commission’s role will be twofold:

It has a mandate to act as a focal point for ongoing dialogue and integration of ideas pertaining to women and their participation in the Catholic Church in Australia, and

It has a mandate to assist in the implementation of the decision and recommendations arising from the Plenary Meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in May 2000 concerning the participation of women in the Catholic Church in Australia.

"The Catholic bishops of Australia are extremely grateful to women for their love of the Church to which we all belong," said Archbishop Carroll. "We hope the proposals released today by the Bishops’ Conference will assist us to achieve our primary aim, originally outlined by Cardinal Clancy, which has always been to find ways within the integral Church Tradition to engage the wisdom, talents and the experience of women for the enrichment of the Church and society, and for the fulfilment of their own lives."

Media Release from the Bishops’ Committee for the Liturgy regarding the third edition of the General Instruction on the Roman Missal

200008083.htmThe Bishops Committee on Liturgy welcomes the release of the official Latin version of the third edition of the General Instruction on the Roman Missal. It has been a full twenty five years since the last edition was published. This latest update is testament to the ongoing nature of the liturgical reforms of Vatican II.

The current General Instruction remains the authoritative text, until the translation of this third edition for the English speaking world has been approved by the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and then confirmed by the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

This proper process, standard for revised editions and new rituals, will take some time. Hopefully it will be connected with the release of the much anticipated revision of our English language Sacramentary, currently awaiting the necessary confirmation from Rome. Some minor amendments will be required in light of the new General Instruction.

The United States Bishops’ Committee for Liturgy has released a provisional (unofficial) translation and a study document related to the united States pastoral situation. While this presents a preview of the content of the original Latin Third Edition of the General Instruction on the Roman Missal, the United States translation is in no way definitive.

The National Liturgical Commission in Australia will make a comprehensive study of the official text, especially of those sections that require a response from the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

McBain Ruling raises fundamental questions regarding family, marriage and the rights of the child

2000072818.htmThe Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference believe today's Federal Court ruling in McBain v. Victoria & Ors., will have significant flow-on effects for all legislation governing Australian families and the rights of children.

The ruling of the Federal Court in this case throws into question the entire operation of the Victorian Infertility Treatment Act and all other similar legislation in Australia.

"The Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference has grave concerns for families, marriage and children following this decision," said Dr George Pell, Archbishop of Melbourne. "Is 'the family' any longer recognised and protected in law as the 'fundamental unit of society'?"

"This ruling also raises questions concerning the rights of children under Australian domestic law and under international law to which Australia is a signatory," said Archbishop George Pell.

The arguments put by the Catholic Church as a 'friend of the court' in this case are not new. In fact, the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference put forward these same arguments in a submission to a Joint Standing Committee on Treaties in 1997.

"The Church has a long-standing history of advocacy for marriage and family. The Church also provides a range of services to all members of society, with special regard to protecting and nurturing the family and children," said Archbishop George Pell. "We will continue to do so."

Archbishop Pell questioned, "In the light of this decision, do children manufactured in this way have any rights at all?"

Catholic Bishops will urge Court to uphold existing laws supporting essential bond between parents and children

200409154.htmThe Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference will today attempt to intervene in a Federal Court case in an effort to uphold existing state laws that prevent fertility services being supplied to single persons.

The Federal Court matter, McBain v. Victoria & Ors., will be heard today from 10:15am in Melbourne.

The current proceedings involve a single woman who wishes to have a child via Invitro-Fertilisation (IVF) procedures. Under Victorian legislation, and similar legislation, IVF and related artificial reproductive technology services can only be provided to married persons or de facto couples, usually who have been in such a relationship for a certain number of years.

“A primary concern for the Catholic Bishops is to protect the welfare of the child.,” said Dr Warwick Neville, Research Officer for the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ACBC). “Each child has fundamental human rights. Under domestic law, such as the Commonwealth Family Law Act, and International Law, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Australia is a signatory, children have basic human rights.”

“These rights include the right to know and be cared for by both their parents,” said Dr Neville. “And, as the Family Law Act and the Convention make plain ‘the best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration’.”

Australian identity crisis identified at Multiculturalism Conference

200007101.htm"Attitudes towards migrants and asylum seekers have hardened," said Archbishop Hickey as he opened the Catholic Conference on multiculturalism on Friday night at St. Joseph’s College in Hunter’s Hill.

"The Government has progressively restricted migration over the past few years and has taken a very hard line in respect to border arrivals, both in terms of the conditions in detention centres and the limits placed on those who succeed in obtaining a 3-year visa." said Archbishop Hickey.

"This is a situation," he said, "Which raises problems that must be resolved. One of these was talk of an Australian identity crisis, of knowing who we are and what it is that distinguishes Australian society from other nations."

This theme was also taken up by Jason Yet-Sin Li, a delegate to the 1998 Australian Constitutional Convention, in his opening address.

Mr Li said we have a ‘static multiculturalism’ view that sees culture as unchanging, but that this gives a flawed impression of culture and identity.

Mr Li suggested there needed to be a new path taken, where differences were not seen as obstacles to equality.

"An ‘evolutionary multiculturalism’ sees constant change, dynamic growth and the culture evolving," said Mr Li.

Mr Li called on communities of faith to live evolutionary multiculturalism, to lead by example and work together, to encourage the building of infrastructure and to particularly reach out to the young people.

He concluded that all people must be able to contribute to the cultural life of Australia, that our identity comes not from who we are but what we do.

Minister Ruddock to attend Catholic organised Conference on Multiculturalism

2000060617.htmA Conference designed to find ways for communities of faith to work together to build harmonious interaction in multicultural Australia is being held this weekend at St Joseph's College, Hunter's Hill in Sydney.

The Conference entitled "Building Bridges: communities of faith working together in multicultural Australia" is being organised by the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council.

Many notable speakers including Mr Neville Roach, Chairman of the Council for Multicultural Australia; Mr Jason Yat-Sen Li, delegate to the 1998 Australian Constitutional Convention; and Mr Robert Fitzgerald, Commissioner of the Community Services Commission in NSW will be addressing the Conference.

The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Reconciliation, Minister Phillip Ruddock, will be attending the Conference from 4:00pm - 4:50pm on Saturday afternoon.

The Conference will be held at St Joseph's College, Mark Street, Hunter's Hill in Sydney from Friday 7 July - Sunday 9 July 2000.

For more information please call Father John Murphy, Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office on 0418) 224 524.

Communities of Faith Working Together in Multicultural Australia

200005304.htmAn exciting programme of talks and workshops will characterise the Conference on Multiculturalism, "Building Bridges" to be held in Hunter’s Hill, Sydney from 7-9 July 2000.

The Conference is being organised by the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council and aims to bring together people of all faiths dedicated to breaking down the multicultural divides within Australian society.

The Most Rev Barry Hickey, Archbishop of Perth, will officially open the Conference on Friday night with Australian of the Year in 1998, Ms Tan Le, presenting the opening address. Chairman of the Council for Multicultural Australia, Mr Neville Roach, will be the keynote speaker on Saturday morning.

"The Conference will aim to share positive aspects undertaken by various communities trying to find remedies for social problems linked to multiculturalism at the local level," said the Director of the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office, Father John Murphy. "This weekend’s Walk for Reconciliation clearly indicated the desire by the people of Australia to put aside differences and attain unity in our society – I believe the same mood surrounds multiculturalism in Australia."

The Conference programme facilitates a practical sharing of experiences and case studies. The speakers and workshop presenters at the Conference have been invited to represent many faith communities including the Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, and Ba’Hai.

"I believe it is important for people working within multicultural communities and those working towards wider acceptance of multicultural communities to realise that they are not alone," said Father Murphy. "The level of enthusiasm and generosity devoted by communities to issues affecting multicultural Australia is inspiring. During the Conference we will be looking specifically at issues effecting women, young people, schools, refugees and asylum seekers as well as the strategies devised to combat poverty and racism. This Conference is an opportunity to share our successes, and our failures, with one another."

Celebrating the Gift of the Eucharist

2000032518.htmPeople from the Diocese of Wollongong are hoping that Catholics from around Australia will join with them in reflection upon and celebration of the gift of Jesus’ Eucharistic presence during its Eucharistic Congress being held in June this year.

The Eucharistic Congress with the theme "Bread for New Life" is an official National Jubilee Celebration approved by the Bishops’ Conference and will take place in the Diocese of Wollongong from 11-25 June 2000.

"This Congress has been chosen as the highlight of our Jubilee Celebrations because the Eucharist is crucial to the life and growth of our Church," said the Most Rev Philip Wilson, Bishop of Wollongong. "The Holy Father has described the Jubilee Year ‘as an intensely Eucharistic Year’ and we wanted to celebrate that."

The celebrations over the two weeks will include seminars; reflections; liturgical ceremonies and functions with top-class presenters from Australia and overseas. The Congress sessions will also be taking place in regional areas of the Diocese including Port Kembla, Bowral, Nowra, Campbelltown and Thirroul.

"I am hoping that through participation in our Eucharistic Congress we can all learn to love the Eucharist more and live our lives more fully, filled with the gifts that flow from accepting this Blessed Sacrament into our lives," said Bishop Wilson.

The Congress in Wollongong will coincide with the International Eucharistic Congress being held in Rome. The Holy Father will send a message to the Congress, which will be read out during the Mass being celebrated at Wollongong Entertainment Centre on Trinity Sunday, 18 June 2000.

Justice and Equity amiss in the Federal Government’s treatment of holders of Temporary Protection Visas (TPV’s)

200005173.htmRefugees who have been given a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) should be entitled to the same basic rights as other residents of Australia.

The Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Migrants and Refugees, Archbishop Barry Hickey, expressed concern that the government’s failure to provide adequate access to basic community services to holders of TPV’s was discriminatory.

"The Federal Government awards successful on-shore refugee applicants with a Temporary Protection Visa but does very little to assist them settle into this country," said Archbishop Hickey. "How can we expect these people to integrate into society when they have no access to federal assistance in the areas of accommodation, employment, or English skills? The limited financial assistance they receive is insufficient to support them till they find employment."

Catholic Agencies, along with many other churches and community groups, are responding to the immediate needs of TPV holders. However, they do not have the resources to do this alone. In addition, many non-government agencies are not permitted to use government funds for this purpose.

"We are not asking the government to find a solution which excludes the involvement of the Catholic Church," said Archbishop Hickey. "We are seeking an opportunity to work with the government to provide these new Australian residents a fair and equal chance to find their feet."

"The Catholic Church stands ready to assist with an increased refugee program," said Archbishop Hickey. Gospel Stories Presented as Liquid Pictures

200005110.htmA dramatic form known as liquid pictures was just one of the techniques taught at a National Drama Workshop, showing young people contemporary ways of sharing the Good News.

Enthusiastic and talented students and young people came from theSydney, Parramatta, Canberra and Sandhurst dioceses for the Workshop held in the Blue Mountains from 1-4 May.

World renowned dramatist, Fr Michael Moynanhan SJ, passed on his expertise in the workshop sponsored by the Bishops Committee for the Media and the Jesuits in Australia.

Fr Moynanhan first demonstrated the dramatic form, then the group read the parable together, talked about the story, its message and then acted it out.

The liquid pictures dramatic form is a story played out in 5 or 6 movements. Students at the workshop portrayed The Friend at Midnight, the story of the man who came to visit his friend at midnight asking for bread.

While one group took the story quite literally and acted out the conversation, another group chose to adapt the concepts to contemporary life. Instead of asking for bread, the friend who knocked on the door at midnight was seeking more beer for the party. After several times being knocked back and told "get outta here", the kind friend opened the door and the man was invited in.

Therese, from Canberra, said "using the dramas opened up the gospels and made them more alive and accessible".

Tableaux vivants is another dramatic form that opened up the Gospel stories. Snapshots, similar to photos in a photo album, are portrayed to tell the story.

A practical example of this dramatic form was the story of the Gerasene demoniac where the demons were sent from one man to a herd of swine. The final scene as depicted by one group showed the man walking tall, on lookers not able to believe their eyes, and the pigs carrying the burden of the demons.

"What spoke more powerfully was those dramas without words" said Kylie, from Canberra. She went on to say that the drama techniques had many practical applications, particularly useful in parishes.

Fr Moynanhan told one story of just how effective the use of drama has been in a parish with a mix of cultures. In the parish there were three distinct cultures, Hispanic, Vietnamese and Anglo-saxon. The language barriers created all sorts of problems, with services needing to be held for each group in their own language. A group of people got together one Easter and prepared a mime of the Passion play. Six people and two pieces of cloth were all that it took. "This universal language is now used every year and unites all the cultures in the parish." said Fr Moynanhan.

Currently Fr Moynanhan is the Director of Fine Arts Research Institute for Gonzaga University in Florence, Italy. He has given workshops around the world on mime, story teling and the use of dramatic and imaginative forms.

"I usually teach teachers", he says. But he was more than happy to work with Australia's young people from high school and university and with adults. I'm hoping they will take these skills back and teach others."

This was definitely part of the legacy passed on to his students who are planning to keep in touch with each other, to share the knowledge and experiences of drama and the gospel stories with others in their schools, parishes and communities.

Marita FranklinCatholic Communications

More than 1,500 people attend National Catholic Family Gathering

200005058.htmMarried life and parenting are a missionary vocation according to Archbishop Charles Chaput, the special guest presenter at Family- Dare to dream, the National Catholic Family Gathering held in Melbourne over the weekend of April 28 – 30.

“If you’re like families in my own diocese, many of you are struggling just to meet the demands of everyday life,” said the Archbishop of Denver, Colorado. “Raising a family is heroic work.”

Approximately 1,500 people attended the Gathering at Dallas Brooks Hall which was opened on the Friday evening by the Governor-General, Sir William Deane

“This Gathering was about families in action,” said Archbishop Faulkner, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Family and for Life. “Babies, toddlers, teenagers, young people, mums, dads and grandparents all have a story to tell – and we had them all. How wonderful it was to share with and learn from the many experiences of Family people had to offer.”

A special message from Pope John Paul II was read to the Gathering participants by Archbishop Pell. In it the Holy Father said that “the theme of the Gathering, Family. Dare to Dream, is a call to see with the eyes of God, who from the beginning has made the family the seed of the civilisation of love which he wills for the world. To grasp this truth is to understand why the future of humanity passes by way of the family, and to see why at a time when the family is under threat, it is important to seek effective ways of providing the support that families need.”

Other keynote speakers included, Mr Kevin Andrews, MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Inquiry on Strategies to Strengthen Marriage and Relationships. Ron and Mavis Pirola spoke about evangelisation through the family and Michael and Patricia Brady presented the results of the parish feedback process from around 703 Catholic families throughout Australia.

Historic Consultation of Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops Set for Canada in May

2000050217.htmThe Most Rev. John Bathersby, Archbishop of Brisbane, will gather with Roman Catholic and Anglican bishops from thirteen regions around the world in Canada May 14-20 to review and evaluate the accomplishment of thirty years of ecumenical dialogue between the two traditions and to reflect on how the special relationship between them has been developing in different parts of the world.

This high level meeting is happening at a time when Anglicans and Roman Catholics around the world are exploring the possibilities for further steps toward visible unity.

The meeting grows out of a visit by the Most Revd. and Rt Hon. George L. Carey, , to Pope John Paul II in December 1996, where, in a Common Declaration, they stated: “it may be opportune at this stage in our journey to consult further about how the relationship between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church is to progress.”

The bishops will gather in private session at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre near Toronto, Ontario, under the joint chairmanship of Archbishop Carey and Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy, President of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promotin Christian Unity. Each day they will pray and reflect together and the meeting will be supported by the prayers of the faithful around the world.

The bishops attending will be from New Zealand, Canada, England, United States, Ireland, , Papua New Guinea, Southern Africa, Uganda, Australia, Brazil and the West Indies. They will be joined by the two recently appointed co-chairmen for the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC): the Most Rev Frank T. Griswold, Primate of the Episcopal Church in the United States (June 11998), and the Most Revd Alexander Brunett, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Seattle (December 1999).

At 6pm on Wednesday, May 17, the bishops will join together in public prayer at Saint Michael’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Toronto, presided by Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic and Bishop Terence Finlay. The Archbishop of Canterbury will be the preacher. This service is open to all.

Other components of the meeting will be the sharing of experiences and reflections on the theological dialogue between Anglicans and Roman Catholics. ARCIC, the chief instrument of official dialogue, was set up after the historic meeting in 1966 of the Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI. The international theological work has also fostered significant ecumenical co-operation on the national and local levels of church life. The Commission has produced a series of significant agreed statements, the latest being “The Gift of Authority” (available through www.anglicancommunion.org or www.vatican.va).

At the conclusion of the bishops’ meeting, there will be a news conference at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississigua on Friday May 19 at 1:30pm.

Registrations for Multiculturalism Conference now open

200004150.htmThe Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council are holding a Conference entitled "Building Bridges: communities of faith working together in multicultural Australia" from 7-9 July 2000 in Melbourne.

The Conference is open to any faith community and is especially designed to find ways for communities of faith to work together to build harmonious interaction in a truly multicultural Australia.

Topics of discussion will include:

Multicultural Australia Today Women in Multicultural Australia Young people in Multicultural Australia Schools in Multicultural Australia Fighting Poverty in Multicultural Australia Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Multicultural Australia

The Conference process will include input, panel discussions, open forums and small discussion groups.

Young Australians invited to register for National Drama Workshop

200004181.htmThe search is on for 80 young Australians to join world renowned liturgical dramatist, Father Michael Moynanhan, sj, for a National Drama Workshop to be held in May this year.

The Workshop is being sponsored by the Bishops’ Committee for the Media and the Jesuits in Australia as part of the Jubilee Year celebrations.

Over four days, young people will work at developing their dramatic skills as a form of communicating the Church’s messages. The participants will learn different dramatic forms including narrative mime, liquid pictures, tableax vivants etc. under the expertise direction of Father Moynanhan.

Father Moynanhan holds a doctorate in theology from the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) at Berkeley, California. He has taught as the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley and GTU as well as Santa Clara and Gonzaga Universities.

Father Michael is presently the Director of the Fine Arts Research Institute for Gonzaga University at Florence, Italy. He is the founder of the Berkeley Liturgical Drama Guild and has given workshops across the world on mime, clowning, storytelling and the uses of dramatic and imaginative forms in worship and religious education.

Among his collection of liturgical dramas, Father Moynanhan has written, "How the word became flesh", "Once upon a parable" and "Once upon a miracle".

The Drama Workshop will be held at the Merroo Christian Conference Centre Kurrajong, Sydney from 1-4 May 2000 at a cost of $140.00. Schools and dioceses are encouraged to sponsor suitable participants.

Senate Set to Pass Unjust Tax Legislation - Church Justice Body

199906217.htm"On 4 August 1988 the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC) entered the tax reform debate raising a series of questions for would-be reformers. We asked:· How will you ensure that the tax system is fair, especially for the poorest?· Will you increase the proportion of revenue raised through indirect taxes?· Will you introduce or raise taxes on necessities?· How will you address tax evasion across all forms of income?· How will you ensure that families are not disadvantaged compared with those who have no dependants?

"These concerns were consistently raised by the ACSJC throughout the election campaign, and in our submission to the Senate Inquiry on a New Tax System we stressed the issues of adequacy, equity and the durability of compensation", said Bishop Kevin Manning, Chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council.

"One of the fundamental issues in the design or modification of a taxation system is how adequately it meets the needs of the community. On this fundamental issue, the legislation currently before the Australian Parliament fails", ACSJC Member Dr Tim Battin explained.

"The revised agreement between the Coalition Government and the Australian Democrats, like the package initially proposed by the Government, raises less revenue than the existing system, and relies heavily on future budget surpluses to fund tax cuts. This is very dangerous because, in an economic downturn, the surplus may disappear and the inadequacy of the level of revenue in the new tax system would only then become apparent. If this happens, will the Government then cut spending leaving the poor to pay once more?"

"The tax reform debate should have been so much more than a debate about a GST", he said.

"Putting aside the matter of the GST for the moment, we are still confronted by the fact that we are about to move to a tax system which increases the level of regressivity in our tax system. This greater overall level of regressivity is a direct contradiction of the principle of 'ability to pay', said Dr Battin.

"The greater regressivity comes about because of two main factors", he explained. "On the one hand, we will now be relying on a bigger component of (indirect) regressive tax in our overall mix of taxes, and, secondly, our direct tax scales have been made less progressive".

"The initial plan of the Government was to shift the burden from direct tax to indirect tax to the magnitude of $6.1bn. The revised plan about to become legislation shifts the burden by $5bn and thus changes very little of the original plan".

"To make matters far worse, the legislation will confer some extremely unfair tax cuts to high income earners. The initial Coalition plan was to direct $6.6bn, around half of the tax cuts, to the top 20% of income earners. The revised package proposes that this group gets instead $5.4bn, or 45% of the cuts, while the other 80% of taxpayers share the remainder. The revised deal will make our direct tax scales considerably more regressive than they are".

"The issue, then, is not whether the revised tax plan is fairer than the Government's initial plan; the issue is whether the revised plan is fairer than the existing system", Dr Battin said.

"Overall, the existing tax system in Australia is roughly proportional. That is, when the total mix is taken into account, compliant taxpayers across high, middle, and low- income groups pay about the same proportion of income in tax. Arguably, until the onset of economic rationalism, Australia's political parties shared a more or less bipartisan commitment to the principle of 'ability to pay' tax. Proportionality is the bare minimum needed in order not to breach this principle. Progressivity will honour it, regressivity violates it", Dr Battin concluded.

National Conference on Marriage and the Family to be held in April 2000

199906095.htmA National Catholic Family Gathering entitled, "Family - Dare to Dream" will be held in Melbourne from 28-30 April 2000.

The Conference was recently endorsed at a gathering convened by the Bishops’ Committee for the Family and for Life comprising the couples who had attended the Second World Meeting of Families with the Holy Father in Rio de Janiero in October 1997. This group has been meeting on an annual basis seeking to keep alive the spirit of the Rio meeting.

The gathering, to be held under the auspices of the Bishops’ Committee for the Family and for Life will be a major celebration and affirmation of marriage and family life as part of the Australian Catholic Church’s participation in Jubilee 2000. The Bishops’ Committee appreciates the approval and support for the gathering from Archbishop George Pell of Melbourne.

"A major celebration of family life is an important element of the Jubilee Year 2000. As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ we will be mindful of the Holy Family into which he was born. In an age in which the ideals of parenthood are often challenged and the joys of childhood neglected we aim to demonstrate that family remains the cornerstone of our society." said the Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Family and for Life, Archbishop Leonard Faulkner. "We shall celebrate family life as lived today in Australia. We are particularly keen to include children and young people in the activities of the gathering."

Parishes from each diocese in Australia will be encouraged to sponsor or part- sponsor a family to attend the national gathering which will be held in the glass- fronted Grand Stand at the Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne.

It is hoped the representatives of Australian families who will be in Rome later that year for the Third World Meeting of Families, taking place in October 2000, will be enriched and invigorated by the reality of the Australian Catholic family which will be experienced and explored during the Conference.

Catholic Bishops' Committee calls on Government to review its current handling of pregnant refugees

199905062.htmThe Bishops' Committee for Family and for Life is calling on the Government to review its current handling of pregnant refugees following the reported near full-term abortion of an unborn child just days after the mother was deported from Australia to China.

Although the Department for Immigration has announced that it will hold a departmental investigation into the incident, the Bishops' Committee does not believe this will provide the best long-term solution in avoiding this tragedy again.

"If the departmental investigation shows that a woman who was eight and a half months pregnant with her second child was sent back to China, which we know to have a very strict One-Child Policy, then I believe the Australian government has blood on its hands," said Bishop Pat Power, Secretary for the Bishops' Committee for Family and for Life. "We cannot be responsible for all pregnant women in China but we should be responsible for those in Australia. The most significant question in my mind is why a woman who had been detained in Australia as a refugee for nearly three years was sent back to China only weeks before her baby was due to be born?"

The Bishops' Committee suggests that Australia should look more towards the American model on this issue in which asylum seekers can seek refuge on the basis of China's one-child policy.

"I am sure that most Australians sitting in their kitchens this morning would have been repulsed by this story this morning," said Bishop Power. "The disregard shown to this poor mother cannot go unnoticed. We, as a nation and as individuals, have responsibilities not just under human rights but as human beings to ensure this atrocity does not happen again."

Catholic Bishops' Committee calls on Government to review its current handling of pregnant refugees

1999050615.htmThe Bishops' Committee for Family and for Life is calling on the Government to review its current handling of pregnant refugees following the reported near full-term abortion of an unborn child just days after the mother was deported from Australia to China.

Although the Department for Immigration has announced that it will hold a departmental investigation into the incident, the Bishops' Committee does not believe this will provide the best long-term solution in avoiding this tragedy again.

"If the departmental investigation shows that a woman who was eight and a half months pregnant with her second child was sent back to China, which we know to have a very strict One-Child Policy, then I believe the Australian government has blood on its hands," said Bishop Pat Power, Secretary for the Bishops' Committee for Family and for Life. "We cannot be responsible for all pregnant women in China but we should be responsible for those in Australia. The most significant question in my mind is why a woman who had been detained in Australia as a refugee for nearly three years was sent back to China only weeks before her baby was due to be born?"

The Bishops' Committee suggests that Australia should look more towards the American model on this issue in which asylum seekers can seek refuge on the basis of China's one-child policy.

"I am sure that most Australians sitting in their kitchens this morning would have been repulsed by this story this morning," said Bishop Power. "The disregard shown to this poor mother cannot go unnoticed. We, as a nation and as individuals, have responsibilities not just under human rights but as human beings to ensure this atrocity does not happen again."

Closing Rites for the Great Jubilee 2000

2000122113.htmExcerpts from Celebrations and Prayers for the Holy Year as composed by The Central Committee for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000

Vigil of Prayer for the Passage to the Year 2001

"Jesus Christ our Hope"December 31, 2000

Introduction

This celebration is presented to particular Churches in order to assist the faithful in inaugurating the third millennium by setting their trust and hope in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. The vigil will celebrate our Lord Jesus who, in bringing to completion the old law, in the gift of his life and death on the Cross, in his glorious rising and in the gift of the Holy Spirit, is the source and inexhaustible font of this hope that never disappoints us. The biblical readings, prayers, songs and signs of the celebration have been chosen in order to revive in the participants a faith in the design of the Father, that in his son Jesus Christ, not withstanding the limits of creation and of history, is bringing to conclusion the work begun two thousand years ago. The celebration consists of four great ritual sequences: the lucenarium, the proclamation of the Word of God, the offering of incense, the prayer of thanksgiving and supplication. Two are able to form the opening of the celebrations:· with the entrance procession and· with the solemn entrance In the sacristy of the stational church or, as necessary, in the sacristy of the principal church, there should be prepared:· liturgical vestments; a if the celebrant chooses to wear one; · a processional cross with candles;· the Book of the Gospels;· the thurible with incense;· lamps or candles for the faithful. The structure of the celebration may differ according to circumstances. This outline for the 31 December 1999 is offered as a suggestion. The scriptural texts on the next page may be used as judged appropriate. Scriptural Texts and Acclamations

I rejoiced when I heard them say: "Let us go to God's house." (Psalm 122: 1)

City of God, open your gates, source of our joy! (See Psalm 87: 2, 6-7)

God made the sun and the moon to mark the passage of time. (See Psalm 104: 19)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42)

"Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." (Luke 11: 27)

The Son of God, our brother. (See Romans 8:29)

O Word of the Father and Beloved Son. (See John 3:16, Matthew 12: 18, Isaiah 42:1)

Your word is a sharpened two-edged sword. (See Revelation 1: 16; 2:12)

O God of justice and of mercy. (See Psalm 33: 5)

You have changed my mourning into dancing. (See Psalm 30: 12)

The Spirit of God is upon you ransom of the oppressed, and sight for the blind, you strengthen the heart of the wearyyou who proclaim a year of grace. (See Luke 4: 1- 18, Isaiah 61: 1-2)

A new millennium of our hope. (See Romans 15:13)

Father of lights prepares every good gift for his children. (See James 1: 17)

O breath of God, O driving wind. (See Genesis 2: 17, Acts 2:2)

O fire of Jesus, Holy Spirit. (See Luke 12: 49)

Come, renew the face of the earth. (See Psalm 104: 30)

Come, fill the universe with your presence. (See Wisdom 1: 7)

To you whom we love, Father Most Holy! (See John 17: 11, 16:27)

To you, O Christ, the Light of the World! (See John 8:12)

To you who consoles, O Living Water! (See John 14: 16 and 26, 15: 26, 16: 7, 7:38- 39)

To you be the glory, for ever and ever!

Other Texts

The following texts may be used in the course of the Vigil of Prayer for the Passage to the Year 2001.

1. InvitatoryThe following invitatory Psalm may be used to open the vigil.

Psalm 40Come let us adore Jesus the Lord,born of the Virgin Mary, hope of the world.

I waited, I waited for the Lordand he stooped down to me;he heard my cry.He drew me from the deadly pit,from the miry clay.He set my feet upon a rockand made my footsteps firm.

Come let us adore Jesus the Lord,born of the Virgin Mary, hope of the world.

He put a new song into my mouth,praise of our God.Many shall see and fearand shall trust in the Lord.Happy the man who has placedhis trust in the Lordand has not gone over to the rebelswho follow false gods.

Come let us adore Jesus the Lord,born of the Virgin Mary, hope of the world.

How many, O Lord my God,are the wonders and designsthat you have worked for us;you have no equal.Should I proclaim and speak of them,they are more than I can tell!

Come let us adore Jesus the Lord,born of the Virgin Mary, hope of the world.

You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,but an open ear.You do not ask for holocaust and victim.Instead, here am I.In the scroll of the book it stands writtenthat I should do your will.My God, I delight in your lawin the depth of my heart.

Come let us adore Jesus the Lord,born of the Virgin Mary, hope of the world.

2. Hymn One of these scriptural acclamations, or a suitable hymn may be chosen.

Sound the trumpet of the Great Jubilee,Proclaim that Jesus has set us free! Lv 25: 8- 10, Gal 5: 11

Christ, Yesterday and Today, the Beginning and the End.Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, to him be glory for ever! Rev 1: 17, 22: 13

Proclamation of the Word of God

3. First ReadingThe root of Jesse will be raised up as a sign for all the people

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 11: 1-10

A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. On that day, the root of Jesse, shall be set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek him out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

4. Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 72

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

O God, give your judgment to the king,to a king's son your justice,that he may judge your people in justiceand your poor in right judgment.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

May the mountains bring forth peace for the peopleand the hills, justice.May he defend the poor of the peopleand save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

He shall endure like the sun and the moonfrom age to age.He shall descend like rain on the meadow,like raindrops on the earth.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

In his days justice shall flourishand peace till the moon fails.He shall rule from sea to sea,from the Great River to earth's bounds.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

Before him his enemies shall fall,his foes lick the dust.The kings of Tarshish and the sea coastsshall pay him tribute.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

The kings of Sheba and Sebashall bring him gifts.Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,all nations shall serve him.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.For he shall save the poor when they cryand the needy who are helpless.He will have pity on the weakand save the lives of the poor.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

From oppression he will rescue their lives,to him their blood is dear.Long may he live,may the gold of Sheba be given him.They shall pray for him without ceasingand bless him all the day.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

May corn be abundant in the landto the peaks of the mountains.May its fruit rustle like Lebanon;may men flourish in the cities like grass on the earth.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

May his name be blessed for everand endure like the sun.Every tribe shall be blessed in him,all nations bless his name.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel,who alone works wonders,ever blessed his glorious name.Let his glory fill the earth.

Lord, You are salvation and peace for all people.

5. Prayer

God of the living, renew in usthe knowledge that the birth of Jesus, your Son,has planted a seed upon the earth, the seed of justice, of meekness and of peace,through which you desire us to work with you to transform the world according to your design.Through Christ our Lord.Amen.

6. Second Reading

1 Samuel 2: 1-10The joy and the hope of humility is in God

As Hannah worshiped the LORD, she prayed:

"My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God.I have swallowed up my enemies;I rejoice in my victory. There is no Holy One like the LORD;there is no Rock like our God.

"Speak boastfully no longer, nor let arrogance issue from your mouths.For an all- knowing God is the LORD,a God who judges deeds. The bows of the mighty are broken,while the tottering gird on strength. The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,while the hungry batten on spoil.The barren wife bears seven sons, while the mother of many languishes. "The LORD puts to death and gives life;he casts down to the nether world; he raises up again. The LORD makes poor and makes rich,he humbles, he also exalts. He raises the needy from the dust;from the ash heap he lifts up the poor,To seat them with noblesand make a glorious throne their heritage.He gives to the vower his vow,and blesses the sleep of the just."For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S,and he has set the world upon them. He will guard the footsteps of his faithful ones,but the wicked shall perish in the darkness.For not by strength does man prevail; the LORD foes shall be shattered.The Most High in heaven thunders;the LORD judges the ends of the earth,Now may he give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed!"

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

7. Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 40 My hope is in the Lord, for he has heard my cry.

I waited, I waited for the Lordand he stooped down to me;he heard my cry.He drew me from the deadly pit,from the miry clay.He set my feet upon a rockand made my footsteps firm.

My hope is in the Lord, for he has heard my cry.

He put a new song into my mouth,praise of our God.Many shall see and fearand shall trust in the Lord.Happy the man who has placedhis trust in the Lordand has not gone over to the rebelswho follow false gods.

My hope is in the Lord, for he has heard my cry.

How many, O Lord my God,are the wonders and designsthat you have worked for us;you have no equal.Should I proclaim and speak of them,they are more than I can tell!

My hope is in the Lord, for he has heard my cry.

You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,but an open ear.You do not ask for holocaust and victim.Instead, here am I.In the scroll of the book it stands writtenthat I should do your will.My God, I delight in your lawin the depth of my heart.

My hope is in the Lord, for he has heard my cry.

8. Prayer

Let us pray.

Father, sustain us with the force of your lovethat we might walk with Christ, the Lord of all time. Strengthen our hope, mature the fruit of faith deep within us,that we might welcome with thankfulness the gifts you have lavished upon us along the way.Through Christ our Lord.Amen.

9. Third Reading

Romans 8:12-30In hope we have been saved

A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!"

The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.

For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

For in hope we were saved.

Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

10. Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 98Sing a new song to the Lord, who comes to judge the world with justice.

Sing a new song to the Lordfor he has worked wonders.His right hand and his holy armhave brought salvation.

Sing a new song to the Lord, who comes to judge the world with justice.

The Lord has made known his salvation;has shown his justice to the nations.He has remembered his truth and lovefor the house of Israel.

Sing a new song to the Lord, who comes to judge the world with justice.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.Shout to the Lord, all the earth,ring out your joy.

Sing a new song to the Lord, who comes to judge the world with justice.

Sing psalms to the Lord with the harpwith the sound of music.With trumpets and the sound of the hornacclaim the King, the Lord.

Sing a new song to the Lord, who comes to judge the world with justice.

Let the sea and all within it thunder;the world, and all its peoples.Let the rivers clap their handsand the hills ring out their joy

Sing a new song to the Lord, who comes to judge the world with justice.

Rejoice at the presence of the Lord for he comes to rule the earth.He will rule the world with justiceand the peoples with fairness.

Sing a new song to the Lord, who comes to judge the world with justice.

11. Prayer

Let us pray.

O Christ, radiant morning star,incarnation of infinite love,source of all salvation and life,the whole Church cries out to you,prepared as a bride for her wedding: Come, Lord Jesus,the only hope of this world !You who live and reign for ever and ever.Amen.

12. Gospel

Luke 12: 35-48 You are ready with burning lamps of oil

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke:

Jesus said to his disciples,"Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding,ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?"

And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.

But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant's master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful.

That servant who knew his master's will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly.

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

The Gospel of the Lord.Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Rite for the Closing of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 in Particular Churches

January 5, 2000

The following Rite for the Closing of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 in particular churches concerns the churches of the Roman rite. They may be appropriately adapted by local churches.

If desired, the Eastern Churches may adapt the rite of closing in harmony with their own particular liturgical practices, while preserving the nucleus and essential orientation of their proper rite.

The Day

The Holy Father John Paul II in his bull Incarnationis Mysterium (IM) has established that the closing of the Jubilee Year take place on the of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the year 2001 (See IM 6). In the particular churches, the closing of the Jubilee should take place in the evening hours of January 5th (see Calendar of the Jubilee Year 2000).

The Ritual Form and Nature of the Celebration The celebration of the Eucharist is the appropriate ritual for the closing of the Jubilee Year. Thus the Eucharist of the Epiphany, celebrating the memorial of the manifestation of the Lord, is an event rich in the mystery of salvation and can serve as an expression of thanksgiving for the gift of the Jubilee Year and of putting into practice the pastoral initiatives which matured during the Jubilee Year both for individual Christians and for the Church as a whole.

The Place of the Celebration In order that the Eucharist of the closing of the Great Jubilee may be uniquely and truly celebrated as the central act of closing of the Jubilee Year, it should take place in the cathedral, or, according to the norms and directives of the Code of Canon Law, in the co-cathedral.

The Station According to tradition, the community of the faithful will be invited to gather in a church or some other designated place from which the procession will depart for the cathedral church. The church where the procession begins should be sufficiently large, and neither too far from nor too close to the cathedral, but at such a distance that a true procession can be carried out.

Three moments constitute the station: the opening of the celebration, the procession and the entrance into the cathedral.

Opening of the celebration: The opening consists of an opening song or antiphon, the greeting and the opening remarks, the praying of the stational collect and the invitation of the deacon to walk toward the cathedral.

The procession: During the procession, the Litany of the Saints may be sung as well as particularly appropriate Psalms such as Psalm 47 (All peoples, cry to God with shouts of joy), Psalm 96 (O sing a new song to the Lord), or Psalm 97 (The Lord is king).

In the procession, maximum attention is given to the Book of the Gospels as it is carried by the deacon. The Book of the Gospels is a sign of Christ who is manifested to all the people as he walks among them. The Book of the Gospels is also a sign of his Word, which is the light and guide for his disciples.

Entrance into the cathedral: During the procession to the principal door of the cathedral, the entrance song or antiphon is sung (The Lord our God comes) with Psalm 72 (O God, give your judgment to the king).

Sprinkling with Blessed Water The immemorial baptismal character of the solemnity of the Epiphany may be appropriately expressed in this celebration by the rite of sprinkling with blessed water, which takes the place of the penitential rite.

Proclamation of the Date of Easter

Similarly, and if it is opportune according to tradition, the proclamation of the date of Easter may be sung after the Gospel in this Mass. The date of Easter is announced as that point at which all other celebrations of the liturgical year culminate.

Expressions of Thanksgiving and Dismissal

After the distribution of communion and a brief prayer in silence, the bishop may give a kind of memorial or comments of a liturgical nature in which he remembers the particular events of the Jubilee Year and the spiritual blessings to the diocese resulting from its celebration. Finally, he invites all to give thanks to the Lord. The Magnificat, the song of thanksgiving of the Daughter of Zion and of the Church, may appropriately be sung in thanksgiving for the great things which the Lord has done and continues to do for his people (Lk. 1:49).

Following the Prayer After Communion, the bishop may remark in a second set of brief comments that the chronological year of the Great Jubilee has ended. However, he should also state that the "year of grace" which Jesus opened in the synagogue at