Tui Motu Interislands Monthly Independent Catholic Magazine May 2013 | $6
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Tui Motu InterIslands monthly independent Catholic magazine May 2013 | $6 InequalIty of Wealth . editorial taming the tigress . “The life and dignity of millions of Minister of Great Britain, however, benefit cuts, and a government attitude men, women and children hang has brought both plaudits and brickbats. of pushing ahead with ideological in the balance. Decisions must be She was “a tigress surrounded by ham- changes without worrying about the judged in light of what they do for sters,” as John Biffen a former Cabinet human consequences. This Aotearoan the poor, what they do to the poor, colleague famously mused, a unique phenomenon is replicated in other and what they enable the poor to politician who changed things, and parts of the world. do for themselves. The fundamen- whom everyone followed — a game- As an aside, neither the Baroness nor tal moral criterion for all economic changer and an earth-mover. Roger Douglas would have withstood decisions, policies and institutions Many countries including the scrutiny of the American Bishops’ is this: they must be at the service New Zealand moved politically statement quoted above. of all people, especially the poor. because she led the way. Indeed, Where then lies the hope for Rogernomics is a fair imitation of change from these unfair conse- (American Bishops’ 1986 pastoral what Baroness Thatcher achieved, quences? It nests in a number of places, letter, Economic Justice for all, 24) sometimes even more far-reaching, expected and unexpected. In a letter in that our local political structure to us covering the interviews that s I write on the day after brooks no opposition. Cathy Harrison did with Te Whare Margaret Thatcher’s funeral, And once in power, a New Roimata and the Aranui Sisters (both images of her in the after- Zealand government of whatever in this issue) Cathy had this to say: mathA of the Conservative Party stripe works without checks or bal- “It was good to focus on community Conference bombing in Brighton ances. We lack a House of Lords or development in Christchurch during and her prayerfulness stay with me. an Australian Senate, even with the a similar time to the Aranui Sisters. She seemed at her most human and strong benefit of mixed-member While this community [Te Whare personal at that point in her public proportional representation (MMP). Roimata] may not have been driven life — showing an endearing hint of Unfair consequences have followed. by Vatican documents, they were and uncertainty. As she said of herself, Presently they include: unprecedented are women and men of God … their “There’s not much point in being a levels of child poverty, unemployment vision is truly beautiful responding weak and floppy thing in the chair, is with no possibility of a job to come, so creatively and in such empowering there?” What she achieved as Prime soaring rents, unaffordable housing, ways. The humility and sensitivities Editorial. .2-3 An open letter to pope francis . 22–23 Anna Holmes contents Letters to the editor . 4 A pope for our times . 24–25 Comment: ‘The best of times, Jim Consedine the worst of times’ . 5 Mary britt Where is jesus to be found? . 26–27 Kathleen Rushton Money, money, money . it’s a Poem: Visit us rich man’s world . 6–7 . 27 Jacqui Ryan Anne Powell Book and film reviews Vatican II on poverty and wealth . 8–9 . 28–29 Michael Costigan Crosscurrents . 30 Economic policy and human dignity: Jim Elliston “let there be light” . 10–11 Death and taxes . 31 Paul DaLziel Peter Norris Te whare roimata: house of tears . 12-13 A mother’s journal . 32 Interview: Catherine Harrison Kaaren Mathias Christ in the suburbs – part II . 14–15 Interview: Catherine Harrison Key to front cover photos: Centre: Wall Street, New York. Foot washing . 16–17 Other photos, clockwise from top left: Drought in the Horn Kathleen Rushton of Africa; Fishing in Southern India; Education in Darfur; Lots of forgiveness, asked for or not . 18–19 Food security in Sudan; Water resources in Zimbabwe; Glynn Cardy Ploughing in Darfur. [With thanks to Christian World Service for the use of the Africa/Asia photos.] A nuclear weapon-free world? . 20–21 Robert Green 2 Tui Motu InterIslands May 2013 to journey for so long speaks of the and to boost employment. Helping the New Zealand Treasury is begin- Life of God in abundance — the life unemployed youth who lose hope ning to import a new vision of what that we know is encountered on the when there are no jobs for them and economics may mean. That augurs the margins — in the cracks where the who are intimidated by the bureauc- possibility of policy change that will light gets in!” Just so. racy of government departments is key; serve the needs of all New Zealanders. Cathy has put a fine antipodean and keeping as many jobs as possible Do enjoy his article and take a Google flavour to the opening quote from within Aotearoa rather than outsourc- peep at the Treasury material. the American Bishops’ 1986 pastoral ing them is a no-brainer. We need take On another tack, we continue to letter. These Bishops’ forthrightness only one example: NZ Rail’s debacle focus on Pope Francis. Anna Holmes is needed here to stimulate discussion concerning the Hillside workshops, looks at the wounds of the Church. and change in our country. and the construction of rail wagons in These inspire an evocative dream. Jim There is, in fact, a challenge to Dunedin rather than in China. Consedine hones in on some “fault the NZ Churches collectively, and The expected and fine work of lines”, praying that the Holy Spirit the Catholic Bishops in particular, such groups as Te Whare Roimata and will continue to free Francis to move to speak out even more clearly in the the Aranui Sisters are beacons for the in the ways he has already done. present situation. The figures are clear. many groups whose quiet work to Finally, enjoy Kath Rushton’s focus Since 2008 the disparity within New sustain the poor and marginalised on the background to our liturgical Zealand has increased substantially, and work for change is signalled here. Holy Thursday rite of footwashing. It while Jacqui Ryan sensibly shows the We honour them all. is a new take on this situation, and global nature of this problem. We need The unexpected also beckons: Paul makes eminent sense. policies to ensure affordable housing Dalziel in his article gives hope that Sweet reading! KT Pentecost Subscription Appeal As the feast of Pentecost approaches took out gift subscriptions at Christmas we invite you to go out from your ‘upper we find ourselves ‘seeing visions and time. You brought in very many new rooms’ and spread the good word of Tui dreaming dreams’. What would it friends of Tui Motu, who will, we Motu to at least one other person. mean if we could increase the number hope, continue to enjoy the magazine If you are not in a position to find of subscribers to Tui Motu? Most throughout 2013. We are not asking you and sign up a new subscriber, another importantly it would mean that more for further gifts at this time. Instead we possibility would be that you clip the people would have the opportunity to are asking your help with something small coupon which appears on the be informed, challenged, drawn into which may well be more difficult. back page of each issue, fill in the name discussion, encouraged to meditate Our dream is that every one of you, of someone who might be interested in and reflect, and even delighted. We every reader of Tui Motu might recruit the magazine and mail the coupon to are sure from the feedback received a new subscriber for us, someone who us. We would then send a sample copy. from so many of our readers that the would commit to taking out their own It helps if you include your own name magazine is valued and enjoyed. subscription for 5 months or for the full also, so that we can tell your friends So there must be other potential year. Your personal enthusiasm and who recommended them. readers who might receive the same encouragement could work the wonders May the Spirit move us all to take stimulation and pleasure as you do. that we dream of. Nothing is more action in this subscriber drive this We are most grateful to all of you who effective than the direct approach. So Pentecost! EM Tui Motu – InterIslands is an independent, address: Independent Catholic Magazine Ltd, Catholic, monthly magazine. It invites its P O Box 6404, Dunedin North, 9059 readers to question, challenge and contrib- phone: (03) 477 1449 ute to its discussion of spiritual and social fax: (03) 477 8149 issues in the light of gospel values, and in email: [email protected] the interests of a more just and peaceful website: www.tuimotu.org society. Inter-church and inter-faith dialogue editor: Kevin Toomey OP is welcomed. assistant editor: Elizabeth Mackie OP The name Tui Motu was given by Pa Henare Tate. It illustrator: Donald Moorhead literally means “stitching the islands together...”, bringing directors: Susan Brebner, Rita Cahill RSJ, Philip Casey the different races and peoples and faiths together to (chair), Neil Darragh, Paul Ferris, Robin Kearns, Elizabeth create one Pacific people of God. Divergence of opinion Mackie OP is expected and will normally be published, although that honorary directors: Pauline O’Regan RSM, Frank does not necessarily imply editorial commitment to the Hoffmann ISSM 1174-8931 viewpoint expressed.