ServingServing Faithfully Faithfully Newsletter of the Catholic Diocese of the Australian Defence Force September 2014 Published by the Diocesan Curia. Editor: Monsignor Peter O'Keefe Issue # 18 Message from the Vicar General CATHOLIC MILITARY ORDINARIATE OF AUSTRALIA DIOCESAN STATEMENT An allegation has been made to the police that in 1969 Bishop Max Davis abused a student at St. Benedict's College in New Norcia Western Australia where he was teaching at the time. As a result a charge has been laid by the WA Police. At that time - 45 years ago - the bishop was not ordained. The bishop emphatically denies the allegation and the charge will be defended. In the circumstances the bishop has decided to stand aside while the matter is dealt with by the court. No further comment will be made while the legal process is underway. In the meantime the Vicar General is responsible for the administration of the Diocese. God is present in the Darkness as well as in the Light ost of you are aware of the fact that Bishop his welfare. The Chaplains often celebrate Mass at 7am, MMax voluntarily stood aside from his again pray morning prayer with their fellow Chaplains from ministry as Bishop of the Military Diocese of the Australian varying faith groups close to 9am, and Midday Mass is Defence on 28 June 2014. The circumstances that resulted celebrated in some Chapels throughout the week. I invite in this action are outlined in the Diocesan you and your families, together with Statement above friends, to join with us at these times in Late on 28 June the Chaplains brief prayer as part of this crusade of were notified of the Bishop's action and, prayer. The Lord will hear the prayers of as expected, the news was received with his people! deep shock and sadness for the Bishop. At We all acknowledge that this is a the same time the Australian Catholic most difficult and anxious time for the Bishops along with the Apostolic Nuncio Bishop as the legal process commences. were officially informed. Letters were sent There is no knowledge of how long this with the Diocesan Statement to the process will take. The Bishop whilst Minister of Defence and the Chief of the humanly distressed is endeavouring to Defence Force. abandon himself to the Lord's Will in the Subsequent to this action, the Bishop has received knowledge that He is our strength and refuge in every way. messages of genuine concern and the promise of prayers. The Book of Isaiah Ch 45:3 states: This response has comforted him greatly at this time. I have I will give you the treasure of darkness, riches travelled to several of our Chapel communities over the hidden in secret places, so you will know it is I, Sundays of July joining with the Chaplains and their The God of Israel, who call you by name. Communities. The overwhelming support and the genuine Whilst our society in general has given an evil affection for Bishop Max has been palpable and, as connotation to darkness, there is a long biblical history of expected, the Chaplains are very focussed on supporting God working through people in the dark. Thankfully we their people and going about their duties with dedication. know this from our own experience, that periods of The Bishop has received many emails and cards from darkness can, if used appropriately, be places where we people across the Diocese and from within Defence and eventually discover enlightenment in and through its very beyond it, from across various dioceses and from people struggle. We see this exemplified in the Word of God. The known to him in the past with words of support and care. Exodus Event of the Old Testament People took place at I have asked wherever I have gone, that as a night, the Manna of old fell from the heavens at night and Diocesan Family, we be intentional in our prayer support for much about the Wisdom of God is cloaked in mystery. Bishop Max. I invite you all to join in our prayer crusade for Continued page 2 MH17: The outcome of a trail of human evil ‘These are matters we can all attend to with the aid But God's grace enables Christ's resurrection to shine forth of God's grace and a simple trust in him who created us, so in good actions that our lives may become examples to others to see.’ s our nation mourns the tragic and senseless ‘Today we pray for the gentle and eternal repose of Aloss of life resulting from the terrorist attack the 298 innocent lives lost in the downing of MH17, on Malaysian Airlines Flight 17, we again confront the especially commending to God the Australians killed … We seemingly never-ending saga of evil in our world. We also pray for the conversion of heart of the perpetrators of remember the service of the AFP and ADF personnel who this terrible evil that they, and all who are tempted to hide had to confront firsthand the results of this evil. under the darkness of human corruption, will now walk on At a Mass of Remembrance celebrated in St Mary's a path that upholds the dignity of every human person.’ Cathedral, Sydney on 20 July for those who died, for ‘And finally, let us pray for ourselves, that we may be families, friends and colleagues, the Apostolic Administrator people who courageously and humbly seek to live our lives for the Archdiocese of Sydney, Bishop Peter Comensoli, said under the good, true and beautiful light of the Risen Lord, the downing of MH17 was not an accident; ‘… it was the “who will always come to help us in our weakness”.’ (Rom outcome of a trail of human evil.’ 8:26) ‘Consider how blame and buck-passing is the current In confronting evil at a global and personal level, we state of those responsible. The subversion of truth is also pray that we will never lose hope in the Risen Christ and the happening in other places in the world, wherever human Light that is present in the lives of good people, including dignity lies blanketed under violent hatred, ancient and those who serve in the ADF. new. Evil will have its way when vigilance and transparency are allowed to wane.’ All those who enter the military in service to their country ‘Evil will try to hide, obfuscate, deny. But by the light should look upon themselves as guardians of the security of day the true picture will be seen. And it is under the light and freedom of their fellow countrymen, and in carrying out of the Resurrection Day, that the Risen Lord calls us to this duty properly, they too contribute to the establishment walk.’ of peace. ( Second Vatican Council) Military Chaplains Fundraising Dinner AO, DSC ( Ret'd) (the PM's Special Envoy for Operation The Canberra branch of the Knights of the Southern Sovereign Borders). Cross invites friends of the Military Diocese to attend a fundraising dinner at the Holy Trinity Parish Centre, Tickets are $50 per person, for a three-course hot Strangways St, Curtin on Saturday, 22 November 2014, buffet meal. Envelopes for Tax Deductible donations to the 7.00pm for 7.30 pm start. Armed Services Catholic Diocesan Revenue Fund will be This event will support the training and support of available on each table. Bookings can be made by Chaplains for the Australian Defence Force. contacting Bob Perkins 02 6247 2977 or The Guest Speaker will be Major General Jim Molan Doug Gaudencio 02 6169 6866 Continued from page 1 faith that God is near to us, wherever we are, and in all St Luke gives us his Gospel account of how Jesus abandoned circumstances in which we find ourselves. himself to his Father on the cross for our sakes as darkness Bishop Max has continually asks that we remember came over the whole land between the sixth and ninth hour. in prayer the person who has brought the allegation against In this present darkness, the Bishop is struggling in him. Not knowing the unfortunate circumstances that led to faith, reaching out believing in God's promise that He is near this action, the Bishop is very mindful that we too keep him to him. This Promise is found especially in the darkness of in our prayers. the tomb as the Resurrected Lord breaks forth to go before I thank especially the chaplains and our chapel us. This is our encouragement: Go forth into the night, communities, the Members of our Finance Council who have trusting in Him who beckons us forth into light through faith. assisted in so many ways, Mrs Bruna Catanzariti, our As a Diocese we pray earnestly for our Bishop and secretary at the Chancery and the many others who are ourselves that this dark time will be a time for witnessing striving to support the diocese at the present time. THANK powerfully to Christ's presence through unity and with trust YOU. in the Lord's promise. We pray that our Bishop will return to us quickly so as to lead us in his ministry as chief shepherd of Monsignor Peter O'Keefe this diocese. In the meantime our chief shepherd Max is Vicar General praying for us in his present situation. God is in the darkness Diocesan Administrator as well as in the light of day. May we also realise through 2 VOCATIONS PRAYER National Vocation Awareness Week The call to foster all vocations in the church Creator God, The Church in Australia recently celebrated ‘National Vocations Life is your gift to me.