Tui Motu InterIslands November 2009 Price $5 350 people power calls for action on climate change Tui Motu InterIslands 1 November 2009 editorial copenhagen and 350 contents 2-3 editorial groundswell of public concern is – and tomorrow our grandchildren Elizabeth Mackie A gathering about climate change can suffer the consequences?” 4 letters and the perceived threat to the future Christians have to engage fully in 5 spring tide of our planet. All over New Zealand meeting this looming crisis because that Jim Consedine – indeed all over the world – people is what we are baptised for. Through bap- all saints gathered on 24 October to support the tism we die and rise with Christ, as Aidan 7 friendship for the love of Jesus benchmark of 350, which scientists Denzil Brown Kavanagh tells us (pp14-15). At baptism have proposed as the safe limit for 8-9 Nelson Mandela we act out our personal conversion in CO2 in the atmosphere. Should this Glynn Cardy symbol by passing through water: like campaign be our priority? 9 Br Tony Sullivan cfc the Israelites we cross the Red Sea and interview: Susanne Hannagan The Secretary General of the UN, Ban come out of slavery into the Promised & Ki-moon, has provided the answer: Land. We become God’s people. Graeme Donaldson “We need a new global agreement 10-11 Bishop Brian Ashby The climate change crisis demands of to tackle climate change,” he said Peter Norris us this sort of conversion – a radical 10 My ‘saints’ of everyday recently, “and this must be based on the change in life style, which will impact Patricia Williams soundest, most robust and up-to-date most on the affluent West. It is no 350 science available. We need the world coincidence that in this global crisis 12-13 conversation with Paul Young to realise, once and for all, that the the primary focus is on water – too 13-14 What to expect from Copen­­- time to act is now and we must work much water, or drought; water too hagen? Ron Sharp together to address this monumental polluted to drink; water at its most 14-15 Baptism – water – conversion challenge. This is the moral challenge of destructive. Was it for this reason Aidan Kavanagh our generation.” 16-17 Water water everywhere . that Christ chose water for his most If it is indeed the moral question evocative symbol? 18-19 Year for priests of our age, then there is no dispute The call to conversion – to force our Neil Darragh – we have to be fully engaged. Two 20-21 Secular faith political leaders to heed and to act articles support Ban Ki-moon’s view Barbara Menzies – is a call for every parish and for 22-23 Wisdom of the ages (interview pp 12-13 and Ron Sharp’s each individual Christian. We need Daniel O’Leary preview of Copenhagen pp 13-14). to hear clear words of leadership from 24-25 Shamans and mystics When the tsunami struck Samoa and our bishops. Copenhagen needs to Trish McBride Tonga a month ago, people in the be the new Rubicon. It must initiate 26 Eyes made for wonder South Pacific responded immediately. radical change, because that is what Joy Cowley the people are demanding. 27 Mobile and roaming Money, food and clothing poured in to Paul Armstrong collection centres. When a catastrophe 28-29 films and books is beam ed into everyone’s living room, saints Paul Sorrell, Michael Hill then people jump to it at once. But he other theme this month is 30 Crosscurrents when we are talking about cyclones Tsaints. We start November with Jim Elliston and droughts which may happen 30 the feast of All Saints, and a long-time 31 Test tube babies – or people years hence, it is much harder to rouse subscriber, Denzil Brown, suggests (p Humphrey O’Leary a similar response. 7) that saints are ‘those who share our 32 A mother’s journal faith journeys’. They are our mentors Kaaren Mathias We would then have to admit that and models. Instead of looking to the poetry: Rumi, Bridie Southall our living standards are too high and past, we need to search for inspiration must be cut back; we would have to among our own contemporaries. scrap the economic model of ever- We offer a few examples (pp 8-11), in increasing growth; our sympathies cover photo: The 350 event, the hope that readers will pursue this would need to shift from being only held outside the Railway Station exercise and discover their own heroes engaged with calamities here and now in Dunedin on 24 October, in for emulation. St Paul calls his fellow preparation for the Copenhagen and focus instead on the plight of our Christians “saints” – and so should Conference on climate change. children’s children. Will we act – or we. photo – courtesy Otago Daily Times. will we chant: “eat, drink and be merry M.H. 2 Tui Motu InterIslands November 2009 tui motu foundation Dear Tui Motu Readers few years ago the Board of Tui Motu decided to establish The Foundation is now undertaking a fund­raising exercise A an independent charitable trust, called the Tui Motu to increase this investment. Some people in the main centres Foundation. The Board’s aim was to accumulate a significant will receive a personal approach, with a request for financial sum of money, which could be invested in order to deliver support. So far we have been inspired by the generosity with interest sufficient to ensure the financial future of the magazine. which people are responding to this approach. Their assistance While Tui Motu at present is fully sustainable, it does not yet is greatly appreciated. generate enough income to cover the costs of a paid editor. Enclosed in this issue, you will find a leaflet containing basic Fr Michael has been a complete gift to the magazine, both information on the Foundation and its needs. We commend it in the talents and experience he has brought to the task of to you and ask you to consider whether you can assist in some editing a first class production, but also in the generosity of way, through donation or debenture or by passing the leaflet the Rosminian Order, which has allowed him to carry out this on to others who may have discretionary money to invest in a ministry without payment. good project. The Board could foresee a time when the financial gift of You may be certain of two things. The money will be an editor might not be available. The Tui Motu Foundation, responsibly and carefully managed, with your debentures therefore, is gathering funds through donations and deben­ available on the dates specified. And the income generated tures to assist the payment of an editor’s salary. We need an will secure the continuation of a magazine of which we can investment fund of a million dollars. It has raised just over all be proud. half a million dollars – not enough, but a magnificent start. We are confident that the good management of the investment will Elizabeth Mackie OP, deliver a steady return over time. Trustee, TM Foundation The Governing Board of Independent Catholic Magazine is seeking the services of symbol of copenhagen Hans Anderson’s mermaid sits on her rock overlooking Editor the entrance to the city from for the sea. Those coming to Copenhagen in quest of a TUI MOTU solution to the problem of global warming might reflect commencing early 2010 on Hans Anderson’s tale and Applications with CV to: come to see that the dreamt-of Chair, ideal is only achieved at the c/- Tui Motu, price of great sacrifice P.O. Box 6404, Dunedin North 9059 Job description available on request Closing date19 November 2009 Tui Motu-InterIslands is an independent, Catholic, monthly magazine. It invites its readers to question, challenge and contribute to its discussion of spiritual and social issues in the light of gospel values, and in the interests of a more just and peaceful society. Inter-church and inter-faith dialogue is welcomed. The name Tui Motu was given by Pa Henare Tate. It literally means “stitching the islands together...”, bringing the different races and peoples and faiths together to create one Pacific people of God. Divergence of opinion is expected and will normally be published, although that does not necessarily imply editorial commitment to the viewpoint expressed. ISSM 1174 – 8931 Independent Catholic Magazine Ltd, P O Box 6404, Dunedin North, 9059 Phone: 03 477 1449: Fax: 03 477 8149: email: [email protected]: website: www.tuimotu.org Editor: Michael Hill IC; Assistant Editor: Frances Skelton; Illustrator: Don Moorhead Directors: Rita Cahill RSJ, Philip Casey, Tom Cloher, Robin Kearns, Peter Murnane OP, Elizabeth Mackie OP, Katie O’Connor (Chair), Mark Richards, Kathleen Rushton RSM Printers: Southern Colour Print, 1 Turakina Road, Dunedin South, 9012 Tui Motu InterIslands 3 November 2009 letters vatican II then and now - continue to press for dialogue – and Let me thank you for printing Fr Peter letters to the editor even change. Murnane’s contribution (October We welcome comment Rev J Kershaw, Paraparaumu. TM) to the brilliant array of articles discussion, argument, debate. you have assembled once more for But please keep letters promotion of tui motu a most satisfying issue of Tui Motu. under 200 words. I have just returned from visiting a And congratulations to Fr Peter for The editor reserves the right grandson presently studying at Knox his unequivocal outspokenness in to abridge, while not changing College, in Dunedin. To my surprise and his analysis of our post­Vatican II the meaning.