This article was first published by the Diocese of Wollogong.
Halloween is growing in popularity but its roots are lost on most people. It is observed on 31 October, the “een” or “eve” of All Hallows Day (All Saints Day) on 1 November.
“Hallow” is a word in the Lord’s Prayer – “hallowed be thy name” (may God’s name be held holy) so to celebrate Halloween without connecting it to All Saints Day would be like celebrating Christmas Eve without a Christmas Day. Continue reading
30 November 2013
CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council has written to more than 1,500 Catholic priests and women and men from religious orders across Australia encouraging support for the activities of Blue Knot Day and the possibility of recovery for the victims of child sexual abuse.
Blue Knot Day and other activities will conclude this Sunday (3 November). The week’s activities are part of an annual awareness campaign coordinated by the victims of child sexual abuse group, Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma.
Mr Sullivan said Blue Knot day is an important event that focuses on the damage done to victims of child sexual abuse. Continue reading
By Francis Sullivan
The success of the Royal Commission will be measured by the personal and real outcomes for victims and their families, and the improvements and progress of safeguarding practices by organisations and institutions.
Last week I spoke at the Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) board meeting in Sydney. It was a great opportunity to speak openly and candidly about what I consider two important aspects of the Royal Commission – victims and governance.
CCI is one of the oldest insurance companies in Australia, starting out in 1911 providing fire insurance for Church properties. Now, it is a diversified insurer working with Catholic Institutions throughout Australia. CCI says its mission is to support the Catholic Church, not to make a profit.
I told the board meeting that the Royal Commission is a chance for victims, damaged by clerical sex abuse, to tell their story. It is the time for the community to hear, and really listen and appreciate the full and long term impacts of child sex abuse. Continue reading
A Melbourne-based youth minister James Edwards has won a national songwriting competition with his official theme song for the inaugural Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF).
The song is called “Your Spirit” and focuses on the theme of the ACYF which is “The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me” from Luke’s Gospel. You can listen to the song here:
Your Spirit – James Edwards
You breathe life into everyone,
We all sing Your praise.
You give us sight and You set us free,
Empowered to proclaim,
You are everything.
Your spirit falls,
Your spirit falls upon us all.
You were sent, the anointed one,
The words are all made known,
We hear Your voice, You call our names,
To share in Your good news,
And Your glory.
Your spirit falls,
Your spirit falls upon us all.
Send us, send us,
Spirit send us. x3
Spirit of the Lord
Your spirit falls,
Your spirit falls upon us all.
Your spirit falls,
Your spirit falls,
Your spirit falls,
Your spirit falls upon us all.
Continue reading
Media Release, 24 October, 2013
The Catholic Diocese of Parramatta has launched an emergency appeal to assist people who have been impacted by the bushfires in the Blue Mountains region.
On the weekend of 26-27 October, parishes across Western Sydney will be taking up a collection.
The appeal is being co-ordinated by CatholicCare Social Services Parramatta. Donations will be used to provide material support and counselling to people in areas affected by the fires. Continue reading
Francis Sullivan, photo by Beth Doherty
Last week I spoke at the inaugural Annual General Meeting of Catholic School Parents. It was a great opportunity to speak with this group during the same week we submitted our third Issues Paper to the Royal Commission – Child Safe Institutions.
Catholic Schools Parents Australia was established to represent the views of parents to the Federal government as well as provide a forum for state Catholic School parent bodies to consider issues and share ideas.
This is a dynamic group chaired by the Principal of Aquinas College, Mr Tony O’Byrne. They have already been actively involved in providing the Truth Justice and Healing Council (TJHC) with feedback and support on our submissions to the Royal Commission. The group is also keen to promote the work we are doing and to ensure their parents are well informed.
As I travel around Australia I notice there is an increasing desire to know what is going on in the Catholic Church and how we are preparing for the Royal Commission. I keep pointing people in the direction of Towards Healing. It really is an important document, and crucially the original intent of Towards Healing was heartfelt and just. Continue reading
Bishop Burgess in 2012. Photo supplied by http://theharpdwm.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/p1080219.jpg
23 OCT 2013. Anthony Burgess was born on 29 July 1938, the eldest of eight children, in Singleton, New South Wales, Australia. After attending the local convent school he won a scholarship to St. Stanislaus College, Bathurst (Vincentians). Having obtained his Leaving Certificate he returned home to work in his father’s business.
After three years he decided to become a diocesan priest and entered the seminary. Two of his classmates were the future Cardinal George Pell of Sydney and Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne.
Because of his time in his father’s business he was several years older than them. While he was still in the seminary Bishop Guilford Young of Tasmania asked for some of the students to come to Tasmania where parishes were scattered and there were few priests.
Tony agreed and worked as a priest in Tasmania for six years. He then heard a similar request from the Bishop of Aitape in the West Sepik province of Papua New Guinea seeking help. Tony was to remain in PNG for forty years. Continue reading
TJHC flyer
The Truth Justice and Healing Council has distributed more than 70,000 information flyers to dioceses and other church organisations around Australia.
The flyers outline the work and role of the Council in particular how it will be engaging with the Royal Commission and its role as an advisory group to Catholic Church leadership on the many issues around child sexual abuse.
The flyers will be distributed to parishes from diocesan offices and should be in churches vestibules before December 9, 2013 when Towards Healing becomes the focus of Commission hearings for two weeks. Continue reading
Truth, Justice and Healing Council Logo
Calls for a national mandatory accreditation and data collection system for all institutions working with children are part of the Catholic Church’s submission to the Royal Commission on child safe institutions.
The CEO of the Catholic Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council, Francis Sullivan, said the core responsibility of religious and other Catholic organisational leaders is to ensure the safety of children entrusted to their care.
“There is no fail-safe method that can identify people who are unsuitable to work with children,” Mr Sullivan said. Continue reading
From the Vatican, 19 October, 2013
His Holiness Pope Francis has asked me to express his concern for the people of New South Wales and all who are affected the devastation wrought by the extensive fires in the region.
He prays especially for those who have died and for those who have lost their homes and workplaces, as well as for the numerous personnel working to combat the fires and provide comfort and care for those who are suffering.
Invoking the spiritual gifts of solidarity and perseverance upon the communities touched by these trying events, the Holy Father sends his blessing.
+Archbishop Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State