Cover image: Lore

Cate Shortland is best known for her 2004 multi-award winning debut film, Somersault. Lore is a stark contrast to that earlier film. Written in German by Shortland, this Australian film was filmed entirely in Germany.

Lore tells the story of Hannelore, the oldest daughter of five children.  Her parents are Nazis and at the end of war, and with the death of Hitler, they instruct their children to journey from the Black Forest to their grandmother’s home Hamburg. They abandon them to this journey as a way of ensuring they will not be arrested by the Americans.

Jury chair Fr Richard Leonard SJ said, “The jury was impressed by the themes that this beautifully-made film holds together: a survival trek, loss of innocence and discernment.”

Morally what is most impressive is the relationship that develops between Lore and a young man, Thomas, who instructs the children to say he is their older brother. He says he is a Jew. He has the yellow Jewish star in his documents.  Everything in Lore’s moral view of the world is challenged by Thomas. This family’s children have been part of the Hitler youth. A previously despised Jew is now their saviour. Continue reading →

Francis Sullivan and Barry O’Keefe, Photo SMH

Media Release, 11 January, 2012

CEO of the Catholic Church’s newly-formed Truth, Justice and Healing Council Francis Sullivan spoke today on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard at 1pm

“We welcome the appointment of the six commissioners named by the Prime Minister today: Chief Commissioner Justice Peter McLelland; Bob Atkinson; Justice Jennifer Coate; Robert Fitzgerald; Professor Helen Milroy; and former Senator Andrew Murray.

 “Once again, we commit to fully cooperate and engage with the Royal Commission and its deliberations,” he said.

“At its heart, the Royal Commission needs to let the full truth come out and ensure that the dignity of those who have been damaged by these atrocities is preserved, that they are supported, and not subject to a retraumatising of their experiences.” Continue reading →

Bishop Michael Putney, Bishop of Townsville

Media Release, 9 January, 2012

Bishop Michael Putney has been in contact and has provided an update on his medical condition after consultation with a number of specialists in Brisbane.

“It is with sadness that I inform the Townsville community the biopsy results have shown that Bishop Michael’s stomach cancer has now spread to his liver,” Acting Vicar General Fr Michael Taylor said today.  “It is untreatable and incurable, Bishop Michael will undergo a course of chemotherapy to alleviate some of the symptoms.”

Bishop Michael conveyed this news with great calm and courage.  He expressed his gratitude for the support he has received, especially the prayers.  He stated that he was completely at peace about what will happen and leaves his future entirely in the hands of God. Continue reading →

Bishop Michael Putney, Bishop of Townsville

Fr Michael Taylor, the Acting Vicar General, has requested prayers for Bishop Michael Putney who has recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer and is currently in Brisbane receiving treatment.

Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral Townsville, next Thursday 10 January,2013 at 7.00pm to pray for Bishop Michael and all those who are dealing with cancer at this time.

For those unable to make the Mass, please keep Bishop Michael and others in your prayers. Please share this event with others who may be interested.

For more information, contact Neil Helmore
Diocese Communications Officer, Catholic Centre PO Box 6149, Townsville Q 4810
P: 0414 671 250
E: nhelmore@tsv.catholic.org.au

Kid playing video game – the SUN, UK

On the 1^st January 2013, an R18+ classification for computer games was introduced in all Australian States and Territories. On behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops, its Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting (ACOFB) welcomed this new national and uniform approach for parents to understand that there is R18+ material in computer games and they might stop their children from accessing it.

Rev Dr Richard Leonard SJ, the Director of the ACFOB said, “Until now the Office for Film & Literature Classification had only has five categories available in regard to computer games: G, PG, M, MA 15+ and RC (refused classification). Like many parents, many Australians assumed that material that was not MA15+ was refused classification. But this is not the case. Continue reading →