Caritas Australia Providing Emergency Relief for Philippines Typhoon Haiyan

665_countrypp_philippines_pic22741President of the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines, Archbishop Jose Palma, has called for a novena of prayer and charity for victims of a massive Typhoon Haiyan stating; “No typhoon or flood can diminish the strength of the Filipino soul.”

Caritas Australia, the Catholic Church’s international aid and development agency, has committed an initial $1 million to help in emergency relief efforts in the Philippines. Emergency supplies are now arriving in Cebu city.

Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms to ever make landfall, has caused widespread devastation. Almost 10 million people have been affected across 8,000 villages, 447 towns, 48 cities in nine regions across the country. Continue reading →

Truth, Justice and Healing Commitment Statement to be read in Parishes

Image of children sunsetMedia Release, 12 November 2013

Parish priests around Australia have been called on to acknowledge the start of Royal Commission hearings into Towards Healing on December 9 by reading the Catholic Church’s child sexual abuse commitment statement at Mass over the coming weeks.

The statement, which has been endorsed by Church leaders across Australia, acknowledges the damage sexual abuse has done. It acknowledges past failings including cover-ups, failures of leadership and not believing victims. Continue reading →

Philippines Typhoon Haiyan – 9 Million people in need of help

philippinesMedia Release, 10 November, 2013

Caritas Australia, the Catholic Church’s international aid and development agency, is responding through our partners on the ground in the Philippines to the devastating aftermath of the super Typhoon Haiyan.

The monster storm battered the country with winds of more than 330 kilometres per hour and had a diameter of approximately 800 km wide. The UN estimates that 4.3 million people have already been affected, and in Vietnam, authorities warned many hundreds of thousands of people could also be affected.

In the Philippines authorities have reported the death toll could reach into the tens of thousands following the Typhoon the strongest in the world this year and possibly the most powerful ever to hit land. Continue reading →

A reflection on All Saints Day by Bishop Peter Ingham

halloweencandles

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 →

Catholics encouraged to acknowledge Blue Knot Day

30 November 2013blue knot day

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 →

That was then, but the suffering is still now

handsBy 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 →

Official Song for Catholic Youth Festival Announced

James Edwards Promo ShotA 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 →

Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Bushfire Appeal

CSSA ParramattaMedia 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 →

A time for renewal and forgiveness

Francis Sullivan, photo by Beth Doherty

Francis Sullivan, photo by Beth Doherty

By Francis Sullivan

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 Tony Burgess of Wewak | Outstanding Missionary of the Sepik Passes

Bishop Burgess in 2012. Photo supplied by http://theharpdwm.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/p1080219.jpg

Bishop Burgess in 2012. Photo supplied by http://theharpdwm.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/p1080219.jpg

By Fr. Greg Bourke OFM – Aitape

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 →