On the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday 19 June 2009 – a day traditionally devoted to prayer for the sanctification of the clergy – Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated a “Year for Priests” in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the “dies natalis” of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide.
Two faces of the Church?
Benjamin Disraeli in 1845 launched his book Sybil, The Two Nations. It spoke of the chasm between the gentry and the working class in England. As Disraeli saw it, there were two nations in one England. In Australia today can we speak of two classes in one Church? The gap is [...]
It’s all Greek to me
I am very disappointed with the new translation of the prayers for the Eucharist, especially the exclusive language: man, sons, brothers, he. The claim is this is a more literal translation of the Latin. But surely the most important thing is to pray in a way that resonates with the people of today.
The Year of the Priest
What struck me about the Holy Father during Vespers in St Peter’s on the feast of the Sacred Heart, 19 June, was his composure. Yes, he has had a good deal of experience leading mega-liturgies now, but he had a notable self-possession and humility about him as he initiated the Year of the Priest.
Positive feedback all around
We’ve been overwhelmed by your positive comments for the new look Swag. The following are just three of the many responses we have received.
Radical new powers for bishops to ‘sack’ priests
The Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy is to give bishops new powers that will make it easier to discipline priests. The measures will speed up the process of laicisation for priests who are living with women, have left active ministry for several years or who have engaged in seriously scandalous behaviour.
Report highlights ‘endemic’ abuse of Irish children in care
A report into the treatment of children in residential care in Ireland has listed a catalogue of “endemic” sexual and physical abuse by members of religious orders, carried out with the full knowledge of their congregations. The long-awaited Child Abuse Commission Report brought to an end a decade-long investigation into industrial schools, institutions for disabled children, day schools, orphanages and reformatorie
Archbishop’s historic apology to Josephite Sisters
Archbishop of Adelaide, Philip Wilson, has made a public apology to the Sisters of St Joseph over the wrongful excommunication of Mary MacKillop in 1871, writes Jenny Brinkworth in Adelaide’s The Southern Cross.
30,000–strong Maronite parish
Marounia, the magazine of the Maronite Eparchy in Australia, in its May issue describes Harris Park in Sydney as the largest of the Maronite parishes in Australia.
