The spirituality that flows from “taking God seriously”, being “famished for truth” and “living in generous simplicity…” will no doubt find expression in our ministry, our relationships with people, and our commitment to personal prayer, I would like to reflect on these inter-connected aspects of a lived spirituality.

Josephine Laffin has written a very personal story of Archbishop Matthew Beovich. Many biographies of bishops here in Australia have been written by priests or by male professional historians. A young woman professional historian who meticulously researched her sources and interviewed hundreds of people from all walks of life has written this biography of Matthew Beovich. Josephine Laffin also had access to Matthew Beovich’s personal diary, which he kept from the time he left home to study for the priesthood at Propaganda College Rome, until his death in 1981. What a treasure for a biographer! It has resulted in a warm personal story.

Sexual abuse can elicit many feelings and reactions: confusion, disbelief, fear and anxiety, powerlessness, betrayal, divided loyalties, grief, disillusionment, anger, resentment. Whenever discussion about this issue occurs some individuals may revisit past instances of trauma in their own lives.

Catholic Chaplain Paddy Sykes may hail from the small town of Humula, 70 kilometres south east of Wagga Wagga, but in his role of Senior Australian Defence Force (ADF) Chaplain in the Middle East he is responsible for the pastoral welfare of about 2300 military personnel.