A very good and trusted friend of mine is being unjustifiably publicly pilloried and defamed by an opportunistic politician, a sensationalist press and a bishop. My friend is the Catholic Parish Priest of Brighton, SA. This unlikely trio clearly has a defined and individually private agenda. Each agenda is based on an assertion of guilt. The assertion is totally false and unfounded. I know that, because my friend has personally told me so. I have no doubts on that subject. Many other people across the country share my confident assertion.
The ongoing public accusations continue and have broadened to include the Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide and the Vicar General of the Adelaide Archdiocese.
Is the damage being inflicted on them collateral damage as a result of the targeted attack on my friend or is there a strategic target selected in what is without doubt a serious battle?
The bishop wants to be a bishop in the Catholic Church. The politician wants publicity and a drum to beat. The press wants a story in any and all circumstances. Each of this trio embraced the sensationalism that could be leveraged to each of their own ends and an innocent individual is pilloried. It smacks of blackmail.
The immediate outcome so far is that the Prime Minister has effectively sacked the Vicar General from a position he was eminently qualified to fill, to satisfy the political whim of a group of politician advisors of ill will.
At the same time our Archbishop is being accused of incompetence, bias and foot dragging. We, especially the Catholics of the Adelaide Archdiocese are under attack. Our leaders are being targeted, and all one can hear from our laity is the sound of silence.
The Southern Cross editor, a woman of high ethical standards and extensive experience, published her opinion editorial in the journal. She was met with a very public and vituperative attack accusing her of lack of professionalism and bias. I am sure she will not be silenced.
One very perceptive retired priest identified the lack of public support shown by bishops at large to our own Archbishop. The priest is right. All our clergy is under assault. They are unable to defend themselves.
The Archbishop of Sydney, when approached by the press made a statement even more politically correct than any politician could dream of.
Still we retain our composure and take it all on the chin.
We are misinterpreting Christian charity. It is an applied science and it is multi dimensional. Dark forces are shouting from the rooftops. Our silence is deafening. Are we, the laity of our Church willing to speak out and stand and be counted?
Or will we maintain a politically correct dignified silence? Where are our Sodalities”? When will they go forth and do what they proclaim? Where are the people from our charitable organizations? The banner “Catholic” under which they work is under assault and their help is needed now. Where are our Catholic politicians at this time of crisis? Are they all going to remain “politically correct”?
Men and Women of the Archdiocese of Adelaide – it is time to stand up and be publicly counted.
Graham Spurling
Brighton
