019 :
29 Feb 2008

Part II: Palestine in the Greco-Roman World… In this second instalment Daniel Gullotta explores the Roman political context in Palestine that Jesus was born into. [more]

006 :
28 Feb 2008

Michael Morwood Interview IV… In the fourth segment of this extended interview with Michael Morwood, our discussion is largely concerned our changing understandings of the nature of Jesus and of the nature of God. Is our picture of an "elsewhere God" or an "everywhere God"? [more]

075 :
27 Feb 2008

Learning lessons from a blind man… We promote ourselves as people looking at faith and spirituality in an "excitingly different way". Peregrinus helps us live up to that hope in his Lenten reflection looking at a story most of us will have heard dozens of times before. [more]

062 :
26 Feb 2008

Where do we find truth? This is a fascinating subject Dr Kania tackles today. It's really an essay exploring the nature of "truth" and "absolute truth". Readers of Catholica ought be much rewarded for taking on board the ideas and concepts Andrew explores in this reflection and mulling over them themselves. [more]

004 :
25 Feb 2008

1.3: The Jewish sects and other cultural influences in the time of Jesus... Tom Lee writes: "The spirit of revolt was abroad and it was at this time of ferment, shortly after his baptism that Jesus chose to proclaim in the synagogue a quotation from the Prophet Isaiah: 'The spirit of the Lord Yahweh has been given me, for Yahweh has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken; to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison; to proclaim a year of favor from Yahweh.'" [more]

019 :
24 Feb 2008

Reflections on the nature of priesthood #5… This is a sobering commentary today from Tom McMahon's. It'll be enough to give some people the heeby-jeebies. For others, and one suspects many more, he is simply being brave enough to voice things that have been unvoiced for far too long. Tom looks at some of the factors that have "crippled" the priesthood over recent centuries. The quest though is not to be critical just for the sake of being critical. In line with the general objective of Catholica we're trying to find out "what went wrong" that the Church suddenly become so "irrelevant" in the minds and hearts of so many in the relatively short space of a couple of centuries. [more]

003 :
23 Feb 2008

The Five Ways we respond to Anger... In today's commentary Fr John McKinnon explores in some detail the five broad ways we human beings respond to anger. [more]

018 :
22 Feb 2008

Part I: Tools of Trade… Daniel Gullotta begins his series with a discussion of the "tools of trade" scholars and students use to sort fact from fiction, or fact from pious myth, in the search for the historical or authentic Jesus. [more]

006 :
21 Feb 2008

Michael Morwood Interview III… In the third segment of this extended interview with Michael Morwood, Michael speaks of his personal experience following his banning as a priest and his journey to finding new ways of using his talents. [more]

074 :
20 Feb 2008

No wonder they crucified him! Today's Lenten reflection from Peregrinus looks at the paradox and contradiction of Jesus as illustrated in the story of the Woman at the Well. Jesus wasn't just contrary for the sake of "sticking it up the authorities", or because he believed that "being different" — some sort of nerd or geek or goody-two-shoes was what set one apart and worthy of "the kingdom". This is an entirely different understanding of "radical". One that pursues justice and truth as the ultimate values for defining life, and "the kingdom", in their own right. [more]

061 :
19 Feb 2008

What's the "reality" of your life? Perhaps the single most difficult thing any of us face is seeing ourselves in the reality that others see us, or as God sees us. Mirrors, cameras, sound recorders can help but just look at the personalities, pop stars and politicians one sees on television and do they really see themselves as the rest of us see them? There are so many things that cloud our own reality … our emotions, even a mirror presents a reversed image. Andrew Kania's reflection today explores this intriguing question and leads to the conclusion that ultimately the entire journey of our lives is to unmask this "unreality" of ourselves so that we see ourselves in the perfect way God sees us. It is powerful, short reflection which readers of Catholica will long value. [more]

003 :
18 Feb 2008

1.2: The Jews and the Romans... Still "setting the scene", in today's excerpt Tom Lee examines the relationship between the Jewish people and the Romans in the lead-up to the emergence of Christianity. [more]

018 :
17 Feb 2008

Reflections on the nature of priesthood #4… Tom McMahon's great value is that he somehow articulates what a lot of people have been thinking but have been too afraid to articulate — perhaps even to themselves. His commentary today is provocative and not for the feint of heart. Nor is it one for those with a vested interest in propping up concepts of priesthood that now seem to be fast fading into history. [more]

002 :
16 Feb 2008

Dealing with Anger... This is a subject that has previously generated much reader interest on Catholica. Last year we were surprised to learn that Wendy's reflection on Anger in the Seven Deadlies series we published in 2006 continued to make it into the top 20 most read commentaries for 2007. Fr John McKinnon was inspired by that to let us know of this lengthy article he had originally written for priests and religious and which was published some years ago in the journal of the Centre for Human Development which subsequentlly became the Bishops' Commission for the Continuing Education of Clergy. It is our pleasure to now bring it to a wider audience. We will present the article in three parts over coming Saturdays. [more]

017 :
15 Feb 2008

A new series… Daniel Gullotta today begins what promises to be a very interesting series. Based on the work of Anglican theologian, Dr NT Wright (Bishop of Durham), it will be exploring the questions involved in the search for the historical Jesus. [more]

005 :
14 Feb 2008

Michael Morwood Interview II… In this second segment of his extended interview with the publishers of Catholica, Brian Coyne and Amanda McKenna, Michael Morwood shares with us some of the uncertainties unleashed in his own spiritual journey ten years ago and how his life has unfolded since then. He discusses why he feels the institution has become remote from so many people and what he sess as part of the systemic problem why it seems unable to address the needs of the people. [more]

073 :
13 Feb 2008

Isn't this really the guts of the entire religious quest: if the heart of the religious quest is to become like God — in other words to become holy, or perfect as God is perfect — isn't the greatest obstacle to that one of overcoming our own fears and insecurities? Peregrinus brings us a poignant reflection looking at these ideas in the context of the Gospel readings for the Transfiguration next Sunday. [more]

06 :
12 Feb 2008

Will this Pastoral Plan do more harm than good? Fr Daniel Donovan sees enormous shortcomings in the new Pastoral Plan for the Archdiocese of Sydney beginning with criticisms of its underlying Christology (understanding of of Christ's message and mission) and going through to criticisms of its understanding of what the pastoral mission of the Church is. He provides a detailed critique in this commentary. [more]

060 :
12 Feb 2008

A parable of brotherly love… Dr Kania entitled this reflection "For Us Men and For Our Salvation" but in his email providing a summary of what it was about he wrote that it a reflection on the question "What is love?". You'll see that it is when you read what he has to say and that is why we've chosen "What is love?" as the main title. Do you know the story behind the artist Albrecht Dürer's famous portrait of his brother's hands raised in prayer? [more]

002 :
11 Feb 2008

1.1: Setting the scene... Over the next three Mondays we serialise Part I of Tom Lee's manuscript. In Part I Tom explores the background politics, religious beliefs and outlook and the social conditions that existed in the parts of the world that would play a later part in the development of Christianity. [more]

017 :
10 Feb 2008

Reflections on the nature of priesthood #3… We Aussies share a certain irreverence in common with Californians. Tom McMahon tends to "tell it as he sees it" and in this very frank confession explores what got him into priesthood in the first place — and what got him out to begin exploring a different form of priesthood. [more]

007 :
09 Feb 2008

Richard Rohr's thoughts on the meaning of suffering... That delightful and always reflective bachelor mate of ours who lives up in the paradise of the Whitsunday Islands, Vince Exley, has been doing some more reading of Richard Rohr. It's on a theme that we are constantly exploring in this community, the meaning of suffering. Vince's notes from the books he's been reading are always a delight and draw a good response from you, the readers of Catholica. Today's reflection will not disappoint. [more]

002 :
08 Feb 2008

"The Extremists Within" In the first of two strong perspectives from women commentators today, Kerry Gonzales relates how some words read casually in a journal she came across had a powerful impact on her causing her to lament the lack of questioning in the faith she had been brought up in. She asks if this might be a major cause of why so many have become so disengaged from Catholicism? [more]

014 :
08 Feb 2008

A prophetic voice… Many of the original members of Catholica know Michael B Kelly as a friend. He was a frequent participant with many of us back in the days when there was a vibrant and friendly community centred on the CathNews discussion board. Milly relates some of our experience knowing Michael in that context in her review of his thought-provoking new book "Seduced by Grace" which explores the place of gays in society and in the life of the Christian and Catholic churches. [more]

004 :
07 Feb 2008

Michael Morwood … This is the first part of an extended interview with Adult Faith Educator, Michael Morwood, conducted on the eve of the tenth anniversary of his explusion from the priesthood. Today Michael possibly reaches a larger international audience than he ever did in the past through his lectures and books. In this extended interview we will be exploring his personal journey, the ideas in his new book "From Sand to Solid Ground", and general issues about his perspectives on spirituality and institutional religion today. This interview is part of ongoing series of interviews with Catholic leaders and thinkers. We will publish this interview with Michael in convenient 10 minute segments over coming Thursdays. Each segment is intended to provide good reflection material for members of Catholica on the days they are published. [more]

072 :
06 Feb 2008

A reminder of how we must live! This is another of those "must read" commentaries from Peregrinus. You might have thought you've heard every commentary and homily there is to be heard about the meaning of Ash Wednesday but do yourself a favour and read this one! [more]

059 :
05 Feb 2008

Why we choose to support various causes and not others… The title "Elective Affinities" is taken from the title of a book by Goethe. Dr Kania uses it as the genesis for a reflection looking at the process by which we choose to support various causes, and not others — or various individuals and not others. In the conclusion he links all this in to the religious and spiritual choices we make in our lives. [more]

001 :
04 Feb 2008

An introduction to a very special series... It is with great pleasure that that we introduce a special series written by Tom Lee exploring the First 500 Years of Christianity. This series will run on Mondays for the forseeable future. We predict it will lead to a "great wailing of the Banshees" from those sectors of the Church who believe they have all the answers and who self-righteously believe they're the only ones who are going to be saved. Within the Catholica community, and the circles our endeavour is seeking to reach and encourage, we expect it will lead to much fascinating discussion and self-critical analysis of what we believe and how we have come to believe it. This is adult faith education at its very best. [more]

001 :
03 Feb 2008

A bishop's suggestion for addressing the shortage of priests... The discussion is hotting up around the world on different ideas that might address the shortage of Catholic priests. Today we review a book written by a bishop in South Africa, Fritz Lobinger, who has put forward suggestions whereby the crisis might be addressed by working within the system. He is taking up and seeking to extend discussion of issues that were raised at the last international Synod of Bishops. The review has been written by PeterR who has been one of the more vigorous contributors to the Catholica Australia forums in this general subject area. [more]

016 :
02 Feb 2008

Editorial commentary to launch our new publishing year... In today's commmentary, Brian Coyne explores some of the issues that place challenges in the way of what we're seeking to build here through Catholica Australia. He ends the commentary more optimistically by re-articulating our objectives in light of the changing challenges and landscape we face in the year ahead and also seeks to explain the editorial objectives in the sort of stories we are carrying and what sort of discussion we're endeavouring to encourage in our forums. [more]

012 :
31 Jan 2008

Petition Details… This information story provides details of the wording of the petition to the Australian Catholic Bishops and suggestions as to how people can support the petition by promoting and helping collect signatures. It also has links to printable versions of the petition. Originally published: 08 Aug 2007, Most read commentary – 4,986 readers incl. 98 print views [more]

016 :
30 Jan 2008

Reflections on the nature of priesthood #2… In this powerful second reflection on the nature of priesthood, Tom McMahon gives voice to what perhaps many people are thinking but are too afraid to say out loud. He reveals that today there are probably more priests outside the formal structure than within it. If you are a priest today what is your response? If you are a lay person today what are you looking for in a priest? Please feel free to join what is developing into a fascinating conversation in our forums. [more]

001 :
30 Jan 2008

Catholic Religious Education in Australia — why and how it has changed... Catholic Education in Australia faced a major crisis in the 1960s to the point where the bishops of the time seriously considered having to close the entire system down because they simply did not have the resources to sustain it any longer. The new system that was established in the 1970s, thanks largely to government funding, is fundamentally different to the system of religious education that had existed in the past. In today's commentary, Dr Graham English, Senior Lecturer in Religious Education at ACU National, explores some of the other social and cultural factors that make Catholic Religious Education today so much different to what it was in the past. Originally published: 05 Jun 2007, 2nd most read commentary – 4,277 readers incl. 765 print views [more]

002 :
21 Jan 2008

Open Letter to Petition Organisers... Bishop Pat Power has written to the organisers of the Petition to the Australian Catholic Bishops supporting the call for consideration of the ordination of married men and also encouraging discussion of the more contentious issue of the women's ordination. Originally published: 21 Aug 2007, 3rd most read commentary – 3,970 readers incl. 577 print views [more]

015 :
20 Jan 2008

Reflections on the nature of priesthood #1… Tom McMahon is a man who has spent nearly 80 years reflecting seriously on the nature of priesthood — both as an ordained priest and as one who sought to continue his ministry in a different way when he left ordained ministy. He shares some of his thoughts and how they have changed over the decades of his life. They are a valuable perspective as they enable us to see priesthood both from the perspective of the ordained and from the perspective of a man who has taken in the responsibilities of a family. [more]

004 :
20 Jan 2008

Heaven, Hell, Purgatory and all that "stuff"! Long time lover of authentic "Catholic" thinking, Tom McMahon, has been busting for ages to have a go at what he sees as the "outmoded views" of the editor of Catholica, Brian Coyne, on "Heaven, Hell, Purgatory and all that 'stuff'". Well, we've given him a page to "let rip" and we're also pleased to see Tom joining the pages of Catholica on a more regular basis as a commentator. (The editor reserves the right to come back in this ongoing debate about all this eschatological "stuff" and the ultimate meaning, purpose and objective of all this religion and faith business. Stay tuned for a vigorous, on-going discussion and we'd welcome your views on why we bother with all this belief in God and going to Church business.) Originally published: 06 Sep 2007, 4th most read commentary – 3,142 readers incl. 18 print views [more]

011 :
19 Jan 2008

Call to Australian Bishops to consider ordination of married men, and women In a breaking news story on Wednesday evening, a group of lay and religious Catholic leaders and activists has published a petition calling on the Australian Catholic Bishops to collectively discuss the possibility of ordination of married men and, separately, the controversial issue of the ordination of women. Originally published: 02 Aug 2007, 5th most read commentary – 2,668 readers incl. 184 print views [more]

003 :
18 Jan 2008

Perspectives on Spirituality and Religion written by young people Pt III – Armen Gakavian Dr Armen Gakavian summarises his spiritual journey in this way: "I have had an Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) upbringing, Catholic religious education at school, encounter with Jesus through a fundamentalist Baptist Church, involvement with various campus Christian groups, and encounters with radical Christian communities. At the 'end' (there is really no end) of this process, I am now what I would call 'evangelical'." His essay is illuminating not only of his own personal journey but seeks to provide commentary on why so many of his contemporaries are today distanced from the Church. Originally published: 01 Jan 2007, 6th most read commentary – 2,285 readers [Editor's introduction][Ben's perspective][Phoebe's perspective][Armen's perspective]

001 :
17 Jan 2008

Providing moral support to the Australian bishops... Dr Paul Collins is one of the prime movers behind the petition to the Australian Catholic Bishops asking them to consider a number of proposals that might help address the shortage of priests in Australia. In this very candid and honest commentary Dr Collins argues that we are very fortunate in Australia in presently having some excellent, pastorally-minded bishops who are concerned at the crisis facing the Church in this country in being able to provide for the sacramental needs of the Australian Catholic community. In fact, he argues, the moderate, pastorally-minded bishops form a broad and decisive majority in the college of Australian bishops. He explains how the petition is seeking to elicit moral support from within the broad lay community in support of the bishops as they endeavour to address the significant challenges facing the Church in being able to provide ready access to the sacramental life of the Church in the future. Originally published: 31 Aug 2007, 7th most read commentary – 2,134 readers incl. 106 print views [more]

001 :
16 Jan 2008

Draft Pastoral Plan needs serious re-write suggests Academic... The Archdiocese of Sydney recently circulated a Draft Pastoral Plan for public discussion. A pdf copy of the draft document is available on the Archdiocesan website. The feedback being picked up by independent religious journalists and commentators around Sydney is that at the parish level there is disquiet about the draft plan. Fr Daniel Donovan, a lecturer at the School of Religious Education at ACU National was approached by a number of parishes to provide a critique of the Draft Plan. His conclusion is that the draft is seriously flawed and needs to be taken back to the drawing board for a major re-write. He argues the document is theologically flawed and needs to pay far greater heed to official Vatican documents and the accepted teaching of the Catholic Church. In his critique, Fr Donovan cites a number of significant Vatican level documents which would urge a different approach to be taken to what has been proposed in the Draft Pastoral Plan for Sydney. We publish here the critique Fr Donovan has provided to the parishes that requested it. Originally published: 18 May 2007, 8th most read commentary – 2,112 readers incl. 130 print views [more]

001 :
15 Jan 2008

Who will celebrate the Sacraments in ten years time? In light of the present petition to the Australian Catholic Bishops, readers of Catholica Australia will be interested in this discussion paper prepared by the Pastoral Council at the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Rosebank, Johannesburg late last year which discusses the similar looming crisis in Ministry and the availability of Sacraments facing the Catholic Church in Australia. Originally published: 04 Oct 2007, 9th most read commentary – 1,972 readers incl. 157 print views [more]

039 :
14 Jan 2008

The two faces of Eve… In this provocative commentary written a few weeks ago in Oxford — which takes on new relevance in the wake of Bishop Geoffrey Robinson's book examining the recent problems of Power and Sex in the Catholic Church — Dr Andrew Thomas Kania, exposes the historical problem of corruption in the institutional Church; the constant problem of the authorities wanting to turn a blind eye to it; and the challenge all of us face in constant vigilance. Perhaps ironically he also quotes some ancient wisdom from St John Chrysostom about the qualities needed by those who are elected as leaders in the Church. The irony being that were the Church to have been more open and democratic perhaps the people might have had some say and that just may have provided some protection against the recent scandals as Professor Leonard Swidler argues with eloquence and at length in his recent book: "Making the Church our Own — How We Can Reform the Catholic Church from the Ground Up". Originally published: 04 Sep 2007, 10th most read commentary – 1,866 readers incl. 88 print views [more]

014 :
13 Jan 2008

A Blessing for 2008… Tom McMahon extends his best wishes to all readers of Catholica for 2008 and shares with us a few thoughts on the celebrations of holidays. [more]

003 :
13 Jan 2008

Bishop Kevin Manning… As the third in this series of in-depth interviews with Catholic lay and religious leaders we have pleasure in presenting this extended conversation between Bishop Kevin Manning, pastoral leader of the Diocese of Parramatta, and Brian Coyne, editor and publisher of Catholica Australia. The conversation encompasses many of the touchstone issues that come up for discussion on the Catholica forum and in the media that are proving significant challenges for the Church today. Originally published: 14 Aug 2007, 11th most read commentary – 1,816 readers [more]

014 :
12 Jan 2008

Bishops' Response to Petitioners… The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Philip Wilson, has responded to the signatories to the petition via Paul Collins on behalf of the Conference. We publish the letter of response and comments by Dr Paul Collins. Originally published: 04 Dec 2007, 12th most read commentary – 1,571 readers incl. 56 print views [more]

003 :
11 Jan 2008

Revitalising the Church to meet the needs of the modern world… Following a recent letter to many of the Australian Bishops in which I invited them to submit any commentaries they might have from time to time that might be of interest to the readership of Catholica Australia, Bishop Pat Power sent in a copy of this address he gave two weeks ago at Chevalier College, Bowral. It is a powerful address effectively making a call for the entire Church to get back "on message" to the vision of the Second Vatican Council which was outlined in the Pastoral Constitution, Gaudium et Spes. …Brian Coyne, Editor. Originally published: 23 Nov 2007, 13th most read commentary – 1,549 readers incl. 199 print views [more]

067 :
10 Jan 2008