025 :
31 Aug 2006

What are God's politics? Tom returns to a theme he's battled with in his own mind for many years. What are God's politics? Is there an ideal political party and an ideal political philosophy? You might be surprised with the answer he comes up with. [more]

003 :
31 Aug 2006

Looking at all these BIG questions through the mind of a contemplative – Part III... We present the third part of Patrick Collins' argument, following the thinking of Thomas Merton, that not enough energy has been put into spiritual reform — the bread and butter matter of how we relate to and intersect with God. Further information below. [more]

011 :
30 Aug 2006

The need to Question... Following on from Kate's commentary on Sunday Peregrinus argues that it is the very process of questioning that leads to spiritual growth. [more]

002 :
30 Aug 2006

Looking at all these BIG questions through the mind of a contemplative – Part II... We present the second part of Patrick Collins' argument, following the thinking of Thomas Merton, that not enough energy has been put into spiritual reform — the bread and butter matter of how we relate to and intersect with God. Further information below. [more]

001 :
29 Aug 2006

Looking at all these BIG questions through the mind of a contemplative – Part I... Fr Patrick W. Collins Phd has been quietly following the conversations here on Catholica Australia from his home in Michigan and has long been very supportive of our endeavours. Fr Collins retired from active ministry earlier this year but one suspects that "retirement" is the inappropriate descriptor. It's more like a change of direction as to how he continues his ministry. On his own website he describes himself as "author, preacher, musician and university professor. He senses that his principal vocation is to contemplative living — out of which his various ministries flow. In addition to numerous books and articles, Fr. Collins has produced forty-five TV programs, and a number of videos, among them Thomas Merton: Man, Monk, Myth with Music. Fr Collins has a deep love of the thinking of Thomas Merton. Over the next three days we invite you to immerse yourself in this very thoughtful reflection Fr Collins has submitted to us which not only addresses issues raised in a range of commentaries and posts in our forum but it poses a very different way of looking at the overview of where the Church has been heading since the Second Vatican Council. The broad thrust of his argument, following the thinking of Thomas Merton, is that not enough energy has been put into spiritual reform — the bread and butter matter of how we relate to and intersect with God. Read what Patrick has to say and, I mean it, if you can handle the mental gear shift that is involved, "start really living"... [more]

021 :
28 Aug 2006

Would you like to be able to write more effectively? The Old Curmudgeon would like to see a revival of the great Catholic tradition in writing. Older readers might remember the Fr Brown Stories of that famous English Catholic convert, G.K. Chesterton, but here in Australia we had the Around the Boree Log tradition of Fr Hartigan ('John O'Brien'). Catholica Australia and Cliff Baxter are offering all those who want to become more effective writers professional tuition and a place to get themselves published. [more]

008 :
27 Aug 2006

The journey to spiritual maturity... In a moving personal reflection Kate looks back over the twists and turns in her own spiritual journey. She concludes with a Chinese proverb which sums it all up: "One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever." [more]

007 :
26 Aug 2006

Would the 'Real' Jesus Christ Please Stand Up? This week, Biblical scholar, Ian Elmer, begins a new exploration that he informs us will unfold over several weeks. Last week he was exploring the different perspectives on Jesus that were to be found from the New Testament accounts in the early Church. His new quest goes back further than that in an endeavour to reconstruct what scholars are finding out about the historical Jesus. In his first article today in this series Ian is addressing the issue of method. In effect, asking questions about how Biblical scholars undertake the task of reconstructing the Historical Jesus. What criteria do they use to sort fact from fiction? [more]

010 :
26 Aug 2006

Divorce IV: The twist in the Orthodox perspective... In this final of the series on divorce, Peregrinus looks at the interesting twist in pastoral pragmatism, or compassion, the Eastern Orthodox Church brings to her interpretation of God's will in these difficult matters. [more]

006 :
25 Aug 2006

The Real Presence – what it really means... In what you'll find is easily his most accessible commentary yet for Catholica, Nathanael Theologos in this short but value-laden reflection drives to the heartwood concepts at the centre, focus and objective of Catholicism. [more]

009 :
25 Aug 2006

Divorce III: The Protestant perspective? In today's take Peregrinus looks at the ways in which the Protestant churches have developed different perspectives on divorce. [more]

004 :
24 Aug 2006

When it's too hard to cry... Our lead offering today is an audio-visual reflection that has been jointly put together by Amanda McKenna, Cliff Baxter and Brian Coyne. This is not entertainment but a resource we are placing on the web that we hope may assist people from time to time who are suffering pain or deep trauma in their lives. [more]

008 :
24 Aug 2006

Divorce II: What did Paul have to say on the subject? In today's take Peregrinus looks at St Paul's views on divorce and the Roman Catholic perspective. Over the next two days he looks at the Protestant and Orthodox perspectives. [more]

007 :
23 Aug 2006

Divorce I: What did Jesus have to say on the subject? Today we begin a magnificent four-part series prepared and written by Peregrinus on the subject of divorce. Today's take examines what Jesus had to say about it. Tomorrow's instalment will look at St Paul's views on the subject. On Friday Peregrinus will take us on a tour of the Protestant perspective and on Saturday will examine the orthodox view. [more]

024 :
22 Aug 2006

A question for Michael Willesee... Well-known Australian journalist, Mike Willesee was interviewed by Andrew Denton on ABC television last night about his re-conversion to Catholicism and his journalistic quests in search of miracles. Tom Scott, who has a family connection with Mike Willesee, has a question for Mike ... and all of us. [more]

020 :
22 Aug 2006

A tribute to a journalist colleague... In this piece Cliff doffs his Panama in honour of a long time comrade in journalism, Alan Gill, author of many books, who has written a typically professional piece for Online Catholics, of which I have the honour to be discussion board moderator. [more]

019 :
21 Aug 2006

Climate Change: Why we should be concerned! Cliff Baxter, self-styled Curmudgeon, has been reflecting on an Earth that appears to be dying, a conference on Climate change to be held in Melbourne on October 13, and the Boiling Frog Principle. [more]

007 :
20 Aug 2006

On problems of one's personal image and being resurrected! KateD provides a witty reflection masking some deeper issues this Sunday. If you had a body like Elle McPherson you probably wouldn't mind the prospect of bodily resurrection for eternity. Kate doesn't have a body like Elle's though and she definitely doesn't like the prospect of eternal resurrection in the current body armour she possesses. [more]

006 :
19 Aug 2006

Who is this man Jesus who is the focus of our attention? Ian Elmer argues the Notion of the undivided Church is a myth. From the very outset there were differing views on the identity of Jesus that led to different "ways" of following Jesus. He explores these earliest differences of opinion seeking to provide us with an insight into our own unique view of Jesus and an appreciation that our view is not the only one. [more]

005 :
18 Aug 2006

Faith as the author... Much of the commentaries of Nathanael seem to be pointing to the paradoxes in our faith. In this reflection he argues "faith" is the author or wellspring of life. It's our faith which helps to reveal to us what the purpose of our lives is. The "purpose" of our lives is not some set of instructions that are emailed to us by God, rather Nathanael argues, the purpose is revealed by the very process of endeavouring to discover what the purpose is. But the author of our being is always present within us (through our faith). He argues it is this author "which enables our life to reveal its purpose for being alive". To reach outwards (i.e. to reveal the purpose of our life, and live it) the paradox is that we have to reach inwards (i.e. towards the author of our life — our sense of faith). The well-lived or "faith-filled life" is revealed in the joy we radiate as we age which, again paradoxically, seems to come as a reflection or reward from how much we reach out to others in need. [more]

001 :
18 Aug 2006

Suggestions for our Future Church... Vince Exley is another much-loved member of this community who has been with us since the very earliest days of the CathNews discussion community. The lucky bugger lives in one of Australia's paradise locations, the Whitsunday Islands in tropical Queensland. He's a really contented bachelor and described his life to me a few years ago in these terms: "I feel God has really blessed me in leading me to retirement in this beautiful area. I lead a very fulfilling life of twice daily Christian meditation, a very fulfilling Sunday Eucharist, pleasant daily walks along the beach, Vinnie's activities, relaxation in the resort's Spas and Pools and an afternoon scotch or two on my balcony." Vince waxes and wanes between his conservatism and his radicalism. A few years ago, under the influence of another poster, Maggie a fabulous contributor to our discussions but very conservative theology student from Notre Dame, Indiana, we thought the poor guy was just about to fall off the edge of the conservative edge of the spectrum. In this thought-provoking article he submitted yesterday Vince is back at his challengingly radical best. What do you think of his Suggestions for our Future Church? [more]

018 :
17 Aug 2006

The dissonance of war. The harmony of peace. The Curmudgeon looks at the way music can reply to the dissonance of the single, pathological and repetitive note of war. NOTE: Multi-media content – Cliff's reflection today is accompanied by a sound track. [more]

006 :
16 Aug 2006

What do the Gospels really have to say about sex? This week Peregrinus begins a fascinating two-part series on what the Gospels and Jesus really had to say about sexual morality. His article today focuses on the place of sex in Scripture and Jesus' teachings. Next week his article will continue by examining the issue of divorce as it was treated in Scripture and by Jesus. [more]

023 :
15 Aug 2006

"Let no man put asunder..." It was a momentous day in my life yesterday so much so that I slept in and am late with the bulletin today. If you have ever doubted the power of words, do yourself a favour and read this. [more]

017 :
14 Aug 2006

How secondary gain wrecks our lives, and our communities... Is it possible to understand what goes on in the minds of people who convince themselves that committing acts of terrorism is God's work? Or is it possible to understand what goes on in the minds of people who convince themselves that committing acts of verbal terrorism in the Catholic Church is God's work? What drives fundamentalism? They are all convinced they are the defenders of "Truth"? But are they? Do we do ourselves, or the world, a favour, by appeasing hypochondriacs ... or terrorists? Cliff Baxter has some background reading that readers of Catholica might be interested in. [more]

001 :
14 Aug 2006

Obituary for a priest colleague... One of the last places one would expect to find praise and "from the heart" love for the priesthood would be from a man who got kicked out of the priesthood for his rebelliousness. Tom McMahon, a former priest now married, lives a very fulfilled life in San Jose and continues to contribute voraciously to several Catholic discussion lists in the States. We publish this recent obituary he wrote here as some kind of conclusion to our own discussions in recent days on some of the qualities we look to in priests. It's poignant and nostalgic writing but Tom also continues to pose some of those difficult questions that we need to be asking ourselves about what kind of Church we are creating for the future. [more]

006 :
13 Aug 2006

How the Word lifts my heart in the Liturgy In her "take" this Sunday Kate is writing passionately about her love of the Word in Liturgy. That so many no longer seem moved by Scripture begs many questions. She seeks to share what excites her about the Word when it is proclaimed in the Liturgy. [more]

001 :
13 Aug 2006

Life Cycle... Andrea Snashall was one of the most outstanding public relations officers working in any of the Catholic schools in Western Australia in the 1990s. She was seconded to work at the Catholic Education Office because of the quality, and effectiveness, of her work. A few years ago Andrea moved to live in Switzerland following a long-distance romance across the globe. She is now married and the mother of Luca (2 yrs) and Gioia (10 mths). She wrote this reflection recently for a magazine for expats living in Switzerland. It's a particularly poignant reflection on her relationship with her father. [more]

005 :
12 Aug 2006

Are we called to be mystics? Not only expanding on his essay from last week exploring the conversion experience of St Paul, this essay by Ian Elmer slots in almost perfectly with the discussion on "vocation" we carried in Catholica yesterday. Here Ian is exploring whether we are all called to have mystical religious experiences or are there other equally valid, and valuable, forms of spiritual expression or experience? [more]

004 :
11 Aug 2006

The Priesthood today. Nathanael Theologos reflects on the qualities of three priests who have inspired his sense of vocation. As a contribution to Vocations' Week which is celebrated this week, Catholica Editor, Brian Coyne, challenges readers to write in our forum about what qualities we are seeking from our priests. [more]

016 :
11 Aug 2006

Could you spare a small donation for this family in Armenia? Cliff Baxter has received a heartfelt appeal for assistance for a family in Armenia. He visited the country in 2001 to write a book on the country and its history and developed a great love for this most ancient of Christian nations. Read the full story and if you can add to our appeal total it would be deeply appreciated. [more]

001 :
10 Aug 2006

Bearing one another's burdens Dawn Bowie makes her debut in Catholica exploring challenges in relationships at a much more advanced stage in life. [more]

005 :
09 Aug 2006

Being able to see God in the ordinary and mundane... Peregrinus has been challenged by Cindy's memoirs of the controversy in her Sacristy with the Parish Priest over the disposal of the surplus Holy Oils. He writes: "All the fussy rules, protocols and precepts about these things are at best ludicrous, and at worst a distraction from the gospel. But, as with a lot of things that look ridiculous, there's a valuable point buried under all this nonsense, if we're willing to see it. The point is the Incarnation." [more]

022 :
08 Aug 2006

The conundrums of my new-found friendship with Cliffy Baxter... Following on from his last take, Tom Scott, explores a little further the conundrums and paradoxes in his new found friendship with Cliff Baxter. What are the things that attract us to people who might have opposite views to the one's we hold? Where do you sit along the line on these issues which Tom and Cliff have differences about? [more]

015 :
07 Aug 2006

A Passionate Plea for Peace... Cliff Baxter has won many awards during the course of his long career in journalism – possibly more than any other Catholic journalist in Australia. The column he has written for us today might give you an insight why. It is an extraordinarily powerful and passionate plea for peace yet, despite it's passion, it carries a sense of objectivity and fairness to the peoples caught up on both sides of the conflict in the Middle East. I have attached multi-media content in the form of another "Prayer for Our Time" to Cliff's Take. If that distracts from the reading of his column I suggest you scroll down and put it on pause until you reach the end of his column. Let us not just "pray for peace" but "work for peace" amongst all the peoples of our world. [more]

005 :
06 Aug 2006

This little light of mine and the Transfiguration Don't let the title put you off. This reflection by Kate is in the "must read" category. Grab yourself a cup of tea, a beer, or whatever helps you relax and steal the half hour or more that you need if you want to be really uplifted this Sunday as we remember the Transfiguration of Jesus. [more]

004 :
05 Aug 2006

Can we learn from Paul's descriptions of his "Damascus Road conversion" insights as to how God reveals himself in our lives? In this article Ian Elmer brings into focus some scriptural-based observations on a number of questions that we've been discussing as a community over recent months. One on-going question a number of people have been addressing is the one of how God speaks to us? Following on from his own essay on 3rd August on the present wisdom as to how we understand God revealed himself to the writers of Sacred Scripture, today Ian picks apart Scripture itself with the aid of a number of other scholars to see what we might learn from the ways in which Paul claims the Gospel or Divine insights were revealed to him. Was Paul being "economical with the truth" in suggesting the revelation all came in some flash of light on the road to Damascus or was it a slower, evolutionary process that was also tempered by other events that Paul had to deal with and surmount in his own life? [more]

004 :
04 Aug 2006

Struggling with the issues surrounding celibacy... Celibacy continues to be a hot topic. It raises hackles in discussion forums and seems to be cause for division in the Church. In today's commentary our resident "seeker of moderation and balance", Peregrinus, takes his pen to all the arguments seeking that place of intelligent sense. [more]

003 :
03 Aug 2006

Who Is the Author of the Bible? Did God literally reach down and guide the hands of those who transcribed Sacred Scripture? We asked Ian Elmer to give us an overview of what the accepted wisdom is today from both the institutional Church and scholars on what, precisely, we mean when we say that Scripture is "inspired" or "authored" by God. How do you, the reader, understand this expression? What does it mean to you? [more]

014 :
01 Aug 2006

The tragedy of St Vincent's Redfern... There were further major developments at the Catholic parish of Redfern on the weekend. This received significant media coverage on Monday and led to much comment on the CathNews discussion forum which reflects the deep divisions in the institutional Church at the moment on much wider issues as to how the Church is to be re-evangelised. Cliff Baxter lives close to Redfern and has been watching the developments in that parish with growing alarm... [more]

013 :
31 Jul 2006

Should the Aboriginal people embrace capitalism? A week or so ago the head of the Federal Government's Indigenous business advisory group, Joseph Elu, blamed a failure to embrace capitalism for Aboriginal social problems. Cliff Baxter argues that capitalism is not a response. On the contrary, he argues, we can learn from their culture of the common good. In a separate essay, Tom Scott, challenges the arguments advanced by Cliff (See commentary below this one). [more]

021 :
31 Jul 2006

Should the Aboriginal people embrace capitalism? This is Tom Scott's response to Cliff Baxter's arguments in the commentary above this one. [more]

004 :
30 Jul 2006

The struggle between priests and people Survey research constantly shows us that the success of communities – whether they are schools, parishes, businesses, football clubs, universities, political parties or churches – depends heavily on the leadership qualities of those at the top. In this poignant essay KateD examines what goes wrong when those at the top couldn't give a stuff about the aspirations of the community they are meant to be serving. [more]

004a :
30 Jul 2006

Remembering – a prayer for our time A few week's ago we brought you the entry submitted by Jo Shears to the Prayer for Our Time initiative conducted on the CathNews discussion forum in 2002. This Sunday, given the on-going conflict in the Middle East, but also cognizant of the spirit of hope that seems to characterise our own initiative as we prepare for our public launch this coming Thursday, it seems entirely appropriate to bring you the entry submitted by KateD and her bashful husband who masquerades around a lot of the time like Alice in Wonderland. In a post on our discussion forum last week, Kate explained how her multi-media prayer ended up being used in parishes and a diverse variety of other places. [more]

012 :
29 Jul 2006

It's enough to send you bananas! With the news this week that Australia's worrying inflation rate has been caused by the surging price of bananas since the crop was wiped out by Cyclone Larry last January, The Curmudgeon asks if we ought take this country off the gold standard onto a banana standard. [more]

003 :
28 Jul 2006

Love as the antidote to fear... Following on from his last contribution in these pages where Theologos asked about the role played by fear in our lives, in his reflection today he poses the proposition that Love is the antidote to fear. [more]

003 :
26 Jul 2006

What do you know about the history of the mother of the mother of God? And why you might bother to know at least a little... Today, 26th July, is celebrated as the Feast day of St Anne — the mother of the Virgin Mary. In his commentary for today, Peregrinus explores the vexed progeny of the stories that grew up around her and then goes on to explain why, despite all their controversy, we might pay attention to some lessons this woman might teach us in our lives. [more]

011 :
25 Jul 2006

People are not commodities! The Curmudgeon today argues that people are not commodities. Neither are health care and education "commodities" that a civilised society ought exploit for profit. He calls on Catholic social teaching to support his arguments and draws attention to a recent article by Dr Alf Liebhold who points to dangerous trends in health care by Corporate America. Do you think the profit motive enhances or degrades Healthcare and Education? [more]

001 :
24 Jul 2006

Celebrating Christina the Astonishing. Patron of Holy Irritants Today we are pleased to introduce you to another of our commentators and stirrers of discussion. Tony Robertson is the self-styled Holy Irritant of the Catholic Church in Australia and he has his own blogsite, The Holy Irritant, to prove it. Tony is a truly beautiful man with an unbounded sense of humour which belies a serious commitment to his faith and the pursuit of social justice. Today is the feast day of one of his patron saints: Christina the Astonishing, Virgin (1150 - 1224). (Tony suggests that when her name is read aloud you should be careful to pronounce the "comma"!) [more]

003 :
23 Jul 2006

What do you want from your Church? KateD is at her provocative best with this piece entitled "Look at moiye! Look at moiye! Look at moiye please!". She is asking all of us to reflect on what we want from our Church? It's a good question and you might like to respond in our forum. [more]

002 :
22 Jul 2006

Were the founders of the Church radicals or reactionaries? Ian Elmer, our resident Biblical scholar and debuker of myths and old wive's tales, takes us on a fascinating exploration this week into what researchers are uncovering of the nature of the earliest Christian communities. Were they radicals or reactionaries? [more]

020 :
21 Jul 2006

How our perceptions of the nature of the relationship God calls us to changes in time... Tom Scott has been reading Jared Diamond's book, Collapse - How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive. In this commentary he explores some of the theological implications (our understanding of the nature of our relationship with God and of God's nature itself) that flow from some of the new knowledge we have begun to access in recent decades. [more]

010 :
20 Jul 2006

Sorry, John Howard, the Curmudgeon Disagrees! John Howard, the Australian Prime Minister is always smiling. The economy has never looked better, he says. Cliff Baxter, the self-styled Curmudgeon, does not share his optimism. He writes that today’s urban people may find themselves more vulnerable than the common people when Henry VIII closed the monasteries, debased the silver currency, then almost sent England bankrupt through war, because then many 16th century people at least lived close to the soil and could grow food. 21st century urban people, queued up with their credit cards in the supermarket, may not be able to cushion tomorrow’s economic blows. [more]

009 :
19 Jul 2006

It is time for a new beginning in male-female relationships! In this poignant commentary – which was largely sparked by his anguish listening to the news reports of the Coroner's Inquest into the death of Dianne Brimble – Cliff asks some searing questions about the relations between men and women. Whether you're a man or a woman don't miss it. [more]

001 :
18 Jul 2006

A Prayer for our time... At Catholica Australia we seek to foster an alternative, and far more authentic, understanding of what the true Catholic and Christ-like vision is. It is one characterised by pilgrimage and humility, not the kinds of certitude and rigidity of mind that ended up breeding the poison of 911 – and which, I submit, has contributed so much to reducing Catholicism and Christianity to a shadow of its former self. It's time, our time ... and this is our prayer! – Brian Coyne (Editor & Publisher) [FULL EDITORIAL]

008 :
17 Jul 2006

The tragedy in Lebanon... The unfolding tragedy in the Lebanon is impacting on the whole world. Cliff has penned this sensitive and loving story seeking to remind us of the ordinary people like you and I, struggling to make sense of life, who end up being caught up as the real victims in these great powerplays between religious ideologies and geo-politics. Our Lady of Lebanon, pray for all of us. [more]

002 :
16 Jul 2006

The lessons from the situation of Catholicism in Ireland... Last week the Chicago Tribune carried a story entitled How Catholicism fell from grace in Ireland which drew a lot of attention around the world on serious Catholic discussion forums. Peregrinus, who was brought up in Ireland and lived through the changes documented by the Chicago Tribune story, gives us another perspective on how and why the changes occurred and what lessons might be learned in other parts of the Western world. [more]

001 :
15 Jul 2006

Reclaiming our Jewish heritage... It is an enormous pleasure today to welcome Ian Elmer to our stable of writers. Most of you already here will be familiar with Ian's style from his posts on the CathNews discussion forum. I find his style warm, friendly, hugely informative and provocative. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Ian emerges in time to become as hugely an important figure in biblical studies as Salesian Fr Frank Moloney has become not only in Australia but internationally. Like Moloney, Ian has a style of delivery that is easy on the ear yet is packed with insight. Enjoy his first contribution to Catholica Australia exploring our Jewish heritage. [more]

007 :
11 Jul 2006

Refugees – the tragic plight of Ljuben Nedelkoski... Cliff Baxter has been learning something of the tragic treatment of some Macedonian immigrants to Australia. He argues the case of Ljuben Nedelkoski deserves our support. [more]

002 :
10 Jul 2006

Living with fear... Kate has allowed us to extend our two-part series on fear pointing out to us that Sr Joan Chittister's NCR column on Saturday was also focused on the subject of fear. Joan Chittister begins her column with the words: "We are a country held hostage by fear". In her column, Kate is exploring the political dimensions of fear. [more]

002 :
09 Jul 2006

The role played by fear in our lives... Theologos argues that it is faith in God rather than faith in rules and laws that ultimately provides us with security and the ultimate "peace of heart". [more]

019 :
08 Jul 2006

A two-part special exploring the human emotion of fear... This weekend as an experiment I thought we'd try something different – a two-part special exploring the part that fear plays in all of our lives. My own interest in this subject was sparked a number of years ago by the Australian social researcher and commentator, Hugh Mackay, when he presented researched evidence that the anxiety level was rising in modern society. He also observed that while fear was a common feature in all of our lives that his research was throwing up interesting information on the different ways in which different groups in society coped with their fear. Today I will present what I hope will be a discussion starter and tomorrow we'll bring you a column by Theologos, writing from his professional perspective as a clinical psychologist and priest, also exploring this subject which seems to play such a vital role in all of our lives — both as individuals and as a community. We invite you to "broaden out" or "depth" this discussion through your own observations and reactions to what we present in the discussion forum. [more]

001 :
07 Jul 2006

The vexed issue of infallibility. What do you really know about it? Today we welcome Peregrinus as a commentator on the Catholica Australia webpages. Peregrinus has already attracted much respect from across the political and theological spectrums in other forums. He is a lawyer recently migrated to Australia from Ireland. He has a seemingly encyclopaedic knowledge of Catholic church history and the ability at short notice to put his finger on the facts that are needed in the many controversies that erupt on internet discussion forums. His first column for us provides a fascinating insight into this vexed issue of papal infallibility that seems to dog our relations with the other great faith traditions and also continues to cause much tension internally within the Church. –Editor [more]

018 :
06 Jul 2006

An audio visual reflection on the three faces of God... From the feedback we've received the reflection from Theologos yesterday was a tough read. Today we have something that extends some of the ideas he was exploring but in a way that hopefully is also pleasant on the ear. It is a short audio visual reflection based on a beautiful set of words I came across on another discussion board yesterday. Enjoy! [more]

001 :
05 Jul 2006

Conversations with my best friend... Today we introduce an anonymous but well-credentialed writer of spiritual reflections. He'll appear in Catholica Australia under the pen name, Nathanael Theologos. This first reflection seems to take off to some extent from the question I've been asking in a number of forums in recent weeks: "how do we discern the will of God - how do we hear the voice of the Divine - in our lives?" In my life I liken it to the process or "moment" when ideas or suggestions slip over that portal or weir from the unconscious to conscious mind. Nathanael likens it to a conversation with one's best friend, alter-ego, guardian angel or spiritual guide whom he perceives as sharing his own name. –Editor [more]

006 :
04 Jul 2006

Give us this day, our daily bread! Here is commentary at its very best. Veteran journalist, Cliff Baxter uses his pen like a sabre cutting through the tragedy and hypocrisy of the War in Iraq. Amanda McKenna on reading the piece was inspired to take up her guitar and sing the words of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards that Cliff used to introduce his column. You have the benefit of hearing Amanda's rendition recorded early this morning while you read one of the most cutting commentaries you're likely to find in any media. Happy 4th July everybody! [more]

001 :
03 Jul 2006

A woman who excites me spiritually... KateD is another of the original gang from the CathNews discussion board which became a close-knit international cyber community. She continues to tease us with her Elle avatar and so we continue the tradition in this new forum. Kate lives on the central coast of NSW and has had an active involvement in RCIA and liturgical endeavours at parish and diocesan level. She became a grandmother on Saturday for the first time. In her first column for Catholica Australia she writes of the inspiration she gains from reading Sr Joan Chittister. [more]

005 :
02 Jul 2006

Wake UP, Soccer Fans, and let us start barracking for the Habeas Corpus Cup! Continuing his commentary from yesterday, Cliff asks if David Hicks has become Australia's Alfred Dreyfus? If you have never understood the finer details of what all the fuss is about over the detention of the alleged terrorists by the Amercian administration at Guantanamo Bay, do yourself a favour. Just quietly sit down and read this veteran journalist's careful analysis of what is at stake here. [more]

004 :
01 Jul 2006

Have we lost the "Habeas Corpus Cup"? Here's some weekend reflection. In this take, Cliff wonders if sport has replaced religion as the alleged opiate of the people. Why, asks Cliff, aren’t people getting worked up as much over human rights contests, bigotry and prejudice as they are over competition over a ball on a green field in front of baying thousands and watched by millions on TV? [more]

017 :
29 Jun 2006

Some questions for Archbishop Denis Hart... It is time to start dialoguing with a world that is sick to death of being treated as little children. The world is adult enough today to make their own assessments and take on board the good stuff a person like Diarmuid O'Murchu writes and to appreciate those places in which he is "pushing our buttons" and trying to extend our thinking about the meaning of God in our lives. [more]

016 :
27 Jun 2006

The "paradigm" within which we live... I often wonder what thinking paradigm might eventually replace the one we presently live in. Eventually civilisation will discover that politics is not THE answer to everything. It's difficult to imagine though what might replace it. I suppose if we could imagine that we'd probably already be living in the new paradigm within which we do all of our living. [more]

003 :
26 Jun 2006

A winning strategy: Cut and Run! Cliff's message for the American Democrats: Cut the crap. Run like you want to win. Cut the military. Run a real government — Cut and Run! It's a winning slogan. [more]

015 :
25 Jun 2006

Interesting choice for next encyclical. The proposed new social encyclical on globalisation by Pope Benedict is to be welcomed. We should all look forward to its publication with much anticipation. [more]

014 :
23 Jun 2006

What I hate about retirements and funerals What I hate about retirements and funerals is that it is often on these occasions that one finds out in the retirement speeches or eulogies a heck of a lot about the person who has retired or just died that one didn't know before. And you suddenly wish you'd been paying much more attention when the person was still alive or making their contribution. [more]

013 :
22 Jun 2006

What, precisely, do we mean by "forming of conscience"? This commentary on "formation of conscience" has been triggered by a remark Cardinal Theodore McCarrick made in an address to Catholic members of the United States Congress in the last few days. [more]

012 :
21 Jun 2006

Reasons for great hope - a lay strategic plan for renewal from Britain. Is there anything in this for Australia? Independent Catholic News in Britain carries a report today of a new lay initiative in Great Britain for renewal of the Church. Is there anything in this strategic plan that might be valuable for us here in Australia? I think it offers great hope for two important reasons. [more]

011 :
20 Jun 2006

How will we be judged for our stewardship of the Church? John Allen has written an interesting column in the current issue of National Catholic Reporter in which he challenges the notion that the Catholic Church is in decline. His commentary though deserves challenge on a number of fronts. [more]

010 :
19 Jun 2006

Mark Coleridge's appointment as Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn It has just been announced that the Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, Mark Coleridge DD BA DSS VG, is to be the new Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn. Can we read anything into this symbolically important appointment? [more]

009 :
17 Jun 2006

"Why men don't like to go to church" Marketing executive, David Murrow writes: "I was sitting in church and all of a sudden it dawned on me that the target audience of almost everything about church culture was a 50- to 55-year-old woman". We need language and liturgies that also appeal to men. [more]

008 :
16 Jun 2006

"I would like to understand women" Stephen Hawking claims that of all the big "mysteries" of creation he'd better like to understand, women is one of them. Tom Scott agrees ... but there is some interesting theology in all of this as well. [more]

007 :
15 Jun 2006

Why should we bother to rock up to Mass occasionally? In the survey to find out why people have left the practice of their faith the Pastoral Projects Office reports that many people find little "spiritual fulfilment" in attending. Should we be asking ourselves to think about this in fresh ways? [more]

006 :
13 Jun 2006

Bridging the gulf between Religion and Science Through his seminal books, Quantum Theology and Evolutionary Faith, Diarmuid O'Murchu seeks to develop a more holistic paradigm that enables us to transcend (or move beyond) the conflicts and confusion that exists between religion and science. Tom Scott endeavours to provide a background understanding from which to understand what Diarmuid O'Murchu offers. [more]

002 :
10 Jun 2006

An old curmudgeon's view on conscience Cliff examines the controversy surrounding Cardinal George Pell, the ACBC, the CDF, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the issue of Primacy of Conscience. [more]

001 :
8 Jun 2006

The truth is not always comfortable Let's have a vigorous discussion on the morality and merits of John Howard's proposal to examine the nuclear option. Cliff is opposed to the idea and outlines his arguments. Is anyone prepared to challenge Howard ... or Baxter? [more]

005 :
7 Jun 2006

Bringing balance into our thinking Beyond all our words and reflection, the challenge that doesn't go away is the one of bringing balance, equilibrium, happiness and, ultimately, that "peace which surpasses all human understanding" into our lives... [more]

004 :
6 Jun 2006

Bravo! We have progress... Today might be the day marked by the sign of Beezelbub, but rather than being remembered for that reason it might be remembered in the Australian Catholic Church for two pieces of bounteous "Good News". Do you know why? Read on and find out... [more]

003 :
5 Jun 2006

Why don't we just get on with our lives and forget all this constant thinking? Referring to yesterday's commentary a respondent asked: why can't we just BE! Why are we always searching for 'something more'? [more]

002 :
4 Jun 2006

What's this spiritual quest all about? Some thoughts stemming from an article by Paul Wilkes in Commonweal magazine on Merton's Enlightenment. The spiritual quest seen as a life-long process of literally growing ourselves, or maturing ourselves until we can think, feel, smell, taste, touch, hear and act as God thinks, feels, smells, tastes, touches, hears and acts. [more]

001 :
3 Jun 2006

Selling Jesus – Benedict's style of catechesis" Jesus Christ, invites us into a complete new Way of thinking and acting. It is a "Way" that we cannot learn through television commercials, door-stop news "grabs" or the eight minute celebrity interview. To learn, and understand, Jesus takes an entire lifetime! [more]