042 :
30 Nov 2006

The Religion and Politics of Tony Abbott… Cliff Baxter takes his pen up in critical analysis of the political and religious world view of prominent Catholic politician, Tony Abbott… [more]

006 :
30 Nov 2007

Reflections from Eckhart Tolle... Back on Remembrance Day you may remember Vince Exley gave us a reflection on Eckhart Tolle which did generate a goodly number of page views on our website. He returns today with extracts he's selected for us from the introduction to Eckhart Tolle's book "A New Earth". In his convering note Vince explains that Tolle "doesn't believe the earth will survive this century without radical change in the world's collective consciousness". To introduce the subject matter of reflection Vince has also included some preliminary thoughts from Fr. Richard Rohr. [more]

068 :
29 Nov 2007

Science & Religion: Is there a conflict? Peregrinus turns his attention to the rivalry between Religion and Science. In this multi-part commentary he seeks to provide some rational analysis as to what the basis of the conflict is and how it might be resolved. [more]

503 :
28 Nov 2007

Petition to be discussed by bishops… The big news today is that the Petition on Ministry has been accepted for discussion on the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference agenda. As a result of these developments we've not been able to prepare Peregrinus' commentary today and will hold it over until tomorrow. He is beginning a two or three part investigation of the relationship between Science and Religion which will be most interesting. In the meantime I would direct you to the reflections and comments that a number of people have written on both the Catholica Forum and the CathNews Discussion Board. In particular I recommend Ian Elmer's lengthy commentary which he has posted on the CNDB. [more]

054 :
27 Nov 2007

The Theatre of Life! In another of these delightful reflections originally composed for sophisticated and educated young men in an elite Catholic secondary school, Dr Kania wields his pen masterfully, drawing on famous characters in history that his students might relate to, to explore the ultimate meaning and purpose to our lives. You might value the reflection yourself as well as perhaps using it as dinner table conversation with young people you are seeking to establish some rapport with at this deeper level of the discussion of the spiritual meaning in our lives. [more]

007 :
26 Nov 2007

The five "Copernican turns" of Vatican II… Today we begin exploring the implications of Vatican II in Chapter Three of Professor Swidler's series of talks on the need for democratic governance in the Catholic Church. He argues that the Second Vatican Council introduced five "Copernican turns" that we need to re-discover. As this Chapter is packed with information and insight we will split it into three sections and run it over the coming three weeks. This week we look at the first three "Copernican turns". [more]

028 :
25 Nov 2007

Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus VIII: Bishop Robinson now turns in his book to look at the different approaches we need to take to matters of morality (what we should do) and matters of belief (what we should believe). In the meditation today he presents a useful hierarchy listing six levels of moral living. We present this series of meditations in cooperation with Bishop Robinson and his publisher, John Garratt Publishing. [more]

065 :
24 Nov 2007

Was Rome really the See of Peter? Continuing on from his commentary last week examining the origins of the Church in Rome, Dr Ian Elmer explores the connections between Rome as the See of Peter, and the notion that the Bishop of Rome can claim to be Peter's successor. Both of these notions are the sort of issues that John Paul II indicated as stumbling blocks in the path towards greater ecumenical co-operation, if not reunification. [more]

003 :
23 Nov 2007

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. [more]

067 :
21 Nov 2007

Catholics and Voting… Here is a commentary that many Catholics perhaps might wish was being issued with the authority of the Magisterium. It does quote some magisterial documents to further its arguments but one suspects it will not satisfy those elements in the population who would like to introduce a Catholiv version of Sharia Law in society. Peregrinus has a look at the authentic Catholic Church attitude towards elections, politics and voting. [more]

053 :
20 Nov 2007

Green Wood! Another vintage commentary from Dr Kania … in this one he reflects on an insight from Cardinal Newman about how in order to grow spiritually we need to be open to change. He argues this insight is a bit like Buddhist spiritual philosophy: that a plant which is alive and fertile is green and flexible, and that which is dead or dying, is hard and brittle. [more]

006 :
19 Nov 2007

Bishop John England – "Apostle to Democracy"! In today's commentary Professor Leonard Swidler's spends time in some detailed examination of the legacy of one of America's most far-sighted early bishops, John England. He suggests the man ought be canonised by popular acclaim. [more]

027 :
18 Nov 2007

Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus VII: Chapter Seven of Bishop Robinson's book looks at power and structure in the Church. He argues in this meditation: "Ideas concerning such matters as participatory government and subsidiarity, which the church constantly preaches to nations, must be applied to the church itself". We present this series of meditations in cooperation with Bishop Robinson and his publisher, John Garratt Publishing. [more]

064 :
17 Nov 2007

Looking at a new question in a very old light… Today's commentary from Dr Ian Elmer builds on his series from recent weeks looking at the Mythology in the Gospel of Mark. He now turns his attention to looking at the origins of the earliest Church in Rome. His examination casts a useful light on a contemporary challenge: the present division in the Church between those who want a "strong" version of their faith and those not attracted to "strong". Poor yourself a strong coffee and sit back and enjoy this scholarly analysis that will leave you seriously asking yourself whether Benedict made the right choice or otherwise in re-introducing the Latin Mass in the way he has done. [more]

016 :
16 Nov 2007

The meaning of communion… It's Tom McMahon's birthday today and also his concluding commentary in search of the meaning of what we're trying to do when we celebrate communion. He gives this concluding commentary the subtitles: "The end of the trail? is Eucharist divine? Is any thing divine? Touchy issue!". [more]

016 :
15 Nov 2007

A beautiful essay… Here is a beautiful essay by Daniel Gullotta — his last formal essay submitted as part of his theology course for the year. In it he is analysing a section of John's Gospel seeking to throw light on its fuller meaning from the traditions that reach back into our roots in Judaism. [more]

052 :
13 Nov 2007

Seizing the Day in a Christian Way… This is a reflection from Dr Kania that is like the smoothest vintage wine you have ever had the pleasure of consuming. It is ageless and bears coming back to time after time after time. One might wonder if what he is getting at here is not the ultimate explanation of the objective of the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. What do you think? [more]

005 :
12 Nov 2007

Democracy in the early, Medieval and American Catholic Church… Today's commentary is the first half of the second chapter of Professor Leonard Swidler's series of talks on the history of democracy in the Catholic Church and how in the last 200 years — basically since the time of the French Revolution — it gradually got snuffed out by the centralists in the Roman administration. [more]

026 :
11 Nov 2007

Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus VI: Bishop Robinson argues that any consideration of the question of power and structure in the Church has to be grounded not only in Scripture and tradition but in the knowledge that God gives us through the world around and within us. Each element needs to be read in conjunction with, not isolation from, the other two. We present this series of meditations in cooperation with Bishop Robinson and his publisher, John Garratt Publishing. [more]

005 :
11 Nov 2007

Say goodbye to anxiety... Where would we be without Vince Exley? This guy really does warm the heart of this community with his occasional commentaries. He's been at it for years going right back to the earliest days of the CathNews Discussion Board. Today he presents another wonderful, down-to-earth grounded commentary on some great practical spirituality that is worth thinking about ………… and perhaps applying in your life if you haven't already done so. [more]

063 :
10 Nov 2007

Reading St Mark's Gospel III… This is Dr Ian Elmer at his very best — providing a completely refreshing analysis of words we've heard or read hundreds or thousands of times before. He borrows from an insight Fr Richard Rohr made in an interview on ABC radio last year to provide a new way of understanding this shortest and seemingly simplest of the Gospel narratives. [more]

011 :
09 Nov 2007

The meaning of our eucharist… Tom McMahon argues our understanding of the eucharist is something dynamic and evolving. With the help of plenty of quotes presents some provocative thoughts on how we ought be imagining it today. This is a commentary that will leave you with many stimulating thoughts for fruitful meditation. [more]

015 :
08 Nov 2007

Trying to turn the tide… Daniel Gullotta shares with us another of his essays submitted as part of his theology studies. Today he explores some of the controversy associated with trying to interpret the Book of Jeremiah — the longest book in the Bible outside the Psalms. [more]

066 :
07 Nov 2007

Reviewing the evidence… Peregrinus reviews some of the evidence from the "Zeitgeist" movie website and basically concludes it's all a load of codswallop. Will the codswallop make any difference to it being widely viewed and believed? [more]

051 :
06 Nov 2007

Matters of Perspective… Dr Kania looks at the harm the obession with sport in contemporary society can bring and suggests we need to get these matters in a better perspective. [more]

004 :
05 Nov 2007

Breaking apart the principles of democracy (cont'd)… In this commentary Dr Leonard Swidler continues his detailed examination of the eight basic principles of democracy that undergird his arguments. This leads in to his conclusion where he answers his opening question in this series of commentaries "Can there be a Spirituality of Democracy?" [more]

025 :
04 Nov 2007

Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus V: Posing a question for meditation: what do you think was Jesus self-understanding of his mission. Bishop Geoffrey Robinson has been pondering this question for a long time but more so in the light of the events of recent decades in the Church which have led him to writing this book. We present this series of meditations in cooperation with Bishop Robinson and his publisher, John Garratt Publishing. [more]

001 :
04 Nov 2007

What would you do? This commentary is an account of a complex case involving allegations of abuse sent into Catholica by one of our readers. The case is situated in another country, not Australia. Our correspondent has brought it to our attention as it involves complex moral issues. They suggest virtually all of the players in this case have become "losers" and asks "which one was the victim?" By way of introduction our correspondent writes: "This is a case involving an infatuated woman, a naive priest, a misguided crusader and a weak bishop and how a confluence of circumstances combined into a tragic loss for the diocese and almost a suicide." All the names have been changed, and other details that might make identification of the particular individuals involved or the location difficult. The principal reason we publish the story is that in a way it is an excellent hypothetical. Except perhaps for the children involved, whom one can excuse on the grounds of childhood innocence, all of the other players in the drama have self-evident moral flaws of one description or another. We end the report with two questions that might form the basis for discussion in our forum. [more]

062 :
03 Nov 2007

Reading St Mark's Gospel II… Continuing the fascinating commentary he opened last week, Dr Ian Elmer takes us deeper into the meaning we can draw from what is the shortest and perhaps deceptively simplist of the Gospel narratives. [more]

010 :
02 Nov 2007

There will always be a priesthood… By his own admission, it's a bit of a pot-pourri from Tom McMahon today but it's a pretty rich one. This guy knows how to cook up a good stew — or a decent loaf of bread to share with his friends. [more]

014 :
01 Nov 2007

A critique of The Jesus Seminar… For those new to Catholica, Daniel Gullotta, is our resident theological student who shares with us some essays from his studies. In this essay he critiques The Jesus Seminar… [more]

065 :
31 Oct 2007

Analysing the petition results… Peregrinus applies his mind — and ours — to looking at a variety of ways in which the Petition to the Australian Bishops can be analysed. He concludes: "You can bet your bottom dollar that if a politician received a petition with 10,000 signatures, they would take that very, very seriously as an indicator of a major concern about which people felt strongly, and which needed to be addressed". [more]

031 :
31 Oct 2007

Book Review: Cardinal Mahony – a novel Brian Coyne reviews the new book by the esteemed American Catholic journalist and writer, Robert Blair Kaiser. Coyne sees it as "a sort of cross between a Morris West novel — with its superb understanding of Catholic Church culture and politics — and a Tom Clancy action thriller". [more]

014 :
30 Oct 2007

A response and defence of Bishop Manning's comment regarding the petition and a suggestion about a new book the bishops might buy one another for Christmas... This editorial looks at Bishop Manning's recent intervention regarding the petition to the Australian Bishops. It ends with a suggestion of a new book the bishops might buy one another for their Christmas stockings: Robert Blair Kaiser's racy new novel entitled "Cardinal Mahony — the novel". [more]

050 :
30 Oct 2007

Being a better person… Dr Kania takes a look at this drive within us to become better individuals. The trouble is we have to constantly counter the tendency to sloth and laziness that also seems an intrinsic part of our nature. [more]

003 :
29 Oct 2007

Breaking apart the principles of democracy? Today Professor Swidler begins his examination in detail of the eight basic principles of democracy that undergird his arguments. Is democracy in the governance of the Church an idea that's been there since the very beginning of the Church? Is it not an issue to do with justice? Would it not help protect against the recent abuse of power we have witnessed via the Sexual Abuse Scandal cover-up by ecclesial leaders? [more]

024 :
28 Oct 2007

Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus IV: What are God's true desires for his Church? That is the question that sits at the heart of Chapter Four of Bishop Robinson's book. He suggests: "It is persons, not religions, that God loves. God is happy when persons of any or no religion do things that help others, saddened when they do things that harm others, and loves all of them always, whatever they do." We present this series of meditations in cooperation with Bishop Geoffrey Robinson and his publisher, John Garratt Publishing. [more]

061 :
27 Oct 2007

Reading St Mark's Gospel… Scholars believe the Gospel of St Mark was the first to be written. It is the shortest of the Gospel accounts and, apart from the empty tomb, has nothing to say about the post-resurrection events recounted in the other Gospels. Today Dr Elmer introduces us to a relatively new* way of understanding this "short and pithy" gospel narrative. (*It's about two decades since scholars came up with this way of interpreting St Mark.) [more]

009 :
26 Oct 2007

The vision of Jesus and John XXIII… Tom McMahon bases his commentary today around the recent controversy in San Francisco involving Archbishop George Niederauer and the gay activist and charitable group, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. He asks what sort of response would Jesus have made? [more]

048 :
25 Oct 2007

Zeigeist Parts III & IV… Dr Andrew Kania concludes his compelling four-part commentary on the challenge posed by relationship breakdown by arguing: "Global warming and climate change may be the geographic signs of the times, but far more pervasive and confronting is the way in which we live and act, individual-to-individual, family-to-family. If the Church does not act, and act swiftly, to bring back whole families within Her embrace, She will soon find Herself as a Church solely of the adult convert and the intellectual." [more]

064 :
24 Oct 2007

Religion and Art Part III… Do your remember the recent controversy over the Blake Prize for Religious Art where Queensland artist, Priscilla Bracks, submitted an image of Jesus that morphed into Osama bin Laden? Or do you remember the even bigger controversy in 1997 when Andres Sorano's provocative work Piss Christ was exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria and George Pell unsuccessfully applied for a Court injunction to try and prevent it being exhibited? We won't give Peregrinus's arguments away but urge you, whatever side you might have been on in these controversies to read the very different perspective that he brings to the consideration of these matters. No one is going to be disappointed with this Catholica commentary. [more]

046 :
23 Oct 2007

Zeigeist… In this deeply researched and thought about four-part commentary, Dr Andrew Kania takes you through the difficult territory involved in the increasingly common phenomenon of the breakdown in marital and family relationships. The research he uncovers poses difficult challenges for conservative and liberals alike — and for those charged with the responsibility for providing spiritual and moral guidance in contemporary society. Virtually all families are affected today by the pain unleashed by the breakdown in marriages and other relationships. If we do not experience it first hand we are often called to provide comfort to our children, other family members or friends who find themselves caught up when love goes awry. [more]

002 :
22 Oct 2007

Can there be a spirituality of democracy? Today Professor Swidler gives a short introduction to a more detailed section of this series over the coming two weeks where he will examine the principles of Democracy that he outlines here… [more]

023 :
21 Oct 2007

Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus III: A shorter meditation from Bishop Robinson today but a probing one. He's entitled this chapter "Spiritual Discernment" and basically he's asking what precisely are we called to believe and hand on? We present this series of meditations in cooperation with Bishop Geoffrey Robinson and his publisher, John Garratt Publishing. [more]

060 :
20 Oct 2007

Analysing the spiritual journey via Star Trek… Closely related to last week's commentary, Dr Elmer, today looks at the inner spiritual and life journey through comparison with the popular television series Star Trek. Imagine what the Church would be like if more of our ordained spiritual guides could explain it all in this kind of language. Congratulations also to Ian Elmer, we can now officially call him "Doctor". [more]

008 :
19 Oct 2007

The evolution of the Eucharist… This week Tom McMahon explores the evolution of the Eucharist (and other Sacraments) in the ritual life of the Church. His series of reflections is essentially asking if we've somehow gotten ourselves a long way removed from the original meaning in these important religious rituals. [more]

063 :
17 Oct 2007

Religion and Art Part II… In this commentary Peregrinus examines some of the tensions down through the ages between religion and art. He suggests this is a necessary preliminary to what he'll be discussing next week regarding the continuing tension in our own times between art and religion. [more]

045 :
16 Oct 2007

Ecce Homo… Today Dr Andrew Kania explores the balance we need between body and soul for human wholeness and completeness. And viewing Jesus Christ as the model for that balance and completeness. [more]

001 :
15 Oct 2007

An argument for greater democracy in the Catholic Church... Catholica Australia is pleased to be able to publish for the first time in English the text of an extensive series of lectures by Dr Leonard Swidler, Professor of Catholic Thought and Interreligious Dialogue at Temple University, Philadelphia, examining the place of democracy in the Catholic Church as a matter of theological principle, as a matter of simple justice, and as a mechanism for protection against the sort of scandals stemming from the abuse of power exercised by ecclesial leaders which we have witnessed in recent times. Today's commentary provides background and an introduction to the series… [more]

022 :
14 Oct 2007

Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus II: In this reflection from the end of Chapter Two of his book Bishop Geoffrey Robinson invites us to reflect on the two sources of our knowledge of God: the bible and the world around us and within us. He says: "They have sometimes been called 'the two books of God'. Human beings have had a significant role in the writing of both books, but both can also provide us with insights into divine wisdom." We present this series of meditations in cooperation with Bishop Robinson and his publisher, John Garratt Publishing. [more]

059 :
13 Oct 2007

Entering the Kingdom within… This is stuff some of the bishops and cardinals who are going to be held accountable for the present parlous state the Church is in ought be reading. Of course they won't be reading it but that's no reason why you mightn't get great benefit out of it. You'll probably get labelled as a dissenter, heretic, liberal and a whole lot of other choice labels for reading it but that's part of the price one pays these days for trying to find out where one finds the key to the door where one can begin "the journey within". Is this stuff Ian Elmer is discussing heretical or is it the sort of language our ecclesial leaders need to be getting their heads around if they are to return to "bringing the 'Good News' to all" and not just to "the self-anointed few"? [more]

013 :
12 Oct 2007

Two perspectives… In our forum today Gail has written a powerful commentary that deserves to be on our front page. She's reflecting on what she describes as "Event Christianity" and asking if it is what young people are really looking for, or needing? Not disconnected from all of that, our regular columnist, Daniel Gullotta, has just returned from a youth retreat and reflects on how much his own perspectives have moved in the space of 12 months. [Daniel's Commentary][Gail's "Event Christianity" Post]

062 :
10 Oct 2007

Religion and Art Part I… Peregrinus begins a new series of commentaries examining the sometimes tense relationship between religion and art. [more]

044 :
09 Oct 2007

Wearied souls… This essay by Dr Kania will leave most readers of Catholica with much to think about. Appropriately, as we celebrate Mental Health Week this week, the writers who are quoted in this essay are examining the relationship between mental health and religious belief. The question many readers of Catholica might go on to ponder is what kind of religious belief goes on to encourage mental well-being? [more]

030 :
08 Oct 2007

The boundary between opinion and truth… Brian Coyne seeks to open up a discussion on how we set the limits in society between tolerance for different opinions, including religious beliefs, and when there are issues of established or observable truth involved? [more]

021 :
07 Oct 2007

Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus In cooperation with Bishop Geoffrey Robinson and his publisher, John Garratt Publishing, we have pleasure in presenting the end chapter reflections from his book which has created so much interest around the world. In this first reflection from the end of Chapter One he invites us to reflect on the nature of the relationship God calls us into. [more]

058 :
06 Oct 2007

The Kingdom within… This is a particularly thought-provoking commentary from Ian Elmer. It directly challenges some of the notions that were very popular understandings not too long ago and which would still be held to dearly by some. But even if what he is outlining might be generally accepted by the sort of readership that is attracted to Catholica there is still much that many here might argue with. This commentary should lead to excellent further discussion in the weeks ahead. [more]

061 :
04 Oct 2007

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. [more]

061 :
03 Oct 2007

The origin of the Bible VI… Peregrinus concludes his series looking at the origins of the Bible. Today he brings the whole discussion together to address these questions: Who decided that these books are "the Bible"? When did they decide this? How did they decide it? And, most importantly, why? [more]

043 :
02 Oct 2007

Intellectual arrogance … Dr Kania today explores an ancient problem that was even addressed by Jesus — intellectual arrogance. Perhaps we might have a discussion of what poses the greatest threat to faith and belief today: intellectual arrogance or its counterside – pride in deliberately trying to put oneself across as ignorant, stupid and irrational as possible? The challenge, as in so many things in life, is to find the balance. [more]

029 :
01 Oct 2007

A discussion on Social Justice statements and more… Brian Coyne asks if the wonderful way in which the Australian Bishops handle the social justice debate was not applied to internal Church politics the Church wouldn't be in a far better state than it is in today? [more]