Friday the 13th and all that...
Friday, 13th October 2006

Dear friends,

The news today carries a heartening report about a meeting between the firebrand Protestant politician, Ian Paisley, and the Catholic Archbishop of Northern Ireland, Sean Brady. Amongst other things, Paisley is remembered for once being chucked out of the European Parliament for interrupting a speech by Pope John Paul II to call him the Anti-Christ.

There is an element in the Catholic Church that literally does see Catholica, myself and some of our commentators like Ian Elmer, Cliff Baxter and Alex Caughey as the embodiment of the AntiChrist. I honestly do not know what can be done about this. There is no rational dialogue which might convince them otherwise.

However we still have much work to do despite what any critics might feel. In the members' forum at the moment are a number of posts from different individuals that merit reflection from all members of our community as to how we improve the quality of our own discussion forum. We welcome your contribution to that discussion.

We are no longer hunting the Sabre-tooth Tiger – or Dancing with Jurassic Males! Cliff Baxter responds to Tuesday's editorial on the challenges we face as lay Catholics. What is the role of the lay apostolates today? What should we be doing?[more]
 

On the historic meeting between Ian Paisley and Archbishop Sean Brady in Northern Ireland... Ruth reckons there is another rapprochement that needs to take place. Will it be as long coming as the one in Northern Ireland? [more]

Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life, and in our world.

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher
Catholica Australia