There will always be a priesthood…

Dear Friends,

It is interesting to see that at long last the conservative elements in the Church have at long last decided to try and organise a counter petition to the one that we've been supporting. I'm sure if Bob Santamaria, Jack Kane or Frank McManus had still be around the phones would have been running hot this morning shutting it down quick smart. As it stands though it's a sort of commentary today on the naivety of the generation that has succeeded the manipulators of a past age. The development is both fascinating and amusing. Self evidently this morning they've been "working the phones" signing up whole families including, more than probably the cats and the dogs and the pet budgies. It would actually be good if they could collect ten or fourteen thousand names as it might give our bishops some decent indication of what the real lay of the landscape is in Australia between this element who have been dictating the agenda for so long and those who reject that agenda. Knowing the character and demonstrated behaviours of some of those behind this new petition one can expect they'll be working the phones like crazy over the coming weeks, and others will be "mining the telphone directors and electoral roles" without any consideration as to whether that might be moral or not, and they'll bring in a result of some description or other. Like all zealots, the ends tends to justify the means and, Folks, in case you have realised it our Church is facing a serious crisis and anything is allowable to meet that crisis. It's a short step from that to understanding how the minds of terrorists work, isn't it? I'm just wondering if, like the loyal little things they are, whether they are going to ask the bishops for permission to distribute their petition in the parishes. I would encourage the bishops to give them permission. In fact, why don't the bishops themselves organiise some kind of full and detailed study of what the sentiments are in their flock? I'm sure it might be useful to Pope Benedict when he comes to survey the flock next year.

Tom McMahon's commentary today is, by his own admission, a bit of a pot-pourri. Nevertheless 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. <Click HERE to read Tom's commentary on the meaning of eucharist>

PETITION UPDATE…

The total today stands at 13,624 signatures. If you are still holding hard copy completed petition forms please send thim in now to Paul Collins at the address shown on the petitions. <Click HERE to access the petition information page> and <Click HERE to sign the petition online>.

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

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher