Saturday, 08 Aug 2009

Doing something practical for the victims of sexual abuse...

Dear Friends,

I'm taking a break today from preparing a lead commentary. The first day off since 5 June. For our weekly subscribers though I would point out that it has been a particularly good week on Catholica both for the strength of the commentaries (see the summaries below) and the discussion on our forum.

Could I also draw to your attention Silvio Del Vecchio's fundraising initiative tomorrow running in the Sydney City to Surf Race on Sunday to raise money for the survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Silvio informed me in an update yesterday that his appeal is going particularly well...

Since my email a few days ago a number of new people have sponsored my run. Thank you to all.

In particular, I have received a very generous donation from a gentleman whose message represents the very reason I am doing this run for ASCA:

Hi Silvio, thank you for your efforts with raising money for ASCA. I am a 62 year old Survivor of CSA [Child Sex Abuse]. My abuse stopped when I was 8. I know the effects CSA has on its victims. I make this donation with the aim that it provides employment for a Victim/Survivor of CSA whom would be employed by ASCA to assist all Victims/Survivors. I well know how I needed help when I was at my lowest point. Once again thank you for your special interest in helping ASCA.

Anthony and Christine Foster with daughters Aimee and Katie

I became interested in ASCA’s work when I read the tragic story of Emma Foster last year. I was horrified to learn how many adults are left battling through life after being abused as children. Some wounds don’t heal.

Last year we raised $42,000 for ASCA’s Emma Foster Memorial Fund ($21,000 from sponsors was matched by the Macquarie Group Foundation’s generosity).

Funds raised this year now stand at $27,000 and I will be once again making application to the Macquarie Group Foundation for matching. ...Silvio

If you want more information click the banner at the end of today's email or go directly to Silvio's sponsor page. (Just prior to sending out this email I notice the total raised has now risen to $29,560,)
www.everydayhero.com.au/silvio_del_vecchio

A look at the Qur'an… A perhaps surprising little excursion by Daniel Gullotta today but, as always, fascinating both from the point of view of the content and also being able to read these ideas through the eyes of a young theology student who is self-evidently enthusiastic about things religious and spiritual. Enjoy this excursion having a look at the Islamic perspective on God. <more>

The Calming of the Sea... When we first learn of the great Biblical stories as children we tend to understand them as literal and historical events — something that really and truly did happen. As adults we begin to appreciate that the original intention of the authors was not, as with some modern journalist or historian, an endeavour to give "an eyewitness account of some event". Very often the chief objective was to convey some theological insight. As today's commentator, Dr Ian Elmer, has pointed out in the past, writers like St Paul were often economical with the historical truth in their enthusiasm to take their readers to some theological truth or spiritual insight. Often in Jesus' case the linkage was not necessarily to an historical event but back to some liturgical insight in the Jewish scriptures — which was the frame of reference most people operated in at the time religiously. Today's commentary by Dr Elmer is an excellent illustration of these things. Ian today seeks to give us insight into the liturgical and theological meaning in the Gospel story of Jesus Calming the Sea. <more>

The Psychology of Priesthood #6 Tom McMahon today argues that we still understand little of the psychology of priesthood — those deep imperatives that 'drive the system' relentlessly on — even though the system is nearly 1800 years old. What drives the minds of bishops and priests? What do they believe they are trying to achieve? What do they think the religio-spiritual objective is? Have some of them ever stopped to ask questions like this or are they just 'driven' by this ancient feudal system that has evolved? <more>

The real story behind Morris West's prophecy... Morris West is often lauded as some kind of prophet for his seeming prediction of the election of Karol Wojtyla as Pope. In fact Morris West's story was based on some individuals from another part of Eastern Europe. Dr Andrew Kania's commentary today gives some of the background and also further highlights the suppression placed on the Catholic Church in Eastern Europe, and particularly the Ukraine, under Stalinism. Andrew entitled this fascinating essay: Prisoner and Exile (cf. Isaiah 53: 3-4, LXX) <more>

20.2: The origins of Mariology… Today's excerpt from Tom Lee's exploration of the origins of Christianity brings us to the emergence of Mary in the worship of the Church. He tells of the discovery of the first hymn to Mary and the role Arianism played in setting the intellectual structure for the growth of Mariology. <more>

A lifetime spiritual journey#6… Chapter 4 from Francis Brown's book takes the form of a dialogue with a visitor in which Francis explores the question of the relative value of the knowledge that is inherent to creation and the learned knowledge we acquire at school and in other places in life. Learned knowledge has a value but we need to be careful not to squeeze out an openess to the Holy Spirit to lead us to new perceptions. Francis concludes: "Be open, with the Holy Spirit, to new perception. Be free to learn anew of those you have met or will meet. Allow rebirth to occur for each part of creation so that you see it simply as God created." <more>

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

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher