Building gone but Church ok
Historic Sydney church goes up in flames
By Ramon Williams
Sydney, NSW - At 3.30am on Wednesday, May 10, 2006, several alerts were made, by phone and automatic alarm, reporting that the 149-year-old, Historic St Barnabas Anglican Church on Broadway, Sydney, was burning. Now there is only the shell of a building left. (More)

Barney’s destroyed by fire
Sydney, NSW - Ash continues to rain down on inner city streets following a fire that has gutted one of Sydney’s most historic and well-loved churches. (More)

Building burns; church survives
Sydney, NSW - The land-mark sign in front of St Barnabas Broadway declares in one emphatic word the congregation’s focus following the fire that devastated their house of worship: Eternity. (More)

Catholic empathy for Anglicans after Sydney church burns
Sydney, NSW - After an inner-city Sydney Anglican church was destroyed by fire, Parramatta Catholic Bishop Kevin Manning - whose cathedral was destroyed by fire 10 years ago - has said that God will not let the Anglicans down. (More)

Hopes rise for hit and run victim
Sydney, NSW - A Sydney Anglican youth leader left for dead after a hit-and-run accident is making good progress on his painful journey to recovery. (More)

Adventist Church Responds to Da Vinci Code
Sydney, NSW - The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific has responded to the release of the Da Vinci Code movie with a mass media campaign that includes a DVD, a book, internet websites and seminars in various locations throughout Australia. (More)

Restructure for Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
Sydney, NSW - The Australian bishops voted this week to "reconfigure" the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, which includes a plan to restructure and downsize the current 19 Bishops' Committees to 12 Commissions. (More)

A Pastoral Letter on the Restructure of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
Sydney, NSW - The Bishops of Australia have for some time been seeking to create more opportunities to discuss pastoral issues of national significance during their twice-yearly Plenary Meetings. (More)

Catholic Bishops and Islamic leaders meet together for lunch and dialogue
Sydney, NSW - In a landmark meeting, the Catholic Bishops of Australia invited a group of Islamic leaders to their Plenary Meeting this week, to have lunch together, to engage in Interfaith Dialogue and to visit the tomb of Blessed Mary Mackillop. (More)

Year 13 students kiss and tell
Sydney, NSW - Heather Bray didn’t expect her Year 13 course to teach her how to kiss.
But last week, as part of the nine-month ‘gap year’ program, she learnt how to give the kiss of life during the St John Ambulance Senior First Aid course. (More)

Budget response: Wesley Mission
Sydney, NSW - One of Australia’s largest church-based charities Wesley Mission has described the 2006-07 Federal Budget as a budget largely designed for those with financial independence. (More)

NSW Commission calls for $20pw basic pay rise
Sydney, NSW - In its written submission to this year's NSW State Wage Case, the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations has called for an increase of at least $20 in the minimum wage. (More)

Archbishop moved by mine rescue joy and sadness
Sydney, NSW - The prayers of millions of Australians over the past fortnight have been answered with the successful rescue of Todd Russell and Brant Webb at Beaconsfield in Tasmania yesterday, according to Hobart's Archbishop Adrian Doyle. (More)

Catholic Bishops give thanks for safe rescue of miners
Sydney, NSW - The Catholic Bishops of Australia, meeting in Conference at Mary Mackillop Place in Sydney, today express our joy at the safe rescue of the trapped miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell. (More)

"Jesus, all about life" reaches all
Ramon A. Williams
Sydney, NSW - At the Supporters' Lunch for "Jesus. all about life" held in Sydney, May 4, 2006, the success of the campaign to provide a means for churches and individuals to share the facts about Jesus was shared by the founders and achievers alike. (More)

Putting their mission where their mouths are
Sydney, NSW - Moore College students who have spent years learning the art of evangelism will be expected to put their pen-strokes into practice as they head out on Moore College’s Mission Week. (More)

Pell affirms commitment to dialogue with Muslims
Sydney, NSW - Sydney's Cardinal George Pell has defended himself against accusations from Muslim leaders that he is "ill-informed" following the publication on his website of a speech on Islam delivered to US Catholic business leaders. (More)

Australian Conference Elects New President
Sydney, NSW - Archbishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide has been elected the new president of the Australian bishops' conference. (More)

Unmarried Priests (A) By + Cardinal George Pell Archbishop of Sydney
Sydney, NSW - In 1990 there was a Rome meeting of bishops from around the world on how best to prepare Catholic priests. As always a large contingent of the press was present, many ex-priests, who wanted to allow priests to be married. They waged a strong campaign. (More)

Pell says marriage no cure for pedophile priests
Sydney, NSW - Cardinal George Pell has said that statistics show that marriage will not prevent paedophilia, with 90 per cent of paedophile crimes committed by married men. (More)

Arabic Heritage League Award for Parramatta's Bishop Manning
Sydney, NSW - Bishop Kevin Manning received the 2006 Kahlil Gibran International Award at a celebration on Sunday night to mark the 25th anniversary of the Arabic Heritage League in Australia. (More)

Bishop Manning receives Arabic Heritage League Award
Sydney, NSW - The Bishop of Parramatta, the Most Rev Kevin Manning has received the 2006 Kahlil Gibran International Award from the Arabic Heritage League. (More)

Nuncio reflects on emerging style of Benedict XVI
Sydney, NSW - The emerging style of Benedict XVI as a "Pope of dialogue", could offer a model of "reaching out" which had relevance for all Episcopal ministry, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ambrose De Paoli, told Australia's bishops at the beginning of their current plenary meeting in Sydney. (More)

Worlds apart brought together
Sydney, NSW - Mehmet Saral is a well-known face in two different worlds – the Gallipoli mosque at Auburn and an Anglican home group in Beverly Hills. (More)

Seekers and the city
Sydney, NSW - Naomi McGrath has shed her painters smock and donned a power suit to help seek and save the lost in Sydney’s CBD. (More)

Historic meeting of separated Josephites
Perthville, NSW - "Black" and "brown" Josephites joined together at a meeting in the NSW Central West at the end of last month that sought to understand the differences that drew them apart, with a view to working closely together in the future. (More)

Historic gathering of Josephites at "link Site"
Perthville, NSW - When a large group of Sisters of St Joseph, gathered recently at Perthville NSW for a conference entitled “Understanding Our Past. Moulding Our Future”, the focus was on a common desire to work towards closer connections and unity in mission amongst all the groups of Australian and New Zealand Josephites. (More)

Catholic Social Services worried about childcare quality
Canberra, ACT - Catholic Social Services is worried that changes to the Government's childcare benefit scheme will result in low income parents missing out on much-needed childcare places as providers chase profits in high-income areas. (More)

Federal Budget Reveals The Use By Date of Dual Public Hospital Funding
Canberra, ACT - ‘Last night’s federal budget bypassed increasing public hospital funding despite the widespread public angst over waiting lists and hospital conditions,’ CHA’s CEO Francis Sullivan said. (More)

Christian leaders seek end to political spin
Canberra, ACT - Putting a spin on things, rather than speaking the truth, has become the norm, according to a group of Australian Christian leaders who last week issued a statement on what it means to believe in and follow Jesus Christ in Australia today. (More)

Christian leaders call for accountability on 'violence, fear and deception.'
Canberra, ACT - A group of Christian leaders in Canberra have called for an examination of public life, in a statement issued last week.
“Christian faith has deep connections to social and political issues, including how we respond to violence, fear and deception,” said the group, who include members of the Uniting, Baptist, Catholic and Anglican Churches. (More)

Amnesty, Vic ALP moves on abortion provoke Catholic ire
Melbourne, Vic - A number of pro-life organisations have spoken out against Amnesty International's declared intention to spread abortion rights around the world, and in Victoria the ALP Catholic Right failed to stop Premier Bracks' resolve to go to this year's election with an abortion decriminalisation platform. (More)

Dorothy Day intercession to be sought on Respect Life Sunday
Melbourne, Vic - Intercessory prayer on Respect Life Sunday this weekend in the Archdiocese of Melbourne will seek favours from Dorothy Day, the modern saint best known for her work as a social activist with the US-based Catholic Worker movement. (More)

Adelaide's Wilson elected as Bishops Conference President
Adelaide, SA - Adelaide's Archbishop Philip Wilson has been elected as the new president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. (More)

Federal Budget support for Hobart Cathedral
Hobart, Tas - Hobart's Archbishop Adrian Doyle has welcomed Federal Government support announced in Tuesday's Budget for the restoration of the historic St Mary's Cathedral in Hobart. (More)

Joy and sadness at Beaconsfield rescue success
Hobart, Tas - The prayers of millions of Australians over the past fortnight have been answered with the successful rescue of Todd Russell and Brant Webb at Beaconsfield this morning, the Archbishop of Hobart, the Most Rev. Adrian Doyle, said today. (More)

Australian miners rescued after 2 weeks
Beaconsfield, Tas - Two Australian miners who survived for two weeks in a kennel-size cage trapped 3,000 feet underground walked out of the Beaconsfield Gold Mine early Tuesday and punched the air, freed by rescue crews drilling round-the-clock by hand. Associated Press (More)

Pastoral associate calls finding miners alive "a miracle"
Beaconsfield, Tas - The pastoral associate of Beaconsfield parish in northern Tasmania, Sr Frances McShane, has said she believes that finding two miners alive in the local gold mine was the result of masses and prayers offered for them and their families from all over Australia. (More)

During Australian mine drama, town's residents show signs of faith
Beaconsfield, Tas - Most Sundays, only about 40 regulars attend Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in the small Tasmanian mining of town of Beaconsfield, said Franciscan Father Brian Lester. (More)

National mass count continues this Sunday
Australia - The national "census" on church attendance will continue this Sunday in all parishes and other Mass centres throughout Australia. (More)

APPEALS		BOOK REVIEW
CWS Appeals for "Gift of the Heart" Kits (Friends, while the appeal below is especially for School Kits, Baby Kits, and Emergency Clean-up Buckets, CWS continues to also need additional Health Kits and Kids Kits. All "Gift of the Heart" Kits are very welcome and needed. Thank you.) Needs stemming from the earthquake in Southern Asia in October 2005 and the hurricanes that affected the United States in the summer of 2005 are prompting Church World Service to urgently ask its member denominations to help replenish CWS's supply of CWS "Gift of the Heart" Baby and School Kits and CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets. A supply of the Kits and Buckets is necessary in preparing for what is predicted to be another busy hurricane season. (More) CWS Appeal Update: Spring Storms 2006 Severe storms and tornadoes wracked parts of the Midwest and South in March and April claiming more than 40 lives and leaving several thousand residents displaced in parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Tennessee. Federal disaster declarations are in effect in the states other than Iowa. The same storm system (April 2) that spawned several tornados in Arkansas is also responsible for the massive destruction in the Missouri boot-heel area and western Tennessee. (More) CWS Appeal Update: Southern Asia Earthquake It has been more than six months since the devastating earthquake that killed some 80,000 people, injured more than 70,000 and incurred severe financial and personal losses in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, the Pakistani-controlled Azad Kashmir region and Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. (More) CWS Appeal - Serbia Floods In April the River Danube broke through flood protection, driving hundreds of families from their homes and swamping thousands of acres of farmland in Serbia, Romania and Hungry. The river has risen to a 111-year record high, displacing hundreds of people across the Balkans and has placed tens of thousands more at risk. (More) Appeal for Peace From Representatives of Religions Gathered in Washington Washington D.C., MAY 7, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is the "Appeal for Peace," launched April 27 by participants from various religions present at the 2006 International Prayer Meeting for Peace, organized in Washington, D.C. The event was organized by the Archdiocese of Washington, Georgetown University, the Catholic University of America, and the Rome-base Community of Sant'Egidio to continue with the "Spirit of Assisi" promoted by Pope John Paul II. (More)		Author's Vivid Personal Account Speaks Volumes to Widows and Widowers The Tender Scar: Life After the Death of a Spouse by Richard L. Mabry Book Review by Rev. Austin Miles The most gut-wrenching experience in life is to lose a spouse. The only person who can actually know the depth of that feeling is one who has gone through the ordeal. And the best person to counsel a survivor is the one who has been there, done that, and managed to go on with life. Richard L. Mabry, author of the just-published book, The Tender Scar: Life After the Death of a Spouse (Kregel, June 2006), is just that person. (More) EDITORIALS What is the Howard Government Up to with the Pacific Solution Mark 2? What is the policy objective of the Howard government in extending the Pacific Solution to all asylum seekers arriving on Australian territory by boat? After the first wave of 'boatpeople' from Afghanistan and Iraq ceased, the Australian government renewed the contracts of the immigration processing centres on Nauru and Manus Island, and proceeded to construct a new centre on Christmas Island. (More) Is it Code or evangelistic opportunity? Sometimes, I feel utterly naîve. Take The Da Vinci Code, for example. I actually read the book. A long time ago. So, when I heard Opie Taylor (Ron Howard) and Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) were going to turn it into a film, my thoughts ran along these lines: “Hmmm. The premise is hokey, and I’m sick of middle-aged leading men running around with twentysomething starlets. But in the hands of two wildly famous and likable stars, the movie probably will make a lot of money.” (More) BULLETINS Vinnies sees long-term focus missing from Federal Budget The St Vincent de Paul Society has cautioned Australians against taking comfort from the short-term gains in last night's Budget, with its spokesperson John Falzon suggesting that the Budget failed to "identify and address the areas of market failure and structural disadvantage in Australia today". (More) YCW report finds deep spiritual sense in young The Australian Young Christian Workers released on Friday its interim report on its Spirituality Inquiry, which has highlighted the deep sense of spirituality held by young people and the significant influence of family and friends in the ways that it is expressed. (More) Pedro Fernandez de Quiros 400th anniversary Sunday the 14th May marks the 400th anniversary of a significant proclamation made by Pedro Fernandez de Quiros. On this day in 1606, he boldly proclaimed that all lands to the south of where he stood on an island in the New Hebrides, (now Vanuatu) would be the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit. (More)

COMMENTARIES		OPINION
Keith Suter Comments Australian Energy Australia’s history during the past 150 years has often revolved around fossil fuels. Energy has made Australia. But it has been a turbulent ride, with several ups and downs. (More) The ‘Son of So Many Tears’ A Christian Mother’s Story Never doubt the power of a mother’s prayer. Read the story of how one mother’s prayers for her wayward son literally changed the world. (More) Illegal Immigration By Mark Earley Throughout America last week, more than a million illegal immigrants poured into the streets. They took the day off from work, forcing many businesses to close for the day. (More) Heal Thyself By Chuck Colson The United Church of Christ’s Blame-Shifting If you watch TV or read the papers, you may have noticed a vocal new movement among some religious liberals. Perhaps you’ve seen the television commercials where single mothers, gay couples, and others are literally ejected from their church pews by the push of a button. At the end of the ad, viewers are invited to visit a site called “Rejection Hurts” to share their own stories of being rejected by churches. (More) Embracing the Little Ones: Lifting Romania’s Adoption Ban By Chuck Colson Lifting Romania’s Adoption Ban Across America this Mother’s Day, sons and daughters will shower their mothers with gifts. But of course the most precious gift a mother can receive is the gift of life itself—a child from the hand of God. (More) "Corporatism Redux: Latin America, the Left, and the Church’s Challenge" by Samuel Gregg, D.Phil. (Oxon.) Many are alarmed as Latin American countries such as Venezuela and Bolivia veer toward leftist class-struggle politics and socialist economic policies. But, as Sam Gregg points out, the potent combination of state-authoritarianism, populism, nationalism and xenophobia -- or "corporatism" -- seen today in Latin America was also present in European fascist governments in the 1930s, and later during the regime of Argentina’s Juan Peron. One encouraging sign: Catholic leaders are now speaking out against this corporatist agenda. (More) SURVEYS Clergy, Laity Differ on Church Spending Priorities Protestant ministers and churchgoers were asked what they would do with an unexpected financial windfall in a new research study. Results showed unmatched top priorities between the clergy and the people in the pews when it comes to spending. (More) Interfaith Activities Increase Significantly A recent national survey of U.S. faith communities by Hartford Seminary found that interfaith activity among faith communities has more than tripled since 2000. (More) Catholics Remain in Church Despite Sexual Abuse Controversy Catholics are not leaving the national Church despite a widespread dissatisfaction with sexual abuse allegations among Catholic clergy, a new survey by Georgetown University found. (More) GLOBAL CHURCH Philippines - Official Cites Prayer in Peaceful Protest Manila 's top cop credits prayer with keeping the peace during recent protests. Thousands of Filipinos took to the streets on May 1st -- Labor Day in the Philippines -- to call for an end to injustice and poverty. (More) COMMUNITIES Young Adults in Global Mission - One year international opportunities Designed for ELCA young adults, ages 19-30, this program provides a one-year service opportunity in leadership development, service, spiritual growth, global awareness and understanding. Up to 52 positions are available for 2007-08. Service begins mid-August. (More) Catholic Integrated Community Founded in Wake of WWII Vatican City, MAY 10, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is the description of the Catholic Integrated Community, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. (More) Amigonian Cooperators Instituted by Capuchin Tertiaries Vatican City, MAY 8, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a description of the Amigonian Cooperators, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. (More)		Australia: Regain some self-respect Do not allow the solution to be worse than the problem. by Peter Maher In spite of the volumes of historical evidence about the wars waged in the name of Christianity, it is true that non-violence is the most basic Christian principle. Any reading of the gospel stories of Jesus’ life and teaching must conclude that he opposed all forms of violence. However there is no shortage of very strong attacks on institutions and leaders of institutions when their actions, or the systems they oversee, in any way violate the rights of the individual and the body corporate. Jesus saw those who were marginalised socially, economically, politically, physically or religiously as victims of the powerful interests within the political economy. He refused to allow the powerful to dictate the terms of the argument and staunchly stood alongside those who suffered from self-interested decisions of the state or manipulations of religious authorities. (More) The Big Question regarding The Da Vinci Code: Do We Protest, Boycott, or Engage? By Phil Cooke Special to the ASSIST News Service The Da Vinci Code is not going away. The book was a bestseller, the movie will no doubt do big box office, and the DVD release isn’t far away. And after that, someone else will create another novel, television series, or movie that toys with the facts, denigrates our religious sensibilities, and offends our faith. So unless you’re ready to set up a permanent boycott office underneath the Hollywood sign, we need to consider another approach to these types of entertainment and media projects that provides a more effective way to share our faith with the culture. (More) The purpose of business I was listening to the radio the other day and heard a senior executive of a media organisation proclaim that the purpose of their business was to make profit, to enhance the "bottom line" of investors. This is perhaps such a commonplace statement these days that we fail to notice the incongruity and implication of what is being said. It confuses purpose with motivation and undermines any sense of common purpose - Prof Neil Ormerod (More) - Edmund Rice Good Business Columnist mislabels Anglicans as non-Christians Steven Brody’s column (“Whose moral compass counts?”) in Sunday’s Meridian Star includes the statement that “Most of the significant founding fathers were not Christian, but were Diest (sic), Anglican, Unitarian or atheists.” Mr. Brody’s inclusion of Anglicans among non-Christian groups is entirely incorrect and inaccurate. (More) Da Vinci Code offers chance to discuss 'just who is this Jesus' By Jerry Mitchell For The Christian Chronicle During the days of Moses, the princes of Moab hired Balaam to curse the Israelites, but every time Balaam tried, God caused the prophet to bless them instead. So it is with The Da Vinci Code, a “fact-based” novel that takes dead aim at Christianity, depicting it as a “violent” religion, the Bible as a collection of lies and Jesus as a good teacher, but nothing else. (More) The Shame of Upper Caste India… And the furor over the Other Backward Castes (OBCs) in Institutes of Higher Learning; truth which means that Upper Caste India Has Enjoyed a Perverse System of Reservation for 3,000 Years By Dr. Joseph D'souza, President of the All India Christian Council For the last couple of days I have watched with huge embarrassment the upper caste-led English media TV talk shows in India react to the proposal of India's Union Ministry for Human Resources to give the Other Backward Castes (OBCs) reservation in the Central Government-aided institutions of higher learning such as the IITs, IIMs and other central universities. (More) Casting the first stone In May 1994 South African photographer Kevin Carter captured a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of a vulture ominously stalking a starving Sudanese child who was desperately dragging herself to a UN food station. Outrage followed when it was discovered that he had left the girl to die. With metaphorical stones in hand we wanted him to pay for his crime against humanity. But, in essence, are we any different to Carter? - Mark Reidy (More) - The Record ‘Like a Light Bulb for Me’ Reactions to Dr. Ted Baehr’s Berkeley Seminary Lectures - March 23 and April 6, 2006 By Stewart Heller, Mdiv When I invited my mentor and colleague, Dr. Ted Baehr, to be a teaching professor for our Electronic Christian Media course at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, it was a good bet that his lectures would be somewhat different than those the graduate class students have been used to hearing. (More)

The Bread of Life Community Founded by a Married Couple
Vatican City, MAY 8, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a description of the Bread of Life Community, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. (More)

Schoenstatt Movement Approved by Church Authorities in 1964
Vatican City, MAY 8, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is the description of the Schoenstatt Movement, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. (More)

Chemin Neuf Community
An Ecumenical Vocation
Vatican City, MAY 9, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is the description of the Chemin Neuf Community, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. (More)

Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities
An Initiative Identified With Renewal
Vatican City, MAY 9, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a description of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. (More)

Christian Life Movement
Founded in Peru
Vatican City, MAY 11, 2006 (ZENIT.org).- Here is the description of the Christian Life Movement, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. (More)

Christian Life Community
Rooted in the 16th Century
Vatican City, MAY 11, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is the description of the Christian Life Community, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. (More)

Cooperators of Opus Dei
Friends of the Prelature
Vatican City, MAY 12, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is the description of the Cooperators of Opus Dei, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. (More)

Community of the Beatitudes
Instituted in France
Vatican City, MAY 12, 2006 (ZENIT.org).- Here is the description of the Community of the Beatitudes, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. (More)