Letters: Sir Alan Walker

Sydney
16 February 2003

'Cash for babies' instead of abortion

People 'outraged' at war talk

Tough nights for priest after crash

Abraham seen as symbol of hope and a bond of unity

Cardinal in Church 'top 10'

Catholic social justice, welfare groups issue NSW election kit

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New role in archdiocese

Charity, sacrifice essential to Christian life, says Pope in Lenten Message

Catholic Club helps fund suburban play area for littlies

World Day of the Sick - 'Defend life', Pope urges health workers

Care of elderly needs overhaul

Editorial: 'Just war' debate

Letters: Sir Alan Walker

Conversation: Dr Catherine Foley - research scientist, mother and volunteer - Going out there 'and making a difference'

... in the footsteps of Abraham

Archive on Nazis won't hurt Pius XII

War against Saddam may be 'just war'

'Powerful celebration' of the Church

Cardinals' coats (of arms) of many colours

Letters: Sir Alan Walker

I was pleased at the ecumenical spirit of The Catholic Weekly in paying tribute to the late Rev Sir Alan Walker (Cleric who gave world a Lifeline, CW 9/2).

I knew Alan well and was privileged to write his obituary for the Sydney Morning Herald. Lack of space prevented mention of his relations with Catholics, which were warm and harmonious.

As an heir to John Wesley, I recall Alan showing me a little book - Wesley's Letter to a Roman Catholic - which he discussed with me at some length. Of course, it related to an era when both were, in a sense, dissenters.

In 1970 a controversy arose over an interfaith service to welcome Pope Paul VI. The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney and the heads of several smaller denominations would not attend.

Their main ground was that attendance would convey a false impression of doctrinal agreement.

Alan considered this argument "silly".

He said at the time: "Everyone knows that I'm a Methodist and what that means.

"I will still be a Methodist when it [the inter-faith service] is over."

In his old age Alan retained a personal friendship with Catholic leaders.

The ABC's Religion Report (5/2) had a moving account of this from retired Bishop Bede Heather.

Alan Gill
Drummoyne, NSW

ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL

I found the article St Mary's on the floor of St Peter's (CW 2/2) of great interest.

St Mary's Cathedral is undoubtedly magnificent in structure.

Fr John Joseph Therry was the great pioneer priest who put a wonderful effort into the building of the great St Mary's Cathedral.

Archbishop Polding was the great pioneer Australian Archbishop who opened the first St Mary's Cathedral.

St Mary's Cathedral, our first Australian Catholic church, in this our dear land of Australia, has a wonderful history.

Julia Bernadette Enright
Yennora, NSW

TABERNACLE

Fr David Orr (Tabernacle, Letters CW 19/1) suggests the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle in its traditional position (popular piety) prevents the congregation from focusing on the celebration of the sacrifice of the Mass (liturgy).

Unfortunately, he does not say why, which prompts a vitally relevant question: Who has ever been distracted at Mass by the presence of the tabernacle in its traditional position, a position it has occupied for hundreds of years?

The answer must surely be no one. So why move the tabernacle? Even if moved to a "place suitable for prayer" this would mean banishment to the obscurity of either a side chapel, if there is one, or a hole in the wall - with the danger that being out of sight it would eventually be out of mind.

And this raises a very important question. Do the parishioners, usually the last to be consulted in these matters, want the tabernacle moved?

The parishioner or visitor who drops in for a visit to the Blessed Sacrament - and there are still many who do - rightly expects the tabernacle to be easily and immediately visible from the back of the church, not hidden away in an obscure corner.

What benefits have been observed in those parishes where the tabernacle has been moved from its traditional position?

Has it made the parishioners better Catholics or increased Mass attendances? Has any positive effect been observed? Perhaps one or two of those parishes would be willing to tell us?

J G Wilson
Strathfield, NSW

MEDJUGORJE SEER

Are there any other readers who see a number of parallels between the article about Ivan (the self-claimed visionary of Medjugorje) and the Michael Jackson interview on TV during the week?

Like fish they are caught by their own mouths. Ivan made a few mistakes (and has done so in other publications) misquoting Biblical references.

It was not the Gospels that contained the quote that he paraphrased - "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him" - but St Paul (echoing the words of Isaiah 64:3) in his first letter to the Corinthians (2:9).

When asked whether "Our Lady" had said anything about the scandals in the priesthood, Ivan said: "Our Lady hasn't said anything directly". Then he presumed to guess the mind of the Divine Mother when he said: "But you can see Our Lady indirectly is calling us to pray specifically for this intention."

There is no denying that Ivan's claims have yet to be sanctioned by the Church. This is strange since they have been continuing daily for more than 21 years.

But why has Our Lady chosen to follow Ivan around the world, visiting him at 6.40pm (depending on local time zones) with the same words daily for 21 years?

Why after meeting the Queen of Heaven, didn't Ivan become a priest (at the time of the apparitions he was in the Franciscan minor seminary in Bosnia) rather than choose to marry an American beauty queen?

Most, if not all, of the 11 approved visionaries last century were either religious or consecrated themselves to religious life as a result of such an intimate meeting with the Mother of God.

A 1990 book by Bishop Pavao Zanic of Mostar lists 20 reasons not to believe in the Medjugorje apparitions, plus 200 contradictions in the testimonies of the seers.

The Church has not directly denied the legitimacy of the apparitions, but the refusal of this truly Marian Pope to go to Medjugorje seems to indicate, using the logic of Ivan, that they have - indirectly.

Kevin Lee
Associate Pastor
Holy Family Parish
East Granville, NSW