The
Catholic Weekly
Online
Sydney
4 April 2004
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ACU honours Bishop Robinson
Fight secularism, Pope tells bishops
Mass remembers Cardinal Thuan
ACU National says ‘no’ to HECS fee rise
On the frontline
Pregnant pause: It’s so enjoyable, I’m not sure that I want the waiting to end
La Perouse remembers Fr Receveur
‘Tony Abbott is right’
Liturgy Corner: Why do we bless ourselves with holy water?
Liquor outlet threat
Editorial: Good report
Letters: Sunday Mass
Conversation: Former Test batsman Rick McCosker - Cricket hero was a ‘closet Catholic ...’
Caring face of Vinnies
Keep smiling and God bless: Real news is Good News
New textbooks win praise from schools, parents
‘Auntie Paul’ – Mercy’s mistress of the Mater
Ellen Geary’s journey from ‘Irish’ town of Tumut
To Mass in the Colosseum
Record start for young swim star
Editorial: Good report
Australia’s bishops should return from Rome both heartened and challenged by their recent ad limina visit.
The five-yearly event during which bishops deliver reports on their dioceses is also an important spiritual pilgrimage which, on this occasion, was made by 36 of the 44 Australian bishops.
Pope John Paul II used his address to the bishops to express appreciation for the work of priests and religious in Australia. He also recognised “your initiatives to promote a culture of vocation and to treasure the various states of ecclesial life”, which he said were sure to bear fruit.
The Pope said he was pleased to acknowledge, too, the “steadfast efforts to uphold the uniqueness of marriage as a life-long covenant based on generous mutual giving and unconditional love”.
Another expression of these efforts will be seen in this month’s Living the Dream conference in Sydney, the second National Catholic Family Gathering.
The bishops earned papal praise for the “noble contribution the Church in Australia makes to the
attainment of social justice and solidarity” and “your leadership in the defence of the fundamental rights of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers”.
The Pope warned, however, of the “pernicious ideology of secularism” that has found fertile ground in Australia.
He encouraged bishops to stand out as fearless prophets, witnesses and servants of the hope of Christ and said he was confident that “you will lead men and women from the shadows of moral confusion and ambiguous thinking”.
While calling on the bishops to inspire Catholics to attend Sunday Mass, the Pope also urged the faithful, especially young people, to remain faithful to Sunday observance.
This is primarily our responsibility; we must honour our Sunday observance and encourage fellow Catholics – including our children – to do the same.
In this significant way we can help our bishops in their challenge to make an essentially “good report” for the Catholic Church in Australia even better.