Editorial: True blue

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
1 February 2004

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Editorial: True blue

CARDINAL George Pell, speaking at the Premier’s civic reception in his honour late last year commented that Australian Catholics now belong “to the mainstream”.

“The fact that every Australian now feels free to criticise us, especially those critics with little or no expertise or even interest in religion, is a sure sign that we belong, are part of the Aussie family; entitled to a fair go, but also entitled to take ‘our share of stick’,” the Cardinal said.

The Church is used to criticism, both founded and unfounded; it is pleasing, however, when the work, the achievements of the Church and its members are recognised.

As members of the “Aussie family”, last Monday, instead of “taking some stick”, Australian Catholics received a “pat on the back” – honoured for their contribution to our nation.

Several members of the clergy, four religious and many lay Catholics received awards in the Australia Day Honours list.

They were recognised, among other things, for their contributions to education, welfare and the arts.

The recipients have every right to be proud, as proud as we all should be of them.

They are all not only great Australians, for these awards are not conferred lightly, but they stand as testament to their faith, as the expression of Christ’s command that “you love one another”.

This is reflected particularly by the numbers of members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul who received honours.

Typical of the recipients is Fr Victor Doyle who, according to Fr John Knight, his successor as parish priest at Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Waterloo, gave “exemplary service to the whole community regardless of profession, race or creed” in his 56 years as a priest.

Fr Doyle is described as “the quintessential priest”. Last Monday’s honours confirm him and other recipients as true blue Aussies, too.