BETHLEHEM SIEGE
(Daily reports appear on http://www.fides.org/home-ing.htm under 'Breaking News)
[Extract from the latest reports] The agreement is almost ready, but tension in Bethlehem is still high. This morning one of the Palestinians barricaded inside the besieged Nativity compound was wounded by an Israeli military sniper. The army said the man was positioning explosive at the one of the compound gates.... Father David Jaeger, Holy Land Custody spokesman, said: "Both sides have contributed to progress, to reach a definitive agreement. Noting this positive fact we call on the parties to rapidly make the final effort needed to put an end to the drama at the Nativity Church. We recall that the situation is fragile and explosive, as the most recent shooting episodes demonstrate. We call on the sides to settle the matter as soon as possible" (27/4/2002)
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US CATHOLIC BISHOPS' INTERNET RESOURCE
Restore Trust http://www.nccbuscc.org/comm/restoretrust.htm
The Restore Trust section of the US bishops' website contains articles and documents intended to present a view of the current child abuse scandals alternative to that of the mass media. There is a chronological history of Church policy from the 1995 Walk in the Light Document through to the outcome of this week's meeting in Rome. The site includes links to model prevention programs and to a selection of articles reprinted from the latest edition of the Jesuits' magazine "America": The Catholic Church and Child Sexual Abuse; Priest Pedophiles: Pedophiles and ephebophiles have no capacity for authentic sexual relationships; Can the Church Be Healed? With God All Things Are Possible.
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FROM THE SECULAR MEDIA
Geoff Robinson interviews Cardinal Tom Williams on the sex abuse scandals in the US Catholic Church Radio NZ (audio file) http://xtramsn.co.nz/musicandvideo/0,,6081-1341067-125,00.html
"Church bells of joy give thanks" (photo) NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=1592677&thesection=news&thesu\ bsection=general As news of the return of baby Kahu spread, the bells of the Anglican Church in Woburn Rd, Lower Hutt, began to toll out joyfully. One neighbour told the Herald as the bells tolled through the warm night: "They are the bells of joy ...
Where have all the priests gone? (photo) Waikato Times 27 April 2002 http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,1181857a1904,FF.html The shortage of Catholic priests in the Hamilton diocese is nearing crisis, Kris McGehan reports. In an ante-room at the back of Hamilton's Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father John Bergin is preparing for midday mass. Father Bergin is a retired Catholic priest, but like many of his contemporaries he is back in the pulpit helping his church avert a potential crisis.
Patea Couple Win Taranaki Farmer Of The Year Press Release 24 April 2002 http://www.scoop.co.nz/archive/scoop/stories/6c/98/200204240009.5929c272.html Patea farmers David and Lois Werder have won the Taranaki regional title in the WestpacTrust NZMP Farmer of the Year 2002 competition. David is a joint trustee for a 225 cow dairy farm owned by the Patea Catholic Church...
The soul doctor (photo) NZ Herald 27.04.2002 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=news&thesubsection=&storyI\ D=1792746 Tim Watkin spends a day with an Auckland Hospital chaplain and finds out why the Government should chip in to support those who bring comfort to the sick and the dying....
Nats Will Establish A Tomb Of The Unknown Warrior Wednesday, 24 April 2002 Press Release by the leader of the National Party, Bill English http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0204/S00357.htm [Extract] "... We will also establish a Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the National War Memorial. The Unknown Warrior would represent all New Zealanders, whether they be navy, army or air force personnel. The inscription on the tomb will read: "All these were honoured in their generations and were the glory of their times" Ecclesiasticus 44: 7.
[The announcement prompted the following reaction from Andre Hansen. It seems he didn't know that Ecclesiasticus (aka The Wisdom of Ben Sirach) is a canonical book in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. To be fair, it was Scoop's editors that labelled him a "Bible Scholar'; Mr Hansen doesn't make that claim. There's a journalism student by that name at Western Institute of Technology, in New Plymouth ... ML]
Feedback: Bible Scholar Questions Bill's Research Scoop Feedback Wednesday, 24 April 2002 http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0204/S00140.htm I was studying Mr English's proposed plans for an Unknown Soldier memorial, and couldn't help noticing that he quoted from the Bible. Not only did the Nats get the name of the book wrong (it's Ecclesiastes, not Ecclesiasticus), but also there is no chapter 44, verse 7, in that book. It only goes up to 12. I've reviewed the King James, New International and American Standard bibles, and can't find that quote anywhere. I enjoy Scoop and its content, but perhaps you should make sure - in the case of elementary facts like a bible quote - that your contributors get it right. Thanks. Andre Hansen
[His comment was followed by a stampede to put *him* right (see below). One writer hints there could be trouble if a verse from a book that is not considered canonical by Protestants appears on the memorial. However, the Labour Party seems likely to be re-elected to government later this year and also favours building a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but you can bet your life the inscription on it won't be the one the National Party favours ... ML]
Readers Defend English's Bible Knowledge Opinion: Scoop Feedback 26 April 2002 http://www.scoop.co.nz/archive/scoop/stories/57/ae/200204261129.3e8a08d4.html
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CATHOLICTV.NET http://www.catholictv.net (Produced by the Wellington Archdiocesan Media Office)
Theme of the month: Work, Family and Leisure. Finding the Balance
Interview of the week: Seph Pijfers interviews Dr Catherine Hallagan, a Wellington GP.
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FROM THE CATHOLIC PRESS
Marist Messenger April 2002 http://www.smnz.org.nz/messenger/index.htm
Table of contents .. Reflections on the liturgical Readings for each day of the month .. plus the full text of one article:
"Mary, the Mother of Life" "Around Christmastide last year, there seemed to be an increase of home invasions, of murders, day after day, news report after news report. Many of us asked "What is happening?" As I reflected on that nationwide experience, my mind went back to a valuable experience... "
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"Champagnat". A Newsletter for Boards of Trustees and Staff of Marist Schools and Schools with Marist traditions in New Zealand. Volume 6 Number 1 April 2002 http://www.catholic.org.nz/fms
** The arrival back in NZ of Bishop Pompallier ** His work in Aotearoa New Zealand falls into 3 well-defined periods, each ending with a trip to Europe. [1] The Marist Period from 1838 - 1850 [2] Based in Auckland in the 1850's [3] New Zealand Wars Period 1860 -1869. Teachers who are looking for resource material about Bishop Pompallier for class projects or assemblies could visit http://www.catholic.org.nz/pompallier
** Appointments & recent deaths **
** Quick Review of the five focus points of Marist Education **
** Marcellin Champagnat¹s Views on the education of children ** To educate children is to show them their destiny in God and give them the means to reach it. To educate the child is to form him/her into a good Christian and a good citizen. To educate children one must establish a claim to their respect and obedience. Education is the fruit of good example. To educate a child, one must love children and love them all equally. Children need to be treated with kindness, charity and mercy; one needs to bear uncomplainingly with their defects. This is for the glory of God, the good of religion and the salvation of children.
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PALMERSTON NORTH DIOCESAN WEBSITE
After several years as the only the diocese without a full-fledged Website, Palmerston North has at last joined the others at: http://www.pndiocese.org.nz
On the site at present you will find: Meet our bishops ... Meet the staff ... View mission ... Find Mass times ... About the diocese ... Development Fund ... Youth Commission ... Deaf Centre ... Education Office ... Fundraising
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EVENTS
Canterbury Museum, Christchurch : "Divine Inspiration" An exhibition of 14 black-and-white photographs from Frank McGregor's 1960s cover work for The Tablet, the Catholic Church's national newspaper. His photojournalist's eye for a compelling image blends with a tender and compassionate insight into the lives of some of the lesser-seen members of the community. In the visitor lounge until May 5.
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EMPLOYMENT
(Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies )
Parish Pastoral Worker, Glendowie and St Heliers Parishes, Auckland. Full details in 'NZ Catholic' 21 April 2002, p.20 and from Pat McNamara, 22 Lammermore Drive, St Heliers, Auckland. Tel. 09 528 3459. Applications close 13 May 2002
Parish Pastoral Coordinator, St Pius X Parish, Glenn Innes, Auckland Full details in 'NZ Catholic' 21 April 2002, p.20 and from the Parish Priest, St Pius X Parish, 105 Castledine Crescent, Glenn Innes, Auckland. Applications close 17 May 2002
Logos Project. Secondary Schools' Campus Minister, Auckland (two part-time positions) The Logos Project is a ministry of the Society of Mary to Catholic teenagers and young adults. Website: http://www.logos.org.nz Further information from: The Secretary, Logos Project (Inc), 26 Hayr Road, Three Kings, Auckland 1004. Email: logosproject@hotmail.com Applications close 17 May 2002
