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Recent Comments

1. Rebellion in the ranks? This is the second article in as many weeks revealing discord in the ranks of the Sydney Archdiocese. Is the Cardinal all smoke and no fire allowing many of his intentions to be circumvented while he is roaming the world? With only one Auxiliary Bishop supporting his responsibilities, he needs to be home, not travelling the world, feeding the rumours of promotions.

   Posted By: Edward J

2. Once again I find on CathNews a lack of respect by designating our Cardinal Archbishop as 'Pell' rather than at least 'Cardinal' or 'Archbishop' Pell. Is it too much to ask an organisation partly funded by the bishops of Australia to show this small degree of respect? I have sent a note to the President of the ACBC. Perhaps he will be able to persuade you. I hope so.

   Posted By: Fr Ronan Kilgannon

3. Edward J: Are you serious?
   The previous CathNews article attracted many comments disapproving of the Cardinal's apparent turning of a blind eye to this priest's dishonest actions. Now it emerges that the Cardinal had not turned a blind eye, and in fact the priest is no longer permitted to publicly celebrate the Mass or Sacraments, nor to work in the Sydney Archdiocese again.
   The Cardinal is only responsible for the priests and Catholics within his archdiocese. What would you have him do? Forcibly detain disgraced priests?
   Our hierarchy no longer has the power to compel clergy in such a fashion to abide by decisions. Have some common sense and display a little charity when commenting on the appropriateness of the Cardinal's actions.
   As to your swipe about travel - it seems many Archbishops these days are required to travel rather extensively in fulfilling various duties. Archbishop Coleridge of Canberra is one example. Promotion rumours often circulate around bishops and cardinals seen to show promise, be given extra important responsibilities, or somehow seen to have the favour of the pope. The Cardinal is doing his duties; if that feeds the rumour mongers, that's too bad. Most rumours come to nought anyway. I'm not sure why that's even an issue for you.
   Perhaps there's room for further assistance for Cardinal Pell. You might respectfully suggest that through the proper channels.

   Posted By: Mikayla

4. So Cardinal Pell was misreported - yet again. He is not to blame for this priest moving to Perth: end of story.
   Without Cardinal Pell, what would some of you do with your angst? His name pops up. It could be about him gardening, or having a cold... and the responses fly! If you find him frustrating, pray for him. Just perhaps you might actually have a revelation that his presence in the Australian Catholic Church is a good thing, even if it is for many of you to simply use as a defining point.
   
   For many of us, we thank God for Cardinal Pell's willingness to be engaged in the world. Catholicism in the 21st century is invisible, insipid and desperately luke warm. The 'bother noone' mantra, that seems to appeal to many Catholics, will take us deeper and deeper into irrelevance.
   
   AND.... if you have the a 'answer', then put yourself in the public arena. You don't need to be a Catholic clergyman to have an opinion. Start your own blog.... write your own media statements. Become the voice you so desperately want George to be!
   
   

   Posted By: Michael T.

5. Thank you Edward. So well said! He is pretending to be the Shepherd.

   Posted By: Arthur

6. Fr Ronan: Thank you for your email this morning to the CathNews discussion board for which I have oversight.
   I have noted your comment, and would say that as regards the discussion board I share your view. I cannot tell you the number of times I write Cardinal into posts about Cardinal Pell, or Archbishop when particular archbishops are being discussed. I also think it is a matter of respect for a position, no matter what the view of any individual might be.
   I am assuming that the story which caught your eye this morning was the one headed:
   ‘Pell denies sending disgraced priest to Perth
   Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell says he did not "quietly move" Father Richard Abourjaily to Perth and has stated that the priest "has no rights" to celebrate Mass or administer Sacraments.
   A spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Sydney said the Church understood he had been working as a parish priest in WA - but not with the Cardinal's permission, said an AAP report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
   She said Father Abourjaily was no longer even recognised as a priest by Cardinal Pell and would never be allowed to work in Sydney again.
   "Fr Abourjaily never went to Perth with my permission - in fact this was against my wishes," Cardinal Pell said in a statement.
   "He has no rights to publicly celebrate Mass and the sacraments." ‘
   There is a considerable difference between a heading – often done because of the exigencies of space - and the body copy, in which Cardinal Pell is accorded his title, as you will see. Also on the site this morning, is a story from the Bishops Conference about the bishops on Facebook:
   ‘Anyone can become a "fan" of the page, which the Bishops are describing as a "quick and efficient way of finding information about the Catholic Church in Australia, communicate with the bishops, and to understand how the Conference operates", according to a statement.
   Media delegate for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Bishop Peter Ingham, said that engaging with Facebook and other new digital media will more effectively share the love of Christ with the people of the world.
   "There are so many opportunities now available to us to be at service of the Word of God. Digital media gives us so much more scope to make Jesus Christ better known and loved," said Bishop Ingham.
   Director of the Australian Catholic Film Office, Fr Richard Leonard, said that new media is rapidly emerging in society and that the Church should engage with it or become irrelevant.
   "The Church is able to participate quite easily with new media, with the help of skilled professionals. In doing so, more than ever before, they have the capacity spread the message of Christ to a wide and varied audience," said Fr Leonard.’
   Everyone in our stories is accorded proper respect, Fr Ronan. However, when it comes to an abbreviation or a dropping of a title in a heading, please be assured that this does not indicate a lack of respect, but rather a lack of space.
   

   Posted By: Moderator

7. But which bishop/archbishop knew of his move? Is this a case of 'hear no evil...'?

   Posted By: Jill Mather

8. Get real Ronan, or am I supposed to say “Father”. The very first words of the article read “Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell”

   Posted By: David

9. Fr Ronan: Since your parish is not part of the Sydney Archdiocese - perhaps you should your opinions to yourself.

   Posted By: Mary Louise Brooks

10. 'All he did was to lie and that's not a good thing. He was very, very repentant of that and, being as repentant as he was, he is not going to reoffend again' it quoted Father John Flader, director of the Catholic Adult Education Centre, as saying.
    I disagree; it is not just a question of lying, more importantly it's a question of fraud. He should be handed over to the police and charged.
    Disgraceful conduct!
    Fr Gerard McMorrow

    Posted By: Gerard McMorrow

11. Well said, Fr Ronan. It's clear Cardinal Pell has to cope with white-anters in his midst not doing their jobs; perhaps someone with a fair sense of such difficulties would like to be part of the solution instead of the problem.
    Edward J: The Cardinal has answered his critics very quickly in this matter so its disingenuous for you to criticise again without logic or facts, ie that he should not be in Rome, as if his only business there was to provide the opportunity for uncharitable innuendo re promotions and 'roaming the world'!

    Posted By: Chris Saidou

12. Mikayla: I respect the office of the Cardinal but in the Cardinal’s own words “Truth Sayers must have the courage to speak out”.
    I believe his Eminence’s authority is being manipulated and circumvented simply due to a lack of clear guidelines in developing unity as one Australian Catholic Church.
    CathNews only scratches the surface on such matters. Fr Ronan Kilgannon's statement while expressing respect advocates censorship so full marks to the moderator.

    Posted By: Edward J

13. Let me get this straight: Cardinal Pell removed the rights of a priest who allegedly attempted fraud and was neither charged nor convicted (as far as I can tell) - but maintained the rights of Father John Denham who, after being convicted in a Sydney court in 2000 of indecent assault against a former pupil, was still working as a relieving priest in Sydney on weekends as late as 2005 and presumably later. That strikes me as disproportionate. Alleged fraud is grounds for removing a priest's rights, but not a conviction for indecent assault?

    Posted By: AJ

14. Father Ronan: It is a deep shame that you seem to spend your time searching CathNews for rebellion and lack of respect, as evidenced in your 'once again', especially in light of the issues surrounding this story.
    Forests and trees. Perhaps you should consider why it is that so many do not refer to Cardinal Pell in the way you demand they do. Surely contemplatives have more to do with their time than finger waving on the internet?

    Posted By: MJ

15. There's a lot of 'playing the man', not the game, going on here in this discussion. Mary Louise Brooks thinks that if you're not in a diocese, you shouldn't have an opinion... hmmm, that's a bit silly, people from all over Australia comment on this site... and MJ, seems to think you have spend your time searching CathNews for rebellion and lack of respect.
    I don't think there is any evidence that Fr Ronan did that.
    The vitriol levelled at Fr Ronan, simply because he thinks a bishop should be treated with greater respect, is shameful.
    I hear in the tone of comments here, the same venom contained in the words:
    Crucify Him, Crucify Him.
    I believe that many people who frequent this site, and comment endlessly, have a passive, victim mentality towards Church hierachy. They seem to rail against the Bishops or anyone in authority. I wonder, 'What are you doing in the life of the Church?' 'How many tough situations have you had to stand in front of a crowd to defend?' 'How many priests, religious or other church leaders have you encouraged, blessed, supported?'
    Time to get off your soapbox and invest your own life in the church, in the way we see dedicated Bishops like Cardinal Pell do.
    
    

    Posted By: c.d.

16. MJ: How convenient for you were Fr Ronan Kilgannon to heed your advice about how he should use his time, and how much poorer would be the quality of postings here.
    

    Posted By: John

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