Have Your Say 

Recent Comments

1. Why didn't Michael McKenna and David Walker sign the statement? Surely, if it's important for the other ten bishops to sign, what is the reason, for the two mentioned, to not do so?

   Posted By: John Spora- Kingsford.NSW.

2. This statement is similar in tone and content to the one issued by the Victorian bishops at the time of their State election.
   It is good to see that our bishops are engaging in argument and teaching about particular policies which they find objectionable, as well as conceding that the Greens' concern for the environment is quite consistent with policies informed by Catholic social teaching.
   In the church, as in society generally, there is room for discussion about the arguments and the utility of the bishops subjecting just the Greens’ policies to such detailed scrutiny.

   Posted By: Fr Frank Brennan SJ, ACU

3. 'The full offering of the oarty hasto be taken into account'...
   Does not the full offering of every party have to be taken into account? Why are these bishops targetting the Greens in particular?

   Posted By: Barry Hughes, Albion

4. It seems to me The Greens are The New Reds of Australian politics. They are silly enough to draw up ambit programs of social reform that they will never ever have any hope of implementing - just like the programs the Communist Party of Australia used to produce in the 1950s/60s.
   Of course they got fellow-travellers and sympathisers on some issues but the most these people wanted was to get their pet issues discussed and debated. Being on the side of social reform their neigbour on the political spectrum was the Labor Party which in the Australian political system had to weigh up the value of issues that would win it preferences from The Reds (now The Greens).
   These are political tactics, not religious or even moral judgments. And I would hazard a guess that is the view taken by Bishops McKenna and Walker when they didn't sign the Bishops Statement.

   Posted By: Joe Moruya

5. At long, last the Church is taking a stand. Wonderful.

   Posted By: Raymond B.Meppem Beacon Hill

6. It would be good if the bishops would also comment on the widespread corruption in both levels of government in New South Wales, the abuse of ministerial powers, the pandering to corporations, the prioritising of the economy and jobs over human and natural life, the media that distort the truth and encourage hatred and violence.
   If they did that, I would be more inclined to listen to their comments on the Greens. I do not agree with every Green policy, but I see them to be more honest and trustworthy than other parties, and also more committed to democratic processes.
   I will vote Green, not because I have any expectation that the Green candidate will be successful, but as a protest against the wholesale environmental destruction going on in the name of 'the economy'.

   Posted By: Janet Lake Macquarie

7. So the Greens' position on these issues 'conflicts directly with the beliefs and values of virtually all religious people'?
   Not true.
   There is no common mind among the churches on most of the matters cited. Ecumenically, the statement is misleading.

   Posted By: David Gill Manly NSW

8. Many of us knew the basic facts about dangerous policies pushed by the Greens well before the last federal election. Of course the bishops' action is welcome.
   

   Posted By: Dr Susan Reibel Moore, Sydney

9. Thanks to the fearless ten for showing us true Christian priorities.
   Now I can in clear conscience vote for parties that both allow the gaming and alcohol industries to flourish and receive largesse from them; show complete disregard for legislative transparency and probity; accept largesse from tobacco industries; largesse from big developers.
   And so on, because now we know that such actual actions are more in harmony with christian principles than the theoretical policies of the Greens.
   We could take the fearless ten's stance seriously if some consistency across the political spectrum was applied, but to specifically target one group who have not, and probably wont, wield any actual power, taints the episcopacy and shows the self interest at play.
   Bishops McKenna and Walker should only be the more respected for not participating in such parochial politicking.

   Posted By: Mark Johnson. Sydney. NSW.

10. It is good to see the Church coming out and saying something about the Greens.
    More Catholics need to be aware of the evil this party supports; they are not simply about the environment. They will target Catholic schools, marriage and human life.
    The most important issue Catholics need to think about when it comes to voting is the protection of human life, how a party votes and allows conscience votes on these issues.
    God made Adam and Eve first and all was good; the environment comes second!
    Protect human life and do not vote for the Greens.’

    Posted By: PS, Sydney

11. It is true that our natural environment has been polluted as a result of human activity.
    I think most people - even those who are not alligned to Bob Brown's Greens - believe that we should work towards improving it.
    However, there is an even more important environment - the socio-spiritual one - that is also being polluted.
    Yes, polluted by our policies and actions. If we continue to chip away at marriage, family, respect for life from conception to the last breath or, perhaps, ignore these attacks then we will be contributing to the destruction of humanity.
    I would vote for a candidate (not party) whose policies and lifestyle suggest that he or she cares about both environments.

    Posted By: M. Lyons, Perth

12. The Bishops of New South Wales Statement criticising the Greens will act as a valuable advertisement for the Greens. Money can't buy this type of advertising.

    Posted By: terry fitz south brisbane

13. Strange that we don't have the same bishops issuing statements expressing 'grave concerns' re the policies of the two major parties?
    Their lack of focus on issues of social justice, such as homelessness, poverty, refugees, asylum seekers and more humane treatment of prisoners and people suffering from mental issues must surely be a concern to people who are involved in the work of proclaiming the Kingdom of God in our communities!

    Posted By: mike schell, Santa Teresa, NT

14. I am not sure it is prudent to isolate one group and not comment on the obvious weakness of others!

    Posted By: D.A. Davies. Milton.

15. The following comments cover a vast field and frankly I feel that marriage is really not a religious matter except in those cases where participants choose to marry with religious overtones. Surely otherwise it is a civic or legal matter. Doesn't France separate both cases - you may have a religious ceremony but are obliged to have a civic/legal ceremony?.

    Posted By: gloria healey, Sydney

16. Perhaps, John Spora, they don't disagree with them - or some of them. Or maybe they just don't want to get involved.
    But to avoid speculation, why don't we ask them? We seek the views of political candidates on these issues, what about seeking the views of the Bishops as well.

    Posted By: BTW Blayney

17. People has short memories and lack of self-examination.
    The Greens wouldn't have the influence they have today if more people had joined the ALP in order for it to stick to its socialisation programme whilst reamaining more pro -life.
    Sadly, we have more quislings and turncaots who love to claim they are Labor whilst turning to the Coalition and being browned off with the ALP for the new influence of the Greens.

    Posted By: Michael Webb Quakers Hill

18. Some of the commentators protest too much.
    Over the eleven weeks of this year, various Catholics - ordained and lay, have made calls on the conscience of the wider community, critiquing official policies and community attitudes to all manner of things social, economic and spiritual, seeking to bring to those situations, the Catholic Gospel view, so to say the Bishops are selective or only scrutinising the Greens is false and misleading, calumny even.
    Those protesting the Bishops collectively speaking out about the Greens obviously are deaf to the Greens and their calls made about things spiritual (Bob Brown's call reinterpreting the Gospel over the matter of same-sex marriage), social (The Greens' call to impose on irrigating farmers an unjust burden for Murray Darling Rivers rehabilitation) and economic (the call by The Greens for a punitive style Carbon Tax), necesititating a correction by the teachers of our Church.
    Or, sadly, are those protesting the Bishops actually hearing the Greens' messages and listening (agreeing) to them?

    Posted By: Fr Mick Mac Andrew West Wyalong NSW

19. It is good to see the ten bishops speak out about Greens policies that are completely opposed to Catholic teaching on very important issues.
    While it would have been good to see them speak out about other issues where Labor and liberal could do better, there is no doubt that the Greens present the greatest challenge to Christian principles.
    Nevertheless, I do agree that it would have been fairer if they had run their criitical eyes over the whole gamut of policies produced by Labor and Liberal pointing out where each could do better.

    Posted By: Robert Sunshine coast

20. Apparently the people of Australia, prior to last election, did not hear or read the Green's policies. But wait, there is worse to come!

    Posted By: T. Kren, Frankston

21. It is a good thing that people have been alerted to all the policies of the 'Greens' and no just the warm fuzzy parts on the environment.
    I was pleased to see the word 'goodwill' used in relation to people of life who are active in all the major political parties. The future remains tied to the two party system and to ensure that the future is pro life one should seriously consider joining a major political party not just for life issues (even though they are most important) but for the fact that in order to help marriage and life issues gain ground, one must be a fair dinkum supporter of the best core values of the socio-economic agenda of the party of one's choice.
    In other words, be a good Labor or Liberal man/woman you can be. Then you will be taken seriously to win support, 'the numbers' and get a hearing on life issues.
    Petitions, letters and small groups who usually bag the Labor side of politics in this strange new wave of culture wars in our dioceses and claims of mortal sin if on the Labor side is so much bunkum and counter-productive. Religion should never be used by advocates of holier than thou false piety to try and get one's fellow Catholics to vote for a minor 'Christian' outfit or for the Coalition.
    People are not kids and do not need such directing via insinuation.
    
    

    Posted By: Michael Webb Quakers Hill

22. I shudder to think of the power the Greens will now gain because of Labor having to co-operate with them in order to be re-elected. I feel for farmers trying to make a living while battling the Greens over irrigation, cattle in the high country etc. I know they mean well on environmental issues, but they don't think things through properly.

    Posted By: Annie Shepparton

23. Mark Johnson and others who wonder why the Bishops aren't 'consistent' on other issues: They actually are, and have spoken often about refugees, asylum seekers etc.
    The matters you refer to, as well as social justice issues, are more complex issues that governments have struggled with for decades.
    There are certain things, however, that Catholics know to be 'non-negotiables' - that being the sanctity of life from conception until natural death.
    That is why the bishops 'pick on' the Greens in this way, because, unlike the ALP or the Libs, they are specifically out to put forward social engineering bills that serve interest groups but damage considerably the greater good.

    Posted By: Anthony, Perth

24. And about time too. The Greens policies are a moral menace and the Church should clearly and courageously identify them as such.

    Posted By: Peter, Canberra, Australia

25. Anthony: The Australian Christian Values Check List does not give a clean bill on abortion or euthanasia for either the Liberal or the Labour Party.

    Posted By: Peter M Budgewoi NSW

26. It appears that a number of people critical of the bishops for allegedly not mentioning other issues have not heard of Social Justice Sunday.

    Posted By: john Tobin-Mackay-Queensland.

27. Anthony: Has the Church been so beguiled into believeing that a couple of issues only are 'non-negotiable'? That so called 'social engineering' is the line in the sand and what motivates the fearless ten to take on a minor party?
    All that stance does is make Christianity boutique and therefore irrelevant.
    Such a stance as yours is also disingenuous because the major parties do in fact support a raft of 'social engineering' polices (as there are more than the narrow 'family' based issues).
    Look harder at the major parties, Anthony, to see what they support overtly or covertly.
    

    Posted By: Mark Johnson, Sydney. NSW.

28. Anthony: I agree with you that we should be concerned about politicians or political parties that put forward policies that 'damage considerably the greater good'.
    It is sad that some people do not consider family issues to be top of the list.

    Posted By: M. Lyons, Perth

29. Sorry, Mark Johnson, but on this one I agree totally with Anthony's observations.

    Posted By: Michael Webb Quakers Hill NSW

30. I was educated at Xavier by the Jesuits (thank you!)
    During the past few decades, I have been looking at the world in an entirely different way. Many scientists are looking at the world as being one.
    It is a Quantum Science view, one with which I am becoming extremely comfortable. Movies such as What the Bleepare an excellent introduction to the concepts.
    Quantum Physics says that everything is connected. That we directly affect others by our thoughts and actions. It is said that 'Thoughts become things - so think the good ones!'
    Even on the Earth plane, we can easily see the truth in the above. A mining company puts chemicals into the earth, which then enters the water system, and suddenly we can't drink the water!
    Everything is connected.
    We need a fully functioning planet to play on. If we surrender any further to the man-made money system and destroy the planet, we will be no more.
    God didn't create money; man did. These days, there is no gold or silver backing it up. Our entire system is oriented to making more and more money, and ignoring the planet's needs. And, we need the planet!
    All around the world, the financial system is collapsing. Let's replace it with something new. Something that works for us, and for God's creation.

    Posted By: Clem Clarke, Bermagui, NSW

• » Advertise in CathNews

Email to Friend Please fill out the following details (fields marked with a * are mandatory):
Send To Email Address*:
Send To Name *:
Sent By Email Address*:
Sent By Name *:
Text to include in email:
Captcha validation:	please enter the code above:

^ Page Top

Comment on this article

More from this section

1. No school should be worse off funding-wise: Catholic sector

   The National Catholic Education Commission has said it expects "funding maintained" provisions will not survive the school funding review being led by David Gonski, according to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

2. Religious accused of abuse

   A 41-year-old has told a jury that he was sexually abused as a teenager, by a member of the Vincentian order counselling him over a previous attack by a different man, said AAP reports in the Sydney Morning Herald.

3. More than 4000 Aussies to Madrid for WYD

   More than 4000 Australian youth are expected to travel to Spain in August for World Youth Day in Madrid, reports The Catholic Weekly.

4. Community supervision better for asylum seekers, says ERC

   The Edmund Rice Centre has called for a major policy overhaul of Australia's management of asylum-seekers, proposing that the country implements the community supervision method adopted by western nations, the Centre said in a media release.

5. Parents urged to check NSW parties' education policies

   Catholic school families and staff must make their vote count in the upcoming NSW election, by being aware of the educational policies of the major political parties, says the Diocese of Parramatta's Catholic Education.