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1. This is a wonderful brief piece: very encouraging to us all. Thank you, Archbishop Coleridge.

   Posted By: Dr Susan Reibel Moore

2. The reception of the pallium is most deeply rooted in Christian tradition, and is seen by some as the external symbol which relates to the solidarity of Church Pastoral Care with Rome.
   But for lots of people, they would not have a clue as to what the pallium means.
   For many people, it just looks like some added extra to the vestments, and at a close up look, I 'm sure that many people would take a fancy to the special pins that attach the pallium to the Chasuable.
   It would seem to me that the boost to re-evangelising our country will only happen when the pallium is noticeably seen as a true, and real sign of servant ministry.... otherwise the pallium will be just an added extra.

   Posted By: Kevin Walsh

3. The authority of the Church from the Vatican to each and every part of the world and people is important.
   Its symbols therefore have great meaning.
   In reading some of the supposedly intellectual and educated comments by people in Australia claiming to be reform catholics, I feel very sad. They are constantly telling what the Church should be like.
   As a Catechist I am learning constantly and their ideas just don't make sense.
   I fear they haven't had enough to do with little children who so often seem to have clear and succinct theology.

   Posted By: Mary

4. “If you separate yourself from the see of Peter then it becomes impossible to fulfill the apostolic task entrusted to the Church by Jesus.”
   I wonder will Archbishop Coleridge be saying that to his Anglican, Uniting and Orthodox friends in Brisbane?

   Posted By: Chris Grady

5. Wonderful to hear these words 'that you can only become more apostolic by entering into deeper communion with the See of Peter' from my new Archbishop. It is a simple message and instruction that our teachings as Roman Catholics come from the Pope and the Vatican as he is the representative of Jesus in this world.

   Posted By: David Rabe

6. The experience of seeing the culvert, in the Scavi beneath the Vatican, where it is thought that the body of St Peter was hidden, is a very moving one and strengthens the awareness of the line of bishops stretching right back to the apostles... hence the tradition of touching the pallium to the culvert. However, it won't be gaining a lot of attention in Australia and among Australian youth unless the bishops can witness again to the early Faith in radical ways.

   Posted By: Graham

7. Why is it necessary to increase the control of the Vatican by this symbol which hs its origin with the imperial Roman system of Emperor Constantine (as reported recently in the Brisbane Catholic Leader)?
   Surely, to be a follower of Jesus does not need such symbols of triumphalism. How on earth will this contribute to re-evangelisatoion of Australia?
   As for Mary's comments, it is not little children who need converting, it is the children who leave school.

   Posted By: Peter M

8. Graham: Could you give us some examples of the radical ways you refer to, please?
   The more ideas people can offer our bishops, the more chance that they will be able to reconvert a lot of Aussies!

   Posted By: Paul Keen

9. Certainly, Paul.
   Strengthening the Faith of the wavering, charismatically expressing a preference for the poor, reaching out to the Catholics in State schools, serving on Soup Vans, moving their residences to the poorer parts of Melbourne, getting rid of silk sox and shoes with gold buckles (the Bishop with the fancy taste has since moved on), reaching out to the disheartened and disillusioned, giving away the wealth of the Church to the really poor, allowing the poor old divorcees who sit at the back of Churches and go out when Communion starts, immediately sacking paedophile priests when they are convicted and showing real compassion and care for victims and their families, flying economy class, not spending millions on wasteful renovations and embellishments, being energetically pastoral rather than the focusing on power and control, standing up for asylum seekers, encouraging brain storming among the laity - how would these do for starters?

   Posted By: Graham

10. As a plain Catholic, I'm puzzled by this statement.
    In what practical way will a pallium ceremony boost evangelisation in Australia?
    Even most Catholics would not know what a pallium is, let alone those to be evangelised.
    If it conveys some extra authority, why is such authority needed over and above that conferred at a bishop's installation?
    Is not service rather than authority more likely to promote the Gospel?
    If this is correct, would not e.g. a St Vincent de Paul or Community of St Egidio badge or a small gift of money from the Pope to a refugee family, be more meaningful ?
    I wonder if the problem is not that people are separating themselves from the See of Peter but that the Vatican is separating itself from the world? We need the imagination, courage and wisdom of a new Pope John XXIII to bridge this gap.

    Posted By: conor bradley, canberra

11. Evangelisation does not come via the clothing we wear, but through our being like Jesus of Nazareth.
    This is the apostolic task.
    Non RCs can do this admirably, surely.

    Posted By: Francis

12. The reception of the pallium may be deeply rooted in Catholic tradition but as a tool for evangelisation I suspect it is of little practical use.
    Thank you Kevin, Graham, Conor, Francis.
    Mary, I don't know what the average Catholic child with his or her 'clear succinct theology' would make of the pallium ceremony; it hasn't been a big deal in my very long (and very traditionally catechised memory).

    Posted By: JR,Sydney

13. Graham: They would do very nicely, thanks!
    We need more common sense stuff like this.
    I've just heard from those in the know that Archbishop Coleridge has already been visiting schools in his archdiocese.
    Sounds like he's thinking along the same lines as you.

    Posted By: Paul Keen

14. Would you expand on the words 'if you separate yourrself from the See of Peter'?
    Are you saying that the present system, where all administrative decisions are made in Rome must continue, otherwise Australia would be outside the teaching of Jesus?

    Posted By: Bill Monaghan

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