Make yourselves clear: Kasper tells Anglicans
Pontifical Council on Christian Unity head, Cardinal Walter Kasper, has warned the Anglican church that it "must clarify its identity" and make "difficult decisions" ahead of its forthcoming Lambeth Conference.
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Quarantine for Indigenous welfare cards undermines responsibility: CSSA
Quarantining welfare payments in indigenous communities fails to address the real issues putting children at risk and undermines people's sense of responsibility, according to Catholic Social Services Australia Executive Director, Frank Quinlan.
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Baby dies in car outside Toowoomba school
A five month old girl died yesterday after the child's mother left her in the family car while she collected her other children from a Toowoomba Catholic school.
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Latin back on menu at Vatican website
The Vatican website has introduced a section in Latin which will publish the official original editions of pontifical documents.
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Abuse victims plan protest for pope
Support groups for victims of clerical abuse are joining together to hold protests during Pope Benedict's Australian visit.
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ACU seeks student volunteers
Australian Catholic University has announced that starting in 2009 it will base its selection of students on their involvement in cultural, sporting and religious activities including volunteering as well as on academic performance.
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Hart slams Vic government over Catholic school funding
Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart has attacked the Victorian government for its failure to increase funding for Catholic schools while boosting support for public schools by $1.3 billion and raising state teachers' annual salaries by $5,000.
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Priests and sisters among Burma dead

At least two priests and several sisters are among the ten of thousands of Burmese killed by Cyclone Nargis, a Salesian priest says, with many churches and related projects also badly damaged.


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Feature - Woodstock and worship renew chance for improved relations
Since Pope John Paul II launched World Youth Day 22 years ago, it has become the Olympic Games of world religion, the largest and most complex spiritual event held on a recurring basis across the globe. One part worship and one part Woodstock, the youth oriented festival is designed to offer a rocking rebuttal to impressions that Catholicism is sliding toward oblivion. - John Allen, Sydney Morning Herald
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Featured Website - Rosary in the street
May is a month of devotion to Our Lady often best expressed through the Rosary. This website is encouraging people not just to pray the Rosary in their homes, but to take the pray with others to the street.
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Television Review - No limits
A television program devoted to showcasing people living with a disability is indeed a rare find in our commercialised world and its quest for perfection. No Limits looks at living life to the fullest with a disability, featuring stories about workshops on UN dignity and rights of people with disabilities, disability standards in education, disability legislation and much more.

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Opinion - Respect the key to youth violence
Without other standards of human flourishing to counteract those communicated on billboards and in advertising, the young members of some communities are deprived of all sources of self-esteem and respect. Unable to hope for those signs of success which the consumerist environment holds up for our emulation, young men in particular can be without resources to resist the message given them that they are failures, nonentities, nothing. - Thinking Faith
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OPINION
Beyond knowledge to wisdom
I believe this is one of the crisis points for contemporary Christianity. Put bluntly, its representatives do not seem wise. Yes, those representatives can give you any amount of information, some of them can even speak knowledgeably of Christian teachings. Wisdom is another thing altogether. - Fr Michael Whelan [More] - Aquinas Academy



FEATURE
Connected across borders
It is time for leaders of nations to see their national interests as connected with the interests of people on the other side of the globe. We have reached the point where human existence is at stake and our destiny is inextricably linked. If we are to overcome this crisis of climate change we need to think beyond the confines of national states. - Just Comment [More] - Edmund Rice Centre



FEATURED CATHOLIC WEBSITE
Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta
Returning to our education theme, we shine the spotlight on arguably the most innovative Catholic education website in the country. In addition to all the standard features of any CEO site, Parramatta's includes some interactive opinion polls and a competition for students to attempt to ''Become the Executive Director for the day''. The site is also well regarded for its RE and curriculum resources.
- www.parra.catholic.edu.au



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Agency says Australia-Malaysia ties must go beyond trade


The Uniya Jesuit Social Justice Centre has said that it is essential that Australia's relationship with Malaysia moves beyond issues of trade and security if Australia is to become an effective regional neighbour with Malaysia,

The comments were made by Uniya Director Sr Patty Fawkner, who yesterday announced the publication of the agency's latest research paper in its View on Asia series. View on Malaysia in an examination of key factors that have shaped the direction of Malaysia's political and economic development since independence.

"Amity and co-operation have generally characterised Malaysian-Australian relations, despite some notable periods of tension," she said. "The visit last April by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi indicates that the new Malaysian leadership is reasonably open and well-disposed to Australia with a free trade agreement between Australia and Malaysia already on the agenda."

"Yet, there are challenges facing both countries. In a post-Mahathir era, Malaysia continues to be confronted by opportunities and challenges, not the least of which are the demands posed by the steady rise of a politicised conservative Islam. And Australia is confronted with the balancing act of pursuing closer regional ties without damaging the alliance with the United States. Australia must also respond to terrorism without undermining its status as a country which prides itself in its multicultural identity and religious tolerance.

In announcing this new paper, Sr Fawkner said: "This background paper endeavours to increase Australian understanding of one of our regional neighbours. Yesterday's announcement that Australia has been officially invited to join the 11th ASEAN summit highlights the necessity for all Australians to have an informed knowledge of, and shared responsibility for the region. It is a positive step for Australia that the Government has announced its intention to accede to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Co-operation."

SOURCE
Australia-Malaysia relationship must move beyond trade: report (Uniya Jesuit Social Justice Centre 28/7/05)

LINKS (not necessarily endorsed by Church Resources)
View on Malaysia (Uniya Jesuit Social Justice Centre July 2005) | Download Paper (PDF)



29 Jul 2005