THE P RTAL
January 2015
Australia Pages - page 10
News in brief
Eliza Frank presents a roundup of news from Australia
Resurgence: Revitalising Western Catholicism
Richard Alston, Former member of the Australian
Senate, 1986-2004, writes:
“This
book by Fr James Grant,
published by Modotti Press, is a very timely
book, as it addresses not only why there is a deepening
moral abyss in this country, but also considers what
Australia needs to do to avoid the pitfalls of other
Western countries. Unlike many armchair theorists
or disheartened clerics, the author has spent a lifetime
at the coal face. He is therefore uniquely placed to
understand why many denominations seek the wrong
zeitgeist solutions to the religious inertia, apathy and
disinterest which are threatening to overwhelm both
churches and communities.”
Two New Bishops of Sale, Victoria
Catholic Bishop-Elect,
The Most
Revd Patrick O’Regan, said “I feel a real blend of
surprise, excitement, numbness, humility and sadness:
surprise at being chosen; excitement at being able to
be a source of unity and hope to the People of God
in the Diocese of Sale. I’m still numb from having my
world turned upside down, a very Advent, John the
Baptist thing to do; humility, as the path of service
opens up more deeply before me and sadness that
after 31 years of working in and 56 years of being part
of the Diocese of Bathurst, I’m a little like Abram in
being called away to Sale; ‘Go from your country, your
people and your father’s household to the land I will
show you’. (Genesis 12:1).”
This is a huge week for the Diocese of Sale. We have
been mourning Bishop Jeremiah Coffey’s death and
now we welcome the announcement of a new Bishop.
As is so often the case in the Christian life, death and
new life are part of our experience. Through the eyes
of faith, these combine together in hope by the God
of surprises who assures Christ’s ultimate victory and
ever-present faithful love. May Our Lady of Perpetual
Help pray for us.” [By Bishop-elect, The Most Rev’d
Patrick O’Regan]
The NEW ANGLICAN
Bishop of Sale is
to be Bishop Kay Goldsworthy, the first woman
to be consecrated a bishop in the Anglican Church
of Australia. She is returning to Victoria to become
Bishop of Gippsland.
THE IRON CROSS
Rob Hill
reports that a news item in the local
media may have escaped most people’s attention
unless they were aware of a forthcoming auction of
an Iron Cross which is said to have been placed over
the grave of Mother Mary MacKillop in the Gore Hill
cemetery in Sydney in 1909.
built memorial chapel in Mount Street, North Sydney.
The vault was a gift of Joanna Barr Smith, a lifelong
friend and admiring Presbyterian.
The sisters of St Joseph, the community founded by
Mother Mary MacKillop, believe that the iron cross
has been on display in Melbourne with the intention
of being sold.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop died on 8 August 1909
in the Josephite convent in North Sydney. The Archbishop
of Sydney, Cardinal Moran, said that: “I consider this day
The media did a follow-up story in which it stated
to have assisted at the deathbed of a Saint.” She was laid that the iron cross had in fact been sold to a prominent
to rest at the Gore Hill cemetery, a few kilometres up the Catholic institution whose spokesman said: “We are
Pacific Highway from North Sydney.
delighted that this important item will be preserved
and displayed into the future.”
After McKillop’s burial, people continually took
earth from around her grave. As result, her remains
“Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop” is buried in
were exhumed and transferred on 27 January 1914 to the Convent Chapel North Sydney, a place of great
a vault before the altar of the Virgin Mary in the newly holiness, of prayer and devotion.
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