Chaos can be a blessing from God. This is one of the primary messages of the Scriptures. The term ‘chaos’ is first used at the beginning of the Book of Genesis. It means that the earth prior to God’s creative act is depicted as formless, a void, and concealed deeply under dark waters (Gen 1:2f). Read more
One of the striking features of innovative interfaith work is the very high proportion of women and girls who are involved, despite the received image of mostly male religious leaders in dialogue. Of the 687 young people who applied to be one of our 34 Faiths Act Fellows, there were 487 women and 200 men. Read more
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran had this to say in a recent interview on the Al Jazeera television network: We succeeded in avoiding the clash of civilizations; let us avoid the clash of ignorance’…. There is fear of Islam, but it is due to ignorance…. When you speak to these people—I have spoken to so many of these Read more
2012 has been a telling year for multiculturalism in Australia. It began with the Opposition Spokeswoman for Citizenship, Teresa Gambaro, creating a furor with her call for immigrants to be schooled in wearing deodorant and how to queue. The eminent neurosurgeon, Charlie Teo was then hassled for talking straight about racism in his Australia Day Read more
The late arrival of the new Missal in New Zealand means the opportunity to use the full new translation of the Mass has been somewhat limited. Last Sunday, I celebrated Mass in a semi-private setting. Before going public, I wanted to try out the new translation of the Mass using our brand new Missal. This Read more
This column is late. Months late. Years late, actually. But I admit that it writes itself in my head almost every day. This month, there were two separate situations that require it be said rather than simply thought. Last week, Rush Limbaugh, popular voice of far-right politics, used his position on the airwaves to insult, Read more
I’ve been thinking about the most wonderful keyhole in the world as debates about public prayer have been on the agenda of city council meetings in Bideford, England and Whanganui, New Zealand. To look through this keyhole you have to go to Rome and walk up the Aventine Hill until you get to the front door of Read more
Catholics who are passionate about the family, the life issues and the sexual issues go to one side of the room, and Catholics passionate about the social teachings of the Church to the other. And from their sides they both hurl blame, venom, scorn, and debate who is a true Catholic and who really cares Read more
Late last week the new New Zealand Roman Missal (with its new translation from the Latin) arrived. It had previously been delayed because the first ones printed couldn’t be ensured to lie open, and so could affect a priest’s gestures. The irony was that New Zealand was the first to begin introducing the new translation – it Read more
I’m not sure Cardinal Keith O’Brien is especially interested in the finer points of public relations. If I enjoyed the backing of over a billion practicing Catholics I probably wouldn’t be that bothered either. Which is just as well, because his article in yesterday’s Sunday Telegraph on gay marriage, together with his rant on this morning’s Today programme, Read more