Waterworks Valley, Tasmania St Augustine's guide to politics Refugees and the role of religious groups Reform in the Catholic Church What does God want me to do? Biblical scholar speaks in Melbourne Refugee reunites with Mercy Sister Latest film reviews online
Waterworks Valley, Tasmania
At CRA's recent National Assembly in Hobart, Senator Christine Milne spoke about the Waterworks Valley area in Hobart as an example of a local community committed to reducing their carbon foot and nourishing community spirit. To find out more go to: http://waterworksvalley.com/
St Augustine's guide to politics
Written in the early 5th century, Augustine's City of God is one of the classics of Western theology that also articulates a guide to politics that still resonates today, and speaks to secular as well as Christian society. Looking to make sense of the Australian federal election? ABC Radio National's Encounter program suggests some understanding may be found in reading Augustine. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/encounter/stories/2010/2971825.htm#transcript
Refugees and the role of religious groups
In his recent book Christianity and Contemporary Politics, Luke Bretherton observes how Western liberal democracies such as Britain, Australia and the United States are increasingly partnering with religious organisations in order to fill gaps left by "the retreat of the state from welfare provisions." Religious groups, with their long history of involvement in education and charity, are now seen as agents to whom the state can outsource various services. Joshua Ralston looks at refugees and the role of religious groups in an article on the ABC's Religious and Ethics website: http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2010/07/28/2966921.htm
Reform in the Catholic Church
Speaking at the 2010 Australian National Council of Priests (NCP) convention at Parramatta in July, ABC broadcaster Geraldine Doogue urged Catholic bishops to imagine a kinder Church in terms of how it treats its insiders, its ordained priests and the wider pilgrim body. http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2010/08/03/2971914.htm
What does God want me to do?
This was the question posed during a weekend retreat in June 2010 conducted by Father Greg Homeming at Mount Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW. In these talks Father Greg reflects on the practice of discernment and draws upon his Carmelite tradition to suggest some helpful approaches. These series of talks can be found in the Spirituality section. http://www.carmelite.com/spirituality/default.cfm?loadref=119
Biblical scholar speaks in Melbourne
Esteemed progressive biblical scholar, Father John Dominic Crossan, will make a one-stop-only visit to Australia for four very special events in Melbourne in early September. He will deliver a series of three day lectures and one major evening lecture on the themes of the world of Jesus and Paul, the Jesus and the Kingdom of God, Paul and the lordship of Christ and Divine Violence in the Christian Bible. For more information go to: http://jdcrossan.eventbrite.com/
Refugee reunites with Mercy Sister
Sudanese refugee David Basioni and Australian Sister of Mercy Maureen Lohrey had a happy reunion recently, when by chance both spoke at a Jesuit Refugee Service function in Melbourne. Neither had any inkling the other would be there, and both were overwhelmed with joy to see one another after 13 years. The Sister of Mercy and the African man developed a close bond inside the Adjumani refugee camp, but lost contact with one another after Sister Maureen left the camp in 1997. http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/chance-meeting-reunites-david-mum-after-13-years-20100725-10ql2.html
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