Two items which should interest Catholics
Dear Australian Bishops
This email attempts to draw attention to two matters which I believe should concern Australian bishops.
Each year the Australian Bishops issue a statement. Some of these are listed below. Looking through the list, it seems to me that the topics which excite the interest of our bishops are not as pressing as some issues which are completely absent.
Here are two problems which we face that I believe should be addressed by our hierarchy.
1 The evils of Islam.
Below this email I have given a list of headlines from yesterday's news which should demonstrate the Satanic nature of Islam. Here is one example.
I cannot imagine why a bishop would not be concerned about such evil and its effect on the safety of human souls.
Also below this email is a list of the atrocities committed in the name of Islam over the last 60 days. No other religion can demonstrate such a list.
So my question here is this: Why are bishops not interested in warning Catholics of the dangers of Islam?
2 Repentance and the sacrament of penance.
I have lived in many parishes over the years. In one parish with around 2 500 Catholics, for some years I am often the only parishioner lining up for confession each week. Have these parishes finally eliminated sin? Yet there are hardly any children at Mass, which tells me that contraception is the norm.
At another parish of about 12 000 Catholics, confession is scheduled for 30 minutes before Mass. I can recall having seen only one person at this church seeking confession, and this is over many years. Again, few children.
Now this sacrament is intended to save souls. Does the Church no longer see the saving of souls as a priority?
It seems that the Americans share this unfortunate problem.
Do our bishops feel strongly enough about these two developments to consider issuing a statement?
Part 1: The Australian Bishops Teaching on Social Justice
2013-14 Lazarus at Our Gate: A critical moment in the fight against world poverty
2012-13 The Gift of Family in Difficult Times: The social and economic challenges facing families today
2011-12 Building Bridges, Not Walls: Prisons and the justice system
2010 Violence in Australia: A message of peace
2009 And you will be my witnesses: Young people and justic
2008 A Rich Young Nation: The challenge of affluence and poverty in Australia
2007 Who is my Neighbour?: Australia as a Global Citizen
2006 The Heart of our Country: Dignity and justice for our Indigenous sisters and brothers
2005 Jesus, light for the world: Living the Gospel today
2004 Peace be with you: Cultivating a culture of peace
2003 A generous heart in the love of Christ: Challenging racism in Australia today
2002 A New Earth: The environmental challenge
2001 A just and peaceful land: Rural and regional Australia in 2001
2000 Woman and Man: The Bishops Respond
Part 2: Yesterdays headlines on Islam
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