News and Announcements

27th October, 2024

Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

Dear Brethren,

The subject of procured abortion has been especially prominent in public affairs recently. Kamala Harris, the Democrat candidate in the forthcoming US Presidential election, has made her support for abortion as an alleged “fundamental right” a central plank of her platform. In Queensland, the incumbent ALP Premier has had a sustained “scare campaign” against the LNP in the State election to be held this weekend, based on alleged “reproductive freedom”. Never to be outdone, Victoria’s Labor government in recent days signalled its intention to give money it doesn’t have, to increase the availability of abortion throughout the State.

Last Monday, speaking at a Graduation at the Melbourne campus of ACU (Australian Catholic University), Joe de Bruyn, former Union leader (SDA) and stalwart Catholic, braved the current climate and spoke against abortion (as well as against same sex marriage), in conformity with Catholic teaching and as was his right at such an event. Nevertheless, his words prompted a mass walk out by many staff, and a large number of those graduating, and their guests. Subsequently, the Vice Chancellor of ACU made it clear that his sympathies lay entirely with the protestors – that is, with those who reject Catholic teaching on abortion and sexual morality.

One might well wonder, where have the Bishops been in these controversies? In Queensland, the Bishops turned out a two page document that claimed to aid voters in the election. It might just help them if they are looking for a cure for insomnia, but it wouldn’t help them one iota to deal with the real issues in the Queensland election. Most tellingly, it made no mention whatever of the abortion issue. The duty of the Bishops is to remind their flock, and bear witness to all, that the defence of innocent human life from conception, is of the greatest importance when it comes to casting one’s vote. Secondarily, the Bishops should have pointed out that we are at a dangerous point in public life in this country, when people in public life can be pressured to make declarations contrary to their conscience. Support for alleged “reproductive rights” has more or less became a quasi-religious test. If you are not prepared to affirm the right to an abortion, every effort will be made to hound you out of public life.

Ironically, the silence of the shepherds occurs at the same time as the compatibility of Faith and Reason is more than ever demonstrable. Our Faith teaches us with certitude that human life begins at Conception, and as such is to be defended without exception. This is not only taught in the constant moral teaching of the Church (itself based on the Word of God in Scripture and Tradition), but is implied in the dogmatic teachings of the Faith. For instance, in the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, we understand that Our Lady, by a singular privilege, was preserved from the stain of Original Sin from the first moment of Her existence – which was Her conception in St Anne’s womb. In the Mystery of the Incarnation, we learn that the Eternal Son of God took on a human nature by the power of the Holy Spirit, and became Man in the womb of the Virgin Mary. In the episode of the Visit by Our Lady to Her cousin St Elisabeth, we see how John the Baptist leaps in his mother’s womb, at the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. This is the moment at which John is sanctified. Modern biology has also demonstrated that life begins at the moment of conception, and that there is a perfect continuum from that point. But strangely, the usual suspects on the climate change bandwagon are not telling us to “listen to the science” in this matter!

Joe de Bruyn’s speech not only ably defended Catholic teaching, but demonstrated the failure of a significant Catholic institution. For some time, those of us who are in a position to see beyond the façade, have mocked the Australian Catholic University as “Anti-Christ University”. This incident demonstrates that our worst fears have been fulfilled. How is it that staff, up to the office of the Vice-Chancellor, can get away with promoting views that are fundamentally at variance with Catholic teaching? Why should they be in a position to use the Catholic Church’s resources to pander to anti-Catholic ideologies and activists? Yet this is all the tip of an ugly and menacing iceberg. ACU has many non-Catholic students, but most of its Catholic students arrive without any serious knowledge of their Faith, and are not practising Catholics in any meaningful sense. There are many reasons for this sad situation, but one is the failure of Catholic education in the primary and secondary sectors, to provide any serious and comprehensive catechesis. Some time ago we reached the point of “the bland leading the bland”.

Catholic institutions require for their survival and flourishing, not only competent leaders, but leaders who profess and live the Catholic Faith without equivocation. The problem that we see in education is replicated in health care. I am aware of at least one major Catholic hospital in Melbourne, where certain Board members are promoting the acceptance of giving referrals for abortion. Of course this is completely unacceptable for any hospital that claims to be Catholic. So far, however, those who have tried to express their concerns to the hierarchy have been ignored. With the Victorian government’s announcement in recent days promising the wider availability of abortion in Victorian hospitals, do not be surprised if this issue emerges into the open in the near future.

Of course we should want to retain our institutions, and reform them so that they are faithful to Catholic teaching. What must however be resisted is going soft on Catholic teaching to ensure the continued flow of public money. That would simply be funding whited sepulchres.

Dare one suggest that the hierarchy turn its attention away from shutting down the traditional Latin Mass and persecuting faithful Catholics, and start seriously concerning itself with the disastrous state of affairs in the so-called mainstream? If they don’t, there will soon be no mainstream left.

Let us pray for the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the reign of Christ the King!

Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!

Fr Glen Tattersall PP

Fr Tattersall is grateful for continued prayers as his convalescence enters the next phase. He is now on his feet, but wearing a “moon boot” until 22nd November. This entails some continuing restrictions. He would be grateful for assistance if needed, and thanks parishioners for their understanding and support.

Bible Study: Exodus. Bible Study with Father Murphy recommences in November, with sessions taking place on 3 Tuesday nights per month 6pm – 7:30pm in the school hall starting 12th November. We will study the book of Exodus, covering themes of liberation from sin, the prefiguring of Christ, the Church and the Sacraments. More details in the poster in the back of the church. Those wanting to attend and be on the mailing list, please contact Fr Murphy by email.

Forthcoming events:
• All Saints’ Day (Friday, 1st November): Masses at 7 am, 8 am, 10 am (all Low), and 7 pm (Solemn).
• All Souls’ Day (Saturday, 2nd November): Low Mass at 8 am, 8.45 am (series of three consecutive Masses), and 11 am (Solemn).
• Sunday, 10th November: Parish support and registration – brief talk after each Mass.
• Forty Hours’ Devotion: Friday 15th – Sunday 17th November. More details soon.

Feast of Christ the King in the Newman Parish: the act of Dedication of the Human Race to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, will be prayed at the conclusion of each Mass today. This carries a Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will be celebrated immediately after the Solemn Mass of Christ the King.

November Masses: In November, the month of the Holy Souls, we especially pray for the Faithful departed. Above all, we have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered for their eternal repose. For this purpose, November envelopes are now available. The minimum stipend for one November Mass (by Archdiocesan law) is $20. Put the names of the deceased you wish to be remembered on the envelopes provided and place them in either Sunday collection. General Mass intention envelopes are also available in the vestibule, to arrange for Mass to be offered for any other intention.

Adult catechesis: Fr Tattersall will resume fortnightly catechesis for adults on Wednesday, 13th November (7.00 – 8.00 pm). All are welcome and no registration is necessary. The course is held at Maryvale.

Planned Giving