Letters

Future Church

John Barich

Contents - Aug 2010 - Buy a copy now Feast of the Assumption: Benedict XVI's homily Troubled future of the Church in Ireland - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin News: The Church Around the World The Mass: why we should focus on its essence - Fr John O'Neill PP Liberalism: Christian churches and the 'religious left' - Babette Francis Foundations of Faith: The Sacrament of Penance: whatever happened to confession? - Br Barry Coldrey Foundations of Faith: The angel who died on Christmas Day - Arthur N. Ballingall Justice: A Queensland Year 12 student: the injustice of abortion Vocations: Mother Dolores Hart OSB: from Hollywood to convent - Michael Gilchrist Letters: Liturgy Letters: Infallibility - Dr Frank Mobbs Letters: Safe abortion? - Maureen Federico Letters: Obama Health Bill - Sr Rose Mary Kinne OP Letters: Euthanasia - Dr Arnold Jago Letters: Definitions by design - J. Loring Letters: Future Church - John Barich Books: THE CATHOLIC PRIEST IMAGE OF CHRIST: Through Fifteen Centuries of Art - Terri Kelleher (reviewer) Books: THE GUILLOTINE AND THE CROSS, by Warren H. Carroll - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: BLESSED PIUS IX, by Roberto de Mattei - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: JESUS CHRIST, YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER, by Fr Anthony Percy - Micheal Daniel (reviewer) Books: DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CATHOLIC HISTORY: From the Catacombs to the Reformation - Terri Kelleher (reviewer) Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Why the true meaning of marriage must be enshrined in law - Archbishop John C. Nienstedt

I would like to congratulate Frank Mobbs (July AD2000) for his incisive review of John Allen's book The Future Church. However, I question Allen's speculation "that Pope and Curia may relocate to one of the great centres of Catholicism, such as Mexico City." Is this to be what happened with the move to Avignon in AD 1309? Having been to both Rome and Mexico City I know which one I would favour.

In any case, it would be difficult to move away from Vatican City, which is a city State, and relocate in a country which can be quite anti-Catholic. What would the Mexican Government offer? Avignon at least offered protection. Will the Church need another St Catherine of Siena?

Also, how would all the holy shrines be shifted? The burial places of Peter and Paul, the catacombs, the Sistine Chapel, etc.

JOHN BARICH
Perth, WA

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 23 No 7 (August 2010), p. 15