Letters

Year of Grace

Ken Bayliss

Contents - May 2012 - Buy a copy now Mexico: Benedict XVI's reflection on Our Lady of Guadalupe - Pope Benedict XVI Episcopacy: Brisbane's new Archbishop well-equipped for the challenges - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Obama imposes contraception document on UN - Babette Francis Benedict XVI builds on John Paul II's historic Cuba visit - Michael Gilchrist The culture wars: Archbishop Chaput's call to Christians - Ben Johnson Young adult ministry 2012: more reasons for hope - Br Barry Coldrey Religious Freedom: Catholics in Iraq: a struggle for survival - Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda The Church's dogma of transubstantiation - John Young UK Catholic schools under fire for 'homophobia' - Hilary White Letters: Obvious Link - C.V. Phillips Letters: Pro-life apathy - George Simpson Letters: Rights of children - Robert Bom Letters: Protecting marriage - Brian A. Coman Letters: Tradition - Peter Hill Letters: Year of Grace - Ken Bayliss Letters: Genuflection - John Frey Letters: Education costs - Arnold Jago Letters: Infanticide - Richard Congram Letters: Endorsement - Joy Mason Books: THE GIFT OF INFALLIBILITY, by Bishop Vincent Ferrer Gasser - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: A COMPANION TO CATHOLIC EDUCATION, by Leonardo Franchi and Stephen McKinney (ed) - Angela Schumann (reviewer) Events: The Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite: Sacredness in Continuity Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Nicene Creed's "consubstantial":What does this mean? - Bishop Arthur Serratelli

Many of our readers will recall that it was Cardinal Ratzinger in his  Ratzinger Report (1985 English edition) who cited Paul Vl's famous words about the "Smoke of Satan in the sanctuary" and his appeal to the laity of the world to show their love of the Church and to come to her aid".

In response, the organisation Catholics United for the Faith (CUF) was soon formed, first in the United States, then in Australia, New Zealand and England.

The late George Cook of Newmarket, Brisbane, set up CUF with his Australian headquarters in Brisbane. George was also an ardent member of the Movement which became the National Civic Council in February 1958).

CUF was particularly concerned about the lack of Catholicism being taught in Catholic schools and the lack of uniformity in parish Masses. Now 27 years on Cardinal Ratzinger is Pope Benedict XVI and has declared a Year of Faith 2012-13 throughout the Church.

The Australian Catholic bishops in response to the request of the Holy Father have proclaimed a Year of Grace for the Church in Australia to begin on Pentecost Sunday, 27 May 2012 (the birthday of the Church). Every Catholic should pledge to make better known amongst all Australian Catholics our three patron saints: Our Lady Help of Christians, St Francis Xavier, and St Thérèse of the Infant Jesus to seek their intercession in bringing about unity amongst the members of our Church in this year of Grace.

KEN BAYLISS
Holland Park West, Qld

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 25 No 4 (May 2012), p. 16