Letters

Inspiring hymn (letter)

Kevin O'Hagan

Contents - Oct 2003 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The role of the Catholic in public life - Peter Westmore After 25 years: the impact of John Paul II's pontificate - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Ethics: Bishop Fisher and Dr Philip Nitschke in Sydney euthanasia debate - Frank Mobbs Saints: The Beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Youth: Thomas More Winter School in Sale Diocese has Eucharistic focus - Michael Casanova Melbourne Archdiocese responds to John Paul II's Year of the Rosary - AD2000 Report How fatherhood is crucial to children's faith - Fr Robbie Low Why Catholic teaching on marriage is 'good news' for all humanity - Eamonn Keane AD2000 readers' generous response to Queensland Lourdes appeal - Jenny Davies and Nicole King Orthodox US Catholic colleges and universities continue to flourish - Julia Duin Letters: Original Sin (letter) - Niall Browne Letters: Individual confession (letter) - John Cassar Letters: Clerical celibacy (letter) - Gerard Wilson Letters: New bishops (letter) - Anne Lastman Letters: Thomas Groome (letter) - Dr Susan Moore Letters: Education crisis (letter) - Alex Sharah Letters: New RE program (letter) - Paul Chigwidden Letters: Inspiring hymn (letter) - Kevin O'Hagan Letters: Footy Show (letter) - Alan A. Hoysted Books: I The Lord Am With You Always: Prayers and Meditations for Eucharistic Adoration - Msgr Peter J. Elliott (reviewer) Liturgical Time Bombs In Vatican II, by Michael Davies - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Books: Crisis In Religious Education, by Eamonn Keane - Damien Tudehope (reviewer) Books: Great books at the best prices! Reflection: Why the tabernacle should be centrally located in our churches - Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM

Thank you for Therese Sellick's letter (August AD2000). "Faith of Our Fathers" is one of the best statements yet for Christian ecumenism and is very catholic (universal). It was written by Frederick Faber (1814-1863) and was in most of the old Protestant hymn books. It was inspiring to hear it sung with gusto in a Protestant church, although it may be seen from a different perspective:

Verse one:

"Faith of our Fathers, living still in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword ...".

Verse two:

"Our Fathers chained in prisons dark were still in heart and conscience free.
How sweet would be their children's fate,
If they like them could die for thee.
Faith of our Fathers , holy faith,
We will be true to thee till death ...".

Verses three and four go on to make a plea for Christian unity.

KEVIN O'HAGAN
Wangaratta, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 16 No 9 (October 2003), p. 15