RE The Weekend Australian, (“Against the high tide of secularism”, by Tess Livingstone, 12-13/3/11). I have been reflecting on and praying about this very worthy news report.
The report detailed the presence in Sydney of His Eminence Raymond Burke who, since June 27, 2008, is the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.
The report spoke about this passionate, plain-speaking defender of quintessential Catholicism and it highlighted for me the need for those both within and outside of the Church to reflect on, pray about and commit to what is identifiably and demonstrably “Catholic”.
To make the claim of being “Catholic” is indeed something to be championed, however such claim brings with it certain obligations.
Take, for example, when those that make the claim “Catholic” are completing personal applications for a variety of purposes or when completing hospital admissions documents, school enrolments for children or completing medical/insurance applications a question is put to the applicant, nominee or candidate: Question. “Religion?”
The immediate simple response offered or written by many millions of Australians is Answer. “Catholic”.
Many find it very convenient to be able to proffer such an answer, however, regrettably, such response is made without any personal commitment to being “Catholic” or without having regard to the obligations that making such a claim brings.
In making the claim “Catholic” we need to be prepared to be champions of our faith, moving back from our cheque books and returning to our Mass books.
We need to pick up God’s chalice and put down our wine glass and, importantly, we need to return to the practice of worshipping God and drawing strength, understanding and compassion from the sacrifice of the Mass rather than passively acquiescing our right to make the claim “Catholic” because being Catholic is something far more than a “societal norm”.
PATRICK J COLLINS
Hendra, Qld
