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Record
The
Winter 2021
I N TH I S I S S U E
3 President’s Column Claire Victory
4 Louise de Marillac – Sr Therese
The Society is a lay Catholic
a Guide for these Times Haywood DC
organisation that aspires to live the
Gospel message by serving Christ in 5 Vinnies is more than a shop Robert Crosby
the poor with love, respect, justice,
hope and joy, and by working to shape 6 A Spirit of Youth in all We Do John Feint
a more just and compassionate society. 8 Witnessing the rekindling of hope Jocelyn Cull
This logo represents the hand of Christ 10 In the Parisian footsteps of our founders Robin Osborne
that blesses the cup, the hand of love
that offers the cup, and the hand of 11 Sr Joan Chittister and the John Warhurst
suffering that receives the cup. 2021-22 Plenary Council
Our Strategic Goals: Spirituality
and Membership, Our Advocacy, Our
12 Author continues to ‘wrestle with
Governance and Leadership, Our Work the hierarchy’
Together, Our Sustainability 14 Book launch John Warhurst
The Record is published regularly each 15 Online conversation on the Church’s
year by the National Council of the St
‘future roadmap’
Vincent de Paul Society in Australia.
16 ‘Big spending’ Budget ignores many Rose Beynon
National Council
PO Box 243
and entrenches disadvantage
Deakin West, ACT, 2600 19 Uluru Statement from the Heart
Phone: 02 6202 1200 20 Voice must be enshrined in our
Email: media@svdp.org.au Constitution
Web: vinnies.org.au
Editor: Toby oConnor 21 Enshrine the ‘Voice to Parliament’
Design: Damon Carr in the Constitution
damon.com.au 22 Australia has not been ‘a great country’ Robin Osborne
The St Vincent de Paul Society in for Indigenous people
Australia acknowledges that we are
23 From the CEO Toby oConnor
on Aboriginal land. We pay respects
to all traditional custodians. This 24 Catholics for Refugees: Tim McKenna
publication may contain images of A Call for Action
deceased members of the Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander community. 26 Every Council can benefit from youth reps Rebecca Cassar
They are used with the greatest 27 NT – Darwin’s Ozanam House serves a
respect and appreciation. vital need
Opinions expressed in this
28 CEO Sleepout raised a record $8.19m
publication are not necessarily
those of the publishers. 29 QLD – Time called (and recalled) at Callum Johnson
ISSN 2652-8894
Brisbane’s landmark hostel
30 WA – Good Night In supports good works Deanna Watson
The St Vincent de Paul Society 31 WA – WA’s Joondalup support centre Deanna Watson
in Australia consists of 60,000 opens
members and volunteers 32 Canberra/Goulburn – Friendship is Cristina Ocampo
who operate on the ground ‘powerful medicine’ for Compeer artists
through over 1,000 groups
33 International – National Council
located in local communities
welcomes new Overseas Development
across the country.
Program Facilitator
34 First impressions count:
help us improve our website
Available online: On the cover… Pictured is Northern Territory man Jimmy who painted
record.vinnies.org.au this work specially for The Record. He is a companion of St Vincent de
Paul Society’s Ozanam House in Darwin. See story on page 27.
2 THE RECORD | WINTER 2021
C L A I R E V I C T O R Y | frontlines
President’s Column
BY CLAIRE VICTORY
I n May 2021, National Council
held its first face-to-face
meeting in over a year, the
COVID-19 pandemic having
forced us to meet by Zoom since
and charity could not exist
in the hearts of many without
sweetening itself from outside.
our last meeting in Canberra.
It is a fire that dies without
The weekend was a clear
being fed, and good works
reminder of how valuable it is
are the food of charity. So it is
to meet in person and speak
in our own interest first of all
without screens and hundreds of
that our association has been
kilometres separating us.
established, and if we assemble
We know that our Vincentian Claire Victory under the roof of the poor, it
involvement comprises work, or is at least equally for them as
acts of service; spiritual reflection for ourselves, so as to become
and sharing in our mission; and progressively better friends.’
an element of business, record-
There is a reason that the bonds
keeping and admin. However, it ‘We should not existing with friends I made
also involves a social dimension.
underestimate the through Vinnies Youth camps
I once heard someone criticise
one of our youth conferences
value of human are so much stronger and longer
lasting than other friendships
in these terms: ‘They just seem connection…’ – they were forged through
like a bunch of uni friends who seriously tough experiences and
catch up and have a good time!’ working together with shared
The conference in question values and a shared mission.
was a very hard-working the exile of the capital, that If some people are initially
bunch of young Vincentians they have friends, and form motivated to join the Society by
who were actively involved themselves at the same time in a desire to make friends, that’s
in good works, reflecting on knowledge and virtue!” okay – social bonds between
their work and sharing their
members are important.
spirituality within our mission The following day, he wrote to
Likewise, if someone’s primary
and the framework set out by his friend Leonce Curnier and
motivation to volunteer is
the Rule; but they also shared discussed the Paris conference
to build on a particular skill
a strong personal friendship, (comprising largely of young
set, that’s okay too. It is not
which in turn strengthened their people who had come to Paris for us to judge, but rather
commitment to the Society and from other towns to study), to welcome people and to
their effectiveness in their work. emphasising the importance of ensure that, together, we are
I struggled with the idea that a friendship: working towards our mission,
fellow Vincentian would criticise
‘It is important then to form informed by our values and
or look down on this conference
an association of mutual each contributing to the life of
just because there was joy and
encouragement for young our conference and the Society.
lively chatter in the midst of their
Catholic people where one We should not underestimate
meetings or because they were – the value of human connection
or were suggested to be – ‘friends finds friendship, support, and
example; where one finds – not just with companions,
from uni’. but with our fellow Vincentians
again, so to speak, a likeness of
In a letter to Emmanuel Bailly the religious family in which he – and we should build and
on 3 November 1834, Frederic had been nurtured, where the celebrate our friendships within
Ozanam remarked: our conferences, councils and
elders receive the new pilgrims
special works. R
“If you could see, sir, how our from a province and give them
good provincial mothers of a bit of moral hospitality. But
Claire Victory is the National President
families rejoice to think that the strongest tie, the principle of the St Vincent de Paul Society in
their sons are not lonely in of true friendship, is charity, Australia.
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 3
spirituality and membership | S R T H E R E S E H AY W O O D D C
Spiritual Reflection
Louise de Marillac – a Guide for these Times
BY SR THERESE Louise was a leader
H AY W O O D D C who wrote detailed role
L
descriptions for the sisters. She
ouise de Marillac was saw these rules as supportive
born in Paris in 1591 and for the sisters as they
died in 1660. She lived pioneered a new way of living
so long ago and yet I really and serving. She wrote often
believe that she has something
to her sisters encouraging and
to offer each of us today. The
guiding them and keeping
world in which Louise lived
was a world of war, turmoil, them informed about their
poverty and religious turmoil families. She wrote to one of
after the reformation and the the sisters:
Council of Trent. We can see I beg you, in the name of
some parallels between those God, not to be afflicted
times and our own and we by the trials which His
can learn from the way that
goodness sends you. This is
Louise handled the challenges
an occasion for you to prove
in her life.
more clearly than ever your
She had such a range of fidelity to Him. I am well
experiences of various aware that it is very difficult
aspects of life, and the way for you not to be able to
that she dealt with them is serve the poor in the way
an inspiration to all of us. you would desire. You must
She was an illegitimate child,
abandon yourself to the care
an orphan, a wife, a mother,
of Our Lord Jesus Christ who
a widow, a single mother,
a consecrated woman, is the Father of the Poor.
a foundress and a social I am sending you one of our
reformer. This breadth of sisters who will be a great
experience in one person gave help and consolation to you.1
her a unique understanding
of life. Her gentle encouragement
and care come through in
Louise used the experiences
many letters such as this one.
of her childhood and her
Louise de Marillac had great
marriage to help in her service
trust in the Providence of God
of others, and forming the
Confraternities of Charity and her advice to one of her
and the Daughters of Charity. sisters after what appears to
When I imagine Louise setting have been a difficult incident
out on that first mission to is advice that would be
visit the Charities I think of helpful to us at this time:
her courage to take the risk to All that remains for us is
travel alone. As she met with
to make good use of the
each Charity, she formed them
present, but, in order to do
for their service. She was a
great teacher and the women so, we must ask this grace of
loved to listen to her. God.2 R
When in time Louise began Sr Therese Haywood DC is the
the Daughters of Charity her National Council’s Spiritual Adviser.
pioneering spirit was also seen
as she had the courage to try 1. Spiritual Writings of St Louise, 370.
a new form of religious life. 2. Spiritual Writings of St Louise, 371.
4 THE RECORD | WINTER 2021
R O B E R T C R O S B Y | spirituality and membership
Vinnies is more than a shop
BY ROBERT CROSBY
Wagga Wagga (NSW) Central
Council President Peter Burgess
found his passion for social justice
advocacy after a radio interview.
‘W e really do need
as a community to
support the most
needy in our population.’
Peter Burgess spoke these words
during his first media interview
shortly after becoming Wagga
Wagga Central Council President in
2019.
Interviewed by a local radio station Peter Burgess
to promote the Vinnies Community
Sleepout he used the opportunity street to receiving calls from MPs Tuesday and I flew out on the
to advocate on issues related to eager to collaborate on community Wednesday. When I came back
poverty and hardship, sparking a projects. about three days after I landed in
fire inside the 71-year-old that has Australia, there was the election –
Peter joined Vinnies in the 1980s
seen him become a respected voice and I won!’
while working at a company
on social justice matters within the
manufacturing chlorine tablets Spending his time engaging with
region.
for swimming pools. At the time Conferences throughout the
‘We want people not to just the competing responsibilities of Riverina while serving on the NSW
recognise Vinnies as a shop,’ raising a family and serving as an State Council, Peter sees his work
explains Peter. alderman on Kogarah Council saw as being influenced by a strong
him drift away for several years. Catholic faith along with a caring
‘I want people to understand that
we’re actively out there in the Retraining as a high school maths mentality that solidified from his
community looking after the most teacher and later as a psychologist time as a teacher.
needy and that we are there to employed by the Department ‘When I was teaching in the state
support them.’ of Education, he moved to system, they made me year advisor
Wagga Wagga in the 2000s and for a group of Year 7 kids. My
Appearing regularly in the local reconnected with the Society on
media to raise awareness of issues eldest son was going into Year 7
the eve of retirement. at the same time; every time a kid
such as Christmas hampers and
back-to-school drives, it is the Joining Kooringal’s Sacred came up, I’d think ‘if this was my
COVID-19 situation that has seen Heart Conference in 2014 at the child how would I want him or her
his commentary shift towards two encouragement of a member treated?’
key issues – housing (‘there isn’t speaking on the Winter Appeal
‘That’s not so different to what we
the social and affordable housing during Mass, Peter’s road to
do now when we have that idea of
around Wagga that we badly need’) becoming Central Council
‘when we see the poor, we see the
and income support (‘we now President took place in unusual
face of Christ’ – in a lot of ways it’s
have people who have never been circumstances.
very similar.
jobless before reaching out for our Nominating for the position after
support’). the incumbent holder stepped ‘As an organisation we’re not
down for family reasons, his judgemental. We’ve always got to
Recognising the influence of the be mindful that we’re dealing with
media to raise awareness of the election campaign was largely
absent due to a pre-booked human dignity.’ R
Society’s good works, Peter’s public
holiday to visit his son overseas.
profile has grown from being Robert Crosby is Communications
recognised in Mass and on the ‘I put my nomination in on the Coordinator, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 5
spirituality and membership | J O H N F E I N T
A Spirit of Youth in all We Do
BY JOHN FEINT
I was born in the former
gold-mining town of Adelong,
near Tumut, adjacent to the
Snowy Mountains. My sister and I
grew up in an Anglican household
where my mother took charge of
our faith upbringing. I valued the
sense of community as part of St
Paul’s Parish.
I came to Canberra in 1974 to the
Australian National University and
in 1975 joined the Commonwealth
Public Service. I was living at the
Macquarie Hostel in Barton, where
many new arrivals in Canberra
resided whilst trying to find scarce
rental accommodation. I met my
future wife Maria at Macquarie
Hostel and we soon moved I had just six months in the Territory
to shared accommodation in Council President role when
Rivett, and then Mawson, before our region, like much of eastern
marrying and building our first Australia, suffered major bushfires.
home in Wanniassa. Canberra Goulburn Territory
This home proved too small and Council responded by establishing
we upgraded to our current home a task force of Council members
in Gilmore where we have been who went hands-on into assisting
blessed to raise four children. fire victims with their recovery. This
work was made more difficult by
After attending Mass with my the COVID outbreak, meaning I
Catholic wife for many years, I could only assist victims over the
was received into the Church in phone or internet.
1993 and then proceeded to help
others interested in the church for I have spent months on this task,
the next decade. John Feint talking to hundreds of victims
across our region and offering
I began my Vincentian journey at them financial and emotional
had worked since 1983, most
Gowrie Conference in 2005 in the support. It has been a privilege
recently in regional environmental
parish of Corpus Christi. to do this and it will remain
collaboration.
After a little time learning a highlight of my time in the
I have also worked as a volunteer in President’s role.
the ropes, I moved to the
coaching young people in hockey,
Conference President role and In terms of my personal Vincentian
cricket, soccer and athletics and
then to Regional President journey there have been many
continue to hold a warrant as a Scout
of Tuggeranong Monaro, an landmarks, but a couple stand
Leader. All these activities reflect my
interesting region encompassing out. Firstly, the opportunity to
passion for youth development.
both ACT and NSW conferences. participate in the Nganmarriyanga
I then succeeded Warwick Fulton, I came to the President’s role with Immersion Program in 2018. I
current National Vice President, three objectives: enlivening our really relished the opportunity to
in the role of Territory Council aging conferences; adding a more gain first-hand insights into life in
President for Canberra Goulburn youthful face to the Society and a remote Indigenous community
in June 2019. This coincided its governance; and promoting and to challenge myself to get
with my retirement from the Indigenous reconciliation and the best from the physically and
ACT Public Service where I advancement. emotionally demanding experience.
6 THE RECORD | WINTER 2021
Membership and
Conferences
I was privileged to have been Membership
able to take part and I hope I
can now apply what I have learnt There are three categories of membership of the Society.
to the service of our Indigenous Conference members are those who belong to the
companions. grassroots groups within the Society known as conferences.
They live their Catholic faith in action through the spirit
Secondly, there are many of Christian charity. Associate members are those who
inspirational stories of the are committed to the ethos, mission, aims and objects of
companions we assist. Helping the Society and who assist the work of the Society, but do
with little steps along the way, not attend conference meetings. Volunteer members are
building relationships and seeing those who respect the ethos, mission, aims and objects
people grow, is part of the of the Society and who volunteer in any of the Society’s
Vincentian experience that is works. Associate and Volunteer members are registered by
impossible to put a value on. We procedures established by the relevant State or Territory
respond with grace and mercy to Council. Please visit the Become a Member section of this
the needs of the poor, hoping that website for more information.
what we do will make a difference
– sometimes we notice the impact,
at other times we can only trust in
the mystery of the Holy Spirit to Conferences
take what we have done and put it
to the service of our Lord. A conference can be established within any community such
as a parish, town, suburb, school, university, workplace,
Thirdly, and most recently, I have ethnic or social group providing they are endorsed by an
the role on National Council of appropriate Council within the Society. Conference members
Bailly to the National Spirit of meet regularly, usually weekly but at least fortnightly and no
Youth team – what an honor work of charity is foreign to them. Together they visit people
to work with such a talented in their homes, in hospitals, institutions or wherever else they
and resourceful group of young may be found needing aid or comfort. Conference work is
leaders charged with imbuing that not limited to home visitation; members also meet and pray
spirit of youth in all we do in our together at other times. To read more about the role of prayer
Vincentian mission. R in conferences please visit Spirituality of the Society. R
John Feint is President, Canberra Goulburn
Territory Council, St Vincent de Paul Society
Canberra/Goulburn.
Meet the National Council
national president national treasurer sa state president
Claire Victory Paul Trezise Brad Hocking
national deputy president national secretary tas state president
Warwick Fulton Ryan Erlandsen Mark Gaetani
spiritual adviser canberra goulburn president vic state president
Sr Therese Haywood DC John Feint Kevin McMahon
vice president nsw state president wa state president
Maurie Ryan Peter McNamara Gladys Demissie
vice president nt president
Read more here. R
Patrick Wallis Jocelyn Cull
vice president qld state president
Jacob Miller Dennis Innes
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 7
spirituality and membership | J O C E L Y N C U L L
Witnessing the rekindling of hope
B Y J O C E LY N C U L L been involved to varying degrees for a way to get involved in my
M
in conference activities. My family local Parish when it was suggested
y name is Jocelyn Cull have lived in Darwin for ten years that the Society might be a good
and I am the President and we are parishioners of the St fit for me. I had no idea about
of the St Vincent de Mary’s Cathedral Parish. what a conference was or how the
Paul Society (NT). I have been Society operated. I was impressed,
I am a lawyer by trade and I
involved with the Society for however, with the mission of the
have worked in both the public
about six years, first joining the St Society and thought that I might be
and private sectors. My current
Mary’s Conference in Darwin in able to do something to assist – the
role is with a local government
2015. I have been a conference rest as they say is history…
organisation where I work in the
president and NT Council member, regulatory sphere. With the little The Northern Territory has amazing
and extensively involved in the free time that I have I enjoy the country (Uluru, Kakadu, need I
co-ordination of emergency relief iconic Territory lifestyle: camping say more), a rich cultural heritage
activities. I have also been NT out bush, fishing in Darwin going back around 70,000 years, a
Council Vice-President and Acting Harbour and keeping fit. I am diverse, multicultural community
President of the Society before I also partial to excellent food (my and the most friendly people in
was elected President late last year. husband is a great cook) and very Australia.
I am married to Graeme Finch, good coffee – sometimes to my
However, we have a population of
the current President of St detriment!
only 250,000 people living across
Mary’s Conference and have four I became involved in the Society 1.4 million km2, with Catholic
wonderful children who have also largely by chance as I was looking communities on the Tiwi Islands
8 THE RECORD | WINTER 2021
of the poor within the community.
I am also inspired by the work of
my fellow Vincentians in serving
our companions. Some of them
have been volunteering their time
and services for many decades.
A touching experience for me was
a home visit with a companion
who had survived horrendous
family violence. She had suffered
significant trauma and was alone
Opposite page – Jocelyn Cull fundraising and scared.
at Rapid Creek in Darwin with children
(l-r) Eliza, Aidan and James. Our conference helped this lady
establish a new home while she
Above – The Church in Nauiyu (Daly River),
NT. The group includes community Elder Dr was recovering from a major
Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann AM, NT illness. Over several visits I was
Senior Australian of the Year 2021.
privileged to witness the rekindling
Left – St Mary’s conference hamper deliveries of hope in this companion. Her
to Nauiyu (Daly River), NT. quiet dignity and determination
to move forward in the most
challenging of situations was
striking. A poignant moment was
in the tropical top end, Nauiyu passionately committed to helping
the pride you could see in the lady
and Emu Point in the Big Rivers those in need and are practical when she had us over to her home
savannah region and Santa Teresa and innovative when working with for a thank you morning tea – it
(Ltyentye Apurte) in the southern companions. Our local team works was an amazing experience.
desert. These communities are across the community, government
very remote from modern services, and local businesses to help people A highlight of my year is loading
with a disproportionate level of whilst respecting individual needs 100 plus hampers and gifts in 4x4s
unemployment, homelessness, and cultural differences, adapting for a 600km round trip to Daly
and significant social disfunction our services to meet the changing River to deliver Vinnies Christmas
that drives intergenerational needs of our community. hampers Territory style. The smiles
disadvantage. on the children’s faces makes the
I am very proud to be a member wet season journey on rough roads
The NT Society and the services it of the Society in the Territory. We all worth it.
provides to companions face very have faced many challenges in
unique challenges in the volume recent years but continue to lay a I am so glad I took the chance
of need, geographical isolation solid foundation for future growth. and got involved with the Society.
and accompanying logistical There are exciting times ahead, It is extremely rewarding to work
complexities in service delivery. with the opportunity to enter with our members, volunteers and
employees and see the positive
new housing and accommodation
While comparatively small in changes that we can make for our
ventures.
numbers compared to other States companions. It is also great at a
and Territories, our members, We are seeking to increase our personal level to grow spiritually
volunteers and employees are advocacy work and be the voice and live our faith with others. R
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 9
spirituality and membership | R O B I N O S B O R N E
In the Parisian footsteps of our founders
BY ROBIN OSBORNE
V incentians and other
interested folk can now
take a guided video tour
of all the Parisian landmarks
important to the founding and
development of the Society,
accompanied by the authoritative
National President of the St
PHOTO: ROBIN OOODE ON UNSPLASH
Vincent de Paul Society USA, Ralph
Middlecamp.
Fortunately, at a time of restricted
travel, the hour-and-a-half tour
does not entail leaving home and is
free of charge. The narrator says he
hopes to be leading an actual tour
to Paris from 21-29 September this
year, COVID-19 permitting. Either
way, tour numbers will be limited
but Walking in the Footsteps of our Mr Middlecamp smiles as he Society was founded, as well
Founders and Patrons: Vincentian shares this correspondence, before as highlighting its continuing
Heritage Tour is open to all and continuing the journey along ‘the relevance today.
can be viewed here. ground where our Saints and
‘We invite our Vincentian brothers
Blesseds walked, the homes where
Mr Middlecamp, a recognised they lived, the churches where they and sisters from around the world
expert in the Society’s history and worshipped and preached, and the to watch this recording,’ says Tim
a regular visitor to Paris, begins streets in which they served Christ’s Williams from our USA counterpart.
his tour at the Pont de Neuf, once poor.’ ‘Most of us may never get the
a ‘new bridge’, now a legendary chance to visit Paris in person,
one, where Blessed Frederic Highlights include the premises
of Bailley’s Press, where Frederic but these pictures, along with
Ozanam first entered Paris in 1831,
and friends would meet, St Sulpice Ralph’s historical knowledge, will
at the age of 18. We walk with
Church where the Society began, bring to life for you the Paris of
our genial guide thanks largely to
and the tombs of St Vincent de Vincent and Louise, of Frédéric and
Google Street View, while sharing
his knowledge of the districts and Paul and Frederic Ozanam. These Rosalie – the Paris we share in our
landmarks that feature in the St sites and many more are in the Vincentian Heritage.’
Vincent de Paul story. video and will feature in the actual Brother Renato Lima de
tour, if it can take place. Oliveira,16th President General,
Destined to become one of the
seven founders of the Society, Another of Frederic’s letters International St Vincent de Paul
Frederic would go on to study describes Rue Mouffetard, a Society, said, ‘I learned a lot from
law and literature, deliver slum area where the confrères Ralph as he spoke about topics
lectures to students from ordinary and Sr Rosalie Rendue did home often not too familiar, such as the
backgrounds, and, two years after visitations. It consisted of ‘narrow, campaign launched by the General
his arrival, inspire his confrères crooked streets where the sun Council for the construction of the
to found a charity dedicated to never penetrates… where a man Sacred Heart Church in Paris. Ralph
helping the less privileged. in a coat never passes without Middlecamp is one of the greatest
making a sensation… attracting experts on historical facts of the
Í am very uncomfortable,’ Frederic
to the door-steps groups of naked Society and the Vincentian Family,
wrote to his mother shortly after
children and women in rags.’ and we thank God for this great
arriving in the fast-growing but
largely impoverished city. Í am a Times may have changed but blessing.” R
long way from… the centre of my visiting such locations, whether Robin Osborne is National Publications
studies… my landlady strikes me as literally or virtually, is a salutary Officer, St Vincent de Paul Society
a sly gossip.’ reminder of where and why the National Council.
10 THE RECORD | WINTER 2021J O H N W A R H U R S T | plenary council
Sr Joan Chittister and the
2021-22 Plenary Council
B Y J O H N WA R H U R S T
S ister Joan Chittister’s talk by
Zoom on 2 May 2021 in the
Convocation of Catholics
series was an inspiring, conscious
contribution to the Plenary Council
(PC) journey planned by the
Australasian Catholic Coalition
of Church Reform (ACCCR), the
national network of reform groups,
which wants to continue to engage
with the PC process as it has done
since 2018.
the partnership of ACCCR with one in which Catholics sacrificed
The PC should be open and Catholic Religious Australia, the themselves for the vulnerable in
expansive, ready to take up big peak body of 5,000 religious, and our societies; and one in which
ideas. If the situation and future the religious publisher, Garratt the voice of the church would be
of the Catholic Church in Australia Publishing. We were delighted that bold and prophetic rather than
really cannot be business as usual, the Plenary Council Facilitation self-interested in protecting its own
then the PC proceedings should Team advertised the event and that resources.
encourage a new way of thinking. many parishes welcomed it. The
It should also be connected to outcome was about 3,000 direct The next step in the Convocation
the Australian community rather participants and 1,500 or more who of Catholics takes place on 26
than being an isolated, quasi- August 2021. Convocation 2 will
have followed up.
monastic affair. focus more directly on the PC.
Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, The next steps for the PC itself
The Convocation of Catholics series
speaking from Erie, Pennsylvania include the publication of the
contributes to both process and
USA, was a breath of fresh air, official agenda and the training in
issues. It opens up the process
not dwelling on past failures or a procedures and responsibilities of
of the PC more widely to the
dying church, envisaging bigger the 280 members in four tranches
Catholic community, just as this
and better considerations. Many in late June and early July. The
is becoming increasingly closed
of these echoed elements of the first Assembly will be held in early
and top-down, and it advances
17,500 submissions made by the October in multi-modal format,
progressive issues at a time when
Catholic community during the with five hubs in the five mainland
progress is becoming increasingly
earlier Listening and Dialogue state capitals. The journey will
bogged-down.
phase, thus proving that Sister Joan continue during 2022.
In presenting the Convocation is not alone. These have since been
the ACCCR attempted to create lost or diluted in the production St Vincent de Paul Society, the
an inclusive event in a church of the Working Document for the largest lay church organisation, has
dominated by silos and divided PC, which diluted the urgency an important seat at the PC table
geographically and functionally. and sense of proportion and through its National President.
Communication within the church crisis found among the earlier A broader conversation can be
is one of our great challenges as a submissions. conducted nation-wide with
community, one that has not been PC members by all individual
Sister Joan’s address was wide-
met to any significant degree with members of the Society. There has
ranging and pulled few punches.
regular church-going Catholics, been a loss of momentum and we
She called for a ‘mountain-climbing
much less others. can all play a part in re-invigorating
people’ who aspired to personal
the PC process.
The greeting offered at the conversion and who challenged
Convocation by Archbishop established institutions to be brave Recent media coverage here. R
Mark Coleridge, president of leaders. Her future church is one
the Australian Catholic Bishops in which hierarchy and clericalism Professor John Warhurst is Emeritus
Professor of Political Science at the
Conference, was an important is replaced with equality for lay Australian National University, Chair of
appeal to the broader church, people and one in which women Concerned Catholics Canberra Goulburn
clerical, religious and lay. So is take their rightfully equal place; and a Member of the Plenary Council.
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 11plenary council
Author continues to
‘wrestle with the hierarchy’
The following is an edited version
of an introductory address by
journalist Genevieve Jacobs
at theasMay
rhurst’s unique perspective 2021
a Church launch of the
insider-outsider
WRESTLING WITH THE CHURCH HIERARCHY
book
at he walks a fine line. As anWrestling with
insider, he works thetheChurch
within
n many leadership and governance roles;
Hierarchy: as an outsider,
Engaging with he the
er groups and lobbies for change through both Church and
Plenary Council and Beyond
am media.
(Garratt Publishing) by John
Warhurst.
g with the Church Hierarchy is a personal account of
W
g to come to grips with the power structure of the Church
of necessary reform of those structures. As a forceful but
hen I think about being
nding critic, John shows no fear or favour when dealing
rch authorities. He is adamant that theaChurch
Catholic, I return
needs many
men in leadership positions, greaterto laysimilar places
participation in as,
nsible governance, and perhaps,
much moremany
extensiveof you do.
transparency
untability in all aspects of Church affairs, including finance
WRESTLING
munications. I remember, as many of you do,
a culture, a world, a way of being
that was distinctively Australian and
WITH THE
siders the Plenary Council 2021-2022 a crucial once-in-a-
n opportunity to advance these reforms.
Catholic. But it’s not
A world the only
that formed and
CHURCH
ity. John’s message is that the time for dioceses and parishes
shaped so many of us.
uce reforms is now.
What is left? What, now, is left?
An empty vessel? All sound and
HIERARCHY
engaging with the
JOHN WARHURST
fury, signifying nothing? How Plenary Council
has the promise of Vatican II & beyond
ebbed away?
It’s been a hard decade or two,
hasn’t it?
rrattpublishing.com.au
We’ve learned that the church
of our childhoods concealed
monstrous sins of commission
JOHN WARHURST
and omission, sins literally beyond
our imagining.
dd 1 4/03/2021 9:58:55 AM
In following Christ’s gospel of in this country until its voice Catholic schools burst at the
radical equality and humanity may be no more than a ghost seams with children, both
we’ve discovered we are no longer on the wind, sighing away across Catholic and not, whose
willing to accept that as Orwell the water. parents want them to be
would have it, all animals are morally grounded, taught
But at its head we see a leadership
equal but some are more equal compassion and regard for
often more willing to batten down
than others… that many of us will others, and educated well as
the hatches than to admit that it is
always be deeply, intrinsically, and whole human beings.
catastrophically wounded, that the
no matter what we do and what
water is rushing in on every side. A generation is being shaped
our human gifts are… less than.
by those values – while being
John’s book argues precisely this:
We have seen a seemingly unlikely to call themselves
that the hierarchical Australian
impregnable social edifice crumble Catholics – including perhaps
church is now all but fatally flawed
before our eyes under the weight my own children, who are great
because of its failure at multiple
of those realisations. on the social justice values, less
levels to commit to the principles
aligned to the actual faith.
The Church of two thousand of equality, transparency and
years, the church so big and truthfulness that are central to Catholic hospitals and Catholic
beautiful and sprawling in all its Australian life, and commonly held social services are vigorous and
mad rich diversity and spectacular values by the whole Australian much-loved providers of essential
embroidered history is shrivelling community. human care, underpinned by
12 THE RECORD | WINTER 2021respect for fundamental human the linen, doing the flowers… moment by listening to God and
dignity, as are agencies like Caritas running the confirmation classes… by listening to one another’s stories
and Vinnies – among the most providing Scripture lessons… of faith.
trusted names in Australia. secretarial services… and staffing St
Vincent de Paul… In 2020, more than 280 members
Over the past 20 years church for the Plenary Council of Australia
attendance among Catholics But of course, the highest advisory were announced, including
born in Australia and other levels in the church are occupied members nominated by dioceses,
English-speaking countries has by men and men only and will, by eparchies, ordinariates, leaders
almost halved. One third of those virtue of our bodies alone, always of religious congregations, some
attending are between 60 and exclude women. Always. We are church ministries and a personal
74; Mass attendance on a typical made in the image of Christ, except prelature to represent local
Sunday is 11.8 per cent of Catholics when it comes to leadership.
churches.
(9.5 per cent of men and less than
John says that we need much
6 per cent of those aged between Interesting language about the
greater lay participation and co-
20 and 34). entire people of God – thanks
responsible governance – and this
in a church where vocations have to six years of classics with the
What growth there is happens
among people of non-English slowed to a trickle for decades and nuns, I’m fairly sure I know who
speaking backgrounds – and where many religious orders are in the eparchies and ordinariates
arguably that is also subject to danger of complete extinction. are, and personal prelatures… but
generational change. those words alone speak to who is
And yet, recent responses from preparing these documents quite
I sometimes look around me on the Australian Catholic Bishops strongly on their own.
Saturday nights at Sacred Heart Conference to the Light from the
Cootamundra and count who will Southern Cross report on Co- John says of himself that he wants
be left in another 20 years. Responsible Governance in the to be an optimist rather than a
Catholic Church in Australia say nag – and to use the good old
Wrestling with the Hierarchy is an
that the hierarchical structure of Australian phrase – good luck with
attempt to dig deeply into what
the church remains a given… that that in the current situation.
is going so wrong – and whether
there can be no really substantial
there is any hope for change. There are capable, intelligent and
change even where willing, able,
It comes from the perspective of qualified and committed lay people passionately committed people
someone whose loyalty to the stand ready to serve. waiting to serve and that must
Church is unquestioned but not be good for the church as a
John says that we need greater whole – and among them priests,
unquestioning – and as a journalist
transparency and accountability lay people and religious, deeply
I am bound to repeat what all of
in all aspects of Church motivated by love and service.
you know – that there is no more
affairs including finance and
valuable person than the one who The goodness of the church in the
communications – and this in a
asks hard questions born of love. heart of its people is still palpable,
church that has concealed the most
John makes, in this book, such grievous criminal acts of abuse and evidenced by their refusal to give
fundamental arguments that they often attempted to compensate up caring, fighting and hoping – if
would seem nonsensical if applied for them, when caught out, only somebody would listen.
to any other institution in Australia. with derisory sums for the lives
Controversial Benedictine nun
destroyed.
He says that we need many more Sister Joan Chittister recently told
women in leadership positions In October 2021, the Catholic the Australasian Catholic Coalition
– and this in a church that is, Church in Australia will gather for for Church Reform that, ‘There
practically speaking, run by women the first Assembly of the Plenary are one of two ways that this can
in this country who represent more Council to be held since the end. The bishops can embrace
than 60% of most congregations. second Vatican Council. the concerns and the need for
Kristina Keneally [NSW Senator] We are told… that when the resolution or they continue to
has been urging women for some decision to hold a Plenary ignore the laity – at which point the
time to consider the impact of Council was announced, the church will someday wake up in
withdrawing their volunteer labour. entire People of God in Australia the morning and find out that the
Imagine if we stopped washing began preparing for this historic church is in fact gone.’ R
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 13plenary council
The following address was delivered by John Warhurst at the launch
of his book Wrestling with the Church Hierarchy: Engaging with the
Plenary Council and Beyond (Garratt Publishing).
I t has been a wrestle and
the church authorities are
unapologetically hierarchical.
The bishops are commonly
referred to as the hierarchy. That
support the status quo and,
frequently as church employees, are
very close to the bishops.
Many bishops have an idea of the
explains the book’s title. PC far removed from our own.
They look askance at anything
I first used this image in 2018 in that resembles a voice for Catholic
an article, which is included in people and play the spiritual card
the book, called ‘Mud Wrestling
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE CANBERRA TIMES
to dampen aspirations where
the Catholic Elephant’. It was a necessary.
mixed metaphor. I had in mind
various parables about the mouse What we may have going for us is
and the elephant to describe that if the PC is an absolute disaster
the unequal tussle between the image of the church and the
lay Catholics and the church hierarchy will suffer even more.
hierarchy. I also had in mind the They will have to manufacture an
difficulty of coming to grips with outcome which looks like progress.
the hierarchy, given its complex Our challenge and opportunity
power structures and built-in is to cut through the spin and
John Warhurst
defence mechanisms. to demand real substance to the
Getting a grip (another wrestling outcomes.
metaphor) is very difficult longer willing to be ‘seen but not
heard’. In speaking out I believe My advice to reformers is to take
because the subject matter is every opportunity and certainly
I am fair-minded and balanced.
slippery. do not wait for PC outcomes. Our
That is what my Canberra Times
It was Doug Hynd, a Baptist readers frequently say when they goals of equality for women, co-
friend who reminded me have given me feedback over the responsibility for lay Catholics and
that ‘wrestling’ has a biblical past 23 years. There can be no accountability and transparency in
dimension. In the Book of greater compliment. all church affairs, including finance
Genesis Jacob wrestled with an and communications, can be
Angel and came away with a Engagement with the argued for at parish and diocesan
blessing, a new name and a limp. Plenary Council level without waiting for national,
Doug hopes that I get a blessing much less international action.
out of the book, even if it does The first Plenary Council
not come from the bishops. Assembly is in early October The bishops have said exactly that
Luckily, I don’t yet have a limp. to be followed by a second in their official response to The
in July 2022. We still do not Light from the Southern Cross and
Wrestling has many dimensions we should hold them to it.
and the renewal movement has really know how it will operate,
explored them all: face to face, though its general dimensions Lay reformers must also help create
correspondence, submissions, have been outlined. The an atmosphere within the church
Training Sessions for the 280 in which religious and clergy are
forums and media.
Members may make some given a licence and freedom to
It is also tiring because it just things clearer as will the PC
goes on and on. The church be themselves free of hierarchical
Agenda, which has been agreed
hierarchy moves slowly if at pressures. Within that healthy
by the bishops and should be
all in response to the voices of atmosphere alliances can be built
released early in June.
lay Catholics. One example is across the church and progress
our call for a Diocesan Pastoral The job is in front of us. The made.
Council in Canberra-Goulburn. church is an almost immovable
object. The PC process is We will all be better off. R
It is now or never for the controlled by the church
generation of Vatican Two. hierarchy and is tipped against Professor John Warhurst is Emeritus
Professor of Political Science at the
Age brings confidence but also lay people, who are in a clear Australian National University, Chair of
urgency. I am 73 now and older minority. Even among lay people Concerned Catholics Canberra Goulburn
than most of the bishops. I am no there are some who fervently and a Member of the Plenary Council.
14 THE RECORD | WINTER 2021Online conversation on the
Church’s ‘future roadmap’
PHOTO: NEONBRAND ON UNSPLASH
I n the lead-up to the Plenary
Council and beyond Catholic
Religious Australia (CRA)
will be hosting a series of online
conversations based on the report
purpose of exploring the Report
is to promote co-responsibility in
the governance of the Church –
reframing how the Church works:
‘A conversation can be a catalyst for
The Light from the Southern change and renewal and help to
Cross: Promoting Co-Responsible transform culture and institutions.’
Governance in the Catholic Church
in Australia. Anne Walker, CRA’s National
Executive Director, added,
The series will commence on ‘This online conversation is
Wednesday 7 July 2021 and focus an opportunity for reflective
on ‘Mission and Church’, the first engagement with the document. It
of three themes from the report opens the way for questions such
selected for discussion during
as, who are you called to be in the
the upcoming year. The other
Church at this time? What are the
themes are Co-responsibility and
possibilities for growth within the
Accountability & Synodality.
Church? What gifts do you bring?’ Melissa Dwyer FDCC, Congregational
Published in August 2020 the Leader of the Canossian Daughters
report is regarded as an important The first Mission and Church of Charity and Spiritual Adviser for
session will be held online on St Vincent de Paul Society, Queensland.
contribution to the life and mission She will speak at the Mission and Church
of the Church in Australia, and as a Wednesday 7 July from 9.00am to session at the Light from the Southern
2.00pm (AEST). The speakers are Fr Cross – Catalyst for Conversation.
roadmap for the Church’s future.
Richard Lennan, John Warhurst AO
‘The Report is a valuable resource and Melissa Dwyer FDDC.
and in light of the Plenary Council,
the timing is right for the People The two other themes will be
of God to reflect on the themes in discussed before the second
the Report and discern what those assembly of the Plenary Council
themes mean to them,’ said CRA in July 2022.
President Br Peter Carroll FMS.
Please read the report and
Br Peter explained that the supporting documents here. R
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 15our advocacy | R O S E B E Y N O N
‘Big spending’ Budget ignores
many and entrenches disadvantage
BY ROSE BEYNON
T he 2021 Federal Budget
has been acclaimed in
some quarters for boosting
funding in areas such as social
services – not least because of
pressures resulting from a damning
Royal Commission into aged care –
training and job subsidies and
tax refunds for low and middle-
income earners.
Noting that the government had
parked its antipathy for ‘debt
and deficit’, commentators wryly
labelled it a ‘big spending Labor
budget’, wondering if the infamous
PHOTO: AAP IMAGE/LUKAS COCH
souvenir mugs should be revived
with a new message, ‘Back in Red’.
It is true that considerable funding
has been directed to some areas
long neglected (aged care again,
along with disability services) and
that Australia’s economy is now in
better shape than predicted, even Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg holds up the 2021/22 Budget papers ahead of delivering his
post Budget Press Club address at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, May 12, 2021.
by Treasury’s cautious forecasts.
But given this budget may be
produce positive outcomes and real terms, of government funding
the last before the next federal improve the quality of life. over the last 20 years.
election, how does it stack up in
terms of addressing the significant We know that not every new An increase of $4.4 billion per
social policy issues likely to face spending dollar or tax change will year for aged care represents ten
Australia in a post pandemic world, deliver the same impact on the percent of the annual total budget
especially as it commits current and economy and the mix of spending spend and addresses existing
future taxpayers to addressing $1.0 and tax cuts matters. needs only. Australia’s current
trillion (and rising) in debt? Further, spending alone is unlikely spending on aged care, expressed
To answer this question, we turn to increase the supply, reduce as a percentage of gross domestic
to The Rule and Catholic Social the cost or improve the quality of product, is relatively low compared
Teaching Principles to determine social services. There is a risk that with many other OECD countries.
whether government policy, without long-term and systemic In fact, an additional $10 billion
spending and fiscal decisions reform, subsidies will simply end per year is needed to implement
support a just, compassionate up benefitting the providers of
the Royal Commission’s
and equitable society, whilst such services, rather than those
recommendations. With a view
maintaining the dignity of the reliant upon them.
to sourcing such funding, the
person, the population’s human Commission reported public
rights and responsibilities, Aged care support for a levy (through taxation)
economic justice, participation and to ensure that all Australians would
The Royal Commission into Aged
the preferential option for the poor. be able to access quality aged care
Care Quality and Safety made 148
It is incumbent on governments recommendations for fundamental when it is needed. However, both
to expend revenue in a way that reform. It found that a major the Government and the Opposition
prioritises those most in need contributor to the substandard care have rejected an ‘aged care levy’
and on policies and services that experienced by so many older and failed to identify an ongoing
are evidence-based, deemed to Australians was the decrease, in and reliable funding source, making
16 THE RECORD | WINTER 2021it difficult to see how accessibility, and equates to an extra $50 per Home Guarantee, First Home
staffing and quality of service can fortnight for income recipients. Super Saver and Family Home
be improved over time. Even with this increase and a lifting Guarantee. However, the Family
of the income cap to $150 per Home Guarantee will assist only
Childcare fortnight, a single person is still one-in-100 single parent families.
around $134 per fortnight below
A boost of $0.8 billion per year for In the last three months, one-in-six
the relative poverty line.
childcare represents two percent Australians has been unable to pay
Just over one million people their rent or mortgage on time. The
of the annual total budget spend
currently receive JobSeeker, which reality is that affordable housing
and will assist one-in-four families.
is approximately one-third more has become out of reach for the
Universal access to preschool will
than before the pandemic (725,000 average Australian, with 57 percent
be available for four-year-olds and
in February 2020). Around two- feeling unable to afford to buy
some improvements have been
thirds of these people have been their own place and 32 percent
made to the Child Care Subsidy.
on the payment for more than thinking they will never be able to
However, costs of early education
one year (735,000). It is estimated afford home ownership.
have continued to rise, with the
that with JobSeeker payments
national average up from $508 in More Australians are moving into
returning to almost pre-pandemic
2019 to $525 per week in 2020. homelessness today than ever
levels, approximately 85 percent
The Labor Party’s Cheaper Child of recipients will be forced back before and half a million social
Care plan goes further by lifting into poverty. Australia is a wealthy and affordable homes are needed
the Child Care Subsidy rate to 90 country, yet we have one of the right now.
percent for all families, not just lowest rates of unemployment Some $2.3 billion per year
those with more than one child in payment in the OECD – the second represents five percent of the
care, which is the Government’s lowest behind Greece. annual total budget spend.
limitation. One million children were affected This has been committed to
Research shows that the first by the cuts to the Coronavirus infrastructure projects, on top of
1000 days are critical to a supplement last year and we know the $110 billion already committed
child’s development. Vulnerable that children living in poverty suffer over 10 years to the National
children such as those from effects far wider than just their Infrastructure Plan. Yet nothing
low-socioeconomic backgrounds, material basics. They are 1.7 times substantial has been allocated
remote communities and those more likely to face food insecurity, to increase social and affordable
living with a disability would nearly twice as likely to lack good housing even though investment
benefit the most, yet they are relationships with friends and almost in social housing also generates
not accessing early learning. The two and a half times more likely to jobs and stimulates the economy,
current activity test excludes be missing out on learning at home. with every dollar spent estimated
children from early education to boost GDP by $1:30.
Neither the Government nor
when parents and carers do not the Opposition has committed The Australian Labor Party
meet minimum work or study to increasing the base rate of promises that in government it
requirements. It should be scrapped JobSeeker to ensure that people are would commit $10 billion to a
to ensure vulnerable children are not forced to live in poverty while Housing Australia Future Fund
able to access 30 hours of free care looking for work. to create 30,000 new social and
each week. affordable homes.
Poverty makes it difficult for a
The dignity of every person, person to live a life commensurate Human rights and responsibilities
whether young or old, is a with dignity. Preferential care must be met to protect human
foundation of Catholic Social should be shown to vulnerable and dignity and foster a healthy
Teaching and this dignity should marginalised people. community. Every person has a
not be compromised. fundamental right to the things
Housing and homelessness required for human decency –
JobSeeker starting with food, shelter and
Equal remuneration order funding clothing, employment, health care,
Some $2.3 billion per year for for specialist homelessness services and education.
JobSeeker represents five percent is welcomed ($56.7 million), as is
of the annual total budget spend support available through the New continued on page 18
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 17our advocacy | R O S E B E Y N O N
continued from page 17
People seeking asylum
and newly-arrived
residents
Funding has been cut for people
seeking asylum, while newly-
arrived residents are penalised
by being made to wait four
years before they can access
most income support payments.
Settlement services that support
migrants and refugees to build
a new life will not receive equal
remuneration order funding.
PHOTO: MICHAEL ON UNSPLASH
The Status Resolution Support
Service program, one of the
few programs that make regular
payments to help people meet
basic living costs while waiting to
hear about their immigration status,
has received a 76 percent cut in
funding since 2017-18. Yet nearly
$812 million will be spent on the and infrastructure, with older but much more needs to be done.
offshore immigration processing women largely ignored. An assessment of average cost for
system next year, or just under $3.4 each additional job created by this
million for each of the 239 people The sum of $30.2 billion per
Budget within the next two years
now held on Nauru or in Papua year represents 70 percent of the
shows that jobs in childcare, aged
New Guinea. annual total budget spend and this
has been committed to personal and disability care and mental
Neither the Government nor the and business tax cuts. Research health are low-cost options (at
Opposition has committed to identifies the gendered impact of $50,000, $70,000 and $100,000
providing additional support to this commitment largely because respectively), while jobs generated
people seeking asylum or newly- (as at November 2020) women through business and personal
arrived residents. earn 13.4 percent less than men. tax cuts and infrastructure projects
are high-cost options ($345,000 to
The dignity of people seeking Stages 2 and 3 of the tax cuts will $507,000).
asylum must be upheld. This is further entrench this inequality
removed from all those held in because they benefit higher income While this can be largely attributed
indefinite detention where they earners, with men estimated to to the undervaluing of care labour,
are unable to participate in the save five times as much money further investment is also needed
economic, political, and cultural life as women (on average $2,989 per to support important and vital
of society. Any time in detention year compared to $637 per year). services provided by the female-
should be strictly limited to that Business tax incentives are also dominated care workforce.
required to assess people’s health focussed mainly on business write- The Catholic Social Teaching
and security status. offs that advantage predominantly principle of economic justice
male, trade-related workforces. states that the economy must
Women Finally, women dominate the care serve people, not the other way
workforce, which is underpaid, around. All workers have a right
This budget has been touted as one to productive work, to decent and
insecure and supported by
that delivers for women but the fair wages and to safe working
insufficient investment.
National Foundation for Australian conditions. R
Women and the Australian Council The Budget provided some
of Social Services conclude that much-needed relief in the form Rose Beynon is National Director Policy
most of the expenditure has gone of training for new home care and Research, St Vincent de Paul Society
to personal and business tax cuts workers and nursing scholarships, National Council.
18 THE RECORD | WINTER 2021You can also read
