In view of the conviction of George Pell, no matter what the outcome of the appeal, the Church in Australia must undergo a radical transformation of governance. The hierarchy, including myself, needs to act in a servant role with a genuine compassion and love for the vulnerable of society.
The Church as defined by Vatican II is the ‘People of God’ and now is the time, with renewed courage, to demand accountability at every level and the voice of those in the pews to be heard. When the Synod 2020 was called, I was amazed that the final vote on recommendations was mainly in the hands of clergy. This has now changed and a third of those voting on recommendations will be elected laity, but I still ask why not at least fifty percent. How can we change the present culture?
We begin the Season of Lent this week and more than ever, we need a renewed spirit through prayer, fasting and sharing with the poor. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. The law of fasting binds those who have completed their 18th year, until the beginning of their 60th year; the law by abstinence binds those who have completed their 14th year.
Masses on Ash Wednesday are as follows:
- 7:30am – Augustine’s, Yass
- 9:00am – Francis Xavier, Gunning
- 5:30pm – Augustine’s, Yass
Please note, this coming Friday there will be a Requiem Mass for Syd Dobbin at 11am. This replaces the 12 noon Mass, as I believe such a celebration is for the whole community.