STORY - "The Year in Review"

As 2007 draws to a close, Aurora asked Bishop Michael Malone to reflect on his year: milestones, highlights, difficulties and disappointments

Commitment to Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious Life

It’s a thrill for the diocese to have ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate. In 2007 we celebrated two priestly ordinations: Andrew Doohan and Kevin Kiem. They are wonderful events in which the diocesan community gathers, pauses and celebrates - at a time when priesthood gets a fair bit of flak.

We currently have five men interested in the Permanent Diaconate and that’s a great reason to rejoice. December sees the ordination to the Diaconate of Noel Tucker from Nelson Bay. We rejoice too with the Lochinvar Sisters of St Joseph and Kim Barnes who makes her final profession in December.

After Easter Fr Brian Mascord began his new role as Diocesan Vocations Director. I understand that the diocese has never before had a full-time vocations director, so Brian’s appointment is certainly breaking new ground and highlights the emphasis we’re placing on the need for local vocations.

Strategic Planning

In May a two day planning conference was attended by about 30 personnel from diocesan groups and agencies. Participants included members of my Executive Team, the Council of Priests and the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Centacare, Catholic Care of the Aged, and the Catholic Schools Office. The conference enabled us to undertake important planning to ensure all diocesan agencies work more closely together and are more mindful of diocesan and parish issues. Whilst those two days proposed overarching ideas, subsequent focus groups have met to try and put flesh on those ideas, to dream and plan for how we might work more collaboratively in practice, not just in our rhetoric.

It was one of my proudest moments as Bishop to see my Council of Priests and Executive leaders working openly together on some very contentious issues.

I am very pleased about the goodwill between the agencies and teams of the diocese and I look forward to the ways in which a more collaborative future will emerge.

Diocesan Assembly

This year has also been a time of planning and setting future directions for parishes, as the process of the Synod continues to unfold in our diocese. Every two to three years we have a diocesan assembly and we had one in September this year. I always find them to be very positive ecclesial events, where bishop, clergy and people gather and reflect on some weighty issues, and try to map a future direction for the diocese. This year we developed papers and formulated outcomes that would guide us in evangelisation and adult faith development, the Sacrament of Penance (also known as Reconciliation or Confession) and more effective parish representation at future diocesan assemblies.

The feedback from the assembly was very positive. I think people appreciate the opportunity to help shape a particular policy or direction for the diocese. They appreciate being listened to and feeling that they are contributing to the life, mission and future of the church. Our challenge is to maintain the momentum and enthusiasm generated through the assembly and not to lose sight of our objectives.

June Long Weekend Storms

2007 was a tough year in Newcastle. Certainly the June storms were a huge issue which caught everybody by surprise. It just shows you, I suppose, the power of nature. When these forces are unleashed anything can happen. I don’t know that Newcastle city has ever had such severe flooding. Businesses, homes and cars were devastated, often irreparably. The loss of life was especially tragic. I think of families coping with all these losses as Christmas approaches.

I was OK because I was in sunny Taree on visitation! When I came home on the Sunday afternoon I was appalled at the sights that confronted me: fallen trees, abandoned cars and other debris all over the roads. It felt like I was coming into a war zone.

As with many other occasions of loss and tragedy, I think we saw the generous spirit of Novocastrians. There were wonderful examples of people who selflessly took strangers into their homes; a young man out with his Jet Ski rescuing people who were stranded. I was moved by the inspiring stories of people helping others in need.

The Pasha Bulker up on Nobby’s beach caused quite a stir. Traffic was backed up for miles with locals and tourists alike coming to check it out. It’s not often you see a huge ship parked on your main beach.

Journey of the World Youth Day Cross, Icon and Message Stick

A highlight of my year was the Journey of the World Youth Day Cross, Icon and Aboriginal Message Stick throughout the diocese. This was a wonderful week for me, as the Cross and Icon visited every region of the diocese and I tagged along to most events. Hard working Planning Teams within each of the 10 regions of the diocese organised their own celebrations. It was wonderful to see the warmth of the welcome given to the Cross and the Icon by people, both young and old. I was moved on occasion by young people who came forward and embraced the Cross in a moment of prayer in front of their peers. There was much fun and celebration along the journey and some deeply reflective moments. When the week came to an end and the Cross, Icon and Message Stick were handed over to the Diocese of Lismore I was sad to see them go because of their special impact on our diocese.

Since then we have had our own replica cross made by The Shed at Windale. Also, Indigenous artist, Richard Campbell, has created a very beautiful Madonna and Child icon. These will feature at gatherings throughout the diocese, and I hope they will be a lasting memento of the experiences and spirit of the Journey of the Cross, Icon and Message Stick.

India

My trip to India was a milestone. I travelled with Fr Brian Mascord and Dr Wayne Tinsey (former Director of Schools) to invite Indian priests to minister in our diocese. We were always received and welcomed with great generosity and warmth.

Through my Indian experience, I think I’ve had quite a conversion regarding this matter. When the issue of overseas priests was first raised, I believed it was a retrograde step and that we should be able to provide our own homegrown vocations. To go offshore looking for help seemed a little colonial - we have a problem so a developing country should help us. However the trip to India helped me to see that the church in India has a lot to offer us. Even though Catholicism has been part of India for many centuries and in Australia for only a short time, India has a much fresher approach to evangelisation. The Indian priests who will come to us will bring a very different perspective on church and I think we will grow through their presence.

Zimmerman House

The week I returned from India saw the opening and Blessing of Zimmerman House, the new home for the Diocesan Child Protection, Professional Conduct and Healing Unit (see page 14).

When I arrived here 13 years ago, the reality of sexual abuse in the diocese was only just coming to light. This reality has caused enormous pain – especially to victims, but also to all of us. We all suffer through a loss of credibility and I think the church is stained by these accusations. Confidence is drained. People walk away from the church. They question the commitment of priests. It feels like the church is under a cloud.

It's really hard, first of all, for me to come to terms with the fact that sexual abuse happens within the ranks of the clergy. There is a real coming of age in that, I think and it has been a very painful awakening for me. Even now, I just shake my head and think how can this be?

I feel depressed by the reality of sexual abuse and all its pain and complexity. As a leader I lose sleep over it. I think of the victims and pray for them every day.

In many situations I know people want answers to their questions about why a particular action was or was not taken. In order to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all parties involved in professional conduct or child protection issues within the diocese, there will always be much that cannot be made public. I regret the fact that not having answers can be upsetting, and the times when people disagree with, and are very angry about the decisions and actions that are taken. Unfortunately these are painful realities and feelings that cannot be avoided.

Zimmerman House has been a positive response to this very painful chapter in our history. The Zimmerman House team is independent, professional, pastoral and compassionate, and has my total support.

My Hopes for Advent and Christmas

As we enter the season of Advent, and prepare to celebrate Christmas I wish I had more time to be with you, my dear people, and share with you my thoughts, reflections, prayers and hopes. I really hope Advent is a time of deep renewal for all of us. Our Advent readings call us to think about and prepare for the coming of the Lord. They speak of both the freshness and the challenge of Jesus’ coming, and the demands of discipleship. I hope and pray that we can leave behind some of the negative and difficult experiences of our life and church, and immerse ourselves in Advent preparations that will make Christmas all the more celebratory when it comes. I pray that Christmas might be a great time of peace and joy and that, as we gather with family and friends, we might rejoice in Christ's birth and the reality that God is with us.

Bishop Michael Malone

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