The Catholic Weekly 7 June 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 7, June, 2020 Call 02 9649 6423 or visit www.catholiccemeteries.com.au Consecrated lawns and chapels Sydney’s only Catholic crematorium Monthly mass for the Repose of Souls Funeral directors available for a Catholic service Bereavement pastoral care Serving the Catholic community for over 150 years FROM PAGE 1 “As previously announced, the bishops will publish the final version of the report and respond to it formally when they have had a chance to give it due consideration and have received advice from a range of sources.” Jack de Groot, chair of the six-person IAG that produced the report, said he accepted it was reasonable for the bish- ops to decide to consider it in depth and publish it after their next plenary. “There’s always going to be great interest in a report look- ing at governance issues and part of that will tie in with the Plenary Council so I can un- derstand that there is certain- ly a desire to see that report earlier, but it is a report that needs to be under the con- sideration of the bishops and CRA,” Mr de Groot said. “I think it’s important that a topic of governance does get the view of people around the community in the Catho- lic Church about what makes good governance but I think the bishops are entitled to set the timeline that they want- ed.” The report identifies prin- ciples of good ecclesial gov- ernance as subsidiarity, stew- ardship, synodality, dialogue, discernment and leadership. Despite the sensationalist tones of secular media re- ports, it does not recommend ordaining women or allowing priests to marry. However it mentions the Church as historically having “deep resistance” to change and offers suggestions on how the Church might pro- mote the leadership role of lay people at parish and diocesan levels including “recommen- dations for changes to univer- Report criticises ‘deep resistance’ sal laws, norms or practices of the Church”. Recommendations include the establishment of diocesan pastoral councils and oth- er committees to assess the suitability of potential priests and bishops, and that the for- mation and training of candi- The front cover of the Independent Advisory Group report to the Bishops leaked this week. dates for the priesthood have as “a primary objective” the fostering of “an internal dis- position that values a collab- orative lay ecclesial ministry”. Mr de Groot confirmed that the final review of the document for clarifications or corrections was still un- derway, but said that subject to minor corrections, the re- port was final in terms of the work of the advisory group as commissioned by the ACBC and CRA. PHILIPPA MARTYR - ONLINE I n this edition News Streaming Archbishop’s homily World Opinion, comment 1-7 8-9 14-15 11,17-19 20-21 19 FAITH AS SHEER ROUTINE EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 David Ryan (02) 9390 5408 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Paul Desmond (02) 9390 5406 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5136. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by ACM Australian Community Media, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond NSW, 2754. LEAVE A GIFT Archdiocese of Sydney Catholic CHARITIES Order your FREE Wills and Bequests Guide today 1800 753 959 or [email protected] myWill SUPPORTINGTHE MINISTRIES OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY Leaving a gift in a

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