The Catholic Weekly 9 August 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 9, August, 2020 THE DEVASTATING loss of life in Victorian aged care homes due to coronavirus is a sign of a culture that has outsourced its responsibili- ties to the elderly, says a Mel- bourne-based ethicist. Dr Dan Fleming, group manager of ethics and for- mation at St Vincent’s Health Australia, said that while re- sponsibility for the unfolding crisis lay “at all levels” includ- ing government, providers and staff, community atti- tudes have also played a role. “Inasmuch as we’re bound up in a way of thinking about caring for the elderly which tends to outsource our re- sponsibilities, rather than hold them close, we create the culture which lets this happen,” Dr Fleming told The Catholic Weekly . “Events like the crisis in Victoria demonstrate how, at the most fundamental level, we are entrusted to one an- other’s care. “If we believe in the dignity of all people, it follows that we should be especially attentive to the care of those who are most vulnerable. As in other parts of the world, Australia has a shocking record ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues Aged have been ‘abandoned’ “Sometimes this care is provided really beautifully, but as we’ve seen these last few weeks, the concerns not- ed by the Royal Commission into Aged Care (among oth- ers) can lead to devastating outcomes when COVID-19 gets involved.” Experts have blasted the lack of political will to prop- erly resource and regulate the aged care sector, as nearly 1000 active cases were linked- Coronavirus death rates reveal how the aged have become victims of a culture of outsourcing resposibility, says a Melbourne ethicist. to more than 90 Victorian aged care homes last week with numbers of deaths also rising daily. Aged Care Royal Commis- sioner Tony Pagone QC said the “human tragedy” associ- ated with the impacts of COV- ID-19 in aged care warranted a separate inquiry. Announcing a special Commission hearing from 10-13 August on the issue, Mr Pagone said it “seems likely” it would find that a “fuller and more forensic inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 in aged care” is needed. The hearing will include an examination of whether there have been systemic failures and the sector’s preparedness for the unfolding crisis in Aus- tralia. Dr Bridget Laging, senior research fellow in aged care at the Australian Catholic University said that the com- bination of communal living, chronic disease and advanced age already made aged care residents an extremely vul- nerable population. Meanwhile, Catholic Health Australia says its aged care members in NSW are working hard to prevent the tragedies unfolding in Victo- rian centres from occurring here. A spokesperson told The Catholic Weekly that its NSW members continue to be vig- ilant with screening, hygiene and social distancing in their homes. “We hope and pray that we do not see a repeat of the scenario that we are witnessing in Victoria,” the spokesperson said. MONICA DOUMIT P11 I n this edition News Streaming Archbishop’s homily World Opinion, comment 1-7 8-9 18-20 11,22-23 24-25 28 LEARNING TO SPEAK WITH A CATHOLIC ACCENT 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 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 5145. 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 Helping build a brighter future for children and families in crisis. Dunlea Centre 35A Waratah Road Engadine NSW 2233 Phone 02 8508 3900 AUSTRALIA'S ORIGINAL BOYS' TOWN A place for change... www.dunleacentre.org.au Celebrating loved ones for over 90 years Trevor Lee & Son is a family business that has helped families celebrate and remember their loved ones for over 90 years. ♦ Intimate and personal funeral services ♦ Professional, compassionate staff, available 24 hours a day ♦ On site or in the comfort of your own home ♦ Servicing all areas of Metropolitan Sydney and Country NSW ♦ Pre-Paid Funerals available Contact Bernadette (nee O’Hare), Trevor or Darren Lee on 9746 2949 to arrange an appointment. PARISHIONERS OF a west- ern Sydney church have been asked to be on alert for symp- toms after a person who at- tended a Mass this month tested positive to the corona- virus. NSW Health advised on 29 July that the person attended the 8am Mass at St Patrick’s ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues Paramatta parishioner positive Cathedral in Parramatta on Sunday 19 July. “People who attended this mass are advised to monitor for symptoms and seek testing if they develop symptoms,” it said in a statement. However the cathedral ministry said in a statement that people who had attend- ed the Mass were considered casual contacts and NSW Health had advised that it was not necessary to close the ca- thedral. The cathedral was cleaned following the Mass in line with its COVID-Safe plan. The case brings the num- ber of Catholic churches with a confirmed case throughout Greater Sydney to four. These include Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park, St Brendan’s church in Bankstown and Our Lady of Mt Carmel church in Mt Prichard. A number of Catholic schools have also been affect- ed, with Freeman Catholic College in Bonnyrigg Heights and Mary Immaculate Catho- lic Primary School in Bossley Park the latest to close on 30 July amid students testing positive for the virus. NEW