The Catholic Weekly 27 September 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 3 27, September, 2020 LISMORE BISHOP Greg Homeming OCD praised the swift action of police who ar- rested a man suspected of set- ting fire to the diocese’s cathe- dral this week. Stephen Anthony Luke, 45, was arrested last Satur- day morning in Lismore and charged with arson, armed robbery and assault. Police allegeMr Luke set fire to St Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore early on 18 Septem- ber, burning an outside door of the sacristy through which the flames entered, before spread- ing onto the building’s roof. They also linked Mr Luke to a fire at Hillsong Church in Sydney and the pastor’s own home. The blazes formed part of a string of dangerous offences committed during a week-long crime spree beginning in Grif- fith and ending with the man’s arrest in Lismore’s main shop- ping street. He has been refused bail. Thanking the Richmond Po- lice District officers for safely securing the man after he re- sisted arrest, Bishop Homem- ing also praised the work of emergency services and cathe- dral staff. “If it wasn’t for them, the ca- thedral wouldn’t be here now, they did magnificent work,” he toldmedia. “The cathedral, although it’s a Catholic church, belongs to the community, it’s been here for more than 100 years and it’s an important feature of Lis- more. “It belongs not just to me and the Catholics, it belongs to all the people of Lismore. “As with any great build- ing, everyone’s proud of it.” THE UNIVERSITY of Notre Dame has unveiled a new un- dergraduate degree for 2021 which will focus on Catho- lic social thinking and teach- ing aimed at producing grad- uates who serve the common good. The Bachelor of Philoso- phy, Politics and Economics will take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human communities and so- ciety in light of Catholic social teaching. The program, which was launched at UNDA’s Open Day on 12 September, seeks to train future leaders and professionals to make a dif- ference in all walks of life by learning to integrate knowl- edge and focussing on how society can either promote or thwart human flourishing. UNDA’s Dean of the School of Philosophy and Theology Renée Köhler-Ryan said that 2020 has highlighted the need for the new course. “The course has been in development for 12 months now,” said Dr Köhler-Ryan. “It will teach students to see the big picture and un- derstand that politics is there to make sure people can lead fulfilling and free lives where they can follow their con- science and ask bigger ques- Cathedral saved fromextensive damage that could have occurred ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues ¾ ¾ Benjamin Conolly Lucky escape in Lismore fire However, the bishop said the safety of parishioners, priests and parish staffwas his prima- ry concern. It was hoped that Masses could resume in the cathedral by this weekend. Thanks to the quick re- sponse by emergency service crews, including 40 firefight- ers, the blaze which began around 6.30am was brought under control before it en- tered the main body of the Firemen attend the blaze at St Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore last week. Dr Renée Köhler-Ryan, Dean of the Notre Dame Sydney School of Philosophy and Theology, at left, Cate Thill, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Catherine Whelan, national Dean of the School of Business. cathedral. By 8.30am Bishop Homeming recorded a video message reassuring his flock that the cathedral had been saved and that no one had been injured as a result of the fire. “A damaged building is only a building, the Church remains undamaged because the Church is the people of God,” the bishop said. “The Church is you, and as long as you continue in your faith and in your love and care for others, the Church will go on with greater strength. “So I’m not disturbed by what has happened, it’s a building and I thank God that no one was injured.” Lismore Police Station Act- ing Inspector Anthony Smith told The Catholic Weekly that it was being treated by crime scene investigators as a suspi- cious fire. “There is a little bit of dam- age, but they have done really well to keep it out of the main part of the cathedral and all the relics have been kept safe,” he said. Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP called Bishop Homeming to express his sympathies re- garding the damage on behalf of Sydney Catholics. The course ... will teach stu- dents to see the big picture and understand that politics is there to make sure people can lead fulfilling and free lives.” Renée Köhler-Ryan A damaged building is only a building, the Church remains undamaged because the Church is the people of God.” Bishop Greg Homeming OCD UNDA unveils new degree tions.” The new program is a combined undertaking from three faculties: the School of Philosophy and Theology, the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business. “Philosophy will give the concepts and skills to iden- tify questions and problems, thinking through them clearly and creatively,” briefed in the course outline. “Studying politics, stu- dents will consider govern- ance, leadership, and the im- portance of law and policy.” The program will allow students to major in at least one area of the course and take electives throughout. It will also include at least one internship with church agen- cies, in politics or business to experience how such work s serve the common good. LEARNING FOR ALL P14 NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS THIS MASS WILL NOT BE GOING AHEAD. SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED. MASS OF THE SICK Lourdes Shrine, Earlwood Sunday 11 October 2020  Recitation of the Rosary at 2.30pm  Mass & Blessing of the Sick 3pm  Celebrant – Reverand Fr Terry Bell Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Earlwood For information please phone (02) 9559 2171 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 Find a career you deserve SEE OUR LATEST JOBS Call Katie (02) 9390 5402 catholicjobsonline.com. au NEWS