The Catholic Weekly 20 November 2022

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 20, November, 2022 I n this edition News Editorial & Letters Archbishop’s homily Features 1-11 8-9 12-13 17 EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 Adam Wesselinoff (02) 9390 5400 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Katie Clarke (02) 9390 5402 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 5261 The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by Spotpress Pty Ltd, 24-26 Lilian Fowler Place, Marrickville NSW 2204. “Really, I know of no occupation for which mere willingness is the final test.” “I do. Martyrdom. I am sending you to your death. Good day.” - Gabriel Syme meets the mysterious figure of Sunday in The Man Who Was Thursday by GK Chesterton QUOTABLE CatholicWeekly The DIAMONDWOMEN provides options counselling, support and assistance for women and their families facing an unplanned pregnancy. Contact 1300 851 592 www.diamondwomen.com.au Worried? Alone? Pregnant? CENTRES LOCATED IN BAULKHAM HILLS, GOSFORD, SYDNEY, MACQUARIE FIELDS, PENRITH AND SOUTH SYDNEY COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT Sport Books 21 24 NSW LABOR has promised to establish a Faith Affairs Coun- cil that will report directly to the Minister for Multicultur- alism if elected in March next year, with a broad remit to ad- vise government on religious communities’ issues and pri- orities. Opposition Leader Chris Minns made the announce- ment during a dinner with faith leaders on 7 November. “I have asked my colleague Steve Kamper to act as a single point of contact for the faith community,” Mr Minns said. “This is important because it gives religious organisations a strong advocate within a Minns Labor Government and our decision making pro- cess. “Through Steve Kamper, faith organisations will be able to raise issues and con- cerns, and he will be able to represent your views across the wider government.” Labor’s NSW Faith Affairs Council would act as a formal channel for faith bodies to give feedback and advice to government. Although the Faith Affairs Council will report to Mr Kamper, Labor has not as yet announced a change to the title of the Multiculturalism ministry to incorporate reli- gious affairs. “We announced there will be a direct connection through the council to the Minister,” Mr Kamper told The Catholic Weekly . “It provides an adequate definition there to say ‘that’s your minister’ through the council. That’s the positive message we’re sending.” Labor’s Faith Affairs Coun- cil would differ from the Co- alition’s Religious Commu- nities Advisory Council in several respects, Mr Minns said. Labor will appoint religious organisations to the council, Opposition leader Chris Minns promises Faith Affairs Council ¾ Adam Wesselinoff Council would which would then nominate their own representatives and elect their own chair. The council would report directly to Mr Kamper. The Coalition Govern- ment’s Religious Commu- nities Advisory Council, an- nounced in June, is a standing committee of Multicultural NSW and shares a chair with the Multicultural NSW Advi- sory Board. Multicultural NSW has asked prospective members to self-nominate by 23 No- vember. Mr Kamper said he sees the Faith Affairs Council as a “solutions warehouse on faith-based issues”. He said it will have a broad remit to provide feedback and advice on a wide range of issues, including cemeteries, objec- tions to euthanasia/voluntary assisted dying, and religious discrimination. The council could also be a way for religious communities to propose amendments to legislation in a co-ordinated way, including on matters like voluntary assisted dying. “If there are issues, even when we had the Israel Folau thing – if you had the coun- cil around, you could work through common messaging, how we look to develop pol- icy moving forward as well,” Mr Kamper said. Mr Minns flagged that the Council will also identify opportunities for government to partner with religious organisations for community programs. Labor is yet to attach a dol- lar figure to the new initiative. The Coalition has funded its own Advisory Council with $28million in the June budget, especially for the expansion of language services and com- munity cultural events. Mr Kamper told The Catho- lic Weekly the council would have a role in overseeing the success of any such initiatives, and that funding would be based on need. “Additional funding for chaplaincy, specific needs of Call Katie on (02) 9390 5402 | www.catholicjobsonline.com. au Find the career you deserve PHOTOS: JACK BEGBIE