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Save East
Timor
East Timor in the News thanks to Edmund Rice...
 EDMUND
RICE'S NAME is increasingly being heard in the secular
media today as a voice of calm reason on social justice issues.
Phil Glendenning, Director of the Sydney-based Edmund Rice
Centre for Awareness, Advocacy and Action, in particular has
attracted national attention in the mainstream media. A Google
News search will bring up twelve references to comments made
by Phil in the two weeks leading up to 9th May 2005 in The
Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, the ABC,
Radio Australia, CathNews, and Green Left
Weekly. The principle focus of attention in this period
has been refugee detention policy, the mistaken detention
of Australian citizens as refugees, and the expulsion of 50
East Timorese asylum seekers who have been living in Australia
for a decade.
The day after the Federal Government announced the expulsion
order, Mr Glendenning pointed out that the rebuff comes "at
a time when Australian officials continued efforts to remove
the oil international law recognises as belonging to East
Timor into Australian hands".
He says the East Timorese asylum seekers "were given
no reason as to why they were to leave Australia".
"Many have families here, have married here and have
had children born here, and have been working and paying taxes
in this country’, he said. "They have been a part
of the Australian community for 10 years".
"They have been in Australia for a decade with minimal
support and living with the daily uncertainty of not knowing
what will happen to them".
"Ten years is an appalling length of time to take to
deal with peoples’ claims for asylum", Mr Glendenning
said.
"East Timor is one of the poorest countries in the world
where people live on less that $1 a day. Xanana Gusmao has
appealed that Australia allow the East Timorese to stay at
least until his country is on its feet economically, which
is clearly not today".
"In a week when Australia paused to observe the sacrifices
made by previous generations in war, we must not forget that
thousands of East Timorese people died in World War II protecting
this nation. They are now seeking our protection.
"Instead of affording that protection Australia instead
prefers to take away the oil that international law deems
to be East Timorese and which would offer East Timor a sustainable
future".
"Well might we say lest we forget".
Timor Sea Gas and Oil Negotiations
Another issue of high concern to others working in Edmund
Rice Social Justice ministries has been the continuing inter-governmental
negotiations over the Timor Sea Gas and Oil Resources. East
Timor is of particular interest to social justice activists
in Holy Spirit Province because of our proximity to East Timor
and the many personal relationships that have been established
through the Edmund Rice Centre for Social Justice, Fremantle,
Notre Dame University, and the Save East Timor website activists.
The Save East Timor Website informs us...
"[that] in 2003
the United Nations Development Program rated East Timor as
the poorest country in Asia and among the 20 poorest nations
worldwide.
It has minimal industry and commerce and more than 80 per
cent of the population survive on subsistence agriculture
and farming.
With a current annual budget of only $120 million, the East
Timorese Government sees increased revenue from oil and gas
reserves as a basis for economic independence and development."
The Save East Timor website [www.saveeasttimor.org]
can provide assistance in the various ways you can assist.
Thanks to
Russell O'Brien for his contribution to this report
Update
Kubendran's progress...
Br Rob Callan has provided this
update of the progress of Kubendran, a young man from Chennai,
India, receiving surgery in Adelaide thanks to financial
support provided by the college communities at Rostrevor
and Trinity.
Kubendran
with Br Rob Callan
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MODERN MIRACLES!
- the story so far! The first operation lasted for nearly
ten hours with seven surgeons. Professor David David and his
team decided to undertake the first operation two weeks after
Kubendran had arrived in Adelaide from Chennai.This operation
consisted of bone being taken from the hip for the face; a
rib for the eye socket as well as flesh from inside a cheek
for the eye socket and fatty tissue for the face.
An incision was made across the head from ear to ear so that
the doctors could access the face from inside.
After the operation Kubendran was very drowsy from the effects
of morphine to alleviate the pain. His swollen face indicated
just what he had been through. My thought was that if he was
prepared to undergo such pain and suffering then surely the
suffering he has endured all of his life from people staring
and treating him as an object of ridicule must have been much
worse.
Kubendran arrived with his brother Sakthiyendran from Chennai
at the end of February. They have been hosted by members of
the Rostrevor College community.
I was fortunate enough to spend some time with them after
the operation. There are still further operations to come
before Kubendran returns to Chennai.
We are very grateful to those members of the Trinity community
who have contributed towards the cost of this special project.
Report Courtesy
Br Rob Callan and Trinity website
http://www.trinity.wa.edu.au/faith_dev/campus_ministry/news/2005/details2.htm
African
Brothers
Providing moral support to the guys at the front line in
Africa
The Rostrever Newsletter recently suggested
that we take the time to send an email occassionally to the
guys working at the front line in Africa.
WHILE LOCAL REPORTS
give the impression of a diminishing presence of Christian
Brothers in our midst, Africa presents a very different picture.
The growth of the Order in Africa is quite phenomenal, with
140 brothers in training and not yet finally professed. This
expansion has come about in part because of the dedication
of many Australian Brothers working in the African region.
Among these are men who have lived/worked in SA including
Br Tony Shanahan (now on their leadership team), Dr John Carrigg
(teaching the new Brothers), Br Laurie Negus as a recent volunteer,
and Brs Trevor Gibbons and Andrew McBeath, who both spent
time in some very unsettled areas of Africa. Prayers are important
but also a letter or e-mail of support and friendship could
help. Any school has an address book.
Suggestion
courtesy: Rostrevor Newsletter– 12 May 2005
http://www.rostrevor.sa.edu.au/newsevents/newsletter/News%2012%20Flyers.pdf
International
Formation
International Programs available to all in the Edmund Rice
Network
The Congregational Renewal Team are based
in Rome. They organise programs for members of the Edmund
Rice Network throughout the world. Here are three opportunities
at the moment and news of some of the Holy Spirit Province
participants...
 THEIR
TWO RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR 2005 are to be
held in Africa and in India. "Karibu"
is an international cross-cultural program to be held in Nairobi,
Kenya from 24 July to 19 August and offers an opportunity
to experience cross-cultural living and community service
with time to connect with the spirit of the landscape, the
rituals, the people and the many cultures of Africa. Four
staff members from St Paul's College, Noel Mifsud, Heather
Heir, Deidre Sellars and Marie Antoinette Galletta are enrolled
for this experience.
The Indian Kolkata (Calcutta) experience, "Flare
up like Flame" is presented from 28 November
to 9 December. It is an intensive two week Social Justice
Symposium for those who are passionate about peace, justice,
ecology and human rights and who are keen to reflect on contemporary
responses to the quest for justice. A South Australian contingent
including Justin Chung, Lynne Moten, Mark Ashmore (Rostrevor),
Lauren Michels (ER Camp’s volunteer) and Mark McGlaughlin
(Province Formation) will attend the Indian gathering.
Both programs have proven very popular and there are few
if any vacancies. If you are interested in such programs,
keep a look out for similar offerings in 2006.
"The God in the Now Retreat": Another
initiative of the Congregational Renewal Team has been the
presentation of Retreats in Everyday Life known as "God
in the Now Retreats". This program was presented to eight
Edmund Rice Network participants in February this year. The
program involved weekly group work as well as weekly spiritual
direction while participants continued their normal activities
and work. All those involved in the retreat found it a remarkable
experience. Some referred to the experience as "life
changing". Further information can be found at www.edmundrice.org/crt.
Report courtesy:
Rostrevor Newsletter– 12 May 2005
http://www.rostrevor.sa.edu.au/newsevents/newsletter/News%2012%20Flyers.pdf
From edmundrice.org
news...
Here's a run-down of stories from Edmund Rice On-Line in
the last month...
Clicking the headlines will take you to the
full story at www.edmundrice.org
EDMUND
RICE CENTRE RESEARCH SHEDS LIGHT ON DETENTION MISTAKES
Phil Glendenning of the Edmund Rice Centre for Social Justice
made the comment that when Australia deports people, "it
has not got a clue of what happens to them," following
last week's revelation of the deportation of an Australian
citizen whom the Department of Immigration believed was an
illegal immigrant.
GREETINGS
FOR FOUNDER'S DAY
The St Patrick's Province Leadership Team is one of many groups
within the Edmund Rice family to send blessing to all the
Brothers and fellow workers in the shared ministry, for Thursday's
Founder's Day, or Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice.
WHEELCHAIRS
FOR KIDS REACHES MILESTONE
A Rotary-funded project run by Br Olly Pickett of the Xavier
Province (Qld/NT) has produced and distributed 5000 wheelchairs
in the past five years to developing countries worldwide.
QUEENSLAND
BROTHER MISSES POPE'S FUNERAL
After years of hoping to be in Rome for a papal funeral and
the election of a new pontiff, outgoing Province Archivist
Br Peter Fogarty left Rome the Tuesday before John Paul's
death.
AGE
OF MARTYRS STILL WITH US
Br Julian McDonald of the St Mary's Province has written a
reflection for the 6th Sunday of Easter in which he alludes
to the 1991 Peru execution of Australian Sr Irene McCormack,
and the killing of US nun Dorothy Stang earlier this year.
 The
above stories published on Friday 6th May 2005
BROTHERS'
LAND TO BE USED FOR SUSTAINABLE GARDEN
The Christian Brothers at Strathfield in Sydney have made
land available to the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice for the
planting of a small community garden based on the values and
principles for a sustainable future outlined in the Earth
Charter.
EDMUND
RICE CENTRE CONDEMNS GOVT ON EAST TIMORESE DEPORTATIONS
Phil Glendenning, Director of Sydney's Edmund Rice
Centre for Awareness, Advocacy and Action, this week attacked
the Federal Government for ordering 50 asylum seekers who
have been living in Australia for a decade, to leave the country
within 28 days.
BR
PHILIP'S HOPE THAT NEW POPE MAY OVERCOME DIVISIVENESS
Writing to congratulate Pope Benedict XVI on his election,
Christian Brothers Congregational Leader Br Philip Pinto has
expressed the hope that that the ministry of the new pope
will be seen as a "sign of unity".
DEATH
OF PSYCHOLOGIST WHO TRAINED TEACHERS
Br Maurice Carthage Clarkson, a trained psychologist who was
former school principal and Director of the Teachers ' College
in St Patrick's Province (VIC/TAS), died early yesterday morning.
The
above stories published on Friday 29th April 2005
POPE
BENEDICT XVI: WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Sr Patty Fawkner, Director of the Uniya Jesuit Social Justice
Centre in Sydney, has said that the name chosen by a Pope
gives an indication of the direction and style of his pontificate.
WORKSHOP
TO CONSIDER HOW TO IMPLEMENT EARTH CHARTER
The Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education
in Sydney is holding a workshop to explore ways of acting
to implement the international Earth Charter.
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT FOR SCHOOL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
Last month, nurses and health care assistants working in Queensland
Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice tradition met to network
and share experiences during a professional in-service.
WA
AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL'S 'BUSHRANGERS' CAMP
The Newsletter of the Christian Brothers' Agricultural School
at Tardun in WA has reported on the success of a recent camp,
at which students learned to work together in the face of
various challenges.
ER
BODIES SEARCHING FOR ADMIN ASSISTANT
Two Sydney-based Edmund Rice organisations are looking to
share the services of an administrative assistant for the
equivalent of three days a week.
The
above stories published on Friday 22nd April 2005
FORUM
FOR "A CHURCH THAT WON'T BE SILENCED"
The Edmund Rice Centre in Sydney is co-sponsoring a forum
next month that is described as "one of the biggest coordinated
gatherings of Christian social justice groups in recent memory".
JESUIT
SOCIAL ETHICIST ADVOCATES GLOBALISATION OF MORALS
Visiting Jesuit social ethicist John Coleman spoke
at the University of Western Australia on Wednesday night,
arguing that globalisation presents ethics with new challenges
and argues for 'globalisation of morals'.
BULLETIN
HIGHLIGHTS TRADE JUSTICE WEEK
Fair trade has the potential to lift millions of people in
developing countries out of poverty, but unfair trade rules
are making millions of people even poorer, according to Br
Brian Bond, who edits the Edmund Rice Justice Bulletin.
LABYRINTH
FOCUS OF BROTHERS' PROVINCE RETREAT
The St Patrick's Province (VIC/TAS) has planned a retreat
based on the medieval Christian Labyrinth symbol at its Amberley
Conference Centre.
BROTHERS
ADVANCE PLANS FOR PHILIPPINES FOCUS
An in-principle decision to rechannel the Christian Brothers'
energies towards overseas missions was affirmed at a meeting
of the Brothers' Australian and New Zealand leaders in Brisbane
last weekend.
The
above stories published on Friday 15th April 2005
PROVINCE
COMMENDS VIEW OF POPE AS "JUSTICE CHAMPION"
The St Mary's Province has made a point of distributing Bishop
Christopher Saunders tribute to Pope John Paul II in which
he calls the late Pontiff a 'pilgrim of peace' and a 'champion
of justice'.
FR
CYRIL HALLY HONOURED BY ACU
The Australian Catholic University has conferred a Doctor
of the University on Fr Cyril Hally, Columban missionary-anthropologist,
former student of St Kevin's College, Oamaru (NZ), and friend
of the Edmund Rice Network.
FREMANTLE
JUSTICE CENTRE SEEKING DIRECTOR
The Board of the Holy Spirit Province's Edmund Rice Centre
is seeking a person with a passion for social justice and
an entrepreneurial spirit to fulfil the new role of Director.
SOFCO
KEEPING CONGREGATION INFORMED ON DECISIONS
The committee preparing the Shaping Our Future 2006 Conference
has reported on its February meeting, stressing that the restructure
of the Christian Brothers in Oceania is the responsibility
of the Congregation Leadership Team, but all the Brothers
of the region have a right to information and their say.
VISIT
OF IRISH HISTORIAN DAIRE KEOGH
In May, St Patrick's Province will host a visit by Daire Keogh,
an Irish historian with particular interest and expertise
in the life and work of Edmund Rice.
The
above stories published on Friday 8th April 2005
LONG-TERM
DETAINEE RELEASE A "REASON FOR EASTER HOPE"
The Edmund Rice Justice Bulletin last week welcomed the recent
announcement that some long term detainees will be given conditional
releas into the Australian community, as a reason for 'Easter
joy'.
BROTHERS
"AHEAD OF THE GAME" IN AGED CARE
The National problems of an ageing population have real consequences
for the Christian Brothers, but Br Frank Hennessy of the St
Patrick's Province suggests that the high average age puts
the brothers 'ahead of the game'.
EDMUND
RICE NOVENA TO FOCUS ON US FAMILY
This year's International Novena - to be made in preparation
for Edmund Rice's 5 May feast day - is to be focused on family
of the wife of one of his former biographers.
AUSTRALIAN
BROTHER RETURNING FROM ROME AFTER 41 YEARS
As part of a raft of changes in the Brothers' Rome communities,
outgoing Santovetti community leader Br Stanis McGuire will
return to Sydney in the middle of the year.
The
above stories published on Friday 1st April 2005
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Edition
19: May 2005 Holy Spirit Province
