In Victoria at the moment we are in the midst of election campigning for State Government. I was disapponted to see that the Stae opposition are beginning their list of promises with a crackdown on crime. It is a cynical grab for the hearts of voters. All statististics show that crime has been reducing in the state for over twenty years. Further, the sorts of measures (longer jail sentences etc.) have little real effect. It is so inaccurate and yet the focus groups show this will win votes. We are an insecure lot aren't we?
So it has been a pleasure to visit a blog with a liuberating idea. Henrik in his blog "Up a Tree" is spending a year talking with people in this space.They are an eclectic lot but the interviews are thought provoking and the whole idea of sitting in such a space is enlivening. He is a great counterpoint to our politicians.
Remember. There is one rule: Don't fall out!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
I have been following a little of the Canonistaion ceremonies for Mary MacKillop with a mixture of deep despair and fascination.
The fascination has been mostly from a sense of personal history. I was educated in a Josephite school in the 1960's. Class sizes were regularly over 50 students, often in composite grades, taught by Nuns who were often under trained for the task. They battled on courageously in the face of such difficulties, using violence when other classroom management options were unavailable to deal with the unruly mass of primary school students before them. Even then, I recall the hope for miracles so that the canonistion of the founder could procede. Most classrooms had a photo of Mary Mackillop somewhere about, but this was before the ability of Photoshop touch ups and air brushing techniques so a little more human than the face peering out from our newspapers and magazines over the last few weeks. So seeing this outcome is to some extent a connection to that distant past.
The despair comes from unfolding of this process. I doubt that Mary MacKillop had much time to sit and look holy for the photo opportunity. She was clearly a woman acting to fill the needs of some of the poorer people in her world. She was clearly a woman of action, based on her appreciation of her Catholic faith. This was an unfolding of the need to provide an option for the poor. That such a one is celebrated on the opposite side of the world in the midst of regal over abundance by, predominately, a group of men leaves me shaking my head.
The Josephite website makes the insightful connection between the 17th of October as the date for the canonistaion and the U.N. declared day for the eradication of poverty. In the Oceania region where Mary MacKillop ministered and founded her order, the Josephites are quick to give voice to the people of Timor - Leste; a people in need of assistance in our age. Alas none of this is picked up by the popular press or many of the politicians.
Perhaps some of this thinking has gone into the treatment of refugees arriving by boat in Australia - one of the most needy groups of people on the planet. The changes to Government policy in the treatment of some of these people, togther woth a push to look at the challenge of dealing with the needs of refugees on a regional level is likely to be equally unappealing. It is only a small step in the direction of treating refugees with dignity but at least it is in the right direction.
The fascination has been mostly from a sense of personal history. I was educated in a Josephite school in the 1960's. Class sizes were regularly over 50 students, often in composite grades, taught by Nuns who were often under trained for the task. They battled on courageously in the face of such difficulties, using violence when other classroom management options were unavailable to deal with the unruly mass of primary school students before them. Even then, I recall the hope for miracles so that the canonistion of the founder could procede. Most classrooms had a photo of Mary Mackillop somewhere about, but this was before the ability of Photoshop touch ups and air brushing techniques so a little more human than the face peering out from our newspapers and magazines over the last few weeks. So seeing this outcome is to some extent a connection to that distant past.
The despair comes from unfolding of this process. I doubt that Mary MacKillop had much time to sit and look holy for the photo opportunity. She was clearly a woman acting to fill the needs of some of the poorer people in her world. She was clearly a woman of action, based on her appreciation of her Catholic faith. This was an unfolding of the need to provide an option for the poor. That such a one is celebrated on the opposite side of the world in the midst of regal over abundance by, predominately, a group of men leaves me shaking my head.
The Josephite website makes the insightful connection between the 17th of October as the date for the canonistaion and the U.N. declared day for the eradication of poverty. In the Oceania region where Mary MacKillop ministered and founded her order, the Josephites are quick to give voice to the people of Timor - Leste; a people in need of assistance in our age. Alas none of this is picked up by the popular press or many of the politicians.
Perhaps some of this thinking has gone into the treatment of refugees arriving by boat in Australia - one of the most needy groups of people on the planet. The changes to Government policy in the treatment of some of these people, togther woth a push to look at the challenge of dealing with the needs of refugees on a regional level is likely to be equally unappealing. It is only a small step in the direction of treating refugees with dignity but at least it is in the right direction.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A journey
The title for this blog takes its beginnings from the image created in John Shelby Spong's writing. The way that Christianity has been expressed in the tradition will not simply meet the needs of our time. As with the experience of the babylonian exile by the Jews, he argues that this exile is not our choice and that no clear destination is in view (other than it will not be the place that we have come from.)
In this blog I hope to explore some of the challenges that we face on this road without sign posts as we discern what the future might hold. The criteria for my writing are, as Spong names it honesty, authenticity and integrity.
Shalom.
In this blog I hope to explore some of the challenges that we face on this road without sign posts as we discern what the future might hold. The criteria for my writing are, as Spong names it honesty, authenticity and integrity.
Shalom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)