Archive Listing

5 July 2009 Dear Bishop John, The Mercury (newspaper) article (13/6) was fairly even handed, but on reading the comments from both the nurse and the doctor, it seems that there may be problems convincing both these groups of health professionals to participate even if the (euthanasia) bill became legal. Nurses and doctors take an [...]

One of the many blessings of going on retreat is the fun of our fellowship together in Christ. One example with which I illustrated the importance of our Christian community in our ‘ Walking in Holiness’, was the gift of some clowns from Hope (the Revd of West Coast fame). The clowns were lolly ones [...]

Thought provoking Encyclical from Pope Benedict XVI. Many pearls including, 9. Love in truth – caritas in veritate – is a great challenge for the Church in a world that is becoming progressively and pervasively globalized. The risk for our time is that the de facto interdependence of people and nations is not matched by [...]

Thoughts from verses given to me for the retreat by an intercessor: John 17:1,9,11,12,15 my emphasis being on verses: 11 – protect/keep strong – to guard from loss or injury by keeping the eye upon 12 – protected them in your name – to watch, to be on guard – lost – to destroy fully, [...]

French president Sarkozy has called for the ban on burqas, the full body cover worn by a small minority of Muslim women in France. Mr Sarkozy said that while freedom of religion was paramount in France, the burqa represented a symbol of the debasement and servitude of women: “The burqa is not welcome on the [...]

On 16 March 2009 in the Federal parliament Luke Simpkins, the member for Cowan (WA, Liberal) spoke on the Barnabas Fund and the petition they are running calling for the apostasy law in Islam to be removed. He also said that shari’a law is incompatible with Australian values. Click here to read his speech (parliament website, [...]

In turning against free speech, Western nations turn against their citizens by Jonathan Turley, law professor at George Washington University. History has shown that once governments begin to police speech, they find ever more of it to combat. Not only does this trend threaten free speech, freedom of association and a free press, it undermines [...]

‘Assisted dying: not in our name’ is a significant article by British MP Jane Campbell who was born with spinal muscular atrophy arguing on behalf of people like herself, people suffering disability and terminal illness, that their lives not be seen as a tragic burden and therefore opposing the proposed assisted dying legislation. Concern among [...]

I recently attended a charity function featuring a panel of football enthusiasts. Two ‘heavies’ of AFL football made totally disparaging remarks: one of paying ‘hush money’ to women allegedly victims of sexual assault by players and one of telling a disparaging race ‘joke’. One of the comments has been picked up by the media, Outrage [...]

Tasmania is not alone in giving thanks to God for the 90 years of gospel ministry through the Bush Church Aid Society (BCA). Rural and regional towns, communities and families throughout Australia have been greatly blessed. What is the message BCA missioners share? Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. As Mary Magdalene and the other Mary [...]