Coo-ees from the Cloister

...with the chastity of an Abbott (Part 2)

2009-12-29T11:01:00.000+11:00

There has been ample time for some meditation over the last few days in between cooking turkeys, washing the dishes and ironing the best tableclothes for the feasts.

My thoughts were mixed. A past pet topic of mine - men. And my current calling - chastity. And the hottest man of the moment was again in the news.

It seems Abbott's wife has given him a pair of board shorts for Christmas. I wonder whether this is a reaction to the media's cry that the Australian public wants our most Conservative Member of Parliament to cover up?

Not only has his fashion-sense been looked down upon, but Tony has been accused of trying (unsuccessfully) to attract that missing female vote by flaunting his athletic figure in a pair Speedos. But why all this Speedo -bashing, you may ask? Does it simply arouse the jealousy of the more liberal-minded?

Indeed, the mind does not present as favourable an image of our Prime Minister in the skimpy lifesaving attire so we'll give you one of Abbott.

We think it's time to bring the chastity adviser out of her well-earned retirement.

Christmas Art Wars

2009-12-28T09:15:00.004+11:00

I have been getting in a bit of trouble of late. The Christmas leftovers have proven irresistible and the Warden has banished me from the kitchen so as to save some of the remaining victuals for himself and the other brethren.

So since I am already in the clapper I thought that I probably couldn't get in to any more trouble by pointing out that the Warden, ever so eager to sing 'We Three Kings' supplied an image of the Epiphany instead of the Nativity for this year's Christmas greetings. Even if the magnificent Strozzi altarpiece is worthy of meditation, I just cant help but think we could have saved that one for later. Perhaps this Lorenzo Lotto work will bring us back to the octave we are actually celebrating.

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

2009-12-25T00:00:00.002+11:00

Solidarity with Rome from the Big Drain

2009-12-22T21:09:00.000+11:00

A kind and regular pilgrim has sent an urgent message from the Big Drain that we've received just in time for Christmas.

In a rare sign of solidarity with the Holy Father, Bishop Michael Malone won't be celebrating the Midnight Mass at the Cathedral in Newcastle this year.

It had been reported that the bishop is 'feeling too old'.

Given the changes to the sidebar countdowns I had to consult catholic-hierarchy.org. Benedict XVI is 82.68 years old. +Malone is 70.16 years old.

The Holy Father is, for the first time, declining to celebrate Midnight Mass while +Michael is 12.52 years younger. Giving +Michael the benefit of the doubt, perhaps a mysterious health condition will be announced in the new year.

A much younger and orthodox-looking Ordinary:

(The shirt is black instead of blue.)

Coo-ees Christmas Cards IV

2009-12-21T22:02:00.005+11:00

Christmas is the season of reaching out to those less fortunate than ourselves. The younglings have been quite positive with their Christmas cards and so in the spirit of encouragement and noting the Holy Father's own example in welcoming home lost family in this past year, I have agreed to pen a card to the post conciliar remnants of a generation who are barely hanging in there... the aCatholica crowd!

Dear Brian, Tom, Cliff and Friends,

Firstly, may you have a Joyful Christmastide to follow the Holy Feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Lord and Saviour.

We trust such a greeting won't cause too many hours of debate over your way, realising as we do that some of those made popular by you struggle with certain Christmas fundamentals such as the virgin birth and the concept of Jesus as the Son of God.

That aside, we look forward to more Mickey Mouse Theology from you guys in 2010, recognising that it's conservatives such as your good selves that give us more progressive types that immense sense of Tradition.

Ever amused by your resilience to certain absolute truths,

The Warden
Hardman Window
Hound of Heaven
Mr Public Opinion
Br Jasper
Sr Magdalene
Br Momus
Br Pelagius

Coo-ees Christmas Cards III

2009-12-21T15:55:00.002+11:00

We've had Carols in the Domain and look forward to Carols by Candlelight. We were discussing the pros and cons of each on Saturday night and wondered how the spiritual lives of two of our favourite 'artists' are.

Dear Guy & Paulini,

Firstly, may you have a happy end to the Advent Season and a Joyful Christmastide to follow. (We're not terribly familiar with the AoG religious observances but we'll assume you observe Advent in some for and the 12 Days actually follow Christmas.)

Well 2009 was a change of scene for you both. 2008 was such a busy year for you with World Youth Day and Receive the Power along with your wedding in the Cerretti Chapel, Guy.

The Cloister continues to pray for your conversions. You voice, Guy, would be a welcome addition to any Gregorian choir and Paulini, Sr Magdalene would welcome a second female voice in the stalls.

Looking forward to Carols by Candlelight,

Br Momus
Br Jasper
Sr Magdalene
Br Pelagius
Hardman Window
Hound of Heaven
Mr Public Opinion
The Warden

The 21 decrees of the Congregation for Saints' Causes

2009-12-20T10:40:00.001+11:00

...approved today by Benedict XVI:

[Decrees of miracles for blesseds]

-- a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Stanislaw Soltys, called Kazimierczyk, professed priest of the Canons Regular of the Lateran, born Sept. 27, 1433 in Kazimierz (Poland) and died in the same place May 3, 1489;

-- a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed André Bessette (born Alfred), religious of the Congregation of the Holy Cross; born in Saint-Grégoire d'Iberville, Canada, Aug. 9, 1845, and died in Montreal, Canada, Jan. 6, 1937.

-- a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop (born Mary Helen), founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart; born Jan. 15, 1842 in Fitzroy, Australia, and died Aug. 8, 1909, in Sydney, Australia;

-- a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Giulia Salzano, founder of the Congregation of the Catechetical Sisters of the Sacred Heart; born Oct. 13, 1846, in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Italy, and died May 17, 1929, in Casoria, Italy;

-- a miracle attributed to the intercession of Camilla Battista da Varano, sister of the Poor Clares and founder of the monastery of St. Clare in Camerino; born April 0, 1458, in Camerino, Italy, and died in the same city May 31, 1524;

[Decrees of miracles for venerables]

-- a miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable José Tous y Soler, priest and professed of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and founder of the Congregation of the Capuchin Sisters of the Mother of the Divine Pastor; born March 21, 1811, in Igualada, Spain, and died Feb. 21, 1871, in Barcelona, Spain.

-- a miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Leopoldo de Alpandeire Sánchez Márquez (born Francisco), a professed brother of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin; born July 24, 1866, in Alpandeire, Spain, and died Feb. 9, 1956, in Granada, Spain.

-- a miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Manuel Lozano Garrido, a layman; born Aug. 9, 1920, in Linares, Spain, and died in the same city Nov. 3, 1971;

-- a miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Teresa Manganiello, a laywoman, of the Third Order of St. Francis; born in Montefusco, Italy, Jan. 1, 1849, and died Nov. 4, 1876;

-- a miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Chiara Badano, lay; born in Sassello, Italy, Oct. 29, 1971, and died Oct. 7, 1990;

[Decree recognizing marytrdom]

-- the martyrdom of the Servant of God Jerzy Popieluszko, diocesan priest; born Sept. 14, 1947, in Okopy Suchowola, Poland, and killed for hatred of the faith Oct. 20, 1984, near Wloclawek, Polond;

[Decree recognizing heroic virtue of a blessed]

-- the heroic virtue of Blessed Giacomo Illirico da Bitetto, a professed brother of the Order of the Friars Minor, born in 1400 in Zara, Dalmacia, and died around the year 1496 in Bitetto, Italy;

[Decrees recognizing heroic virtue for servants of God]

-- the heroic virtues of Servant of God Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli), supreme pontiff; born in Rome on March 2, 1876, and died in Castel Gandolfo on Oct. 9, 1958;

-- the heroic virtues of Servant of God John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla), supreme pontiff; born May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, and died in April 2, 2005, in Rome;

-- the heroic virtues of Servant of God Louis Brisson, priest and founder of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales; born June 23, 1817, in Plancy, France, and died n the same city Feb. 2, 1908;

-- the heroic virtues of Servant of God Giuseppe Quadrio, professed priest of the Salesians of St. John Bosco; born Nov. 28, 1921, in Vervio, Italy, and died in Turin, Italy, Oct. 23, 1963;

-- the heroic virtues of Servant of God Mary Ward, founder of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, born in Mulwith, England, Jan. 23, 1585, and died in Hewarth, England, Jan. 30, 1645;

Father Giuseppe Quadrio (1921-63), a Salesian.

Sister Mary Ward (1545-1615), an Englishwoman who founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters).

-- the heroic virtues of Servant of God Antonia Maria Verna, founder of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception of Ivrea; born in Pasquaro di Rivarolo, Italy, June 12, 1773, and died in the same city Dec. 25, 1838;

-- the heroic virtues of Servant of God Maria Chiara Serafina de Jesús Farolfi (born Francisca), founder of the Missionary Franciscan Clarists of the Blessed Sacrament; born Oct. 7, 1853, in Tossignano, Italy, and died June 18, 1917, in Badia di Bertinoro, Italia;

-- the heroic virtues of Servant of God Enrica Alfieri (born Maria Angela), professed religious of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Charity of St. Juana Antide Thouret; born Feb. 23, 1891, in Borgovercelli, Italy, and died in Milan, Italy, on Nov. 23, 1951;

-- the heroic virtues of Servant of God Giunio Tinarelli, layman, member of the Silent Workers of the Cross, born in Terni, Italy, May 27, 1912, and died in the same city Jan. 14, 1956.

Chisel Watch

2009-12-18T11:15:00.002+11:00

Be aware, Pilgrims, that the next couple of days might bring some very important developments in the life of the Church in Australia, and the Church Universal.

Now It's Mr. Milingo.

2009-12-18T07:43:00.003+11:00

News today that the excommunication of Archbishop Manuel Milingo has not yet had the desired effect of bringing him back to his senses, and that the Holy Father has decided to take the extraordinary step of dismissing Milingo from the clerical state.

We pray that this addiditional penalty will turn him back from his persistent contumacy, as well as jolting to humble penance and reconciliation those who have attempted to be ordained bishop at his hands.

The text of the Holy See's press anouncement is available here.

Note that he is still canonically bound to celibacy.

How Kevin should have presented himself at Communion time

2009-12-16T19:39:00.000+11:00

But for Kevin, it's WWOD - What Would Obama Do?

Musical Dioceses - Start the music

2009-12-16T12:25:00.001+11:00

An announcement about the canonisation may be imminent but a second announcement may be made before Christmas.

The move of this man to Sydney,

and this man to Canberra.

Seems that this man will miss out. Rumours are that an extensive Google search by Vatican officials failed to find any amusing photos thus ruling him out contention.

In Communion with Kevin

2009-12-15T20:17:00.003+11:00

We've not published this story until now as it created much argument and angst in the Cloister.

Br Pelagius is a Kevin Rudd fan - let's face it. And he made a considerable effort of defending the PM in the latest Catholic saga. 'Blame the priest. Blame the nun. You can't blame Kevin, he may have been ignorant', was heard echoing through the Cloister.

'Ignorant? So you admit he doesn't have the solution to everything' Sr Magdalene quizzed at one point.

I don't think Kevin was ignorant. I don't think even Fr Brennan will be defending Rudd on this one! We'll leave that to the aCatholics… it will be interesting to see what appears on CathNews tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Br Momus suggested that by presenting himself for Holy Communion, KRudd may have been goading Abbott into a deeper response. It also might indicate that the PM is genuinely scared of losing the Catholic & subsequently Christian Lobby vote.

At the end of the discussions, Comrade Pelagius had to admit that Rudd had deeply erred, and as he knew the teaching on the reception of Holy Communion he should publicly apologise. A simpler option may be a visit to the box and a reception back to Holy Mother Church.

What is interesting about this report, as the Warden remarked, was that Rudd was either refused Our Lord, or didn't even attempt to present himself to the celebrant.

“The Catholic Church has a Vatican ruling that Holy Communion is offered to those who are in full communion with the Catholic Church,” a member of the congregation said today.

Ultimately the chaplain present, Father Graeme Malone, did not give the Prime Minister communion. Instead, one of the nuns provided him with Holy Communion.

“Technically, the priest is not able to give communion regardless of whether he is the Prime Minister or a pauper in the street. I think the nun did the right thing, however. We wouldn't want to embarrass the Prime Minister,” the member of the congregation said.

The Sisters of St Joseph said today they had “no comment” on the incident and would not discuss the Prime Minister's private faith.

The Prime Minister's office declined to comment on whether he had accepted Holy Communion. However, those present at the service confirmed to The Australian Online that he had.

What would Bl Mary MacKillop make of this today?

Want to burn $32.9million?

2009-12-15T09:26:00.001+11:00

Get some advice from the Archdiocese of Perth.

I was nominated by my brethren to pop in to St Mary's Cathedral last weekend. Sure, I'd seen the plans and models for the Cathedral and departed the Cloister with a rather closed mind as to what it would really be like. Nearing the end of the 4-day journey to the west the sun had got to me and I'd changed my mind. 'It couldn't really be that bad,' I'd convinced myself.

I was wrong. It was that bad.

Not only do they have the poker-table altar, they have gone all out with casino-style neon lights on the east wall! I'm sure this will add a new dimension to putting money on the 'plate.'

Looking at this image again, has it ocurred to anyone that the Cathedral looks like it has a hernia?

Pilgrims can get a glimpse of the interior themselves here. Regardless of stories Sr Magdalene may tell, I did not utilise the lift.

Many thanks to the pilgrim that stopped by to alert us to the video.

So does the new design get your vote?

Or the old...

Thank God George is a Sceptic

2009-12-13T21:02:00.001+11:00

Coo-ees Christmas Cards II

2009-12-10T11:22:00.000+11:00

Following Fr Withoos, the second Christmas Greeting of 2009 goes to Fr Frank Brennan SJ - a natural favourite of Br Pelagius.

Dear Father Frank,

Firstly, may you have a happy Advent Season and a Joyful Christmastide to follow.

Congratulations on a busy and popular 2009. You were commissioned by the Labor Government to investigate whether this nation needed a Bill of Rights. In the beginning we thought you were giving the question serious thought when you said that the outcome may be a recommendation that there would be no need for a BoR. However, there's no need to spoil the mood of the season by mentioning the result of that consultation.

We did also very much enjoy your debate alongside Tony Abbott against the disgusting Phillip Nitshcke in February.

It is reassuring to know such a popular Catholic cleric is so close to our PM. Are you are close to Kevin as Fr Emmett is to Tony? Perhaps a question for another time.

We look forward to seeing you in the news, wearing your distinctive pink ties, in 2010.

Ever amused and delighted,

Br Jasper
Sr Magdalene
Br Momus
Br Pelagius
Hardman Window
Hound of Heaven
Mr Public Opinion
The Warden

Coo-ees Christmas Cards I

2009-12-08T14:45:00.000+11:00

'Tis the season to be writing Christmas Cards. Usually we just send individual notes to family and friends however this year The Cloister would like to send some official greetings.

We aren't sure whether a greeting would get through the Italian post in time so we've published it here.

Dear Father Withoos,

Greetings from the sunny shores of Australia!

Firstly, may you have a happy Advent Season and a Joyful Christmastide to follow.

Thankyou for the many delights you have provided us with in 2009 via such blogs as NLM and Orbis Catholivs. Our highlight was you acting as MC for the good Cardinal in Cork, Ireland.

It is reassuring to know Australia is well represented in the curia.

We look forward to seeing you in photos around Europe, wearing your distinctive cassock and fascia, in 2010. Perhaps more often with the good Cardinal in Rome.

Ever amused and delighted,

Br Pelagius
Br Momus
Sr Magdalene
Br Jasper
Hardman Window
Mr Public Opinion
Hound of Heaven
The Warden

Translate This, Dude!

2009-12-08T13:35:00.007+11:00

At the moment there is some troubling stuff in the ether about the new translation of the Mass, including an emotive but very wrong and rather wicked article in America magazine written by a rather senior American priest from Seattle, Monsignor Michael G. Ryan, aimed at inciting priests do stupid things.

Ryan somehow sees the new translation as a sign of the systematic “dismantling” of Vatican II’s Sacrosanctum Concilium. Such a charge is simply unsustainable from the text of Sacrosanctum Concilium, especially since it is obvious to anyone of goodwill that the new translation in fact aims at making the real richness of the content of the liturgy (the “people’s prayer”, if you will) actually MORE accessible to the people than the previous translation did.

Monsignor Ryan tries to substantiate the “dismantling” claim by referring to articles 36 and 40 of SC. I don’t see how that supports his claim, since those articles provide for Bishops Conferences to approve translations and submit them to the Holy See. Ryan presumes that the Holy See doesn’t have a role in this pastoral process, and that the proposed translations can’t be “ initiated, nitpicked and controlled by it”. Nothing in SC says that the Holy See shouldn’t exercise any initiative, and the fact that the Council said that the Holy See should have the final say on the translations is ignored by Ryan. What Ryan is doing is trying to suggest that the ecclesiology permeating the Council texts is somehow being dismantled by the wicked Pope and his minions.

As far as ecclesiology goes, I’ll be backing Ratzinger as an interpreter of the Council as a safer bet than Ryan, who has been rector of the cathedral in Seattle since 1988 and is probably therefore a protégé of Archbishop Hunthausen (in other words, there’s a bit of “baggage” there...)!

About the new texts themselves, Ryan feels that they are “not ready for our parishes.” Now notice this: not that “our parishes are not ready for the new texts”, but the other way around! Ecclesiology again. But it isn’t Vatican II ecclesiology that Ryan is espousing, so far as I can see because Vatican II ecclesiology would want the pastors to help their brothers and sisters to participate in the liturgy, not to leave them poorly catechised and languishing! “No, we’re comfortable as we are! Don’t disturb us!”

OK, so Monsignor Ryan and some others don’t like the style of language in the new translations. He makes that perfectly clear.

Fine. But Vatican II doesn’t give Ryan the call, it gives the Bishops' Conferences and the Holy See the call, and these have now pursued that part of their pastoral duty. What Rome, the Bishops' Conferences, and priests in parishes and cathedrals need to do is to cultivate an understanding of the prayers and the language that is being freshly presented by the Church. New wine in new skins – this should be a time of excitement and refreshment from the new texts: our ancient but ever-new Catholic faith heard with new joy and thoughtfulness. But sadly some priests of a certain age are too much fond of their present set of wine-skins.

And I find the language of Monsignor Ryan and his ilk (that American bishop Trautman is another) very, very patronising. He says that at a recent dinner conversation his friends’ reaction to the expression “incarnate of the Virgin Mary” was “somewhere between disbelief and indignation”. Absolutely no sign of comprehension that outside of Seattle, in Australia and elsewhere we’ve been using “incarnate” quite happily for decades. And no awareness of how laden with meaning “incarnate” is –not to mention that it is so obviously closer to both the Latin model text and the Greek creedal statements and all the beautiful theology and truths they rest on. Ryan and his dinner-party apparently want to deprive the dumb lay people of the language of the Christian faith. But Vatican II did not put the decision into the hands of a Seattle dinner-party, thank God.

Here’s a very pastoral statement for you: “what if we were to trust our best instincts and defend our people from this ill-conceived disruption of their prayer life?” What, people have to be defended against words of more than two syllables? Their prayer-life will be disrupted by rich scriptural allusions? I don’t think so!

I think what’s really bugging Monsignor Ryan and friends, (including some a little closer to home) is the prospect of having to grow a bit themselves, of having some of their prejudices challenged, and of having to be really pastoral, and having to explore more deeply the spirit of Vatican II.

Death of Pius XIII

2009-12-08T08:05:00.002+11:00

In the past we have written of "Pope" Pius XIII Pulvermacher (see here).

Not without a little sadness did we learn from this source, a Capuchin blog, of "Pope" Pius' death on St Andrew's Day last, at the age of 91 years.

R.I.P.

A cartoon cathedral?

2009-12-07T12:31:00.000+11:00

After 145 years in the making, St Mary's Cathedral in Perth is now supposedly "complete", and is to be opened this Tuesday, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

It will indeed be a unique architectural achievement, a merging of both the "Gothic Revival" and "Disney Castle" movements.

The Cloister can't wait to see what vestments His Grace wears for the first Mass but has refrained from making Goofy jokes.

The Advent Candle Song

2009-12-06T21:14:00.000+11:00

Perhaps Hardman Window will soothe his frustration at Mrs Harrington with the following seasonal song.

Br. Jasper, surely far too old to have learnt it at school himself has taken to mocking Sr. Magdalene, schooled in the 'Josephite Tradition', with it.

Light the Advent candle one.
Now the waiting has begun
We have started on our way
Time to think of Christmas Day.

CHORUS:
Candle, candle burning bright,
shining in the cold winter night
Candle, candle burning bright
Fill our hearts with Christmas light.

Light the Advent candle two
Think of humble shepherds who
Filled with wonder at the sight
Of the child on Christmas night.

CHORUS

Light the Advent candle three
Think of heavenly harmony
Angels singing "Peace on Earth"
At the Blessed Saviour's birth.

CHORUS

Light the Advent candle four
Think of joy forevermore
Christ Child in a stable born
Gift of love that Christmas morn.

CHORUS

Light the Christmas candle now
Sing of donkey, sheep and cow
Birthday candles for the King
Let the alleluias ring.

Here's a rendition from a Year 2 Class:

“So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

2009-12-04T12:29:00.006+11:00

With New South Wales onto its 3rd Premier in 15mths, much discussion today in The Cloister about the new 'Catholic' Premier of New South Wales who came to prominence as Minister for WYD Sydney, Kristina Keneally. The Warden usually forbids open political discussion in The Cloister because he says, "things get out of hand". Hardman says its because in a former life the Warden was an old political hack and it stirs his blood too much!

That said, the Warden tells us he is unconvinced of Ms Keneally's pedigree stating that very few good things come out of the USA and she is afterall one of those poorly educated feminist types. Br Pelagius was beside himself when misquoting a former Governor General the Warden suggested that given the apparant state of things in NSW, a drover's dog could lead the Coalition to victory come the next election.

This gave rise to an entire discussion on where exactly dogs fit in to the hierarchy and whether it was not more advisable that they follow rather than lead. The Warden seemed to think that allowing a dog to follow in some circumstances might nonetheless give the impression to the un-initiated that the dog was leading anyway...

The rise of the Religious Right in Labor NSW

2009-12-04T06:30:00.001+11:00

No, it's not the launch of the sequel by Marion Maddox. But it could be...

The new leader of the federal Liberal Party may have been a 'student priest' but the Premier-elect of NSW has a Master's Degree in Religious Studies from the US.

Kristina Keneally sounds like a promising leader of a political party and typical young Catholic.

She met her husband at WYD 1991.
She was the President of the National Association of Students at Catholic Colleges and Universities (US).
She has a beautiful young family.
She was the NSW Government spokesperson for WYD08

Sounds just like the Catholic woman that FLI, RTL or even an Archdiocese might want to take a lead role.

Until one looks a little deeper.

Kristina wanted to be an altar girl.
She majored in feminist theology.
She believes in the ordination of women.
She studied at ACU.

Once-upon-a-time I may have agreed with her. Not now.

We encourage pilgrims with a strong stomach to read a speech Kristina made after the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005. She most certainly needs our prayers.

Br Pelagius may think differently, but I think that the champagne might need to stay corked in NSW.

Third Annual Advent Rant

2009-12-03T07:54:00.004+11:00

Same rant as last year, basically. At least Mrs Harrington doesn't mention mauve in her column this year.*

Pilgrims wishing to learn interesting things about violet vesture are referred to Michael Sternbeck's admirable essays here, here, here and here.*If only!

Will Rudd agree to kill our babies to save face on the world stage?

2009-12-02T13:56:00.003+11:00

Just how far will the Climate Change Cultists go?

For decades debate over whether to limit global population growth has been silenced on account of its inhumanity but the potential impact on climate change of a planet teaming with up to 10 billion humans has again forced the issue into the open ahead of the UN climate conference in Copenhagen this month.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has declared that "Slower population growth ... would help build social resilience to climate change's impacts and would contribute to a reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions in the future". The 104-page document on the subject highlights the option of a gentle, voluntary decline in population expansion, thanks to access to contraception and empowerment of women.

If, by 2050, Earth's population stood at eight billion rather than nine billion, that would save between one and two gigatonnes of carbon per year. The figure is considered comparable to savings in emissions by 2050 if all new buildings were constructed to the highest energy-efficiency standards and if two million one-gigawatt wind turbines were built to replace today's coal-fired power plants.

Commenting on the impact of an expected population rise in the United States, from 300 million today to between 450 million and 500 million in 2050, University of California scientist Malcolm Potts urged that "Every unintended birth prevented in the US will permit the rest of the world to breathe a little easier."

But while China's one-child policy has accounted for 300 million potential births, it failed to impact a fast growing economy which in turn generated greenhouse-gas emissions and places China high on the list of the world's leading polluters.

In the Copenhagen climate talks, 37 developing countries have already included population issues in national plans for addressing global warming, while the European Union (EU) has suggested factoring in "population trends" in efforts to tackle emissions.

Australians have no idea what Chairman Rudd and his contingent will propose or agree to in Copenhagen. Reason has certainly been abandoned for madness some time past. One thing is for sure, very few elected officials accountable to the people form the delegation and no opposition voice or climate change sceptic will be welcome.

Heed the signs... Catholics, their Bishops, Fr Frank Brennan and the pro-life should hurry slowly to the cult of climate change!

Freedom to object, to think and speak... that was before hate speak!

2009-12-02T10:17:00.015+11:00

Mr Public Opinion's rant and employ of the latest hate speak - "climate change sceptic" made my blood boil this morning!

On a more positive note however, it did remind me of a wonderful soliloquy in a film I very much enjoyed, V for Vendetta. The tagline I believe was "Remember, remember the 5th of November, the gun powder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gun powder treason should ever be forgot." I trust that you will find the following lines belonging to the key character as haunting as I did when consdiered in the context of recent events...

Let us imagine perhaps the Archbeard and company standing before Parliament with the more noble cause of holding it to account. People shouldn't fear governments, governments should fear people!

Good evening, London.

Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine - the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration, thereby those important events of the past usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, a celebration of a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat.

There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?

Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.

I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease (climate change). There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now high chancellor, Adam Sutler (Chairman Rudd). He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent.

Far from being climate change sceptics, some in The Cloister simply feel that the role of government is to explain future challenges and present honest effective policy for public scrutiny. Not to orchestrate a fear of those same challenges and then attempt to arrogantly impose dishonest and oppressive policy badged as absolute imperitives. Fairness, justice, and freedom are more than just words, indeed there was a time when they were considered pillars of an Australian way of life. Our politicians would do well to remember another day in November!

Chairman Rudd seems tipped to call a March double dissolution election... in the meanwhile let's give him and the climate change cult one very long hot summer! Show them the face of a discerning Australian populous who will not be intimidated by hate speak! Let them convince us of their position with facts and wholesome rhetoric, not coerce us with fiction and fear!