Author: Pat Power

  • RELIGION

    Pastoral priests decry clerical culture that fostered abuse

    • Pat Power
    • 14 February 2014
    49 Comments

    Most priests believe the Royal Commission was very much needed to face up to a terrible episode in the Church's history. They also believe that sexual abuse took place in an environment of clericalism which was imposed by the highest authority in the Church, and which they felt powerless to confront. 'Father is always right' operated from the Pope down and any questioning of it was seen as disloyal or even heretical.

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  • RELIGION

    Royal Commission a sign of the times for the Church

    • Pat Power
    • 14 November 2012
    61 Comments

    Fifty years ago, Pope John XXIII called Catholics to 'read the signs of the times' to bring the light of the Gospel on to every aspect of the life of the Church. Unless women and married people are made part of Church governance, there will continue to be a lack of balance and reality in its teaching, especially around sexuality.

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  • INFORMATION

    Bill Morris and the 'haemorrhaging' Church

    • Pat Power
    • 28 October 2011
    40 Comments

    As a close friend I have been aware for a number of years of his problems with the Holy See. I admired how he tried to have an honest conversation with Vatican officials and finally with the Pope himself. I do not believe he always felt there was genuine reciprocity in the dialogue.

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  • RELIGION

    Catholic Church needs total reform

    • Pat Power
    • 23 April 2010
    81 Comments

    The crisis facing the Church arising out of sexual abuse is arguably the most serious challenge it has faced since the Reformation. Issues such as authoritarianism, compulsory celibacy, the participation of women and the teaching on sexuality cannot be brushed aside.

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  • RELIGION

    An eye for those who fall between the cracks

    • Bishop Pat Power
    • 25 October 2007

    There is a danger in today's climate with so many demands of compliance from government and even church that those in church welfare work can become so "professional" that they lose sight of the human persons involved.

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