Chalice of Liberty: Protecting Religious Freedom in Australia by Frank Brennan My rating: 4 of 5 stars In the climate of Australian public discourse at the moment, and in light of recent developments that have had or will have significant consequences for religious freedom in Australia, this volume is a timely contribution. Essentially consisting of… Continue reading Review: Chalice of Liberty: Protecting Religious Freedom in Australia
Month: June 2018
Review: The King’s Justice
The King's Justice by E.M. Powell My rating: 3 of 5 stars An enjoyable read, a wonderful mystery, and the development of an interesting partnership - though I wouldn't particularly want to live in the village to which Stanton and Barling are sent. Originally despatched to investigate and deliver justice in connection with one secret… Continue reading Review: The King’s Justice
Ten Principles of Religious Freedom
I am currently reading a book entitled Chalice of Liberty: Protecting Religious Freedom in Australia, which is essentially two essays, the first written by Frank Brennan and Michael Casey. Towards the end of that first essay, Brennan and Casey enumerate ten principles of religious freedom (pp. 49-53), which in the current public discourse are worthy of… Continue reading Ten Principles of Religious Freedom
Burning With Zeal
A very insightful column from Dame Catherine Wybourne osb, also known as DigitalNun, about what is both a fascinating and frightening development in the Catholic 'blogosphere' and 'Twittersphere'. As she so often does, Dame Catherine captures something of the truth in her writing, but don't take my word for it - read it yourself below. http://www.ibenedictines.org/2018/06/26/good-zeal-bad-zeal-and-sniffing-out-heresy/
Are You Being Conned?
A very intriguing article in Eureka Street, from Andrew Hamilton, the consulting editor, in which he 'reviews' the latest Quarterly Essay contribution from Richard Denniss. The Quarterly Essay, in which Denniss provides a "cheeky funeral oration for the neoliberal settlement" has clearly appealed to Hamilton, and his 'review' makes it abundantly clear exactly why that is the case.… Continue reading Are You Being Conned?
Review: Fear of Abandonment: Australia in the World since 1942
Fear of Abandonment: Australia in the World since 1942 by Allan Gyngell My rating: 4 of 5 stars If one truly wishes to understand the nature of contemporary Australia, this is a book that should feature on your reading list. Bringing together in one volume the history of Australia's foreign policy, and the development of… Continue reading Review: Fear of Abandonment: Australia in the World since 1942
Homilies: The Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, Year B
My homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist (Year B) as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80. "The giving of a name also gives an identity. John's identity before God is found in his… Continue reading Homilies: The Solemnity of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, Year B
Review: Suffer the Little Children
Suffer the Little Children by Ann Swinfen My rating: 4 of 5 stars The fifth book in the continuing Chronicles of Christoval Alvarez is another wonderful edition in the ongoing travails of the eponymous hero. This edition sees Kit achieve professional success, contribute to the ongoing security of the sovereign and the state, assist in… Continue reading Review: Suffer the Little Children
Be Careful What You Wish For
Regular readers of The Doohan Discourse will have noticed a particular theme being pushed in recent days, weeks and posts. Yes, I am an avid supporter, viewer and consumer of the output of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and one who would be prepared to go to the barricades to protect the independence, viability and nature of… Continue reading Be Careful What You Wish For
The Future of the ABC
The future of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has been in the news headlines recently, and the organisation has been the subject of partisan attacks from a number of quarters in recent years. The ABC has finally decided to fight back - and good on them for doing so! If you care about the future of… Continue reading The Future of the ABC
Community or Mission?
Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Or, in the case of the Catholic Church, the mission or community? The answer that is given to that question says a lot, I would suggest, about one's understanding of the nature of the Church, and the reason for the Church's existence. For if we take our… Continue reading Community or Mission?
Why Doesn’t The Government Trust The ABC Like We Do?
Why does the current federal government appear not to trust the independent public broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation? Van Badham, writing for The Guardian, seems to suggest, very convincingly, that it is because the current federal government appears to frightened of public scrutiny. At the end of her article, Badham makes this rather telling assessment: ...this… Continue reading Why Doesn’t The Government Trust The ABC Like We Do?
Homilies: 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
My homily for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 9am Mass at St Joseph's Church, The Junction. The readings for today were Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34. "The Reign of God will come in God's own time; we may not know how, but we know it will.… Continue reading Homilies: 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Keep The Public Broadcaster Public
The Federal Council of the Liberal Party, which is holding its annual meeting this weekend, has backed a proposal to sell off the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Although a sale of the ABC is not (currently) the policy of parliamentary Liberal Party, any proposal to remove the ABC from public ownership, particularly by the current federal… Continue reading Keep The Public Broadcaster Public
Everybody Leave the ABC Alone!
Catching up on some reading from the weekend, I came across this analysis piece from the (relatively new) political editor of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) flagship current affairs program, 7.30, Laura Tingle. In the piece, Tingle makes it clear that both sides of the major political divide are prepared to use the ABC for their… Continue reading Everybody Leave the ABC Alone!
