The similarities and yet vastly different life-changing outcomes for the people in the two stories appearing on the front page of the February edition of The Southern Cross should not be lost on anyone.
The release just prior to Christmas of the Royal Commission’s final report was yet another damning indictment on the handling of child sexual abuse by the Church and other institutions. It was also a powerful affirmation of the pain and suffering inflicted on victims and their families, as well as a moving tribute to the courage and strength of the survivors who came forward to tell their harrowing and intensely personal stories.
Managing the after effects of surgeries to overcome a rare form of cancer would be reason enough for most students to put their Year 12 studies on hold. However, despite the physical and emotional strain of dealing with her health issues, Tessa McHugh was determined to finish her secondary schooling with her friends at Xavier College.
A new television channel featuring solely Catholic content was launched in Australia last week.
Assistance with school fees, providing uniforms and counselling are just some of the practical measures being offered by the Church to families affected by the devastating fire at Thomas Foods International’s abattoir in Murray Bridge earlier this month.
Coffee is proving to be a popular and inspiring fund-raising conduit for innovative ecological action projects in South Australian schools.
Many “horrible things” are happening and constant intimidation, harassment, torture and killings of West Papuan people has brought the province to a “tipping point”, a public forum in Adelaide heard recently.
Joyful celebration and thanksgiving filled St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral at the 2017 End of Year Mass for Ministry Formation students and their families and friends.
A parishioner from the Adelaide Cathedral parish currently in immigration detention fears he will be killed because of his religious beliefs if he is forced to return to Afghanistan.
The Royal Commission findings released recently indicate “very clearly” that over many decades the institutional responses to child sexual abuse have, for the most part, been “abysmal”.