books and resources ...

pathways, DECEMBER 2007

 

 

 

series paper:  CONFRONTING THE DEATH PENALTY

 

The latest paper in the Catholic Social Justice Series, Confronting the Death Penalty: People, politics and principle, consists of four essays by authoritative writers on the moral, legal and personal aspects of the death penalty.

 

It follows from a 2000 publication by Dr Michael Costigan, The Death Penalty: Why Catholics should oppose it (CSJS No 40), and develops the topic in the light of the attacks of September 9, 2001, the international 'war on terror' and the moral and political problems thrown up as Australians see capital punishment rigorously applied in neighbouring countries.

 

Dr Michael Costigan examines the moral and historical dimensions of the death penalty, relating it to Catholic social teaching and the history of the debate around capital punishment.

 

Fr Peter Norden SJ describes his experiences as a parish priest and former prison chaplain. One of his parishioners was Van Tuong Nguyen, the young Australian executed in Singapore in 2005.

 

Brian Deegan, whose son Josh was killed in the Bali bombing in 2002, describes his conflict as he wrestles to reconcile grief and anger with justice and mercy.

 

Professor Andrew Byrnes examines the legal implications of the death penalty in Australia and overseas, including the attitudes of Australian police, governments and political parties.

 

available from the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council phone (02) 9956 5811 or download an order form

 

 

book:   MARY MACKILLOP EAST TIMOR 1994-2006: AN ACCOUNT OF A JOURNEY WITH THE EAST TIMORESE PEOPLE.

 

This is an account of a journey: a history book, a story book, a book of photos that shares a journey with the people of East Timor, telling about the children, the anguish of the people, their joys and the challenges.  All profits go to the work of Mary MacKillop East Timor (MMET).

 

 

 

book:   YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE: SEEKING ASYLUM IN AUSTRALIA

 

edited by Dean Lusher and Nick Haslam; foreward by Professor Glyn Davis

 

This overview of the historical, social and political contexts that have shaped Australia's recent treatment of asylum seekers offers a clear-eyed view of the many dimensions of the asylum seeker predicament - including its psychological and humanitarian consequences - and lays out an agenda for change in policy. Sir Gustav Nossal, Malcolm Fraser, Lyn Allison, Phillip Adams, Stuart MacIntyre, and Lindsay Tanner introduce the six sections. Julian Burnside QC, Carmen Lawrence, Peter Mares, Pamela Curr, Michael Clyne, Linda Briskman, Derrick Silove, Michael Gordon, Arnold Zable and David Manne are among the contributors to the 20 chapters.  It is said to be a passionate but informed work that is multi-faceted, thought-provoking, and ultimately hopeful.

 

All royalties will be given to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

 

Yearning to Breathe Free is available from Federation Press  RRP $39.95  phone (02) 9552 2200, email: info@federationpress.com.au

 

 

book:   LIFE TO THE FULL: RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN AUSTRALIA

 

edited by James Franklin; foreword by Archbishop Philip Wilson, President, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

 

This collection of 18 essays by different expert authors considers the full range of rights that go to make up a free society fit for a full human life. They apply to current Australian conditions the insights of Catholic social thinking, a perspective both older than the competing ideologies of socialism and capitalism and more in accordance with the real world of the new century.

 

 

book:    CONFRONTING POWER AND SEX IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH:  RECLAIMING THE SPIRIT OF JESUS

 

by Bishop Geoffrey Robinson

 

This best selling Australian book now has been published by Columba Press in Ireland as an English language European edition.  Liturgical Press, USA, will publish a North American edition and world Spanish rights have been sold. This follows on the book's phenomenal success in Australia where, since publication in September, more than 8000 copies have been sold.

 

According to publisher Garry Eastman the success of the book is due to its topicality and to the Bishop's carefully reasoned arguments for church reform as well as his refusal to engage in any sensationalist promotion of the book.

 

"There is no doubt," Mr Eastman said, "that his reputation for integrity has also played a significant part in the book's success. I've never known an Australian author to attract such large crowds to his talks. More than 500 people attended a dinner in his honour in Melbourne and recently more than 300 attended a gathering in Sydney. This followed a crowd of 200 attending the book's launch at the Aquinas Academy."

 

Bishop Robinson has been invited to the United States in mid-2008 by Voice of the Faithful, an organisation set up as a result of the cover-up of sexual abuse in the Boston Archdiocese.

 

Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church is available from John Garrett Publishing  RRP $34.95

 

 

discussion paper:   NUCLEAR POWER: CURE OR CURSE?

 

Commissioned by Catholic Social Services Victoria and the Melbourne Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace in collaboration with the Victorian Council of Churches, the paper scrutinises the assumption that nuclear power might help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and hence combat climate change, and whether it is a clean and safe form of energy generation. It argues that nuclear power is no solution to climate change and remains an expensive, dangerous form of energy generation.

 

 

 

DVD:   On the Line
A new film, "On the Line,"  featuring Martin Sheen and Susan Sarandon, with cameos by Fr John Dear SJ and Sr Helen Prejean, has just been released in Amercia. The film explains the work of the School of the Americas (SOA), tells the story of the campaign to close it and shows the annual Sunday morning funeral procession. It follows the case of Brian Derouen, a student who crossed the line and spent four months in prison for his witness. 

 

 

 

diary:   2008 SOCIAL JUSTICE DIARY

 

This diary focuses on the theme of poverty and affluence. It includes the dates of significant events, anniversaries and special days which celebrate particular aspects of social justice and highlight the theme. It provides a social justice programme for the full year. Information and ideas for prayer and reflection are included.

 

available ACSJC cost: $6.60 (inc. GST) plus postage (order form) or  phone (02) 9956 5811