"The fundamental polarity of human life between what is and what ought to be, between lack and fulfillment, between determination and freedom, is not abnormal; it is the norm. Every person is exposed to it because of the inescapable structure of human formation." (Adrian van Kaam, The Transcendent Self, Dimension Books, 1979, 172.)

You are here: Home News Parsing the Australian Catholic bishops' election advice

Parsing the Australian Catholic bishops' election advice

By Andrew Hamilton
Ja1556874100

Tentative prelates dip their toe into the water after a freezing winter.

The Australian Catholic Bishops' statement on the upcoming federal election, 'Politics in Service of Peace', is significant as much for the fact that it was made as for its argument.

It comes in the middle of a long, bruising time for the Catholic Church, and for the bishops in particular, culminating in the trial and sentencing of Cardinal George Pell.

When speaking on moral issues the bishops have lost much credibility in the wider society and among Catholics. Read more