2011

+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
8 Jan 2012

In the last Test of the year the Australian cricket team stuttered, staggered, fell into a ditch, but clambered out for an historic victory.

We hope this is a good omen for the New Year, but the world wide economic scene has no equivalent to our new pace bowlers, as nearly everyone acknowledges that the economy across Europe will be worse in 2012.  The situation there and in U.S.A. is worse than ours and it is unlikely that all the countries in the euro zone will be there in twelve months time.  We can only hope that this Western sickness does not provoke a massive Chinese hiccup.

B.A. Santamaria was a Labor man from Melbourne, who split from that party in 1955.  By the time of his death in 1998 he was to the left of both major parties on economics as he was strongly opposed to economic rationalism.  While he might have been surprised by First World prosperity and the improved living standards everywhere except in some parts of Africa which the market produced, he was right on the damage caused by excessive debt.

Because of our minerals and wise economic management, Australia's situation is not too bad, but it is difficult to see the U.S.A. or Europe ever diminishing their debts significantly, while present levels of expenditure are maintained.  The time of reckoning is near.

The ancient teachings against greed are also endorsed by Christians, and everyone suffers when these lessons are ignored.

On a broader moral and religious front, 2011 began with the terrible floods along the East coast and ended with a repeat of the Christmas Island boat people tragedy.  Effective deterrents to the people smugglers are needed, and soon.

Iran continues to bluster and continues her nuclear preparations.  A confrontation, unpredictable in its consequences, seems inevitable, perhaps before the U.S. presidential elections.

The noisy atheists of previous years were quieter and Christopher Hitchens died to meet his Maker, accompanied by the prayers of the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta whom he had attacked.

The Catholic bishops of Australia reported into Rome on their activities and were commended for their hard and consistent work in a climate that is hostile to regular worship.

A new translation of the English prayers of Mass was introduced around the world to little opposition, while attendances at the Christmas Masses were as high as ever. 

The church scene was quieter than the world economy.