Dear Friends,
CRA President, Fr Peter Jones OSA.
I am conscious as I write of the heaviness of heart many are experiencing in these days.
The horrific violence directly suffered by people in Israel and Gaza has had ramifications world wide. There is despair in particular for the suffering being experienced by the youth and children of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. One of the CRA team conveyed her sadness at the effect of the conflict on interfaith relationships here in Australia. When I received this news I thought if ever there was a time for faith leaders to stay in dialogue with each other rather than disconnect now was such a time.
Locally the lack of majority support of a constitutional Voice for Indigenous Australians has been disheartening and discouraging for many. There is the result itself and the perception of what the result communicates.
Resilience can be superficially understood as toughing out a situation. A deeper understanding is that resilience does not ignore wounds felt but with those wounds there is the courageous determination to affirm and advance the good. Yes the heart may be heavy but the will to move ahead is crucial.
In all of this the month of November is a reminder that we commend our deceased loved ones to God not in their perfection but in their incompleteness. Rest in Peace.
Fr Peter Jones OSA
President, Catholic Religious Australia.