Articles

Sermon for the opening of the new Parliament 2013

12 Nov 2013  |  Author: Rt Rev'd Prof Stephen Pickard  | Theme: Civil society and politics; Leadership and institution

As a new Parliament begins I encourage you to hear the call of wisdom. But beware; there is no cheap wisdom. To be a true seeker after wisdom will cost you a lot. At times our reputation will be on the line. But it’s not finally one’s reputation that matters but one’s character. The seeker after wisdom will have the lines of wisdom drawn on their face; the school of hard knocks, agonizing over decisions that will be costly to self as well as to others; the lines on the face of a calm and composed self in the midst of conflict.
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Opening of the International Humanitarian Monument

30 Oct 2013  |  Author: Archbishop Francis Carroll  | Theme: Civil society and politics; Public theology and ethics

It's a pleasure and an honour to share in the opening of this Monument erected, in the words of the Inscription "In honour and memory of all deceased Australians and members of Australian Aid Organizations who have served in International Humanitarian Aid work".
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The dark underbelly: Violence, culture and religion

01 Aug 2013  |  Author: Fr Scott Cowdell  | Theme: The Arts, Sciences and Culture; Public theology and ethics

I’ve been working for a couple of years on a French-American genius called René Girard, who has been called ‘the Charles Darwin of the human sciences’. He explains human origins and culture and religion from where Darwin left off, and as with Darwin there are only a few basic elements. Yet a lot of people don’t like Girard’s theory. They say it’s too comprehensive to be believable, or that it’s too dark and violent, but also I think because it’s not a take it or leave it thing. To understand and appreciate it you have to open yourself to some uncomfortable home truths, and be willing to change—because only when we start to change can the world start to change.
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Where lies happiness? The Christian understanding of contentment and community

08 Mar 2012  |  Author: Rev'd Prof James Haire  | Theme: Civil society and politics;

I speak as a Christian theologian. Who are we Christians? In theological terms, it is not precise to speak of our faith as “Christianity”, as if it were some sort of ideology competing with other ideologies in the marketplace of ideas...
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Opening of Hector Jandany's Mural

04 Aug 2011  |  Author: Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue  | Theme: Indigenous reconciliation;

Friends, this marvellous mural brings back so many memories. It has the potential to touch us to the core, to illustrate hope, and to keep doing so...
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