Benedict XVI meets Australian Prime Minister

Much better than the Australian media version from the same vision. The word “old” seems to pop up on Australian TV repeatedly and no mention was made of the Holy Father’s words to PM Rudd – only that Mr Rudd mentioned the canonization of Blessed Mary MacKillop.

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+Ballarat going for it.

An unprecedented inquiry into alleged misconduct of Anglican bishop Michael Hough could cost the Australian Anglican Church nearly a third of its financial reserves, a report said.

An independent investigator, Sydney lawyer Geoff Kelly, is set to probe into claims of bullying and harassment by the Ballarat diocese bishop against clergy and laypeople, according to The Age. It will cost an estimated $400,000.

Depending on his findings, the Episcopal Standards Commission will set up a tribunal with power to depose the bishop, also unprecedented in Australian history, which could cost another $350,000, the report adds.

The Anglican Church of Australia’s reserves were $2.5 million, said national treasurer John McKenzie.

The complaints from 13 past and present clergy and several senior laypeople have not been made public. In a report by the newspaper in January about the complaints, Ballarat Cathedral Council member Euan Thompson described the bishop as “a difficult, obnoxious, prickly person who has poor people skills and an abrasive manner.”

Hough had responded that the complainants were a small group of malcontents.

Yesterday, asked if he would resign to save the investigation costs, Bishop Hough told The Age: “I’m not sure why I would go. Whatever garbage went on at the synod, our business is preaching the gospel and building the church, and I’m an integral part of it. There’s a lot of exciting stuff going on.”

“I don’t have time to muck around with this. I’m too busy on God’s business,” he said.

Ballarat finance committee chairman Vernon Robson said the conflict had been divisive and had created uncertainty, and that “in the interest of all the parties,” the investigation should proceed. He added the church is making “the necessary resources available.”

Source: Costly inquiry into “bully” bishop

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What the??

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised two Josephite nuns that he would urge for the canonisation of Mary MacKillop when he meets the Pope next week.

The Archdiocese of Sydney said Mr Rudd would raise the issue in a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Rome on July 9, while he is in Italy for a Major Economies Forum, the Herald Sun reported quoting AAP.

The Prime Minister had made the promise to two nuns at a Sydney church “over a cup of tea”, the report said.

“We are delighted the Prime Minister called in to see us and give us the news that he would be speaking with the Holy Father in Rome,” said a spokesperson for the Sisters of St Joseph.

Prime Minister Rudd, who attends an Anglican church, told the nuns that Mary MacKillop would be a saint for all Australians.

The Australian newspaper is accusing Mr Rudd of vying for popularity, saying the promise was part of actions this week to be “all things to all people”.

Source: Rudd to petition Pope on MacKillop sainthood

I will resist on making a comment about broken promises.

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