Just a few random thoughts/opinions that have been floating around in my head lately.

Why doesn’t the Pope tell Archbishop Pell to go home and give evidence to the court re paedophiles in the church? I’m sorry to hear Pell’s not well (although it’s an odd coincidence that he developed this heart problem once he knew the court wanted to hear from him). But, let’s face it, he could afford to fly home in business class. He could have a doctor travel with him (many have offered to do so). He could come home by ship. It’s just not good enough. The Catholic Church has handled these sorts of issues so badly for so long that their credibility is almost non-existent. Name and shame the perpetrators and give them up to the police. Anyone who abuses a child shouldn’t have holy orders. Full stop.

I was going to say something about the refugee crisis and the appalling treatment they receive from our government and the governments of the nations that house the camps… but I can’t do it. I find that these days, whenever I think about terrified families that are seeking shelter, being treated so cruelly and all in the pretence of “protecting our borders”, I sob. I think of the frightened children and I sob. I think of the abused women and I sob. I think of the powerless, depressed, frustrated men and I sob. What have we become, Australia?

So…today I’m choosing to think of the heroes who are trying to bring justice, help and healing to those who have been traumatised by war. I salute the doctors in the Queensland hospital who are refusing to hand-over a baby to immigration. I salute the doctors and teachers who are putting themselves at risk by speaking out against abuse. I deeply admire the people who go out of their way to befriend and care for the needy and vulnerable in our community. I thank every good-hearted person who chooses to look past ethnicity, skin colour and religion, to see the human being in front of them. You give me hope.

It’s time we stop letting the fear-mongers determine how we live. Any politician who uses smear and hate campaigns, and panders to the lowest common denominator, in a cynical attempt to gain office or to win power, doesn’t deserve to get one single vote.

Now…back to Facebook…