OZ CatholicWorkers Oppose Cardinal's Appointment of General to be Chancellor of Catholic University

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Saturday November 27, 2010 01:47

by Catholic Worker (Australia)

SUNDAY NOV 28th 10.30am-1pm *Join the Catholic Worker Anti-War Vigil Outside the Brisbane Catholic Cathedral in Opposition to the Appointment of Gen.Cosgrove as Chancellor of Australian Catholic University
*More info contact Sean O'Reilly:

SUNDAY NOV 28th 2pm-4pm *Join the Catholic Worker Anti-War Vigil Outside St. Mary's Cathedral Sydney in Opposition to the Appointment of Gen.Cosgrove as Chancellor of Australian Catholic University
*More Info contact. James Dodril 0414 898 380

SUNDAY NOV 28th 10.30am-1pm *Join the Catholic Worker Anti-War Vigil Outside the Brisbane Catholic Cathedral in Opposition to the Appointment of Gen.Cosgrove as Chancellor of Australian Catholic University
*More info contact Sean O'Reilly:

SUNDAY NOV 28th 2pm-4pm *Join the Catholic Worker Anti-War Vigil Outside St. Mary's Cathedral Sydney in Opposition to the Appointment of Gen.Cosgrove as Chancellor of Australian Catholic University
*More Info contact. James Dodril 0414 898 380

HAS THE CHURCH HAS LOST ITS MORAL DIRECTION BY
APPOINTING WAR PROMOTER GENERAL PETER COSGROVE AS CHANCELLOR OF ACU?

Demonstration at St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney 2.30pm Sunday November 28
Inauguration ceremony for General Cosgrove’s Appointment at 3pm

"The works of mercy are the opposite of the works of war, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, nursing the sick, visiting the prisoner. But we are destroying crops, setting fire to entire villages and to the people in them. We are not performing the works of mercy but the works of war." – Dorothy Day

We are members of the Catholic Worker Movement. We were greatly disturbed when we read this week that it was announced that Iraq war promoter General Peter Cosgrove has been appointed the new chancellor of Australian Catholic University.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=24281#hys

This is of great concern considering that Cosgrove, former head of the ADF during the Howard era, would have been well aware of warnings of a humanitarian disaster and the non-existence of Iraq's link to terrorism or any arsenal of WMDs by experts like Britain's Dr David Kelly, UN arms inspector Scott Ritter and Australia's own intelligence expert, Andrew Wilkie.
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/s804540.htm

Cosgrove, a Catholic, would also have been aware of warnings by Pope John Paul II that war with Iraq was "a defeat for humanity which could not be morally or legally justified."
http://www.cjd.org/paper/jp2war.html

The pope said the U.N. charter and international law "remind us war cannot be decided upon, even when it is a matter of ensuring the common good, except as the last option and in accordance with very strict conditions, without ignoring the consequences for the civilian population both during and after the military options."
http://www.americancatholic.org/news/JustWar/iraq/papal...t.asp

Yet, Cosgrove ignored the leaders of his own Church and chose to follow the leaders of the western military-industrial complex into a war which ignored international law and turned Iraq into a humanitarian disaster which would only serve to promote anti-western hatred and terrorism. Why then has Cardinal George Pell and the ACU turned a blind eye to someone who has so blatantly acted against the morality of the Church and decided to appoint Cosgrove to such a prestigious position in the Australian Catholic Church?

Peter Cosgrove might be viewed as "an outstanding Australian and an eminent Australian Catholic" by ACU's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Greg Craven, but the fact is that Cosgrove turned his back on Pope John Paul II and the Church by leading Australia into the war in Iraq. He would have known that this was done under the false pretext of eliminating Weapons Of Mass Destruction. He has the blood of thousands of innocent Iraqis on his hands and was a participant in the destruction of an entire nation's civil infrastructure and shares responsibility for the subsequent civil war. He did nothing to stop the torture and abuse of Abu Graib, the holocaust of Falluja, the horror of cluster bombs or the decimation of the Iraqi Catholic (Chaldean) community.

"Philosopy and Key Values" of ACU, found on the university web site:

----------
ACU is founded on "a long history of commitment to truth, in a spirit of freedom and service ... It prizes such key values as:

* following the way of Christ and commitment to Christian values;
* participating in the community and mission of the Church;
* a continuing dialogue between faith and reason - represented, for example, by the dialogue between philosophy and science;
* respect for truth in all its forms and collaboration in seeking it through all the disciplines;
* promotion of the common good, and the dignity of the human person;
* collaboration of all our staff and students, whatever their beliefs, in the interests of a more decent and humane society;
* the promotion of teaching and research in ways that most serve the mission of the University;
* respect for academic freedom."

-----------
It would appear that at least four of the key values (in bold) should exclude a person like Peter Cosgrove from the position that he now holds.

Hundreds of thousands of Australians took to the streets in 2003 in the largest anti-war marches in Australian history to show their opposition to Australia's involvement in Iraq. Peter Cosgrove is not "an outstanding Australian" to these good people. Cosgrove knew well that the position of the Church and the Pope was this was clearly not a “Just War”. His appointment brings ACU and the Catholic Church in Australia into blood-soaked disrepute.

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Comments (8 of 8)

"I wasn't particularly conscious that the church was taking a very strong position," he said.

by Cultivated Ignorance - Australian Broadcasting Commission

Wed Dec 01, 2010 12:18

General Cosgrove, leader of Australian troops invading Iraq in 2003 and now Chancellor of Australian Catholic University, stated in reference to the Catholic Church's opposition to the Iraq invasion of Iraq (an invasion that has predictably led to the decimation of the Catholic community in Iraq) stated

"I wasn't particularly conscious that the church was taking a very strong position," he said.

full article...............
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/28/3078564.h...ustin

Photos from CW anti-war action Sydney Cathedral

by Photos

Tue Nov 30, 2010 08:37

Cardinal Pell
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/11/29/catholic-worker-acti...tment

Victims of Cosgrove's War: Opposed by the Papacy
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/11/29/catholic-worker-acti...tment

Jimmy D (originally from Dublin) Deployed by CW to Sydney for the Day
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/11/29/catholic-worker-acti...tment

Sydney crew at Vigil
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/11/29/catholic-worker-acti...tment

OZ REPORTS - from Sydney/ Brisbane Cathedrals Against Appointment of Gen.Cosgrove ACUChancellor

by Ciaron - Giuseppe Conlon House/ London Catholic Worker

Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:31

YOUTUBE (1min. 50 secs)
Sean O'Reilly (my big brother) Speaks Out Against the Appointment of Gen. Cosgrove by Cardinal Pell
on Steps of St. Stephen's Cathedral, Brisbane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMIQ0w-wKiA

Tony Robertson Blog Report from vigil at Brisbane Cathedral
http://holyirritant.blogspot.com/2010/11/sunday-obligat....html

Photos/Report from CW Anti-War Vigil at Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral against the Appointment of Gen. Cosgrove to Chancellor of Australian Catholic University (ACU)
http://indymedia.org.au/2010/11/29/catholic-worker-acti...tment

Ex Military commander appointed chancellor of catholic University

by Oz Peace Man

Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:40

ozlisteners at gmail dot com

Vigil outside St Mary's Cathedral Sydney to protest Peter Cosgrove's appointment as Australian Catholic University Chancellor. Cosgrove presided over Australian troops sent to Iraq and Afghanistan. No Military person should be appointed to a University. Universities should be promoters of peace
Vigil outside St Mary's Cathedral Sydney to protest Peter Cosgrove's appointment as Australian Catholic University Chancellor. Cosgrove presided over Australian troops sent to Iraq and Afghanistan. No Military person should be appointed to a University. Universities should be promoters of peace.

Peter Cosgrove pictured under an umbrella leaving the cathedral after being blessed in his new role by Cardinal Pell.
Activists politely asked him to resign. Cosgrove appeared to be embarassed and remained silent. He was flanked by armed NSW Police and private security guards.

The catholic church condemned the Iraq invasion as immoral and unjust.

Universities and particularly catholic ones should not appoint military personell with blood on their hands from unjust wars. It is hypocritical.

UPDATED REPORT from St. Mary's Sydney Cathedral..

by Jimmy from Dublin town

Sun Nov 28, 2010 07:02

Sydney, Australia

UPDATED REPORT from St. Mary's Sydney Cathedral...Catholic Worker Anti-War Vigil Against the Appointment of General Cosgrove to Chancellor of Australian Catholic University by Cardinal Pell

Peter G, Wayne K. Ross P Jimmy D, Eric S all vigiling at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedra in Sudney Australia opposing Genral Cosgrove's appointment to Chancellor of Australian Catholic University by Cardinal Pell.

Jimmy Dodrill (originally from Dublin) cornered General Cosgrove while the General tried to slip in the side door of the Cathedral building. General Cosgrove was made aware of his errors by Jimmy D and asked to resign his position.

Heavy New South Wales police presence now

Catholic movement protests chancellor appointment

by ABC - Australian Broadcasting Commission

Sun Nov 28, 2010 05:57

Catholic movement protests chancellor appointment

Updated 3 hours 52 minutes ago
Australian Catholic University Chancellor General Peter Cosgrove and brick background

General Peter Cosgrove became the new Chancellor of Australian Catholic University on Sunday November 28, 2010. (Supplied)

* Map: Brisbane 4000

The Catholic Workers Movement is protesting against one of its own universities in Brisbane this morning.

They claim the appointment of Peter Cosgrove as Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University (ACU) is against the religion's morals and beliefs.

Spokesman Sean O'Reilly says as the former head of the Defence Force, General Cosgrove led troops into the Iraq war, but the Catholic Church was opposed to the conflict.

"He would have known quite well that the whole premise for invading Iraq - that there were weapons of mass destruction - was a lie," he said.

"So you know, he took our troops into a war that was immoral, illegal and had no support from his own church."

Another spokesman, Jim Dodrill, says the General ignored orders from churches in Australia and around the world.

"Pope John Paul II said that the war and attack or an invasion on Iraq was unjust, illegal and immoral," he said.

"Peter Cosgrove ignored those calls; he also ignored the warnings of international arms inspectors."

Tags: religion-and-beliefs, catholic, university-and-further-education, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted 4 hours 29 minutes ago

Cardinal Pell - Gambling and Arms Manufacture A ok

by Gambling & Guns

Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:23

Speaking at an ethics in business lunch yesterday, Cardinal George Pell said that gambling isn't intrinsically wrong - unless it becomes an addiction. He added that countries could produce arms morally, to defend thenselves, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Cardinal Pell said on the proliferation of poker machines in NSW Catholic clubs: ''I must confess I do feel a bit uneasy about that, but only a bit uneasy,'' he admitted. ''Because culturally I'm an Irish Australian and we grew up gambling.''

Only when it became an addiction, threatening the well-being of oneself and one's family, did it become a sin.

Speaking on ''God and Mammon: need or greed in the big end of town'', Cardinal Pell said at the lunch, hosted by Notre Dame University, that as far as the ethics of selling tobacco went, supplying adults who were aware of the risks and still chose to smoke was nothing to rush to the confessional about.

And when quizzed about the ethics of selling arms, he hypothesised that global military contractors may in fact be acting on a moral imperative.

''I think you can produce arms morally ... You might say in some cases it is necessary. We are a peaceful country. If we were unarmed that would be an enticement to evil people. The best way to stay as we are is to be strong and effectively armed so I think you could make the case,'' he said.

Instead, the cardinal's wrath honed in on corporate fat cat salaries, which were morally suspect, he said.

Blog Report - photo of Cosgrove in acadmeic duds

by Cosgrove in duds of academe

Sat Nov 27, 2010 07:15

Blog Report - photo of Cosgrove in acadmeic duds

http://holyirritant.blogspot.com/2010/11/sunday-obligat....html

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OZ CatholicWorkers Oppose Cardinal's Appointment of General to be Chancellor of Catholic University

Comments (8 of 8)