Fr John Flader BA (Harvard), DCL (Navarre), was ordained a priest of Opus Dei in 1967 and came to Australia in 1968. He has served as chaplain of Warrane College at the University of New South Wales (1970-1991), chaplain of the University of Tasmania (1992-1997) chaplain of RMIT University (1998-2001) and Director of the Catholic Adult Education Centre of the Archdiocese of Sydney (2002-2010). Since 2011 he has been chaplain of Montgrove College in Orchard Hills, Sydney.
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The best in Catholic news from across the Archdiocese of Perth
The gift of tongues good, but less than prophecy
I was recently invited to a charismatic prayer meeting and, among other things, saw people praying in tongues. I found it very strange and was wondering what to make of it. Does the Church approve of this?
Pentecost’s roots run deep indeed
I have always been intrigued, a reader asks, by the Holy Spirit coming down on the apostles on the Jewish feast of Pentecost. What exactly was this feast and is there any connection between it and our celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit?
Tale of a beloved Marian prayer crafted by the hands of love
Is anything known about the origin of the “Hail, Holy Queen” that we say at the end of the Rosary? I have always liked this prayer.
The moment he accepts is when one becomes Pope
Who decides when the Conclave will begin? Can the elected person refuse to accept? And at what moment does he become Pope: with the election or with his inauguration? Fr John Flader answers all of these questions in his column …
No Cardinal rule for papal successor
Like everyone else, I was surprised by the sudden resignation of Pope Benedict, whom we had all come to love. This raises many questions. Is this provided for in law? To whom does the Pope submit his resignation? And can the Cardinals elect someone who is not a Cardinal?
Sacrament no natural retainer
Jesus said to the apostles: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”. What are the situations which would call for retention of sins and does this have anything to do with excommunicating the person?
Treasure is patrimony, not lucre
Recently, a friend said she was ashamed by the great value of many of the artefacts and treasures in the Vatican Museum and in churches around the world. She said if the Church is the Church of the poor, it should sell these items and help the poor.
Reverence key for eucharistic service
In my parish there are a number of lay people who take Communion to the sick, but occasionally I see them take the hosts and then chat with people after Mass before going to the home of the sick. Is this proper? How should Communion be taken to the sick?
Absolution comes only in Confession
A friend recently told me that you don’t really need to go to Confession since the penitential rite at the beginning of Mass forgives sins. Is this true?
This is a good question, and I suspect many people think the same way as your friend.
But I also suspect that the underlying reason for the question in some people is a reluctance to go to Confession and that this, in turn, moves the...
A feast to be celebrated not only for lessons but benefits
Recently my five-year-old son asked me why Christmas is so important and while I think I gave him some good answers I suspect there may be more. How would you answer him?
Actually, the Catechism of the Catholic Church answers your son’s question under the heading “Why did the Word become flesh?”
It is a somewhat more sophisticated way of putting it but in the end it is the same questi...
