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The Guardian
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australian Catholics welcome ‘approachable' new pope in hope he will pursue peace
Australian Catholics and politicians have embraced the appointment of the new pope, Leo XIV, with many hoping he will continue his predecessor's emphasis on peace and social justice. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, offered Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost – now known as Pope Leo XIV – heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Roman Catholic church in Australia. 'The Catholic Church in Australia assures Pope Leo XIV of our prayers, loyalty, and joyful anticipation of his spiritual leadership,' he said. 'May his pontificate be marked by peace, unity, and a deepening of the Gospel message throughout the world.' Costelloe said the new pope had demonstrated his 'approachability and willingness to listen' in his previous roles as the prefect of the dicastery for bishops and as an Augustinian missionary in Peru. Catholic Social Services Australia, which represents the church's social services providers, said the pope's choice of name had 'profound significance' for Catholic social services. It evoked the legacy of Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903) who articulated the church's commitment to human dignity and social justice in his encyclical Rerum Novrum. The organisation's executive director, Dr Jerry Nockles, said the pope's election came at a time when the world 'yearns for compassionate leadership grounded in the Gospel values of justice, dignity and solidarity with the vulnerable'. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'At a time when Australia and indeed the world faces unprecedented social challenges – from growing inequality to escalating violence and social division – Pope Leo's election offers a beacon of hope and a powerful reminder that the Church stands firmly for peace and with those on the margins,' he said. 'His voice will undoubtedly challenge us all to build a more just and peaceful society where every person's dignity is honoured, and peace is actively pursued.' Brother Mark O'Connor, head of communications for the Catholic archdiocese of Parramatta, told Radio National he had met the new pope, describing him as a 'humble, gentle leader'. 'He's not different from Pope Francis in terms of vision, but maybe in style,' he said. 'He's more low key.' He said the Leo XIV had been to Australia and was not a fan of Vegemite but did like Tim Tams. O'Connor said expected the new pope would be 'very effective' in continuing the reform of the church in the vision of Pope Francis. It was significant that the pope's first words were about peace as well as his choice of name, he said. 'You've got to remember that Pope Leo XIII was the first pope in the modern era who actually stood on the side of the workers and social justice,' he said, 'which was really the beginnings of the church taking a much stronger stance on social justice.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Anthony Albanese offered his heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV. 'This is a moment of joy and hope for Catholics all over the world,' the prime minister said. 'May God bless Pope Leo XIV and may his papacy advance the cause of peace and justice, in the service of all humanity.' The health minister, Mark Butler, described the appointment as 'terrific news', saying: 'The billion or so Catholics around the world, the one in four Australians who identify as Catholics, will be overjoyed today after a period of grieving and mourning for the much-loved Pope Francis.' The Australian Catholic University said it was a time of renewed hope and guidance. Its chancellor, Martin Daubney, said: 'We share his commitment to strengthening dialogue and the defence of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity. 'We rejoice that His Holiness will continue to build on the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, encouraging unity in the pursuit of a more compassionate world. We join with people around the world in offering our prayers for the Holy Father as he begins the task of leading the Catholic Church.' In a post to social media, the Australian embassy to the Holy See – which has a clear view of the Sistine Chapel chimney – wrote 'Habemus Papam!' – the Latin for 'We have a new pope'. The embassy hosted a 'conclave watch' event waiting for the white smoke to emerge.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Boston-Edison residents ought to chill out on apartment building rehabilitation
I am writing in response to JC Reindl's article on the pushback to developer Adam Noel's efforts to rehabilitate the vacant Catholic Social Services building into apartments ("Controversy erupts over apartments plan near Detroit's Boston-Edison neighborhood," Detroit Free Press, Feb. 1). As Mark Twain is supposed to have said, "I'm in favor of progress; it's change I don't like." This statement appears to explain opposition to rehabilitating the building adjacent to the Boston-Edison neighborhood. This three-story, century-old building clearly has good bones, and is architecturally consistent with Detroit of the early 20th century. And it's been vacant for decades. Yet, the NIMBYs in Boston-Edison would rather the building be left vacant or even demolished rather than be converted to market-rate housing. A rehabbed and repurposed apartment building would be a major step toward the eventual resurgence of the historic Hamilton Avenue, which connects New Center to Highland Park and Palmer Park. Rather than oppose this project, Boston-Edison folks should be cheering this on! A vacant eyesore at the gateway to your neighborhoods depresses property values, deters prospective businesses and residents. Thomas E. Page Detroit Roughly two years ago, I took my youngest son to the Ford Museum in Dearborn when we were on the tail end of a prospective college tour in the region. To our surprise, we saw the original bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat prominently displayed inside the museum. To experience this piece of physical history and sit on her seat was quite amazing — particularly in realizing how important it was to fostering a movement for human rights, equality and dignity. I would encourage anyone visiting the Detroit area to visit this icon of the nonviolent movement that helped to transform America in the Michael Pravica Henderson, Nevada Related: TheRide buses in Ann Arbor are reserving a seat for Rosa Parks on Transit Equity Day I am a 'glaucoma suspect.' I don't have glaucoma, but doctors are suspicious that I'll get it. Until I got on Medicare, my prescription eyedrops costs over $600 a bottle – with insurance. What will happen if Trump guts spending measures in the Biden Administration's Inflation Reduction Act? The same protections that lowered diabetes medications to $35 could go out the White House window. Is he blind to rising prescription costs? I'm lucky. I'm just a glaucoma 'suspect.' People like my brother aren't as fortunate. Unable to keep up with his prescriptions, he's legally blind. He used to ride his bike everywhere. Now he does little more than watch TV. How many Americans will go blind without drug cost protections? Please focus on this issue, and encourage Michiganders to contact their senators and house reps. If citizen health isn't a priority of the Trump Administration, what is? Nancy WellingerPleasant Ridge, Michigan Mitch Albom's recent article ("Tired of 'words matter'? The answer isn't more bad words on the resurgence of slurs," Detroit Free Press, Jan. 9) raised important concerns, but I was disappointed by its dismissal of some pronouns as 'head-scratching,' and the claim that those struggling with changes were unfairly 'ostracized or fired.' Using the right pronouns isn't about making language harder — it's about treating people with dignity. Society and language evolve, and we should meet those changes with empathy rather than ridicule. Respecting others costs nothing, but refusing to do so costs people their sense of belonging. As Albom alluded, inclusion is not a burden, we should embrace it as an opportunity to build a more understanding society and we don't get to cherry pick how we do that. It was disappointing to see Albom take a stance that protected some but not all. Nikki Sapiro Vinckier Birmingham As a lifelong Michigander with Canadian ancestry, the U.S. needs to end this new economic war against Canada. Already, we are seeing the consequences. The tunnel bus between Windsor and Detroit is imperiled; American liquor is disappearing from the shelves of Canadian stores. Michiganders know that tariffs on Canada will harm us economically. And for what? So that they may be incorporated as the 51st state, something an overwhelming majority of Canadians do not want. We have a word for this rhetoric of annexation and conquest. It is imperialism. In the words of Mark Twain: "I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the eagle put its talons on any other land." Hopefully, Michiganders and Americans will agree to end this destructive and futile conflict. Hank Kennedy Hazel Park Submit a letter to the editor at and we may publish it online and in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump seems blind to impacts of spending freezes | Letters
