Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) is no small organization. They say they are ‘the peak body and representative association for Catholic Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life in Australia.’

To state the obvious, their announcements tell us what the majority of religious in Australia think about Church teaching and Church matters – Church government in particular. Below is a media release promoting the tour of Dr James Alison, ‘a prominent Catholic theologian.’

Dr Alison’s tour will be, first, ‘to nurture truthful dialogue in the Church regarding matters LGBTQIA+.’ Despite the woolly language that follows, this means normalizing homosexuality. Second, it will agitate ‘for a more inclusive, participatory and synodal Church which dialogues.’ This means a system of participatory democracy, a flat-lining of Church management in direct contradiction of the present hierarchical Church and one in which everyone has a say.

It is the sort of ‘democracy’ which pretend-sister Nathalie Becquart has visited Australia several times to promote. See my previous comments about this political sister.

A Church of participatory democracy is as much a fraud as Natalie Bequart. Dialoguing is browbeating until everyone agrees with the leaders of whatever assembly is in question, but the assembly meant is synodal. There were embarrassing examples of it at the recent Plenary Council.

To demonstrate that the CRA and Dr Alison are not at all embarrassed about promoting inconsistencies and contradictions, we find below that Dr James Alison ‘will be sharing a vision of an inclusive, psychologically healthy Christian life that is scripturally based, theologically orthodox, and ecclesially grounded.’

The push to normalize homosexuality is a push to overthrow Church teaching as it stands Scripturally and theologically. Indeed, the CRA wants to replace the present Church with one entirely different – one of their own making.

I wish these people would be for once straightforward about their aims.

*****

Media Release

CRA promotes conversation in Church on matters concerning LGBTQIA+

At the invitation of Catholic Religious Australia (CRA), Dr James Alison, a prominent Catholic theologian, will be speaking at events around the country from 18 September to 18 October 2023, to promote conversation and outreach in the Church on matters concerning LGBTQIA+ people.

The National Council of CRA decided to bring James Alison, a British theologian, author and speaker, to nurture truthful dialogue in the Church regarding matters LGBTQIA+, in the hope that better
understanding may lead towards improved pastoral practice.

CRA has been encouraged by two recent historic events affecting the future, the role and relevance of the Catholic Church in Australia: Pope Francis’ invitation to enter into a synodal journey and the Plenary
Council of Australia. Both call for a more inclusive, participatory and synodal Church which dialogues.

Since the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has been promoting a more pastoral approach to the position of LGBTQIA+ people in the church. At the recent World Youth Day in Portugal, he reiterated
that the church is for everyone (“Todos! Todos! Todos!”). The issue has also found its way into the Instrumentum Laboris (working document) for the forthcoming synod meeting in Rome, which speaks
of “walking with people instead of talking about them or solely at them.”

In the Final Report of the Plenary Council, ending discrimination and having greater inclusion for members of the LGBTQIA+ community was a significant topic discussed during the Plenary Council.

James Alison will be sharing a vision of an inclusive, psychologically healthy Christian life that is scripturally based, theologically orthodox, and ecclesially grounded. He will be focusing on how to
facilitate transparency and psychological well-being as part of coping with change in self-understanding in this area.

Through CRA’s collaborative efforts with other organisations, and the support of Catalyst for Renewal, James Alison has over 20 speaking engagements in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth
from September to October 2023, listed on the CRA website.