My Christmas stocking contained lots of books - so, gentle reader, be
prepared for lots of reviews.
The first is a report on Tim Fischer's
Holy See, Unholy Me.
I enjoyed this, but my fascination is derived more from the style than the
content. Most are aware that Tim Fischer is an unusual bloke in many ways, and
certainly atypical of ex-politicians in general and ex-politicians who become
authors in particular.
I've taught plenty of kids on the Autism spectrum, and I reckon Tim is on
that same spectrum somewhere, (on the brilliant end) and it comes across in his often convoluted, but
always expressive prose. He acknowledges the editing role of a relative -
who
is very good at correcting my convoluted English - and he tends to write
almost inside out.
By that I mean that he launches directly into a topic or issue with enormous
enthusiasm, often at a velocity that leaves his readers (or this one
at any rate) floundering. He also refers obliquely to one issue whilst in the
middle of discussing another and this can be confusing.
Nevertheless, his insights into the inner functioning and culture of the Vatican are fascinating, and explain much, especially the
sacking of our local Bishop, Bill Morris in May 2011.
He also provides a sharp perspective into the workings of DFAT, and the background of Australia's
election on 18 October 2012 to the UN Security Council.
He also touches on the beatification of Mary MacKillop and the role of the Vatican during
World War Two in reference to Jews in Rome in WW2. His observations on the Catholic
Church's handing of sexual abuse are revealing.
It's worth looking at a few excerpts.
On climate change –
After four days of
gripping but sober scientific assessments, delivered by several expert key speakers in a down-to-earth way with no hint of hyperbole,
the conference adjourned but with the promise of a post-conference summary statement. This ended up taking weeks, not
days, but it was worth the wait. Although there are aspects of the statement
that I do not agree with, it is a powerful wake-up call.
The statement
is entitled 'Fate
of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene', and is available on the
Internet. It argues that there is
a ninety per cent chance that global warming is a result of the observed
increase in anthropogenic (man-made) greenhouse gas emissions. Essentially it
urges caution in relation to the high levels of carbon dioxide being pumped
into the atmosphere, and it emphasises that it is fact that glaciers are vanishing
around the world.
Whatever might yet be
determined as the real cause of climate change, and whatever might yet be determined
as to whether recent prolonged drought periods in parts of the world were merely
pendulum swings or signs of long-term irreversible change; there are some
hard-edged impacts that cannot be denied.
(p120)
On the war in Iraq
–
Life and death remain cheap
in places like Egypt, Iraq and Syria
as battles continue, including within Islam itself, such as Sunnis versus Shia;
more bombings of markets and public
places such as Baghdad occurred in 2013.
The call of
George W Bush in mounting the Iraq War
leaves a bitter
legacy; The work of the Vatican against that war
was consistent and strong
led by John Paul II.
(p207)
On the 2009 encyclical Caritas in Veritate (in reference to
the Global Financial Crisis).
And the media launch
plan for the encyclical was, as usual, essentially nonexistent. There were no controlled
strategic leaks, no phalanx of cardinals briefed and ready to step up in each
of their locations to endorse and explain the encyclical. There was no special
one-off interview by the Pope with, say, CNN or the BBC. It was as if Caritas
in Veritate should stand alone, drawing attention purely on merit.
If it had come out in time
for GS leaders to properly consider it, it would have been a pointed reminder
of the pillars of integrity that a businessman ought to pursue - in his own interest
as well as for the sake of the world. It would have prompted the leaders to
make the stand necessary to allow regulators to go after the bankers who had
broken the law and ruined lives. To quote page 107 in part: 'Finance therefore -
through the renewed structures and operating methods that have to be designed after
its misuse, which wreaked such havoc on the real economy - now needs to get
back to being an instrument directed towards improved wealth creation and
development. Financiers must rediscover the genuinely ethical foundation of
their activity, so as not to abuse the sophisticated instruments which can serve to betray the interests of savers.'
(p 154)
On the American Jewish Lobby –
The media skills of the
American Israel Public Affairs
Committee and others pushing the cause of Israel
far outweigh the best the Vatican
has to offer. Take brilliant Israeli spokesman Mark Regev, partly educated in Melbourne. He can spin with
great effectiveness on any issue. In 2010 he made a plausible case for the
Israeli military's killing of Turkish civilians on the high seas: no mean
achievement.
I suspect, but have no
proof, that these tactics are about representing a cause and maintaining influence
and power rather than promoting a balanced and accurate portrayal of this dark chapter
of World War II. The American Jewish lobby
is run by hardliners who get their daily feed from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and
will cut no slack in terms of Israel’s policies in the West Bank, not allowing
a debate as to whether that is actually in Israel's worst interests long-term. (In
my own view, Israel, with its
aggressive settlement expansion through the West Bank to the River Jordan, has become
a ticking time bomb of its own making. Amid all this, Christian minorities will
continue to flee the birthplace of their religion.)
I am happy to state that
I am alive today due to the actions in Vietnam years ago of a Jewish national
service soldier, Richard Edelman. At another level, the democracy of Australia is alive
and well due to the brilliant leadership of Jewish World War I General Sir John
Monash. I state this to head off the inevitable attacks on any review and praise
of the work of Pope Pius XII.
(p 188-189)
He doesn’t mince words.
One small (nit-picking) observation - Fischer’s reference to
Richard Edelman is in error. The Nasho who saved his life in 1RAR when he was a platoon commander was
Robert, not
Richard Edelman.
I'd thoroughly recommend this book, and my respect and admiration for this unique Australian has been reinforced by his musings.
