QLD: Australia on a crest says Archbishop

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-1999
QLD: Australia on a crest says Archbishop

BRISBANE, Dec 24 AAP - Christmas 1999 finds Australia on the crest of a wave, Brisbane's
Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby said today.

In his annual Christmas message Archbishop Bathersby said during the past year Australia
played a major, almost solitary, international role in promoting the independence of East
Timor.

"At the same time it enjoyed a remarkable success in many different sports. On the
domestic front there is significant economic growth and a falling unemployment level,"

he said.

On the negative side, however, the gap between rich and poor widened and there was
a frightening increase in the use of drugs and gambling, while youth suicide remained
tragically high.

"Could it be that Australians are neglecting the one reality that really matters, namely
the existence of God and the implications of God's presence for our world?", the Archbishop
asked.

History, he said, and particularly biblical history, was persuasive in warning of
the dangers of neglecting God and God's revelation.

"We should be grateful therefore that Christmas returns each year to remind us that
the only true way to happiness is God's way," Archbishop Bathersby said.

AAP geb/it

KEYWORD: XMAS BATHERSBY

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