CH3291 —

The Shaping Of The Australian Catholic Church

GDT, MTS, MDiv (Specialised: Christian Thought and History) (Min. No. 6)

2nd semester Tuesday morning

Content

This unit will explore some of the main factors that shaped the development of the Australian Catholic Church from the colonial period to the modern era. It will survey the shaping of the Catholic Church in Australia and attention will be given to the changing role of the Church in Australian society. It will examine the convict years and the Anglican Church in early Australia, the influence of the Irish clergy, Archbishop John Bede Polding’s Benedictine Dream, improvisatory musical practices in the early Australian Church, the role of Religious Orders in the shaping of Catholic education, the attempts made by the Catholic Church to reach out to the Aboriginal people, the later years of Catholicism which will include the ministries of Cardinal Moran and Archbishop Mannix, and the changing roles of Australian Catholic priests, religious and laity following Vatican II. Included in this unit, will be an opportunity to experience some field work.

Prerequisites

One foundational unit in Church History

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. analyse both primary and secondary sources in a critical fashion
2. appraise the successes and failures of the Church’s mission to Aborigines
3. describe and discuss significant changes that occurred in the development of the Australian Catholic Church
4. critique the various influences on the development of this Church, including Irish Catholicism, methods of ministry, and issues associated with Catholic schooling
5. demonstrate appropriate use of historical methodology in presenting a written biography and research essay
6. demonstrate an understanding of the forces that continue to shape the Australian Church.

Assessment

3000 word biography (50%); 3000 word research essay (50%)

Bibliography

* = set texts recommended for purchase

Breward, Ian. History of the Australian Church. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 2001.

Campion, Edmund. Australia’s Catholics: The Contribution of Catholics to the Development of Australian Society. Ringwood, VIC: Viking Press, 1987.

Harris, John W_One Blood: 200 Years of Aboriginal Encounter with Christianity: A Story of Hope._ Sutherland, NSW: Albatross Books, 1990, 1994.

Moloney, John N. The Roman Mould of the Australian Catholic Church. Carlton, VIC: Melbourne University Press, 1969.

*O’Farrell, Patrick. The Catholic Church and Community: An Australian History. 3rd rev. ed. Sydney, NSW: University of New South Wales Press, 1992.

———. Documents in Australian Catholic History. London: Chapman, 1969.

Oliver, Cathy, ed. And the Dance Goes On: An Anthology of Australian Catholic Women’s Stories. Commission for Australian Catholic Women. Mulgrave, VIC: John Garratt Publishing, 2005.

Shanahan, Mary. Out of Time, Out of Place: Henry Gregory and the Benedictine Order in Colonial Australia. Canberra: Australian National University Press, 1970.

Lecturer

Peter Price