Catholica and cnt post supportive pieces on Bishop Robinson and his book ‘Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church’
Written by John Borst on May 26, 2008 – 11:10 pmposted by John Borst
With controversy now squalling around Bishop Robinson’s visit to the United States and Canada two very influential persons have come out in support of Bishop Geoffrey Robinson and his attempts to seriously address the dysfunctional aspects which underlie the sexual abuse crisis in so many countries around the World.
The first is from none other than a fellow Australian Bishop, Pat Power:
In many ways he had no other option but to write such a book…
Bishop Power’s heartfelt expression of support for Bishop Robinson… Bishop Patrick Power, …yesterday sent Catholica this unsolicited statement of heartfelt support for Bishop Robinson which it is our great pleasure to publish. …We salute both Bishop Robinson and Bishop Power for having the courage to exhibit the spiritual leadership of their people that they have shown. …Brian Coyne, Editor
In many ways he had no other option but to write such a book…
By Bishop Pat Power
The lot of a prophet is rarely a comfortable one. Geoffrey Robinson with his great knowledge and love of the Scriptures would understand that better than most. Yet he chose such a path when he wrote Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church: Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus.
To read more LINK HERE
Power trip leaves the faithful in distress
Juliette Hughes
The Age, May 17, 2008
IT’S not a good time to be a woman in the Catholic Church right now. When I read Barney Zwartz’s piece last week on how the Australian Catholic bishops had put out a statement dissociating themselves from one of their most enlightened and compassionate members, I felt sick, then angry, really angry.
Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, now retired from Sydney’s Catholic archdiocese, published a book last year, Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church. It’s one of the most hopeful, honest and responsible pieces of writing ever to come out of the church. But the other bishops are running away from its wisdom, too scared to withstand pressure coming from a Vatican whose reaction was predictable, given the dismal track record of the latest two popes.
To read more LINK HERE
Bishop Geoffrey Robinson begins his speaking tour in Philadelphia.
Finally, newcatholictimes.ca (nctsf) has published an article by co-editor John Quinn on his visit to Bishop Robinson’s first presentation which occurred in Philadelphia on May 2008.
In part Quinn writes:
Bishop Robinson began the proceedings by suggesting that an adequate response to the revelation of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church will require three things:
- A study of the more immediate causes of abuse, in particular the coming together of unhealthy psychology, unhealthy ideas and unhealthy living conditions.
- A study of the institutional causes of the poor response by many leaders
- A study of all aspects of power and sex in the church.
To read the entire report LINK HERE

























