THE PASTORAL CARE OF ITALIANS IN AUSTRALIA: MEMORY AND PROPHECY

Edited by Anthony Paganoni

With contributions from
Ilma O’Brien- Victoria University
Anthony Cappello- Victoria University,
Desmond Cahill- RMIT
Anthony Kelly- Australian Catholic University
Chris Monaghan- Yarra Theological Union

Paperback, 180 pages, $29.95 (incl. GST)
ISBN -978-1-921421-01-3
Published by Connor Court Publishing.


From the back cover:

This book explores the Italian contribution to the life of the Church in Australia. It begins with the historical experiences where Italians became identified as the “Italian Problem”, right through the Second World War where they became “Enemy Aliens” and on to the post war period, where Italians moved from being “Dagoes” to becoming “Doers”. The first half of this impressive book challenges the treatment of Italians in Australia and
boldly argues for a new awareness, almost an Italianization of the Australian Catholic Church. The final two chapters explore the Italian contribution to the Australian Church through the prism of theology and scripture.
As Australians of an Italian background move on to their third and even fourth generation in Australia, this volume will become a rally call to reclaim our unique heritage, which is Catholic, Italian and, most of all, Australian.


“There are many Italian migrants ministering in all facets of parish and church life. In addition generally speaking, one can safely say, that the presence of the Italian migrant in Australia is one of persistent hard work, meticulous attention and love for family life, an eagerness for genuine friendship and an adherence to Christian values and belief.”
Bishop Joseph Grech, National Chairman on Migrants and Refugees of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.


“It would, in fact, be misguided and myopic to place almost exclusive emphasis on the administrative aspects of contemporary migrations: for example, what type of pastoral strategy to adopt in any given place of the Catholic world. Diversity of language, culture, rite etc… is not a new challenge. But it keeps mutating and rapidly so. The Australian experience, with regard to European Migrants, cannot be applied in the same way to the newer waves of migrants from Asia, Africa and Latin America. However, the lessons of history are not to be forgotten, lest we run the risk of repeating past mistakes. What remains constant in the area of ethnic ministry is the Catholic ethos, embodied in so many Biblical stories and the living tradition of the Church”.
Fr Paulo Prigol, Provincial Superior of the Scalabrinians.

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Jointly supported by the Scalabrini Fathers and Migrantes, the working arm of the Italian Bishops in Rome on migration matters, papers were called for to investigate the issues and lessons surrounding the pastoral care of Italians in Australia. Italian Catholic migrants have brought about a diverse and sustained contribution to the growth of Australian society and the Church in Australia. The interaction which has occurred over several decades has given rise to developments which have transformed the Italian community itself and, to a lesser extent I believe, the Australian Church and society.

The dynamic relationship which has evolved between Italian immigrants and the Australian Catholic Church, the sense and meaning of their cumulative experiences, along with their biblical and theological imports and interpretations were explored by several authors.

The historical experiences of Italian migrants in Australia from the early 1900’s to about the 1960s is investigated and explored by Anthony Cappello and Ilma Martinuzzi O’ Brien. In The Italian Problem. An Historical survey of Italians in the Australian Church until the Second World War, Anthony Cappello describes the beginnings of the pastoral activity carried out by priests and religious personnel originating mostly from Italy. Examining the Second World War, in Italian-Australians and the Australian Catholic Church through war, internment and mass migration, Dr. Ilma Martinuzzi O’ Brien details the darkest chapter in the history of Italian migration to Australia and the subsequent explosion in numbers of migrants from Italy.

Engaging the years after the Second World War up to the present time, in From Dagoes to Doers - Accommodating Australia’s Italian Families by Church and State, Desmond Cahill analyses the meaning and essential features of the adjustment process which has occurred between the Catholic Church in Australia and the Italian immigrants.

As global interconnectedness expands, we may ask, “To what extent do religious traditions articulate globally-oriented theologies?” This challenging question is addressed by the theologian and a biblical scholar, Anthony Kelly. In The Italian Experience - Lessons in Catholicity for a Multi-Cultural Church in Australia, Kelly begins a process of theologizing with regard to the experience of Italian Catholic migrants settling in Australia over a period of 70/80 years. In Singing the Lord’s Song in a Foreign Land, Christopher Monaghan adds the insight of and derives some lessons from Biblical accounts.

These papers are published for the benefit of interested readers and practitioners and with a view to stimulate further reflection and analysis.