THE Catholic Church has to be more open about the sexual abuse that has clouded its name, a former Sutherland priest celebrating 50 years in the ministry has said.
"The church has to do away with secrecy looking at this issue and also at celibacy; these are real questions for it to consider," said Father John Sullivan, 74.
The priesthood has been a long learning process for the retired parish priest.
Among the parishes where he has ministered are Marayong, Malabar and Concord.
He has been a Parramatta Psychiatric Centre chaplain and a private secretary to cardinals James Freeman and Edward Clancy. But it was while he was ministering to alcoholics that he received one of his most profound messages.
"This started my journey of getting in touch with my feelings. Before this, I lived very largely in my head and wasn't in touch with the feeling side myself," he said.
Dealing with the troubled brought out his own humanity, he said.
"It was a great experience."
It was during his 10 years at St Patrick's parish Sutherland that he met a young, homeless man, John Franklin, whose loneliness touched the priest.
Although by then Mr Franklin had died, the result was the John Franklin Christmas Day lunch for those who did not have anyone with whom to share the day.
Father Sullivan co-founded the lunch in 2001 with Sutherland's St John's Anglican minister Ron Harding and the event continues, with volunteers giving up their Christmas Day to help out. The event began with 25 guests and now has 600.
As for Father Sullivan, who has retired, he fills in at parishes as needed.
With his golden jubilee Mass already celebrated at St Patrick's, Sutherland, he is looking forward to more celebrations in October.
His quote above is taken from his celebratory Massat Sutherland.
