Books published by Connor Court Publishing Pty Ltd

This project started on 27 December 2014, after I read the horrible news that a mother had murdered seven of her children and one other child. The dead numbered three of the mother's girls, aged 12, 11 and 2; four of her boys aged 9, 8, 6 and 5. The eighth victim, a 14-year-old niece, had been staying with them in their Cairns home. The woman had these children to four different fathers. Her income came from you and me, taxpayers. Did anyone ever think to call a halt to this women being used as a cash cow?

Fascinating reminiscences from Rome open this third volume of Gerald O'Collins' memoirs: stories about Mother Teresa and her beatification, Mel Gibson when filming The Passion of Christ, John Wilkins and the investigation of Jacques Dupuis, a Vatican conference on male impotence, and Richard Hammond and Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. After a chapter on Joseph Ratzinger as cardinal and pope, O'Collins moves to the busy years when he took up a research post at St Mary's College (now St Mary's University), Twickenham (2006-2009). Gripping stories about Tony Blair, Lord Hailsham, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, and others (including the IRA revolutionary Rose Dugdale) pack these pages. On returning to Australia, O'Collins took up residence between Royal Park and Royal Parade, Melbourne, but has continued to lecture at conferences overseas. A Templeton Foundation meeting took him as far as Hamlet's castle in Elsinore. The background to his steady flow of books, including a response to Philip Pullman's The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, will enthral readers. Nine appendices enrich this volume- not least the page-turning obituaries of Cardinal Dulles, Cardinal Martini, and the Prince and Princess Doria Pamphij.

Why are the most vulnerable children in Australia abused and neglected in plain sight of the child welfare authorities supposed to protect them? The over-emphasis placed on 'family preservation' at almost all costs keeps exposing children to prolonged - and sometimes fatal - maltreatment by highly-damaged parents...who damage their children. When finally removed as a last resort, children are further damaged by highly unstable foster care and repeat breakdowns of family reunifications. The Madness of Australian Child Protection analyses the ideological, institutional and cultural factors that impede efforts to ensure priority is given to children's rights instead of the 'rights' of dysfunctional parents. In this passionate account of a flawed system, Sammut argues that the perpetual crisis besetting child protection regimes nation-wide will not end until the taboo on the use of adoption is broken.

The book you are about to read provides a new paradigm for understanding the ministry of a twelfth-century cloistered Benedictine nun, St Hildegard of Bingen, the fourth woman doctor of the Church in light of twenty-first century servant leadership. Christine Cameron reveals to us the role of the servant leader as defined by Larry C. Spears (1998). She demonstrates how St Hildegard embodies each of the ten characteristics presented by Spears: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualisation, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community. By examining the saint's life and writings, Cameron places Hildegard in the company of twenty-first century religious, educational and corporate leaders who shape and guide our own journeys. She then compares St Hildegard's servant leadership to that of the other three women doctors of the Church: St Teresa of Ávila, St Catherine of Siena and St Thérèse of Lisieux, whose theological teachings were deemed to have lasting value for all time, not just for the times in which they lived. - From the Foreword, Linn Maxwell Keller

In 1986 there was a nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, in what was then the Soviet Union. The area, over two thousand square kilometres, was evacuated and sealed, closed off from the world by a massive wall. But 149 schoolkids are left behind, forgotten. Over time, they learn how to survive, and slowly they build a society for themselves despite the dangers - radiation, wolves, and winter - of the Zone. Twenty years after the Evacuation, a helicopter from the other side of the Wall appears, with a mysterious woman at the controls. That encounter sparks a chain of events which takes one of the Children, the hunter Isaak, back to the past, to the day of the Evacuation - and towards a confrontation which threatens the future of the Zone itself. Derek Parker is a freelance writer based in Melbourne. His non-fiction writing appears in a wide range of publications. He has two children and two cats. Children of Zone is his second novel, after This Tattooed Land.

EDITORIAL - Brian Coman * CHRISTIANITY AND FEMINISM - Philippa Martyr * HOW TO MAKE A BAD ANALOGY - Jonathan Ratcliffe and Chris Heggie-Brown * DEATH OF THE WORD - Tom McWilliam * WORDSWORTH, KEATS AND THE MODERN: PART ONE - Maurice Nestor * ON AUTOMATION - A PHILOSOPHY TUTORIAL - Roger Sworder * CHINA AND JAPAN - SOME APHORISMS - Clive Faust

Photographer James P Campbell led an adventurous, creative life. Much of his work has gone unnoticed or has not been attributed to him. During a career stretching from the 1890s to the 1930s he was present with his camera at a number of important events in Australian and world history, some of which are still in the news today. He bicycled through the Victorian Alps capturing its scenic delights, produced images to promote Australia abroad, photographed the everyday activities of soldiers on Gallipoli, recorded the involvement of the Australian Light Horse in the Middle East, and documented the growth of the SEC and Yallourn under Sir John Monash. He pursued photography as art, often to his own detriment. The resultant portfolio of images can be found in public and private collections throughout Australia and no doubt beyond. This is the story of Campbell's life and substantial photographic legacy. Alan Harding grew up on a small dairy farm in the Latrobe Valley, He has completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education, Churchill (later Monash, now Federation University), majoring in sociology, but acquiring a lasting interest in Australian history and literature. After eighteen years employed as a public servant with the Commonwealth Employment Service in Morwell, Lalor and Seymour, he wrote a history of Toongabbie, Victoria. He then returned to study, completing a doctorate by research as an external student of Monash University, Gippsland, on a biography of photographer JP Campbell.

The son of two Federal Liberal Ministers, Campbell Newman has been an army major, a high-flying management consultant, Lord Mayor of Australia's largest council and Premier of Queensland. For the first time in this authorised biography, his incredible and often controversial story is revealed in remarkable detail and scope. The biography also merges Campbell's story with a broader discussion on the future of reform in Australia, as told to the author by some of the nation's most prominent former and current politicians, business people and Campbell himself.

Authority encroaching on the human desire for liberty, happiness and fulfilment in life is often perceived as interfering with individual human rights. Such criticism has always attached to the Catholic Church, an authoritarian institution with, some say, little or no understanding of modern human life. Rather than producing the invigorated Church relevant to the new millennium envisaged and intended, the fifty years following the Second Vatican Council have been marred by factional divisions serving self interests and on-going demands for reform and renewal, often in blatant disregard for Papal authority and Church moral teaching. The controversies and confusions which drive the demands for renewal and reform arise in the main from disagreement with Catholic teaching on matters of human life morality embracing issues such as contraception, abortion, euthanasia, life creating technologies such as cloning and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), human sexuality, marriage and family, ordination to priesthood and some aspects of feminism. From a Catholic moral perspective, this book seeks to engender understanding and to dispel confusion in the discussion of these controversial issues by outlining what the Church teaches on human life, why it does so and what the Second Vatican Council documents proclaim on these matters.

This new book from Brian Coman critically examines a number of modern shibboleths, chief among them being the idea of progress as a permanent condition of the modern West. Closely allied to the idea of progress is the notion of science as salvation, and of human nature as an infinitely flexible entity, wholly amenable to manipulation by the various 'therapies' of our age. Combined with a liberalism which stresses individualism, the whole 'spirit of the age' makes war on the traditional notion of the human in society.

The relationship between fathers and sons is among the most wounded in society today. Helping to heal it is one of the most urgent tasks facing families, church, and society. Between Fathers and Sons is a six-week program that provides opportunities for open communication between fathers and their adolescent sons and offers assistance to fathers in fostering their sons' growth into mature manhood. Because spiritual transformation is at the heart of an adolescent male's transition into manhood, each session is rooted in a gospel teaching. Foundational Principles of the Program - A father's active presence is crucial for his son's development, especially in adolescence. - There is a great need today for fathers to initiate their adolescent sons into spiritually mature and responsible manhood. - Teenage boys can benefit by hearing the stories of other adult men from the faith community. - The psychological task for an adolescent is to achieve a coherent sense of personal identity; the task for adults is to care, nurture and guide the next generation. Program Models and Themes The Between Fathers and Sons program can operate in many models: as a six-week program, a weekend retreat, or a three-day workshop. The program is facilitated by men from the faith community according to detailed and easy-to-use session plans found in this manual. Among the processes that take place in the six sessions are gospel reading and prayer, personal response, one-to-one dialogue, small-group sharing, large-group presentations, and community building activities. The six sessions focus on the following major themes: Session 1: The Father and Son Bond Fathers and sons build a relationship based on trust. A positive image of God as Father is developed. Session 2: Becoming a Man The session focuses on a variety of ways society marks the start of manhood. Four psychological male archetypes are disseminated. Session 3: Dealing with Anger This session encourages positive and assertive responses for dealing with anger. Session 4: Friendships with Girls and Women Contrary to popular views, relationships between men and women are more than sexual. This session shows the importance for males to form friendships with females based on mutual respect. Session 5: The Quest for Identity The task of adolescence is identity achievement. Fathers help their sons reach this goal by sharing with them stories of their sons' birth and infancy and by listening to their sons' dreams and aspirations for the future. Session 6: The Blessing Ritual Set in the context of familiar liturgical rites, this session offers affirmation to fathers and sons in recognition of their uniqueness as God's creations.

The Bandar-Log: A Labor Story of the 1950s is a fictionalised recreation of the great Labor split of the 1950s. This schism in Labor's ranks began in October 1954 when its erratic federal party leader Dr H.V. ("Doc") Evatt denounced the perceived influence wielded over the party by the anti-communist Catholic activist B.A. ("Bob") Santamaria. The resulting donnybrook involved personality clashes as well as ideological conflict. The messy saga featured a diverse array of participants including Catholic churchmen, trade union bosses, state premiers, state and federal Labor politicians and assorted commentators and journalists. The characters appearing in The Bandar-Log mirror, with varying degrees of faithfulness, these actual participants in the Labor split. - Ross Fitzgerald and Stephen Holt, from the Introduction

'Liberalism and Conservatism' are little explored as expressions of political philosophy in Australia. This timely collection sheds light on some of the key expressions of Australian liberalism and conservatism. David Kemp examines the relationship between liberal and conservative political thinking and the growth of government in Australia. Zac Gorman looks at the key role George Reid played in the 1906 anti-socialist campaign. Paul Brown considers the role which liberalism played in forming the ideas of former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. Wayne Errington considers conservative attitudes to science. Greg Melleuish examines the nature of Australian conservatism. Chris Rath provides a conservative critique of the National History Curriculum. These essays demonstrate the variety and richness of conservative and liberal thought in Australia. CHAPTERS Introduction: Liberalism and Conservatism -- Greg Melleuish. 1. George Reid's Anti-Socialist Campaign in the Evolution of Australian Liberalism -- Zachary Gorman. 2. Liberalism, Conservatism and the Growth of Government in Australia -- David Kemp. 3. The Progressive Conservatism of Alexander Downer: The Meta- Narrative of 4. Resistance, Family Heritage and Edmund Burke -- Paul Brown. 5. Conservatism in Australia -- Greg Melleuish. 6. Australian Conservatives and the Politics of Science -- Wayne Errington. 7. What I wasn't taught at High School -- Chris Rath. Greg Melleuish has written widely on Australian political thought and intellectuals including his 2013 book 'Australian Intellectuals' published by Connor Court. He teaches at the University of Wollongong.

The Wonder of the Eucharist is for all Catholics, especially those who want to refresh their personal appreciation of this sacrament. It stimulates us to break out of the routine and formality of ritual practices, and to discover the wonderful treasure of the Eucharist which can transform our lives. Once again, Fr Ken Barker has drawn on the breadth of the Catholic tradition and his own deep streams of spiritual wisdom to provide us with a timely, intellectually satisfying and very readable book on the Sacrament that is the 'source and summit' of a Christian's life, the gift of the Blessed Eucharist. Thank you Fr Ken! Most Rev Peter Comensoli Bishop of Broken Bay "In an often disenchanted world, Fr Ken Barker takes us to the heart of a wondrous mystery with all the clarity and conviction we have come to expect from him. In ways accessible to all, he writes of the Eucharist in which the extraordinary God comes to us in things as ordinary as bread and wine. To understand that mystery is to know the wonder of both God and the world. This is a book that can open eyes that see too little and hearts that yearn for more". Most Rev Mark Coleridge Archbishop of Brisbane Once again Fr Ken leads us along paths rich in Sacred Scripture, the teaching of the Church and its patrimony of the writings of the saints. Fr Ken explores the multifaceted mystery of the Eucharist in a way that opens up the mystery for deep personal reflection. We are led down spiritual paths that nourish the soul. This book is recommended for those who are drawn in the desire to deepen their inner life with their Eucharistic Lord. Most Rev Julian Porteous Archbishop of Hobart Fr Ken Barker is the founder of the Missionaries of God's Love (MGL), a new religious congregation in the Australian Church. He is involved in many works of evangelization and spiritual renewal, and is the author of popular books, including Becoming Fire, Young Men Rise Up, His Name is Mercy, Amazing Love, and Alive in the Spirit.

This ground-breaking, unique and accessible volume casts a bird'seye view over the foundations of bioethics in Christianity and Islam. As these two world-religions now co-exist in an unprecedented manner, and engage in a deeper dialogue, it is critical that informed people of all walks of life understand the first principles from which these creeds address bioethics. The author delves into their sacred scriptures and mainstream commentaries, bridging East and West with his impressive grasp of the relevant languages. He produces a work which objectively and dispassionately sets out the facts, and contrasts and summarises the results for the reader's benefit. Antoine Tarabay was ordained a priest of the Lebanese Maronite Order in 1993. Completing his Doctorate of Moral Theology (Bioethics) in 1999 (Lateran University, Rome), he lectured in Moral Theology and Bioethics. He has published on bioethics and the Maronite Church. Pope Francis appointed him the 4th Bishop of the Maronite Diocese of Australia in April 2013.

Loved the chapter on the RAAF. This book is excellent. - Burt Rutan, aerospace engineer, designer of Voyager ...an easy, entertaining and informative read. That is a difficult combination to achieve. - Richard Fernandez, the Belmont Club Our shortcomings in terms of defence effort and expenditure are highlighted in this book. - Robert Pearce AM RFD CStJ Cit WA, Colonel RAAMC (Retd) Now that China's brazen menace has forced Japan to amend its constitution to be able to rearm and fight abroad, Australia remains the pivot of the Western alliance system down under. - Professor Marek Chodakiewicz, Institute of World Politics The force of his arguments is inexorable and presents a dark and chilling view of the future, but, like Cassandra, he will never be believed? -John C Rice, Historian. We should be taking the Chinese at their word. When they say they will seize the Senkaku islands from Japan, then they will be attacking Japan. When say they are going to seize the South China Sea, then they will be killing Vietnamese, Filipinos, Indonesians and Malaysians to do so. When China says that they will be having a war with the United States in a Götterdämmerung that will decide who rules the world thereafter, then another world war is coming. They have said all those things. It is time for Australia to awake from its torpor and prepare for what is coming. We need more submarines and quickly. The F-35 will be shot out of the sky, but there is a better alternative. This book explains all.

Egalitarianism is a cherished Australian value. But in its modern guise of "fairness" it is corrupting political debate. On Fairness reveals how this fuzzy and contested concept leads governments astray. Liberty, rather than state control, provides the best path to truly fair Australia. Chapters include: - The Moral High Ground - Nick Cater - Envy Politics - Henry Ergas - Fairness, Family and Freedom - Kelly O'Dwyer - The Perils of Benevolence - Rebecca Weisser - Tax, Regulation and Poverty - Alexander Scaife - Conservative Social Justice - Iain Duncan Smith

We all have many strands in our lives. In this memoir, Peter Malone takes us through his various strands. He is a man of a certain vintage, mainly Irish heritage. He grew up as a Catholic in a pre-Vatican II Church. His call was to a religious congregation from the late 1950s and to priesthood from the mid-1960s. For many years he worked in religious formation in his congregation and taught theology and Old Testaments Studies, as part of the Melbourne College of Divinity. But, in different ways throughout the years, there was always the cinema strand, reviewing, writing, seminars and heading up the Catholic Church's international cinema organisation and then SIGNIS, The World Catholic Association for Communication. It is now many films later! Peter Malone, Missionary of the Sacred Heart, ordained 1965, studied at the Australian National University and the Gregorian, Rome. He taught Old Testament studies as well as media at the Yarra Theological Union, Melbourne, and worked at the National Pastoral Institute and the Heart of Life Spirituality Centre. He has reviewed films since 1968 and written and lectured on cinema and spirituality.

"There never was a greater Australian diplomat than Sir James Plimsoll". -- Alexander Downer, AC "You're mad to move Plimsoll. He's got contacts here and great influence". -- Henry Kissinger to Lance Barnard, Deputy Prime Minister. "Mr Plimsoll represented this country with great dignity and immense commonsense and courage". -- Sir Robert Menzies During more than three decades after the War, as Australia forged its place in the world, few were so influential as Sir James Plimsoll. Ambassadorial assignments took him to Korea during the War (1950-52); the United Nations in New York when the Cold War and decolonisation were hot topics; New Delhi in an attempt to establish a closer relationship with India; and subsequently to Washington during President Nixon's tensions with the Whitlam Government; Moscow in the era of détente; then Brussels, London and Tokyo. He was also head of the Department of External (later Foreign) Affairs (1965-70), during the Vietnam War. Feelings of frustration in his last three assignments were alleviated in retirement by success and satisfaction as Governor of Tasmania. This biography by Jeremy Hearder, a former ambassador, records Plimsoll's handling of various complex situations around the world, and his relations with Australian prime ministers Menzies, Gorton, Whitlam and Fraser, and foreign ministers Evatt, Casey, Barwick and Hasluck.

The plot for 'The Digital Apocalypse' was conceived after reading 'Heaven and Earth' written by Ian Plimer. Winston Frobisher, a social historian, experiences triumphs and tragedies as he navigates through an increasingly digital world of unprecedented social and technological change that challenges his basic principles of love and life. Adam Lampton, influenced by his experiences with aid workers in Africa, commits to a course of direct action to slow the advance of famine, pollution and habitat destruction that threatens the future of a voracious, rapidly growing human population. Individually, their lives are thrown upside down by the unpredictable conjunction of man-induced and natural phenomena that threatens the planet. Will one or both emerge to influence the future?

The claim of people today to be "spiritual but not religious" presents a challenge for religious educators in schools and church communities. This book outlines understandings of spirituality from faith traditions, and contemporary social and educational research, with particular reference to children's innate spirituality. The author's own research with children in Victorian state schools is applied to providing a spiritually sensitive environment, as a pathway to children's faith development. Wyn Moriarty is a recent PhD graduate of Australian Catholic University in the field of children's spirituality. She is a retired teacher with experience in religious education and children's ministry in the evangelical, Anglican and Catholic traditions, and in secular schools.

For anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, Journey into Truth is ideal. Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and written by popular educator and columnist Fr John Flader, it explains the principal teachings of the Catechism in a way anyone can understand and shows how these teachings can be lived out in ordinary life. This book is the text for the Journey into Truth DVD series, which features 24 half-hour talks by Fr Flader enhanced by beautiful high-definition film clips, images, and quotations. The book contains the full text of the talks plus an introduction to each session, questions for discussion and a series of simple points to remember. Ideal for RCIA groups, adult faith formation groups, youth groups, teachers, catechists and families.

Connor Court Quarterly Number 8, Spring/Summer 2013/14 EDITORIAL - Brian Coman SECRET GARDENS: THE CHADWICK-TAPER INTERVIEWS -Rodney Blackhirst PRIESTS WITHOUT SURPLICES? The Work of Mircea Eliade & C.G. Jung - Harry Oldmeadow DEVOTION IN LATE MEDIEVAL CATHOLICISM - Robert M. Andrews BOOK REVIEW: STOP DON'T READ - ESSAYS AND POEMS by ROGER SWORDER -Maurice Nestor FANY RADMAL, LADY HOUSTON -Hal G.P. Colebatch