The family of an Irishman who woke from a seven-month long coma after being brutally bashed in Australia say his recovery came because they prayed to the Australian beatified nun Mary MacKillop. David Keohane, 29, was on his way home from a party in Coogee in Sydney when he was beaten beyond recognition in August last year........ Read full report at ABC
Blessed Mary MacKillop (15 January 1842 - 8 August 1909) was an Australian Catholic nun who, together with Father J.T. Woods, founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. She was beatified on 19 January 1995 by Pope John Paul II. Her father Alexander was born in Lochaber, Scotland in 1812 and was deeply religious. He emigrated to Australia and married Flora MacDonald.
Tibetan activists have been protesting outside San Francisco City Hall since the crackdown in Tibetan areas began in mid-March. On Monday, three members of Students for a Free Tibet scaled the Golden Gate Bridge to unfurl banners. On April 1, having been pressurised by human rights groups, city authorities released details of the torch route and the mayor publicly assured protesters that they would have access along the entire route. Hopefully as many people as possible will come out to vent their spleen at the jackboot tactics of the Chinese authorities in Tibet. Indeed Darfur and human rights abuses in China itself must not be forgotten
"Just because we have a very large Chinese population in San Francisco doesn't mean we support actions abuses committed by the Chinese government," San Francisco Board of Supervisors Member Chris Daly has said. The torch relay has triggered protests in previous host cities, including Athens London, and Paris. The next city stops are Buenos Aires and Dar es Salaam.
Kevin Rudd, the newly elected Australian Prime Minister has shown moral leadership by warning that he would not allow Chinese officials to provide their own security for the Olympic torch when it is carried through Canberra this month. Mr Rudd referred to the outrageous behaviour of Chinese Olympic officials who were involved in unsavoury clashes with demonstrators in London and Paris- “All security, repeat all security, is provided by Australians,” he told The Times during a visit to London.
The Olympic torch is due to be carried through Canberra on April 24. As many Australians as possible must come out to show solidarity with Tibetans and Darfurians.
