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	Editor Flays Pell in Catholic War of Words By Tess Livingstone The Australian April 14, 2011 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/editor-flays-pell-in-catholic-war-of-words/story-e6frg6nf-1226038749900 [The Swag] THE editor of the priests' magazine The Swag has slammed Cardinal George Pell for mounting a poor argument in his criticism of theological extremism. Sydney priest Peter Maher was speaking as the latest edition of his magazine published another stinging piece by Melbourne priest Eric Hodgens. In the magazine, run by the National Council of Priests, Father Hodgens complains that World Youth Day "feeds the personality cult of the Pope to the detriment of the local church and . . . has not reversed the flow of youth from the church". Father Maher and co-editor Hal Ranger said the magazine was "a space for priests to enter into dialogue and state opposing theological opinions". Father Maher said Cardinal Pell's article -- in which he criticised "theological extremism" -- would heighten interest in the debate, "although it was full of slogans and not well argued". Cardinal Pell said the theological extremism he criticised in his article included Father Hodgens's articles, a piece published last year by rebel theologian Hans Kung, whose authority to teach Catholic theology was rescinded by the Vatican in 1979, and a number of articles against the new English translation of the mass to be used from June 12. Theologian Tracey Rowland of the John Paul II Institute and Notre Dame University said Father Hodgens's articles in The Swag "espoused a kind of 'billabong theology' as if no fresh ideas have entered the waterhole since 1968". Professor Rowland said Father Hodgens's attitudes towards former pope John Paul II and his successor, Benedict XVI, were out of touch with what the majority of Catholics, especially younger people, believed. "The proof of the esteem of John Paul II is the huge number of young people throughout the world who went to his funeral, and . . . who continue to go to World Youth Day," she said.
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