Category Archives: Uncategorized

Obituary, Herald-Sun, Melbourne  Fr Christopher Michael Barnett (20-06-1931 – 01-01-2004) Fr Chris Barnett arrived in Melbourne by boat on a blisteringly hot summer’s day a week before Christmas in 1955. He had left Ireland to go on mission and chose … Continue reading →

Bali Bombings, my Homily at St Patrick’s Cathedral, 20 October 2002 Also: National Day of Mourning – French Australian Association The Gospel passage today (Matthew 22.15-21) has much to say about the events in Bali, which have shocked the nation … Continue reading →

Joy and Suffering Joy is at the start of the Christian story where the angel greets Mary with the cry “Rejoice so highly favoured” and the angels sing of joy at the Saviour’s birth. Yet Jesus is the ‘man of … Continue reading →

Homily at the wedding of Amanda and Philip 11 March 2007  In a few moments, in this sacred place, in the presence of their families and friends who have shared so much of their lives, before the representative of the Church … Continue reading →

Elements from the biography of René Henri Dupuche born in Wasquehal (France) on 6 June 1906 1919                Obtained first place in entrance examinations to the ‘Institut Professionel Roubaisien’ in view of studying Commerce. 1920 & 1921   Dux of the … Continue reading →

C, Advent 1                                                         Freedom                “When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.”        Luke 21.28 Reflection 1: “Freedom” is the ancient cry of all peoples. Freedom from hunger … Continue reading →

Spirit, faith, prophet INCARNATION Preparation The purposes of God C, Advent 1                            Freedom C, Advent 1                            Graciousness Prolegomena of the Incarnation C, Advent 2                            Christ in other religions C, Advent 2                            Christ in the Old Testament C, Advent 3                            John … Continue reading →

These poetic homilies began a long time ago, at Fané-les-Roses, a Mission Station hidden in the highlands of Papua. In this magnificent location, the thought came to address, in the course of the Three Year Cycle, all the major themes of our … Continue reading →

Many and varied items concerning interfaith relations – topics, essays, reports – appear under this heading.

Many and varied items concerning Islam and Muslim – Christian relations – topics, essays, reports – appear under this heading

Many and varied items concerning Buddhism and Buddhist – Christian relations – topics, essays, reports – appear under this heading.

Many and varied items concerning Hinduism and Hindu- Christian relations – topics, essays, reports – appear under this heading

These poetic homilies began a long time ago, at Fané-les-Roses, a Mission Station hidden in the highlands of Papua. In this magnificent location, the thought came to address, in the course of the Three Year Cycle, all the major themes of … Continue reading →

A, Advent 1 a                                                            Fulfillment   ‘The time has come’. Romans 13.11   Father, fulfill your plan in us. Out of happiness you made us; to happiness you send us. Take us out of ourselves. Make us what you … Continue reading →

FATHER – LOVE, KING INCARNATION Preparation Purposes of God A, Advent 1 a                         Fulfillment A, Advent 1 b                         Creation Prolegomena A, Advent 2 a                         In nature … Continue reading →

These poetic homilies began a long time ago, at Fané-les-Roses, a Mission Station hidden in the highlands of Papua. In this magnificent location, the thought came to address, in the course of the Three Year Cycle, all the major themes of … Continue reading →

Icons: images of the divine The Advocate Magazine, Thursday 6 August, 1987, p. 4 By Fr John Dupuche It is said that before a monk paints an icon he will enter into a period of fasting and prayer and that … Continue reading →

SON, hope, priest INCARNATION Preparation The purposes of God B, Advent 1                            Jesus returns B, Advent 1                            Jesus is Lord Prolegomena of the Incarnation B, Advent 2                            Christ and the Angels B, Advent 2                            … Continue reading →

At my Grandparents’ grave in the cemetery of Blanc Seau, Tourcoing, France November, 2006 Why those tears, those bitter tears, those sobs that poured out as I stood at my grandparents grave. Was it for the separation of death, that … Continue reading →

Grayling, A.C. The God Argument; the Case against Religion and for Humanism,  London: Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781408837412 Anthony C. Grayling, Master of the New College of the Humanities, London, is a bright star in the galaxy of British atheists that includes … Continue reading →

Wilma, funeral oration 2016 It was a remarkable moment when the family, some forty people, gathered around Wilma’s bed, at Cabrini Palliative Care Centre. She lay there quietly. Did she understand the words, did she hear the voices, did she … Continue reading →

Cecil Clark – funeral oration We have come to pay tribute to Cec. There is much we know and admire. Therefore, we stand before the One who knows all things and say, ‘Look at Cec and reward him and make … Continue reading →

Robert Broomhall, 1922-2007 “We are not like those who think he simply is not, finished, reduced to nothing. We say ‘fare well’ because we know he is well and will be well.” I always enjoyed the company of Bob. He … Continue reading →

Noelene – Funeral Homily, ‘She did not die alone but was accompanied by love. ….’ It was very moving to sit with the family, with Noelene’s husband Geoff in the first instance, and with her son Hayden and his wife … Continue reading →

Audrey Patricia Hughes 1929-2007  Funeral Oration, Stella Maris Church, Beaumaris,  Fr John Dupuche Audrey’s life has come to an end. Audrey’s life is just beginning. The staff of Monash Medical Centre could do no more. Her mortal remains have been … Continue reading →

Dennis McCarthy,    Funeral Oration, 10 February 2007, “I will arise and go now, and go to Innnisfree”. These are the openings words written by the Irish poet W.B. Yeats in hectic and bustling London. The poet expresses his wish … Continue reading →

Nancy Bruce 1932 – 2007, at Stella Maris Church, Beaumaris,, 14 June 2007, Fr John Dupuche PP We are all grieving. It seems impossible that Nancy should be dead. Her temperament seemed eternal. Yet now she has gone. I first knew Nancy at Burwood, … Continue reading →

Funeral homilies in the Christian tradition are not eulogies where friends and family say how much they have appreciated the loved one who has gone before them. Nor are they panegyrics, which describe the achievements of the deceased. The funeral homily situates the … Continue reading →

HOMILY  for Funeral of Fr Chris Barnett PP, 6 January 2004, St Mary’s East St Kilda  We have come to give thanks to God for you, Chris, and to thank you for a life well led. Although you shied away from praise … Continue reading →

Reiki: good or bad? Introduction After reading countless tales of chivalry and daring‑do, Don Quixote sets out to do battle with the giants. He takes his reluctant squire, Sancho Panza, the realist. Seeing the windmills of La Mancha, Don Quixote … Continue reading →

Reported without comment 14 January, 2014, Tuesday, after lunch we went to see Suramishra. Nice drive through rural areas with lovely avenues of trees. He was glad to see me. I asked about how to visualise or imagine Kālī and me … Continue reading →

Reported without comment On Saturday 19 January 2013 we went again today to see Suramishra. Saumya has taken on the new name, Śunyānanda. He gave this translation of Acyuta’s reply: “Acyuta bows down to Mahākālī -Mahāmāyā and answers your question. … Continue reading →

Dupuche, John and Michael Mifsud, “The draft of a “rule” fo an interfaith ashram proposed by John Dupuche and Michael Mifsud, priests of the Archdiocese of Melbourne,” published in William Skudlarek (ed.), Dilatato Corde New York: Lantern Books, 2012. vol. … Continue reading →

  Meeting with Suramishra on Monday 16 January 2012 (The following is related as it happened, without comment.) Sura (=deva) Mishra (=Brahmin) had an accident while young and as a result is bent over, cannot straighten up and cannot walk … Continue reading →

A, Advent 1                                                   The divine purpose                                  “Stay awake.” … Continue reading →

FATHER, love, king INCARNATION Preparation The purposes of God          A, Advent 1                            The divine purpose          A, Advent 1                            The emanation of the world Prolegomena of the Incarnation A, Advent 2                            The world of nature A, Advent 2                            The … Continue reading →

Dust jacket: About the book: Abhinavagupta, the leading figure in Kashmir Shaivism, is increasingly being recognised as one of the chief contributors to Indian thought. In his encyclopaedic work, the Tantrāloka, ‘Light on the Tantras’, he describes the various tantras … Continue reading →

Launch of John Dupuche, Towards a Christian Tantra ACU Melbourne, 11 November 2009 by John D’Arcy May, Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin  Autobiography the best medium of theology – but seldom so candid, courageous. Personal story essential for … Continue reading →

Why these poems to the Goddess? According to the ancient traditions of India, the goddess Kālī can be worshipped as mother, child or consort. She is most often worshipped as Mother Kālī (Mā Kālī), but my wish is to worship … Continue reading →

Why this blog? The purpose of this blog is to invite discussion and on the possibility of a Christian tantra.. “The ‘Christian tantra’, elaborated in a preliminary fashion in the last chapter, is presented to the readers for their assessment. … Continue reading →

These homilies began a long time ago, at Fané-les-Roses, a Mission Station hidden in the highlands of Papua. In this magnificent location, the thought came to address, in the course of the Three Year Cycle, all the major themes of our Christian … Continue reading →

Vijñānabhairava-tantra verse 90      reciting the phoneme A “O Goddess, as a result of reciting the phoneme A without either Ṃ or Ḥ the great flood of knowledge arises powerfully, Parameśvara himself.” अबिन्दुमविसर्गं च अकारं जपतो महान्। उदेति देवि सहसा ज्ञानौघः परमेश्वरः॥ … Continue reading →

‘Person-to-Person: vivarana of Abhinavagupta on Paratrimsika verses 3–4.’ In Indo-Iranian Journal 44: 1-16.

‘Christian Tantra’ Paper presented by Rev. Dr. John Dupuche  MCD University of Divinity, Australian Catholic University Catholic Interfaith Committee (chair) jeandupuche@gmail.com at the Interfaith Conference on Classical Tantra in the World’s Religions 14-15 November, 2105 Janssen Spirituality Centre, 22 Woodvale … Continue reading →

‘The Context of Tantra’ Paper presented by Rev. Dr. John Dupuche MCD University of Divinity, Australian Catholic University Catholic Interfaith Committee (chair) jeandupuche@gmail.com at the Interfaith Conference on Classical Tantra in the World’s Religions 14-15 November, 2105 Janssen Spirituality Centre, … Continue reading →

‘Seeing what is true and holy in others’  a presentation by Rev. Dr. John Dupuche  MCD University of Divinity, Australian Catholic University Catholic Interfaith Committee (chair) jeandupuche@gmail.com Spirituality, Wellbeing and Education Workshop Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation’s, Diversity … Continue reading →

Nostra Aetate – stages of creation, with a particular focus on paragraph 2 and the people involved in its development. Polonia Polonia Sacra 18 (2014) nr 4 (37) pp. 159-174. Key words:        “Nostra Aetate”, interreligious relations, ‘true and holy’, Society … Continue reading →

‘A Spirituality of Pleasure: Deciphering Vijñānabhairava Verse 68’, International Journal of Tantric Studies Vol. 9 No. 1 September 19, 2013. INTRODUCTION  The “non-dual” (abheda) school of Indian thought later known as Kashmir Shaivism reached its apogee about the year 1000 CE … Continue reading →