Your comments are very true.

Considering the very bad taste that our Australian friends had during the 'reigns of JP II and Pell' [sexual abuse scandals hit in Australia about a half year before February 2002 in America], this is understandable.  We also need to remember that the entire population of Australia equals the population of the State of Ohio.  Australians are a close-knit, friendly people---who have claimed conscientious dissent in official church teaching regarding issues in sexuality.


Secondly, the issues of the Synod of 1980---which didn't involve many, if any, of the laity----is 36 years old---and doesn't reflect the needs of families in today's world.