2011 is the centenary of the Australian Census.

A lot of things have changed since the first Census in 1911.

But some have not.

Governments still need to know how many Australians there are, where they are, what they do and what they think.

That way provides a basis on which to decide how best to  justly distribute funding.

* * *

It is desirable that all Catholics answer the optional question about religion.

Not just from the funding angle, but because it’s a chance to make a stand for the Faith.

I’ve heard people say that, because of the child abuse scandals etc., they feel “ashamed to be Catholics”.

Yes, we’ re all disappointed that some Church officials have behaved so appallingly and that others have “covered-up” for them.

But that is no reason to abandon one’s loyalty to the Church that God himself founded.

Just the opposite.

Now is the time to stand up and be counted, literally.

* * *

If you’re unhappy with how the Church is, don’t moan about it, don’t quit it, don’t abandon it . . . .

Try to change it.

Not easy to change the structures of the Church – but there is one thing about the Church that you CAN change.

Change yourself.

You can make at least one Catholic a better Christian — a better example of the Faith — namely yourself.

Do that, and you’ve taken a first step to making the Catholic Church truly Catholic.