Commentary As Christmas is fast approaching, it is a time for Christians, especially Catholics, to reflect on a turbulent year. Those who are even remotely interested in spiritual matters know that Christianity, especially Catholicism, is threatened. The threat is, at least partially, a consequence of the powerlessness of the Catholic Church and its leaders to support the moral foundations and tenets of their faith. This is especially true when these come into conflict with the demands of an increasingly secular world. The legislative attempts in several Australian states to remove the exemptions of religious schools and charities to hire people of their own faith is just an example of the unrelenting persecution suffered by Catholics (and indeed, all Christian churches) in Australia. Religious persecution, which is a worldwide phenomenon, takes many forms. It ranges from complete disdain for the spiritual mission of religions, to violent repression of religious activity. The …