Most Rev. Barry Hickey
Archbishop of Perth
and Metropolitan of W.A.
|
"I admire your energy and commitment to the
media outreach that you have initiated. May God
continue to bless your work and may the seeds
you sow produce a hundredfold".
Archbishop Barry Hickey to Raymond de Souza
on the radio broadcast, "The Layman's hour".
|
The Most Rev. Basil Meeking, Bishop Emeritus of Christchurch, New
Zealand
|
"An
exemplary Catholic, husband, and father of a
family. … Has given major time to make the
faith better known … by supporting diocesan
projects and organising courses on
apologetics, radio programmes and
publications. He has presented Catholic
belief, upheld the authority of Pope and
Bishops and the Church’s moral teaching."
(Bishop Meeking
acted as Pope
Leo XIII in the movie
‘Thérèse’)
|
|
Most Rev. Mgr. Peter J
Elliot, Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne
Archdiocese and
Episcopal Vicar for Religious Education
|
"Raymond is part of a
revival of that classical tradition of defending
and explaining the faith, that began with St
Justin Martyr. His concentration on essentials,
combined with a challenging style, make for a
rational call to faith which speaks to the needs
of young people in our times."
|
|
Rev. Fr. Brian Limbourn JCD,
Canon Lawyer of the Tribunal of the Catholic Church in
Western Australia and Dean of Studies at St. Charles’
Diocesan Seminary, Perth.
|
"Raymond
is a man of deep faith, fervent in prayer and
one who loves God and the Holy Catholic Church.
A person of principles and justice, generous in
sharing his giftedness, who has co-operated with
the Holy Spirit to spread the good news of Jesus
Christ especially through the ministry of St
Gabriel Communications in the Diocese of Perth,
throughout Australia, and to other parts of the
world.
"I
can also state that Raymond’s doctrinal belief
and convictions are firmly rooted in sound Roman
Catholic teaching. His fidelity to these
teachings forms the foundation and motivation of
his life and work, giving clarity and credence
especially to his tremendous efforts in
apologetics and evangelization." |
Rev. Fr. Angelo Mary Geiger,
F.I., General Delegate of the Franciscans of the
Immaculate in the United States
|
"I would like to offer my
enthusiastic recommendation of Raymond de Souza
and his work for the Church. Raymond has been
involved with our communities both here in the
United States and in Australia for some years
now, and I have had a number of opportunities to
hear Raymond speak publicly and to work with him
on projects of mutual interest.
"Raymond is an apologist of
extraordinary ability, who presents the faith in
a very cogent and popular way, and is capable of
evangelizing people of all ages and backgrounds.
"We have organized a number
of speaking venues for him in our area over the
years and his presentations were very well
received, and people have been deeply affected.
"Most importantly, Raymond
communicates faith in action by his manner and
by his conviction. He is not simply a great
speaker. He exemplifies Catholic Action and is
totally committed to the welfare of the Church
and the salvation of souls.
"I recommend him highly as a
speaker on topics of Catholic faith, morals and
apologetics. He is also very capable speaker for
radio, television and public debate.
"Much of his work is
available on audio tape or CD through St Gabriel
Communications, a lay apostolate of Catholic
apologetics and evangelization, which he
founded." |
|
Rev. Fr.
Michael Rowe,
West Australian Councilor for the A.C.C.C. (Australian
Confraternity
of Catholic Clergy)
|
"I
have appointed [Raymond de Souza] West
Australian coordinator of the lay activities of
the Australian Confraternity of Catholic clergy
in view of his talents and abilities.
"His
work with the ACCC and with St Gabriel
Communications is praiseworthy indeed and of
great merit as he promotes, teaches and
catechizes the Roman Catholic Faith.
"A man
of upright and sound character and hence I have
no hesitation in recommending him and the work
of St Gabriel Communications." |
Rev.
Monsignor
Thomas B
McDonald
Dean of St Mary's Cathedral - Perth,
Western
Australia
|
"With
the support of His Grace, Archbishop Hickey, Mr.
de Souza has founded and directs St Gabriel
Communications Apostolate in the Archdiocese. To
date Mr. de Souza has given many talks and
seminars in a good number of our parishes and
schools. I have been able to attend some of his
presentations and am happy to certify his
orthodoxy and fidelity to the Magisterium of the
Church.
"Mr. de
Souza is indeed a gifted person in the field of
Catholic Apologetics and is doing great work
here in the Archdiocese of Perth." |
Rev. Fr. Carl Ashton,
Pastor, Sacred Heart parish, South Mt Druitt,
Parramatta Diocese, New South Wales
|
"His
talks were most impressive. He spoke on the
Eucharist, and very convincingly demonstrated
the traditional Faith of the Catholic Church.
His talk was also most entertaining and
inspiring. I felt it was an excellent
presentation.
"My
bishop asked me to attend the seminar and report
on it. I described to the bishop that his talk
was ‘masterly’. He covered all the major aspects
of the Doctrine of the Church in a clear,
understandable, yet erudite delivery that was
always focused on the Doctrine but still very
absorbing and entertaining.
"I
consider he has a gift for logical and clear
presentation of doctrinal teaching that can only
benefit those who are sincere listeners. I only
wish he was in Sydney so we could hear him more
often." |
|
Rev. Fr. Douglas Harris,
Pastor of St.
Bernadette's parish. Perth Archdiocese
|
"Raymond
is one of the foremost preachers of Catholic
Apologetics in Australia. This includes a weekly
radio program which is very popular among
Catholics in Perth. I recommend Raymond very
highly as a man totally dedicated to the
promotion of God’s kingdom." |
|
Rev. Fr. Wolodymyr Kalinecki
Parish Administrator,
Ukrainian parish of St John the Baptist, Perth
|
“Raymond
is a very good speaker and a stern defender of
the Faith as passed down to us by Our Lord Jesus
Christ and His Apostles. He and his family are
treasure to have in any parish.” |
|
Mr. Denis Hanratty
Religious Education
Coordinator Aquinas College, Perth
|
"I have
great pleasure in recommending the lecture
series in apologetics conducted by Mr. Raymond
de Souza of St Gabriel Communications to all
Catholic schools in Australia. Mr. de Souza
brings to the series a wealth of knowledge and
experience. His approach is non-threatening,
understandable and enjoyable.
"Aquinas
College held a series of twelve lectures for the
whole of the Year Twelve group, and is planning
for a series of follow-up tutorials. The
feedback from students has been most positive at
a time when religion to the boys is not a
priority." |
|
Rev.
Monsignor Matthew Duggan, Vicar General of the Christchurch
Diocese,
New
Zealand
|
"I
have known Mr. Raymond de Souza in my capacity
as Vicar General of Christchurch Diocese and as
Administrator of the Cathedral of the Blessed
Sacrament.
"He is a
man of very high integrity and principles. He is
an excellent husband and father.
"He has
taken a very active part in diocesan life
especially in the field of Catholic education.
He is clearly a man who has studied in some
depth the teaching of the Catholic Church and
speaks the truth without fear.
"His
work in broadcasting and in lectures on
Catechetic clearly shows this man is a man of
faith. He has excellent leadership qualities and
is a very good listener. Has a very pleasant
manner and relates easily with others.
"He has
very good initiatives and comes forth with
creative ideas. I have always valued his
judgments which are always well thought out. He
is a very gifted person." |
|
Sr. Margaret D’Ath,
Catholic Education Office,
Christchurch Diocese, N.Z.
|
"During
the years I have known Raymond de Souza in
Christchurch, I have been impressed with his
faith, his zeal and his educational and
communication skills. The devout Catholic faith
of Raymond, Theresa and their family have been
an inspiration to us all.
"With
the courage of his well-informed faith, he has
committed himself earnestly to evangelisation,
setting up supporting groups, leading
discussions and conducting weekly sessions in
Catholic Apologetics. With his education and
media skills, he has established a weekly radio
programme of Catholic teaching and produced
Timely, a monthly newsletter which promoted
the teachings of the local bishop and reported
on Catholic educational activities." |
|
Rev. Fr Cronan Fahey O.F.M.
Cap. Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish,
Christchurch.
|
"Raymond
has worked tirelessly, with intelligence and
passion, for the spread of the truth of the
Catholic Church. In all of this he has shown
splendid initiative, remarkable courage, and a
generosity of soul deserving the highest praise.
"I have
no hesitation in recommending Raymond to a
position in the Catholic Church which would see
him as an advocate, defending and promoting the
faith handed-on by the Apostles." |
|
Fr. Norman Scambary S.M.
assistant priest,
St Mary’s Parish,
Christchurch
|
"Raymond
has a strong community spirit and is generous in
giving his time, energy and ability towards the
welfare of his parish and diocese. I have
attended many of Raymond’s talks and lectures on
the teachings and practices of the Catholic
Faith and can testify that he is not only well
informed but loyal to the traditions of the
Church and completely in harmony with its
teachings.
"He
is a competent public speaker and the time he
gives to teaching the Faith and loyalty to the
Holy See is a reflection of his own faith." |
|
Rev. Fr. Cyril Taylor S.M.
St Bede’s
College
Christchurch.
|
"Sterling
qualities of scholarship and fidelity to the
Church, admirable personal qualities of
friendliness, courtesy and charm. Raymond is
known for his orthodoxy in the faith and his
loyalty to the Holy Father and the local bishop.
"His
knowledge of apologetics is extensive and his
lucidity of expression makes him a popular and
convincing witness for the faith. Raymond has my
full approval as a capable and worthy
representative of the Faith and practice of the
Roman Catholic Church." |
|
Miss Betty O’Dowd, Dame
of the Papal Order of St Gregory the Great,
Christchurch
|
"I can
testify to Raymond’s deep and passionate
devotion to the Catholic Faith and to his
energetic, ongoing commitment to propounding it
and defending it in the work of Apologetics.
This has been evident in his weekly talks for
the Cathedral Parish Family Action Group at the
Catholic Education office, the publication of
Timely magazine, and in his weekly radio
outreach, “Mission: Possible! Catholics on Air”.
"I wish
to comment specific on Raymond’s unswerving
loyalty to the Holy See and his bishop as
guarantors of authentic, orthodox Catholic
teaching. No one could be in Raymond’s presence
without becoming aware of his zeal for the Faith
and his longing to share it." |
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