Ambassador's tribute to Mary MacKillop

Here in Rome the Australian community is gearing up for the canonisation this weekend of an extraordinary 19^th century nun. Soon to become the first native born Australian saint, Sr Mary MacKillop, founded a pioneering religious congregation, battled against prevailing political and religious limitations of her day and was briefly excommunicated.
Tim Fischer is Australia’s ambassador to the Holy See and he says Mary MacKillop was "an extraordinary Australian who pioneered education with indigenous people..." and he believes his countrymen "will be honoured by the fact she is being recognised and cannonized here in Rome.." Ambassador Fischer says Sister Mary's fame is spreading also "because of the almost Grand Opera Italian-style dimensions of her life and work ... sacked unfairly as a school teacher, excommunicated, 6 months later recommunicated by the same bishop..."