Australia's former Defence Chief on WW1 commemorations

(Vatican Radio) In this year, 2014, countries across the world will be marking the 100^th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. Commemorations, conferences and countless other events will focus on the millions of soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the Great War, as it was dubbed, but also ask the broader questions about why, how and whether such a tragedy could happen again. Among the nations that suffered the highest percentage of casualties per population was Australia, where well over two hundred thousand young men were killed or injured during the four year conflict.

Among those who’ll be taking part in Australia’s centenary commemorations will be General Peter Cosgrove, former Chief of the country’s Defence Force. After serving for 40 years, he retired from the army in 2005 and currently serves as Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University. During a visit to the Vatican this week, Cosgrove met briefly with Pope Francis and gave him an icon of Australia’s first saint, Mary McKillop. He also spoke with Philippa Hitchen about his impressions and about the upcoming First World War commemorations in his country:

Listen:

“My impressions of Pope Francis is that he represents – if I can be colloquial – ‘Pope on the go’….there’s an energy, an optimism, an enthusiasm about the man which has everybody on their toes….I feel that he’s a shot in the arm for Catholicism…..not just here in Rome, but wherever people understand the message he’s broadcasting….in Australia I think we’re uplifted to see the papacy with such a vibrancy about it….it’s leadership from afar, but that leadership reaches well into the hearts of Australian Catholics….

(On ACU) We play a tremendous role, we’re the largest English-speaking Catholic university in the world…..we’re got about 24.000 students, we exist all over the East coast of Australia and we’re looking at new campuses in other places…we have a very strong Catholic identity but our enrollment suggests an ecumenical take of young and middle aged Australians, people from overseas, Muslims, Hindus, people of all religions and people of none….we operate to Catholic values but we consider they’d be values everyone would embrace….

(On WW1 centenary) It’s going to be a voyage of commemoration but education (too). The one thing that troubles people – not least deeply Catholic people – is that war is somehow glorified by commemorative activities. I’d like to dismiss that, if I can, by reminding folk that Australia paid a huge price with the lives of its young people in war…..in commemorating World War 1, we’re drawing to people’s attention that yes, they were brave and virtuous and full of self-sacrifice, but it was the flower of a nation that died or was maimed or troubled by their experiences. I think at the end of the commemorative period – 2014 to 2018 – a generation of younger Australians will say it’s a terrible thing, there’s nothing jingoistic or romantic about war, it’s descending to a dark place and we should hope to keep these experiences to a minimum….”