Speedy VG has fine idea
There appears to be no limit for Fr Tony Percy when it comes to turning a vice into a virtue.
The archdiocese’s Vicar General was recently fined for speeding at 47kmh in a 40kmh zone on Canberra’s Northbourne Avenue.
That particular section of the major arterial road into the city centre has been controversial with many Canberra drivers caught out by a drop in the speed limit from 60 to 40kmh.
In Fr Percy’s case, rather than cop the fine, he wrote an open letter to the ACT government with a unique proposal.
Drop the penalty, he said, and he’d donate the money to MacKillop House, a residential facility for 26 woman and their children experiencing homelessness.
And, just like that, the government did. With little explanation, it waived the fine for “technical reasons”.
As The Canberra Times noted, the ACT government, like God, moves in mysterious ways.
The outcome was welcomed by Anne Kirwan, CEO of CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn, the agency that operates MacKillop House.
She commended Fr Percy for his initiative, noting “any diversion of funds to the homeless is welcome”.
The Vicar General hopes his actions might be the catalyst for greater efforts to assist the disadvantaged.
In his open letter he called on the ACT government to “let all those who have paid over $5million in speeding fines for driving along Northbourne Ave know of this wonderful opportunity to help those in need”.
Let’s hope no school children are injured in the 40kph zone over the next few month or this will be seen a missing the point.
Good idea, but I bet Fr Percy does not donate to “Catholic Care Canberra & Goulburn” that way again.
I would offer to do the same with my fine from the same area heading south across London Circuit towards the 60kph sign at a mere 46kph
I am impressed with practical positive thinking- where everyone is a winner. Thanks Father Tony!
Ann
Mmmm, so are we advocating a system where anyone who breaks the law is encouraged to determine their own penalty?? Just asking. The fines we pay, when we break the law, are used by the government of the day, elected by the people of the ACT, to support all the community services we all benefit from, including homeless people.
Thanks, Fr Tony, for highlighting MacKillop House – a most worthy cause! Until now I wasn’t aware of this new accommodation facility for women and children experiencing homelessness in Canberra. Your donating the waived fine is generous! Others would keep it. The ACT govt’s accepting your proposal is gracious! For anyone interested and able to assist this much needed facility I found it easiest to ring CatholicCare’s accounts dept on 62954314 (bh). Arrange your donation with them and ask for it to be directed to MacKillop House. They told me ‘all [such] donations go towards supporting the women and their children.’ Go ahead folks – and give something if you can. It will be gratefully received!