Stephanie Dowrick
Dr Stephanie Dowrick is the author of more than 20 books including Seeking the Sacred: Transforming Our View of Ourselves and One Another. Her most recent work includes Your name is not Anxious: A very personal guide to putting anxiety in its place; also, co-written with Mark S Burrows, You Are the Future: Living the Questions with Rainer Maria Rilke. A former publisher, and founder of The Women’s Press in London, Stephanie has been a contributor to P&I for more than a decade. She is the guest speaker on 24 April 2025 at the fundraising dinner for MAPW (Medical Association for Prevention of War) to be held in Canberra https://www.mapw.org.au/dr-stephanie-dowrick/. Stephanie can be reached via social media or stephaniedowrick.com.
Stephanie's recent articles
17 April 2025
Easter: More rising than falling
“I call upon heaven and earth this day to witness that I have put before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life! Choose life, so that you and your descendants may live.” (Deuteronomy, 30:19)
30 November 2024
Updates from Jerusalem, then and now
From the Committee to Protect Journalists: “The Israel-Gaza war has taken an unprecedented toll on Gazan journalists since Israel declared war on Hamas following its attack against Israel on October 7, 2023. As of November 26, 2024, CPJ’s preliminary investigations showed at least 137 journalists and media workers were among the more than tens of thousands killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon since the war began, making it the deadliest period for journalists since CPJ began gathering data in 1992.”
23 November 2024
Is "knowing what's going on" too much to bear?
The courage it takes to “know”, to “realise”, to “comprehend” when “trusted” global powers act against humanity is a profoundly personal effort. Your success will only ever be relative. Yet your choices will and do affect the collective (society). They also affect your identity: where and how you feel alliances, where and how you draw a sense of belonging. Or suffer the dangers of exclusion.
29 October 2024
A tribute to Susie Menadue
The phrase “Life is changed, not ended” is profound. Used by John Menadue in his tribute last week to his wife, Susie, it speaks volumes for their shared trust that we are more than “dust”, flesh and bones, however mysterious that “more” may be. And that it is, possibly, a glimpse of that “more” that can most meaningfully connect and free us.
21 September 2024
Can this year’s UN International Day of Peace make any difference in a conflict-obsessed world?
That question above is both meaningful – and meaningless. A paltry “Day of Peace” — this year, Saturday 21 September — insults the efforts of those who work year-round for something approximating “peace”. Or, at least, who work in multiple ways to promote more intelligent evidence-based possibilities to contain, if not resolve, conflict, and to reduce the unchecked pursuit of power and territory through destruction and death.
3 September 2024
P&I thriving is up to us
This is a topic difficult to raise without it sounding like a sermon. And although I happen to be writing on a Sunday (and was ordained as an Interfaith, post-denominational minister nearly 20 years ago) “sermonising” has never worked for me: not in the getting or the giving.
2 April 2024
Weaponising antisemitism impedes justice and peace
Weaponising a real fear in the West of being called or being seen as antisemitic, while simultaneously exploiting long-entrenched anti-Arab prejudice, the Israeli government has successfully exempted itself from legitimate interrogation, reproach and effective sanctions for its unchecked expansionist ambitions and inhumane, racist actions against Palestinians.
7 March 2024
How have we come to this? Othering is humanitys original sin
Under conditions of tyranny, it is far easier to act than to think. Hannah Arendt
15 November 2023
Cruel and mendacious: Its not the Voice that failed
No one who cares about basic human rights, or a sense of honour and of honouring, should be remotely intimidated by the sickening success of Duttons typically self-serving, cruel and mendacious campaign. The Voice did not fail. Australians failed the Voice.
11 October 2023
Our Central Land Council overwhelmingly asks you to vote YES
For over half a century the Central Land Council has fought for the voices of Aboriginal people from the heart of our nation to be heard. Our 90-member Council overwhelmingly asks you to vote YES, because we know that when decision-makers listen to our voices we end up with policies that help us, not harm us, and money is spent wisely. - Lesley Turner, CEO, Central Land Council, NT.
10 October 2023
In the final week of the referendum make up your own mind
What can we achieve together in this final week of the referendum campaign? Join me on Thursday for a special webinar with First Nations women Lynette Riley and Beverly Baker to learn first hand about the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
2 December 2022
Women cannot revive Liberal appeal
How drearily predictable it is that in the wake of another loss in Victoria that mythical cohort women is being bandied about as key to a resurrection of the floundering, flailing and failing Liberal Party at both State and Federal levels. Brad Hazard is the NSW Health Minister retiring at the forthcoming March 2023 election. Hes not confused. Obviously it would be helpful to have more women in the parliament, he said on 20 November. But would you do that to the exclusion of getting good people in?
5 May 2022
Questionable Deves in leafy Warringah
We have in Scott Morrison a Liberal Party leader who sold himself to the nation on the basis of stopping the boats and dehumanising, then indefinitely imprisoning, asylum seekers. Now this same leader is stirring transphobic bigotry, using the lowest means to try to again secure the nations highest office.
16 April 2022
Easter celebrates life and peace
One of the most beautiful names given to Jesus is Prince of Peace. So why do Christian churches support conflict so enthusiastically including bitter conflict between denominations and sects, and armed conflict between nations?
25 January 2022
Replace celebration of January 26 with a lifetime of deep listening
The day is an abomination masquerading as inclusivity. Whatever we call it, there should be no link to the violence of the colonisers.
9 January 2022
Election 2022: perhaps Australia will see the light this time
Australia's vote for Scott Morrison's government in 2019 was a triumph of naive hope over bitter experience. History must not repeat itself.
31 December 2021
A call to contemplation coexists with a call to meaningful action
The longing for stability is real, whatever our political leanings. But there is another choice, brought about bya transformation of consciousness.
22 December 2021
A universal story of hope for today's world, whatever you believe
Questions about the birth story of Jesus and his divinity are secondary to his message of love and peace, which has never been more relevant.
9 December 2021
Labor and independents can end a political reign of error
Anthony Albanese's best chance of election victory is to appeal to the better nature of Australians and to replace his deputy.
1 November 2021
Business as usual: The price of Gladys Berejiklian's politics
The emotional and moral maturity of our politicians has been on trial at ICAC.
18 October 2021
Mirage man Morrison continues to defeat the common good
The Coalition government remains in thrall to a tiny rump of its support base despite its wilful refusal to make changes necessary to the national interest and the climate.
1 September 2021
Trading Covid freedoms in NSW
Among the wreckage caused by a near two-year pandemic, with far to go, is the idea and ideal of freedom.
14 August 2021
Gladys' infection is spreading everywhere
Intransigence is experienced by many of us daily. It may even dominate our own emotional repertoire.Now, though, as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces rising Covid infections and accumulating deaths, this unhelpful trait seems increasingly endangering.
26 July 2021
Analysing Morrison is not enough. He must be challenged.
Scott Morrison is seldom called exceptional. Yet the current PM will stand out in history in any number of ways. None of them are attractive. All need not just analysis but persistent, tough-minded challenging if we are to be left with any semblance of public integrity.
2 February 2021
Promise to restore integrity, Mr Albanese, and you might be surprised
Anthony Albanese, you possibly have the worst job in Australian politics. Up against a federal government rich in marketing skills and basking in its entitlement and a public that is buying it. Please give us more of your passion and tell us your plan.
7 January 2021
The dangerous intransigence of Gladys Berejiklian
Intransigence is too seldom called out. It should never be mistaken for strength. Nor is it an admirable quality in anyone who wishes to lead effectively. Yet is something felt by many of us daily; and may even dominate our own emotional repertoire.
6 August 2020
Time for ALL to think about race in Australia
Do Black lives matter in Australia? Race is surely this nation's primal wound. But the actions of those with most power to lead or inspire this nation are not reassuring.
23 April 2020
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Communication in a time of crisis
Isolation is also a crisis of communication for us as social beings. And an opportunity to consider with fresh interest how we can more thoughtfully support others - receiving with grace and gratitude what they may have to give.
2 April 2020
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Doing more in a time of less
The losses in this time of COVID19 crisis are very real. Loss of life is worst beyond comparison.
17 October 2019
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. It's indifference to poverty - not refugees - that profoundly affects our "security"
We have a government led by a former Minister for Immigration that's obsessed with playing power games around the idea of security: who has it, who threatens it, and most especially - who should define and control it. But while those games grind on, true insecurity is being lived daily by hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Australians lacking security in housing, safety - and food.
3 September 2019
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Powerful men vs. Powerless Children: A worse than unequal "battle"
As I write this, from the safety of my inner-city home, two little Australian-born girls are held on Christmas Island with their Sri Lankan-born parents, desperately awaiting some flicker of insight, common sense, common decency, act of mercy thats most unlikely to come.
15 August 2019
Are "moderates" failing to keep us safe?
Could it be moderates - through lack of vigilance, or is it apathy? - who most threaten our safety and existence? Yes, this seems a ridiculous, even immoderate assertion. But lets think about it. The US, the UK and Australia are currently led though theres precious little leading by men unembarrassed to flaunt their lack of coherent policy and analysis, their disdain for science and seriousness, their willingness to tell or endorse any lie at any time if it seems to advantage them. Trump, Johnson and Morrison are, to a man, dizzy with success, adoring of their own...
29 July 2019
Speaking out loud for the silenced
Scott M. has a new group of faves. It used to be that hard working Australians were top of his pops, along with those who benefit from the hard work of others through tax, negative gearing,canny investments and superannuation perks. They are still cherished and protected but even closer to Mr Morrisons heart are Quiet Australians: people who feel no need to speak up, protest, argue, or even point to facts when there are issues harming not the quiet Australians but the silenced ones.
21 May 2019
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. What should we do?
In the few days since Election 2019, each time I have walked down the main street of my Sydney suburb I have been stopped by people asking me, What should we do? I wish I could give one simple answer. I cannot. But two things about the question bring hope. First is the use of we: a recognition that positive social change comes when people place at least as much value on their collective interests as their (deceptively) personal/individual concerns. Second is the recognition that this is a time for skilful, thoughtful action, not cynicism or passivity. And certainly not...
15 May 2019
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Election lies we cannot afford
The choice that citizens not mere voters will exercise on Saturday is primarily between socially beneficial policies, a gender-equal leadership team, a leader who can pause, listen and think - up against a leader weirdly bereft of team or original thought, but ample in promises of yet more protections for corporate and wealth interests. And bursting with self-belief. Thats an opinion, of course. Yours may differ. So maybe we should also consider how this election is positioning facts, analysis and information up against misinformation lies, con jobs - raised to an art form.
8 May 2019
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Selling a PM - or just trashing the alternative
With only days to go, its clear the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, is running his campaign not just as a Lone Ranger but as a Marketing Man. Despite his striking lack of past success (Where the bloody hell are you?) and the core fallacy that we are yet Back in the Black (slogan and image lifted in its entirety from John Keys election push in New Zealand), this is a race for a Coalition re-election based almost entirely on claims and slogans that bear no close examination and are virtually unprecedented in their mind-numbing banality. So how should we respond?...
11 April 2019
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. More death than life in the Christian (and secular) Right.
There are many theories as to why the so-called centre in Australian politics has moved so far to the right that even moderately progressive views are shrieked at as dangerous. There are probably fewer theories as to how and why the radical, genuinely anti-authoritarian teachings of Jesus Christ have been successfully kidnapped and hung out to dry by the so-called Christian Right. But both shifts and certainly the consequences of those shifts matter.
27 March 2019
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. After al-Noor, a new sense of neighbour is needed.
Theres a simple, eloquent community song written by parish priest and musician Father Kevin Bates SM that begins with a sacred invitation: Come and sit at my table. Though you have no money, come! Come and sit at my table and make yourself at home. It goes on to ask, Are you lonely or fearful? Do you ever lose your way? If youre tired or hungry, if you have no song to singthen come and sit at my table and make yourself at home.
20 March 2019
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. We owe the dead and grieving insight and action as well as unlimited sorrow
The first response of most to the catastrophic tragedy in Christchurch is unlimited sorrow for all those directly and indirectly affected, but most especially for those whose lives have been ended or shattered. Noor means light in Arabic. Most of those slaughtered were at al-Noor, the Mosque of the Light.
24 January 2019
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. The LNP have far more than a women problem
The broad church messaging from the Liberal Party is self-evidently in disarray. The Member for Cooks eagerness to spend a little shy of $7m on a re-enactment of the Captain Cook circumnavigation-that-never-was may be his major gaffe this past week. Or that dubious prize may go to his choice of newly-hatched Liberal, ex Labor President, ex-Liberal Democrat Warren Mundine as the PMs preferred candidate for Gilmore, confirming the cherished base has no meaningful voice or power at all. A loss of even the outer forms of democratic engagement is deadly serious. But the LNPs most consistent electoral problems are surely...
2 January 2019
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. The Best of 2018: Issues of Integrity, Not Sex.
The story of a middle-aged husband and father talking up the failure of his marriage to justify his relationship with a much younger and previously childless woman is too clichd to have much drama. The effect of this on the abandoned wife and, in this case, four daughters, would of course make for a story of genuine poignancy. We may even wonder what caused the younger woman to assume a future with a man who is not only married but an avowed and vocal upholder of traditional family values, whatever they are. (Loyalty, honesty, transparency and kindness could be a...
21 December 2018
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Glad tidings of great welcome
Among the most affecting, timeless stories known to us is that of a heavily pregnant, very young Jewish woman, barely more than a girl, making her way towards a town called Bethlehem, in an area of the Middle East then called Judea. She was accompanied by her husband, Joseph, although, as the story tells us, it was not he but the Holy Spirit who was the father of her child. This may be difficult to comprehend; it was for Joseph also, despite the reassurances of angels. What is far easier to grasp, even from the distance of two thousand years,...
11 December 2018
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Facts flung overboard on refugee health - and our nations.
Thursday 6 December was the final sitting day of the Australian Parliament for 2018 and one of only 10 sitting days between now and next May when an election is expected. It was a day to get things moving. Yet far more was undone than done, and not just for the asylum seekers and refugees held in indefinite, punitive detention off-shore, or the 6000 Australian doctors and the Australian Medical Association speaking up for their care.
20 September 2018
STEPHANIE DOWRICK: Free the suffering children on Nauru now.
Most readers of Pearls and Irritations will be at least somewhat sympathetic to the plight (what an inadequate word) of the refugee families on Nauru. You wont need me to remind you that those families sought asylum because they were fleeing violence, war, death. You wont either need me to remind you that they have now been held in detention for more than five years. There is much talk that refugees on Nauru are now free on the island. This is nonsense. The truth is they have been systematically deprived of community, purpose, future and hope of anything resembling...
29 August 2018
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Exposing the myths of "border protection" we will see the refugees as real people; and act accordingly.
On Thursday morning of the Liberals week of mayhem, facing front benches empty of ministers and with the days sitting of Parliament about to be shut down, ALP leader Bill Shorten said: The purpose of government is to uplift the nations vision. Hes right. We all know that hes right. But vision takes courage. And within the Liberal Party - whoever is leading it courage, like decency, has long been absent.
3 August 2018
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Do we have a problem with refugees or war?
In scrambling for solutions to the refugee problem, too few are contemplating the pervasively deadly war problem that plagues our global family. The article that follows is one of three I had published in July in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age, filling in for regular columnist Elizabeth Farrelly in the Saturday editions. I find such columns more than challenging to write. How can I do justice to the subject matter? Yet I was and am also immensely grateful to have the chance to write this article in particular because Australias and the worlds - indefensible spending on...
16 May 2018
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. What is education for?
That quite distinctly beautiful word education has its origins in the Latin educare to draw out or bring forth. But were entitled to ask: bring forth and draw towards what? It is well established that the happiest (least discontented, least endangering) people across all cultures are those able to participate actively in their society, small or large; those who are as concerned with the common good as they are with their own survival or success. We are social creatures. We depend upon one another for our wellbeing and safety. Our self-respect depends on that flow of giving as well...
1 May 2018
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Would ordaining women save the Catholic Church?
In our 21st century, and even allowing for widespread secularism especially in the West, about 2.2 billion people still call themselves Christian. Of these, about 1.2 billion are Roman Catholic. This number is only slightly smaller than the total number of Muslims (1.3 billion). The overall picture is clear: Catholicism is still a force to be reckoned with. Whats more, its influence for better and worse goes well beyond the parish gate. So maybe youd prefer to ask, Should the Catholic Church be saved (from itself)?
12 April 2018
STEPHANIE DOWRICK. Taxing questions
The duty of any government to keep its citizens safe is apparently taken very seriously in this nation of ours. It justifies the existence of the largest department over which this government presides and gives Peter Dutton, the Minister for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, unprecedented powers with a seemingly unlimited budget. But with the latest revelations of the ways in which the Governments principal revenue collection agency, the Australian Taxation Office, is said to be hounding some very small companies and far-from-rich individuals, while failing to bring into line some very large companies apparently paying little or...