Character: Bartholomew Augustine Santamaria

You have been subpoenaed to appear before the Royal Commission on Espionage. A subpoena is a formal written order issued by a court commanding a person to appear under penalty as a witness in a trial or an inquiry such as a Royal Commission.

B. A. Santamaria, leader of the Catholic group called The Movement.

Bartholomew Augustine Santamaria was often referred as B.A. Santamaria or Bob Santamaria.

Image courtesy of Newspix.

All three members of the group will work closely together to prepare for the Character to appear before the Royal Commission. This will involve:

1. Preparing a speech (testimony) which outlines, from your point of view:

• who you are;
• your views on communism and the USSR (Soviet Union);
• your response to the events of the Petrov Affair;
• your response to Evatt’s actions during the Affair;
• your understanding of the response of Australians to communism and the events of the Petrov Affair.

2. Preparing evidence (facts, documents etc) that supports your case.

3. You will be called when the Royal Commissioners are ready for you.

4. Be prepared to answer any questions from the Royal Commissioners especially about Soviet espionage in Australia.

Resources:

• Wikipedia entry on B. A. Santamaria
• Australian Biography – B. A. Santamaria
• “A maverick priest speaks out; B. A. Santamaria – crusader or conspirator?” 14 March 2001, courtesy of ABC Radio National’s ‘The Religion Report’ – click hyperlink to B. A. Santamaria in the introduction by Stephen Crittenden.
• Monash University, Faculty of Arts article – Conservatives, Communists and Catholics (pdf file, 580k)
• B. A. Santamaria and the Digital Revolution – Part 2, 9 October 1997. Courtesy of ABC Radio National’s ‘The Media Report’ (an interview with Santamaria half way down the page).
• Religion, Politics, and the Grand Design, 4 March 1998. Courtesy of ABC Radio National’s ‘The Religion Report’ on B. A. Santamaria’s funeral, half way down the page after the words ‘organ music.’
• National Civic Council 50th anniversary celebration, 7 October 1991 - address Bishop George Pell