"We Are Experiencing the Best Moments in the History of Freemasonry"

Freemasons Meeting at Santiago de Campostela

(Madrid) "We live in one of the best moments of Freemasonry."  This was confessed by the Grand Lodge of Spain in the latest issue of El Oriente.

El Oriente, is the press organ of the Grand Lodge  with the words of Oscar de Alfonso, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Spain. In a Masonic meeting in Santiago de Compostela, which was (the way to the light) under the slogan "El Camino Hacia la Luz", the Grandmaster said: "We are experiencing one of the best moments in the history of Freemasonry."

At the end of October in Santiago de Compostela an international Masonic conference the beaproned brothers gathered from Spain, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. The result of the Sixth Conference of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation is a "Masonic Charter", which was adopted by the lodges delegates.

Decided "Masonic charter"

Coat of Arms of the Grand Lodge of Spain

Represented in Santiago de Compostela were the Grand Lodge of Spain, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Bolivia, the Grand Lodge of Argentina, the Grand Orient of Brazil, the Grand Lodge of Chile, the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Paraguay, the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the Republic of Peru, the Legal Grand Lodge of Portugal and the Grand Lodge of Freemasonry of Uruguay.

According to the Grand Lodge of Spain combine the mentioned grand lodge includes"10,400 lodges with 350,000 Freemasons". They are aligned with the Scottish Rite Grand Lodge of England.

What exactly the "Carta Masonica" includes  was not released by the lodges. El Oriente provides only some hints in a report.  How meaningful they are decided about the actual content of the Charter, therefore, can not be said. The "Masonic Charter" finds, however, that the society stands before new problems."Fundamentalism, intolerance, the penetration of economic crime in the republican sense of community,  which produces social hostility" were explicitly mentioned.

Demanded Are New "Steering Forms" in Politics

The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Oscar de Alfonso (with chain)

In addition, the  Masonic Charter diagnosed a general crisis of governance and steering forms in politics. The reason for this are the different forms of corruption and ethical relativism. By contrast, the Masonic Charter calls for the creation of a "new man" whose ideals "humanist, secular and tolerant" are "on the basis of freedom, equality and fraternity". This "new man" would be realized through the establishment of an "open society", "new forms of cohabitation", "new forms of production" and "new forms of civic, democratic and representative forms".

The Inter-American Masonic Conference also spoke out in favor of legalizing the killing of unborn children by abortion in Chile and therefore supports the efforts of former UN Women Director and UN Under-Secretary General of the reorganized Socialist Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

El Oriente, the publication of the Spanish Grand Lodge is published by the Communications Secretariat of the Grand Lodge.

From 18-21 November 2015, the meeting in San Francisco in the US,, the XIVth World Conference of the regular  Masonic Grand Lodge, like the Scottish Rite, under the motto "The Chain of Union: Strengthening Fraternal Bonds in a Changing World".

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Gle.org (screenshots)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches....
AMDG

Tears Because of the New "Sobriety" in the Pilgrimage Church of Muxia

(Madrid) On Christmas Day, the 25 December 2013 the Sanctuary of the Marian Shrine Virxe da Barca was burned down in the far west of Spain.  With tears in their eyes believers are lamenting "winner!" for the restoration of their Marienkirche   (Faro de Vigo) was carried out.

The Marian Shrine is located on the Costa da Morte, the Galician coast of death, which is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. During a storm a lightening bolt hit the church of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.

For many, the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage church is yet another step to Finis terrae to achieve and the Atlantic Ocean. The pilgrimage church dates back to the 11th century. Marian devotion there is of still an older date, which is why Muxia is considered one of the "oldest and most important pilgrimage sites in Galicia".

High altar before  the fire

Where the Mother of God appeared to the Apostle James

According to popular piety, the Mother of God appeared to the Apostle James  here. The apostle had retired here at the extreme end of the known world to pray. He had fallen into deep sadness because of the people who did not want to put away their paganism. It was then he had discovered a boat in the distance in the sea which came closer and closer. Finally he managed to recognize the Virgin Mary, who brought him comfort and straightened him to continue his missionary work. Hence the name "Virgin of the Boat."

It was the Benedictine monks of the former,  nearby Abbey of San Julián de Moraime and the pilgrims who built the Mother of God, the present church. The miraculous image of the Virgin is attributed to the 15th century. By 1700 the sanctuary was in the Baroque style.

Popular piety shows other needs

The destruction

Now believers are complaining about the new "look" that has appeared in the church after the fire. They did so most recently, loudly at the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela, Maroño Victor.  The repair cost around 740,000 euros. Mayor Felix Porto, himself a critic of the restoration, could hardly calm tempers. 

The faithful do not like the new "sobriety". Popular piety shows other needs. The magnificent high altar, built in 1717 by Miguel de Romay  in the style of the Spanish Baroque was completely destroyed by fire. Some side altars were partly saved. The miraculous image also remained  intact, which is shown only on feast days in solemn procession, while there was a replica on the high altar.

The Blessed Mother was visited throughout the centuries by countless women who want children.

Church Crisis With Iconoclasm in Train?

The statue

Just a month before the fire rennovations had been completed. They had become necessary for structural reasons. In particularly stormy seas waves   directly wash upon the sanctuary. Recently, this happened in 2005, a few days after the fire.The salt water had attacked the bearing masonry as it was then reported.

Opinions differ about "sobriety", not only since the Calvinist iconoclasm of the 16th century. Iconoclastic relapses took place in the East in the 8th / 9th Centuries, which are interpreted as a response to the ban on images in Islam. Popular piety also differs from people to people. What is too much for one already, may be too little for others.  The Church respects these expressions of different people's souls.

A Calvinist / Baptist contempt of images has also won the upper hand in some diocese and monasteries of the German-speaking world. Required Restorations are a popular gate of entry to present the faithful with the surprising "sober" facts.  The art and cultural critic, Francesco Colafemmina who examined the phenomenon seen in the modern emptying of Churches, sees a metaphor for  inner emptiness and thus an expression of the current crisis of faith and Church.

"Our Lady does not deserve this"

The ancient glass windows remained

"Our Lady does not deserve this." The believers said this and much more to the Vicar General and the architects who had come with him to Muxia. Mayor Porto finally made himself the mouthpiece of the population: "What we want is a high altar, which is worthy for Our Mother of the Boat." Pastor Manuel Linero "suffers the most," under the new situation, the mayor said. He, too, was not included in the renovation project.

The Sanctuary of the Virgin Mother of God "belongs to the Church, but it also belongs to every house in Muxia and every single person here," said the mayor. Generation after generation of inhabitants of Muxia and thousands of pilgrims have supported the church through the centuries with their donations and foundations. This must be respected, says Felix Porto.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Wikicommons / Diario galego / Luisde-Panoramio

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMDG

Galicia Effects Law in Service of Aberrosexual Lobby -- Galician Bishops Are Silent as the Tomb

(Santiago de Compostela) In the autonomous Spanish region of Galicia a new equality law against "discrimination against lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and intersex people" was effected. The Law 2/2014 cites that regardless of gender, race, religion, opinion or any other personal or social circumstances, Article 14 of the Spanish Constitution affirms the  equality of all people. " In reality, this is a law in the service of gay lobby" says Infovaticana. It was put into  law with the votes of the Christian Democratic, Partido Popular, which holds 41 of 75 seats in the Galician Parliament. Anyone hoping for a condemnation of the new homo-Promotion Act by the Catholic bishops, waited in vain. "The bishops of Galicia were silent," says Infovaticana .

The law expressly recognizes the five sexual special forms as social groups. Companies could be forced to reserve a certain percentage of jobs for members of each of these five groups.

Christian Democrats Impose Homosexualization on the Country

Family shall be subjected by the Christian Democratic majorityn to a complete redefinition. As a family, includes any form of communication between two people or one or both parents with children, whether heterosexual or homosexual, whether married or living together. The new law affects state subsidies, public competitions, job postings, concessions and licenses.

The aim of the competent organs of the Comunidad Autonoma de Galiciais, by law, is to promote the various affective-sexual forms, different family models and the equal rights of LGBTI people, referred to as particularly "vulnerable" and therefore in need of special protection.

No Press Promotion, if Not LBGTI-friendly

Article 28 defines explicitly,  that  the "positive" teaching of "homosexuality, bisexuality, transsexuality and intersexuality" is to be encouraged and promote in the culture.

In Article 31, the press subsidies explicitly coupled in the benevolent promotion of homosexuality and rejection of " sexist vocabulary", to mention only two passages of the new law.

Mention bishops of Galicia

Infovaticana asked all five Galician bishops to give an opinion. 

Archbishop Julian Barrio of Santiago de Conpostela and thus Metropolitan of Galicia refused to give any opinion. His press secretary finally referred, after obstinate demands, on the scheduled for the end of the month meeting of the bishops of the ecclesiastical province. Archbishop Barrio last month allowed the profanation of  the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostola by pagan rituals of Shinto priests and Buddhist monks (see separate report Desecrated Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela by Buddhist and Shinto Rites ).

Bishop Manuel Sanchez-Monge of Mondonedo-Ferrol was completely surprised, "I knew nothing of this law." He assured he would  address the bishops of Galicia at its next meeting with the question: "I assume that we at the first opportunity, when we [the bishops of Galicia] gather a clear position related to the question."

Bishop Alfonso Carrasco-Ruoco of Lugo was also not prepared to comment. Through his press secretary, he sent word that he would not comment before he had not consulted with other bishops.

Bishop Jose Leonardo Lemos of Orense said through his press secretary that it was "on the subject is one of the pending issues to be addressed at the next meeting of the Ecclesiastical Province. Since it is a regional issue, it may be that a joint statement indicating if this is also not safe because they have not yet dealt with the issue. "

Bishop Luis Quinteiro of Tuy-Vigo could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

As an aside it should be mentioned that the coat of arms of the Autonomous Community of Galicia in contrast to their legislators, is deeply Catholic. It shows a blue shield a golden chalice and above a silver wafer, surrounded by seven silver, Greek crosses.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Wikicommons / Infovaticana

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMGD

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela Desecrated by Shinto and Buddhist Rites

(Madrid) The famous cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was desecrated by Buddhist and Shinto rites  The Catholic Church prohibits in their churches every act of worship of another religion. Through the implementation of a strange rite a Catholic church is profaned, and requires a special rite to fix this desecration.

Nevertheless, it came as part of an event organized by the local tourist association  "Japanese Week in Santiago", the  desecration of the world famous place of pilgrimage cathedral by Buddhist monks and Shinto priests, who presented ritual songs and dances.

Tourism Association Organized "Japanese Week" and  Allowed Buddhist and Shinto Dance in Cathedral

From the 9th to the 13th of  May, Japan was presented in Santiago with a variety of events all year.  It featured  Japanese art, music and cuisine. On May 13th, the last day of the theme week, the event took place in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela called "The Spirit of Japan".  The program announced the event as "Songs and Dances of Buddhist monks and Shinto priests of the prefecture of Wakayama."

But how is it possible that the cathedral of  the Archbishop  could permit the  Tourist Office to make it available, ​​moreover even for ritual acts of foreign religions? This is what Catholics are currently asking. For the tourist office  Santiago de Compostela all religions are equal,  so for that reason  religious programs can take place in a religious context, specifically Buddhist and Shinto rites in a Catholic church.

Holy Mass in a Side Chapel - Idolatry Before the High Altar

While Holy Mass was celebrated in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Cathedral,  the main nave of the church in front of the main altar  was opened to Buddhist monks and Shinto priests for their rites.

The even was not mentioned on the website of the cathedral church, but without the consent of those responsible,   the event could not have taken place. There is also no indication that the procedure  required by the Church after a profanation, that is a  purification rite, will be  performed with a new consecration.

Are really all religions equal and a church  is only a syncretic container dedicated  to fit  in   all religions? What does Archbishop Julián Barrio   of Santiago de Compostela mean by this?

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Messa in Latino

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...

AMGD

Baroque Pilgrimage Church on the Santiago de la Compostela Struck by Lightning and Burnt to the Ground

Edit: here's a paraphrase of the burning of a pilgrimage church in the town of Muxía in the provnice of A Coruña, called "Nosa Senora de Barca". The town was earlier destroyed by the rampaging of Napoleon.

A fire reported Wednesday has left  the shrine to the Virgin of da Barca, Muxia, La Coruna almost completely destroyed, which has burned the roof and the interior and  damaged stones with which it was built. The flames began, according to early indications, due to a lightning strike on a transformer next to the church, which caught fire and the fire passed through the wires to the sacristy.

The 112 (911) received notice at 8:30 am this Christmas day. The fire brigade said there was fire in the sanctuary, an emblematic place of worship and pilgrimage in the Costa da Morte.

VIDEO: CADENA SER

The area firefighters and effective voluntary groups in the area,  worked until 1pm to extinguish the flames, which were fanned by strong winds blowing in Muxia, and to the recover some figures and religious objects inside the church, which were damaged. "There would have been no human way to stop the fire. It was physically impossible," said the mayor of Muxia, Felix Porto to Cadena SER. Councilman making a statement about the "unrecoverable" the shrine.

Firefighters explained that the shrine has been "almost completely" burned and now the main risk is the collapse of part of the structure. They  stone walls and dome remains standing, but its structure is badly damaged and in danger of collapse.

The church's interior is completely burned and the central altarpiece has disappeared from the effect of fire. The side altars have been burned, though not in their entirety, and the only things saved from the flames were the pews or confessional areas of lesser cultural value.

The wind blowing in the area caused the fire would spread quickly and left the church almost completely engulfed in flames. The site has been handed to Heritage Technicians to assess the damage and the Judicial Police, in order to investigate the origin of the fire.

The shrine to the Virgin of da Barca is influenced by Baroque classicism.  The first surviving written document from it is dated from the year 1544. The chapel was rebuilt several times, until the early eighteenth century, in 1719 to  the present. Its austerity and simplicity is broken by the rich ornamentation of its altarpieces. The altarpiece, 1717, is the work of artist Miguel de Compostela Romay, Baroque and is dedicated to the Virgen de la Barca.

Link to El Pais....

Spain: Record for Pilgrimage of St. James

The Holy Year of James in Santiago de Compstela has come to an end -- Correspondent's Report by Manuel Meyer

St. James in Battle

Santiago de Compostela (www.kath.net/ KAP)  With a historic record number of pilgrims, the "Holy Year of James" is at an end this Friday in the northern Spanish pilgrimage destination of Santiago de Compostela.  "It is almost inconceivable, but we have registered a total number of 271.93", said the director of the Office of Pilgrimage in Santiago, Jenaro Cebrian, says Katholischen Nachrichten-Agentur  (KNA)  In his "wildest dreams" it was at the most 240.000... in any case, he had prepared his office well and had even ordered ten temporary employees; but still no one could have figured on such a massive surge in numbers, said the director of the Pilgrimage Office.

Especially chaotic were the busiest Months of July and August. "In July we had 40.000 and in August   60.000 registered pilgrims -- we've never had so many before."  The number of pilgrims has been climbing continuously in the past years.  In the "Holy Year of James" in 1993 there were 99.436;  in the last "Xacobeo"  2004 there were another 179.944.

 "The Spanish James Pilgrimmage is today as beloved as never before",  said Ignacio Santos also, General Director of the Xacobeo-Consortium, which is responsible for the organizing of the "Year of St. James".  In order to care for the mass of pilgrims, the Consortium erected ten new hospices on the various St. James Pilgrimage routes through Spain.  In addition there were mobile Pilgrim shelters established along the beloved "French way", so that no pilgrim would have to sleep under the open sky.  Even so there weren't enough sleeping areas.  "I had to walk until five o'clock in the morning, so that I could get to the the next day's destination.  Otherwise I would have not gotten a bed",  said 39 year old Madrilene Cesar Perez, who had taken the "French way" .

For all, the destination is Santiago, to which all eight of the paths go, the place to which all are bound.  In addition, there are more than 2.000 cultural events of the accompanying cultural performances with demonstrations, concerts and other events which in the estimation o fthe media consist of about eight million visiters who have been drawn to the city.  Actually not everyone is pleased by this.   "When you have been walking through nature all week and are looking for reflection, the arrival in Santiago can be almost a shock",  said Cesar Perez.

The Church tried to accomodate the pilgrims with five daily pilgrimage Masses and spiritual conferences.  For this there were not a few pilgrims who would have liked more peace at the end of their jounrey.  Even for Xacobeo-Director Ignacio Santos it was a balancing act between the protection of the religious character of the pilgrimage and its commercial exploitation, whose business element is very important in the financially poor region.

Next to the plenary indulgence for every Pilgrim who goes to the "St. James Year" in Santiago and goes to confession, even the market crisis in Spain plays an enormous role in the climb of the number of pilgrims:  many see the pilgrimage as a suitable alternative to a vacation, says Jenaro Cebrian.

The Pope too admonished the pilgrims on his visit at the beginning of November to Santiago, that the pilgrims do not exhaust their  wonder in seeking out some destination for its natural beauty, artistic treasures or history.  It's more important for a pilgrim to have an encounter with God in a place, which he has shown himself in a particular way.

From the tomb of the Aposgle Benedict XVI. recalled Europe to its "Christian roots".  And even at the beginning of the "Holy Year" he had expressed his hope that as many, who have gone further from believe in God, might come back to him.  And the faithful should be encouraged by the pilgrimage to rethink their Faith and to deepen it.

A "Holy Year" always takes place in Santiago when the previous year the date of the Apostle's death the 25th of July should fall on a Sunday.  That will not take place again until 2021.

Read original... kath.net...

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