CYRIL WANTS A UNION OF CONSERVATIVES

Interview with the church expert Lunkin, the director of the Institute for Religion and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences, about the Russian Orthodox patriarch - By Oliver Hinz (KNA)
Moscow (kath.net / KNA)

A year ago, on January 27th, 2009, the new Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Cyril I was elected, succeeding the late Alexis II. The Director of the Institute for Religion and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, Roman Lunkin, talks with the Katholischen Nachrichten-Agentur ("Catholic News Agency (KNA)") on changes in the official relationships between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic Church and the attitude towards religiously mixed Ukraine.

KNA: Mr. Lunkin, what are the differences between the understanding of the office of Patriarch between Cyril I and his predecessor, Alexis II?

Lunkin: Patriarch Alexy II was very mild and conservative. He allowed the bishops and priests a lot of freedom - there was no strict centralization. He supported the idea of national and cultural Orthodoxy in Russia. Patriarch Cyril I is a brilliantly talented figure. He is an advocate of a strong church with a centralized structure like the Catholic Church, and a close relationship between Church and State.

Cyril I wants a non-democratic, orthodox state, which protects the Church in financial and social issues. Formally, the Moscow Patriarchate is independent, but in reality the church is much more dependent on the State. It is impossible to implement the initiatives of Cyril I without the government assistance from Kremlin officials.

KNA: To you, has the relationship between the Russian Orthodox, under Cyril I and the Catholic Church improved?

Lunkin: Those in charge of the Department for External Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Patriarch Cyril I himself say that the relationships between the two churches are increasingly intense. Cyril I and Foreign Ministry Director Archbishop Hilarion have similar opinions on secularization and the consequences of pluralism and liberalism in Europe and the USA.

But this development of relations with the Vatican does not change the attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Russian Catholics. These are set by the Moscow Patriarchate under pressure. Cyril I does not allow the conversion of Orthodox believers to Catholicism in Russia. The Patriarchate does not recognize the Catholics of the Byzantine Rite.

KNA: Do you believe that Cyril I and Pope Benedict XVI will meet?

Lunkin: I would very much like for Cyril I and Pope Benedict XVI to meet. This is one of the goals of his church strategy. The Moscow Patriarchate has in mind the triumphant encounter of two traditional and conservative churches of the two cultures - the Western European and Russian. The meeting will happen when the Vatican formally guarantees that Orthodox believers will not be converted in Russia, and the Vatican meets halfway in admitting the mistakes made in western Ukraine.

Cyril I will visit the Ukraine again this year, and I think he will try to visit every year. Then, maybe, the Vatican will develop with the Moscow Patriarchate a common position on Ukraine.

Church Law is only Applied only to Traditionalists

The Munich Canon Lawyer has pounded the Society of Pius X with the pan according to the letter of the law.

(Trier kreuz.net) On 18 January, Munich canon law professor, Fr. Stefan Haering (50) held a lecture against the Society of Pius X.

This was reported on the Trier diocesan web page on Monday.

The defense of the paper which was in April by the Emeritus Canon Law and Rector of Trier, Prelate Peter Kramer (67).

Another Theology?

Fr. Haering imputed to Pius X, a "a wide ranging clear and static picture of the Tradition of the Church".

They tend therefore, to be frozen in the Tradition "in the year 1962". The Society was in reality founded first in the summer of 1969.

Father Haering correctly recognizes, that the Society is a bit more than only about "the love for the old form of the Liturgy". He proceeded to explain: "It devolves upon the rejection of the Second Vatican Council."

In reality the Second Vatican Council itself made clear, that it wanted to pronounce no new teachings.

The Society rejects Ecumenism, the Collegiality of Bishops and Religious Freedom - mentions Father Haering some of the pastoral concerns of the Pastoral Council.

The greatest Church law is the Salvation of Souls?

Further the Benedictine said, that the Society in canonical sense has no jurisdiction (Rechtpersoenlichkeit). Still further intoned the Benedictine: "They can not be represented as a Society (Gruppierung) of the Catholic Church."

Father Haering grounded his judgement with the canonical decision on the Society in 1975 and the illegal Consecrations of 1988.

In this view the ecumenically fanatical priest in any event must maintain, that the Orthodox and Protestants as well have no jurisdiction (legal standing/jurisdiction) in a canonical sense -- even newly formed religious Communities don't have this.

Furthermore the Father imputes to the Society - the outdated language of the Vatican bears -- an "indisputable schismatic stamp"

Only Old Liberal Grievances are Tolerable

Furher on he describes -- in a right plump historical misrepresentation -- Pope Paul VI (+ 1978) as "good Father and Shepherd", who has "shown the way to return".

Which way that had been, the Benedictine doesn't say.

Later he maintains -- throughout without naming any examples --, that the Vatican "is silent but doesn't condone" over alleged grievances of the Society in order not to endanger reintegration:

"Under this general consciousness and the order within the Church, the authority of the Church can be mistaken for weak and arbitrary" - explained Fr. Haering, from whom no similar public complaints about the "De facto" suspension of Church law in the Diocese is known.

The lifting of the Excommunications against the Society of Pius X the Canon Lawyer named only one time, when excommunications are rare, a "free grace from the Pope."

"Pope Benedict managed the Church in an unusual way, he acts as it were as a religious teacher and is not strictly oriented by the law as a judge."

The Church cannot discuss with the Society - Father Haering explained despite the current discussions:

"Otherwise the tail wags the dog."

More Anglicans Crossing the Tiber

TIM DRAKE, Register Senior Writer Monday, Jan 25, 2010 2:01 AM Comments (0)
ORLANDO, Fla. — As 2010 gets under way, many in the Church are anxious to see how last year’s apostolic constitution inviting disaffected Anglicans into the Catholic Church will play out.

While the expectation is that more significant numbers of Anglicans in Britain, Africa and India will accept the offer outlined in Anglicanorum Coetibus, observers say that the decree will impact traditional Anglicans in the United States, as well.

The Traditional Anglican Communion includes approximately 400,000 Anglicans worldwide. The American province, known as the Anglican Church in America, includes approximately 5,200 communicants in four dioceses. Over the next few months, all of the provinces will be holding synods to put forward the question of how they will be responding to the apostolic constitution.

“The expectation is that our general synod will accept the Holy Father’s offer,” said Christian Campbell, senior warden of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Orlando, Fla., and a member of the Standing Committee of the Anglican Church in America’s Diocese of the Eastern United States. “It is not so much a question of whether or not we desire to avail ourselves of the offer — inasmuch as it is a direct and generous response to our appeal to the Holy See. The question now is how the apostolic constitution is to be implemented. We have practical concerns, and we are presently working with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to resolve any outstanding questions.”

Campbell said that the first Traditional Anglican Communion provinces will be entering the Catholic Church within the next six months.

One example of a parish that stands ready to enter en masse is suburban Philadelphia’s Church of the Good Shepherd, an “Anglo-Catholic” parish.

“We’ve been praying for this daily for two years,” said Bishop David Moyer of the Traditional Anglican Communion. Moyer was one of 38 bishops in the communion who signed a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and petitioned Pope Benedict XVI in October 2007 for a way for disaffected Anglicans to be united with Rome.

“The majority of our members will be on board with this,” said Father Aaron Bayles, assistant pastor at Good Shepherd. The parish has approximately 400 members who could come into the Catholic Church.



Anglicans Who Won’t Join

Yet, many Anglicans will not be embracing the offer.

“The Episcopal Church will be only mildly impacted,” said Father Douglas Grandon, a former Anglican pastor who was ordained a Catholic priest in May 2008 and serves as associate pastor at Sacred Heart in Moline, Ill. “Most of those clergy and bishops have already left who had any Catholic sense. In the U.S., the primary ones who will consider this would be the Anglo-Catholics.”

Some Episcopal pastors and parishes upset with the direction of the national Episcopal Church (it has elected two bishops who are openly homosexual and has given the nod to blessing same-sex unions) have placed themselves under the leadership of more conservative bishops in the U.S., Africa or the Americas. For example, approximately 20 Episcopal parishes in California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas and Canada have left the Episcopal Church to join the Southern Cone of the Americas, an Anglican province in South America.

For those seeking to accept the Vatican’s offer, examples do exist of communities that have already done something similar. Since the implementation of the Pastoral Provision in 1980 — which allowed for the Catholic ordination of married Episcopal priests and authorized the establishment of personal Catholic parishes that retained certain Anglican liturgical elements — several Anglican-use communities have been created in the United States.

San Antonio’s Our Lady of the Atonement became the first to enter the Church in 1983. At the time, it consisted of 18 people. Today, the Church has more than 500 families. Three Anglican-use communities exist in Texas. In addition, since the Pastoral Provision was made available, more than 100 Anglican priests have gone through the process to become Catholic priests.

The Pastoral Provision, however, differs from the apostolic constitution.

“The story of the Pastoral Provision is that of a hard-fought battle by a few courageous pioneers,” said Campbell. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t implemented in such a way as to bring a large number of people into the Church. It was perceived as being primarily a mechanism for the reconciliation of individual Episcopal priests. By comparison, the apostolic constitution is not about reconciling individuals, but groups of Anglicans in a corporate fashion.”

h/t: Doc Frey

Socialist Witch Commands Bishops: ACORN, moveon.org (must read)

"I tell priests and bishops what to do."

M.J. Tully, Chancellor - Connects Catholics with Moveon.org and ACORN and more...


Dear Advocates for Life,

Strong words and shocking to those at a Southern Oregon meeting in Spring 2007. The actions of Mary Jo Tully have many faithful Catholics wondering what's going on. When she was hired by then Archbishop William Levada, she even helped him define her role, she is one of two women Chancellors in the U.S. Normally a Chancellor is a priest of deacon. But her words, even in jest are not appropriate.

She is in charge of many things but right now I'll concentrate on this: Ballot Measure 66 & 67.

The Archdiocese, not through the Oregon Catholic Conference, but the Office of Justice and Peace says Yes on 66 and 67. Mary Jo is in charge of the director of that office. It's not so much the yes (although I believe a NO vote is more prudent) but the alliances that were exposed in this process that are the problem. We weren't given an opportunity to express ourselves.

Connecting the Dots: TO PUT US (Western Oregon Catholics) IN THE VOTER'S GUIDE ON THE "YES" SIDE.

Attachment #1 - Mary Jo Tully's name is listed with "Defend Oregon" and "Tax Fairness Oregon", who paid $500 to be in the voter's guide since they didn't have the 1000 names to be in the "Vote Yes on 66 and 67' and therefore couldn't get in for free. Remember, non-profits won't have to be taxed, like the church.
Connecting More Dots: WHO ARE THEY, REALLY?

Tax Fairness, Defend Oregon and Our Oregon all have the same address and phone number.

Tax Fairness Oregon Mission Statement
George Soros' Moveon.org's political arm Democracy in Action..is in the web address of Tax Fairness Oregon.

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5838/t/6961/p/dia/action/public/index?action_KEY=1202&start=25

Democracy in Action Links to Pro-Aborts and Church Dissidents. Democracy In Action's mission - To "Wire the Progressive Movement." You'll see Faith in Public Life and ACORN Saul Alinsky group and Catholic Alliance a dissident group just to name two.
Now, notice how Mary Jo Tully signed the Tax Fairness "Religious Leaders" list first and then five minutes later our Archbishop did the same. A week later, Matt Cato, newly hired Office of Justice and Peace director signed a week later.

113Thu Nov 19 17:44:24 EST 2009 Matt Cato
94Thu Nov 12 20:59:47 EST 2009Most Rev. John G. Vlazny
93Thu Nov 12 20:54:42 EST 2009Chancellor Mary Jo Tully


*It is fair and just that those who continue to prosper greatly should give back a little more of their income to support the public services that have made their prosperity possible. The responsibility of the wealthy to the poor and to the common good is a principle deeply rooted in the texts and teachings of our religious traditions." Tax Fairness Oregon Statement
SO....What's going on...?

Pro-Life Action of Oregon www.prolifeactionoregon.org put in a call to the Archdiocese upon hearing that both Planned Parenthood and NARAL were urging supporters with big money to vote yes, the Archdiocesan Chancellor Mary Jo Tully replied, “That’s not a bad thing is it?”

After being asked whether the archbishop knows about Planned Parenthood and NARAL’s lobbying efforts, Chancellor Tully replied, “No, I don’t think he knows.”

See. http://prolifeactionoforegon.org/2010/01/06/planned-parenthood-leads-tax-increase-lobby/
Statements IN FAVOR in your VOTERS' PAMPHLET which you should receive in the mail:
Page 16, bottom of right column: Planned Parenthood and NARAL
Page 28, middle of right column: Ecumenical Ministries (Catholic Archdiocese is a member)
Page 73, both columns: Ecumenical Ministries and NARAL

With this action they aligned the Catholics of western Oregon with Planned Parenthood, NARAL National Abortion Rights Action League, Basic Rights Oregon (homosexual lobby) but that's not all.
Mary Jo Tully is on the Board of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. That is the biggest problem we have as Catholics in Oregon.

Western Oregon Catholics are now aligned once again, with ultra-liberal, progressive values, but now it's so obvious, it's blatant and stomach-turning. These NOT the values of the Roman Catholic Church.

So we see that January 25, 2010 the Archbishop endorses Measure 66 & 67.

We pray that Mary Jo Tully can get some new friends and not be so outspoken about her role. It is very unnerving that not ONE of the churches we associate with are pro-life , REAL pro-life protecting unborn white babies, brown babies, black babies, every baby.

It's just not a priority, no matter what the Archbishop says.

God Bless you and yours,
Carolyn

"In accord with the knowledge, competence and preeminence which they possess, they (laity) have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard for the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons." (Canon 212, P3)


www.vocalnews.org
VOCAL
Voice of Catholics Advocating Life
PO Box 458
Sublimity, OR 97385
503-769-4767
Member of the Catholic Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the World". www.catholicmediacoalition.org
and Reform Catholic Campaign for Human Development Now www.reformcchdnow.com



Here's Mary Jo (the one with the pantsuit and the orange hair) with her friends at the Oregon Catholic Press: where the gay Dan Schutte practices his craft, or here, or you can hear a gay-friendly tune by Michael Joncas, here, or hear the relaxing tones of the mostly gay St. Louis Jesuits, here

Your pastor shouldn't have this crap in the pews on Sunday, your parish shouldn't have to support Mary Jo and it shouldn't support OCP either. h/t: Gabriel

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Oregon Province Sex-Abuse Claims Reach 500.

Atheists Hate Mother Teresa

Sometimes, intemperate and spiteful criticism of someone you're lukewarm about inspires you to defend them to the death.

Say she's not worthy of memorial stamp
By Bob Unruh
© 2010 WorldNetDaily

A prominent atheist organization in America is attacking Mother Teresa as unworthy of being honored with a memorial stamp, as the U.S. Postal Service has announced.

In fact, the Freedom From Religion Foundation is advocating that its constituents "vote with your pocketbook, and boycott these stamps."

The group also suggests, "If this choice of a polarizing Roman Catholic figurehead or the Post Office's flagrant violation of its own policy distresses you, let the Post Office know (by mail or e-mail) … Or make this the subject of an educational letter to the editor, or simply use this opportunity to enlighten friends and colleagues about the darker side of Mother Teresa's religious activism."

The Pacific Justice Institute, which engages in battles regularly on behalf of civil rights and the nation's Christian heritage, immediately launched its own campaign urging support for the stamp.

"We didn't want theirs to be the only letters," Matthew McReynolds, the organization's associate counsel, told WND.

Read further...

You're Fired! Local pastor tells his sheep to take a hike.

Pax writes:

My good friend, Father Sanvido, had some parishioners yelling at him after Mass because he told them in his homily that they could not be both Catholic and pro-choice. So, he said to them: "You're fired! Get out of my church and don't come back until you are ready to ask for absolution." They wrote to Bishop Tonnos (Diocese of Hamilton) who stood behind Father Sanvido.

Way to go, Father!

Pascendi's forum...

Radio Maria: P. Nuara is Assigned to Ecclesia Dei -- Prof de Mattei takes over Broadcast-- And FSSP Priest from Portugal Joins Him

(Erba) In the last week at Radio Maria in Italian, the mother station of the world family of Radio Maria, Vicnezo Nuara OP will broadcast for the last time. The Dominican made known his appointment to Ecclesia Dei which is now assigned to the CDF, at the end of the broadcast.

P. Nuara has headed up for the past 10 years a monthly show at Radio Maria. In the beginning he was concerned above all with the subject of Sects and "New Religions". Step by step, in the course of an general change in climate, he began to tackle more delicate subjects, like the question of "subsisit in", the authority of the Second Vatican Council and finally the traditional Liturgy of the Catholic Church. In the past few years toward the end, he celebrated at Radio Maria the first Holy Mass in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite for the first time. [sic]

Prof. Roberto de Mattei will take up his position in February. Mattei is the full Professor for Modern History at the University of Cassino and directs the Historical Seminar at the Europa-University in Rome. He is the deputy Dean of the Italian Government appointed National Advisory Board for Science, writer for newspaper Radici Cristiane and even a friend of Catholic Tradition.

Radio Horeb is heard in German speaking areas, Radio Maria Österreich and Radio Maria Südtirol of the World Family of Radio Maria. They may be heard over Shortwave, Satellite, Cable, and Internet.


English speakers can hear Radio Maria in Canada, or here.
Radio Maria/GN)

Father Nuar OP, is joined also in the Ecclesia Dei Commission, by the Portuguese Allmiro de Andrade of the Priestly Fraterny of St. Peter. He will be the first member of ED who actually belongs to a Society of Tradition and is at the same time a full member of the Commission.

The Internet Site "Messe in latino" calls this move an "extraordinary step" in the direction to "strengthen the Commission" for the effective implementation of the Motu Proprio.

Equality Bill Struck Down in House of Lords

In what would have spelled greater persecution for Catholic priests and bishops, the Equality Bill was struck down by the House of Lords today. It isn't a victory for Religious Liberty, as if that were a laudable thing, but it is a temporary reprieve. Anyhow, Catholic Culture calls this a victory for religious liberty, but we'd like to hear them make a distinction between the liberty and exultation of our Mother the Church and false principle of "religious liberty".

Catholic Culture article...

Gay Retreat Director is Cafeteria Catholic

Remember our New Year's book list from a while back, given by Father Bob Schwarz at Our Lady of Grace? Well, one of the featured authors is giving a retreat at Miami Archdicoese's St. Thomas University.

January 25, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Miami Archdiocese’s St. Thomas University is once again sponsoring spiritual exercises by a gay-activist priest, who is known for encouraging his followers to immerse themselves in pagan rituals.

Fr. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan, is scheduled to deliver a “Scripture and Spirituality” reflection at the university’s Chapel of St Anthony. The evening of reflection is noted approvingly in the Archdiocese’s latest “pastoral bulletin,” dated January 15.

Fr. Rohr is known for his dissent from the teachings of the church, despite his being a Franciscan monk.

He is on record admitting that he does not adhere to Catholic teaching on contraception, the ordination of women to the priesthood, and homosexuality. In answer to one question about homosexuality, Fr. Rohr answered, “I think God would ask of the homosexual relationship exactly what God asks of the heterosexual relationship: truth, faithfulness, long-suffering, and the continuing forgiveness of the other.”

Additionally, Fr. Rohr has faced criticism due to his advocacy of radical feminist critique of Judeo-Christian “patriarchy” (including the Bible’s references to God in masculine terms), as well as his encouragement of the use of various pagan rituals in devotions he leads (e.g., the enneagram). He is also known for conducting spiritual retreats where men practice ritual nudism.

Fr. Richard Rohr serves as director for the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC), which he founded in 1987. The Center serves as a hotbed for radical Christian dissent. It is a frequent sponsor and constituent of “Call to Action,” an umbrella sect known for its “pseudo-Catholicism.” In 1997, CAC endorsed the 4th National Symposium on “A National Dialogue on Lesbian/Gay Issues and Catholicism,” sponsored by New Ways Ministry.

Both the University and the Archdiocese declined to comment when contacted by LifeSiteNews.com (LSN).

This is not the first time the Miami Archdiocese has hosted and promoted Fr. Rohr’s ministrations. In June 2006, another of the Archdiocese’s “pastoral bulletins” advertised that Fr. Rohr would be the keynote speaker at a convocation of Catholic preachers.

As LSN has documented previously, the Miami Archdiocese is not new to sponsoring such events. In February 2009, the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus held their season premier concert at a Miami Beach Catholic church. Earlier that same month, Saint Thomas University's School of Theology Ministry featured a guest-lecture by "ecospiritualist" Sr. Miriam Therese MacGillis, a Dominican nun who promotes goddess-worship. In 2007, LSN reported Barry University's granting a theology award to another notorious goddess-worshipping feminist Dominican nun, Sr. Elizabeth Johnson.

Two of the Archdiocese's parishes, Saint Anthony and Saint Maurice, are listed as "Gay-Friendly" in a directory published by the Conference of Catholic Lesbians. Both of the Archdiocese’s universities, Barry and St Thomas are also categorized as "Gay-Friendly" by the Conference.

English and Welsh bishops discuss local issues with Pope Benedict :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

English and Welsh bishops discuss local issues with Pope Benedict :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Catholic Bishops are curious about the problem they face with vocations:

The British Catholic Herald also reported Bishop John Rawsthorne of Hallam as saying that "a shortage of priests would be a key issue during the visit" and expressing his wish to consult with the Pope on the matter, considering that many priests in his diocese will be retiring in the next decade.

Bishop Rawsthorne added that other issues on the agenda for the visit would be the new provision for Anglican communion, tackling the issue of legally-assisted suicide, addressing second marriages among Catholics and adjusting to the impact of immigration on the Catholic Church of England.

Perhaps they should be taking notes from this man in Belgium?

Archbishop Nichols is upbeat, however, and had a lot of positive things. Seems like there's a million more Catholics in UK than previously believed; windfall.

Churchmouse talks about the Tabeltistas [Postmodern Catholics who read the leftist and ever-erroneous Tablet] and complains that since they've had a lock on education, have muted Liverpool Catholics from having a true appreciation of the Mass, and therefore, almost no desire to have a Traditional Latin Mass. Perhaps they would want it if they knew it existed and understood some theology?

Illinois Priest Arrested for Shoplifting

A Roman Catholic priest in West City of southern Illinois needs to read his commandments again.

Rev. Steven Poole was arrested on charges of theft Friday.

We're not Biblical scholars, but we're pretty sure there's a clear policy about stealing in his line of work.

Police arrested the 41-year-old priest at a Walmart, saying he had shoplifted butter and a sofa cover.

[chop]

Village police arrested Poole and charged him with two felony counts of theft.

Link to original...

Mgr Andrew Faley, helpful as ever, says Pope's offer is not an 'escape hatch' for opponents of women priests

Mgr Andrew Faley, helpful as ever, says Pope's offer is not an 'escape hatch' for opponents of women priests

Vietnam and Vatican discuss Diplomatic Ties

(February 20, 2009) The Holy See and Vietnam have laid a “good basis” for establishing diplomatic relations during annual meetings this week, although no target has been set, a Vatican envoy said on Thursday. The meeting was held in a “very frank and open atmosphere,” Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the Vatican under-secretary for Relation with States told reporters after meeting with Nguyen The Doanh, head of Vietnam's religious affairs commission. Tensions have existed between the Vietnamese government and religious organizations for years. Communist authorities closely monitor religious groups and insist on approving most church appointments. But recently, relations between Hanoi and the Holy See have begun to thaw. Talks between the government and Vatican have been held since 1990, but the latest round marked the first meeting of a working group studying the renewal of diplomatic ties. “We have already set up good basis for further progress,” Msgr. Parolin said, adding that it was impossible to say how long the process would take. “The outcome will be diplomatic relations,” he added. He also told reporters he hoped the Pope might come to Vietnam this year, although no plans had been made for a visit. The working group held its first sessions on Monday and Tuesday, when Msgr. Parolin met Vice Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Cuong. Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung said this week's meeting was an “important step” in the development of relations between Vietnam and the Vatican. Msgr. Parolin's delegation is scheduled to visit two dioceses in northern Vietnam later this week before returning to Rome on Sunday. Vietnam has one of Asia's largest Catholic populations, with more than 6 million followers.


Link to original...


Link to related story about Vietnamese government oppressing Catholics, as usual.

Orthodox and Catholic Agreements on Papal Primacy

Apparently we weren't supposed to see this yet, but I'm glad we are, especially since it's proving that we were right all along.

The Role of the Bishop of Rome in the Communion of the Church in the First Millennium

Joint Coordinating Committee for the Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church

Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece, September 27 - October 4, 2008



Introduction

1. In the Ravenna document, "The Ecclesiological and Canonical Consequences of the Sacramental Nature of the Church – Ecclesial Communion, Conciliarity and Authority", Catholics and Orthodox acknowledge the inseparable link between conciliarity and primacy at all levels of the life of the Church: "Primacy and conciliarity are mutually interdependent. That is why primacy at the different levels of the life of the Church, local, regional and universal, must always be considered in the context of conciliarity, and conciliarity likewise in the context of primacy" (Ravenna document, n. 43). They also agree that "in the canonical order (taxis) witnessed by the ancient Church", which was "recognised by all in the era of the undivided Church", "Rome, as the Church that “presides in love” according to the phrase of St Ignatius of Antioch, occupied the first place in the taxis, and that the bishop of Rome was therefore the protos among the patriarchs' (nn. 40, 41). The document refers to the active role and prerogatives of the bishop of Rome as "protos among the patriarchs', "protos of the bishops of the major Sees' (nn. 41, 42, 44), and it concludes that "the role of the bishop of Rome in the communion of all the Churches' must be 'studied in greater depth". "What is the specific function of the bishop of the “first see” in an ecclesiology of koinonia?" (n. 45)

Read further...

Fr. James Martin does Liturgy

The author doesn't even believe in scriptural inerrancy, so we don't know why he wants to talk about liturgy. Perhaps he's like the stereotypical white make who comes home from a hard day's work and wants to kick the dog?

America Magazine

James Martin "SJ"

This comes from CathNews, the Australian Catholic news website. The text is from a link to the Broken Bay Institute-University of Newcastle's new program in liturgical studies. Strong words, indeed.

World-renowned expert in liturgical inculturation, Fr. Anscar Chupungco OSB, challenged recent announcements on liturgical reform decrying their “absence of a historical and cultural approach to the liturgy, or, in a word, the inability to fuse together the two basic concepts of Vatican II’s liturgical renewal, namely sound tradition and legitimate progress.” He noted that recent statements coming from no less than the papal master of ceremonies, Msgr Guido Marini, which called for a reform of Vatican II’s reform were part of an agenda to turn the clock back 50 years, that “seems to conveniently forget that since Vatican II, the Church has been marching with the times, acknowledging the changes in social and religious culture, and adopting new pastoral strategies.”

Fr Chupungco received a standing ovation for his paper, “Liturgical Studies and Liturgical Renewal” that was delivered at the launch of The Broken Bay Institute-University of Newcastle’s programs of Liturgical Studies (Graduate Certificate in Theology – Liturgical Studies and Master of Theology – Liturgical Studies). Fr Chupungco, a scholar whose expertise in liturgical inculturation has placed him in a critical staging area for the Church, is the first Filipino on the Pontifical Institute’s faculty, serving as the Institute’s President for 12 of his 23 years in Rome.

Fr Chupungco noted that students of liturgy should be aware of recent developments, including recent Roman documents “that are becoming increasingly perplexing.” Fr Chupungco noted that the good “student of liturgy should know how to critique historical development in the light of Vatican II’s liturgical principles, like the central place of the paschal mystery, the place of God’s word, active participation with all that this implies (vernacular, congregational singing, lay ministry), and the ecclesial dimension of the sacrament and sacramentals. These constitute the guiding principles to decide whether things are liturgically acceptable or not.” Fr Chupungco urged students to become “equipped with a critical mind that allows them to weigh the value of new norms and directives, though always in the spirit of ecclesial obedience.”

Fr Chupungco concluded: “The long and short of it is that liturgical reform requires serious academic work, not mere romantic attachments to the past that close the eyes to the reality of the present time. The drive for legitimate progress makes us run towards the realisation of Vatican II’s liturgical reform, but we should not run as if we did not carry on our shoulders the weight, both heavy and precious, of sound tradition.”

The launch which was held on January 21 at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney, marked a significant step in the growth of The Broken Bay Institute. BBI’s Director, Dr Gerard Goldman, expressed the hope that current and new students wishing to embark on a journey of theological studies would find both courses of immeasurable value. Dr Goldman referred to Sacramentum Caritatis (#35) in which Pope Benedict XVI highlighted, “The liturgy is a radiant expression of the paschal mystery in which Christ draws us to himself and calls us to communion . . . [in a] concrete way in which the truth of God’s love in Christ encounters us, attracts us and delights us, enabling us to emerge from ourselves and drawing us towards our true vocation, which is love.”

Fr John Frauenfelder, BBI’s Academic Dean and Head of Liturgical Studies, noted the courses, “offer a unique opportunity within the Australian Church context for formal study in, and pastoral response to liturgy in its historical, theological, ecclesial, scriptural and pastoral sources.” “Liturgy is about searching out the mystery of God expressed in fragile human terms and actions, and attempting to give expression to the Real Presence. It is the life of the church from which the belief of the church arises – touch liturgy, and one touches all theology,” said Fr Frauenfelder.

Fr David Orr OSB, commenting on behalf of the National Liturgical Commission, welcomed this new offering from BBI-University of Newcastle for the Church: “Without tertiary study of liturgy we run the risk of losing the guidance of the liturgical heritage which forms the celebration of the Liturgy of the Church.”

Link to original...

Rotary -- Its Masonic Intent and Origins

MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS HIDE UNDER MANY NAMES

(Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Ruritans, Eastern Star, Woodmen, Merry Pranksters, Shriners, B'nai B'rith, Hellfire Club, Oddfellows, Job's Daughters, Rainbow Girls, to name a few)


CHESTERON CONDEMNS THE ROTARY

G.K. Chesterton who was often a vocal critic of Rotary, was a Catholic convert. and his adherence to the sectarian line may have coloured his views.

Link to site...

Polish Bishop Accuses Jews of Using Holocaust as Propaganda

[Haeretz] A leading Polish Catholic bishop caused a stir on Monday when he was quoted as saying that Jews had "expropriated" the Holocaust as a "propaganda weapon".

The comments by Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek, a former head of the Polish bishops' conference, prompted concern among Jewish leaders in both Poland and Italy after they were published on the conservative Italian Catholic website www.pontifex.roma.

Pieronek later went on Polish television to say his comments had been manipulated and he denied one phrase in which he was quoted as saying "the Holocaust as such is a Jewish invention".

He also said that he did not "authorise" the publication of the interview, which was still on the website on Monday evening.

"It is undeniable that the greatest number of dead in concentration camps were Jews but there are also Polish gypsies, Italians and Catholics on the list," he was quoted as saying.


Link to original...

Pope Condemns Indifferentism

ROME -- Pope Benedict XVI says the world is marked by religious indifference and a "growing aversion" to Christianity.

The pontiff also is urging Christians to overcome their differences through dialogue so that they can unite their efforts to influence debates in society on ethical issues such as abortion, euthanasia and the limits of science and technology.

Benedict spoke as he was leading a Vespers service Monday evening in Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The occasion drew to a close a week that the Vatican each year dedicates to prayers for Christian unity.

He decried what he called religious indifference and even "growing aversion" to the Christian faith.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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A Leg in the Ground

Once again, a diocese has embarrassed a beautiful Baroque altar. Of course, the protests of the faithful have gained no traction in the media.

(kreuz.net, Röhrmoos) On January 18th, the Auxiliary Bishop of Munich, Bernhard Haßlberger consecrated a bar table as the "people's altar of the New Faith" in the parish church of Röhrmoss.

From the Bavarian newspaper, 'Münchner Merkur'.

Röhrmoos is a town of 6,300 citizens, located twenty miles north of Munich.

The "bar altar" has one leg and is shaped like what one finds in bars in railway station lobbies.

The bishop consecrated the thing following the arrival of ten acolytes from the Munich seminary.

The website for the Seminary of Munich and Freising published pictures of the occasion.

The one-legged bar table was hammered in directly to the floor, in front of the baroque high altar.

His consecration and the blessing of the table-like lectern were the damning conclusion of a church renovation.

Msgr Haßlberger described the lectern and altar as the two most important places in the church.

In reality, the lectern is a late invention of the 1970s.

Why the Bishop did not mention the tabernacle remains a secret.

He praised the insidious and obtrusive bar table as "subtle and unobtrusive."

The pastor of Röhrmoos, Monsignor Michael Bartmann, praised the recent buffoonery in the Archdiocese of Munich, according to the 'Münchner Merkur'.

He claimed that with the one-legged table there is "more room" for the liturgy, even though the distances are the same as with the previous altar.

By removing the previous table, the Baroque altar is supposedly at a "better advantage." But this would have been achieved better, cheaper, and liturgically correct to have just not even put in the "bar table".

Monsignor Bartmann had to admit that the faithful protested the construction of the table.

As expected, the 'Münchner Merkur' hides this story under the table.

The priest thanked the Archbishop's financial appeal, which collected the bulk of the renovation costs of 40,000 euros.

Opus Dei Saying the Immemorial Mass

Opus Dei will be saying the Immemorial Mass of All Ages at its college, Santa Croce in Rome now, according to Rorate Caeli.

In Russia the Path to Unity is Defrosting

Anyone who knows us and has been following us knows that we've been predicting this for some time.

Neville Kyrke-Smith has visited Eastern Europe for the past 25 years. Now, he believes the end of the schism with the Orthodox is in sight

"The Lefebvrists, the Anglicans... will it be the Orthodox next?" asked one slightly bewildered Catholic priest recently. Pope Benedict XVI is turning out to be ecumenically audacious. For this he has faced criticism, misunderstanding and accusations of insensitivity. But Pope Benedict and Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church seem now to be making progress in preparing the ground to overcome the Great Schism of 1054.

When I was in Russia late last year the Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, commented on the imperative aim of both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI to build "a dialogue of truth and charity" with the Orthodox. He emphasised how vital this was and thanked Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) for its work in supporting Catholic, Orthodox and ecumenical projects in Russia:

"We have to encourage the Catholic community to show solidarity to the Orthodox. The initiative of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI is so important. Thank you for all that the charity does for the Church and for building relations with the Orthodox, in line with the will of the Holy Father... and Our Lord!"

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The Anglo-Catholic Myth

In his recent article criticising my letter on the Anglican patrimony Anthony Reader-Moore makes the typical arguments that have marked those who adhere to the claims of Anglo-Catholicism. The claim that Anglo-Catholicism is the genuine tradition of Anglicanism, and that for over 400 years it has preserved a genuinely English variety of Catholicism, is an unsustainable assertion. It is simply not true. I will attempt show that it has no real continuity with the pre-Reformation Church or even the high Church tradition that emerged in the Protestant Church of England in the centuries after the Cranmerian reform.

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Holy Father praises model provided by newly beatified Spaniard :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Holy Father praises model provided by newly beatified Spaniard :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Martin Luther King Jr. honored by Catholic Charities, archdioceses :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Martin Luther King Jr. honored by Catholic Charities, archdioceses :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Not only slavishly hurrying to honor a man known as Martin Luther Communist by "black" journalist George Schuyler, Catholic Charities is attempting to shore up an shameless and illegitimate organization whose fate it no doubt will share when enough people finally wake up to the gross corruption and misrepresentation they do.

Communist Tim Robbins at St. John's Abbey

St. Cloud Times


College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University Fine Arts Programming is using the upcoming theater production of “The Trial of the Catonsville Nine” as an opportunity to reflect on a historic event that has close ties to the community.

“The Trial of the Catonsville Nine” follows the 1968 trial of two Catholic priests and seven fellow Catholic activists who committed an act of civil disobedience in protest of the war in Vietnam. The act galvanized the national protest movement.

The trial has close ties to the university through religion, and the Central Minnesota area has close ties to the trial through former St. Cloud resident George Mische, who was one of the nine and later a St. Cloud City Council member.

“Clearly the trial was born out of an anti-war statement and movement, but I think it’s too simple just to look at one side,” said Brian Jose, executive director of Fine Arts Programming. “I really want people to understand what was going on at the time.”

The Actors’ Gang, a Los Angeles-based theater company run by actor Tim Robbins, will perform “The Trial of the Catonsville Nine” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater at St. John’s University, Collegeville.

For the week leading up to the production, Fine Arts Programming has organized a series of events and discussions to give students and community members a sense of what it was like to be on campus during the Vietnam War.

Benedict XVI remembers life of St. Francis de Sales :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Benedict XVI remembers life of St. Francis de Sales :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

The Best Mind of the 18th Century

January 24, 2010

The Best Mind of the 18th Century
by Benjamin D. Wiker
1/23/10
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God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
Christopher Hitchens, Twelve Books, 307 pages, $24.99

One is tempted to quip that Christopher Hitchens is certainly one of the best minds of the 18th century, but that would be to give Hitchens too much credit as an equal to Voltaire in wit. He is not, and his God Is Not Great presents little of substance beyond what one would hear murmured in Enlightenment salons. Even more irritating, the style rarely rises above naughty school-boy sniggering. (One imagines him as a young boy penciling in a mustache on the Madonna in the town crèche at Christmas, much to the delight of his fellow rogues hidden in the bushes.)

Perhaps I am not being fair, or more likely, I have best-seller-atheist-book fatigue after reviewing Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins, and finding in Hitchens nothing new and a lot more of it. Given the tedious similarity of Harris's Letter to a Christian Nation, Dawkins's The God Delusion, and Hitchens's God Is Not Great, I'm beginning to think the triumvirate hatched its literary blitz after a club meeting and all used the same outline.

Well, weary or not, here we go. The most significant problem with Hitchens's argument is precisely that it does belong in the 18th century, that is, in a time when it was still possible to declaim upon How Religion Poisons Everything (the subtitle of Hitchens's book). In those heady days of overt deism and covert atheism, enemies of religion could gather together, exchange stories of religious hypocrisy and savagery, and imagine that once the poisoned barbs of Christianity were removed from innocent human flesh, and priests and kings were suitably strung up by each other's entrails, the world would breathe a long and peaceful sigh of relief.

That was before the French Revolution, before Stalin, before Hitler, before Mao, before Pol Pot; in short, before any actual attempt to politically eliminate either Christianity in particular or all religion in general, and set up a regime based entirely on secular foundations. Before it was ever tried in earnest, the intellectual atheist could wade through many a hypothetical reverie of the innocent and Edenic future of practical atheism.

That is the whole problem with Hitchens's book: He still thinks he has that enviable luxury. His finale -- a mere seven pages long -- is titled "The Need for a New Enlightenment," as if it hadn't been tried already and found woefully wanting. The ending appeal -- to "undreamed-of vistas inside our own evolving cortex," the "proper study of mankind" being "man, and woman," the idyllic "study of literature and poetry," "unfettered scientific inquiry," and certainly most of all, the long-awaited "divorce between the sexual life and fear, and the sexual life and disease, and the sexual life and tyranny" -- is so drippingly theatrical and naïve that the reader becomes embarrassed on Hitchens's behalf.

Of course, Hitchens realizes that his anti-religion must answer the obvious objection: "Is it not true that secular and atheist regimes have committed crimes and massacres that are, in the scale of things, at least as bad if not worse?" His mode of defense consists in (1) avoiding the issue by continuing to talk about all the bad things done in the name of religion or by anyone with a religious name; (2) admitting that some bad things were done by allegedly atheist regimes, but that when, say, communists were slaughtering people by the millions they were actually acting out of an as-yet-not-exorcised spirit of religion; (3) hinting that this spirit might be stitched into our genes by evolution, so that our genes unhappily deflect atheism from achieving its glorious potentialities; (4) deflecting consideration of Hitler by finger-pointing at popes and cardinals who allegedly supported Hitler; and (5) sidestepping the wickedness of Stalin by examining the banalities of his attempts to parrot religious ceremonies. All that allows Hitchens to say -- with an entirely straight face, as far as I can tell -- that "totalitarian systems, whatever outward form they may take, are fundamentalist and, as we would now say, 'faith-based.'"

Really? What if I cleverly disowned all the wickedness done in the name of Christianity by saying that all the evil perpetrated by so-called religious people was actually done out of a spirit of rebellion against God, and therefore true Christians are entirely innocent of any crimes?

That would not only be disingenuous, but unmanly. If I am to be a Christian, I must swallow hard, and look with a clear and humble eye at the sins of Christians, my own first and foremost. If Hitchens really wants to be an atheist, he should have girded his loins before taking up his pen, and taken a good, long, hard, sobering, honest look at the blood and darkness of the 20th century, almost all of it done in the name of unbelief.

If he had, he would have to conclude that it is not religion that poisons everything, but human beings that poison everything, including religion and atheism. They also poison garden clubs, baseball teams, industrial corporations, moose lodges, academic departments, and charitable trusts. In short, wherever one finds humanity, one also finds inhumanity. But that is a point for Christianity -- indeed, a point of doctrine. The doctrine of original sin, noted Chesterton, "is the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved."

For both believers and unbelievers, it is a sobering thought that the same kind of hypocrisy, cruelty, sloth, cowardice, pride, short-sightedness, shallowness, injustice, and greed is found among believers and unbelievers. The error of Hitchens is to assume that because he finds all these vices among believers, it is belief that causes vice -- even among unbelievers.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benjamin D. Wiker is a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute and the author of the new book, The Darwin Myth: The Life and Lies of Charles Darwin (Regnery, 2009). This review originally appeared on September 20, 2007.

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Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward - Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward - Catholic Online

Ed Burke wrote:

What if the Catholic Church made the issues they have with Israel as well publicized, and supported as we do for abortion issues. The Israeli 'Lobby' in Washington, D.C. works 'hammer & tongs' at promoting their agenda. maybe it's time Catholics had a national agenda for dealing with the obstinate Israeli government. After all our National aid comes out of a lot of catholic taxpayers, we have every right to expect quid pro quo from Israel.

Arabic Masses at the "Bocca della Verita" (Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin)

A first for Rome will be the Sacrifice of the Mass in Arabic only, in the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

Rome (kath.net / CBA) On January 28th, 2010, at the old Roman church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin the Sacrifice of the Mass will be celebrated in Arabic. The initiative comes from the Greek Melkite community, which has been based in the church for 40 years, where the famed "Bocca della Verita" is located.

The community said they wanted to offer a Divine Liturgy for the Arabic speaking Catholics in the Italian capital, as well as for other people that might be interested, in an interview with Catholic News Agency last Thursday.

The Syrian clergy of Mtanious Haddad, Procurator in Italy for the Melkite Patriarch Gregoire III Laham, celebrate the Divine Liturgy according to the Byzantine Rite in Italy. So far, there have been liturgies in multiple languages - Greek, Italian, and Arabic. Celebrations only in Arabic, however, are a first for Rome.

(C) 2010 KNA Katholische Nachrichten-Agentur GmbH. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

The One Year Anniversary of the Lifting of the Excommunications on the Four Bishops of the SSPX

It's been a great year and we've been astounded and shocked by the many things that Holy Father has done, even beyond many of our wildest expectations. We echo the sentiments of District Superior of the SSPX, Father Schidberger by saying, "Thank you, Holy Father, thank you."

Even Father Z. has taken it upon himself to say nice things about the SSPX this year; thanks in part to us.

‘Grow in holiness,’ Pope tells assembly of bishops - Nation - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

‘Grow in holiness,’ Pope tells assembly of bishops - Nation - GMANews.TV - Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs - Latest Philippine News

Cardinal Schönborn attacks Father Gerhard Wagner

Kreuz.net, an internet periodical that reports on Austrian news continues to engage kath.net, a conservative periodical favorable to Medjugorje, for their interview with Cardinal Schönborn on his birthday.

While Cardinal Schönborn allows and participates in Discomasses in Vienna, featuring crispy pancake "hosts", and soft pedals his embarrassing media-fiasco in Medjugorje, he attacks without naming, the rejected Auxiliary Bishop of Linz, Father Wagner, whom he blames for the massive exodus of Catholics from the Church along with Bishop Williamson and the economy. (It's the economy stupid)

The Cardinal mentioned "ideological" conflicts about Episcopal appointments as well: "If someone has the reputation of being conservative, one can be fairly certain that there will be a media protest."

It is also, however, "often the person himself" -- the Cardinal renews his attack on Father Wagner.

"One can and should not avoid all conflicts, but some conflicts require firstly, that we question them. But here we must look to the individual case."

As Kreuz opines here, "Perhaps it's better to anger stupid Neo-conservatives who are powerless than to anger the "Old Liberals", who possess the amassed power of the world media establishment."

Kreuz mentions that there will be two Disco "Masses" this Sunday in Vienna with the theme, "chase out the gray".

Why the Weak were Corrupted and the Good Were Cast Out

The following article by Matt C. Abbott of "Renew America" highlights a chapter in a book that starkly illustrates a major component in the disintegration of Catholicism in America. In light of what has happened throughout the Catholic Church in the last half-century, almost nothing is so instructive as the unlawful and heretical intrusion of modern psychology, which often helped to encourage the feeble minded, the credulous, vulnerable and the malevolent among religious to abandon Church teachings on sexuality in favor of sexual liberation. The result was catastrophic for the Catholic Church, and the children who'd been put in its care. The prayerful atmosphere of religious houses suddenly turned noxious to those who did not embrace the new modes of self-expression so that most who did not collaborate with this new and vile spirit were thrown out into the street.

It's for this reason why we think that Women Religious are so reluctant to participate sincerely with a spirit of obedience in the visitation now investigating them. In this case, the patient does not want to be cured and is even adverse to holy things. Not only will not sound doctrine be tolerated in many Catholic religious communities in the United States, but Catholic sacramentals as well. Enter any so-called Catholic religious order's church and you will be hard pressed to find any visible Catholic sacramental presence.

By Matt C. Abbott

The following is a lengthy excerpt from the book Sacrilege: Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church, authored by Leon J. Podles, Ph.D. Many thanks to Mr. Podles and Charles Eby of the Crossland Foundation for allowing me to reprint this material. (Caution: contains disturbing descriptions.)

Read the entire article...

h/t: Sir Wolfram

America Magazine Encourages Delinquency in US Women Religious

Like chronic alcoholics who've been confronted with a sudden dose of reality, America's religious are expected to submit to some questionnaires designed to address the extent and seriousness of their dysfunctional behaviors. Unfortunately, American Religious have bad friends like America Magazine who encourage them to continue merrily down the road of destruction.

Mother Mary Clare Millea, superior general of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and charged by the Vatican with directing a three-year study of U.S. women religious congregations, has sent letters to religious leaders asking once again for their full cooperation in filling out questionnaires, which are part of the process.

The questionnaires, sent last year to the heads of some 325 religious communities, were to have been returned by Nov. 20. A substantial number of the religious communities -- some women religious leaders saying the "vast majority" of the communities -- refused to comply with an initial Millea request to fill out all the questions on the questionnaire and instead filled out only some or none. A number of religious communities chose, instead, to return to Millea their order's Vatican approved constitutions.

Link to America...

Portugues Bishops' Spokesman says, "Same-sex marriage far from becoming law"

Portuguese bishops' spokesman: Same-sex marriage far from becoming law

TORONTO (CNS) -- Portuguese legislation that would allow gay couples to marry is still far from becoming the law of the land, said a spokesman for the Portuguese bishops' conference. The legislation "still has to be signed by the president, and also there is a question about it being unconstitutional," the spokesman, Father Manuel Morujao, told CNS in a telephone interview in mid-January. Whether Portugal's constitution allows a change in the definition of marriage is the current debate that President Anibal Cavaco Silva has been avoiding, said Father Morujao. Silva was quoted in the Portuguese press saying that he was unable to "say even one word" about the issue, pointing out that constitutional law is not the president's competency. Father Morujao said the nation's bishops had urged a referendum on gay marriage, and he said the issue has the potential to fracture Portuguese society. Canada, South Africa, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden already have same-sex marriage.

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Calgary Church Loses Charitable Status-- Against Homosexuality

CALGARY, Alberta, January 21, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has revoked the charitable status of Kings Glory Fellowship (KGF), a Christian church in Calgary. CRA cites a number of issues with KGF's application, but the decision is based, in part, on the ground that certain KGF Board members have spoken out strongly against abortion, and other moral issues.

"The members of the Board of Directors espouse strong negative views about sensitive and controversial issues, which may also be viewed as political, such as abortion, homosexuality, divorce, etc.,” wrote CRA agent Dian Prodanov in an October 29th letter.

Read on the rest of the article on Lifesite...

UK Bishops say Equality Bill still a threat

Guardian

The bishops have rejected Government concessions designed to allay fears over a Bill they say could force the churches to accept women, sexually active gays, and transsexuals into the priesthood.

Ministers refused repeated requests by the Catholic and Anglican bishops over a period of months to consider an amendment to the Equality Bill that would have been acceptable to them.

But they have decided to act in the face of a protracted battle in the Lords that could result in the Bill falling as it runs out of time. They have tabled an amendment designed to reassure the churches that the Bill does not represent a threat.

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St. John's Abbey and Planned Parenthood: Partners in Education

A home of peacenik activists, homosexual didacts, religious indifferentists and the most pernicious falsehoods of the modern age, this modernist Monastery, once one of the world's largest, shows its commitment to the spirit of the age by hosting Planned Parenthood to delude their students further than they already are. Actually, a quick poll would reveal that very few of the matriculants of this school are encumbered with the Catholic Faith, given that they hire actively homosexual faculty members and promote homosexuality, is it any wonder that it is by design that this is the case?

It's nice that even the Neo-cons at Catholic Culture are starting to take notice. It might suprise them that Father Marx and the Abbey's relationship wasn't a friendly one at a certain time:

In 1972-- nine years before he founded Human Life International-- Father Paul Marx founded the Human Life Center at St. John’s University in Minnesota. Last year, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University hosted “representatives from the Planned Parenthood clinic” to “discuss their HIV and STI [sexually-transmitted infection] services. They will also talk about high risk behavior, the testing process, and confidentiality.”

The event was sponsored by the schools’ Global AIDS Awareness Organization.

Founded in 1913 and 1857, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have 2,110 students (all undergraduates) and 2,063 students (1,938 undergraduate) respectively. [They also have a College Preparatory Highschool]

Link to original at Catholic Culture...

Yankee Bishop confused about the South

Someone needs to educate Bishop Taylor on the real history of Martin Luther King and the South. The War of Northern Aggression was not about slavery, which was on the way out, it was about States' Rights. I can't imagine how anyone could be so culturally insensitive to people who didn't grow up Yankee. Here is the pro-life talk he gave this week.

Here is a story which might help illuminate how Catholic Priests could resonate with the prevailing culture south of the Mason Dixon Line. It's the story of Father Bliemel, a German priest of Annunciation Parish in Nashville Tennessee, who ministered to the Conderate troops, indeed, ministered to both sides, during the war but was still a loyal son of the Confederacy. (it's in pdf)

By Bishop Anthony B. Taylor

Can you imagine my astonishment upon learning that here in Arkansas we celebrate Robert E. Lee's birthday this weekend, in addition to that of Dr. Martin Luther King's? Why in the world would we ever want to do that? Can you imagine how many lives were lost because he took up arms against the United States in a Civil War on the side of those who sought to keep millions of people in bondage?


Part of Dr. King's true greatness lies in the fact that he used non-violent means to confront the very evils that General Lee had fought so hard to preserve! His only weapons were faith, hope and love -- in the form of marches, boycotts, civil disobedience and eloquent speeches. General Lee may have had many good qualities and can only be judged in the context of the world he lived in, but the bottom line is that his efforts served to promote the culture of death while Dr. King promoted the culture of life -- which is what we are gathered here to do today, especially regarding the evil of abortion which was still illegal when I was in high school and so that's what I'd like to talk about today.

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City Doing Work on Mayor Daley's Parish: Chicago Corruption

(POSTED: 1/23/10) A high-ranking Daley administration official who was described at the Robert Sorich trial as a cog in the city's patronage hiring operation should be fired, a government watchdog is recommending.

But being part of a scheme to hire and promote politically connected employees wasn't Deputy Water Management Commissioner Tommie Talley's only alleged transgression.

Talley also dispatched city water department crews to work at private sites -- including Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, the mayor's ancestral parish in Bridgeport, Chicago's inspector general found, according to city government sources.

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Pope's Address to Doctrine Congregation

"Natural Moral Law Is Neither Exclusively Nor Mainly Confessional"

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 22, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered Jan. 15 upon receiving in audience members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the end of the dicastery's four-day plenary assembly.

* * *

Your Eminences,

Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood,
Dear Faithful Collaborators,

It gives me great joy to meet you on the occasion of the Plenary Session and to express to you my sentiments of deep gratitude and cordial appreciation of the work you carry out at the service of the Successor of Peter in his ministry of strengthening his brethren in the faith (cf. Luke 22: 32).

I thank Cardinal William Joseph Levada for his greeting in which he recalled the topics that the Congregation is occupied at this time. He also recalled the new responsibilities that the Motu Proprio Ecclesiae Unitatem has entrusted to the Dicastery by closely joining with it the Ecclesia Dei Commission.

I would now like to reflect briefly on certain aspects that you, Your Eminence, have mentioned.

First of all I wish to emphasize that your Congregation participates in the ministry of unity that is entrusted to the Roman Pontiff in a special way, through his commitment to doctrinal fidelity. This unity, in fact, is primarily a unity of faith, supported by the sacred deposit whose main custodian and defender is the Successor of Peter.

Strengthening brothers and sisters in the faith, keeping them united in the confession of the Crucified and Risen Christ, is the first and fundamental task that Jesus conferred upon the one seated on the Chair of Peter. It is a binding service on which depends the effectiveness of the Church's evangelizing action to the end of time.

The Bishop of Rome, in whose "potestas docendi" your Congregation participates, is bound to proclaim ceaselessly: "Dominus Iesus" "Jesus is Lord". The "potestas docendi," in fact, entails obedience to the faith so that the Truth which is Christ may continue to shine out in its grandeur and resonate in its integrity and purity for all humankind, and thus that there may be one flock gathered round the one Pastor.

The achievement of the common witness to faith of all Christians therefore constitutes the priority of the Church of all time, in order to lead all people to the encounter with God. In this spirit I trust in particular in the Dicastery's commitment to overcome doctrinal problems that are still an obstacle to the achievement of full communion with the Church on the part of the Society of St Pius X.

I would also like to congratulate you on your commitment to fully integrating formerly Anglican groups and individual members of the faithful into the Church's life, in accordance with what is stipulated in the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus. The faithful adherence of these groups to the truth received from Christ and presented by the Magisterium of the Church is in no way contrary to the ecumenical movement but rather shows its ultimate purpose, which consists in the achievement of the full and visible communion of the Lord's disciples.

In recalling your invaluable service to the Vicar of Christ, I must also mention that in September 2008 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published the Instruction "Dignitas Personae" on Certain Bioethical Questions.

Following the Encyclical "Evangelium Vitae" by the Servant of God John Paul ii in March 1995 this doctrinal document, centered on the theme of the dignity of the person created in Christ and for Christ, is a new landmark in the proclamation of the Gospel in full continuity with the Instruction "Donum Vitae," published by this Dicastery in February 1987.

Concerning delicate and timely topics such as procreation and the new forms of treatment that involve the manipulation of embryos and the human genetic patrimony, the Instruction recalls that "the ethical value of biomedical science is gauged in reference to both the unconditional respect owed to every human being at every moment of his or her existence, and the defense of the specific character of the personal act which transmits life" ("Instruction Dignitas Personae," No. 10).

In this way the Magisterium of the Church wishes to make its own contribution to the formation of consciences, not only of believers but also of all who seek the truth and want to listen to arguments stemming not only from faith but also from reason. In fact the Church, in proposing moral evaluations for biomedical research on human life, draws on the light of both reason and faith (cf. ibid., No. 3), since she is convinced that "what is human is not only received and respected by faith, but is also purified, elevated and perfected" (ibid., No. 7).

In this context a response is likewise given to the widespread mentality that presents faith as an obstacle to scientific freedom and research, because it presumes that faith is made up of a pattern of prejudices that hinder the objective understanding of reality.

Faced with this attitude that strives to replace truth with a consensus that is fragile and easy to manipulate, the Christian faith, instead, makes a real contribution in the ethical and philosophical context. It does not provide pre-constituted solutions to concrete problems like bio-medical research and experimentation, but rather proposes reliable moral perspectives within which human reason can seek and find valid solutions.

There are in fact specific contents of Christian revelation that cast light on bioethical problems: the value of human life, the relational and social dimension of the person, the connection between the unitive and the procreative aspects of sexuality, and the centrality of the family founded on the marriage of a man and a woman. These matters engraved in the human heart are also rationally understandable as an element of natural moral law and can be accepted also by those who do not identify with the Christian faith.

The natural moral law is neither exclusively nor mainly confessional, even if the Christian Revelation and the fulfillment of Man in the mystery of Christ fully illumines and develops its doctrine. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, it "states the first and essential precepts which govern the moral life" (No. 1955).

Established in human nature itself and accessible to every rational creature, the natural moral law thus determines the basis for initiating dialogue with all who seek the truth and, more generally, with civil and secular society. This law, engraved in every human being's heart, touches on one of the essential problems of reflection on law and likewise challenges the conscience and responsibility of legislators.

As I encourage you to persevere in your demanding and important service, I would also like on this occasion to express my spiritual closeness to you, as a pledge of my affection and gratitude, as I warmly impart the Apostolic Blessing to you all.

© Copyright 2010 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana

A's prospect leaving baseball for call of the priesthood

Incredible, he's going to be studying at the Cardinal Mahony's Seminary. Now that he's retiring and being replaced by a more conservative Bishop, and what with the Seminary faculty threatening to leave if this is the case, perhaps the baseball pro will stand a good chance of actually getting a priestly formation.

By 'Duk

Well, here's a story you don't see every day.

Grant Desme, a 23-year-old minor league outfielder in Oakland's system, is retiring from baseball to follow a calling into the Catholic priesthood.

The story was first reported by Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi — perhaps appropriately with that first name of his — and this isn't a case of a struggling player going through an early-life crisis. Desme was ranked the A's eighth-best prospect by Baseball America after hitting .288 with 31 home runs and 89 RBIs in A ball in 2009 and he was just named MVP of the Arizona Fall League.

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It's Open Season on RINOs in Arizona

PHOENIX – Former Arizona Congressman J.D. Hayworth says he's planning to run against John McCain for his U.S. Senate seat.

Hayworth told The Associated Press late Friday that he stepped down as host of his radio program on KFYI-AM, a conservative radio talk show in Phoenix. Legally, he wouldn't be able to host the program and be an active candidate.

Hayworth was ousted from his Congressional seat in 2007 after 12 years in office by Democrat Harry Mitchell, and has hosted the radio show for the past few years.

Hayworth says he's not formally announcing a run for the Senate seat, but that "we're moving forward to challenge John McCain."

He added that he's had a wonderful time at KFYI, but "it's time to enter public life again."

Link to original...

Revolt in Thiberville with English Subtitles

"While some priests labor to fill their churches, others labor to empty them."

Part I

If you can't see the subtitles, hit the up arrow in the lower part of your screen for closed captioning.



Part II



h/t: james mary evans

How to Paint a Homily by the Rules of Art

The terrible quality of many Sunday homilies damages the Church's message all over the world. An alternative way is that of explaining the Gospel with the masterpieces of Christian art. In three magnificent volumes, Timothy Verdon shows how

Chiesa

by Sandro Magister

ROME, January 21, 2010 – A stir was made recently by Bishop Mariano Crociata's criticism of the shoddy quality of many Sunday homilies.

Crociata is the secretary general of the Italian bishops' conference. Speaking at a conference on the liturgy at the end of the year, he called many of the homilies given from the pulpit every Sunday insipid "mush," almost an "inedible dish," and in any case "hardly nourishing."

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Copts Rally in Washington D.C.

In January 21, 2010 on a winter afternoon, over 2000 Coptic Christians rallied, chanted, sang, prayed, and marched outside the White House to get the attention of U.S. President Barack Obama and the American public on the continuing human rights violations of the Copts in Egypt. They came from Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and other parts of America to protest the recent terrorist attack on Copts in Egypt on January 6 (Coptic Christmas Eve), with terrorists killing Copts as they left their religious services in Nag Hammadi (near Luxor). The latest attacks were part of a continuing history of oppression, rape, murder, and forced conversion from Christianity to Islam of the Coptic people and women in Egypt.

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Discontent with Pope's Visit to England from "many" Anglicans

Surely, Scotland's Bishops aren't too happy about hosting Benedict. They're too busy doing everything but ensuring that their sheep know the Catholic Faith. Just what is it that they are enthused about besides banal liturgy and uninspiring leadership? Even the Anglicans aren't that hostile and Sky News is at a loss to drum up the kind of hostility John Paul II experienced from the Church of Scotland in 1982.

Are there really Anglicans who have taken the time out of their days being discontented with the Pope's visit? We don't think so.

There is discontent in some parts [Please name them] of the Anglican Church about Pope Benedict XVI’s visit later this year.

Many see the Pope as exploiting the invitation as an opportunity to sleight the history of the Church of England, which split from Rome in the 16th century.

Perhaps this would be the most sensible action of the Pope, at a time when the Church of England seems to be in difficulty. Last year, Benedict coaxed discontented Anglicans to quit and come over to his Roman Catholic denomination, which was regarded by some to be rude, at worse, and impolite, at best.

[chop]

In 1982 some members of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly railed against John Paul as the “Anti-Christ”. Will there be demonstrations at the gates of Balmoral in September?

Probably not.

Nor is there likely to be much protest from Anglicans, who will probably be prayerful; just as the Archbishop of Canterbury always seems to be – no matter what happens.

Read the entire article...

Bishop of Nis is Serbian Patriarch Now

The bishop of Niš, Irinej Gavrilovic, 80, was elected on January 22 to succeed Patriarch Pavle as the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Belgrade-based radio station B92 said.

Gavrilovic, metropolitan Amfilohije and bishop Irinej of Bačka won most votes from the 37 bishops that make up the electoral synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Gavrilovic's name was drawn randomly in what is known as the apostolic vote, B92 said. "Such election procedure was introduced simply to protect the Church against external political influences of the state," B92 quoted local journalist and Church expert Milenko Pešić as saying.

The election procedure has been criticised in the past, since the Serbian Orthodox Church is the only one to employ it, B92 said. There were other controversies surrounding the election of the patriarch, concerning the influence of different lobbies within the Serbian Orthodox Church, but also the role of the state and politics, B92 said.

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Benedict XVI is truly the Pope of Christian Unity - Catholic Herald Online

Benedict XVI is truly the Pope of Christian Unity - Catholic Herald Online

When Jesus prayed that his followers may be one, He was praying for the unity of the Church whose leadership he entrusted to St Peter and his successors. He was not prophesying that this unity would be achieved by a particular model of ecumenism. In the 20th century, the Church mapped out a route towards unity which focused on ever closer links with other Christian communities, such as the Anglican Communion; the aim was to achieve a corporate reunion. Thus, the purpose of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, so far as the Church was concerned, was an agreement in which the Archbishop of Canterbury would once again become bishop of a historic see of the Church that Anglicans describe as "Roman Catholic". Unfortunately, participants on both sides of ARCIC glossed over the fact that doctrines of transubstantiation and infallibility are unchangeable: one can do no more than tinker with the language in which they are defined.