Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad revealed yesterday that the offices of the Chaldean Patriarchate in the Iraqi capital were damaged by the terrorist attacks on Tuesday that left 127 dead and 500 wounded, reports Catholic News Agency.
According to the SIR news agency, the bishop noted that “fortunately only the buildings were damaged. The sisters and the Patriarch were not present at the time of the explosion. They had left to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
“Doors, windows, window panes were all blown out, and the walls were also damaged,” he added.
Bishop Warduni said Baghdad residents are convinced that those behind the attacks are linked to political groups. “What is left now is the great desperation, pain and suffering of death that haunts our people,” the prelate concluded.
Link to original...
Friday, December 11, 2009
Priest of Assyrian Church Threatened in Turkey
Armenian Weekly 10 December 2009
By Ramazan Yavuz & Serdar Sunar
Following a referendum banning mosque minarets in Switzerland, three unidentified persons visited the 1,750-year-old Assyrian/Syriac Church of Virgin Mary in Diyarbakir, Turkey, and allegedly threatened the priest, Yusuf Akbulut, by saying, "Switzerland is banning minarets and we will ban bell towers to you. You will demolish the bell tower by next Friday.”
Akbulut informed the police of the threat to demolish the bell towers. He is now receiving protection by the police, and made the following statement:
"Last Friday, i.e. on the 4th of this month [December], my church and I were threatened. Three persons in their forties visited the church at 14:00 hours last Friday. They knocked on the door of my house inside the church and asked me to come outside. In the courtyard of the church, these three persons that I do not know asked me if the church had a bell tower. When I told them that it did, they said, "You will demolish this bell tower. Switzerland is banning minarets and we will ban bell towers to you. You will demolish this bell tower by next Friday.” When I told them that this was a historic church with an ancient bell tower and that the foundations (directorate) and the state would react, they said for the second time, "Go and complain to whoever you want. This bell tower will not remain here. We will take the necessary action,” and left. Then I filed a complaint to the police. Now the police are seeking the three persons who threatened me by checking the camera records.”
Noting that he would not destroy the 600-year-old church bell in any way, Akbulut stated that the minaret ban in Switzerland had nothing to do with him, and added: "We, the Syriacs, have been living in these territories for 6-7,000 years. We have a deep-rooted history. Who can dare demolish this bell tower by asserting the minaret ban in Switzerland as a pretext? We do not approve of the minaret ban. Switzerland should let them construct minarets in mosques. Everyone has the right to worship freely. We all pray to God.”
Noting that five families resided in the church, and around 10 other Christian families were in the city center of Diyarbakir, Akbulut said, "As the Syriac community, for centuries we led a peaceful life with the other people residing on these territories. We never did any harm to anyone. It is very wrong to hold us accountable for the minaret ban in Switzerland.” (...)
Link to original...
By Ramazan Yavuz & Serdar Sunar
Following a referendum banning mosque minarets in Switzerland, three unidentified persons visited the 1,750-year-old Assyrian/Syriac Church of Virgin Mary in Diyarbakir, Turkey, and allegedly threatened the priest, Yusuf Akbulut, by saying, "Switzerland is banning minarets and we will ban bell towers to you. You will demolish the bell tower by next Friday.”
Akbulut informed the police of the threat to demolish the bell towers. He is now receiving protection by the police, and made the following statement:
"Last Friday, i.e. on the 4th of this month [December], my church and I were threatened. Three persons in their forties visited the church at 14:00 hours last Friday. They knocked on the door of my house inside the church and asked me to come outside. In the courtyard of the church, these three persons that I do not know asked me if the church had a bell tower. When I told them that it did, they said, "You will demolish this bell tower. Switzerland is banning minarets and we will ban bell towers to you. You will demolish this bell tower by next Friday.” When I told them that this was a historic church with an ancient bell tower and that the foundations (directorate) and the state would react, they said for the second time, "Go and complain to whoever you want. This bell tower will not remain here. We will take the necessary action,” and left. Then I filed a complaint to the police. Now the police are seeking the three persons who threatened me by checking the camera records.”
Noting that he would not destroy the 600-year-old church bell in any way, Akbulut stated that the minaret ban in Switzerland had nothing to do with him, and added: "We, the Syriacs, have been living in these territories for 6-7,000 years. We have a deep-rooted history. Who can dare demolish this bell tower by asserting the minaret ban in Switzerland as a pretext? We do not approve of the minaret ban. Switzerland should let them construct minarets in mosques. Everyone has the right to worship freely. We all pray to God.”
Noting that five families resided in the church, and around 10 other Christian families were in the city center of Diyarbakir, Akbulut said, "As the Syriac community, for centuries we led a peaceful life with the other people residing on these territories. We never did any harm to anyone. It is very wrong to hold us accountable for the minaret ban in Switzerland.” (...)
Link to original...
Pope Considers a Response to Irish Situation
It will be fascinating to see what the Holy Father says in his upcoming pastoral letter to Ireland about this abuse case.
We can only note that given the last years of the apotheosis of corporate guilt and abeyance of personal sanctity and devotion that it should be hardly surprising that the Bishops look at their "vocations" in a more or less worldly sense.
When St. Thomas Becket came to Canterbury from France after his exile, he walked the 20 Miles to his Episcopal throne on the bare souls of his feet, and after he'd been dispatched by Henry's assassins and his retainers were preparing him for burial, they discovered his hair shirt and the marks on his body from the "discipline".
Given the Holy Father's emphasis on personal sanctity and Benedictine reform, it wouldn't surprise us indeed if he didn't expect his Bishops to make more clear, personally costly, and public, displays of personal penance on the part of Bishops. Many Catholics do not believe in the sanctity of their Bishops, but they're more than willing to expect the worst; what would be even more surprising indeed would be evidence of deep, personal holiness on the part of Ireland's Bishops, Priests and Religious, and a return to a severe but deeply human asceticism. People are moved by sincerity and if you put your heart on your sleeve, people will follow you anywhere. Indeed, they followed Robert the Bruce's heart all the way to Jerusalem.
Pope Benedict shares Irish "child abuse outrage"
Pope Benedict said he shared Irish outrage over a damning abuse report
The Pope shares the "outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by Irish people over a report that said clerical child abuse was covered-up, the Vatican has said.
In a statement, issued after Pope Benedict XVI met Irish Church leaders on Friday, the pope was said to be "disturbed and distressed".
A report found church leaders covered up child abuse in Dublin for decades.
He will write a pastoral letter to the Irish people about sexual abuse and the Vatican's response to the crisis.
"The Holy Father was deeply disturbed and distressed by its contents," the Vatican statement said.
"He wishes once more to express his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and by society at large."
The Pope summoned the Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, to Rome after the Vatican was criticised for failing to respond to the Murphy inquiry.
We can only note that given the last years of the apotheosis of corporate guilt and abeyance of personal sanctity and devotion that it should be hardly surprising that the Bishops look at their "vocations" in a more or less worldly sense.
When St. Thomas Becket came to Canterbury from France after his exile, he walked the 20 Miles to his Episcopal throne on the bare souls of his feet, and after he'd been dispatched by Henry's assassins and his retainers were preparing him for burial, they discovered his hair shirt and the marks on his body from the "discipline".
Given the Holy Father's emphasis on personal sanctity and Benedictine reform, it wouldn't surprise us indeed if he didn't expect his Bishops to make more clear, personally costly, and public, displays of personal penance on the part of Bishops. Many Catholics do not believe in the sanctity of their Bishops, but they're more than willing to expect the worst; what would be even more surprising indeed would be evidence of deep, personal holiness on the part of Ireland's Bishops, Priests and Religious, and a return to a severe but deeply human asceticism. People are moved by sincerity and if you put your heart on your sleeve, people will follow you anywhere. Indeed, they followed Robert the Bruce's heart all the way to Jerusalem.
Pope Benedict shares Irish "child abuse outrage"
Pope Benedict said he shared Irish outrage over a damning abuse report
The Pope shares the "outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by Irish people over a report that said clerical child abuse was covered-up, the Vatican has said.
In a statement, issued after Pope Benedict XVI met Irish Church leaders on Friday, the pope was said to be "disturbed and distressed".
A report found church leaders covered up child abuse in Dublin for decades.
He will write a pastoral letter to the Irish people about sexual abuse and the Vatican's response to the crisis.
"The Holy Father was deeply disturbed and distressed by its contents," the Vatican statement said.
"He wishes once more to express his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and by society at large."
The Pope summoned the Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, to Rome after the Vatican was criticised for failing to respond to the Murphy inquiry.
Msgr Andreatta, Champion of the Latin Mass
It is with sadness that we report the death of the Rt. Rev. Tullio Andreatta, K.C.H.S. Monsignor Andreatta died on December 1, 2009, at San Diego. He was 95 years old. Born in Crespano Del Grappa, Italy, near Venice, he was ordained a priest on June 29, 1938. Nine months later he arrived in the United States beginning ten years of service at various Italian parishes across the country. He arrived in the Diocese of San Diego on December 3, 1949 and was assigned to serve as the Assistant Pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Bernardino. In 1951, at the direction of Bishop Buddy, he established a new parish in San Bernardino which he named Our Lady of Fatima. Other pastoral assignments included Blessed Sacrament Church (now Our Lady of Light) in Descanso, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Arrowhead. In 1978, he was invested as a Prelate of Honor of the Pope on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of his ordination. On October 30, 1983, he was invested in the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem as a Knight Commander in recognition of his devoted service to Holy Mother Church
Following Pope John Paul II's 1984 authorization allowing the public celebration of the Tridentine Lain Mass, Monsignor Andreatta was the first priest in the United States to obtain permission from a diocesan bishop to do so. Following his appointment as chaplain, beginning on February 24, 1985, the Tridentine Latin Mass was offered by Monsignor Andreatta at St. Vincent de Paul Church in central San Diego. Due to the objections of several of the clergy the Tridentine Latin Mass was soon moved to Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel where it was offered every Sunday and Holyday without exception by Monsignor Andreatta until his retirement in 1991.
It was Monsignor Andreatta's hope and prayer that a parish church be provided where his beloved Mass could be offered and the other sacraments provided. Thanks be to God, he lived to see the day when, on October 7, 2008, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, a personal parish was erected for the Traditional Latin Mass apostolate at St. Anne Catholic Church.
Monsignor Andreatta will be laid to rest on Saturday, December 12, 2009, following a Solemn Requiem High Mass which will be offered at The Immaculata where Monsignor Andreatta celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priesthood. The Rosary will be prayed at 9:45 a.m. PST followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. PST. The procession to Holy Cross Cemetery will depart at 1:00 p.m.
By Mr. Carl Horst (originally posted on CTNGreg and edited for reposting on RC.)
Following Pope John Paul II's 1984 authorization allowing the public celebration of the Tridentine Lain Mass, Monsignor Andreatta was the first priest in the United States to obtain permission from a diocesan bishop to do so. Following his appointment as chaplain, beginning on February 24, 1985, the Tridentine Latin Mass was offered by Monsignor Andreatta at St. Vincent de Paul Church in central San Diego. Due to the objections of several of the clergy the Tridentine Latin Mass was soon moved to Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel where it was offered every Sunday and Holyday without exception by Monsignor Andreatta until his retirement in 1991.
It was Monsignor Andreatta's hope and prayer that a parish church be provided where his beloved Mass could be offered and the other sacraments provided. Thanks be to God, he lived to see the day when, on October 7, 2008, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, a personal parish was erected for the Traditional Latin Mass apostolate at St. Anne Catholic Church.
Monsignor Andreatta will be laid to rest on Saturday, December 12, 2009, following a Solemn Requiem High Mass which will be offered at The Immaculata where Monsignor Andreatta celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priesthood. The Rosary will be prayed at 9:45 a.m. PST followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. PST. The procession to Holy Cross Cemetery will depart at 1:00 p.m.
By Mr. Carl Horst (originally posted on CTNGreg and edited for reposting on RC.)
Spectral Planned Parenthood at Catholic College
You might not be able to get an abortion at Carroll, but they'll tell you where you can get one. You can watch the Vagina Monologues there too; but if you want,you can still have an experience rooted in the Judeo-Christian faith tradition.
Catholic Culture
Catholic college's web site: contact Planned Parenthood for abortion information; PR coordinator ripped ‘papist apologists’
December 10, 2009
The web site of a Catholic college in Montana advises students who wish to obtain an abortion to contact Planned Parenthood.
“How can I obtain an abortion?” asks an anonymous "ask-a-nurse" advice column for Carroll College students. The response-- “thoughtfully prepared by Health Services”-- is
In addition, the college’s official “Summer Job Finding Guide” asks students to consider applying for employment at Planned Parenthood.
In 2005, a controversy erupted at the college after a Planned Parenthood representative was invited to be part of a panel discussion on end-of-life issues. When the college’s president withdrew the invitation, “many members of the faculty, as well as others, voiced their concern that this act limited academic freedom,” according to a college report to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
In 2004, Ashley Oliverio-- then and now the college’s public relations coordinator-- blasted the Cardinal Newman Society [CNS] and “other Papist apologists” for criticizing the school’s association with the Vagina Monologues.
“I am one of the 14 local actresses who will buck the Catholic Taliban by co-starring in the Helena ‘Vagina Monologues’ production, and as an American, a lawyer, a Catholic and a spiritual person, I am proud to do so,” wrote Ms. Oliverio. “I auditioned for a role in direct response to the medieval ravings of the CNS and its sheep who have assailed this and other colleges with hostile letters revealing their utter ignorance of the play or the issues involved, foremost of which is the CNS’s own hostility toward women and the free marketplace of ideas.”
Founded in 1909 by the Diocese of Helena, the college has 1,409 students, all of them undergraduates.
Update: The text of "Pregnancy Options" and the text of "The Carroll College Summer Job Finding Guide" have been removed from Carroll College's web site.
Link to source...
Catholic Culture
Catholic college's web site: contact Planned Parenthood for abortion information; PR coordinator ripped ‘papist apologists’
December 10, 2009
The web site of a Catholic college in Montana advises students who wish to obtain an abortion to contact Planned Parenthood.
“How can I obtain an abortion?” asks an anonymous "ask-a-nurse" advice column for Carroll College students. The response-- “thoughtfully prepared by Health Services”-- is
Carroll College does not offer abortion counseling based on its Catholic Tradition. There is a Planned Parenthood in Helena or you can talk with any health care provider concerning your options.
In addition, the college’s official “Summer Job Finding Guide” asks students to consider applying for employment at Planned Parenthood.
In 2005, a controversy erupted at the college after a Planned Parenthood representative was invited to be part of a panel discussion on end-of-life issues. When the college’s president withdrew the invitation, “many members of the faculty, as well as others, voiced their concern that this act limited academic freedom,” according to a college report to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
In 2004, Ashley Oliverio-- then and now the college’s public relations coordinator-- blasted the Cardinal Newman Society [CNS] and “other Papist apologists” for criticizing the school’s association with the Vagina Monologues.
“I am one of the 14 local actresses who will buck the Catholic Taliban by co-starring in the Helena ‘Vagina Monologues’ production, and as an American, a lawyer, a Catholic and a spiritual person, I am proud to do so,” wrote Ms. Oliverio. “I auditioned for a role in direct response to the medieval ravings of the CNS and its sheep who have assailed this and other colleges with hostile letters revealing their utter ignorance of the play or the issues involved, foremost of which is the CNS’s own hostility toward women and the free marketplace of ideas.”
Founded in 1909 by the Diocese of Helena, the college has 1,409 students, all of them undergraduates.
Update: The text of "Pregnancy Options" and the text of "The Carroll College Summer Job Finding Guide" have been removed from Carroll College's web site.
Link to source...
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Two Chaldean Catholics Shot in Mosul
Mosul, Iraq - Two brothers, both Iraqi Christians, were found shot dead in a suburb of the troubled northern Iraqi city of Mosul, police told the German Press Agency dpa on Thursday. Police found the two businessmen dead from multiple gunshot wounds north of the city late on Wednesday night, they said.
The pair were among Christians who fled the city amid violence and threats against the Christian community two years ago, but subsequently returned home. Mosul and its environs are among the most ethnically and religiously diverse areas of Iraq, and among the most dangerous.
Despite successive security pushes that police say have netted hundreds of suspected insurgents, armed groups continue to launch near-daily attacks.
Meanwhile, some 200 kilometres to the south a man who had been abducted from the village of Tuz was found dead, police there said.
Link to original...
The pair were among Christians who fled the city amid violence and threats against the Christian community two years ago, but subsequently returned home. Mosul and its environs are among the most ethnically and religiously diverse areas of Iraq, and among the most dangerous.
Despite successive security pushes that police say have netted hundreds of suspected insurgents, armed groups continue to launch near-daily attacks.
Meanwhile, some 200 kilometres to the south a man who had been abducted from the village of Tuz was found dead, police there said.
Link to original...
Disappearing Eastern Catholicism: Middle East Synod 2010
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Benedict XVI has called synod of the churches in the Middle East for an October 2010. Preparation for this event requires understanding of the situation that surrounds this part of the world and the difficult problems that the churches there are suffering.
First there is widespread conflict. There is one that has lasted for decades, between Israel and Palestine, and associated with it, other situations of war that have arisen in other countries.
Then there is the political changes that have taken place in Iran since '79, which brought to the fore the Shiite movement. In many countries where it exists, it is becoming its self-awareness is growing, although this often takes on the form of confrontation.
A third factor is the rise of Islamic terrorism in the countries of the Middle East which is spreading throughout the world. Added to this the war in Iraq and its consequences. All of these political situations are somehow inter-connected.
Another important dimension is the growth of the Islamic fundamentalist movement. This has changed the very social structure of the region which has for decades seen the insistence of Islamic discourse in the media; schools are permeated with the teachings Islam, especially fundamentalist Islam; on the streets religious adverts are an increasing; the traditional external or extremist signs of this trend. In some countries the growth of fundamentalism has encouraged the adoption of sharia, or part of sharia. This has a strong influence on the lives of Christians, because they are forced to behave in a "more Islamic" way, often suffering social exclusion as a result.
Even in Palestine in the last decade the once prevalent secular trend has greatly diminished and the fundamentalist trend has increased. Religious freedom has declined everywhere, choking the Church's mission.
Emigration
The easiest response for Christians to this situation tends to be one that is both equal and opposite: affirming the Christian identity with more stringency; a hardening of relations among themselves. This is evident in Egypt, but also in other situations.
Another way to react is to emigrate. Everyone, Christians and Muslims emigrate for socio-economic reasons, rarely for religious reasons. But the number of Christians who emigrate is far higher than that of Muslims and among the reasons why Christians leave those of cultural, and moral freedom are mounting. Emigration is facilitated by the fact that many Christians have relatives and friends abroad, the result of past migrations.
In the case of Egypt it is clear: Muslim migration has always been temporary, to the Gulf countries, people leave for a few years and then return. Instead Christians emigrate to North America or Europe or Australia, transplanting themselves in a comprehensive manner.
Emigration is not an entirely negative factor: it can also be opportunity for renewal. The Coptic community in the United States, for example, counts at least 700 thousand faithful. These were compared with American or Australian culture and sought to maintain the Coptic tradition - such as fasting, which is very intense and long - and respect for the clergy and for their Church. At the same time they have found other ways to celebrate, a greater closeness to the Holy Scriptures, Western theology. This has allowed for a true ecumenism and openness to other religious communities. And this is a positive contribution to their church.
Emigration has positive aspects also from an economic standpoint because it supports families and churches back home.
The presence of Islamic fundamentalism has positive aspects: it encourages Christians to live their faith in a more radical and intimate way, because there is an attack on their faith. Religious feeling is strengthened; at times, this religious sentiment in Christians and Muslims tends to fanaticism, but more often it arouses the desire for greater reflection, freedom and discovery.
The mission of the Christian minority
What makes matters worse is the fact numeric: Christians are a minority, they have neither numbers nor militias to claim a space. Their presence is neither supported in the region - because it is overwhelmingly Muslim - nor abroad because Europe and America are uninterested in the fate of Christians. When interest is aroused it is because the plight of Christians is linked to the economic and political situation.
We must take stock of these reasons in order to understand what future Christians have in the Middle East. And this is the purpose of the Synod: first comprehend the situation and then look for possible paths of action.
Many Christians are tempted to emigrate. This choice weakens those who remain: those leaving are generally the most capable in cultural and economic terms, and those who stay the weakest and the poorest. This is likely to provoke a vicious circle: the more people leave the more those who remain are oppressed. A similar thing happened in Turkey. Today there are more Syriac faithful in Saudi Arabia (migrants from India) than in Turkey and Syria combined. On a personal level, Christians a re highly adaptable to all situations. This means that in a one to two generations, Christians abroad become permanent residents and part of another Christian community.
But the question is: have Christians a specific mission in the Middle East?
If one thinks about the consequences for communities worldwide, it must be said that there is a risk of a great loss for world culture and the Universal Church: the end of the Churches of the East. Within a few decades a large part of the theological and intellectual heritage of the Churches of the East would be cancelled. And no book can replace it.
Severe loss
But it would be a great loss for the countries of the East. Christians are a different voice, a challenging one, diverse from Israel and the Muslims, with a specific culture that enriches this cultural area. It would also be a loss for society because Christians represent a tradition of freedom, of openness that is partly missing in the Islamic tradition, which is more closed in on itself.
This phenomenon has occurred many times in history: the Assyrian Christians who between the eighth century and the twelfth introduced Hellenistic thought in philosophy, medicine, science. And in 800 and 900, they also introduced European thought through their translations. They are a cultural bridge. And for the same Islamic world their disappearance would be a loss. In short, the emigration of Christians abroad and their disappearance from the East would be a loss for everyone, first and foremost for Muslims themselves.
Link to link...
First there is widespread conflict. There is one that has lasted for decades, between Israel and Palestine, and associated with it, other situations of war that have arisen in other countries.
Then there is the political changes that have taken place in Iran since '79, which brought to the fore the Shiite movement. In many countries where it exists, it is becoming its self-awareness is growing, although this often takes on the form of confrontation.
A third factor is the rise of Islamic terrorism in the countries of the Middle East which is spreading throughout the world. Added to this the war in Iraq and its consequences. All of these political situations are somehow inter-connected.
Another important dimension is the growth of the Islamic fundamentalist movement. This has changed the very social structure of the region which has for decades seen the insistence of Islamic discourse in the media; schools are permeated with the teachings Islam, especially fundamentalist Islam; on the streets religious adverts are an increasing; the traditional external or extremist signs of this trend. In some countries the growth of fundamentalism has encouraged the adoption of sharia, or part of sharia. This has a strong influence on the lives of Christians, because they are forced to behave in a "more Islamic" way, often suffering social exclusion as a result.
Even in Palestine in the last decade the once prevalent secular trend has greatly diminished and the fundamentalist trend has increased. Religious freedom has declined everywhere, choking the Church's mission.
Emigration
The easiest response for Christians to this situation tends to be one that is both equal and opposite: affirming the Christian identity with more stringency; a hardening of relations among themselves. This is evident in Egypt, but also in other situations.
Another way to react is to emigrate. Everyone, Christians and Muslims emigrate for socio-economic reasons, rarely for religious reasons. But the number of Christians who emigrate is far higher than that of Muslims and among the reasons why Christians leave those of cultural, and moral freedom are mounting. Emigration is facilitated by the fact that many Christians have relatives and friends abroad, the result of past migrations.
In the case of Egypt it is clear: Muslim migration has always been temporary, to the Gulf countries, people leave for a few years and then return. Instead Christians emigrate to North America or Europe or Australia, transplanting themselves in a comprehensive manner.
Emigration is not an entirely negative factor: it can also be opportunity for renewal. The Coptic community in the United States, for example, counts at least 700 thousand faithful. These were compared with American or Australian culture and sought to maintain the Coptic tradition - such as fasting, which is very intense and long - and respect for the clergy and for their Church. At the same time they have found other ways to celebrate, a greater closeness to the Holy Scriptures, Western theology. This has allowed for a true ecumenism and openness to other religious communities. And this is a positive contribution to their church.
Emigration has positive aspects also from an economic standpoint because it supports families and churches back home.
The presence of Islamic fundamentalism has positive aspects: it encourages Christians to live their faith in a more radical and intimate way, because there is an attack on their faith. Religious feeling is strengthened; at times, this religious sentiment in Christians and Muslims tends to fanaticism, but more often it arouses the desire for greater reflection, freedom and discovery.
The mission of the Christian minority
What makes matters worse is the fact numeric: Christians are a minority, they have neither numbers nor militias to claim a space. Their presence is neither supported in the region - because it is overwhelmingly Muslim - nor abroad because Europe and America are uninterested in the fate of Christians. When interest is aroused it is because the plight of Christians is linked to the economic and political situation.
We must take stock of these reasons in order to understand what future Christians have in the Middle East. And this is the purpose of the Synod: first comprehend the situation and then look for possible paths of action.
Many Christians are tempted to emigrate. This choice weakens those who remain: those leaving are generally the most capable in cultural and economic terms, and those who stay the weakest and the poorest. This is likely to provoke a vicious circle: the more people leave the more those who remain are oppressed. A similar thing happened in Turkey. Today there are more Syriac faithful in Saudi Arabia (migrants from India) than in Turkey and Syria combined. On a personal level, Christians a re highly adaptable to all situations. This means that in a one to two generations, Christians abroad become permanent residents and part of another Christian community.
But the question is: have Christians a specific mission in the Middle East?
If one thinks about the consequences for communities worldwide, it must be said that there is a risk of a great loss for world culture and the Universal Church: the end of the Churches of the East. Within a few decades a large part of the theological and intellectual heritage of the Churches of the East would be cancelled. And no book can replace it.
Severe loss
But it would be a great loss for the countries of the East. Christians are a different voice, a challenging one, diverse from Israel and the Muslims, with a specific culture that enriches this cultural area. It would also be a loss for society because Christians represent a tradition of freedom, of openness that is partly missing in the Islamic tradition, which is more closed in on itself.
This phenomenon has occurred many times in history: the Assyrian Christians who between the eighth century and the twelfth introduced Hellenistic thought in philosophy, medicine, science. And in 800 and 900, they also introduced European thought through their translations. They are a cultural bridge. And for the same Islamic world their disappearance would be a loss. In short, the emigration of Christians abroad and their disappearance from the East would be a loss for everyone, first and foremost for Muslims themselves.
Link to link...
Hans Kung is an Opportunist: Never Waste a Crisis
Not wanting to waste a manufactured crisis, the kinds of people who were respnsible for the "crisis" in the first place are using it as pretext to usher in further "reforms" aimed at destroying the Church.
Like Archbishop Martin of Dublin, he's ever eager to exploit the crisis. Expect more of this in the future.
THE Catholic Church needs another reforming council like the 1960s Vatican II assembly before Rome winds back all the advances it made, one of the world's foremost [sic] Catholic theologians said yesterday.
Hans Kung said the Vatican was an authoritarian system that sometimes used totalitarian methods to enforce its views but the problems of this approach were becoming insurmountable.
He said another global council would not happen because the Vatican was afraid. Instead, it was trying to restore the pre-Vatican II church but was encountering strong resistance, not just from the grassroots but from bishops.
''Already the successor of this Pope will have to face the situation that churches are more and more empty, and parishes are without pastors, and communities are dissolving,'' he said.
Dr Kung, along with Pope Benedict, was involved in the Vatican II council that modernised the church. ''A third council would take up the justified concerns that were not fulfilled in the last council. It was forbidden to speak about celibacy; we did not discuss divorce though dozens of millions of Catholics are in this situation; and we did not discuss women's issues like conception.''
Dr Kung came to the Parliament of the World's Religions to launch his manifesto for a global economic ethic. Yesterday, he said if it was ignored the world would probably sink into another financial crisis worse than the last, because several crises were interlinked: economic, climate change, poverty and wars.
He said Wall Street seemed to have learned nothing and wanted to go back to the status quo, but the housing collapse in the US and the different mood in Europe made this unlikely.
Like Archbishop Martin of Dublin, he's ever eager to exploit the crisis. Expect more of this in the future.
THE Catholic Church needs another reforming council like the 1960s Vatican II assembly before Rome winds back all the advances it made, one of the world's foremost [sic] Catholic theologians said yesterday.
Hans Kung said the Vatican was an authoritarian system that sometimes used totalitarian methods to enforce its views but the problems of this approach were becoming insurmountable.
He said another global council would not happen because the Vatican was afraid. Instead, it was trying to restore the pre-Vatican II church but was encountering strong resistance, not just from the grassroots but from bishops.
''Already the successor of this Pope will have to face the situation that churches are more and more empty, and parishes are without pastors, and communities are dissolving,'' he said.
Dr Kung, along with Pope Benedict, was involved in the Vatican II council that modernised the church. ''A third council would take up the justified concerns that were not fulfilled in the last council. It was forbidden to speak about celibacy; we did not discuss divorce though dozens of millions of Catholics are in this situation; and we did not discuss women's issues like conception.''
Dr Kung came to the Parliament of the World's Religions to launch his manifesto for a global economic ethic. Yesterday, he said if it was ignored the world would probably sink into another financial crisis worse than the last, because several crises were interlinked: economic, climate change, poverty and wars.
He said Wall Street seemed to have learned nothing and wanted to go back to the status quo, but the housing collapse in the US and the different mood in Europe made this unlikely.
America's Spiritual Jungle Stew
Google News
The problem with Ameicanism is the spiritual jungle, a phrase entered into the English language by Snclair Lewis to describe the chaotic and degraded conditions of human society.
When it comes to religion, many Americans like the mix-and-match, build-your-own approach.
Large numbers attend services of traditions other than their own and blend Christianity with Eastern and New Age beliefs, a survey finds.
The report Wednesday from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life also shows tremendous growth over the past three decades in the number of Americans who say they have had a religious or mystical experience.
Though the U.S. is an overwhelmingly Christian country, significant minorities say they hold beliefs of the sort found at Buddhist temples or New Age bookstores. Twenty-four percent of those surveyed overall and 22 percent of Christians say they believe in reincarnation, the idea that people will be reborn in this world again and again.
Read further...
The problem with Ameicanism is the spiritual jungle, a phrase entered into the English language by Snclair Lewis to describe the chaotic and degraded conditions of human society.
When it comes to religion, many Americans like the mix-and-match, build-your-own approach.
Large numbers attend services of traditions other than their own and blend Christianity with Eastern and New Age beliefs, a survey finds.
The report Wednesday from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life also shows tremendous growth over the past three decades in the number of Americans who say they have had a religious or mystical experience.
Though the U.S. is an overwhelmingly Christian country, significant minorities say they hold beliefs of the sort found at Buddhist temples or New Age bookstores. Twenty-four percent of those surveyed overall and 22 percent of Christians say they believe in reincarnation, the idea that people will be reborn in this world again and again.
Read further...
Catholics vs Kennedies: New York Times
At last one of the pillars of Americanism is falling.
Hanging front and center inside the classroom of the grade school I attended were pictures of two men: Pope Paul VI, and John F. Kennedy, the first Roman Catholic president. Each was revered almost without question, although we were taught that one could never tell the other what to do in their separate realms.
My experience was not unique. And so it was jarring to many Catholics to hear last month of a bishop in Providence, R.I., advising a Kennedy to refrain from receiving communion because of a public policy position the congressman had advocated in Washington.
History has always been a strong subject in Catholic education, but Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence seems to have forgotten much of his, or at least failed to learn the lessons as they applied to American democracy.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/catholics-vs-kennedys/
Hanging front and center inside the classroom of the grade school I attended were pictures of two men: Pope Paul VI, and John F. Kennedy, the first Roman Catholic president. Each was revered almost without question, although we were taught that one could never tell the other what to do in their separate realms.
My experience was not unique. And so it was jarring to many Catholics to hear last month of a bishop in Providence, R.I., advising a Kennedy to refrain from receiving communion because of a public policy position the congressman had advocated in Washington.
History has always been a strong subject in Catholic education, but Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence seems to have forgotten much of his, or at least failed to learn the lessons as they applied to American democracy.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/catholics-vs-kennedys/
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Archbishop Williams is worried about non-existent threats when he might be more involved with spiritual ones.
Archbishop Nichols has greater interest in advocating the socialist agendas of climate change and "social justice" than in promoting the honor of God, indeed, it's hard to descry any visible spiritual dimension within his concerns that the environment can harm the poor.
LONDON, DEC. 8, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The archbishop of Westminster is affirming that helping the poorest persons should be at the center of the climate change debate.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols said this Saturday at a "Time to Pray" ecumenical service regarding the environment and climate change.
The service, which featured addresses by various Christian leaders, was planned in conjunction with "The Wave," a demonstration in central London aimed at drawing attention to climate change issues prior to the U.N. Copenhagen summit.
Representatives of some 190 countries have just gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark, for a two-week conference to seek a global pact on climate change.
Archbishop Nichols addressed the topic by expressing concern for "all those whose lives are directly affected by climate change, the world's poorest and the most disadvantaged."
"This is an important perspective which we must not lose in the midst of all the other concerns expressed in recent weeks," he stated.
"We know that issues of world poverty and development cannot be separated from concerns for the environment," the prelate said. "They are intimately connected."
There is "much to do before we achieve sound and sustainable relationships between the peoples of this earth and with the environment of the created world," he acknowledged.
Lifestyles
"We sense within us never-ending demands," the archbishop affirmed, "often provoked by the culture of our consumer society."
He continued: "But we must look hard at the way we live our lives and consider again those whose future is threatened by the effects of our own lifestyles.
"Only when we are clearly prepared to change the way we live will politicians be able to achieve the change we say we want to see."
"To love God is, among other things, to give thanks and praise for the gifts of creation and to recognize that they are destined for all people," Archbishop Nichols stated.
Among these gifts, he said, is that of technology, and thus "technological advance is a crucial part of the way we will find solutions to the problems caused by climate change."
Technology is "not morally neutral," the prelate pointed out.
"Rather," he explained, "its proper use is guided always by its effect on the common good."
Thus, the archbishop continued, "let the genius of our finest minds serve the needs of all, and the needs of our environment."
"At the center of our world stands the human person," he affirmed, "every single one made in the image and likeness of God and deserving, for that reason alone, respect, freedom and cooperation."
Archbishop Nichols concluded: "It is hope that inspires us; faith that sustains us. Our union with Christ in prayer is our source of energy, of a new life for our effort as his disciples."
Link to original...
LONDON, DEC. 8, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The archbishop of Westminster is affirming that helping the poorest persons should be at the center of the climate change debate.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols said this Saturday at a "Time to Pray" ecumenical service regarding the environment and climate change.
The service, which featured addresses by various Christian leaders, was planned in conjunction with "The Wave," a demonstration in central London aimed at drawing attention to climate change issues prior to the U.N. Copenhagen summit.
Representatives of some 190 countries have just gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark, for a two-week conference to seek a global pact on climate change.
Archbishop Nichols addressed the topic by expressing concern for "all those whose lives are directly affected by climate change, the world's poorest and the most disadvantaged."
"This is an important perspective which we must not lose in the midst of all the other concerns expressed in recent weeks," he stated.
"We know that issues of world poverty and development cannot be separated from concerns for the environment," the prelate said. "They are intimately connected."
There is "much to do before we achieve sound and sustainable relationships between the peoples of this earth and with the environment of the created world," he acknowledged.
Lifestyles
"We sense within us never-ending demands," the archbishop affirmed, "often provoked by the culture of our consumer society."
He continued: "But we must look hard at the way we live our lives and consider again those whose future is threatened by the effects of our own lifestyles.
"Only when we are clearly prepared to change the way we live will politicians be able to achieve the change we say we want to see."
"To love God is, among other things, to give thanks and praise for the gifts of creation and to recognize that they are destined for all people," Archbishop Nichols stated.
Among these gifts, he said, is that of technology, and thus "technological advance is a crucial part of the way we will find solutions to the problems caused by climate change."
Technology is "not morally neutral," the prelate pointed out.
"Rather," he explained, "its proper use is guided always by its effect on the common good."
Thus, the archbishop continued, "let the genius of our finest minds serve the needs of all, and the needs of our environment."
"At the center of our world stands the human person," he affirmed, "every single one made in the image and likeness of God and deserving, for that reason alone, respect, freedom and cooperation."
Archbishop Nichols concluded: "It is hope that inspires us; faith that sustains us. Our union with Christ in prayer is our source of energy, of a new life for our effort as his disciples."
Link to original...
Homosexuals within Prevent the Church from Reacting to Moves to Oppose Homosexual Legistlation: Ireland
Homosexual marriage legistlation is a way to promote acceptance for homosexuals while their Episcopal enablers air their concerns about Global Warming and the press vents its synthetic rage on the "medieval secrecy" of the Church.
Tue 08 Dec, 2009
Despite being rocked by strikes, scandals and financial collapse, Ireland’s social transformation continues unabated. Thursday December 3 saw the latest rupture from the past as the Republic of Ireland became the latest country to begin the process of affording recognition to same-sex couples. Dáil Éireann, Ireland’s parliament, read and debated the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 introduced by Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern.
The Bill would, if passed, grant same-sex couples rights in relation to domestic violence, residential tenancies, succession, refugee law, pensions, medical care, access to state benefits and immigration.
Opposition to the Bill was muted. Minister Ahern has told his colleagues, Fianna Fáil lawmakers, concerned about the Civil Partnership Bill that he is ruling out a “freedom of conscience” amendment that would allow any organisations run people offended by homosexuality, such as Church halls and wedding photographers, to consider same-sex couples unmarried.
The Bill’s passage into law this month is virtually assured because of strong backing by opposition parties. However, reaction to the Bill from gay rights organisations has been mixed.
While many campaigners have welcomed the move, MarriagEquaility, a group that campaigns for full recognition of same-sex marriage, says the bill does not go far enough and promotes discrimination against gays and lesbians.
“Civil partnership without the option to marry sends a clear message out to the public that the government do not consider gay and lesbian relationships to be equal. Civil partnership, without a civil marriage option, promotes inequality and may contribute to homophobia,” said MarriagEquality director Moninne Griffith.
Read more...
Tue 08 Dec, 2009
Despite being rocked by strikes, scandals and financial collapse, Ireland’s social transformation continues unabated. Thursday December 3 saw the latest rupture from the past as the Republic of Ireland became the latest country to begin the process of affording recognition to same-sex couples. Dáil Éireann, Ireland’s parliament, read and debated the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 introduced by Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern.
The Bill would, if passed, grant same-sex couples rights in relation to domestic violence, residential tenancies, succession, refugee law, pensions, medical care, access to state benefits and immigration.
Opposition to the Bill was muted. Minister Ahern has told his colleagues, Fianna Fáil lawmakers, concerned about the Civil Partnership Bill that he is ruling out a “freedom of conscience” amendment that would allow any organisations run people offended by homosexuality, such as Church halls and wedding photographers, to consider same-sex couples unmarried.
The Bill’s passage into law this month is virtually assured because of strong backing by opposition parties. However, reaction to the Bill from gay rights organisations has been mixed.
While many campaigners have welcomed the move, MarriagEquaility, a group that campaigns for full recognition of same-sex marriage, says the bill does not go far enough and promotes discrimination against gays and lesbians.
“Civil partnership without the option to marry sends a clear message out to the public that the government do not consider gay and lesbian relationships to be equal. Civil partnership, without a civil marriage option, promotes inequality and may contribute to homophobia,” said MarriagEquality director Moninne Griffith.
Read more...
Moral and Mental Pollution frmthe Media "Harden Hearts and Darken Minds": Pope Benedict
ROME, December 10, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - While the world's leaders are meeting in Copenhagen to talk about the problem of "climate change," Pope Benedict XVI has addressed the problem of moral pollution through the media. Speaking on Monday at an annual ceremony near Rome's Spanish Steps for the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the pope said that pollution of society's moral environment is as dangerous to the human person as pollution of the natural environment.
The pontiff said, "Hearts harden and thoughts darken" with a daily diet of the news media in which "evil is recounted, repeated, amplified, accustoming us to the most horrible things, making us become insensitive and, in some way, intoxicating us, because the negative is not fully disposed of and accumulates day after day."
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/dec/09120902.html
The pontiff said, "Hearts harden and thoughts darken" with a daily diet of the news media in which "evil is recounted, repeated, amplified, accustoming us to the most horrible things, making us become insensitive and, in some way, intoxicating us, because the negative is not fully disposed of and accumulates day after day."
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/dec/09120902.html
Balding Rock Diva and Priestess Comments on Church
What is even more bizarre than her pending comeback, is the elderly rocker's claim to speak for "Irish Aritists" and like a lot of poorly educated media personalities, express her anger and frustration about something in which she seems to have a vested interest, but very little undertanding.
We are angry at the child abuse engaged in by Irish "Artists", whose music corrupts more than it ennobles. Considering their tawdriness, and bad examples, Rock Stars should remain silent on moral issues like this.
IrishCentral editors received an email last night from Irish singer Sinead O'Connor — who once infamously ripped a photo of Pope John Paul II on "Saturday Night Live" in a bizarre protest against the Catholic Church — in which she rips into the Church again, and with seething rage.
In the email, which longtime Irish Voice music writer Mike Farragher verified is genuine in a telephone call with the star, O'Connor, 49, says she speaks "on behalf of all Irish artists" in protest against the child and sex-abuse scandal in which the Irish Catholic Church is currently embroiled.
As angry as her "letter to the editor" is, O'Connor went even farther in her conversation this morning with Farragher.
“I feel strongly that we are proud of our faith and feel completely betrayed,” she told him. “They are withholding documents still. When they are asked to produce anything, there has been no reply, not even a refusal.
"'The Pope does not comment on these matters’ is what they say. That has made people even angrier. There is talk about calling for a boycott of Mass next Sunday. It will send a message if no one is in the pews. There is also talk about having the Irish ambassador withdrawn from the Vatican. [If you felt strongly for your faith, you wouldn't be recommending childish displays like this.]
Read further...
Marxist Bishop has Close Contacts with Terrorist Group
By MICHAEL WARREN (AP) – 7 hours ago
ASUNCION, Paraguay — When he was a Roman Catholic bishop, Fernando Lugo taught liberation theology to uplift the poor. Now he is president, he has sent special forces into Paraguay's northern forests to hunt kidnappers whose leaders include a former student and his former altar boy.
The ties between Lugo and the kidnappers of a wealthy rancher are providing fuel for an effort to impeach the president, whose election last year ended 61 years of unbroken right-wing Colorado Party rule. Lugo's government calls it a hypocritical campaign by politicians who committed far worse sins under the nation's long and brutal dictatorship.
Lugo, known as "bishop of the poor," [it's just PR] was elected in large part for his advocacy of liberation theology, a Catholic movement that found inspiration in faith to push for social change, though the Vatican suppressed many versions and discouraged its teaching. Lugo renounced his church vows, saying he could do more for the poor as president than as bishop. [A most honest response for anyone who embrace Liberation Theology to do is to leave the Church, for if this Communist thinks he can do more as a political organizer than as a Bishop, he truly does not understand the mission of the Church]
The kidnapping of rancher Fidel Zavala to finance what the band has called a revolutionary movement for the poor now threatens to turn Lugo's past against him, taking his nonviolent idealism in a criminal direction.
The kidnappers — a group linked to several bank robberies and other kidnappings in the past decade — showed up Oct. 15 on Zavala's ranch wearing military uniforms and calling themselves the Paraguayan People's Army.
The rancher's family pleaded with Lugo not to send in the police, fearing Zavala would be killed. But Lugo is in a tough spot. He is accused by critics on the right of coddling the kidnappers while those on the left say he has potentially violated the rights of poor forest dwellers by sending in police armed with U.S.-provided anti-terror equipment.
"Fernando Lugo continues to be deeply tied to the kidnappers," Colorado Party Sen. Juan Carlos Galaverna declared on television last week. He accused the president not only of mentoring the future kidnappers, but continuing to act as their "chief, or at least the protector of the band."
Interior Minister Rafael Filizzola told The Associated Press that the allegation "defies common sense."
"They're trying to stigmatize the Paraguayan left because of this, but the left has always been nonviolent," he said. "The violence came from (Alfredo) Stroessner, a right-wing dictatorship that tortured and killed. The violence never came from the left, nor the church."
Filizzola described the kidnappers as dangerous. On Monday he asked Paraguay's Congress for $1 million to finance the special forces' overtime and to pay for tips on Zavala's whereabouts.
"We have the objective of finding them, capturing them and making them face justice," he said.
The kidnappers' leader, Osvaldo Villalba, has been a fugitive since 2001 after claiming a $2 million ransom to release the daughter-in-law of a former economy minister. Police later recovered $600,000 and arrested several members of the group, including his sister Carmen Villalba, who is among about 40 people serving long prison terms.
The Villalbas — eight brothers and sisters in all — were raised in poverty by a mother who trained as a nun in Europe and promoted liberation theology while working for a bishop who, like Lugo, provided some refuge to opponents of the brutal 1954-89 dictatorship.
While Lugo denies knowing any of the kidnappers personally, Monsignor Adalberto Martinez of Lugo's San Pedro diocese acknowledged that several probably studied in the seminary directed by Lugo in the 1990s. Osvaldo Villalba's brother Jose also told the AP that one of the leaders was Lugo's seminary student, and a former kidnapper, Dionisio Olazar, said another member of the band, Manuel Cristaldo Mieres, served as Lugo's altar boy.
According to Interior Minister Filizzola, the People's Army comprises a core of about 20 uniformed combatants with military training and heavy weapons, a larger group whose members hold day jobs but sometimes participate in crimes and a much larger group of backers who occasionally provide logistical support.
Filizzola rejects the idea that liberation theology inspired the gang to become kidnappers, and says there is little evidence of any guiding ideology since they began calling themselves guerrillas. [Denying the clear and obvious truth, since Lugo's former seminary students and an altar boy belong to the organization]
But the group clearly expresses political goals in pamphlets and statements delivered anonymously to local journalists. "We will look for radical and revolutionary changes, the only way to dignify the suffering and hunger of our poor people," one reads. [The same rhetoric of Liberation Theology]
Jose Villalba, a carpenter who also raises chickens and pigs on his subsistence farm, says armed revolution is a necessary response to extreme poverty.
"This president promised us poor people during his campaign that he would bring change, but now that he's in power, he doesn't do a thing," Villalba said by telephone from the village of Santa Rosa.
Lugo's opponents have cited Zavala's kidnapping as evidence of a "failure to fulfill his presidential duties," a vague but impeachable offense in Paraguay.
There were more than a dozen high-profile kidnappings during the previous president's tenure, and no one pushed for impeachment then, but the threat is real in Lugo's case because he has so little support in Congress — only three sure votes among 125 lawmakers.
Filizzola said using the Zavala case to push for Lugo's ouster "is an act of opportunism for the same people who supported the dictatorship, who supported political assassinations, tortures, persecutions."
Associated Press Writer Pedro Servin contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
ASUNCION, Paraguay — When he was a Roman Catholic bishop, Fernando Lugo taught liberation theology to uplift the poor. Now he is president, he has sent special forces into Paraguay's northern forests to hunt kidnappers whose leaders include a former student and his former altar boy.
The ties between Lugo and the kidnappers of a wealthy rancher are providing fuel for an effort to impeach the president, whose election last year ended 61 years of unbroken right-wing Colorado Party rule. Lugo's government calls it a hypocritical campaign by politicians who committed far worse sins under the nation's long and brutal dictatorship.
Lugo, known as "bishop of the poor," [it's just PR] was elected in large part for his advocacy of liberation theology, a Catholic movement that found inspiration in faith to push for social change, though the Vatican suppressed many versions and discouraged its teaching. Lugo renounced his church vows, saying he could do more for the poor as president than as bishop. [A most honest response for anyone who embrace Liberation Theology to do is to leave the Church, for if this Communist thinks he can do more as a political organizer than as a Bishop, he truly does not understand the mission of the Church]
The kidnapping of rancher Fidel Zavala to finance what the band has called a revolutionary movement for the poor now threatens to turn Lugo's past against him, taking his nonviolent idealism in a criminal direction.
The kidnappers — a group linked to several bank robberies and other kidnappings in the past decade — showed up Oct. 15 on Zavala's ranch wearing military uniforms and calling themselves the Paraguayan People's Army.
The rancher's family pleaded with Lugo not to send in the police, fearing Zavala would be killed. But Lugo is in a tough spot. He is accused by critics on the right of coddling the kidnappers while those on the left say he has potentially violated the rights of poor forest dwellers by sending in police armed with U.S.-provided anti-terror equipment.
"Fernando Lugo continues to be deeply tied to the kidnappers," Colorado Party Sen. Juan Carlos Galaverna declared on television last week. He accused the president not only of mentoring the future kidnappers, but continuing to act as their "chief, or at least the protector of the band."
Interior Minister Rafael Filizzola told The Associated Press that the allegation "defies common sense."
"They're trying to stigmatize the Paraguayan left because of this, but the left has always been nonviolent," he said. "The violence came from (Alfredo) Stroessner, a right-wing dictatorship that tortured and killed. The violence never came from the left, nor the church."
Filizzola described the kidnappers as dangerous. On Monday he asked Paraguay's Congress for $1 million to finance the special forces' overtime and to pay for tips on Zavala's whereabouts.
"We have the objective of finding them, capturing them and making them face justice," he said.
The kidnappers' leader, Osvaldo Villalba, has been a fugitive since 2001 after claiming a $2 million ransom to release the daughter-in-law of a former economy minister. Police later recovered $600,000 and arrested several members of the group, including his sister Carmen Villalba, who is among about 40 people serving long prison terms.
The Villalbas — eight brothers and sisters in all — were raised in poverty by a mother who trained as a nun in Europe and promoted liberation theology while working for a bishop who, like Lugo, provided some refuge to opponents of the brutal 1954-89 dictatorship.
While Lugo denies knowing any of the kidnappers personally, Monsignor Adalberto Martinez of Lugo's San Pedro diocese acknowledged that several probably studied in the seminary directed by Lugo in the 1990s. Osvaldo Villalba's brother Jose also told the AP that one of the leaders was Lugo's seminary student, and a former kidnapper, Dionisio Olazar, said another member of the band, Manuel Cristaldo Mieres, served as Lugo's altar boy.
According to Interior Minister Filizzola, the People's Army comprises a core of about 20 uniformed combatants with military training and heavy weapons, a larger group whose members hold day jobs but sometimes participate in crimes and a much larger group of backers who occasionally provide logistical support.
Filizzola rejects the idea that liberation theology inspired the gang to become kidnappers, and says there is little evidence of any guiding ideology since they began calling themselves guerrillas. [Denying the clear and obvious truth, since Lugo's former seminary students and an altar boy belong to the organization]
But the group clearly expresses political goals in pamphlets and statements delivered anonymously to local journalists. "We will look for radical and revolutionary changes, the only way to dignify the suffering and hunger of our poor people," one reads. [The same rhetoric of Liberation Theology]
Jose Villalba, a carpenter who also raises chickens and pigs on his subsistence farm, says armed revolution is a necessary response to extreme poverty.
"This president promised us poor people during his campaign that he would bring change, but now that he's in power, he doesn't do a thing," Villalba said by telephone from the village of Santa Rosa.
Lugo's opponents have cited Zavala's kidnapping as evidence of a "failure to fulfill his presidential duties," a vague but impeachable offense in Paraguay.
There were more than a dozen high-profile kidnappings during the previous president's tenure, and no one pushed for impeachment then, but the threat is real in Lugo's case because he has so little support in Congress — only three sure votes among 125 lawmakers.
Filizzola said using the Zavala case to push for Lugo's ouster "is an act of opportunism for the same people who supported the dictatorship, who supported political assassinations, tortures, persecutions."
Associated Press Writer Pedro Servin contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
More Accusations Against Modernist Benedictine Monastery
Attorneys for a man claiming he was sexually abused by clergy at St. John's in Collegeville have filed a lawsuit, alleging a massive cover-up that spans more than 25 years.
The Order of St. Benedict, St. John's Abbey, and St. John's Preparatory School are listed as defendants on the lawsuit filed in Stearns County Court on Tuesday. Plaintiff attorney Pat Noaker says the suit identifies 11 accused, abusive Benedictines who were continually allowed to work with children from the early 60s through the mid-eighties.
"This concealment was overt and intentional at St. John's, this was not accidental," Noaker said shortly after filing the lawsuit.
The plaintiff listed on court papers is Jerry McCarthy, who says he was sexually abused by a father at St. John's in 1971; when he was a high school sophomore at St. John's Prep.
McCarthy told reporters he noticed the father who abused him recently passed away, and that sort of spurred him on, to tell his story.
After contacting Noaker, he was surprised by what his lawyer found.
"I had heard some of the stories over the years, but I was surprised to hear about the depth of it," McCarthy said.
Brother Aaron Raverty, with St. John's Abbey, released a statement late Tuesday afternoon.
"Saint John's has learned of a possible lawsuit, which we plan to carefully review. St. John's takes the issue of sexual misconduct very seriously, and over many years, has worked to ensure that policies and procedures on human rights are followed and enforced. Saint John's policies are clear and longstanding: we do not tolerate sexual misconduct in any form."
And yet they don't abide by the rules of the Catholic Church regarding ordination of homosexuals or featuring Catholic speakers that depart from the truths of the Catholic Faith and the priciples of Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
Link to article...
What could be better? The campus of St Johns surrounded by hardwoods dressed in autumnal red and gold and yellow. The Great Hall and the School of Theology: perhaps an encounter with a professor from my days here a decade and a half ago. A tour led by Northfield friend, Lutheran Pastor Keith Homstad, an oblate of this Benedictine Abbey. Capped off by an evening address by Sister Joan Chittister, entitled What in the Monastic endeavor touches the heart of the gospel?
Sister Joan is a leading Catholic feminist and voice for progressive Catholicism. Among other liberal causes, she is an outspoken advocate for the ordination of women to the priesthood. The press release notes just a tip of the iceberg for her accomplishments:
Link in article...
Related Articles:
Josh Guimond Disappearance.
Cultural Marxist as Ambassador to the Vatican.
Spanish King Faces Excommunication if He Assents to Abortion Bill
Royal assent could plunge Spain into Constitutional Crisis
By Hilary White
December 7, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Spanish press is highlighting the dilemma faced by Juan Carlos, king of Spain, a Catholic, who may be called upon to sign into law a bill that, if passed, would further liberalize abortion.
On November 25th, Spain's Catholic bishops warned that those politicians who vote in favor of the law will have excommunicated themselves, having put themselves in an "objective state of sin." The bishops wrote that "while the situation lasts," politicians who vote in favor of the law "may not be admitted to Holy Communion."
However, the Spanish Constitution of 1978 stipulates that new laws must be promulgated by the king, who is head of state, but who now faces possible excommunication if he gives royal assent to the bill.
Prominent Spanish Catholics are calling on the king to refuse to sign the law. In an article appearing on the website Religion en Libertad, titled, "The King should not sign the abortion law," the head of the lobby group HazteOir, Nacho Arsuaga, said the country could be heading for a constitutional crisis over the bill.
"The king of a democratic state under the law cannot sign a law approving the right of a few to kill other human beings. With this law, the government is de facto destroying the validity of the Spanish constitution, which stipulates in its Article 15 the right to life." Arsuaga called on the king either to refuse to sign or to abdicate.
Javier Maria Perez-Roldan, president of the Thomas More Law Center, said that the law would "contradict the principle of monarchy," which "loses all authority if it is exercised against the common good."
Arsuaga's article quotes politicians and the heads of a number of Catholic organizations who have called on the king to abdicate in imitation of King Baudouin of Belgium, who in 1990 temporarily renounced his throne rather than sign his country's law liberalizing abortion. They also cited the more recent case of Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, who refused last year to sign the duchy's law legalizing euthanasia and who may be stripped of his constitutional powers as a result.
Milian Manuel Mestre, a businessman and politician and Member of the Congress of Deputies, called it "incomprehensible from the ethical point of view," that the government could pass a law that establishes abortion as a right.
"As a believer and a citizen of this country it does not seem appropriate for the King to sign into law the Act ... Neither the king nor the government nor the Spanish Courts may violate principles of fundamental ethics," Mestre said.
But the editor of the weekly Alba, Gonzalo Altozano, warned not to expect heroics from Juan Carlos. When, in 2005, the Zapatero government created "gay marriage," the king responded, "I'm not the king of Belgium" and displayed no hesitation in signing the bill. Altozano writes, "He was right: Juan Carlos is not Baldwin [Baudouin]. It is, simply, Juan Carlos. Do not expect any heroics from him. No longer."
Juan Carlos was born in Rome, where the Spanish royal family had settled following the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic in 1931. He succeeded the dictator Franco as head of state and was enthroned as king in 1975. The family's close connection to the Catholic Church is a tradition dating back centuries, and Juan Carlos' wife, Queen Sofia, in an authorized biography, recently denounced abortion, saying she was "absolutely against" it as well as euthanasia, and "gay marriage."
Nevertheless, it was King Juan Carlos himself who instituted the "liberal" political and social reforms in Spain following the death of Franco. Under his rule, leftist groups and movements, such as the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and the Communist Party of Spain, which had been defeated in the Spanish Civil War, were legalized and legitimized.
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By Hilary White
December 7, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Spanish press is highlighting the dilemma faced by Juan Carlos, king of Spain, a Catholic, who may be called upon to sign into law a bill that, if passed, would further liberalize abortion.
On November 25th, Spain's Catholic bishops warned that those politicians who vote in favor of the law will have excommunicated themselves, having put themselves in an "objective state of sin." The bishops wrote that "while the situation lasts," politicians who vote in favor of the law "may not be admitted to Holy Communion."
However, the Spanish Constitution of 1978 stipulates that new laws must be promulgated by the king, who is head of state, but who now faces possible excommunication if he gives royal assent to the bill.
Prominent Spanish Catholics are calling on the king to refuse to sign the law. In an article appearing on the website Religion en Libertad, titled, "The King should not sign the abortion law," the head of the lobby group HazteOir, Nacho Arsuaga, said the country could be heading for a constitutional crisis over the bill.
"The king of a democratic state under the law cannot sign a law approving the right of a few to kill other human beings. With this law, the government is de facto destroying the validity of the Spanish constitution, which stipulates in its Article 15 the right to life." Arsuaga called on the king either to refuse to sign or to abdicate.
Javier Maria Perez-Roldan, president of the Thomas More Law Center, said that the law would "contradict the principle of monarchy," which "loses all authority if it is exercised against the common good."
Arsuaga's article quotes politicians and the heads of a number of Catholic organizations who have called on the king to abdicate in imitation of King Baudouin of Belgium, who in 1990 temporarily renounced his throne rather than sign his country's law liberalizing abortion. They also cited the more recent case of Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, who refused last year to sign the duchy's law legalizing euthanasia and who may be stripped of his constitutional powers as a result.
Milian Manuel Mestre, a businessman and politician and Member of the Congress of Deputies, called it "incomprehensible from the ethical point of view," that the government could pass a law that establishes abortion as a right.
"As a believer and a citizen of this country it does not seem appropriate for the King to sign into law the Act ... Neither the king nor the government nor the Spanish Courts may violate principles of fundamental ethics," Mestre said.
But the editor of the weekly Alba, Gonzalo Altozano, warned not to expect heroics from Juan Carlos. When, in 2005, the Zapatero government created "gay marriage," the king responded, "I'm not the king of Belgium" and displayed no hesitation in signing the bill. Altozano writes, "He was right: Juan Carlos is not Baldwin [Baudouin]. It is, simply, Juan Carlos. Do not expect any heroics from him. No longer."
Juan Carlos was born in Rome, where the Spanish royal family had settled following the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic in 1931. He succeeded the dictator Franco as head of state and was enthroned as king in 1975. The family's close connection to the Catholic Church is a tradition dating back centuries, and Juan Carlos' wife, Queen Sofia, in an authorized biography, recently denounced abortion, saying she was "absolutely against" it as well as euthanasia, and "gay marriage."
Nevertheless, it was King Juan Carlos himself who instituted the "liberal" political and social reforms in Spain following the death of Franco. Under his rule, leftist groups and movements, such as the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and the Communist Party of Spain, which had been defeated in the Spanish Civil War, were legalized and legitimized.
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Succession Crisis in Bulgarian Church over Veneration of Pope's Ring
Bulgarian Bishop Simeon is up in arms against the Holly Synod and vows to fight for the Eparchy of Central and Western Europe's post.
On December 1, the Holy Synod dismissed Simeon from the post citing ailing health and prolonged absences over travels to the US. bishops say they do not want Simeon's chosen successor, his saffragan Tihon to replace him over a picture showing Tihon kissing the Pope's hand.
The Holy Synod sent to Berlin, the seat of the Central and Western Europe Eparchy, the Bishop of Stara Zagora, Galaktion, as temporary replacement just to become swamped by letters from Simeon and many Bulgarians abroad protesting the move. The Bulgarian expats do not want Galaktion over his known ties with the Communist State Security while Simeon threatens the Bulgarian Orthodox Church with a Strasbourg lawsuit and a “large uprising.”
For years the Bishop scents most of his time in the US, but says no one can replace him since he has a life-long tenure.
The Holy Synod counters they have adopted an emergency Synod order, based on the Bulgarian Orthodox Church's Code, they say, to hold elections for the post and insist Galaktion will temporarily run the Eparchy until the elections, which will take place in six months.
Bishop Simeon has further sent a protest letter to Bulgaria's Patriarch Maxim labeling the Synod's decision illegal.
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