Speaking at the Anglican Communion Institute's conference in Dallas, February 5-6, Bishop James Stanton, Dallas and Bishop Bruce McPherson, Western Louisiana, told delegates that they intended to remain in The Episcopal Church (TEC).
Despite disagreement with TEC over openly gay clergy, Stanton stated, "This diocese is not on the verge of leaving anything." However, the Dallas bishop admitted that "the bonds of communion have been stretched to breaking point" and that he was "concerned about the legal cases."
According to Stanton these are unjustified because TEC has no right to sue dioceses for acting independently. Quoting the Rt. Rev. Alexander Garrett, first Bishop of Dallas, Stanton said that a diocese is "an independent and sovereign state."
Read further....
Thursday, February 11, 2010
George Weigel has a new Book: Reality
A new Bestseller from Papal biographer, George Weigel, a book, that gives an answer to critics with the 10 most important points of disagreement with the Church today.
[Linz] Does belief participiate in freedom? Do Catholics hate the body? Is the Church anti-Democratic? If the discussions around the Catholic Church happen, there are always the same arguments. George Weigel, who wrote the Papal Biography (Witness to Hope. John Paul II.) and most well known Catholic publicist in the USA, has developed responsees to the 10 most important questions. Without polemics he lays out the Catholic view of things. Thereby he shows: the Catholic Church doesn't live according to restrictions. On the contrary: It gives belief to true freedom. It's a book with good arguments for believers and skeptics alike.
Link to original at kathnet....
[Linz] Does belief participiate in freedom? Do Catholics hate the body? Is the Church anti-Democratic? If the discussions around the Catholic Church happen, there are always the same arguments. George Weigel, who wrote the Papal Biography (Witness to Hope. John Paul II.) and most well known Catholic publicist in the USA, has developed responsees to the 10 most important questions. Without polemics he lays out the Catholic view of things. Thereby he shows: the Catholic Church doesn't live according to restrictions. On the contrary: It gives belief to true freedom. It's a book with good arguments for believers and skeptics alike.
Link to original at kathnet....
100s Show up to Celebrate Mandela's release with Marxist ANC
Thousands of South Africans were today marking the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's walk to freedom after 27 years as the world’s most famous political prisoner.
Dozens of leading figures from the African National Congress (ANC) and liberation struggle stalwarts marched out of the gates of Victor Verster prison, since renamed the Drakenstein Correctional Centre, this morning in an emotional re-enactment of Mr Mandela’s march, which signalled the end of apartheid.
Mr Mandela, now a frail 91-year-old, did not attend the celebrations, although a huge bronze statue of him marching from jail, fist pumping the air, formed a fitting backdrop for the ANC figures to address the faithful.
Mr Mandela is expected to attend a session of parliament later today.
Link to original...
Please join us in a resounding chorus of "Kill the White People".
Dozens of leading figures from the African National Congress (ANC) and liberation struggle stalwarts marched out of the gates of Victor Verster prison, since renamed the Drakenstein Correctional Centre, this morning in an emotional re-enactment of Mr Mandela’s march, which signalled the end of apartheid.
Mr Mandela, now a frail 91-year-old, did not attend the celebrations, although a huge bronze statue of him marching from jail, fist pumping the air, formed a fitting backdrop for the ANC figures to address the faithful.
Mr Mandela is expected to attend a session of parliament later today.
Link to original...
Please join us in a resounding chorus of "Kill the White People".
Catholicism is Scotland's Leading Religion
SCOTLAND has become more Roman Catholic than Protestant, with its congregations now outnumbering the Kirk for the first time since records began.
Figures compiled by the independent group Christian Research reveal that in 2005 the number of Catholics who went to Mass surpassed those who attended Church of Scotland services.
A total of 215,000 Catholics went to church, compared with only 20
ADVERTISEMENT8,400 attending the Church of Scotland.
Attendances at both churches – and all other Christian denominations – are falling however, and the group predicts that by 2010, the number of Scots going to church on a Sunday will fall below 10% of the population for the first time from 751,100 in 1990 to 457,600 in 2015.
The change is due to the huge numbers of Catholic Polish immigrants who are boosting church attendance, raising numbers by some 50,000 people since the last time figures were published in 2002.
Read further...
Figures compiled by the independent group Christian Research reveal that in 2005 the number of Catholics who went to Mass surpassed those who attended Church of Scotland services.
A total of 215,000 Catholics went to church, compared with only 20
ADVERTISEMENT8,400 attending the Church of Scotland.
Attendances at both churches – and all other Christian denominations – are falling however, and the group predicts that by 2010, the number of Scots going to church on a Sunday will fall below 10% of the population for the first time from 751,100 in 1990 to 457,600 in 2015.
The change is due to the huge numbers of Catholic Polish immigrants who are boosting church attendance, raising numbers by some 50,000 people since the last time figures were published in 2002.
Read further...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Senator Wilson, Architect of the Afghan War is Dead, RIP
[Telegraph] Charlie Wilson, the Texan Democrat who championed covert CIA support for Afghan fighters battling Soviet troops in the 1980s and whose life was chronicled in a Hollywood film, has died. He was 76.
The controversial former congressman, known as “Good-time Charlie” for his hard-partying ways, died of a heart attack in a Texas hospital late yesterday. Mr Wilson died after having difficulty breathing after attending a meeting in the eastern Texas town where he lived, according to a hospital spokeswoman. He was pronounced dead on arrival, and the preliminary cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest.
Mr Wilson served 12 consecutive terms in the House of Representatives, and was also known as the "Liberal from Lufkin," the town in mostly conservative east Texas where he lived.
Read further...
Photo: Marcy Nighswander/AP
Cardinal Mahony Blogs about New Missal
The Bishops of eleven English-speaking countries have completed a new English translation of the Latin Roman Missal, Editio tertia, and the new English Roman Missal is under final review at the Vatican.
The new Missal will be the first new translation since the current Missal was published in 1974 -- some 36 years ago.
It is anticipated that the new English Roman Missal will begin full use on the First Sunday of Advent, 2011 -- less than two years from now.
Since the 1974 version was translated in haste, there were many errors in the translation which rendered the Missal inaccurate in many places.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles just completed a series of Workshops for all of our priests to inform them about the coming new Missal, reasons for changes, and a good grounding in the efforts taken to produce a Missal which is more theologically correct.
A whole series of Workshops are being planned for everyone involved in the planning and celebration of the Eucharist: permanent deacons, parish liturgy committees, members of the various ministries, and the like. As we get closer to the launch of the new Missal, we will have several weeks of catechesis for all our people about the new Missal and the changes which will affect them in their responses at Mass.
There are two websites which contain a lot of background and information on the new English Missal. I recommend these two:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
www.usccb.org/romanmissal
The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions:
www.fdlc.org/roman_missal.htm
The coming months will be very important to the life of the Church in the English-speaking world, and I encourage all of us to become as informed as we can about the new English Roman Missal.
Linke to California Catholic...
Link to +Mahony blog, here.
The new Missal will be the first new translation since the current Missal was published in 1974 -- some 36 years ago.
It is anticipated that the new English Roman Missal will begin full use on the First Sunday of Advent, 2011 -- less than two years from now.
Since the 1974 version was translated in haste, there were many errors in the translation which rendered the Missal inaccurate in many places.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles just completed a series of Workshops for all of our priests to inform them about the coming new Missal, reasons for changes, and a good grounding in the efforts taken to produce a Missal which is more theologically correct.
A whole series of Workshops are being planned for everyone involved in the planning and celebration of the Eucharist: permanent deacons, parish liturgy committees, members of the various ministries, and the like. As we get closer to the launch of the new Missal, we will have several weeks of catechesis for all our people about the new Missal and the changes which will affect them in their responses at Mass.
There are two websites which contain a lot of background and information on the new English Missal. I recommend these two:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
www.usccb.org/romanmissal
The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions:
www.fdlc.org/roman_missal.htm
The coming months will be very important to the life of the Church in the English-speaking world, and I encourage all of us to become as informed as we can about the new English Roman Missal.
Linke to California Catholic...
Link to +Mahony blog, here.
At War with the USCCB Part II: Follow Up
Renew America
The following statement, provided to me by Stephen Phelan, communications director of Human Life International and spokesman for the Reform CCHD Now coalition, is a follow-up to my previous column.
'It is unfortunate that John Carr has publicly complained about how the coalition did not come to him first about the most recent charges, when, as Rob Gasper points out, he has to date refused to meet with us to discuss any of this. It is his (and other CCHD leadership's) intransigence which has forced this public and growing campaign. It is also unfortunate that he defends himself from a charge that we haven't made — that his pro-life beliefs are in question — while ignoring and leading others to ignore the actual, well-documented charges.
'Perhaps most troubling, however, is that while Mr. Carr and other defenders of the CCHD publicly complain that our charges are baseless and unfair, they and their partners silently 'scrub' their Web sites of the evidence which substantiates the charges. Since the last round of reports, several links in the reports now go to pages that are suddenly password-protected, or that go to pages other than ones originally linked.
'The opportunity for CCHD and USCCB executives to get out in front of this growing scandal and embrace renewal of this crucial Catholic program is still possible. We stand ready to support, as we have in the past, anyone who is doing the right thing, as several dioceses are now doing. There is real reform happening on the local level, but it's sad that these dioceses have had to distance themselves from the national CCHD in order to do this.
Read further...
The following statement, provided to me by Stephen Phelan, communications director of Human Life International and spokesman for the Reform CCHD Now coalition, is a follow-up to my previous column.
'It is unfortunate that John Carr has publicly complained about how the coalition did not come to him first about the most recent charges, when, as Rob Gasper points out, he has to date refused to meet with us to discuss any of this. It is his (and other CCHD leadership's) intransigence which has forced this public and growing campaign. It is also unfortunate that he defends himself from a charge that we haven't made — that his pro-life beliefs are in question — while ignoring and leading others to ignore the actual, well-documented charges.
'Perhaps most troubling, however, is that while Mr. Carr and other defenders of the CCHD publicly complain that our charges are baseless and unfair, they and their partners silently 'scrub' their Web sites of the evidence which substantiates the charges. Since the last round of reports, several links in the reports now go to pages that are suddenly password-protected, or that go to pages other than ones originally linked.
'The opportunity for CCHD and USCCB executives to get out in front of this growing scandal and embrace renewal of this crucial Catholic program is still possible. We stand ready to support, as we have in the past, anyone who is doing the right thing, as several dioceses are now doing. There is real reform happening on the local level, but it's sad that these dioceses have had to distance themselves from the national CCHD in order to do this.
Read further...
Bishop Vasa Cautiously Critical of USCCB
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 10, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Oregon has cautiously expressed concern after reports this week that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is listed as a member of a coalition that promotes homosexual “rights” and access to abortion.
In a Monday article, Deal Hudson of Inside Catholic pointed out the USCCB's membership in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR), a coalition of nearly 200 national 'civil and human rights' organizations, founded in 1950, that coordinates national lobbying efforts for its members. The minimum annual dues to join LCCR is $1,000, though that grows with the size of the organization.
One of the coalition's focus issues is “LGBT rights”, and, as Hudson reveals, their website provides evidence of the organization's deliberate thwarting of pro-life efforts and their support for organizations and legislation that facilitate abortion.
Responding to the evidence, Bishop Vasa told LifeSiteNews: “I am not well enough versed in the 'politics' of such associations to make any criticism of the motives or justifications which might be provided but, on the face of it, I would have to agree that support of this organization and an active endorsement of its principles and purposes would appear to be problematic.”
As Hudson reported, Lisa Haywood, LCCR's membership services director, confirmed that members "must share LCCR's principles and purposes." These include recognizing “equal rights, equal opportunities and equal justice” based on a number of grounds, including “sexual orientation.”
Read further...
In a Monday article, Deal Hudson of Inside Catholic pointed out the USCCB's membership in the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR), a coalition of nearly 200 national 'civil and human rights' organizations, founded in 1950, that coordinates national lobbying efforts for its members. The minimum annual dues to join LCCR is $1,000, though that grows with the size of the organization.
One of the coalition's focus issues is “LGBT rights”, and, as Hudson reveals, their website provides evidence of the organization's deliberate thwarting of pro-life efforts and their support for organizations and legislation that facilitate abortion.
Responding to the evidence, Bishop Vasa told LifeSiteNews: “I am not well enough versed in the 'politics' of such associations to make any criticism of the motives or justifications which might be provided but, on the face of it, I would have to agree that support of this organization and an active endorsement of its principles and purposes would appear to be problematic.”
As Hudson reported, Lisa Haywood, LCCR's membership services director, confirmed that members "must share LCCR's principles and purposes." These include recognizing “equal rights, equal opportunities and equal justice” based on a number of grounds, including “sexual orientation.”
Read further...
Vatican Official Calls for 'Ecumenical Catechism'
A senior Vatican official called on Monday (Feb. 8) for "an ecumenical catechism" setting forth the common beliefs of the Catholic and major Protestant churches.
Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, announced the proposal at a Vatican symposium with representatives of the Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed churches.
Citing the need for an "ecumenism of basics that identifies, reinforces and deepens the common foundation" of Christianity, Kasper said that the proposed catechism would be written "in consultation with our partners," according to a report by Catholic News Service
Link to original....
Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, announced the proposal at a Vatican symposium with representatives of the Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed churches.
Citing the need for an "ecumenism of basics that identifies, reinforces and deepens the common foundation" of Christianity, Kasper said that the proposed catechism would be written "in consultation with our partners," according to a report by Catholic News Service
Link to original....
Distancing from an Attack on Carr
Renew America
Matt C.Abbott
Would it be best for the Catholic Church in the U.S. (and Rome, for that matter) if the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops were to be dismantled? I say yes, but more on that a bit later.
First, there have been a few interesting developments in the ongoing Catholic Campaign for Human Development controversy.
From a Feb. 5 LifeSiteNews.com story (excerpted; click here for the article in its entirety):
Read further...
Matt C.Abbott
Would it be best for the Catholic Church in the U.S. (and Rome, for that matter) if the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops were to be dismantled? I say yes, but more on that a bit later.
First, there have been a few interesting developments in the ongoing Catholic Campaign for Human Development controversy.
From a Feb. 5 LifeSiteNews.com story (excerpted; click here for the article in its entirety):
'Various offices of the U.S. Bishops Conference (USCCB) have reacted to the two new reports issued by the Reform CCHD Now coalition (RCN) this week, but the reactions, claims RCN, have not addressed the core message of their reports.
'While RCN has offered evidence that 31 CCHD grantees are partnered with a pro-abortion and homosexualist group, the Center for Community (CCC), and that two USCCB officials have served on the same group's board, the reactions have focused primarily on defending the pro-life beliefs of one of those officials — John Carr, who, as executive director of the USCCB's Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development, oversees the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD).
'The report on Carr's involvement in CCC was received by some as questioning Carr's personal pro-life convictions. However, RCN says that the reports in question — one from American Life League (ALL) and another from the Bellarmine Veritas Ministry (BVM) — specified that they were not questioning Carr or any USCCB staffer's personal stance on pro-life.
'Immediately after the issuing of the reports Monday, a line supporting CCC was quietly removed from the CCHD Web site. Not so quiet, however, was the backlash against the perceived attack on Carr....
'While RCN coalition members said they were pleased to hear these affirmations of Carr's pro-life stance, they also said they were concerned with what they called 'false' accusations from other officials which, they said, led even bishops to misconstrue their actions and intentions....
'Michael Hichborn of RCN member ALL told LSN today that, 'We never once alleged that John Carr promotes abortion and homosexual agendas, and all of our public commentary verifies this.' Hitchborn added, 'In fact, in the initial report that I wrote, I specifically stated that we are not questioning the pro-life convictions of John Carr or anyone he works with.'
'In Carr's response to the RCN reports, he reiterated his pro-life convictions and accused RCN members of not contacting him prior to releasing their reports, saying that 'Neither the American Life League nor the Bellarmine Institute contacted me, CCHD or the bishops' conference before making these accusations.'
'But Hichborn claims that Carr's accusation is 'false.' Rob Gasper, head of RCN member BVM said, 'Carr has stated on multiple occasions that he will not meet or discuss issues with either ALL or [Human Life International].' Gasper added, 'The information in the BVM report should not have come as a surprise since it was primarily discussing information released well over two months ago'....'
Read further...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Vatican Consultant Responds to 'Completely Ignorant' IPPF Accusation
LONDON, UK, February 9, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A legal consultant to the Vatican has sharply criticized a recent report by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) that takes aim at the Catholic Church's teaching on sexuality.
In a report entitled "Stand and Deliver," the international abortion giant attacks the influence of religious values on young peoples' attitude toward sexuality, saying such institutions "deny the pleasurable and positive aspects of sex" and block "information and services" about sex - presumably sex education, contraceptives, and abortion.
"Young people’s sexuality is still contentious for many religious institutions. Fundamentalist and other religious groups - the Catholic Church and madrasas (Islamic schools) for example - have imposed tremendous barriers that prevent young people, particularly, from obtaining information and services related to sex and reproduction," it states.
Link to original...
In a report entitled "Stand and Deliver," the international abortion giant attacks the influence of religious values on young peoples' attitude toward sexuality, saying such institutions "deny the pleasurable and positive aspects of sex" and block "information and services" about sex - presumably sex education, contraceptives, and abortion.
"Young people’s sexuality is still contentious for many religious institutions. Fundamentalist and other religious groups - the Catholic Church and madrasas (Islamic schools) for example - have imposed tremendous barriers that prevent young people, particularly, from obtaining information and services related to sex and reproduction," it states.
Link to original...
False Compassion Killing Children
ROME, February 9, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Catholic Church is suffering from one of the modern world’s most dangerous philosophical errors - that of false compassion, says Michel Schooyans, one of Europe’s leading philosophical minds.
In a new essay, Schooyans writes that the corruption of compassion has created a climate in which it is anathema to condemn the killing of children by abortion and, more recently, by post-natal infanticide. It also has led, he says, to the abolition of the traditional definition of marriage; the spread of AIDS through the “safe sex” doctrine; and a resurgence of the deadly eugenics policies of the early 20th century. (Read the complete essay here)
“Pseudo-compassion,” Schooyans writes, “leads to heresy and division within the Church, because it incites the faithful to deviate from a non-negotiable element of the doctrine of the Church: the duty to respect innocent life.
Link to original...
In a new essay, Schooyans writes that the corruption of compassion has created a climate in which it is anathema to condemn the killing of children by abortion and, more recently, by post-natal infanticide. It also has led, he says, to the abolition of the traditional definition of marriage; the spread of AIDS through the “safe sex” doctrine; and a resurgence of the deadly eugenics policies of the early 20th century. (Read the complete essay here)
“Pseudo-compassion,” Schooyans writes, “leads to heresy and division within the Church, because it incites the faithful to deviate from a non-negotiable element of the doctrine of the Church: the duty to respect innocent life.
Link to original...
Monday, February 8, 2010
Vatican Tempests. The Academy for Life Puts Its Neck on the Line
ROME, February 8, 2010 – In a few days, from February 11 to 13, a meeting will be held at the Vatican of the pontifical academy for life, the president of which is Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella (in the photo).
The meeting promises to be a stormy one. Some of the members of the academy are openly questioning whether Fisichella is fit to be president. Foremost among them is Monsignor Michel Schooyans, Belgian, professor emeritus of the Catholic University of Louvain, a respected specialist in anthropology, political philosophy, bioethics. He is a member of three pontifical academies: for social sciences, of Saint Thomas Aquinas, and – most relevant here – for life. Pope Joseph Ratzinger knows and admires him. In 1997, as cardinal prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, he wrote a preface to one of his books: "L'Évangile face au désordre mondial."
In view of the meeting, Schooyans has written a scathing critique of the "trap" into which he believes also Fisichella has fallen: the deceptive use of the concept of "compassion."
Link to original...
The meeting promises to be a stormy one. Some of the members of the academy are openly questioning whether Fisichella is fit to be president. Foremost among them is Monsignor Michel Schooyans, Belgian, professor emeritus of the Catholic University of Louvain, a respected specialist in anthropology, political philosophy, bioethics. He is a member of three pontifical academies: for social sciences, of Saint Thomas Aquinas, and – most relevant here – for life. Pope Joseph Ratzinger knows and admires him. In 1997, as cardinal prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, he wrote a preface to one of his books: "L'Évangile face au désordre mondial."
In view of the meeting, Schooyans has written a scathing critique of the "trap" into which he believes also Fisichella has fallen: the deceptive use of the concept of "compassion."
Link to original...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)