Saturday, June 19, 2004
In Cincinnati Today
While attending a talk before the one that Amy is giving here today, I saw a man turn green. He was taking away in an ambulance. When I say that he turned green, I'm talking Martian green. The priest was speaking about Hell. The man's color had returned when he was taken away. Truly strange!
Friday, June 18, 2004
Pope to Make Pilgrimage to Lourdes in August
Will stay with the ailing and pray for a miracle.
From ABCNEWS.com : Pope to Stay with Ailing on August Lourdes Trip:
"Pope John Paul will stay overnight at a special residence for ailing pilgrims when he visits the French pilgrimage shrine of Lourdes on August 14-15, according to French Catholic officials.
The pope, 84 and stricken by Parkinson's disease, wants to make the pilgrimage like any of the other ailing pilgrims who go to Lourdes hoping for a cure from waters in a grotto where the Virgin Mary is to have appeared in 1858, they said.
The Polish-born pontiff wants to mark the 150th anniversary of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, which states that the mother of Jesus Christ was born free of original sin.
"The pope will come as an ailing person making a pilgrimage to Lourdes ... an ill man among the ill," Bishop Jacques Perrier, head of the local diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes in southwestern France, told journalists this week."
From ABCNEWS.com : Pope to Stay with Ailing on August Lourdes Trip:
"Pope John Paul will stay overnight at a special residence for ailing pilgrims when he visits the French pilgrimage shrine of Lourdes on August 14-15, according to French Catholic officials.
The pope, 84 and stricken by Parkinson's disease, wants to make the pilgrimage like any of the other ailing pilgrims who go to Lourdes hoping for a cure from waters in a grotto where the Virgin Mary is to have appeared in 1858, they said.
The Polish-born pontiff wants to mark the 150th anniversary of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, which states that the mother of Jesus Christ was born free of original sin.
"The pope will come as an ailing person making a pilgrimage to Lourdes ... an ill man among the ill," Bishop Jacques Perrier, head of the local diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes in southwestern France, told journalists this week."
Rosary--A Fashion Hit
I noticed that Dontrell Willis of the Florida Marlins was wearing one around his neck as he pitched Sunday against the Detroit Tigers (a game that Amy and I were at). I mentioned it to her and wondered if it had a devotional aspect to it, turns out it probably doesn't, but it is the time to use this as an evangelization tool not an opportunity to blast the half wits who don't know what it means....
From USATODAY.com - Rosary's second coming:
"Rosary beads as a style statement, not a prayer ritual, are hot with stars. 'It has come back again,' celebrity stylist Charlie Altuna says.
In the mid-1980s, Madonna, who was raised Catholic, raised eyebrows and launched a fashion craze by wearing crucifixes and rosaries with corsets. Eventually, the look became 'cheesy' and faded away, Altuna says.
But, like many '80s trends, rosaries 'are cool again' with celebs. It's highly unlikely, however, that the pope will bless the trend this time around, either. Altuna suggests the new fad has roots in the Britney Spears/Madonna connection. "
From USATODAY.com - Rosary's second coming:
"Rosary beads as a style statement, not a prayer ritual, are hot with stars. 'It has come back again,' celebrity stylist Charlie Altuna says.
In the mid-1980s, Madonna, who was raised Catholic, raised eyebrows and launched a fashion craze by wearing crucifixes and rosaries with corsets. Eventually, the look became 'cheesy' and faded away, Altuna says.
But, like many '80s trends, rosaries 'are cool again' with celebs. It's highly unlikely, however, that the pope will bless the trend this time around, either. Altuna suggests the new fad has roots in the Britney Spears/Madonna connection. "
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Vatican Moves to Quell New Age
An illustration of how slow the church moves...it has decided that the "new age" movement presents a threat. Problem is that it has taken them so long to recognize this is that most of the proponents of the new age are now in thier old age.
From Vatican moves to quell 'alternatives' - (United Press International):
"A week-long summit at the Vatican is trying to devise a plan to deal with the rise of 'New Age' religions and fads, The Independent reported Wednesday.
The closed-door conference includes priests and lay people from 25 countries, focusing on a Vatican report on New Age sects last year.
Monsignor Peter Fleetwood, one of the authors of the report, said the greatest challenge may be in England and North America 'where the New Age began ... and where it has become such a part of everyday life that we don't notice it.' That makes it harder to attack, he says: 'Where one sees a threat, it's easier to battle it.'"
From Vatican moves to quell 'alternatives' - (United Press International):
"A week-long summit at the Vatican is trying to devise a plan to deal with the rise of 'New Age' religions and fads, The Independent reported Wednesday.
The closed-door conference includes priests and lay people from 25 countries, focusing on a Vatican report on New Age sects last year.
Monsignor Peter Fleetwood, one of the authors of the report, said the greatest challenge may be in England and North America 'where the New Age began ... and where it has become such a part of everyday life that we don't notice it.' That makes it harder to attack, he says: 'Where one sees a threat, it's easier to battle it.'"
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Coming in September!
In time for the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross!
Because...
God's ways are not ours,
and our plans often are thwarted...
"announcing your plans is a sure way to hear God laugh"
Because...
God's ways are not ours,
and our plans often are thwarted...
"announcing your plans is a sure way to hear God laugh"
Diocese Threatens Bankruptcy
From Diocese of Tucson weighs bankruptcy | The Arizona Daily Star :
"Lawyers for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson say Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas is making plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
If the diocese follows through on what its attorneys say is 'the only viable' way to financially resolve pending lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by clergy, it will be the first U.S. Catholic diocese to file for bankruptcy. Under bankruptcy protection, local Catholic parishioners would be in the unprecedented position of being part of a church whose purse strings are monitored by the courts.
Chapter 11 falls under the federal bankruptcy code and is a way for insolvent corporations and others to reorganize debt. Kicanas predicted Tuesday that filing for Chapter 11 could allow the operations of the diocese and its 74 parishes to carry on normally while it makes a plan to pay costs related to the abuse claims.
He compared the scenario to the way United Airlines has continued to fly its planes since filing for bankruptcy protection in December 2002.
Major business decisions would need the approval of bankruptcy court. "
"Lawyers for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson say Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas is making plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
If the diocese follows through on what its attorneys say is 'the only viable' way to financially resolve pending lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by clergy, it will be the first U.S. Catholic diocese to file for bankruptcy. Under bankruptcy protection, local Catholic parishioners would be in the unprecedented position of being part of a church whose purse strings are monitored by the courts.
Chapter 11 falls under the federal bankruptcy code and is a way for insolvent corporations and others to reorganize debt. Kicanas predicted Tuesday that filing for Chapter 11 could allow the operations of the diocese and its 74 parishes to carry on normally while it makes a plan to pay costs related to the abuse claims.
He compared the scenario to the way United Airlines has continued to fly its planes since filing for bankruptcy protection in December 2002.
Major business decisions would need the approval of bankruptcy court. "
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Blackout Hits Major Web Sites
From Blackout hits major Web sites | CNET News.com:
"A domain name outage Tuesday morning left many popular Web sites such as Yahoo, Google, Microsoft.com and Apple.com temporarily inaccessible, according to a Web research company.
For just more than two hours--from 5:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. PDT--many of the world's most popular sites suffered from widespread outages, according to Keynote Systems, which compiles statistics related to Web surfing. On a typical day, the top 40 sites measured by Keynote rarely dip below 99 percent availability. On Tuesday, however, Keynote saw availability drop to 81 percent. "
"A domain name outage Tuesday morning left many popular Web sites such as Yahoo, Google, Microsoft.com and Apple.com temporarily inaccessible, according to a Web research company.
For just more than two hours--from 5:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. PDT--many of the world's most popular sites suffered from widespread outages, according to Keynote Systems, which compiles statistics related to Web surfing. On a typical day, the top 40 sites measured by Keynote rarely dip below 99 percent availability. On Tuesday, however, Keynote saw availability drop to 81 percent. "
Acts of Inquisition Symposium Released
From The Vatican Information Service:
"In public opinion," writes the Pope, "the image of the Inquisition represents in some way the symbol of this counter-witness and scandal. In what measure is this image faithful to reality? Before asking for forgiveness, it is necessary to know exactly what are the facts and to recognize the shortcomings with respect to the evangelical needs in appropriate cases. This is why the Committee referred to historians whose scientific competence is universally recognized."
John Paul II recalls that on March 12, 2000, a Day of Forgiveness was celebrated and forgiveness was asked "for the errors committed in the service of the truth when unethical methods were used." This petition for forgiveness "is also valid for the drama related to the Inquisition as well as the wounds that are its consequence. ... This volume," he concludes, "is written in the spirit of this petition for forgiveness."
Cardinal Cottier indicated that the fact that the volume has been published so late is not due "to opposition to its publication. I would like to make that clear. The delay is due to a series of health problems."
Referring to the symposium, in which thirty speakers and experts from Italy, France, Portugal, Malta, England, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, the United States and Canada participated, Prof. Borromeo said they discussed "the events that led to the Inquisition in the 13th century, the activity in the main places in which heresy flourished (especially France and Italy) and its procedures. When dealing with the modern history of this institution," added Borromeo, "the reports were divided into two categories. One was predominantly geographic (Spain and Portugal with their respective imperial colonies; Italy, with special reference to the Congregation of the Holy Office, the Netherlands and England). The other was mainly thematic: (the repression of the heresies with Jewish and Islamic tendencies, Protestantism and witchcraft were discussed, as well as the battle against circulating prohibited literary and scientific books and Bibles in the vernacular and the historical context in which the abolition of courts took place)."
The acts of the symposium, said Borromeo, "are a point of reference for studies on the Inquisition; in the first place, for the scientific rigor of the reports, exempt from controversy or an apologetic nature which is typical of recent historiography; in the second place, for the richness of the information laid out which allows us to look at many places so widespread among non-specialists (the use of torture and the death penalty were not as frequent as once believed); in the third place, due to the amplitude of the volume, it is a reason to hope that intellectual debate on the theme is sparked and that there is stimulus for new research."
"In public opinion," writes the Pope, "the image of the Inquisition represents in some way the symbol of this counter-witness and scandal. In what measure is this image faithful to reality? Before asking for forgiveness, it is necessary to know exactly what are the facts and to recognize the shortcomings with respect to the evangelical needs in appropriate cases. This is why the Committee referred to historians whose scientific competence is universally recognized."
John Paul II recalls that on March 12, 2000, a Day of Forgiveness was celebrated and forgiveness was asked "for the errors committed in the service of the truth when unethical methods were used." This petition for forgiveness "is also valid for the drama related to the Inquisition as well as the wounds that are its consequence. ... This volume," he concludes, "is written in the spirit of this petition for forgiveness."
Cardinal Cottier indicated that the fact that the volume has been published so late is not due "to opposition to its publication. I would like to make that clear. The delay is due to a series of health problems."
Referring to the symposium, in which thirty speakers and experts from Italy, France, Portugal, Malta, England, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, the United States and Canada participated, Prof. Borromeo said they discussed "the events that led to the Inquisition in the 13th century, the activity in the main places in which heresy flourished (especially France and Italy) and its procedures. When dealing with the modern history of this institution," added Borromeo, "the reports were divided into two categories. One was predominantly geographic (Spain and Portugal with their respective imperial colonies; Italy, with special reference to the Congregation of the Holy Office, the Netherlands and England). The other was mainly thematic: (the repression of the heresies with Jewish and Islamic tendencies, Protestantism and witchcraft were discussed, as well as the battle against circulating prohibited literary and scientific books and Bibles in the vernacular and the historical context in which the abolition of courts took place)."
The acts of the symposium, said Borromeo, "are a point of reference for studies on the Inquisition; in the first place, for the scientific rigor of the reports, exempt from controversy or an apologetic nature which is typical of recent historiography; in the second place, for the richness of the information laid out which allows us to look at many places so widespread among non-specialists (the use of torture and the death penalty were not as frequent as once believed); in the third place, due to the amplitude of the volume, it is a reason to hope that intellectual debate on the theme is sparked and that there is stimulus for new research."
Monday, June 14, 2004
Pope Stayed in Nursing Home While in Switzerland
From Fr. Terry Morgan:
Lost in the recent media crush of D-Day’s sixtieth anniversary celebrations, and the week-long mourning of President Ronald Reagan, was a “minor detail” about Pope John Paul’s accommodations for his single night in Bern, Switzerland. Ordinarily, when the Pope visits a foreign country, he stays at the (appropriately ample) residence of his representative to that nation, his “Nuncio.” For days, sometimes weeks, the Nuncio’s staff spiffs up the guest suite, prepares the official dining room (ample in its own right), and, in general, makes sure that the place is suitable for the Vicar of Christ on Earth.
On this particular visit, though, the Vicar of Christ spent the night in a local nursing home. This change in venue wasn’t due to the Pope’s Parkinson’s Disease or any of his other ailments. And at John Paul’s express command, Vatican media representatives had no special statement for the news outlets of the world.
But this Pope – who in his vigorous younger days bounded up steps and with great gusto encouraged the masses, especially the youth of the world, with his constant, “Be not afraid!” – brought his message to his peers, not by his speech or his energy, but by simply being at their side.
I suspect that John Paul’s “overnighters” in Nuncios’ residences are things of the past, now that he has discovered new out-of-town quarters and new out-of-town friends with whom to spend the night.
Is he giving up? Hardly. He is simply giving in to God’s special gifts to him at this special time of his life. Most of us would look on the Pope’s impediments – of speech, mobility, even breathing – as roadblocks to ministry, roadblocks to life. But John Paul sees these facts of life as gifts, given to him in his twilight, so that he can continue to empty himself and minister to us in ways that no “healthy” younger man could.
Lost in the recent media crush of D-Day’s sixtieth anniversary celebrations, and the week-long mourning of President Ronald Reagan, was a “minor detail” about Pope John Paul’s accommodations for his single night in Bern, Switzerland. Ordinarily, when the Pope visits a foreign country, he stays at the (appropriately ample) residence of his representative to that nation, his “Nuncio.” For days, sometimes weeks, the Nuncio’s staff spiffs up the guest suite, prepares the official dining room (ample in its own right), and, in general, makes sure that the place is suitable for the Vicar of Christ on Earth.
On this particular visit, though, the Vicar of Christ spent the night in a local nursing home. This change in venue wasn’t due to the Pope’s Parkinson’s Disease or any of his other ailments. And at John Paul’s express command, Vatican media representatives had no special statement for the news outlets of the world.
But this Pope – who in his vigorous younger days bounded up steps and with great gusto encouraged the masses, especially the youth of the world, with his constant, “Be not afraid!” – brought his message to his peers, not by his speech or his energy, but by simply being at their side.
I suspect that John Paul’s “overnighters” in Nuncios’ residences are things of the past, now that he has discovered new out-of-town quarters and new out-of-town friends with whom to spend the night.
Is he giving up? Hardly. He is simply giving in to God’s special gifts to him at this special time of his life. Most of us would look on the Pope’s impediments – of speech, mobility, even breathing – as roadblocks to ministry, roadblocks to life. But John Paul sees these facts of life as gifts, given to him in his twilight, so that he can continue to empty himself and minister to us in ways that no “healthy” younger man could.
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Today's Destination
From Detroit Tigers News:
The Tigers haven't won five straight since Damion Easley was the starting second baseman in July 2002, but it won't be an easy streak to match. Florida's Dontrelle Willis enters his first start against the Tigers with a 1.35 ERA in his last three starts. Two starts again, he had perfect game going against Cincinnati until Sean Casey's two-out single in the seventh.
The Tigers have run out of former Marlins to start, but they counter with arguably the hottest pitcher in their rotation at the moment. The day Willis threatened to toss a perfect game, Jason Johnson tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings against Kansas City. He followed that with eight innings and three runs allowed against the Braves on Tuesday.
The Tigers haven't won five straight since Damion Easley was the starting second baseman in July 2002, but it won't be an easy streak to match. Florida's Dontrelle Willis enters his first start against the Tigers with a 1.35 ERA in his last three starts. Two starts again, he had perfect game going against Cincinnati until Sean Casey's two-out single in the seventh.
The Tigers have run out of former Marlins to start, but they counter with arguably the hottest pitcher in their rotation at the moment. The day Willis threatened to toss a perfect game, Jason Johnson tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings against Kansas City. He followed that with eight innings and three runs allowed against the Braves on Tuesday.
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Virgin Mary Statues Disappearing in MN
or stolen?
From Wave of Virgin Mary statue thefts hits central Minnesota:
"Joe Fautsch was mowing his lawn when he came around a corner and expected to see the Virgin Mary.
The Holy Mother wasn't there.
``I don't think she walked away by herself,'' Fautsch said. ``Who would take her?''
He found out last week that his Virgin Mary statue was one of four that have been stolen in this central Minnesota town within the past few weeks, Investigator Ben Theisen said. They can be worth up to $400, he said.
Fautsch's statue had stood on his lawn for about five years. He estimated the cost at $125."
From Wave of Virgin Mary statue thefts hits central Minnesota:
"Joe Fautsch was mowing his lawn when he came around a corner and expected to see the Virgin Mary.
The Holy Mother wasn't there.
``I don't think she walked away by herself,'' Fautsch said. ``Who would take her?''
He found out last week that his Virgin Mary statue was one of four that have been stolen in this central Minnesota town within the past few weeks, Investigator Ben Theisen said. They can be worth up to $400, he said.
Fautsch's statue had stood on his lawn for about five years. He estimated the cost at $125."
Friday, June 11, 2004
Coming in September 2004!
Because you want to know
how to apply Jesus' command to:
"take up your cross"
and to follow Him!
Good Point...
From Catholics giving governor a pass on abortion? | The San Diego Union-Tribune:
"In January 2003, Sacramento Roman Catholic Bishop William Wiegand publicly chastised then-Gov. Gray Davis for supporting abortion rights while professing to be a Catholic.
Wiegand delivered a homily saying the Democrat and any other Catholic who 'thinks it is acceptable for a Catholic to be pro-abortion is in very great error' and 'puts his or her soul at risk.' He recommended that Davis refrain from taking Communion.
In recent months, a variety of conservative Catholic groups have launched a campaign against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, a Catholic who favors abortion rights. Some bishops have criticized Kerry and other Catholic politicians who support such rights, saying they should be denied Communion.
Yet the Sacramento bishop and other conservative Catholics have steered clear of publicly attacking Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, perhaps the nation's most prominent Republican Catholic who favors abortion rights. "
"In January 2003, Sacramento Roman Catholic Bishop William Wiegand publicly chastised then-Gov. Gray Davis for supporting abortion rights while professing to be a Catholic.
Wiegand delivered a homily saying the Democrat and any other Catholic who 'thinks it is acceptable for a Catholic to be pro-abortion is in very great error' and 'puts his or her soul at risk.' He recommended that Davis refrain from taking Communion.
In recent months, a variety of conservative Catholic groups have launched a campaign against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, a Catholic who favors abortion rights. Some bishops have criticized Kerry and other Catholic politicians who support such rights, saying they should be denied Communion.
Yet the Sacramento bishop and other conservative Catholics have steered clear of publicly attacking Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, perhaps the nation's most prominent Republican Catholic who favors abortion rights. "
Gun-Wielding Fake Priests Kill Three
Dressed as Orthodox priests...
From Yahoo! News - Gun-Wielding Fake Priests Kill Three:
"Two gunmen dressed as priests killed three men and wounded two others in a gangland shootout in the Bulgarian capital, police said Friday.
Assassins wearing the dark robes of orthodox priests gunned down a man linked to organized crime and two other men at a shopping center cafe in an affluent Sofia suburb and then fled, a police spokesman said.
'It was a shootout between criminal drug gangs,' the spokesman said, adding the assailants were still at large.
Police said one of the dead men was a close ally of a leading organized crime figure in Sofia and that the two other men killed alongside him appeared to be his bodyguards. "
From Yahoo! News - Gun-Wielding Fake Priests Kill Three:
"Two gunmen dressed as priests killed three men and wounded two others in a gangland shootout in the Bulgarian capital, police said Friday.
Assassins wearing the dark robes of orthodox priests gunned down a man linked to organized crime and two other men at a shopping center cafe in an affluent Sofia suburb and then fled, a police spokesman said.
'It was a shootout between criminal drug gangs,' the spokesman said, adding the assailants were still at large.
Police said one of the dead men was a close ally of a leading organized crime figure in Sofia and that the two other men killed alongside him appeared to be his bodyguards. "
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Pope Declares Year of the Eucharist
From ZENIT News Agency--The World Seen from Rome:
"On the feast of Corpus Christ, John Paul II announced a 'Year of the Eucharist' that the Catholic Church will observe from October 2004 to October 2005.
At the Mass he presided over today in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope explained that the Year of the Eucharist will begin with the International Eucharistic Congress, Oct. 10-17, in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The year 'will end with the next ordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will be held in the Vatican from October 2-29, 2005, and whose theme will be 'The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church,'' the Holy Father added. "
"On the feast of Corpus Christ, John Paul II announced a 'Year of the Eucharist' that the Catholic Church will observe from October 2004 to October 2005.
At the Mass he presided over today in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope explained that the Year of the Eucharist will begin with the International Eucharistic Congress, Oct. 10-17, in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The year 'will end with the next ordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will be held in the Vatican from October 2-29, 2005, and whose theme will be 'The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church,'' the Holy Father added. "
AMEN, American Evangelization Network
Check it out at AMEN, American Evangelization Network,Catholic Directory:
Portal,Service,Christian Sites and Catholic Links,Pages about God,Jesus,faith,religion,Angel,angels,Bible,catholics,Church,
theology,christianity,Virgin Mary
Portal,Service,Christian Sites and Catholic Links,Pages about God,Jesus,faith,religion,Angel,angels,Bible,catholics,Church,
theology,christianity,Virgin Mary
Democracy in Iraq?
Majority rule, but no separation of Church and State...
From Outside View
Christians Begin Exodus From Iraq - Insight on the News - World:
"The long-predicted exodus of Christians from Iraq has begun.
Facing a June 30 deadline for transfer of power, a temporary constitution that reads, in Article 7, that Islam is the 'Official Religion of the State,' and the most recent humiliation for the community -- the failure to receive even one position on the Executive Council and only one ministry post, the Ministry of Emigration -- the Christians of Iraq are voting with their feet.
'On a recent night the church had to spend more time on filling out baptismal forms needed for leaving the country than they did on the [worship] service,' says Amir, a deacon at a local church who does not want his full name published. 'We have been flooded with parishioners desperate to leave the country, and as they cannot get an exit permit without a baptismal certificate from the church we have been swamped with requests. ... In recent days nearly 400 families as far as we can tell have filled out baptismal forms to leave the country. Our community is being decimated.' "
From Outside View
Christians Begin Exodus From Iraq - Insight on the News - World:
"The long-predicted exodus of Christians from Iraq has begun.
Facing a June 30 deadline for transfer of power, a temporary constitution that reads, in Article 7, that Islam is the 'Official Religion of the State,' and the most recent humiliation for the community -- the failure to receive even one position on the Executive Council and only one ministry post, the Ministry of Emigration -- the Christians of Iraq are voting with their feet.
'On a recent night the church had to spend more time on filling out baptismal forms needed for leaving the country than they did on the [worship] service,' says Amir, a deacon at a local church who does not want his full name published. 'We have been flooded with parishioners desperate to leave the country, and as they cannot get an exit permit without a baptismal certificate from the church we have been swamped with requests. ... In recent days nearly 400 families as far as we can tell have filled out baptismal forms to leave the country. Our community is being decimated.' "
The Inquisition
Vatican report due out next week...
From Catholic World News : Vatican to release study on Inquisition:
"The Vatican will soon publish a study on the Inquisition, containing the proceedings of an international conference held in Rome in 1998.
The Vatican has scheduled a press conference for June 15, at which three cardinals will speak about the new study. Cardinal Roger Etchegary was involved because the original conference on the Inquisition, held in October 1998, was organized by the committee to prepare for the Jubilee Year 2000, which he chaired. Cardinal Georges Cottier, the theological of the pontifical household, presided over the conference. And Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the Vatican archivist, has custody over the records that remain from the work of the Inquisition. "
From Catholic World News : Vatican to release study on Inquisition:
"The Vatican will soon publish a study on the Inquisition, containing the proceedings of an international conference held in Rome in 1998.
The Vatican has scheduled a press conference for June 15, at which three cardinals will speak about the new study. Cardinal Roger Etchegary was involved because the original conference on the Inquisition, held in October 1998, was organized by the committee to prepare for the Jubilee Year 2000, which he chaired. Cardinal Georges Cottier, the theological of the pontifical household, presided over the conference. And Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the Vatican archivist, has custody over the records that remain from the work of the Inquisition. "
Fact, Fiction, and The Da Vinci Code by Darrell L. Bock
HUMAN EVENTS ONLINE :: Fact, Fiction, and The Da Vinci Code by Darrell L. Bock:
"Underscoring this impression to be more than a novel, the author claims his work is thoroughly researched and has characters of high credibility pour forth the novel's ideas. In fact, Dan Brown has said on his web site that he wanted these issues discussed because the theories he sets forth have been espoused for some time.
Many writers have obliged him on the matter of discussion and have challenged his claims. These include my Breaking the Da Vinci Code as well as books by Amy Wellborn (De-Coding Da Vinci), Richard Abanes (The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code), James Garlow with Peter Jones (Cracking Da Vinci's Code), and Carl Olson with Sandra Miesel (The Da Vinci Hoax). "
"Underscoring this impression to be more than a novel, the author claims his work is thoroughly researched and has characters of high credibility pour forth the novel's ideas. In fact, Dan Brown has said on his web site that he wanted these issues discussed because the theories he sets forth have been espoused for some time.
Many writers have obliged him on the matter of discussion and have challenged his claims. These include my Breaking the Da Vinci Code as well as books by Amy Wellborn (De-Coding Da Vinci), Richard Abanes (The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code), James Garlow with Peter Jones (Cracking Da Vinci's Code), and Carl Olson with Sandra Miesel (The Da Vinci Hoax). "
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
Russ Shaw Tells it Like it Is...
From An Open Letter to the American Bishops:
Some of you may recall that I was press secretary of your bishops’ conference from the late 1960s to the late 1980s. Those also were difficult times, and one reason was that the bishops of those days made things worse by usually refusing to admit the fact. Most of them were likable, decent men, yet they were overly fond of a form of euphoric rhetoric that I eventually came to think of as “happy talk.”
Faced with theologians who challenged Church doctrine, defecting priests, ferocious feminist nuns, growing religious illiteracy, and countless other troubles, many of those bishops chose to see such things as the growing pains of renewal. On the whole, they insisted, we were on the right track; everything would turn out for the best. Pope John XXIII’s words about “prophets of doom” profoundly shaped their thinking, mostly for the worse.
Looking back, I can’t help wondering whether the bishops of that era took the same resolutely upbeat view of priestly sex abuse. In any event, we now know that prophets of doom are sometimes right. And although the abuse scandal has pretty much driven euphoria from your own repertoire, something just as bad may be taking its place. I mean the suggestion that you may soon be able to put this nasty episode behind you and return to business as usual. If that’s the conventional wisdom in Denver, the crisis of American Catholicism will become even worse, even more destructive, than it already is. Business as usual isn’t the answer.
Some of you may recall that I was press secretary of your bishops’ conference from the late 1960s to the late 1980s. Those also were difficult times, and one reason was that the bishops of those days made things worse by usually refusing to admit the fact. Most of them were likable, decent men, yet they were overly fond of a form of euphoric rhetoric that I eventually came to think of as “happy talk.”
Faced with theologians who challenged Church doctrine, defecting priests, ferocious feminist nuns, growing religious illiteracy, and countless other troubles, many of those bishops chose to see such things as the growing pains of renewal. On the whole, they insisted, we were on the right track; everything would turn out for the best. Pope John XXIII’s words about “prophets of doom” profoundly shaped their thinking, mostly for the worse.
Looking back, I can’t help wondering whether the bishops of that era took the same resolutely upbeat view of priestly sex abuse. In any event, we now know that prophets of doom are sometimes right. And although the abuse scandal has pretty much driven euphoria from your own repertoire, something just as bad may be taking its place. I mean the suggestion that you may soon be able to put this nasty episode behind you and return to business as usual. If that’s the conventional wisdom in Denver, the crisis of American Catholicism will become even worse, even more destructive, than it already is. Business as usual isn’t the answer.
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Pope Supports Tough Stance on Anti-life Politicians
From Rocky Mountain News: Religion:
"Archbishop Charles Chaput said Monday that Pope John Paul II and Vatican officials are 'positive and very supportive' of how the archdiocese is approaching the controversy over faith, Communion and politics.
Chaput returned late Sunday from his visit to Rome, in which he shared issues affecting the Denver archdiocese. His comments were via e-mail, while en route to a weeklong retreat in Estes Park with archdiocesan priests."
"Archbishop Charles Chaput said Monday that Pope John Paul II and Vatican officials are 'positive and very supportive' of how the archdiocese is approaching the controversy over faith, Communion and politics.
Chaput returned late Sunday from his visit to Rome, in which he shared issues affecting the Denver archdiocese. His comments were via e-mail, while en route to a weeklong retreat in Estes Park with archdiocesan priests."
New Auxiliaries for Philadephia
From the Vatican Information Service:
The Holy Father appointed:
- Msgr. Joseph Robert Cistone, vicar of the diocese of Philadelphia, U.S.A., as auxiliary bishop of same diocese (area 5,652, population 3,861,648, Catholics 1,494,883, priests 1,083, permanent deacons 212, religious 569), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in 1949 in Philadelphia and was ordained a priest in 1975.
- Msgr. Joseph Patrick McFadden, pastor of St. Joseph in Downingtown, U.S.A., as auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia, U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in 1947 in Philadelphia, U.S.A. and was ordained a priest in 1981.
The Holy Father appointed:
- Msgr. Joseph Robert Cistone, vicar of the diocese of Philadelphia, U.S.A., as auxiliary bishop of same diocese (area 5,652, population 3,861,648, Catholics 1,494,883, priests 1,083, permanent deacons 212, religious 569), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in 1949 in Philadelphia and was ordained a priest in 1975.
- Msgr. Joseph Patrick McFadden, pastor of St. Joseph in Downingtown, U.S.A., as auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia, U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in 1947 in Philadelphia, U.S.A. and was ordained a priest in 1981.
Monday, June 7, 2004
BEA Session I Attended #2
On pitching a book to a publisher, or the public:
Key thing to remember, "You are on a mission!"
Key thing to remember, "You are on a mission!"
BEA Session I Attended #1
On creating a buzz about your book. Since many authors visit this site, here is a book by one of the presenters:
Update on Arizona's Defiant Priests
In the piece it mentions all but two have removed their names, but only one is being punished? Perhaps the other is the religious brother?
From Bishop Olmsted Suspends Priest for Refusing to Remove Name from Gay Document:
"Following Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted's April order that nine priests and one religious brother remove their names from a document by an activist organization for homosexual clergy, all have complied except for Fr. Andre Boulanger. Last week bishop Olmsted suspended Fr. Boulanger from priestly ministry.
The document, No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice, stated 'Homosexuality is not a sickness, not a choice, and not a sin. We affirm that GLBT persons are distinctive, holy, and precious gifts to all who struggle to become the family of God.'
Within two weeks of bishop Olmsted's order, eight of the ten had removed their names; last week, the ninth, but Fr. Boulanger defiantly persisted in his stand.
A suspension means a priest may not celebrate Mass, preach or hear confessions. Olmsted told Fr. Boulanger his suspension stands 'until such time as I have assurance from you that you do indeed believe and teach what the Church teaches about the call to holiness for homosexual persons,' according to an Arizona Republic article."
From Bishop Olmsted Suspends Priest for Refusing to Remove Name from Gay Document:
"Following Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted's April order that nine priests and one religious brother remove their names from a document by an activist organization for homosexual clergy, all have complied except for Fr. Andre Boulanger. Last week bishop Olmsted suspended Fr. Boulanger from priestly ministry.
The document, No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice, stated 'Homosexuality is not a sickness, not a choice, and not a sin. We affirm that GLBT persons are distinctive, holy, and precious gifts to all who struggle to become the family of God.'
Within two weeks of bishop Olmsted's order, eight of the ten had removed their names; last week, the ninth, but Fr. Boulanger defiantly persisted in his stand.
A suspension means a priest may not celebrate Mass, preach or hear confessions. Olmsted told Fr. Boulanger his suspension stands 'until such time as I have assurance from you that you do indeed believe and teach what the Church teaches about the call to holiness for homosexual persons,' according to an Arizona Republic article."
Sunday, June 6, 2004
Pope Offering His Life to God Till the End
From The Tallahassee Democrat:
"'It's wonderful to be able to offer oneself until the end for the cause of the Kingdom of God,' he told the rally, describing that as his testimony after nearly 60 years as a priest.
The 84-year-old John Paul has Parkinson's disease and crippling hip and knee ailments, but he has repeatedly brushed aside suggestions that he step down."
"'It's wonderful to be able to offer oneself until the end for the cause of the Kingdom of God,' he told the rally, describing that as his testimony after nearly 60 years as a priest.
The 84-year-old John Paul has Parkinson's disease and crippling hip and knee ailments, but he has repeatedly brushed aside suggestions that he step down."
Thursday, June 3, 2004
Negative Take on Pope's Health
From the Fort Wayne New Sentinel:
Returning Wednesday from a 12-day trip to the Vatican, Bishop John D'Arcy acknowledged he noticed a difference in the health of Pope John Paul II since he had last seen him in 1998.
For the bishop, this fourth trip to the Holy City was one marked with realism and emotion.
"I said to myself, 'That's probably the last time I'll see him alive,"' D'Arcy said. "It was emotional. But I'm just glad my time as bishop overlapped with him."
D'Arcy, bishop of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, made the "ad limina" visit, as is expected of bishops every five years, health permitting. No visits were taken during 2000.
For D'Arcy, this trip wasn't like the others.
Returning Wednesday from a 12-day trip to the Vatican, Bishop John D'Arcy acknowledged he noticed a difference in the health of Pope John Paul II since he had last seen him in 1998.
For the bishop, this fourth trip to the Holy City was one marked with realism and emotion.
"I said to myself, 'That's probably the last time I'll see him alive,"' D'Arcy said. "It was emotional. But I'm just glad my time as bishop overlapped with him."
D'Arcy, bishop of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, made the "ad limina" visit, as is expected of bishops every five years, health permitting. No visits were taken during 2000.
For D'Arcy, this trip wasn't like the others.
Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Rainbow Sash Movement Praise Cardinal, not George but Mahony
I think there is a concerted effort on the part of some to drive the hierarchy apart.
From Rainbow Sash Movement - Gay Catholic Activists:
"Pentecost is a time to celebrate the Universality of the Church, and it's Gospel Message of inclusiveness. I was very saddened by the response of Cardinal Francis George in Chicago. He used the Eucharist as a tool of discipline. He chose not to welcome us into his Cathedral, and went as far as to deny us the Holy Eucharist.
However, others like Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, Bishop Hart of Rochester, NY, and Archbishop Harry Flynn welcomed those who wore the Rainbow Sash to their Cathedral. We thank these bishops for supporting the Teaching of Church in a pastorial manner."
From Rainbow Sash Movement - Gay Catholic Activists:
"Pentecost is a time to celebrate the Universality of the Church, and it's Gospel Message of inclusiveness. I was very saddened by the response of Cardinal Francis George in Chicago. He used the Eucharist as a tool of discipline. He chose not to welcome us into his Cathedral, and went as far as to deny us the Holy Eucharist.
However, others like Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, Bishop Hart of Rochester, NY, and Archbishop Harry Flynn welcomed those who wore the Rainbow Sash to their Cathedral. We thank these bishops for supporting the Teaching of Church in a pastorial manner."
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
New Bishop of Patterson, NJ
From The Vatican Information Service:
The Holy Father appointed Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Newark, U.S.A., as bishop of Paterson (area 3,143, population 1,110,607, Catholics 415,082, priests 396, permanent deacons 174, religious 1,042), U.S.A. He succeeds Bishop Frank Joseph Rodimer whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
The Holy Father appointed Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Newark, U.S.A., as bishop of Paterson (area 3,143, population 1,110,607, Catholics 415,082, priests 396, permanent deacons 174, religious 1,042), U.S.A. He succeeds Bishop Frank Joseph Rodimer whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
Monday, May 31, 2004
At Least One Book?
Well the reporter got the first one to be published in the story...
From Greeley Tribune:
"Though it is popular, not all of the reviews are positive. Some religious scholars were angered by Brown's suggestion of a Catholic conspiracy to cover up the truth about Jesus and his claim that Mary Magdalene's status as a prostitute was a case of mistaken identity. At least one book has been published in response to it -- 'De-coding Da Vinci: The Facts Behind the Fiction of The Da Vinci Code.'"
From Greeley Tribune:
"Though it is popular, not all of the reviews are positive. Some religious scholars were angered by Brown's suggestion of a Catholic conspiracy to cover up the truth about Jesus and his claim that Mary Magdalene's status as a prostitute was a case of mistaken identity. At least one book has been published in response to it -- 'De-coding Da Vinci: The Facts Behind the Fiction of The Da Vinci Code.'"
Gay-Rights Activists Denied Communion
Since the sash is a symbolic way of claiming publicly that you are not in communion with the church this makes perfect sense to me.
From Yahoo! News - Gay-Rights Activists Denied Communion:
"Priests at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago refused to give the Eucharist to about 10 people wearing the sashes at Sunday Mass. One priest shook each person's hand; another made the sign of the cross on their foreheads.
'The priest told me you cannot receive communion if you're wearing a sash, as per the Cardinal's direction,' said James Luxton, a Chicago member of the Rainbow Sash Movement, an organization of Catholic gay-rights supporters with chapters around the country.
An internal memo from Chicago Cardinal Francis George that became public last week instructed priests not to give communion to people wearing the sashes, which the group's members wear every year for Pentecost. The memo says the sashes are a symbol of opposition to the church's doctrine on homosexuality and exploit the communion ritual. "
From Yahoo! News - Gay-Rights Activists Denied Communion:
"Priests at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago refused to give the Eucharist to about 10 people wearing the sashes at Sunday Mass. One priest shook each person's hand; another made the sign of the cross on their foreheads.
'The priest told me you cannot receive communion if you're wearing a sash, as per the Cardinal's direction,' said James Luxton, a Chicago member of the Rainbow Sash Movement, an organization of Catholic gay-rights supporters with chapters around the country.
An internal memo from Chicago Cardinal Francis George that became public last week instructed priests not to give communion to people wearing the sashes, which the group's members wear every year for Pentecost. The memo says the sashes are a symbol of opposition to the church's doctrine on homosexuality and exploit the communion ritual. "
Sunday, May 30, 2004
Mystic Who Inspired Gibson's Passion to be Beatified in October
From Catholic Online - International News -:
"The German mystic whose recorded visions helped inspire 'The Passion of the Christ' will be beatified Oct. 3.
Anna Katharina Emmerick (1774-1824) will be beatified at the Vatican along with Karl I (1887-1922), emperor of Austria and king of Hungary.
The Vatican Secretariat of State communicated the news of Emmerick's beatification to the Muenster Diocese.
Emmerick, an Augustinian religious and a native of Westphalia, 'bore the stigmata of the Lord's Passion and received extraordinary charisms that she used for the consolation of numerous visitors,' said Cardinal Jos? Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Sainthood Causes, when reading the decree of recognition of a miracle last July. "
"The German mystic whose recorded visions helped inspire 'The Passion of the Christ' will be beatified Oct. 3.
Anna Katharina Emmerick (1774-1824) will be beatified at the Vatican along with Karl I (1887-1922), emperor of Austria and king of Hungary.
The Vatican Secretariat of State communicated the news of Emmerick's beatification to the Muenster Diocese.
Emmerick, an Augustinian religious and a native of Westphalia, 'bore the stigmata of the Lord's Passion and received extraordinary charisms that she used for the consolation of numerous visitors,' said Cardinal Jos? Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Sainthood Causes, when reading the decree of recognition of a miracle last July. "
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Document Banning Homosexuals to Priesthood Still in the Works
As usual a good report from John Allen who also gives us the ways that bishops who want to ordain homosexuals will get around the document.
From John Allen and The Word From Rome May 28, 2004:
"In fact, however, the document is far from dead.
'The Holy Father wants it, so there will have to be a document,' a senior Vatican official told NCR in late May. This official offered no prediction, however, as to when the document might appear.
As to content, the official said the document would to some extent repeat the norms contained in a 1961 instruction of the Congregation for Religious, titled Religiosorum institution, which stated: 'Those affected by the perverse inclination to homosexuality or pederasty should be excluded from religious vows and ordination.'
One key is what exactly the term 'homosexuality' means. At one pole, a single same-sex attraction experienced years ago and never acted upon might mark someone as 'homosexual.' The other pole might restrict the definition of 'homosexuality' to active and on-going sexual behavior. Most people would probably reject the former as overly strict, and the latter as overly loose. The question, then, is where to fall in between.
The senior Vatican official told NCR the document would likely not settle this question.
'It's not reasonable to expect the Holy See to get into those details,' the official said. 'That's something that almost has to be determined on a case-by-case basis.'
It seems therefore probable that bishops will retain some flexibility in deciding how to apply whatever standards are set out in the document. Dioceses that have a strict policy against the admission of homosexuals will continue, but those who emphasize a candidate's capacity for celibacy, rather than sexual orientation in se, could argue that such a candidate is not 'homosexual' in the sense intended under the norms.
It's possible, therefore, that the thunderclap the document will cause in the press will not be matched by change."
From John Allen and The Word From Rome May 28, 2004:
"In fact, however, the document is far from dead.
'The Holy Father wants it, so there will have to be a document,' a senior Vatican official told NCR in late May. This official offered no prediction, however, as to when the document might appear.
As to content, the official said the document would to some extent repeat the norms contained in a 1961 instruction of the Congregation for Religious, titled Religiosorum institution, which stated: 'Those affected by the perverse inclination to homosexuality or pederasty should be excluded from religious vows and ordination.'
One key is what exactly the term 'homosexuality' means. At one pole, a single same-sex attraction experienced years ago and never acted upon might mark someone as 'homosexual.' The other pole might restrict the definition of 'homosexuality' to active and on-going sexual behavior. Most people would probably reject the former as overly strict, and the latter as overly loose. The question, then, is where to fall in between.
The senior Vatican official told NCR the document would likely not settle this question.
'It's not reasonable to expect the Holy See to get into those details,' the official said. 'That's something that almost has to be determined on a case-by-case basis.'
It seems therefore probable that bishops will retain some flexibility in deciding how to apply whatever standards are set out in the document. Dioceses that have a strict policy against the admission of homosexuals will continue, but those who emphasize a candidate's capacity for celibacy, rather than sexual orientation in se, could argue that such a candidate is not 'homosexual' in the sense intended under the norms.
It's possible, therefore, that the thunderclap the document will cause in the press will not be matched by change."
Scranton Seminary Closes
I still think that the Bishops should focus on closing many of these regional seminaries and then send students to two or three large seminaries where the best priest educators could be located. But given the level of agreement on anything I doubt that is possible.
From Scranton Times Tribune:
"Citing a shortage of priests and the lack of those interested in becoming priests, Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph F. Martino announced Thursday the shutting of St. Pius X Seminary.
The 41-year-old seminary, which has trained more than 1,100 graduates, will officially close Sunday as the academic year culminates with graduation ceremonies at the University of Scranton."
From Scranton Times Tribune:
"Citing a shortage of priests and the lack of those interested in becoming priests, Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph F. Martino announced Thursday the shutting of St. Pius X Seminary.
The 41-year-old seminary, which has trained more than 1,100 graduates, will officially close Sunday as the academic year culminates with graduation ceremonies at the University of Scranton."
+RIP
I worked for Mike Trainor when I taught at Jesuit High School in Tampa, FL. He was a good man and I was shocked to hear of his death when I was in Cincinnati this past week. Please remember him in your prayers.
From The Cincinnati Post:
"Nationally known educator Mike Trainor, who helped build St. Xavier High School into one of the nation's best college preparatory schools, died Tuesday evening at his home in Dayton.
Mr. Trainor, 59, served as principal for the Jesuit, all-boys school in Finneytown from 1978 to 1993, and hired many who still teach at the school today, current principal Dave Mueller said.
'I think in many ways he was considered to be the dean of high school principals in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati,' Mueller said.
Friends remembered Mr. Trainor as a big man, an Ernest Hemingway look-alike, who could dominate a room with his intellect, personality and Irish wit. "
From The Cincinnati Post:
"Nationally known educator Mike Trainor, who helped build St. Xavier High School into one of the nation's best college preparatory schools, died Tuesday evening at his home in Dayton.
Mr. Trainor, 59, served as principal for the Jesuit, all-boys school in Finneytown from 1978 to 1993, and hired many who still teach at the school today, current principal Dave Mueller said.
'I think in many ways he was considered to be the dean of high school principals in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati,' Mueller said.
Friends remembered Mr. Trainor as a big man, an Ernest Hemingway look-alike, who could dominate a room with his intellect, personality and Irish wit. "
Friday, May 28, 2004
Pope About Soul-less U.S.
From Yahoo! News - Pope Worries About 'Soulless' U.S. Life:
"The American church 'is called to respond to the profound religious needs and aspirations of a society increasingly in danger of forgetting its spiritual roots and yielding to a purely materialistic and soulless vision of the world,' John Paul said.
'Taking up this challenge, however, will require a realistic and comprehensive reading of the 'signs of the times,' in order to develop a persuasive presentation of the Catholic faith and prepare young people especially to dialogue with their contemporaries about the Christian message and its relevance to the building of a more just, humane and peaceful world.' "
"The American church 'is called to respond to the profound religious needs and aspirations of a society increasingly in danger of forgetting its spiritual roots and yielding to a purely materialistic and soulless vision of the world,' John Paul said.
'Taking up this challenge, however, will require a realistic and comprehensive reading of the 'signs of the times,' in order to develop a persuasive presentation of the Catholic faith and prepare young people especially to dialogue with their contemporaries about the Christian message and its relevance to the building of a more just, humane and peaceful world.' "
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Cardinal Law Given Job
From Tuscaloosa News:
Pope John Paul II on Thursday gave Cardinal Bernard F. Law an official position in Rome, naming the former Boston archbishop who resigned in the sex abuse scandal as head of a basilica.
Law will have the title archpriest of St. Mary Major Basilica, a largely ceremonial post often given to retired prelates.
The 72-year-old Law resigned Dec. 13, 2002, to quell an outcry over his handling of sex abuse cases.
He moved from Boston and became resident chaplain at a convent in Maryland, although he retained his membership on nine Vatican congregations and councils, traveling frequently to Rome. He attended a number of the events during celebrations for John Paul's 25th anniversary as pontiff in October.
Pope John Paul II on Thursday gave Cardinal Bernard F. Law an official position in Rome, naming the former Boston archbishop who resigned in the sex abuse scandal as head of a basilica.
Law will have the title archpriest of St. Mary Major Basilica, a largely ceremonial post often given to retired prelates.
The 72-year-old Law resigned Dec. 13, 2002, to quell an outcry over his handling of sex abuse cases.
He moved from Boston and became resident chaplain at a convent in Maryland, although he retained his membership on nine Vatican congregations and councils, traveling frequently to Rome. He attended a number of the events during celebrations for John Paul's 25th anniversary as pontiff in October.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Meet 'God's little hobo'
From Meet 'God's little hobo' - The Catholic Moment:
"Disabled, abandoned, institutionalized and molested.
Who would fault Virginia Cyr if she had become bitter toward life and angry at God?
She was neither.
Friends marveled how Virginia was full of love and joy, known for her wide smile and rich deep faith, despite the cerebral palsy that kept her in a wheelchair, and despite her mother abandoning her as a little girl.
In her quietest of times, Virginia poured out her heart in daily "letters to Mother" -- to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
"Mother, here at last I may be with you. I just love typing letters to you, seeing your sweet smile, cuddling close to your heart, being with you in the silence of God. Thank you for being always here to embrace all that is heaven, and earth, in me," she once typed.
Mary became the mother Virginia never had.
In her letters from 1962-66, before Virginia's death on Feb. 3, 1967, at age 24, Virginia reveals her love to the Blessed Mother, along with her prayers, hopes and dreams to join a religious order.
Life as a sister was never meant to be."
"Disabled, abandoned, institutionalized and molested.
Who would fault Virginia Cyr if she had become bitter toward life and angry at God?
She was neither.
Friends marveled how Virginia was full of love and joy, known for her wide smile and rich deep faith, despite the cerebral palsy that kept her in a wheelchair, and despite her mother abandoning her as a little girl.
In her quietest of times, Virginia poured out her heart in daily "letters to Mother" -- to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
"Mother, here at last I may be with you. I just love typing letters to you, seeing your sweet smile, cuddling close to your heart, being with you in the silence of God. Thank you for being always here to embrace all that is heaven, and earth, in me," she once typed.
Mary became the mother Virginia never had.
In her letters from 1962-66, before Virginia's death on Feb. 3, 1967, at age 24, Virginia reveals her love to the Blessed Mother, along with her prayers, hopes and dreams to join a religious order.
Life as a sister was never meant to be."
Archdiocese of Boston to Close 18% of Parishes
From Boston.com / News / Local / Mass. / Archdiocese announces that 65 parishes,
60 churches will close:
"The Boston Archdiocese will lose 65 of its 357 parishes in a massive restructuring brought on partly by the sex abuse scandal that aggravated already shrinking Mass attendance and weekly collections.
Archbishop Sean O'Malley announced the parish closings Tuesday, completing a process that began in December when he said the archdiocese would be forced to undergo a major downsizing.
He said the reduction was needed because of declining Mass attendance, a shortage of priests and the inability of the archdiocese to support struggling parishes -- many in older buildings in desperate need of repairs -- in the midst of a financial crisis caused in part by the abuse crisis.
60 churches will close:
"The Boston Archdiocese will lose 65 of its 357 parishes in a massive restructuring brought on partly by the sex abuse scandal that aggravated already shrinking Mass attendance and weekly collections.
Archbishop Sean O'Malley announced the parish closings Tuesday, completing a process that began in December when he said the archdiocese would be forced to undergo a major downsizing.
He said the reduction was needed because of declining Mass attendance, a shortage of priests and the inability of the archdiocese to support struggling parishes -- many in older buildings in desperate need of repairs -- in the midst of a financial crisis caused in part by the abuse crisis.
Terrorist Alert
From Mountain Wings:
Recently we have received credible intelligence that
there have been seven terrorists working in your office.
Fortunately, six of the seven have been apprehended.
Bin Sleepin, Bin Loafin, Bin Goofin, Bin Lunchin, Bin Drinkin
and Bin Behind-Kissin have all been taken into custody.
At this time, no one fitting the description of the seventh
cell member, Bin Workin, has been found at your office.
We are confident that anyone who looks like he's Bin Workin
will be very easy to spot.
You are OBVIOUSLY not a suspect at this time.
My mother sent this to me...
Recently we have received credible intelligence that
there have been seven terrorists working in your office.
Fortunately, six of the seven have been apprehended.
Bin Sleepin, Bin Loafin, Bin Goofin, Bin Lunchin, Bin Drinkin
and Bin Behind-Kissin have all been taken into custody.
At this time, no one fitting the description of the seventh
cell member, Bin Workin, has been found at your office.
We are confident that anyone who looks like he's Bin Workin
will be very easy to spot.
You are OBVIOUSLY not a suspect at this time.
My mother sent this to me...
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Bishop Sullivan--If Audits End Our Credibility is Zilch
From CNS STORY::
"Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan of Brooklyn said May 21 that if the bishops do not continue with their sexual abuse audits 'our credibility will be zilch.'
He noted that some bishops thought the audits, undertaken as part of the implementation of the 2002 'Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,' were too burdensome and wanted to end them now.
One audit has been completed. The U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse and the National Review Board reached an agreement May 17 on proposals for conducting a second diocesan audit of child sex abuse prevention policies and on doing a study of the causes and context of the crisis.
The bishops will discuss the proposals during their June 14-19 meeting in Denver."
"Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan of Brooklyn said May 21 that if the bishops do not continue with their sexual abuse audits 'our credibility will be zilch.'
He noted that some bishops thought the audits, undertaken as part of the implementation of the 2002 'Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,' were too burdensome and wanted to end them now.
One audit has been completed. The U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse and the National Review Board reached an agreement May 17 on proposals for conducting a second diocesan audit of child sex abuse prevention policies and on doing a study of the causes and context of the crisis.
The bishops will discuss the proposals during their June 14-19 meeting in Denver."
Monday, May 24, 2004
Amy in the Atlanta Journal Constitution
From Words to live by:
"In Decatur, stay-at-home mother Lisa Cronic also has been studying 'Purpose' with her church group. But she is also one of the millions who have been unable to put down 'The Da Vinci Code.' As part of that novel, Brown writes that the Christian church suppressed goddess worship and that we are no longer in touch with the 'sacred feminine,' a message that has appealed to many female readers.
'I think a lot of women don't want to think that religion is just male-dominated,' Cronic said. 'Women are so rarely even discussed. You have the Virgin Mary or the whore Mary Magdalene. It makes you want to grab on to someone and say, 'How valid is this?' '
So many people have been intrigued by 'Da Vinci,' or confused by it, that an entire counter-'Da Vinci' industry has sprung up to discuss -- and more often rebut --its version of history. At least six new books aim to debunk Brown's presentation, with titles such as 'De-coding Da Vinci' and 'Cracking Da Vinci's Code.'
'It has this veneer of sophistication and intellectualism, and it makes people feel smart about art and history, even though it's just as superficial as the next work of pulp fiction,' said Amy Welborn, author of 'De-coding Da Vinci.'"
"In Decatur, stay-at-home mother Lisa Cronic also has been studying 'Purpose' with her church group. But she is also one of the millions who have been unable to put down 'The Da Vinci Code.' As part of that novel, Brown writes that the Christian church suppressed goddess worship and that we are no longer in touch with the 'sacred feminine,' a message that has appealed to many female readers.
'I think a lot of women don't want to think that religion is just male-dominated,' Cronic said. 'Women are so rarely even discussed. You have the Virgin Mary or the whore Mary Magdalene. It makes you want to grab on to someone and say, 'How valid is this?' '
So many people have been intrigued by 'Da Vinci,' or confused by it, that an entire counter-'Da Vinci' industry has sprung up to discuss -- and more often rebut --its version of history. At least six new books aim to debunk Brown's presentation, with titles such as 'De-coding Da Vinci' and 'Cracking Da Vinci's Code.'
'It has this veneer of sophistication and intellectualism, and it makes people feel smart about art and history, even though it's just as superficial as the next work of pulp fiction,' said Amy Welborn, author of 'De-coding Da Vinci.'"
Amy's Op-Ed in the Dallas News Sunday Edition
From the Dallas News:
Dan Brown finally broke his silence last week. Having declined interviews for months, the author of The Da Vinci Code spoke publicly about his best-selling novel to a New Hampshire audience.
Besides revealing the awfully exciting news that his next novel will feature – wait for it – Freemasons, Mr. Brown told his listeners that there's more to the story than he chose to reveal in his novel. What he spared the public was his finding that perhaps Jesus had survived the crucifixion!
Well, pardon us if after enduring all of Mr. Brown's breathless theorizing about Jesus-the-preacher-of-the-sacred-feminine, husband of Mary Magdalene who was herself revered as a goddess and whose secret (and bones) has been protected by a secret society for 2,000 years – yes, pardon us, if we're inspired to meet Mr. Brown's latest "shocker" with a shrug.
I've been writing about The Da Vinci Code for a year now, and whenever I do, I'm challenged by some to just calm down because, hey, "It's only a novel."
The trouble, however, as I've found through the questions that I'm constantly asked, is that more than a few readers of The Da Vinci Code come away with the impression that it is, indeed, much more than a novel, and contains credible scholarly thinking. They believe this partly because of the novel's use of scholars as characters, but also because Mr. Brown has made such claims himself.
Dan Brown finally broke his silence last week. Having declined interviews for months, the author of The Da Vinci Code spoke publicly about his best-selling novel to a New Hampshire audience.
Besides revealing the awfully exciting news that his next novel will feature – wait for it – Freemasons, Mr. Brown told his listeners that there's more to the story than he chose to reveal in his novel. What he spared the public was his finding that perhaps Jesus had survived the crucifixion!
Well, pardon us if after enduring all of Mr. Brown's breathless theorizing about Jesus-the-preacher-of-the-sacred-feminine, husband of Mary Magdalene who was herself revered as a goddess and whose secret (and bones) has been protected by a secret society for 2,000 years – yes, pardon us, if we're inspired to meet Mr. Brown's latest "shocker" with a shrug.
I've been writing about The Da Vinci Code for a year now, and whenever I do, I'm challenged by some to just calm down because, hey, "It's only a novel."
The trouble, however, as I've found through the questions that I'm constantly asked, is that more than a few readers of The Da Vinci Code come away with the impression that it is, indeed, much more than a novel, and contains credible scholarly thinking. They believe this partly because of the novel's use of scholars as characters, but also because Mr. Brown has made such claims himself.
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