Italian Disgruntled Catholics Requesting Unbatism
Sorry, once we've got you your stuck but we'll make a note that you are now officially an apostate (my personal take).
From zoomata:
Disgruntled Catholics have come a step closer to washing off holy water they were baptized in as tiny children. Upon request, priests in Italy must note alongside baptism information the will of adults to leave the Roman Catholic Church. Bowing to pressure from lobby groups who call the act 'unchristening,' the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) recently outlined the procedure.
Both sides disagree on the scope of the phenomenon -- one activist group claims 10,000 people have presented unchristening requests; the Church says it is trying to do right by a 'few dozen' people who wish not to be counted as Catholics.
Statistics, however, show a large number of slumbering or disinterested members of the country's predominant religion -- although 98% of Italians are baptized, only 36% attend mass regularly and over 14% never attend at all, according to 1999 data from Italian National Statistical Institute (ISTAT). Baptism records are used for Church statistics and influence whether last rites and religious funerals are administered.
Cardinal Camillo Ruini, CEI president, made it clear that the Church considers the issue an entirely bureaucratic one. "You can't cancel a sacrament any more than you can cancel the act of being born," he told newspapers.
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
New Mexico Church Visitors Marvel at 'Miracle'
I was going to post a story about this the other day but I couldn't locate an image of the painting anywhere online. Today's story from the Denver Post has the image posted. Go and check it out.
From the Denver Post.com:
The parish of San Francisco de Asis is home to a goose-bump-raising work of art called "The Shadow of the Cross." The painting brings some people to their knees. Others turn away tearfully disappointed or angry because they cannot see what most can, the images that emerge only with darkness in this 1896 work by a little- known French-Canadian artist, Henri Ault.
I was going to post a story about this the other day but I couldn't locate an image of the painting anywhere online. Today's story from the Denver Post has the image posted. Go and check it out.
From the Denver Post.com:
The parish of San Francisco de Asis is home to a goose-bump-raising work of art called "The Shadow of the Cross." The painting brings some people to their knees. Others turn away tearfully disappointed or angry because they cannot see what most can, the images that emerge only with darkness in this 1896 work by a little- known French-Canadian artist, Henri Ault.
Father Groeschel Offers a Remedy for the Church
The Oratory of Divine Love
Proposes the formation of prayer groups:
The Catholic Church in the English-speaking world is in urgent need of reform and renewal. The scandals of the past two years, although exaggerated and fanned by the hostile secular media, nevertheless point to the great need for reform and renewal in the Church. Many devout Catholics, laity, religious and clergy are looking for some way that they can join in a church-wide effort to start a serious reform. We are proposing a way that is simple, powerful and completely alien to much of the public relations approach to religion we have been experiencing for several decades in almost all Christian denominations.
The Oratory of Divine Love
Proposes the formation of prayer groups:
The Catholic Church in the English-speaking world is in urgent need of reform and renewal. The scandals of the past two years, although exaggerated and fanned by the hostile secular media, nevertheless point to the great need for reform and renewal in the Church. Many devout Catholics, laity, religious and clergy are looking for some way that they can join in a church-wide effort to start a serious reform. We are proposing a way that is simple, powerful and completely alien to much of the public relations approach to religion we have been experiencing for several decades in almost all Christian denominations.
Humble Self-Promotion
I'm a firm believer that it injures a person's pride (if they are a Christian) to tout their own horn than it does not to do so. So in that spirit and in the spirit of fulfilling Jesus' command to "let your light shine" I offer the following note from someone in Florida who is currently reading
The How-To Book of the Mass:
Your book on the Mass is wonderful...I am about half way thru and I am learning a great deal...I love your perspective...rational and illustrative as always...as a cradle Catholic I sometimes think I know it all...your book has been enlightening...keep up the great work!
And while I'm at it, here is a review by an Amazon customer:
Michael Dubruiel's latest book is a terrific resource that should be located on every Catholic family's bookshelf. Whether you are exploring the faith or a lifelong Catholic, this book will provide enlightenment. Dubruiel looks at each part of the Mass in a step-by-step fashion, offering explanations for the biblical backgrounds and traditional reasons behind the prayers and rituals. In the week that I've had this book and been reading it, I've already changed my perspective on celebrating the Eucharist. I would recommend this book as an excellent choice both for families looking to enhance their experience of the Mass and for those looking to learn more about the teachings of the Catholic Church pertaining to the Mass.
I'm a firm believer that it injures a person's pride (if they are a Christian) to tout their own horn than it does not to do so. So in that spirit and in the spirit of fulfilling Jesus' command to "let your light shine" I offer the following note from someone in Florida who is currently reading
The How-To Book of the Mass:
Your book on the Mass is wonderful...I am about half way thru and I am learning a great deal...I love your perspective...rational and illustrative as always...as a cradle Catholic I sometimes think I know it all...your book has been enlightening...keep up the great work!
And while I'm at it, here is a review by an Amazon customer:
Michael Dubruiel's latest book is a terrific resource that should be located on every Catholic family's bookshelf. Whether you are exploring the faith or a lifelong Catholic, this book will provide enlightenment. Dubruiel looks at each part of the Mass in a step-by-step fashion, offering explanations for the biblical backgrounds and traditional reasons behind the prayers and rituals. In the week that I've had this book and been reading it, I've already changed my perspective on celebrating the Eucharist. I would recommend this book as an excellent choice both for families looking to enhance their experience of the Mass and for those looking to learn more about the teachings of the Catholic Church pertaining to the Mass.
Pope Sick on World Day for the Sick--Calls 2003 a Difficult Year for the Fate of Mankind
From Reuters AlertNet - Pope has cold, limits role in service for the sick:
Pope John Paul had to limit his role at a religious service for the sick on Tuesday because he was suffering a slight cold, church officials said. Instead of taking part in the ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica, the 82-year-old pope briefly blessed the congregation from his window while holding a large candle.
"It is a great joy for me to greet you, especially the sick among you," said the frail pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and has difficulty walking.
Pope John Paul is due to meet Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz on Friday as the Vatican steps up its bid to avert a new Gulf war. A papal envoy arrived in Baghdad earlier on Tuesday for talks with Iraqi officials to try to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.
Addressing the faithful on Tuesday, the pope called 2003 "a difficult year for the fate of mankind".
From Reuters AlertNet - Pope has cold, limits role in service for the sick:
Pope John Paul had to limit his role at a religious service for the sick on Tuesday because he was suffering a slight cold, church officials said. Instead of taking part in the ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica, the 82-year-old pope briefly blessed the congregation from his window while holding a large candle.
"It is a great joy for me to greet you, especially the sick among you," said the frail pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and has difficulty walking.
Pope John Paul is due to meet Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz on Friday as the Vatican steps up its bid to avert a new Gulf war. A papal envoy arrived in Baghdad earlier on Tuesday for talks with Iraqi officials to try to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.
Addressing the faithful on Tuesday, the pope called 2003 "a difficult year for the fate of mankind".
St. Valentine's Head Found
From zoomata - Italians Find St. Valentine Relic:
The silver relic, in the shape of the saint's face, contains fragments of his skull. Stolen in 1979, it was recently recovered in an art sting by police in Bari. The relic has a special significance since Valentine, the first bishop of the Umbrian town of Terni, was decapitated after celebrating marriages between pagans and Christians.
The return of the head, however, is unlikely to solve centuries-old bickering between several European countries over relics of the patron saint of lovers. To further complicate matters, there were at least three martyred saints called Valentine. The first was a Roman priest martyred under the Emperor Claudius II in 269 or 270 AD, the second was a Bishop of Terni killed about three years later and little is known of the third who died in Africa. Rumors abound about whether the remains were given or had simply been trafficked out of Rome by enterprising monks and nuns.
With Valentine's day only a few days away--a timely story. Isn't it odd that no one makes a fuss about the celebration of St. Valentine's day in this country? St. Valentine is the patron of greetings and lovers.
From zoomata - Italians Find St. Valentine Relic:
The silver relic, in the shape of the saint's face, contains fragments of his skull. Stolen in 1979, it was recently recovered in an art sting by police in Bari. The relic has a special significance since Valentine, the first bishop of the Umbrian town of Terni, was decapitated after celebrating marriages between pagans and Christians.
The return of the head, however, is unlikely to solve centuries-old bickering between several European countries over relics of the patron saint of lovers. To further complicate matters, there were at least three martyred saints called Valentine. The first was a Roman priest martyred under the Emperor Claudius II in 269 or 270 AD, the second was a Bishop of Terni killed about three years later and little is known of the third who died in Africa. Rumors abound about whether the remains were given or had simply been trafficked out of Rome by enterprising monks and nuns.
With Valentine's day only a few days away--a timely story. Isn't it odd that no one makes a fuss about the celebration of St. Valentine's day in this country? St. Valentine is the patron of greetings and lovers.
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