Here is the latest update on Father Benedict from Father Glenn:
Today is Saturday, January 17, and here is a brief update on Fr. Benedict's condition.
Fr. John Lynch, a close friend and a diocesan priest from the Archdiocese of New York, continues to stay close by Fr. Benedict. He reports to me that Fr. Benedict had "a good day" and is stable in the wake of last night's extensive surgery. The leg was masterfully attended to thanks to the Holy-Spirit guided hands of a wonderful orthopedic surgeon and his assistant. Evidently, the right arm still needs work but it isn't a major concern for his doctor at this time. The incision in the abdomen is now safely closed. As planned, the doctors did place small "screens" or "filters" in the lower abdomen to prevent any blood clots from the lower extremities traveling to the heart, lungs, and brain. The bandages to the head wound were changed. This wound doesn't appear to be problematic at this point.
Fr. Conrad and Br. Sharbel both report that Father's color looks good, and the overall swelling of the face and body has greatly diminished. Father Benedict still remains in a "deep fog" because of the sedatives. The doctors want to slowly but surely diminish the amount of these pain-reducing medicines so that he can begin to respond to stimulus. From what I have been told, this is important; they don't want him to stay in this "fog" too long.
Although Father doesn't immediately respond to simple commands (e.g. move finger, etc.), he did flinch when the head bandage was being changed! Although no one wants to cause Father any pain, his reaction to pain is actually good. He has to in some way, struggle out of his drug induced sleep.
While these are good signs, we all must now turn our attention to an enemy on the horizon -pneumonia. At the time of the accident, like many of us, Father had a cold with some congestion. Also, although Father has been breathing on his own with the aid of a respirator, his breathing has been quite shallow. As he lies still in one place, fluid buildup in the lungs is almost inevitable. The doctors can almost see the enemy ready to attack.
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Golden Menorah from Temple in Vatican?
One of the strangest aspects to this story is the claim the golden menorah that once stood in the Temple in Jerusalem is in the Vatican.
My friend, Dr. Lena Allen Shore was present at this meeting. I'll have to ask her about this when she returns.
From CBS 2: Pope Meets With Israel's Chief Rabbis:
"The audience with Yona Metzger and Shlomo Amar was the first by Israel's chief rabbis in the Vatican. The pope met Israel's previous chief rabbis in the Holy Land during his visit in 2000.
Before leaving Israel, the rabbis said they would ask to search Vatican storerooms for artifacts such as the huge golden menorah that stood in the temple in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.
But Metzger said they didn't mention the menorah.
'We left it to his discretion to find an object that would be important to us,' Metzger said. 'We don't know if it (the menorah) exists but if it does and they decide to give it to us there will be no greater joy for us.'
They were shown manuscripts written by the 12th century Jewish scholar Moses Maimondes and asked that they be lent to Israel.
John Paul told them that in his 25 years as pope 'I have striven to promote Jewish-Catholic dialogue and to foster ever greater understanding, respect and cooperation between us.' "
My friend, Dr. Lena Allen Shore was present at this meeting. I'll have to ask her about this when she returns.
From CBS 2: Pope Meets With Israel's Chief Rabbis:
"The audience with Yona Metzger and Shlomo Amar was the first by Israel's chief rabbis in the Vatican. The pope met Israel's previous chief rabbis in the Holy Land during his visit in 2000.
Before leaving Israel, the rabbis said they would ask to search Vatican storerooms for artifacts such as the huge golden menorah that stood in the temple in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.
But Metzger said they didn't mention the menorah.
'We left it to his discretion to find an object that would be important to us,' Metzger said. 'We don't know if it (the menorah) exists but if it does and they decide to give it to us there will be no greater joy for us.'
They were shown manuscripts written by the 12th century Jewish scholar Moses Maimondes and asked that they be lent to Israel.
John Paul told them that in his 25 years as pope 'I have striven to promote Jewish-Catholic dialogue and to foster ever greater understanding, respect and cooperation between us.' "
Saturday, January 17, 2004
Latest Update on Father Benedict's Condition
The friars have all set up a link, so that you can email your wishes to Father Benedict...
From aLetter 1/16/04 by Father Glenn:
"I am getting this message to you earlier than planned since I have been told that Fr. Benedict is being operated on at this moment. The time now is 8:00 pm (EST).
From what I know tonight they are operating on Father's right arm. This will be the second procedure on the right arm. Last night's operation was simply 'step one'. Besides attending to his right arm, the doctors will also work on the right leg which was broken in two places. The doctors will also be stitching up the open incision in his abdomen which was opened when they had to do an exploratory looking for the source of an acid build up. This has been brought to an acceptable level with medication. Finally, they will be inserting small filters to prevent blood clots from traveling to vital organs. So you see how much your prayers are needed."
From aLetter 1/16/04 by Father Glenn:
"I am getting this message to you earlier than planned since I have been told that Fr. Benedict is being operated on at this moment. The time now is 8:00 pm (EST).
From what I know tonight they are operating on Father's right arm. This will be the second procedure on the right arm. Last night's operation was simply 'step one'. Besides attending to his right arm, the doctors will also work on the right leg which was broken in two places. The doctors will also be stitching up the open incision in his abdomen which was opened when they had to do an exploratory looking for the source of an acid build up. This has been brought to an acceptable level with medication. Finally, they will be inserting small filters to prevent blood clots from traveling to vital organs. So you see how much your prayers are needed."
Mr. John Bertolucci
Of all the charismatic leaders of the 1980's, I liked Father John Bertolucci the best. He was a great preacher, had a great television program and was a remarkable evangelist.
He was largely responsible for keeping a segment of the Charismatic movement linked to a more conservative idealogy. I think he also was responsible for the bringing devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary into the movement--a move that split it to some degree.
I thought it was strange, how he just disappeared from sight in the 90's.
Sadly, he is an example that the sexual failings are not a liberal enterprise.
I pray for him and his victims, but at the same time give thanks for the ministry that he provided for the church at one time--a time I might add that was after his great fall (but of course no one knew it at the time).
He is still teaching us a lesson, even now. We are all sinners, we all have failed. We all need Christ. As the Psalmist says, "I have seen the cedars of Lebanon towering, I looked again and they were gone..."
From Albany, N.Y. -- timesunion.com:
"Bertolucci was among the first priests removed by the diocese when the sex abuse scandal erupted in 2002. He had retired before that, and had been a national leader of the charismatic Christian movement.
Bertolucci's appearance at the conference sparked controversy. Bertolucci wore a dark suit, like that worn by priests.
Aretakis and a victims' advocates group said such wearing of clerical garb was in violation of the church's rules on priests removed from ministry for sexual abuse of children.
Diocese spokesman Ken Goldfarb said there was no violation because Bertolucci was not wearing his white clerical collar. 'He was wearing the black suit, but maybe he has only one suit,' Goldfarb said.
The Capital Region Chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests fired off a letter to Bishop Howard Hubbard demanding an investigation.
'When Mr. Bertolucci was removed from active ministry, he should have been told by you, in no uncertain terms, that he is forbidden from presenting himself in any way, shape or form as a member of the clergy. This includes dressing as a priest,' wrote chapter leader Mark Furnish. "
He was largely responsible for keeping a segment of the Charismatic movement linked to a more conservative idealogy. I think he also was responsible for the bringing devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary into the movement--a move that split it to some degree.
I thought it was strange, how he just disappeared from sight in the 90's.
Sadly, he is an example that the sexual failings are not a liberal enterprise.
I pray for him and his victims, but at the same time give thanks for the ministry that he provided for the church at one time--a time I might add that was after his great fall (but of course no one knew it at the time).
He is still teaching us a lesson, even now. We are all sinners, we all have failed. We all need Christ. As the Psalmist says, "I have seen the cedars of Lebanon towering, I looked again and they were gone..."
From Albany, N.Y. -- timesunion.com:
"Bertolucci was among the first priests removed by the diocese when the sex abuse scandal erupted in 2002. He had retired before that, and had been a national leader of the charismatic Christian movement.
Bertolucci's appearance at the conference sparked controversy. Bertolucci wore a dark suit, like that worn by priests.
Aretakis and a victims' advocates group said such wearing of clerical garb was in violation of the church's rules on priests removed from ministry for sexual abuse of children.
Diocese spokesman Ken Goldfarb said there was no violation because Bertolucci was not wearing his white clerical collar. 'He was wearing the black suit, but maybe he has only one suit,' Goldfarb said.
The Capital Region Chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests fired off a letter to Bishop Howard Hubbard demanding an investigation.
'When Mr. Bertolucci was removed from active ministry, he should have been told by you, in no uncertain terms, that he is forbidden from presenting himself in any way, shape or form as a member of the clergy. This includes dressing as a priest,' wrote chapter leader Mark Furnish. "
Friday, January 16, 2004
Extreme Makeover Indeed
One of the worst things being promoted by a television network right now is Extreme Makeover. The thesis is that your miserable life--due to your gut, double-chin, bags under your eyes, drooping face, etc.-can be reversed by walking the cross of a surgical makeover.
Well bestselling author Olivia Smith has died undergoing a facelift.
Blessed Mother Teresa pray for our society that makes people feel unwelcomed if they are not perfect. Teach us to feel the acceptance of the God, Our Father and Creator. Release us from the demons that make people feel unloved.
From ThisisLondon:
"Best-selling author Olivia Goldsmith has died after her facelift went wrong.
She was best known for The First Wives Club which was turned into the 1996 hit film starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton as three friends who take their revenge on cheating husbands who dump them for younger women.
The 54-year-old writer, whose real name was Justine Rendal, had been in a deep coma for more than a week caused by a reaction to an anaesthetic while she was having plastic surgery. "
Well bestselling author Olivia Smith has died undergoing a facelift.
Blessed Mother Teresa pray for our society that makes people feel unwelcomed if they are not perfect. Teach us to feel the acceptance of the God, Our Father and Creator. Release us from the demons that make people feel unloved.
From ThisisLondon:
"Best-selling author Olivia Goldsmith has died after her facelift went wrong.
She was best known for The First Wives Club which was turned into the 1996 hit film starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton as three friends who take their revenge on cheating husbands who dump them for younger women.
The 54-year-old writer, whose real name was Justine Rendal, had been in a deep coma for more than a week caused by a reaction to an anaesthetic while she was having plastic surgery. "
Updated Blog Links
I updated the blog links in the right hand column. Amazing how many bloggers come and go. I've been doing this for quite some time now, along with a few others. Many have fallen by the way side, but new ones have taken their place.
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