Monday, January 31, 2005

Pope has Flu

From Pope comes down with flu:



"The pope has the flu.



The Vatican says John Paul has come down with an influenza case, forcing him to cancel some scheduled appearances.



A spokesman says the 84-year-old pontiff was stricken yesterday, and doctors told him to cut back on some activities."

The Pensive Brothers



Sunday, January 30, 2005

Busy Week

Retreat on Monday in Indianapolis to a state ministerial group and then catching a plane the same afternoon to New York to spend a week working with Father Benedict Groeschel on several projects. Also meeting with Father Stan Fortuna in the middle before returning home Thursday night.



At the same time trying to finish up preparations for The Power of the Cross retreat in Indianapolis and getting How to Get the Most Out of the Eucharist to the printers.

Saturday, January 29, 2005

First of the Documentaries on Clergy Sex Abuse Released

At the Sundance Film Festival



From TWIST OF FAITH:



TWIST OF FAITH follows the intimate psychological journey of Tony Comes, a firefighter from Toledo, Ohio, who survived years of sexual abuse at the hands of a Catholic priest. When we first meet Tony, he seems to have it all: a great job, a pretty wife, adorable kids and a beautiful house. But Comes is just beginning to come to grips with a past he’s buried for twenty years. The constant barrage of news related to sexual abuse, coupled with a disturbing discovery in his personal life, forces Comes to confront his demons.



A proud Catholic all his life, Comes decides to report his abuse to the person he has been taught to trust the most, his bishop. But when the bishop isn’t completely honest with him, Tony files a lawsuit – first as John Doe, later putting his own name on the suit and going public. As Comes grapples with anger, guilt and confusion, the film shows how the effects of his abuse entangle everyone with whom he shares an intimate bond: his wife, children, extended family, friends and ultimately, his God.



While TWIST OF FAITH unravels the damage that sexual abuse wreaks on Comes’ life, the film also chronicles a close-knit Catholic town that is unwilling to let the truth come out. Comes does everything he can to hang on to a lifetime of Catholic traditions, despite his ongoing pain and the deceit of Church leaders. The result is a riveting drama of one man’s struggle to overcome a profound trauma in the face of intense family, community and religious pressures.

History Written and Deleted

Amazing...



From [ www.armenialiberty.org ] Wednesday 26, January 2005:



"Pressure from Turkey has resulted in the removal of a reference to the Armenian genocide from a German school curriculum, reports said Wednesday.



The eastern German state of Brandenburg has eliminated half a sentence on the Armenians included in ninth and tenth grade history classes after a Turkish diplomat complained to state Prime Minister Matthias Platzeck, the newspaper Die Welt reported.



In a chapter entitled 'War, Technology and Civilian Populations' the school book text said 'for example, the genocide of the Armenians population of Anatolia.' That passage has now been removed from school textbooks, the newspaper said. "

Your Opinion Counts Unless You're Catholic

In Canada....



From National Post:



"Prime Minister Paul Martin has already ordered all members of Cabinet to vote with the government although backbenchers are free to follow their consciences. Last week, Catholic archbishops voiced their opposition to the bill, echoing the concerns of Muslim and Sikh religious leaders.



And yesterday, Catholics were outraged at Mr. Pettigrew's suggestion they keep silent on an issue of moral significance such as the same-sex legislation.



'Certainly those who are trying to bring about change have not been shy at engaging in debate,' said Thomas Collins, Archbishop of the Diocese of Edmonton. 'We have every right to make our voice heard as well.'



Archbishop Collins says Ottawa should not try to stifle the views of any Canadians on issues of moral conscience. 'This is an effort to try to remove moral comment from issues affecting the common good.'"

Friday, January 28, 2005

ut unum sint

Some thoughts on the movie, The Kingdom of Heaven at ut unum sint