“Conspiracy” Against Cardinal Cipriani Thorne in Rome

(Lima) Harsh words is what one of the most prominent representatives of the Church in Latin America, the Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorn Cipriani, Archbishop of Lima and Primate of Peru, used in an interview with the Peruvian newspaper La Republica about an attempt to discredit him, which is in full swing from outside and inside the Church.

In July, Bishop Gabino Miranda Melgarjo, the Auxiliary Bishop of Ayacucho Ayacucho had been deposed by Pope Francis and returned to the lay state. The harsh measure was justified by "sins against the sixth commandment." Specifically, the accusation of pedophilia was brought against the bishop. While the allegation is proven for Rome, Cardinal Cipriani Thorne, is still behind Archbishop Miranda. Miranda is regarded as the closest confidant of Cardinal Cipriani in the Peruvian Episcopate. The Cardinal speaks of a "strategy to discredit" his person. It is known that Cardinal Cipriani Thorne doesn’t have only friends in the Latin American episcopate. The "Catholic rock" in Latin America isn’t just opposed by unchurched circles, but also the colorful spectrum of progressive Church circles of the American subcontinent.

For the Cardinal, the is evidence to the contrary, the presumption of innocence. He accuses Rome of having granted the defendants no way to exonerate themselves. Miranda, who was Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Ayacucho Ayacucho since 2004, categorically rejects the accusation of pedophilia by itself. The investigation of the Peruvian prosecutors are still in progress.

Cardinal Cipriani sees a “conspiracy” in the dismissal of Bishop Miranda, which is in reality directed at him. His recent trip to Rome had been "taken advantage of by certain forces". The Church "will never be an accomplice of silence." What happens within the Church, however, was "surprising" and "needs to be clarified," said the Cardinal, who belongs to Opus Dei.

Cardinal Cipriani is regarded as the best known and most distinguished "conservative" Church leaders in Latin America. It was during his tenure as bishop that he has repeatedly been the target of smear campaigns, like in 2001 when then-President Alejandro Toledo forged documents played to the Vatican to discredit Cardinal Cipriani. Or 2011 as the anti-Church media launched a campaign of denigration against the Cardinal. At that time, the spokesman of the Archdiocese of Lima, Ricardo Sánchez Serra said that really was against the attitude of the Cardinal in his defense of the Church and its teachings, to his commitment to the protection of life, for the family and for marriage between a man and a woman. At that time the Cardinal was protected by Pope Benedict XVI.

End of March Cardinal Cipriani Thorne defended the new pope against the accusation of wanting "Revolutionary" (see the interview Francis Pope A merciful Without Compromising the Doctrine of the Faith - Interview with Cardinal Cipriani Thorne ).

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
 Image: Marco Longer
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
 Link to katholisches… 

AMGD

Cardinal Herranz, The Pope’s Investigator -- From Medjugorje to the “Bubble” of Vatileaks

(Vatican) Much has been written in recent days about the Vatican Secret Dossier, and even more speculation. It's about the final report of the Commission of Inquiry consisting of three cardinals Pope Benedict XVI. had used to investigate the issue which became known as the "Vatileaks” document theft scandal that led to the arrest of the papal chamberlain Paolo Gabriele.

When the Holy See announced that the cardinals will be granted access to the report before the conclave, but this will not continue to be published, the journalists have had an editorial high season. And the more unreliable, the more speculation shot up like a tangle of weeds that Benedict XVI. had resigned because of this report. In a document that is not to be made available in the foreseeable future, anyone can interpret into it what he wants. Even some Catholic journalists could not keep themselves in check, and thought to have to ride the wave that showered the church with garbage.

The head of the pontifical commission, Cardinal Julián Herranz, a member of Opus Dei, canon law expert, physician and psychiatrist had only once previously only taken a position on the matter. He did this in an interview with the Spanish daily El Pais on 19 Published in February. A look at this week utilized to see things beyond contrived media excitement, the right scale.

Julián Herranz was born in 1930 in Andalusia. Ordained a priest in 1955, he has worked since 1960 at the Roman Curia. In 1990 Pope John Paul II appointed him an Archbishop in the  Curia and created him a cardinal in 2003. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts and the Disciplinary Commission of the Roman Curia. Cardinal Herranz was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. in the Commission to examine the phenomenon of Medjugorje. Although the final report for church recognition of the Herzegovina as "place of pilgrimage” seems as of yet not ready for the Pope. The Spaniard celebrated the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite after the adoption of the motu proprio Summorum Pontifical, and was a member of the Pontifical Ecclesia Dei commission.

[...]

You have led the commission regarding Vatileaks, on the 17th December, the Pope received its final report. There has been much speculation about the contents of this report, which one imagines is extremely serious, to the extent that many are of the opinion that it had been crucial for the resignation of the Pope.

This matter has been enormously inflated. I assure you that in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry that a bubble was constructed from it, the air will soon be out on its own. In the Vatican, it is relatively common, to form committees of this kind. You have the task of examining how things are in a certain area. It goes and talks to people, looks at the things that sees things that go and those who do not, the lights and the shadows, it made notes, and finally the results are reported to the competent authority. It then comes to the competent authority to make the decisions it deems appropriate.

The matter has conveyed a bad impression of the church.

But it's just a soap bubble, an anecdote. The willingness to want to see nests of vipers, mafia groups fighting each other, internal jealousies and hatred, all this is absolutely wrong. I have been working for more than half a century in the Vatican, and I can say that I admire many of my colleagues, for their capacity for devotion and sacrifice. There will be black sheep, as in all families, which I will not argue, but we speak of the least corrupt and most transparent government, there is. More than any international organization and any secular government. I have been following the media attention, I am a hermit, and I read what happens in the world and see that we speak of the least corrupt government that has been exemplary in many respects.

[...] In fact, they created a bubble of mysterious things. It comes with a lot of imagination. It is clear that there is no government, family or organized group that has not even an intimate area that is removed from the public. In any government, there are far more dark areas of intelligence and decisions that a president makes, without making them public, far more than in the Vatican secret areas.

The case of Vatileaks has not really scarred the Pope?

No. I assure you that this is just an anecdote compared to the decisions of the Holy Father and the problems of the Church. The fundamental problem of the church is the need for a new evangelization. The church suffered a terrible persecution. 80 percent of people worldwide who have been persecuted in the past year because of their beliefs were Christians, and other institutions say this, not the Church itself.  So it happens in India, Pakistan, Africa. In other places, they are discriminated against, as if they had wrong, reprehensible opinions. And then there are more toxic forms of persecution.

In the developed countries?

Yes, for example

In Europe, the Church has certainly lost a lot of power.

Anyone looking at the Church as a power monger, is wrong from the outset. The message of the Church is persecuted there, where there is an absolutist stance. Where religious freedom is not granted. It is estimated that last year were around 100,000 Christians persecuted, imprisoned or murdered. For three years, a family of mother, Asia Bibi in Pakistan is in prison and there are only a few secular bodies who raise their voices. Again, these things cause one anguish. And the Pope is aware that the waves of the ocean is in a state of flux and that the ship needs a solid hand control.

What qualities should the man who presents himself as the new Pope to the control?

Two things. In the first place it is necessary that there is a man who loves Christ. That he knows and loves Christ as the founder of the Church.

But this property is met by all the cardinals?

Of course, but not in the same way. All Cardinals can talk, but it is to see who speaks best. There are different degrees of holiness in the people. It is not irrelevant to whether someone has the monastic vocation, as Celestine V, or if another is a friend of Christ in the same way, but aware, is what happens in the world, what ideological and cultural trends in the world waves hit.

And the second property?

That he is prepared to explain his love for God others.

So a good communicator.

Exactly. The carry forward the new evangelization, white publicize Christ in the world.

Is age important?

Yes, these are indeed secondary issues, but of great importance. Age, health, language skills, ability to travel and perhaps nationality.

Translation: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: AciPrensa

Link to original katholisches….

Peruvian University Blames Opus Dei For its Woes

The only really cool thing about Davinci Code

Edit: We wish!

Sounds like people are starting to get fed up with all the false advertising.

Are you being legitimately accused of failing to live up to the mission statement of your organization and actively working, for your own reasons, to debase its stock in the cultural, artistic, intellectual and economic marketplace?

We know, let's blame a boogieman!

Btw, there's nothing wrong with the use of a flagella provided that  it is used under spiritual direction or as part of a religious order's disciplina.  It's not done so much to inflict pain,  but as a reminder and a spiritual exercise just like praying the rosary or kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle of your local church as part of a healthy spiritual habitus.

(Reuters) - One of Peru's top universities says it thinks maneuvers by the conservative Roman Catholic group Opus Dei are behind the school's high-profile falling out with the Vatican. 

In a dispute that could drag Peru and the Vatican into a diplomatic spat, the Catholic Church ordered the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) in a July letter to drop the words "pontifical" and "Catholic" from the official name it has been using for more than 60 years.

The university, which was founded in 1917 and is widely regarded as the country's most progressive institution of higher education, has refused to comply with the order. The Vatican says it will press its case with Peru's foreign ministry. 

Vatican representatives say they have spent years trying to persuade the university to comply with Church laws and that a large financial donation the school received should be managed in accordance with those.

For our part, we didn't know about the Opus Dei kid's show.  That would be awesome!  Give the coverage on the Spanish Civil War that no one actually learns about in school and tell the real story of Opus Dei and St. Josemaria in a matter of fact approach?

Link to Telegraph, Opus Dei children's show.... 

"There Are No Doctrinal Obstacles to Reconciliiation" -- Opus Dei Bishop

Msgr Ignacio Arrieta, the Secretary of the Papal Council for Legal Texts, has stated that there are no doctrinal obstacles for the reconciliation of the Society of St. Pius X. “I think that we have clarified the doctrinal problems, bringing them in writing to paper, even when they are not simple. The real problem as it seems to me is that the division, the human distance, it goes back to the year of 1988.”

Msgr Arrieta, a Spanish Curial Bishop belongs to Opus Dei, and spoke last Monday on the 7th of May in Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium, according to the Belgian newspaper La Libre Belgique. Among other themes which Msgr Arrieta were the canon law questions related to the reception of Anglicans into the Catholic Church, who were seeking full union with Rome and the case of the former scandal Bishop Vangluwe of Bruges.

Msgr Arrieta is directly connected to with the reconciliation discussion of the Holy See with the Society. He is personally involved with the canonical regulation and with that the future canonical status of the Society.

The Spanish Bishop has been Secretary of the Papal Council for Legal Texsts since 2008. In February of 2012 he administered the lower orders and that of subdeacon to the Society of St. Peter in Wigratzbad.

Link to katholisches…

Curial Opus Dei Bishop Ordains Deacons in Old Rite

(Wigratzbad) Curial Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrierta ochoa de Chinchetru, the Secretary of the Papal Advisory for Legislative Texts, dispensed the lower orders and the subdiaconate on the 11th of February at the Seminary of the Society of St. Peter in Wigratzbad in the Immemorial Rite of the Mass of the Catholic Church. The Spanish msgr. Arrieta belongs to the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei. The Titular Bishop of Sao Paulo di Civitate in Apulia is the 260th Bishop of the Catholic Church and the ninth Spanish Bishop, who has celebrated or participated in a Tridentine Rite of the Mass, since Pope Benedict XVI promulgated the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.

Msgr. Arrieta

Curial Bishop Arrieta, who has been in the Secretariat of the Papal Advisory for Legislative Texts, blessed seven Sudeacons. There are more than 80 Seminarians studying at the seminary of Allgau for the Society of St. Peter. Text: Giuseppe Nardi Bilder: FSSP

St. Josemaria Escriva Didn't Want to Say New Mass

Edit: a few Saints have profanity in their correspondence. St. Josemaria certainly does. Although this may scandalize some Opus Dei members, we were edified by it. And although he was the first to say the New Mass, he did in fact say it -- probably once -- he was also the first to apply for an Indult.

An early collaborator of St. Josemaria Escriva--the first saint to ever celebrate the NOM-- relates the following story: It was in the heady days of the Second Vatican Council, probably after 1965. St. Josemaria Escriva had dutifully learned the New Mass promulgated by Pope Paul VI in the wake of the Second Vatican Council and said it for the first time.

The report is that he fretted in saying it. He found it so exasperating that after putting his vestments away, he hurried to his office to call the Office of Rites in order to request an Indult. Upon describing the Mass to his interlocutor, he said with some vehemence, "what is this shit?"

Shortly after his discussion, he continued saying the Mass he'd always said, having acquired the necessary Indult and we are told he never said the New Mass as part of his private Liturgy again.

"While it may be impossible to verify the details, it is well known that St. Josemaria applied very for an indult very early on, and did not say the NOM in his later life."

Picture was found, here.

Old Lady Ciccone is Shopping for a New Religion

Remember when Miss Ciccone decided to become a Methodist?  It was satire, but you know.  Now there's a story on the Creative Minority Report which says that Madonna has become a member of Opus Dei. You might say, she's fed up with Qabbalah, now she's ready for a new religion.  Why not Opus Dei?  That's hip.

[Mirror] FOR the past 15 years, she has been Kabbalah’s most high profile and dedicated follower.

But now Madonna has apparently ditched the controversial faith and taken up with Opus Dei – the secretive Catholic sect made famous in The Da Vinci Code.

The singer is said to be intrigued by the organisation and spent Friday with priests from the centre’s London HQ.

The move follows her alleged falling out with some Kabbalah leaders after reports that cash raised for her Malawi charity was squandered. Last night a source claimed: “She has invested so much into Kabbalah so she was devastated by these damning accusations.

“She has started exploring different religions. Madonna has always been intrigued by Opus Dei. As yet, she’s not a fully paid-up member – she’s just had informal chats.”

 Maybe she's seen a screening of the new film?

Hey LA, Meet the New Boss

Same as the old boss?



H/t: Fisheaters

Two New Bishops for Congregations: One is Close to Opus Dei

Vatican.... Still before the end of the year, Pope Benedict XVI, according to reports of the Milan daily, 'Il Giornale' is appointing two Secretaries to two Congregations.  The new second man in the Congregation for Causes of Saints will be the Italian Prelate, Marcello Bartolucci (66).  He was previously the undersecretary of the Congregation for Clergy, Prelate Celso Morga Urzubieta, and will be elevated in any case, to Secretary.  He is close to Opus Dei.  Both will be ordained as Bishops in the coming days.  In the next days the new prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Cardinal Franc Rode is now seventy seven years old.


Read original, kreuz...

Opus Dei Condom Connection

Editor: don't say we didn't tell you so. Condom use = Opus Dei

Condom Use Is Moral?

Now an Opus Dei priest has weighed in on the condom controversy, arguing in a lengthy OSV article that condom use, while it may have a prophylactic effect, can be a lessening of the evil of an intrinsically disordered act.

But this priest goes much farther than that, and his conclusions are quite disturbing.

There are several sections which attempt to summarize this thought, but here's as close to a money quote as the article's diffuse, poorly articulated reasoning presents:
Granted that immoral sexual behavior should be avoided altogether, in my view the point rightly made by the Holy Father is that when someone who is already performing immoral acts uses a condom, he or she does not properly choose a lesser evil, but simply tries to prevent an evil — the evil of infection. From the sinner’s point of view this obviously means to choose some good: health. Yet, provided we consider the immoral activities (for example, prostitution) to be intrinsically evil, using a condom to prevent infection means to reduce the evilness and moral disorder of this activity.

Read further, here.fff

Now Comes the Dam Break With Condoms: Opus Dei Bishop "Helps"

That was to be expected: An Austrian Opus Dei Bishop elongate the Pope's statement about condoms with the help of a rape example indirectly to marriage.

(kreuz.net, Sankt Pölten) "The expression of the Pope means no change to the teaching of the Church."

This was according to the Condom-Bishop of Saint Pölten, Msgr Klaus Küng, in an interview with the German newspaper 'Tagespost'.

Bishop Küng expressed himself on the most recent scandal revelation of the Pope about the condom.

For that reason he attempted to make things look as if Benedict XVI. supposedly had spoken against the fight against the sexually transmitted disease AIDS.

At the same time he explained that one that one has the experience world wide that the fight against AIDS is especially successful if people change their behavior:

"Where the fight against AIDS is only aimed at distributing condoms, only intensifies the spread of the disease."

That is proven -- the Bishop argues correctly.


The Condom Doesn't Avoid Infection

The comes -- as expected -- the big but.

There are people, who as far as the expectation of responsibility, to honorable truth and abstemiousness are "absolutely not amenable".

In the mileu of drugs or prostitutes there is no situation, where it is supposedly better, to a supposed "avoidance of infection by using a condom".

That is no relativism of the Encyclical 'Humanae Vitae' (1968).

It is "exclusively for the avoidance of infection".

Truthfully the Bishop had only to have spoken of a mere reluctance of infection.

Something Bad is never Responsible

At the same time Msgr Küng values it as "new that the Pope has held the use of condoms in these cases as a first step toward the discernment of responsibility."

This fatal rejection of every moral teaching alters -- according to the Bishop -- supposedly nothing, that the "object" always consists "in changing false behavioral pattern".

Confusion as Clarification

The expression of the Pope's -- which has led to incredible confusion worldwide  -- is for Msgr Küng a contribution "to a necessary clarification."

Msgr Küng remembers then that he himself some months ago "in a similar way" had defended the prophylactic for male sexual organs:

 "Still another time: It doesn't come down to changing the teaching of the Church, rather for an important differentiation."

He said, here:

"On the other hand I have maintained that it is -- according to the same Church teaching-- possibly allowed to gives condoms to people, who are not prepared, to listen to the teaching of the Church, for example people who are dependent on drugs."

Then the Bishop rumages for a notable example:

"When for example a man suffering from AIDS is in a way is understandable and a non-correspondence  of his employment of force after he attracted, could his wife in such a situation justifiably suggest that a condom is used, because it means an avoidance of the danger of infection."

That is in any case not in contradiction to "Humanae Vitae" -- explained the Bishop:  "In such situations it is not contraception which is the goal of the use of the condom, rather the protection from infection."

That's right, but it has nothing with sexual morality, rather it only has to do with self-defense.

In contrast, the Pope explained that the use of condoms  could be "a first step to a moralization".

With that he maintains that through the purchase and use of condoms, he might become a better man.


Read further...

Opus Dei Definitely Advocates Condom Use

It's not just crazy Jesuits who are at work undermining the Church's teachings, but Opus Dei members do advocate the use of condoms to avoid AIDS when the couples are married as Bishop Kung of St. Polten does, as well as Father Rhonmeir who is a leading figure in the philosophy department of the Opus Dei School in Rome, also see recent article in America.

They haven't exactly been hiding their views, but they haven't been getting any attention, but it's about high time they received some.

Tornielli Interviews Vatican Bank President Ettore Gotti Tedeschi

Editor: here's a quick google-translation with some correction. It looks like this is one of those attacks that Tornielli was talking about, being launched against the Pope.

"Since I assumed the presidency of the IOR I am busy with my all, according to information received by the Pope and the Secretary of State to make every transaction more transparent and in line with international anti-money laundering norms ...

I feel really humbled today. There is anger in words but also discouragement by Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, 65, Piacenza, a professor of "Ethical finance" at Catholic University, president of Santander Consumer Finance, a full year at the Institute for Works of Religion The Vatican Bank, and now it's under investigation for violation of money laundering. The man to whom Benedict XVI has given the renewal of the finances of the Holy See and admires the spirituality of Opus Dei, who when asked how many hours of his day are devoted to God and how much to money, replied: "One hundred per cent one and hundred percent the next. God is always present in everything I do.

"The newspaper has interviewed you.

What was your reaction to the news investigation on IOR and about her?

"Bitterness and humiliation. I do not know what else to say. Together with the Director of the Institute, Paul Cipriani, I am committed to tackling the problems which are now being investigated. We are working to enter the so-called White List, i.e. the list of countries that comply with international anti-money laundering and we hope to make it for December. I have an excellent relationship with the Bank of Italy and there is a continuous exchange of information ...».

Can you explain what happened with the Credito Artigiano and those 20 million directed to JP Morgan in Frankfurt?

"Meanwhile, we clarify that this is a remittance on IOR IOR: we simply transferred the money to invest in German bonds. Why were we not in compliance with the rules against money laundering?"

"We are implementing the rules, but possibly the survey was an error in the procedures implemented by the Credito Artigiano. But the operation is clear, there is nothing hidden or to hide: only a transfer of funds of the same IOR.

The State Secretariat has renewed total confidence ...

"I met Cardinal Bertone, and I found him very concerned about what happened. I was invited to stay at in my position, because I'm doing exactly what I was asked to do, that is more transparent operation of each IOR. This is the clear desire of my superiors and we consider what is happening ... almost unnatural! A procedural error is used as an excuse to attack the Institute, its president and, more generally, the Vatican. "

Why do you think someone wants to attack you or the Holy See?

"I think that the statement of the Secretary of State bodes well with this sense of astonishment. We had an end in sight just when we were working as hard as possible to enforce rules against money laundering. Cardinal Bertone has appointed Nicholas Attilio president of the supervisory board inside the Vatican that will monitor the implementation of all provisions for the White List. We are available to provide information, it would have been enough to call instead of banging on the front door. "

From the original... here at Il Giornale.

David Berger Banished from the Papal Academy of Thomas Aquinas

After his "Outing" as a Homosexual and his denial of Church teaching on Homosexuality a letter of the Academy President followed: "With deep pain" and horror to review Professor Berger's past "opinions".

Rome (Kath.net) The theologian David Berger (42) was dismissed from the faculty of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Any further activity there at the institution would be denied, in the view of "some points of Church teaching" which he does not assent to. This was reported by Frankfurter Rundshau. The certified theologian and special expert on the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas is primarily employed as a Gymnasium (College Preparatory School) teacher in Germany.

Berger is thought to be a "conservative" theologian and was also the Publisher and Chief Director of a Theological Periodical. He has resigned from this office already, which he made known earlier in the last April in the Frankfurter Rundschau as a homosexual. In the article he spoke of "laughably, bigoted" position in the Catholic Church toward Homosexuality and that his opinions on the theology of Thomas allowed a positive appraisal of homosexuality.

"With deep regret" and horror, the transformation and the past "opinions" of Professor Berger had to be examined, wrote Academy President Lluis Clavell, who belongs to Opus Dei, in a letter to Berger.

For the Frankfurter Rundschau, criticized Berger, that before his termination no one responsible for the Thomas-Akademie had inquired of him, if he also practiced homosexuality. Actually, this is specifically condemned by Church teaching. Berger himself had taken no position on this for the Frankfurter Rundschau.

Over to the original...

An Opus Dei Replacement for Cardinal Mahony

Based on earlier reports that Cardinal Mahony is stepping down at 75, from American Papist, we have a report as to the identity of the man who will head the wealthiest and possibly most troulbed Archdiocese in the world.

According to Maximilian Hanlon, and other sources, the replacement for Cardinal Mahony should be the Opus Dei Archbishop from San Antonio, His Lordship, Jose Gomez.

Bishop Gomez was sent to the San Antonio See in 2004 and had been shepherding the Archdiocese of Denver as Auxiliary Bishop prior to that.

He was a lot more generous with the Immemorial Mass than Cardinal Mahony was and had this to say about the Motu Propio:

... pope's move will help Catholics "be able to clearly see the growth and progress we have realized since Vatican II, while at the same time preserving the rich heritage and legacy of the church." [1]

If he promises to be like his fellow Opus Dei Bishop, Archbishop Finn of Kansas City, this should be a real welcome to the auto-destructive regime of one of the most scandal ridden clerics in the history of the American Church. Archbishop Finn once reminded Catholics that we are in the Church militant and "in a war". Such triumphalist language shows well on Opus Dei.

We would also like to say that this posting is typical of the appointments by Pope Benedict. Earlier this year, he appointed the most conservative Bishop in Belgium to lead the country in Brussels, Archbishop Andre Joseph Leonard . Or the new Auxiliary Bishop of Linz, Father Wagner, who was shouted down by the liberals in that most challenging Austrian Diocese. Or Bishop Jose Munila of Spain in December.

Another not so surprising appointment was Archbishop Carlson, formerly of Sioux Falls and Saginaw, who had a legendary reputation for administration and conservatism.

Opus Dei Bans Cokie Roberts Book Signing

Staff Writer
Pewsitter.com


February 17, 2010 - The Washington Times reported today that the Catholic Information Center in Washington DC, which is run by Opus Dei, was hosting a book signing ceremony for former ABC reporter and pro-abortion Catholic, Cokie Roberts. It appears that this event has been cancelled as the following email was just received:

To the Patrons and friends of the Catholic Information Center:

In inviting Steve and Cokie Roberts to the CIC to present their book, From this Day Forward, we were unaware that some of the positions held by Ms. Cokie Roberts are inimical to the Catholic Faith and the support of our Holy Father that we hold very dear at the Catholic Information Center. We are grateful for those of you who have taken the time to express your concern and inform us. Our apologies go out especially to all who may have been troubled by the scheduling of this event and the confusion it may have occasioned. The event has been cancelled.

The email was signed by Father Arne A. Panula, who runs the center.

Link to Pewsitter...

Opus Dei Prelate's Audience with Holy Father

Prelate's Audience with the Holy Father

On last Thursday, January 21, Benedict XVI received Bishop Javier Echevarría, Prelate of Opus Dei, in a private audience.

Randall Balmer, Episcopalian, says Vatican "Opportunistic" (Poll)

| Randall Balmer, Episcopal priest, washingtonpost.com.

NO: The Vatican’s sudden overture to disaffected Anglicans strikes me as both cynical and opportunistic.

Cynical in that the concession to effectively allow congregations to continue using Anglican hymns and liturgies seems to undermine decades of ecumenical discussions. [Wow, sounds just like a Jesuit.]

The move is opportunistic in that Rome is making the overture at what might be viewed as a moment of crisis or weakness in the Anglican Communion. The Vatican apparently is seeking to harvest those disaffected by the ordination of women and gays and by support for same-sex unions. [No, they're doing their job.]

A cynical action calls for a cynical interpretation: [Sounds like projection to me. There's nothing about this that's cynical, unless you read into it things which aren't there and attribute wicked motives] Perhaps the Vatican is hoping to lure Anglican parishes — and their property — to compensate for its financial losses in the priestly pedophilia scandals. [Anglicans are actually worse on that score]

I have no doubt that some disaffected Anglicans will see this as an attractive offer. At the same time, I wasn’t aware that Christians opposed to homosexuality or to women’s ordination were underserved in the religious marketplace. [If it were a marketplace. I'm afraid you're the cynical one, sir.]

Read entire article...

Sympathetic Film of Opus Dei's Founder: "He who Loves is Free"

British film director, Joffe, who makes claims to be politically neutral in his portrayal of Opus Dei will nevertheless make a sympathetic portrayal of the founder and organization of Opus Dei. The director is not known for historical accuracy or political neutrality in "The Mission" which was decidedly a kind of homage to liberation theology at the time it was made when Communists in Central America were attempting to wrest control of the government of El Salvador and successfully took control of Nicaragua which became a source of oppression for the Miskito Indians and openly attempted to destabilize other countries in the region as well.

Although his depiction of a selfish liberal journalist in "The Killing Fields" was interesting, it might be hard to watch this film as it will portray St. Josemaria Escriva's controversial relationship with a young Jewish girl whom he advises not to become Catholic so as not to upset her parents.

Yet the subtitle is interesting, "who loves is free", might indicate a more promising and truthful portrayal than we might have expected. It will be ready for release next fall.

LONDON (Reuters) – If Opus Dei had a rough ride in the blockbuster movie based on Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code," it looks set for an altogether more sympathetic portrayal in another film that deals with the Catholic organization

British director Roland Joffe, renowned for Oscar-nominated "The Killing Fields" and "The Mission," is making "There Be Dragons," a film set during the Spanish Civil War that focuses in part on the life of Opus Dei founder Jose Maria Escriva.

Principal photography is complete, and Joffe is now in the editing room aiming to have the movie, which stars Bond girl Olga Kurylenko, ready for theatres by autumn next year.

Joffe originally intended to turn down a project which, owing to its religious theme and Opus Dei's controversial profile, promises to draw closer scrutiny than the average film.

In The Da Vinci Code, Opus Dei was cast as a secretive cult that resorted to murder to defend a fictional, 2,000-year-old Catholic cover-up. It has also been criticized by church liberals suspicious of its power and reach and by estranged members telling of coercion and corporal mortification.

But when he saw a video of Escriva addressing a large crowd, Joffe changed his mind.

The priest, who was made a saint in 2002, was asked by a Jewish girl if she should convert to Catholicism. Knowing it would upset her parents, Escriva told her that she should not.

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Opus Dei Member and Ex-FBI Director Louis Freeh Italian Citizen

From the Drudge Report:

Clinton appointed former FBI director, Louis Freeh has just received Italian Citizenship thanks to his efforts in fighting organized crime in Italy. Both he and the infamous Robert Hanssen were members of Opus Dei and working for the FBI. Freeh described the Hanssen breech as disastrous, while he himself worked closely with Russian Police against organized crime in Russia according to Accuracy in Media.

Just before 9-11, Freeh left his job as Director of the CIA. He went to work defending a Saudi Prince Bandar, embroiled in a corruption case. He was also working with Fanny Mae according to Politics Daily.

There does seem to be a bit of a question about Louis Freeh's membership in Opus and the evidence is available in this article at Harvard Crimson which fairly discloses his close association with that organization.