This Wednesday afternoon (local time) the Pope met the revolutionary leader, it was a "heartfelt and intense' half-hour meeting in the Apostolic Nunciature after Mass in Havanna.
Havanna (kath.net/KNA) Pope Benedict XVI is meething at the close of his Cuba visit with the earlier head of state Fidel Castro. The approximately 30-minute interview took place according to information from Vatican Speaker Federico Lombari, at the office of the Apostolic Nunciature in Havana.
The interview was "heartfelt, lively and intensive", offered Lombardi.
The 85-year old revolutionary leader was received then at 12:20 (local time) by Cardinal Secretary Tarscicio Bertone. Castro told Bertone that he looked forward to the beautification of Mother Teresa (1910-1997) and John Paul II (1978-2005).
A little later he met Benedict XVI. During the interview, conducted through an interpreter, Castro's wife was present. At the end of the talk, he was introduced to Castro's two sons.
The Pope relayed to Castro his "immense satisfaction" about the trip and his reception in Cuba, said the Vatican speaker. Castro, who in the short TV - reception, gave the impression of an exhausted man, asked the Pope about reforms in the Liturgy and what the Pope does.
As Radio Vatican reported, Fidel Castro told the Pope that he had followed his entire trip on television. Also, the 84 year old Pope and the 86 year old Castro, joked about their age.
In addition they exchanged opinions the current religious, moral and cultural situations as well as the difficult situation of humanity and the promotion of science.
Castro had also asked the Pope to recommend him some books about the themes they'd discussed, so that he might deepen his understanding of them. Benedict XVI had not decided then and there, however, which books he wants to foward to Castro, says Lombardi.
The meeting came at an end according to the speaker, with a personal wish of Fidel Castro. This wish was reported by the Cuban side to the Vatican side. The Vatican Television Services filmed parts of the encounter.
Link to kath.net...
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
One of Terrorist's Victims Was a Son of France and the Church
One of the soldiers shot by Islamic terrorist Mohamed Merah (23) indicates a very symbolic victim.
Corporal Abel Chennouf (24) was about to become a father. He is both Algerian Alsatian by birth, but "Catholic by choice" as chaplain Christian Venard said in his sermon at the funeral. "Your family has chosen France (and I repeat the words of your dear father), with all its traditions, including its deepest roots, which are Christian. How could we, my dear Abel, in such an accumulation of symbols, not see the most precious assets of our French fatherland, everyone at her breast pushing her sons to be who they want to be?"
Tranlated from katholikniuewsblad....
H/t: P-Hall
A Sign of Hope in Japan: Traditional Catholics
In Japan the Catholic Church has a difficult situation. Its presence in the population is almost hardly relevant -- it sits at under 0.5 percent. Under the direction of the predominant Jesuits of the (nominally Catholic) Sophia University, have opened the National Church to the most extreme form of the "spirit of the Council". That is also valid for the Liturgy, beneath the veil of a supposed inculturation the traditional patrimony of the Church is often almost impossible to detect, not only for foreigners, but also for the native Japanese as well.
Despite, or perhaps really because there is also a group of traditionally oriented Catholics that has been formed, there is a national branch of the International Federation Una Voce, and for 3-4 weeks, Fr. Augustin Ikeda (SSP) offers a sung Mass for those who want the traditional Mass. The Mass doesn't take place in any of the few Catholic churches in Tokyo, but in the home of a member of Fr. Augstin's community. Pictures of the Mass are located on TNLM and on the page of the Japanese "Blog of a Practicing Catholic Metropolitan."
Translated from summorumpontificum.de....
Holy Father Breaks Taboo in Mexico, "Viva Christo Rey"!
In a spontaneous action, the Pope received eight families outside of the official program, who had been victims of the drug bosses. Despite the threats of some political parties, Pope Benedict XVI did not shrink back in fear from demanding religious freedom as a fundamental right. Mexico is readying itself for its next election and the appearance of the Catholic Church's Leaders causes increasing nervousness for some parties and have brought blatant anti-religious emotions to the surface.
The Pope Recalled the Persecution and Struggle of the Christeros
Upon the "Angel of the Lord" the Pope recalled the anti-Christian persecution in Mexico and the armed struggle of the Cristeros, who fought for the freedom of the Church and religion in a bloody war 1926-1929. Benedict's desired address breaks a central taboo in Mexico. In political and public life in the Middle-American country it was virtually forbidden to speak of the horrific persecution of Christians in the previous century, when the people were ready to name Christ their true Lord, the Mother of God and to give everything.
"In the times of trial and of suffering many of you were called to be martyrs, who with the cry. 'Long Live Christ the King and Mary of Guadalupe' bore lasting witness to the truth of the Gospel and the devotion to the Church." With the revival of the battle cry of the Cristeros "Viva Christo Rey! Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe", Benedict XVI impressed his special and completely unexpected stamp and broke a decades long taboo.
Link to katholisches...
Bishop Conley, Apostolic Administrator of Denver, wrote this, here.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Russian Armed Forces More Friendly to Chaplains than USA
Edit: Russian military personnel, unlike their American counterparts, will have little trouble attending the Liturgy on Sundays, going to Confession or finding a priest to help dealing with psychological challenges of military service.
Moscow, March 26, Interfax - The formation of clergy in the Russian Armed Forces is not as quick as planned, but the goal will be achieved eventually, head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Main Department for Personnel Sergey Chvarkov told the Ekho Moskvy radio on Saturday.
"Far from all clerics offered to us by the Church meet our requirements," he said. At the same time, the task of forming clergy in the Russian Armed Forces set by the Supreme Commander is being fulfilled.
"This is a very delicate and important task, and there must be no rush here," Chvarkov said.
Continue at Interfax....
Compare and contrast this favorable situation with the United States Military's treatment of military chaplains:
Link to Father Z....
H/t: Stella Borealis...
Moscow, March 26, Interfax - The formation of clergy in the Russian Armed Forces is not as quick as planned, but the goal will be achieved eventually, head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Main Department for Personnel Sergey Chvarkov told the Ekho Moskvy radio on Saturday.
"Far from all clerics offered to us by the Church meet our requirements," he said. At the same time, the task of forming clergy in the Russian Armed Forces set by the Supreme Commander is being fulfilled.
"This is a very delicate and important task, and there must be no rush here," Chvarkov said.
Continue at Interfax....
Compare and contrast this favorable situation with the United States Military's treatment of military chaplains:
In the March issue there is a by John L. Schlagter, the General Counsel for the Military Archdiocese, called “Update on AMS protecting Chaplains’ religious freedoms“.
First, the Obama Administration censored Catholics in the military. Now, one of Pres. Obama unelected underlings, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, has by his master’sfiat, let Catholic chaplains know that, in the wake of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, chaplains may now officiate at same-sex “marriages”.
From the fact that if they “may”, then they in time “must”.
Not only that, the Obama Administration is obliged to uphold federal law. This note to chaplains directly undermines the Defense of Marriage Act, which is still the law.
Link to Father Z....
H/t: Stella Borealis...
Traditional Priest in Union With Rome Skeptical About Bux Letter
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| Old Mass by the SSPX © Pius.info |
(kreuz.net, Santiago) It is the right time to reconcile with the Vatican.
This is what Italian Liturgist, Prelate Nicola Bux, wrote in an open letter to the Society of St. Pius X.
The Prelate explained in it that after the Pastoral Council, a "real disaster" broke out in the Church.
At the same time he warned that the Society should not let the "moment of Grace" pass by.
Discouraging Experiences
Father Raphael Navas -- the one responsible for the traditional 'Institute of the Good Shepherd' for South America-- criticized the open letter on 'facebook.com'.
His Institute is a breakaway from the Society. Father Navas was earlier a member there.
His report of his time in the Conciliar Church is not only rosy.
The Hopes of the Prelate.
Father Navas comments in the following excerpt from the open letter of Prelate Bux:
"In the fullness of Church members with the great family, that which the Church is, your voice will not be repressed any longer."
A reconciliation will bring significant fruits, which otherwise would decay -- wrote the Prelate.
The Reality is Completely Otherwise
Father Navas believes Father Bux is of good will.
But: "The reality is something else".
As an example Father described the problems of the Institute in Chile.
Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati Andrello (70) of Santiago in Chile and the neighboring Diocese have been reserved toward the Institute -- although it is approved by the Holy See.
"It goes as far as that the canonical establishement will be denied."
There is Only One Sin For the Old Liberals -- to be a Traditionalist
Father Navas named "modern forms of ecclesiastical persecution -- contempt, odium and indifference".
It is considered a "great sin" to only celebrate the Old Rite of the Mass and to interpret the Second Vatican Council in the sense of Catholic belief.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Recent News: Court Victories and Immemorial Masses in Italy
New School -- New Latin Mass -- Court Victory Against Homosexual Activism -- Exorcism
New School
Germany. The traditional Dominicans of Fanjeaux in south west France will start a new grade school in the Fall. This was reported by the District Superior of the Society of St. Pius X, Franz Schmidberger, in the most recent edition of the "newsletter". The nuns will begin their school at St. Micheal's Priory in Rheinhausen in southern Baden.
The Old Mass Makes everything New
Italy. Last week Bishop Gualtiero visited Sigismondi of Foligno near the Benedictines of Nursia at a High Mass in the Old Rite. The site 'summorum-pontificum.de' wrote about this. Msgr Sigismondi has entrusted the monks with a new apostolate. They may celebrate the Immemorial once a month in his Diocesan city in the church of St. Maria Infraportas. The faithful should grow accustomed to this form again. Msgr Sigismondi will participate at the old Mass himself in the choir, to underline its importance. Clearly the Bishop sees this as a contribution to the New Evangelization.
Evil Has no Rights
France. State privileges for homosexuals are not human rights. This was the final ruling of the judge of the 'European Court for Human Rights' in Strassburg. It refused two homosexual women. They had complained to the French court, because it had banned them from adoption as married couples.
The Germans Think They are Smarter
"Despite the global boom, Germany will continue its taboo against exorcists. [Father] Urluch Niemann (+2008), a Frankfurt Jesuit physician, considers it impossible that this country will ever again have an exorcism sanctioned by a senior pastor. For obsession, the correct way is to accompany spiritual counseling with therapy."
From an article from Markus Brauer in the 'Stuttgarter Nachrichten'
kreuz...
New School
Germany. The traditional Dominicans of Fanjeaux in south west France will start a new grade school in the Fall. This was reported by the District Superior of the Society of St. Pius X, Franz Schmidberger, in the most recent edition of the "newsletter". The nuns will begin their school at St. Micheal's Priory in Rheinhausen in southern Baden.
The Old Mass Makes everything New
Italy. Last week Bishop Gualtiero visited Sigismondi of Foligno near the Benedictines of Nursia at a High Mass in the Old Rite. The site 'summorum-pontificum.de' wrote about this. Msgr Sigismondi has entrusted the monks with a new apostolate. They may celebrate the Immemorial once a month in his Diocesan city in the church of St. Maria Infraportas. The faithful should grow accustomed to this form again. Msgr Sigismondi will participate at the old Mass himself in the choir, to underline its importance. Clearly the Bishop sees this as a contribution to the New Evangelization.
Evil Has no Rights
France. State privileges for homosexuals are not human rights. This was the final ruling of the judge of the 'European Court for Human Rights' in Strassburg. It refused two homosexual women. They had complained to the French court, because it had banned them from adoption as married couples.
The Germans Think They are Smarter
"Despite the global boom, Germany will continue its taboo against exorcists. [Father] Urluch Niemann (+2008), a Frankfurt Jesuit physician, considers it impossible that this country will ever again have an exorcism sanctioned by a senior pastor. For obsession, the correct way is to accompany spiritual counseling with therapy."
From an article from Markus Brauer in the 'Stuttgarter Nachrichten'
kreuz...
Sunday, March 25, 2012
"Ale Mary" Dive Bar Uses Monstrance and Chalices for Drunken Revelries
Edit: A definition from Wikipedia is useful here: Blasphemy is irreverence towards religious or holy persons or things.[1] Some countries have laws to punish blasphemy,[2] while others have laws to give recourse to those who are offended by blasphemy.
[Fell's Point, Baltimore, MD] There was a show called "Cheers" on television years ago. It was bawdy and vulgar yet there were some borders it was not safe to pass in the early 80s when the show first aired. It depicted a homey place, reminiscent of an unpretentious neighborhood bar with a hint of old world ambiance and Boston charm. The heavy wooden furniture and the bar spoke of permanence, elegance, and that favorite piety of secular artists, human dignity. It was not always clear who the show's buffoons were, but you knew them when you saw them, and sometimes, it was a comedic mailman who could be the most noble in the simplicity of his fears. Some other writer said something about irony being lost on a society which had no shame. That's why we'd like to wield a metaphorical hammer. Perhaps there are others who can put a better finish on the details of what we will tell.
All we can say is that sometimes evil is really mundane and some of us don't realize that we're not only bufoons needlessly offending people's religious sensibilities, but far worse than that, we're offending God. Even the name of the bar, a pun on the Blessed Mother's name seems calculated to be offensive.
We're not talking about this place, but it's not far from Boston, but it boasts a similar unmistakable charm you'd expect in New England with friendly folks.
One of the features of the bar, and there are many, is its unmistakable Catholic ambiance. It's called, Ale Mary's and is located in Fell's point Maryland. One can just smell the faint aroma of the ocean as you think about it. The food is inexpensive, but if you're Catholic you might find it too expensive for the peace of your conscience to see the sacramental elements of your religion appear for the sake of decoration in peculiarly deliberate ways.
It's not surprising, but it's not acceptable either that chalices which are used in Catholic Mass for the consecration of wine which becomes the blood of Christ, are used by patrons to drink (and get drunk from). They're made of precious metals, sometimes jewels, but their use in such a secular setting is strange and unsettling. No less than the inexplicable painting of a priest with a stole, looking aghast or in surprise at a nun who has her back to him. The most disturbing thing in the restaurant is the monstrance which is behind the bar used as decoration. The monstrance is large ornate disk, often resembling the sun, which is surmounted in a long stand with a heavy base. It contains a crystal compartment at the center of the disk where a consecrated communion Host can be placed inside and it allows the priest to elevate the entire object by the stand for the veneration of the Sacrament it contains. Seeing this monstrance here in this bar, covered with mardigras beads and a mustached smiley face where the Host would normally be is a little bit like finding family heirlooms in the hands of people who not only use them for purposes for which they were never intended, but use them in disrespectful ways.
We found out about this recently and the individual who sent this to us wrote an e-mail complaining about the display of these religious items and even offered to purchase them. Far from being treated with the respect she deserved, her concerns were met with derision.
Despite the bar owner claiming that no one cared about this clearly blasphemous display of religious artifacts, he asked her to remove an entry she made under the bar at a public site allowing comment on establishments. As he berated our friend, the proprietor insisted as an argument to justify his sacrilege and disrespect for Catholic sacramentals, that there were even Bishops and priests who thought that his blasphemous inclusion of religious articles was comical and that there was nothing wrong with this display.
Apparently, there's some truth to what he says, because Catholic clergy, including senior, does frequent this place.
We'll be praying a Rosary in reparation for having seen this blasphemy. Hopefully, the proprietor can be persuaded to part with these items before word of this affects his business either spiritually or financially.
Give them a call:
Corner of Fleet & Washington Sts.
Fell's Point
Baltimore, MD.
21231
410-276-2044
[Fell's Point, Baltimore, MD] There was a show called "Cheers" on television years ago. It was bawdy and vulgar yet there were some borders it was not safe to pass in the early 80s when the show first aired. It depicted a homey place, reminiscent of an unpretentious neighborhood bar with a hint of old world ambiance and Boston charm. The heavy wooden furniture and the bar spoke of permanence, elegance, and that favorite piety of secular artists, human dignity. It was not always clear who the show's buffoons were, but you knew them when you saw them, and sometimes, it was a comedic mailman who could be the most noble in the simplicity of his fears. Some other writer said something about irony being lost on a society which had no shame. That's why we'd like to wield a metaphorical hammer. Perhaps there are others who can put a better finish on the details of what we will tell.
 |
| Satirical painting: priest displeased with Nun? |
 |
| Would you like some candy? |
 |
| Chalices Used for Holy Sacrifice Being Abused by Patrons |
It's not surprising, but it's not acceptable either that chalices which are used in Catholic Mass for the consecration of wine which becomes the blood of Christ, are used by patrons to drink (and get drunk from). They're made of precious metals, sometimes jewels, but their use in such a secular setting is strange and unsettling. No less than the inexplicable painting of a priest with a stole, looking aghast or in surprise at a nun who has her back to him. The most disturbing thing in the restaurant is the monstrance which is behind the bar used as decoration. The monstrance is large ornate disk, often resembling the sun, which is surmounted in a long stand with a heavy base. It contains a crystal compartment at the center of the disk where a consecrated communion Host can be placed inside and it allows the priest to elevate the entire object by the stand for the veneration of the Sacrament it contains. Seeing this monstrance here in this bar, covered with mardigras beads and a mustached smiley face where the Host would normally be is a little bit like finding family heirlooms in the hands of people who not only use them for purposes for which they were never intended, but use them in disrespectful ways.
 |
| Mustached Smiley Face Seems Particularly Malevolent |
Despite the bar owner claiming that no one cared about this clearly blasphemous display of religious artifacts, he asked her to remove an entry she made under the bar at a public site allowing comment on establishments. As he berated our friend, the proprietor insisted as an argument to justify his sacrilege and disrespect for Catholic sacramentals, that there were even Bishops and priests who thought that his blasphemous inclusion of religious articles was comical and that there was nothing wrong with this display.
Apparently, there's some truth to what he says, because Catholic clergy, including senior, does frequent this place.
We'll be praying a Rosary in reparation for having seen this blasphemy. Hopefully, the proprietor can be persuaded to part with these items before word of this affects his business either spiritually or financially.
Give them a call:
Corner of Fleet & Washington Sts.
Fell's Point
Baltimore, MD.
21231
410-276-2044
Other Sites Linking
Angelqueen, Catholic Forum [Excellent Commentary]
SSPX Germany: Letter Holds Out "Justifiable Hope" for Reconciliation
Reading from the pulpit of all the Churches and Chapels of the German District of the Society of St. Pius X. As translated from District website:
Dear Faithful,
On the 16th of March Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith, presented a letter with clarifications in Rome, to the General Superior of the Society, Bishop Fellay, in which we will be called upon, to give a final affirmation of the Doctrinal Preamble of September 14th, as it has happened till now.
The final deadline for an answer is going to be April 15th, 2012. Certainly you have surely already learned this partly in the media. We are therefore arriving at a decisive point.
If the letter also has struck an unpleasant [unangenehmen] tone, yet it indeed gives justifiable hopes for a peaceful solution. In case this situations happens, it would strengthen all of the important protective powers in the Church; in the other case, these would be significantly weakened and demoralized. Therefore, what is uppermost is not our Society, rather the health of the entire Church.
For this reason we ask the fervent, persistent and beseeching prayers from all of our faithful and all Catholics, so that God, through the salvific sufferings of His only begotten son, leads His Church from Her crisis, and gives her in the holy resurrection of Jesus new life, new strength and blooming.
Stuttgart, 22 March 2012
Father Franz Schmidberger, District Superior
President of Philippines Bishops' Conference Celebrates Old Mass
Related, Canon Moreau's trip to the Philippines....
German Bishop Threatens Dissenters with the Sack
Germany: Allegedly, the Diocese of Augsburg's critics of the parish consolidation are being threatened with sanctions. This was according to 'Bavarian Rundfunk'. Bishop Konrad Zdarsa of Augsburg has supposedly put 'massive pressure' on church employees, who won't resign themselves to the consolidation and a planned "disempowerment of the laity" -- is how the paper construes things. The facts are much thinner. Apparently there have been two deans who've been asked to resign their offices because of their criticism of the Bishop. Many in the Diocese are "in fear of termination", says 'Bavarian Rundfunk" grasping in the empty air.
Link to kreuz.net...
SSPX: A Spectacular Reading from the Pulpit
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| Bishop Fellay and Msgr Pozzo | © Piusbruderschaft |
Tomorrow a public statement will be read from the pulpit in the Priories of the German District of the Society of St. Piux X regarding the state of negotiations with Rome.
(kreu.net) Today the website of the District of the Society of St. Pius X has produced a chronology of the talks with Rome.
The chronicle is an overview of a span of time from the Second Vatican Council to today.
It maintains that the Pastoral Council is supposed to have decided upon a "modernization of the Catholic Church".
For that reason the "Phalanx of the progressives" are supposed to have held sway against the "conservative Conciliar Fathers".
A Sensational Success
The Society of St. Pius X was founded on 1 November 1970 by Bishop François Charrière († 1976) of Freiburg.
The first superior was Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (+1991). He began with four seminarians.
The Pope Has Never Abrogated the Society
The society was abrogated a year later by the modernistic French Bishops.
The chronicle comments: "Now it states clearly in canon law, that an ecclesiastical society, which has been legitimately erected canonically, can only be abrogated by the Pope himself."
Indeed: "Until the present day, such a Papal abrogation has not taken place."
The Media Bosses Work With False Reports
The chronicle went in detail into the talks between the Society and the Vatican:
"Because of a sermon by the General Superior, Bishop Fellay on the 2nd of February in Winona, there were several media outlets in Germany which premptively described the talks as "broken down"."
The chronicle denies this: "Bishop Fellay broached the issue not of the fundamental relation to Rome, rather of the question, as to how the "Doctrinal Preamble" should be evaluated."
An Answer to an Answer?
As a last event, the chronicle lists the meeting of Msgr Fellay with the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine and the Faith on the 16th of March.
At this even the Prefect explained in a written answer, that the offer of the Society is not sufficient to resolve the dogmatic problems.
On the morning -- of the 25th of March -- a further step will be announced.
"In Germany a word from the pulpit will be read to the faithful in relation to the talks with Rome."
Link to kreuz.net....
Link topiusbruderschaft.de...
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Jesuit Cardinal Defends Homosexual Partnerships
Edit: Some will notice a certain similarity to statements by Cardinal Schoenborn and who defended it using the same argument. Cardinal Martini just spells things about more explicitly in his new book. Here's an interesting citation from the Jimmy Akin blog:
Italian Cardinal Martini breaks a lance for homosexual partnerships. -kath.net
Rome (kath.net/KNA) The Italian Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini has spoken out for homosexual partnerships. Against fleeting contacts it is "not bad, when two people have a certain amount of stability in relationships", wrote the previous Archbishop of Milan in a book, from the newspaper, "L'Espresso" published in the Friday edition. "I do not share the position of people in the Church, who agitate themselves about civil partnerships", confessed the 85 year old Cardinal.
If homsexuals are living in a stable relationship, the state could guide this, Martini thinks. Surely, the traditional family must be defended because it supports society. "If, however, people of different or the same sex would like to sign a contract, to give their relationship a certain stability, why should we be unyieldingly against it?", asks Martini, one of the most visible churchmen and theologians in Italy, in the volume >>Credere e conoscere<< (Faith and Understanding).
Moral teaching firmly holds "for good reasons", that God wanted the difference between man and woman. Some people have decided themselves in honest conviction, because of their previous experiences and habits, from psychological reasons and "possibly also from an inborn inclination" to live in a same sex partnership. This ought "neither be demonized nor outlawed". A durable and true friendship between two people of the same sex have in their view a value, even if as a sexual relationship it can not be raised as a model of life as the family can.
Martini expressed the understanding, "not unanimous agreement", for street parades of homosexuals. In that their necessity for self-expression is apparent, even if this appears "excessively provocative". As far as the use of condoms the Cardinal said, this could be viewed "in certain situations as a lesser evil". Other morally acceptable means such as abstinence should not be therefore moved into the background.
Link to original....
Articles of Interest
Cardinal Martini says human life doesn't start at conception.
Cardinal Causes High Level Vatican Meeting
Attacks Church Teaching in Book, "Nocturnal Conversations"
Repeated Defiance of Rome
Of course he's a Zionist
Cardinal Schönborn, who like his mentor Pope Benedict is a model of openness and transparency, invited the editors of Austria’s dozen or so major newspapers to a meeting at his residence in Vienna. How many bishops can you name who have extended such an invitation to the press?
Italian Cardinal Martini breaks a lance for homosexual partnerships. -kath.net
Rome (kath.net/KNA) The Italian Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini has spoken out for homosexual partnerships. Against fleeting contacts it is "not bad, when two people have a certain amount of stability in relationships", wrote the previous Archbishop of Milan in a book, from the newspaper, "L'Espresso" published in the Friday edition. "I do not share the position of people in the Church, who agitate themselves about civil partnerships", confessed the 85 year old Cardinal.
If homsexuals are living in a stable relationship, the state could guide this, Martini thinks. Surely, the traditional family must be defended because it supports society. "If, however, people of different or the same sex would like to sign a contract, to give their relationship a certain stability, why should we be unyieldingly against it?", asks Martini, one of the most visible churchmen and theologians in Italy, in the volume >>Credere e conoscere<< (Faith and Understanding).
Moral teaching firmly holds "for good reasons", that God wanted the difference between man and woman. Some people have decided themselves in honest conviction, because of their previous experiences and habits, from psychological reasons and "possibly also from an inborn inclination" to live in a same sex partnership. This ought "neither be demonized nor outlawed". A durable and true friendship between two people of the same sex have in their view a value, even if as a sexual relationship it can not be raised as a model of life as the family can.
Martini expressed the understanding, "not unanimous agreement", for street parades of homosexuals. In that their necessity for self-expression is apparent, even if this appears "excessively provocative". As far as the use of condoms the Cardinal said, this could be viewed "in certain situations as a lesser evil". Other morally acceptable means such as abstinence should not be therefore moved into the background.
Link to original....
Articles of Interest
Cardinal Martini says human life doesn't start at conception.
Cardinal Causes High Level Vatican Meeting
Attacks Church Teaching in Book, "Nocturnal Conversations"
Repeated Defiance of Rome
Of course he's a Zionist
Friday, March 23, 2012
The "Colorful Miracle" of a Bishop: Koran Suras Read in a Catholic Church
The incident is reminiscent of the severe abuse of children in a Catholic private school in France , who were brought to a "promotion of interreligious understanding" in a mosque, where they were taught Muslim prayer postures.
The Bishop's comment is unknown.
Source, katholisches...
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Bild: Messa in Latino
Munich Bishop Chosen to be President of European Union Council of Bishops
(Brussels) Reinhad Cardinal Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, is the new President of the Commission of the Bishops' Conference of the European Community (COMECE). Representative of the Bishops' Conference to the EU Member States chose him yesterday evening in Brussels to be successor of the Bishop emeritus of Rotterdam, Adrianus van Luyn SDB, who has held this office since 2006. Cardinal Marxi has represented the German Bishops' Conference in the COMECE since 2006 and has been Vice President since 2009.
Link to katholisches....
Link to katholisches....
The Persecution Continues: An Actual Ban on Confessions for Children and Youth
 |
| Fr. Skoblicki |
(kreuz.net, Neuhoffen an der Ybbs) Chaplain Andreas Skoblicki "for a start" may not hear any more children and youth confessions.
That was made known in a press release yesterday from the cowardly Dioocese of Saint Pölten.
Real Old Liberal Grievance will be tolerated for decades
The Diocese reacted lightning quick because of a single slander article in the anti-Catholic Viennese newspaper 'Kurier'.
Fr. Skoblicki was driven from the Parish of Kopfing in the Diocese of Linz in January by the media bosses.
Since Feburary he's been active in the 2,800 population Parish Neuhoffen an der Ybbs for the neo-conservative Pastor Helmut Prader in the Diocese of Saint Pölten.
The Cowardly Diocese Cringes
The 'Kurier' has disseminated the contention, Fr. Skoblicki is to have "insulted" two eleven-year-olds in confession.
It consists in frank deceptive defamation.
For that reason the Diocese of St.Pölten went to its press conference in sackcloth and ashes.
Slander is welcome
Pastor Helmut Prader explained that he is in contact with "all involved" -- therefore with the slanderers .
He is then to clear up the situation and rectify it.
Fr. Skoblicki will, "for starters not hear any more confessions of children and youth", says Fr. Prader.
He will get familiar with the parish and the customs to gain the trust of the area.
Dastardly: The chaplain can not express himself in confession
Chaplain Skoblicki has not commented on these serious accusations.
He may not openly discuss the contents or circumstances of conversations in confession.
He is sorry, in case he has hurt anyone, and apologizes to them never the less.
That was not his intention.
It possibly depends on the fact that German is not his native language.
Link to original...
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Modernist Abbey Steeped in Dissent and Deceit
Edit: We received a post from an observant reader about the "Catholic Association of Lesbian Gay Ministry". This is the same organization which was forbidden from using a Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of St. Paul last February as reported by Lifesite News:
The organizer of the event, a Father Bob Pierson is the treasurer for the sponsoring organization which features gay marriage. Elizabeth D really summed it up beautifully, how this entire thing is interconnected and very much alive in the Archdiocese and the Monastery of St. John's in Collegeville.
On the Catholic Church, he writes in the Pray, Tell blog:
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, February 23, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Fr. Leo Tibesar, a Catholic priest, was scheduled to host an upcoming Catholic Association of Lesbian and Gay Ministries (CALGM) Fund Raising dinner at his parish in Minneapolis later this month, until the event was suddenly cancelled yesterday.
Fr. Leo Tibesar, dubbed a “well known and highly respected Same Sex Marriage and Gay Rights Activist” in official event announcements, has openly supported and been actively involved in movements that oppose the Catholic Church on the issues of marriage and homosexuality for many years.
The organizer of the event, a Father Bob Pierson is the treasurer for the sponsoring organization which features gay marriage. Elizabeth D really summed it up beautifully, how this entire thing is interconnected and very much alive in the Archdiocese and the Monastery of St. John's in Collegeville.
The monk Fr Bob Pierson who was the contact person for this retreat is also Tresurer for the sponsoring organization "Catholic Association of Lesbian and Gay Ministry" and almost all the other board members of this group can be verified online to be involved in other organizations explicitly in favor of homosexual "marriage"; at least one board member (an "inferfaith minister") performs same sex ceremonies. Based on web searching, the retreat leader Bob Pileggi is apparently a fallen away Catholic, has been a staff member of the pro-gay-marriage "Lambda Legal Defense Fund" for outreach and as coordinator of "The Marriage Project", and he also offers his services as an interfaith minister conducting custom weddings and other ceremonies clearly including same sex "weddings".According to the Abbey website, Father Bob Pierson is:
Father Robert Pierson OSB Born in Estherville, Iowa, 29 December 1955; ordained 2 June 1984 Father Robert earned his bachelor's degree in social science from Saint John's University and master of divinity degree from Saint John's University School of Theology/Seminary. He has served as a pastor, seminary rector, director of field education, spiritual director, vocations director, chaplain, director of campus ministry, faculty resident, member of the Saint John's Abbey Schola, cantor and abbey fireman.Selected quotes and stories about Father Bob Pierson who organized this event:
On the Catholic Church, he writes in the Pray, Tell blog:
There are aspects of our life as a Church that need to die so that we can experience the power of the resurrected life that God holds out to us this Easter Day.Father Pierson also lost his composure when an instruction was released in 2005 disallowing homosexuals from being in the priesthood. He was justifiably ridiculed by Diogenes at Catholic Culture after Pierson resigned from the Campus Ministry at St. John's: Brother Reinhart incredibly called the dissenting priest "courageous" and a man of "integrity". Here's part of the what Father Pierson wrote:
"For quite some time I have wrestled with conflicting teaching by the church -- that gays and lesbians are to be respected, but that somehow we are not fit for work in the church," said Pierson, who announced his decision in an e-mail message Wednesday to staff and students.Despite frequent and vociferous dissent from Catholic teaching, Father Pierson, like many others at they moribund Benedictine Abbey continue their scandalous behavior and are permitted by superiors of all kinds to persist in creating a poisonous habitat for the students and laity they are supposed to be serving.
"But with the new teaching, which says gay men are 'objectively disordered' and cannot relate properly to men and women, it became clear to me that I cannot continue in campus ministry," Pierson said.
"For me, I have decided that I am not disordered, that I can be an effective celibate gay priest, that I can relate effectively with men and women," he said. "I have chosen not to be dishonest about my thoughts and feelings, and to resign."
Collegeville: Gomorrist Retreat Allegedly Cancelled But the Disease Remains
Edit: Just received a message from one of the readers. It looks like "Father Guestmaster" has announced that the retreat is cancelled. This is a good time for an analogy. Sometimes you can apply topical ointment to a festering patch of skin, or give pain killers, but those things won't necessarily address the underlying condition.
Also read the article on the Pine Curtain and he says that the Monastery still hasn't taken down its advert on its "guesthouse" page.
The modernist monastery has not yet taken down the offending pages and the presenter of the retreat still has the affair up on his site, here.
At the present, the offending entry can still be seen here. Yet it's entirely possible, considering the track record of the institution, that they'll have the retreat anyway.
This is too little too late, as they've been doing this sort of thing for years.
Thanks to 'Rorate Caeli 'for getting the word out in an unambiguous and sensible way, and anyone else who was angered enough by this travesty to help spread the word about this place which is sorely in need of an exorcism, or an interdict.
Also read the article on the Pine Curtain and he says that the Monastery still hasn't taken down its advert on its "guesthouse" page.
The modernist monastery has not yet taken down the offending pages and the presenter of the retreat still has the affair up on his site, here.
At the present, the offending entry can still be seen here. Yet it's entirely possible, considering the track record of the institution, that they'll have the retreat anyway.This is too little too late, as they've been doing this sort of thing for years.
Thanks to 'Rorate Caeli 'for getting the word out in an unambiguous and sensible way, and anyone else who was angered enough by this travesty to help spread the word about this place which is sorely in need of an exorcism, or an interdict.
Austrian Media Continues to Slander Intrepid Priest
Edit: Father Skoblicki is the former pastor of the Linz parish who was run out of town on a rail because the Austrian media and a few villagers hated the amazing success he was having there. Full church, young children and adolescents in the pews, long confession lines and a strong emphasis on the truths of the Catholic Faith were there. The harassment continues.
Hangman's journalism against Father Skoblicki: the agitation paper 'Kurier' slandrs the clergyman, without consulting him. -kreuz.net
(kreuz.net) The anti-Clerical newspaper 'Kurier' continues to engage in polemics against the former Pastor of Kopfing, Fr. Andreas Skoblici. Since February the clergyman has been chaplain for the community of Neuhofen and der Ybbs in the Diocese of St. Pölten.
Lying Nursery Tales
The scandal sheet 'Kurier' is spreading the lie that Fr. Skoblicki has characterized two eleven year old boys as "disgraces and threats" before God.
One of the boys is supposed to have confessed to having forgotten to pray once. The other is said to have quarreled with his brother.
These sins are supposed to have "infuriated" Father Skoblicki -- finds the 'Kurier'.
Windy Evidence
It is telling that the schmier paper had spread these lies without first talking to Father Skoblicke.
The paper refers to its anonymous denouncer, Hermann G. He is described as the grandfather of one of the children.
Link to original...
Hangman's journalism against Father Skoblicki: the agitation paper 'Kurier' slandrs the clergyman, without consulting him. -kreuz.net
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| Fr. Skoblicki with new Pastor Helmut Prader © Pressebild |
(kreuz.net) The anti-Clerical newspaper 'Kurier' continues to engage in polemics against the former Pastor of Kopfing, Fr. Andreas Skoblici. Since February the clergyman has been chaplain for the community of Neuhofen and der Ybbs in the Diocese of St. Pölten.
Lying Nursery Tales
The scandal sheet 'Kurier' is spreading the lie that Fr. Skoblicki has characterized two eleven year old boys as "disgraces and threats" before God.
One of the boys is supposed to have confessed to having forgotten to pray once. The other is said to have quarreled with his brother.
These sins are supposed to have "infuriated" Father Skoblicki -- finds the 'Kurier'.
Windy Evidence
It is telling that the schmier paper had spread these lies without first talking to Father Skoblicke.
The paper refers to its anonymous denouncer, Hermann G. He is described as the grandfather of one of the children.
Link to original...
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Why Priests Have to Learn Latin
Edit: it sounds like candidates to the priesthood will not only have to be familiar with Latin, but will also be forced to use it in the classroom setting.
Gero P. Weishaupt am 25. Februar 2012 um 20:07
Vatican (kathnews) Last Thursday, on the 23rd of February, the Papal Institute for Latin Classics (Pontificium Institutum altioris Latinnitatis) at the Papal University of the Salesians in Rome held a congress on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Apostolic Constitution "Veterum Sapientia" Pope John XXIII. from 22 February 1962. (Kathnews reported the event)
Founded by Pope Paul VI
The Pontificium altioris Latinitatis was brought to life by Pope Paul VI with the Motu Proprio Studie Latinitatis of the 22nd February 1964, therefore, toward the end of the Second Vatican Council. There the Pope stressed as already had his predecessor two years before as well, the close connection between the study of the Latin language and the education for the priesthood as also the necessity of knowing the Latin language.
Secretary of the Congregation for Clergy was one of the Speakers
Probably with regard to Ash Wednesday, which fell on the 50th Anniversary, the Congress began a day later. Next to the Prefect of the Congregation for Education, who is the Polish-born Curial Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, one of the most visible promoters of the Latin language, who presided over the Congress, and the other speaker, the Secretary of the Congregation of Clergy, Archbishop Celso Morga Iruzubieta, held an informative lecture. He presented the theme "Why the Priest Must Study Latin" (Perche i preti debono studiare latino).
Decline of Latin
Pope John XIII had already directed his attention to the decline of Latin at a Congress for Latinists in 1959. In his lecture, recalled the Secretary of the Congregation for Clergy: "When one retrospectively considers the present situation, everything from then on, that the words of Bl. John XXIII, which he directed to a Congress of Latin experts on 7 September 1959, not only trailed off unheard, but that the use and even the instruction of the Latin language even in ecclesiastical contexts were already in the grip of a powerful decline."
Encouraging Development in Our Day
Although despite the difficulties today among priests, there is a conviction to be found, "that the return of Latin has a purpose, to come closer to a civilization and to estimate its values, interests and their values as well as their doctrines and to test their theoretical foundations in view of a critical understanding of the past", continued the Curial Bishop further. That is surely, "an encouraging sign in the Church of today, which is ready to understand the study of the past not as a superfluous and backwards looking view., which unnecessarily longs in some way to recapture the past, rather as a direct and immediate recapitulation of the message of an extraordinarily rich doctrinal, cultural and pedagogical heritage, one to a wide ranging, fruitful and deeply rooted intellectual heritage, as that could allow a severing from these roots."
Latin - means to recover their own cultural identity
Then the second man in the Congregation for Clergy: "Under present circumstances, it seems unlikely that one brings to the priest - at least in the initial phase of his training - an estimate of the value of Latin as the language, which has a refinement of structure and vocabulary and is able to promote an accurate, rich and harmonious style, full of grandeur and dignity, the seriousness and clarity, and insofar as is appropriate, moreover, to foster any form of culture, "humanitatis cultus" among the nations. And in this recovering its own cultural identity is the significance of the presence of the Latin language in the school curriculum of the candidates for the priesthood. And it is in this recapturing of an actual cultural identity that lies the importance of the ability to use the Latin language in the scholastic curriculum of the candidates for the priesthood. Thus, the Latin language is exempt from unduly simplistic and inaccurate and superficial questions about its practical usefulness, and it is again replaced in its role as a comprehensive formative field of instruction.
Link to original....
Gero P. Weishaupt am 25. Februar 2012 um 20:07
Vatican (kathnews) Last Thursday, on the 23rd of February, the Papal Institute for Latin Classics (Pontificium Institutum altioris Latinnitatis) at the Papal University of the Salesians in Rome held a congress on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Apostolic Constitution "Veterum Sapientia" Pope John XXIII. from 22 February 1962. (Kathnews reported the event)
Founded by Pope Paul VI
The Pontificium altioris Latinitatis was brought to life by Pope Paul VI with the Motu Proprio Studie Latinitatis of the 22nd February 1964, therefore, toward the end of the Second Vatican Council. There the Pope stressed as already had his predecessor two years before as well, the close connection between the study of the Latin language and the education for the priesthood as also the necessity of knowing the Latin language.
Secretary of the Congregation for Clergy was one of the Speakers
Probably with regard to Ash Wednesday, which fell on the 50th Anniversary, the Congress began a day later. Next to the Prefect of the Congregation for Education, who is the Polish-born Curial Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, one of the most visible promoters of the Latin language, who presided over the Congress, and the other speaker, the Secretary of the Congregation of Clergy, Archbishop Celso Morga Iruzubieta, held an informative lecture. He presented the theme "Why the Priest Must Study Latin" (Perche i preti debono studiare latino).
Decline of Latin
Pope John XIII had already directed his attention to the decline of Latin at a Congress for Latinists in 1959. In his lecture, recalled the Secretary of the Congregation for Clergy: "When one retrospectively considers the present situation, everything from then on, that the words of Bl. John XXIII, which he directed to a Congress of Latin experts on 7 September 1959, not only trailed off unheard, but that the use and even the instruction of the Latin language even in ecclesiastical contexts were already in the grip of a powerful decline."
Encouraging Development in Our Day
Although despite the difficulties today among priests, there is a conviction to be found, "that the return of Latin has a purpose, to come closer to a civilization and to estimate its values, interests and their values as well as their doctrines and to test their theoretical foundations in view of a critical understanding of the past", continued the Curial Bishop further. That is surely, "an encouraging sign in the Church of today, which is ready to understand the study of the past not as a superfluous and backwards looking view., which unnecessarily longs in some way to recapture the past, rather as a direct and immediate recapitulation of the message of an extraordinarily rich doctrinal, cultural and pedagogical heritage, one to a wide ranging, fruitful and deeply rooted intellectual heritage, as that could allow a severing from these roots."
Latin - means to recover their own cultural identity
Then the second man in the Congregation for Clergy: "Under present circumstances, it seems unlikely that one brings to the priest - at least in the initial phase of his training - an estimate of the value of Latin as the language, which has a refinement of structure and vocabulary and is able to promote an accurate, rich and harmonious style, full of grandeur and dignity, the seriousness and clarity, and insofar as is appropriate, moreover, to foster any form of culture, "humanitatis cultus" among the nations. And in this recovering its own cultural identity is the significance of the presence of the Latin language in the school curriculum of the candidates for the priesthood. And it is in this recapturing of an actual cultural identity that lies the importance of the ability to use the Latin language in the scholastic curriculum of the candidates for the priesthood. Thus, the Latin language is exempt from unduly simplistic and inaccurate and superficial questions about its practical usefulness, and it is again replaced in its role as a comprehensive formative field of instruction.
Link to original....
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
One Third of Seminarians in France are Connected toTradition
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| Bishop Dominique Rey of Toulon-Frejus |
At least in France, even the Liberal Bishops have a use for Traditionalists. In Germany at present, it appears that only the beleaguered Bishop Vitus Huonder is putting his Traditional priests to work.
Here's the translation:
(Paris) In the academic year 2011/12 710 seminarians are preparing themselves for the priesthood in France. That is down from the previous year's 732 candidates at about a decline of three percent, since the 2009/10 year already had 756 candidates.
In comparison the number of seminarians since the end of World War II till the end of the Council, were as much as six times as high. In 1966, the year in which the Pastoral Council ended, France had 4536 seminarians. After the outbreak of the 68 Revolution it was not more than 1297. In 2005, the year of the election of Pope Benedict XVI., it was 785. "The decline has stopped , yet so long as there is a spirit in the parish communities unfavorable to vocations with little benevolence for the priesthood, it prevents discovery", says Liturgique Pax.
Lowest Number of Seminarians Since the French Revolution
Of the 710 Diocesan seminarians, there are number 65 foreign students, who are studying in France, the majority of these are studying for their home Diocese. In the representation, the 60 seminarians from the Community of St. Martin aren't counted, who are all preparing for the ministry in French Diocese. In sum, the number of 710 seminarians is a snap shot of the current situation and corresponds to the lowest number since the French Revolution. Just to stopping there though only shows half of the truth. Within the French seminary, a fundamental upheaval taking place.
Development of the Priestly Ordination in the Diocese
96 priests were ordained in 2010 (excepting religious orders). Initially the Commission report of the Bishops' Conference also allowed for the traditional Ecclesia Dei communities. A further sign for the normalization and gradual recognition of the communities of Tradition as a secure part of the Church. The next step will be a more explicit naming and not only a silent submissiveness.
In 2011 there were in France 111 Diocesan priests ordained (2010 was 96, 2009 was 89) . This is careful to include the Society of St. Martin's increase of 15 ordinations over the previous year, or an increase of 15.6 percent. In any case, it can't be read as a general trend. In 2011 there were merely 77 Deacons ordained, who are to be ordained priests in the year 2012.
The Soil from Which Vocations Flower is Damaged -- Yet Improvement is in View
Comparing the newly ordained to the retired clergy, will put the scale of a "damaged landscape" (Paix Liturgie) in stark view. There are about 100 newly ordained for the loss of 800 priests in death. The Community of St. Martin is placed under "new communities" of Tradition next. The Community celebrates the Liturgy in the ordinary form of the Roman Rite but in Latin, it uses the Gregorian choral, Thomism and promotes among its seminarians a healthy disposition to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass [Immemorial Rite]. They have experienced an extraordinary blooming. The Society numbers today 60 seminarians in comparison to the 43 of last year and are receiving ever more pastoral assignments from the Bishops. There are often requests for priests from the Diocese, even the "progressive" Diocese. The times of caution, as with the Bishop of Bayeux with a categorical "St. Martin in my Diocese, never!", is past for this Society.
The Little Diocese of Frejus-Toulon and the large Archdiocese of Paris Lead in the Number of Seminarians
Among all French Diocesan Seminaries, two Diocese and a inter-Diocesan seminary stand in the front rank. If one were to give them a rank, then you'd have to give three first places. It involves the seminary of the Diocese of Toulon-Frejus and the Archdiocese of Paris. In both there are more than 70 seminarians preparing themselves. When one considers that Frejus-Toulon, it is one of the smallest Diocese in France and that the Archdiocese of Paris is so many times larger, makes the extraordinary flowering of the Diocese from the south of France clear. It is noticeable that the "sensibility" of the Bishops of both Diocese is very different from most seminarians. The Bishop of Frejus-Toulon is explicitly close to tradition. The number of Parsian seminarians sank under Archbishop Francois Cardinal Marty (1968-1981) to a minimum of 50, experienced under Jean-Marie Cardinal Lustiger (1981-2005) a spike with almost a doubling, which under the reigning Archbishop André Armand Kardinal Vingt-Trois in 2007 back down to 54 and then rose to over 70 seminarians. In the meantime the priest shortage has become appreciable in Paris, while in the surrounding areas it is positively dramatic.
The Communities of Tradition and Their Development
How does the situation look for Traditional communities? It will only consider those societies whose status is comparable to that of Diocesan priests. As with the Diocesan seminaries the Propaedeuticum doesn't get any consideration and only the French are counted in the statistical survey, but not foreign seminarians, who study in France. Initially it is to be established that these two groups will be classified: on the one side the official Ecclesia Dei Communities, which are known to be in union with Rome, on the other side is the Society of St. Pius X, whose present status in the Catholic Church is still not clarified.
The Ecclesia Dei Communities have 91 seminarians in France as of 2011, preparing for the priesthood. Their number is largely stable. It is a considerable number if one considers how slowly the number of parishes and pastoral assignments entrusted to them by the Bishops were offered and thus hindered their development.
The Society numbers 49 French seminarians in 2011. Their portion has held consistently for years at aabout a third of all the seminarians (15) who are in the Society founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.
280 of 710 Seminarians are Connected to Tradition
All together, the communities of Tradition have 140 French seminarians, who are preparing for the priesthood. That includes exactly the number of seminarians, who are connected to Tradition in the Diocesan seminaries preparing to be priests.
In 2011 the traditional societies had ordained 18 priests all together, seven for the Ecclesia Dei Communities and eleven for the Society of St. Pius X. In 2010 there were 16 new priests in total, of which 8 were for the Ecclesia Dei Communities and 8 for the Society of St. Pius.
The communities of Tradition in the strict sense consist of a sixth of all French seminarians. Then if one counts the communities of Tradition with the seminarians connected to tradition, then every third seminarian in France is connected to Tradition.
The total number of Traditionally connected seminarians demonstrate a double positive trend. They show indeed a slow but steady rate of growth up (2005: 120, 2007:130, 2009: 140, 2010 yet 144) The tempo corresponds to their increasingly unrestricted use in the Diocese. What the Community of St. Martin has already itself experienced , have the other societies yet to experience. They will be ignored by the Diocesan Bishops and they are refused entrance in Parishes. Although in these Communities of young ordained and educated priests are ready for pastoral care, they don't get into action. This continuous ostracism in turn brakes their own growth. The more the Tradition connected priests are assigned to parishes, the more priestly vocations they are going to get, said Paix Liturgique about the publication of the statistics.
France -- Germany: Same Repurcussions, Same Reasons
In comparison to facts, that a third of the Seminarians in the westerly neighbors who are bound to tradition know, and who also prepare for the celebration of the Old Rite of the Catholic Church, the situation is almost like a wasteland. The reason, which impedes the development of Tradition in France, is just as valid, only much stronger in the German Lands. The Society of St. Peter, an Ecclesia Dei Community and thus a officially traditional within the Church, is followed by young, faithful and well educated priests, who are not accepted by the Bishops either in Germany, Austria or Switzerland for pastoral service in parishes. The entrusting of Father Peter Ramm of the Society of St. Peter by the Bishop of Chur, Msgr Vitus Huonder, with the responsibility for one of the two personal parishes erected by the Bishop of Chur for the purpose of the Old Rite, is a first step to tear down this wall of ostracism.
Text: Paix Liturgique/Giuseppe Nardi
Bild: Diocese de Frejus-Toulon
Cardinal Brandmuller Recommends Tough Measures Against Schismatic Austrians
Edit: What with the way that the Swiss Catholic Bishops are treating the Rome-true Bishop Huonder these days, things are starting to well up from beneath the surface and the cracks are forming around the edifice as significant portions of the Church in the German speaking zone threaten to break off to form their own time-kept projects.
According to Chiesa, Cardinal Brandmüller [83] is recommending sterner measures against the dissidents fomenting rebellion.
A few days ago, we translated an article about a similar priest rebellion from kreuz.net which developed in Bohemia and Slovakia in 1908. That rebellion involved not a mere 400 signators of an internet petition, as is the case with the present schismatic "Pastor's Initiative" in Austria, but held 1300 priests in Czechoslovakia. The schism still exists today and contains about 100,000 members. Despite having many points in common with the Pastor's Initiative, they are still waiting for a change from Rome.
Clearly, a certain Bishop of Regensburg should be eager to take some lessons from history his own past notwithstanding, if he intends to be the next to fill the shoes of Cardinal Levada, President of the Congregation for the Doctrine and the Faith.
According to Chiesa, Cardinal Brandmüller [83] is recommending sterner measures against the dissidents fomenting rebellion.
A few days ago, we translated an article about a similar priest rebellion from kreuz.net which developed in Bohemia and Slovakia in 1908. That rebellion involved not a mere 400 signators of an internet petition, as is the case with the present schismatic "Pastor's Initiative" in Austria, but held 1300 priests in Czechoslovakia. The schism still exists today and contains about 100,000 members. Despite having many points in common with the Pastor's Initiative, they are still waiting for a change from Rome.
Clearly, a certain Bishop of Regensburg should be eager to take some lessons from history his own past notwithstanding, if he intends to be the next to fill the shoes of Cardinal Levada, President of the Congregation for the Doctrine and the Faith.
Chiesa...
VATICAN CITY, March 20, 2012 – "How a schism was born": this is the title of an article that appeared recently in "L'Osservatore Romano" with the byline of the Bavarian cardinal Walter Brandmüller (in the photo). An article with an historical slant, but with explicit references to current events.
An article that from the very beginning recalls the anti-Roman movement "Los von Rom" that emerged in Austria between the 19th and 20th century, which "was able to drive about a hundred thousand Austrian Catholics to separate from the Church."
This movement – the cardinal continues, coming up to the present – "was revived following Vatican Council II." But not only that. "Similar tendencies seem to be reemerging from time to time in our days as well, in some of the appeals for disobedience toward the pope and the bishops.."
The Atlas of Rebellion -- Bishop Huonder is in the Cross Hairs of Anti-Roman Critics
Opposition Began in 1990 Against Bishop Wolfgang Haas
Thus, the rebellious Memorandists are found scattered throughout the German speaking countries. The targeting by the insurgents currently of the Bishop of Chur by rebels is a deja vu . Already in 1990 Bishop Wolfgang Haas had a hard time after he was appointed by John Paul II. The opposition to him within his diocese was so large that he was carried away in 1997 to the Principality of Liechtenstein, which was removed from the diocese of Chur and even elevated to an Archbishopric. Monsignor Haas has since resided in Vaduz. The rank increase over Chur signaled the unwillingness of Rome to address the whole transaction. Meanwhile, the old episcopal city governed by Msgr Huonder on the Upper Rhine is a successor of Bishop Haas.
Lenten Letter of 2012 Incites an Uproar
The particularity of this largest Diocese of Switzerland, which included the center of the Rebellion against Rome in the 16th century, consists in that it is directly controlled by the Holy See. The 19th century concordat concluded between the Confederation and Rome envisioned this privilege, that the selection of the Bishop takes place as an agreement between the Cathedral Chapter and the Holy See. The Pope has the deciding word. This was confirmed on the 6th of July in 2007 as Benedict XVI named Msgr Vitus Huonder, against whom now, because of his Lenten Pastoral Letter, stands many of his own priests and pastoral assistants as well as politicized laity and theologians. Since the secular media in a religiously divided country like Switzerland tend mostly towards confrontation in any case, and the "Catholic" media has succumbed to the zeitgeist, the Bishop has a lot to endure. The leading Swiss media have attacked the Pastoral Letter with uncustomary unanimity as "as much explosive as absurd" and Archbishop Hunder as "archconservative". These catch words are true to other anti-Church campaigns.
Pastor Refuses Reading in "our" Churches
The Lenten Pastoral Letter went out to all Parishes -- as is usual -- which is supposed to be read at all Liturgies, contained a statement which many could not endure, many parish gentlemen concluded. Divorced and remarried are to be refused the Sacraments. Huonder represents here nothing but Church teaching. That the Catholic ideal which is exorbitantly and quantiatively contradicted in practice in Switzerland, is what makes Catholic teaching a "scandal" for the world. Bishop Huonder has hammered the nail onn the head with this, because Christianity must e a scandal to the world and especially in this time. The Chur Superior Shepherd invoked Jesus, who defined marriage as indissoluble. The divorced, who through their own free will have decided to engage in a new relationship have put themselves in a situation, which makes it impossible for them to receive the Sacraments. It is not the Church that refuses them, but they themselves throuogh their own decision. Divorced and Seperated, who live alone, give a precious witness for the indissolubility of marriage, says Bishop Huonder.
The Media Swell Inner-Church Critics
The media pour oil in the fire and outdo themselves with attacks: "Huonder isolated", "Again with Huonder?" "Controversial Pastoral Letter". On 11th March 2012 the Neue Zurcher Zeitung wrote: "The Chur Bishop, Vitus Huonder wants to close the Sacraments to those who are remarried" and demonstrated how little they, in any case, liberal quality newspapers know or want to know about Catholic teaching. Such a lack of precision would allow them little else.
They drive the protest which has been spreading divisions among the priests and laity. Church was made into an outpost of anti-Roman rebellion over night, whose manifest center had been Austria and the Bundesrepublic of Germany until recently. The protest went even further, according to the Press Speaker of the Diocese, Giuseppe Graci who explained the motives for Bishop Hunder's business once again for the press.
For the Pastor of the Winterthur, Catholic Teaching is "Inhuman"
Clearly this is only the initial inflammation for an uproar that had been long formed underground. The first to protest was a pastor of Chur, who openly declared, that the Pastoral Letter will not be read in "our" churches. "We are also distancing ourselves from the form and also the content of such Pastoral Letters", wrote the Dean and Pastor of Winterthur, Hugo Gehring and made himself the speaker for "a lot of pastoral assistants" in the region of Winterthur and the lowlands of Zurich. According to his opinion it is "in the weight of our experience, inhuman and not inferable from the Christian message", in order to appeal to all the divorced members of the Catholic Church, to remain unmarried. A Catholic Pastor, who describes Catholic teaching as "inhuman", appears in any case to have missed "Society" and "vocation".
Bishop Haas was replaced and the Conflict continued underground
No Pastoral Letter had ever before unleashed such opposition, not even in Bishop Haas's time. Not because Bishop Huonder's position is so outlandish, his message is the message of the Catholic Church. The inner process of fermentation against Catholic teaching since the 90s, when Haas was "replaced", has taken on a new dimension. On the part of the Bishop of Chur it was explained that the aggressiveness of the opposition are with Bishop Huonder's measures to strengthen the orthodoxy and fidelity to Rome in his Diocese, because of the impatience of the protestors awoke at the same time, with which it "distanced" from those parts of the doctrine as they openly declare themselves.
According to Christian reitschmid, Press Officer of the Vicariate, Bishop Huonder took up a hot iron and those provoked more opposition than encouragement. "The discussion was heavy all week. The media of the entire region reported on the Pastoral Letter". Breitschmid heard prevailingly "very critical comments" from the pastors. According to his estimation, the majority of the Pastors had not read the Pastoral Letter and engage in practices prescribed by Rome and are ready also to provide the sacraments to divorced and remarried persons.
Zurich Pastoral Council "Distanced" itself from the Catholic Teaching on Marriage and Promote the Abuse of the Sacrament
The Pastoral Council of Zurich wrote a breathless document in which it thanked "all of the spiritual counselors, who helped those divorced and remarried to find their way in the Eucharistic Community of the Church". It is an open front against the Bishop and against Rome. The Pastoral Council promoted the spiritual counselor to even allow the remarried to Communion and the Sacraments. In the writing of the Bishop, the Council overlooked the "law of charity", which is called for by the Gospels. "Are we not all sinners?", asked the pastoral representative of Zurich.
The pastoral counselors of the Canton Nidwalder decided in one voice, "that this Pastoral Letter will not be read during the Liturgy. Instead of announcing the good news, as our mission would be, we would be causing discord, disquiet and protest, and that is even in persons, who have a particular need for a word of encouragement." The pastoral counselors of Nidwalden will in any case will continue to allow the sacraments for remarried divorced persons. "For us it is important, to be open to everyone, and not to exclude anyone", so said the pastoral counselors of the Canton.
"Mercy" Versus Revelation?
In Switzerland Pastor Conrad Burri explained: "To send everyone away who I know is remarried is absolutely unthinkable for me." According to his opinion, every question has to coincide with his conscience, if he receives holy Communion or not "We priests can't judge that", says Burri. He directs a polemical question to Bishop Huonder: "Where is the mercy toward the sinner in this directive?"
Bishops' Conference Feels Itself "Provoked" by Bishop Huonder
The Chief Shepherd of Church appears also to have hardly any support from the Bishops' Conference. Kath.ch, the media portal of the Catholic Church, representing the Bishops' Conference entitled tellingly: "Vitus Huonder Provokes Bishops" The Church Bishop "provoked" his colleagues, who also have themselves a dissenting opinion of the Catholic Catechism. The "Initiative of Liberal Colleagues" has confirmed rumors that have been circulating for months, that Bishops of the German language areas are pushing for a change in the "praxis" about remarried and divorced persons.
Bishop Huonder: "Following the teaching of the Church means to be merficul"
In the newspaper Matin Dimanche and Sonntagzeitung, the Bishop of Chur clearly explained himself: "The concern to direct remarried and divorced to the teaching of the Church, means precisely to show mercy". Unpretentiously, but firmly he defended his Pastoral Letter with the words: "I simply and plainly present the teaching of the Church."
"It is my right and above all my duty, to call to memory the fundamentals of the Church", says Bishop Huonder. Rome is silent at present still, whiel the wind of rebellion in the German speaking zone pipes ever more strongly. The Diocesan Bishops appear not to have found a strategy, as they proceed against anti-Catholic faction in their own ranks, which continues to undermine the "Catholic Church while still claiming the name.
Translated from Katholisches....
Monday, March 19, 2012
Cardinal Dolan's Ultimate Plans for St. Patrick's Cathedral are Unclear
Edit: It's clear that the Cathedral of St. Patrick needs considerable restoration and repair. At present, the authorities are making a good case that intervening now to "restore" the building is a worthy project. But as the New York Times says, it's $177 million dollars. Why so much?
This will make it the most expensive renovation project on record at present. Even Cardinal Mahony's garrulous and controversial Los Angeles project is only a bit more expensive at $189 million.
It is certainly the case that at present, Catholic Churches are undergoing restorations that bring churches damaged by modern architectural experimenters and that there are also new Catholic Churches being built which look like churches, but there are still many churches undergoing these destructive attempts to "bring the Church into a new century", as Sacred Architecture opines:
At present, it is unclear what Cardinal Dolan plans on doing with the $177 million dollar planned budget. At this point, it would be interesting to find out just what the end game for this project is. Will the Cardinal be planning on ripping out pews, pushing the sanctuary into the nave and disposing of the altar rail? Or will this be what he maintains, all about maintenance. Pretty expensive maintenance, we must say.
Will it resemble Cardinal Dolan's earlier artistic efforts by omission at the very least, when he allowed a bas relief commemorating Archbishop Rembert Weakland, (known for paying his homosexual lover half-a-million in hush money to keep quiet)? Like this monstrosity? It might seem premature to some to express concerns like this, but some officials have pulled a fast one in the past when it comes to these projects.
In case people are saying that these wreckovations are a thing of the past, look at what happened to Trent's big edifice, St. Maria Maggiore. They've pulled the rug out before, and they will do it again.
This will make it the most expensive renovation project on record at present. Even Cardinal Mahony's garrulous and controversial Los Angeles project is only a bit more expensive at $189 million.
It is certainly the case that at present, Catholic Churches are undergoing restorations that bring churches damaged by modern architectural experimenters and that there are also new Catholic Churches being built which look like churches, but there are still many churches undergoing these destructive attempts to "bring the Church into a new century", as Sacred Architecture opines:
It seems that the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 is now being used as the catalyst for renovation of some of the most significant parish churches, cathedrals, and basilicas in the country, many of them historic structures thus far preserved from the fashionable post-Vatican II renovations. At this writing the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky, the San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas, St. John Cathedral in Milwaukee, St. Andrew Cathedral in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the Cathedral of St. Mary in Colorado Springs are all in the midst of renovations, to help their respective dioceses “move into the new millennium,” but not without artistic and spiritual casualties. Each of these cathedral churches is being subjected to a similar program of interior remodeling justified by the “ongoing liturgical revolution.”
At present, it is unclear what Cardinal Dolan plans on doing with the $177 million dollar planned budget. At this point, it would be interesting to find out just what the end game for this project is. Will the Cardinal be planning on ripping out pews, pushing the sanctuary into the nave and disposing of the altar rail? Or will this be what he maintains, all about maintenance. Pretty expensive maintenance, we must say.
Will it resemble Cardinal Dolan's earlier artistic efforts by omission at the very least, when he allowed a bas relief commemorating Archbishop Rembert Weakland, (known for paying his homosexual lover half-a-million in hush money to keep quiet)? Like this monstrosity? It might seem premature to some to express concerns like this, but some officials have pulled a fast one in the past when it comes to these projects.
In case people are saying that these wreckovations are a thing of the past, look at what happened to Trent's big edifice, St. Maria Maggiore. They've pulled the rug out before, and they will do it again.
Nude Guru Invites Monks and Students to Touch
Participants need not be Christian – simply comfortable with that environment. We’ll create a community of consciousness together, supporting one-another’s journey into and through the body to the Divine. -Bob Pilaggi
Edit::In an article by Matt Abbott in Renew America, featuring a letter by Barb Krallis complaining to the Bishop of Dallas about Father Richard Rohr.'s counseling techniques involving nudity, she denounces him as a dangerous and heretical threat to purity.
Indeed, as Archbishop Sheen taught, anytime nudity is used in therapy or instruction, it is a sign of demonic influence.
Father Richard Rohr still at large, favors retreats where men get naked and touch each other to "release demons". He writes:
Now, from the Pine Curtain, at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, the home of nearly a dozen credibly accused homosexual sexual predators, a counselor arrives on the scene advocating that students and monks touch each other.
The man to whom this allegedly Catholic institution is entrusting students, himself, teaches in the nude and does not share the Catholic Church's teachings on homosexuality. One of Mr. Pileggi's admirers puts it like this in a blog post entitled, "When a Teacher of God
Takes off His Clothes":
 |
| Bob Pilagi at "Temple" |
Indeed, as Archbishop Sheen taught, anytime nudity is used in therapy or instruction, it is a sign of demonic influence.
Father Richard Rohr still at large, favors retreats where men get naked and touch each other to "release demons". He writes:
The boy always gets naked, as you see in the sweat lodges, too.We have mentioned on a number of occasions that this technique of psychological instruction was used by sexually abusive monks at Collegeville, Minnesota. It was employed by Abbot John Eidenschenk upon his novices with some predictable results.
Now, from the Pine Curtain, at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, the home of nearly a dozen credibly accused homosexual sexual predators, a counselor arrives on the scene advocating that students and monks touch each other.
The man to whom this allegedly Catholic institution is entrusting students, himself, teaches in the nude and does not share the Catholic Church's teachings on homosexuality. One of Mr. Pileggi's admirers puts it like this in a blog post entitled, "When a Teacher of God
Takes off His Clothes":
I realized that when I undress another man and allow him to undress me – as I have in workshops and private sessions in erotic spirituality and as I will at the Edward Carpenter Community’s Gay Men’s Week this September (The Dance Between Power and Intimacy) – we are creating the sacred space in which we can use erotic energy to transcend ego and come into a new relationship with Spirit.Pine Curtain....
Sunday, March 18, 2012
SSPX: Some Details From the Two Hour Long Discussion
If the problem could be solved by a signature, no one would refuse to sign.
(kreuz.net, Vatican) The most recent letter to the Society of St. Pius X from the CDF renewed its request for the General Superior of the Society, Bishop Bernard Fellay, to sign the Dogmatic Preamble.
This was according to Andrea Tornielli at 'vaticaninsider.com'.
The signature of the Preamble is a precondition for the canonical reconciliation.
Tonrielli speculates that Msgr Fellay has been playing for time up until now without breaking the dialog with the Vatican off completely.
On the contrary, the Pope wants clear conditions.
On Friday Msgr Fellay spoke for two hours with the Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith, Cardinal William Levada, as well as the Secretary of the Commission of Ecclesia Dei, Prelate Guido Pozzo.
Msgr Fellay was accompanied by his chief assistant, Father Alain-Marc Nely.
The Church has thrown the Traditional Faith Overboard
The Society Bishop explained, says Tornielli, that the Society has no problem signing with the initial Professio fidei -- Profession of Faith .
Additionally, it recognizes principles represented in the Preamble.
The problem consists not in the principles, rather in their application.
The Church fails in fidelity to the Magisterium -- explained Msgr Fellay, according to Tornielli.
Recognition is in the Drawer
The Vaticanist reported still further that for the Society, in case they accept the Preamble, are ready to complete an offer with a Canonical Structure of an Institute.
It would allow the Society a status of complete independence from the Bishops, which protection is enjoyed by no other traditional group.
There are Effectively Two Different Religions
Tornielli suspects that the problem with reconicliation is not in the text of the Preamble but also as a result of disunity within the Society.
The majority, inclusive of the General Superior, want unity with Rome. They recognize the primacy of the Papacy with its government as being central to the Faith.
A strong minority of the Society are against the reconciliation. They call on Rome to finally convert.
Link to original...
 |
| Candidates for Deaconal Ordination for South American District © Piusbruderschaft |
(kreuz.net, Vatican) The most recent letter to the Society of St. Pius X from the CDF renewed its request for the General Superior of the Society, Bishop Bernard Fellay, to sign the Dogmatic Preamble.
This was according to Andrea Tornielli at 'vaticaninsider.com'.
The signature of the Preamble is a precondition for the canonical reconciliation.
Tonrielli speculates that Msgr Fellay has been playing for time up until now without breaking the dialog with the Vatican off completely.
On the contrary, the Pope wants clear conditions.
On Friday Msgr Fellay spoke for two hours with the Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith, Cardinal William Levada, as well as the Secretary of the Commission of Ecclesia Dei, Prelate Guido Pozzo.
Msgr Fellay was accompanied by his chief assistant, Father Alain-Marc Nely.
The Church has thrown the Traditional Faith Overboard
The Society Bishop explained, says Tornielli, that the Society has no problem signing with the initial Professio fidei -- Profession of Faith .
Additionally, it recognizes principles represented in the Preamble.
The problem consists not in the principles, rather in their application.
The Church fails in fidelity to the Magisterium -- explained Msgr Fellay, according to Tornielli.
Recognition is in the Drawer
The Vaticanist reported still further that for the Society, in case they accept the Preamble, are ready to complete an offer with a Canonical Structure of an Institute.
It would allow the Society a status of complete independence from the Bishops, which protection is enjoyed by no other traditional group.
There are Effectively Two Different Religions
Tornielli suspects that the problem with reconicliation is not in the text of the Preamble but also as a result of disunity within the Society.
The majority, inclusive of the General Superior, want unity with Rome. They recognize the primacy of the Papacy with its government as being central to the Faith.
A strong minority of the Society are against the reconciliation. They call on Rome to finally convert.
Link to original...
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