Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Cardinal Sepe Denies Corruption Allegations
A senior cardinal caught up in a corruption probe connected to his work for the Vatican has denied any wrong doing.
Crescenzio Sepe, who is also the archbishop of Naples, is accused of taking kickbacks when he headed the Propaganda Fide – that’s the body which handles the Vatican’s vast property porfolio which funds much of the Catholic Church’s missionary work.
Sepe says he will cooperate fully with the investigation which has pulled in former government ministers..its alleged Sepe sold a building at a quarter of its market value to a one time infrastructure minister.
Sepe asserts that during his time as head of the department until 2006, the Vatican always approved all the balance sheets and he was even congratulated on his management skills.
The Vatican has said its confident the cardinal will be found blameless in this matter.
Copyright © 2010 euronews
Link to original...
Most definitely connected to the phone tapping, here.
Kazak Bishop Recalls Soviet Persecution, Questions Communion in the Hand
[Catholic Culture] In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, the General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference of Kazakhstan recounted the persecution Catholics endured in the Soviet Union under the regime of Leonid Brezhnev. Between 1971 and 1973, when he was a child of ten to twelve, Bishop Athansius Schneider and his family would travel by train to the nearest church, which was 60 miles away.
“The Communist government forbade children from participating in the Holy Mass,” he recalls. “Only adults were allowed to go, but we were four children and therefore my parents chose to take the first train in the morning when it was still dark so we wouldn’t be visible to others to see us… And then we would return with the last train in the evening …The Sundays, we spent with our parish priest who had a little room only-- not a house, but just a little room; it was his kitchen, sleeping room, and library in this one room. We spent our time because we were the family who travelled from afar. There I made my first Confession and first Communion with this holy priest who was also imprisoned in Karaganda earlier.”
Read further... Catholic Culture.
“The Communist government forbade children from participating in the Holy Mass,” he recalls. “Only adults were allowed to go, but we were four children and therefore my parents chose to take the first train in the morning when it was still dark so we wouldn’t be visible to others to see us… And then we would return with the last train in the evening …The Sundays, we spent with our parish priest who had a little room only-- not a house, but just a little room; it was his kitchen, sleeping room, and library in this one room. We spent our time because we were the family who travelled from afar. There I made my first Confession and first Communion with this holy priest who was also imprisoned in Karaganda earlier.”
Read further... Catholic Culture.
Riga Gets a New Archbishop
The Catholics in Latvia are getting a new Archbishop. The Vatican reported this on Saturday. Zbignev Stankevics will be the new Archbishop of Riga. He was previously a spiritual director of seminarians and Director of the Science of Religion Institute in Riga. The Vatican received at the same time the resignation of Archbishop Cardinal Janis Pujats (79).
Link to original...Radio Vatikan.
Link to original...Radio Vatikan.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Ave Maria University Gets Accreditation
Tom Monaghan is ahead of the game and eager to feed at the government trough. He announced this weekend at an unofficial alumni gathering that he was fairly certain that the AVE Maria would receive accreditation from SACS. Accreditation is important because it means that the school's credits will transfer and be recognized by employers like the US Government; it also means that Ave Maria will get access to America's tax money.
There is currently not any evidence that a school's accreditation was refused due to concerns of the school not having up-to-date hiring policies, such as those that include all "qualified" individuals regardless of sexual preference. We've seen Catholic institutions have their funding threatened with that scourge before and the question isn't so much, will the Government remove funding because Ave Maria refuses to hire homosexual or pro-abort faculty, but when Tom Monahan and Dr. Nicholas Healy will cave in to these requirements because they want a professional sports program and a "world class" (modernist) university.
It's no wonder that Ave Maria is happy at this news because they've been worried about getting accreditation and federal funds. Having semi-professional athletes on campus is a big priority, after all, almost as much of a priority as having high-profile Pro-Abort Politicians visit and leave significant amounts of money behind, like Tom Golisano. Is a visit from Obama out of the question? The accreditation has long been a concern at least since 2007 when the school was put on candidacy for full recognition.
Perhaps this will be a wink and a nod from the powers and principalities since Ave Maria is willing to play ball with Pro-Abort politicians and host Frankenstein scientists as well. As Ave Watch website reports, the Pizza King and his pentecostal minions are willing to bend the rules in more than one situation and the facility is going to work on a new male pill.
It's no secret that the Wanderer's readership has been declining like all print media companies, so one wonders if some of that $4 million Tom Golisano gave to Ave Maria will find its way into Al Matt's depleted coffers?
Ave Maria has been eager to sacrifice Catholicism in the past when it fired Father Fessio from his campus ministry slot, the theologically impoverished Healy administration with its academic professionalism and pentecostal proclivities no doubt had something to do with that.
It reminds us of The Perelandra Series by CS Lewis where the University elites are the bad guys, who belong to a Satanic cabal.
Can you really trust someone from the Harvard smart set who's refused to repudiate the false ideas promoted by that institution, but rather revels in them and seeks to replicate them in an educational swamp in Naples Florida?
There is currently not any evidence that a school's accreditation was refused due to concerns of the school not having up-to-date hiring policies, such as those that include all "qualified" individuals regardless of sexual preference. We've seen Catholic institutions have their funding threatened with that scourge before and the question isn't so much, will the Government remove funding because Ave Maria refuses to hire homosexual or pro-abort faculty, but when Tom Monahan and Dr. Nicholas Healy will cave in to these requirements because they want a professional sports program and a "world class" (modernist) university.
It's no wonder that Ave Maria is happy at this news because they've been worried about getting accreditation and federal funds. Having semi-professional athletes on campus is a big priority, after all, almost as much of a priority as having high-profile Pro-Abort Politicians visit and leave significant amounts of money behind, like Tom Golisano. Is a visit from Obama out of the question? The accreditation has long been a concern at least since 2007 when the school was put on candidacy for full recognition.
Perhaps this will be a wink and a nod from the powers and principalities since Ave Maria is willing to play ball with Pro-Abort politicians and host Frankenstein scientists as well. As Ave Watch website reports, the Pizza King and his pentecostal minions are willing to bend the rules in more than one situation and the facility is going to work on a new male pill.
It's no secret that the Wanderer's readership has been declining like all print media companies, so one wonders if some of that $4 million Tom Golisano gave to Ave Maria will find its way into Al Matt's depleted coffers?
Ave Maria has been eager to sacrifice Catholicism in the past when it fired Father Fessio from his campus ministry slot, the theologically impoverished Healy administration with its academic professionalism and pentecostal proclivities no doubt had something to do with that.
It reminds us of The Perelandra Series by CS Lewis where the University elites are the bad guys, who belong to a Satanic cabal.
Can you really trust someone from the Harvard smart set who's refused to repudiate the false ideas promoted by that institution, but rather revels in them and seeks to replicate them in an educational swamp in Naples Florida?
The Anglican Church is Dying: An Exchange
From Datechguy:
Read further at Datechguy...
I got an e-mail from Smitty today that linked to this post at Samizdata. The meat of the story:
Bishop Spong is the “Save the bible from fundamentalism” person (a favourite of certain liberal people I know in York) – and by “fundamentalist” he really means this word in its original sense, i.e. the “fundamentals” of Christianity such as the empty tomb (although, of course, he would be happy if innocent minded people just thought he meant stupid-southern-redneck-preacher by “fundamentalist”, which is the impression the media love to give). In any case Bishop Spong assumes that, being a social gospel person like himself, Rowen Williams also does not believe in the basic doctrines of Christianity (i.e. that, like Bishop Spong himself, he is using religion as a cover for the service of the collectivist cause).
So Bishop Spong was rather taken aback by Rowen Williams teaching the doctrine of the empty tomb, so shocked that he stated that of course Williams can not really believe in such doctrines (he must just be pretending in order to get along with the ignorant scum who make up most church goers) – but it is Rowen Williams’ reply that interests me.
Archbishop Williams replies that he is not pretending to believe in things in order to get along with ordinary people – he actually does believe in these doctrines, “I do not know how to convince him [Spong] that I do, but I do”.
Read further at Datechguy...
Telegraph Makes Unfounded Accusation Against Bishop Mixa
The UK Newspaper joins attacks on Bishop Mixa of Augsburg. Although the news story contains no new information, it claims that there is a new round of accusations against him while he waits at his mansion for the decision on his resignation.
What is becoming increasingly clear is that Archbishop Zollitsch and Bishop Marx have stepped out of their way to feed him to the wolves. One thing this story is really showing up is how things are shaping up in the Church as Liberal Prelates become increasingly aggressive against Catholic Prelates, using the press corp as an effective bludgeon to destroy the credibility of the Church and the ongoing reform.
Meanwhile, the Vatican has agreed to cooperate with Italian authorities regarding the charges of corruption against one of its Cardinals. Sounds like this was the reason behind the Carabineri (Italian Federal Police) evesdropping "accidentally" on the Pope's phone conversations as reported earlier this Month. Speaking of scandal, wasn't it Damian Thompson who said the other day that we needed an outside to clean up the Italian dominated curia? The cleanup may well go on without the Australian Cardinal Pell who was said by various sources last week to have been bypassed for promotion to the powerful Congregation of Bishops owing to a smear campaign against him.
Link to Telegraph...
What is becoming increasingly clear is that Archbishop Zollitsch and Bishop Marx have stepped out of their way to feed him to the wolves. One thing this story is really showing up is how things are shaping up in the Church as Liberal Prelates become increasingly aggressive against Catholic Prelates, using the press corp as an effective bludgeon to destroy the credibility of the Church and the ongoing reform.
Meanwhile, the Vatican has agreed to cooperate with Italian authorities regarding the charges of corruption against one of its Cardinals. Sounds like this was the reason behind the Carabineri (Italian Federal Police) evesdropping "accidentally" on the Pope's phone conversations as reported earlier this Month. Speaking of scandal, wasn't it Damian Thompson who said the other day that we needed an outside to clean up the Italian dominated curia? The cleanup may well go on without the Australian Cardinal Pell who was said by various sources last week to have been bypassed for promotion to the powerful Congregation of Bishops owing to a smear campaign against him.
Link to Telegraph...
Military and Media mostly Clueless about Suicide Epidemic in the MIlitary
In a characteristically humanist approach, the NPR fails to address what is really a spiritual problem. The Army has an inkling that the problem is a spiritual one. They encourage soldiers to be religious, knowning that somehow the taboos against self-slaughter encouraged by the Catholic Church are beneficial. Unfortunately, the prevailing society, the law, our government are hostile to that spiritual reality. If there's an epidemic of suicide in the military, it's a spiritual problem.
Listen to the story on NPR, here.
Listen to the story on NPR, here.
Top Senate Republican Leaves Door Open to Potential Elena Kagan Filibuster
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The leading Republican in the Senate left the door open for a potential filibuster of pro-abortion Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. In a weekend interview with "Fox News Sunday" Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said the initial information on Kagan has been "quite troubling."
In April, McConnell, a pro-life senator from Kentucky, said a filibuster of the then-unknown nominee would be "highly unlikely, however, unless the nominee is an extraordinary individual outside the mainstream with really bizarre views."
Top Senate Republican Leaves Door Open to Potential Elena Kagan Filibuster
In April, McConnell, a pro-life senator from Kentucky, said a filibuster of the then-unknown nominee would be "highly unlikely, however, unless the nominee is an extraordinary individual outside the mainstream with really bizarre views."
Top Senate Republican Leaves Door Open to Potential Elena Kagan Filibuster
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Ban on Gay Blood Donors in Canada Under Attack
OTTAWA, June 18 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A court battle brewing between the Canadian agency in charge of collecting blood donations and an active homosexual could result in a ruling that removes the ban on homosexuals giving blood.
Canada Blood Services (CBS), which collects, screens and ensures the safety of the blood supply, sued homosexual Kyle Freeman last fall after he admitted to lying in the pre-donation screening process and giving blood despite the lifetime ban on men who have sex with men (MSM) giving blood.
The ban was put in place in 1985 after the Canadian Red Cross, in charge of the blood supply at the time, failed to properly screen donors. The result was that thousands of Canadians were infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jun/10061801.html
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Canada Blood Services (CBS), which collects, screens and ensures the safety of the blood supply, sued homosexual Kyle Freeman last fall after he admitted to lying in the pre-donation screening process and giving blood despite the lifetime ban on men who have sex with men (MSM) giving blood.
The ban was put in place in 1985 after the Canadian Red Cross, in charge of the blood supply at the time, failed to properly screen donors. The result was that thousands of Canadians were infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jun/10061801.html
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Mammal Hair Found in 100 Million-Year-Old Amber
Palaeontologists have discovered two mammal hairs encased in 100 million-year-old amber.
While older 2D fossilised hairs are known, those preserved in the amber are the oldest 3D specimens known. The hairs, found alongside a fly pupa in amber uncovered in southwest France, are remarkably similar to hair found on modern mammals.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8734000/8734883.stm
H/t: kreuz.net
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Bishop Mixa's Second Resignation, "under duress"
It's not the enemy liberal media, or some of the backstabbing colleagues, but the Pope himself who has Bishop Mixa under pressure. This, at least is something some would have us believe.
According to the anti-Catholic 'Focus', Pope Benedict charged, through his nuncio to Germany Mons, Jean-Claude Perisset, on the end of April, to give Bishop Mixa a "time out". The Bishop is said by 'focus' not to have reacted because of the "time out".
April 28th the conspirators Archbishop Zollitsch and Bishop Marx had an audience with Benedict XVI where they gave him the useless information that Bishop Mixa is supposed to be a homosexual and a child abuser. In the heated atmosphere, the Pope was forced to contend with this information. According to 'focus', the Pope then personally sent the conspirator Bishops to discuss with Bishop Mixa at Basel and have him clarify his first resignation of April 21st on the same misleading accusations of sexual abuse as before.
Bishop Mixa has, in his own words, issued a second resignation, "under duress".
http://www.kreuz.net/article.11377.html
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
According to the anti-Catholic 'Focus', Pope Benedict charged, through his nuncio to Germany Mons, Jean-Claude Perisset, on the end of April, to give Bishop Mixa a "time out". The Bishop is said by 'focus' not to have reacted because of the "time out".
April 28th the conspirators Archbishop Zollitsch and Bishop Marx had an audience with Benedict XVI where they gave him the useless information that Bishop Mixa is supposed to be a homosexual and a child abuser. In the heated atmosphere, the Pope was forced to contend with this information. According to 'focus', the Pope then personally sent the conspirator Bishops to discuss with Bishop Mixa at Basel and have him clarify his first resignation of April 21st on the same misleading accusations of sexual abuse as before.
Bishop Mixa has, in his own words, issued a second resignation, "under duress".
http://www.kreuz.net/article.11377.html
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Pope Benedict to Venerate Relics of Celestine V
[Kathnet, Italy] Pope Benedict XVI will visit the central Italian city of Sulmona on the 800th birthday of one of its Saints, Celestine V.
Pope Benedict will visit on the 4th of July the central Italian city of Sulmona. The reason is the 800ths birthday of Pope Celestine V, who has been an inhabitant of the Abruzzian city for many years.
The Vatican has reported that Benedict XVI will pray before the reliquary of the Saint int the Cathedral crypt.
Celestine was elected against his will to the Papacy in 1294 to be head of the Church. The hermit was 80 years old at this point and had a reputation for holiness. In a moment unprecedented in Church history, he gave up his Papal office in a few months.
The central event of the 19th inner-Italian papal trip is the morning Mass in the open air under the open sky in the inner-city of Sulmona.
After a meal with the bishops of the region he will meet in the afternoon with the youth of the program. In the evening, Benedict XVI will fly back to Rome on a helicopter.
The Saint has for Pope Benedict a special significance. Already in April 2009 the current Pope laid an stole of honor, a so-called pallium, upon the shrine in the Abruzzian capital, L'Aquila.
(C) kathnet 2010
http://www.kath.net/detail.php?id=27074
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Pope Benedict will visit on the 4th of July the central Italian city of Sulmona. The reason is the 800ths birthday of Pope Celestine V, who has been an inhabitant of the Abruzzian city for many years.
The Vatican has reported that Benedict XVI will pray before the reliquary of the Saint int the Cathedral crypt.
Celestine was elected against his will to the Papacy in 1294 to be head of the Church. The hermit was 80 years old at this point and had a reputation for holiness. In a moment unprecedented in Church history, he gave up his Papal office in a few months.
The central event of the 19th inner-Italian papal trip is the morning Mass in the open air under the open sky in the inner-city of Sulmona.
After a meal with the bishops of the region he will meet in the afternoon with the youth of the program. In the evening, Benedict XVI will fly back to Rome on a helicopter.
The Saint has for Pope Benedict a special significance. Already in April 2009 the current Pope laid an stole of honor, a so-called pallium, upon the shrine in the Abruzzian capital, L'Aquila.
(C) kathnet 2010
http://www.kath.net/detail.php?id=27074
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Friday, June 18, 2010
Sympathy from the 'Mittelbayerischen': Liberal Paper Defends Episcopal SSPX Critic
Kreuz.net says about Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Mueller of Regensburg that their criticism has aroused the anger of a German journalist from the liberal 'Mittelbayerische' paper and its editor. It seems that it's not only the German Bishops who wish kreuz.net would go away.
Caught in a crossfire: The neoconservative Potemkin-Bishop is receiving agreement from circles, who are actually his deadly enemies.
The head shepherd is said to be "vilified by conservatives" -- said liberal editor Chistine Schröpf
In 2007 Frau Schröpf published a children's book with private secretary Georg Gänswein. It was called "Why does the Pope Wear Red Shoes? Children's Questions for Benedict XVI."
Now, she is defending the Archbishop of Regensburg like a flaming angel:"They call him "Bishop-heretic" question his theological reputation and put his loyalty to the Church in question: Bischof Müller stands in the crossfire of ultraconservative Church circles" -- complains Schröpf
Msgr Müller has proposed the giving of Holy Communion to unbelievers and public sinners.
He denied the perpetual virginity of Mary as well as the sacrificial character of the Mass and and opined the notion that Adolf Hitler (+1945), Winston Churchill (+1965) and child molesters finally are recompensed with heaven.
Open Lies
Frau Schröpf believes that the critique of the theological errors of Msgr Muller are a "bill" for the episcopal bluster against the previously occurring priestly consecrations in the Pius Seminary in Zaitzkofen near Regensburg.
She disseminated also the open lie, that these consecrations by the Vatican are "forbidden".
Frau Schröpfs anger directs itself however in the first line against Europe's largest Catholic Internet Platform, 'kreuz.net'.
"The authors can best be described as fundamentalist" -- as she portrayed the Portal with cliches.
What she -- or her very rich Media Boss -- wanted to say with that, she left unclear.
Why the Solo-Pirouette of Bishop Müller?
Frau Schröpf maintains that Pope Benedict himself. -- in opposition to Bishop Müller -- is endeavouring, to bring the Society of Saint Pius X back to the bosom of the Church."
The Society has "separated" itself from the Church out of protest against the "modernization"-- are pieces of misinformation with which she has entertained the public.
Then the Regensburg Communications Director, Clemens Neck steps forward.
He maintains, that Bishop Müller is absolved in his rampage against the Society of Pius X, "by being in unity with Pope Benedict".
The Bishop has been invited to an audience with the Pope in Rome -- he mystifies.
Then did the Pope also authorize the Episcopal rampage against the Society of Saint Pius X?
Cross examination Question: Why only in Regensburg? Why also have not the other Bishops not objected to the coming priestly consecrations this 26th June?
Neognostic Theologian
The Diocesan Communications Director also commented about 'kreuz.net' -- Articles, which have accused Bishop Muller of heresy have been brought to the light of day.
The "tit-for-tat" of a splinter group-- he said encouraging himself.
Bishop Muller has been "in the first line of those saddened" by the reaction of the Society of Pius X-- said Frau Schröpf with sympathy.
Now the irreconcilable Bishop hopes, that the process of reunification -- curiously because of
lèse-majesté -- "in danger".
Like his master, the Regensburg Communications Director plays the importance and reality of the perpetual virginity of Mary in conflict accordingly:
The real heart of this doctrine is "NOT" resolved by questions of a gynecological speciality, rather -- diffused -- in the "Mystery of the Birth of Christ".
More Slander from the German Bishop's Conference
The Church circles and thoroughly popular portal 'kreuz.net' is -- according to the opinion of the Regensburg Communications Director-- "in Church circles famous-infamous".
According to information from observers, the portal has for years broken through the wall of silence put up by neoconservative and old liberals and takes no political position in the Church.
The Bavarian Bishop's Conference would rather have 'kreuz.net' silenced before the 'Mittelbayerischen': "no comment" - writes Frau Schröpf.
The German Bishop's Conference are well known for their slanders given by the notorious official functionary Matthias Kopp.
He clarified for the 'Mittelbayerischen' (Middle Bavarian Paper), that 'kreuz.net' has in the past been guilty of "more than questionable" statements before.
The site has no official character: "... continual anti-Semitic suggestions and ponderous cheap-polemical shots against the German Bishops are unbearable" -- intoned Kopp
Even the press speaker for the German Society of Pius X, Father Andreas Steiner, distanced himself from the "form" of the criticism on 'kreuz.net'.
Another Bishop Witholds Funding from CCHD
GAYLORD, Michigan, June 17, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Another United States bishop is taking precautions in light of continuing allegations that the U.S. bishops’ domestic anti-poverty arm, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), is funding groups that support abortion and other activities contrary to Catholic teaching.
Bishop Bernard Hebda of Gaylord, Michigan has decided to delay sending funds to CCHD from the 2010 collection while the organization is under review, LifeSiteNews has learned.
Candace Neff, communications director for the Gaylord diocese, emphasized that the bishop has not “discontinued” the collection for CCHD. “A tremendous amount of very important work is accomplished through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development,” she said.
Read further...
Bishop Bernard Hebda of Gaylord, Michigan has decided to delay sending funds to CCHD from the 2010 collection while the organization is under review, LifeSiteNews has learned.
Candace Neff, communications director for the Gaylord diocese, emphasized that the bishop has not “discontinued” the collection for CCHD. “A tremendous amount of very important work is accomplished through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development,” she said.
Read further...
Thursday, June 17, 2010
‘Absolute catastrophe’ in Kyrgyzstan: Nuncio
The Vatican ambassador to Kyrgyzstan has described the situation in the country as chaotic as ethnic violence pushed up the number of refugees and displaced people.
“In Osh, there is a situation of absolute humanitarian catastrophe: There are no lights, no gas, no water and no food in the markets,” Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, Vatican nuncio to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, told Vatican Radio June 15, Catholic Review notes.
He said it was impossible to accurately count the injured because the Uzbeks are afraid to go the hospital. He reported dozens of deaths in Osh and said that as of June 13, 47 were dead in the border city of Jalal-Abad. Two Jesuits are responsible for the church in both cities.
Read further...
“In Osh, there is a situation of absolute humanitarian catastrophe: There are no lights, no gas, no water and no food in the markets,” Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, Vatican nuncio to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, told Vatican Radio June 15, Catholic Review notes.
He said it was impossible to accurately count the injured because the Uzbeks are afraid to go the hospital. He reported dozens of deaths in Osh and said that as of June 13, 47 were dead in the border city of Jalal-Abad. Two Jesuits are responsible for the church in both cities.
Read further...
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