More News Highlights

Some more recent news highlights...

* Various Catholic groups have criticized the decision to award the man responsible for the immoral IVF procedure a Nobel prize. The procedure, which is condemned by the Church, has resulted in the death of numerous human embryos [Related: Pro-life (Topic Page)]

* A federal judge has reversed a contempt order against the Diocese of Spokane which was "erroneously ordered" by a bankruptcy judge

* Well over 200 participants have registered for the Catholic Press Congress organized by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications currently being held in Rome through October 7

* The previously announced DVD of the TLM at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is now available through the pontificalmass.org website [Related: The Traditional Latin ('Tridentine') Mass vs. the New (Novus Ordo) Mass]

* Unbelievable: Archbishop Vincent Nichols has compared the abuse scandals to the banking collapse. Not surprisingly, his comparison brought "astonishment" and "criticism"

* According to a CWNews report, Cardinal Schönborn recently praised the alleged Medjugorje 'visionaries' and asked that "God pay [them] back a hundredfold for what [they] are doing tirelessly" [Commentary: Interesting choice of words, "pay [them] back... for what [they] are doing"...] [Refresher: Marian Apparitions at Medjugorje: True or False?]

[10/5]

'Balloon cardinal' at it again?

Various outlets are reporting on some startling comments supposedly made Cardinal Schönborn (think: notorious 'balloon-rock Mass'). According to reports, Cardinal Schönborn said Cardinal Sodano "deeply wronged" abuse victims by dismissing media reports concerning the scandal. So far, so good. But wait, there's more... Cardinal Schönborn supposedly also said that the Church should:

* "give more consideration to the quality of homosexual relationships", claiming that "A stable [homosexual] relationship is certainly better than if someone chooses to be promiscuous."

Reality check...

"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination." (Lev. 18:22)

"Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God." (St. Paul, 1 Cor. 6:9-10, emphasis added)

"Likewise, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual promiscuity and practiced unnatural vice, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire." (St Jude, Jude 1:7)

* "reconsider" its view of those who divorce and 'remarry', since "many people don’t even marry at all any longer"

Reality check: "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and the one who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Lk. 16:18)

* primarily consider "morality based on happiness" rather than on sin

Reality check...

"Just as weeds are collected and burned (up) with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." (Mt.13:40-42)

"If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries." (St. Paul, Heb. 10:26-27)

One hopes the Cardinal was woefully misquoted. [But then again, one may recall the surprising things this very same Cardinal has said in the past.... And visions of balloons come to mind... But still, let us hope...]

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching." (St. Paul, Heb. 13:8-9)

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Mt. 7:13-14)

[5/8]

Scandals Update

The following are some updates concerning the recent abuse scandals...

* Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi noted that media attacks of late "have without doubt caused damage", but said that "the authority of the Pope and the commitment of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith against [abuse] of minors will come out of this not weakened but strengthened"

* Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols recently told the BBC that "The Pope won’t resign. Frankly there’s no strong reason for him to do so", and said that "In fact it’s the other way around - he is the one above all else who has tackled these things."

* According to Cardinal Schönborn, Pope Benedict (while still Cardinal Ratzinger) had attempted to persuade Pope John Paul II to "mount a full investigation" into abuse allegations involving a Vienna cardinal, but "opponents in the Vatican" convinced Pope John Paul II not to proceed. The accused cardinal later "went into exile". According to Cardinal Schönborn, "To accuse [Pope Benedict] of being someone who covers things up - having known the Pope for many years - I can say that is certainly not true"

* NY Archbishop Timothy Dolan spoke of Pope Benedict's ongoing 'passion' during his Palm Sunday Mass, claiming that, "The dramatic progress that the Catholic Church in the United States has made...could never have happened without the insistence and support of the very man now being daily crowned with thorns by groundless innuendo." He also said that "No one has been more vigorous in cleansing the church of the effects of this sickening sin than the man we now call Pope Benedict XVI."

* Members of a victims' rights group arrested after their recent demonstration outside St. Peter's Square and held for "a couple of hours" said they have "spent more time in an Italian jail this week than the late Fr. Lawrence Murphy did in his entire life". Fr. Murphy was accused of abusing as many as 200 deaf boys in the U.S. Recent media articles have attempted to vilify Pope Benedict in this deplorable case.

* Pope Benedict XVI spoke of "courage that doesn’t let us be intimidated by the chatter of dominant opinions" at Mass on Palm Sunday. Some have taken his comments as a signal that he "won't be intimidated" by the recent wave of media attacks vilifying him.

* The attempted assassin of Pope John Paul II, recently released from prison & thought to be of 'questionable mental health', has reportedly said that he wants the Holy Father to resign, "not be arrested" - as some Turkish papers are calling for. The gunman recently indicated his desire to visit Fatima again this year when the Holy Father will be there.

Related: Scandal in the Church (apologetics)

[3/29]

Cardinal Schönborn Issues Apology

CNA is reporting that Cardinal Schönborn issued an apology to Bishop Perić over the Cardinal's recent "private" visit to Medjugorje. The Cardinal's visit has "aggravated the turmoil in the diocese", which is already "plagued by dissent". The faxed "handwritten letter of apology" was issued shortly after Cardinal Schönborn's private meeting with Pope Benedict, a meeting which took place on January 15. The beginning of the letter has been made public. It reads:

"Your Excellency, Dear Brother in Christ. I have received your letter from January 2 of this year. I am very sorry that you got the impression that my pilgrimage has disturbed the peace. You can be sure that this was not my intention."

Related: Marian Apparitions at Medjugorje: True or False?

[1/19]

Recent News Highlights

Some recent news highlights include...

* The U.S. bishops' meeting began on Monday, November 16, in Baltimore. Topics include healthcare reform, the new translation of the Roman Missal, a pastoral letter on marriage, 'reproductive technology', and directives for the sick concerning nutrition & hydration. The meeting is scheduled to conclude on November 19.

* Concerning the healthcare bill which recently passed the House, pro-lifers have revealed that this massive bill creates a federal grant program in which taxpayer dollars will be used to fund programs which "improve rates of c*ntraceptive use" among teens. Therefore, due to increased use of abortifacient c*ntraceptives, taxpayer money will be used for abortions - despite the Stupak amendment which purports to prohibit taxpayer funding for "most" abortions. Pro-lifers are calling on the bishops to be "more forceful" in their pro-life efforts.

* The former PP director turned pro-lifer says Planned Parenthood "frequently threatens people who go against them" and says that the organization "runs on fear. They are scared of what they do know, and they are scared of what they don't know."

* Cardinal Schönborn ("rock-balloon Mass" participant) will make a "completely private visit" to Medjugorje, according to "leaked" reports. Local authorities "have declared that the alleged apparitions are not to be published or promoted", and Bishop Peric recently said that "we cannot behave as if these 'apparitions' are authentic and approved." One CDF official told CNA that "The local bishops have the ultimate authority on this matter, and their arguments against the alleged apparitions are doctrinally solid." [Click here for more on alleged apparitions at Medjugorje]

[11/17]