More News Highlights

Some more recent news highlights...

* "Massive restructuring" in the Twin Cities will result in the closure of 21 parishes and the "clustering" ("sharing priests and other resources") of 33 others. School closures are also anticipated and may be announced at the end of the current school year

* Fresh reports of a possible November consistory are again circulating. It is thought that a formal announcement may be made on Wednesday

* The gathering of abuse victims at St. Peter's on 10/31 is set to move forward. Victims reportedly hope to draw a crowd of 50,000

* An Anglican 'bishop'* and a 'small Anglican parish' will reportedly enter the Catholic Church under the provisions of Anglicanorum Coetibus. Other Anglican 'bishops' are considered "likely" to follow [*Reminder: Anglican 'clergy' are not true priests - their orders have been ruled invalid by the Church: "Wherefore, strictly adhering, in this matter, to the decrees of the pontiffs, our predecessors, and confirming them most fully, and, as it were, renewing them by our authority, of our own initiative and certain knowledge, we pronounce and declare that ordinations carried out according to the Anglican rite have been, and are, absolutely null and utterly void." (Pope Leo XIII, "Apostolicae Curae", 1896 A.D., emphasis added).]

* Here we go again: The Vatican newspaper has reportedly claimed the cartoon characters Homer & Bart Simpson are Catholic (according to a CNN blog: "Homer Simpson - perhaps the most profane character and worst father ever to headline a mainstream American television program - is Catholic, the Vatican's official newspaper has declared"). This is the second L'Osservatore Romano article praising the irreverent program in less than a year (see previous news brief here). The paper has also been criticized for recent praise of anti-Catholic movies, 'rockers', heretics, and Karl Marx [Related: What's Next for L'Osservatore Romano - Praise for Satan himself? (7/09) | Vatican newspaper: Here we go again (10/09) | L'Osservatore Romano: Get Serious (2/10) | Good Question (4/10)]

[10/18]

Good Question

The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, has once again scandalized faithful Catholics by praising the Beatles rock group ("a musical genre which has been described by the Pope has the work of the Devil"). Even the rock band's former drummer has questioned the move...

"Didn't the Vatican say we were satanic?" "And they still forgive us?"

The Beatles' lead singer once boasted they were "more popular than Jesus", their former press officer once claimed "they're so anti-Christ they shock me", and various members of the group have been associated with drugs, the occult, debauchery...

Not exactly holy material for a Catholic newspaper, now is it?

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. (Col. 3:1-2)

Related: What's Next for L'Osservatore Romano - Praise for Satan himself? (7/09) | Vatican newspaper: Here we go again (10/09) | 'Rigid censors' or faithful Catholics? (12/09) | L'Osservatore Romano: Get Serious (2/10)

[4/13]

Recent News Highlights

The following are some recent news highlights...

* According to an AP report, the number of abuse cases involving the Catholic Church in the U.S. is "tapering off", with 2009 seeing the "lowest numbers since data started being collected in 2004". They report that the total cost "for settlements and other costs has risen to more than $2.7 billion, according to estimates" and also indicate that "about one-eighth of the allegations made in 2009 were unsubstantiated or determined to be false by the end of the year"

* A seasoned Vatican journalist has indicated that a new diocese may be formed which includes Medjugorje, the site of alleged Marian apparitions. Reportedly, the decision was "nearly made" in September 2009 but was "put off in part by opposition" from the local bishop - a prelate who has been "vocal in his skepticism" regarding the alleged apparitions. The Vatican recently announced the formation of an international investigative commission concerning the alleged Medjugorje 'phenomena' [Related: Marian Apparitions at Medjugorje: True or False?]

* A rabbi giving a lecture Paris' Notre Dame cathedral was recently "interrupted" by praying members of the SSPX who were upset that the rabbi's lecture was being given there. The traditionalists "loudly" prayed the rosary as "amends for the outrage" of having the rabbi speak at the famous cathedral

* New allegations of abuse are surfacing in Germany which reportedly involve four priests and two nuns in Pope Benedict's native diocese. The allegations primarily date from the 1970's

* A German bishop has come under fire for his sermon which compared the media coverage concerning abuse scandals in the Church to a Nazi propaganda campaign. In his sermon, he claimed that "we are again witnessing a campaign against the church" whose aim "is to undermine the church's credibility." The diocese has claimed that coverage of the sermon was "distorted"

* Pope Benedict is scheduled to preside at Mass on Monday, March 29 to mark the 5th anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II, which occurred on April 2, 2005

* The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano has come to the defense of Pope Benedict against attacks from the modernist Fr. Hans Küng. The controversial liberal theologian had penned an offensive article which criticized priestly celibacy and claimed that the Holy Father is "the man who has been for decades the main person responsible for the hiding of these abuses on a worldwide level." The Vatican newspaper's rebuttal indicated that "the facts didn't take place as Küng and certain press have recounted them." [Related: Why Priestly Celibacy?]

[3/23]

L'Osservatore Romano: Get Serious

In yet another scandalous piece in L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper has put together a "semiserious guide on the road to good music" - a "top ten list of 'classic' rock music" ("a musical genre which has been described by the Pope has the work of the Devil"). Offensive items on the list include the Beatles' 'Revolver' ("perhaps their most drugs-influenced, psychedelic album from 1966") and U2's 'Achtung Baby' (containing the phrase "I’d break bread and wine if there was a church I could receive in"). Seems the Vatican's semi-official newspaper is still seriously in need of something...like maybe some good ol' fashioned Catholicism.

Related: Previous News Brief: What's Next for L'Osservatore Romano - Praise for Satan himself?

[2/15]

'Rigid censors' or faithful Catholics?

Yet again, the Vatican newspaper is making waves. This time, the paper has praised 'The Simpsons' - an often irreverent television series which "mocks and satirizes" religion. While the review wasn't entirely positive, it made references to the show's "realistic and intelligent writing" and called the 20 year-old cartoon show "profound".

And, in what may be considered an insult to watchful Catholic parents & other discriminating Catholics, the article claims that "rigid censors turn off the television" when the program comes on but says "the more serious analysts praise the realism and intelligence of its scripts, even if they often attack -- and rightly so -- the crude language and the violence of some episodes."

Well, watchful parents & discriminating Catholics, take comfort in the fact that you seem to be in good company with St. Paul, Popes Pius XI and XII, and even the Second Vatican Council...

"So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving." (St. Paul, Eph. 5:1-4)

"Indeed, this should be the first aim of the arts of the Motion Pictures, Radio and Television: to serve truth and virtue." (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957 A.D.)

"It is therefore one of the supreme necessities, of our times to watch and to labor to the end that the motion picture be no longer a school of corruption but that it be transformed into an effectual instrument for the education and the elevation of mankind." (Pope Pius XI, "Vigilanti Cura", 1936 A.D.)

"The motion picture should not be simply a means of diversion, a light relaxation to occupy an idle hour; with its magnificent power, it can and must be a bearer of light and a positive guide to what is good." (Pope Pius XI, "Vigilanti Cura", 1936 A.D.)

"Parents on their part should remember that it is their duty to see that entertainments and publications which might endanger faith and morals do not enter their houses and that their children are not exposed to them elsewhere." (Second Vatican Council)

"It is equally the duty of the Bishops of the entire Catholic world to unite in vigilance over this universal and potent form of entertainment and instruction... There must be no weariness in combating whatever contributes to the lessening of the people's sense of decency and of honor. This is an obligation which binds not only the Bishops but also the faithful and all decent men who are solicitous for the decorum and moral health of the family, of the nation, and of human society in general." (Pope Pius XI, "Vigilanti Cura", 1936 A.D.)

"This special power which Television enjoys, of giving pleasure within the family circle, is to be reckoned of very great importance, since it can contribute a great deal to the religious life, the intellectual development and the habits of those who make up the family; of the sons, especially, whom the more modern invention will certainly influence and captivate. But if that saying, 'a little leaven corrupteth the whole mass' corresponds at all to the truth, and if physical growth in youths can be prevented, by some infectious germ, from reaching full maturity, much more can some base element of education steal its way into the fibres of the religious life, and check the due shaping of morals. Everyone knows well that, very often, children can avoid the transient attack of a disease outside their own home, but cannot escape it when it lurks within the home itself. It is wrong to introduce risk in any form into the sanctity of home surroundings" (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957 A.D.)

And considering the example of Christ - who tells us to "be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt. 5:48) - as well as the examples of the saints, can anyone with proper Catholic formation for one moment imagine that Jesus or the saints would fail to be "rigid censors" of irreverent programming which mocks religion and uses violence & crude language?

While one might expect the Vatican newspaper to direct Catholics to virtue and goodness rather than to praise irreverent television programs which "mock and satirize" religion & employ crude language and violence, it seems that this is just one more scandalous example of the Vatican's "semi-official" newspaper attempting to "befriend the world". It joins their recent (scandalous) praise of an anti-Catholic film, a pro-abortion president, a cr*tch-grabbing pop-star whose works include the albums "Bad" & "Dangerous", an arch-heretic, a film containing witchcraft, and Karl Marx.

"This world and the world to come are two enemies. We cannot therefore be friends to both; but we must decide which we will forsake and which we will enjoy." (Pope St. Clement I)

"It is always a sign of presumption to imagine ourselves able to handle hot coals without burning ourselves." (Camus)

[12/23]

Vatican newspaper: Here we go again

The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, has done it again. This time, the paper published an article which says that Karl Marx's work is "especially relevant" today. Along with Marx's troubling economic theories, he is also famous for his comment that religion "is the opium of the people." Just a of couple years ago, Pope Benedict stated that, "The Marxist system, where it found its way into government, not only left a sad heritage of economic and ecological destruction, but also a painful destruction of the human spirit." This is just one more example of the "alarming problem" referred to earlier regarding recent articles appearing in the Vatican newspaper (previous story here).

[Related: Reflections / Government (includes topics: communism, socialism, private property, etc.)]

[10/22]

What's Next for L'Osservatore Romano - Praise for Satan himself?

A sampling of some of our recent news links highlights an alarming problem with the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano. For example, consider these recent items:

* Unbelievable: Vatican newspaper gives mixed review to 'Angels and Demons' film; Calls anti-Catholic movie "gripping", with "splendid" camera work, and "dynamic and alluring" direction [5/6]

* Most "pro-abortion president in history" is not pro-abortion according to editor of Vatican newspaper [5/21] [previous news brief here]

* Vatican newspaper stirs it up again: Recently deceased "pop music legend" who was not known for promoting Christian values is praised by L'Osservatore Romano [6/27]

* Here we go again: Vatican newspaper praises arch-heretic John Calvin; Calls him "extraordinary" and a "Christian" [7/3] [Reality checks: (1) Heresy costs souls (click here for more information), and (2) Protestants are not rightly called Christian ("The very tradition, teaching, and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, was preached by the apostles and was preserved by the Fathers. On this was the Church founded, and if anyone departs from this, he neither is, nor any longer ought to be called, a Christian." - St. Athanasius, Doctor of the Church]

* Vatican newspaper does it again: L'Osservatore Romano praises new Harry Potter film which contains witchcraft [7/14] [Reality checks: (1) "Behind Harry Potter hides the signature of the king of the darkness, the devil" (Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of Rome), (2) "It is good, that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly" (Cardinal Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI), (3) "Neither let there be found among you any one that shall...consulteth soothsayers, or observeth dreams and omens, neither let there be any wizard, nor charmer...For the Lord abhorreth all these things" (Deut. 18:10-12), (4) "Every form of sorcery is practiced with indirect or direct recourse to Satan" (TIA article). Also, remember that the more witchcraft is portrayed "positively", the more dangerous it is.]

What is going on over there? At this rate, it seems reasonable to fear that we'll soon see the paper publish praise for Satan himself. It's really not that much of a stretch when one considers that the publication has already lauded an anti-Catholic film, a pro-abortion president, a cr*tch-grabbing pop-star whose works include the albums "Bad" & "Dangerous", an arch-heretic, and now a film containing witchcraft. Really, at this point, such praise is but a very short step. [7/14]