Recent News Highlights

The following are some recent news highlights...

* 'Religion of peace' at it again: A Philippine bishop (Bishop Martin Jumoad of Isabela, Basilan) says he "seriously fears" for his life and the lives of the faithful after Muslims attacked the city & destroyed his cathedral. Although the country is predominately Catholic, the Bishops' territory is mostly Muslim

* Dissenting clergy at it again: Videos of the controversial priest who was recently awarded a 'lifetime achievement award' have been circulating online which show the priest rejecting Church teachings and violating "many" liturgical norms. At the awards ceremony, Cardinal George admitted the "controversialist" priest, Fr. Michael Pfleger, has "spoken in anger, sometimes unjustly or uncharitably", but claimed that "like all good priests and pastors, he acts out of love." [A good priest speaking unjustly or uncharitably out of 'love'?]

* A church employee in Phoenix was stabbed as she unlocked a parish gate. A priest who came to her aid was also stabbed. Both victims were taken to the hospital in serious condition. Three nearby students who heard screams chased the suspect and detained him until police arrived. The motive for the assault was initially unknown, but the suspect was reportedly familiar to parish employees

* In the wake of an recent expose concerning the disgraced founder of the Legionaries, there is speculation that the revelations may force Cardinal Sodano to resign. The Cardinal, who was a "chief supporter" of the Legionaries' founder, formerly served as the Vatican Secretary of State and is presently Dean of the College of Cardinals

* Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi has revealed that he has not spoken with Pope Benedict directly about the abuse scandals. Fr. Lombardi indicated that he gets his directions from the Vatican's Secretariat of State ("It is the Secretariat of State that decides the line, and I try to communicate that as best I can")

* A new Brazilian Archbishop has scandalized pro-lifers by his failure to condemn abortion in the case of a young girl who was abused

* A joint statement by the Thomas More Legal Centre and the Catholic Union says media accounts regarding the effort to arrest Pope Benedict during his U.K. trip "seem to have completely misrepresented the law." The groups indicate that the Pope enjoys sovereign immunity and that U.K. law "does not hold the Pope legally liable for the actions of Catholic institutions in the country." "There is not a single criminal offence under British law which could conceivably be alleged against Pope Benedict," they note

* Controversial TOB promoter Christopher West will take a 6 month sabbatical to spend more time with his family and to "reflect more deeply on fraternal and spiritual guidance" that he has received. West has been criticized for an approach that Alice Von Hildebrand said "totally lacks reverence" and which "shocked and horrified" her. Von Hildebrand also remarked that West was "derailed and is doing a lot of harm"

* Another organ donation scandal: The organ donor registry in the U.K. has reportedly "misrecorded" preferences of as many as 800K persons in that country. The Health Secretary has admitted that errors "began appearing over ten years ago." More than 20 cases have been confirmed "in which organs may have been taken from donors without their prior consent." [Note: Click here for free flier & wallet card: 'Organ Donation: Act of Charity or License to Kill?]

* Fr. James Scahill, a MA priest "praised by dissenters", has made waves by calling for Pope Benedict's resignation. He also accused the Pope of lying about his involvement in abuse scandals. Commentary: Perhaps a priest who publicly accuses the Supreme Pontiff of lying, despite the fact that he has been repeatedly exonerated and despite the fact that the priest apparently has no solid evidence to support his claim, should be reminded of the 8th Commandment.

* More dissent: Dissident Swiss theologian Hans Kung is reportedly "urging" bishops to disobey Pope Benedict. The notorious dissenter also says bishops should call for a new synod to discuss "reforms"

* An Indianapolis Catholic school being converted to a "public charter school" run by a Catholic archdiocese is raising eyebrows of non-Catholics who fear that "religion may enter the classroom" and also by Catholics angered at the removal of religious icons and the ending of prayers & religious instruction at the school. The unfortunate arrangement makes the school eligible for state funding. "To exclude the Church, founded by God Himself, from public life, from making laws, from the education of youth, from domestic society, is a grave and pernicious error." (Pope Leo XIII) [More Education Reflections]

[4/15]

Beware of feelings of being "called"

Is there anyone more determined than an individual who thinks God is "calling" them to do something? For good or evil, numerous people seem to feel - or expressly state - that God is "calling them" to a certain course of action. Oftentimes, however, people's misguided feelings are unlikely to correspond to any real calling from Almighty God. This is especially apparent when such "callings" go against what we know of God, or if such "callings" are patently laughable or absurd. Rather, such feelings may be simply prideful manifestations of what one desires to do cloaked as if such actions were the Lord's holy will.

Jesus has told us plainly that people will even kill us, wrongly thinking they are performing a service for God:

"...the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth a service to God. And these things will they do to you; because they have not known the Father nor me." (Jn. 16:2-3)

Clearly not all perceived "callings" are real.

A recent example of a highly questionable "calling from God" comes with a suspended priest who wrongly thinks love of country is "greater" than love of the priesthood and that a political office is a "higher service" than the priesthood. He claims God is "calling him" to run for president of the Philippines. While it is not our place to rule on the authenticity of alleged "callings from God", it seems unreasonable on its face to think that God would call an ordained man to abandon the holy priesthood, for which there is "nothing higher on earth", to pursue politics. As one faithful priest has stated, "No one on this Earth can give God as much glory as a devout priest." Nevertheless, the suspended priest referenced earlier is unlikely to be deterred, because he thinks he has been "called" by God to pursue this path.

Perhaps some people claim God is "calling" them because it is hard to challenge their assertion. Maybe persons say this because they are confused or poorly formed. Maybe they are sincere and really do believe they are being called. But whatever the reason, beware of considering deceits of Satan as "callings" from God. As Holy Scripture warns:

"Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (cf. 1 Pt. 5:8)

Be careful also that you do not confuse your own will with God's will. Furthermore, rest assured that if you think God is "calling" you to sin or to go against infallible Church teachings, you are most definitely WRONG. Learning to discern God's true will takes more than just going along with a "feeling" you may have. If it is a true calling, you don't want to ignore it. However, if it is not, beware.

[7/22]