A Few News Highlights

Some recent news highlights...

* Contradicting feminists' claims that women 'prelates' would have stopped abuse cover-ups, the first female Lutheran 'bishop' recently resigned for allegedly mishandling abuse allegations. Don't hold your breath waiting for the anti-Catholic p.c. media to give this story equal attention since it involves Protestant female 'clergy'! [Reminder: Protestant sects that have not maintained apostolic succession do NOT have valid orders. Further, it is impossible to ordain women (click here for more information)]

* Once again, rumors are circulating that Pope Benedict celebrates the TLM in private. This time, a claim was made by the head of the SSPX who says that the Holy Father "regularly" celebrates the TLM in private and that a bishop has threatened to resign should the Pope celebrate the ancient Mass in public. Hasta la vista? [Related: The Traditional Latin ('Tridentine') Mass vs. the New (Novus Ordo) Mass]

* So sad: Atheists are reportedly using hair dryers in an effort to "de-baptize" persons, "symbolically drying up holy water long ago sprinkled on them." One atheist even called baptism of infants "child abuse" [Note: For Baptism apologetics, click here. Please note that this page is primarily directed at Protestants]

[7/19]

More Recent News Highlights

Some more recent news highlights...

* Thanks partially to the efforts of the Catholic Church, Cuba has freed the first of 52 political prisoners the government has agreed to release. The former prisoners will live "as Cuban exiles in Spain"

* Catholics rioting over Protestant marches have injured more than 50 police officers in Northern Ireland. Reportedly the violence was "orchestrated by a very small number of people"

* Media reports indicate that the alleged Medjugorje 'seers' may be summoned to the Vatican and asked to disclose the 'secrets' they claim they have received from the 'Gospa' to the commission investigating the alleged apparitions [Related: Marian Apparitions at Medjugorje: True or False?]

* A SSPX leader has given an update on the doctrinal meetings between the SSPX & the Vatican which claims that "some of Rome's best brains are occasionally stopped in their tracks by the old arguments being newly put forward by the SSPX" [Related: Third Vatican-SSPX Meting]

* The decision to allow female 'bishops'* in the 'Church' of England is said to be "paving the way" for a "mass exodus" of Anglicans (including hundreds of 'clergy'*) who are expected to join the Catholic Church under the provisions of Anglicanorum Coetibus. The decision comes a couple of months before the Holy Father is scheduled to travel to the U.K. [*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). Remember also that the Catholic Church has definitively ruled that women are incapable of receiving holy orders (click here for more information)]

* Pope Benedict has chosen the theme "Religious freedom, the path to peace" for the 2011 World Day of Peace, stating that "It should never be necessary to deny God in order to enjoy one's rights"

[7/13]

More Recent News Highlights

Some more recent news highlights...

* Before leaving for summer vacation, Pope Benedict blessed a new 18-foot marble statue of a Sicilian priest, St. Annibale Maria di Francia, at St. Peter's

* "One of Michigan’s oldest newspapers" has laid off almost half its staff and will cut back its publication schedule after losing its annual subsidy from the Archdiocese of Detroit

* A client of St. Vincent Catholic Charities in Lansing, MI reportedly set fire to the charity's building and smashed several windows before being taken into custody. The motive was unknown and there were no reports of injuries

* LCWR's support of the recently passed healthcare reform bill was reportedly the topic of "lengthy discussions" between the dissenting LCWR and Vatican officials. Apparently disconnected from reality, the group - which lent its support for the bill in direct opposition to the U.S. bishops - claimed in a letter to their members that "We were very clear in stating that our actions were not in opposition to the U.S. bishops"

* Researchers have discovered that Cardinal Pacelli (the future Pope Pius XII) may have saved some 200,000 Jews during WWII by "secretly securing visas" which enabled them to escape Nazi Germany

* The recently circulated letter which purportedly came from Ecclesia Dei has been re-scanned at another site which claims to personally know the recipient. The letter confirmed that the TLM "envisages the reception of Holy Communion while kneeling, as the Sacred Host is laid directly on the tongue of the communicant. There is no provision for the distribution of Holy Communion on the hand in this Form of the Holy Mass." The letter has been questioned over various "peculiarities". The new image is in color and includes a view of the envelope containing postal markings and an Ecclesia Dei emblem, apparently providing additional support for its authenticity. [Let's hope it's real!]

* He's at it again: A bishop in South Africa, Bishop Kevin Dowling, has criticized the TLM in an address to a group of "leading laity" in his country. The misguided bishop complained about a "grandiose display", supposed lack of participation, all male servers, silence, triumphalism, "restorationism", etc., etc. He also lamented the "rise of conservative groups and organisations in the Church... which attract significant numbers of adherents, has led to a phenomenon which I find difficult to deal with." The liberal bishop also (wrongly) suggested that it's acceptable to question the all-male priesthood and complained about a supposed "policy of appointing 'safe', unquestionably orthodox and even very conservative bishops to fill vacant dioceses over the past 30 years." [Blah, blah, blah...] This is the same bishop who dissents from Church teachings regarding c*nd*ms and who has expressed disapproval of new, more accurate translations of the Novus Ordo liturgy. [Refresher: Top Reasons Why Women Can't Be Priests]

[7/7]

Recent News Highlights

Some recent news highlights...

* In response to abuse scandals, Las Vegas bishop Joseph Pepe has decreed that all parish volunteers must be fingerprinted, regardless of the scope of their activities

* With the Holy Father's U.K. visit on the horizon, the BBC is reportedly planning a "90-minute drama which will take as its premise what would happen if the Pope were to go on trial for covering up" abuse by priests. Critics note the "general hostility" of British television towards the Pope

* The retired ("notoriously liberal") former Bishop of Sacramento, Francis Quinn, has called for 'Vatican III' to deal with matters of "human s*xuality''. He apparently is under the mistaken notion that the Church can change its teachings about what is sinful in order to better please 'modern man' [Reality check: "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) | Can Dogmas Change? (click here)]

* An interview with Archbishop Samir Nassar of Damascus has highlighted the struggle Catholics face in this predominately Muslim area. The archbishop noted that Catholics "little by little they learn the Muslim more than their Christian faith" ("Little by little they get to know more about the Koran and Mohamed, more than Jesus Christ"), lamenting that "we don’t have enough local support to be together, to strengthen our faith, to teach our children and keep our children in our local churches." He also notes that a Catholic has to convert to marry a Muslim and that it is illegal for him to baptize a Muslim convert. He says Muslim coverts can be Christian "if they want in their hearts but they cannot show it." Amazingly, the archbishop speaks of "tolerance of Christians" and claims that he & Muslim leaders "are really one family"

* A security incident was apparently avoided on the Pope's recent trip to central Italy as an unauthorized man "was stopped by the pope's security guards as he was seeking to approach the stage where Benedict was celebrating Mass." The man was escorted away and reportedly "got nowhere near" the Holy Father

* Vandals have left "vulgar and sacrilegious graffiti" on the walls of a Carmichael, CA parish which has been described as a "hate crime". Sheriffs are seeking information about the perpetrators who are still at large. The offensive graffiti marked "at least the third time" the parish has been vandalized over the last couple years

* The British coordinator for the Holy Father's upcoming visit to the U.K. has indicated that he is determined to make the papal visit a success "not only out of respect for the Pope, not only out of determination to enhance the reputation of the United Kingdom, but because this will be an event followed by millions of people around the world." Also in the news are reports that costs for the trip have "soared"

* A 'Catholic' dissident group recently took out "lengthy" newspaper ad calling for "compassion" from Bishop Thomas Olmsted in the case of a religious sister who was instrumental in an abortion at a 'Catholic' hospital. The abortion was supposedly done to 'save the mother's life' (although medical personnel have disputed this allegation). The dissenting group said they "wanted to make a statement against the Bishop’s decision for excommunication". However, the truth is that the nun automatically excommunicated HERSELF under Canon Law. As Pope Paul II stated...

"[The 1983 Code of Canon Law] decrees that 'a person who actually procures an abortion incurs automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication'. The excommunication affects all those who commit this crime with knowledge of the penalty attached, and thus includes those accomplices without whose help the crime would not have been committed... I declare that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being... No circumstance, no purpose, no law whatsoever can ever make licit an act which is intrinsically illicit, since it is contrary to the Law of God"

Unfortunately, the dissident group plans to run more ads in the future

* Holiness "never loses its power of attraction" according to Pope Benedict who spoke on his predecessor, Pope St. Celestine V...

"More than 800 years have passed since the birth of St. Peter Celestine V, but he remains in history on account of the notable events of his pontificate and, above all, because of his holiness. Holiness, in fact, never loses its own power of attraction, it is not forgotten, it never goes out of fashion, indeed, with the passage of time, it shines with ever greater luminosity, expressing man’s perennial longing for God."

The Holy Father also noted that...

"[His] discovery of God was not only the result of his effort but was made possible by the grace of God itself that came to him. What he had, what he was, did not come from him: it was granted to him, it was grace, and so it was also a responsibility before God and before others. Even if our life is very different from his, the same thing is also true for us: the entirety of what is essential in our existence was bestowed upon us without our intervention. The fact that I live does not depend on me; the fact that there were people who introduced me to life, that taught me what it means to live and be loved, who handed down the faith to me and opened my eyes to God: all of that is grace and not 'done by me.' We could have done nothing ourselves if it had not been given to us: God always anticipates us and in every individual life there is beauty and goodness that we can easily recognize as his grace, as a ray of the light of his goodness. Because of this we must be attentive, always keep our 'interior eyes' open, the eyes of our heart. And if we learn how to know God in his infinite goodness, then we will be able to see, with wonder, in our lives - as the saints did - the signs of that God, who is always near to us, who is always good to us, who says: 'Have faith in me!'"

[7/5]

Recent News Highlights

Some recent news highlights...

* It is being predicted that Bishop Kurt Koch will soon be named to replace the ever-ecumenical Cardinal Kasper as President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

* Although final details have not been announced, the beatification plans for Cardinal Newman have reportedly been "scaled back" and will occur at Cofton Park in Birmingham

* Reports indicate that the University of Regensburg will create a new professorship named after Pope Benedict XVI. Amazingly, at least one report indicates that a future professor may be "of Orthodox or Protestant background"

* A new Australian study says that (so-called) 'second marriages' are over 90% more likely to break up than 'first marriages' [Reminder: A valid marriage is for life. Jesus says that "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and the one who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery." (Lk. 16:18) Obviously, therefore, civil 'divorces' have no real effect on the marriage bond since one could not be committing adultery unless one was STILL married. For more on divorce / 'remarriage', try here]

* A representative of Catholic Charities has expressed concern that the oil spill could end up being "worse than hurricanes." Besides financial difficulties, concerns for the future include high levels of anxiety, expanded unemployment, increased mental health problems, and dangers of physical harm resulting from the spill. Even church collections may suffer due to the disaster

* One of the ND88 has suffered a heart attack and reportedly continues to suffer from "post-traumatic stress" related to her arrest over a peaceful pro-life demonstration on the 'Catholic' university campus. The ND88 still face fines & jail time for 'trespassing' as the university's president, Fr. Jenkins, refuses to seek leniency. The heart attack victim, a devotee of the Blessed Virgin, joined the protest thinking "we would get a fine and a ticket." She said she "never expected to be so persecuted for standing for Catholic beliefs on a Catholic campus by my fellow Catholics."

[6/24]

Recent News Highlights: Catholic Schools

The following are some recent news highlights involving Catholic schools...

* A loaded gun was confiscated from a locker at a Catholic high school in McKeesport, PA after students reported the weapon to the school's principal. The student suspected of carrying the gun was "removed by police", suspended, and faces criminal charges & possible expulsion. A diocesan official said the incident involved a student enrolled in a "special needs" program

* A science teacher who taught at a Catholic school in the U.K. was recently cleared of attempted murder over his attack of a teenager. The student ("described as a 'leading light' when it came to causing trouble") reportedly wrestled with and cursed the teacher before the incident. The teacher (who apparently "suffered years of abuse by students") was described as "previously a man of 'impeccable character'", although he had recently suffered from stress-related problems & was reportedly "in a fragile state of health" at the time of the incident. Reportedly, the teacher "cracked after provocation" by students and struck a male student with a weight while shouting "die". The student suffered a fractured skull, and the teacher admitted to causing him "grievous bodily harm" (although he claims it was without intent). The teacher spent months in jail after the incident and now awaits sentencing. The case has caused some teachers to speak out against students' bad behavior at school - which they say has "become worse" over recent years - claiming that situations may be "incredibly damaging" for staff and can "easily spiral out of control"

* A lesbian teacher at a Catholic school in Canada was informed that she "could not return to her job" after she applied for "parental leave" to be with her "partner" and her "partner's" new baby. Although the lesbian violated the "Catholicity" clause she signed (in which she promised to "demonstrate a respectful and sympathetic sensitivity to the aims and nature of the school and to the Catholic beliefs and practices of the school"), she will reportedly continue to receive pay from the school until the end of June. The case has sparked freedom of religion debates [Also See: Defending the Indefensible | Catholic education begins at home]

[4/30]

Recent News Highlights

The following are some recent news highlights...

* The Washington Post has published the "astounding - and completely unsupported - claim" (CatholicCulture.org) that Archbishop Burke was "'kicked upstairs' because of improper handling" of abuse allegations. The "reliably faithful prelate" - appreciated by many Catholics for his orthodox, conservative views - is presently serving as head of the Church's 'Supreme Court' and is widely expected to be made a Cardinal

* Lawmakers in Oklahoma have overridden their Governor's veto of two pro-life bills that are expected to reduce abortions. One of the new laws requires that women be given a chance to see an ultrasound before having an abortion, the other law prohibits "wrongful life" lawsuits from being brought against doctors for not suggesting abortion [Related: Catholic teaching against abortion]

* Caution: The Catholic news agency Zenit appears to be having trouble with their website. At present, it is being flagged as potentially dangerous by both search giant Google & the Firefox web browser. Readers may be advised to avoid this site (including any links that may appear herein) until the problem is resolved

* The Knights of Columbus have donated more than 1,000 wheelchairs to earthquake victims in Haiti

* Under fire over a same sex 'marriage' course to be led by a professor with connections to homosexual activist groups, Seton Hall University has issued a statement saying that they "fully anticipate that the Catholic position" regarding same-sex 'marriage' will be "robustly explored" in the course. [They "anticipate" that the "Catholic position" will be "explored"? How about promising that the (truthful!) teachings of the Catholic Church will be taught and defended?] Supposedly, the archdiocese was "unaware" of the course offering and finds it "troubling." [So stop it!]

* The Gingrich's new film on Pope John Paul II will be released next week. The film covers the late pope's visit to Poland in 1979

* No surprise here: Various U.S. bishops have condemned Arizona's anti-illegal immigration legislation, calling the new law "harmful", "mean spirited", "draconian", "inhumane", "un-American", etc. While certain bishops have forcefully condemned the legislation's possible negative effects on illegal immigrants, similar concern for U.S. citizens suffering due to illegal immigration - e.g. those suffering from violent crime, property damage, job loss, increased tax burden, closure of emergency rooms, etc. - was "almost absent." Also "noticeably missing" was mention of Mexico's significantly harsher anti-illegal immigrant policies, the duty of persons to obey lawful authority, concern for national sovereignty, safety concerns for U.S. citizens, etc. [Related: Civics 101: Breaking the law is not okay]

* Cardinal Bertone's comments that priestly celibacy is not "untouchable" have (rightly) raised many eyebrows. However, the prelate was not speaking of any planned change in the Church's discipline, a discipline called "one of the purest glories of the Catholic priesthood" (Pope Pius XI), "a brilliant jewel" (Pope Paul VI), and "a spiritual treasure" (Pope John Paul II). While the Church has occasionally permitted some exceptions to priestly celibacy, she has "from time immemorial" strongly praised & defended "this the purest and noblest glories of her priesthood" (Pope John XXIII), a discipline that is recommended in Holy Scripture [Note: For reasons for priestly celibacy, click here]

* Some abuse victims who previously met with Pope Benedict are hoping that thousands of other abuse victims will join them at St. Peter's Square on October 31 - the unfortunate anniversary day marking the beginning of Martin Luther's revolt - for a "healing moment"

[4/28]

Recent News Highlights

The following are some recent news highlights...

* A Reuters photo appears to show Pope Benedict falling asleep during Mass in Malta. The Holy Father has since returned to the Vatican and was reportedly "resting" in Rome after his "brief, but intense" trip to the island country. Various reports indicate that Holy Father appeared "tired" during his trip.

* A forthcoming report in a German news magazine is expected to allege that a former aide was put under "heavy" pressure to take the blame for an abuse scandal in Pope Benedict's former archdiocese. Supposedly, the prelate was "begged" to take the blame in a series of phone calls he received from (apparently unnamed) "church officials" in order to clear Pope Benedict of responsibility.

* Recent media reports are claiming that Pope John Paul II approved of Cardinal Hoyos' shocking 2001 letter which praised a French bishop's cover-up of an abuse case. Reportedly, Cardinal Hoyos himself alleges that Pope John Paul authorized him to "send the letter to all the bishops in the world and publish it on the internet." The Cardinal further claimed that the bishop in the case did not "denounce" the priest because the priest had told of his sins in the confessional.

* A survey of new seminarians to be ordained in 2010 has revealed that 31% are foreign-born and 10% are converts. The survey also indicated that 37% have a relative who is a priest or religious and that 50% were "discouraged by parents or other family members from considering the seminary." Nearly 80% were encouraged to consider the priesthood by a priest and at least half had participated in some form of "parish ministry."

* Parishioners from "ethnic" parishes have appealed to Cardinal Grocholewski, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, to "help them save their churches" which they claim have been "unfairly targeted for closure". They claim that "certain American bishops...are engaged in a massive program of unjust suppression against parishes with strong ethnic traditions" and have referred to the closures as a "deliberate campaign of parish ethnic cleansing spreading across America." One representative claims the "ethnic bias in parish closings in America is clearly in evidence."

[4/19]

Recent News Highlights

The following are some recent news highlights...

* Muslim tourists in a converted cathedral in Cordoba who refused to halt praying injured two security officers when they were asked to stop or leave the cathedral. Two men were arrested for the violence that was reportedly conducted in "an organized fashion", and an "anonymous local police source" indicated that one of the men arrested was carrying a knife. Muslim prayer is banned at the cathedral, a former mosque that was converted in the 13th century.

* A supposed 'leading Catholic conservative' has penned an article for the Wall Street Journal titled "The Catholic Church's Catastrophe." The piece agues that the Church should "thank" the media, claiming the press "has been the best friend of the Catholic Church on this issue [of the abuse scandals]. Let me repeat that: The press has been the best friend of the Catholic Church on the scandals." The author claims that the press "exposed the story and made the church face it." Commentary: Does the author also consider Judas a "best friend"? Our redemption is linked with his betrayal of Christ, yet the resulting good effects (for us) do not make the betrayer's treatment of Our Lord deserving of our praise - far from it. Of course, a comparison between the scandalous events in recent Church history and our sinless Lord is deficient, but nevertheless, who "thanks" and considers a "best friend" those who relentlessly attack the Church, especially when it is so often done out of hatred or ill will? A hostile enemy is not a best friend - even if we may sometimes better ourselves as a result of their criticism.

* Catholics in the Philippians have once again nailed themselves to crosses on Good Friday "to remember Jesus Christ's suffering and death." The practice has been rejected by the Church, which has instead called the participants to engage in "repentance and self-renewal."

* At it again: A recent Catholic News Service article covering Pope Benedict included the (deliberately misleading?) comment that "the pope's removal of restrictions on use of the Tridentine rite, the Latin-language liturgy that predates the Second Vatican Council, was a major concession to traditionalists and part of a push toward an agreement with the breakaway Society of St. Pius X." The bishops' news service has previously been criticized over error & bias. Commentary: How exactly does admitting the truth that the ancient Mass was never abrogated and removing illicit restrictions constitute "a major concession to traditionalists"? Truthfulness & justice are now "major concessions"? [Related: The Traditional Latin ('Tridentine') Mass vs. the New (Novus Ordo) Mass]

* A RI man has been arraigned for larceny in connection with an alleged 'fundraising scam' involving a Catholic school in Worcester. The school reportedly paid the suspect, thought to be a professional fundraiser, $370K for efforts to raise funds to expand the school. The donor funds didn't materialize, leaving the school with heavy construction debts.

[4/2]

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]

Recent News Highlights

Some recent news highlights...

* Pope Benedict reminds that caring for the poor is the work of individuals motivated by charity and cannot be replaced by the State.

* The Pope's brother has admitted that he slapped boys in the face when he was choirmaster, even though he says it made him feel uncomfortable ("At the start, I also slapped people in the face but I always had a bad conscience about it"). He said that although he physically punished them (administered "clips round the ear" which was "a standard response at the time to failure or misbehaviour"), he felt it never rose to the extent of abuse. He also says he was "happy when in 1980 corporal punishment was banned by law". Although he indicated that he had no knowledge regarding cases of s*xual abuse, he admitted the following regarding allegations of physical abuse: "Pupils told me on concert trips about what went on. But it didn't dawn on me from their stories that I should do something. I was not aware of the extent of these brutal methods" and said "If I had known about the excess of force he was using, I would have said something". He also asked the victims for forgiveness.

* Ridiculous: Female activists in the Philippines recently delivered baskets of c*ndoms to the bishops, "humbly" asking them to "bless the c*ndoms as a conciliatory gesture to unite for reproductive health and women's rights" [Note: For information on the immorality of contraceptives, click here]

* Crazy: The sister who provides free needles to drug abusers (and calls it "common sense") has been awarded by Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York and Bishop Howard Hubbard for her decades of "service" to Catholic Charities. The free needle program, which is at least partially funded by Catholics' donations, has been criticized for providing formal cooperation in evil. "It is never allowed, even for a good intention to do a thing that is bad in itself." (Baltimore Catechism)

* Still more ridiculousness: In all 50 states, 'same-sex couples' can apparently claim "married" status on U.S. Census forms

* Cardinal Levada has affirmed that "union with the Catholic Church is the goal of ecumenism". Pope Benedict also recently affirmed that conversion is the ultimate goal of ecumenism

* Some good news: Catholics in the Netherlands have launched a petition protesting the decision allow open homosexuals to receive Holy Communion. The decision - which violates Canon 915 and fails to protect the Sacred Host - came after homosexual activists engaged in protests. 1983 Code of Canon Law, Can. 915: "Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion."

* Almost funny: A Vatican Radio editor who has written a book on President Obama and faith has recently made reference to "the merit of Obama in having brought faith back to the center of the agenda of the Democratic Party". Comment: Faith is "back at the center of the agenda"? Must have missed that memo!

* A member of the Pontifical Academy for Life who signed the recent letter concerning the abortion controversy involving the Academy's President has asked a Vatican spokesman it issue a clarification asserting that the letter was not an official request for their leader's resignation, but was rather a "clarification of important facts and to correct the false impression of unity conveyed to the press on Feb. 12 by our President"

* Archbishop Chaput has offered further justification for the decision to prevent a student being raised by lesbians to reenroll in a Catholic school. He noted that "If parents don’t respect the beliefs of the Church, or live in a manner that openly rejects those beliefs, then partnering with those parents becomes very difficult, if not impossible" and affirmed that "The main purpose of Catholic schools is religious; in other words, to form students in Catholic faith, Catholic morality and Catholic social values." He also reminded that "Our schools...exist primarily to serve Catholic families with an education shaped by Catholic faith and moral formation" and said that "If Catholics take their faith seriously, they naturally follow the teachings of the Church in matters of faith and morals; otherwise they take themselves outside the believing community"

[3/9]

Recent News Highlights

Recent news highlights...

* Reports indicate that more than 600,000 people have already made reservations to see the Shroud of Turin which will be displayed at the Cathedral of Turin this year from April 10 - May 23. Pope Benedict is scheduled to view the Shroud on May 2.

* According to new study by a sociology professor at Texas Tech University, persons who have multiple tattoos or body piercings were significantly more likely to "use illegal drugs, get arrested on criminal charges, fornicate with multiple partners, or cheat at college". The study's author notes that "escalating levels of body art acquisition and social deviance seem to be concurrent phenomena."

* A documentary film is being made about Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the traditionalist bishop who ran afoul of Church authorities by consecrating four bishops without an apostolic mandate

* Under-population crisis: According to a report from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, elderly people worldwide will outnumber children in 2045, significantly impacting taxes, healthcare, and the labor pool

* Reports indicate that there has been a "mass exodus" of liberal Catholics in Austria. A dissenting group claims the departures began when the Pope lifted the excommunication of a controversial member of the SSPX. A diocesan spokesman, however, attributes the departures to "church tax" that is collected in that nation.

* A Jewish rabbi has suggested that since Pope Pius XII did not lay down his life, he is not a saint. He said, that "Jews perceive as insensitive the idea that anyone who did not put their life on the line at that time can be considered saintly or as warranting a move in that direction." They apparently are not swayed even by the mounting "piles of evidence" showing that that Pope Pius XII's efforts were instrumental in saving many thousands of Jews - not to mention that his efforts of behalf of Jews did put his life at risk.

* In a recent interview, the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship has stressed the liturgy as the center of the life of the faithful which has "first priority", saying that all else comes after. He says that the "great contribution" of Pope Benedict is his "leading us to the truth of the liturgy" and that it is an "urgent duty" to correct liturgical abuse. He also reminds that without tradition, the Church would be "converted into a changing human institution"

* A Georgetown University professor who is a consultant to Pope Benedict XVI's Council for the Laity has written an article blasting Obama's controversial, homosexual activist, "Safe Schools Czar". The article states that "The appointment of a 'czar' like Kevin Jennings is one way in which President Obama can ensure the influence of homosexual-rights-activists in important places – like our nation’s public schools – without the president’s having to pass a law, or even hold a Congressional hearing, both of which might generate public attention and opposition."

* Archbishop Niederauer of San Francisco has attempted to set the record straight regarding pro-abort 'Catholic' Pelosi's comments regarding "free-will" and abortion. He reminds that "the exercise of freedom does not imply a right to say or do everything" and that "it is entirely incompatible with Catholic teaching to conclude that our freedom of will justifies choices that are radically contrary to the Gospel - racism, infidelity, abortion, theft. Freedom of will is the capacity to act with moral responsibility; it is not the ability to determine arbitrarily what constitutes moral right." He reminds that "free will cannot be cited as justification for society to allow moral choices that strike at the most fundamental rights of others. Such a choice is abortion, which constitutes the taking of innocent human life, and cannot be justified by any Catholic notion of freedom."

* Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani spoke on the "grave responsibility" that parents have to raise their children in the faith. He reminds that "Raising them in the truth is to know that sin is the true enemy. From a young age we must make them see what sin is, how it is manifested, why it is sin, and of what it consists. And at the same time, we must teach them that Jesus has come with his life to reveal to us the kindness of his love, his forgiveness and his help. They should learn to forgive and to ask for forgiveness"

* A liberal Jesuit magazine has published a piece defending the proposed new translation of the Roman Missal (Novus Ordo) in response to a priest who argued against it. The article defending the new translation discusses the matter from the writer's vantage point as a former participant in the ICEL translation effort (where, he says, "Ideology, it seemed, had taken precedence over accuracy"). He writes that "So much of what I have witnessed or had described to me by eyewitnesses has been nothing shy of a betrayal of the council’s great vision and, in my judgment, largely responsible for the rapid emptying of the pews." He also reveals that he assembled a team to replace the prevailing translation ("a paraphrase instead of a translation") with a new translation, which he says was received with "hostility" by the bishops' committee, but enjoyed "guarded interest" from Rome. Using the example that "If a man is told by his physician that he must lose 50 pounds or face serious problems, he must 'turn back the clock' to the time when he was lighter in order to save his life", he says "that is what the church at the highest levels is calling us to do." He even speaks of "very positive reactions" to the new translations over the past year which he says are "a vast improvement over the uninspiring, banal and all-too-often theologically problematic texts we have been using for nearly 40 years."

[1/14]

Recent News Highlights

Some recent news highlights include...

* Pope Benedict's planned visit to a Jewish synagogue in Rome on January 17 is expected to go ahead as planned, despite some Jewish anger over the Holy Father's declaration of Pope Pius XII as venerable

* Muslims in Malaysia are angry over a court ruling which permits a Catholic newspaper to use the word "Allah" as a translation for God. The paper claims it is the "only suitable word for God in Malay". The controversial ruling in the Muslim-majority country has sparked protest, which has included both an organized online effort by a group of Muslims who reject the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims & the hacking of the Catholic newspaper's website. The government is expected to appeal the ruling on this "very sensitive issue"

* Two new members have been named to the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, including a priest from a traditional institute (the FSSP)

* "Timeless treasures" from the Vatican's Secret Archives have been published for the first time in a 252-page illustrated book which is available to the general public. A special limited edition of the book - priced over $8,000 - is also available to about 30 buyers

* A bishop in China's underground Catholic Church died on December 30 at the age of 87. Bishop Leon Yao Liang was imprisoned for more than 28 years for his fidelity to the Catholic Church. News of his death is said to have been "tightly controlled" by Chinese authorities

* The Irish Cardinal Daly has died at age 92

* A new Archbishop of Milwaukee, Jerome Listecki, is being installed. He replaces Archbishop Dolan who was transferred to New York last year

* Bishop D'Arcy has celebrated his final Mass in South Bend as the head of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. He will be replaced by Bishop Kevin Rhoades

* Atheists in Ireland have published blasphemous statements on a website to challenge a new anti-blasphemy law which threatens fines of up to 25,000 euros (which may total more than $35,000 U.S.)

* Schism in Uganda: Twenty priests who reject their vow of celibacy have reportedly left the Catholic Church to form a new "church". The vow-breaking, schismatic priests now face excommunication [Related: Why Priestly Celibacy?]

* A former Argentinean archbishop has been sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of a seminary student

* Heartbreaking: PP has reported that more than 1.1 million "abortion services" were provided in 2008, more than double the amount provided in 2007. Despite the huge increase, they say the figures "remain low" and claim that "much needs to be done". They plan to "seize upon" what they see as "growing international interest" and hope to garner new support & financing for their anti-life agenda

[1/4]

Recent News Highlights

Some recent news highlights include...

* FBI data shows spike in "hate crimes" against Catholics in 2008. Incidents against Catholics jumped from 61 the previous year to 75

* Excommunicated priest from schismatic St. Louis parish says he would be willing to step down if it would help the parish

* Catholic bioethics expert notes that the case of a paralyzed man who was misdiagnosed as comatose for 23 years and who is now communicating shows the "the wisdom of Catholic teaching" regarding the duty of providing sustenance to sick persons

* No surprise here: Pro-abortion 'Catholic' politicians overlook killing of babies to (ignorantly) defend Patrick Kennedy in dispute with Bishop Tobin

* MSNBC's Chris Matthews, a supposed Catholic, has come under fire over his treatment of Bishop Tobin. The host arrogantly & disrespectfully lectured, interrupted and berated the bishop on his television program over the bishop's stand against abortion, while "feigning respect" for the bishop by calling him "Your Excellency"

* Bishop Tobin turns up the heat: Says that maybe Patrick Kennedy should leave the Church if he cannot abide by her teachings

* Regarding proposed healthcare legislation, Cardinal Rigali says that Catholic legislators must reject "any bill that has abortion in it"

* Vatican "expert" releases book supporting Pope John Paul II beatification; Late Pope was said to often practice self-flagellation

* The Catholic bishops of England and Wales have set up a "task force" to assist with the possible exodus of thousands of Anglicans who may be entering the Catholic Church

* The Archdiocese of Baltimore has determined that abuse allegations against a former Cumberland pastor are "credible"

[11/24]

Recent News Highlights

Recent news items of interest...

* The "most senior Catholic in England and Wales" has emphasized that Anglicans who enter the Catholic Church must accept the Pope's authority if they wish to convert

* A new homosexual website is threatening to publicly "out" supposed homosexual priests in the Archdiocese of Washington in an effort to intimidate them from voicing their objections to homosexual 'marriage'

* The CDC has announced that it will no longer require female immigrants to receive the controversial Gardasil vaccination [previous story here]

* Pope Benedict met with hundreds of artists in the Sistine Chapel on Saturday. In his talk, he emphasized beauty, noting that "Beauty, whether that of the natural universe or that expressed in art, precisely because it opens up and broadens the horizons of human awareness, pointing us beyond ourselves, bringing us face to face with the abyss of Infinity, can become a path towards the transcendent, towards the ultimate Mystery, towards God."

* Pope Benedict met privately with the 'archbishop' of Canterbury* on Saturday. The discussions were called "cordial." Days before the meeting, the Anglican 'archbishop' insolently criticized the Catholic Church for her (irreformable!) position against the ordination of women, a teaching which is supported by both Scripture & tradition. [Note: Click here for 'Top Reasons Why Women Can't Be Priests'] During the meeting, the 'archbishop' expressed concerns to the Pope over the handling of the recent Apostolic Constitution which he said put him in an "awkward position." Furthermore, to the confusion and dismay of many Catholics, the 'archbishop' was presented with a pectoral cross - a symbol of bishops' authority.

Just a few questions: (1) Given the mission of the Church and her constant teaching on the necessity of being Catholic for salvation, who cares if a decision of the Supreme Pontiff - a decision which could assist in the salvation of many souls - made a phony 'archbishop' feel he was in an "awkward" position? - In fact, shouldn't certain actions of the Supreme Pontiff actually be expected to make those outside the only true Church of Christ a bit uncomfortable?, and (2) given the fact that the heretical 'archbishop' of Canterbury has invalid orders - and is therefore not a bishop at all - why was this pro-homosexual, pretend prelate given a (real bishop's!) pectoral cross so that he could continue to play dress-up, now in Catholic-provided garb? Such unfortunate gestures are confusing at best.

* 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)

* Amazing: In the wake of controversy over its funding of groups which violate Church teachings, Archbishop Nienstedt and Archbishop Chaput have claimed that that the CCHD - which at one time funded ACORN and has also funded pro-abortion groups - does "much good", despite its "mistakes." [Should we tell that to babies who were killed by abortion?]

* Another writer has added to the mounting criticism of Christopher West's TOB presentations, calling some of his ideas "profoundly troubling." Previously, critics have said that his approach "totally lacks reverence" and is "vulgar and in bad taste." Earlier this year one critic, Alice Von Hildebrand, said she was "shocked and horrified" by West's words.

* A number of Catholic prelates in the U.S. have joined representatives of various non-Catholic religions in signing a document defending "the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and religious freedom." The declaration - "which was more than a year in the making" - includes a pledge that "no power on earth, be it cultural or political, will intimidate us into silence or acquiescence" and says that "we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent"

[11/21]

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]

Recent News Highlights

* Reports indicate that Pope Benedict will meet with the (so-called) 'Archbishop' of Canterbury on November 21 at the Vatican [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)]

* Scary new world: A scientific 'breakthrough' may eventually allow scientists to create embryos in the laboratory from skin cells, leading to the possibility of "[enabling] homosexuals to have children created from their own cells without the use of donated ova or sperm"

* More proof of the need for fathers: Recent research shows that children raised without their fathers may experience "reduced brain development, leading to an increase in aggressive behavior", findings which back earlier research that shows that those who grow up without their father may have the "highest odds of incarceration"

* A new study shows that c*ntraceptives (use of which is gravely sinful) may double a woman's risk of stroke

[10/30]

Recent News Highlights

* The Vatican-SSPX doctrinal talks are set to begin Monday, 10/26/09, at the Vatican

* Pope Benedict has appointed Cardinal Turkson of Ghana to head the Vatican's justice and peace office; This high profile post is said to "cement his reputation as a possible future papal candidate" amidst speculation of a possible future black pope

* The Bishop of Erie has publicly stated that he prefers modern - inaccurate - Mass translations. He has "sharply criticized" the proposed new "slavishly literal" translation of the Roman Missal (Novus Ordo) into English. He complains that the accurate words in the proposed new translation are "not readily understandable" by "the average Catholic", even though less-educated Catholics in the past had somehow managed to understand these very same words.

He also wants to retain at least two errors that appear in modern translations (the Creed's improperly translated "we believe", and the "for all" at the consecration) because he disagrees with the correct wording (in the case of "for many" vs. "for all") or thinks it goes against "ecumenical agreements" if it is correctly translated ("I" vs. "we"). Note that this means he necessarily condemns the official, authoritative text of the Novus Ordo (for which he says, "the Latin text is not inspired. It is a human text, reflecting a certain mindset, theology and world view") which uses Latin for "we".

He also claims proposed new preface translations "violate English syntax in a most egregious way" and lists other complaints concerning the translation. In fact, he fears the translation could lead to a "pastoral disaster."

Some interesting reflections seem in order, particularly: (1) How is it that the Latin Novus Ordo text can be criticized by modern-leaning Catholics but not by traditional-minded Catholics?, and (2) how is it that a modern-leaning prelate fears making translations more accurate could lead to a "pastoral disaster" but many such moderns in the recent past had no qualms about suddenly replacing the beloved ancient Mass - developed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit over centuries - with an entirely new concoction drafted by men in the 1960's?

Finally, he seems to unwittingly admit what many traditionalists have argued - that the mistranslations were intentional - because he questions their correction, calling it a "reversal." Would it make sense to claim it is a "reversal" rather than a "long overdue correction" if the mistranslations were, in fact, unintentional?

[Related: Latin Mass Facts | Why the Latin Mass? | The Traditional Latin Mass vs. the Novus Ordo (New) Mass]

[10/24]