Selection of Cardinal Mahony's Successor is Underway: Pray Hard

To the delight of many, the process of selecting a new Archbishop of Los Angeles has begun. The archdiocese - which has been under the control of the controversial "progressive" (notoriously liberal) Cardinal Mahony for nearly 25 years - has issued a memo containing a prayer asking for divine assistance in the selection of the Cardinal's successor. The prayer reads as follows:

"Lord, God, you are our eternal shepherd and guide. In your mercy, grant to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles a shepherd who will walk in your ways and whose watchful care will bring us your blessing. In your love for us, give us the joy of receiving a shepherd who will be an example of goodness to your people and who will fill our hearts and minds with the truth of the gospel. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles - the nation's largest diocese - desperately needs a good, holy, orthodox leader. Please pray hard!

[2/11]

Strange, strange world

Warning: Contains offensive material

It's especially unsettling when the news that makes one exclaim "Huh?" revolves around the Vatican. A recent example is a selection from the "Vatican's MySpace playlist" which includes at least one controversial tune. The song in question is by rapper Tupac Shakur entitled "Changes". It is said to "describe Shakur's desire to change a grim life of drugs, crime and violence on the streets." The rapper, who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting, had spent time in prison for s*xual assault. The song itself, which is labeled as "explicit", includes the following lyrics...

* "Is life worth living, should I blast myself?"

* "Give the crack to the kids, who the hell cares, one less hungry mouth on the welfare"

* "Cause more black and white is smokin' crack tonight"

But don't blame the Pope. News reports say the list was complied by Father Giulio Neroni, the "artistic director of church publisher St Paul's Multimedia."

Isn't it heartbreaking that good parents may need to make a point of cautioning their children about the Vatican's online presence?

[12/4]