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]

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]