Thursday, 7 March 2013
Do you think God will allow such evil to continue long?
From LifeSiteNews http://www.lifenews.com/2013/03/07/belgium-to-ok-euthanizing-children-because-its-happening-anyway/
One part of the article...
Belgian legislators opened a debate today on whether to amend a decade-old law on euthanasia to cover minors, being told by experts that it was already taking place in practice without any set guidelines. Currently, the law applies to those over 18 but one expert told the upper house of parliament that it was clear that euthanasia was being carried out on younger people, the Belga news agency reported. ”We all know it,” said Dominique Biarent, head of intensive care at Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital in Brussels. Faced with this reality, “doctors need a legal framework,” Biarent was quoted as saying by Belga.
Comment on the letter of Vargas Llosa
To judge to what degree Benedict XVI was correct or not in this matter is a task that clearly belongs to Catholics only. But we non-believers would act badly to celebrate as a victory of progress and of freedom the failure of Joseph Ratzinger on the throne of St. Peter. He not only represented the conservative tradition of the Church, but also her best legacy: that of the high and revolutionary classical and Renaissance culture that, let us not forget, the Church preserved and spread by means of her monasteries, libraries, and seminaries, that culture that impregnated the entire world with ideas, forms, and customs that ended slavery and, departing some distance from Rome, made possible the notions of equality, solidarity, human rights, liberty, democracy and decisively drove the development of thought, of art, of letters, and contributed to ending barbarism and to advancing civilization.
The decadence and intellectual mediocrity of the Church has highlighted the solitary presence of Benedict XVI; and the sensation of powerlessness that seems to have surrounded him in these last years is, without a doubt, a fundamental factor in his resignation and that disquieting glimpse of how bitter our epoch is toward all that represents spiritual life, preoccupation with ethical values, and a vocation for culture and idea
The English translation of the letter is found here, but I want to highlight the last two paragraphs of this letter written by a non-believer Vargas Llosa,. My boldface type....
The reference to Classical Education and Art, as well as the formation of modern human rights and democracy do come from the heritage of Western Culture, which was created by the Catholic Church.
This is not news. Those of us who grew up knowing the history of the culture, before it was denigrated by Marxists and relativists, loved the history of the growth of Christendom, chivalry, knowledge and virtue which blossomed from the Gospels being lived through the monasteries and convent of Europe and passed down through the great schools, universities and libraries, all Catholic.
When Llosa refers to the recent "mediocrity of the Church", I am so pleased that I can hardly say "right on, mate".
Mediocrity is from anti-intellectualism and laziness in spiritual matters.
The emphasis on Reason and Faith must be carried on with our next pope, or we shall lose all semblance of civilization not only in the West, but in the world.
Latest News from Rome
No date set yet for the conclave, although guesses are that it is March 11th. Vatican Insider insists on this.
The Vietnamese Cardinal arrived today in time for the afternoon General Meeting.
I shall keep you posted.
from Vatican Insider today:
The Vietnamese Cardinal arrived today in time for the afternoon General Meeting.
I shall keep you posted.
from Vatican Insider today:
In his usual news briefing with journalists, the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, said it was unlikely the College of Cardinals would announce the Conclave start-date this evening. He also added: “I would rather the date not be announced today.”
“People can judge for themselves whether the news about the anonymous interviews is true. I spoke about similar cases in the past.” This was Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi’s response to an article-interview with an anonymous poison pen letter writer, published in an Italian newspaper today.
"Go to Thomas"
Happy Traditional Feast Day.
I have written about him here before, and did quite a bit in the perfection series on the Angelic Doctor. But, he deserves, The Universal Doctor of the Church, a note today. He is one of the patrons of this blog. The New Pope must be a scholar who loves Thomas.
Pope Pius XI wrote:
“indeed, We so approve of the tributes paid to his almost divine brilliance that we believe Thomas should be called not only Angelic but Common or Universal Doctor of the Church. As innumerable documents of every kind attest, the Church has adopted his doctrine for her own.… It is no wonder that the Church has made this light her own and has adorned herself with it, and has illustrated her immortal doctrine with it … It is no wonder that all the popes have vied with one another in exalting him, proposing him, inculcating him, as a model, master, doctor, patron and protector of all schools … Just as it was said of old to the Egyptians in time of famine: ‘Go to Joseph, so that they should receive a supply of corn to nourish their bodies, so to those who are now in quest of truth We now say: ‘Go to Thomas’ that they may ask from him the food of solid doctrine of which he has an abundance to nourish their souls unto eternal life.”
I have written about him here before, and did quite a bit in the perfection series on the Angelic Doctor. But, he deserves, The Universal Doctor of the Church, a note today. He is one of the patrons of this blog. The New Pope must be a scholar who loves Thomas.
Pope Pius XI wrote:
“indeed, We so approve of the tributes paid to his almost divine brilliance that we believe Thomas should be called not only Angelic but Common or Universal Doctor of the Church. As innumerable documents of every kind attest, the Church has adopted his doctrine for her own.… It is no wonder that the Church has made this light her own and has adorned herself with it, and has illustrated her immortal doctrine with it … It is no wonder that all the popes have vied with one another in exalting him, proposing him, inculcating him, as a model, master, doctor, patron and protector of all schools … Just as it was said of old to the Egyptians in time of famine: ‘Go to Joseph, so that they should receive a supply of corn to nourish their bodies, so to those who are now in quest of truth We now say: ‘Go to Thomas’ that they may ask from him the food of solid doctrine of which he has an abundance to nourish their souls unto eternal life.”
What If?
A strong protector in charge; a righteous man praying and leading the family...
The family totally centred on Christ and nothing else-no distractions, no false idols.
A peaceful harmony because all are in the Will of God.
Humility leading to sacrificial love.
Dear Theotokos, intercede for us for our new Pope. Let him be just like St. Joseph.
May he be totally living for and in Christ. Let him be our protector.
Administrators or Pastors
The word "administrator" did not exist until the 15th century, possible around 1450.
The word was created after or during the fall of the hierarchical structures of Europe which had existed for centuries.
Yes, there were civil servants and various levels of such. Yes, there were hierachies in the Church as well as in society. But, administrators, that is, a group of persons in a society who managed something, most likely came from the roles of the agent, seneschal or steward in charge of a nobleman's property, whether movable or stationary.
The seneschal managed the estates of a lord or lady. and could also have been in charge of ceremonies, in the capacity of a master of ceremonies. In addition, this steward would have been in charge of the domestic arrangements in the house or castle, such as dinners, buying and selling and so on.
The land agent is a familiar figure in some novels, for example, in Middlemarch, father of Mary Garth.
Now, the reason I am going into all this history of a role in society is that there has been talk among Catholics that a Pope is needed who is an administrator.
That a Pope should be aware and savvy of certain details, of course. But the difference between a Pope and an administrator is the difference between a king and his steward, or, an abbot and his steward.
Americans are the worst ones for confusing roles. I remember a conversation in 2008 with a person high up in a chancery office who said that all priests should have business degrees, or at least, business acumen.
I could hardly believe this comment, but he was sincere. The person did not understand the idea of the vocation of the priesthood and merely saw the role of the priest as an administrator of a parish, who did the sacraments as well.
Sad. This is a dangerous and unprofessional ideal.
A priest, a bishop and a Pope are all first and foremost pastors of souls.
If such a person can choose excellent administrators to work underneath and with him, fine.
The Pope is not to be an administrator, just as a lord or king is not a land agent or steward or seneschal.
King Arthur's steward was Sir Kay, btw. Sir Kay was a servant of the King. The Steward of Gondor was not the King. The Pope should not be an administrator.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
St. Ambrose will return on Friday
So much to do and so little time.........Doctors of the Church series resumes Friday.
Leadership Crisis in the Church Obvious
Well, the one thing the media has done, both Catholic and secular, and that is to highlight the leadership crisis among the Cardinals.
We can strike several off the list of potential Papal material after the past few days and weeks.
Immaturity, indiscretion, pride, gross naivete.
Dolan, gone
O'Malley, gone
Turkson, gone
Odilo Scherer, gone
George, gone
Wuerl, gone
DiNaro, gone
If we ever needed proof that the Church has not produced mature, reflective, sensible, rational, talented men at the top, we only need to look at this list of self-promoting, or anxiety-laden men who need to trust in God, not themselves .
Be quiet, already, and go to your rooms, shut the door and pray.
We can strike several off the list of potential Papal material after the past few days and weeks.
Immaturity, indiscretion, pride, gross naivete.
Dolan, gone
O'Malley, gone
Turkson, gone
Odilo Scherer, gone
George, gone
Wuerl, gone
DiNaro, gone
If we ever needed proof that the Church has not produced mature, reflective, sensible, rational, talented men at the top, we only need to look at this list of self-promoting, or anxiety-laden men who need to trust in God, not themselves .
Be quiet, already, and go to your rooms, shut the door and pray.
Saying the Rosary with the Cardinals NOW
http://www.radiovaticana.va/player/index_agenda.asp
Cardinal Scola is a man of prayer....obvious in the broadcast.
Text of Vespers here.http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/libretti/2013/20130306.pdf
Reading:
Cardinal Scola is a man of prayer....obvious in the broadcast.
Text of Vespers here.http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/libretti/2013/20130306.pdf
Reading:
Philippians 2:12-15
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
12 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but much more now in my absence,) with fear and trembling work out your salvation.
13 For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will.
14 And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations;
15 That you may be blameless, and sincere children of God, without reproof, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation; among whom you shine as lights in the world.
from CNS, interesting....
Every cardinal in his place: Internal ranking determines seating chart
 Cardinals attend a meeting at the synod hall in the Vatican March 4. Their seating order in the meetings and in the conclave to elect a new pope is determined by a three-tier internal hierarchy. (CNS/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters) |
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In their general congregation meetings, in liturgical processions and in the Sistine Chapel, every cardinal has a place and each cardinal knows his place.
The Vatican calls it "precedence," and it has little to do with the importance of the cardinal's day job, the size of his diocese or his age. But it has everything to do with timing.
And more here http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1300981.htm
Check Out Turtle Bay....
Posted on | March 5, 2013 by Rebecca Oas, Ph.D |
As the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women begins today, two news stories are already disingenuously implying that the Holy See, the Russian Federation, and Iran are effectively enablers of violence committed against women. These and several other UN member states oppose the inclusion of language that could be used to support a right to abortion – a topic that is always controversial within the UN system.
After the failure to produce a consensus document in last year’s CSW as well as in 2003, the last time the priority theme was violence against women, there is a great deal of pressure to come to agreement. While the priority of eliminating violence against women and girls would seem like an uncontroversial topic, the pro-abortion agenda being pushed by countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway has made the negotiations on the outcome document more contentious and raises the fear of another stalemate.
More on Catholic Identity
That is, we understand, we know the place of Mary, the Theotokos, in the Church.
Mary points to Jesus. However, we are not superstitious or Gnostic about private revelations or unapproved apparitions. If we are, we are in danger of separating ourselves from the Church.
7) Catholics are "Roman" Catholics. Now, there are some American journalists who refuse to use this term.
But, to deny the term, is to deny our identity. We are not Orthodox Catholics. Within this Roman identity is the Universal Church, which is one good reason for encouraging the official language of the Church in Liturgy-Latin.
8) Catholics are not relativists. We do not think that reality comes from our own perceptions and interpretations, but that there is a canon of Truth. We are creedal.
9) To have a Catholic identity means to be counter-cultural. My dad told me this when I was 15. He was literally "stoned" by the Lutheran boys when he walked to his Catholic school in the 1930s, walking through the Lutheran neighborhood. He learned to run fast and ignore the rocks and hurts. This is what the Church Militant is all about. Not being afraid of being Catholic in a pagan, or hostile world.
10) To have a Catholic identity means one believes in a hierarchy of Truth. Some things are infallible, and some are not. It also means that we adults have a duty to pass this Faith and the knowledge of this Faith on to the next generation. From today's First Reading: ‘But take care what you do and be on your guard. Do not forget the things your eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart all the days of your life; rather, tell them to your children and to your children’s children.’ Deuteronomy 4:9.
11) Catholic identity includes converting the world. We are a missionary Church. We have been commanded by Christ Himself to teach, baptizing all nations in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. No options here.
12) And, there are more, but this is the last one for today--We are also called to community life, to love one another in Christ, to create real communities. This is part of Catholic identity. However, we are not socialists, as shown on this blog so many times-the Church has condemned this over and over again for the past 150 years. Community is not the same as socialism.
13) A Catholic keeps all the Commandments: again, from today's Gospel.
| Matthew 5:17-19 |
|---|
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’
On Catholic Identity Again
I have written about the need for Catholics to reclaim the essence of Catholic identity before. Here is a summary, as I am aware of the nonsense on line and in conversations, which reveals a Protestant mind-set.
1) Anti-intellectualism is NOT Catholic. We have a long tradition of intellectual discussion, as seen in the perfection series on this blog, which covers only a tiny bit of the vast writings of the Doctors of the Church. The Catholic Church, and especially our Pope Emeritus Benedict, have always stressed the need to be rational and enter into rational discourse. Discussion and learning are part and parcel of a Catholic identity.
Those who are anti-intellectual by choice reveal a lack of a Catholic mind-set. We are not a religion based on experience of Christ alone, but on the long history of Tradition and the Revelation of the Old and New Testaments, which we, as adults, must study.
If you are a person who does not want to study your Faith, go be a low Church Protestant and rely on outward manifestations only. This is not the Catholic way.
2) Catholics are basically sacramental in theology and piety. This means that our lay lives revolve around the reception frequently of Confession and Holy Communion. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, obviously, is connected to the love of the Sacrament. If we are not basically sacramental, and this may also include the Liturgy of the Hours, which is connected to the Liturgical Year, then we do not have the mind of a Catholic.
Those who busy themselves with other types of activities may be ignoring the life of the sacraments, which is sanctifying grace. Remember, one cannot get sanctifying grace outside the sacraments, unless God chooses to work in an unusual manner. The sacramental life of the Church was established by God, by Christ, while on earth. Actual grace, yes.
3) Love of the clergy and hierarchy are signs of a Catholic mindset. If one finds one's self not honoring God's priests, bishops, cardinals, and those in the religious life, that may betray a non-Catholic mind set.
4) The pursuit of perfection is a sign of a Catholic identity. Why? One of the results of the Protestant Revolt was the dumbing down of the pursuit of holiness. Lutheran-ism stressed that God merely did not see our sins because of the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, not that these were actually taken away. Confession was abolished as well as the Mass, eliminating the two main ways to perfection-repentance and the Real Presence. Holiness became connected to success in the world, the supposed sign of election.
The interior life suffered for the sake of the pursuit of the exterior life. This is not Catholic thinking.
5) Obedience as a main virtue is the mark of a Catholic identity. A person who constantly questions and challenges the teachings of the Church and does not abide by these, that is, a person living in mortal sin, indicates a false belief in the fundamental option. We are NOT once saved, always saved.
We work out our salvation in fear and trembling.
To be continued...as there is more on the Catholic mind-set or way of thinking.
from Vatican Radio Site
On Wednesday there were 18 interventions from different cardinals representing the Church in different parts of the world, for a total of 51 thus far. Due to the large number of people wishing to speak a time frame of 5 minutes was established for each intervention.
The order of interventions, noted Fr. Lombardi, is not selected according to geographical origins or precedence. The main themes discussed were: the Church in the world, needs of New Evangelization, the Holy See, the different dicasteries of the Roman Curia; relations with local churches and bishops, what’s beginning to emerge, the Vatican spokesman noted "is the profile for the future Pope".
Fr. Lombardi noted the variety of the interventions, from organizational questions pertaining to the Holy See to local issues of pastoral action. He also added that the cardinals have decided to meet both morning and afternoon, holding two congregation sessions and with a smile, he reiterated that no date has yet been set for Conclave.
http://en.radiovaticana.va/articolo.asp?c=670821
The order of interventions, noted Fr. Lombardi, is not selected according to geographical origins or precedence. The main themes discussed were: the Church in the world, needs of New Evangelization, the Holy See, the different dicasteries of the Roman Curia; relations with local churches and bishops, what’s beginning to emerge, the Vatican spokesman noted "is the profile for the future Pope".
Fr. Lombardi noted the variety of the interventions, from organizational questions pertaining to the Holy See to local issues of pastoral action. He also added that the cardinals have decided to meet both morning and afternoon, holding two congregation sessions and with a smile, he reiterated that no date has yet been set for Conclave.
http://en.radiovaticana.va/articolo.asp?c=670821
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