Archive for the ‘catholic’ Category

Good Choice

Posted: February 2, 2009 by datechguy in catholic
Tags:

Boston has a really good Cardinal in Sean O’Malley. Damian Thompson recommends him for his comments on the St. Pius X society but he really shines on his blog over the Right to life march:

Last week, the March for Life was a great success. The numbers of people who participated — particularly the number of young people — and the enthusiasm of the people for the cause was very encouraging. However, it is disturbing to see that the secular press, for the most part, chose to ignore a gathering of this proportion.

This week someone shared an article with me written by Don Feder, whom many of you will remember as a long-time Boston Herald columnist. In the article, he expresses dismay that the March for Life did not even receive a mention in the New York Times. He makes a strong point when he says that, had the cause been one that the liberal media was in favor of, even if there were just a few people there, it would be given prominence of place.

Sadly, the pro-life cause frequently receives this sort of unfair treatment. The media often seem to prefer to ignore the fact that huge numbers of Americans are dismayed at the lack of legal protection for human life in our country and are willing to express that in a public demonstration. This is certainly indicative of what a lacuna there is in our national media when it comes to the pro-life cause.

Indirect proof?

They’re just on the other side

Posted: January 30, 2009 by datechguy in catholic, opinion/news
Tags: , ,

Pat Dollard express’ outrage and some disbelief at vandalism and disrespect for religion and free speech rights by the “tolerant” left.

The College Republicans were in possession of a number of crucifixes used in a University-sanctioned Right To Life display. When the display was taken down, they were stored in the College Repulicans’ side of their shared but divided office space with the College Democrats. When the last College Republican members left the offices this last Friday, January 23, the crucifixes were safely stored on their side of the suite.

This Monday afternoon, January 27, when the first College Republicans to re-enter the offices did so, they discovered some of the horrifically desecrated crucifixes, stolen from the private property confines of their storage containers, and proudly displayed on the College Democrats’ bulletin board, and other areas, including a bowl, laid out as if they were candy for any member of the public who visited the office to take home and enjoy. One crucifix featured the College Democrats’ version of Christ: a large penis with an actual condom pulled over the top, in lieu of His crown of thorns.

Via The other McCain.

In one respect the college has to be called on this to enforce their own rules and the laws of the community. If you don’t demand your rights they will not be forthcoming.

On the other hand this has to be expected. No Christian worth his salt should be surprised at anything like this, remember these words:

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin; but as it is they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me also hates my Father. John 15:18-23

A Christian in general and a Catholic in particular needs to know and expect this kind of thing. It’s part of the job description. The Church will always have enemies because it is on one of two sides and the enemy will always have servants and or dupes willing to help.

Big BIG news in religion

Posted: January 29, 2009 by datechguy in catholic
Tags: , ,

If you have been following events in the Anglican communion as I have you would know that as western branches of the church have embraced non-biblical teachings. (Hello bishop Gene Robinson) or deferring to Islam (hi Rowan Williams) have shrunk while African churches that have held to scripture have thrived.

Well the successor’s of Henry VIII have created an opening and Pope Benedict is driving a truck right through it:

The Pope is preparing to offer the Traditonal Anglican Communion, a group of half a million dissident Anglicans, its own personal prelature by Rome, according to reports this morning.

“History may be in the making”, reports The Record. “It appears Rome is on the brink of welcoming close to half a million members of the Traditional Anglican Communion into membership of the Roman Catholic Church. Such a move would be the most historic development in Anglican-Catholic relations in the last 500 years. But it may also be a prelude to a much greater influx of Anglicans waiting on the sidelines, pushed too far by the controversy surrounding the consecration of practising homosexual bishops, women clergy and a host of other issues.”

Would they keep their structures? Yes:

If the Pope agrees, the TAC, which has a large number of married bishops and priests, would answer to the Pope but keep their existing structure, clergy and some elements of Anglican identity.

This has been in the works for some time. Damian Thompson makes a prediction:

My guess is that, if this happens, Anglo-Catholics in the C of E will move to Rome in unprecedented numbers under a similar arrangement.

I guess all those who said the Catholic Church was doomed because they didn’t change like protestants had it backwards. A society that expects instant gratification not a place to go for advice when you are a church that takes a view over centuries. That’s why Christ built it on a rock that still stands strong.

Pope Benedict Crazy like a fox

Posted: January 28, 2009 by datechguy in catholic
Tags: ,

Told ya:

Statement of His Excellency Bernard Fellay, Superior of the Fraternity of St. Pius X

We have become aware of an interview released by Bishop Richard Williamson, a member of our Fraternity of St. Pius X, to Swedish television. In this interview, he expressed himself on historical questions, and in particular on the question of the genocide against the Jews carried out by the Nazis.

It’s clear that a Catholic bishop cannot speak with ecclesiastical authority except on questions that regard faith and morals. Our Fraternity does not claim any authority on other matters. Its mission is the propagation and restoration of authentic Catholic doctrine, expressed in the dogmas of the faith. It’s for this reason that we are known, accepted and respected in the entire world.

It’s with great sadness that we recognize the extent to which the violation of this mandate has done damage to our mission. The affirmations of Bishop Williamson do not reflect in any sense the position of our Fraternity. For this reason I have prohibited him, pending any new orders, from taking any public positions on political or historical questions.

We ask the forgiveness of the Supreme Pontiff, and of all people of good will, for the dramatic consequences of this act. Because we recognize how ill-advised these declarations were, we can only look with sadness at the way in which they have directly struck our Fraternity, discrediting its mission.

This is something we cannot accept, and we declare that we will continue to preach Catholic doctrine and to administer the sacraments of grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Menzingen, January 27, 2009

Exactly as predicted. Who wants to be on the society putting out such a statement if the excommunications weren’t lifted? anyone? Bueller, Bueller?

Damian Thompson comments:

The arrogant group took its time, I must say, but by punishing and disgracing Williamson it has helped clear the path for eventual reconciliation with Rome. Let’s hope that this nasty old man now takes himself off to the SSPV or some other loony sect. He can be their Pope (or Führer, if he prefers).

I’ve gotta blogroll this guy. One disagreement with his article I suspect the Pope anticipated this result and if he didn’t the Holy Spirit did. Via LGF.

Update: Well this is going to win a lot of friends in the Catholic community. Perfect timing too right after the Society’s move and the Vatican statements.

Well at least Obama will be behind them 100% and if nothing else it will guarantee Israel good press for at least 30 seconds, maybe longer!

Update 2: Catholic and Enjoying says he didn’t know that Bishop Lefebvre’s dad died in a concentration camp. Neither did I.

Older Entries
Newer Entries