Indeed! Pray for the Ambassador. She bowed out with dignity and respect. She was able to understand the USCCB's Catholics in Political Life with all the simplicity intended. It always scares me when highly educated people complicate simple things. It's a loop-hole mentality that Christ never taught. Something doesn't fit their ideals or desires so they look for a way around it. It's actually not the innocent childlike behavior expected by Christ, but childish.Mary Ann Glendon brings good out of evil
I see Dr. Mary Ann Glendon's refusal to provide cover for Notre Dame's inexcusable conferral of honors on a prominent pro-abortion politician as an application of Canon 209.1 "The Christian faithful, even in their own manner of acting, are always obliged to maintain communion with the Church", or of Canon 225.2 "According to each one's own condition, [laity] are also bound by a particular duty to imbue and perfect the order of temporal affairs with the spirit of the gospel and thus to give witness to Christ, especially in carrying out these same affairs and in exercising secular functions.
"The evil that ND President Jenkins and his Board of Trustees committed has, Deus laudetur, occasioned one of the most striking displays of episcopal fortitude I can remember, mobilized hundreds of thousands of American Catholics against another quiet surrender to the Culture of Death, and effected notice to several once great Catholic institutions that it's time, finally, to decide where they stand.
I say, God bless Ambassador Glendon.
I will soon be updating my bishops list of those who have spoken out on this matter. The number is now at 47, with the addition today of Archbishop Joseph Naumann. The Papist, Tom Peters has the same running list.
It is refreshing to see so many bishops standing up for the faith. Some are concerned with those who have not written. I say, focus on those who have said something and offer some thanksgiving. For all of our bishops, pray. May God grace them with holy boldness.
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
"My friend Mr. John L. Allen, Jr., the nearly
ubiquitous fair-minded columnist for the ultra-lefty NCR..."
In that spirit, devotees of papal pronouncements – not just the high-profile examples, but the Pope’s routine teaching during his Wednesday General Audiences, his Sunday addresses, and so on – say that if you close your eyes when Benedict is on stage, and forget who’s speaking, you could easily believe you’re listening to one of the great Fathers of the Church, such as Ignatius of Antioch, John Chrysostom, or Augustine of Hippo. Benedict’s material is almost always inspiring, spiritually rich, and rhetorically well-crafted, leading some analysts to declare him one of the greatest “teaching popes” in Church history.
Very well put, and true.
In his article, John Allen explores the perception, that Pope Benedict is a bungler. I call it a perception, because that is precisely what it is. John Allen rightly points to the lack of 21st century PR on the part of the Holy See's communications department. After listing a number of recent debacles attributed to the Pope, Allen writes:
The truly stunning dimension is that in virtually every case, there was a positive way to view what Benedict said or did; and in virtually every case, the Vatican didn’t even bother trying to present things that way until after the fact. (For example, readmitting the Holocaust-denying bishop was intended to entice him to renounce his views, not to endorse them. The Vatican waited until almost a week after the announcement, however, to explain this point.)
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.....He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.Christ is not just yesterday. He is yesterday, today, and tomorrow and we are warned not to follow all sorts of strange teachings (Hebrews 13: 8-9). Much of the world is clouded with practices which counter the Gospel. That is why, as Christians, we are called to be counter-cultural. It was an opinion poll which put our Lord on the Cross. Is Christ not among his own today? Do they receive him? Look at the many Catholics in the media who have the same quick access to the Holy Father's words in their entirety, yet misunderstandings and distortions abound in their writings. If the world could not comprehend the light of Christ while Our Lord walked the earth, how can we expect it to be comprehended today, as it is passed on through the Vicar of Christ, Pope Benedict XVI?
For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places
"Significant questions remain about Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' evolving relationship with a late-term abortion doctor as well as about her position on the practice of late-term abortions," said Steele in a press release today. "The Senate should not vote, nor should Gov. Sebelius be confirmed, until these questions are answered fully and completely."
Steele pointed out that Gov. Sebelius "has not been forthcoming" about her financial relationship with Kansas late-term abortionist George Tiller.
"She [Sebelius] admitted the full extent of the political contributions she received from Dr. Tiller only after press reports contradicted her previous financial statements," Steele pointed out.
The GOP Chairman also challenged Sebelius to publicly reveal her position on "the extremist and heinous practice of late-term abortions."
"The vast majority of Americans do not support the concept of late-term abortions," said Steele. "They deserve to know whether President Obama's choice to be the nation's top health official supports these indefensible procedures."
Steele said that until Gov. Sebelius provides "clear and complete answers to these questions," the Senate should not vote on her confirmation.
If Sebelius and the Obama administration refuse to give answers, he concluded, "President Obama should withdraw her nomination."
- Bishop John D’Arcy, Fort Wayne-South Bend
- Cardinal Francis George, Chicago
- Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Galveston-Houston
- Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Milwaukee (--> NYC)
- Archbishop John Nienstedt, St. Paul-Minneapolis
- Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, Oklahoma City
- Bishop Edward Slattery, Tulsa
- Archbishop John Myers, Newark
- Archbishop Alfred Hughs, New Orleans
- Bishop Joseph Martino, Scranton
- and Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty, Scranton
- Bishop Thomas Doran, Rockford, Ill.
- Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Phoenix
- Bishop Gregory Aymond, Austin
- Bishop Robert Lynch, St. Petersburg
- Bishop R. Walker Nickless, Sioux City
- Bishop Kevin Rhoades, Harrisburg, Pa.
- Bishop William E. Lori, Bridgeport, CT
- Bishop Robert Morlino, Madison WI
- Bishop George Murry, S.J., Youngstown, OH
- Bishop William Higi, Lafayette, IN
- Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock, AR
- Archbishop Jose Gomez, San Antonio, TX
- and Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantu
- Bishiop Jerome Listecki, La Crosse, WI
- Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, Baltimore MD
- Bishop Alex Sample, Marquette MI
- Archbishop Daniel Buechlein, Indianapolis
- Bishop Robert Baker, Birmingham AL
- Bishop Samuel Aquila, Fargo ND
- Bishop Gerald Barbarito, Palm Beach FL
- Bishop Fabian Brukeswitz, Lincoln NE
- Bishop Richard Stika, Knoxville TN
- Bishop Robert Finn, Kansas City
- Bishop Joseph Latino, Jackson MS
- Bishop Leonard Blair, Toledo OH
- Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger, Evansville IN
- Bishop George Lucas, Springfield IL
- Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk, Cincinnati OH
- Bishop Thomas Wenski, Orlando FL
- Bishop Robert Vasa, Baker OR
- Bishop Paul Coakley, Salina KS
- Bishop John Le Voir, New Ulm MN
- Bishop Victor Galeone, St. Augustine FL
- Bishop David Zubik, Pittsburgh PA
- Bishop Paul Loverde, Arlington VA
873. The very differences which the Lord has willed to put between the members of his body serve its unity and mission. For "in the Church there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission. To the apostles and their successors Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and governing in his name and by his power.
Statement to the faithful
April 21, 2009
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Recently, Father John Jenkins, CSC, in a letter of response to Bishop Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix, who had written him, critical of the decision to invite President Obama to speak and receive an honorary degree of law at Notre Dame, indicated that it was his conviction that the statement “Catholics in Political Life” (USCCB) did not apply in this matter. Father Jenkins kindly sent me a copy of his letter, and also at a later meeting, asked for a response.
In an April 15th letter to Father Jenkins, I responded to his letter.
Now the points made in his letter have been sent by Father Jenkins to the members of the Notre Dame Board of Trustees and have been publicized nationally, as well as locally in the South Bend Tribune. Since the matter is now public, it is my duty as the bishop of this diocese to respond and correct. I take up this responsibility with some sadness, but also with the conviction that if I did not do so, I would be remiss in my pastoral responsibility.
Rather than share my full letter, which I have shared with some in church leadership [hmmm....at the Holy See, or here in the US???], I prefer to present some of the key points.
1. The meaning of the sentence in the USCCB document relative to Catholic institutions is clear. It places the responsibility on those institutions, and indeed, on the Catholic community itself.
“The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” — “Catholics in Political Life,” USCCB. [remember, Fr. Jenkins argued this paragraph in Catholics in Political Life did not apply to non-Catholics like Obama. Note that the word "those" emboldened does not limit application to Catholics, but is aimed at "those who act in defiance...."]
2. When there is a doubt concerning the meaning of a document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, where does one find the authentic interpretation? [Thank you!] A fundamental, canonical and theological principal states that it is found in the local bishop, who is the teacher and lawgiver in his diocese. — Canon 330, 375 §§ 1 & 2; 380; 381 § 1; 391 § 1; 392, & 394 §1.3. I informed Father Jenkins that if there was any genuine questions or doubt about the meaning of the relevant sentence in the conference’s document, any competent canonist with knowledge of the tradition and love for Christ’s church had the responsibility to inform Father Jenkins of the fundamental principle that the diocesan bishop alone bears the responsibility to provide an authoritative interpretation.
4. I reminded Father Jenkins that he indicated that he consulted presidents of other Catholic universities , and at least indirectly, consulted other bishops, since he asked those presidents to share with him those judgments of their own bishops. However, he chose not to consult his own bishop who, as I made clear, is the teacher and lawgiver in his own diocese [he called it out good here]. I reminded Father Jenkins that I was not informed of the invitation until after it was accepted by the president. I mentioned again that it is at the heart of the diocesan bishop’s pastoral responsibility to teach as revealed in sacred Scripture and the tradition. (“Lumen Gentium,” 20; and “Christus Dominus,” 2.) I reminded him that it is also central to the university’s relationship to the church. (“Ex corde ecclesiae,” 27 & 28; Gen. Norm., Art. 5, §§ 1-3.)5. Another key point. In his letter to Bishop Olmsted and in the widespread publicity, which has taken place as the points in the letter have been made public, Father Jenkins declared the invitation to President Obama does not “suggest support” for his actions, because he has expressed and continues to express disagreement with him on issues surrounding protection of life. I wrote that the outpouring of hundreds of thousands who are shocked by the invitation clearly demonstrates, that this invitation has, in fact, scandalized many Catholics and other people of goodwill. In my office alone, there have been over 3,300 messages of shock, dismay and outrage, and they are still coming in. It seems that the action in itself speaks so loudly that people have not been able to hear the words of Father Jenkins, and indeed, the action has suggested approval to many.
In the publicity surrounding the points Father Jenkins has made, he also says he is “following the document of the bishops” by “laying a basis for engagement with the president on this issue.” I indicated that I, like many others, will await to see what the follow up is on this issue between Notre Dame and President Obama [oh, boy!].
6. As I have said in a recent interview and which I have said to Father Jenkins, it would be one thing to bring the president here for a discussion on healthcare or immigration, and no person of goodwill could rightly oppose this. We have here, however, the granting of an honorary degree of law to someone whose activities both as president and previously, have been altogether supportive of laws against the dignity of the human person yet to be born.
In my letter, I have also asked Father Jenkins to correct, and if possible, withdraw the erroneous talking points, which appeared in the South Bend Tribune and in other media outlets across the country. The statements which Father Jenkins has made are simply wrong and give a flawed justification for his actions.
I consider it now settled — that the USCCB document, “Catholics in Public Life,” does indeed apply in this matter. [The Bishop of the diocese has spoken, definitively - end of discussion!]
The failure to consult the local bishop who, whatever his unworthiness, is the teacher and lawgiver in the diocese, is a serious mistake [do you get the impression that Fr. Jenkins is halfway to the ecclesiastical woodshed?] Proper consultation could have prevented an action, which has caused such painful division between Notre Dame and many bishops — and a large number of the faithful. [great way to put it and spot on!]
That division must be addressed through prayer and action, and I pledge to work with Father Jenkins and all at Notre Dame to heal the terrible breach, which has taken place between Notre Dame and the church. It cannot be allowed to continue.I ask all to pray that this healing will take place in a way that is substantial and true, and not illusory. Notre Dame and Father Jenkins must do their part if this healing is to take place. I will do my part.
Sincerely yours in our Lord,
Most Reverend
John M. D’Arcy
South Bend, IN (LifeNews.com) -- The Catholic bishop who oversees the part of Indiana that includes Notre Dame University says he is fine with non-violent demonstrations in opposition to the college's decision to allow pro-abortion President Barack Obama to give commencement and receive an honorary degree.
Bishop John M. D’Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend has already made his own plans clear to boycott the graduation ceremonies because of Obama's participation.
Now, in comments to the Catholic News Service, his spokesman, Vince LaBarbera, says Bishop D'Arcy is fine with positive expressions of disagreement, but he doesn't want those who oppose the decision to join with those who are harshly attacking the president or Notre Dame.
More than a dozen pro-life student groups have formed an ad hoc coalition called ND Response and several alumni groups are coordinating their own efforts targeted at removing Jenkins or withholding donations to the college.
Those appear to be the effects D'Arcy says are worthy of support -- not protests led by outside groups or people.
The coalition has posted a message from Bishop D’Arcy on its web site saying he is supportive of the coalition’s efforts “or any other prayerful and dignified demonstrations by Notre Dame students.”
As Catholics we are aware of the many shortcomings and transgressions committed against the dignity and sacredness of human life in our world. That is why it is inconceivable that the University of Notre Dame, a Catholic institution of higher learning, should receive and honor anyone who promotes policies that are contradictory to who we are as a people of faith.
As our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI stated in his visit to the U.S. last year in reference to Catholic university presidents, "to justify positions that contradict the faith and teaching of the church would obstruct or even betray the university's identity and mission."
Mass of Reparation
May 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Cathedral of St. James
215 N. Orange Avenue
Downtown Orlando
Come and pray with Bishop Wenski for all of our transgressions against the Gospel of Life.
Reparation is the making amends for a wrong done or for an offense against God. By his death on the cross, the Son of God offered his life out of love for the Father to make reparation for our sinful disobedience (CCC #614).
We are obliged to make reparation for personal sins against justice and truth (CCC #2412 and #2487).
I was going to compile this list, but Catherine Harmon at Catholic World Report did it first. Here it is:Links and recent headlines:Bishops’ statements on Notre Dame’s invitation to Barack Obama (my additions in bold)
- Bishop John D’Arcy, Fort Wayne-South Bend
- Cardinal Francis George, Chicago
- Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Galveston-Houston
- Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Milwaukee (--> NYC)
- Archbishop John Nienstedt, St. Paul-Minneapolis
- Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, Oklahoma City
- Bishop Edward Slattery, Tulsa
- Archbishop John Myers, Newark
- Archbishop Alfred Hughs, New Orleans
- Bishop Joseph Martino, Scranton
- and Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty, Scranton
- Bishop Thomas Doran, Rockford, Ill.
- Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Phoenix
- Bishop Gregory Aymond, Austin
- Bishop Robert Lynch, St. Petersburg
- Bishop R. Walker Nickless, Sioux City
- Bishop Kevin Rhoades, Harrisburg, Pa.
- Bishop William E. Lori, Bridgeport, CT
- Bishop Robert Morlino, Madison WI
- Bishop George Murry, S.J., Youngstown, OH
- Bishop William Higi, Lafayette, IN
- Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock, AR
- Archbishop Jose Gomez, San Antonio, TX
- and Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantu
- Bishiop Jerome Listecki, La Crosse, WI
- Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, Baltimore MD
- Bishop Alex Sample, Marquette MI
- Archbishop Daniel Buechlein, Indianapolis
- Bishop Robert Baker, Birmingham AL
- Bishop Samuel Aquila, Fargo ND
- Bishop Gerald Barbarito, Palm Beach FL
- Bishop Fabian Brukeswitz, Lincoln NE
- Bishop Richard Stika, Knoxville TN
- Bishop Robert Finn, Kansas City
- Bishop Joseph Latino, Jackson MS
- Bishop Leonard Blair, Toledo OH
- Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger, Evansville IN
- Bishop George Lucas, Springfield IL
- Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk, Cincinnati OH
- Bishop Thomas Wenski, Orlando FL
- Bishop Robert Vasa, Baker OR
- Bishop Paul Coakley, Salina KS
The wait is finally over for St. Louis. There has been much anticipation in the Catholic blogosphere since Archbishop Timothy Dolan's appointment to New York, that the St. Louis vacancy would be filled any day.At noon today in Rome (5 a.m. CDT), the Press Office of the Holy See announced that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has appointed The Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw, as Archbishop of St. Louis. He will serve as the 10th bishop and ninth Archbishop of St. Louis.
Bishop Robert J. Hermann, Archdiocesan Administrator for St. Louis, called Archbishop-elect Carlson “a very energetic, articulate, warm and gifted pastor and administrator. He thinks and works with the Church he loves, and will continue to build upon the legacy of his predecessors here in St. Louis.”
Archbishop–elect Carlson was installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw on February 24, 2005 at the direction of Pope John Paul II. A native of Minneapolis, MN, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1970 for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He was later ordained as an auxiliary bishop for his home archdiocese on January 11, 1984 and went on to serve as Bishop of Sioux Falls, SD, from 1994 to 2005.
When I came to this diocese in early 2005, we had no one entering the seminary. Now we have 16 seminarians and I hope to have 20 in the fall. I decided I needed to be the Vocations Director. I think letting the young men know that the Bishop thinks their job is important says something. However, I don’t want you to think I took just anyone. I had to say no to some young men who were interested. The key is knowing what God is calling you to do.
Follow the day's events:
-10:30 am: Watch the press conference online.
-View pictures of the Archbishop-elect, as he visits various locations in the Archdiocese.
-Follow the Archdiocese on Twitter for up-to-the-minute postings.
Click the pic to enlarge for details and map
The first prayer vigil of 2009 by Helpers of God's Precious Infants will be be on April 25th at St. Edmund's in Warren. Msgr. Robert McClory, Moderatorof the Curia for the Archdiocese of Detroit, will be the main celebrant for the Mass which starts at 7:30am.
Following Mass, the group will meet at St. Veronica's in Eastpointe where a peaceful, prayerful procession to two abortion clinics a few blocks away on 8 Mile Rd will take place. All 20 mysteries of the Rosary are prayed between the procession to, at, and from the abortion clinics.
Our protestant brothers and sisters, and others who value life are welcome. You can just join us in silent prayer as we process. However, if you look closely at the Rosary - often misunderstood by protestants - it is scriptural (look closely at the first joyful mystery as an example).
People may then return to Assumption Grotto about 1.5 miles from St. Veronica's where Benediction will take place and a brief followup meeting with refreshments will take place.
More about Helpers of God's Precious Infants
While large prayer vigils with up to 300 people take place four times yearly, the work of the Helpers is nearly a daily task for sidewalk counselors, and a 24/7 task for it's prayer warriors. Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Rosary are core components of prayer. Each vigil is led by a bishop or monsignor of the Archdiocese of Detroit, with periodic visitors. Msgr Philip Reilly - the founder - also makes it a point to try to get around to the various chapters in the world. He has visited Detroit and we hope to be blessed with yet another visit.
Helpers of God's Precious Infants is an apostolate which uses gentle and caring methods to counsel young women and their partners into giving life as they go to abortion clinics. It is not a protest. It is rooted firmly in prayer not only for those seeking abortion, but for their families, the doctors, nurses and administrators of the clinics. They are very successful in their work, with men and women who chose to turn away from abortion coming back to thank them for the child that entered their lives by saying "yes" to life. They can share stories of these people coming back to the clinic just to show them the baby they saved through their love-filled efforts.
Skilled sidewalk counselors are there guiding them the men and women to resources that will aid them in many ways through the pregnancy, and after, as opposed to simply trying to stop the abortion alone.
The Helper's counselors do not scorn those who have gone into the clinics to have abortions in spite of their efforts. They offer them continuing prayers and post-abortive materials, knowing about the emotional and spiritual scars suffered by them later. The Silent-no-More Awareness Campaign - a large group of post-abortive women - gives witness to these painful facts.
Many young women are forced or coerced into killing their unborn babies by parents, boyfriends, and others - some of whom threaten violence against the women if they do not go through with the abortion. Hence, it is often not they who make the choice, but someone else who is making it for them. We must keep them all in our prayers.
Others are led into abortion by ignorance, with the belief that what is being removed from them is part of their own body - a piece of tissue, rather than an individual human life with it's own genetic code. As Catholics, we believe that God gives a person their soul at the moment of conception. This ensouled human being was created by God Who desires very much that she be brought into the world to be baptized and give glory to He Whom authored her life.
The Helper's of God's Precious Infants are in front of certain abortion mills during all hours of operation. They are always in need of people willing to be trained as counselors. You may only need to give one hour or two hours per week. They are also looking for people to serve as prayer warriors.
Further, there are many abortion clinics in Michigan and The Helpers of God's Precious Infants of Michigan mainly covers the two clinics on 8 Mile Rd (one in Detroit and the other in Eastepointe). The Helpers work throughout the week in front of these clinics, but hold prayer vigils about 4 times yearly, some of which are at other clinics in metro Detroit. There are many more clinics and too few people to cover them all. If you want to start a group for another clinic in the area, associated with The Helpers of God's Precious Infants of Michigan please contact Dan Goodnow, the President (Tel: 313-530-4539), to learn how.
To see extensive coverage in photos, click on the HGPI-Michigan label at the blog, Te Deum Laudamus! and scroll there through the many photo posts.
To see a video of Msgr. Reilly explaining the Helpers of God's Precious Infants, their mode and methods, follow this link: Founder of Helpers, Msgr. Reilly on Gloria TV
You can read more about the nature of their work on this page of the Brooklyn, NY site.EDIT: Dan Goodnow was interviewed on Teresa Tomeo's Catholic Connection on Ave Maria Radio on April 9th. You can hear the recording here.
ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced that yesterday evening it filed a federal lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The lawsuit claims that her Department’s “Rightwing Extremism Policy,” as reflected in the recently publicized Intelligence Assessment, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,” violates the civil liberties of combat veterans as well as American citizens by targeting them for disfavored treatment on account of their political beliefs.
Napolitano tried to blunt the public furor over the Report by a half-hearted apology to veterans, but she left out of her apology all of the other Americans her Department has targeted because of their political beliefs. In fact, officials in DHS now admit that their internal office of civil liberties objected to the language in the extremism report, but the Department issued it anyway.
What interests me here is this: If this president speaks at a Jewish Synagogue, or a Baptist church, or the Crystal Cathedral, or the Muslim Mosque on Massachusetts Avenue, the Ravens Stadium, the George Washington University, the headquarters of Planned Parenthood, or the hall of the local Atheist Society, will the same policy be followed? Will all signs of what the place actually is and stands for be covered over? If so, it represents equitable treatment, but is it wise? Is the president never to appear in any venue with obvious particular commitments, and why choose religious and not secular signs? Should, say, a university seal be exempted, but a crucifix not?In other words, it's ok to discriminate against a class of people if they are Catholic. I have to admit, I was deeply hurt to learn about this - not just that the White House would ask for such a thing, but that Georgetown actually complied with it.
Will presidents be able to appear anywhere outside government buildings if the rules are really equally applied to both religious and secular? And this raises a real question: Is it American? George Washington once talked before our New North Hall, so did President Clinton. I guess a porch does not need much cover-up. But is the American understanding of state and religion designed to hide any religious or cultural sign whatsoever? If a president is buried at a local church, as President Woodrow Wilson is, must the funeral be covered over so that no signs of a church are seen?
This country does not hide its religious presence. If a president does not want to speak in a given place, fine. Don’t ask. But if he does, it should not be on condition of the place’s ceasing to present what it historically is. Much ink has been spilt on the churches that the president went to in his earlier life, likewise much controversy on whether he "bowed" to a Saudi prince. [I added this link which was not in the original]
Cardinal Levada came to his decision while in communication with Cardinal Franc Rode, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
Bishop Leonard P. Blair of Toledo, Ohio - a native metro-Detroiter, and a member of the USCCB's Committee on Doctrine, will conduct the assessment. (N.B.: Our own Abp Allen Vigneron is also a member of the Committee on Doctrine)
For those who may not be familiar with the subject, there are two councils that I am aware of for women religious in the US (at least two with significant numbers). One is the Leadership Conference for Women Religious, which is the larger of the two (and shrinking rapidly with a high average age). The other is the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious which has fewer communities, but is seeing a steady increase and, in some of them, explosive growth. The LCWR has been around since 1956. The CMSWR is a canonically approved organization founded in 1992 whose members are committed to orthodoxy and follow a more traditional form of religious life (some moreso than others). One only needs to click around the two sites to see the difference (I almost missed it, but to see the site menu at CMSWR you need to put your cursor over the blue, vertical bar on the left that moves up and down as you scroll).
A younger generation is rejecting communities that have lost their way when it comes to Catholicism. This is evident by contrasting the average age, and the number of new candidates. New age practices have permeated some of them and they have abandoned the basics. Thankfully, the CDF has turned it's attention to this conference for the good of the Church.
For those of us who have followed their "activities and initiatives" online, this doctrinal assessment of the LCWR is long over due. On this point, I'm going recommend you read an entry by Jack Smith of the Catholic Key - the blog of Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph: Why the LCWR is being investigated.
Further reading:
The most popular picture, thus far, of Archbishop Timothy Dolan, taken at Vespers last night on the eve of his installation in New York (Reuters).Now, on to some other news...
Other:
I have also started a series called, Extraordinary Form Mass Notes, with my first topic below. These will come periodically as I find time to write them.
Some things which were merely intended to have a more practical or mechanical purpose have taken on spiritual dimensions over time, like the maniple worn over the left arm of the priest during Masses (1962 Missal). This ornamental vestment first seen in Rome around the early sixth century is thought to have originally been for the wiping of persperation, but later took on an interesting symbolism: The bonds which held the hands of the Savior.(1) The subject of the maniple alone is worthy of it's own post. However, I merely raise this point here to show how something can have one purpose, then evolve into another with spiritual richness that may yield much upon which to contemplate."...The ritual kisses of objects and of the celebrant's hand which are merely acts of liturgical politeness that accompany handling or receiving of the biretta, the aspergil, or the incense boat are omitted; but those that form an intrinsic part of the solemnity of the rite of solemn Mass are not omittted. Hence, the subdeacon after chanting the Epistle, and the deacon after receiving the blessing before the Gospel, do not omit the kissing of the celebrant's hand; nor does the deacon omit the kissing of the chalice, the paten, and the celebrant's hand, at the Offertory and at the Libera..."
...he [St. Francis] would never criticize the priests and bishops—even the most lazy and immoral ones—nor would he allow his friars to do so. (As a result, the Franciscans were always welcome just about everywhere they went.)
Once a Waldensian challenged Francis on his unshakeable reverence for priests, by pointing out the local pastor who was living in sin. “Must we believe in his teaching and respect the sacraments he performs?”
In response, Francis went to the priest’s home and knelt before him saying, “I don’t know whether these hands are stained as the other man says they are. [But] I do know that even if they are, that in no way lessens the power and effectiveness of the sacraments of God… That is why I kiss these hands out of respect for what they perform and out of respect for Him who gave His authority to them.” His challenger left in silence.
Pray for priests!
This most stunning picture was captured at the Easter Vigil in 2006 when Mass as in the Ordinary Form. I was unable to match or beat this scene in subsequent years. What made it so beautiful is that I was focused on the bearer of the Paschal Candle, Fr. Eduard Perrone - the pastor. He was stationary, but the altar boys, carrying small candles, were in motion. Because it was dark, and because of the aperature I chose, the shutter stayed open in such a way as to capture a slight starburst from the Paschal Candle, while showing a line of fire behind.
Unfortunately, while the photo looks great on screen or in a small print, it is quite grainy when trying to enlarge it. In the Extraordinary Form, things are done slightly different, but there still is a procession.
Thus far for 2009, I have made the following photoposts:
Stay tuned. God willing, I will have Easter Vigil pictures, but don't expect those until sometime Monday. I will be back at the 9:30am Orchestra Mass (Extraordinary Form) (Ordinary Form) [edit: my error - this Mass is not a traditional Latin Mass, but a Latin Novus Ordo - sorry for any confusion], and then will be cooking dinner for my mother, brother and some relatives. Many people go to this Mass so it is wise to get there a good 20-30 minutes in advance. And, as with most parishes, the Easter Vigil is a long Mass - lasting around 2 hours or more. It starts at 8:00pm. Altar boys will be dressed in their traditional, white cassocks with gold shoulder capes. What I mean by traditional is that it is a custom held at Assumption Grotto going back some time that during Easter season, then again for Corpus Christi, they wear the white with gold. During Christmas season it is white with red shoulder capes.
A word of advice: If you are planning on going to the 9:30am orchestra Mass, you will want to get there early - to the tune of 30-45 minutes, in order to get a decent parking space. It is worth it! Expect the Mass to last no less than 1 hour and 40 minutes.
In addition, I want to direct your attention to some awesome pictures of Holy Thursday and Tenebrae at St. John Cantius in Chicago, where Assumption Grotto has one young man, in seminary. Please keep Brother Matthew in your prayers, as well as all parishioners discerning a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life!
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
The photo shown here are just a sampling of photos taken last year at the Mass of the Lord's Supper (click here for more).
Tonight at 7:00pm, Assumption Grotto will celebrate Holy Mass, followed by a period of adoration until midnight after the Blessed Sacrament is processed to the altar of repose. Our Lord asked the apostles to remain awake with Him as he entered his agony in the garden. Won't you watch one hour with him?
Holy Week Schedule at Assumption Grotto can be found on the Assumption Grotto website. Please note that you will need to purchase a small booklet for the Triduum if you don't have a 1962 Missal. It's possible they will be sold, while they last, in the back vestibule. It was too extensive for Assumption Grotto to undertake.
Palm Sunday 2009 at Assumption GrottoA cluster of posts related to recent press releases from Diocese of Mostar Duvno:
This is the same college that is having pro-abort journalist, Chris Matthews of MSNBC speak at commencements. (n.b., I'm going to call it....this will be an interesting one to watch given Bishop Martino's diligence in these matters).Health Center provides health services while honoring Jesuit principles
Policy encourages abstinence, provides STD screenings and sexual education
presentations
Bishops Seek Information on Student Health Services at Catholic Institutions of Higher Learning
Bishop Joseph F. Martino and Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty have asked the four Catholic institutions of higher learning in the Diocese of Scranton to provide information on their student health services to have assurance that no practice is occurring which would be in violation of Catholic teaching.
The bishops made the request in an April 1 letter to Holy Cross Father Thomas J. O’Hara, president of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre; Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Anne Munley, president of Marywood University in Scranton; Michael A. MacDowell, president of Misericordia University in Dallas; and Jesuit Father Scott R. Pilarz, president of The University of Scranton.
In their letter, the bishops explain that their inquiry is prompted by a March 25 article in the student newspaper at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia. The article describes how the university, in its words, finds the “middle ground between Church doctrine and student healthcare.”
In that article, St. Joseph’s director of student health services says that the school’s location offers enough convenience and opportunity to encourage students to purchase condoms. She describes this as a “fortunate” situation for the students. She also discusses the use of oral contraceptives.
The Catholic Church teaches that artificial contraception is not permissible.
The St. Joseph’s director states, “It’s always a fine line between staying within the values of the University, which we completely respect, and offering services to the students. We are fortunate that there are other medical centers in the area, and that there are health care providers other than us.”
Bishop Martino and Bishop Dougherty said this position indicates little respect for Catholic moral teaching. Their letter to the four area college and university presidents states:
“Will you please send to us any documents available which will indicate policies, procedures or practices authorized by (the institution) for the provision of student health services. In addition, it is especially important that the Diocese have assurance from you that no practice is occurring which would be in violation of Catholic teaching.
“We ask this accounting in accord with the norm of canon 810 §2, C.I.C. The canon notes the duty and right of concerned diocesan bishops to be vigilant that the principles of Catholic doctrines are faithfully observed in Catholic institutions of higher learning.”
The bishops extended gratitude to the presidents “In anticipation of your response as early as possible.”
Source: Diocese of Scranton press release - April 3, 2009
The four schools responded in a joint statement as Kathleen Gilbert at LSN reports:
Scranton Colleges Deny Distributing Contraceptives in Response to Bishops' InquiryUPDATE: Scripture tells us that you will know the Spirit has come to rest on you when you are persecuted.
By Kathleen Gilbert
SCRANTON, Pennsylvania, April 6, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Four Scranton-area Catholic colleges have told Bishop Joseph F. Martino and Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty that their campuses do not provide contraception, after the bishops had asked the schools to provide information on their student health services to assure that they do not practice anything in violation of Catholic teaching.
A letter dated yesterday and signed by the schools' four presidents - King's College president Fr. Thomas J. O'Hara; Marywood University president Sr. Anne Munley; Misericordia president Michael A. MacDowell; and University of Scranton president Scott R. Pilarz - told the bishops that they had "independently reviewed the concerns" aired by the bishops and that "condoms are not available on our campuses and our student health services and centers do not provide oral and other forms of contraceptives."
"We are, therefore, confident in assuring you that our health centers practice in ways that respect and do not violate Catholic teaching," states the letter.
The bishops had issued the request for student health services information in an April 1 letter, requesting "any documents available which will indicate policies, procedures or practices authorized by (the institution) for the provision of student health services," as well as "assurance from you that no practice is occurring which would be in violation of Catholic teaching."
The bishops explained that the inquiry was prompted by a March 25 article in Hawk, the student newspaper of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. The article describes how the university finds the "middle ground between Church doctrine and student healthcare."
"We're very fortunate that we're not in a very rural pocket, we're right here on City Avenue," director of student health Laura Hirst told the newspaper. "Students can just walk to Rite Aid to get condoms, so they are easily accessible if they need them."
Said Hirst: "It's always a fine line between staying within the values of the University, which we completely respect, and offering services to the students. We are fortunate that there are other medical centers in the area, and that there are health care providers other than us."
While the University has a policy against sexual activity, the Hawk article says the school's Student Health Center provides STD screenings and prescribes oral contraceptives for "medical necessities," citing debilitating menstrual cramps as an example.
Bishop Martino and Bishop Dougherty said the idea that "middle ground" must be sought between Church teaching and health services indicates little respect for Catholic moral teaching.
Bishop Martino has drawn attention in recent months for firmly enjoining Misericordia University to provide an account of their fidelity to Catholic moral teaching on sexuality, after the school invited a homosexualist speaker earlier this year
- Bishop John D’Arcy, Fort Wayne-South Bend
- Cardinal Francis George, Chicago
- Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Galveston-Houston
- Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Milwaukee (--> NYC)
- Archbishop John Nienstedt, St. Paul-Minneapolis
- Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, Oklahoma City
- Bishop Edward Slattery, Tulsa
- Archbishop John Myers, Newark
- Archbishop Alfred Hughs, New Orleans
- Bishop Joseph Martino, Scranton
- and Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty, Scranton
- Bishop Thomas Doran, Rockford, Ill.
- Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Phoenix
- Bishop Gregory Aymond, Austin
- Bishop Robert Lynch, St. Petersburg
- Bishop R. Walker Nickless, Sioux City
- (Paul Schenck, on behalf of) Bishop Kevin Rhoades, Harrisburg, Pa.
- Bishop William E. Lori, Bridgeport, CT
- Bishop Robert Morlino, Madison WI
- Bishop George Murry, S.J., Youngstown, OH
- Bishop William Higi, Lafayette, IN
- Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock, AR
- Archbishop Jose Gomez, San Antonio, TX
- and Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantu
- Bishiop Jerome Listecki, La Crosse, WI
- Bishop Alexander Sample, Marquette, MI
Photos from last year's Palm Sunday Mass in the Extraordinary Form. Click here for more Holy Week 2008 pics
SELECTED QUOTES
Bishop Thomas Doran, - Rockford, IL (strongest words yet)
I would ask that you rescind this unfortunate decision and so avoid dishonoring the practicing Catholics of the United States, including those of this Diocese. Failing that, please have the decency to change the name of the University to something like, “The Fighting Irish College” or “Northwestern Indiana Humanist University.” Though promotion of the obscene is not foreign to you, I would point out that it is truly obscene for you to take such decisions as you have done in a university named for our Blessed Lady, whom the Second Vatican Council called the Mother of the Church.
Bps Martino & Dougherty - Scranton, PA:
Through its President, His Eminence Cardinal George, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops acted swiftly and consistently to engage President Obama on human life issues. Your reported comment that “I think if he is going to reconsider his views, I think Notre Dame is the best possible place to begin that process” demeans, we believe, the intelligent urgency exercised by the nation’s bishops in this matter.Bishop Thomas Olmsted - Phoenix, AZ
Archbishop John J. Myers - Newark,NJIt is a public act of disobedience to the Bishops of the United States. Our USCCB June 2004 Statement "Catholics in Political Life" states: "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions." No one could not know of the public stands and actions of the president on key issues opposed to the most vulnerable human beings.
When we extend honors to people who do not share our respect and reverence for life in all stages, and give them a prominent stage in our parishes, schools and other institutions, we unfortunately create the perception that we endorse their public positions on these issues. We cannot justify such actions, and the Bishops have stated so clearly and strongly.Cardinal Daniel DiNardo:
I find the invitation very disappointing. Though I can understand the desire by a university to have the prestige of a commencement address by the President of the United States, the fundamental moral issue of the inestimable worth of the human person from conception to natural death is a principle that soaks all our lives as Catholics, and all our efforts at formation, especially education at Catholic places of higher learning. The President has made clear by word and deed that he will promote abortion and will remove even those limited sanctions that control this act of violence against the human person......Particularly troubling is the Honorary Law Degree since it recognizes that the person is a “Teacher,” in this case of the Law. I think that this decision requires charitable but vigorous critique.Cardinal Francis George, President USCCB
Whatever else is clear, it is clear that Notre Dame didn’t understand what it means to be Catholic when they issued this invitation,"Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, Oklahoma City, OK
"As president of the U.S. bishops’ conference I have to precisely speak for the bishops and not in my own name, as I could as Archbishop of Chicago,"
[After stating that he had corresponded with the university several times, he says:] "That conversation will continue …. whether or not it will have some kind of consequence that will bring, I think, the University of Notre Dame to its [the USCCB’s] understanding of what it means to be Catholic...That is, when you’re Catholic, everything you do changes the life of everybody else who calls himself a personal Catholic – it’s a network of relationships.
I am appalled, disappointed and scandalized! Notre Dame University has certainly turned against the Catholic Church. I believe you have a moral responsibility to withdraw the invitation to President Barack Obama to be your commencement speaker in May. I also ask that you refrain from giving him any award whatsoever.
“Notre Dame extended this invitation unilaterally, seemingly without regard for the consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is contrary to the efforts of bishops, parish priests, and laity to resist the anti-life decisions, policies, and legislation promoted by the Obama administration.”
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Medjugorje is part of the Dioceses of Mostar. In February 09 the Bishop of Mostar, Ratko Peric sent a letter to Sister Elvira the founder of Community Cenacolo, where Mirjana's has her apparitions on the second of each month.
Therefore I responsibly call upon those who claim themselves to be “seers”, as well as those persons behind the “messages”, to demonstrate ecclesiastical obedience and to cease with these public manifestations and messages in this parish. In this fashion they shall show their necessary adherence to the Church, by neither placing private “apparitions” nor private sayings before the official position of the Church. Our faith is a serious and responsible matter. The Church is also a serious and responsible institution!
The Bishop requested the apparitions at Cenacolo stop immediately. In obedience to the authority of the Bishop, Sister Elvira has no choice but to accept the Bishops orders.
It is not forced as this statement makes it sound. Rather, we are given a free will and Sister Elvira is choosing to accept the decision of Bishop with regards to alleged apparitions.
Here's where it gets dicey....
It is no secret Bishop Peric is a long time outspoken critic against the Medjugorje apparitions.
Ok - right there the bells should go off. The bishop - an apostolic successor with canonical jurisdiction over matters pastoral in his diocese is an "outspoken critic". This is where faithful Catholics need to pause and ponder whether it isn't a better investment of time to read St. Bernadette Soubirous: 1844-1879
But wait, the "reporting" gets more interesting (my comments bracketed in red). This is where readers will get a quick education in the difference between subjective inuendos and objective facts (which are seriously lacking).
During an investigation of a claimed apparitions, church officials are suppose to remain silent [please cite the Church document which states that bishops are suppose to be silent during investigations of apparitions - the statement on pilgrimages (often used in this argument) does not strip the bishop of his canonical duties on pastoral matters], offering no public negative or positive opinion [huh? - it's his job to offer an opinion and the faithful ought to be interested in it!] until a decision is handed down [by whom?] by due process [what due process? - citation please] Despite Church procedure [which Church procedure? - citation please], Bishop Peric continues to violate [!?!?!] Church rule [which rule? - citation please] in his ongoing efforts to bring negative publicity against the Medjugorje apparitions [you mean warn the faithful that through discernment, a charism with which he has been graced by virtue of his office, that he has seen enough to cause alarm?] , even though the apparitions are under investigation by a Vatican appointed Commission [a commission which has been inferred as taking place, which has not been confirmed by the Holy See].
Ok - so you see that conjecture has permeated this part of the "Important Note". It goes beyond that. It attacks an apostolic succesor with the use of that conjecture. It is subjective and lacking objective facts which is common in the writings of those promoting the alleged apparitions of Medjugorje. Now you know how to recognize it. Think twice before you allow yourself to be taken down a path of disdain for the Bishop of Mostar-Duvno over any words or actions he takes there.
Further, a careful look at the Zadar Declaration will reveal that the bishop has not been stripped of his canonical rights to deal with matters pastoral. In fact, it says:
Yet the gathering of the faithful from various parts of the world to Medjugorje, inspired by reasons of faith or other motives, require the pastoral attention and care, first of all, of the local Bishop and then of the other bishops with him, so that in Medjugorje and all connected with it, a healthy devotion towards the Blessed Virgin Mary according to the teachings of the Church may be promoted [note that t says nothing about permitting the promotion of new devotions based on the alleged appartions, but refers instead to devotions in accord with Church teachings (Rosary, Total Consecration and others that are approved)]. The Bishops will also provide special liturgical and pastoral directives corresponding to this aim [so it is the bishop's job to keep a watchful eye!]. At the same time, they will continue to study all the events of Medjugorje through the commissions.
I suspect that what people are misunderstanding, is the string of statements made about pilgrimages. What is stated about pilgrimages does not carry over and universally strip the bishop of his canonical rights and powers in governing his diocese. Hence, arguments you will find on the web suggesting His Excellency is being "disobedient"by speaking about the apparitions are utterly riduculous and have no foundation.
If anything, it is the bishop who would silence alleged seers until he is confident that there is nothing harmful to the faithful in what they are advancing. Then, he would permit a cult following based on the alleged apparitions or private revelations to develop as I explained earlier and continue to monitor the situation. Medjugorje never got that far, as we see in the 1985 letter I cited earlier when the bishop had found enough cause to warrant silencing the alleged seers, rather than permit it all to enter the next stage. As the 1978 Criteria for Discernment of Apparitions states.
So that the ecclesiastical authority is able to acquire more certainty on such or such an apparition or revelation, it will proceed in the following way:a) Initially, to judge the facts according to positive and negative criteria (cf. below, n.1). [because people are converting, returning to the sacraments, entering the priesthood and consecrated life and fasting, etc., it doesn't mean that these should be considered to the exclusion of "bad fruits". Rather, good and bad fruits must be weighed together. In some cases, a single or particular "bad fruit" (i.e., something contradicting Church dogma) can be enough to end the discernment process on the spot in such a way that the bishop does not want to permit it to go to "b" below. When a bishop points out "bad fruits", he will inevitably be labeled as "bad" himself by some supporters. Not good.]
b) Then, if this examination appears favorable, to allow certain public demonstrations of cult and devotion, while continuing to investigate the facts with extreme prudence (which is equivalent to the formula: “for the moment, nothing is opposed to it”). [But Bishop Zanic did find things opposed to it and acting on his own conscience, worked to halt development of a cult following based on the alleged apparitions. However, some local Franciscans advanced a pattern of disobedience when the bishop tried to bring things to an end, enabling this whole thing to get away from the Church very rapidly. Looking back again at that 1985 letter, you will see how, in the early days, certain Franciscan's used loop-hole reasoning to justify disobedience]
c) Finally, after a certain time, and in the light of experience, (starting from a particular study of the spiritual fruits generated by the new devotion), to give a judgement on the authenticity of the supernatural character, if the case requires this. [Notice the word "new" coupled with devotion. New devotion can only be measured if it has been granted and there is no document - not from the diocese of Mostar, the Bishop's Conference, or the Holy See, indicating that devotion to "Our Lady of Medjugorje" may begin (as in bullet "b")].
Now comes some real venom aimed at the local Ordinary:
The Bishop's hatred [this is totally inappropriate] for the Medjugorje apparitions will certainly now cause harm to Community Cenacolo, a successful drug rehab for teens.
Setting aside the words, "The Bishop's hatred" and replacing it with "The Bishop's actions" let's ponder this for a moment. Does Cenacolo ultimately need Medjugorje-specific spirituality to be successful? I don't think so. If it does, then the harm which would come to the Cenacolo Community is the result of their putting stock in an apparition not approved, and one with a seriously questionable history. While some of the more positive spiritual things associated with Medjugorje are core to their work(frequent Mass and confession, adoration, fasting and penance), these things were with the Church ages before Medjugorje and, they will continue to be a key to spiritual advancement until the end of time. They are authentically Catholic and inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Moving along the paragraph at Medjugorje USA reads:
Hundreds of people come to Medjugorje every month to be present during Mirjana's apparition with the Virgin Mary at Community Cenacolo [once again, a statement affirming the presence of a "seer" prohibited from having "visions" in public, and in the very diocese where the bishop prohibited such public manifestations]. There is no question the open exposure to Mirjana at Community Cenacolo has been instrumental in raising awareness and funding for the continued success of Cenacolo [I think that Cenacolo is capable of getting financial support from many sources without linking itself to Medjugorje - they do great work!]. Medjugorje USA is asking every one to pray as we believe if anyone is hurt by the Bishop's decision, it is the teens who are already struggling.
The entire statement on Medjugorje USA makes the bishop look like the bad guy. I would think that the leaders of Cenacolo were aware of the bishop's explicit order in 2006 as it was publicized internationally. Perhaps not. However, I think where the problem lies is that people truly believe the bishop was somehow stripped of his canonical powers on pastoral matters, especially regarding whether "visionaries" can have "visions" in his diocese or elsewhere. This is a serious error.
Furthermore, it is a matter of collegiality, that when the bishop of one diocese has silenced alleged visionaries in their home diocese, then his brother bishops ought to support him by not permitting them to exit that silence in their dioceses and parishes. It's incomprehensible to me how the "seers" of Medjugorje are permitted to speak in parishes and dioceses in the United States when they have no such permission from the originating diocese.If in doubt, it is better to err on the side of obeying the local bishop. Even if he is potentially in error in his judgment about Medjugorje, it is better to submit to the bishop. When before the Just Judge, we will be held accountable not for whether we believed or disbelieved in Medjugorje, but for our behaviors. It is far better to stand before God having obeyed the bishop even if he were wrong than to stand before God having disobeyed the bishop whether he were right or wrong in his judgment on the matter. Rash judgment of the bishop's motives and words, calumny, and detraction, only make it worse. What is most pleasing to God, and to Mary, is filial reverence and obedience whether we agree with the bishop or not in these kinds of situations.
I will leave the combox open for some dialogue, provided it is civil and does not become a pseudo-website for Medjugorje apologetics. There are a few websites out there that provide cookie-cutter reponses to objections to Medjugorje, and I'm aware of most of them. Those will be rejected. Because I work and have other responsibilities, it may take up to one full day for comments to get moderated and posted.
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
THE BISHOP’S LETTER TO THOSE IN CHARGE OF THE “OASIS OF PEACE” COMMUNITY IN MEDJUGORJE
Bishop, 2009-02-27
regarding their presence in the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno without the required authorization of the Chancery Office and also concerning their practice of exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in their private chapel. A copy of the letter has also been sent to the local pastor Fr. Petar Vlašić OFM. An English translation of the original letter written in Italian follows:
Mostar, 27 February 2009; Prot.: 222/2009
To: Rev. Mother M. Valentina Fregno
To: Fr. Gianni
Comunità Mariana – Oasi della Pace
02032 Passo Corese (RI)To: The “Oasis of Peace” Community in Medjugorje
I wish to reply to the letter of Mother M. Valentina Fregno, Superior General of the “Oasis of Peace” Community, signed by Sr. Gabrielle Giuseppina, dated 12 January 2009, and sent to Fr. Petar Vlašić OFM, pastor of the parish of Medjugorje, who then forwarded it to me. Your letter is a response to the previous correspondence sent to your community of Medjugorje from the Pastor by written mandate of this Chancery Office on 15 December 2008, regarding the perpetual adoration practiced in your chapel, as evidently seen in a published brochure.
In your letter to Fr. Petar Vlašić OFM, you wrote amongst other things:- Perpetual adoration of the Eucharist is a part of our charism, yet it cannot always be practiced for various reasons.
- Perpetual adoration in our community house in Medjugorje is never possible.
- According to an agreement made with the parish at the beginning of our presence in Medjugorje (the 1990’s), we commenced with adoration of the Eucharist for our internal members during the day in our community chapel.
In conclusion: We have entrusted this communication to you with our complete willingness to fulfill what is required of us and with a fervid desire to continue to serve this parish.
Please allow me to make a few observations and put forth some questions regarding these affirmations:
1 – With whom exactly have you made an “agreement” in the “parish” regarding the Blessed Sacrament?2 – How can you make an “agreement” with the “parish” to begin “adoration of the Eucharist during the day in the chapel” of your community, thereby eluding the norms of the Church which authorize the local Ordinary regarding the custody and exposition of the Eucharist?
3 – What competent ecclesiastic authority has given you permission to reside as a “community” in the parish of Medjugorje in the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno?
4 – Who authorized you to build a chapel and to expose the blessed Sacrament every day, whether the adoration is perpetual or not?
5 – How do you reconcile the fact that you profess a vow of obedience and yet you live in contradiction to this vow by persevering in your disobedience to the local Bishop and continuing your charism of perpetual adoration?
You are well aware that being a community of diocesan right, you have not obtained permission from this Diocesan Chancery to reside nor to work in the territory of the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno. The same holds for adoration in a private chapel.
If you are sincerely “willing to fulfill” what is asked of you, then I wish to communicate the following to you:
- that you are not authorized by this Diocesan Chancery to establish a home nor to work as a community of diocesan right in Medjugorje;- that you have absolutely no permission to keep the blessed Eucharist in custody or to expose it for purposes of adoration in a private chapel, due to the fact that Eucharist adoration is foreseen and established only in the parish church of St. James in Medjugorje.
I take this opportunity to express my best regards,
Ratko Perić, bishop
Prot.: 1691/2008
December 15, 2008
Pro-Life News Portals:
Jory Aebly Given Rosary Blessed by Pope John Paul, Recovery Could Help With Sainthood
By DAN HARRIS, JEN PEREIRA and LEE FERRAN
April 2, 2009
When Jory Aebly was shot in the head, execution-style during a mugging five weeks ago in Cleveland, Ohio, that should have been the end of it. Doctors at the Metro Health Medical Center told his family it was a "non-survivable" injury, according to the hospital's Web site.
But Tuesday, a very-much-alive Aebly was wheeled to a press conference before he went home in what some believe is a true "miracle," possibly good enough to help earn deceased Pope John Paul II sainthood.
"It's one in a million," Dr. Robert Geertman, a neurosurgeon involved in Aebly's treatment, said in a press conference just days after the shooting. "My jaw was on the floor after a day or two of seeing he is hanging on. ... I'd say it's pretty miraculous."
