Orthodox leader urges ban on Lenin’s works

Russia/Int'l : A top Russian Orthodox leader has backed calls by the Russian Church abroad for the works of the Soviet Union's founder, Vladimir Ilich Lenin (1870-1924), to be banned because of their incitement of "hatred and extremism".

"Clear evidence has been offered of Lenin's extremist and terrorist views before and after the October Revolution," said Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, the Church's foreign relations director. 

"The Church hopes a Russian investigative committee will soon, on the basis of these arguments, give a legal assessment of the statements and acts by this ‘leader of the revolution' whose policies cost the Russian people so dearly."

The 46-year-old metropolitan was reacting to an initiative by the autonomous Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.

Final action taken against 'ad libbing' priest

USA : The Rev. William Rowe, whose refusal to adhere to the wording of the Roman Catholic Mass caused him to become known as the "ad libbing priest," is officially barred from performing church rites.

The banned practices include performing Mass and officiating at weddings.

According to a statement released Wednesday by Belleville Diocese Bishop Edward Braxton, a 60-day appeal has expired making an earlier ruling by a panel in Rome final.

That ruling by Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, stated that Rowe's written argument that changing the liturgy to make it easier for parishioners to understand was no basis to remove him from performing priestly duties, "has no canonical basis in law or in fact and is hereby rejected."

Neither Braxton nor Rowe could be reached for comment Friday.

Braxton, in his public statement, also criticized a claim by Rowe that a glitch in the procedure on the part of the Belleville Diocese, meant he was still able to act as a priest outside but not within the diocese.

Rowe, 73, was the pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Mount Carmel for the last 18 years.

In July, he was forced into retirement by Braxton after parishioners complained that he changed some of the sacred wording of the Mass, although many others members of the church supported Rowe and urged Braxton to let him stay.

Rowe is now a volunteer at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olney and resides on the church grounds.

Braxton came under pressure from Rome to remove Rowe after the story of the "ad libbing" priest was publicized. 

Braxton gave Rowe several chances over the last few years to stick to the wording and stay on as pastor in Mount Carmel, where he voluntarily worked without a salary and enjoyed heavy support from the community.

Rowe has said he has slightly changed the wording of the liturgy for at least 20 years in the spirit of making it easier to understand. He said he never altered the key phrase, "This is my body. This is my blood," which lies at the heart of the Roman Catholic's church's beliefs.

In December, a revamped liturgy was adopted by the church leadership in Rome, and was said to be closer to earlier Latin texts thought to be more traditional. 

However, it has been criticized as being hard to understand.

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/11/23/2405010/final-action-taken-against-ad.html#storylink=cpy

Pope’s new book on Jesus will be out in Britain in early December

UK/Int'l : Bloomsbury will publish the final volume of Pope Benedict’s trilogy on the life of Christ - 'Jesus of Nazareth – The Infancy Narratives' - and it will be available in bookshops on December 4 and will cost £12.99.

In the book, Benedict XVI explores the experience of hope found in the birth of Jesus and the affirmation of surrender and service embodied in Joseph and Mary, according to publishers.

Early press reports have focused on the Pope debunking the myth that animals were present at Jesus’s birth. 

He points out that “in the gospels there is no mention of animals”, and that they were probably a Hebrew invention of the seventh century BC, outlined in the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk.

The Pope added that the tradition was unlikely to change. “No nativity scene will give up its ox and donkey,” he said.

Pope Benedict wrote in his foreword: “I can at last consign to the reader the long promised little book on the narratives of Jesus’s childhood… here I have sought to interpret, in dialogue with exegetes of the past and of the present, what Matthew and Luke recount at the beginning of their Gospels about the infancy of Jesus.”

He adds: “I hope that this little book, notwithstanding its limits, might help many people in their path toward and with Christ.”

Pope’s emissary in US: Dissident Catholic profs are ‘grave’ threat to religious liberty

USA : Pope Benedict’s emissary to the United States warned that Catholic professors and public officials who rebel from Church teaching on key issues such as abortion and marriage represent a “grave” threat to religious liberty.

“We have witnessed that some instructors who claim the moniker ‘Catholic’ are often the sources of teachings that conflict with, rather than explain and defend, Catholic teachings in the important public policy issues of the day,” said Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò. 

“This, my brothers and sisters, is a grave and major problem that challenges the first freedom of religious liberty and the higher purpose of the human person.”

In an address at the University of Notre Dame, the papal nuncio said the Church is weakened and thus “more easily persecuted” when she is divided by Catholic faithful who support “a major political party [with] intrinsic evils among its basic principles.”

The persecution of Christians is a reality even in America, he said, though it can present itself in forms that are not immediately obvious.
 
He pointed to the “legitimate concerns” over Obamacare, particularly the HHS mandate. But he also mentioned the Parker v. Hurley decision in Massachusetts, where parents were forbidden to withdraw their young children from discussions of “family diversity,” and Judge Vaughan Walker’s decision overturning Proposition 8, California’s traditional marriage amendment.

“The problem of persecution begins with … reluctance to accept the public role of religion in [public] affairs, especially but not always when the protection of religious freedom involves beliefs that the powerful of the political society do not share,” he said.

But the nuncio also said there is reason for hope, because “throughout her history, the Church has gained strength when persecuted.”

“With God’s help we can prevail, but without Him, even our greatest human strength is insufficient because it is frail,” he added.

See Archbishop Viganò‘s full talk here.

Helen Moorhouse: Pope's cribbing on manger myths won't dampen our festive spirit

Irl/Int'l : Hands up who has so far this year invoked the Santa Clause? 

The one where 'he won't come if you don't behave/ he sees you when you're sleeping/ he's making a list and checking it twice'?

Well, forget it. 

Because this Christmas, there's a whole new humbug with which to threaten your kids. 

And it's not Ebenezer Scrooge or the Grinch or the guy who makes the Snowman melt at the end every single year. 

Top of the grumpy list for 2012 is none other than the Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles etc etc. It's Il Papa.

Coming in 32 sleeps is Christmas 2012. 

Just not as we've grown to know and love it as the Supreme Pontiff's writings have revealed.

With a new book to flog, Pope Benedict has been busy whipping up some publicity to give sales a push on his upcoming bestseller, 'Jesus of Nazareth – the Infancy Narratives', which sounds like a brilliant mash-up between a Dan Brown and 'Look Who's Talking'. Makes me all excited for possible sequels – 'The Secret Diary of Jesus of Nazareth' or 'Jesus of Nazareth – The Edge of Reason'.

Instead of jumping in his popemobile, however, and booking himself on the Toy Show, he's gone down the teaser route, releasing enticing little snippets of the content. 

Thereby shattering little children's hearts with every flourish of his Popely quill. 

Talk about Urbi et Scorpy.

Bombshell Number One There were no donkeys, oxen, calves, asses, dogs, cats, goldfish or, indeed, any other beasts, in the stable in Bethlehem. What? Not even a teeny weeny lickle lamb? Apparently not. It's a myth, the idea planted in our heads by pre-Christian traditions and writings like that ludicrous 'Book of Habakkuk', apparently, written by an early prophet in the seventh century BC.

Bombshell Number Two Carol singers, it appears, are the result of a terrible misunderstanding. All this time we've been belting out that 'Joy to the World' to commemorate the birth of Jesus in imitation of the heavenly hosts who announced the virgin birth. 

We've been shockingly misled, however. 

The angels never actually sang all that 'Glory to the Newborn King' stuff to the sleepy shepherds. 

They just said it.

The most earth-shattering revelation, however, comes with the fact – brace yourselves – that Jesus most likely wasn't born on December 25 and possibly not in year 1. 

Apparently, he arrived at some stage between 7 and 2BC.

Although we can't be too sure of that either.

So therefore, Christ was born Before Himself. And the whole sorry mess is the fault of some bloke called Dennis the Small in the 6th century who got his dates mixed up.

Forget the Budget. 

2012 is shaping up to be the year that the Pope Stole Christmas. 

It might work to the advantage of some, of course. 

Nativity play cast cuts will give Mary and Joseph a lot more room to work the stage; the lack of lowing as the baby awakes leaves plenty of time for more sharp dialogue from the angels and the Moving Crib might be disappointingly static, but won't need as much straw.

On the downside however, we have absolutely no idea how many shopping days are left. 

Well thank you very much, Dennis the Small. I don't see you worrying about the queues at Argos.

But it's frankly a relief to finally be sure that there were definitely no camels in that stable somewhere in the Middle East, possibly at some time during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius.

And good to know also that it's an unequivocal fact that a teenager was made pregnant by a ghost and gave birth to the son of God.

The Pope's observations on dates, times, eras, emperors and livestock – or lack of – aren't really relevant.

Nor are they the slightest discouragement to celebrate the coming festive season in what could be called a secular fashion. 

Taking time out, spending it with loved ones, sharing appreciative tokens, giving thanks for blessings and being charitable and generous of spirit.

Or even teaching our kids to believe that a kind man they can't see will reward them if they are good.

Post-election, we are still divided, in need of healing (Opinion)

USA : Election night was, for me, a true multimedia event. 

My television was tuned to the local PBS station, with Gwen Ifill, David Brooks and Mark Shields providing analysis as the returns came in. 

But most of the breaking news came from my other screen: my laptop.

Jumping between news websites, my Facebook and Twitter feeds, and a couple private chats, I stayed on top of which states were being projected for Mitt Romney and which were going for Barack Obama. 

In fact, I was typing the news that Ohio had been called for Obama when PBS announced that he had indeed been re-elected president of the United States.

I'll admit it: I cried. But I was tempted to cheer, which wouldn't have been a surprising response, given how the democratic election of the leader of our country pretty much resembles the Super Bowl, the World Series and the World Cup, all rolled into one.

By the next morning, the American people, who had previously been divided into Democrats ("blue") and Republicans ("red"), could now be labeled "winners" and "losers" based on the presidential and other, local election results. 

Demographic groups, too, were categorized as winners or losers. Women, Latinos and other people of color, and gays and lesbians were popping champagne. White men? Not so much.

The Catholic church was also declared a loser. Although a number of vocal bishops had insisted that opposition to abortion, gay marriage and/or comprehensive contraceptive insurance coverage were the defining issues of this election, a majority of U.S. Catholics did not follow the hierarchy's thinly veiled campaigning for the Republican ticket and platform.

It's no fun to be the loser. I should know; I'm a Cubs fan. But it's been interesting to observe the reactions of those who did not prevail on Nov. 6. In his concession speech, Romney appeared sad and a little shocked, but he called for an end to "partisan bickering and political posturing" and urged his supporters to pray for the president and the country.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York also promised prayers, but got in a plug for his priorities in a congratulatory letter to Obama. A number of conservatives have been uncharacteristically quiet.

But not everyone has been so graceful in defeat, and the blame game has begun. I heard a conservative talk radio host blame Romney's loss on his refusal to appear on -- surprise, surprise -- conservative talk radio. 

Others say the Republican Party needs to move more to the center. Shockingly, one Catholic conservative, Austin Ruse, president of the Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute, posted his solution on his Facebook wall, writing, "Women should not be able to vote until they are married." I can only hope he was kidding.

In a world in which social media allow anyone to broadcast their every thought and feeling, emotion-laden reactions are the norm, from Donald Trump's Twitter tantrum ("This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy.") to the legion of references to end times among some evangelical Christians.

Some of the winners, too, have been less than magnanimous in victory. If you thought the snarky Tumblr memes would end after the election, you would be wrong, since apparently the temptation to gloat is too strong. 

A number of liberals have offered to buy a plane ticket for Rush Limbaugh, who famously promised to move to Costa Rica (where ironically there is universal health care) if Obamacare passed. 

Others seem just a little too happy to dance on conservatism's grave.

True, there is much talk about "reaching across the aisle" and the need to work together to avoid the "fiscal cliff." 

But when one side complains about partisanship, they're usually talking about the need for the other side to compromise. Too much of the lament about political polarization is itself merely more political posturing.

So where do we go from here, as Americans and as Catholic Christians? Do those who are grieving and those who are celebrating have anything in common? Or are we headed for the next civil war?

Author Parker J. Palmer, a Quaker, believes Americans today -- much like at the time of the Civil War -- are brokenhearted and in need of healing. 

The "politics of rage," like any expression of intense anger, is really a mask for heartbreak, he writes in Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit (Jossey-Bass, 2011).

Healing that anger takes inner, spiritual work. 

As I learned during a retreat with Palmer this fall, he believes five "habits of the heart" are critical to sustaining a democracy, the most difficult of which seems to be the ability to hold tension in life-giving ways and an appreciation of the value of "otherness." 

Such habits are spiritual disciplines that require prayer and practice.

The Gospel reading on the Sunday before Election Day featured Jesus telling the scribes that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12).

While we may interpret those commandments differently, it seems a fitting place to start the necessary healing after the election. 

With love, there are no winners and losers. 

Either we all win, or we all lose.

Gaza 'in urgent need of humanitarian support'

Int'l : Christian Aid has welcomed the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel but warns that some people have been badly affected by the latest conflict.

The development agency is calling upon all sides to reach a "lasting, comprehensive and just" peace.

The truce was brokered by Egypt on Wednesday and brought an end to eight days of deadly conflict.

However, Christian Aid was critical of the international community, saying that the current crisis was the "tragic" consequence of the failure to take adequate action after the last major attack on Gaza nearly four years ago.

Janet Symes, Christian Aid’s Head of Middle East said that if the ceasefire holds, it could be the first step to meaningful negotiations which she said "have to take place to bring real change to the people of Gaza".

Christian Aid launched an appeal to provide urgently needed medical supplies and food, as well as psychosocial support to those most in need.

Symes said: "The people of Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian support including medical help. The people worst affected by are the poorest – they are struggling to afford food, water and fuel. Lifting the blockade on Gaza is essential and we urge all concerned to ensure this promise is turned into reality."
 
Symes called upon both sides to take steps to ensure the security of Palestinians and Israelis.

She continued: "Renewed peace negotiations must hold all parties to account, be guided by international law, seek to end occupation, lift the blockade of Gaza, and ensure the security of both Palestinians and Israelis. Without such efforts, it will not be long before we see yet another outbreak of the kind of violence unleashed a few days ago."

Church challenged in Parliament over women bishops

UK : The Church of England was faced with difficult questions in the House of Commons after failing to pass legislation that would have allowed women to be bishops.

Legislation was defeated by just six votes in the Church's parliamentary body, the General Synod 2 weeks ago.

Despite receiving the majority of Synod votes, the legislation fell because it could not secure the required two-thirds majority from the laity.

The Church was forced to address the issue in Parliament in response to an urgent question tabled by Labour MP Diana Johnson.

She told MPs that the Church was being "held to ransom by a few narrow minds".

"There should be no stained-glass ceiling for women in our church," she said. "The Church of England now stands to be left behind by the society it seeks to serve, looking outdated, irrelevant, and frankly eccentric by this decision."
 
Conservative MP and Second Churches Estates Commissioner, Sir Tony Baldry, said he shared the frustration of MPs but highlighted that the legislation had received a yes vote from 94% of bishops and 77% of the House of Clergy, and that even among the laity, 64% had voted in favour.

He admitted: "It is impossible for me to explain to parliamentary colleagues how a measure that has had the support of 42 out of the 44 dioceses failed to pass in General Synod."

He added, however, that legislation on women bishops could be re-considered by General Synod before 2015.

"This is not an issue that can in any way be parked for the next couple of years or so, while we await another round of Synod elections," he said.

He continued: "It is perfectly possible for a different and amended measure to consecrate women bishops to be considered by General Synod."

The outcome of Tuesday's vote was also challenged by Tory backbencher Eleanor Laing, who said that the Church of England's position as the established church "must be called into question".

Sir Tony responded by saying she had made a "perfectly good point".

"What has happened as a consequence of the decision by general synod is the Church of England no longer looks like a national church, it simply looks like a sect like any other sect," he said. "If the Church of England wants to be a national church, then it has to reflect the values of the nation."
 
Prime Minister David Cameron responded to the vote earlier in the week by saying that the Church needed a "sharp prod" and to "get with the programme".

Sir Tony said he would be arranging a meeting between concerned MPs and the Archbishop-designate, Bishop Justin Welby.

Tony Blair, Justin Welby to work on reconciliation in Nigeria

Int'l : Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Archbishop of Canterbury-elect Bishop Justin Welby, and Prince Ghazi of Jordan have unveiled plans to work on reconciliation in Nigeria.

The northern regions of the country in particular have been dogged by inter-religious violence, which has seen churches and Christian communities attacked by Islamist militants.

The Tony Blair Faith Foundation unveiled a plan of action to build sustainable co-existence between Christians and Muslims.

The programme will involve faith leaders as well as young people, and will bring them together to work on responses to issues like malaria.

Young Christians and Muslims will get to learn from each other directly through the Foundation's Face to Faith high school programme.

Face to Faith is aimed at helping young people learn to respect, rather than fear difference.

It is hoped that the reconciliation work will ultimately see the conflict replaced with cooperation.

Mr Blair said: "Understanding and respecting different faiths is central to securing sustainable peace, particularly where those who seek to misuse religion for violent ends aim to destroy it."

Bishop Welby has had first hand experience of reconciliation work in Nigeria, where he led successful peace negotiations between warring factions.

He said: "Thirty-four years after first coming to Nigeria, and with more than seventy visits since, in all parts of this vibrant, passionate, talented and promising country, I am both challenged and profoundly excited by this initiative. In service to Nigeria, it offers a contribution to the hope of peace across the whole country. It is a service, there is no question of bringing some external solutions, and peace and development in this country are always made possible only by Nigerians. Thank you for allowing me to contribute to the future of a country I admire and love."
 
The plans have been welcomed by President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

He said: “This is an important moment for us as a country. I believe in progressive dialogue. Dialogue where we can set goals and timelines. To find great people coming from around the world to help us in this is incredible.”

Prayer roadshow to criss cross UK

UK : The organisers of the National Day of Prayer have announced plans for a prayer roadshow to visit towns and cities across the UK.

The roadshow is the follow-up to the day of prayer for the nation which brought 30,000 Christians to Wembley Stadium in September.

Organisers hope to engage with some of the people who were at Wembley and many more who couldn't make it on the day but have a heart to pray for the nation.

Churches are being invited to sign up to host one of the stops on the roadshow, which is being run in conjunction with United Christian Broadcasters and the Neighbourhood Prayer Network.

"You came to Wembley and now we would like to come to you," said roadshow organisers.
"Let's work together to reach this Nation for Jesus."

If you want the roadshow to come to your town, register at ndopwembley.com/roadshow/

Rights of Indian Christians being denied

(India) : Millions of Indian Christians are being denied their constitutional rights by the government, which is refusing to give them a place in the country's hierarchical caste system.

According to the human rights group, Barnabas Aid the Indian Constitution recognises two groups of historically disadvantaged people, the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Legislation exists to redress the socio-economic deprivation they have suffered and bolster their rights.

"But Christian Dalits and tribal Christians are being denied this important status on the grounds of their faith," said a spokesperson for the group. "Muslim Dalits are also discriminated against. In 1950, the Indian Parliament granted Scheduled Caste recognition to Hindu Dalits; this was extended to Buddhist and Sikh Dalits in 1956 and 1990 respectively. Two-thirds of India's 27 million Christians are Dalits, the category of people at the very bottom of Indian society. Christian and Muslim Dalits have been campaigning for equal recognition for years; their latest protest took place on November 15, in New Delhi."
 
Samuel Jayakumatr, executive secretary of the Commission for Policy, Governance and Public Witnesses, said that the two communities are worse off socio-economically than their Hindu counterparts.

"Given the fact that the SC status and the benefits that go with it are aimed to address historical caste-based socio-economic deprivation, the Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims have more compelling case for SC status than many others."

Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, said, "The government is making fun of tribal Christians, and prevents the community from enjoying their constitutional rights."

A senior Christian leader in India said that the continued denial of SC status to these communities made a "complete mockery" of the country's democratic and secular credentials.

Unlike for SC status, religious affiliation is not meant to be a consideration in terms of ST status. And yet Christians and even their non-Christian relatives are also suffering discrimination in this regard.

A Christian leader in Kandhamal district, Orissa state, said a number of cases had come to light in recent months, adding, "There are many similar stories and the number is growing."

Prakash Pradhan, a tribal Kandho Christian, applied for a caste certificate in order to obtain a scholarship for his children. This was refused on the grounds of Prakash's Christian faith. 

His brother, a Hindu, was also denied a certificate, because he is related to a Christian.

Another case involved Jacob Pradhan, a Christian minister, who has been trying to obtain the document for four months. His case is complicated by the fact that his wife is a Dalit; their children consequently cannot be considered tribal.

"Without a caste certificate, Indian Christians are denied social and economic rights, leaving them trapped in poverty," added the Barnabas Aid spokesperson.

Priest takes food stamp challenge in solidarity with poor (USA)

The head of Catholic Charities in D.C. recently experienced the struggle of low-income families relying on food stamps, noting that Christian charity lends vital support to those in need.
“Most of us don’t have a real sense of what it’s like to be on food stamps,” said Fr. John Enzler, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.
From Oct. 9 – Oct. 15, Fr. Enzler participated in D.C. Hunger Solutions’ Food Stamp Challenge, pledging to spend only $30 on food for one week, the average amount allotted to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps.
He told CNA that the experience allowed him to stand in solidarity with those in need, while also increasing his awareness of the challenges that face families and individuals who are trying to survive on food stamps.
Throughout the week, he experienced the struggle to be well-fed and healthy on such a small budget. In particular, he said, it was “really difficult” to eat nutritious food.
For Fr. Enzler, a typical dinner often consists of a small piece of chicken or fish with some vegetables. But he discovered that this is “almost impossible” on about four dollars per day.
Maintaining a healthy diet is “what made it really hard for me,” he said.
And while he could have cut costs by eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or more canned food, it struck him that the situation would be much less manageable over a longer period of time.
“This is just one week for me,” he said, while food stamp recipients must deal with these choices all year long.
The other big challenge for Fr. Enzler came over the weekend, when he was invited out to eat with some friends.
While he tried to limit his spending, it still pushed him over his allotted budget, and he ended up spending about $37 by the end of the week.
Many people don’t realize that food stamp recipients often can’t go out to eat, he observed. In most states, food stamps cannot be used at restaurants, and even cheap restaurants are difficult to manage on such a tight budget.
While eating out is a common way to relax after a long day or enjoy time with friends, a single outing could easily cost nearly half of your weekly food budget, he noted.
“You can’t go to restaurants,” he said.” You can’t have a beer. You can’t go out with your friends.”
Fr. Enzler said that the food stamp challenge helped him to “get a sense of what it’s like” for those who struggle to stay well-nourished in the U.S.
He created a video blog of his experience, which he shared with his staff to help them understand some of the challenges facing the people they are working with on a regular basis.
There is a need for greater awareness of these struggles, Fr. Enzler said, explaining that while some people may be tempted to complain that federal aid recipients are getting free food, the experience of relying upon such a limited budget is very difficult.
And while some of the individuals receiving food stamps can supplement that aid with other money, many cannot, he said. Although people know that food stamps exist as a safety net for those who need it, many do not realize how tough it is to live on them.
Nonprofit organizations like Catholic Charities help to “fill that gap” between what the government provides and other existing needs or temporary challenges, Fr. Enzler explained.
Through its many initiatives in the Washington, D.C. area, Catholic Charities helps feed tens of thousands of people each year.
A recent two-year government contract allows Catholic Charities' Food Service Program to serve healthy meals to up to 800 elderly Washington, D.C. residents every day. The SHARE food network offers fresh, nutritious food packages at a discounted price, while the Montgomery County Family Center offers nutrition and cooking classes.
It is good to realize that there are those in need in our own backyard, said Fr. Enzler, observing that hunger is often thought of as a problem facing those in Africa or some other far off country.
“People don't understand that people in our nation are hungry,” he said.
There are many ways that the faithful can help to ease the hunger of those around them, Fr. Enzler noted. Christians have the opportunity to speak up in their parishes and communities, volunteer in soup kitchens or organize local food drives.
“Jesus said clearly, ‘Feed the hungry,’” he said. “This is our chance.”

Vatican nativity set might include animals not at Jesus' birth (Italy)

The Vatican has started construction on its annual nativity set in St. Peter's Square, and the display is expected to include a few animals that may not have been at Jesus' birth.
 
The Pope said in his third book on the life of Christ, "Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives," released Nov. 21, that the ox and the donkey, regularly included in nativity scenes, are not mentioned in the gospels.

But they are included in other parts of the Bible, which could have inspired Christians to use them in representations of the birth of Jesus.

"No nativity scene will give up its ox and donkey," Pope Benedict says in his new book, which will eventually be translated into 20 languages.

The square was first decorated in 1986 under Pope John Paul II and the 19th-century images usually come from the parish of San Andrés del Valle.

The construction of the nativity scene began on Nov. 19 and is expected to finish by Dec. 24, just in time for Christmas Eve.

The Governorate of Vatican City's technical services office designs a new nativity set every year, inspired by different scenes of the life of Jesus.

Although the scenarios of where the statues are located vary each year, the essence is the same.

In 2010 the set included nine Filipino figures in honor of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Holy See. 

Last year’s scene focused on biblical events where Mary was a key figure, including the Annunciation, the Visitation, the presentation in the temple and, of course, the birth of Jesus.

As of Nov. 21, the area where the display will be in St. Peter’s Square sports the pillars that will partially support the nativity scene. Construction workers have also placed a metal frame next to the obelisk and a tent to protect their work, with scaffolding alongside it.

The nativity will likely include life-size figures of Jesus, Joseph, Mary, shepherds, the Magi and some animals.

The display will be placed next to a 78-foot white fir, which comes from the town of Pescopennataro, Italy and will be donated to the Pope by the southern region of Basilicata.

It will be lit during a ceremony on Dec. 14, although the manger will be inaugurated on Christmas Eve.

Pope Benedict will celebrate a vigil Mass on Christmas Eve at 10:00 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica.

Scotland: Archbishop responds to new Religious Hate Crime statistics

The Catholic Church has called for a public acknowledgement of the extent of anti-Catholicism in Scotland as new Crown Office statistics show an increase in Religiously Aggravated hate crimes directed at Catholics.

The data contained in the report: 'Religiously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2011-12' shows an increase of 26% in religious hate crimes. 876 charges with a religious aggravation in 2011-12 were analysed by the Justice Analytical Services.

As per previous years attacks on Catholics constitute the largest identified group, with 509 such incidents accounting for 58.1% of all such offences. 

Anti-Catholic attacks are more prevalent than attacks on all other religious groups combined.

Commenting on the statistics, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland said: "I am saddened by the latest figures on religiously aggravated offending. While most Catholics are safe most of the time, these figures show a side of Scotland which is truly unfortunate. Sadly, it seems incontrovertible now that our problem is not so much sectarianism but anti-Catholicism. This is regrettable because popular culture is inventing all kinds of new reasons to marginalise and hate Catholics. In the face of this, the Catholic community of Scotland remains steadfast in faith, joyful in hope and fully committed to being part of Scottish society."

To read the full report see: www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch

Falsely accused child abuse priest recounts ordeal - It is ‘important to forgive’

Father Oliver Brennan, the former parish priest in Dundalk County Louth who was falsely accused of child abuse, said support from family and friends kept him sane during the two-year ordeal. 

Speaking on the Marian Finucane programme on RTE Radio One he said, “It was the worst thing in the world, to be accused of the worst crime of all.” 

According to the Dundalk Democrat, Fr Brennan said that on August 14, 2010, the bishop, who was with a child safe-guarding officer, read out to him the accusation. 

He was told that he would have to leave the parochial house by 6pm that evening and a statement would be read out at the 6.30pm Mass. 

Fr Brennan then went to stay at his brother’s house. 

In the interview, Fr Brennan said he had not been told who made the accusation against him. 

He added that he then decided to ask the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to investigate the matter. 

Then his accuser made a statement to the police in January 2011 which Fr Brennan said, “was mixed up”. 

“At one point (in her statement) she said: ‘he never touched me’.” 

Fr Brennan said he did remember the person who made the accusation. 

“I was not in this parish but I remember giving her family some help.” 

The accuser had been involved in a case in which she allegedly stole money and Fr Brennan had asked the police not to pursue it. 

 “I was trying to help her,” he said. “The police interviewed me in April 2011. They were very thorough. They interviewed a lot of people in the area.  In November 2011 they sent documentation to the Public Prosecution Service and three days later I was told it was over. I received clearance from the PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service.” 

The Catholic Church sent documentation to the Vatican which was cleared last May. 

The Diocese of Armagh held its own administrative process. 

On October 19, Cardinal Brady told Fr Brennan that there was no case to answer and that the allegation was false. 

“It would put the fear of God into a lot of other priests,” said Marian. 

 Fr Brennan, who has now been appointed to a new parish, added that he hadn’t been invited back to the parish but he would have liked to have gone back to meet his former parishioners. 

He said, initially, the ordeal made him bitter about the Church but said he no longer felt that way. 

Many listeners called to express their support. Some of the callers said he should take a case against his accuser. 

 Fr Brennan did say some Blackrock parishioners wanted him to take a case, but he said: “It’s very important to forgive.”

Malawi to benefit as Rathmullan lights up for Christmas

Last year, Rathmullan’s Christmas tree was lit up to little fanfare but this year a group of committed locals plan to make it a very different event. 

On Saturday 1st December at 7.45pm, Rathmullan’s first official lighting up ceremony will take place at the beach car park and will kickstart the fundraising efforts of the Rathmullan Habitat for Humanity Group.

The group, comprising of about 20 individuals from Rathmullan and surrounding areas, will travel to Malawi next August where they will work alongside families to build much needed housing.

Families and individuals are invited to buy baubles (at prices of 2, 5 and 10 euro) in local shops in the run-up to the Christmas tree lighting. 

They will then be invited to write their names on the baubles and place them on the Christmas tree as part of the lighting up ceremony.

“It will be a nice family event,” said Fr. Martin Collum, parish priest in Rathmullan,”and there will be some carollers on hand to provide a bit of musical entertainment.”

All money raised will go to the local Habitat for Humanity group, which began as a joint venture by the three Rathmullan churches; Presbyterian, Church of Ireland and Catholic. 

Congregation members and clergy from each of the churches are participating in the project.

Lessons to be learned from three schools with mixed intake of pupils

Ballykelly Primary School had one of the most balanced Catholic/Protestant enrolments of any school in Northern Ireland for the 2011-2012 academic year. 

Of its 267 pupils, 43 per cent were Protestant, 48 per cent Catholic and 9 per cent “other”.

School principal Helen Cole said: “We are a historically naturally integrated school because we serve the whole community of Ballykelly and surrounding areas . . . Our school mission statement is to provide a caring, secure environment where individuals of all backgrounds, races and religions can feel welcome and valued and are encouraged to learn and develop to their full potential. All clergy are welcomed into the school and we offer sacramental preparation to those primary four and primary seven children who wish to make their First Holy Communion or to be confirmed.”

She says the main benefit of having a balanced religious intake is that “children learn to respect each other and each other’s opinions and traditions and we can see how similar we all are in many respects”.

Most Catholic-managed schools cater for a very small number of Protestant children. 

However, 35 per cent of pupils attending St Columbanus’ College in Bangor last year were Protestant.

The school’s principal, Liam Perry, said: “We have children who are Catholic, Protestant, of other faiths and none who attend our college. The work we do is underpinned by the values of the Gospel. We place great emphasis on the core principles of honesty, integrity, self - respect, mutual respect and working in the service of others. Obviously these are not the sole franchise of Catholic schools . . . We believe that inclusion is not simply about embracing diversity in terms of religion but also in terms of race, ethnicity and ability. In short we have a clear belief system. We are unapologetically a faith school. Parents and children seem to like this. Those who don’t simply won’t enrol. In this sense we are exclusively Catholic but certainly not exclusively for Catholics.”

At Greenhaw Primary in Derry 95 per cent of the 278 pupils attending the controlled school last year were Catholic. Only six children were Protestant and nine were in the “other” category.

Principal Vindi Torney said the school “still has four trustees from the Presbyterian Church who sit on the board of governors. The chair is the minister from the church, the vice chair is a WELB representative and is Catholic as are the parent representatives. I am a Sikh by birth and have been principal for 14 years.”

“The governors, of whichever tradition, have always supported and encouraged the work of the school. This I believe has been the key to the growing pupil numbers.”

Pope Intentions For December 2012

General Intention: That migrants throughout the world may be welcomed with generosity and authentic love, especially by Christian communities. 

Missionary Intention: Christ, light for all humanity. 

That Christ may reveal himself to all humanity with the light that shines forth from Bethlehem and is reflected in the face of his Church.

World AIDS Day - 1st December

A Franciscan Prayer to Mark World Aids Day

Lord, make me an instrument of peace:

 

What concrete steps can we take to promote peace and reconciliation in situations of conflict, violence and sexual exploitation to help reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and promote a culture of peace and reconciliation? 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love:

 

How can Franciscans and religious leaders create welcoming communities of faith for persons living with HIV/AIDS and those affected by AIDS and eliminate all instances of discrimination and social stigma? 

Where there is injury, pardon:

 

Do we hold those who are living with HIV/AIDS as evil, immoral persons? How can we set them free and allow them to discover the face of God in their current situations? 

Where there is division, unity:

 

Do our fears and prejudices lead us to commit acts of violence against our sisters and brothers living with HIV/AIDS? 

Where there is darkness (untruth), light (truth):

 

Can we preach and speak about HIV/AIDS openly, exploring its origins, its impact, and the fears we have about it? Can we begin to speak the truth in the light, in our parish communities, our religious houses, and everywhere?

 

Where there is doubt, true faith:

 

Can we reach out to one another, particularly our brothers and sisters living with HIV/AIDS, in a way that restores faith in God? Can we draw upon the power of resurrection to remove all fears, fears of contagion that lead us to reject or withdraw our love and support from persons living with HIV/AIDS? 

Where there is despair, hope:

 

How are we fostering communities of hospitality, receptivity, and healing where our brothers and sisters can find 'home', a place of welcoming and love. 

Where there is sadness, new joy:

 

Do we recognize the power and grace in our brothers and sisters living with HIV/AIDS? Do we allow ourselves to be 'evangelized' and transformed by the witness of our sisters and brothers living with HIV/AIDS?

Advent Prayer

Come, long-expected Jesus. 

Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. 

Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God's own work for justice.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy. 

I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love.

Come, long-expected Jesus. 

Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord. 

Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.