March continued on with some of the stories from February and it opened with a posting on blogging religious, followed with a story which caused uproar in Ireland when it became public knowledge that soliciting of minors in Ireland was in fact legal!!The Anglican Communion was also in turmoil over its attempts to reach compromise in relation to appointments of gay clergy, and in Ireland, a list of those politicians who opposed legislation to give rights to same sex couples (and with election coming up, a visit to the list might be handy), and a newspaper was boycotted for a while due to its homophobic articles, whilst a missionary priest was almost killed.
Pilfering clergy again under spotlight as was Cardinal Zen stirring it in China yet again, whilst a possible meeting between Pope and Patriarch was considered, whilst SSPX and Bishop in France strained in relations.
New Archbishop for Warsaw hinted at, bishop in Malta is severely criticised, Anglican leader Williams says that issues of sexuality cannot be avoided (RC Church take note!!), whilst his synod is divided over the whole issue of same sex issues.
Vatican described as having a glass ceiling towards women (no surprise there then), whilst Spain considers legalising euthanasia, and Putin visit to Vatican expected to improve ecumenical relations.
Tomb or not tomb in relation to authenticity of claims of tomb of Jesus, new Archbishop of Warsaw named, nuns go a little wild at a party, coming out of a young gay icon in Mexico causes a stir, whilst Killaloe bishop requests more laity involvement in church.
Lugo submits name for laicisation, Vatican says violence against women not acceptable, gay mass in USA kicked out, pornography an affront to human dignity and confession in decline.
Polish hierarchy condemn book which names spies in clergy, ministry of gay activist nun, FBI no show at slain priest trial, Il Papa praises Paul VI, German bishops insult Jewish community, sex education in schools under question and review, euthanasia doctor cleared, apostolic exhortation on Eucharist due, charismatic renewal reviewed, RC church under spotlight in relation to AIDS crisis.
Priest on trial in Rwandan genocide, new head of Italian conference of bishops, simony yet again in the RC Church (??), was Jesus gay, international womens day, free distribution of morning pill in Argentina, Poland again trying to reconcile past and present, Ukraine Orthodox bid for Unity, RC Church no. 1 in USA, Il Papa asserts primacy, Equality of Sexes, empty churches in Rome, Anglican leader says no merger with RC Church and call for Muslim and RC faiths to be taught properly.
Poland retains abortion laws, France OUI to euthanasia, more cover up of abuse in USA exposed, China again on agenda, Putin meeting helpful, communion not for gay couples, possible restoration of Latin mass, late pope on 1st step to beatification, condoms in schools debate in Brazil debated before papal visit.
Il Papa holy water for sale, theologian silenced, Israel not acceptable to RC clergy, Cardinal Zen stirring it (yawn...again), Il Papa confirms celibacy as obligatory, issuing of Sacramntum Caritatis, threat of RC homophobia, divorce annulment and the RC church, Kung goes on tour of USA and seminary master backs civil unions.
Polish bishops pro-life whilst nuncio faces recall to Vatican, rape verdict in Ireland causes uproar, Il Papa calls for RC laity to vote with Hierarchy (some hope), and then we have St Patrick's Day in Ireland...
...and we now go into the 2nd part of Verbum Ultimus for March 2007, and once Mothers Day followed on from St Patrick's Day...
Married priest steps up to altar for the faithful, son of a RC priest writes, Irish RC church shortchanges Government, Il Papa not doing well in popularity stakes, Italian cardinal goes against Vatican stance on civil unions, Al Qaeda had plans to kill late Pope, current pope accused of subverting Vatican II.
Ferns diocese facing financial crisis, Poland in turmoil (yawn yawn yawn), Vatican exorcists, new Anglican Archbishop of Ireland installed, papal trip to Austria planned whilst Il Papa goes to prison (oh if only he he), Kung verbally bashes Il Papa, dissident RC more worrying than atheist and RC priests and AIDS issue addressed.
Cardinal says priests should be allowed to marry, still awaiting appointment of bishop in Ossory, Brazilian priests face jail for saying homosexuality is a sin, rehabilitating Judas, Indian RC bishops plan agitation, Cardinal Zen resignation not accepted by Il Papa, Bishop Casey missing (for a while), Killaloe Diocesan meeting (& possible successor to current bishop), pay-to-pray nuns and Il Papa's Anti-Liberal revolution.
Anglican ultimatum rejected in USA, resistance may cost Bishop his life in Zimbabwe, Romero still an inspiration, Hungarian bishop resigns to marry, stoning of women continues, fund free mammograms campaign, Vatican fighting for ban on abortion in Mexico, Irish president meets Il Papa (again and again, yawn) and priestly celibacy again.
Ireland threatens to sue victims of abuse (yes you have read that correct), gambling nuns face censure, hypocrisy of UK RC bishops again, late pope cause for sainthood moves forward, son of priest argues for reform in church, new church built in Middle East, Zen asserts pope authority in China, sex trafficking in Ireland, Gospel of Judas, anti-gay sanctions harm the gospels, Il Papa pours on EU 50 celebrations whilst disgraced priest escapes prison in UK.
Rabbi honoured by RC Church, cloning moves forward, Italian bishops consider sanctions against politicians, hell still exists advises Il Papa, UK RC schools still not dealing with homophobic bullying, motherhood appreciated by bishops, Italian bishops fight co-habitation bill, death of (disgraced) Archbishop of Cardiff, need to reform USA RC Church and dissident Vietnamese priest to stand trial.
Poland attempts to ban gays from certain jobs, mystery nun in beatification process of JPII named, Archbishop of Anglican church wants it to be safe for gays, clerics avoiding truth by abuse of doctrine, Italian ecclessial homophobia, cloning again opposed by RC church, former Anglican bishop becomes RC, Our Lady statue weeping in Sri Lanka and RC Homophobia universal.
Vietnam priest gets 8 years in prison, chocolate Jesus sculpture causes angst and anger, abortion protests in Poland, EU investigates Poland for homophobia, neo-nazism on rise again, another theologian condemned, Croatian hospitals to pay RC Church there, Latin Mass again in spotlight, pope old car for sale (again) and why did Ratzinger take the name of Benedict XVI?
Thus ends the month of March in the new An Focal Scóir style which I hope you like, and feel free to get in touch with comments, contributions and otherwise.
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