Friday, February 29, 2008

Lent 2008 - 4th Friday


"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

God of Mercy,
I feel my heart overflowing with your tenderness.

I sense your loving touch deep within my soul.

I ask for your help in my weakness
that I might be faithful to your word
and I am so grateful
that your mercy for my failings
is as strong as your unbounded love for me.

Clerical Humour...

As you are receiving e-mail, it's wise to remember how easily this wonderful technology can be misused, sometimes unintentionally and with serious consequences.


Consider the case of the Illinois man who left the snow-filled streets of Chicago for a vacation in Florida.

His wife was on a business trip and was planning to meet him there the next day.

When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick e-mail.

Unable to find the scrap of paper on which he had written her e-mail address, he did his best to type it in from memory.

Unfortunately, he missed one letter and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher's wife, whose husband had passed away only the day before.

When the grieving widow checked her e-mail, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint.

Hearing the scream, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen:

"Dearest Wife,

Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow.

P.S. Sure is hot down here!"

An Focal Scóir - February 2008

The month of February opens with Il Papa reminding us all that we are entitled and obliged to spread the Gospel, whilst an Irish Cardinal Emeritus Connell decided that the idea of openness and transparency does not apply to CSA files in the AD of Dublin even going to court to prevent such a happening...

...RC enters election debate in Spain, God issue debated, new website to attract men to priesthood, bishop suggests receiving of Communion in hand needs to be reviewed, Macial dies (RIP), social agenda transforms Spain...

...early Easter disrupts St Patrick's Day celebrations, feast of Saint Brigid, Cardinal Emeritus Connell still in legal dispute, Canon -v- Civil Law, Irish RC condemns reduced VAT rate on condoms, 70 years hiatus for visit of Greek Orthodox bishops to Vatican ends...

...nun gets 1 year imprisonment for CSA, Anglicans to visit Lourdes in its 150th year, Jesuits deciding how to resond to Il Papa, AB Marini's new book, Fulton Sheen to be canonised, Il Papa not the Anti-Christ, Candlemas Day...

...feast of Saint Blaise, Scottish Abbot to be new AB of Westminster (?), Irish RC bishops blinded by privilege, eBay suffers wrath of RC's, Spain Govt. clashes with RC bishops and formally reprimands to Vatican, nude ad upsets...

...new prayer for Good Friday, Polish community boost Mass numbers, priests now immigration officers, Bishop Casey still in limbo, Irish RC bishops encourage abstinence of alcohol for Lent, role of homosexuality in RC church questioned, Cardinal Brady says Irish bishops are united...

...AB Martin pleads with Cardinal Emeritus Connell, Cork & Ross Diocese less Masses available, fall in religious brothers and sisters in orders, suicide of paedophile priest, State-Church relations in Spain failing, change of Tridentine prayer for Jews, new Mormon president...

...almsgiving on Ash Wednesday, more study on Pius XII in 2008 required, Irish bishop promises clarification on CSA, Il Papa happy with surge of exorcist teams, Lambeth causing divisions, Ash Wednesday begins Lenten season...

...Anglican Bishop in Ireland to retire, new Irish Presbyterian Moderator appointed, Il Papa on Lent, new Good Friday text not acceptable to Jews, Anglican mediator hopes to avoid schism, Spanish bishop says right to interfere in politics, new Polish primate (?), Il Papa urges prayer on Ash Wednesday...

...Wikipedia used to attack Il Papa, bishops disturbed over envoy appointment, Mass cards fiasco in Ireland, prelate fiasco continues in Ireland, 20 permanent deacons to be ordained, social encyclical due in March (?), new Greek Orthodox leader elected...

...reflection on prayer, Sotto Voce commentary on AD Dublin CSA files row, Jewish leaders cannot accept prayer for conversion, Anglican AB & Sharia law, security fears for WYD, CSA cases finalised in multi-million settlement payments, chanters required by Universal music...

...Rabbi's to vote on Papal Good Friday prayer, Swiss RC confront scandals, clerical sex shop boom, Irish Cardinal to miss court appointment, equal opportunities training for bishop, Il Papa and Curia on retreat...

...Lourdes 150th anniversary, Connell not supported by 1 in 4 clerics, Il Papa liturgical services for Lent, exorcisms on rise in Europe, condom fallacies, Il Papa decries chauvinism, new cardinal urged dropping of case by Connell, sharp drop in Polish vocations...

...new German RC bishops head elected, exorcism centre in Poland planned, Italian bishop threatened by Mafia under police protection, Il Papa says Hell is real, sale of relics on eBay immoral...

...Spanish Govt and RC at loggerheads, monks RC coffee sales surge, 'Jesus' cosmetics withdrawn from sale, living together before marriage pagan says cardinal, Sr Lucia on fastrack to sainthood, US Anglican leader accepts resignation of 4 bishops, RC clergy participants in genocide, Uganda Anglican bishops boycott Lambeth, Il Papa for USA...

...RC priest jailed in Algeria for celebrating Mass, freemasonry not for RC's, US Ambassador to Vatican begins job, Il Papa and GWB to meet in White House, clergy too materialistic claims cardinal, Il Papa to fly home in 2009 (?), new rules for canonisation, Shroud of Turin should be re-examined, returning Irish missionaries entitled to pension...

...Irish schools to teach religion according to faith of students, Irish bishop betting cancelled due to over subscribing by clerics, demand for exorcisms growing, Sr Lucia beatification process moves on, 1st RC church for Qatar, rent-a-priest...

...Sino-Vatican relations seek repair, shamed monsignor works for taxman, sibling love can be legal, Anglican disestablishment possible, clerical letter for CSA abuser, update of saint making process...

...Patriarch sees no ties to Rome, police admit failings in investigating CSA claims, WCC chief to quit, Pius XII sainthood path continues, pagans lash back at exorcism claim, Spanish-Vatican tempers flare, Fr Ted reviewed...

...Dutch controversy continues, AB Romero on beatification route, Anglican female bishops not happening for at least 5 years more, Il Papa on Saint Augustine, celibacy to stay, eBay in trouble, Irish vocations crisis imminent, cult leader dies, papal message for Cuba...

...Brazilian clergy want end to celibacy, Luxembourg towards euthanasia, feast of Chair of Saint Peter, vocations crisis in RC Ireland, UK AB orders dismissal of Hospital Board, RC calling for reconcilation in Kososvo, new bishop of Down & Connor appointed...

...Il Papa grateful for Peter's Pence, Vatican ties with China, new Nuncio for Ireland, disgraced Irish bishop now a 'spiritual guru', Il Papa belief Cubans ready to follow Christ, John O'Donohue RTÉ tribute...

...Road to Emmaus, young nuns in Drogheda, judge jailed for anti-crucifix crusade, ex-RC priest new Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral (CofI), Il Papa visit now Aus$76 million, Irish RC Church needs to address celibacy, Cardinal becomes YouTube star, e-Priest synergy, confusion over receiving Communion in the hands, Vatican No. 2 on trips around world again...

...CSA priest imprisoned, young clergy stealing homilies from internet, House of Prayer condemned by Archbishop, new Anglican Dean quit due to RC celibacy rules, China-Vatican relations to improve, Muslim-Judaic letter, Irish vocations crisis...

...Il Papa to relax in Pell house, 4 new saints to be decided on 1st March, Il Papa and Saint Augustine, bridal warning, Fr Ted Fest, Seal of Confession under scrutiny, RC covered up death...

...more CSA scandals, gay and lesbian clergy, Lambeth versus Parliament, 3rd encyclical due, Alitalia chief in charge of Vatican finances and thereby the month of February comes to a close.
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Disclaimer


No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.


The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.


Sotto Voce

Alitalia president named as Vatican's international financial controller

Alitalia president Maurizio Prato has been named as the Vatican's international financial controller by Pope Benedict XVI, according to a statement from the Holy See.

The council of international financial controllers is attached to the Vatican's prefecture of economic affairs, which controls the administration of Vatican City and drafts the Holy See's financial accounts.

The council has to comprise five professionals particularly competent in examining accounts and balance sheets, and who are prepared to give their services free of charge.

The council members meet at least once a year.

Prato was already a councillor with the Vatican's prefecture of economic affairs.

Prato will take on this new role 'in addition to his functions at the head of Alitalia', a spokesperson for Alitalia said.
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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Vatican condemns offensive cartoon reprint

Officials from the Vatican and Al-Azhar on Wednesday condemned the reprinting of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed considered offensive to Muslims.

Sheikh Abdel Fattah Alaam, chairman of Al-Azhar (Sunni Islam's main seat of learning) Dialogue Committee and Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, wrapped up a two-day meeting in Cairo on dialogue between the monotheistic religions.

In a joint statement, they "strongly condemned the republication of offensive cartoons and the rising number of attacks against Islam and its Prophet."

They stressed that "freedom of expression (should) not be taken as a pretext for offending religions, convictions, religious symbols and everything that is considered sacred."

At least 17 Danish dailies last week reprinted a drawing featuring the Prophet Mohammed's head with a turban that looked like a bomb with a lit fuse.

Muslim campaigners complain against double standards when dealing with freedom of speech issues, citing examples where non-Muslims have laws to protect them from offensive publications.
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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Catholic Priest Jailed on Accusations of Sexual Abuse

A Roman Catholic priest is in jail this morning, facing several felony sex abuse charges.

Father John Broderick, who is in the Montgomery County Jail, is accused of having inappropriate contact with at least four children, all of them in the same family.

Police say the alleged abuse took place over the course of several months last year.

The victims' parents tell investigators that Broderick was a trusted friend.

NEWS10's Demetra Ganias has more on the relationship between Broderick and his alleged victims.

47-year-old Catholic priest John Broderick is facing four counts each of sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

Local attorney John Aretakis has been representing the alleged victims for about six months now, and says they and Father Broderick had a strong relationship.

"Extremely close, extremely trusting. The priest was involved in many aspects of the family's life," he said to Demetra Ganias.

Acording to Aretakis, the alleged victims and their family live in the Palatine Bridge area of Montgomery County; and although Father Broderick is from the Syracuse Diocese, he would come to the Albany Diocese to administer to the family.

The attorney claims that the priest abused his role as spiritual advisor to the family, and abused the four boys, ages 5 to 11.

Aretakis believes the Albany Diocese would have to have known about Broderick working there, but in a statement from the Diocese, a spokesman says:

"John Broderick is not a priest of the Albany Diocese, and the Albany Diocese has had no knowledge of him prior to learning of this matter."

Though these are the first allegations Artetakis has heard of, he has been looking into Broderick's background, and found the priest is often surrounded by children. He lists, "church youth group, church choir [and] church camping activities,"

He then adds that the alleged victims are suffering, and the family is left questioning their faith.

Meanwhile, Broderick is in the Montgomery County Jail on $50,000 bail.
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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Bishop's complaint leads to police investigation for Methodists

A METHODIST church in Smolensk, Russia, has become the focus of a police investigation following a complaint by a Russian Orthodox bishop.

The regional Public Prosecutor's Office, Organised Crime Police, Department for the Affairs of Minors, Education Department and ordinary police in Smolensk have made a series of check-ups on a local Methodist church.

They also forced the church to remove missionary college plans from its website.

Bishop Ignati (Punin) of Vyazma claimed the college "aims not to bring about the rebirth of the spiritual-moral foundations of the life of our people, but its spiritual destruction."

He then asked the Regional Public Prosecutor "to take the measures necessary in this situation to defend the inhabitants of our city, particularly youth, from this pseudo-religious organisation."

Even though the Bishop's appeal contained no legal argument, the Public Prosecutor's Office explained to Forum 18 that it reacted because: "Any citizen or organisation may appeal to us." If a citizen suggests an organisation is harmful, but not in breach of the law, "we'll check the legality of its activity," Forum 18 was told.

Methodist Pastor Aleksandr Vtorov has filed suit for moral damages against Bishop Ignati. Intimidated by the unprecedented wave of check-ups, only five Methodists attended last Sunday's worship service, instead of the usual 36.

The pastor commented: "There should be an anti-monopoly commission for religion, like there is in the economic sphere!"
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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Papal visit to Holy Land depends on situation Christians face in the region

The Apostolic Nuncio to the Holy Land, Archbishop Antonio Franco, reiterated his hope this week that Pope Benedict XVI would visit the region, but said the trip would only be possible if the difficulties being experienced by the Christian community are overcome and if progress is made on the Palestinian issue.

In an interview with terrasanta.net, the archbishop said, “Our hope is that that day will arrive (the papal visit), and I am convinced that this trip would be beneficial for all. But what our negotiators keep repeating is that the Pope should be able travel in a positive atmosphere. If the Catholic Christian community is experiencing difficulties and is in a state of permanent tension, it will be more difficult for the Pope to visit us, because we want the most serene atmosphere possible.”

“Insofar as the practical problems are resolved and progress is made on the core problem of the Palestinian issue, which in the end is the root of all other problems, the climate and the groundwork is created for a papal visit,” the archbishop said.

During the interview, he also stressed that the Holy See cannot sign any agreement with the State of Israel that includes fiscal obligations that the Christian community “cannot sustain.”

“The Holy See is not asking for privileges, but rather that the rights of Christians who live in this land be respected,” he said.

He warned that making the Catholic communities pay more would lead to their disappearance, as they depend on what they receive from the universal Church.
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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Cardinal Bertone confirms Pope's Third Encyclical will be on Social Justice

The Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, confirmed today that Pope Benedict XVI is about to finish his Encyclical on social issues.

"Yes, the Pope is working on a social encyclical, which will have, I believe, a significant impact on the great social and economic problems in the contemporary world," said Cardinal Bertone during an interview published today by the Italian daily "La Repubblica."

Pope Benedict, according to Cardinal Bertone, "will address issues particularly related to the third and the fourth world."

The concept "fourth world" was coined by Pope John Paul II in his social encyclical “Sollicitudo Rei Socialis”, in reference to the poor and marginalized living in developed countries, especially in inner cities.

The Secretary of State gave no clue as to when the document will be released, but unnamed sources from the Vatican quoted previously by the daily "Il Messaggero," said the third encyclical of Pope Benedict would be signed on the feast of St. Joseph –March 19th - and released during Easter.

"The encyclical will focus on international social problems, with special attention to developing countries," Cardinal Bertone told "La Repubblica."
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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Who put extra day on the calendar?

Leap year is back, the time when the poor, neglected little month of February gets showered with a few moments of notoriety and tries in vain to grow up to be as big as the other months.

Most people know leap years — those years when an extra day gets tacked onto the end of February — happen every four years.

But which four years?

How do we know when to start counting?

And what’s this rumor about there not being a leap year on a century year?

Does it have to be during a presidential election year?

Does it have to do with the Olympics, and if so, does that mean now we have to have leap year every two years, alternating it in the summer and winter, because it makes for better television ratings?

A little digging has uncovered the (apparently) well-kept secret that there is, in fact, a leap year rule, and it has nothing to do with elections or the Olympics. It’s a little complicated, but when dealing with concepts such as time and the universe, that’s to be expected.

A year is a leap year if it is divisible by four (that’s easy). But, if the year is also divisible by 100, then it is not a leap year (there’s that century rumor), unless it is also divisible by 400. Ahh. So that’s why eight years ago the year 2000 was a leap year. In fact, it was the first century leap year since 1600.

Who makes this stuff up?

Julius Caesar and Pope Gregory, that’s who.

Someone had to do something in order to keep the seasons from drifting into different months.

The exact length of a year — that is, how long it actually takes the earth to revolve around the sun — is 365.24219 days.

That means if the calendar year were just 365 days, the seasons, which are determined by the position of the earth as it orbits the sun, would shift a quarter of a day every year.

Not such a big deal, until 100 years go by and autumn is beginning in mid-August, 25 days earlier than it used to.

So, in 45 BC, Caesar decided to add a day at the end of February (back then, it was the last day of the year) every four years.

This was an improvement, because now the average calendar year was 365.25 days, which was closer to the actual year, but it still didn’t fix the problem.

At 365.25 days, now the calendar year was too long, and the seasons would eventually drift the other way, falling one day later every 128 years.

In 1582, Pope Gregory was apparently bothered enough by the shifting seasons that he decided to do something about it.

In one fell swoop, he changed the end of the calendar year to Dec. 31, he left 10 days out of October, and he added the “no leap year on a year divisible by 100 unless it’s also divisible by 400” part of the rule.

Now the seasons were back in phase with the calendar, and the average calendar year was 365.2425 days, much closer to a true year.

The Gregorian calendar, with all of its leaping intricacies, is what we still use today in order to keep the seasons where they are supposed to be.

But it has caused a problem for a unique segment of the world’s population — those who don’t get to celebrate quite as many birthdays as others do.

Born on leap day

According to the Honor Society of Leap Day Babies, about one in 1,461 people are born on Feb. 29. That’s only about 200,000 Americans and 4 million people worldwide.

Among those who celebrate their birthdays quadrennially were Pope Paul III (born 1468); Gioacchino Rossini (born 1792), composer of such operas as The Barber of Seville; Mararji Desai (born 1896), prime minister of India in the late 1970s; bandleader Jimmy Dorsey (born 1904); and actor Dennis Farina (born 1944).

One family, the Henriksens, apparently had a connection to leap year that was inexplicably strong. Three siblings were all born on consecutive leap days, Heidi in 1960, Olav in 1964, and Leif in 1968.

There haven’t been many earth-shattering events that have taken place on leap days throughout history, although there have been a few earth-shaking ones: An earthquake, tidal wave, and fire struck Agadir, Morocco, on leap day in 1960, and Tokyo was shaken by an earthquake on leap day 1972.

With leap year working so well, it’s likely to be around far into the foreseeable future. But it’s not perfect.

Even with the complicated leap year rules, there will still be a drift in the calendar year of one day every 3,300 years.

Think we can live with that?
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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Vatican daily strikes new distribution deal with Italian diocese

The Vatican daily L’Osservatore Romano has reached an agreement with the Italian Diocese of Bergamo, giving the newspaper a major boost in circulation in the country.

L’Osservatore Romano’s new director, Giovanni Maria Vian, explained that thanks to the recent overhaul of the newspaper, it can now be found in bars and restaurants—places where it was impossible to find it before.

The Pope’s daily “truly deserves to be more and more known and distributed,” Vian said. To achieve this goal, Vian has secured a deal with one of the most important Catholic newspapers in Italy, the “Eco de Bergamo,” which has wide distribution throughout Italy.

Starting this Sunday, March 2, through the end of the year, the Sunday edition of the “Eco” will include the complete Sunday edition of L’Osservatore Romano, which will be printed outside the Vatican for the first time since 1929.

The deal means the Vatican newspaper will reach thousands of new readers with no subscription increase necessary.

Vian said the deal was possible “thanks to the generosity of Bishop Roberto Amadei of Bergamo, who has put himself at the disposition of Benedict XVI on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the election of one of his great predecessors, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli (Blessed John XXIII), who was from the land of Bergamo.”

Vian expressed the “humble confidence that, under the sign of Benedict and John, L’Osservatore Romano is increasingly being disseminated.”
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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Lapsed Catholics: Come Home, The Light is Always On (Contribution)

The recent Pew survey that indicates at least 1 out of 10 Catholics is in a lapsed state represents a serious concern for all American Catholics.

As a Church our primary concern, of course, should include remedies that will incorporate these lapsed Catholics back into the theological fold.

Repeatedly, the subject of attending Sacraments and most especially Eucharist is preached on Sunday.

However, the message is going to the wrong ears.

The ones we dearly miss, and would like to see again in the pews, are the 10% lapsed Catholics not the ones in the pew at Sunday Mass.

The ten percent number clearly indicates the need for internal Catholic examination of the reasons that contribute to this attrition from the Communion rail.

One also needs to consider the effectiveness of the message that is being dispatched to the other 90% of us as well.

While the deposit of faith does not need a makeover, perhaps the methodologies and applications that educate the Catholic believer do.

Unfortunately, once the years of Catholic education are completed, either at a Catholic School or via religious education classes, there is very little opportunity for continuing education to deepen Catholic theological knowledge among parishioners.

There is, of course, the weekly homily - - and it is surely important for those of us attending Mass- - but, perhaps something more dramatic and drastic needs to happen.

That suggestion would be the fulfillment of the “New Evangelization” as proclaimed by John-Paul II with Catholics ministering to fellow Catholics.

One of the reasons that Protestant evangelism is so popular in the United States is because it presents a religious experience and a feeling of communal “belonging.”

Maybe that is the spark of hospitality and spiritual development we need in our Catholic parishes on a broader basis. We need to feel welcome and that we belong.

A start to this process might include educational forums for the entire age span of Catholic parishioners without the burden of mortal sin or a pastoral chastisement. We need to educate Catholics on the art and science of being Catholic.

That does not mean doctrinal instructions on faith issues; it is simply letting people participate in the theological treasury that the Church has to offer.

Adult education quite honestly should fill Catholic educational facilities by evening, after the Catholic school children have gone home.

A living parish has more involvement than the CYO basketball games, religious educational classes for sacraments and the Knights of Columbus. Catholic Churches need to offer more than just a pancake breakfast once a month and make the parish community the focus of social interaction with Catholic sacramental participation as the foundation.

While it is quite certain the local mall offers more of a lure for Catholic parish members, our parish communities need to become more attentive to the needs of the local people.

Perhaps the 6:30 am Mass is impossible for working adults with parental responsibilities and employment issues…maybe 6:30 pm would work better for the local community.

Perhaps a parish social each evening, or once a week, to just communicate with our brothers and sisters in faith…coffee, tea and conversation. Such an event might be a great igniter for not only discussion of Catholic concerns, but also a boost to vocations by seeing the local curate outside of the function of sacramental minister.

We all hear about the shortage of priests to minister in our parishes. Yes, this indeed is increasingly true; however, mutual catechesis and evangelization can transpire over a cup of coffee or tea between Reverend Clergy and parishioners.

Education is also an integral factor in the new evangelization called for by the teachings of John-Paul II and Benedict XVI as well.

As faithful Catholics, we need to be compelled towards the absolute love of our Catholic lifestyle through our actions, knowledge and activities.

Being Catholic implies more than dropping your envelope into the collection on Sundays and running out the back door after Communion.

Seminars or informational events that explain Catholic issues such as the correct teachings on human life, proper Catholic political responsibility and the spiritual requirements of a modern Catholic are all vital points that would make great discussion groups.

As we progress into the Church of the 21st century, we need to think outside of the usual structural framework as Catholics and offer an intuitive challenge to our faithful believers.

Such a challenge might include dramatically changing the structure of our local parishes, perhaps making them smaller, maybe empowering other responsible Catholics to education and ministry or simply just making the parish feel…the light is on and you are welcome.

The light is truly always on in our Catholic Churches. Namely, the sanctuary light and it offers a bright message of Jesus Eucharistic Presence.

In a similar manner, it also provides an invitation for all Catholics most especially the lapsed to come home and get to know your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Everyone is welcome!
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Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce

Doing Something About The Priestly Vocation Crisis (Contribution)

Apparently I have been suffering delusions of grandeur lately.

Must be, since I asked to be put on the agenda to speak at the next meeting of the parish council- at a beautiful parish in the far western suburbs of Chicago.

Before putting me on the agenda they wanted to know, what was my proposal exactly?

Resolved: That the parish council adopt as goal that we always have a full complement of priests to minister to the parish, a full rectory.

With an amused smile, I was told this would not be allowed -- on the grounds that it was unrealistic.

Nevertheless, indulging my fantasy life a little further I actually drafted my remarks, which I would be happy to make to any pastoral council that would hear me out:

Members of the Pastoral Council: We have been reading about the “vocations crisis” for years, and now it has arrived. Soon we may be a priest-less parish, or a parish with one very overworked, frazzled, and unhealthy priest.

Now then, what are we going to do about it?

Here you may well ask, “What can we do about it?”

Actually, there is plenty we can do.

But we need, first, to adopt a realistic attitude toward the entire situation, an attitude of Biblical realism. It seems to me there are two kinds of realism. The one is based on facts, figures, statistics, studies, and trends: the old realism.

The other is based on the power and the love of God: the new realism. “Can God do all things?” asked the Baltimore Catechism.

And in every Catholic grade school class where Sister asked that question in the fifties, back came dozens of children’s voices in sing-song, “Yes, God can do all things, for nothing is hard or impossible for Him.”

It is still true.

A Bible under the inspiration of the old realism would read something like this: “On the third day there was a wedding at Cana of Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there.

Jesus and his disciples had likewise been invited to the celebration.

At a certain point the wine ran out, and Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no wine.”

And Jesus said, “Don’t be naïve.”

But this kind of “realism” is offensive to us Catholics, is it not? It is dreadful, deadly, hostile to our faith, cold, unloving and false.

And one could go through the entire Scripture in this fashion, preventing every miracle with scepticism.

In that Bible, Noah would have been realistic and not built the ark, Moses would have been realistic and not gone to Pharaoh, Jesus would have been realistic and stayed in the tomb- and we would still be in our sins.

In fact, His trusting Mother turned to the servants and told them, “Do whatever he tells you.”

“Fill those jars with water,” Jesus ordered.

When the head waiter tasted the water made wine, he said to the groom, “You have saved the choice wine until now.”

So let us put statistics and trends to one side for the moment, and re-orient ourselves in the new realism.

“Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 18:19).

“Therefore I say unto you, all things, whatsoever you ask when ye pray, believe that you shall receive: and they shall come unto you” (Mr 11:24).

“Because I go to the Father: and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do: that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).

Do we believe this stuff or don’t we?

Of course, many of us have a long list of unanswered prayers that makes us very inclined toward the old realism.

“I asked to marry Betty Lou, but Betty Lou married someone else.”

“I asked the Lord to heal my dad of cancer, but he died anyway,” etc.

Moreover the old realism delivers consistent answers. “Will the surface of this lake support my weight?” No, every time. The old realism asks no faith of us, only that we allow nature to take its course. Plot the statistics, find the trend, make a decision.

The trend is toward fewer priests. Realistically, is it then the function of the parish council to wind the parish down in an orderly way, ultimately requesting the last priest leaving the rectory to please turn off the lights? That is a very realistic scenario in its way. Is that our “realism?” Our Catholic leadership?

Unnoticed in this survey is the fact that Jesus assumes that we will be as enthused about spreading His kingdom as He is and that our most fervent prayers will be for that purpose.

“Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into the harvest.”

He has already told us that if we pray with faith, He will answer our prayers.

Here He takes it a step further and indicates what He would like us to pray for.

This is a prayer He is eager to answer.
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Sotto Voce

Lambeth rebuts Tory leader's comments on Archbishop and Sharia

Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury's headquarters, has rejected claims made in a speech earlier this week by Conservative leader David Cameron, that Dr Rowan Williams was seeking the incorporation of Sharia law in the UK.

The row goes back to the Archbishop’s remarks in a BBC interview before an academic lecture, during which he said that the implementation of aspects of Sharia law in the UK was "unavoidable".

He later confirmed that he was talking about family and banking provisions which are already widely practiced, and the question of how this might be recognised within a single, universal framework of civil law.

In his speech in London on 26 February 2008, Mr Cameron said allowing two laws to work side by side would be dangerous adding: "All citizens are equal before the law."

He also said "state multiculturalism" had produced "disastrous results".

But a spokesman for Dr Williams said: "Whilst the Archbishop welcomes any moves by those in positions of political power and influence to discuss openly the place of religious communities in British public life, he made clear immediately after his lecture on Islam and British law that he ‘did not call for its introduction as some kind of parallel jurisdiction to the civil law’.

“[The Archbishop] does not therefore recognise Mr Cameron's reference on several occasions within his speech to the Archbishop's position as being in favour of ‘introducing Sharia law’ in parts of Britain or ‘offering a parallel system of justice’.”
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Sotto Voce

Cor Unum Asks if Encyclical Has Changed Hearts

Benedict XVI's encyclical is not just something to read; it should change the attitudes and habits of those who work in Catholic charitable groups, believes the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.

The Pontifical Council Cor Unum, which coordinates and promotes the world's Catholic institutions of assistance and volunteering, began today its 28th plenary assembly.

The meeting, under way through Saturday, will consider the "human and spiritual qualities of people who work in Catholic charity institutions," the Vatican reported.

One of the aims of the assembly is to re-examine Benedict XVI's first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est," and to verify if and how it has changed the attitudes of those who work in the charitable organizations of the Church.

Attention will also be given to the question of the integral and continuous formation of managers and workers in the various Catholic charity organizations.

Cardinal Paul Cordes, president of the dicastery, opened the assembly. His address was followed by a report from the council's secretary, Monsignor Karel Kasteel. Following this, representatives of the various charitable bodies will discuss their work experiences.

Friday will be dedicated to examining the principal theme of the meeting, the main contribution coming from Father Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities based in Alexandria, Virginia.

Subsequently, Professor Paul Schallenberg of the University of Fulda, Germany, will address the gathering on "the place of mercy in the welfare state: theological-ethical observations."

At the end of the second day, participants will visit the "Comunita dell'Agnello," a group of women religious who announce the Gospel and work with the poor on the streets and in homes.

On Saturday, working groups will meet to discuss ideas and proposals for formation.
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Sotto Voce

Evangelization is top priority, Pope tells Salvadoran bishops

Pope Benedict XVI met on February 28 with bishops from El Salvador, who were concluding their ad limina visits to Rome.

The Pontiff encouraged "ambitious and audacious efforts at evangelization" in the Central American country.

The Holy Father said that the culture of El Salvador is marked by "living faith and deep religious sentiment."

He said that the powerful witness of many committed pastors-- mentioned the late Archbishop Oscar Romero specifically-- had helped to bring "abundant fruits of Christian life and sanctity."

At the same time, the Pope continued, El Salvador suffers from the lingering effects of a long civil war.

The violence that has scarred the land remains "your country's most serious problem," the Pope said, adding that violence has aggravated other problems such as poverty, lack of education, emigration, and family breakdown.

To counteract these negative trends, the Pope recognized, the Salvadoran bishops are anxious to address the material needs of their people.

"Yet it must not be forgotten,"he warned, "that man is not just a product of the material and social conditions in which he lives."

"Man needs God, otherwise he remains without hope," the Pope said.

He asked the bishops to help their people "discover the spiritual richness of their Baptism."

Strong efforts at evangelization, he went on, will help the laity "to acquire a strong ecclesial sense of belonging and solid doctrinal formation, especially as concerns the Church's social doctrine where they will find clear criteria and guidance to illuminate the society in which they live." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Sotto Voce

Argentine Catholics plan act of reparation in profaned cathedral

Today, February 29, a group of Catholics in Argentina will hold an act of reparation for the profanation of the cathedral of Buenos Aires carried out by the Mothers of the May Square-- an association of women whose sons and daughters went missing during the military dictatorship of 1976-1983-- and a group of vandals.

Organizers said the ceremony would include the recitation of the Rosary in an atmosphere of “silence and profound prayer that God may forgive our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.”

“If the doors of the cathedral are closed, we will pray the Rosary in the atrium, mindful that God is present there too, listening to us with the heart of a Father. If they are open, we will pray before the Blessed Sacrament,” they said.

They called on those who plan to attend not to respond to the possibility that protestors might show up, “since to do so is to fall into their plans to disturb an act of piety with hatred, which leads to nothing good.”

Last January 29, six women from the Mothers of the May Square, led by their president Hebe de Bonafini, occupied the cathedral to fast in protest of the lack of state funding for housing in Buenos Aires.

Bonafini told reporters that since the bathrooms of the Cathedral were closed, the women relieved themselves on the floor behind the main altar.

Bonafini is renowned for her anti-Catholicism.

On one occasion she publicly expressed her desire for the death of John Paul II, and after he died, she said the Pontiff would “go to hell.”

She has also praised the September 11 attacks on the United States. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Sotto Voce

Gay and Lesbian Clergy

Gay and lesbian clergy are finding their way into churches across the country more than ever.

Associate Professor of Religion at Hastings College, Reverend Doctor David B. McCarthy said, "There have been gay and lesbian clergy for millennia, as long as there have been clergy."

Rev. Dr. McCarthy has been chaplain at Hastings College for 7 years. He says though gay and lesbian clergy have become more accepted, it's still controversial because of an individual's interpretation of readings.

"There are passages talking about the different times they are written, or do they extend more broadly to people in different times and different cultures, that's the crux of the disagreement many Christians have today," Rev. Dr. McCarthy explained.

In 2004, Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop to be ordained by the Episcopal Church. Presbyteries in at least 5 states have ordained gay ministers, and Evangelical Lutherans are urged to accept gay and lesbian clergy.

"In general the denominations that tend to be more accepting are the United Church of Christ, or the Christian Church, the Disciples of Christ, and the Unitarian Association. Others are still facing the issue," Rev. Dr. McCarthy described.

Father Mike McDonald of Kearney says it's a subject that Catholics have just started to deal with when a man enters the priesthood.

"He's called to live a celibate life, and called to be a service to the church, his sexual preference is less important than his call to the ministry and celibacy in the Catholic Church," said Father McDonald with the Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney.

While in a predominantly conservative state, Doctor McCarthy believes that people will become more understanding.

"As Nebraskans find out that gays and lesbians aren't strangers, they're brothers, sisters, they're cousins, sons and daughters that Nebraskans will come to understand that gays and lesbians are people that they already love and accept and I think it will make a big difference to the world," Rev. Dr. McCarthy concluded.

McCarthy adds that it's a generational issue, and younger people who haven't grown up with prejudices can be more understanding.
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Oregon attorney challenges Portland archdiocese over documents

An attorney for victims of alleged sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests is challenging an Archdiocese of Portland request to appoint a federal judge to decide whether to release church documents on the priests.

The archdiocese settled about 175 lawsuits last April for $50 million to end the first bankruptcy in the nation filed by a Catholic diocese.

As part of the settlement, the archdiocese agreed to release documents that victim advocates say will show church leaders knew more about the abuse than they have acknowledged.

But negotiations over the release have broken down, and the case is being sent back to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Elizabeth Perris next month for a ruling.

An agreement to resolve any disputes over the documents would send the case to one of the mediators who helped broker the settlement, retired Lane County Circuit Judge Lyle Velure.

If he cannot get both sides to agree, the dispute would be sent to the other mediator in the case, U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan, for binding arbitration.

Erin Olson, a Portland lawyer who has been one of the principal attorneys in the case, did not agree to the procedure and is separately seeking the release of 1,760 documents from the files on clergy assigned to the archdiocese.

Olson argues the archdiocese cannot request that Hogan be designated a "special master" to decide whether those documents can be released from a 2005 protective order by Perris.

In her challenge filed Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Portland, Olson said the archdiocese request "is a pretext" to "prevent the disclosure of documents it has promised the victims and the public it will disclose."

Olson noted that the bankruptcy settlement involved "tens of thousands" of documents but her separate request for disclosure has been narrowed to "a manageable number of specifically identified documents, culled through careful reviews of the more than 50 personnel files of accused clergy."

Bud Bunce, an archdiocese spokesman, said the church is seeking to apply the same procedure for the release of all documents by asking Hogan to make the decision on Olson's request.

Bill Crane, a spokesman for SNAP, a victim advocacy group, said Olson has spent thousands of hours going through the church documents, "pinpointing the ones with credibility to be released."

Crane said the archdiocese motion to send the documents to Hogan shows that church leaders are trying to avoid any responsibility for failure to discipline or remove abusive priests.

"We need accountability and full disclosure," Crane said.
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Sotto Voce

Police: Priest abused kids

A Catholic priest acting as a Montgomery County family’s spiritual adviser has been arrested, accused of sexually abusing the family’s four children, state police said Wednesday.

John W. Broderick, 47, of Nicholville, St. Lawrence County, is accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with the children, ages 5 to 11, over several months last year.

State police in Fonda began investigating after receiving a complaint from a Montgomery County family.

The parent told police Broderick befriended the family and became their spiritual adviser.

He left the county in May 2007, ending up in Massena, at the Holy Name of Jesus Academy. He was arrested by state police investigators there.

State police identified him with the Catholic Diocese of Syracuse; however, the school he was arrested at appears to be run by a sect not officially recognized by the Catholic Church.

Montgomery County District Attorney Jed Conboy said he did not believe Broderick was in the county acting on behalf of any diocese. Conboy was unsure how long Broderick was in the county.

State police spokeswoman Maureen Tuffey said the extent of the allegations make investigators fear Broderick had more victims.

“If somebody is 47 years old and doing this, it’s usually not their first time,” Tuffey said. “Generally speaking, when you see these cases, you usually encounter other victims.”

She cited that as the main reason they publicized the case Wednesday. Anyone with information was asked to call the state police at 853-4708.

State police described Broderick as a pastor who was not assigned to a particular church.

Broderick faces three counts of first-degree sexual abuse, felonies, one count of second-degree sexual abuse and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanors.

He was arraigned in Town of Palatine Court and ordered held on $50,000 bail.

Broderick was suspended earlier this year by the Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, police said.

However, the school where he was arrested is run by the Dominican Sisters of Idaho, a group not officially recognized by the Catholic Church, according to an article in the Watertown Daily Times.

A spokesperson for the Syracuse Catholic diocese did not return a call for comment Wednesday. Neither Montgomery County nor Massena are part of that diocese.

Montgomery County falls under the Albany diocese. Ken Goldfarb, spokesman for Albany, confirmed Broderick is not a priest for Albany and he was never assigned to any diocese parish.

The Albany diocese extends west to include Herkimer County.

Further, any priest from another diocese would have to ask permission from the local bishop to practice, Goldfarb said. “We have no knowledge of him ever seeking permission.”

Massena is under the Ogdensburg diocese. An official there said the Holy Name of Jesus school was under another group’s control. Calls to the school’s listed number were not returned Wednesday.

The Holy Name of Jesus Academy opened in September, serving about 50 girls in preschool to seventh grades, according to a newsletter from a group related to the Dominican Sisters of Idaho.

The newsletter also includes several photographs. In one photo, a man identified as “independent New York state priest, Fr. John Broderick” is described as helping bless the school complex.
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Sotto Voce

Catholics Asked to Stop Komen Donations

The Diocese of Little Rock is urging its members not to donate to a breast cancer foundation known for its fundraising races across the globe because the group supports Planned Parenthood.

The diocese says the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, which has invested about $1 billion in cancer outreach and research, gives money to Planned Parenthood to hold breast exams and offer education to women in its clinics.

"Donors cannot control how an organization designates its funds," a diocese statement reads. "Therefore, money donated for a specific service ... directly frees up funds to support other areas of an organization's agenda."

Marianne Linane, director of the diocese's "respect life" office, said those other agendas includes abortions and contraceptive services. The Catholic church's policy is that abortion is wrong in every instance.

Linane said the Little Rock diocese, which oversees all churches in Arkansas, used the same statement sent out by the church's St. Louis diocese last year.

However, the end of the Little Rock letter included addresses of Arkansas hospitals parishioners could donate to that would eliminate "the administrative funds for a middle broker."

Monsignor J. Gaston Hebert sent the statement to parishes and Catholic schools this month and planned to send out a follow-up letter, Linane said. Hebert did not return a call for comment Tuesday.

Little Rock follows other dioceses in raising concerns with the foundation. In 2005, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston abandoned its support of the foundation, while in 2006 the newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix took issue over Komen's Planned Parenthood funding.

Rebecca Gibson, a spokeswoman for the Komen foundation, said the group invested $69.6 million in more than 1,600 community-based education and screening programs during 2007. Planned Parenthood received less than 1 percent of that money, she said.

"It's insignificant in relation to all of the funding we do," Gibson said. "I think it's just really unfortunate undue attention is being shed on organizations that are providing vital services in those communities."

The diocese's decision comes as northwest Arkansas prepares for its running of the Race for the Cure on April 19.

Officials estimated Little Rock's running last year brought out more than 43,000 participants and raised more than $1.65 million.
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Sotto Voce

Catholic church 'covered up' student death

THE nation's peak Catholic education body ignored the dangerous state of trees at a Darwin school and then staged a "cover-up" after a nine-year-old student was killed by a falling branch, an inquest has heard.

The former chairman of the St Mary's Primary School board, Michael Spadaccini, said he was threatened by the Northern Territory branch of the Catholic Education Office (CEO) and ostracised by the church for speaking out about the dire state of the trees.

''(Former CEO director Bill Griffiths) even stated that Darwin was a small place, I was a little fish, and I had to be careful about what I say,'' Mr Spadaccini said in a statutory declaration read to the inquest into the death in August 2006 of Aidan Bott.

"As I started making recommendations and pushing for attention for major school issues (the former principal Tony O'Brien), the CEO and even the church refused to speak to me.

"I believe that Tony O'Brien and the CEO were always fully aware of the dangerous tree situation in the school courtyard.''

But they "did not want to deal with the matter'' and on August 16 rejected an $8,000 quote to cut them down, Mr Spadaccini said,.

"I responded, 'what was a life worth?' My comments were laughed at.

"It was only a few weeks later that Aidan (Bott) died.''

Aidan died after the branch of an African Mahogany tree hit him on the head while he was eating his lunch at the school on August 22, 2006.

Suffering severe brain damage, the year four student remained in a coma for a week before dying on August 29.

As Mr Spadaccini's statutory declaration was read out the boy's mother, Robyn Hunt, burst into tears.

NT Coroner Greg Cavanagh said Mr Spadaccini's evidence and another letter not read to the court indicated both the school principal and the CEO were well aware of the dangers posed by the tree, and had been for some time.

"That is explosive,'' he said.

"The evidence rather speaks for itself in my view.''

The deputy director of the CEO and the former St Mary's principal, Mr O'Brien, have denied knowing the trees were dangerous.

Mr Cavanagh today warned the CEO and the school not to try to hamper his efforts at uncovering the truth.

Setbacks during the inquest have included the file of a former groundsmen - who claimed to have sent 10 letters stating his concerns - going missing.

It surfaced on the second day of the inquest, but without the letters.

The coroner is also yet to see the full minutes of the school board, in particular those pertaining to a lack of school maintenance and the reasons behind a vote of no confidence in both the principal and CEO.

This is despite the fact that the full set of minutes was provided to the CEO by a board member at Christmas 2006.

"I want to know the details concerning maintenance at this school, who knew what ... and what solutions were being provided, and I will not be stopped from getting to the truth,'' Mr Cavanagh said.

Mr Spadaccini, who resigned and withdrew his own children from the school after Aidan's death, said he wanted to give evidence in court "and give the truth about the cover-ups by the Darwin Catholic Education Department''.

The court also heard that St Mary's spent seven times less on maintenance than the average amount budgeted for public schools in the Northern Territory.

The inquest was adjourned to March 18.
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Sotto Voce

A new wave of extremism falling on Christians, says Mgr Saldanha

The chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan, Mgr Lawrence John Saldanha, has called on the government to protect Christians from a new wave of violence that is falling on them.

He stressed that the constitution protects freedom of religion and that the authorities are duty-bound to do something to stop threats and attempts by Muslim extremists to force the nation’s minorities to convert.

In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need he lamented the growing “hatred and intolerance” of militant groups.

Their repeated attempts to force Christians to convert to Islam are not only violent in nature but also contravene the principles guaranteed in Pakistan's constitution.

For the archbishop of Lahore, the story of a young Catholic man is a case in point.

The father of four was abducted last month by militants from Jamaat-ul-Dawah, an extremist group deemed terrorist.

He was tortured in order to force him to become Muslim.

His case “underlines the difficulties and pressures of living in a land where extremism is growing,” where “there is little tolerance for people who are non-Muslims,” in particular for “Christians who live in remote and isolated towns [. . .]. Here the level of hatred and intolerance is even more intense.”

What is more distressing is the plight of Christian girls who are abducted and forced to marry their captors and change their religion.

This is something that has never happened before. We Christians are citizens, just like everyone else, and wish to have the same rights,” he said.

But sadly these events show what can happen when intolerance takes hold of an entire country.
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Sotto Voce

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Lent 2008 - 4th. Thursday

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."


Loving God,
I hear your invitation, "Come back to me"
and I am filled with such a longing to return to you.

Show me the way to return.

Lead me this day in good works I do in your name
and send your Spirit to guide me and strengthen my faith.

I ask only to feel your love in my life today.

Clerical Humour...

A little boy opened the big family bible.

He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages.

Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible.

He picked up the object and looked at it.

What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages.

"Mama, look what I found", the boy called out.

"What have you got there, dear?"

With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear!"

Italian priest challenges politician on Catholics' duties

The editor of the popular Catholic magazine Famiglia Cristiana, Father Antonio Scortino, has taken issue with the leader of the Italy’s Democratic party, Walter Veltroni, on the responsibilities of Catholic voters.

Veltroni had argued that his Democratic party does not need to take a stand in favor of Church teachings on controversial public issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and embryo research.

The Roman mayor said that both loyal Catholics and atheists could be comfortable within the party.

Father Scortino disagreed, saying that Catholics cannot make common cause with radicals in the new center-left political party.

"Catholics are incompatible with radicals," he said.

Opinion polls in Italy suggest that for practical purposes, Veltroni is winning his argument.

While Italy’s Radical Party has supported a referendum liberalizing in-vitro fertilization laws, legislation on homosexual civil unions, and pro-euthanasia marches, recent polling found that 40% of Catholics in Italy believe that Catholics could vote for party. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Sotto Voce

Three Catholic Cabinet ministers threaten to quit over crossing human embryos with animals

Three Catholic Cabinet ministers are threatening to quit over new laws allowing scientists to cross human embryos with animals.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, Defence Secretary Des Browne and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy want the right to vote against sections of the Government Bill.

Six other ministers, about six Parliamentary Private Secretaries and a number of whips could also resign if they cannot vote with their conscience - which would be a huge blow to Gordon Brown.

One potential rebel said: "A lot of negotiating is going on. But at the moment we're walking to disaster."

Opposition to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill is Mr Brown's first big Parliamentary test as Premier. Whips say ministers with objections could stay away when the vote is held after Easter. But rebels say they should be allowed to vote for changes to the legislation.

Ms Kelly has links to the Opus Dei sect and Mr Murphy is a member of the all-party Pro-Life group. But Mr Browne is a loyal lieutenant.

A friend said: "Des normally comes down on the side of the team. But this is religion."

Supporters of the Bill say hybrid embryos are vital to keep Britain at the forefront of scientific research.
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Sotto Voce

Controversy over mandatory reporting of confession

Controversy has erupted once again over whether priests and religious leaders are subject to mandatory reporting laws after a "priest" at an evangelic Christian church in Melbourne did not report a child sex abuse confession.

The priest will not be charged over not reporting the assault despite the confessor striking again.

The case has stirred debate over the role of the churches in handling confessions by lawbreakers and raised questions about whether religious leaders should be subject to mandatory reporting obligations.

Teachers, doctors, nurses and other professionals are legally bound to report suspected sex abuse cases.

Social commentator Fr Bob McGuire (pictured) said in theory a priest offering his own help would be the right course of action.

However, in practice, this was relinquishing responsibility.

"Priests are not qualified to handle such sensitive matters," Fr McGuire said

"It may not be legally mandatory reporting (for priests), but it would be morally mandatory reporting - even if it was my brother.

"It's a civil society's expectation," he said.

Child abuse prevention group Childwise's Bernadette McMenamin said priests should be covered by the same mandatory reporting rules.

"With all good intentions, offenders have been protected by churches," she said.

"I believe everyone should report abuse. It's their moral duty. If it takes mandatory reporting to make sure, that's how it will have to be."
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Fee-paying school has to 'shape up' or close

One of the country's top fee-paying secondary schools is facing closure unless it gets its act in order, a new report reveals.

The Department of Education and Science is unusually critical of management-staff relations at the Catholic University School (CUS) in Dublin's Leeson Street which charges €3,700 a year.

Inspectors found a "negative atmosphere in the school".

This, the report says, is adversely impacting on effective school organisation and shared ownership of the school.

"Overall, the lack of communication and trust in the school has led to tension and a less-than-favourable working environment. Morale among all staff is reportedly extremely low and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency by school management," says the Whole School Evaluation (WSE) report from the Department.
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Sotto Voce