Bishop Richard Williamson, in his latest blog entry on the possibility of a reconciliation between Rome and Econe writes: "...a friend of mine just sent me an admirable synthesis" on the Second Vatican Council. Part of this "admirable synthesis" contains the following:
“These novel doctrines which along with many others contradict the formal and unanimous teachings of Popes before the Council, can only be qualified in the light of Catholic dogma as heretical".
The full entry can be read here.
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Shocked I Tell You!
Ever wonder why some Catholics seem to be in a perpetual state of dramatic agitation ready to fling overblown hyperbole at the drop of a hat? Come on... we all know bloggers like this. Joanne K. Portland at egregious twaddle has a delicious take on it.
Friday, 27 April 2012
Free Speech Stifled
Of course you have free speech but there are certain segments of society that would prefer that you not exercise it. Tory MP Stephen Woodworth has introduced a motion to the House asking that a special committee be formed to study the legal definition of human life. The response is worth noting.
In other words, the opposition leader is asking the PM why he didn't muzzle his backbencher. Mr. Harper's response is also interesting.
The PM is expressing his regret that an issue is going to be brought to be debated at all. We are living in a country that stifles free speech and prevents elected members of parliament from exercising their rights.
The faculty of Notre Dame is doing virtually the same thing to Bishop Daniel Jenky, the only bishop on their Board of Fellows. In a homily on April 14 he said
The Notre Dame faculty responded by shifting the debate from a discussion of the HHS mandate to outrage over his comments about Hitler and Stalin.
In all of these examples the attempt to stifle debate and prevent certain questions from being discussed in the public arena is obvious. When Hitler gained power as a result of the enabling legislation in 1933, most of his opposition voluntarily disbanded in the months following.
“We know the Prime Minister likes to control his message. He wouldn’t
let his Conservative do something that he didn’t agree with,” Mulcair
said in Question Period. “Can the Prime Minister tell Canadians why he
allowed his Conservative MPs to reopen the debate on abortion?”
In other words, the opposition leader is asking the PM why he didn't muzzle his backbencher. Mr. Harper's response is also interesting.
”Every private member can table bills and motions in this House. Party
leaders don’t have any control over that. … This particular motion was
deemed votable by an all-party committee of the House. I think that’s
unfortunate. In my case I will be voting against the motion.”
The PM is expressing his regret that an issue is going to be brought to be debated at all. We are living in a country that stifles free speech and prevents elected members of parliament from exercising their rights.
The faculty of Notre Dame is doing virtually the same thing to Bishop Daniel Jenky, the only bishop on their Board of Fellows. In a homily on April 14 he said
Hitler and Stalin, at their better moments, would
just barely tolerate some churches remaining open, but would not
tolerate any competition with the state in education, social services,
and health care. In clear violation of our First
Amendment rights, Barack Obama – with his radical, pro abortion and
extreme secularist agenda, now seems intent on following a similar path.
The Notre Dame faculty responded by shifting the debate from a discussion of the HHS mandate to outrage over his comments about Hitler and Stalin.
In their letter, the Notre Dame faculty acknowledged that Bishop Jenky’s
comments are protected under the First Amendment, but said they found
it “profoundly offensive that a member of our beloved university’s
highest authority, the Board of Fellows, should compare the President’s
actions with those whose genocidal policies murdered tens of millions of
people, including the specific targeting of Catholics, Jews, and other
minorities for their faith.”
PM Harper pledges to vote against pro-life motion, says ‘unfortunate’ it was deemed votable
Notre Dame professors demand removal of bishop who blasted Obama’s HHS mandate
Full text of Bishop Jenky's homily at men's march and Mass
Religion is not a problem for legislators to solve...
In thinking about Freyr's recent post on Xtra, and their taking umbrage at Catholic schools - for being Catholic! - my thoughts turned again to Pope Benedict's 2010 UK visit "Heart Speaks Unto Heart".
In his opening address to the Queen at Hollyrood House, the Holy Father said: "...let us never forget how the exclusion of God, religion and virtue from public life leads to a truncated vision of man and of society, and thus a reductive vision of the person and his destiny".
In Glasgow, Sept. 16th, the Holy Father warned: "The evangelization of culture is all the more important in our times, when a 'dictatorship of relativism' threatens to obscure the unchanging truth about man's nature, his destiny and ultimate good. There are some who seek to exclude religious belief from public discourse, to privatize it or even paint it as a threat to equality and liberty. Yet religion is in fact a guarantee of authentic liberty and respect, leading us to look upon every person as a brother or sister."
At Westminster Hall, Sept, 17th: "... I cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalization of religion, particularly Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance."
During the Vigil in Hyde Park, Sept, 18th: "No one who looks realistically at our world today could think that Christians can afford to go on with business as usual, ignoring the profound crisis of faith which has overtaken society, or simply trusting that the patrimony of values handed down by the Christian centuries will continue to inspire and shape the future of society..."
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
The Real Story
This week the gay magazine Xtra reported that teachers in a Catholic school were involving their students in right to life issues by circulating a petition supporting a bill to redefine the legal beginning of life. Now the Star has picked up the story. The spectacle of Catholics behaving as Catholics is hardly newsworthy but take a closer look at the immediate effect these stories have. They tend to generate a great deal of response in the combox that borders on sheer hatred. Much of the commentary consists of questioning the use of tax dollars to further a religious agenda. My guess is that this sort of news coverage is a softening up for a future challenge to separate school funding.
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Lower Class?
I remember a story that was once told about a rather prominent convert from the Anglican Church to the Roman Catholic. The convert's mother, upon hearing of her son's conversion said "I wouldn't mind so much except that now you will be going to church with the servants." If anyone can pin this story down in the combox I would appreciate it.
One of the remarkable things about Acts of the Apostles is that it tells us of a church where social status and class was not so important. "And all who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need." Acts 2:44 I could go on...
Everyone knows people they look away from when they pass, hoping they will not start a conversation. These are people you would not invite to a wedding feast for fear they might cause embarrassment. These are the forgotten people. My friend Trout talks to these people... in fact he talks to people that make me a tad nervous. In this he is is a constant reminder that these forgotten people have a dignity and worth that transcends their class or station in life. Thank you.
One of the remarkable things about Acts of the Apostles is that it tells us of a church where social status and class was not so important. "And all who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need." Acts 2:44 I could go on...
Everyone knows people they look away from when they pass, hoping they will not start a conversation. These are people you would not invite to a wedding feast for fear they might cause embarrassment. These are the forgotten people. My friend Trout talks to these people... in fact he talks to people that make me a tad nervous. In this he is is a constant reminder that these forgotten people have a dignity and worth that transcends their class or station in life. Thank you.
Monday, 23 April 2012
A Good Argument
Ever wonder what a good argument might look like? Here's an excellent example in the context of a newscast that presents both sides fairly with good questions asked by the moderator. Pop over to GetReligion and have a look at Feminism and Catholic Fidelity. Keep in mind that it is subject to the limitations of any evening newscast but it nevertheless is handled quite well.
Happy St. George's Day
O BLESSED Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy “Dowry” and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother. Intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home. Amen.
[Cardinal Wiseman]
Further recommended reading: Writings of Dominic Barberi and Ignatius Spencer
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