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Showing posts from March, 2019

Report that Pope Francis has picked a new D.C. archbishop eclipsed by doubts and conspiracy theories

The Catholic News Agency, citing anonymous sources, reported that the pope is going to appoint Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory to replace embattled D.C. Cardinal Donald Wuerl. But the news was overshadowed by suspicions about the leaks. Report that Pope Francis has picked a new D.C. archbishop eclipsed by doubts and conspiracy theories - The Washington Post :

Questions raised about possible ‘secret archive’ of historical sex abuse records in lawsuit against B.C. ‘playboy’ priest

A lawsuit has brought fresh scrutiny upon the behaviour of Rev. Erlindo Molon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Kamloops, B.C., in the 1970s and the church's response to it. Questions raised about possible ‘secret archive’ of historical sex abuse records in lawsuit against B.C. ‘playboy’ priest | National Post :

Peru bishop wants excommunication for abuse scandals, not just defrocking

Bishop Kay Schmalhausen of Ayaviri, Peru believes current punishments for both the crime of clerical sexual abuse (usually expulsion from the clerical state) and the cover-up are ineffective, and suggested harsher penalties including excommunication. Peru bishop wants excommunication for abuse scandals, not just defrocking :

Man charged with attempted murder in Saint Joseph's Oratory attack

In an updated statement released Saturday afternoon, Grou said he bears "no resentment" against the accused. "I hope he has all the support he needs and that he finds peace. I am convinced that he had no personal animosity towards me but that he acted according to his own convictions," said Grou. BRAVO Fr. Grou! A spokesperson for Saint Joseph's Oratory said 77-year-old Father Claude Grou, likely in shock, hadn't realized he'd been hurt after the attack.   (Saint Joseph's Oratory)

Pope Francis wants Catholic priests to undergo psychological testing to prevent abuse. But will that really help?

Can a clinician actually determine who is a pedophile? Can a test predict who is cut out for a life of chastity? The church promises psychological evaluation for all new priests, despite dubious science. Pope Francis wants Catholic priests to undergo psychological testing to prevent abuse. But will that really help? - The Washington Post :

Templeton Prize winner believes science and spirituality are complementary

Marcelo Gleiser, a native of Brazil, became the first Latin American to be awarded the Templeton Prize. A professor of physics and astronomy at Dartmouth College, Gleiser, who is a professed agnostic, was acclaimed as a "scientist who rejects the notion that science alone can lead to ultimate truths about the nature of reality." Templeton Prize winner believes science and spirituality are complementary | America Magazine :

Pope Francis and Papal Authority under Attack

The authority of the pope comes from Christ, and it is divinely protected. Vatican I clearly teaches that “the See of St. Peter always remains untainted by any error according to the divine promise of our Lord and Savior made to the prince of his disciples” Pope Francis and Papal Authority under Attack - La Stampa :

The mystery of Peter: A reflection on the pontificate of Pope Francis as it starts its 7th year

At the beginning the seventh year of his pontificate, as he became the target of accusations by enemies and former supporters, Pope Francis fully embraces the mystery tied to his ministry: the task of the successor of the fisherman who was crucified upside down in the Vatican Hill area. The mystery of Peter - La Stampa :

A religion? A relationship? What is Christianity?

Dear Sam, Someone told me that Christianity is not a religion. That doesn’t make sense to me. What does that mean? Is it true? If it’s not a religion, what is it? Signed, Confused Dear Confused, You know, I’ve heard that too... (Click on link below to read the rest of the answer.) Inside the Issue: A religion? A relationship? What is Christianity? | Pembroke Daily Observer :

A book well worth reading!

This is a book that I read this afternoon. I  highly recommend it ! It can be purchased on Amazon.ca. https://www.amazon.ca/Last-Homily-Conversations-Arne-Panula/dp/1949013014/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Last+Homily&qid=1552516740&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Flying Fathers return to Pembroke for long-term care fundraiser

The Flying Fathers put on a show in Pembroke Family Day, beating a team of Pembroke minor coaches, but the real winner was long-term care.When the dust had settled and everyone wiped the whipped cream from their faces, the Flying Fathers won by a score of 18-10, or more than a touchdown. Flying Fathers return to Pembroke for long-term care fundraiser | Pembroke Daily Observer :

From sacred to secular: Canada set to lose 9,000 churches, warns national heritage group

As church attendance drops and building costs rise, congregations across Canada face the gut-wrenching dilemma of whether to sell, tear down or repurpose their old churches. The National Trust for Canada warns that a third of the 27,000 religious buildings in Canada will be lost over the next decade. From sacred to secular: Canada set to lose 9,000 churches, warns national heritage group | CBC News :

Is Cardinal Pell a perpetrator or victim? Aussie media keep wavering between the two — GetReligion

Ever since Australia’s Cardinal George Pell was convicted of child abuse, the journalism folks Down Under have been split on if he’s actually guilty or whether he’s the target of a vicious anti-Catholic campaign. Is Cardinal Pell a perpetrator or victim? Aussie media keep wavering between the two — GetReligion :

Meet the most Catholic team in the N.H.L.

Despite its explicit Catholic attributes, N.H.L. players are not known for wearing religion on their sleeves the way players do in other sports leagues, like the National Football League or the National Basketball Association. Meet the most Catholic team in the N.H.L. | America Magazine :

A Catholic’s guide to drinking during Lent

We often think of Lent as the time to give up some of our favorite things, and for many of us alcohol is somewhere near the top of that list. But it was not always so. While voluntary abstinence is certainly commendable, for most of Church history Catholics during Lent were instead preoccupied with the mandatory fast, which was not the piddling two-day affair that it is now (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) but a full forty days. A Catholic’s guide to drinking during Lent :

The Case for Reparations: An interesting column from David Brooks of the The New York Times

"One way to capture it is to say that the other divides are born out of separation and inequality, but the racial divide is born out of sin. We don’t talk about sin much in the public square any more. But I don’t think one can grasp the full amplitude of racial injustice without invoking the darkest impulses of human nature." Opinion | The Case for Reparations - The New York Times :

French cardinal resigns after conviction for failing to act on sex abuse allegations

"The prosecutor had also argued against convicting, saying there were no grounds to prove legal wrongdoing" ... and yet, here we are with a cardinal being convicted in a French court. Something is wrong someplace. When the courts convict despite its own prosecutor saying it shouldn't, can there be any doubt that something has gone awry? French cardinal resigns after conviction for failing to act on sex abuse allegations | CBC News :

Psalm 104 sung in Hebrew with traditional instrumental accompaniment. Well worth it as a 4 minute 30 second meditation!

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