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Showing posts from October, 2015

Montreal Euthanasia Symposium: Theory and Reality about Euthanasia

"Quebec has the only law in the world which attempts to coerce doctors to refer patients for euthanasia. Such pointless authoritarianism, of which we already had a taste in September , is a dangerous precedent which must be formally rejected." Read what else these Quebec doctors have to say about the impending euthanasia law which comes into force on December 10th of this year. Just click on the link below: Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Alex Schadenberg, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Montreal Euthanasia Symposium: Theory and Reality about Euthanasia
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The Pope’s Mighty Fortress - WSJ

"In George Weigel, John Paul found a biographer who combines the skills of a historian, a theologian and a journalist. Mr. Weigel’s “Witness to Hope” (1999) appeared during the late pope’s lifetime and was hailed as a masterpiece worthy of its subject. This was followed by a sequel, “The End and the Beginning,” published in 2010, five years after John Paul’s death. Both these works are emphatically biographical, sympathetic but never sycophantic.   Mr. Weigel’s “City of Saints” belongs to a different genre. The clue is in the subtitle: “A Pilgrimage to John Paul II’s Kraków.” The author wants to take readers on a journey in the papal footsteps and through the scenes of his clerical life. It is a guide to the stations on John Paul’s path and seeks to inspire us with a sense of awe that one good man could achieve so much." Click on link below to read entire article: The Pope’s Mighty Fortress - WSJ
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Why are Catholics so afraid of change? - CNN.com

Why do some Catholics prefer the colour red? Or don't like Latin? Or are afraid of superstitions? The answer is 'just because they are people!' Catholics are a diverse lot. Some like change; others prefer stability. It says nothing about either group other than that they have personal preferences. So why is Fr. James Martin s.j. (who I usually really like reading) getting vexed over the fact that some Catholics preferred that the recent Synod on the Family calling for a more nuanced and pastoral application of Church doctrine when it comes to issues such as communion for divorced Catholics? I fear it's because he thinks that the synod didn't go far enough in the direction that he presumes is the correct direction. But don't take my opinion as being infallible. Read his article for yourself and come to your own conclusions. After all, there's no reason to be afraid of that!! Why are Catholics so afraid of change? - CNN.com
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Catholic bishops vote to soften stance toward divorcees, but stand firmly against gay marriage | National Post

Why is it that the media is claiming the Church has 'softened' her stance towards divorcees? There is NOTHING new in the Synod's closing document that wasn't part of her pastoral practice before it began. I really am befuddled by this. Anyone understand why the Synod is being presented this way? It seems to me as if it is a way to spin the results so as to paint the Church as being intolerant or abusive toward gay Catholics, putting the Bishops into the worst possible light. One can almost hear the critics saying "You changed the teaching for divorcees. Why not for gays?" But the fact is that NOTHING has changed for either group!! Catholic bishops vote to soften stance toward divorcees, but stand firmly against gay marriage | National Post
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Special Edition V | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

In this Special Edition of LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD, George Weigel argues the tremendous differences between the  Instrumentum Laboris  with which Synod-2015 began, and the Final Report just approved by the Fathers, illustrate just how fruitful a path the Synod walked over three sometimes-challenging weeks. Special Edition V | Xavier Rynne II | First Things
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Letter Number Twenty-Two | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

In today’s LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD, George Weigel writes: “Discerning readers of the print media and the blogosphere can cut through the static of ‘narrative’ and begin to get an idea of what has actually happened during Synod-2015 if they keep three things in mind when sifting through the chatter.” Letter Number Twenty-Two | Xavier Rynne II | First Things
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Excellent meme that describes the relationship of science and religion

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Letter Number Twenty-One | Xavier Rynne II | First Things

In today’s LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD… O. Carter Snead considers the relationship between the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision,  Obergefell vs. Hodges , and the work of Synod-2015. George Weigel writes that the perception that the Catholic Church in the German-speaking lands is in serious trouble has intensified these past two and a half weeks. Mary Eberstadt looks into the heart of darkness in pop music and finds evidence of what happens to children and teenagers when adults stop being adults. Letter Number Twenty-One | Xavier Rynne II | First Things
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Letter Number Twenty | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things

In today’s LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD… George Weigel recalls the teachings on the family of Pope St. John Paul II, whose memorial we celebrate today, and finds strong parallels in the pontificate of Pope Francis. His Beatitude, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major-Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyč, draws on his experience as head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in addressing the Synod about the need for the Church to defend the family. Hlib Lonchyna, Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family in London, insists: “The Face of God Is Mercy, But Mercy Is Not Gift Wrap.” Anca Maria Cernea, M.D., the president of the Association of Catholic Doctors of Bucharest, addresses the Synod in her role as Auditor of Synod-2015. Letter Number Twenty | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things
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Letter Number Nineteen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things

In today’s LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD… There have been a few changes to the schedule of the final week of Synod-2015. Father Gerald E. Murray reflects on the discussions at the Synod and wonders, “Where are the kids?” Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto explains why asserting that conscience is inviolable, while certainly true, doesn’t get us very far. George Weigel reads Pope Francis’ address marking the 50 th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, connecting “Synodality” to the evangelizing mission of the Church. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver wants to know: “Do the German bishops believe that Saints Thomas More and John Fisher sacrificed their lives in vain?” Letter Number Nineteen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things
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Synod Fathers Call For Ending “Pre-Cana” in Favor of More Intensive Marriage Preparation | Aleteia.org

While I don't doubt that this may be a good idea, it's going to be a really tough job for parish priests to sell it to engaged couples. I would be surprised if it didn't result in a great number of them choosing to forgo a Catholic marriage ceremony in favour of something 'easier'. Not so sure that this is what the Synod fathers are intending.  Any thoughts on the subject?  Synod Fathers Call For Ending “Pre-Cana” in Favor of More Intensive Marriage Preparation | Aleteia.org
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Letter Number Eighteen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things

In today’s LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD… Xavier Rynne II recalls the duties and functions of members of the College of Cardinals in light of the recent controversy over a private letter from 13 Cardinals to the Holy Father. Archbishop José H. Gómez of Los Angeles offers some reflections for the final days of Synod-2015 on the theme, “Holy Spouses, Holy Families.” George Weigel grades the  Times  of London on their capacity for “critical thinking” and finds them lacking. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. of Philadelphia discusses the work of the Synod with French Catholic magazine,  Famille Chretienne . Letter Number Eighteen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things
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Justin Trudeau clarifies that anti-abortion Liberal incumbents would be forced to vote pro-choice | National Post

Proof positive that NO CATHOLIC in good conscience should vote for such a leader. He cannot even keep his word to existing MP's. He lacks the moral character necessary to lead his party let alone our country. I sincerely FEAR what's coming our way if the Liberals return to power under his leadership today. Justin Trudeau clarifies that anti-abortion Liberal incumbents would be forced to vote pro-choice | National Post
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Letter Number Seventeen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things

In today's LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD... The calendar is set for the third and final week of Synod-2015. George Weigel counters several of the less-than-helpful “narratives” coming out of Synod-2015. A reader notes some of the difficulties of what has become widely known as the “Kasper Proposal.” St. Ignatius of Antioch writes to the Romans on the eve of his martyrdom. Letter Number Seventeen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things
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Pope Francis is now effectively at war with the Vatican. If he wins, the Catholic Church could fall apart:

This story is a bit 'over the top' imho, but who knows, eh? All the more reason for Catholics the world over to continue to pray for the Bishops gathered in Rome for this synod. Pope Francis is now effectively at war with the Vatican. If he wins, the Catholic Church could fall apart - Spectator Blogs
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Letter Number Sixteen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things

In today’s LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD… Cardinal George Pell reflects on the Synod, compares it to past synods, and identifies who among the Synod fathers seem to you to be driving the discussion at Synod-2015. George Weigel sums up the case against the New Gallicanism Xavier Rynne II wonders St. Thomas Aquinas would think of the report from the German language group at the Synod. Speaking the Angelic Doctor, both he and St. John Chrysostom reflect on Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Letter Number Sixteen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things
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Synod Letter Number Fifteen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things

In today’s LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD… George Weigel expresses further “Doubts about Devolution”: the case that national borders somehow “make magisterium” is a hard one to sustain, given the contingency of national borders over time. Father Robert P. Imbelli argues that the Synod “will be fruitful to the extent that it can provide a compelling Christological frame for the portrait and promise of family life that it paints.” Questions about the reception of Holy Communion by the divorced and civilly remarried are not new to Synod-2015. It’s worth recalling what the Church has already said on the matter. Letter Number Fifteen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things
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Shutting down part of brain changes views on God, immigrants: study | CTV News

Is this really big news? Isn't it akin to concluding that impairing one's Achilles tendon changes one's ability to jump? It is self-evident that our thoughts, convictions, and beliefs are formulated and held within our brains. So it shouldn't come as a surprise or significant that artificially impairing one part of the brain would change how that 'muscle' functioned.  Perhaps the new worthiness of this story rests in the discovery that the section of the brain that houses our religious belief is the posterior medial frontal cortex - but I would have thought that scientists and doctors had already mapped out the function of the brain's various components already. So this really might just be a 'dog bites man' type of story intended to reduce the phenomenon of belief to nothing more than the electrical functioning of the brain instead of being a divine gift as Christians believe.  What do you think? Or perhaps better said... What do you believe? S
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Letter Number Thirteen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things

In today’s LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD… Xavier Rynne II notes that the work of the Synod Fathers would be made considerably easier by a clearer indication of the procedural end-game of the Synod: who will be voting on what and when. Rynne considers a few of the important theological and pastoral discussions taking place outside the Synod hall—the Para-Synod. George Weigel reads the life of Cardinal Ercole Consalvi and reflects on the history behind the challenge of the New Gallicanism. Part three of Bishop Robert Barron’s, “ Imago Dei  as Privilege and Mission.” Archbishop José H. Gómez of Los Angeles offers a Synod intervention on “Divine Pedagogy and Spiritual Childhood.” Letter Number Thirteen | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things
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Walking the Dog: A dog supplies what is missing in a loveless world.

Walking the Dog
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Letter Number Twelve | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things

In today's LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD... George Weigel notes the universality of the Catholic Church fully on display at the Synod while challenging the rise of a “New Gallicanism." In the latest “Model Intervention,” Vatican II shines a ray of Gospel light on the difficulties of marriage and family in the contemporary world. Part two (of three) of Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection, “ Imago Dei  as Privilege and Mission.” Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, reflects on the “art of accompaniment.” Letter Number Twelve | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things
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Letters from the Synod: Day 11

In today’s LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD… Xavier Rynne II clarifies a few points of confusion regarding the process of the Synod. George Weigel looks at items of particular interest from the first reports of the  circuli minores,  the Synod’s thirteen language-based discussion groups. The first part (of three) of the keynote address given by Bishop Robert Barron, auxiliary of Los Angeles, to last month’s World Meeting of Families, “ Imago Dei  as Privilege and Mission” Archbishop Charles Chaput, of Philadelphia, delivered an intervention in the Synod’s general assembly on Saturday, October 10, on the matter of “Inclusion” and “Unity in Diversity.” Read it all, here:  http://www.firstthings.com/ web-exclusives/2015/10/letter- number-eleven
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Middle-aged couple want to adopt up to three children, but family costs could cripple their finances | Financial Post

The morality that underpins the argument of this article exemplifies the ethos that's led to the demographic bomb that now threatens most Western countries: money and possessions over children and humane care for others. Perhaps it is true that money is the root of all evil. At the very least, Christ knew what he was talking about when he said that what we truly treasure is where our heart will be found. Middle-aged couple want to adopt up to three children, but family costs could cripple their finances | Financial Post
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Letters from the Synod - Special Edition II

In this second special edition of LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD… George Cardinal Pell and Michael A. Casey  consider the principle of subsidiarity in light of a  crucial point of conversation and debate over the next two weeks is coming into clearer focus: Should the Synod affirm the proposition that national or regional conferences of bishops have the authority to make pastoral provisions for local churches that differ dramatically from the pastoral practices previously in force throughout the universal Church? Saint Vincent of Lerins  on the “development of religion in the Church of Christ.” Special Edition II | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things
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Letters from the Synod

In today's LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD... George Weigel asks if there isn’t something strange about the dying local churches of Europe instructing the living, vital, local churches of the developing world on how to address the various crises facing marriage and the family. Xavier Rynne II reflects on how the news—especially news out of the Synod—gets “manufactured,” and how these processes are, in themselves, not exactly news. Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth, England, discusses how his experience as a pastor shapes his understanding of the crisis in marriage and the family, and how these experiences shape his hopes for the Synod.
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Letter Number Nine | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things

In today’s LETTERS FROM THE SYNOD… Xavier Rynne II takes a closer look at a largely unnoticed proposal in the Synod’s  Instrumentum Laboris , an “unexploded bomb” the Fathers would do well to defuse. George Weigel reflects on the place of the suffering Church, especially the martyrs of today, in the Synod’s discussions on the family. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Service, USA, discusses how his experience as a pastor shapes his understanding of the crisis in marriage and the family, and how these experiences shape his hopes for the Synod. Letter Number Nine | Xavier Rynne II, ed. | First Things
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