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Christian Witness, Current Events, Perspective

Chocolate Jesus

Seems the problem really was, according to the earliest press release, that, (HORRORS!) Jesus was depicted naked… you know like it really happened

From Huw Raphael in Catholic League has trouble w/ reality.

I read about this, and that was the first thing that came to my mind as well. People are scandalized by Jesus Christ’s manner of death.

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

I don’t really care what the artist’s motivations are, and obviously Mr. Donohue only represents a limited number of Roman Catholics. But I would suggest to anyone who calls him or herself a Christian that they reflect on the image of the crucified Christ, in all its horror, disgrace, and indignity and as we pray in one of the versions of the Stations of the Cross we do in our parish, say together: “This is for me.”

Christian Witness,

Calling out Bishop Lynch

From Christian Newswire: Terri Schiavo’s Brother Rebukes Bishop Lynch

As the second anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s death from dehydration on March 31, 2005, approaches, her brother, Bobby Schindler is releasing a letter written to Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg, Florida.

The text of the letter is available online at Earned Media. Bobby Schindler also makes the following comments:

In light of the fact that Bishop Lynch refused my family’s pleas for his help in our attempt to save my sister’s life, I am posting an “open letter to Bishop Robert Lynch” which I sent to him on March 9, 2007, and to which I have, to date, received no response.

On March 13, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI reasserted that Catholic politicians have a “grave responsibility” to defend all innocent human life, and a “non negotiable” duty to oppose the practices of abortion and euthanasia.

If the Church teaches that such a grave responsibility rests on elected officials who are here today and gone tomorrow, and who hold mere temporal power, what of the successors of the apostles —“ our bishops —“ who hold the greatest spiritual authority on earth?

Pope Benedict XVI clearly stated, “all Catholics have a duty to uphold the Church’s pro-life teachings, but the responsibility is especially incumbent on those in positions of power.” (emphasis mine)

Pope Benedict further stated, “Bishops are bound to reaffirm constantly these values (the pro-life teaching of the Church) as part of their responsibility to the flock entrusted to them.” As Catholic dissenters continue to flaunt their pro-death agenda, and as laws are promoted, especially in the economically progressive world, for the legalization of euthanasia, the bishops have been charged by the Holy See “with the task of monitoring whether elected officials in their local churches shouldn’t be receiving communion because of a violation of the church’s pro-life teachings.”

Perhaps certain bishops should not consider themselves above such scrutiny as well. As my letter states, “I beg the Lord to spare us another successor of the apostles who would exhibit the same scandalous inaction and silence by which you remain complicit in my sister’s murder via euthanasia.”

Bobby Schindler now works for The Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, Center for Health Care Ethics in St. Petersburg, Florida, an organization dedicated to promoting the Culture of Life, embracing the true meaning of compassion by opposing the practice of euthanasia.

There is so much in Bobby Schindler’s letter to Bishop Lynch. No further comment is necessary, just give it a read.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Perspective

Om – and that thing the Pope said

From New Delhi Television (NDTV) Borrowing in faith: Kerala church creates ripples

A new church in Kollam district in Kerala has adopted the motifs and religious practices of other faiths during its various ceremonies.

It is an attempt on part of the Latin Catholic church to promote inter-faith dialogue and understanding, but it is has been received with caution.

The Pope writing all that about being true to who Latin Rite Roman Catholics are, the Eucharist at the center, Gregorian chant, Latin should be used, etc. doesn’t seem to be playing in this part of India.

Fr Romance Antony conducts Sunday Mass at the Jagat Jyoti Mandir in Neendakara Panchayat.

Both the priest and his congregation sit cross-legged on the floor listening to bhajans. The pulpit and pews are missing. There isn’t even a crucifix behind what should have been the altar.

Christ is represented as seated in padmasana like the Buddha under the Bodhi tree.

Jesus, Buddah, Mohammad, Zoroaster… you know, the universal oneness.

“There is a paradigm shift from a closed community to a community which is able to accept other values and symbols,” said Fr Antony.

Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. It’s all a paradigm shift. Jesus is a fluid guy.

Inside the Church, there are reflections of Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism and even Zoroastrianism. Even the Last Supper as portrayed by Da Vinci reflects a strong indigenisation.

Had to look at that one a couple times. They mean becoming indigenous. I thought they said indigestion at first. My bad.

Christ and his disciples are shown seated eating from banana leaves.

And atop the Church is a huge “Om” where there’s normally a crucifix. Father Antony insists there’s a method to this confluence of religious symbolism.

A method that only exists within the poor priest’s mind, a method that is self-serving rather than God serving.

“Most of the Rig Veda symbols are neutral. They do not pertain to any religion, not even to Hinduism. Say “Om” or the kirtans in Rig Veda – they go beyond religion and Gods. They are part of a universal religious search and can be practiced by all religions,” he added.

Public opinion is divided in this small fishing hamlet. While some see it as an attempt to convert people to Christianity, others view it as a dilution of the Christian ethos.

You see, its only an ethos – kind of like ether.

“Initially, Christians were opposed to it. Now they are slowly accepting it,” said Francis, Devotee.

That is the saddest part. The shepherd is leading the sheep astray. For my part I’m wondering why they want to refer to themselves as Catholics. No problem, be what you want, but get a new moniker. Episcopalian anyone?

And in case you can’t get to that part of India to witness this fiasco, just hie yourself over to the Hubbard Interfaith SanctuaryWhen I came to Albany I noticed an amazing trend. Roman Catholic parishes here tend to have halls, centers, schools, etc. named after their current pastors. Nothing timeless like, oh, Saints, past Bishops, long dead pastors. Nope, its always the current guy. The R.C. parish we belonged to for a while had the Fr. Toole Center – replete with kelly green throughout – a homage to the wearin ‘o the green. at the College of St. Rose right here in Albany NY. The ‘sanctuary’ at this nominally Catholic college is named after the current Roman Catholic Bishop of Albany, Howard Hubbard. There you will witness:

Buddhist Monks Create Sand Mandala, Monday – Friday, March 26-30, 2007, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.

As part of a weeklong celebration to mark the 10th anniversary of the Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary, a local community of Buddhist monks will be on campus to create a sand mandala. Contact the Office of Spiritual Life. Father ChrisRev. Christopher DeGiovine, Chair of the Diocesan Committee on Ongoing Formation and Continuing Education of Priests will be happy to help.

Does this sound familiar…

Christian Witness, Current Events, Perspective

They’re out in the cold…

Our Lady of Ostrabrama and Our Lady of Czestochowa

The old people who used to come here every day to play cards and cook now have nowhere to go. There’s no where to celebrate the liturgy. They’re outside in the cold. That’s not right. This is a place where people come to be in the presence of God.

The Rev. Eugene Sawicki, retired New York City firefighter, lawyer, doctor of nursing, judge of the New York Inter-Diocesan Appellate court, and pastor of the suddenly shuttered Our Lady of Vilnius Roman Catholic Church, as quoted in the NY post article Street preach.

That article along with the Post’s Cardinal Sin are a must read. I could reprint excerpts here, each line an indictment befitting the corporate moguls of ENRON, but here applied to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, but to what end? The sheep are out in the cold, their shepherd, the Rev. Sawicki summarily called to the Chancery while the locks on his parish — and his residence — were being changed (only they messed up the lock change on his residence, so he still has a bed to sleep in, for now).

The Our Lady of Vilnius Blog covers it well. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Our Lady of Vilnius. My admiration is with Father Sawicki, who is a true father to his people.

This Sunday we celebrate the 110th Anniversary of the Institution of the PNCC. All are welcome. If you would like contacts in the NYC area, who I am sure would welcome you, please feel free to contact me at deaconjim [at] bvmc [dot] org.

For those who like interesting historical parallels, Cardinal Egan scheduled a meeting with Lithuanian Consul General Mindaugas Butkus who was to hand-deliver Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus’ letter to the Cardinal. The Lithuanian President told the cardinal that “we value [the church] very much . . . it has historical value and cultural value.”

Knowing that the meeting was scheduled and the purpose of the meeting, the Cardinal proceeded to forcibly lock the doors of the church prior to the meeting, yet still went on with the show of the meeting, leaving the Consul General in the dark about the closing.

It reminds me of the Japanese ambassador serving a declaration of war on the United States hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor began.

So the Cardinal shows up hours after the closing for diplomatic niceties. A real Prince of the Church.

Christian Witness, Media,

Helping

The folks at the Fellowship of St. James, the publishers of Touchstone, Salvo, and more are in need of our help.

I’ve been a Touchstone subscriber for a few years. What I love about the journal is the commonality of orthodox Christian witness found there.

For more info, check out the reasons beyond this request for help in the Mere Comments post This Is What We Need.

Please, find it in your heart to say a prayer and make a donation in support of FSJ’s worthy efforts. Make your donation here…

Thanks to Fr. Joseph Huneycutt of Orthodixie for pointing to this in Imagine [there’s no] Touchstone.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Political,

Deacon dustup

The commentary across blogs over the recent conflict in the R.C. Diocese of Buffalo goes on.

Michael Liccione of Sacramentum Vitae has a pretty balanced take on this issue in Buffaloed. He comments on the root causes of the frustration felt by that deacon in Buffalo and lays the charge squarely at the feet of negligent pastors and weak bishops.

Babsnc of Daily Kos goes the way of the rest of the ultra-liberal elite. If you’re in a church or a member of a church please shut-up (ok, no please was said or intended, just shut-up). Only Babsnc and friends have rights, people of faith have none, Churches have none. See House Rep. Criticized by Deacon /During memorial mass/ for Yes Vote on Stem Cell Research. It appears, unbeknown to me, that the Founding Fathers intended that free speech rights only apply to some. We’re all equal on the farm, some are just more equal than others.

The writer concludes by making a plea for decency – if only that plea were made on behalf of innocent children.

The Society and politics Blog sticks a pin in Babsnc argument in Deacon calls out CINO*. The other pertinent quote taken from a commentator at The Cafeteria is Closed is:

WE NEED MORE PRIESTS LIKE THIS DEACON!

Of course, those neo-con Catholics who frequent sites like Cafeteria should understand that that would mean giving up the celibate priesthood… ooops.

*CINO = Catholic in name only

Christian Witness, Current Events, Perspective, Political

Blair and Catholics

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will not grant an exemption from compliance with ‘gay’ rights laws for faith based organizations who provide about 30% of the adoption services in Britain, often dealing with the most difficult to place children. From Ekklesia UK: Blair confirms that Catholic adoption agencies will not be able to discriminate.

The UK government has announced there will be no exemption from anti-discrimination laws for Catholic adoption agencies, but that they will get 21 months to prepare for change, which will make it illegal to discriminate against lesbian and gay people.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, himself a practicing Anglican married to a Catholic, called the outcome “a sensible compromise”. The Catholic Church in England and Wales said it was “deeply disappointed” that no exemption had been offered.

The 2006 Equality Act will face a vote in Parliament in February before coming into effect on 6 April 2007.

A spokesperson for the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement told Ekklesia this evening that the decision looked like a —reasonable outcome overall—. Secular groups and the Liberal Democrats have said that the change period is too long.

It remains to be seen whether Catholic adoption agencies will eventually hand their service over to others in the voluntary sector. A similar thing has happened in the USA, after pressure from the Vatican.

Mr Blair commented: “There is no place in our society for discrimination. That’s why I support the right of gay couples to apply to adopt like any other couple. [This is why] there can be no exemptions for faith-based adoption agencies offering public funded services from regulations that prevent discrimination.”

No place for discrimination, except against people of faith, and faith based organizations, who abide by their Church’s teachings. See particularly Now, all our English liberties are becoming orphans by William Rees-Mogg in The Times:

The issue of the Roman Catholic adoption agencies, and their refusal to arrange adoptions for same-sex partnerships, I find altogether fascinating. It involves fundamental questions of liberty, of freedom of religion, of European law and of political philosophy. In our collapsing political society it may prove to be only one week’s wonder, but it is important to think it through.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Perspective, Political,

Of deacons, polls, and charity

The Buffalo News has featured two reports over the past two days regarding a R.C. deacon who publicly reproved Congressman Brian Higgins from the ambo (pulpit) last Sunday.

From today’s report: Deacon hailed for pulpit blast at Higgins

The Buffalo Regional Right to Life Committee on Wednesday hailed a deacon who criticized Rep. Brian Higgins during Sunday Mass in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Deacon Tom McDonnell’s rebuke of the Buffalo Democrat for voting for federal funding for embryonic stem cell research led Higgins to walk out of the church during his sermon.

“God bless the deacon a thousand times. He did his job. If every bishop, every clergy member of all faiths did their jobs, we wouldn’t have the shedding of innocent life in our country,” said Stacey Vogel of the Buffalo Regional Right to Life Committee.

The anti-abortion group’s position was in stark contrast with the phone calls and e-mails at Higgins’ Buffalo and Washington offices, which were running in his favor by a nearly 4 to 1 ratio, according to a staff member.

According to the latest polls people deem the earth to be flat – therefore it must be.

Higgins said his relationship with St. Thomas Aquinas Church, where he was baptized and married, is “very deep, very meaningful and very long.” He apologized earlier for the congregation’s having to be subjected to criticism of him during the morning Mass.

“The lesson here is that the Catholic Church has enough problems and should take greater care before allowing nonpriests to use the church as a forum to advance what clearly was a political agenda,” Higgins said…

Based on his long and loving relationship with the Church he has stepped to the fore in opposing attacks on human life… oops, maybe not.

Also, I see that he has taken a strong interest in his faith and that he has been properly catechized. See, there’s priests and non-priests, that’s about all there is to my faith. Also, life is a subjective good and no one can tell me what to do, unless of course they let Senator Clinton or some other womyn preach – and I’ll make an exception for Michael J. Fox.

All this being said, I do believe the deacon was wrong for the following reasons:

  • The deacon is not the pastor. Mr. Higgins’ pastor is the Rev. Art Smith, and as pastor this responsibility falls to him. The problem with some deacons (me especially) is that we want to step-up and fill-in wherever and whenever we see something lacking. We are not the answer. We need to be more humble, more in tune with our ministry, and this is a good reminder of that fact.
  • The homily serves two purposes, cracking open the scriptures in such a way so as to edify and teach all the people you minister to, and as a call to apply that scripture to our everyday lives. It is not an occasion for political showmanship or the airing of one’s personal grievances, regardless of how in-tune those grievances are with Church teaching.
  • Charity, scripture, and Catholic polity demand that one reprove one’s brother in private first, then in front of witnesses, and finally, if he is obstinate, before the community. If that communal reproof is to have any meaning it must come from the Church’s representative in the community – the Bishop.

In conclusion, the lack of leadership on the part of some Bishops and pastors and their acquiescence to political power provide fertile soil for these types of events. They also make taking sides in issues like this the go-to thing to do.

From the original story: Pulpit barb prompts walkout by Higgins

A deacon upbraided Rep. Brian Higgins during Sunday morning Mass in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church for voting in favor of embryonic stem cell research, prompting the congressman and his family to walk out during the sermon.

The Rev. Art Smith, pastor of the South Buffalo church, said he felt “horrible” about the Higgins family’s departure on “Respect Life Sunday” and offered an apology from the pulpit after the congressman had left.

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo later issued a statement also criticizing Deacon Tom McDonnell’s action.

“I can’t tell you how terrible I felt,” Smith said Tuesday. “While we have to always uphold the church’s teachings regarding life, I don’t think it’s ever fair to publicly criticize someone who serves our community and our parish so well.”

The right-to-life community, with the deacon will be on one side, the congressman – obviously obdurate in error will be on the other, and the leaders of the Church will appear to be weak on the sanctity of life.

Please, pray for the protection of all human life and for us deacons.

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