A Christian woman named Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by District and Session Courts after year long trial on accusation of blasphemy filed by Muslim villagers of Ittanwali, where she was residing from generations.
While working in farms with other Muslim women, Asia Bibi was dragged in religious dialogues on June 19, 2009, when Muslim women termed her an “Infidel” and Christianity a “Religion of infidels” and pressed her to embrace Islam.
Asia Bibi who is married and have two children, defended Christianity with her little knowledge and told Muslim women that Christianity is only True religion on which Muslim women made a roar and accused her defiling Prophet Mohammad.
The Muslim men working in nearby fields also gathered and attacked Asia Bibi on which she fled to village in her home. The angry Muslims followed her and took her out of home and started beating her. They tortured her children also but meanwhile some one informed police.
The police took Asia Bibi to police Station and filed FIR against her under section 295-B and C of Pakistan Penal Code but showed it a protective custody to other Christians of Ittanwali village.
Section 295 B and C PPC are subject to life in prison or death sentence but it is first judgment in history of Pakistan when a woman is sentenced to death.
Release International an advocacy group for persecuted Christians around globe is pleading Asia Bibi case and have launched an online petition to ensure justice for her.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have expressed concern on death sentence to Asia Bibi and have appealed to President of Pakistan to withdraw false case against Asia Bibi immediately.
PCC is pressing upon government of Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law and have organized multiple conferences in Pakistan and USA.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Today on Kresta - November 11, 2010
Talking about the "things that matter most" on Nov. 11
GUEST HOST: PATRICK COFFIN
4:00 – Decision Points: George W. Bush Back in the Spotlight
George W. Bush, all but invisible since he left the White House nearly two years ago, has reclaimed the spotlight this week with the release of his book "Decision Points," in which he defends his "war on terror" and his decision to invade Iraq among many other decisions he made in the Oval Office. The book covers 14 separate decisions Bush made while in the White House, offering analysis about how he reached them -- which Bush said he hopes will give the public greater insights into his presidency. Historian and political scientist Paul Kengor joins us to examine some of the interviews that the President has given thus far and the light that they have shed on his presidency.
4:20 – Bishops' upcoming exorcism conference responds to queries about rite
To counter the shortage of exorcists in the United States-- Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield (Illinois), chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, says there are only five or six of whom he is aware-- the US bishops are holding a two-day conference on exorcism. Nearly five dozen bishops and 66 priests are expected to attend. Despite the many requests for an exorcism, the actual number of people possessed by a demon is far fewer than people fear, Bishop Paprocki said. We talk to Neal Lozano who reveals Satan's strategies and the sneaky "entrance points" Satan finds to get a toehold in a Christian's life. He helps us acknowledge the doors they may have opened to evil influence, and shows them how to close those doors and walk in God's freedom and abundance.
5:00 – Fr. Vincent Capodanno – The Grunt Padre
On this Veteran’s Day, we take a look at an extraordinary Navy Chaplain - Fr. Vincent Capodanno – who gave his life ministering to his men in Vietnam. It is a heartwarming and gripping story told no better than by Judy McCloskey, petitioner for the Cause of Fr. Capodanno. She joins us.
5:30 – Megamind / Derailed
Megamind is a satiric take on the Superman mythos, seen through the eyes of a supervillain who’s part Lex Luthor, part Brainiac. Instead of a rocket ship bearing an infant survivor from a doomed planet to Earth, there are two ships from two planets. Fate deals the infant survivors very different hands: One is a super-powered golden boy who grows up privileged and smugly superior; the other grows up on the fringes of society, an outcast with one asset: his super-brain. It seems the two are destined to battle each other forever … or are they? We take a look at the film that is #1 at the box office this week with Steven Greydanus. He also gives us a sneak peek at the new Denzel Washington thriller Derailed.
GUEST HOST: PATRICK COFFIN
4:00 – Decision Points: George W. Bush Back in the Spotlight
George W. Bush, all but invisible since he left the White House nearly two years ago, has reclaimed the spotlight this week with the release of his book "Decision Points," in which he defends his "war on terror" and his decision to invade Iraq among many other decisions he made in the Oval Office. The book covers 14 separate decisions Bush made while in the White House, offering analysis about how he reached them -- which Bush said he hopes will give the public greater insights into his presidency. Historian and political scientist Paul Kengor joins us to examine some of the interviews that the President has given thus far and the light that they have shed on his presidency.
4:20 – Bishops' upcoming exorcism conference responds to queries about rite
To counter the shortage of exorcists in the United States-- Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield (Illinois), chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, says there are only five or six of whom he is aware-- the US bishops are holding a two-day conference on exorcism. Nearly five dozen bishops and 66 priests are expected to attend. Despite the many requests for an exorcism, the actual number of people possessed by a demon is far fewer than people fear, Bishop Paprocki said. We talk to Neal Lozano who reveals Satan's strategies and the sneaky "entrance points" Satan finds to get a toehold in a Christian's life. He helps us acknowledge the doors they may have opened to evil influence, and shows them how to close those doors and walk in God's freedom and abundance.
5:00 – Fr. Vincent Capodanno – The Grunt Padre
On this Veteran’s Day, we take a look at an extraordinary Navy Chaplain - Fr. Vincent Capodanno – who gave his life ministering to his men in Vietnam. It is a heartwarming and gripping story told no better than by Judy McCloskey, petitioner for the Cause of Fr. Capodanno. She joins us.
5:30 – Megamind / Derailed
Megamind is a satiric take on the Superman mythos, seen through the eyes of a supervillain who’s part Lex Luthor, part Brainiac. Instead of a rocket ship bearing an infant survivor from a doomed planet to Earth, there are two ships from two planets. Fate deals the infant survivors very different hands: One is a super-powered golden boy who grows up privileged and smugly superior; the other grows up on the fringes of society, an outcast with one asset: his super-brain. It seems the two are destined to battle each other forever … or are they? We take a look at the film that is #1 at the box office this week with Steven Greydanus. He also gives us a sneak peek at the new Denzel Washington thriller Derailed.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Bishops' upcoming exorcism conference responds to queries about rite
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- U.S. bishops are looking for a few good men to become exorcists.
In response to growing interest in the rite of exorcism and a shortage of trained exorcists nationwide, the bishops are sponsoring a two-day conference just prior to their 2010 fall general assembly Nov. 15-18 in Baltimore.
Interest in the Nov. 12-13 Conference on the Liturgical and Pastoral Practice of Exorcism proved great. When registration closed Nov. 1, 56 bishops and 66 priests had signed up.
Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., chairman of the bishops' Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, told Catholic News Service he knows of perhaps five or six exorcists in the United States. They are overwhelmed with requests to perform the rite, he said.
"There's this small group of priests who say they get requests from all over the continental U.S.," Bishop Paprocki said.
"Actually, each diocese should have its own resource (person). It shouldn't be that this burden should be placed on a priest when his responsibility is for his own diocese," he said.
Under canon law -- Canon 1172 specifically -- only those priests who get permission from their bishops can perform an exorcism after proper training.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that an exorcism occurs when the church, in the person of an exorcist, asks "publicly and authoritatively" in Christ's name "that a person or object be protected against the power of the evil one and withdrawn from his dominion."
At baptism, the rite is performed in a simple form. A solemn or major exorcism, according to the catechism, "is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted in his church."
Scripture contains several examples of Jesus casting out evil spirits from people.
"We don't think that's poetic metaphor," Bishop Paprocki said.
The conference will encompass the spiritual, the theological and the practical. Speakers include Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Houston-Galveston, who will discuss the scriptural basis of evil. Father Dennis McManus, an assistant to New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, and Father Jeffrey Grob, pastor of St. Celestine Church in Elmwood Park, Ill., also will lead sessions.
Father Grob told CNS he will review diocesan protocol in the appointment of an exorcist as well as what canon law says about the rite. He also will offer recommendations on how to evaluate an individual to determine if an exorcism is necessary.
Despite the many requests for an exorcism, the actual number of people possessed by a demon is far fewer than people fear, Bishop Paprocki said.
The rite is considered a sacramental, which canon law describes as a sacred sign "by which effects, especially spiritual effects, are signified in some imitation of the sacraments and are obtained through the intercession of the church." The rite rarely is as dramatic as portrayed in movies and popular media, Bishop Paprocki said.
Other actions, especially reception of the sacraments, can drive out the devil as well, he added.
"The sacrament of penance is much more powerful than an exorcism," the bishop explained. "The work of the devil is much more regular and our response to that should be rather regular. It's not that you need a special exorcism to deal with the devil."
Church practice, which was updated in 1999, requires that a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the individual thought to be possessed be undertaken. Physical and psychological exams are conducted. A priest also will examine the person. Family, friends and co-workers may be interviewed.
"There's a lot of preliminary work that has to go in with dealing with the people in terms of assessing what the situation is. We use the principal that we exclude the natural before going to the supernatural level," Bishop Paprocki said.
Father Grob used the image of an onion to explain how the evaluation process works.
"You have to peel away the layers and if there is general demonic activity, it didn't get there overnight," he explained. "There's not an instantaneous change in the person."
Signs of demonic possession might include:
-- Speaking in a language the individual does not know.
-- Scratching, cutting, biting of the skin.
-- Profound display of strength.
-- Sleeplessness.
-- Lack of appetite.
-- Aversion to anything holy, such as mentioning the name of Jesus or Mary, or the act of praying.
-- Strong or violent reaction to holy water.
Once the need for a formal exorcism is determined, the rite is conducted in a private setting such as a church, a holy space if no church is available, or a person's home, where family members can be present.
In a case where the possession is deep-seated, it may take more than one performance of the rite over a period of months or even years to dispel the devil, Bishop Paprocki said.
"We, because of Hollywood, have this kind of exaggerated sense of not only a very dramatic kind of possession, but also a very dramatic kind of exorcism. It ties in with our culture of quick fixes: You do it once and person is going to be liberated," he said.
Holy water, a crucifix, relics of saints and blessed salt are part of the exorcism rite.
"The reality is that a full exorcism is a rare thing," Bishop Paprocki said, "but we still have to have people who know how to do that because the reality is that it's not unheard of."
Exorcisms are more common in Europe. Dozens of priests are authorized to perform the rite, especially in Italy, France and Poland.
"It's not only performed more commonly (in Europe), but a lot less people get excited about it," Bishop Paprocki said. "It's not quite as exceptional as we would take it."
Outrageous Statement of the Day
CNN anchor Kyra Phillips conducted a gushing interview of Pastor Mark Tidd, who welcomes GLBT members of his Highlands Church. Phillips praised Rev. Tidd for his work and asked him how he deals with Christians who are "traditional" and "archaic" in their view of homosexuality wasn't irrelevant in today's "progressive" world
Today on Kresta - November 10, 2010
Talking about the "things that matter most" on Nov. 10
GUEST HOSTS: BRUCE AND KRIS MCGREGOR
4:00 – November 11, 1215: The Fourth Lateran Council opens. It officially confirmed the doctrine of transubstantiation
This week in the year 1215 the Fourth Lateran Council opened. That council officially confirmed the doctrine of transubstantiation, the teaching that the substance of Eucharistic bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, with only the accidents (appearances of bread and wine) remaining. We talk with Mike Aquilina about the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
4:20 – Church of England in crisis as five bishops defect to Rome
Five Anglican bishops will leave the Church of England and enter the ordinariate set up by Pope Benedict XVI known as the English Ordinariate, for Church of England traditionalists who wish to switch allegiance to Rome while retaining some of their Anglican traditions. The defections have been triggered by a vote at the General Synod of the Church of England in July to support divisive plans for women to be ordained as bishops in England for the first time. We talk with former Anglican priest and now Catholic priest Fr. Dwight Longnecker.
4:40 – Providing Spiritual Nourishment to Soldiers on the Front Lines
The Frontline Faith Project delivers compact MP3 players preloaded with spiritual content, especially as it pertains to military service, to members of our armed forces currently deployed or returning from deployment, with special emphasis on injured troops and troops stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan. The FRONTLINE FAITH Players include an audio rendition of the Mass (Provided By EWTN); various homilies; prayers just for those serving, including a recitation of the Rosary; Christian music; prayers from children; and testimonies from soldiers about the struggles and victories of their faith journeys. We talk with the founder of the project, Cheri Lomonte.
5:00 – Race for the Truth About the Susan G. Komen Foundation
Everywhere we looked this month we saw a pink ribbon. It was on our dry cleaning bags, grocery bags, coffee cups, mail catalogs, receipts, billboards … it goes on and on. Don't get us wrong. We love the color pink, and breast cancer prevention and finding a cure is critical to women today. However, we also love the truth. We get the truth from Jenn Giroux today about the Susan G Komen Foundation, Breast Cancer and Abortion.
5:20 – Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hijacks the Male Brain
Pornography is powerful. Our contemporary culture as been pornified, and it shapes our assumptions about identity, sexuality, the value of women and the nature of relationships. Countless Christian men struggle with the addictive power of porn. But common spiritual approaches of more prayer and accountability groups are often of limited help. Neuroscientist and researcher William Struthers is here to explain how pornography affects the male brain and what we can do about it. Because we are embodied beings, viewing pornography changes how the brain works, how we form memories and make attachments. By better understanding the biological realities of our sexual development, we can cultivate healthier sexual perspectives and interpersonal relationships. Struthers exposes false assumptions and casts a vision for a redeemed masculinity, showing how our sexual longings can actually propel us toward sanctification and holiness in our bodies.
5:40 – Tuesday: Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran
Wednesday: Feast of St. Leo the Great
The Feast of the Dedication of the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome yesterday raises an important question: "why do Roman Catholics and other Christians spend so much money on Church buildings when it is the people who are the true Church and temple of God?" Marcellino D’Ambrosio is here to answer that question and also look at St. Leo the Great whose feast we celebrate today.
GUEST HOSTS: BRUCE AND KRIS MCGREGOR
4:00 – November 11, 1215: The Fourth Lateran Council opens. It officially confirmed the doctrine of transubstantiation
This week in the year 1215 the Fourth Lateran Council opened. That council officially confirmed the doctrine of transubstantiation, the teaching that the substance of Eucharistic bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, with only the accidents (appearances of bread and wine) remaining. We talk with Mike Aquilina about the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
4:20 – Church of England in crisis as five bishops defect to Rome
Five Anglican bishops will leave the Church of England and enter the ordinariate set up by Pope Benedict XVI known as the English Ordinariate, for Church of England traditionalists who wish to switch allegiance to Rome while retaining some of their Anglican traditions. The defections have been triggered by a vote at the General Synod of the Church of England in July to support divisive plans for women to be ordained as bishops in England for the first time. We talk with former Anglican priest and now Catholic priest Fr. Dwight Longnecker.
4:40 – Providing Spiritual Nourishment to Soldiers on the Front Lines
The Frontline Faith Project delivers compact MP3 players preloaded with spiritual content, especially as it pertains to military service, to members of our armed forces currently deployed or returning from deployment, with special emphasis on injured troops and troops stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan. The FRONTLINE FAITH Players include an audio rendition of the Mass (Provided By EWTN); various homilies; prayers just for those serving, including a recitation of the Rosary; Christian music; prayers from children; and testimonies from soldiers about the struggles and victories of their faith journeys. We talk with the founder of the project, Cheri Lomonte.
5:00 – Race for the Truth About the Susan G. Komen Foundation
Everywhere we looked this month we saw a pink ribbon. It was on our dry cleaning bags, grocery bags, coffee cups, mail catalogs, receipts, billboards … it goes on and on. Don't get us wrong. We love the color pink, and breast cancer prevention and finding a cure is critical to women today. However, we also love the truth. We get the truth from Jenn Giroux today about the Susan G Komen Foundation, Breast Cancer and Abortion.
5:20 – Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hijacks the Male Brain
Pornography is powerful. Our contemporary culture as been pornified, and it shapes our assumptions about identity, sexuality, the value of women and the nature of relationships. Countless Christian men struggle with the addictive power of porn. But common spiritual approaches of more prayer and accountability groups are often of limited help. Neuroscientist and researcher William Struthers is here to explain how pornography affects the male brain and what we can do about it. Because we are embodied beings, viewing pornography changes how the brain works, how we form memories and make attachments. By better understanding the biological realities of our sexual development, we can cultivate healthier sexual perspectives and interpersonal relationships. Struthers exposes false assumptions and casts a vision for a redeemed masculinity, showing how our sexual longings can actually propel us toward sanctification and holiness in our bodies.
5:40 – Tuesday: Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran
Wednesday: Feast of St. Leo the Great
The Feast of the Dedication of the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome yesterday raises an important question: "why do Roman Catholics and other Christians spend so much money on Church buildings when it is the people who are the true Church and temple of God?" Marcellino D’Ambrosio is here to answer that question and also look at St. Leo the Great whose feast we celebrate today.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Jesus statue in Poland now taller than one in Rio de Janerio
The all-white statue, carved with a flowing robe and topped by a golden crown, has an estimated weight of 485 tons. It is visible from the highway linking Warsaw and Berlin.
Catholic priest Fr. Sylwester Zawadzki launched the project five years ago.
“I didn't especially mean to build the world's tallest Christ. I just wanted it to measure 33m like the 33 years that Christ was alive,” Zawadzki said, according to Agence France Presse. He reported that the statue’s three-meter tall crown makes the statue taller than the Rio de Janerio’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue.
The statue’s base is an earthen mound 52 feet high. Its arms stretch almost 79 feet.
Thirty-two-year-old resident Izabela Sawicz said the statue will “symbolize” the town.
“Our priest has made a second Czestochowa,” she said, referring to the Polish Marian shrine.
A local government official said no public money was spent on the statue. He said it will promote the town and attract tourists.
Another nearby resident thought it was an “exaggeration” and a waste of money that should have been spent on a school.
According to AFP, the project cost about $1.4 million. Fr. Zawadzki said it was financed by private donations collected in Poland and abroad.
“He will be the greatest preacher of the faith,” the priest said. “Europe needs preachers like Christ.”
OUR VIEW: Politicians slam Catholic church
The editorial page editor of the Colorado Springs Gazette-- which has consistently defended same-sex marriage-- has written a column denouncing the San Francisco board of supervisors’ condemnation of Catholic teaching on homosexuality.
“If City Council passed a resolution denouncing Islam as hateful and ignorant, violence might ensue,” Wayne Laugesen begins. “Yet city government in San Francisco gets to denounce the Catholic Church as hateful and ignorant, because of its anti-gay adoption policies, with the tacit approval of federal judges.”
Read the full editorial here...
Israel charges Nazareth imam with inciting violence against Pope
The indictment said Nazim Mahmoud Salim, who was arrested by police a month ago, led a group of about 2,000 worshippers, and had also preached at the flashpoint al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, Islam's third holiest shrine.
Salim is charged with inciting violence against Pope Benedict during his visit last year to Nazareth, the town of Jesus' boyhood in the heartland of Israel's minority Arab population.
In his sermons and on his website over the past decade, the indictment said, Salim preached "an ideological world view identical to that of global jihad" and wrote "publications that supported and identified with the terror organisation al Qaeda."
It said Salim's teachings inspired attacks against Jews and Christians, including the murder of one Jew.
At the time of Pope Benedict's visit to the Holy Land in May 2009, the indictment quotes Salim as saying in a sermon at al Aqsa: "The pope prepares himself at the gate of the Vatican and at the head of a crusade against the Islamic world ... we will expel the pope from Nazareth."
Salim is being held by authorities until the end of the proceedings, a Justice Ministry spokeswoman said.
Today on Kresta - November 9, 2010
Talking about the "things that matter most" on Nov. 9
GUEST HOST: SHEILA LIAUGMINAS
4:00 – Election Analysis – Is the Catholic Vote Back to Being Pro-Life?
And the Catholic vote was decisive. Republicans took control of the house in a massive sweep, while the Senate remains in the hands of the Democrats by a slim margin. Early indications suggest the GOP won at least 53% of the Catholic vote with Democrats garnering 45% of Catholics. After losing the Catholic vote by 10 points in 2008, this eight point advantage represents an 18-point shift in support to the Republican Party. The question is why? Josh Mercer and Brian Burch of CatholicVote.org are here to answer that question.
4:20 – Pro-Life v.s. Pro-Choice, Settling the Debate
At 16 years of age Yvonne Florczak-Seeman ran away with her boyfriend and became pregnant. She chose to have an abortion, which led to depression, continual feelings of guilt and a sense of constant torment. In order to numb the pain she began using drugs and even attempted suicide. In her depressed state, she continued to be sexually involved with her boyfriend and had four additional abortions. Several years later, Yvonne finally turned to the only means of peace, her Heavenly Father. By God’s grace, she has risen above the difficulties of her past. Yvonne’s desire to keep others from experiencing the trauma she went through has given her the courage to speak out on behalf of the unborn and post-abortive women. We hear her incredible testimony.
5:00 – Kathryn Jean Lopez: “The Biggest Winner…Was Human Dignity”
On her National Review Online column, Kathryn Jean Lopez had this to say about the midterm elections: “The biggest winner Tuesday night was human dignity. The health-care debate and legislation were an affront to human life and dignity, individual responsibility, and truth — a manipulative mess of a debate and dangerous reality. Republicans took the House Tuesday night having promised to pass a universal, permanent Hyde Amendment — an across-the-board prohibition on taxpayer funding of abortion. (This is a plan you don’t have to want to overturnRoe v. Wade to get behind.) Thank John Boehner for that. Thank co-sponsors Chris Smith and Democrat Dan Lipinski for that. It was a big win for life, and one that defies the idea that social issues are irrelevant. Congratulations, too, to groups like the Susan B. Anthony List, Americans United for Life, and the National Right to Life Committee for holding “pro-life” congressmen who voted for the health-care legislation accountable.” She joins us.
5:20 – The Middle East Synod and Violence in Iraq
Pope Benedict XVI formally closed the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East with a Mass in St. Peter’s basilica on Sunday, October 24. In his homily the Holy Father called for solidarity among the Christians in the Middle East and for continued drive for a lasting peace in the region. “We must never resign ourselves to the absence of peace,” the Pope said. “Peace is possible. Peace is urgent.” But it was only one week later that Islamic militants in Iraq slaughtered 46 Christian worshippers in a Baghdad cathedral. That led to at least one prominent Christian leader to call on Iraqi Christians to leave Iraq. We look at the situation for Christians in the Middle East with Marinate Msgr. Sharable Maroun.
GUEST HOST: SHEILA LIAUGMINAS
4:00 – Election Analysis – Is the Catholic Vote Back to Being Pro-Life?
And the Catholic vote was decisive. Republicans took control of the house in a massive sweep, while the Senate remains in the hands of the Democrats by a slim margin. Early indications suggest the GOP won at least 53% of the Catholic vote with Democrats garnering 45% of Catholics. After losing the Catholic vote by 10 points in 2008, this eight point advantage represents an 18-point shift in support to the Republican Party. The question is why? Josh Mercer and Brian Burch of CatholicVote.org are here to answer that question.
4:20 – Pro-Life v.s. Pro-Choice, Settling the Debate
At 16 years of age Yvonne Florczak-Seeman ran away with her boyfriend and became pregnant. She chose to have an abortion, which led to depression, continual feelings of guilt and a sense of constant torment. In order to numb the pain she began using drugs and even attempted suicide. In her depressed state, she continued to be sexually involved with her boyfriend and had four additional abortions. Several years later, Yvonne finally turned to the only means of peace, her Heavenly Father. By God’s grace, she has risen above the difficulties of her past. Yvonne’s desire to keep others from experiencing the trauma she went through has given her the courage to speak out on behalf of the unborn and post-abortive women. We hear her incredible testimony.
5:00 – Kathryn Jean Lopez: “The Biggest Winner…Was Human Dignity”
On her National Review Online column, Kathryn Jean Lopez had this to say about the midterm elections: “The biggest winner Tuesday night was human dignity. The health-care debate and legislation were an affront to human life and dignity, individual responsibility, and truth — a manipulative mess of a debate and dangerous reality. Republicans took the House Tuesday night having promised to pass a universal, permanent Hyde Amendment — an across-the-board prohibition on taxpayer funding of abortion. (This is a plan you don’t have to want to overturnRoe v. Wade to get behind.) Thank John Boehner for that. Thank co-sponsors Chris Smith and Democrat Dan Lipinski for that. It was a big win for life, and one that defies the idea that social issues are irrelevant. Congratulations, too, to groups like the Susan B. Anthony List, Americans United for Life, and the National Right to Life Committee for holding “pro-life” congressmen who voted for the health-care legislation accountable.” She joins us.
5:20 – The Middle East Synod and Violence in Iraq
Pope Benedict XVI formally closed the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East with a Mass in St. Peter’s basilica on Sunday, October 24. In his homily the Holy Father called for solidarity among the Christians in the Middle East and for continued drive for a lasting peace in the region. “We must never resign ourselves to the absence of peace,” the Pope said. “Peace is possible. Peace is urgent.” But it was only one week later that Islamic militants in Iraq slaughtered 46 Christian worshippers in a Baghdad cathedral. That led to at least one prominent Christian leader to call on Iraqi Christians to leave Iraq. We look at the situation for Christians in the Middle East with Marinate Msgr. Sharable Maroun.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Dramatic defeat of Iowa judges raises hopes for marriage amendment
In April 2009, Justices David Baker, Michael Streit, and Chief Justice Marsha Ternus agreed with four other state justices in ruling that the Iowa state constitution's equal protection clause implied a right of same-sex couples to marry.
Their ruling overturned a 1998 state law specifying that “only a marriage between a male and a female is valid.” Suddenly, homosexual “marriage” was legal in Iowa.
This year, three of the deciding justices were up for retention or rejection by voters. As election day approached, organizations opposing the redefinition of marriage invested significant funding and energy to make Iowa voters aware that this year's judgment on judges was far from routine.
This time, it was the voters' turn to make a dramatic change. On Tuesday, Baker, Streit and Ternus became the first judges ousted by Iowa voters since 1962.
The vote does not end homosexual “marriage” in Iowa, a goal likely to require a constitutional amendment. But Tom Chapman, executive director of the Iowa Catholic Conference told EWTN News that the election results signaled popular support for traditional marriage, and opened up possibilities for its legal defense.
Because it speaks for the state's bishops, the conference doesn't endorse candidates. Iowa's bishops called instead for a constitutional convention, where an amendment could have been proposed defining marriage as a union of one man and woman. The people of Iowa voted against holding the convention, with some social conservatives worrying a high-stakes assembly could turn against them.
For his part, however, Chapman was clearly satisfied with the non-retention campaign's outcome, and the prospects it heralded.
“Obviously, it was clear that the people of Iowa aren't buying into same-sex 'marriage',” he observed, also calling attention to a new Republican majority in the state House of Representatives. “Clearly, between the judges not being retained, and the changing control in the (legislative) chamber, we're in a better spot today than we were a few days ago.”
Although the conference does not associate with a political party, local Republican representatives have declared their intention to put forth a marriage amendment, while Democrats oppose the plan. That opposition, Chapman said, would make the passage of such an amendment difficult for the time being.
“You have to have it pass through both chambers, in two different sessions … While we think we'll be able to (pass a marriage amendment) through the House, we're going to have a tougher time in the Senate.” Although votes for Iowa's state Senate were still being recounted, Chapman expected Democrats to maintain control of that chamber.
Iowa's voters would also have to approve any change to the state constitution. Chapman said he believed the popular will for such a change was present, as was evident from the judges' defeat. He was hopeful, in the long run, for an amendment affirming traditional marriage.
“Iowa is not really any different than any other state,” he said. “If you put the question to the people, about marriage, they'll vote in favor of traditional marriage … Hopefully we can move it through the House, and hopefully that puts pressure on the Senate to try to move the bill.”
Commenting on the 2009 decision that abruptly changed Iowa's definition of marriage, Chapman said the decision was arbitrary, and seemed to reflect a political agenda rather than the state constitution's intended meaning. “The Supreme Court could have found the other way, if they had wanted to,” he said.
The relevant section of the state constitution said the legislature could not “grant to any citizen or class of citizens, privileges or immunities which, upon the same terms shall not equally belong to all citizens.” That statement, however, was made to explain the prior declaration that “all laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation” – meaning not that all people had the same privileges, but only that no individual or group could be given the privilege of legal immunity.
Chapman reflected that Iowa citizens were holding their judges responsible for an act of “social engineering.” But he made clear that the effort to strengthen marriage, as the “fundamental building block for society,” would involve much more than just defending against efforts at any redefinition.
“Regardless of whether you have same-sex 'marriage' or not, we know (traditional) marriage itself is in a lot of trouble,” he said. “Family life is in a lot of trouble.”
Chapman called attention to the full range of Catholic social teaching – which takes the protection of family life as the first principle, in its broader vision of the common good.
“All the policies we should have,” he pointed out, “should support the family.”
Archbishop emphasizes ‘full spectrum’ Catholicism after marriage controversy
Outlining his pastoral ministry, his work on immigration, and his prayerful opposition to abortion, the Archbishop of Minneapolis-St. Paul has said that he must speak on controversial issues. His remarks follow activist and media opposition to the Minnesota bishops’ campaign to educate Catholics about the nature of marriage.
“No bishop, and in particular this archbishop, is a ‘single-issue’ teacher,” Archbishop Niendstedt wrote in the Catholic Spirit newspaper. “I was ordained to preach and to teach the full spectrum of the Catholic faith as it is contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
“The media pick and choose what they want to cover in terms of controversial issues. I do not have that luxury,” he added.
Seeking to provide perspective on his work, he listed the various activities of his weekend schedule. He celebrated a Mass with members of a Catholic charismatic movement and met with the parents of the archdiocese’s 62 seminarians.
The archbishop also participated in an all-night prayer vigil with English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners to ask God for a just solution to immigration problems. By coincidence he had previously written local Knights of Columbus councils and the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women to seek their help in calling for federal immigration law reform.
On Sunday morning, he made his 155th pastoral visit to the archdiocesan parish of St. Gerard Majella in Brooklyn Park. Its “festive liturgy” and many parishioners in attendance reminded him of why he became a priest, Archbishop Nienstedt reported.
Later on Sunday, he also attended a prayer service to end abortions at Regions Hospital, a teaching institution with its own abortion unit.
“Naturally, they do not advertise the number of abortions they perform per year, but it is known that
more than 60 percent of these gruesome procedures are performed on minority women and on their unborn children,” the prelate explained.
Finally, the archbishop said, he joined two parents and their three-year-old as she went trick-or-treating. He also handed out candy at his residence.
Earlier this year the bishops of Minnesota mailed nearly 400,000 DVDs to Catholics throughout the state in response to several bills that would redefine civil marriage law to include homosexual partnerships. Archbishop Nienstedt made a video for the DVD in which he emphasized the nature of marriage as a lifelong and potentially procreative union between a man and a woman.
Laws which treated other partnerships as equal to traditional marriage would weaken society’s already damaged foundation, he warned.
The bishops’ defense of marriage drew hostile coverage from several secular media outlets, which highlighted the objections of Catholic dissenters.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune highlighted the efforts of artist Lucinda Naylor, who was suspended as a part-time artist at Minneapolis’ Basilica of St. Mary when she created a Facebook site seeking discarded copies of the DVD to build a wave sculpture.
In his Catholic Spirit column, Archbishop Nienstedt said that like St. Paul he must preach the “full, Catholic message,” whether it is “convenient or inconvenient,” while “constantly teaching and never losing patience.” (2 Timothy 4:2).
“Please pray that I live up to that high standard,” the archbishop concluded
Church leader calls for Christians to leave Iraq after brutal attack
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Some 50 people were killed and 75 wounded in the attack at the Sayidat al-Nejat church last week, including women, children and two priests.
Archbishop Athanasios Dawood slammed the Iraqi government for not doing enough to protect the rights of minorities and urged Christians to quit the country.
"I say clearly and now -- the Christian people should leave their beloved land of our ancestors and escape the premeditated ethnic cleansing. This is better than having them killed one by one," said Dawood, according to prepared remarks he sent to CNN.
Speaking at a service in London, he also asked the British government, and those in other European countries, to grant asylum to Christians living in Iraq.
"The Iraqi government is weak, biased, if not extremist. It does not protect us and the other minorities. It has ignored our legal rights. We ask the British government, the EU and the U.N. to protect us," he said.
"I ask the British government again to help the Iraqi Christians and grant them the rights of humanitarian asylum in order to preserve what is left of the victims who do not carry a weapon to fight and kill," said Dawood.
His call came a week after the brutal siege on a Baghdad church.
The Islamic State of Iraq, which has local ties to al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack, which was set off when gunman stormed the church and took worshippers hostage. Security forces rushed inside hours later, ending the standoff. The radical group has said all Christians in the Middle East are "legitimate targets."
On Sunday, evidence of the horrific clash still clung to the walls. Blood stains, bullet holes and black residue from an explosion smeared the sides of the church.
Parishioners came to celebrate Mass and to place candles in the shape of a cross on the floor to honor those who died. Most who spoke to CNN said they would not allow terror to prevail, but also expressed fear.
"My nerves are frayed. I can't feel my body. I feel like my blood dried up. My whole body is shaking because what I am seeing is unimaginable," said Linda Hagob, a congregant.
The church, which before the attack was open for morning and evening Mass on Sundays, will be open daily now.
Elsewhere in Baghdad, at Saint Joseph's Church, about a dozen worshippers attended evening Mass, significantly less than a typical turnout, the parish priest said.
Father Saad Sirop Hanna said Christians in Iraq are scared of more attacks. He blamed Iraqi politicians, who have been unable to form a government since elections there in March, for much of the violence.
"We blame the government and all the politicians. We consider what happened last Sunday in the church an effect of what they are doing now, and we want all the good people to move and put an end to this situation," he said.
Hanna also responded to Dawood's call for Christians to quit Iraq.
"Staying or leaving -- we will leave it to the people to decide ... I can understand this bishop, this priest, I can understand him. I agree with him from a certain point of view, but I disagree with him from another."
"We are afraid, but not desperate," Hanna said.
Pope summons all cardinals for discussion on religious freedom, sex abuse, liturgy
The Vatican announced that all the world’s cardinals have been invited to “a day of reflection and prayer” on November 19. Most of the world's cardinals would already have made plans to be in Rome on that day, since the following day will see the installation of 24 new members to the College of Cardinals. The newly appointed cardinals will be invited to participate in the discussions, although they will not formally hold the rank of cardinal until the next day.
The special meeting will also discuss the establishment of Anglican-Catholic ordinariates, under the terms of the apostolic constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus. The Vatican announced plans for the gathering of cardinals on the same day that the Church in England disclosed that five Anglican bishops are resigning from their posts in the Church of England to establish the first such ordinariate.
Church of England is 'like a coffee chain going out of business', defecting bishops warn
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, confirmed to reporters a statement issued Nov. 8 by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales welcoming the five bishops.
Father Lombardi said that a "constitution" that would govern the entry of former bishops of the Anglican Communion was being studied.
One year ago, Pope Benedict XVI established a special structure for Anglicans who want to be in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church while preserving aspects of their Anglican spiritual and liturgical heritage. The move was seen as a bridge to those unhappy with recent Anglican decisions on the ordination of women and the acceptance of homosexuality in some areas.
Father Lombardi said, "Regarding the declaration of five bishops until now belonging to the Anglican Communion who have decided to join the Catholic Church and who therefore are obliged by conscience to resign from their current pastoral duties in the Church of England, we can confirm that the constitution of a first ordinariate is under study, according to the norms established by the Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum coetibus,' and that any further decisions regarding this will be communicated at the proper moment."
Under the arrangement Anglicans can be received into the Catholic Church as a group while retaining their distinctive patrimony and liturgical practices, including married priests.
Father Lombardi was referring to a statement issued Nov. 8 by the Episcopal Commission of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales that said, "We welcome the decision of Bishops Andrew Burnham, Keith Newton, John Broadhurst, Edwin Barnes and David Silk to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate for England and Wales, which will be established under the provisions of the apostolic constitution 'Anglicanorum coetibus.'"
"At our plenary session next week, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales will be exploring the establishment of the ordinariate and the warm welcome we will be extending to those who seek to be part of it. Further information will be made known after the meeting."
The statement was signed by Auxiliary Bishop Alan Hopes of Westminster, the highest-ranking former Anglican priest in England and Wales. He joined the Catholic Church in 1994 after the Church of England agreed to ordain women as priests.
A statement from Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury said he would initiate the process for filling the vacant sees.
In a joint statement released Nov. 8 the five bishops, who resigned their posts effective Dec. 31, said that despite ecumenical efforts, they had been "dismayed, over the last 30 years, to see Anglicans and Catholics move further apart on some of the issues of the day." They said they were particularly "distressed by developments in faith and order in Anglicanism which we believe to be incompatible with the historic vocation of Anglicanism and the tradition of the church for nearly 2,000 years."
The five said that "Anglicanorum coetibus" was "both a generous response to various approaches to the Holy See for help and a bold, new ecumenical instrument in the search for the unity of Christians, the unity for which Christ himself prayed before his passion and death."
"It is a unity, we believe, which is possible only in eucharistic communion with the successor of St. Peter," they said.
"As bishops, we have even-handedly cared for those who have shared our understanding and those who have taken a different view," they added. "We have now reached the point, however, where we must formally declare our position and invite others who share it to join us on our journey.
"We shall be ceasing, therefore, from public episcopal ministry forthwith, resigning from our pastoral responsibilities in the Church of England" and joining an ordinariate once one is created, they said.
The bishops said they were "very grateful for all that the Church of England has meant for us and given to us all these years, and we hope to maintain close and warm relationships, praying and working together for the coming of God's Kingdom."
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