What, Sioux Falls has a Bishop? (It does!)

Remember my little rumor of a fortnight ago?

Well, lo and behold, the prayers of the 130,000 Catholics of Sioux Falls have been answered:

Il Santo Padre Benedetto XVI ha nominato Vescovo di Sioux Falls (U.S.A.) il Rev.do Mons. Paul Joseph Swain, finora Vicario Generale di Madison.

(Amy has the rest in Italian.)

In English:

The Holy Father has named as the new Bishop of Sioux Falls, South Dakota (USA), Monsignor Paul Joseph Swain, up to now Vicar General of the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, and Rector of the Cathedral.

Bishop-elect Swain was born into a Methodist family. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Ohio Northern University in 1965, a Master of Arts in Political Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1965, and then (after serving in the Vietnam) a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1974. He served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1971 as an Air Intelligence Officer and earned a Bronze Star. As a lawyer, he served as Legal Counsel, League of Wisconsin Municipalities and later as Legal Counsel to the Governor of Wisconsin, Lee Sherman Dryfus, from 1979 to 1983.

In 1982 he was received into the Catholic Church and in 1983 entered the seminary, attending Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, where he earned a Master of Divinity. He was ordained a priest May 27, 1988, and has served in various parochial and diocesan positions.

• Rocco adds more: "Bishop-elect Swain must be ordained and take possession of the diocese of Sioux Falls (comprised of "East River," South Dakota) within four months of this morning's appointment."
• Diogenes notes some interesting things about Bishop-elect Swain: "Bishop-elect Paul Swain was raised as a Methodist and trained as a lawyer. He came into the Catholic Church while serving as counsel to the Governor of Wisconsin, then left that job to enter the seminary. Long before that, he served in Vietnam, where he won a Bronze Star."
• Catholic Explorer of Illionois has coverage as well.

Well, you heard it here first... kinda.

And as Dom notes, the Vatican is still having a bit of trouble keeping the diocese of Sioux Falls straight in its mind (confusing it this time in its press release with Sioux City of Iowa). Oh my.

Two Snazzy Pope Benedict Wallpapers

Via Ignatius Press:

Click images for full-size versions.

What's Tuesday without a little Colbert?

Not a fun Tuesday, says I:



"Kneel before your God, Bablyon!"

Your PPOTD! Monday, August 29th

"Flight to Rome: 129 euro

Black Business Dress: 149 euro

Receiving a box of candy from the Pope: Priceless."

Bp. John Myers of Newark to take-over Detroit after Maida?

That's the flavor-of-the-day down at the ol' rumor mill:

"Back in June, over late-night drinks with a visiting bishop, the topic of our many vacant sees came up... and then we got to Detroit." Oh, it's John Myers," he opined, going on to say, "at least, that's what he's telling everybody." Further research yielded the confirmation that, indeed, the 65 year-old archbishop of Newark tops the buzzmill in the race to succeed Cardinal Adam Maida as head of the church in Detroit and its 1.5 million Catholics." [More from Rocco...]

The New Jersey Star Ledger has more on this story, while Diogenes points out a possible red flag.

After the August lull, things are certainly starting to heat up bishop-wise ... and it should be an especially interesting few months for Michigan. Lansing also needs a new guy.

Gabriel Amorth claims Hitler and Stalin were possessed

From the UK Daily Mail:

Adolf Hitler and Russian leader Stalin were possessed by the Devil, the Vatican's chief exorcist has claimed.

Father Gabriele Amorth who is Pope Benedict XVI's 'caster out of demons' made his comments during an interview with Vatican Radio.

Father Amorth said: "Of course the Devil exists and he can not only possess a single person but also groups and entire populations.

"I am convinced that the Nazis were all possessed. All you have to do is think about what Hitler - and Stalin did. Almost certainly they were possessed by the Devil.

"You can tell by their behaviour and their actions, from the horrors they committed and the atrocities that were committed on their orders. That's why we need to defend society from demons."

According to secret Vatican documents recently released wartime pontiff Pope Pius XII attempted a "long distance" exorcism of Hitler which failed to have any effect.
Father Amorth said: "It's very rare that praying and attempting to carry out an exorcism from distance works.

"Of course you can pray for someone from a distance but in this case it would not have any effect.

"One of the key requirements for an exorcism is to be present in front of the possessed person and that person also has to be consenting and willing.

"Therefore trying to carry out an exorcism on someone who is not present, or consenting and willing would prove very difficult.

"However I have no doubt that Hitler was possessed and so it does not surprise me that Pope Pius XII tried a long distance exorcism." [More...]

Did Amorth really mean that the devil can possess "entire populations"? Or did he mean "influence?" Because if he meant "entire populations" that's just silly.

As for these "secret Vatican documents" claiming a long distance exorcism of Hitler by Pius XII that failed ... is that another claim of Amorth's? What is the source for this claim?

Either way, this is an extremely wierd statement for Amorth to make, and not a little embarassing to Catholics and exorcists because it confuses what we do believe about possession.

I know many people have enjoyed Amorth's books on exorcism, but not everyone. Ed Peters, for instance, has a good take on the problems in Amorth that I'd recommend reading.

Update: Ed Peters blogs this story: "Fr. Amorth's latest contribution to confusion."

In-between homes this weekend ...

... but as soon as I'm settled in for my new school year there will be some exciting changes & updates made to AmericanPapist. Stay tuned!

"Da Vinci code fans wreck church window in Holy Grail hunt"

From the UK Daily Mail:

Until recently, the 14th century church was a place to enjoy some peace and contemplation.

But now things have radically changed for St Luke's Church in the village of Hodnet, Shropshire, with visitors lured by claims that it is linked to the Holy Grail mystery.

And some, it seems, will go to any lengths to discover the beautiful church's secrets - even if it means taking a hammer and chisel to the walls.

The Reverend Charmian Beech blamed a pair of 'Da Vinci Code-style' treasure hunters for causing thousands of pounds worth of damage as they searched for clues to help them find the Grail.

Stonework was chipped off in four areas inside her church as the offenders tried to remove blocks from the walls to see what is behind them, she said. [More...]

The supposed reason for the vandalism?

In the wake of the hype surrounding the worldwide bestseller and the recently released film version, St Luke's has become a magnet for Grail hunters because of its 150-year-old stained glass window which features a feminine looking St John.

An excellent insight into the hypocrisy of Plan B

Via Amy, Victor of Cinecon sums it up:

• A daily dose of from 0.05 to 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel requires a prescription.
• Requiring that a 1.5 mg dose of levonorgestrel must have a prescription is patriarchal tyranny over women's bodies, sexphobic anti-scientism and the precursor to a HANDMAID'S TALE-like theocracy.

Victor has more elaboration on this revealing (and damning) train of thought.

Tropical Depression 5: the one to watch

(click image for full-size)

The Sun Sentinel reports: "The fifth tropical depression of the 2006 hurricane season has formed in the eastern Caribbean Sea this afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Depression Five is located about 150 miles southwest of Martinique and is packing winds of 35 mph. The storm is moving toward the west at 22 mph. The storm is expected to become Tropical Storm Ernesto over the next day or so, and to pose a threat to Jamaica over the weekend."

View map of computer models.
View satellite map of Wave 5.

Soon-to-be Ernesto could be one to watch... (Debbie no longer poses a threat to land.)

Bringing out the big guns: Israel adds 2 nuke-capable subs

From the AP:

JERUSALEM - With the purchase of two more German-made Dolphin submarines capable of carrying nuclear warheads, military experts say Israel is sending a clear message to Iran that it can strike back if attacked by nuclear weapons.

The purchases come at a time when Iran is refusing to bow to growing Western demands to halt its nuclear program, and after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

The new submarines, built at a cost of $1.3 billion with Germany footing one-third of the bill, have diesel-electric propulsion systems that allow them to remain submerged for longer periods of time than the three nuclear arms-capable submarines already in Israel's fleet, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The latest submarines not only would be able to carry out a first strike should Israel choose to do so, but they also would provide Israel with crucial second-strike capabilities, said Paul Beaver, a London-based independent defense analyst.

Israel is already believed to have that ability in the form of the Jericho-1 and Jericho-2 nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, which are buried so far underground they would survive a nuclear strike, he said.

"The Iranians would be very foolish if they attacked Israel," Beaver said. [More...]

The Jerusalem Post reports that "Israel may 'go it alone' against Iran".

Bishops with backbone spreading to Canada?

It's a good day for standing up for the truth ... even in Canada:

Hamilton, Ontario, Aug. 24, 2006 (CNA) - After receiving complaints from across Canada, Bishop Gerard Bergie, is encouraging Catholics to boycott an upcoming fundraiser at which former President Bill Clinton is speaking.

Bishop Bergie, who is an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Hamilton in Ontario, says that Clinton is an inappropriate guest speaker for a $500 per seat fundraiser being held by the Catholic Family Counseling Centre, The Kitchener Record reports. [More...]

Plan B authorized for over-the-counter sale by the FDA

From CWNews:

Washington, Aug. 24 (CWNews.com) - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized over-the-counter sale of the "morning-after" pill, with the proviso that non-prescription sales of the drug known as "Plan B" will be limited to consumers over the age of 18.

The FDA decision, coming after months of heated debate, is a severe setback for pro-life activists in Washington. Judie Brown, president of American Life League, remarked that she was "overwhelmingly disappointed" with the announcement.
"Even more troubling," Brown observed, "is the fact that President Bush most likely helped to speed this approval with his recent comments suggesting that prescription sales were only necessary for women under 18." At an August 21 press conference the President had said that Plan B "ought to require a prescription for minors."

“Let there be no mistake about it," said Father Thomas Euteneuer, the president of Human Life International; "today’s decision lies at the feet of President Bush and has created a lasting rift with the Catholic faithful who compromise a large part of his support base. His statements at this past Monday’s press conference in support of over-the-counter sales set the stage for this morning's decision."

A year ago, the FDA had declined to authorized non-prescription sale of the abortifacient drug, in spite of heavy political pressure. But in late July, the President's new nominee as FDA commissioner, Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, announced that the decision was under review. That announcement-- which came the day before the FDA nominee was due to face Senate confirmation hearings-- led to a general expectation that the FDA would authorize over-the-counter sales.

As I reported before, Plan B is most certainly abortifacient and so Bush's approval of its distribution has everyone scratching their heads. He opposed the hugely popular embryonic stem cell research bills and yet caved-in on this proposal. What gives?!

"Extra day added for Pope's visit to Turkey" - CWNews

Not sure if that means anything. Oh well, for what it's worth I guess.

Update: I was sure there had to be more to the story: "Rome, Aug. 24, 2006 (CNA) - Pope Benedict XVI will extend his planned trip to Turkey, from three days to four, in order to celebrate Mass with Turkish Catholics and pay a visit to Hagia Sophia, the former seat of the Church of Constantinople, which was transformed into a mosque and is now a Turkish Museum, Italian news service APCom has reported today." [More...]

I'm very pleased to hear that he is visiting the Hagia Sophia.

American Bishops deciding enough is enough. Case in point? Abp. Dolan

In follow-up to Ed Peter's insight that American Bishops may be starting to feel that enough is enough, comes this most-welcome letter from Abp. Dolan to dissenter Dan Maguire (via Jeff and Dom):

As the bishop of the archdiocese where you reside, I am obliged to reply to your circular form-letter, sent to the bishops of the country on June 19, 2006.

The opinions expressed in the two pamphlets enclosed in that correspondence are totally at odds with clear Church teaching. Sacred Scripture, the Magisterium, and Natural Law are consistent in opposition to abortion and so-called same-sex marriage.

You speak of your duty to dissent. Well, at least call it such. To claim that support for abortion and same-sex “marriage” is consonant with Catholic moral teaching is preposterous and disingenuous.

I, too, have a duty: to teach what the Church clearly believes. Your opinion on these two matters is contrary to the faith and morals of the Church.

Dom and Jeff both have more on the background and follow-up to the story. It should be remembered that this Dan Maguire character most-recently surfaced on AmP coverage trying to claim St. Antoninus was a "pro-choice" Catholic saint. What rubbish.

Well, apparently Archbishop Dolan agrees and is willing to say so.

Love it or hate it, Pluto is not a Planet

From the NYT:

Pluto got its walking papers today.

Throw away the placemats. Grab a magic marker for the classroom charts. Take a pair of scissors to the solar system mobile.

After years of wrangling and a week of bitter debate, astronomers voted on a sweeping reclassification of the solar system. In what many of them described as a triumph of science over sentiment, Pluto was demoted to the status of a “dwarf planet.” [More...]

Dan Brown and Abp. Milingo to join forces?!

Talk about a match made in hell:

Aug. 23 (CWNews.com) - Vatican officials fear that the renegade Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo may join forces with Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code, the Universe newspaper has reported.

The troubled African prelate was reported to have reached a tentative agreement to assist Brown with a future novel about exorcism. [More...]

TotalCatholic.com supposedly has more information, but I can't get the link to work myself.

So, speaking of recurring headaches, how long before Milingo gets what he deserves?

Are American Bishops deciding enough is enough?

Ed Peters thinks they might be.

I hope so.

A safe way to harvest embryonic stem cells?

So goes the new claim:

Biologists have developed a technique for establishing colonies of human embryonic stem cells without destroying embryos, a method that, if confirmed in other laboratories, would seem to remove the principal objection to stem cell research.

"There is no rational reason left to oppose this research," said Dr. Robert Lanza, vice president of Advanced Cell Technology and leader of a team that reported the new method in an article published online by the journal Nature.

But critics of human embryonic stem cell research raised other objections, citing the possible risk to the embryo from using the technique, and the fact that it depends on in-vitro fertilization, the generation of embryos outside the womb from a couple’s egg and sperm.

...

Critics, however, have a range of objections to the research. Catholic bishops, in particular, oppose both in-vitro fertilization and P.G.D. testing, and therefore still object to the research, even though the cells would be derived from an embryo that is brought to term.

Richard Doerflinger, deputy director for pro-life activities at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the church opposed in-vitro fertilization because of the high death rate of embryos in fertility clinics and because separating procreation from the act of love made the embryo seem "more a product of manufacture than a gift."

...

Dr. Leon Kass, former chairman of the President’s Council on Bioethics, said, “I do not think that this is the sought-for, morally unproblematic and practically useful approach we need.” He said the long-term risk of P.G.D. testing is unknown, and that the present stem-cell technique is inefficient, requiring blastomeres from many embryos to generate each new cell line. It would be better to derive human stem cell lines from the body’s mature cells, he said, a method that researchers are still working on.

Scientists welcomed the new development, but also expressed concerns. Dr. Irving Weissman, a stem cell expert at Stanford University, said the new method, if confined to P.G.D.-derived blastomeres, would not provide a highly desired type of cell, those derived from patients with a specific disease. [full NYT article.]

More sources:

• Embryos spared in stem cell creation - USA Today
• US firm makes "ethical" embryo stem cells - Reuters
• New method makes embryo-safe stem cells - AP

IVF? P.G.D.? Sorry, try again folks. Or better yet, try adult stem cells.

Tropical Storm Debby

Related links:

• National Hurricane Center
• AP: Tropical Storm Debby forms in Atlantic
• NYT: Fourth Potential Hurricane Gathers Strength

The Achilles Heel of Liberals: The "Fertility Gap"

From the Wall Street Journal's editorial page:

The Fertility Gap

Liberal politics will prove fruitless as long as liberals refuse to multiply.

"...But the data on young Americans tell a different story. Simply put, liberals have a big baby problem: They're not having enough of them, they haven't for a long time, and their pool of potential new voters is suffering as a result. According to the 2004 General Social Survey, if you picked 100 unrelated politically liberal adults at random, you would find that they had, between them, 147 children. If you picked 100 conservatives, you would find 208 kids. That's a "fertility gap" of 41%. Given that about 80% of people with an identifiable party preference grow up to vote the same way as their parents, this gap translates into lots more little Republicans than little Democrats to vote in future elections. Over the past 30 years this gap has not been below 20%--explaining, to a large extent, the current ineffectiveness of liberal youth voter campaigns today."

...

"Alarmingly for the Democrats, the gap is widening at a bit more than half a percentage point per year, meaning that today's problem is nothing compared to what the future will most likely hold. Consider future presidential elections in a swing state (like Ohio), and assume that the current patterns in fertility continue. A state that was split 50-50 between left and right in 2004 will tilt right by 2012, 54% to 46%. By 2020, it will be certifiably right-wing, 59% to 41%. A state that is currently 55-45 in favor of liberals (like California) will be 54-46 in favor of conservatives by 2020--and all for no other reason than babies."

"...It would appear liberals have been quite successful controlling overpopulation--in the Democratic Party."

"...all things considered, if the Democrats continue to appeal to liberals and the Republicans to conservatives, getting out the youth vote may be increasingly an exercise in futility for the American left."

Democratic politicians may have no more babies left to kiss. [read the whole article.]

Well, at least it looks like the future readership of AmP is secure...

A Battle Lost: President Bush supports Plan B

From LifeSite News:

WASHINGTON, August 21, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - For his pro-life supporter base, President George W. Bush stepped into one of the biggest political landmines of his Presidential career today with his approval of over the counter status for the abortion-causing morning after pill Plan B.

A press release by Human Life International underscored the seriousness of the move as it was titled, "President Bush Files for Divorce with Catholic Base." Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International commented, "President Bush's implied support for the abortion-causing drug Plan B is completely inconsistent with his recent veto of the embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) funding bill. What the president apparently fails to realize is that Plan B kills the same innocent unborn children that the ESCR process does."

At a White House press conference this morning, the President was asked by Bill Sammon a reporter from the Washington Examiner about Plan B and his new FDA commissioner who supports its over the counter status. "Mr. President, some pro-life groups are worried that your choice of FDA Commissioner will approve over the counter sales of Plan B, a pill that, they say, essentially can cause early-term abortions," said the reporter. "Do you stand by this choice, and how do you feel about Plan B in general?"

The President replied, "I believe that Plan B ought to be -- ought to require a prescription for minors, is what I believe. And I support Andy's decision."

Andy, as the President referred to him, is the new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach. Pro-life groups last week called for von Eschenbach's resignation over his deal with a drug company to make a high-dose of a drug (Plan B, a morning-after pill) available without a prescription to women 18 year of age and older.

Concerned Women for America (CWA) blasted the decision noting that it is ludicrous to allow Plan B without medical supervision when a low-dose of the same drug (birth control pills) requires medical oversight to protect women from serious health complications. [More from LifeSiteNews.]

From CNA: 'FDA Commissioner Dr. Andy von Eschenbach has said he would support making the abortion drug available without a prescription to women, aged 18 and up. Pro-life groups called for his resignation last week over his support for the drug." [More CNA coverage.]

Domenico Bettinelli posts his comments here.

Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International, has called on President Bush to rescind Dr. [Andy] von Eschenbach’s Nomination to Head the FDA.

The USCCB has a statement out opposing Plan B: "The Bishops' conference continues to oppose making Plan B available without medical supervision, whether to minors or adults," said Ms. McQuade, Director of Planning and Information at the Secretariat." [read the full statement.]

LifeSiteNews suggests voicing your concerns by emailing Vice. Pres. Cheney: vice_president@whitehouse.gov

My take: This is a clear move backwards for pro-life causes in the U.S. ... Plan B, by all accounts, can act as an abortifacient. For President Bush to support over-the-counter distribution of this drug is completely at-odds with his previous decision to veto legislation against embryonic stem cell research. Politically speaking, he doesn't have to worry about being re-ellected, so why alienate the conservative Catholic voting base for the next guy?

My contribution to the story: the Plan B website claims on its front page that "Plan B is not RU-486 (the abortion pill); it will not work if you are already pregnant." Well, don't be fooled.

As much as the Plan B website claims that it "will not work if you are already pregnant", it can only say that by redefining what "pregnany" is: "Plan B® works like a regular birth control pill. It prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary, and may also prevent the fertilization of an egg (the uniting of sperm with the egg). Plan B® may also work by preventing it from attaching to the uterus (womb). It is important to know that Plan B® will not affect a fertilized egg already attached to the uterus; it will not affect an existing pregnancy. "

The "it" in the underlined sentence is a fertilized egg - a human being. By preventing the fertilized egg from attaching to the uturus, Plan B kills the fertilized egg.

Update: LifeSiteNews has a longer treatment of this story here.