San Diego diocese files for bankruptcy

From the San Diego Union Tribune:

After four years of legal wrangling in the clergy-abuse scandal, attorneys for Bishop Robert Brom filed for Chapter 11 protection last night, making San Diego the largest Roman Catholic diocese in the nation to declare bankruptcy.

In a brief electronic filing just before midnight, the diocese said it had assets of more than $100 million and estimated debts of more than $100 million.

Brom's action halts the first trial, set to start today, of about 150 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of children by 60 priests in incidents dating back decades.

Brom said in a statement: "We put money on the table that would have stretched our financial capability to the limit, but demands were made which exceeded the financial resources of both the diocese and our insurance carrier." [More...]

Bishop Brom's statement.

KFC offers new fish sandwich to Vatican for B16's blessing

Sometimes it's truly odd what the keyword phrase "Pope Benedict" brings up in the daily wire of press photos:

"This undated photo provided by KFC Public Relations shows the fried chicken chain's Fish Snacker Sandwich. KFC has asked Pope Benedict XVI to bless the sandwich, a Lenten addition to the chain's Snacker sandwich line. KFC sent the Pope a letter earlier this month, asking him to bestow a blessing on the sandwich. While the sandwich is being marketed generally, John O'Reilly, chief marketing officer for KFC, said the sandwich should prove especially popular on Friday's, when Catholics traditionally don't eat meat in the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/KFC, Dan Kremer)

Catholic Online published a quotation from the letter sent to Pope Benedict, in which the president of KFC claims that the sandwich "is ideal for American Catholics who want to observe Lenten season traditions while still leading their busy, modern lifestyles."

Not to read too much into this, but a part of me dislikes the tone of the phrase "while still leading their busy modern lifestyles." Is the Pope supposed to be unaware of the state of the world? A world in which people are forced to consume horrible, tasteless, microwaved excuses for nutrition in their frenzied pursuit of wealth, happiness and fullfillment?

Oh well, I guess the big picture here is that KFC tried to go out of its way to cater to Catholics. I know of other fast food chains, such as McDonald's, that have done similar things in the past, but I guess asking the Pope for a blessing for the product line is something new.

Incidentantally, as a bit of Catholic culturual trivia, lovers of McDonald's Filet-o-Fish sandwich have observant Catholics to thank, as this recent article in The Cincinnati Enquirer explains in good detail:

In 1962, Lou Groen was desperate to save his floundering hamburger restaurant, the first McDonald's in the Cincinnati area.

His problem: His clientele was heavily Roman Catholic. In those days, most Catholics abstained from meat every Friday, as well as during Lent, the 40-day period of repentance that begins this week with Ash Wednesday.

His solution: He created the Filet-O-Fish — a sandwich that saved his restaurant and eventually would be consumed at a rate of 300 million a year.

...

"I was struggling. The crew was my wife, myself and a man named George. I did repairs, swept floors, you name it.

"But that area (where his restaurant was located) was 87% Catholic. On Fridays we only took in about $75 a day," said Groen, a Catholic himself. "All our customers were going to Frisch's.

[Read on to learn about ay Kroc's counter-proposal, the infamous "Hula Burger"]

Gee, all this talk of fish is making me look forward to tomorrow, and that isn't a good thing!

MSNBC has a slightly longer article treating KFC's recent request to Pope Benedict.

The CurtJester has doubts that Papa Benny will do anything, and then has some fun with the story.

BettNet adds a more somber, but important and challenging, reflection on this state of affairs.

Breaking: Ave Maria School of Law announces move to Florida

Breaking news via Fumare, a blog run by several alumni and students of the Ave Maria School of Law here in Ann Arbor, Michigan:

AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW BOARD OF GOVERNORS MOVES LAW SCHOOL TO FLORIDA

It has been confirmed. Dean Bernard Dobranski has announced to the faculty of Ave Maria School of Law this morning that the Board of Governors has decided to move the law school to Florida. He indicated at the time of the announcement that there was no time for questions as he was flying down to Florida for the press conference later today. Alumni Association Board President Alex Vernon was in suit and tie in the Dean's office at or near the time of this announcement. It is speculation at this point, but it is likely that President Vernon will be on hand for the press conference in Florida. It is likewise noteworthy that such a momentous decision by the Board was made via telephone and in the midst of an ongoing ABA investigation (among other issues which I have noted below). Shameful. Developing....

There's sure to be plenty of fireworks in their combox. More details and reports in this combox.

It's going to be an interesting Fat Tuesday.

Update: AveWatch has the resignation letter of an AMSL professor available here in PDF.
Update 2: Brief Detroit Free Press coverage.
Update 3:

• "AMSL Alumni Association Board issues statement condemning Board of Governors decision" [text of the statement.]
• Advocatus Militaris notes a potential problem with the ABA.
• Video: A live stream from the press conference is available here (windows media player).

Megapost: Bella, the movie we need to see.

Update: As promised, I have posted my advance review of Bella and also have provided an "all you need to know" summary about the movie (theater locations, news tracking, etc). You've come to the right place!
___________________________________________________________________________

Original post: I'm quickly becoming convinced that Jeff Tan of One Bread, One Body had it right when he wrote: "Bella is a message that needs more messengers." This movie has already won the coveted People's Choice Award of the Toronto Film Festival and looks extremely promising from everything I've been reading about it.

First off, important links: here is the movie's official website, imdb page, and Wikipedia page.

Robert Novak recently introduced the film to his readers:

"Bella" was conceived by three young Mexican men -- producer, director and lead actor -- who are conservative Catholics and want to make movies removed from Hollywood's movie culture of sex and violence. Bankrolled by a wealthy Catholic family from Philadelphia, they shot the film in 24 days in New York City.

The star is Eduardo Verastegui, a Mexican heartthrob as a lead performer in TV soap operas who now lives in Los Angeles. A devout Catholic, he told me he was tired of movies showing Latinos as disreputable and immoral. He has learned to speak English in three years well enough to play the lead role mostly in English (with subtitles over the Spanish).

It was a stretch to get "Bella" even shown at Toronto, much less win an award. "Going into the festival," said the Hollywood Reporter, "absolutely no one, including the team of filmmakers that made 'Bella,' ever imagined it would capture the People's Choice Award, voted on by festival audiences."

Causa Nostrae Laetitiae has an early (rave) review of it (with some general thematic spoilers). She talks about it more here (though the site seems to be having some picture formatting difficulties). Some revealing words about the producer, Leo Severino:

He told of leaving a prosperous career as Latin American business mangaer at Fox studios to begin Metanoia Films (Greek for conversion). "I wanted to make films that if the Virgin Mary sat next to me during the screening, I wouldn't have to cover her eyes."

Victoria Labecki has been to a showing of it and relates an interesting story about one day of Bella's filming:

Another interesting story takes place on the set of Bella. It was the last day of filming in New York City and the forecast called for a 100% chance of rain for the whole day–the radar image was fully green. This was bad. After shooting half of the scene the day earlier on a dry, sunny day, while the budget demanded the shoot to be finished that day, the cast & crew prayed and began working in faith despite the rain. As the camera began rolling, the rain stopped! The rest of the day, there was a patch of clear sky just above them, as it poured all around them and on one side of the ice cream truck at the end of the block. People were walking onto the set soaking wet just because they came from the end of the block!

Cheri Lomonte was also at this showing and tells us that there were other amazing occurances during filming.

Brian Murphy of Vivat Jesus (contains spoilers) tells us the movie received a 5 minute standing ovation at one of its screenings.

Columcille of Fumare introduces us to the producer of the film:

I give you Leo Severino, the young lawyer and producer of this film. Here is a guy who is Catholic and has integrated his faith [profoundly] into his career. Here is an article for more background on the making of this extraordinary film to inspire [...] And here is a link to a number of catechetical talks Mr. Severino has given to Catholic youth interested in Hollywood.

John says that flyers introducing Bella were widely distributed at this year's March for Life.

Sean Loomis from Franciscan University of Steubenville adds his testimony:

Last night, the main actor and producer from the movie Bella came here and showed their movie . The movie is an excellent work of art made by a famous actor/singer who had a major conversion and has dedicated his life to "undoing" what he has done with his previous works. The film won the Toronto film festival and will hopefully hit the big screen. Look it up. It's amazing!

*content out of date, please see here.*

Thanks for voting AmericanPapist!

A word of thanks to everyone who voted for the AmericanPapist blog in this year's Catholic Blog Awards.

Based on the votes, I'm especially happy that many people consider the blog well-designed (I try to keep things simple and clutter-free), stocked with the occasional "insider" news tip (thanks are really also due to the many people who email me tips/stories/suggestions) and funny (I love reading through everybody's contributions to the PPOTD - great stuff)! It was also gratifying to see AmP nominated and receive votes in five other categories.

But in the end, it's your daily readership, comments, emails, word-of-mouth, and (most of all) prayers that keep AmericanPapist one of the best parts of my day. Thanks for making it a part of yours.

~ Thomas Peters

"The Pope and the Witch" Revisited

A good seminarian friend of mine studying in Minnesota reminded me about a horrible play entitled "The Pope and the Witch" that will be premiering at that University in about two weeks.

LifeSiteNews covered the situation back in September here.

The American Society for the defense of Tradition, Family and Property has an online protest here, which is explained here.

A couple related points: Dom takes apart the editors of a Minnesota newspaper who try to defend the play and Mark Shea briefly defends the choice to protest it.

My friend also tells me that he and other seminarians will be going to protest the play.

The above picture is taken from another production of this play, which includes more pictures. Here are pictures from a third production. You get the idea.

LifeSiteNews headlines, Feb. 19th

LifeSiteNews:

• American Psychological Association: Remove All Sexualized Images of Women in Media
  http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/feb/07021907.html
• Study: Women Who Donate Eggs For Fertility Research Face Loss of Life and Limb
  http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/feb/07021902.html
• On 90th Anniversary of Fatima Will Portugal Lose the Catholic Faith and Legalize Abortion?
  http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/feb/07021901.html
• Girl Suffers Forced Abortion in Italy
  13-year old Ordered to Abort by Judge
  http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/feb/07021904.html

Your PPOTD! Friday, February 16th

Pope Benedict was unimpressed by the abstract sculpture of the Virgin Mary.

[photo: REUTERS/Danilo Schiavella /Pool (VATICAN)]

The Amazing Grace conference starts today

Last notice!

AmP Poll: Presidential Candidates 2008, first run

An AmericanPapist Poll has been posted: Of these potential 2008 presidential candidates, who are you currently most disposed to vote for?

Voting will continue for about a week. If I have made any glaring omisisons please comment below or email me and I'll consider adding them. As always, this poll is not scientific and just for fun.

Go Vote!

Abp. Myers is writing ... a sci-fi novel?!

Amy Welborn, who has recently finished a novel of her own, has noted this amazing little news tidbit: Archbishop Myers is co-writing a sci-fi novel! I just bet some people (*cough* - JIMMY AKIN - *cough* ... and about a third of the St. Blogs community *cough*) are just going to be tickled pink.

Hey, even I'm excited!

And the name of this work-in-progres?? ... yep, "Space Vulture:"

"Space Vulture" is a fast-paced intergalactic tale about a heroic marshal and a con man, who team up with a widow and her two children to fight Space Vulture, the "most villainous marauder in the cosmos," Wolf told the newspaper. Wolf already has three other science-fiction novels under his belt.

I kid you not.

More backstory:

The archbishop said he worked on the book at night, when he didn't have appointments, or at his summer residence. The two would tease out themes and devise plots over the phone, and would edit text via e-mail.

Myers told the newspaper that he tried to weave moral themes through the text, but it is not written as an overtly Christian or Catholic book. The characters pray when they’re in tough situations and there’s also a conversion of sorts when the con man has a change of heart and decides to care for the young boys who come into his custody.

...

According to the Star-Ledger Staff, Archbishop Myers, 65, said most of the money from the book will probably go into college funds for his nearly three dozen nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

And I was worried about the lack of good fiction pleasure reading for this summer... I guess Ender's Game is going to have to wait a little bit longer.

A word of thanks...

... to everyone who has not removed me from their RSS aggregators and bloglines subscriptions during my recent weeks of inactivity. I am sometimes not so forgiving to my blog reading lists. You don't know how much that faithfullness is an encouragement to me. AmP will now return to your regularly scheduled programming!

Pope Benedict "lashes out" against laws that contradict Natural Law

The AFP starts us out:

VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope Benedict reportedly lashed out against laws that he said threaten the family and social order, saying none "can overturn that of the Creator."

"No law made by man can overturn that of the Creator without dramatically affecting society in its very foundation," said the pope, according to the I-Media news agency, which reports on Vatica affairs in French.

The pope's remarks to a delegation attending a conference on "natural law" at the Pontifical Lateran University came as Portugal moves to liberalise abortion and Italy plans to grant legal status to unwed couples. [More...]

Now, I could see a variety of verbs that might describe what Pope Benedict did, but "lash out" just isn't one of them. "Lashing out," to me at least, connotes an uncontrolled, violent reaction to something one cannot handle rationally or unemotionally. Does this sound at all like the Pope Benedict we know?

I think the phrase "sternly rebuked" or "strongly asserted" would be far more appropriate. But I don't compose the copy.

Dom found another doozy in one of those ever-humerous and overly-histrionic British tabloids:

"Portugal yesterday voted to sweep away centuries of moral domination by the Roman Catholic church in a referendum allowing the government to reform one of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws."

Goodness!

Perhaps what they are really scared about are these words, quoted from a far more balanced CWNews report:

"We must have the courage to remind our contemporaries what human beings and humanity are," the Pope said. As an example of that approach he mentioned the late Andrei Sakharov, the Russian scientist and human-rights activist. "If under the Communist regime his exterior freedom was fettered, his interior freedom, which no one could take away from him, authorized him to speak out firmly to defend his compatriots in the name of the common good,” the Pope said.

And some fascinating backstory:

"The Pope's choice of Sakharov as a model for the Academy's work was particularly significant because the Russian nuclear physicist was also a foreign associate member of the group. In fact, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was named to the Academy to fill the spot created by Sakharov’s death in 1989."

The question I ask myself is how the Pope's speech possibly relates/prepares for the expected CDF document that is going to be issued on Natural Law. This is one story I'll be watching eagerly.

Odd how someone who is prone to "lashing out" can simultaneously be working within a backdrop of such careful planning and drafting. It really makes you wonder which side is more disposed to "lashing out", doesn't it?

Finally, on a related topic, this article covers the Italian bishop preparing a statement against civil unions. Some statistics from that article:

Also, according to data released by the Italian agency Istat, fewer than 250,000 marriages were celebrated in Italy in 2005, a number that shows the continual decline since 1972, when just short of 419,000 weddings occurred. The information revealed more than 500,000 Italian couples living together outside of marriage. Istat also stated that 15% of Italian children-- 80,000 in 2005-- have been born outside of marriage. That figure is double the number for just ten years ago.

The average age at which Italian men now marry is 32 years old while for Italian women it is 30.

Keep the CBA in your prayers

Evidently they had over a thousand nominations to sort through this weekend. Yikes!

A new profile picture?

I don't know, any takers?

I also notice that my blogger profile description, which I wrote one night over a year ago and have not really reviewed since then, has received over 10,000 views. Maybe I should revise it?

Update: I'm more than chuckling at the responses this post has received. Your comments are duly noted and I'll continue my search. For the rest of you - well, you got to see it once at least.

The Abortion ban in Portugal: safe, but not for long.

A narrow squeek this time around - but it won't last. Apparently this crisis was only averted by low voter turnout. The AP reports:

LISBON, Portugal - A national referendum to scrap Portugal's strict abortion law appeared headed to defeat Sunday because of low turnout, even though a majority of voters approved it. [More...(also contains a couple videos)]

Sadly, there's more to the story than that.

The Socialist prime minister of Portugal, Jose Socrates (yes - Socrates!), is a potent political force for abolishing the ban. And all evidence suggests that he'll use this vote, which fell below the 50% required voter turnout this time around, as a reason to push ahead with overturning the law in the next few months. [More.]

Zenit fills in more of the backstory with an inteview.

By all accounts, Portugal will soon join the majority of EU countries that have liberal abortion laws. After that, the only three hold-outs left are Ireland, Poland and Malta.

Update: Via Amy, commentary at Spero News.

Less than a week until the Amazing Grace Conference

Just a reminder. Here's more.

Or go straight to the source.

It's looking like I won't be able to attend the Friday activities, but definitely Saturday and hopefully Sunday. This is kinda what I look like.

It should be amazing! :-)

The seminarians of Saginaw have a blog!

The fine guys who are studying to be priests for the diocese of Saginaw now have a blog of their own up and running.

Also, the diocese of Saginaw has a nice page up with pics and a report from this year's March for Life, which Bp. Carlson attended.

Here's a picture of him at the March. The fellow to his right is Chris, one of the Saginaw Seminarians. And in this picture you can see Rich, a good buddy of mine and also a seminarian of Saginaw.

They both recently became fourth degree Knights of Columbus, passing me up. Good men!

Don't bother with Michael Crichton's "Next"

In the past I've enjoyed Michael Crichton's fiction, especially Andromeda Strain (classic) and Eaters of the Dead (linguistic and cultural subject matter). So I was intrigued when I found out that his most recent title, Next, has to do with biomedical experimentation and cutting-edge scientific techniques.

Sadly, the novel is nothing more than a recipe of hackneyed plot-devices and one-too-many sexual-references for my liking. I doubt I'm even going to finish it, and I'd recommend others save themselves the bother.

Crichton's previous novel before this one, State of Fear, was topically fascinating (global warming fear-mongering and "eco-terrorism"), but ultimately unsatisfying as well.

Your PPOTD! Monday, February 12th

Yes, by "budget cuts," he did mean budget cuts.

[photo: AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca]

A little dose of Cardinal Schonborn (Schoenborn)

This time he's talking about the 2005 Dover decision.

Meanwhile, Gerard has a good post of the ongoing Austrian abortion clinic debacle.

I hope that the Schonborn Site gets a good updating soon... I have a feeling it will.

Update: And if you want some video of Cardinal Schonborn ... here ya go:

"The video archives at the Vatican website seem to have been updated, a video stream (RealPlayer only, the Media Player files don't seem to work) is available here.

There is another video stream of a mass presided by Cardinal Schoenborn on St. Peter's Square available here (RAM)."

... thanks, Monika!

Children of Men: John Murphy's excellent review

John Murphy over at GodSpy has penned an excellent review for Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.

I saw this movie over Christmas break and agree point-by-point with what John Murphy has to say about it. I would also join him in encouraging people to see it (even while it is still in cinemas, if possible).

Go read his review.

What's been consuming so very much of my time lately?

Three weeks ago the topic for my Master's thesis was approved, and I have since been very occupied with research and writing. It is due mid-March, and I'll be defending by early April. Prayers would, of course, be greatly appreciated. And no worries, I will still be blogging as my "intellectual playtime" (in that I consider blogging intellectual and also great, great fun).

My topic, broadly, is on the thought of Servais Pinckaers, a brilliant Dominican moral theologian, longtime teacher at Fribourg in Switzerland, member of the ITC and contributor to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Needless to say, I'd recommend reading his masterful magnum-opus The Sources of Christian Ethics or his shorter, more popular-oriented Morality: The Catholic View if you want some top-notch moral theology.

Magister: "Two New Documents in the Works: On Bioethics, and on Natural Law"

Mentioned elsewhere, it's important and exciting news. Sandro Magister reports:

Two New Documents in the Works: On Bioethics, and on Natural Law

They are being prepared by the congregation for the doctrine of the faith. It is the continuation of the "Ratzinger style," explains the secretary of the Vatican dicastery, archbishop Angelo Amato.

Tip: U.S. Playdates for documentary "Into Great Silence"

This news tip has received some scattered attention among a few blogs, and I hope that some of the uber blogers also give it a mention: there are now U.S. playdates for the highly-anticipated Into Great Silence documentary.

Blog-by-the-Sea has a good post.

The New Liturgical Movement will be providing a review of the DVD version, which will be released soon in Canada.

Stephen at FGCY is counting down the days till he can get his hands on a copy. He has numerous related posts so feel free to search around.

Next, via Matt of ANS, here is an embedded trailer for the movie:



Since the closest theater to me is the DIA in Detroit (May 4-6), I'll be posting more information on that venue once I track it down. [update... see below.]

Update: Scratch that! I'll post that promised information right now, right here!

Muddled in Austria

In the Light of the Law takes a look:

News reports that Salzburg (Austria) auxiliary bishop Andreas Laun has excommunicated one Richard Lugner for allowing an abortion clinic to open in one of his shopping malls, are a mess. No wonder Vienna's Christoph Cdl. Schoenborn is keeping his distance. [More...]

"Pope Asks Young People to Maintain Virginity Even During Engagement"

LifeSiteNews:

VATICAN CITY, February 5, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Today, the Vatican released Pope Benedict XVI's message for the World Youth Day 2007, which is to be celebrated in all dioceses on Palm Sunday, April 1. The message focuses on love, and a significant portion is dedicated to preparation for marriage.

Rather than assume young people incapable of avoiding premarital relations, the Holy Father challenges youth to remain pure even during the engagement. "The period of engagement," he said, "very necessary in order to form a couple, is a time of expectation and preparation that needs to be lived in purity of gesture and words."

Typical of Pope Benedict, he provides the youth with the reason behind the instruction. "It allows you to mature in love, in concern and in attention for each other," he said "it helps you to practise self-control and to develop your respect for each other." The Pope added, "These are the characteristics of true love that does not place emphasis on seeking its own satisfaction or its own welfare." [Full story...]

Read more excerpts from the Pope's message here.

Full coverage: HPV vaccine mandated in Texas

Yesterday I came across this headline: "Texas mandates cervical cancer vaccine."

Here is the LA Times on the story:

HOUSTON — Texas on Friday became the first state to require school-age girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus that has been shown to cause cervical cancer.

Gov. Rick Perry signed an executive order mandating that most girls, starting in September 2008, receive the vaccination against the human papillomavirus before entering sixth grade.

More than a dozen states, including California, have been considering such a move. HPV, which also causes genital warts, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the country. Several strains have been linked to cervical cancer, which kills about 3,700 Americans a year, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Numerous Catholic blogs have been covering this story. Catholic Matriarch starts us off:

"This vaccine does prevent a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer. What I cannot justify is making the vaccine mandatory. Contrary to the hype, this vaccine does not prevent cancer. It prevents a sexually transmitted disease, human papilloma virus (HPV)."

(... and her post got noticed by someone at Merck, the manufacturer of this vaccine.)

The Crescat takes a look at the disturbing marketing campaign behind this vaccine (named Gardasil):

"Its a vacine against a STD (SEXUALLY transmitted diseases) being marketed as a vacine against cervical cancer. The "vacine" is also being marketed to GIRLS and women ages 9-26. AGES NINE-9... do nine year olds need a vacine against an STD?"

Here is the video for one of the ads:



More resources:

• KCC has an interesting rhetorical approach to the issue.
• Catholic Fire takes a look at the way People magazine is spinning it.
• TCYM brings out some of the hard facts about HPV and cervical cancer.

More quotes from the LA Times article:

"He [Governor Perry] promised that parents who did not want their children vaccinated "for reasons of conscience" would be allowed to seek exemptions. The mandate would affect about 365,000 girls a year."

"But the move drew criticism from conservative groups, which noted that the governor had accepted campaign contributions from the vaccine's manufacturer, Merck & Co."All Merck wanted was a mandate so the insurance companies would have to pay for this. Follow the money," said Cathie Adams, president of the Texas Eagle Forum, an organization that promotes socially conservative government policies."

Update: Happy Catholic has an excellent post on this topic. And she gives us this link as well: 10 Thins You Might Not Know About Gardasil.