Papist Picture of the Day - 2/29/08

[For today's blog topics, click here.]

"Once again, the pope had managed to lose his signet ring."

[source: REUTERS/Tony Gentile (ITALY)]

Photo Caption Call - 2/29/08

[For today's blog topics, click here.]

"I bet this isn't what you think of when you hear the words 'Spring Break.'"

[source: Flickr user "lindita"]

*Breaking* Gunmen kidnap Iraqi Chaldean Catholic archbishop, kill companions

Breaking news:

Gunmen kidnapped the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Mosul on Friday in the northern Iraqi city and killed his driver and two guards, police said.

"He was kidnapped in the al-Nour district in eastern Mosul when he left a church. Gunmen opened fire on the car, killed the other three and kidnapped the archbishop," said provincial police spokesman Brigadier-General Khaled Abdul Sattar.

An assistant to Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, the Chaldean patriarch of Baghdad and spiritual leader of Iraq's Catholics, said they had heard three people were killed and they did not know the fate of the archbishop, [who is named] Paulos Faraj Rahho. - Reuters

The previous Archbishop of Mosul, Basil George Casmoussa, was kidnapped in 2005, "but was
released after one day of captivity and said no ransom was paid."

Updates as I see them.

Imagine the outcry from certain Muslims if one of their imams were kidnapped and his companions killed.

The Chaldean from Iraq who sent me this news story is asking us to pray for the captive Archbishop.

update: CWNews adds more:

Bishop Paulos Faraj Raho was seized by terrorists who attacked his car as he left the Holy Spirit cathedral in Mosul after leading the Stations of the Cross on Friday, February 29. Three companions who had been in the car with him were killed.

A Church spokesman in Iraq confirmed that the bishop was in the custody of his kidnappers, who had contacted the Chaldean Church to make a ransom demand. Iraqi Catholics did not know whether or not the bishop had been wounded in the attack.

update 2: the Vatican response:

Pope Benedict XVI called Friday for the swift release of a Chaldean Catholic archbishop who was kidnapped in Iraq, saying the "abominable" act was an attack on the Iraqi church as a whole.

In a statement, Benedict appealed for "reason and humanity" from the kidnappers, who killed the two bodyguards and the driver of Mosul Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho.

Rahho was kidnapped as he left church Friday afternoon. In the statement released by the Vatican press office, the Vatican said the fact that the gunmen knew Rahho was celebrating a religious rite inside indicated the kidnapping was premeditated.

The Vatican said the pope was immediately informed about the "abominable" kidnapping and was spiritually close to Rahho's family and the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq, Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly.

New U.S. Ambassador to Vatican has first day on the job

More than mere pleasantries:

• Address: U.S. Ambassador Glendon to Benedict XVI
• Response: Pope Benedict XVI to Ambassador Glendon

CDF officially ends dispute on "baptisms" by "Creator, Liberator, Sustainer", etc.

Today the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith answered two recent disputed questions regarding allowable baptismal formulas and what to do with persons "baptized" using them:

Made public today were the responses of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to two questions concerning the validity of Baptism conferred with certain non-standard formulae.

The first question is: "Is a Baptism valid if conferred with the words 'I baptise you in the name of the Creator, and of the Redeemer, and of the Sanctifier', or 'I baptise you in the name of the Creator, and of the Liberator, and of the Sustainer'"?

The second question is: "Must people baptised with those formulae be baptised 'in forma absoluta'?"

The responses are: "To the first question, negative; to the second question, affirmative".

In other words: "no", baptism may not be validly celebrated using the above-mentioned substitutions for the traditional "Father, Son & Holy Spirit" phrasing, and "yes", people baptized with this substitute phrasing must be baptized absolutely, as opposed to conditionally (conditionally would imply that their previous baptism might have been valid. The CDF says they are absolutely not valid).

Pope Benedict personally approved these answers. Cardinal Levada, who is in charge of CDF, and Archbishop Amato, the no. 2 in charge of CDF, explain the decision (underlining mine):

An attached note explains that the responses "concern the validity of Baptism conferred with two English-language formulae within the ambit of the Catholic Church. ... Clearly, the question does not concern English but the formula itself, which could also be expressed in another language".

"Baptism conferred in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit", the note continues, "obeys Jesus' command as it appears at the end of the Gospel of St. Matthew. ... The baptismal formula must be an adequate expression of Trinitarian faith, approximate formulae are unacceptable.

"Variations to the baptismal formula - using non-biblical designations of the Divine Persons - as considered in this reply, arise from so-called feminist theology", being an attempt "to avoid using the words Father and Son which are held to be chauvinistic, substituting them with other names. Such variants, however, undermine faith in the Trinity".

I'm glad the response makes clear that this false practice came about because of "so-called feminist theology" (theology is theology, there is no such thing as "feminist" or "masculine" theology).

And if you had any doubt about the theological weight this opinion holds, consider:

"The response of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith constitutes an authentic doctrinal declaration, which has wide-ranging canonical and pastoral effects. Indeed, the reply implicitly affirms that people who have been baptised, or who will in the future be baptised, with the formulae in question have, in reality, not been baptised. Hence, they must them be treated for all canonical and pastoral purposes with the same juridical criteria as people whom the Code of Canon Law places in the general category of 'non-baptised'".

That's pretty airtight, but won't prevent the obligatory outraged editorial responses.

Trust me, they're coming.

{updated} To review, CNS confirms that people who have been "baptized" without the proper Trinitarian form of the Sacrament must now be "re-baptized" and confirmed. They must be "re-baptized" before they can be re-admitted to recieving the Eucharist. Furthermore, they must, if married, now receive that Sacrament of Matrimony. If any of them men baptized with this invalid formula were ordained to Holy Orders, they must now be actually ordained.

In short, it's a huge mess.

Plus, people who continue invalidly baptizing with these invalid formulas incur certain penalties. Protestants, to make another point, who have been baptized with one of these invalid formulas, cannot be presumed to share in Christian baptism with Catholics. It's quite a can of worms.

Finally, some folks have mentioned the idea of "ecclesia supplet" as providing a solution to the dilemma posed when people operate and live with the belief that they have received Sacraments, which, in reality, they have not undergone.

That isn't quite correct, but don't lose hope: the proper Catholic theological response in this situation is that "Deus providet" - God provides. Canonist Ed Peters explains how/why in this post (jump down to the section heading 'So where does that leave our penitent?').

He also explains the background to this particular debate, and makes some helpful comments today:

"The rules on baptism are meant to be followed"

You might recall when I blogged against using baptismal formulae contrived to avoid masculine nouns for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I said back in 2004 that such ‘baptisms’ were invalid, and that people who received ‘baptism’ under them were not even Christian, let alone Catholic.

Looks like CDF agrees.

This type of invalid "baptism" was most notably practiced in Australia over the past decade:

• CathNews: Brisbane Archbishop stops "inclusive" baptism
• Catholic New Times: Cardinal Pell backs stand against 'invalid' baptisms
• ABC News: Brisbane church on notice over unconventional baptisms

And for a glimpse into the mindset that prompted this liturgical abuse, consider these lines from the "Australian Reforming Catholics" website (with emphasis on the "reforming"):

"If the words "Creator, Liberator and Sustainer" enable some people to come closer to the meaning of the Trinity, then why should there be such a problem if people have a choice about the way it is expressed? Our understanding is that not all people are baptised at the South Brisbane Church with these words and if some are assisted in faith through their usage, then there should be concentration on what is most important."

The proper way to approach the meaning of the Trinity is catachesis. The proper way to approach the reality of the Trinity, and of eternal life, is to call upon the Trinity by their revealed names in the sacrament of baptism. This is what is most important: that faith be founded on reality as well as feeling.

After all, feelings don't save - but God does.

Looks like CDF agrees.

[photo: Flickr user "praiseyah"]

Video: Planned Parenthood Racism Investigation

Because it's always more effective to hear it and see it:



Previous and related posts on Planned Parenthood here.

[ph/t: Hot Air.]

Spanish bishop: Abstain from text messages this Lent

'The Diocese of Girona in Spain, together with Caritas Girona, is calling on young people to “abstain” from sending text messages during Lent—which ends on March 20—as part of the Lenten campaign called “Disconnect to get connected.”

The campaign encourages young people aged 14 to 30 to give up three text messages per day and to spend less time connected to the internet during the forty days of Lent." - CNA

Of course, time spent reading AmP or related AmP pages doesn't count as internet time. ;-)

AmP headlines by text alert, hmm, now that's an (intrusive) idea....

Here's a question: how many of you give up Facebook, internet, cell phone chatting or yes - texting - for Lent? Do you try to limit your use of all or any of these technologies?

[photo: flickr user "andreasandrews"]

Leap year saints!

Fr. Nicholas at Roman Miscellany:

The 2004 Roman Martyrology lists four saints for today, who are thus only commemorated (technically) once every four years. Let's especially pray to them on their feast.

[He lists them here.]

Very cool.

Announcing the AmP Facebook Fanpage!

Recently Facebook approved my request for an exciting new AmericanPapist online initiative: the official AmP fanpage.

For those of you who have Facebook accounts (they are free and open to all), you can now become an official fan of AmericanPapist with a single click. This will allow you to do several things, for instance:

• View the latest Papist Picture of the Day and AmP Blog topics from within Facebook
• Participate in papist discussions with other AmP fans, and post tips on the fanpage wall
• Create and share your own papist photo albums for the AmP fanpage
• Learn about exciting upcoming papist events, and find out if other AmP fans are attending
• Help support and spread the good news about AmP and other Catholic blogs

... and that's just a start! Becoming a AmP Facebook fan is fast and easy, and I promise not to fill your inbox with annoying messages. So join today, invite your friends, and start getting involved. It's a papist paradise!

In related news, the AmP YouTube channel, after roughly one month of operation, has logged over 10,000 video views, with +1500 channel views! The AmP Flickr page has clocked well past 20,000 views since launching.

I don't think it's unreasonable to hope for 500 fans by March 15th. So, what do you say? Let's get to it!

update: March 2nd, and we're almost tipping the scales at 200 official AmP Facebook fans!

Picture: Meet "Benny Bear", the first official souvenir for the pope's visit

USA Today:

"The first officially announced souvenir for Pope Benedict XVI's visit is the "Benny Bear." That's the nickname Archdiocese of Washington spokeswoman Susan Gibbs gave the bear, which will be sold only at six Washington, D.C.-area Build-A-Bear Workshop stores. "It's cute. It's fun. It brings the Holy Father into secular culture and lets parents go into a family-friendly store and do something related to their faith," Gibbs says.

The bears costs $10 to $20. The Christ Our Hope logo T-shirt costs $6, and a portion of the shirt sales will help pay for the pope's trip."

"Daddy, I want an umpa lumpa...."

No worries, a (slightly) more substantial post about the pope's April visit is in the works.

Keep Planned Parenthood funding in VA cut off!

This is an important story. I don't have time at present to pursue it fully, but briefly:

• The Virginia Senate voted yesterday to cut off state aid to Planned Parenthood
• PP, in response, is now mobilizing their significant resources to fight the decision
• LifeSiteNews reports and points to this site in Virginia: http://familyfoundation.org
• ProLifeBlogs has coverage, and notes that PP has sent an action notice to its supporters
• An example of the misinformation being spread available in this post at RH Reality Check

People more directly connected to this situation than I are welcome to continue coverage in the comment box.

Social Encyclical expected as early as Easter, Cardinal Bertone confirms

CNA reports:

The Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, confirmed today that Pope Benedict XVI is about to finish his Encyclical on social issues.

"Yes, the Pope is working on a social encyclical, which will have, I believe, a significant impact on the great social and economic problems in the contemporary world," said Cardinal Bertone during an interview published today by the Italian daily "La Repubblica."

....

The Secretary of State gave no clue as to when the document will be released, but unnamed sources from the Vatican quoted previously by the daily "Il Messaggero," said the third encyclical of Pope Benedict would be signed on the feast of St. Joseph –March 19th - and released during Easter.

"The encyclical will focus on international social problems, with special attention to developing countries," Cardinal Bertone told "La Repubblica."

Talking points for his April visit?

Recent reports suggest global cooling + increases in arctic ice

Because I'm feeling somewhat masochistic and this topic always gets heated:

"Heart-ache: Temperature records indicate … global cooling?" - Hot Air

Quoting this article:

"All four major global temperature tracking outlets (Hadley, NASA’s GISS, UAH, RSS) have released updated data. All show that over the past year, global temperatures have dropped precipitously…

Scientists quoted in a past DailyTech article link the cooling to reduced solar activity which they claim is a much larger driver of climate change than man-made greenhouse gases. The dramatic cooling seen in just 12 months time seems to bear that out. While the data doesn’t itself disprove that carbon dioxide is acting to warm the planet, it does demonstrate clearly that more powerful factors are now cooling it."

Now, hold onto your fur coats, I agree with this article that says "one winter does not a climate make." However, can we also agree on this observation?:

" ... if environmentalists and environment reporters can run around shrieking about the manmade destruction of the natural order every time a robin shows up on Georgian Bay two weeks early, then it is at least fair game to use this winter's weather stories to wonder whether the alarmist are being a tad premature.

That's really all I ask, at this point.

Your daily dose of radical feminist scare tactics

In response to the Virgina Senate cutting state funding to Planned Parenthood (bold in original):

"The irony is, Planned Parenthood probably prevents more abortions than any other organization in the country," [an opposed Senator] said. But of course, anti-choicers aren't concerned about preventing abortion - if they were, they'd be touting birth control - their real concern is limiting women's choices and rolling back our rights. - Feministing

Meanwhile, the enlightened sensitivas at Feministe try to work out the logic of early human life (warning: offensive images and content). Not surprisingly, they fail miserably.

I've said it often: if you were ever tempted to hold a different position on these issues, just spend an afternoon reading where it leads and you'll never be tempted again. Simply incredible.

But also, very sad.

update: Jessica at Feministing provides more grist, this time in reaction to the news that Planned Parenthood in Idaho willing takes money from racists to abort African American babies:

"What so awful about this .... is that this plays directly into anti-choice talking points about abortion and race. "

Or, just maybe, the "talking points" actually reveal a reality that PP tries to hide whenever it can.

Planned Parenthood's response? "We're an equal-opportunity, non-discriminatory purveyor of death."

Okay, that phrase was mine.

Report/Interview: Fidelity works against AIDS in Africa

In the fight against AIDS, abstinence-based programs that focus on changing behaviors rather than handing out condoms simply work better, says an AIDS expert.

Matthew Hanley has been a HIV/AIDS technical adviser at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for the last seven years and is the author of the forthcoming book "Avoiding Risk, Affirming Life: Science, Love, and AIDS."

In this interview with ZENIT, Hanley comments on the programs and principles that have led to dropping rates of HIV prevalence in Africa.

Remember, so-called "abstinence" programs are the most effective because they are actually "abstinence and fidelity" programs. The Church isn't saying to people "never have sex," it is saying, "Have sex, but in the right way (an exclusive marriage)." This messages preserves both human life and the dignity of humans.

Or you could employ the alternative approach - just throw condoms and contraceptives at the problem.

And yet, it's the Catholic Church that is constantly maligned for being "uncivilized." Good one!

Video: Barack Obama on Terri Schiavo

Video of Barack Obama's comments on Terri Schivo:

My full commentary on this story is available here.

related: "Obama pledged to Planned Parenthood: “I will not yield” to pro-life concerns" (CNA):

The senator said he had a long tradition of support for legalized abortion, citing his efforts in the Illinois State Senate and his classes as a law professor. “I have worked on these issues for decades now,” he said. “I put Roe at the center of my lesson plan on reproductive freedom when I taught Constitutional Law. Not simply as a case about privacy but as part of the broader struggle for women’s equality.”

...

Senator Obama said he was “absolutely convinced that culture wars are so nineties,” saying it was “time to turn the page.”

“We’re tired about arguing about the same ole’ stuff,” he continued.

update 2: "Obama Under Fire for Terri Schiavo Remark"- Christian Post

Photo Caption Call - 2/27/08

[For today's blog topics, click here.]

"Guess who the Patriarch has on his fav five?"

[source: Flickr user "guzi4real"]

Papist Picture of the Day - 2/27/08

[For today's blog topics, click here.]

"The post meeting rush to get a picture with the pope is always fierce."

[source: REUTERS/Tony Gentile (ITALY)]

Joe Feuerherd gets himself into hot water

Two quick updates:

• Catholic News Agency presents again the argument published at the In the Light of the Law blog, and then takes a second opinion by J. D. Flynn, a canon lawyer for the Archdiocese of Denver.
• More importantly, Sister Mary Ann Walsh of the USCCB has replied in the WaPo.

This story was first mentioned indirectly here and then at more length and directly here.

It will be interesting to see if Feuerherd tries to mount a response to the wave of criticism he's received.

Obama's biggest regret? Not more energetically letting Terri Schiavo die.

In last night's democratic debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - their last one before the Texas/Ohio showdown on March 4th - Barack Obama made a surprising (to me, shocking) statement:

RUSSERT: Senator Obama, any statements or vote you'd like to takeback?

OBAMA: Well, you know, when I first arrived in the Senate that first year, we had a situation surrounding Terri Schiavo. And I remember how we adjourned with a unanimous agreement that eventually allowed Congress to interject itself into that decision making process of the families. It wasn't something I was comfortable with, but it was not something that I stood on the floor and stopped. And I think that was a mistake, and I think the American people understood that that was a mistake. And as a constitutional law professor, I knew better. And so that's an example I think of where inaction...

RUSSERT: This is the young woman with the feeding tube...

OBAMA: That's exactly right.

RUSSERT: ... and the family disagreed as to whether it should be removed or not.

OBAMA: And I think that's an example of inaction, and sometimes that can be as costly as action.

Obama's choice of example and statement about the Terri Schiavo case confound me quite a bit. For one thing, this represents a clear case of him reaching out to an extreme position, and therefore distancing himself from the more conservative position on end-of-life issues that many Americans hold, thus reminding us how liberal Obama actually is on these types of issues. He went looking for it.

Furthermore, the proposition that "the American people understood that [getting involved in the Terri Schiavo case] was a mistake" I don't personally agree with, and at any rate, I'd like to see the poll numbers on it. Since when did this become a consensus position, that it is wrong for there to be laws to protect the disabled from having their ordinary care and nutrition removed?!

Regardless, Obama's lack of action was ultimately fruitless, as Schiavo did indeed have her feeding tube removed and was indeed starved to death, several legal battles later.

In the end, all Obama managed to do with his response to the moderator's question was to inform the American people, "Yes, I was in favor of letting Terri Schiavo be starved to death."

If anything, that was the inaction he chose: not helping Terri live.

LifeNews points out that Obama, in fact, said basically the same thing back in 2007:

This isn't the first time Obama has said the biggest mistake he made as senator was voting to help try to stop Terri from being euthanized.

During an April 2007 debate, Obama said, "I think professionally the biggest mistake that I made was when I first arrived in the Senate. There was a debate about Terri Schiavo, and a lot of us, including me, left the Senate with a bill that allowed Congress to intrude where it shouldn't have.”

"And I think I should have stayed in the Senate and fought more for making sure [Terri's parents couldn't take their case to federal court to save her life]," he explained.

Again, it's scary to think that Obama has to say this sort of thing to win over democratic voters.

Kathryn Jean Lopez at NRO's The Corner has this to say:

"I thought Terri Schiavo was a jarring presence at the debate last night. When Senator Obama was asked what legislative regrets, he didn’t try to walk away from his radical ways any by citing his votes against born-alive infant protection or against banning the transport of children across state lines to circumvent parental notification/consent laws. Instead he said he would have voted to stop Congress from intervening to save the life of Terri Schiavo.

On Meet the Press, John McCain left open the possibility that Congress wasn't wrong to get involved. He should embrace life (and autonomy!) and get comfortable with running against Barack Obama, a radical on these issues."

To which Andrew Sullivan responds "is she nuts?"

Oh wait, that's right, McCain shouldn't point out Obama's anti-life positions, that would be foolish.

If anyone has YouTube or other embedded video of Obama's response, I'd appreciate the link.

update: coincidentally, look at what the Vatican was just wrapping-up yesterday:

"The Pontifical Academy for Life has concluded a 2-day conference on ethical and pastoral questions involving care for those who are terminally ill.

... At the conclusion of the conference one participant, Dr. John Haas of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, told Vatican Radio that a key concern had been the desire to counteract mounting pressure for euthanasia in the case of patients who are terminally ill. The spreading acceptance of euthanasia, he said, is the result of a utilitarian approach to human life that is "increasingly dominant" in medical circles." - CWNews

Official: Aux. Bp. Earl Boyea takes over Lansing Diocese

From the Italian Vatican bulletino, Earl Boyea will be the fifth bishop of Lansing:

"Il Papa ha nominato Vescovo di Lansing (U.S.A.) S.E. Mons. Earl A. Boyea, finora Vescovo titolare di Siccenna ed Ausiliare dell’arcidiocesi di Detroit.

S.E. Mons. Earl A. Boyea."

The Lansing diocese website has been updated.

Mlive.com reports that Boyea, 56, will be installed as bishop at 2pm, April 29th in Lansing.

Local ABC 12 has a frontpage graphic and a good accompanying biography:

Bishop Boyea was born April 10, 1951. His home parish was Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford where he attended the parish school. After eighth grade, he entered Sacred Heart Seminary High School and then attended its college, where he earned a B.A. in history. From there, he went to the North American College in Rome and studied at the Gregorian University, where he received an S.T.B in 1976 and an S.T.L. in biblical theology in 1980.

He was ordained a priest on May 20, 1978. After ordination, he served as associate pastor at St. Michael Parish, Monroe, and then at St. Timothy Parish, Trenton. After a brief stint as the temporary administrator at St. Christine Parish, Detroit, he returned to Sacred Heart Seminary as professor of church history and scripture. In addition to assisting with Masses on weekends, Father Boyea earned an M.A. in American history from Wayne State University in 1984. In 1987, he received his Ph.D. in church history from the Catholic University of America. From 1990 through 2000, he served as dean of studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and in 2000, was named a prelate of honor.

In February 2000, Msgr. Boyea became rector/president of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He served there until he was named auxiliary bishop of Detroit and titular bishop of Siccenna. He was ordained a bishop Sept. 13, 2002. His motto, in manus tuas (into your hands), is taken from the final words of Jesus on the cross, according to the Gospel of Luke.

Jeremy Priest, a Detroit local, called it, and has this to say about Boyea:

I'm betting on Detroit Auxiliary, Bishop Earl Boyea, but it's anyone's guess. I've found Boyea to be one of the more articulate voices among those who speak regularly at the Bishop's Conference meetings, so that would be nice. I'm also of the opinion that Boyea might have the gumption to intervene with Governor Granholm and her scandelous promotion of abortion.

Bishop Boyea was my rector when I was a seminarian at the Pontifical College Josephinum. He was also the academic dean at Sacred Heart Major Seminary and has a more-than-adequate academic background to oversee a diocese with two of the state's most significant universities.

re: the Granholm situation. At this point, I'm not holding my breath.

Dr. Philip Blosser notes that "His Excellency, Bishop Earl A. Boyea has also served as celebrant in the Sunday morning Tridentine Mass," rearranging his schedule to do so often.

I've been very impressed with what I've seen of Bishop Boyea. I think he will do a great job in Lansing.

more: backstory here.

update: Rocco provides his excellent coverage, and a bonus:

According to the timetable's latest version, Detroit's new archbishop can be expected "after Easter, but before the pallium [29 June]."

Hmm. I've lost count of the number of missed deadlines/predictions/rumors on that one.

Associated Press has brief coverage, and the Lansing State Journal does little better.

Local Lansing Catholics are welcoming their new bishop across St. Blogs:

• Unam Sanctam Catholicam: "Let's hope all goes well with our new shepherd!"
• The Fox's Den:"I am curious to see what our new bishop shall bring."
• The Great Commandment: "Bishop Boyea ... was my teacher and spiritual director for two years. [He] is a man of deep prayer and great learning."
• Well: (a former classmate of mine notes my reference to another former classmate of mine).
• Our Life in Austria (but a Lansing native) notes the appointment. (also a former classmate of mine).

If you are a Catholic blogging in the Lansing diocese or in Michigan feel free to drop a link in the combox.

update 2: video of the announcement from the LSJ. (ph/t: "G8S".)

Photo Caption Call - 2/26/08

"Portable Churches were, thankfully, a short-lived craze."

[source: Flickr user "mivella"]

AmP Tip: DC Papal Ticket details made public - allotments to be finalized Friday

The skinny, as promised.

Here is how tickets to the Pope's Mass in Washinton DC on April 17th will be distributed:

• 14,000 tickets will be made available to residents outside the Archdiocese of Washington
• Of these, 6,000 will be made available to the Diocese of Arlington and 2,500 will be made available to the Archdiocese of Baltimore
• Other dioceses in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Delaware will share about 1440 tickets.
• Parishes in the Archdioces of Washington will be given their final portion numbers this Friday.
• Parishes will receive tickets based on Mass attendance as well as whether they have a school or religious education program. Each pastor decides how the tickets are to be distributed.

The method of choice within each parish seems to be some sort of lottery system.

The Mass at National's stadium can accomodate about 46,000 people. So that means 30,500 tickets or so will be available once the outside-DC tickets have been distributed. After you factor in priests, press, dignitaries, etc, that number will probably be closer to 27,000, if that much. And that's a very rough guess.

Sources: Washington Post's "District Breafing" and USA Today.

more information: "AmP Tip: How to get tickets to see Pope Benedict XVI in April"

Breaking: Lansing, Michigan diocese to get new bishop tomorrow

This notification is circulating the diocese today, sent by the Lansing Director of Communications:

"Bishop Carl F. Mengeling, fourth Bishop of Lansing, cordially invites you to attend a media conference at 10:30am, Wednesday, February 27 at St. Mary Cathedral Parish Hall, 219 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, where you will be introduced to the fifth Bishop of Lansing."

As a former (six year) resident of the diocese, I'm paying especially close attention.

Rocco (who had the drop on me by 47 minutes) adds "Early word says they're keeping it in the province." If they stay within the diocese, my top pick would be the chancellor, Msgr. Steven Raica (2nd from the right).

If they stay within the province, Bishop John M Quinn, an auxiliary of Detroit since 2003, is the prelate I've heard mentioned most frequently. His bio is available here (PDF), and coat of arms description here (PDF).

Updates as soon as I hear them....

update: "chancery grunt" in the combox below may have picked up on something I missed:

"I suspect that Rocco's posting, as always, has a hidden clue. Particularly the way he writes that "Earl-y word says they're keeping it in the province."

That would seem to indicate Bishop Earl Boyea, auxiliary of Detroit and titular bishop of Siccenna."

Bp. Boyea would be an excellent pick, from what I've seen and heard of him. His bio and Coat of Arms (PDFs).

related: "The future of the Michigan episcopate"

update 2: Lansing Journal adds some context (excerpts):

After waiting more than two years for the Vatican to accept his resignation, the Rev. Carl Mengeling is stepping down as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing.

The new bishop with be the fifth to serve in the 10-county Diocese of Lansing, which includes more than 200,000 Catholics.

Mengeling, who came to Lansing from Indiana, was ordained as bishop in January 1996.

Mengeling, now 77, had surgery for bladder cancer last spring. The surgery removed all the cancer and he did not need chemotherapy or radiation. He returned to work after recovering from the surgery.

Pew Forum presents picture of fluid U.S. religious affiliation

Allright, back to things more properly AmericanPapist.

This article is quickly making the rounds (Time Mag's version here, AssociatedPress here):

More than a quarter of adult Americans have left the faith of their childhood to join another religion or no religion, according to a new survey of religious affiliation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

The report, titled “U.S. Religious Landscape Survey,” depicts a highly fluid and diverse national religious life. If shifts among Protestant denominations are included, then it appears that 44 percent of Americans have switched religious affiliations.

Infographic:

Our numbers:

The percentage of Catholics in the American population has held steady for decades at about 25 percent. But that masks a precipitous decline in native-born Catholics. The proportion has been bolstered by the large influx of Catholic immigrants, mostly from Latin America, the survey found.

The Catholic Church has lost more adherents than any other group: about one-third of respondents raised Catholic said they no longer identified as such. Based on the data, the survey showed, “this means that roughly 10 percent of all Americans are former Catholics.”

... which means we have plenty of work to do.

Get the original report here at the Pew Forum. They have a summary with links here.

To add a little context, the UK Times reports that "Over half of Britons claim no religion."

I'll save my comments until I have some time to wade through the data.

update: In the meantime, see what Amy has to say, CNA, and BettNet.

video: "Pew Forum Director Luis Lugo gives an overview of the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey and talks about some of its key findings" (source):

Picture: Large Hadron Collider a Modern Marvel

I'm in a science/picture mood today. If you don't know about the Large Hadron Collider, it's amazing.

Better picture here. NYTimes story here. Gizmodo article here.

Picture: Massive Thunderstorm in Kansas

Scary-cool!

The rest of the images are here.

Follow-up: Feuerherd runs foul of Canon Law, and Common Sense

Yesterday I noted, as part of a general commentary, Joe Feuerherd's slimy op-ed for the WaPo.

Today, my father Canonist Ed Peters tells us what can be done about this studied form of offensiveness:

To wish damnation on an individual or a group is to wish on them the absolutely worst fate conceivable: separation from God forever. CCC 1035. Catholics possessed of even a rudimentary catechesis know that one cannot invoke upon a human being any greater calamity than damnation, and that it is never licit, for any reason, to wish that another person be damned.

On February 24, National Catholic Reporter correspondent Joe Feuerherd, writing in the Washington Post, expressed his desire to see the bishops (of the United States) literally damned before he would fail to vote Democratic this Fall.

[Read what can be done about it here.]

There's really no excuse.

"Anti-Catholicism: the last acceptable prejudice."

update: Carl Olson also takes notice (and issue), and Ramesh Ponnuru at NRO does as well:

Feuerherd doesn’t take the tack that it is wrong in principle for the bishops to suggest that some types of political behavior can endanger people’s souls. It is hard to see how he could take that tack, given that he appears to believe, first, that there is such a thing as an eternal soul that can be damned or saved, and second, that moral choices can affect the outcome. Nor does Feuerherd argue, exactly, that the bishops are wrong to regard abortion as a grave injustice. He says that he is himself pro-life. Evidently, then, he believes that abortion is the unjust killing of innocent human beings, and the “right” to abortion therefore amounts to a license to commit an injustice of the gravest kind.

In other words, either Feuerherd is incapable of writing proper english grammar, or his claim to be "pro-life" is sarcastic in the worst sense, or he's utterly illogical. Again, what a fine argument he presents.

Papist Picture of the Day - 2/25/08

[For today's blog topics, click here.]

"In the Vatican's live testing lab, Pope Benedict tries out new crowd greeting techniques."

[source: AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, HO]

Commentary: A sadly common collusion of bigotry and idiocy

One of the first rules of debate is that the person you are debating should be able to recognize their own opinions when you try to characterize them. Otherwise, all you've managed to do is construct a charicature of the other person's position.

With that little tip in mind, see if you can recognize your beliefs as an orthodox Catholic about a current sensitive issue well represented (or not) in the cartoon below, which I found on the Feministe blog:

Yeah, I didn't think you would.

In fact, the rest of the short post only confirms my suspicion that the author Jill couldn't identify the "Catholic" position if her life depended on it, which is ironic considering her choice to categorize the post under "Crazy Conservatives."

Maybe it's me, but I didn't realize you could call someone crazy unless you understood what they were suffering from, or had proven you weren't yourself suffering from a severe case of altered perception.

Consider her argument:

Democrats may be against wars that kill millions, in favor poverty alleviation, and supportive of international policies that save millions more, but so long as they don’t think women should be forced into continuing pregnancies, they’re going to Hell. And you’re going with them if you vote for Obama or Clinton:

Well, let's think about this a moment. Yep, Catholics are against wars that kill millions, are in favor of relieving poverty, and - oh wait, I think the "international policies" that would "save millions more" which she is referring to actually constitute forced abortion, sterilization and contraception. On that topic, we do indeed disagree. But these tactics which she claims save millions of lives, actually take more, and hurt the survivers.

Regarding forcing women to continue pregnances, I can't think of a single pro-life individual who would describe their goal that way. More like,"Allowing human beings to live." That's what we're trying to do, and it doesn't sound so bad.

As for sending people to hell, we don't have that authority on our own. But from what I hear, it's sure not a place I'd like to see my friends visit. And if I were doing things that put me in danger of going there, I'd hope that my friends would have the kindness to tell me.

Now, all this that I've just gone through constitutes nothing new to folks used to debating ignorant, anti-Catholic individuals. There's something tediously predictable about their arguments, which sound all the more shallow each time they more vocally proclaim them.

Which is why it should also come come as no surprise that the source Jill used for her flawed and hackneyed script was none other than ... a National Catholic Reporter journalist writing an op-ed for the Washington Post. This journalist (Joe Feuerherd) , we are told, "covered the U.S. bishops and the 2004 presidential race as Washington correspondent [for the Reporter.]"

If you wonder how fair and accurate that coverage probably was, you have only to read his piece.

But since I don't like distressing my readers unduly, I'll reprint his summary paragraph:

"So what's a pro-life, pro-family, antiwar, pro-immigrant, pro-economic-justice Catholic like me supposed to do in November? That's an easy one. True to my faith, I'll vote for the candidate who offers the best hope of ending an unjust war, who promotes human dignity through universal health care and immigration reform, and whose policies strengthen families and provide alternatives to those in desperate situations. Sounds like I'll be voting for the Democrat -- and the bishops be damned."

Quite an argument, there. Is it me, or is there an elephant in the room he's ignoring?

I thought so.

To conclude, it is fascinating to watch how desparately Mr. Feuerherd sees his Catholic faith in this election as a political issue, nay, as the validation for his ultimate pick. And here, I thought all the folks telling me I didn't have to vote my faith were doing so on the premise that voting is not a religious issue.

I hope Mr. Feuerherd has quite an effect with his line of reasoning, just not the effect he intends.

"Electron Filmed for First Time"

Pretty darn cool:

Scientists have filmed an electron in motion for the first time, using a new technique that will allow researchers to study the tiny particle's movements directly.

Previously it was impossible to photograph electrons because of their extreme speediness, so scientists had to rely on more indirect methods. These methods could only measure the effect of an electron's movement, whereas the new technique can capture the entire event.

Extremely short flashes of light are necessary to capture an electron in motion. A technology developed within the last few years can generate short pulses of intense laser light, called attosecond pulses, to get the job done.

"It takes about 150 attoseconds for an electron to circle the nucleus of an atom. An attosecond is 10-18 seconds long, or, expressed in another way: an attosecond is related to a second as a second is related to the age of the universe," said Johan Mauritsson of Lund University in Sweden.

Using another laser, scientists can guide the motion of the electron to capture a collision between an electron and an atom on film.

Papist Picture of the Day - 2/24/08

[For today's blog topics, click here.]

"Minutes before the theological duel, Pope Benedict's seconds present him with his choice of encylical."

[source: AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, HO]

"Vatican defrocks convicted priest Donald McGuire"

A long time coming, and now here. Chicago Tribune:

A Jesuit priest convicted of molesting students at a Chicago-area Catholic school in the 1960s was officially defrocked Friday.

Donald J. McGuire has been permanently removed from all clerical functions, said a statement from Rev. Edward Schmidt, the head of the Chicago order of the Society of Jesus to which McGuire belonged.

"We are outraged and saddened that any abuse ever took place," Schmidt said. "[McGuire] has terribly abused the trust [the victims], and we, put in him. And the church, by the action taken today, has demonstrated that same belief."

I haven't followed this story too closely. Is there any context to add?

Papist Picture of the Day - 2/23/08

[For today's blog topics, click here.]

"Some people get rosaries, this girl received hairstyle suggestions."

[source: AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, HO]

Picture: Don't Mess with Cardinal Bertone

Not that you were planning on it, or anything.

[source: AP Photo/Javier Galeano]

Kansas D.A. Phill Kline wins victory over Planned Parenthood cover-up

The AP reports:

A Planned Parenthood clinic in suburban Kansas City will turn over a limited number of patient records to a grand jury investigating abortions there, a clinic attorney said Friday.

A grand jury issued a subpoena to the Comprehensive Health in Overland Park clinic last month demanding the records of 16 patients. The clinic has been battling Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline, an anti-abortion crusader, over whether the subpoena should be enforced.

After a hearing over the dispute Friday in Johnson County District Court, an attorney for the clinic, Pedro Irigonegaray, said it would turn over records for 16 patients that pertain to two restrictions on abortions under Kansas law.

I heard Phill Kline speak at the 2008 Blogs for Life conference hosted by the Family Research Council on January 22nd and here is a video of his presentation. Jill Stanek has a report:

10:45a, EST: KS District Attorney Phill Kline is up. What a guy. You'll recall I've been blogging lately about AG Paul Morrison, who recently had to resign in disgrace due to revelations of an affair with a subordinate. Morrison replaced Kline.

Kline is discussing a new frontier in the pro-life movement, prosecuting abortion clinics for underage abortions. Every underage abortion is evidence of rape or incest. Every state has laws against this. Yet abortion has become a haven for rapists. PP and the ACLU strive to protect minor "rights of privacy".

Kline says we bloggers have tools at hand to uncover complicit abortion mills by finding out the number of underage abortions facilities have reported compared to grant requests, etc.

Jill has been covering the Kansas situation at-length for some time. Dawn Eden as well.

I'm crossing my fingers that this is the first of many more legal victories against Planned Parenthood.

Backstory:

• Excellent case history by Ericka Andersen posted here at Human Events
• Operation Rescue links the an 80-page court document (PDF). Their related posts here.
• LifeNews: Women's Group Worries Kansas Abortion Centers Hiding Statutory Rape

Related:

• WaPo: A Kansan With Conviction
• Wikipedia's Phill Kline entry for general information
• I believe the 40 Days for Life blog has coverage, but right now it appears to be down

[ph/t: Hot Air]

update: Colin Mason of Population Research International writes: "In Defense of Phill Kline."

Pic: As seen on Georgetown's Campus

And yes, it's real.

[source: Flickr user "buschap"]

Event Highlight: Milwaukee Pallium Lecture Series

Regular readers of AmP will have noticed this BlogAds advertisement:

"Join Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee as he hosts Archbishop Charles Chaput, Colleen Carroll Campbell, and Michael & Jana Novak."

The Pallium Lecture Series was begun in 2003, initiated by Abp. of Milwaukee Timothy Dolan. The 2007 Lectures can be heard online here.

This is a fantastic free opportunity. Here's a bit more information:

"In preparation for World Youth Day 2008, to be held in Sydney, Australia, Archbishop Timothy Dolan has decided the 2008 Pallium Lecture Series will focus on the need to inspire our youth with the power of faith."

You can learn more about the series in the press release or flyer (PDF).

There will be three lectures this year, held on the Alverno College Campus at 7pm.

The first one on Thursday, March 6, presented by Archbishop of Denver Charles Chaput:

Catechesis That Impacts the Public Square

The kind of catechesis that will transform American public life has little to do with good technique, persuasive vocabulary or an appealing personal style – though these are wonderful things. The only effective Catholic catechesis will flow from our personal witness, personal zeal and personal suffering for the Gospel and the Church. Real discipleship has a cost. If we’re not willing to accept the cost of discipleship -- each and every one of us -- then nothing else will work.

Colleen Carrroll Campbell will speak on April 10. Michael and Jana Novak on May 8. Mark your calendar!

And my special note of gratitude to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for using AmP to spread the good word.

Report: CUA President O'Connell to become bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend?

The Tower, the "Independent student weekly of The Catholic University of America" is reporting as a front-page exclusive today that CUA President David M. O'Connell "has been mentioned as a replacement for bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend ... John M. D'Arcy" (who is six months past retirement).

Their sources for the rumor include a CUA student who works at the USCCB, several students who have heard CUA department members discussing it, and even one student who "said she had overheard O'Connell directly discussing his upcoming departure." O'Connell has served as the CUA president for almost ten years, "the second longest tenure of a president in CUA history."

To balance the issue, it should be noted that The Tower has a reputation of being a thorn in almost everyone's side who isn't a writer for The Tower. But despite the paper's reputation for being contrary (it is, after all, the student paper), the pieces they've assembled do seem to fit together in this case. And this despite the fact that their sources for the story are, essentially, a bunch of work-study kids. Frankly, it shouldn't be a surprise that they've got the drop on this one.

Rumors of O'Connell's departure have been circulating on the CUA campus for several months at this point, and the destination diocese would make use of his experience in administration and Catholic education. There is, after all, a certain "bastion" of Catholic higher-level education within the diocesan territory.

Final thoughts. It is next to impossible that O'Connell would step down before having welcomed Pope Benedict to the campus in mid-April. After that, however, it's anyone's guess. Pope Benedict might even take the opportunity of his visit to officially announce the appointment, though I doubt he would allow such an announcement distract from the more important purposes of his wider itinerary.

Still, you never know, the pope might want to see the look on O'Connell's face.

Also, in a related vein, I've got several posts relating to Pope Benedict's April visit in the works.

[photo credit: Chase McAlpine]

Report: "Religious Delusion Hampers Nanotechnology"

If that headline had you scratching your head, it should.

Science Daily reports:

Addressing scientists Feb. 15, 2008 at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dietram Scheufele, a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor of life sciences communication, presented new survey results that show religion exerts far more influence on public views of technology in the United States than in Europe.

In a sample of 1,015 adult Americans, only 29.5 percent of respondents agreed that nanotechnology was morally acceptable.

Europeans however, do not look so ascance at the technology:

In European surveys that posed identical questions about nanotechnology to people in the United Kingdom and continental Europe, significantly higher percentages of people accepted the moral validity of the technology. In the United Kingdom, 54.1 percent found nanotechnology to be morally acceptable. In Germany, 62.7 percent had no moral qualms about nanotechnology, and in France 72.1 percent of survey respondents saw no problems with the technology.

Now, here's where things get interesting. Why, do the authors claim, is there a disparity?

The answer, Scheufele believes, is religion: "The United States is a country where religion plays an important role in peoples' lives. The importance of religion in these different countries that shows up in data set after data set parallels exactly the differences we're seeing in terms of moral views. European countries have a much more secular perspective."

The catch for Americans with strong religious convictions, Scheufele believes, is that nanotechnology, biotechnology and stem cell research are lumped together as means to enhance human qualities. In short, researchers are viewed as "playing God" when they create materials that do not occur in nature, especially where nanotechnology and biotechnology intertwine, says Scheufele.

Wow. "Nanotechnology, biotechnology and stem cell research are lumped together."

Let's be clear for a moment. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with nanotechnology, properly termed. And certainly putting it in the same category as "stem cell research" is wrong. The only thing these two things share in common is being microscopic.

If these findings are true, it highlights a distressing reality that educated Catholics have to face: evangelicals and fundamentalists who constittue the so-called "moral majority" in America are an embarassment to us all when they evidence such poor critical thinking skills.

Just look at one example of the criticism this news has provoked:

Hmm. Nanotech could most likely cure cancer, extend life, solve the renewable energy dilemma, and lead to drastically reduced poverty, among other things. Guess who’s against it?

That’s right folks, let’s keep life on earth backward and miserable so we can keep focused on that oh-so-precious afterlife.

The idiocracy is in full-swing in the US of A.

It would be easier to answer this sort of charicature if folks educated themselves before answering surveys.

A more pointed criticism, this from a Wall Street Journal blog:

If you don’t have a super-fast, super-small computer in a few years, blame the moral majority. It turns out that most Americans find nanotechnology, the scientific field most likely to produce such a breakthrough, morally unacceptable.

Frankly, I think that's drastically over-valuing the effect of the "moral majority" lobby. Also, it's a huge generalization, but one that brings out the untenable nature of claiming nanotechnology is "immoral".

Now, don't get me wrong, I'd like to find out how the survey questions were phrased. If the question was along the lines of "do you think nanotechnology has the potential to be abused"? Than sure, that's something one could defensibly argue. As is normally the case, the devil is in the details.

And I truly don't want to think that Americans would rule-out nanotechnology for such poor reasons.

From the original article in Science Daily, a further claim:

The moral qualms people of faith express about nanotechnology is not a question of ignorance of the technology, says Scheufele, explaining that survey respondents are well-informed about nanotechnology and its potential benefits.

"They still oppose it," he says. "They are rejecting it based on religious beliefs. The issue isn't about informing these people. They are informed."

The new study has critical implications for how experts explain the technology and its applications, Scheufele says. It means the scientific community needs to do a far better job of placing the technology in context and in understanding the attitudes of the American public.

This at least gives the respondents a bit more benefit of the doubt. Far more likely than the "nanotechnology reminds me of stem cell research and is therefore wrong" argument is something along the lines of "nanotechnology represents a deep alteration of nature and so must be explored with caution." I agree with that.

There's another dimension to take into consideration - the fusion of nanotechnology and biotechnology. The human application of nanotechnology, for instance, could pose ethical dilemmas. But such is true for all medical procedures, interventions and treatments. What one should not confuse however, is the moral quality of the technology, and the moral quality of the use of that technology. They are separate questions.

Bottom line, there is no reason to rule out nanotechnology because it is technology, or because it is "nano."

So, what should we take from this survey, and its subsequent reporting?

• Many Americans are uneasy about nanotechnology for "religious" reasons
• Those reasons are either not understood or not well presented by the survey takers
• People continually looking for an excuse to blame things on "fundamentalists", have found one
• Two tasks must be taken up: a) educating those who try to take "mental short cuts" about the distinction between technology and the uses of technology b) educating those who charicature "religious reasoning" about the essential role of prudence in scientific discovery and research.

Oddly enough: "Nanotechnology is currently used in 85 personal care products. " - Cosmetic Design

A not so subtle hint

Exhibit A (number represents pages, not visits):

Exhibit B (image represents suggestion, not demand):

Conclusion.

Photo Caption Call - 2/22/08

"For the congregation who takes Psalm 51 very literally."

[source: Flickr user "trixiebedlam"]

AmP Shout-out: Sacred Heart Radio

Welcome listeners of Sacred Heart Radio. As I mentioned in my short interview this morning, here is my coverage of the 2008 March for Life and here are some humorous Papist-Pictures-of-the-Day.

Hopefully next time I'm scheduled to appear I'll remember to announce it!

Papist Pic: This Kansan Has It Right

Very Cool.

(note: if you want me to come across your picture, tag it "americanpapist" on flickr.)

[source: Flickr user "tentonbricks"]

The definition of a slow news day....

"The day when there's really only politics to talk about."

And even that topic is sparse.

For the Republicans, the New York Times ran a story trying to claim, with almost no evidence, that John McCain had an affair. McCain has denied it, and it seems that everyone is collectively fed up with the NYT on this one.

MM first covers the story here; HotAir has video of McCain's press conference and more backstory here, and MM has since pointed out the NYT's incredibly hypocrisy here. TownHall does the same, notes the NYT is in full retreat, makes the paper look bad, and concludes that the story may end up helping McCain.

Huckabee trusts McCain's word. Some folks have tried to claim this will hurt McCain among the evangelicals and conservatives, but I think they are intelligent enough to not countenance such baseless claims (and they are baseless, it seems). If anything, this prompts sympathy for McCain. Well played, NYT.

For McCain's first exposure to the trial by fire of being the party's presumed nominee - he's doing pretty well.

For the Democrats, Obama just added an 11th-straight democratic primary win to his column - the "democrats abroad" vote. Tonight, Hillary gets her last chance to debate him before the March 4th primaries in Texas and Ohio. They haven't debated in three weeks, and much has changed since then. Details on the debate here.

There you have it.

Observations?

update: Katherine from the comments:

I don't know about the appropriateness of the NYT story. However, Mrs. Cindy McCain response that "More importantly, my children and I not only trust my husband, but know that he would never do anything to not only disappoint our family, but disappoint the people of America. He's a man of great character."

Wasn't Senator McCain carrying on with her while still married (always married in God's eyes) to his first wife?

Here is the first source I found for this claim:

"McCain was still married and living with his wife in 1979 while, according to The New York Times' Nicholas Kristof, "aggressively courting a 25-year-old woman who was as beautiful as she was rich." McCain divorced his wife, who had raised their three children while he was imprisoned in Vietnam, then launched his political career with his new wife's family money. In 2000, McCain managed to deflect media questioning about his first marriage with a deft admission of responsibility for its failure."

Anyone have something to add on this topic? Did McCain really accede this claim by the NYT?

update 2: some folks are calling Hillary's closing words at tonight's debate her prepatory concession speech.

Bibleman Video Game Adventure: A Fight for Faith!

If this is the best they can do, better not to do it at all, I say (or at least don't charge us for it):

"Race to save Gabriel. Olivia and the children of Andersonville. Battle through intense action sequences with the Wacky Protestor's henchmen, and work your way through challenging puzzles and mazes to stop the Wacky Protestor from trapping the kids in ART forever. Using the Full Armor of God to defend yourself, as well as Scripture found throughout the game, you can defeat the Wacky Protestor and his henchmen once and for all. Join Bibleman, Biblegirl, Cypher and U.N.I.C.E. in their most exciting adventure yet as they practice 1 Timothy 1:18 and "Fight the good fight of faith!" This game is rated E for everyone. Developed by Covenant Studios." [source]

I mean, this thing was popular.

The game's trailer, for education (and preventative) purposes:

*Sigh.* "Showing up" in the entertainment world is not enough.

All this does is confirm negative media stereotypes of Christians.

Papist Picture of the Day - 2/21/08

"Every change to the Vatican website must be approved by the Pope. With a ceremony."

[source: REUTERS/Osservatore Romano (VATICAN)]

Offbeat: Reuters enjoys vilifying "baby dinosaur-eating devil frog"

The article was published in the science section, but probably belongs in the "oddly enough" (or humor) page:

"Ancient "devil frog" may have eaten baby dinosaurs"

"...It was the biggest, baddest, meanest froggy ever to have hopped on Earth..."

" ... [it] was so nasty it may have eaten newborn dinosaurs."

"... This brute was larger than any frog living today."

"... the biggest frog ever to have existed."

"...Its name, Beelzebufo ampinga, came from Beelzebub, the Greek for devil." (this etymology is incorrect: "Beelzebub" is a Hebrew-derived term. Anyway, back to the quotes.)

"... It probably didn't dine daintily." (oooo, understatement of the week I bet!)

"It's not outside the realm of possibility [oh, of course not!] that Beelzebufo took down lizards and mammals and smaller frogs, and even -- considering its size -- possibly hatchling dinosaurs." (the third reference to its apparent proclivity for eating baby dinosaurs, mind you.)

"... It would have been quite mean."

"... the scientists think Beelzebufo also may have had horns -- a fitting touch for the 'devil frog.'"

"...Beelzebufo lived during the Cretaceous Period [until] ... a huge space rock clobbered Earth." (funny that they didn't blame the clobbering huge space rock on the devil frog, hmm.)

" ... Beelzebufo did not live an aquatic lifestyle, hopping among lily pads." (oh no, that would be far too idylic a lifestyle for our bone-crushing, baby-dinosaur-snacking terror frog of doom!)

" ... [they liked to] camouflage themselves and jump out at prey." (boo! poor baby dinosaur.)

" ... it was the king of frogs." (just like the king of apes, only "even more scarier" I bet.)

Now, If you aren't too frightened - behold! The terrifying visage of the demon frog....

... Oh come on people - work with me here! Be scared. It's totally going to eat that frog and the pencil!

Seriously now, I'm all for paleontology. But is this how they have to sensationalize scientific findings in order to get the public interested and/or merit research grants? The entire basis for all this speculation quoted above is some bone fragments that prove ... a very large frog once existed.

So, unless they find a complete skeleton of the "devil frog" with a baby triceratops hanging out of its mouth, I'm not going to consider it a pre-historic monster. The worst it could do, I'm betting, was give you big warts.

Tonight: Total Eclipse of the Moon (last chance until 2010!)

I'd be astronomically remiss if I didn't point this out!

The last total lunar eclipse until 2010 occurs Wednesday night, with cameo appearances by Saturn and the bright star Regulus on either side of the veiled full moon.

Weather permitting, the total eclipse can be seen from North and South America. People in Europe and Africa will be able to see it high in the sky before dawn on Thursday.

Wednesday's total eclipse phase will last nearly an hour. It will begin around 7 p.m. on the West Coast and 10 p.m. on the East Coast. West Coast skygazers will miss the start of the eclipse because it occurs before the moon rises. - Associated Press

During a total eclipse, the moon does not dissapear, rather, it turns a ruddy brown color (a "red moon"), which is actually sunlight being refracted through the earth's atmosphere. Cool, huh? Like this:

Here is the breakdown of when to go outside and look for the moon, from the facebook event page:

In North America (Canada & the US), the Total Eclipse takes place during:

Newfoundland ~ 11:30 p.m. - 12:21 a.m. // Atlantic ~ 11:00 - 11:51 p.m. // Eastern ~ 10:00 - 10:51 p.m. // Central ~ 9:00 - 9:51 p.m. // Mountain ~ 8:00 - 8:51 p.m. // Pacific ~ 7:00 - 7:51 p.m.

As the stargazer Jack Horkheimer (official website) used to say, "Remember: keep looking up!"

New Missouri bill proposes tax deductions for stillborn infants

STLToday:

Lawmakers have proposed a measure that would allow parents of stillborn children to claim them as dependents for one year when filing tax returns.

... "This bill recognizes that the person was a child of this state, a child of a family of this state," he said.

Dempsey noted that the Legislature passed a measure in 2004 that allowed parents of stillborn children to receive a birth certificate. The state tax deduction, he said, is the next logical step.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, has a 100% rating from Missouri Right to Life. Missouri Family Network, similarly, is associated with many pro-life causes.

I'm all for inventive ways to work around Roe v. Wade. And it is interesting to note that Missouri already grants birth certificates to still-born children. I wonder if they would grant a birth certificate to a child that survives a botched abortion attempt only to die soon after? Sadly, the law has already demonstrated a sustained ability to ignore paradoxes like that one presents.

[ph/t: feministing]

"There must be something they’re not telling us."

The Religion News Blog, in its round-up today placed this story in the category of "Headlines that have us worried":

"Catholic Church looking for actor to play Jesus"

Along with the comment "There must be something they’re not telling us."

Actually, I think they are telling you everything. The question is, did you bother to read it?

Papist Picture of the Day - 2/20/08

"The pope statue hoped the shopper's vision was based on movement."

[source: FlickR user "Mr Sash"]

Pope asks if outdoor Masses what "the Lord wanted", takes steps to reform

A fascinating topic broached by Damian Thompson, citing material presented by Fr. Z here.

Thompson first, quoted at length because there is little fluff about it:

Pope Benedict XVI has serious reservations about presiding over the huge open-air Masses pioneered by his charismatic predecessor John Paul II, it emerged this week.

He has no choice but to take part in them during his forthcoming trips to America and Australia – but he has told the priests of the diocese of Rome that these liturgies are “a big problem” that has yet to be resolved.

Benedict is so worried by the prospect of hundreds of priests distributing Holy Communion in the middle of crowds of over-excited pilgrims that he is sending his new Master of Ceremonies, Mgr Guido Marini, to America and Australia to check in advance that the dignity of the Mass will not be compromised.

“If a thousand priests are concelebrating, we don’t know that this is the structure the Lord would have wanted,” Benedict told his priests and deacons during a private question-and-answer session. That’s a pretty forthright way of putting it: the implication is that the vast Eucharistic jamborees favoured by former papal MC Archbishop Piero Marini, who was sacked to make way for his traditionalist namesake, may have been contrary to Christ’s wishes.

Some frank comments about ex-master of papal ceremonies Marini conclude his treatment:

Incidentally, I gather that the archbishop is trying to distance himself from his book on Vatican II whose US tour was mysteriously cancelled after it was widely interpreted as sticking two fingers up to the current papacy.

Marini is now apparently telling people that the book was largely the work of his editors. How very, very embarrassing for any prelate silly enough to have hosted a lavish launch for the volume in his throne room.

Now head over to Fr. Z who has the documentation and expert commentary about what the Pope said.

My quick observations:

• Outdoor Masses stem from the desire of large numbers of people to worship with the Pope
• Pope Benedict is concerned about a) the scandal of treating the Mass as a spectacle and b) the difficulties associated with maintaining the sanctity of the liturgy and c) the challenges which accompany, for instance, distributing communion in these contexts and d) unwiedly numbers concelebrants
• In response to these problems "the Pope decided not to delegate any longer the organization of celebrations to third parties." To that end, he will be sending the new master of papal ceremonies, Msgr. Guido Marini, to both the U.S. and Australia for the purpose of taking on "direct responsibility for carrying out celebrations in those spaces." Note: the pope wishes to reform these liturgies, not cancel them.

One should not take from the Pope's comments a criticism of those who desire to attend large outdoor papal liturgies. Rather, in keeping with the Pope's trustworthy observations, those attending these liturgies in future should do their very best to address in whatever ways they can the issues that the Pope mentions. I'm very happy to see this sort of thing being said and to find out that something concrete is being done about it.

We are blessed to have Pope Benedict as our wise shepherd.

The UK Times: "Secret documents from Holy Inquisition revealed"

'Secret documents from the archives of the Holy Inquisition today went on public show for the first time in Rome - though not the instruments of torture used to extract confessions from heretics." - The UK Times

Unfortunately, the material is not nearly as sensationalist as some might hope.

On the contrary:

"... Vatican officials say opening the archives has "exposed some myths" about the Inquisition, showing for example that more women accused of witchcraft died in Protestant than in Catholic countries."

Imagine that.

Report: Abp. Donald Wuerl at DC Theology on Tap

Tonight I heard Archbishop of DC Donald Wuerl speak to a local Theology on Tap. The event was very well attended. In fact, I'm sure the fire marshall would not have been pleased. I'm not sure what attracted the audience more - the prospect of hearing their local shepherd speak, the wide selection of beers on tap, or the six tickets to Pope Benedict's Mass in April that they raffled off at the end of the evening. Maybe all three.

The Local Fox News affiliate was on-site rolling film, and also interviewed the Archbishop before his talk. Two ladies sitting next to me were interviewed by a correspondent for the Washington Post. I was interviewed briefly by someone with the Washington Times. I'll be keeping on eye out for their reports, and will link them when they are published.

The talk itself was brief, but very enjoyable. The Archbishop focused on answering the question "Why should we be excited the Pope is coming?" His one-sentence response: "Because he is Peter." Abp. Wuerl also spent a good deal of time answering questions.

I've uploaded a few photos to the AmP Flickr Page.

One question that came up several times was how folks could try to get tickets to see the Pope. It's no secret people have "Papamania" here in DC. I'll be posting an update with recent news on that front later this week.

In the meantime, check out the happy face of one lucky person who secured her ticket to see the Pope in April.

update: Here are the first five minutes of Abp. Wuerl's Theology on Tap speech:

Video 2: Abp. Wuerl answers a question, "Why was Pope Benedict called 'God's Rottweiler' as a Cardinal?"

Two more videos available on the AmP YouTube Channel.

Papist Picture of the Day - 2/19/08

I had to laugh when I saw this

This ad appeared on National Catholic Reporter. Gerard's comment: "Talk about penance." Priceless!

Diogenes, meanwhile, points out some other deviant examples of lenten spirituality.

Coverage of Today's Political Contests

update: Obama wins Wisconsin, Hawaii handily. McCain wins Wisconsin and Washington.

From MSNBC's First Read, the facts:

Wisconsin (D). Open primary (independents can vote) -- 74 delegates up for grabs (48 proportional by CD, 15% threshold; 26 by statewide vote, 15% threshold).

Wisconsin (R). Open primary (independents can vote) -- 37 delegates at stake (24 winner-take-all by CD; 16 winner-take-all by statewide vote).

Hawaii (D). Closed caucuses (independents cannot vote) -- 20 delegates up for grabs (13 proportional by the state’s two CDs, 15% threshold; 7 based on statewide results, 15% threshold).

Washington (R). Open primary (independents can vote): Feb. 9 caucuses were used to determine 18 (or 49%) of the state's pledged delegates. Today's primary will determine the back half (or 51% -- 19 delegates) -- 10 proportional by statewide vote, 20% threshold; 9 WTA by CD.

Some brief comments if you click through.

I haven't been following the contests as much lately. Briefly, McCain is the heir-apparent for the Republican nomination, even as Huckabee continues to compete (inexplicably? am I missing why?). Oh yeah, and Romney endorsed McCain. Most of the focus has shifted now to speculation about who McCain will pick as a running mate. No sure bets on that one, and I'm pretty sure we won't know until right before it happens. It's too early for Bobby Jindal, so I'm preparing myself for dissapointment.

On the Democrat side, more confusion, but things continue to go Obama's way. Hillary will probably lose the contests today, putting her at a dismal 0-10 in the most recent elections and caucuses, and Obama already has her tied in Texas, and she is losing ground in Ohio. See Peggy Noonan's most recent column here.

I've said this before, and I'll probably say it again - it's going to be a very long Lent.

Theology on Tap with Archbishop Donald Wuerl tonight

Last minute notice. I plan on attending:

Theology on Tap with Archbishop Wuerl

This event offers young adults an opportunity to meet new friends and reflect on how Catholicism relates to their unique experiences. The evening begins with a "happy half-hour" at 7:00 p.m. followed by a short reflection on a particular aspect of Catholic life.

On February 19, Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl will speak on the topic, "Who is Peter?" as we prepare for the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI, the successor of Peter.

[More info here.]

Report: Apostolic Nunciature in Venezuela Bombed

Not. Cool.

Luckily, the bomb appears to have been intended to intimidate more than to directly harm:

Venezuelan bishops urged their government to protect the Pope's "house in Venezuela" after a bomb was set off outside the offices of the apostolic nunciature in Caracas.

The bombing occurred Thursday, and caused only minor damages. The façade of the structure was also vandalized with political graffiti.

The prelates reiterated their support for Archbishop Giacinto Berloco, the apostolic nuncio, and promised their prayers "for his intentions and for the successful development of his diplomatic and pastoral service." - Zenit

The article does not directly describe the cause of the tensions, but I do know Hugo Chavez's regime has long been antagonistic to the Catholic Church in Venezuala, and its leaders in particular.

From CWNews archives, Pope Benedict raised these issues directly with Chavez in May 2006:

Pope Benedict XVI took an extraordinary step to challenge Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a May 11 meeting at the Vatican.

At the conclusion of a private conversation with the visiting Venezuelan leader, the Holy Father presented Chavez with a letter detailing the concerns of the Holy See regarding the condition of the Church in Venezuela.

... Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told reporters that the Pope had used the letter to emphasize the issues that he considers most critical, including:

• the freedom of the Holy See to nominate new bishops,
• the preservation of a distinctive Catholic identity at the Church-run University of Santa Rosa in Lima,
• the elimination of religious education from the school curriculum,
• the introduction of public-health programs that undermine the right to life, and
  the need for independence in the Catholic media

During his talk with the Pontiff, Chavez offered assurances that his government would work to ease the tensions that have characterized his relations with the Venezuelan bishops, Navarro-Valls reported.

Zenit, in its coverage, does not elaborate on what the political graffiti said, so we can't know directly what might have motivated the attack. Was it Chavez cronies encouraged to cause trouble? Was it Venezuelans who have bought into the misinformation Chavez has spread about the Church?

I'd appreciate someone with direct knowledge of the situation helping us out in the combox.

In the meantime, let's pray for the Church in Venezuela.

Papist Picture of the Day - 2/18/08

"Just face it, automated confessions look silly."

[source: REUTERS/Paul Vreeker (NETHERLANDS)]

Planned Parenthood prepares students for spring break with "Free EC Day"

What better way to prepare for spring break than stocking up on massive doses of artificial hormones?

"Emergency Contraception Giveaway Called 'Irresponsible" in today's Christian Post reports that Planned Parenthood of Indiana has announced a "Free EC (= emergency contraception) Day" at its various clinics.

Mike Fichter of local Indiana Right to Life observes:

"This is all about Planned Parenthood gaining free advertising to build its customer base among sexually active teens," Fichter stated. "When Planned Parenthood's message of sex without consequences results in a new life that is not terminated by the EC drug, the next step is the selling of more profitable surgical abortions at one of Planned Parenthood's three abortion clinics in Indiana."

Local reporting on the protests being organized against "Free EC Day" here and here.

On the PP of Indiana website, "Every woman deserves the chance to prevent an unintended pregnancy!"

What else is on the upcoming Indiana PP event calendar?

Their 5th Annual “Gathering of Goddesses and Gods”, an "evening of pampering, purchasing and partying" where attendees "Relax, rejuvenate and enjoy spa treatments, psychic readings and much more while [they] pamper your palate with wine and Greek hors d'oeuvres." They even had dancing girls last year, as you can see.

The proceeds of the revelry go towards the good cause of assisting "low-income women with critical reproductive health services".

Those pagans sure know how throw a great party.

And I do mean pagans.

[photos: ppin.org]

Video: Bill Clinton loses temper with Pro-Life protestors

Breaking news. Here's the only video available so far:



Bill Clinton was campaigning for Hillary in Steubenville, Ohio. A group of about 100 pro-life students from local Franciscan University of Steubenville crashed the rally with their pro-life message.

Bill has been testy on the campaign trail lately, sparring with an Obama Supporter earlier today.

Nicholas Hardesty of Phat Catholic, who noticed the scheduled appearance, was on the ground spreading the word and helping to organize the protest. You sir, get an AmericanPapist shout-out:

LifeSiteNews has more, including a transcript of Bill's comments. LifeNews, meanwhile, reminds us:

In 2004, John Kerry campaigned in Steubenville and was greeted by over 500 pro-life students, who rejected his support of abortion-on-demand despite his Catholic faith.

Reports of the thousands of people who turned out against Kerry made the national news and Steubenville residents were credited with helping President Bush carry Ohio and, thus, the nation.

An MSNBC blog has picked up on the story as has most of the media coverage (updating list here).

Local WOTV9 has video coverage, and reports there was a large pro-life demonstration outside the building.

It would be helpful if someone could upload a better-quality video to YouTube.

update: per the combox below, the organizer of the protest was Billy Valentine of Steubenville Students for Life. Excerpts from their press release at here. Students for Life has a statement. TownHall has indeed covered the story, and doesn't give Bill much room. update 2: Drudge has linked it. That's impressive. update 3: Jill Stanek adds details and points out "[Bill Clinton] says we're the ones who "tear people up"? What a gruesome irony.

update 4: better-quality video here, after a commercial (via phatcatholic). I wish it could be embedded.

update 5: as of 4:45pm EST, the video has been viewed 120,000+ times, helped by Brietbart & NRO's The Corner. It has a very good chance of making the YouTube front page. Talk about the little video that could!

update 6: probably the last update, for the sake of completeness: after the first day, the video has received over 275,000 views, 2,700 comments, and made the top 10. The story has also been picked up by HufflePuff Post (shudder), HotAir, and Gawker. So really, prettymuch everyone.

Most of the attention, I'm sure, has to do with the ongoing prurient interest that folks have in watching Bill Clinton embarrass himself, but I'm sure the subject matter is also gaining a share of the attention.

Report: "Younger Catholics Becoming Increasingly Liberal, Studies Show"

An article published by the Christian Post today summarizes the findings of University of Connecticut Professor William d’Antonio in his recently released book American Catholics Today: New Realities of Their Faith and Church, in which he claims to confirm a consistent trend: "...in every survey since 1987, younger Catholics have become increasingly more liberal and less practicing in their faith and values."

I have a couple reactions to his claims.

First, polls are never a guaranteed guide to assessing intangible attitudes like "liberal," and they normally ignore other salient aspects of the questions they attempt to directly answer. However, I agree that it is reasonable to claim there has been a general trend towards embracing "liberal" points of view among youth.

I have to wonder, however, if the end of this trend isn't already in sight. In many ways these polls reveal the long-term fallout of the sexual revolution and other social events from the 70's and 80's. As a result, the youth who are graduating, attending or entering college nowadays have had to more radically "choose" (and make sacrifices for) their faith. In other words, because of the many challenges leveled against religion nowadays, those who have remained faithful to conservative ideals and orthodox positions now constitute a vibrant, tested - albeit numerically diminished - force in today's world.

So I wouldn't count the battle lost yet. Indeed, they have not yet begun to fight.

One need only witness the active Catholic campuses, youth groups, websites, blogs, seminaries, young professionals and married couples to see the movement flourishing. And frankly, most of them are too busy living their faith to answer pollsters.

Papist Picture of the Day

"With his formidable powers of suggestion, Pope Benedict disappears into the crowd."

[credit: AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito]

Fr Aidan Nichols lays out plan to save Catholic Church in England

Damian Thompson of the UK Telegraph reports:

The Domican theologian Fr Aidan Nichols – Holy Smoke readers’ choice to succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor at Westminster – has just published an ambitious plan to revive the wretchedly moribund English Catholic Church.

His new book The Realm: An Unfashionable Essay on the Conversion of England suggests that the bishops should vigorously convert people to Roman Catholicism. I can already hear the snooty splutters ("How reactionary! How inappropriate!") from the episcopal HQ at Eccleston Square, various bossy "trained liturgists" – and, of course, the Bitter Pill.

Now there's a novel idea. The Church? Evangelize?! How scandalous.

The title doesn't appear to be available in the U.S. at present. UK orders for now.

Tip: Vatican art tour visiting three cities in the U.S.

If you are in or near St. Petersburg, Fl; Cleveland, OH or St. Paul, MN - take note!

Picture/Report: Dubai to build world's largest arch bridge by 2012

It's an example that there's truth in the saying: "the internet gods are fickle."

This summer, on a slow news day, I put together a little post titled "Proof that Dubai has more money that it can spend" and in it explained some of the incredible construction projects that the U.A.E. has undertaken there.

For whatever reason, that post is one of the most popular ones I have ever written, no doubt aided by favorable google image search rankings. So, what they heck, here's another post in the same vein.

"Dubai to build world's largest arch bridge by 2012" (click image above for full-size version):

If any real city on our planet can claim an active stake in creating the urban landscape of the future, it's probably Dubai. Artificial islands arranged in the shape of the world? Check. The world's only seven-star hotel? Check. And in 2012, it will also become home to the largest, tallest arch bridge ever.

Here's some info on the bridge as envisioned by New York architecture firm Fxfowle:

1) It's one mile long and 670 feet tall. 2) It will have 12 lanes for traffic. 3) It will cost 817 million dollars. 4) The design has Sheikh Mohammed's official stamp of approval. 5) The bridge will carry more than 2,000 vehicles per hour in each direction. 6) A metro line will run across the middle. 7) Construction begins in March, with a slated completion date of 2012.

My favorite description of Dubai, instead of "urban landscape of the future", is quite simply "Babel".

... and wouldn't you know it? Also: No word on any massive language meltdowns - yet.

On a more somber note, Dubai reminds me of Babel not only for its behemoth construction enterprises, but also because there is evidently a great deal of unjust worker exploitation taking place on the work sites.

Video: String of fainting incidents at Obama rallies

Here are a few of them, take a look:



Some possibilities:

• This is a normal happening on the campaign trail. Nothing special.
• This is an out of the ordinary happening, but just a coincidence.
• People infected with Obamamania are taking tips from Beatlesmania, faintings and all.
• It's a campaign ploy, which is designed to give the impression that Obama exerts a strong effect on his audience. He gets to play the role of campassionate (offering his water bottle), organized ("is there a medic?"), authoritative ("give her space!") leader in the face of a crisis. Plus it makes for a memorable day.

I wonder what Obama Messiah would have to say about this development?

Pic: "Imagine No Religion" billboard graphic in Columbus, OH

From a sympathetic group's "press release" (extremely subjective, but let them have their say):

In early February, the freethinkers group Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) debuted its 14 X 48-foot stained glass style billboard with the message "Imagine No Religion" in Columbus, Ohio.

The national campaign is an effort to let Americans know that there is room for reason and clarity of thought, free from the dogma that organized religion uses to keep its flock in line; as well as donating.

Dan Barker, Foundation co-president and author of 'Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist' said "Many of our members, including generous sponsors in Ohio, want to balance all that religion on the roadside with some reason on the roadside."

Their basic hackneyed premise: faith is contrary to reason. Someone needs to give them a reading list. Here's a good start. Really, guys, we've gone over this. You haven't discovered a radical objection to faith.

If you want a sense of this statement's subjectivity, consider:

It's a must read these writings from the FFRF that IGWT has provided, and very hard to dispute. IGWT is to be commended for helping to get out the message that sanity and reason can replace religious dogma and the knee-jerk fundamentalist Christian philosophy that has driven American domestic and foreign policy throughout George W. Bush's two administrations, much to America's detriment.

A little dose of counter-reality that I was amused to read:

A billboard company contracted to run the "Imagine no Religion" signs in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, put up the first of the signs, scheduled to rotate between three locations, and then followed that run with a sign of their own with a disclaimer - "In God We Trust: Kegerreis Outdoor Advertising LLC.." Underneath are the words: "The previous sign posted at this location does not reflect the values or morals of our company. Thank you."

Now that's a pluralism I can handle. God Bless America.

Commentary: SSPX HS refuses to allow female ref boy basketball

Emailed to me by a reader:

Kansas activities officials are investigating a religious school's refusal to let a female referee call a boys' high school basketball game.

The Kansas State High School Activities Association said referees reported that Michelle Campbell was preparing to officiate at St. Mary's Academy near Topeka on Feb. 2 when a school official insisted that Campbell could not call the game.

The reason given, according to the referees: Campbell, as a woman, could not be put in a position of authority over boys because of the academy's beliefs.

Campbell then walked off the court along with Darin Putthoff, the referee who was to work the game with her. - Associated Press

A more detailed report by local Topeka Capital-Journal. CNA also has posted coverage.

The St. Mary's Website, unsurprisingly for an SSPX oufit, features a banner with an image of the excommunicated Marcel Lefebvre instead of, say, Pope Benedict. Quite simply, the SSPX are not in communion with Rome, so the feminists can hold it on the Catholic-bashing. They've been quick to pull up quotes from the SSPX FAQ which they consider misogynistic.

There is, however, like there typically is in these cases, another side to this story.

Consider, for instance, the testimony of this person who has direct contact with the situation:

To all of those who think this is a load of backward Kansas garbage, it is...at least the way it is represented. But I happen to know many of the parents and their children at this academy, and I can tell you, they are extremely upset.

Apparently, it was reported that she couldn't ref the game because she would have authority over them. THAT IS NOT WHY. It is because the school has a policy of not playing sports with women (a ref on the basketball court is almost as involved as the players) They believe that because women are naturally weaker than men, they should be protected and treated better than men. They believe that sports diminishes the respect (due to women by virtue of their femenine nature) in the eyes of the boys. It is not about control or subjection or anything like that. In fact they have many females at the school - teachers, secretaries, nuns, administration, monitors,etc...and support women whole-heartedly.

Just to clarify, the ref was completely cool with it. When the AD explained quite simply that they prefer males to ref/coach the boys and females to ref/coach the girls she understood the situation completely. It was her fellow ref that made the big stink and misquoted or misrepresented the whole situation. - "ilduce42"

The same individual links to this article (which I'm guessing she wrote), which explains why St. Mary's chose to forfeit a football game rather than have its boys play against a girl on the opposing team.

Granted, the issue of women playing contact sports with men is not what is in question here. And extending a prohibition against male-female contact sports to prohibiting female refs is both silly and offensive.

I don't think, however, you can read misogyny into the school's actions. More likely it is represents a misguided attempt to respect the diginity of women. And that intention is a good one. It would be nice if the SSPX folks would post a note somewhere explaining their decision.

Or it will come out anyway when they get sued.

Thoughts?

update: the SSPX has released the following short press release:

ST. MARY'S ACADEMY (in St. Mary’s, KS) policy is to have only men in their sports program for boys.

Sports for boys are seen as training for the battlefield of life where the boys will need to fight at times through great difficulties. As such, it is more appropriate that it be men who train and direct the boys in these sports programs for only men can teach the boys to be men, just as only women can truly teach girls to be women.

It is not a question of women having no authority over boys as the quote in the paper (if it was accurate) seem to indicate. It is a question in athletics of men training boys to be men.

This press release supports the "other side" of this story that I presented in my original post above. Nor do I think this statements represents an after-the-fact retelling of history. Instead, the more likely conclusion is that the initial reports of this situation issued by the MSM were innacurate. As to who exactly is to blame for this misrepresentation, I wouldn't know where to start. Slow news day?

And before folks decide to get excited in the combox again - no, I don't support what St. Mary's did. My simple point is that the reporting of this topic is warping the facts. And there's no reason to get up in arms about something that did not actually happen. The actual discussion, if it is to be fruitful, should focus on what seems like the more plausible explanation of their motivations. There's plenty to discuss right there.

That's just a suggestion. The combox is free, as long as people stay within the bounds of charity.

Rosalind Moss starting new community by permission of Abp. Burke

Exciting news:

Rosalind Moss, an author who is an Eternal Word Television Network TV host and one of the network's radio hosts, announced Feb. 13 that she is starting a new community of sisters in the Archdiocese of St. Louis with the permission of Archbishop Raymond L. Burke.

The new group will be called the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Israel's Hope, she told an audience of more than 200 at the Catholic Breakfast Club of Sacramento.
... She is working now on designing a floor-length habit, along with a basket to hold religious articles which sisters will distribute both in the poorest areas of the city and the richest.

"The purpose of this religious community is to flood the world with holy habits as signs to God," said Moss, who is also a staff apologist with Catholic Answers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the Catholic faith through all forms of media.

..."I'll come back to Sacramento one day in a habit," said Moss. "Hold nothing back from God."

I got to know Moss briefly when I was living in Southern California. Expect great things!

Clinton continues her tour of Catholic campuses

LifeSiteNews reports that with St. Mary's University under her belt, her next stop is St. Norbert College in Wisconsin on February 17. She'll also be attending Jesuit-run Marquette University. More info here.

Seriously, who wouldn't want to be part of her rally? She looks like she's having so much fun:

I couldn't resist.

Obama and the Born Alive Infants bill

Brian Saint-Paul brings up an important and very revealing historical vote by senator Obama.

Beautiful picture: Sunset, Rainstorms & Lightning

The big guy outdid himself. Again. (click for full size) More here.

Act One now accepting summer program applications

Act One is the best way for Christians to get their foot in the Hollywood door. BettNet has more.

Papist Picture of the Day (Caption Call) - 2/15

"2000 years later, the multiplication of the loaves still leaves leftovers."

(Okay, your turn!)

[credit: AFP/Lionel Bonaventure]

2008 CBA nominations are open

Papists, click on over for this year's Catholic Blog Awards to nominate your favorite regular reads!

A clearing house of the challenges facing Catholic public witness

... is handily provided by this article in the UK Times, both in what it says, and in how it says it:

"Italian bishops condemned for urging actors to shun sex scenes"

Point 1: Let's just pause at the title.

The bishops themselves are the ones being "condemned" for urging actors to shun sex scenes. The news subject is actually the bishops being criticized for speaking out.

Point 2: A misappropriation of the facts:

Father Nicolò Anselmi, head of the youth section of the Italian Bishops Conference, said that Moretti was normally noted for his “idealistic and sensitive” films. But the “gratuitous” sex scene with Isabella Ferrari, his co-star, would have an undesirable effect on the “impressionable young” since it was shown without any context involving love or tenderness.

I doubt this quite captures the essence of the Italian Bishops' criticism. Sex scenes in movies are not problematic only when they are "shown without any context involving love or tenderness." Sure, that's a part of the problem. But more fundamentally, sex scenes involve ... people engaging in sexual activity(!), and doing so outside of marriage b) publically c) for profit and publicity, etc., etc.

In other words, sex scenes depicted even in a "context involving love or tenderness" would still be wrong.

Point 3: Anti-Catholicism.

Franco Zeffirelli, the film and opera director, said: “The Church is full of pedants who have lost all sense of proportion.” It was a “fourth-rate” film that did not merit the publicity generated by the bishops' intervention.

A condescending generalization. It's like saying "America is full of nitwits who have lost all sense of honor." What organization besides the Church can routinely be treated in this way with such tolerance? This comment from the man who has previously offered to help Pope Benedict with his style, saying on the one hand "The papal robes are too opulent and flashy" but then claiming "I am in continual contact with his inner circle. The Holy Father honours me with his esteem." He sure isn't sounding like a reliable opinion source to me.

Point 4: Anti-Catholicism (again):

"The row comes amid charges that the Centre Right, led by Silvio Berlusconi, is playing the Catholic card by making abortion an issue in the run-up to the general election in April. Mr Berlusconi has asked the United Nations to pass a moratorium on abortion and the death penalty."

Bringing up the issue of abortion, in a county with one of the lowest birth rates in a continent already experiencing population implosion, is ... "playing the Catholic card." I'm sorry, I don't get it.

Point 5: Anti-Catholicism (surprise):

The comments posted in response to the article follow certain numbing, universal patterns of argument on this topic. Most of them hold that because the Church allowed the sex abuse scandal to happen, for it to speak out on any issue of human sexuality ever again is nothing but hypocrisy. Well, try to defend that conclusion logically.

The later comments do, however, contribute a little glimmering of hope in their use of reason and practice of civility. But honestly, those voices are generally marginalized.

Just like the Italian bishops.

Finally, at least one use for chemistry in my life

I bet most of us never anticipated having to learn about hydrazine.

Now we do, with the news that the U.S. will try to shoot down a spy satellite.

Because, as you might have guessed, it is full of toxic hydrazine, and earthbound.

Outrageous: Jesuit U. pays $85,000 to have rapper Ludacris perform on Friday

How do you normally spend your Fridays in Lent?

Fasting? Penance? Maybe a rosary or two?

Well, if you work at a Jesuit institution by the name of Fairfield University, you pay a rapper $85k to give a blowout concert:

On Friday, February 15, the annual Fairfield University Student Association (FUSA) concert will feature Ludacris, the Grammy Award-winning, platinum-selling performer who is at the top of his game these days in the world of rap music. Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges will perform at Alumni Hall on the Fairfield campus as part of his national tour, according to FUSA. [Source: Fairfield University's Press Release]

As CNS notes, Fairfield U. has managed to find and invite someone even the mainstream finds offensive:

In 2002, following criticism by Fox News Channel host Bill O’Reilly, Pepsi dropped Ludacris from its advertisements with an apology noting that “not all [artists] are compatible with our brands and what consumers have come to expect from us.” In 2006, talk show host Oprah Winfrey joined in the criticism of Ludacris for rap lyrics that “marginalize women.”

“If Ludacris is not compatible with Pepsi’s values and corporate image, why is he performing at a Catholic university?” Reilly asked. CNS has called upon Father von Arx to immediately cancel the production.

More drivel from the Fairfield U. press release, which presents Ludacris in his own words. Check it:

The Illinois native tells fans on his web site that he has evolved into a "more three-dimensional storyteller" on "Release Therapy." "Maturity is a beautiful thing. Going into the studio to make 'Release Therapy,' I felt like a wiser, more intelligent person. That was part of the vibe I wanted to bring across on the record, a more personal side that many have not seen. I know this is my fifth album, but I feel as though this is the first time I've ever exposed this much of myself. Like the film Crash, people can either love me or hate me, but they'll always respect me."

Sure, what's not to respect about a man who markets his music with album covers like this?

The name of this album is "Chicken-n-beer", which features track 13: "Hoes in my Room." Just a sample. I wonder if I should be relieved or concerned that he has since become more "three-dimensional in his storytelling"?

LifeSiteNews has coverage here, and calls on local Archbishop Lori of Bridgeport to do something. LSN has also provided contact information both for the Archbishop's office and Fairfield University.

I'm struggling to find the perfect adjective to describe all this.... oh yeah, this is the one:

Ludicrous.

("Meriting derisive laughter or scorn as absurdly inept, false, or foolish." - MW)

The Latest on the Lambeth Conference Crisis

The Lambeth Conferences are the largest gatherings of anglican bishops, and are held only once every 10 years. The last conference held in 1998 hotly debated the issue of homosexuality in scripture. The fourteenth conference is schedule to take place this summer (July 16 - August 4).

But numerous conservative anglican bishops plan to boycott it.

CWNews reports:

The Anglican bishops of Uganda have announced that they will not take part in the Lambeth Conference, the worldwide meeting of the Anglican hierarchy that will take place at Canterbury in July.

Archbishop Henry Orombi said that the Ugandan bishops were joining their colleagues from Nigeria and Rwanda in a boycostt of this year's Lambeth Conference because of profound and unresolved disagreements with other Anglican leaders over the ordination of an openly homosexual American bishop. The installation of Bishop Gene Robinson in New Hampshire was an act of "flagrant disregard" for existing norms within the Anglican communion, he charged.

While this not may seem like a big deal to someone living in the West, the fact remains that Nigeria constitutions over 10% of the worldwide members in the Anglican communion (and growing). You can read the full text of the letter the Nigerian archbishop submitted to Lambeth here (scroll down). Note Paragraph 6:

"The Church of Uganda, by this decision, wishes to reaffirm our commitment to the resolutions of the 2006 Provincial Assembly and Resolution 1.10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference, which, in substance, denounced homosexual practice and called upon the Church to remain faithful to the Holy Scriptures."

Guess which side I'm taking on this one.

The UK Times reports than Kenya and Rwanda are also expected to follow suit, as is Sydney, Australia. It seems to this (admittedly-uninformed) observer that the Anglican communion is crumbling in Africa, and at least one anglican bishop in the U.S. would energetically agree with that assesment. I'm sure there are others.

Those bishops who are not attending Lambeth this year are holding a "rival" conference in Israel this June (so, a month in advance of Lambeth), which is being called the "Global Anglican Future" Conference. This whole situation reminds me of the councils and anti-councils of the Christian middle-ages, and as I recall, those normally didn't help matters much in the short term.

The archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has been doing his best to hold Lambeth together. He has, for example, not invited Gene Robinson, the openly gay bishop of New Hampshire who was ordained in 2004. Well, this does not appear to have been enough, at least to the conservative African bishops.

Open Thread: Do you eat distinctive Lenten foods?

This CNS News Hub story also put me in mind of a professor's recent observation that in Jewish tradition and Christian practice up through the middle ages, most major liturgical seasons were accompanied by distinctive foods (Protestants do not seem to have kept to these practices as much, to my knowledge).

So, do you have certain foods you eat only during Lent, particularly on days of abstinence from meat?

I remember as I was growing up, the frequency of Lentil soup skyrocketed during Fridays in Lent.

YouTube reverses ALL decision, claims "technical malfunction"

As reported on Tuesday, YouTube pulled an American Life League video for being offensive when the all it did was excerpt various Planned Parenthood TV ad segments (the PP advert, meanwhile, was not removed).

I just got an email from ALL saying that YouTube has reversed its decision:

After numerous articles and pressure from Catholic and online media, Google-sponsored YouTube cited a “technical malfunction” as the reason American Life League’s pro-life video was censored by YouTube staff.

... Praising the YouTube decision, Sedlak commented “We are pleased that YouTube has reversed their decision to remove our video. Our ALL News Report was neither objectionable nor inappropriate. While it is unfortunate that YouTube chose this tactic in the first place, it is encouraging to note that they corrected their poor decision in a timely fashion.”

I agree with that sentiment: don't give YouTube a hard time for making the right decision (eventually).

NYC celebrates Valentine's Day with rampant condom promotion

A reminder of the challenges facing Christian love and sexuality in a militantly secular society.

The Associated Press reports:

The official New York City condom has a different look and a sexy new slogan: New Yorkers are being encouraged to "get some" on Valentine's Day.

Street teams will be handing out the free condoms at busy hubs around the city on Thursday, including Times Square, Wall Street and near City Hall.

And an ad campaign on television, radio and subways and buses will soon begin, featuring the catch phrase.

NYC's Catholic leaders, the article concludes, have been "angered " by such tactics, and claimed that the city's administration was "blanketing ... neighborhoods with condoms." More like carpet-bombing.

What do I mean?

You can watch the TV ads here. Below is a sample advertisement (with suitably androgynous models):

NYC has distributed more than 36 million condoms since first introducing it last Valentine's Day.

That's alot of tax-payer dollars.

Because I try to keep AmP a youth-accessible blog, I won't link to the NYC's "condom how-to" page. I will reproduce for illustrative purposes, however, the NYC website's advice to "use a new condom with each new partner" and that step four of using a condom properly is to "Enjoy each other."

What an enlightened vision of human sexuality. I'm glad our local government is showing us the way.

AmP version 2.0 live!

Okay, "version 2.0" is simply a fancy way of saying I've redone the upper portion of the blog template, and also made some changes to the top of the sidebar to clear out clutter and streamline what remains.

Thanks to everybody who made comments on the changes. You're still welcome to contribute your $0.02.

Catholic University nixes lectures at last minute due to charges of antisemitim

Forwarded to me by a CUA student, a bit of a situation is developing, and the WaTi has the scoop:

Catholic University abruptly canceled an 11-part lecture series, "Building Catholic Communities," on Monday, after the Southern Poverty Law Center complained that two of the scheduled lecturers are anti-Semites.

But look who was found to be offensive:

Mark Potok, director of the SPLC's Intelligence Project, called the school to complain about the participation of E. Michael Jones, editor of the South Bend, Ind.-based Culture Wars magazine, and John Sharpe, founder of the Norfolk-based IHS Press and the Legion of St. Louis, an Internet-based forum.

E. Michael Jones isn't happy:

Mr. Jones, who was to speak today on the nature of community, called the cancellation "outrageous."

"We were Catholics talking to other Catholics about community. The SPLC has veto power over what Catholics say to each other, all because of the cowards at Catholic University. Don't you think they owed me the courtesy of at least calling me up? Wasn't there any due process here?"

Mr. Jones also denied the SPLC's accusations against him.

"Everything I have said is totally consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church," he said. "There is nothing anti-Semitic about anything I have ever said. And I reject racism."

The topics appeared harmless enough:

The lecture series, described at www.building catholiccommunities.org, covered topics such as Catholic doctrine and co-housing, a form of clustered housing that originated several decades ago in Sweden. Mr. Jones was to speak today on the nature of community; Mr. Sharpe was scheduled to speak April 23 on property ownership. [update: more information on the lectures and presenters here.]

Action by CUA was swift:

The SPLC contacted the university at about 3:30 p.m., he said, right in the middle of the first lecture of the series, featuring Alan C. Carlson, president of the Howard Center in Rockford, Ill. By 5 p.m., the series was canceled.

The Washington Times article concludes:

The university's sudden cancellation Monday afternoon left organizers scrambling yesterday for a venue. Today's lecture will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Catholic Information Center, downtown at 1501 K St. NW.

In other words, this radical and rapid change of venue at a Catholic institution was brought about by the sole protest of SPLC (see SPLC in the news). Can you imagine any other complaint receiving such prompt attention?

And what abou the SPLC? Their wikipedia entry, for instance, does not paint a glowing picture of the organization, most notably, the center has often been characterized as "controversial, liberal", and often sides with the state against the church. It has also "been criticized for its tactics financial practices."

On the SPLC blog today ("HateWatch"), they give their version of the lecture cancellation:

A lecture series featuring presentations by two virulently anti-Semitic “radical traditionalist Catholics” was cancelled by The Catholic University of America on Monday after Hatewatch contacted the university to ask about the events. Radical traditionalist Catholics (read a major investigation of this theology here) deny certain Vatican teachings, particularly the Second Vatican Council’s reforms of the 1960s, and most hold anti-Semitic views that are rejected by the Roman Catholic Church. Many radical traditionalists have been excommunicated by the church.

... According to Victor Nakas, associate vice president of public affairs, the university was unaware of Jones’ anti-Semitic views. Shortly after Hatewatch contacted him to inquire about the lecture series’ sponsorship, [VP of CUA public affairs] Nakas sent an E-mail saying, “The individuals you reference below will not be speaking on our campus.”

Heidi Beirich, who authored the above post, also wrote "The New Crusaders: The radical traditionalist Catholics, who reject the teachings of the modern papacy, may form America's largest group of anti-Semites" (warning, harsh quoted language).

In the article she identifies SSPX as a "font of anti-Semitic propaganda" which (she elsewhere says) has "little in common with the modern Roman Catholic Church and its universalistic theology." For the record, the Catholic Church is not "universalistic."

She also claims that some radical traditionalists are "movers and shakers in important right-wing Republican circles". An example of this? "[T]he lawyer for Terri Schiavo's family, Christopher Ferrara."

Anyway, you get the picture, and are more than welcome to read the rest, I only had time to skim.

My concluding thoughts:

• Antisemitism, it goes without saying, is wrong, and a Catholic university should not countenance it.
• It is not clear to me, however, that the charge of antisemitism leveled against these two men has been validated. On this point, I call into question the objectivity of SPLC (watch me get on their list).
• At any rate, this situation seems to have been handled hastily, poorly, and lacked transparency.
• Furthermore, if the CIC did pick up the program, it seems they disagree with CUA's assesment.

Now here's how you can help: do you have independent experience of E. Michael Jones (and Culture Wars) or John Sharpe (and IHS Press)? I have heard of Culture Wars before, and have heard that E. Michael Jones certainly has his quirks, but nothing so damning as him being a raging anti-semite. I seem to remember hearing some decent things about IHS Press, but have never heard of John Sharpe personally.

I'd like a second take on these men (or several).

"Sicilian bishop braves Mafia death threats"

A Sicilian bishop who refused to celebrate the funeral Mass of a mafia boss is under police protection after receiving death threats, BBC News reports.

Crocefisso Emanuello, head of a notorious Mafia family, died of natural causes at the age of 81. Though the family of the mob boss wanted to hold the requiem Mass in the cathedral of the Diocese of Piazza Amerina, Bishop Michele Pennisi refused.

..."Men of the Church must do their bit to fight the Mafia," said Bishop Pennisi, according to BBC News. - CNA (also includes video)

Organized crime is also still a big problem in Naples. When I was there in 2003 I stayed with an Italian priest who ran, among other things, an orphanage for children whose parents had been killed by the mafia. Incredible.

Pic: Cutest Future Pope Ever

This one wins:

Many more on the latest AmP Flickr album.

Breaking: Abp. Jose Gomez vs. Hillary Clinton in Antonio, Texas

An old story, with a new twist, and even some frosting:

• the old story: pro-abortion public figure (in this case, Senator Hillary Clinton) invited to speak at Catholic institution today (in this case, St. Mary's University - the "oldest and the largest Catholic University in Texas and the Southwest.")


• the new twist: local Church authority (Archbishop Jose Gomez himself) vocally speaks out against the invitation, and expresses dismay that he was "neither advised nor consulted about it." It's going ahead this evening anyway.


• the frosting: Not only does he appropriately quote the 2004 Document issued by the USCCB: "Catholics in Political Life", he is absolutely unapologetic about his position, while remaining pastoral in his language and approach (yes, it is possible, albeit difficult, to do both). You can read the Archbishop's full statement here in PDF format.

I have a feeling this story will get a great deal of attention, so expect updates to this post.

Why is this a big deal?

Because, as practically every pundit has pointed out, Hillary needs the Latino vote to carry Texas. Archbishop Gomez [wiki entry], besides being a Catholic leader, has deep ties to this Hispanic community, was born in Mexico, is on the USCCB committee on Hispanic Affairs, etc.

A short (but revealing) account of him was published in Time Magazine at his 2005 election. He's well respected and "listened to in Texas", as his former boss, Abp. of Denver Charles Chaput told Time.

St. Mary's, meanwhile, is "the heart of the Latino community of San Antonio" as one Clinton campaign volunteer put it. They are expecting about 3,500 people to attend at 6:30 PM this evening.

Sources:

• Catholic News Agency
• Local coverage from WOAI, and again here, radio coverage here.
• update: Life News covered the story comprehensively, as the Hillary Project republishes.

update: Jeff Miller notes in the combox below that the same thing didn't happen last month when it was Obama's turn, in that case it was the Jesuit-run St. Peter's College in New Jersey.

update2: Zenit and Drudge (Associated Press) have both picked up on the story:

Clinton spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod said in a statement that the campaign respects the archbishop's point of view and appreciates the invitation to speak at the school.

Respect - it's free. And in this case, meaningless.

[top photo credit: CNA]

No honor among political thieves, especially when loot is scarce

Associated Press editorial:

For years, Bill and Hillary Clinton treated the Democratic Nati