Papist Picture of the Day - 3/31/08
"The once-famous Amazing Living Arm, after a long period of unemployment, finally gets hired as the pope's photographer-at-large."
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Pa•pist: n. A Catholic who is a strong advocate of the papacy.
"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." - Ephesians 5:11 |
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"The once-famous Amazing Living Arm, after a long period of unemployment, finally gets hired as the pope's photographer-at-large."Labels: pope benedict xvi in the USA, videos
This week's first US vacancy to fall comes tomorrow with the appointment of a new bishop for Louisana's diocese of Shreveport. The traditional warning shots have been firing off for some days now, with the latest sending word of the standard 10am press conference in the border diocese. (Whispers in the Loggia)Shreveport has been without a bishop since December 2006, the second longest diocesan vacancy in the U.S. behind Little Rock, AR (May 2006). After this post has been filled, there will still be eight dioceses in the U.S. without a bishop, and eleven more dioceses whose bishop is serving past the mandatory retirement age of 75. (Source: CanonLaw.info).
New bishops as presents from the boss before he visits? Check..... as soon as [this] week, the Pope is expected to appoint a new archbishop of Mobile to succeed the venerable native son Oscar Lipscomb, the nation's longest-serving metropolitan, who reached the retirement age of 75 in September 2006. Multiple sources report that the nod will fall to the senior suffragan of the province, Bishop Thomas Rodi of Biloxi.
[More from the Sun Herald, citing Rocco]
Labels: american bishops, new bishops, pope benedict xvi in the USA
Hillary Clinton is going to hold a campaign rally at Mercyhurst College tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, 2008. The Catholic College boasts of the pro-abortion Senator and Presidential candidate's appearance on its web page. LifeSiteNews.com has also learned that Erie Bishop Donald W. Trautman has cancelled his scheduled appearance at the upcoming Mercyhurst graduation ceremony in protest. (LifeSiteNews)Here is the event page on the Mercyhurst College website.
What we can do: LSN also provides the President's contact information "to politely express concerns".Tim Broderick of the pro-life group People for Life is urging "all pro-life people to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to be at Mercyhurst for a pro-life informational demonstration from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM, Tuesday -- rain or shine." Broderick is urging pro-life individuals who are unable to attend to contact the university with their concerns.
Demonstrators are being asked to meet at the Parade Blvd. entrance to the Mercyhurst Campus. Broderick will be on hand with picket signs from 4 PM.
Labels: 2008 presidential race, catholic education, hillary clinton, pro-abort politicians
And I'm sure that 2,000 pages leaves plenty to explore in the footnotes!The church official spearheading the cause to make Pope John Paul II a saint said Monday he has finished a roughly 2,000-page draft of a report supporting the late pontiff's canonization.
Two days before the Vatican marks the third anniversary of John Paul's death, Monsignor Slawomir Oder told Vatican Radio that he has turned over the report to the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
The report summarizes and analyzes all the documentation about John Paul's life and virtues that had been gathered since his 2005 death, including testimony from witnesses and his own writings.
Labels: canonization, pope john paul ii
Welcome to the first installment of an occasional series in which I selectively quote famous Catholic authors for entertainment or satirical purposes. Consider these the light version of Cliffsnotes.Objection #1: It would seem lawful for clerics to kill evil-doers.
Objection #2: Much more ... may clerics, who are God's ministers and have spiritual power, put evil-doers to death.
Objection #3: Now it belongs to the princely office to slay evildoers ... Therefore those clerics who are earthly princes may lawfully slay malefactors.
On the contrary: "It is written (1 Timothy 3:2-3): "It behooveth . . . a bishop to ... not [be] given to wine, no striker."
St. Thomas responds: It is unlawful for clerics to kill, for two reasons.
Reply to Objection #1: The Priests or Levites of the Old Testament were the ministers of the Old Law, which appointed corporal penalties, so that it was fitting for them to slay with their own hands.
Reply to Objection #2: The ministry of clerics is concerned with better things than corporal slayings ... and so it is not fitting for them to meddle with minor matters.
Reply to Objection #3: Ecclesiastical prelates accept the office of earthly princes ... [but] this may be carried into effect by others in virtue of their authority."
Labels: hey he said it, humor, Offbeat
Labels: catholic tips, Seminarians, videos, vocations
A clarification (because you can make a catchy headline out of practically any set of statistics):Islam has overtaken Roman Catholicism as the biggest single religious denomination in the world, the Vatican said on Sunday.
Monsignor Vittorio Formenti, who compiled the Vatican's newly-released 2008 yearbook of statistics, said Muslims made up 19.2 percent of the world's population and Catholics 17.4 percent.
"For the first time in history we are no longer at the top: the Muslims have overtaken us," Formenti told Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano in an interview, saying the data referred to 2006.
He said that if all Christian groups were considered, including Orthodox churches, Anglicans and Protestants, then Christians made up 33 percent of the world's population -- or about 2 billion people.
The Vatican recently put the number of Catholics in the world at 1.13 billion people. It did not provide a figure for Muslims, generally estimated at around 1.3 billion.
Formenti said that while the number of Catholics as a proportion of the world's population was fairly stable, the percentage of Muslims was growing because of higher birth rates.He said the data on Muslim populations had been compiled by individual countries and then released by the United Nations, adding the Vatican could only vouch for its own statistics.
"Islam" should be taken as an umbrella term much like "Christianity." Islam does not have a central authority, and divisions of Islam are many. Islam is primarily divided into Sunnis (~940 million) and Shiites (~170 million).
Thus, It would be more accurate to compare "Islam" with "Christianity" and compare "Catholicism" with, say, the Sunni branch of Islam. In both these cases, Christianity and Catholicism remain more numerous than their respective counterparts.
Of course, this grammatical precision does not dismiss the demographic reality here: Muslims are having children at rates far exceeding Christians (and Jews, for that matter). It's a sad reality that of the three "Abrahamic Faiths", only Islam appears to fully live out God's promise of fertility.
Furthermore, this population shift is not just taking place in clearly identifiable areas. I remember being in Ireland one weekend in 2003, the first weekend that the number of people attending a Mosque exceeded the number of people attending Anglican services in the UK.
For any questions about world religions and demographics, Philip Jenkins is the scholar to read. I don't always agree with his ecclesiology, but his knowledge of the worldwide landscape is unparalleled, and especially the situation in Africa. His 2006 article for First Things, "Believing in the Global South" is a good place to start.
For those who are looking for a book-length treatment, one might read "The New Faces of Christianity: Believing the Bible in the Global South", "The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity" or "God's Continent: Christianity, Islam, and Europe's Religious Crisis" (in which he claims that the "Islamification" of Europe is being over-dramatized, but Richard John Neuhaus disagrees).
I think that sufficies for a reading list.
Oh, and having Christian babies would help matters as well.
update: more commentary from Monsignor Vittorio Formenti (who compiled the statistics):
Formenti said the information on Muslim numbers had been released by the United Nations, while the Vatican's data on Catholics was based on questionnaires sent out to dioceses worldwide.
"Latin America remains the stronghold for Catholicism, while the American continent as a whole has 49.8% of the world's total," he said.
Formenti said that the number of Catholic priests was on the rebound, particularly in Asia, "where there are few Catholics, but they are driven by great spirit".
He described Africa as a "grand resource" for the church, while Europe and North America were struggling. The number of nuns was undergoing a "drastic reduction".
As for the enrolment of seminarians, Guadalajara in Mexico had the largest number, with two seminaries "packed full".France, the Netherlands and Belgium were bottom of the league, while Italy was seeing a "small, very small reprise". (source: Rome office of UK Guardian.)
Labels: demographics, global catholicism, islam, world trends
Pope Benedict XVI has two schedules for his upcoming U.S. visit: A jampacked list of official events and an unofficial schedule of evening meetings, including a huge birthday party at the Italian Embassy starring world-famous tenor Placido Domingo.Not a sure thing in this case, but maybe:
The splashy April 16 party — in celebration of the pope turning 81 — is sponsored by all eight former and current U.S. ambassadors to the Vatican. Several hundred people are invited.
The pope — who will meet that afternoon with U.S. Catholic bishops at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast, is not expected to make the party's 6:30 p.m. kickoff time.
In fact, he's not even been officially invited, said Thomas P. Melady, ambassador to the Vatican from 1989 to 1993. But the papal nunciature on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest — where the pope will be spending the night — has been notified of the event in case he wishes to drop by. The embassy is on Whitehaven Street, within walking distance of the nunciature.
"It's really not in his tradition to attend parties," explained Mr. Melady, now senior diplomat in residence at the World Institute of Politics. "His happiest days were when he was a young priest and teaching at the seminary."
But just in case, Mr. Domingo will be singing some of Benedict's favorite songs. He, along with mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, will also be performing the following day during the Nationals Stadium Mass.
Several hundred people, including a wide range of local Catholics and Vice President Dick Cheney, have been invited. Many are hoping Benedict will show.
[Raymond Flynn, ambassador to the Vatican during the Clinton administration] said there will be several off-the-record gatherings with the pope during his six days in the country.
That's the way it always is when the pope comes," he said. "There are private conversations and discussions with people here. I think they want to keep those meetings as private as they possibly can. They [the Vatican] will release an official schedule, but they'll leave a lot out."
Inquiries around the Catholic community seemed to bear this out. Robert George, a leading Catholic scholar at Princeton University, implied he'd be meeting privately with the pope in Washington but refused to divulge details.
The Rev. Dennis McManus, a consultant with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Benedict has "a full evening at the nunciature" planned for him after an April 17 meeting with interfaith leaders at the John Paul II Center near the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. He also would not divulge details.
Labels: church rumors, Pope Benedict XVI, pope benedict xvi in the USA
update: oh my gosh.One of the many gifts Pope Benedict will receive when he arrives in New York City next month will be a skateboard designed by a local child.
The Archdiocese of New York is holding a contest this spring to see who could design the best "Official Papal Skateboard" for the 80-year-old pontiff.
About 70 children entered the competition. A winner has yet to be picked.
The idea for the contest came from a youth skateboarding club at St. Elizabeth's Church in Manhattan.
The pope is expected to arrive in New York on April 18. Church authorities hope to give him the skateboard during a youth rally in Yonkers.
"The archdiocese [of Washington DC] is saying all those 45,000+ bar-coded Nationals Stadium tickets for the April 17 Mass have arrived and are now being sorted at their office. Parishes should be getting them sometime next week." - Washington Times
"The archdiocese has set up a wait list site. Gibbs said that so far they have received 1,000 requests at the site for 3,000 tickets."- Washington Post
Okay, I don't have a concern with Placido Domingo performing before the Mass, but he's certainly not the first person who comes to mind when I think of "the United States welcoming the Pope." More like, "The last of the three tenors reprises his frequent role at Vatian Christmas concerts." Please, let's move on."Brace yourself for the Pope's mass in DC, says Jeffrey Tucker (The new Liturgical Movement March 28, 2008), responding to the Washingtion Diocese' announcement regarding its selection of music ("Music for Pope Benedict XVI’s Mass at Nationals Park will reflect Archdiocese’s diversity"). Tucker prounounces the list --"it includes mostly Gospel numbers, some rock/blues thrown in ("Jesus is Here Right Now"), together with the "Mass of Creation" Sanctus and Amen" -- "as skimpy as it is troubling." - Benedict in America
"Operatic tenor Placido Domingo will perform at a Mass to be celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI at Nationals Park on April 17...Four choirs totaling 570 members from across the Archdiocese of Washington will perform at the Mass, singing in 10 languages." - Associated Press
"15-Year-Old To Participate In Papal Mass: Elizabeth, 15, of Montgomery County has been selected to be a gift bearer in the offertory procession when Pope Benedict comes to Washington and holds mass." - WJZ Baltimore, which includes video of the report
Plenty of good offerings.SIRIUS Satellite Radio has announced that three Catholic channels will provide coverage for Pope Benedict XVI’s April visit to the United States. In addition to coverage from the Catholic Channel, one channel will rebroadcast highlights of the Pope’s trip while another will broadcast historical speeches from past pontiffs. - CNA
The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a nationally-broadcast television discussion program previewing Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States on Sunday, April 13. The show – entitled A Journey of Hope – features a panel of experts. The half hour show will air on CBS stations in the four largest U.S. markets and will also air nationally on the Fox Business Channel at 5:30 p.m. In addition, the program will air on a variety of Catholic television outlets, including EWTN, the Catholic Cable Network, and local and regional Catholic cable channels. - Rhode Island Catholic
"N.Y. bishop ready for pope's U.S. visit" - Monterey County Herald
"Public Less Likely to See Pope in DC: "His visit reflects the times we live in," said Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Washington. "There has to be a little higher level of security, unfortunately." - Associated Press
Nevertheless, the story describes the huge demand and desire to see the Pope, in person or through media.
The Pope's Press Treatment
"In preparation for Benedict's arrival, the discerning reader (or reporter) might want to understand WHY the Church teaches what it does...Observe the extent to which the author focuses on the grievances of "progressives" against the orthodox ("traditional") Church, with precious little attempt to understand and explain exactly WHY the Church takes the positions that it does." - Benedict in America
"The interview questions in this interview, from the Boston Globe, reads like every tired cliche that's ever been written about Pope Benedict and the Church. In its title, it describes Pope Benedict as a "more complex pope." It uses language- specifically "liberal" and "conservative" - which is not correct in explaining the Church. Not surprisingly, it also engages in the "WOCHA mantra." Thankfully, it's salvaged by the intelligent responses of Francesco Cesareo, president of Assumption College." - Pope2008
"If what you know of Pope Benedict XVI is the hard-line doctrinal decrees of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he may surprise you on his first visit to the United States next month. So says the Rev. Robert Sirico, who has met Benedict and seen his pastoral side closer than many." - MLive
Is the pope Catholic? That used to be a sarcastic way of saying, could anything be more obvious? Is fire hot? Is water wet? Now, however, that nothing in the world is obvious, when Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the United States on April 15 there will surely be voices in the media apparently disconcerted to discover that, yes, the pope is Catholic. - New York Times
The New York Times piece I found to be particularly illuminating. Consider the final lines:
Of course, part of the problem in getting a fix on Benedict is simply the feebleness of accepted categories for understanding any serious religious leaders — and hence the impulse to deal with them as celebrities or politicians. Of all the words he speaks during his trip here, the ones that will probably go least examined are no doubt the ones he treasures most, the words of the Mass.
But the pope is not just another spiritual guide or priest. He has enormous institutional powers and responsibilities. To what extent does Benedict conceive of his papacy as a work of prayer and teaching? To what extent does he conceive of it as a renewal of structures and institutions? How does he see those aspects interacting?
His trip to the United States will presumably provide some clues. But they will be missed if it is greeted and framed with all the ready-made reflexes.
For a prime example of someone completely missing what the pope is about, see this article in WaPo.
And that's where the news currently stands, with updates to follow over the course of the weekend....
update 1:
"'Popemobile to be used during N.Y. visit: A spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York said the pope will use the specially designed bulletproof vehicle to get around the city during his three-day stay, the New York Daily News reported. The itinerary of his public appearances includes a special mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral." - UPI
"Patrick Baker & Sons Inc., of Southington, is supplying candles, vestments and other items for the pope's Masses in New York. "It is an honor," said Michael Baker, a salesman at the business's 1650 West St. location. "It is a highlight in my career" to supply goods for the event." - Record-Journal
"New York Youth Prepare to Meet Pope: Youth in New York are preparing for Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States in just over two weeks time. Twenty thousand young people from different parts of the country will hold a vigil in New York on the occasion of the Holy Father’s visit. Dominican Father Gabriel Gillen is a priest of the St. Catherine of Siena parish in New York City. He says that the Pope’s visit will draw even more young people into an authentic experience of God." - Vatican Radio
The Diocese of Buffalo, NY has posted a "Welcome Holy Father" video on YouTube.
update 2:
"Trivial Pursuit about Papal Travel in America: By way of background to Benedict XVI’s April 15-20 visit to the United States, the following are some “Trivial Pursuit”-style nuggets about papal travel in America." - John Allen
update 3:
(some slight editing has been made to the original material above - thank you, sharp readers!)"The pope gets a guide for his U.S. tour: When Pope Benedict XVI makes his first papal trip to the United States in April, he will be guided by a seasoned Vatican ambassador who sees the visit as an opportunity to introduce a little-known pope to a complex set of audiences: American Catholics, Americans in general and global opinion leaders.
"The image of Benedict XVI is not only not well known, but it is badly known," said Archbishop Pietro Sambi, who as apostolic nuncio is the Vatican's top diplomat in the United States." - International Herald Tribune
Labels: megapost, Pope Benedict XVI, pope benedict xvi in the USA
A slideshow of 49 more pictures here. Whispers has thorough coverage. The $65m cathedral will be dedicated this Wednesday, with 60 bishops attending. This is the first "mother-church" dedicated since the "Taj Mahony" opened in 2002. Oakland's Christ the Light will be dedicated in late September 2008.Labels: american bishops, church architecture, current events
Labels: evangelization, islam, world trends
"Pope Benedict appreciated the commemorative flip book of his Easter Mass.""Pope Benedict likely will walk a fine line between trampling on academic freedom and laying down the law on orthodoxy when he meets with top U.S. Catholic educators next month, experts and observers say."
Labels: pope benedict xvi in the USA, quick news
A picture of the cheese in question:Pope Benedict XVI is a big fan of buffalo mozzarella cheese, and eats it often reported Italian daily Il Messaggero on Friday.
Pope Benedict XVI reportedly likes simple dishes and often receives buffalo mozzarella cheese as a gift from bishops from the Campania region in southern Italy where the best buffalo mozzarella is produced.
The cheese is given to Benedict's policemen, who later 'discreetly' take the cheese to his apartment, Il Messaggero reported. (AKI)

That part, sadly, is true.Recently there have been fears the highly popular mozzarella cheese may have been contaminated by dioxins and other chemicals from illegally dumped toxic waste.
Japan and South Korea have in recent days halted imports of buffalo mozzarella, and there are fears other countries could suspend imports.
In the supermarket located inside Vatican City, the dairy section is full of mozzarella cheese products from the southern region of Campania.
Reportedly, the cheese is prized among priests and nuns who visit the supermarket everyday to restock convents, institutes and monasteries.
Oh come on, it's cheese. There's nothing to "report" about priests and nuns "prizing" cheese. Normal folks like cheese, too. And it's no surprise that Italians ... like Italian cheese. For that matter, I doubt there is some huge cartel of Italian mafioso cheese merchants paying off "Benedict's policemen" to supply him with black market premium buffalo mozzarella shipments. Goodness.
I guess Il Messaggero - the original source for this "story" - was chagrined that they missed out on the much-touted "Pope Benedict likes Jewish Pizza" report that circulated recently. Their response? "Pope Benedict likes Italian cheese." Tomorrow's report? "Pope Benedict drinks orange juice!"
You watch, it'll happen.
Labels: catholic oddly-enough, Pope Benedict, pope benedict xvi in the USA, random
But what about "Papal Skateboard Art Design Contest"?!
It's true!
My personal favorite so far is this submission by Larissa - Age 12.
I'm pretty sure the charism of papal infallibility doesn't extend to being able to plant a double 360 pressure flip foot plant, but hey, stranger things could happen. Pope Benedict already has the shades.
The rest of the designs are viewable by clicking below. There's still time to submit yours!
In a similar vein (but not nearly as hip), the Archdiocese of Washington held a youth video contest.
Labels: catholic oddly-enough, catholic youth, pope benedict xvi in the USA
Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama suggested Wednesday that Jesus Christ is not the only way to heaven during a campaign event in North Carolina.The author seems to imply that Obama's comments should provoke a sharp response from Christians. I think, however, that she is missing a helpful distinction: while it is true that anyone who is saved from original sin is saved only in Jesus Christ, it is not true that every person need explicitly believe that truth in order to be saved.
While answering a question about his Christian faith, Obama said he believes that Jesus Christ died for his sins and through God’s grace and mercy he could have “everlasting life,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
But he also believes Jews and Muslims and non-believers who live moral lives are as much “children of God” as he is, according to The Associated Press.
As an example, he spoke about his late mother who was “not a believer.”
Labels: 2008 presidential race, barack obama, doctrine, religion and politics
5. What role should women play in the Church? (Select all that apply)When I tried to select neither option, I was greeted with this message: "*This question requires an answer."
- Priests
- Deaconesses
Labels: oddly-enough, pope benedict xvi in the USA, random
A famous kosher Italian bakery has an important local patron: Pope Benedict XVI.
Wilma Limentani, the owner of the Boccione bakery in Rome's ancient ghetto, said she recently received a letter of thanks from the Vatican revealing the pope's love for her biscotti and an almond-and-raisin confection dubbed "Jewish pizza."
One of the pope's doctors -- a Jew who stopped by the 453-year-old bakery en route to administering a routine checkup of the pontiff -- introduced the pastries to Benedict.
"Since then he looks forward to each visit by his Jewish doctor or by acquaintances who pass through our neighborhood," Limentani said in Wednesday's Yediot Achronot. (JTA)
I wandered into Rome’s Jewish ghetto neighborhood because I read an intriguing little report about Pope Benedict’s favorite bakery.
The tiny Limentani pastry shop has long been a favorite of mine. I go for the same reason most people go: their “Jewish pizza,” a type of miniature fruit cake packed with almonds, raisins and other stuff I’ve never identified. It looks terrible and tastes great.
I asked the senior woman behind the counter about the report that the pope had their sweets delivered to his table. Through a series of phrases and gestures, she let me know that it was somewhere between maybe and probably true.
... the kosher bakery does not use saturated animal fats, [so] Benedict is free to indulge his sweet tooth without fearing for his cholesterol. (source.)
Labels: catholic oddly-enough, humor, Offbeat, Pope Benedict XVI, pope benedict xvi in the USA
While Pope Benedict XVI probably has not begun packing his bags for his April 15-20 trip to the United States, one big Vatican package was prepared just after Easter.
The white, 2002 Mercedes-Benz popemobile has left the Vatican and will be delivered by an air cargo company in the first days of April, said Alberto Gasbarri, the chief organizer of papal trips. (CNS)
The Vatican currently has three popemobiles. The specifications for the one the pope will use in America:
A modified version of the Mercedes-Benz ML430 off-road vehicle. Its "glass" top is a cube made of advanced, bulletproof plastic and the vehicle features a high seat so the pope can still be visible.Here is a picture of the pope using this model during his trip to Brazil (with the window down!).
Related previous posts:An official in the Vatican motor pool said there really was not a choice to make between the two ML430s since "one is in the repair shop."
Mercedes-Benz originally delivered one of the vehicles with a "mother of pearl" tint, but the Vatican decided it was too gray, and so repainted it, the motor pool official said.
[photo: AP Photo/Victor Caivano, File]
Labels: pope benedict xvi in the USA, popemobile
One of the best things to come from Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States will be that people will get to know him.There’s a lack of awareness of who he is for three reasons: He follows Pope John Paul II, who revolutionized the papacy. Before his election, the papacy had basically been a stay-at-home job. When John Paul with his fine stage presence set out globe-trotting, he captured the world’s imagination. With telecommunications, John Paul took the office public as no one before him. His is a hard act to follow.
Pope Benedict’s 24 years in his previous job typecast him. He was prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the church’s faith and morals watchdog. He was arbiter of what was acceptable for theologians to write and teach. His statements were heard worldwide and often drew controversy. When he spoke of revealed truth, he was painted as a man wedded to the past. Despite his kindly nature, he was typecast as stern. Many made up their mind about him even before his election.
He is a scholar and introvert, not given to encourage a cult of the papacy around himself. He comes from the world of academia and of scholarship, where study, writing and thought are prized.
Those who know him think many Americans will come to appreciate him when he journeys across the Atlantic. A recent survey reports he has an 80 percent approval rate. It will be even higher after his visit. [More.]
Reilly provides several more helpful and important talking points, including that McCain should appear in and be interviewed by Catholic media outlets (I, for one, would be happy to do so).Senator McCain not only needs Catholics who will vote for him, but who will each find ten other Catholics who will do the same. That is not going to happen unless he galvanizes the Catholic electorate. He has an opportunity to do this when Pope Benedict XVI visits the United States during April 15 to 20.
... So what should Senator McCain do when Benedict XVI visits in April? This is his opportunity to demonstrate that he understands the significance of the pope's thought as it relates to the institution of the family, the sanctity of human life, and the threat of radical Islam. [more.]
... the combination of Benedict's visit and anti-immigrant hostility in economically depressed areas of the Rust Belt gives Clinton a chance to move past her greatest liability: her previous support for NAFTA, support that received new credence from the release of her White House schedules which show she was involved in lobbying for the trade bill.Note the disparity here: Clinton's best hope for political capital from the papal visit is ... NAFTA-related.
I doubt Clinton will embrace such a proposal. The polls in Pennsylvania show her with a solid lead and why rock the boat? In the time-honored playbook of American politics, look for Clinton to go increasingly negative on Obama in the weeks ahead, trying to shift the fundamentals of the race. Still, until America realizes that it needs vibrant economic growth throughout the hemisphere, that NAFTA was not only bad policy that needs to be reversed, but that good policy needs to be put in its place, then and only then will we be approaching comprehensive immigration reform.If "comprehensive immigration reform" is the best she has to offer as common ground with the pope's priorities, it's going to be a uneventul visit for her, at best. Too little, too late, in my opinion.
But as Kmiec has noted before, Catholics do hold views that make them uncomfortable in either party. They’re pro-life, anti-death penalty, often anti-Iraq war, and concerned about global warming.Kmiec's own position:
Will other Catholics follow Kmiec’s lead? So far, they’ve been voting for Hillary Clinton over Obama, but the New York Times says they’re a fickle group: “No other large group has switched sides so often, or been so consistently aligned with the winners.”
Kmiec noted that as a Republican and as a Catholic, he supports preserving traditional marriage and believes that "life begins at conception" -- and he acknowledged that Obama may differ with him on those issues. However, he said he is convinced that Obama "is not closed to understanding opposing points of view, and … will respect and accommodate them." (UPI)Unfortunately, Obama has actually demonstrated a complete unwillingness to understand opposing points of view on life issues, let alone respecting or accomodating them.
Note in that last sentence, a question that McCain also to has to answer, and has not yet done so satisfactorily.On many important public policy issues I agree with my friend Professor Doug Kmiec. I also admire him and believe that he is sincerely pro-life. However, I respectfully and strongly disagree with his decision to support Senator Barack Obama.
In the application of issues in accordance with the hierarchy of values, I choose to hear the cry of the ones whom Blessed Teresa of Calacutta called the "poorest of the poor", the children living in the wombs of their mothers. After all, they have no voice but ours....
.... I am whole life, pro-life. I absolutely oppose the taking of innocent human life in the first home of the entire human race, the womb. Science has confirmed what our conscience has long known; the child in the womb is out neighbor. It is always and everywhere intrinsically evil to take innocent human life. Senator Obama is wrong in his support of legalized abortion. It is also intrinsically evil to “manufacture” human embryonic life to then kill that life for spare parts. Senator McCain is wrong in his support for deadly research on human embryonic life.
Labels: 2008 presidential race, catholicism and politics, commentary, life issues, pope benedict xvi in the USA
My hands are trembling as I write this.That's right. An event every day (and I opted-out of the Andrews Air Force Base greeting). Each reporter is only allowed to cover one event per day, so this is the absolute limit of what I could have received.
I'm especially excited about the Address to Catholic Educators, as I have long covered issues relating to Catholic education in America, and am myself a product of (and ongoing participant in) that enterprise. I'm also looking forward to the pope's rally with Seminarians and Young People, because AmP has always had a special focus on youth and seminarian topics. Hey, do what you know, I say.
And of course, the address to U.S. Bishops and the Yankee Stadium Mass are important as well. The Ecumenical Prayer Service is probably a venue I'm least automatically familiar with, but there's time to learn.
Now is the time to contact me ("thomas [at] americanpapist.com") to secure unique or distribution rights to the videos and pictures I will be able to take during these events. I'm also looking to publish my thoughts and experiences of the visit in high-profile publications, Catholic outfits get first preference.
Having covered every apostolic journey of Pope Benedict's pontificate, and having attending World Youth Day 2005 in Germany as well as having covered such large events as the 2008 March for Life, I hope to be well situated to provide good reporting this time around as well. But this time, "officially."
Please keep my preparations in your prayers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the secret service background check goes smoothly. Luckily, for this sort of trip, my papist sympathies serve me in good stead.
It's also no secret that your own attention to these pages, in your regular visits and helpful tips, has assisted tremendously in getting AmP a high enough profile to merit media credentials for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 100,000 visits a month has to be more than just my friends and family.
So - thank you. I hope to make you all proud. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
~ Thomas Peters, AmericanPapist
Labels: American Papist, American Papist on the road, pope benedict xvi in the USA
The official Vatican daily, L’Osservatore Romano, has rejected claims in some media reports that the Holy See has “emphasized” the baptism of Magdi Allam, the Muslim convert and associate director of the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera who entered the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI. (CNA)To point out an awkward truth, look at today's bulletino, published by the Vatican press office itself:
Yes, look at the fourth story: "Egyptian Muslim Journalist Baptised by the Pope".SUMMARY: 19 - 26 MARCH
- - Easter Triduum and Appeal for the Situation in Tibet
- - Holy Thursday: Chrism Mass and the Lord's Supper Mass
- - Good Friday: Lord's Passion, Way of the Cross at Colosseum
- - Egyptian Muslim Journalist Baptised by the Pope
- - Easter Saturday: Christ's Departure Is a New Return
- - Easter Sunday: the Resurrection Is an Event of Love
- - Missionary Martyrs and the Struggle against Tuberculosis
- - Telegram for the Death of Cardinal Suarez Rivera
- - Christ Gives Us the Certainty of Our Own Resurrection
- - Other Pontifical Acts
"The catechumens who will receive Baptism tonight come from Italy, Cameroon, China, the United States and Peru. Among them is Magdi Allam, a well-known journalist of Egyptian origin, vice-director 'ad personam' of the Italian newspaper 'Corriere della Sera'.He is the only named convert in the article. And the only convert to receive a bulletino headline.
Labels: conversion, islam, Pope Benedict XVI, vatican affairs
I might be attending some of these conference events this weekend (Mar 27-30):Links:The Catholic University of America’s Center for Law, Philosophy and Culture presents a symposium, “A Common Morality for the Global Age: In Gratitude for What We Are Given.”
In response to the personal appeal of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, this symposium seeks to elicit ideas and concepts for the renewal of a global culture that can sustain the moral insight necessary for addressing our world’s pressing problems. Can we reclaim an original attitude of acknowledgement of, and respect for, the gift of existence that arguably has historically informed the world’s great moral and cultural traditions? Leading thinkers from philosophy, theology, ethics and politics will gather for several days of papers, discussion and common reflection centered on this question.
The events are free and open to the public, but registration reserves you a seat.
Any suggestions as to what events I should prioritize? There's plenty of good options it seems.
Labels: catholic conferences, catholic tips, DC Catholic events, law and religion
Action points:... TFP volunteers examined the official web sites of 211 Catholic universities and colleges listed by Granley’s Catholic Schools in America. Their research discovered that 45% have pro-homosexual clubs. Many of these clubs share in the movement’s radical goal – to force social acceptance of unnatural vice on Christian America, and gag expressions of free speech that oppose the movement’s ideological agenda.
... However, the number of pro-homosexual clubs on Catholic campuses may exceed 45% because not all clubs are listed on university web sites.
Here in Washington, DC, Georgetown is the most blatant offender:
Georgetown hosts mock same-sex “wedding”, grants health benefits to the partners of homosexual employees, and provides services for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Youth and their Families."... Georgetown University, the nation’s oldest Catholic university, recently agreed to open and fully fund a new center for homosexual students in addition to the already existing pro-homosexual club on campus."
Labels: catholic education, get involved, homosexual lobby, homosexuality
Last September I blogged at length about the resignation of Zimbabwen Archbishop Pius Ncube."It is true, I do admit that I did fail in keeping God's commandment with regard to adultery," admitted Pius Ncube ...” "Having failed in keeping the Seventh Commandment Thou shalt not commit adultery, I would like to apologize to you, I'd like to apologize that so many of you were praying for me, for the fact that so many of you standing with me in fact suffered so much." (via CNA, more from CWNews.)
"I'm not going to be silenced. I don't mind so much what people do to me personally, but what I do mind is the damage and evil to the people coming from the government of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has lost in the immediate term what was one of the most courageous and best-known voices of opposition to Mugabe. In the longer term, the controversy will inevitably raise questions about the gap between how prelates in Rome believe the faithful in Africa should behave, and the reality on the ground.
It is no great secret among those who live in Africa that Roman Catholic priests on that continent often honour the vow of celibacy as much in the breach as in the practice. Some priests have children, while others listen to the quiet advice of their bishops to practice birth control. Roman Catholic nuns sometimes defy papal doctrine and freely distribute condoms to their flocks to help counter the HIV/Aids pandemic, which is cutting a swathe through Africa. Many Zimbabweans and other Africans are likely to see as disproportionate the Vatican smothering of a powerful focus of opposition to Mugabe on account of an all too human failing - one that the Zimbabwe regime was bound to spot and exploit.
"I think Christ would condemn the violence, widespread rape and torture by government agencies and the Mugabe-loyal youth militia," he said. "I don't think Christ would have survived in Zimbabwe. We're all being held to ransom by one despot. Mugabe's government doesn't like people who speak the truth. Plenty of people who criticise the government have died mysteriously. Christ wouldn't have had a chance."
Labels: africa, archbishop ncube, catholic controversy, scandal
In a private audience with Benedict XVI, the general director of the Legionaries of Christ renewed the congregation's loyalty to the Pope at the start of a new stage in its history, following the Jan. 30 death of the founder.
The Pope received in audience Legionary of Christ Father Álvaro Corcuera on Saturday.
According to the congregation, in the meeting the general director wanted to assure the Holy Father of the group's "unconditional loyalty to the Pope" in what he called a "new stage in their history."
Father Marcial Maciel, the founder of the congregation and the apostolic movement Regnum Christi, which is associated with the Legion of Christ, died Jan. 30 at age 87.
According to the Regnum Christi Web page, "The Holy Father, with fatherly kindness, assured Father Corcuera that he continues closely accompanying the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi with his prayers. He then granted all of its members his apostolic blessing, especially the thousands of young people and families who will participate in evangelization missions across the world during Holy Week." (Zenit)

Labels: legionaries of christ, Pope Benedict XVI, religious orders, vatican affairs
The USCCB has invited the public to greet the Pope as he travels through Washington DC:
I think it's safe to say that the USCCB might be concerned that Pope Benedict won't receive a very large public greeting because details concerning his public appearances have (and remain) scant.The general public can see the pope on Wednesday, April 16, as he departs from the White House visit with President and Mrs. Bush and travels to the Papal Nunciature on Massachusetts Avenue. Pope Benedict will ride in the popemobile for part of the route.
Later, the public will be able to see the pope as he travels in the popemobile to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Michigan Avenue.
Let's hope those first two statistics continue to improve.
Finally, Kelly Clarkson, who I reported last week will perform for Pope Benedict, is looking forward to it:
The Star-Telegram adds:"I was so excited to be asked to sing for the pope," Clarkson told the Star-Telegram via her publicist. "I grew up singing church music, and it's always been a dream of mine to perform Ave Maria. To have that dream come true on such a special occasion is truly a blessing."
Kelly Clarkson grew up attending a Baptist church.According to Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, Clarkson will perform a few of her songs at a youth rally at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers on April 19, as well as Ave Maria after the pope arrives.
...
Zwilling said it's "an unanswered question" whether Clarkson will meet Benedict. She had initially been scheduled to perform the miniconcert for the rally but also "expressed interest" in singing Ave Maria for the pope.
Labels: pope benedict xvi in the USA
Labels: books received
"Resurrexi, et adhuc tecum sum. Alleluia! I have risen, I am still with you. Alleluia! Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus, crucified and risen, repeats this joyful proclamation to us today: the Easter proclamation. Let us welcome it with deep wonder and gratitude!Brief coverage and video at CNN.
Labels: Catholic documents, vatican affairs





Labels: liturgy, pictures, Pope Benedict XVI, vatican affairs
got some press today:Italy's most prominent Muslim commentator converted to Roman Catholicism on Saturday during the Vatican's Easter vigil service presided over by the pope.
An Egyptian-born, non-practicing Muslim, Magdi Allam has infuriated some fellow Muslims with his criticism of extremism and support for Israel.
The deputy editor of the Corriere della Sera newspaper, Allam often writes on Muslim and Arab affairs.
...
There is no overarching Muslim law on conversion. But under a widespread interpretation of Islamic legal doctrine, converting from Islam is apostasy and punishable by death -- though killings are rare.
Italy's most prominent Muslim, an iconoclastic writer who condemned Islamic extremism and defended Israel, converted to Catholicism Saturday in a baptism by the pope at a Vatican Easter service.
I don't think the Vatican is trying to make any sort of political or religious "statement" in choosing this individual for baptism, as much as the press would like to see it in those terms.
Comments?
[photo: Dario Pignatelli/Reuters]
Labels: conversion, vatican affairs
"Pope Benedict XVI holds a candle during the Easter vigil mass in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Saturday March 22, 2008. The pontiff presided over an Easter vigil service late Saturday during which he was to baptize one of Italy's most prominent Muslims." (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool)

[sources: REUTERS/Dario Pignatelli (VATICAN); AP Photo/Claudio Peri, Pool]Labels: pictures, vatican affairs
[sources: AP Photo/Plinio Lepri; AP Photo/Max Rossi, Pool; AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino; AFP/Damien Meyer].
Labels: photos, vatican affairs
Labels: American Papist on the road
"The elephant foetus at 12 months, when it is 18 inches long and weighs approximately 26 lbs."Using new technology, these images, published in UK's Daily Mail, reveal what until now has been a secret - exactly how animals develop in the womb. They were created by the same team who in 2004 showed how human embryos "walk in the womb".
Using a combination of three-dimensional ultrasound scans, computer graphics and tiny cameras, the team were able to show the entire process from conception to birth.
"These kind of images from inside animals have never been seen before," Jeremy Dear of Pioneer Productions, who made the film, told The Daily Mail.
Even more stunning? A baby dolphin "swimming" in utero:
I've never asked myself this before, but I wonder: are passionate animal-rights activists pro-life in respect to animal foetuses? How can a female mammal not want it's child? In that regard, every animal-rights activist would have to respect the presumed right of the animal mother to give birth to it's offspring.Goodness, what cloudy thinking and paradox-strewn conclusions this raises.
Let's just take a step back and marvel at the clarity of theses images. Let's hope they sink in.
Labels: culture of life
On second thought, I think this goat has more personality than most recent Disney characters.
Labels: archaeology, humor, Offbeat
I love telling my readers how to get quality Catholic content, for free (or at a ridiculous discount, in some cases)."Contraception: Why Not is a powerful presentation that challenges America to rethink its contraceptive mindset. To help people understand the contraception situation better, One More Soul offers one free copy of this talk to any new customer.
For more about Professor Smith and her available publications click here.
To see more of our radically pro-life resources, please visit our online catalog."
Labels: catholic tips, contraception

The results are in!Wow, four second-place finishes, and four more top-5 finishes. Considering the winners in these categories outstrip my daily readership, I'm happy that proportionally AmP readers more than carried their weight!
Truly, a great big THANK YOU to everyone who voted for me, and congrats to the other winners!
Since moving to Washington, DC in August of 2007, I've been trying to include more regular political and social commentary into my coverage. Recently, I have been publishing more freelance pieces in online publications such as Catholic Exchange and Inside Catholic, as well as increasing the number of interviews I grant.
Considering how recently I've been doing this seriously, I think it's safe to say "you ain't seen nothing yet."
So stick around! There's plenty to come.
update: Special congratulations to Fr. Z. who ran away with practically every award his impressive blog was eligible for. Congrats also to The New Liturgical Movement that worthily won the "Best Designed" award, and best group blog. Fine contributors there. CreativeMinorityReport is the new kid on the block, look for good things from him in the future. And I have to say he's very inventive with his blogger template. CurtJester, it's no surprise, won "Funniest Catholic Blog." Hey, I voted for him, negative campaign and all. :-P
Allright, back to doing what I've been self-referentially talking about the past couple weeks!
Labels: American Papist, Catholic Blog Awards
Labels: humor, photo caption call

Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden threatened the European Union with grave punishment on Wednesday over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad.More from CNN (but not anything relating to Pope Benedict).
In an audio recording posted on the Internet, Bin Laden said the cartoons were part of a "crusade" in which he said the Catholic Pope Benedict was involved.
The message was released on the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Does anyone know where John Paul II was greeted when he visited the United States each time?Pope Benedict XVI will be greeted by President Bush at Andrews Air Force Base next month at the start of the pontiff's weeklong U.S. trip, the Vatican said Monday.
... The president traditionally greets visitors at the White House. The most elaborate welcome has been a South Lawn ceremony with trumpet salutes, booming cannons and the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, dressed in 18th-century uniform, parading by the reviewing stand and invited guests.
Labels: george bush, pope benedict xvi in the USA
More than 100,000 requests have been submitted to the Archdiocese of Washington for tickets to Pope Benedict XVI's Mass in the District on April 17. Dioceses across the country were told how many tickets each parish would get at the end of last month. Nearly 45,000 seats are available for the Mass, which will be at the new Nationals Park.
About 16,000 tickets will go to 148 parishes and missions in the archdiocese, and nearly 13,000 tickets will go to clergy, Catholic high schools and campus ministries in the Archdiocese of Washington, Catholic organizations, volunteers and others. Parishes are distributing tickets through free lotteries, letter submissions and other methods.
Some parishes are asking those interested to write letters saying why they would like a ticket. Tickets are free, non-replaceable and may not be sold.
I know, this reads like a spoof headline, but it's legit!Labels: music, Offbeat, pope benedict xvi in the USA
Some notable details:
My observations:
And here's what the St. Joseph's Seminary (Youth Gathering) stage will look like:
More information from Pope2008 here.
Who is going to be using those walkways? That news coming next! update: Kelly Clarkson.
Labels: pope benedict xvi in the USA
Labels: commentary, published
Labels: 2008 presidential race, barack obama, religion and politics

.... we are happy to present a selection of drive-thru churches, all nicely unselfconscious, including a unique (sadly closed) funeral parlour in Pensacola where mourners can say their farewells through a glass window without troubling to get out of the car.
CS Lewis would not approve. In the Screwtape Letters he points out that "we are animals, and what our bodies do affects our minds". I.e. if you kneel to pray (or at least get out of your car) you might pray better.
These are protestant initiatives, which take place in the United States. I'm proud of the author for the classic C.S. Lewis reference, which is highly applicable to the situation.
An example of these "drive thru" outfits:
Sure enough, the beginning of the report filed in 2003 by the National Catholic Reporter:This drive-in Christian Church is a converted drive-in movie theatre in Daytona Beach. The minister delivers his message from a high balcony just below where the movie screen once hung. According to National Catholic Reporter, the congregation attracts an average of 700 people every week. To hear the service, worshipers must tune 88.5 FM. As you can see .... churchgoers receive a packaged Communion kit where they can find some wine for the worship.
"Ever get to church and wish you could just stay in the car? Here, you can."Blech, I can't read anymore. I feel like I'm getting car sick.
Labels: Offbeat, protestantism, signs of the times, world trends
From The Charter of Massachusetts Bay (Colony) - 1691:
“[T]here shall be a liberty of Conscience allowed in the Worship of God to all Christians (Except Papists) Inhabiting or which shall Inhabit or be Resident within our said Province or Territory.”
This was forwarded to me by Matthew Balan who works for MRC and blogs for NewsBusters.
Search for "papist" and this blog appears 1st on Ask!, 2nd on Google, 3rd on Yahoo!, and 4th on MSN.
Labels: American Papist, humor, papist plotting
Haven't subscribed to the print edition of Dappled Things yet? Or are you a subscriber who would like to share Dappled Things with a friend?Free copies are available while supplies last, and are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Write to us by March 20th and receive a FREE issue of Dappled Things!
Send the name and mailing address of the lucky recipient to "dappledthings [dot] cybulski [at] gmail [dot] com" no later than March 20th to receive a complementary, no obligation copy of the Easter 2008 issue. Please write "FREE SAMPLE" in your subject line.
Labels: catholic tips
Take a look at those numbers again. And yet proponents of IVF will go around claiming that it's practically the only way for couples to get pregnant who are experiencing difficulty. Think again.NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative Technology or NPT) is a dramatically successful, but not well known or practiced method of diagnosing and treating gynecological diseases and infertility in women. It is a morally acceptable and very cost effective method of restoring fertility, using a fertility-care based medical approach, rather than a fertility-control approach.
...
When used to treat infertility alone, NaProTechnology has a success rate of 76% in assisting couples to achieve pregnancy - remarkably superior to the 10-15% success rate of in vitro fertilization, and without the enormous financial cost and adverse emotional and other psychological effects of in vitro fertilization.
Labels: catholic tips, information, medical ethics
1) The first use of the popemobile on this trip will be when the pope leaves the White House at noon April 16 en route to the apostolic nunciature, a distance of about three miles. A major traffic nightmare is certainly a possibility since the White House is smack in the middle of downtown. The precise route was not announced.
2) Later that same day, according to the schedule, he’ll arrive at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the popemobile for his meeting with the U.S. bishops. Again, no precise route was given.3) The next afternoon, after he meets with Catholic education officials at The Catholic University of America in Washington, he’ll use the popemobile to go to the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center for his meeting with representatives of non-Christian religions. That trip will be fairly short, since the university and the JPII center are more or less across the street from one another.
4) The lone New York popemobile trip will be on Saturday, April 19, after a noon lunch with Cardinal Edward Egan. That trip from the cardinal’s residence to the residence of the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations is about a mile.
Trips #1 & #2 provide the best opportunity. #3 will be practically impossible, as they plan to seal-off the CUA campus to outsiders. More on that if I hear it. #4 in NYC will be very congested.
Hmm, I wonder if the pope is going to bring his new Mercedes-Benz?
More here, and to follow.Labels: pope benedict xvi in the USA
So, if you were thinking of voting for AmP, but weren't sure or didn't want to take the time - please - it doesn't take that long and there are many fine Catholic blogs that would love to see you participating! I sure would.
Labels: Catholic Blog Awards, get involved
Last night I saw Mike Mangione and his band perform at the Quincy House in Brookland, DC (which is quickly becoming the hot spot for local Catholic/Christian musicians - check it out if you are in the area).
Born in Illinois, and now residing in Milwaukee, Mike Mangione is quickly becoming a familiar name throughout the city's growing music scene. Bringing an organically subtle, yet expressive sound, Mangione has drawn comparisons to such songwriting heavyweights as Ryan Adams and Elliott Smith.
In the past three years, Mangione has averaged 150 shows per year, performing in countless venues and festivals including SXSW and Milwaukee's own Summerfest. Needless to say, Mike Mangione has been putting in more than his fair share of work, and has a large mass of live experience. His previous album, "There And Back," charted as high as No.16 on the CMJ countdown, proving his following has grown to respectable lengths.
Now touring behind his new opus "Tenebrae," Mangione feels ready to spread that following to even greater amounts with much-deserved confidence in the album. "Tenebrae" is a classic-sounding piece full of beautifully arranged acoustics and Mangione's vocals can be heart-breakingly delicate at times, comparable to how James Blunt only wishes he could sound. [source]
Tom Mangione took guitar lessons from a teacher with a glass eye who didn't realize Tom was playing upside down until three months into lessons. When the mistake was discovered Tom figured he had learned way too much on the instrument and the information was irreversible. Arguably the best and worst decision he ever made.
Mike was cast as "Mail Boy" in the Will Ferrell movie "Anchorman" and can be seen through out the movie in the office scenes. Can you find him?Mike is a firm believer in the Theology of the Body.Mike's song "It's Me, Not You"was just picked up by Burger King for licensing!
Finally, Mike mentioned to me that he and his bandmates have been invited to perform at World Youth Day in Sydney Australia. They do, however, have to find a way to pay their way, so once the setup an easy online way to assist them, I'll post on that as well. In the meantime, buying their music is a great way to start!
As for me, I'll be dropping the tracks from Tenebrae and There and Back Again on my mp3 player tonight.
As a final treat, here's a short video of his performance the night I heard him at Quincy House:
If the sound quality is poor, it's the fault of my camera - not the Quincy House or Mike.
Bottom line: I believe Mike Mangione is exactly the combination of real artistic talent and positive Catholic values that I hope and trust will flourish as part of the ongoing second spring of Catholic culture.
(I should add: other Catholic artists who will be in Washington DC are welcome to drop me a line.)
Labels: art, Catholic culture, catholic tips, mike mangione, music
Labels: PPOTD
This week I attended a book launch hosted by InsideCatholic in Washington DC that included a Q&A with author Deal Hudson and Senator Sam Browback.Recently, in a conference call with Catholic representatives, John McCain restated his support embryonic stem cell research, but also said that he was open to further dialogue on the topic. Do we know if this dialogue is in fact taking place, and is there any chance McCain will change his position before the general election?
I believe McCain is hoping that scientific progress [on alternative sources of pluripotent stem cells] renders the question academic [in other words, irrelevant in terms of policy]. One of the things about McCain is that once he takes a position he's very persistent about keeping it.
I can personally assure you that dialogue is ongoing with McCain about this issue [i.e., he is one of the persons doing it], but it is true that right now McCain supports the research.
McCain opposes embryonic stem cell research that uses cloned human embryos, but supports research using human embryos left over from fertility treatments. In 2006, McCain supported a trio of Senate bills designed to increase federal funding for adult stem cell research, ban the creation of embryos for research and offer federal support for research using embryos slated for destruction by fertility clinics.
Q: Would you expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research?
A: I believe that we need to fund this. This is a tough issue for those of us in the pro-life community. I would remind you that these stem cells are either going to be discarded or perpetually frozen. We need to do what we can to relieve human suffering. It's a tough issue. I support federal funding.
John McCain's position from an article published on his official campaign website last year:"John McCain opposes the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes. To that end, Senator McCain voted to ban the practice of 'fetal farming,' making it a federal crime for researchers to use cells or fetal tissue from an embryo created for research purposes. Furthermore, he voted to ban attempts to use or obtain human cells gestated in animals. Finally, John McCain strongly opposes human cloning and voted to ban the practice, and any related experimentation, under federal law. As president, John McCain will strongly support funding for promising research programs, including amniotic fluid and adult stem cell research and other types of scientific study that do not involve the use of human embryos. Where federal funds are used for stem cell research, Senator McCain believes clear lines should be drawn that reflect a refusal to sacrifice moral values and ethical principles for the sake of scientific progress, and that any such research should be subject to strict federal guidelines."
Labels: 2008 presidential race, american papist exclusive, embryonic stem cell research, john mccain, life issues, lifesciences legislation
On Wednesday I attended an official book launch hosted by InsideCatholic of Deal Hudson's new book "Onward Christian Soldiers," in downtown Washington DC, and which featured a short speech by Senator Sam Browback.Many books have been written about the so-called Religious Right in American politics. Deal Hudson's new book, Onward, Christian Soldiers: The Growing Political Power of Catholics and Evangelicals in the United States, published by Simon & Schuster, documents the surprising role of Catholics in the creation of the religious conservative movement. Hudson conducted dozens of interviews with religious and political leaders to explore the history and significance of Catholics in the conservative movement. He looks not only at Catholic contributions beginning in the 70s but also the specifically Catholic controversies that arose along the way.
Hudson has written an insider's jewel on the political and cultural dynamics that have affected presidential politics over the past several decades. It is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of politics and religion in the twenty-first century. Professors and pundits alike will repair to this book for years to come."
Labels: american papist exclusive, catholic books, catholicism and politics, inside catholic, local politics
As of right now (3:42pm on Palm Sunday) it would appear that someone has hacked and uploaded insulting images onto the American website of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
As of 8:30pm EST, the website is still comprimised. Here is an image of what the homepage looks like:
I would recommend to not visit the website until control of it has been restored. Hackers can also upload viruses and trojans onto compromised web pages, and they might upload offensive images.
More from Will:
The pictures of the Jerusalem cross have been replaced by the face of some Muslim cleric (the Ayatollah?), and the pictures of the Cardinal Grand Master replaced by those of a donkey.
Get that? They replaced the Cardinal Grand Master's image with a picture of a donkey.
As for the phrase "al sana kardinal", I do not speak Arabic, but I was able to find that "sana" means "illustrious splendor". It would be helpful if someone could help us with an accurate translation.
Finally, it goes without saying that this is an offensive act of internet terrorism, and that because such acts are becoming more and more frequent, it is important that the culprits be brought to swift justice.
The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre should not only notify their ISP, they should notify the U.S. government.
Labels: catholic media, jihad, terrorism
Ken88 found this photo, and has several more of similar high-quality. Fr. Z has more from the Mass.
It appears that this is the same papal cross staff used by Popes Pius XI & XII, as this photo suggests. update: and now TNLM notes that Pope John XIII used the "conciliar cross" as well.
Pope Benedict also strongly decried the atrocities in Iraq, saying "enough with massacres, enough violence, enough hatred in Iraq!" This week, Iragi Archbishop Rahho was found dead after being kidnapped.
Labels: cool, liturgy, photos, vatican affairs
From the Canadian Press, Vatican City press office:Pope Benedict on Saturday set the founder of the Knights of Columbus, one of the world's largest lay Catholic groups, on the path to possible beatification and sainthood, the Vatican said.
The Pope recognized the "heroic virtues" of reverend Michael McGivney, who in 1882 created a fraternal society for Catholic men who suffered discrimination because of their religion and immigrant origins.
...
The effort to canonize him was opened in 1997. That process received important support last year, when the Vatican's No. 2 official, Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, celebrated mass at the Knights of Columbus annual meeting in Tennessee and said he would work to have the priest declared a saint.
... Only one who has lived the Christian life in an extraordinary manner, who has manifested "heroic virtue," can be seriously considered for canonization.
The Holy Father looks to a sign from God as confirmation of God's positive judgment concerning beatification or canonization. Miracles are a positive sign that God indeed confirms the decision of the Church.
"The Holy Father today received in private audience Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins C.M.F., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorised the promulgation of decrees concerning the following causes ... Servant of God Michael McGivney, American diocesan priest and founder of the Knights of Columbus (1852-1890).
Labels: canonization, knights of columbus, saint stories, vatican affairs
Labels: humor, photo caption call
Georgetown's Center for Applied Research on the Apostolate (CARA) says:
60% of Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays in Lent.
Actually, that's higher than I would have guessed.
The percentage jumps far higher if you also regularly attend Mass on Sundays - 89%.
44% of Catholics try to "undertake some special spiritual effort" during Lent. Sunday-goers? 85%.
Standing in line at one of Catholic University's cafeterias today, and watching all the kids order chicken, I wondered how many Catholics under 30 abstain from meat. I'd like to see the CARA findings by age.
Labels: catholic tips, information, world trends
Wow. Archbishop Burke is on a roll:I have communicated with both Mr. Rozanski and Ms. Krauze that the Board of Saint Stanislaus Kostka Corporation is in schism, the parish had been suppressed, and that if they joined the board, they would be knowingly joining a sect that held and professed views outside the communion of the Catholic Church. Because they joined the board knowing this information, they excommunicated themselves from the Catholic Church. Church law requires me to publicly declare the excommunication.
The situation of Mr. Rozanski and Ms. Krause is sad for the whole Church. It is cause of great concern for me as archbishop. Please join me in praying that both will be reconciled with the Church and that the great harm which has been caused to the Church, with the help of God’s grace, will be healed.
A Q&A for this set of excommunications has been available here.
That brings it up to five excommunications in two days. Someone decided to clear off his desk before Easter.
Ph/t: TheTimman of St. Louis Catholic, who has much more on the story.
Labels: archbishop burke, bishop backbone, canon law, excommunication
Labels: Catholic Blog Awards, get involved
Labels: bobby jindal
It's Friday, so I figure I'm permitted some blog title levity.Labels: American Papist
The AmP postmortem on "Mahoneyfest '08"Labels: catholic controversy, liturgical abuse, mahony
Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis has today excommunicated three women of the archdiocese who participated in an attempted ordination on November 11th, 2007.update: expert commentary from Canonist Ed Peters:As Archbishop of St. Louis, it is my responsibility to safeguard the unity of the Catholic Church and protect the souls of the faithful.
I have communicated with Ms. Fresen, Ms. Hudson, and Ms. McGrath, and informed them that if they participated in an attempted female ordination, they would be excommunicating themselves from the Catholic Church. In the apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, Pope John Paul II reaffirmed that the Catholic Church has no authority to confer priestly ordination on women. This teaching is to be held definitively by all the faithful as belonging to the deposit of faith. Because they participated in the attempted ordination, Church law requires me to publicly declare the excommunication.
The situation is sad for the whole Church. It is cause of great concern for me as archbishop. Please join me in praying that both will be reconciled with the Church and that the great harm which has been caused to the Church, with the help of God's grace, will be healed.
I would like to say that Abp. Raymond Burke's excommunication of three women who recently participated in a pseudo-ordination in Saint Louis is a "text-book illustration" of how (non-judicial) excommunication is supposed to be applied in the Church today, but I can't say that: Why not? Because Abp. Burke's attention to juridic detail and his provision for the pastoral care of the people in his care so exceeds what the textbooks teach, that it is the textbooks that must copy from him, not him from the textbooks.Peters (my father) has also published a book on excommunication, entitled "Excommunication and the Catholic Church: Straight Answers to Tough Questions."
[Read why here]

Recent scholarship affirms that women were ordained in the first twelve hundred years of the church’s history. The first half of the church’s history provides us with images and accounts of the inclusion of women in Holy Orders that contradict the later prohibition. The evidence provides a tradition we reclaim.With facts like this one, I wonder how they can claim that the Catholic Church is out of touch.
Labels: archbishop burke, bishop backbone, canon law, excommunication, women priests
Fr. Z reproduces the main points of Marco Tosatti writing for the daily La Stampa on the same topic.A new papal encyclical on Catholic social teaching will be released on May 1, according to the Italian ANSA news agency.
The Vatican has not commented on the timing of the encyclical's appearance.
In an interview carried on February 29 by the Italian daily La Repubblica, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone confirmed reports that the Pope would soon release his third encyclical, and that it would be dedicated to "international social problems, with special focus on developing nations."
ANSA said that the encyclical will be entitled Caritas in Veritate ["Charity in Truth"], and will build upon the previous encyclicals Populorum Progressio by Pope Paul VI and Sollicituod Rei Socialis by Pope John Paul II.
The ANSA report said that the publication of the encyclical could possibly be delayed by difficulties in translating the document into Chinese.
Labels: Catholic documents, church rumors, encyclicals
Ph/t: Ignatius Insight.
Labels: catholic media, catholic tips, videos
CNN has published a typically-incompetent attempt to discuss the points-of-comparison between the traditional Catholic sacrament of confession and the fake, trendy online substitutes that have appeared in recent years across the web."The Georgetown University study, which came out in 2005, found a significant decline in Catholics who go to confession. Although the Roman Catholic Church officially opposes online confessions, the Archdiocese of Washington used radio advertisements last year to encourage sinners to return to the sacrament. And in Chicago, Illinois, five parishes hosted "24 Hours of Grace" with rotating priests."You've got to be kidding me. Did the author really just try to claim a contradiction between the Church's opposition to "online confessions" and the fact that the Church advertises traditional confession on the radio ("Although...")?! Even the next sentence about penance services in Chicago do nothing to support the author's conclusion. Yes, the Church is against online confessions; yes, the Church is attempting to make traditional Confession more available. What's so hard about that?
Labels: guarding the sacraments, Media Bias, world trends
Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop in Iraq who was kidnapped last month, has been found dead, an Italian Catholic news agency quoted an Iraqi bishop as saying on Thursday.
"Archbishop Rahho is dead. We found his lifeless body near Mosul. The kidnappers had buried him," Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad was quoted as telling SIR, the news agency of the Italian Bishops' Conference.
Rahho was seized on Feb. 29 after gunmen attacked his car in eastern Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, killing his driver and two guards.
Pope Benedict is "profoundly moved and saddened" by the death of Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop in Iraq who was kidnapped last month, a Vatican spokesman said on Thursday."
All of us had continued to pray and hope for his release, which the Pope had repeatedly urged," Father Federico Lombardi said in a statement shortly after news of the death.
Pope Benedict on Thursday condemned the death of the kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop in Iraq as "an act of inhuman violence that offends the dignity of the human being".
The Pope made his comments in a telegram sent to Iraqi Catholic Church leaders after the discovery of the body of Paulos Faraj Rahho, who was abducted last month.
update 2: the latest...
Requiscat In Pace.Labels: breaking news, prayer requests
Labels: photo caption call
My esteemed colleague in papist punditry, Curt Jester, has also been voted into the top 10 of the 2008 CBA’s “Funniest Catholic Blog” category. In his ingenious (tongue-in-cheek) style, he has launched a “negative campaign ad” against myself and the other top 10 nominees. “I wanna thank you’all for coming out this evening. I know most of you have jobs and obligations, but have still managed to be here, and I appreciate that. But folks, I want to set the record straight on a few matters. I want to give you some strait, frank talk.
You’ve all probably heard the claims made by a notable opponent of mine recently. And while I respect this individual, I don’t think he’s being quite fair to me, or honest with you.
*boos and hisses heard in crowd.*
Now, now. It’s all right. We’re used to this sort of thing. It’s the same tired politics that some individuals are unable to avoid. That’s not the way I choose to operate, or conduct my campaign. But that’s a separate issue. For now, let’s get to my first point.
You’ve heard it said, for instance, by some, that word order makes a difference. Some people see fit to cast an aspersion on my character because I may choose to proceed one word – Papist – with another word – American. Well let me say right back: word order does indeed make a difference.
We all know that. But more important is what words you use. Now I think all of us would agree that I am both a Papist and an American. And to anyone who’s tried to say “PapistAmerican” and felt it to be a tongue-twister, well, that’s the only reason I’ve chosen to use the phrase “AmericanPapist.” I stand on my record in supporting Papists before Americans, and have done so for a long time, back when some other individuals in this race could barely spell either word, or find the Vatican on a map of Italy.
*wild cheers and applause.*
Thank you! Now on to my last point - bear with me, bear with me here – this is important, too:
You’ve maybe heard it said that I’m a prideful person, going around claiming to be not your average Catholic.
*scattered laughter.*
I know, it’s pretty comical, isn't it? But folks, let me just say, without a moment's hesitation, that I am not your average Catholic – and neither are you! The people down inside the St. Blog’s beltway want to practice “Catholicism as usual.” To them I say, we won’t stand for “Catho