Update: WYD condom-throwers could face jail

I somewhat indecorously described this sort of thing earlier as something that "ticks me off."

Looks like the aussies don't have much patience with this sort of thing either:

Protesters planning to hand out condoms to Catholic pilgrims during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Australia this month face arrest under special new police powers, critics said on Tuesday.

Police and emergency service volunteers will be able to stop conduct that "causes annoyance or inconvenience to participants" in World Youth Day events expected to draw hundreds of thousands of young people to Sydney. (AFP)

Update 2: More details from the Associated Press:

New regulations give police and emergency services workers the power to order anyone to stop behavior that "causes annoyance or inconvenience to participants in a World Youth Day event," according to a New South Wales state government gazette. Anyone who does not comply faces a $5,300 fine.

Flash: Thieves raid Archbishop's home while he is in Rome

Despicable:

A weekend that was set to be a glorious one for the Twin Cities' new archbishop as he traveled to Rome has coincided with a major crime at home, church officials learned Monday.

An overnight burglary at the residence of Archbishop John Nienstedt, leader of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, appears to have netted the thief or thieves the gem- and precious-metal-laden rings and crosses worn by bishops throughout the archdiocese's 150-year-plus history.

"These things are historically and reverentially irreplaceable," Dennis McGrath, spokesman for the archdiocese, said Monday. "They're beyond value."

Believed to be missing, as well, are rosaries and a small safe, he said, adding: "It's like a historical treasure trove, if you will." (Minn-St. Paul Star Tribune)

Things don't go well for those who steal sacred articles.

The latest Reality TV phenomenon? A french seminarian.

Not sure how I feel about this:

The French love of reality programmes encompasses the music talent show Star Academy, match-making for lonely rural farmers and a polite version of Wife Swap - On a echangé nos mamans. But now the French Catholic church has jumped on the bandwagon with a show about priests that has become an internet phenomenon.

The diocese of Besançon in eastern France has launched Prêtre Academy - Priest Academy - to mark its first ordination of a new local priest for three years.

In episodes available online, viewers can watch the new recruit, Franck Ruffiot, 30, demonstrate how he prays, pay a visit to trendy contemporary artist friend and explain his feelings in a diary room. Two slightly older priests, Michel and Christophe, are followed in their daily lives.

The online show began as a marketing drive to reach young people as the church struggles with declining numbers - each year 500 priests retire or die in France while only 100 recruits join the clergy. But the short episodes showing the priests' somewhat mundane local lives have become a kind of light-hearted cult viewing online, with the first two instalments netting more than150,000 hits and the final episode due this week. (UK Guardian)

Purient interest or authentic fascination?

Youth challenged to debate creation and evolution at WYD

Nice to see:

The organizers of World Youth Day 2008, which will be held July 15-20 in Sydney, are preparing a debate on creation and evolution which will be moderated by Cardinal Cristoph Schönborn of Vienna.

WYD Coordinator and Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney said, "This is a time for the youth of the world to come together and discuss the critical challenges and issues facing society today." Other issues to be discussed include the correct meaning of sexuality, the millennium objectives, the true role and identity of women, among others.

There will be total of 450 events during WYD, with more than 100 ecclesial movements present to provide young people information on vocations to different ministries within the Church. (CNA)

It's good to see this happening because so much of education on this topic in the U.S. is little more than indoctrination.

New title exposes the evils of cohabitation

Zenit:

Living together before marriage is a very common practice for couples in many countries. Many defend it on the basis that it enables the future husband and wife to get to know each other better.

Abundant evidence exists, however, that cohabitation is more of an obstacle rather than an advantage in preparing for marriage. Michael and Harriet McManus recently published “Living Together: Myths, Risks and Answers (Howard Books)", which documents their research on the topic.

Once again, experience and data prove the wisdom of the teaching.

Globetrotter: "Pope Benedict considering trip to Africa in 2009"

Welcome news:

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Avvenire, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, pointed out that Pope Benedict XVI would like to visit Africa in 2009, although his travel agenda for next year "has not yet been fixed."

Cardinal Bertone also added that, "The Church in Africa deserves a trip by the Pope, who has already visited or is preparing to visit the other continents." (CNA)

In a backhand way, Bertone just added another confirmation that China is in the works as well.

Picture: Schroeder gets Canonized

The Presbyterian response to Catholic's St. Cecilia (patron saint of musicians):

This is an actual stained glass window.

Ph/t: Curt Jester via Stained Glass Buffalo.

Photopost: Mass & Burial of aborted infants in Detroit

Diane reports on the strong showing of local support and witness:

It is an act of mercy to bury the dead. These babies got a funeral and burial with the highest level of dignity. I can't say how many people were there, but believe there were no less than 600. All I know is that the Sanctuary was full of clerics and altar boys, the pews were filled to capacity, the wooden risers periodically used by the choir in the back were full, and people were still standing in the aisles, in the vestibule, and even out on the front steps.

She has published an extensive and exemplary photopost of the event.

Papist Picture of the Day - 6/28/08

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

Today's notable papal gift? A 16th century version of Pac-Man.

[source: .(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, Pool)]

Photos: American Archbishops receive the pallium in Rome

Looking good:

"Edwin Frederick O'Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, US, is embraced by Pope Benedict XVI after receiving his pallium". (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

"John Clayton Nienstedt, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, US, walks away from Pope Benedict XVI, behind him, after receiving his pallium (white and black woolen shawl) during a Mass celebrated by the pontiff and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, not pictured, in St. Peter's Basilica, Sunday, June 29, 2008. The Mass marking the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul included readings from the Gospels in Latin and Greek by Catholic and Orthodox clerics. During the ceremony Benedict bestowed the pallium on 40 archbishops from around the world to symbolize their bond with the Vatican. One by one the archbishops, wearing crimson vestments, knelt before the pope to receive the shawl and the pontiff's embrace. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)"

Related: Pope calls new Archbishops to ecclesial unity and fidelity (CNA)

AmP on the road: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

During my recent visit to St. Louis, MO I had the opportunity of visiting the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis [wikipedia], the seat (until August) of Archbishop Raymond Burke.

I was lucky enough to show up at the cathedral precisely when a tour was starting, which I decided to follow around. If facts and figures are your thing, the 83,000 square feet of mosaic art in this Church have been under construction for a period of 75 years I found out!

Pope Paul VI called it the "outstanding cathedral of the Americas" and having been myself, I can see why. It's certainly one of the most beautiful churches I've seen in the Americas, and the most beautiful large one. There's a wealth of artistic and architectural styles harmoniously integrated in its cavernous interior.

The Cathedral Basilica's website offers an online tour of it's art. I took a few pictures myself:

This one below intrigued me - I had never seeing an "Hourglass Angel" before. Have you?

The rest of the pictures are in a new AmericanPapist Flickr Album.

I also took a video of the cathedral interior and put it on my YouTube channel:

If you ever have the opportunity of visiting the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica - do so!

Photo: Simply Stunning Papal Vestments Worn Today

Wow:

"Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead the Vespri's ceremony at the St. Paolo's Basilica in Rome June 28, 2008."

REUTERS/Tony Gentile (ITALY)

More photos at NLM. CNA has launched a website dedicated to this Year of St. Paul.

Flash: Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis assigned high-level post in Rome

The notification from today's Vatican news bulletin:

The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke of Saint Louis, U.S.A., as prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

This is big news. It is a gain for the universal church on the one hand, and a loss for the Church in America on the other. But that's just a start. (For previous coverage of stories related to Abp. Burke, click here).

Related links:

• CNS: Pope appoints U.S. Archbishop Burke to head Vatican's highest court
• St. Louis Catholic: Holy Father Tabs Archbishop Burke as Prefect of Apostolic Signatura
• STLToday: Burke leaving St. Louis for Rome; what’s next for the local Catholic church?
• AMDG: St Louis Loses Archbishop Burke to Rome
• AP: St. Louis Archbishop gets Vatican post

Update, more links:

• Whispers: The "Chief Justice": A St Louis Cardinal
• John Allen: Burke to head Vatican's supreme court
• Ed Peters: First thoughts on Abp. Burke's promotion to the Signatura

Update 2, more links and news:

• CNS: Pope appoints U.S. Archbishop Burke to head Vatican's highest court
• Whispers: More Burke (read the screed quoted from Fr. Thomas Reese)

Finally, at the Archdiocesan website, the following announcement:

he Archdiocesan College of Consultors―a seven-member board of advisors made up of priests of the Archdiocese of St. Louis―has elected the Most Rev. Robert J. Hermann, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, to serve as archdiocesan administrator.

In this role, Bishop Hermann will oversee the day-to-day operations of the archdiocese until the installation of a successor to Archbishop Raymond L. Burke.

You can also find a bevy of information (and video!) at the St. Louis Archdiocesan website about Abp. Burke's appointment, including a Q & A, the official news release (PDF), and his biography.

With all this St. Louis buzz in the air, I hope my readers will especially appreciate the exclusive post I have planned for tomorrow.... stay tuned!

[I'm trying to see if I can embed the video of the Archbishop below. If you don't see anything below, it didn't work, and you can find it right here (scroll down).]

Papist Picture of the Day - 6/27/08

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

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the ... wait, how does that go again?"

[source: REUTERS/Chris Helgren (VATICAN)]

Soon in DC, you'll be able to defend yourself again

It happened:

Silent on central questions of gun control for two centuries, the Supreme Court found its voice Thursday in a decision affirming the right to have guns for self-defense in the home and addressing a constitutional riddle almost as old as the republic over what it means to say the people may keep and bear arms.

The court's 5-4 ruling struck down the District of Columbia's ban on handguns and imperiled similar prohibitions in other cities, Chicago and San Francisco among them. Federal gun restrictions, however, were expected to remain largely intact. (AP)

While it is the talk of the town, I'm not sure that I have anything significant to contribute. Help?

Pope Benedict lauds St. Maximus for his lack of "tolerance"

Well, in effect:

Continuing his series of weekly talks on the early Church, Pope Benedict XVI devoted his public audience on June 25 to a discussion of St. Maximus the Confessor.

... Pope Benedict said that St. Maximus earned the title "Confessor" by the "dauntless courage" with which he proclaimed "the integral truth of Christ, without reduction or compromise."

The adamant stand taken by this heroic Christian teacher should be an example to contemporary Christians, the Pope said, suggesting in particular that the saint knew when to insist on truth and reject error. Christians cannot accept every thought put forward in the modern world, the Pope said. "Tolerance that does not know how to distinguish between good and evil would become chaotic and self-destructive," he said. "Dialogue that does not know what to dialogue about becomes mere empty chatter."

Like St. Maximus, believers should make Christ their fixed point of reference, and "thus we also learn how to position all other values because we discover their true significance," the Holy Father concluded. (CWNews)

Now there's marching orders. Just re-read those sentences I've underlined.

SSPX rejects Vatican offer

Mentioned recently, and (sadly) as predicted:

Bishop Bernard Fellay, the leader of the Society of St. Pius X, has rejected the terms offered by the Vatican for rejoining the Catholic Church. During a homily at one of his society’s seminaries on June 20, the schismatic bishop said that the five conditions for return were a message to “shut up.” (CNA)

Classy.

I want you .... for priestly service

Okay, I'm waiting for the vocations poster (a la Uncle Sam):

Four weeks into his new job, Fr. John McLaughlin says that that his position as the first national vocations director for the Archdiocese of the Military has so far been “a pleasurable experience.”

“The military personnel have been very welcoming,” he told CNA, adding that he has “met great service people” who are interest in the priesthood.

Early this month, Father McLaughlin, 50, left St. Monica Parish in Methuen, Massachusetts to become the first national vocations director for the Archdiocese of the Military, located in Washington, D.C. The Associated Press reports that in the new position, the priest will travel to bases around the U.S. “speaking to troops about following a commitment to their country with commitment to their religion.” (CNA)

Seriously - make it, and I'll post it.

Stuff that ticks me off....

Close to the top of the list .... anti-Catholic condom-throwers:

When Catholic youth around the world converge in Sydney, Australia for World Youth Day, they will be handed condoms in an attempt to protest the Pope’s unwavering opposition to abortion, contraception and homosexuality.

The NoToPope Coalition, a group of abortion, homosexual and atheist activists, including Raelians and the Socialist Alliance, will reportedly number between 1,000 and 5,000 protestors. They plan to distribute condoms to pilgrims en route to the Papal Mass at Randwick Racecourse July 20. (LifeSiteNews)

I remember people doing this at WYD '05 in Germany. I'm not sure if it was the same group, but it's a good thing I never personally saw them in action because I would have given them a piece of my mind - to start.

8 abortion mills close since bishop began on-site prayer

I mentioned this earlier, and it has been bearing fruit:

The Catholic Pro-Life Committee, the Respect Life Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, has reported that Aaron Women's Health Center, a late-term abortion facility in Dallas will be closing its doors on June 28. Aaron's was one of three abortion clinics in Texas authorized to perform late-term abortions on unborn babies older than 16 weeks gestation.

When Bishop Charles Grahmann began leading a monthly "Second Saturday Rosary" outside Dallas abortion clinics in 1990, there were 13 abortion clinics in the city. Seven clinics closed between 1990 and 2001, and after Aaron's closes there will remain only five freestanding abortion clinics in Dallas. The Catholic Pro-Life Committee and others have vowed to continue to pray and offer alternatives to abortion outside those remaining five clinics. (LifeSiteNews)

Leading by example, and grace through action.