Papist Picture of the Day - 7/31/08

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Next vacation, the Pope decided, he would bring friends.

[source: REUTERS/Osservatore Romano (ITALY)]

"Pope’s prayer intentions for August released"

Without further eloquence:

The Vatican's Press Office released the Holy Father's prayer intentions for the month of August today.

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for is: "That the human family may know how to respect God's design for the world and thus become ever more aware of the great gift of God which Creation represents for us."

His mission intention is: "That the answer of the entire people of God to the common vocation to sanctity and mission may be promoted and fostered, with careful discernment of the charisms and a constant commitment to spiritual and cultural formation." (CNA)

Photo Caption Call - 7/31/08

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[Source: Flickr user "Dunarth"]

(and yes, it's real.)

"Protestant pastor apologizes to Catholics over minister’s role in female ‘ordinations’"

So welcome to see this.

First, the context:

Just over a week ago, the dissident group Womenpriests claimed to “ordain” three women as priests at a Boston-area Church of Christ location. The move was condemned by the Archdiocese of Boston and now the Rev. David Runnion-Bareford, a Church of Christ minister, is apologizing to the archdiocese for his fellow minister’s sanctioning of the event.

On Sunday, July 20, Roman Catholic Womenpriests held an alleged ordination ceremony of three women at the Church of the Covenant, which is affiliated with both the Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Christ (UCC).

Now, the response:

Rev. David Runnion-Bareford, Executive Director of the Confessing Movement in the United Church of Christ, responded to the situation by sending an open letter to Boston area Catholics via Cardinal Sean O'Malley. In his letter, he apologized for the "division and confusion" caused by Rev. Nancy Taylor and the Church of the Covenant—the church were the ceremony was held.

"Please accept our deepest and sincere apology for the behavior of Rev. Nancy Taylor of Old South Church, UCC and the UCC related Church of the Covenant. They do not reflect the heart and mind of our United Church of Christ whose premise is 'that all may be one.' Those of us who truly value the unity of all Christians and treasure our ecumenical relationships with you as Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ are grieved,” Runnion-Bareford wrote.

Right, anytime a protestant minister facilitates such an action it is a slap in the face to the discipline and doctrine of the Catholic Church.

He continues:

The Confessing Movement UCC pastor also said that his movement is also “fully aware that this event was not motivated by a sincere desire to honor the call of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the ministry of committed Christian women.”

Rev. Runnion-Bradford further criticized the women for refusing to take a vow of chastity and for promoting a self-centered gospel, citing the “Body, Sex and Gender” section of the group’s web page.

“We know that 'Womenpriests' openly include candidates who are engaged in the practice of sexual license. It is significant that the participants would not take the vow of obedience or chastity. We are aware of the statements on their website proclaiming a false gospel of self and mutual affirmation, denying the fall of humanity and our need for repentance from sin and personal transformation through the atoning crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

"We note that it is not incidental that this event was hosted in Boston by a church that is prideful about its aggressive religious sanction of homosexual, bi-sexual and transgender relationships and same gender 'marriage.' We also note that the pansexual activist group Integrity participated and assisted with hospitality," Runnion-Bradford observed in his letter.

Would that the official Catholic response similarly took these women to task for these factors.

Text: Excerpt of Vatican's communique to ex-bishop Lugo

Translated exclusviely for AmP by a Spanish-speaking friend:

The recent situation which has been created with the election of Mons. Fernando Lugo President of the Republic of Paraguay demands another consideration of, for the good of the country and so that the charge of President of the Republic and the Episcopal ministry can be clearly and definitively distinguished, the petition that he presented in his day that the loss of his clerical state be conceded. In effect, his acceptance of the charge of President of the Republic of Paraguay is not compatible with the obligations of Episcopal ministry and clerical state.

In this way, having carefully examined all the circumstances, His Holiness Benedict XVI has conceded for him the loss of clerical state, with the corresponding loss of those rights inherent to that state, dispensing him at the same time of his religious vows made in the Society of the Divine Word, of the obligation to celibacy (cf. CIC can. 291), and of the other obligations which make up the clerical state (cf. CIC can. 292).

The Pontiff exhorts to Mr. Fernando Armindo Lugo Mendez to be faithful to the Catholic faith in which he was baptized and to live a life coherent with the Gospel.

Note the use of "Mr." (as opposed to "Rev.") in the final address.

The original, full Spanish text is available here.

"Sen. McCain holds private meeting with Archbishop Chaput"

Scant little details:

Senator John McCain is paying his second visit to Colorado in less than a week and on this trip he is taking time to meet privately with Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver.

At 9:30 on Wednesday morning, John McCain and his wife Cindy met with Denver’s Archbishop Charles Chaput. The archbishop described the meeting as private and told CNA that no comment would be forthcoming. (CNA)

Off the top of my head, Abp. Chaput has been an active supporter of immigrants' rights (where he would find common ground with McCain), and also Abp. Chaput has a forthcoming book on Catholic faith and voting (which Inside Catholic mentioned will be published "well in time for November's election").

Most to the point, I think, with Abp. Burke out of the country, Abp. Chaput is the most notable bishop who "strongly implied in 2004 that voting for a pro-choice candidate was a serious sin" (this blogger's words, not mine).

Abp. Chaput has, for instance, called out the group "Roman Catholics for Obama '08" and demanded they ask Obama to "become pro-life, instead of overlooking his support for abortion in favor of other issues of concern to Catholics" (derivative source: CNA).

More than a throwaway meeting, this sit down of McCain and Abp. Chaput.

Unearthed Vatican Letter to Bishops Emphasizes Choice of Defiance

Wow, I knew this happened, but the documentation makes it crystal clear:

During the tumultuous years of the 1960's Pope Paul VI published a controversial encyclical, Humanae Vitae, which addressed the issue of birth control in light of the arrival of the birth control pill.

Today LifeSiteNews.com is publishing a recently unearthed letter which was sent to Bishops with a pre-release copy of the encyclical. The letter, dated July 19, 1968, is signed by the late Amleto Giovanni Cardinal Cicognani, who was then-Secretary of the Vatican Secretariat of State.

The outright defiance of many priests and even bishops to Pope Paul VI's encyclical - which restated and reinforced the Church's long-time opposition to artificial birth control - is even graver in light of the carefully worded letter the bishops received specifically pointing to the urgent need for unity on the matter.

[Read more about the letter.]

[Read the actual text of the letter.]

Meanwhile? Are Catholics ready to hear about the Church's teaching?

Maybe not everwhere, but sometimes ... they applaud.

"Pope's vacation writing project remains a mystery"

I though the papal spokesperson was supposed to dispel and abate rumors, not encourage them!

The director of the Vatican press office has told reporters that during his current vacation in Bressanone, Italy, Pope Benedict XVI might be drafting a new book, an encyclical-- or something entirely different.

The papal spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, had earlier told journalists that the Holy Father would spend some of his vacation time on a writing project. He pointed out that there are two projects known to be on the Pope's active agenda: a second volume of his work on Jesus Christ and an encyclical devoted to Catholic social teaching.

However, Father Lombardi observed that the Pope could have other ideas. He reminded reporters of the Pope's summer surprise last year, "when we were all expecting the social encyclical after his vacation in Cadore and instead he wrote Spe salvi.” Spe Salvi, the Pope's second encyclical, was devoted to the theological virtue of hope. (CWNews)

Reporter #1: "Is it true the pope intends to excommunicate John Kerry?"

Lombardi: "Absolutely false! ... or ... IS IT?! *mystery eyes* Ahem - next question?"

Reporter #2: "Does the Pope have any major announcements scheduled for August?"

Lombardi: "None whatsoever. But keep in mind, last time I said that he announced the Motu Proprio!"

(*sheesh!*)

"Contraceptives affect environment too, water expert tells conference"

Truth makes interesting bedfellows, in this case pro-lifers and environmentalists (and no, I'm not saying they're contradictory causes, I'm saying that often, sadly, the latter are at-odds with the former):

Mark W. LeChevallier agrees with Dr. Lester Ruppersberger, a pro-life obstetrician and gynecologist, that natural family planning is safe, healthy and effective. But he would add one more characteristic: It's environmentally responsible.

... In a talk with the daunting title of "Endocrine Disruptions: Chemical Contraceptives in Sewage Effluents," LeChevallier explained that like secondhand smoke, "secondhand estrogens are being released into the environment," to devastating effect on fish, panthers, alligators and other wildlife. (CNS)

I'm not sure I'd take it quite this far:

He said touting the environmental benefits of natural family planning "can be a new way to evangelize youths" and attract them to the church-approved method of postponing pregnancy.

The real way to attract them is the physiological, psychological and spiritual benefits, but sure - environmental as well. The rest of what he says is sound, informed and so desparately needs to be heard by our culture and youth especially.

Picture: Civic Planning with a Moral Message

Some folks might get a bit irked at me for linking to this.

Oh well.

Cardinal Levada opens up lines of communication with traditional Anglicans

This is how stuff gets done:

A traditionalist Anglican group has received strong Vatican encouragement for its hopes of "corporate unity" with the Catholic Church.

Archbishop John Hepworth, the head of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) has received a message from Cardinal William Levada, the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), promising "serious attention" to the proposals that the TAC submitted to the Vatican last year. In a visit to the CDF last October, Archbishop Hepworth explored the possibility that the TAC might be received into communion with the Holy See.

... The Anglican prelate said that he had written promptly to thank Cardinal Levada for his encouragement, "reaffirming our determination to achieve the unity for which Jesus prayed with such intensity at the Last Supper, no matter what the personal cost this might mean in our discipleship." (CWNews)

Confirmed: Vatican laicizes former bishop to become president of Paraguay

If it's true [update: it is true], this is the first time it's happened, and Cardinal Re was mistake in his prognosis (see below):

Pope Benedict granted Paraguay's president-elect a historic waiver to allow the former bishop to take office next month without violating church rules, a Vatican representative said on Wednesday.

The Pope gave Fernando Lugo a special dispensation, downgrading him to layman's status, said Orlando Antonini, the Vatican's ambassador to Asuncion.

Lugo was elected president in April, ending more than 60 years of one-party rule in the poor South American country notorious for corruption and contraband.

"It's the first time this is granted. It was accepted because the people have chosen him and ... because his clerical status is incompatible with serving as president," Antonini told a news conference.

"The Pope has granted him the loss of his clerical status ... he's a layman now," Antonini said after meeting with Lugo. (Reuters)

I'm surprised that this story is not being reported more widely. Reuters, however, can normally be trusted to get this sort of thing basically right [update: it did this time.]

Prensa Latina adds more details:

Papal Nuncio to Paraguay Orlando Antonini delivered Lugo the resolution in which the former San Pedro bishop requested on December 28, 2007 the loss of his clerical state to aspire to the presidency in the April 20 general elections.

"The Holy See after trying to dissuade Lugo not to present himself to the Republic's presidency has suspended him in the priestly exercise," said Antonini, who noted that the Pope granted him a definitive and perpetual dispensation.

This really is the final resolution, arriving earlier than expected.

Back in May, when I last covered this story, Cardinal Re said this solution was impossible:

Lugo was named a bishop in 1994. He had since asked Benedict XVI to be able to "renounce his ecclesial ministry […] to take up again the condition of a layperson in the Church."

The petition was not accepted because, as Cardinal Re noted, "the episcopacy is a service accepted freely forever."

Curious and Curiouser.

update: considering they held a press conference, I'd say it's official:



Orlando Antonini, Vatican's ambassador to Asuncion, speaks during a news conference, in Asuncion July 30, 2008, after a meeting with Paraguay's President-elect Fernando Lugo. Pope Benedict granted Paraguay's president-elect a historic waiver to allow the former bishop to take office next month without violating church rules, Antonini said on Wednesday. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno (PARAGUAY)



Paraguay's President-elect Fernando Lugo (L) meets with Orlando Antonini, Vatican's ambassador to Asuncion, in Asuncion July 30, 2008. REUTERS/Jorge Adorno (PARAGUAY)

update 2: The Associated Press reports.

update 3: Here is the text of the Vatican communique from Cardinal Re in Spanish, with excerpts of it here in English. update 4: Here is an English translation of the most important part of the communique.

Picture: How reformed are you?

Dawn discovers that the Episcopalian Rev. Tommy Allen, is a "closet papist!"

(So does this mean he is very reformed or unreformed, I wonder?)

Picture: Mangificent Church in Oxford

Your moment of liturgical zen, brought to you by the New Liturgical Movement:

There's more.

Tip: The Art of Manliness Website

I think this is one of the web's best kept secrets. It's an entire website/forum (and fascinating, informative) blog as a place for men to learn how to be better men.

I haven't tracked this down for sure, but I'm almost positive that Christians run it.

They frequently discuss virtue, prayer, how to treat women properly, and other decidedly non-mainstream talking points.

For instance, instead of the usual pictures of scantily clad females, AoM offers posts like "How to Give Flowers Like a Victorian Gentleman" & "4 Ways to Date Your Wife All Over Again."

Isn't that great stuff?

Bookmark it, then show your sons/friends.

Note: John Allen (personally) and National "Catholic" Reporter on Humanae Vitae

Fr. Z takes a look at both:

• John Allen gets a "pass" to "good"
• National Catholic Reporter gets a "fail" to "excommunicate"

I'm pleased to see the former, and not surprised to see the latter.

Update: Body ID'd as priest who flew on party balloons

The foreseen conclusion:

DNA tests confirmed that a body found off the coast of Brazil is that of a priest who disappeared while flying over the Atlantic buoyed by hundreds of brightly colored party balloons, authorities said Tuesday.

The Rev. Adelir Antonio de Carli set off from the Brazilian port city of Paranagua on April 20 strapped to 1,000 helium-filled balloons in an attempt to raise money to build a rest stop and worship center for truckers.

But the 41-year-old Roman Catholic priest soon lost contact with his ground team, and the cluster of yellow, orange, pink and white balloons was found in the water a day later. (CNN)

The reaction:

The brother, Moacir de Carli, said the news came as a relief.

"Now we can have a respectable burial service," he told the Agencia Estado news service.

For several days after the priest's disappearance, rescue crews in boats, planes and helicopters scoured a vast stretch of ocean and densely forested mountains.

God rest his soul. And for the rest of us - let's stick to prayer and dry land.

Photo Caption Call - 7/29/08

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[Source: Flickr.]

Planned Parenthood's latest teen web site most offensive yet

Dawn peers into the lion's den (again):

American Life League reports on Planned Parenthood's latest teen Web site, TakeCareDownThere.org (see video here).

As usual, ALL errs on the side of restraint, demurring from showing the most offensive material on the site. In plain fact, TakeCareDownThere.org, which is run by Planned Parenthood's Pacific Northwest chapter Planned Parenthood Columbia Williamette, is so gratuitously exploitative of underage teenagers that it makes the national organization's Teenwire look like Abstinence Clearinghouse by comparison.

I am sorry to be in the position of recommending you view the site. It is especially not for those who practice what Christians call "custody of the eyes" (and ears). But, because TakeCareDownThere is a taxpayer-funded site that targets children, I believe it is important to have an idea of just what Planned Parenthood is promoting. The site's pro-promiscuity agenda is truly degrading to human beings in general and children in particular.

[Continue reading.]

PP received 336.7 million dollars of our taxpayer money last year.

Noted: Excommunication Lifted for 3 in St. Louis

See? You can get un-excommunicated:

Three leaders of a former St. Louis parish who incurred excommunication for hiring a suspended priest have been reconciled with the Church.

According to a statement last week from the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Bernice Krauze, Stanley Rozanski and Robert Zabielski, members of the Board of Directors of St. Stanislaus Parish Corporation, met in June with Archbishop Raymond Burke to be reconciled fully with the Church.

"They are once again in full communion with the Catholic Church and are no longer under any censure," the archdiocese reported. (Zenit)

The Church takes far more joy in welcoming someone back from being excommunicated than excommunicating them in the first place (the only joy to be had in the first place is that the offender hopefully clearly understands the gravity of their offense and may then take the necessary steps to reconcile, as happened in this case).

Awesome Video: Spanish 6-Foot High Incense "Boat"

This knocks my papist socks off (jump to about midway through if you are impatient):

It's called the Botafumeiro (literally, "the smoke boat"):

The Botafumeiro is a famous thurible found in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Incense is burned in this swinging metal container, or "incensory".

The Santiago de Compostela Botafumeiro is one of the largest censers in the world, weighing [approx.] 80 kg and measuring 1.60 m in height. It is normally on exhibition in the library of the cathedral, but during certain important religious occasions it is brought to the floor of the cathedral and attached to ropes hung from the pulley mechanism.

Shovels are used to fill the Botafumeiro, or the Alcachofa, with about 40 kg of charcoal and incense. The thurible is tied to the rope with elaborate knots. The censer is pushed initially to start its motion. Eight red-robed tiraboleiros pull the ropes, producing increasingly large oscillations of the censer. The turible's swings almost reach the ceiling of the transept. The incensory can reach speeds of 68 km/h as it dispenses thick clouds of incense.

It costs about 250€ for each thurible "performance" at the cathedral. Although this is expensive, the swinging of the thurible is very popular with pilgrims, tourists and visitors.

The Botafumeiro produces large volumes of smoke. This is in accord with the well-known saying in religious circles, "More incense, less nonsense." [Wikipedia] Here is a video taken from the sacristy with it in motion: