Letter read to pontiff, by papal preacher sparks controversy

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa)

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Article by Marc Aupiais

In his Good Friday sermon at St. Peter's Basilica, to Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, Father Raniero Cantalamessa, who belongs to the Franciscan order, and is the preacher to the pontifical household, the man who’s preaching the pope has to listen to, made some comments which have gained global attention. His job, is not as a policy maker, but as a priest who is to preach to the pope.

Raniero Cantalamessa, compared the attacks in media outlets, such as the New York Times, to the work of the Nazis during the Shoah, or so-called Holocaust of the Second World War if major news services are to be believed. In truth he did not, he simply read a letter from a Jewish friend, which claimed that the alleged mass labelling of Catholics, and the papacy, without due process, was also bigotry and dangerous, and reminded the preacher’s Jewish friend of the work of the Nazis.

In his Homily, as published, by independent Catholic news service Zenit, but missing it seems from the Vatican’s own site, the preacher focused on violence, and how it was losing against what he saw as better forces. His statement noted solidarity with the Jews, while his unnamed Jewish friend’s letter attacked “the whole world”, which his friend claims to have seen as attacking people of faith.

Despite constant mention by some media of the accusations by the New York Times, and others about the papacy and the former Cardinal Ratzinger’s cancelling the ecclesiastical trial of a dying man, who faced no civil charges or sanctions at the time, though suspected of sexual abuse, and those involving Ratzinger’s time as Archbishop of Munich, and other accusations, these have yet to have been proven to contain apathy or conspiracy on the part of the pope, even on a balance of scales. The details are also mostly ignored, only the accusations being made, apart from the cases set out by accusers.

An article by the Associated Press, appearing in the Toronto Star, used the accusation by the Preacher of media allegedly purposely creating a tempest in a teapot: the article determined to recall Christian abuse of Jewish people, and attempted to liken the comparison by the preacher of anti-Catholic sentiment and anti-Semitism, itself to anti-Semitic claims.

The Associated Press is quick to note that Vatican representative, Rev. Federico Lombardi, contacted them afterwards, to distance the Vatican from the alleged claims by the preacher, saying that the comparison was not Vatican policy, and say the Associated Press, that Lombardi claims that the preacher was not speaking as a Vatican official.

The fact remains, that the preacher, whose job it is to mentally stimulate the pontiff, was speaking in his official capacity as Preacher to the Papal Household, though this is not a policy making position. The Associated Press also gives their opinion that the pontiff looked weary during the time in which the preaching occurred.

Vatican Radio, also notes being contacted on the issue by Lombardi, saying:

“The Director of the Holy See’s Press Office, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi issued a statement to Vatican Radio explaining the position of the Holy See.

Fr. Lombardi said the Holy See does not consider the recent criticism of the Pope over the Church’s handling of abuse of minors by priests to be in any wise similar to anti-Semitism.

He went on to explain that Fr. Cantalamessa himself intended only to share an expression of solidarity from a Jewish brother.”

The Vatican’s run-ins with the New York Times are hardly a new event, with Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese located by New York, constantly alleging bias. The Vatican itself, has previously vetted an article alleging a conspiracy against it by the London Times, New York Times and others.

We noted this accusation in our article on the 1st of May 2009: "Vatican" vetted "Jesuit" Paper: "La Civiltà Cattolica" attacks credibility of the "Times", "New York Times" and "The Washington Post", "Le Monde", "the Italian press."

According to Zenit’s rendering of the Homily, the preacher gave to the pontiff, this is what the preacher’s Jewish friend is said to have said, analysis, shows this is the actual focus of news media, these words, allegedly by an unnamed Jewish man:

"I am following with indignation the violent and concentric attacks against the Church, the Pope and all the faithful by the whole world. The use of stereotypes, the passing from personal responsibility and guilt to a collective guilt remind me of the more shameful aspects of anti-Semitism. Therefore I desire to express to you personally, to the Pope and to the whole Church my solidarity as Jew of dialogue and of all those that in the Jewish world (and there are many) share these sentiments of brotherhood. Our Passover and yours undoubtedly have different elements, but we both live with Messianic hope that surely will reunite us in the love of our common Father. I wish you and all Catholics a Good Easter."

Pope Benedict XVI, and other bishops, have themselves claimed responsibility for a collective guilt, incurred by the clergy, and hierarchy, for the sexual abuse scandal, this was done in many of the papacy’s personal apologies on behalf of the church, to many victims.

Communist Vietnam blocks globally acclaimed Catholic World News (CWNews)- CWNEWS

(Scripturelink.net News)

Notation by Marc Aupiais

Catholic Culture / Trinity Communications' Catholic World News service has allegedly been blocked by the Vietnamese Government. The service has noted their reporting on the situation in Vietnam, as a possible explanation for what they are reporting as a block against them online.

Due to the makeup of the specific site mentioned- it is unlikely that Vietnamese will be safely able to use usual methods to bypass the specific alleged block.

Several services, including Zenit News Service, AsiaNews, and Catholic World News- have reported on alleged state brutality against Catholics, reportedly conducted by Vietnam's Communist government, and allies. It is uncertain which other services, other than Catholic World News, who reported on the alleged issue, and AsiaNews, Catholic News Agency, and Independent Catholic News - have possibly been affected- if indeed the Vietnamese internet is being filtered by their national grid's possible firewall.

There has been increasing friction between the Vatican State, and the Communist Vietnamese government- over land ownership and over anti-religious violence, and censorship claims. Catholic services have increasingly been reporting on alleged violence, intimidation, sanctions against Catholics, and arrests- as well as alleged censorship.

According to Catholic World News: those blocked include:

"VietCatholic News, a service staffed by Vietnamese journalists, has long been blocked to users inside the country. Now Catholic World News, AsiaNews, Catholic News Agency, and Independent Catholic News have all been added to the list of blocked sites."
Catholic World News (Catholic Independent; American) 06 / 08 | August 2009
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=60341

Unlikely to be an error if only a number of websites have been blocked, as seems suggested:

Scripturelink.net news, recently found itself unavailable in the Republic of South Africa, along with at least one United States of America government site, however- this could well have been an error in South Africa's local system.

The report alleging the censorring of a number of websites by the Vietnamese state- in contrast- has claimed that many of those sites which reported abuse, are no longer available by ordinary methods in Vietnam.

By-passing government blocks with proxy and information masking techniques, is a likely method to be attempted by Vietnamese if the claims are true:

In situations such as that alleged by CWNEWS: browsers such as Firefox have been quite easily set up to use a proxy for every operation- thereby bypassing government or organisational information blocks, while other methods actually masking specific internet activity are well known to work- and to be in use in many instances. Both kinds of methods: having been used during the Iranian Election Saga, are likely known more widely than before. It is considered: not advisable to enter identifiable information, or passwords- over proxy- the Catholic World News site demands that users log in, after a certain amount of activity, or be denied access to their resources.

Vatican vetted Jesuit Paper: "La Civiltà Cattolica" attacks credibility of the "Times", "New York Times" and "The Washington Post", "Le Monde", "the Italian press."

(See What We See news Archive ; c.f. Pope Benedict XVI, letter/speech on Vatican site (Catholic; Hierarchical; Vatican based) 17 / 02 (February) / 2006 ; American Papist (Catholic; Independent; American) 22 / 05 (May) / 2006; Catholic Culture (American; Catholic; Independent) 01 / 05 (May) / 2009; La Civiltà Cattolica (Catholic; Italian; connected with the Vatican) issue "3813")

Article by Marc Aupiais

Known for it's defense of the Catholic position against the use of condoms, purportedly to fight the pandemic of HIV/AIDS, and for being a journal which is purportedly vetted by Vatican officials, the Jesuit La Civiltà Cattolica (The Catholic Civilization) Journal, is known for something modern Jesuits, are not generally known for in recent times, if Catholic watchdogs are to be believed: perceived fidelity to the Catholic Faith.

The La Civiltà Cattolica journal, was noted on the 17th of February 2006, by Pope Benedict XVI:

"I am pleased to welcome you with all those who collaborate with you in various capacities. I know and appreciate the work that the Journal has carried out at the Church's service since 1850, when Bl. Pius IX, my Predecessor of venerable memory, founded it. He then endowed it with a permanent special statute that established its special connection with the Holy See."

(Pope Benedict XVI, letter/speech on Vatican site (Catholic; Hierarchical; Vatican based) 17 / 02 (February) / 2006 )

This same journal, which American Papist, a prominent Catholic service notes, via a quotation: is vetted by the Vatican (American Papist (Catholic; Independent; American) 22 / 05 (May) / 2006), when it was then defending the position of the church against the use of Condoms in the fight against HIV/AIDS, has again taken a stand, which is news making.

In an article, seemingly by La Civiltà Cattolica, which seemingly laments, that Catholics still are perceived as funding some press organizations:

"La Civiltà Cattolica", has been noted by a "Catholic Culture" news brief, as ("Catholic Culture" (American; Catholic; Independent) 01 / 05 (May) / 2009) apparently claiming severe media bias, against the Catholic Church in some Western Media : as seen in this English translation, as taken off "Catholic Culture" (additions by this service in "[]"):

"[these press organizations are part of an anti-Catholic campaign] which, at a universal level, tends to discredit the Catholic Church: "

(Catholic Culture (American; Catholic; Independent) 01 / 05 (May) / 2009)

Those mentioned by name, include: (The British/London) "Times", (The American) "New York Times" and (The American) "The Washington Post", (The French) "Le Monde", and "the Italian press".

In summarizing their article in English on their online site: La Civiltà Cattolica, writes [sections between [] are notes by us):

"[...]The article aims at demonstrating the evangelical purity of a scholarly, vigilant and attentive teaching ready to plug the possible leaks arising from the osmosis between Church and contemporary society. The lay front in Italy has certainly radicalized its position towards the Church. Moreover, the “lay” are always silent in regard to social services that would not exist if it were not for the contribution of the Catholic lay."

(La Civiltà Cattolica (Catholic; Italian; connected with the Vatican) issue "3813")

The word "lay": refers to "laity": to Catholics; who do not hold Holy Orders in the Catholic church. The so-called "lay front", seemingly refers largely to those attacking Pope Benedict XVI, or Catholic Doctrine, that is: in Europe or Italy, or to those supporting publications which do. The article is titled: "AN INCONVENIENT POPE?". The Full summary by the organization is accessible at (La Civiltà Cattolica (Catholic; Italian; connected with the "Vatican") issue "3813").

Venezuela; Latin America: Catholic Embassy tear bombed, government supporters suspected

(Social Justice South Africa; Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Zenit News 22 / 01 / 2009 ; Archive : 25 / 10 / 2008; 13 / 11 / 2008; Zenit News 10 / 07 / 2007 ; 19 / 11 / 2007; CWNews 13 / 05 / 2006 ; Catholic Culture 21 / 11 / 2008; all sources quoted, are catholic, and independent; The First Two are South African; the Rest are American (USA) Based)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Vice President of the EU (European) Parliament: Mario Mauro , who is also the representative on religious persecution in the: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, has condemned an attack on a Catholic Nuncio: which is the technical name for a Vatican Embassy, to a political power. The Nuncio, was in Venezuela, and government supporters, are: due to a past record, possibly: those responsible.

Venezuela is ruled by the socialist: Hugo Chávez, who has had clashes with the church. During Last year's November 23rd elections, Hugo Chávez's socialist supporters, were accused of intimidating Catholics. Hugo Chávez, wants a completely socialist state, and has made controversial comments on the world stage. Tensions, between Hugo Chávez, who originally tried to create a coup, but later was elected, and the Bishops, in Venezuela; are high: due to his anti-life policies, education issues, possible interference with church structures, and accusations of an alleged plot against Hugo Chávez, made against the Bishops in the country. All of this and actual violence has created a tough circumstance.

The Attack is not the first, and previous experience means that the socialist government's supporters, and factions close to the president, called radical, and considered to have religious intolerance; by EU Parliament Vice President: Mario Mauro; who is also the representative on religious persecution, to the: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Mario Mauro condemned the attacks, saying that any future incidences would only make things worse for Venezuela, where he claims that fundamental rights (He uses the word "Liberties"): are consistently being scraped into non-existence and stolen from citizens.

He noted his solidarity with the Catholic community in the country, where this is not the first attack on the church. Previously, also: government supporters have attacked this embassy, somewhat creating suspicions, that they have something to do with the recent tear bombings!

Ha Noi, Vietnam: Update: Catholic Parishioners sue press, after period (they gave) elapses

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. AFP (Secular; French; Antagonistic at times; Liberal) 12 / Jan / 2009 ; Ha Noi, Vietnam; Asia: Vietnamese Communist administration: continues anti-Catholic Blitz 06 / Jan / 2009 ; Social Justice South Africa 06 / Jan / 2009; c.f. Catholic Culture (Catholic; Independent; American; This is a news alert of theirs) 05/01/2009; AsiaNews (Catholic; Independent; Asian) 05/01/2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

While this is from a separate news source, 2 women, amongst: the Catholics, who were allegedly wrongly reported in the news, as accepting guilt for charges leveled against them, by the Vietnamese government, and who have been given prison sentences, ranging from a year, to longer, are suing the Government Controlled, Communist Vietnamese, Press: for what they are claiming was distortion of the issue.

The relatively large Catholic population in Vietnam, periodically faces, what some fear is a government push to destroy the Catholic religion, parishes, and Catholic buildings are appropriated, often to be turned into parks, or luxury hotels: making it seem that the demolishing of these, is pointless.

The Parishioners, were allegedly involved in a prayer vigil, outside a parish site.

Details are accessible in our earlier article:

(Ha Noi, Vietnam; Asia: Vietnamese Communist administration: continues anti-Catholic Blitz 06 / Jan / 2009)

Orissa, India: Top Indian court tells Orissa Officials: Protect Christian community, or Step down: Christians in the Areas have suffered a genocide

(Social Justice South Africa; Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Catholic World News (Catholic; Independent) 06/01/2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

India's top court has lamented: that it took +-50 000 people to flee their homes: before any protection to Christians: was given. Christians: who were raped, beaten up, murdered, and had possessions, and property: either stolen or burnt, have suffered "Ethnic Cleansing", Blitz, or Genocide: since Hinduist sectarians: have attacked them: blaming an assassination, of a radical leader: conducted by Maoist Rebels, on Christians: instead of on those claiming responsibility: and using this to springboard a genocide.

The Court: has demanded: that minority rights be protected: claiming that the government must either start to protect Christians, who still are endangered by roaming mobs of Hindu Nationalists, thought still to be operating, or these authorities should resign. It also lamented the fact: that no protection was afforded Christians: before the 50 000 or so fled their homes.

Nuns were arrested for crimes, such as kidnapping, of orphans in their care: which it was later proven (after arrests) that they did not do: and authorities have been accused of covering up negligence. Authority forces: have also been accused of standing by, doing nothing: as mobs attacked, beat up, stole from, and abused: minority Christians. Forced conversions: proved by violence to be done against fellow Christians: have occurred.

South Africa's the "Times" and "Sunday Times", has published several "letters" attacking Christians in India: in their articles section online. The paper: has regularly presented a certain view of Christianity.

India, recently fell foul of a terrorist attack, which authorities in India: are blaming on a Pakistani militant group.

Madrid, Spain: Persecution of Science and Catholicism continues: Judge fined, and banned from public office

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. News 24 (Secular) 24/12/2008)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Fernando Ferrin Calamita, was not allowed to take science, and experience into account, he was not allowed to take the disgusting effect that having no father figure, and being an oddity to friends: would have on a child: instead: the socialist, and radically anti-religious Spanish government: banned him from Public employment for 2 years, and fined him thousands of Euros: because he did his job, and refused a lesbian couple the "right" to adopt a child they desired to adopt.

Somehow, the issue had made it to his court: and Catholics, unlike others are not permitted to ignore the mountains of Psychological evidence which shows the incapacity of a lesbian couple to give a child a normal upbringing. Socialist Spain recently removed crucifixes from schools, refused a Christmas display in a government building (refusing pleas from the lawyers who made it: that Christmas is not just religious, but cultural), Spain's socialists have increasingly attacked Roman Catholicism in any public area, and have forced through highly questionable laws. Spain has entered controversy by new laws: including gay "marriage", and "rights", and other such regulations deemed by Catholicism to be false rights, condemned as false by at least 60 nations in the UN of late, and by the Vatican; like adoption laws which are deemed to harm children. While the Vatican apposes imprisoning, or killing those who practice homosexual acts, attraction to those of one's gender is not condemned: only endorsement of such, and homosexuality: as far is it is practiced and endorsed: which are condemned, but not purely as dangerous activities as health is concerned, and as such not advisable: but further: condemned in the Bible: as fornication: and an activity for which salvation is lost.


Note: Our definition of false rights: is based on definitions of when a law is applicable, and when it is oppression: in the Catechism of the Catholic church.

While protection of homosexuals from unjust discrimination is not considered a false law: gay marriage is considered by the church to promote dangerous activities: and therefor is classed as against the common good: and condemned as abuse of power by the Catholic church.