Holy Water- not fighting the Flu in Japan?

(Journey in a Broken World; c.f. Reuters (Independent; British; Secular)Friday 21 / 08 | August / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

According to the Reuters news agency, some parishes seemingly belonging to the Roman Catholic Church, in Japan have dried up their Holy Water Basins: so to speak, in order to combat the swine flu / H1N1 2009 strain influenza / Pig Flu.

According to Reuters:

"The Franciscan Chapel Center in Tokyo is one church that has decided to empty the holy water basins, into which parishioners traditionally dip their fingers and bless themselves by making a sign of the cross."

(Reuters (Independent; British; Secular) Friday 21 / 08 | August / 2009)

Holy Water is used as a sacramental when entering a church, though it is technically not designated for use on leaving a parish church. It reminds Catholics of their baptism, and is supposed to symbolize the clearing of the mind of secular ("worldly") matters.

The news agency notes that another parish- St. Ignatius, has also excluded Holy Water from the traditional ritual in order to combat swine flu. Only 0.4 percent of Japan is Catholic, many attending churches are foreign nationals. Parishioners of the first parish mentioned are also encouraged to give a sign of peace, not involving touching- such as bowing to one another.

Circumstances with high densities of people, such as churches during celebrations / liturgy, schools, shopping centres, festivals, and Universities, have been seen as places one is more likely to get swine flu at. The Catholic Church permits persons who are sick or tending to the sick to miss mass, the obligation absolved for these persons. People suffering from flu like symptoms may be well advised to miss Sunday mass for the sake of others.

The Sign of peace, which was once a kiss, is generally now a handshake- health authorities, and some bishops' conferences have advised Catholics to share the sign of peace via a sign which does not involve touching the other individual physically.

Japan- Despite Prime Minster's status as a Catholic- Japan hangs two more on death row

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. BBC World News (secular) 28/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

When their their previous Justice minister's Buddhist beliefs disagreed, Japan for fifteen months, halted executions. Despite being a professed Catholic, Japan's prime minister, Tarso Aso, elected on the 24 of September to the position, has continued to allow the mass use of the death penalty in Japan. When executions take place, they are not broadcast widely, but have allot of support in the local communities. The most recent victims, both criminals, it seems- were both over the age of 50.

The Catholic Church has for years been campaigning for a universal moratorium of the death penalty, saying that the places where it is needed in the modern world are limited. It has had the support of politicians around the world, including some figures in South Africa, and has played a large part in reducing its use. In Japan, however, public sentiments have kept up this practice, without any proven positive effects, which can be separated from good legal measures.

It is not permitted for a Catholic to vote for a politician who allows an extravagant, unnecessary use of the death penalty except when their viable opponents are worse on human rights, and pro-life, pro-family issues, and the 7 non-negotiable political issues- but catholics are permitted, to vote for politicians who believe in a limited death penalty.

Japan has killed 15 people on death row this year, and are estimated to have 100 more ready to be executed, being kept until their final execution dates, which have not been released to the public. Executions usually take place in secret, before later being announced to the public.