Update: Disaster quake, Tsunami strikes Chile, pacific area

(South African Catholic News Service [SACNS] / Scripturelink.net News)

Article by Marc Aupiais

At the last update from MSNBC Breaking News: 122 people have been confirmed dead by the president-elect of Chile, due to an Earthquake. Another 3 deaths, 4 missing have since been confirmed dead in Chile's Robinson Crusoe Island, due to waves. CNN has since announced a death rate of at least 147 people. This after what the Associated Press called an 8.8 on the Richter scale earthquake struck the thin, long strip of a Latin American nation, which runs against most of the coastline on the east of the South American Continent. Buildings (including homes of people) were toppled in the quake which struck in the early hours of Saturday Morning in that Time-Zone. Bridges collapsed and vehicles (including trucks) crashed into the earth, according to the Associated Press.

The regional hospital in Concepcion, has been evacuating patients in fear of landslides... Meanwhile a prison in South-Central Chile has been sufficiently damaged, that 209 (Two Hundred and Nine) prisoners have escaped custody.

Much later, a 6.3 earthquake has also hit Chile's neighbour Argentina, near Salta according to MSNBC Breaking News. MSNBC has also noted warnings: the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has noted that new sea level readings indicate that waves "could cause widespread damage". While Damaging the mobile phone network, the Argentinian earthquake seems not a major problem at present.

According to MSNBC Breaking News: residents of Honolulu County, Hawaii had been urged to leave Tsunami Zones prior 10 A.M. Local time, while Hilo airport was closing in Hawaii. Waves are expected to hit Hawaii by 11:19 A.M. Hawaiian Time (4:19 P.M. ET). The Pacific Warning Center warns these waves could last 6 to 10 hours.

The Pacific Warning Center has noted +-4 foot Tsunami waves having already washed against Coquimbo and Valparaiso Chile, according to MSNBC Breaking News. A 7.7 foot wave of a Tsunami had already hit Talcahuano, Chile, as noted a minute prior that.

MSNBC Breaking News also notes that the Pacific Islands: Samoa and American Samoa have warned residents to take shelter due to the Tsunami caused by the Chile quake. Samoa police have issued a nationwide evacuation alert. Officials have warned of possible 7.5 foot waves to soon possibly hit Fiji and Tongo! The U.S. Geological Survey has meanwhile noted the 47th major aftershock, magnitude 5.3, centered at Libertador O'Higgin, the 46th major aftershock, was magnitude 5.5 on the Richter scale, centred off the Bio-Bio shore, while the 28th aftershock of the Chile quake Measuring at 5.2 on the Richter scale, in the Metropolitan region of Chile, and the 29th measuring 5.1 off the strip of a nation's coast. The 27th Aftershock was 5.0 on the Richter Scale, off the shore. This according to MSNBC breaking News.

MSNBC Breaking News notes that the American (USA) state of California has warned coastal cities to prepare for possible Tsunami waves. The surge is forecast to hit California at 13:30 (1:30 P.M.) Local time (16:30 / 4:30 P.M. ET). Tsunami warning sirens have also now sounded across Hawaii according to MSNBC Breaking News. Vessels are also being advised to leave the habour areas in Hawaii. Other American states most at risk include Alaska and California. The American president Barack Obama was expected to comment on the situation at 14:00 (2 P.M.) Eastern Time, according to the White House, said MSNBC. We have just noted this statement, while giving condolences to Chile, Obama focused on America, asking Americans to be cautious and obey state authorities on Tsunami. According to CNN, the US President has warned of hundreds of deaths. The tsunami situation has been called similar to the 2004 Christmas tsunami that killed more than 200,000 in Indonesia according to the USA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), according to MSNBC.

The Globe and Mail of Canada meanwhile has noted that a Tsunami advisory has been Issued for British Columbia.

Earthquakes are common in the Pacific ocean region, unlike in the Caribbean area where the Haiti Quake struck.

The Earthquake's Tsunami, should affect South, Central and North America, and the Pacific Islands, reaching as far as Japan and Australia, as the hours should pass.

While Catholic Relief Services, known for their effectiveness and praised for their notable effectiveness in nearby Haiti, do not have an office in Chile, they do have staff in Bolivia, which in addition to being their South American relief hub, is Chile's, and Argentina's neighbour in the region. Should their staff be needed they claim that they are poised to assist.

To give to Catholic Relief Services, one of the most effective humanitarian groups in the world, stationed in the Pacific area, visit https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2760&2760.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=jugcxa6bu1.app44b

CRS has confirmed on their blog that the earthquake was 8.8 on the richter scale. They note the original quake to have hit Concepcion, Chile.

We continue to Monitor the situation via Twitter.

Editorially: you may well offer prayers for the affected!

Vatican, Europe; Great Britain; Europe: SSPXer's apology not enough: Vatican

(Tridentine South(And Southern) Africa; c.f. Catholic World News (Catholic; Independent; American) 27 / 02 / 2009; BBC World News (Secular; Governmental; British) 27 / 02 / 2009; Rorate Caeli ("Catholic"; American?; Independent) 19 / 02 / 2009: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2009/02/argentina-expels-bishop-williamson.html; Zenit News (Catholic; Independent; American) 26 / 02 / 2009; 30 / 01 / 2009; 27 / 02 / 2009 )

Article by Marc Aupiais

Bishop Richard Williamson, of the SSPX/FSSPX ( "Priestly"/"Fraternal Society of Saint Pius X"), which is a suspended movement, not in full communion with Rome, has apologized for any "Scandal", caused by his comments on the holocaust, and admitted, that he is not a historian. He claims that loosely/vaguely referred to information which he fronts was "available" 20 years ago but not available to the general public, currently: had lead him to believe that the holocaust/Shoah extent was basically some sort of myth.

While apologizing for harm caused by his comments, Williamson, of "Great Britain" has not said enough to revoke them, but only apologized for harm caused. Father Lombardi of the Vatican, has said that his statements do not meet the requirements given to the SSPX Bishop. The Vatican is refering to their demand of a full revocation of the SSPX Bishop's previous denial of the extent of the Genocide known as the "Holocaust", or as "Shoah". Jewish groups say that the "apology" does not revoke his previous statements.

 According to Zenit News, Williamson, is not a Catholic Bishop, as the lifting of the excommunications is not the legitimizing of his valid, but illicit ordination, for which he was excommunicated officially. Williamson was recently kicked out of Argentina, for allegedly falsifying information on his visa application in the country: stating that he was employed by a non-governmental organization. He had previously been at a post in an Argentine SSPX seminary, from which the SSPX removed him earlier this year. The Argentine government also apposed his views on the holocaust/Shoah as unacceptable. Large portions of Argentine society, and their electoral roll are Jewish: as compared other Jewish proportions elsewhere in the world. The comments of the Argentine government seem a definite political necessity for Argentina, however: the falsification, that he was working for: "La Tradición", an NGO (non-governmental organization), when in fact he was working as a Priest for the SSPX, which was highlighted by "Rorate Caeli" , quoting La Nación, an Argentine daily, and: "Florencio Randazzo", Argentina's "Interior Minister", is widely enough of a reason to expel him.

Landing in "Great Britain", he falls under certain treaties, which may see him stand trial for the crime of "Holocaust Denial", in Germany. Besides being a historial fact, the extent of the holocaust, killing at least 6 million Jewish members of humanity, it is a highly sensitive issue.

The Vatican claims that they had no knowledge of the Lefebvrite bishop's views on the holocaust/Shoah, when determining whether or not to lift his excommunication: to push forward ecumenical talks between the mainstream and the SSPX priestly schism. The Vatican has also, in the past: lifted the excommunication on the Orthodox Patriarch of at least one, if not many a Eastern Orthodox church, this does not make them a Catholic Patriarch, it is simply ecumenism: how much more in the case of SSPX? (This comparison lies only in the act of lifting excommunications, as compared with the implications, nothing is implied about Eastern Orthodox Churches by it).

Four Leferbvrite bishops, have had their extreme punishment, of an excommunication only the papacy could lift: lifted recently. They were excommunicated, along with Marcel Leverbre, when Leverbvre attempted to ordain them as bishops without Vatican authority. According to Zenit News, the four never were, and still are not Catholic bishops under Canon law.

Williamson's SSPX superior SSPX Bishop Fellay, has asked for him to revoke his views on the holocaust/Shoah, and does not publicly deny the Shoah/Holocaust happened and killed at least 6 million Jewish people.

Note: The word Holocaust has the connotation of a sacrifice to God, however, in order to avoid the connotation, many use Shoah, to describe the events: as this is the Hebrew word for "Calamity". News services, such as this one, do not imply anything theological by using the word holocaust. We believe that the World War II Holocaust, is not some sacrifice to God, but rather a Genocide, the word Holocaust, is simply the most often used phrase, in general usage, by which the World War II Nazi perpetrated Genocide: is referred to.

Brazil: priest suspended for heresy, condoms, a desire to have priests have sex?, and Gay marriage statements

(Tridentine South (And Southern) Africa; c.f. BBC World News (Secular; British; Government) 27 / 02 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Father Luiz Couto, has done a Williamson: he has expressed views the church cannot but appose, though different from that of the suspended schismatic.

He says that condoms are needed for public health, and considers himself to be fighting unfair "discrimination", by the church: by supporting what he calls "gay rights", in an interview that the BBC says was over contraception, and "Gay Marriage".

He (Father Couto) is also active in politics, and an: "elected member of Congress for President Lula's Workers' Party" (BBC World News (Secular; British; Government) 27 / 02 / 2009) in Brazil. The fact, that this also is against Canon law, and that he should be penalized for this itself: as clergy are not allowed to become government, or political officials in parties: has not seemingly been noted by his archbishop: "Aldo Pagotto", of Paraiba, who used the word "intolerable", and has demanded a revocation, before the priest resume his duties. That the church in Brazil has seemingly ignored his participation in politics, in a manner which seems unfitting, is sad, but like Williamson, Father Luiz Couto, has finally gone too far.

The church, which worships Yahweh ("Reality", the perquisite on which existence relies), the Catholic God, cannot ignore the facts. Father Luiz Couto, however, has stated that he has not officially been informed of the situation, and will perform the mass, with friends at his home. He seems to view most of his actions as pro-"human rights", and not anti-magisterial.

Mexican Bishops Distrustful of politicians

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Zenit: Spanish Edition (American; Catholic; Independent) 11 / Feb / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Mexico's Bishops: have made a release: calling for a lack of empty promises at elections, which could increase voter apathy, and have asked for a responsible program to combat the Credit Crisis. The Bishops have asked for all players in the economy to act responsibly to get Mexico through the coming times in a healthy or better manner, than if the players were to act irresponsibly about the entire situation.

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!

UN, New York: Defrocked, from his post as a Catholic Priest, personally by Pope John Paul II, for his post in a Marxist government:General Assembly President Fr. Miguel D'Escoto, now says he: "Receives" death threats after recently criticising USA and Israel!

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular) 18/12/2008; LifeSiteNews 05/DEC/2008; UN Declaration on Genocide __/__/__)
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Article by Marc Aupiais

When part of a left leaning," Sandinista National Liberation Front" marxist government, which overthrew their predecessors, but then had elections about 5 years later: in his own nation, D'Escoto accused the US of butchering his Nation, during a war, since then he has called George W. Bush, recently given special privilages on a visit to the Vatican, the Spiritual heir of Reagan, whom he (as a marxist government official): had apposed.

Awarding two pro-abortion (though also gay rights) advocates in the UN for “outstanding contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms” (LifeSiteNews 05/DEC/2008) earlier this year, there was no naming of these people as butcherers. This despite their actions possibly being defined as genocide in the UN definition, although purposely creating conditions where 'unwanted' population groups are voluntarily culled by means of birth control campaigns has not been treated by the UN that way in a very long time, except in the convention itself.

He has also accused the Israeli government of treating the Palestinians in their territory, in the same manner as South Africans were treated by the Protestant Apartheid Government, previously in power in South Africa. D'Escoto has now claimed he is receiving death threats: without mentioning the source: to which he is being subdued to needs for new security measures: by.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, however has since taken offense: she has said that this is all lies, aimed at getting her not to attend the anniversary of the "Universal" declaration on human rights.

Catholics are free to present their own oppinions within reason, that does not make these the views of the church, however, Fr D'Escoto, was personally removed from the priesthood for his position in a marxist government. In fact, Gabriela Shalev, Israel's ambassador, who the defrocked priest's spokesperson has been accusing of slander for her statements, is also taking this seriously. The UN itself is taking new measures, to protect the defrocked priest, however, he is not the first UN official to make an enemy of Israel, or the United States: nor does that mean that they will automatically be the source of alleged death threats. He has made such emnity, not be religious belief, but via his attacks on the western world. He is viewed as advantageous to those supporting extreme left positions, however: he was elected, only from amongst South American competition: in accorance with a moving seat, and his only role is as a mediator of debate in the house. He has been accused of being partisan.

Mexico, Latin America: Mexico's "Catholic" population: does it again: free murder, and a bit of heresy from priests

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Reuters (secular) 25/11/2008; Reuters (secular)23/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Heterodox versions of a "Catholicism" of sorts, reigns not only with Mexico's senate, which recently legalized euthanasia, in the Latin American nation, but also among people who should be Catholic. On the 23rd of November, Reuters reported on a Catholic priest, who blessed transvestites on the way to a festival where they dress as such and wonder around, an open sign of disobedience to the Vatican. It is a festival, the Catholic conquerors of Mexico banned early, which went underground. Mexico city is also one of the few cities in Latin America, where abortion is legal.

All three of these situations, if Reuters is correct in their reporting of them: can easily fall under condemnation of dogma. Inculturation never extends to adopting parts of a culture which are contrary to Catholicism, and it is rituals like these: for which the ancient Israelis were to kill their fellows, showing in essence a clear, direct condemnation in the bible, and therefore in Catholic tradition: of such. In the modern time, what is needed is repentance and confession among those in Mexico, who have abandoned their heritage.