American Bishops do something about New Mass Translation, something which may help South Africans also, and be useful to others in the future!

(Tridentine South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

When we at scripturelink.net attempted to get the local Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC), to place a version online, or permit us to scan a version in and load it online of their heavily copyrighted copy of the new draft version of the new order of the mass, which they rushed out early, without Vatican permission (the Vatican permitted the draft to continue in use for the sake of the faithful locally)- we only got constantly ignored and redirected, and told this was pointless. The fact that Catholics were struggling, or were not given the new words in some instances, while being forced to use them- was not a matter of urgency, and a (pro-legal abortion, pro-condoms, pro-homosexual priests c.f. Catholic Culture's review of the dissident paper's website) newspaper, which they are represented on the board of, and sell in parishes- the Southern Cross, slated the Vatican's decision to change the Order of the Mass. Not so with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), who have carefully constructed a website on their main URL to aid Catholics with the transfer, which has yet to occur in the USA.

On the website:

http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/

The US Bishops have placed so many relevant documents, explaining the whole process of the change, and answering Questions and Answers. Included is a study version of the new English version of the Order of the Latin Rite (The Normal Mass, said at most parishes) Mass, and another with relevant scriptural annotations, which mean that Catholics can justify the Order to their Non-Catholic friends from the bible. I personally have not gone through the entire online text, but as these texts are assembled by the global community of English speaking Catholic churches (International Committee on English in the Liturgy), it is bound in the least bit to be similar to the draft version already in use in South Africa.

The explaining documents should also be useful. It might be noted that the version on the site is yet to be approved by the given bishops or the Holy See, but is probably the same, or a similar version to the draft being used in South Africa. The website should be updated regularly. We ask our viewers, who have lost their handy translations, or who are interested in finding out, to compare these texts to the drafts we are using, (they at least seem similar- I personally have been looking through the words the parishioners say, and it seems like ours- I do not have time at present to make a textual analysis of their study version against the draft version being used here), and inform us of the differences, so that we can possibly inform others. In any case, for those South Africans without a copy of the draft we are using, this may at least be useful, and the American Bishops, will surely update it when a globally accepted version emerges.


America's study version of the draft of the New Order of the Mass:

http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/OrdoMissaeWhiteBook.pdf

Version with Scriptural Annotations: (it actually quotes the relevant verses)

http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/WhiteBookAnnotated.pdf

The New version, was asked of the world by Benedict XVI, who wanted the Novus Order to be closer to the Tridentine Mass, believing it would be of benefit to the faithful.

Catholic News Agency has an article about the new website released by the USCCB, the website we are speaking of here:

Article:

CNA [Catholic News Agency] (Catholic; Independent; American) Aug 21, 2009 :

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16905

Commentary- are people prepared enough for marriage!

Article by Marc Aupiais

I am well known for justifying my views, for once, I have determined not to, to purposely not justify these, as I do not think it necessary, even given less justification, less careful argument, I still believe that the obligation which comes with truth, is enough to make those who are rational consider this.

If you desire me to give justification of any point- email me. I have chosen not to justify my position, choosing rather to simply note my position on the matter- which still falls within apologetics, though differently.

The high divorce rates in the western world, accompanying low birth rates- and increased sickness in later life, due to this- is oft blamed on couples too young, or too inexperienced in life to marry. Ignoring of course, what I believe to be the real change- a loss of the security of the true marital pledge, and of a realisation of just what and how powerful marriage is.

To some this claim that lack of time is the only real reason is- rational- but I disagree. One need only look at regions where marriage succeeds to know this is false. As it is false, I believe it shows a lacking in understanding of Doctrine, or in respect for Doctrine among Catholics, including members of the hierarchy, who underestimate: what is to correctly baptised Christians- one of the 7 sacraments.

As Catholics, we believe that if there is informed consent by both parties to marriage, and if the people have the ordinary strength, and maturity which enables marriage- and if they go through the right ceremony- the two spouses have all the necessary elements to make a marriage work from the start. The institution itself, and the aid of God and Honest Intent to serve God in marriage, and fulfil the vows- all aiding those who enter it willingly.

Granted, having sex before marriage with a person, or ignoring of the essential factors of love and trust could wreck a marriage- but the fact remains that the elements are there as long as the ceremony is entered by both in informed consent (if there are no legitimate reasons for the couple not to be united).

Now, I have never been through a marriage- but my task is not to share experience or speak of what I am experienced with- but to analyse truth, and attempt to give a Catholic perspective, which can be used as a basis before one uses the facts to argue this case against false perception.

If God unites those Christians in Holy Matrimony who fulfil the canonical requirements- then the Catholic should not believe that these- this couple: do not have the basic elements needed to make it work. We are not wiser than God- and the fact is- many make marriage work when much younger, or poorer or less "prepared" than many people marrying these days.

I do believe that marriage must be cautiously discerned, done with the advice of God in prayer, and rational thought- and following intuition and truth beyond emotion- but I do not think it wise of us to doom persons marrying without as much thought as others would like. If they fulfil the canonical requirements... And God unites them, he would not do so unwisely. They do have the basic foundation to make it work- Marriage itself being this foundational requirement.

If the requirements were not fulfilled, no marriage even occurred- so the Catholic view claims. Granted, sometimes a spouse becomes unmanageable, or the like- and there may be need for physical separation of the two.

I would venture as far as to say that it is society's perception of marriage- as though it is temporary, or requires anything but marriage, to be marriage- which dooms "marriages"- but if one is entering a temporary union- one is not getting married, and therefore should not claim that it was a lack of experience which wrecked the marriage- there was no marriage at all. The founding prescription of marriage is a leap- by which one enters a lifelong union, one which is open to life, and between only the two.

It may be noticeable that I have hardly referenced this article in the least. The reason is simple- I do not think it necessary. God does not demand more of us than we are capable of- and it may take two to tango, but often a bit of striving and longsuffering- allows us to maintain hope and our relationships beyond what we thought possible. I often find I am able to befriend those I have nothing in common with- so much lies in small things like handshakes or hugs, greeting and talking.

Our most basic preparation for marriage is our own home- living with our relatives et al. So, while I believe marriage should be carefully discerned, I also think more effort should be put on maintaining marriages- and less on misconceptions of a soul mate. I believe God has set aside one specific woman for me- but God is Reality, are we to say that an almighty God makes a mistake when he unites a couple. One's "soul mate" is not the other half of their soul- our souls are each fully made.

God, who is Reality (the substance on which existence rests), does not wrongly unite two Christians. Any soul mate is a real person, and it is God we should first trust to know who they are- God does not make unjust laws.

I hope my words justify themselves to my fellow Catholics.

Sunday's Angelus, by Pope Benedict XVI- focussed on the vital part Mary played in giving the Word Flesh

(Journey in a Broken World)

Notation by Marc Aupiais

It is always good to hear the voice of the pope as he speaks on important matters, as we have in the past, we are making note of a video of the pope released by the Vatican onto the internet, this is of him speaking of Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ, during his Sunday Angelus.

From the Vatican's YouTube site:

Video (will be visible on spash page, and article page, will likely not appear via email):



URL of Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUQ8X4g9VsU

Summary by the Vatican: of the video:

"The Blessed Virgin Mary was once again the subject for reflections in Benedict XVIs Angelus address this Sunday, delivered to a packed court yard the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. The Pope spoke of Mary in connection with the passage from the Gospel of John offered by the liturgy of the day. John in fact repeats the words of Christ: "I am the living bread come down from heaven. He who eats of this bread will live forever, the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. The Pope said God needed Mary to take on human form, to enter into our mortal condition, and that He in turn gives us His body in the sacrament of the Eucharist, as an instrument of eternal life. Pope Benedi ..."

(Vatican on YouTube Angelus 2009 - 08 - 16 : The Eucharist, the living bread come down from heaven, from the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, the Summer residence of the Pope in Italy)

Explaining post on salvation

Notation by Marc Aupiais

I have been told that my post recently on the hard path to salvation was possibly sad, or not showing the gladness of faith.

Faith is wonderful, but the danger facing those alive is not spoken of enough. And I have often seen persons betrayed with lesser doctrine. It is hard to enter heaven, and I stand by that. It requires striving and going the extra mile. It is not easy to enter heaven- especially when a lesser gospel is taught by those who should be telling both sides of the story. I mostly tell the good side of the Gospel, but the painful side is equally important.

Yes, salvation is impossible for man alone- but the impossible for man is possible to God. We each are given the strength needed to enter salvation and stay in it if only we could use it to its use.

What is required of us is watchfullness, and the need of carefully working out our salvation, which is worth our very self. The bare minimum- is not being done by most Catholics, and by many Religious. This is statistical fact, and the reason why it is deadly not to use both parts of the gospel- why it is deadly to cause mortal sin by telling non-catholics to take the eucharist and promise them grace by it.

Based on the general norm- a minimum of 90 percent of Catholics are apparently in material mortal sin in the archdiocese of Johannesburg. Those who attend church- one mortal sin less, often believe in abortion, contraception, or think confession is not needed- or consider praying to saints idolitry. Others think that only kindness is needed to enter heaven.

All of these are deadly. Statistically, in my area- the only hope is Lumen Gentium XVI for most, including our priests and normal Catholics, and many do not display the symptoms one would expect of it, if they had fulfilled it.

I do not withdraw the realist article, but I also acknowledge the subdued hope- our taste even at present of the eternal life we are offered. The reason for my warning as an apologist (one who explains and answers on the Gospel), is how great our hope is.

A catholic who continues to examine themselves, who hears conscience and seeks and uses it- that intuitive sense, the Catholic who attends church when obligated, and confesses their sins- and submits to dogma, rejecting that which contradicts it- even if spoken by their bishop or priest, or friend- is on the right path.

The fact is that we are all in a fight for life against decay and death. It would be evil, lacking of me if I did not preach the full gospel. We have great hope, almost sure hope if we always try to do right, to seek the real truth, and obey God. We have very little, if not false hope if we refuse to do our part. We are at risk of persecution if we stop preaching the gospel. It helps no one to take half a course of medicine- the illness only adapts to it. It helps no one if half the gospel is preached. Jesus never once denied to fate of those who choose death.

We who seek truth are saved in truth- confession is the conquering of truth over the actions of falsehood, where Jesus acts spiritually in response to our obeying in his manner. There is hope, but let us not call a hill a mountain and fall when we realise the challenge to our very breath.

The gospel acts as a race, and our lives are utterly at stake. We indeed should seek first the kingdom of heaven, by saturating our lives with conscience. When we are where God desires, he nourishes us, his servants. He aids his children, even the birds he cares for.

If we should choose to accept the journey, the adventure- God will clear the path enough to save us, wherever we are this present moment. Every moment we must saturate and the whole gospel must taint, colour our lives, because the soul can turn to another train track in a second, or be saved in a moment less.

Salvation must be the central focus, we cannot have two central focuses or two masters, least we hate one and love the other.

We are assigned to our careers, and our superiors, yet we are assigned subject to God. He is our master, who commands our service to man- but his grace to serve is gone when we serve man wrongly.

He who assigned you, gives you the grace to succeed, but the Christian must become creative- God tries to teach men and women to think and think powerfully. It takes more creativity to always be honest than to always lie.

I stand by my article, gladly so- but I will also write the hope inspiring ones. I did indeed plan to kill a dream, with the article- the false hope that God is unjustly lenient. He judges us as we are this very moment- if we are seeking good, or lacking.

God will not take past performance into account, should he see we are evil now, and would not turn, given the chance. There may be exceptions for those not given the material to build, or the plans for the building- salvation. We however have all the resources. We need to act as adults in faith- knowing that the spiritual adventure is more powerful than any physical war, and that God, will let us ride him, should our own strength end, and our will continue.

There is no joy in the gospel without first the hopelessness apart from hope.

The soul is the live by which we live even now- the eternal design life which guides the natural lives of our cells. It is this at risk. When our temporary life is at risk- we fight, even kill to save it. How much more should we value the thread that holds our temporary life together?

So yes, there is little hope for many, but there is great hope for those who seek the truth consistently in life. Any person can get to heaven- but the basics of confession and mass attendance are so important to giving us the spiritual strength and energy to fight.

Those who adhere to the requirements of the catechism, who go to confession once a year or additionally when in mortal sin, who sincerely confess all their sins, which they remember- who are simply honest in the confessional in their confessing what they remember- these have such great, powerful hope. Confession is something which makes a dead person alive, and a dead hope near sure.

The sacraments, and sincere intent, and real effort at obeying God, and a determination to learn, and submit mentally and physically to the Gospel truth- are the basic tools which with God can get you through. You can make it... If you so choose!

Happy August 15th- it is a day of Holy Obligation.

Notation by Marc Aupiais

Our readers are wished a blessed August 15th. In South Africa, the Assumption of Mary into Heaven (August 15) is a day of Holy Obligation, on which Catholics are required to attend church as on Sundays.

It is only one of three days still required locally in South Africa, the requirement being participation in (turning up, and being at church mentally- and partaking in the high prayer which is mass) and attendance of a mass at a Catholic church.

The happy story, its bittersweet, the hope of man, it makes me weep

(Journey in a Broken World)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Note: the author compares the world's prima facie situation to the gospel norm, noting the blessing of Lumen Gentium XVI, yet also the deep danger of Christian lackness. He concludes by encouraging use of the sacraments, and careful saturation of the being in works and prayer- in hope of possible salvation.

I used to cry deeply within my depths for my fellow men. I would self mortify in hope of sparing my fellows of hell. I still do self mortify, although as always- in a manner that does not do permanent harm to my physical body.

I cry- in the knowledge, that should I enter, should my humbled, broken self enter heaven- most will not. I cry- seeing, hearing my fellows, and knowing the scale of judgement, and I pray tirelessly until my strength is weak. I feel that many who have aided me, even aided my salvation- shall become dust, and that I shall know of their place.

I once even suggested in prayer- and then after that also- that I take another's punishment upon myself, or that God not save me. Both suggestions did not change fact- although I try to take others' punishment from God.

I cry inside when I hear a happy story, or read of goodness. I seldom have seen any hope in this, my planet.

Should we go with the statistics, and note those who have seemed at hope- we should be lucky if one soul in a million enter heaven, as two souls enter purgatory.

For this reason, Lumen Gentium XVI must not be seen lightly. Catholics themselves would be highly favoured in our world, should they enter heaven or purgatory by anything but God's accounting for the service of honest intent. Jesus himself speaks of the narrow way we stumble through into salvation.

The human soul is made of the most base, indestructible part of the created universe- it is made of truth. It can only be destroyed by falsehood. A part of the path to heaven is the church. It is a part of the truth. Christ says he is its head, it is his body and the foundation of truth (I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15). It is Gospel, and our way to save our beings, or rather- to have our beings enter salvation.

When we say the church is of the fullness of truth, and that the Catholic Gospel is the fullness of truth- we say that they are of Good. Evil is lack of goodness where goodness should be. Simply should a faith teach some truth- any faith but ours is lacking in truth.

It is neglected- the grave duty on every soul- that all are judged in one just environment. Should those who know not be required to seek truth, and obey conscientious truth- shall we be spared, who know the truth?

The Gospel is bittersweet. The wonderment of all goodness is recorded faintly in it- the hope of salvation- worth all we have and our soul and life and more. The suffering end that destroys most. The God- Yahweh - Reality, who will send the many evil men to hell- as Reality does, Reality- God, who can destroy body and soul in torture in hell. It is unwise to see God as soft. It is wiser to hear Augustine who, as I also believe- Called God Reality. Reality is just, and truth.

The heresy that separates body and soul into being and mere possession is wrong and a cause of death. Your body will deteriorate in hell, and your soul will be in eternal pain. A lesser truth- like a body cut open at the heart's hope.

Hell is real- God is not lenient- he is just, omnipotent, omniscient... He is not a fool. Jesus never taught a lesser law- than that for which the Israelis burnt and stoned offenders. His law- demanding utter love with Mind, Body and soul of God- is far harder- and his death increases the wrong of those who continue in sinful lives.

A God who sends His own Son, like a lamb to the slaughter- is not a lenient God. He is fair- not lenient. He is merciful- beyond imagining- to those who turn to him- who determine to obey conscience, intuitive truth, the Gospel and God.

Should one turn to him, he is merciful, should they continue in Him, they shall be saved- yet, in our world, where ideology so diabolical avoids truth and the logical truth of morality and God- the battle is hard.

I used to weep about the truth, weep because of the Gospel. I pray deeply for those I am assigned, but I also have joy in my sadness, or rather- sadness in my joy.

If we do not leave our post- but pursue our destiny (God's plan) in our lives relentlessly, and restlessly in proportion and wisdom- by God and not foolish exploits- we shall save souls.

We as Catholics... Often forget the price should we not persevere. The person who starts a medication, saving them from illness, and stops is worse off than those who did not know of the cure. Should he continue on it for a year- gaining healing, and stop, he is worse than he who took it only six months. Both will die, should the disease be fatal.

The Catholic must persevere. In small, so in great- by this Jesus commands us to inebriate our every breath with sober Godly actions. Should we fail in small social situations, how could we survive the challenges we should have been taking, or the path to heaven. Righteous needs training, by use. Obedience and listening too.

The Catholic who ceases to learn and Grow is in danger of death. The sacramental economy- confession and mass especially- are there as vitally as bread and Water. Man does not live on bread alone- but on the words of truth from God. His sacraments are certainly the food of the soul.

Deeds alone do not bring salvation, but without consistent holy obedience in every moment- can you ever claim you had faith. 90 percent or the like of communication is body language- when in contact with another. The tree which bears fruit is pruned, but without fruit- God may cut it down. God hears our thoughts- how much more the prayers of our actions- which are worship of good or evil.

I take much from the gospel- yet, I never pretend I am safe. My soul is worth more than everything created- to me. Only a fool would believe the gospel as is and then not saturate their life in conscience. God is the absolute of sanity, and his standard is based on how truly we lived. He will judge by actions and honest intent, yet we must not underestimate the deep danger of eternal death.

I hear stories, and I cry because these words would be wonderful- if the story were true. I pray to be a true story, what of you?


Note: Consistent obedience- refers to a determination to continue to seek and obey truth if possible. One may well sin, but should determine to confess their sin... One should attempt to obey God every moment, and always, in a persevering and sustained and sustainable, sustaining manner, with prayer. One may well have had faith, should one have fallen- how else can one fall, least they had been above their position and yet, by writing as I do, I attempt to show that people act according to what they think is wise, we all sin, yet we should try to sin as little as ever possible, as our every thought, or action affects God.

BBC reports on Vatican inquiry into USA nuns!

(Scripturelink.net News)

Notation by Marc Aupiais

In quite a liberal article, which nonetheless, if factual- shows truly: the fears that the Vatican has- of consistent schism and disobedience, by a number of US nuns- to be well founded; the BBC has written an article on fears some US nuns have over a Vatican inquiry ("apostolic visitation") into their Orthodoxy. The Vatican fearing what exactly is being done with its resources- and in its name, would certainly have a basis, doctrinally.

The Vatican, according to the BBC- fears that US nuns are possibly not living the lives of Religious- some are feared not to even be attending daily mass: as they should, and that many are openly preaching heresy- and taking the side of the society they are vowed to save- against the Church by which they are meant to save these people.

I do not have to warn of the liberal perspective the article takes. The "facts" given, however- do seem to be one witness, which, if based on fact- confirms the fears of many Americans loyal to the papacy.

Editorially:

As a law student- I have every right to be secular, and to share the gospel in an organic manner. The religious, is required to give more- if the tradition of the church is to be given any weight. It would be a grave insult against that dear saint- Theresse Martin: the Little Flower- should we consider it wrong to keep nuns apart in convents, where they can willingly dedicate themselves to prayer, or should we consider humble servitude in an openly Catholic manner- to be wrong.

The laity have always been the shock troops of the church- the Religious have a softer role, a different, yet important part to play. If the Vatican wants only one official view of Vatican II- it is their choice, and according to I Timothy chapter 3, verse 15 of the Sacred Scriptures- it is their right to interpret the faith- to combat heresy and show the truth. They have never excluded other valid interpretations of revelation- but they would and do have every right to say that one view is true, and another false.

It is a mistake to focus on faith without truth, or work without faith. The primary task of the church is the salvation of humanity. Any other focus- should it distract from this divine servitude, is beyond the just jurisdiction given by God. That would be grave abuse of the position given one!

C.f.

US nuns worried by Vatican inquiry

BBC News (secular; governmental; British)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8189793.stm

Vatican fears US nuns' independence

BBC News (secular; governmental; British)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8191936.stm>

The inherent danger of our death to ideological culture

(Scripturelink.net news)

Instructive Apologetical work by Marc Aupiais

While I spoke, as though invisibly- it occurred. There was a sudden moment, as the change broke and splintered into them, as the respected person I was conversing with suddenly became a billboard.

The argument used had been classical, and so obviously contained the watch words- which so easily showed up my fellow South African.

It had been a theological discussion, on a matter of doctrine- with a person officially sworn to serve the gospel- a person who suddenly preached something which the gospel of the Catholic Dogma, considers as deathly and dangerous.

I remained silent, and did not correct the person. I went on my way silently, as I often do. It was odd, to me at least- how without once giving their own view- the person went from speaking in doctrinal terms- to adopting the language often used by the dissenters' hedgemony locally.

Often, when speaking, debating in apologetics- I find the strongest opponent to the gospel is not a person's sins, nor many another thing.

That which wrapped around faces, and crumpled the hearts of servant warriors- was and remains a weak manifestion- the same force which usually manages to yank salvation from many a person I speak with.

This force, is so clearly not logical- logic I can fight, conquer, defeat- with fuller, more whole logic, but emotive opinions, do not listen to logic.

The manifestation I speak of is ideological culture. It is amazing how often I find that persons are deeply affected by their national weaknesses and fallacies- or those of their profession, or community.

They are so deeply instilled often- that any questioning of them- causes a broken outburst or collapse of rational conversation. It is noted quite simply in a sudden turn to near identical concepts as others- as excuses and justifications are parroted, and even subconsciously gained by those affected.

The problem with this nationalism, this culture which emerges- is that it is emotional, and with any good it has, it is near guaranteed to contain evil. Without the power of rational thought, of true criticism, and scepticism- those infected can well not even know they are. The true sign being a sudden indignant response, or a feeling of out of control emotion or these sorts of things. Often small arguments- claiming experience, and not in touch with the reality are used- often assumption also plays a part.

I do not deny that I too could be infected by this- this terrible condition, whereby one does not accept facts, but opinion. I do know, that it is so often these local forces which ravish the church locally. I also know that this is often the result of persons claiming intellectual freedom from the church- but neglecting to ask it of themselves elsewhere.

The only answer to this epidemic is so entirely simple. It comes to us via those private revelations Saint Philomena gave a nun all that time ago.

The Catholic cannot be a South African, Australian, American, European first. Their first citizenship must be in heaven- in God, their world view must be shaped of logic and dogma. The emotion of ideology must be abandoned for the logic of dogma.

I do not say that we must cease to be citizens of our country- our Nation can still be the adjective which describes our nuances- and our cultural perceptions- but our first loyalty must be to righteousness- to the Catholic dogma, morality, and Truth.

This we will not get from our local bishop, in most cases. For this we must return to the Catechism, to Vatican II, to the saints, our bibles- and the Councils- for this, we must determine to listen to Pope Benedict XVI, and to make sure we are soundly justified, in what we think of as Catholic. Least we follow what is not true.

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.

CBC: Canada joins OAS delegation to Honduras

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has an interesting article on the Honduras situation. The Latin American wing of the Catholic Church, we might note- has given its support to the claims of the Honduras Interim Government.

CBC [Canadian Broadcasting Corporation] (Secular; seemingly connected with the state; Canadian)
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/08/07/kent-oas-zelaya-honduras.html?ref=rss

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's first audio album: sorry, it's not in English! And its not a Vatican initiative, nor did the pope record his works for the album! But he is on it!

(Scripturelink.net News)


Notation by Marc Aupiais

If one neglects the small print: Pope Benedict XVI has certainly seemingly played the role of a modernist within the church- at least so far as technology and communications are concerned. In another move, once again not actually by the pope: which has made the news throughout the world- and kept the church once again- in the media light- Pope Benedict XVI's voice is to be used in an audio product, in an initiative- ironically not taken by the Vatican, but by Multimedia San Paolo, an Italian Catholic media grouping, via Geffen / Universal- to release the work. The pope himself- is not recording an album- some recordings of the pope in general have been licenced by Vatican Radio- for the audio album of controversially of a mainstream western firm.

The Priests, an Irish group of Priests established that there was a ripe market for musical recordings of a Catholic nature, as did Pope John Paul II- when recordings of the former pope were also made into a record, and when his saying of the rosary had made waves.

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, will be heard singing chants, and Lauretan litanies, as well as voicing passages from the sacred scriptures, and prayers, on the album, which uses archive recordings. The album is to be recorded in five (5) languages. English speaking fans of the Pope's distinctive German accent will likely be disappointed: according to Reuters: the languages known to be in the compilation are: Latin, Italian, Portuguese, French and German.

The album, as mentioned: will be released by not so appropriate Geffen Records / Universal, known for artists like Snoop Dog and Ashley Simpson, Guns N' Roses, John Lennon, Aerosmith, and Nirvana. It is set to enter circulation on November 30th 2009 in time for the Christmas rush.

The album also features: The Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Perhaps out of tribute to the Pope's predecessor: The Late John Paul II, whose classical album was called: "Abba Pater", Pope Benedict's album is called "Alma Mater" (a reference to Mary) - and seems from reports to be focused on the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Whatever Colin Barlow, head of Geffen Records intends by publishing the work of Benedict XVI, proceeds from the album- reportedly: will go towards educating poor children with music education. While reports were vague: This likely excludes the profits likely to be made by Geffen.

The Pope himself has reportedly heard the recordings- and is reportedly pleased with the album's contents.


As for our sources:

Reuters news agency has written an interesting article on the matter, excluding some important information:

Reuters (Secular; Independent; British)

Their article is by: Cindy Martin, and Editing by Belinda Goldsmith

05 / 08 | August / 2009

http://us.mobile.reuters.com/mobile/m/AnyArticle/p.rdt?URL=http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSTRE5740LR20090805

Bloemberg also covered the story earlier:

Bloemberg (Secular; Independent; American)

31 / 07 | July / 2009

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601092&sid=axgJVRMxSJcc

And AP (Associated Press) (Secular; Independent; American)

28 / 07 | July / 2009

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090731/ap_en_mu/eu_britain_pope_album

And

BBC World News (Secular; Governmental; British)

Their article is from- Colin Paterson, an entertainment reporter

31 / 07 | July / 2009

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mobile/ents/top_stories/story8175321.shtml

Republic of South Africa: Top Ruling Party (ANC) politician- slams "Capitalists" opposed to proposed "communist" takeover of healthcare schemes by the government

(Scripturelink Voters' Guide; c.f. IOL (Secular; Independent; South African) via the Cape Times (Page 1) Monday 03 / 08 | August / 2009 ;  article from SAPA [South African Press Association] (Secular; Independent; South African) 26 / 07 | July / 2009 ; from SAPA 30 / 06 | June / 2009 ; from Cape Argus 20 / 06 | June / 2009 ; from Daily News 15 / 06 | June / 2009 ; from page 4 of Tribune 26 / 07 | July / 2009  ;  News 24 (Secular; Independent; South African) article by SAPA [South African Press Association] (Secular; Independent; South African) 08 / 06 | June / 2009 ; Mail and Guardian (South African; Independent; Secular; Liberal) article by Health-e News Service 02 / 06 | June / 2009 ; 15 / 09 | September / 2008 ; )

Article by Marc Aupiais

Blade Nzimande, the Republic of South Africa's: Minister for Higher Education and Training, and the General Secretary of the SACC (South African Communist Party), and a member of the National Executive Committe (NEC), of the ANC (African National Congress): which commands a majority in the South African parliament, and the Presidency- has slammed media bodies, and others, for criticizing the ANC's proposed NHI (National Health Insurance) bill- as the ANC continues to forge ahead with the controversial scheme ( IOL (Secular; Independent; South African) via the Cape Times (Page 1) Monday 03 / 08 | August / 2009 ). It has been reported, that there was speculation that World Renowned Barbara Hogan, was removed from the health Portfolio, due to Trade Union pressure, after she suggested that the bill be submitted to usual procedures and public scrutiny (Mail and Guardian (South African; Independent; Secular; Liberal) article by Health-e News Service 02 / 06 | June / 2009 ).

100 Billion Rand larger Health Budget?


According to Alex van den Heever, a health economist, who was quoted by HASA (The Health Association of South Africa), having spoken at their  Durban Conference: the NHI is a ""completely unworkable, unaffordable solution that won't improve health services despite massive increases in expenditure""(News 24 (Secular; Independent; South African) article by SAPA [South African Press Association] (Secular; Independent; South African) 08 / 06 | June / 2009). According to van den Heever: part of the proposal is to increase the Health budget by 100 Billion Rand, an astronomical and unrealistic figure, especially during a recession, and as the ANC has put forward other plans slated as unrealistic by financial experts.

ANC NEC member: those opposing the plan are "capitalists"

Speaking on the 88th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party, Blade Nzimande said:

""The capitalist classes have already started a huge campaign in the media to try to discredit this system, and we want to say to them as communists today, war unto you.

"Prepare for a huge battle because we are going to mobilise the workers and the poor of the country to fight against you so we can have a national health insurance scheme."

Nzimande said the national health insurance scheme "aims to ensure every South African has access to health services without having to pay up front".

Public and private health care facilities would be open to all who wanted to use them.

"Everyone must have access to affordable and quality health care. How is it going to work? Those that are rich, they are going to pay more for this scheme. Those who are unemployed and with no income, will pay nothing, but everybody will get the same quality treatment." "

(IOL (Secular; Independent; South African) via the Cape Times (Page 1) Monday 03 / 08 | August / 2009 )

Further Criticisms

According to IOL:

"Critics have argued that the scheme would be too costly to implement and would not work if problems in the public health service - largely stemming from poor management - are not sorted out first.

Under the proposal, medical scheme members would pay 85 percent of the contributions, irrespective of the option they chose, to a global fund that would pay public and private sector providers."

(IOL (Secular; Independent; South African) via the Cape Times (Page 1) Monday 03 / 08 | August / 2009 )

December: In the Pipeline

South Africa's public health system is under a state of collapse: with doctors underpaid, and many professionals either entering the private sector, or leaving the country.

A draft on the NHI is expected by December 2009, the ANC plans to implement the NHI within the next 5 years.  While the NHI is seen as- likely to go through; one possible reason that the head of the Communist Party, is so vehemently supporting his ANC allies- is that there have been rumours reported in the press last month- that some within the Communist Party, want to replace their General Secretary, or to oppose him in their December conference. The NHI proposal, like many other controversial legislative schemes now being put forward- has previously been pushed by now Zuma Allies. With a leftist president, it is much more likely to succeed.

Under ANC management- South Africa's previously world-class public health sector has collapsed under mismanagement and corruption. Some sources have asked that the ANC run Government firstly fix up the public health sector, before combining it with the private health sector. Others blame the move on covering up ANC incompetence and a lack of service delivery, which has caused violent rioting on the streets.

SADC Region: Republic of South Africa: Official Opposition in talks with strange bedfellows?

(South African Catholic)


Notation by Marc Aupiais

According to the Cape Argus, a member of the Independent Newspapers (IOL) news group: the Democratic Alliance (DA)- South Africa's Official Opposition: is in behind closed doors unity talks with several smaller parties- including ANC off-shoot: COPE (Congress of the People), the ID (Independent Democrats), and the UDM (United Democratic Front).

While the DA allows their Members of Parliament (MPs) to vote with their conscience, on matters deemed by the DA to be related to morality- the ID and UDM- have both pushed legislation and policies, which are seriously against the moral fibre set out by the Church- including on vitally important issues such as- what marriage should be, and legalising of and pushing of pro-abortion legislation by the state.

Much of the leadership of political fledgling- COPE- jumped ship from the ANC prior the last election- having seemingly been perfectly accepting of the ANC (African National Congress)- when it radically liberalised access to Abortion, and instituted "Civil Unions"- "Gay marriage". On the "Gay Marriage" issue- as our service noted in another article: earlier this year- the ID seemingly wanted to force marriage officers to "marry" gay couples- whatever their conscientious or religious objections.

Exactly what form of alliance would be formed if the alleged talks are successful- is not clear to our service at present.

Whether this would entail close co-operation on some matters between multiple parties, or a new political party- is not clear, although the evidence seems to lend towards the latter- as with the quotations the Cape Argus gives to back up its claims.

Reportedly: Helen Zille has noted a number of areas where the opposition parties could find common ground-

These apparently include: commitment to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; creating an environment which would offer opportunities to everyone; a market-driven economy, opportunity and delivery and a safety net for the less privileged (c.f. IOL- as linked to below).

Representation of the DA had not replied to a media request from our service at the time of publishing.

C.F. IOL (Secular; Independent; South African) 02 / 08 | 2009

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Twitter&set_id=1&click_id=79&art_id=vn20090802061851279C687881

Apologetical work: Is God a woman?

(South African Catholic)

Short Apologetical Equation by Marc Aupiais

According to a number of New Wave figures: God is a "woman"- or "clearly" not a "man". Ignoring wilfully the incarnation of Jesus (God the Son- one of the three distinct persons of the Holy Trinity) as an actual male of the human species. For this reason- many uses of the masculine in the Sacred Text- have been rendered gender-neutral in a number of translations- even in "Catholic Bibles".

The reason why this is unacceptable corruption of the text- lies not only in the distortion of many prophesies- but further in the philosophical sense of what is "male" and what is "female". This sense of the words- is what is used when manufactured connectors are labled "male" or "female".

It is God who gives us grace- who gives our bodies life- and who instills the church with life and what unity it has.

God fulfils the Spiritually "male" role in his relation to us. It is possibly: in part- for this reason- I would argue- that God created mankind as "male" and "female", and not simply asexual- it is also important therefore that Genesis places the fact that women exist- on the existence of man. We exist because of God.

It is therefor a vital issue to put forth- That God- in relation to us is philosophically "male"- and that while his "gender role" is possibly, and I deeply stress the word possibly- "gender-neutral"- his philosophic position in relation to us: is "male".

South African National Defence Force (SANDF)- on verge of collapse- experts!

(South African Catholic)

Note by Marc Aupiais

According to the IOL (Independent Newspapers) news group- of South Africa- multiple experts on military matters- have warned that South Africa could handle only the most "minor" of Defence crisis.

Jane's Defence Weekly Southern Africa correspondent Helmoed-Romer Heitman, Henri Boshoff of the Institute of Security Studies in Pretoria, retired Brigadier-General George Kruys of the University of Pretoria, and Professor Renfrew Christie, dean of research at the University of the Western Cape have all raised serious concerns about the state of the South African Army.

It has been warned that if piracy moves south- that our navy is not capable of patrolling the Mozambique Channel to protect commercial shipping, that should Zimbabwe collapse- our army would not be capable of intervening, that taking the police off border patrol would be deadly- and that if events turn sour in Darfur- that it would be hard to evacuate our troops.

South African troops situated throughout Africa- have been credited with a deep stabilising influence- but soldiers are ageing, equipment is reportedly unserviceable, and funding is scarce- in comparison to the mammoth tasks demanded of South African soldiers in multiple giant frontiers throughout some of the most dangerous hot spots on the African Continent.

Defence Minister: Lindiwe Sisulu (appointed by the ANC [African National Congress]- ruling party) has expressed confidence in the readiness of the South African National Defence Force, according to IOL.

The Official Opposition of the Republic of South Africa, the DA (Democratic Alliance), disagrees with the Defence Minister. Their shadow Minister of Defence: Mr David Maynier claims that South Africa must take action least it experience: "soldiers without vehicles, ships without sailors, planes without pilots, and military hospitals without doctors".

A study a while back warned that a smaller deployment of South African troops Up North on the continent- could lead to dire consequences and destabilization. South African troops which were deployed in Burundi are credited with the stabilisation of the country, as South African diplomacy throughout the continent has been credited with ending wars.

The nay sayers seem to believe that either the army should be funded in a manner they would see as adequate: for its mammoth tasks- or that it should be used in what they would see as: more economically wise matters, or in a more economic manner.

C.F.

IOL (Secular; Independent; South African) 02 / 08 | August / 2009
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?&set_id=1&click_id=79&art_id=vn20090802062434798C127223

USA: Catholic Charities USA (Caritas Internationalis), Society of Saint Vincent De Paul, Catholic Health Association: support Universal Abortion plan in America?

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Yahoo  News (American ; Independent; Secular): press release of ALL(American Life league) (Catholic; Independent; American) Wednesday 29 / 07 | June / 2009 ;  Reuters (British; independent; Secular) Wednesday 04 / 02 | February / 2009 (Press release from Catholic Charities USA) ; Thursday 05 / 02 | February / 2009 (Press release from Catholic Charities USA)  ; 24 / 02 | February / 2009 (Press release from Catholic Charities USA)  ; American Papist (Catholic; Independent; American) Thursday 30 / 07 | July / 2009 ; Catholic World News (CWNEWS) (Catholic; Independent; American) 14 / 07 | July / 2009  ; White House Website (American; Governmental; Secular) 13 / 07 | July / 2009 ; Catholic News Agency (Catholic; independent; American) via EWTN (Catholic; American; Independent) 24 / 07 | July / 2009 )

Article by Marc Aupiais

The American Life League (ALL), and LifeSitenews as well as esteemed Catholic journalist: Thomas Peters, known also for the website "American Papist" : have accused Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA : one of three Caritas Internationalis organizations in the United States of America), Society of Saint Vincent De Paul, and the Catholic Health Association: of supporting universal funding for abortion by American taxpayers.

All three Charity organizations have been lobbying, according to these news sources: for a healthcare reform project currently being pushed by pro-abortion Democrat American President- Barack Obama. The reform would involve an American "Universal health insurance" scheme- funded by taxpayers. This same scheme has been attacked by generally credible news sources- for allegedly including wide funding for abortion as an important effect of the plan. Despite the reportedly pro-abortion effect of the legislation, all three organizations are allegedly attempting to mobilize support for passing the legislation, which has generally become known as "ObamaCare"!

Prior this latest incident: Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA (a member organization of the Caritas Internationalis umbrella organization), recently also wrote a letter stressing the importance of healthcare reform as a priority, vaguely skimming over abortion in this. Rev. Larry Snyder is an advisor to Barack Obama on religious issues, via Barack Obama's President's Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (since February 2009). When he accepted the position earlier this year- he claimed that messages which were sent him from those opposing his work with Barack Obama based on anti-abortion sentiments- were hate-mail saying that these claimed his actions were worthy of hell. In his talk, in Washington DC, after having accepted his position as an advisor on religion to Barack Obama- he quoted Barack Obama- as an important source on some of the issues he was attempting to promote.

Catholic Charities USA- then sent his speech via a press release to media, including Reuters.

Caritas Internationalis- has been involved in several scandals involving alleged use of funding for the promotion of an abortionist agenda. After our organization published an interview with Caritas Internationalis Secretary general- Lesley-Anne Knight- earlier this year, we were encouraged in a manner including threats- to no longer cover the story at the time- a story involving alleged funding of pro-abortion campaigners in Mexico, via funds given Caritas' Canadian branch: "Development and Peace", often during collection in Churches. Caritas Internationalis Secretary General- Lesley-Anne Knight, did not answer our organization's question as to whether or not general Caritas funding went towards the Canadian funding of Mexican groups.

On the 13th of July 2009 (earlier this month), Dr. Regina Benjamin, a board member of the Catholic Health Association (one of the three organizations campaigning for Obama's health reform), was nominated as Surgeon General of the United States of America, by US President Barack Obama (White House Website (American; Governmental; Secular) 13 / 07 | July / 2009 ).

What is traditional marriage- article possibly on the way!

Notation By Marc Aupiais

A recent article on our service got an interesting response. We have been attempting to give secular responses to proposed legislation in a specific country: legislation which the Catholic doctrine and dogma would consider immoral.

In our article we attempted to emphasise the value of secular- western traditional marriage- something so much less than sacramental marriage- but still so important in what it does.

The interesting comment we received- was that in many societies- the concept of traditional marriage is no longer something which is accurately spoken of- and may well not be understood by many readers, especially in their surroundings.

We therefore are looking into whether or not one of our correspondents, perhaps even myself- should write one or more articles about marriage- we might possibly even attempt to do so via responses to different articles.

Please do continue to contact us with your requests and thoughts and comments- these help shape our service- to a useful degree!

Marc Aupiais
Editor

Apologetical Analysis- the trouble with trivialising marriage

Analytical apology by Marc Aupiais

It is a concept so central to western society- that it has in the past determined a man's class. It is in a way- is the most basic structure keeping stability within the cultures which value it most.

A child from a broken, unstable, weakened family- is shown to be more susceptible to unwanted influences such as drugs, or crime. The child without a strong family basis does not have the same advantage that the child which lives in a stable- healthy environment experiences.

The concept of marriage- does not refer to a good for the family alone- a marriage is something which benefits society- the strong vows and many other factors- show both that Marriage creates just restrictions, and secondly that a large portion of its benefits are gained by the child and thus by society- which is maintained via stable families.

The reason that society places such value on marriage- apart from religious reasons, and from the benefits and protections given the couple- is that marriage is an important factor in creating stable families.

If this were not so- would it be just to treat married people so differently from unmarried ones- to treat couples better than lone individuals?

The strength of marriage in society filters into the strength of the basic family unit- and from there- into the depths of society as a whole.

It has been shown that recognition of lesser unions- have made those who are in a weaker position: who would want more protection via marriage- more susceptible to falling for lesser protection.

Allowing registered lesser relations, with less protection to the weaker partner- may well cause some few to be more powerful under the law- yet the many who would have chosen stronger protection- could well be tempted to enter a lesser agreement.

The lesser agreement- means a less stable partnership, and less stability and strength in a family- especially as the partners are not vowed to one another, and as the consequences of breaking the agreement are lesser for the stronger party.

It is my personal opinion that legal recognition of Domestic Partnerships in South Africa- would have a negative impact on the fabric of our society- a society where many families are already weak or broken.

I would urge our readers strongly to defend the structure of marriage against all attacks.

The impact a couple have on their own children- affects all of us. Marriage is a community event and a marriage's success or failure hurts or aids the community.

When the law focuses too much on the individual and not enough on their positive or negative impact on the fabric of society- this is dangerous.

All that is good- is that which is for life- whether our own or life in general- that which is bad- is damaging to life. Any other standards- ethically should rest or fall on one standard- are they good for life- for the single life, and that of the many?

Both are important: both individual and group- we do believe that some women who would have entered marriage or left their boyfriend under the current situation- could well be forced or pressured into receiving only a lesser protection- should these registered and unregistered domestic partnerships be accepted!

But in general- we would also like to warn our readers- that all the interferences with the family structure in South Africa have an effect on us all- there is no ethical justification of giving couples who are together such protection as that of marriage- except with their children in mind- and the family's impact considered.

The compass of Your own very own life!

Article by Marc Aupiais

We often hear of death, and of those things which destroy lives. We often hear of bad influences- and of dangerous situations. When we hear of these- it is often is a neutral- or hurt tone.

The reason God forbids sin- is that the human soul is made of truth. Our being's skeleton- our life is a structure made of truth. It is why we call our soul wise- reasoned. The truth vibrates as wisdom- this is the form the structure of truth takes. Yet, when we turn to lies, or allow ourselves to turn into fools- our soul becomes damaged- so that if we died- we may never recover our fuller soul.

People in an egg race walk differently- as with those carrying something fragile, or a near fill glass of water. Your soul is the source of your personal life- through connecting your being to God. It is special, unique. Worth walking in a manner others don't.

Yet, in this modern era- we cannot rely any longer on our society- our fellows: or those who are tasked to save our beings- in order to find the way to God.

For this reason- Lumen Gentium XVI becomes utterly important. God will judge us each individually- and by the same standard.

Did we seek the deeper truth? Did we seek to obey it? Seeing the truth about God- what you sensed of the Gospel, of the Reality of our being- did you accept and eat of it? Did you crave it or persevere in seeking truth? Or perhaps those other aspects of conscience and intuitive truth- which cause our seeking of God and our craving for an existence of truth and ethical existence!

The reason we must become Catholics, and true- obediently moral, ethical, reverent Catholics- is because the Church is part of the gospel truth- and we must eat of the truth to sustain the soul.

This is why sacraments are so utterly powerful- they are dispensations of the necessary Truth- of the Divine Truth we call grace- which sustains a man.

It is also why prayers to saints are so powerful, and why righteous prayers are answered- why good men are heard by God first. They are more true in their lifestyle- their souls' connection with God are stronger- more healthy.

In this life of ours- our conscience- the presence which softly prompts like a soft- deep intuitive truth- is our compass- as our inner intuition is a dynamic compass, and so much more.

By our conscience we are judged- its testimony is heard, even like the loudest of noise- in heaven- and it creates a hurt inside when we sin. It will not hesitate to note it if we know the truth and refuse to eat of it- to live of it.

We who have conscience cannot purely blame another. Those who have harmed our ability to obey God have committed the gravest of sins- and they too will face their conscience- and the will of God. But you individually need to care for you.

This is why Jesus wisely says- take the log out of your own eye before tending to the splinter in your brother's eye. You must save yourself first- and care for your own soul first- if you ever want to safely save another.

The first step in spreading the gospel is becoming truth. Then too- you must care for your neighbour who is in your care. The priest is a doctor- the sacraments his equipment. Still- if you have been given a soul to care about- you must see the soul through to heaven- in a firm, patient- Godly manner.

Personal responsibility is the most important thing- should you desire to enter God's House, when your last breath has left!

Prayer- is a vital truth, but to conscience- to intuitive truth- be true. The man's inner being is truth. In it we judge truth from falseness.

We are saved in sacraments and by and in truth. Faith- hope- love- none exist in any true, good way in relation to God without Truth. God is Truth. Literally!

This is why we must discern within our being- and turn ourselves entirely into God's service, in our everyday existence and hopes.

Concern over domestic partnerships bill

Concerns raised by the Editor of South African Catholic

We at South African Catholic- would like to raise serious concern over proposed legislation- recognising cohabitation sexual partners in South Africa. Adhering to the clear Catholic belief that the Family is the most basic structure of a civilised society- we would like to express our concern- that a society already damaged by the impact Apartheid had on the family: and thereby on the South African Nation- could be further damaged and hurt by the giving of what Catholic Doctrine would consider: as even further recognition to extra-"marital" relationships- in a manner involving legal consequences- should these be broken off.

We would further like to note serious opposition to the proposition of some- that a person in a civil marriage should be allowed to enter into such Domestic Partnership- with a person not their spouse- thereby incurring the maintenance requirements to their domestic partner- associated with the proposed bill.

We believe such suggestion could be prejudiced against the position of the other spouse in a marital relationship, and could destroy relations, and the good health and position of valid children- within said marriage.

South African Catholic firmly believes that it is foundational to any long lasting, successful society- to have lifelong marriage between one man and one woman- exclusive of all other persons so far as marital relations are concerned- and with the aim, or possibility of raising good children at its core- as a central and over-riding influence in society!

It is our firm belief that the basis of secure families- are a foundation to saving our nation from the corruption and deterioration that have so often surfaced. We encourage our government and the South African people- to once again realise the tremendous value to the nation- of traditional- historic, western marriage.

We are deeply opposed to the proposed legislation- believing that it will not improve the lot of those persons engaged in these extra-marital activities.

Marriage is so binding- and so protected in our past and our history- precisely because of the impact which this has- on spouses, on families, on children- on society, and values- and ethics in a society. We would like the government to consider the real effect of marriage- as well as the effect, which the interventions with family life- on the family by the Apartheid government continue to have upon our society even today!

God bless,

Marc Aupiais

Sunday obligation and illness

Apology by Marc Aupiais

With the winter upon us, and the swine flew issue at large- with over 100 South African cases- I thought to look into writing an apologetical work on the issue of mass and personal illness. I hope our viewers will forgive the brevity.

Today is Sunday, and like many active Catholics I go to mass every Sunday, and feast days when I remember these. When sick however, or if there are other valid mitigating circumstances- I do not attend mass- but not out of any perception of acceptable laxness. It is valid to miss mass when one is ill- or caring for those who are ill. How ill one must be- is a matter for the personal conscience.

With the swine flew pandemic, and many other issues faced by our readers throughout the world- it is perhaps important to note how sickness relates to our grave obligation to attend a valid mass on Sunday and on other days of obligation in our local diocese. We have previously listed all the days of obligation in the "Southern Africa" jurisdiction. I think there are about three which do not fall on a Sunday. Internationally there are about 11 universal days of Obligation- which individual conferences or dioceses can ask the Vatican for exemption from.

Illness, or caring for the ill, is a valid reason to miss mass. That said- if you are really ill- consider having yourself placed on a communion for the sick list from a nearby parish. Certainly contact a medical professional if needed- for medical treatment!

The reason we are obligated to attend mass- is because of the spiritually nourishing and healing and protective effect of mass- and especially in the Lord's Supper. I may note that while in South Africa, I have often noted a lack of reverence for the Divine Host, among our priests- that it is important that you take the Body of Christ with the utmost respect- and especially not take Christ's body and blood in mortal sin, or if you are not in communion with the church! Also consider weekly confession before taking communion- it is God you are consuming after all.

If you are seriously sick- ask for the anointing of the sick from a priest- this should include confession and the taking of the host.

Do not underestimate the power of grace in sickness- but also remember that there are measures in place to allow those who are ill to get the host at home, these can also stop the spread of sickness. Also, remember that while the church is a doctor of souls- that if you may be ill- it may be best to visit your local medical doctor or clinic.

Holding hands during the Pater or Our Father prayer- is not actually regulation- I.e. It is neither encouraged nor recognised- and the sign of peace does not have to be a handshake- it can be a cordial nod- one should take concern over their health during mass- and attempt to stop illness spreading.

Personally I also take communion on the tongue- which when done properly- does not involve a hand touching my mouth- and means that one less pair of hands have touched the host- that said, I am no health expert. I would not advise taking of the Blood of Christ if there is sickness in your community- and while we are obligated to attend mass- you are not obligated to take communion except possibly once at the Easter period.

Hope this information has been useful! God bless, and remember- you are important enough to God to not be forced to go to mass when ill- that is just part of why the obligation is lifted. That said- it is still a grave duty to attend under normal circumstances.

I would also like to state that this is not medical advice, and should not be taken as medical advice. It is only to be relied on at your own risk!

Pope Benedict XVI falls, hurts wrist, hospitalized, but Vatican says: condition isn't serious

(See What We See News and Archive ; c.f.  AP [ Associated Press] (Secular; independent; American) Friday 17 / 07 | July / 2009 : via Yahoo News ; Friday 17 / 07 | July / 2009 : via Yahoo News : Update ; Sky News ( British; independent; Secular) 17 / 07 | July / 2009 ;  Scripturelink's Catholic Search; Scripturelink's 'Mainstream News Search'; Vatican Site 17 / 07 | July 2005; 23 / 07 | July / 2006 ; some information was also taken from V.I.S. [Vatican Information Service] 13 / 07 | July / 2009: 090713 (300) ; 17 / 07 | July / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Pope Benedict XVI (Formerly: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger; Pope since April 2005), has fallen in the bath, thus hurting ('breaking' / 'fracturing') his wrist. The pope is expected to wear a cast for a while, after a successful surgery in a nearby town. Vatican Spokesperson: Father Federico Lombardi, has downplayed the incident, noting that the fall happened on Friday morning.

The pontiff was on holiday in Les Combes, Valle d'Aosta in Northern Italy, in the Italian Alps: nearby the border with France. The pontiff was  staying in the same chalet as previous stays in the area: overlooking the famous Mont Blanc peak- the highest in the Alps. He had spent a number of other 'vacations' as pope, in this chalet. Pope John Paul II, also enjoyed the area, when he was alive. Benedict XVI, was staying in the in the same chalet (belonging to the Salesian Order), as the Late John Paul II, used when on Vacation in the area. Benedict XVI, vacationed in 2005 and 2006, in the alps also.

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI: is reported to have eaten breakfast, and said mass, before being taken off to hospital in the nearby town of Aosta (to Umberto Parini hospital). He is said to have walked into the hospital, with an aid accompanying him, having arrived via motor vehicle. According to hospital spokesman: Tiziano Trevisan, an x-ray of the 82 year old pontiff, found a small fracture in the Pope's wrist. The Pope was being kept for observation. According to the BBC: the Vatican is calling the incident minor.

The hospital concerned, has successfully performed a twenty (20) minute  surgery on the pontiff, under local anesthetic. He is expected to have a cast over his arm for about a month. The pope, who enjoys playing the piano, will likely not be able to gain pleasure from music via playing the piano this holiday, as he has reportedly previously done while on vacation.

Benedict XVI, has generally had good health, despite his age. He had planned a vacation, with plans for 'some work' during it. It is expected, that he will keep to his schedule, including appearances, especially his Sunday Angelus, despite the interruptions to his holiday, which were, and will be brought about by his injury.

The Pope arrived in the Italian Alps on Monday July 13, and is due to finish his vacation on Wednesday, July 29.

According to V.I.S. [Vatican Information Service]:

"POPE SUCCESSFULLY OPERATED FOR WRIST FRACTURE

VATICAN CITY, 17 JUL 2009 (VIS) - This morning Benedict XVI underwent surgery at the Umberto Parini hospital in the Italian town of Aosta for a fracture to his right wrist. He had suffered a fall last night in his chalet at Les Combes in Valle d'Aosta where he is spending a brief holiday.

The Holy Father arrived at the hospital at 9:45 a.m. this morning. "Even so", declared Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi, "he celebrated Mass and had breakfast early this morning".

Later the Pope "underwent an operation to realign the fractured fragments and fasten them through osteosynthesis, using a local anaesthetic then applying a cast. The Holy Father's general condition is good" added the Pope's doctor Patrizio Polisca, specifying that "the Pope will return shortly to his residence".
OP/FALL HOLY FATHER/LOMBARDIVIS 090717 (120)"

(V.I.S. [Vatican Information Service] 17 / 07 | July / 2009)

Americas: Caribbean: Honduras: Honduras' Catholic Church supports new government

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular; independent; British) 15 / 07 | July / 2009 ; 01 / 07 | July / 2009 ; Catholic Culture (Catholic; American; Independent) 06 / 07 | July / 2009  ; AP [Associated Press] (Secular; independent; American) 28 / 06 | June / 2009: Story hosted by Yahoo ; CNN [Central News Network](American; independent; Secular: accused regularly of biases) 28 / 06 | June / 2009 ; CNA [Catholic News Agency] (Catholic; American; Independent) 06 / 06 | June / 2008 )

Article by Marc Aupiais

British News Agency, Reuters: reports, that Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, and the Catholic Church, in Honduras, have seemingly given their open support to Roberto Micheletti's government, the man voted in as new president by the Nation's congress.

Nearby superpower, the United States of America, has named the military supported transfer of power a coup, while the former president alleged that he was kidnapped. Supporters of the new government, including the Caribbean country's Supreme Court, and Catholic Bishops: claim that the former president had disrespected the laws of the country, and that while the transfer of power involved the military, that it is a lawful and legitimate transfer of power. They claim, that the former president wanted to illegitimately alter the constitution of the country, to gain another term in office.

The Catholic Church in Honduras, which has had a shaky relationship with left leaning: former President Manuel Zelaya (elected for a non-renewable term in office in 2005), has noted that the "coup" occurred in accordance with a court order, to the effect of legitimizing the removing of Zelaya from power, and claims that its position is in fact, out of respect of Honduran law, which it claims Zelaya has broken.

The Catholic Church claims that it did not support the exiling of Zelaya, but does not support his return to the country. Some, including a Jesuit priest and radio personality: Ismael Moreno who was publicly critical of the choice: had seemingly hoped that the role of mediator, taken up by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, would be assumed by the Church. The Church's previous position, had been perceived by some as hinting at this. It now- claims to remain neutral, but respectful of the law. The law, being in its view: on the side of the new government.

This view, that the military was acting subject to Honduran law, has also been publicized by the Honduran Supreme Court, which claims that the military action, was lawful, and that the former president, had been planning to violate the law, via a referendum, about whether or not a president, such as Zelaya: could run for another term.

Zelaya, previously seen as a moderate, has been accused of attempting to institute a Chavez (Venezuelan President) style "socialist" scheme in Honduras, as well, as of attempting to extend his term in office. Venezuela, and others affiliated with socialism, have condemned the changeover of power in Honduras. Zelaya, is seen as close to Chavez, who has been accused of allowing Human Rights abuses against Catholics in his country.

The Catholic church, in Honduras, is both powerful, and political. It is reportedly the most trusted institution in the country. The Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, had at one stage been placed in charge of a commission governing the police. This despite the Aquinisian notation: that the priest must not carry the sword.

Zelaya, is a known advocate of abortion, and has been accused by the Catholic church in his country, of being a dictator.

The change of power in Honduras has been explicitly condemned by left leaning United States of America president: Barack Obama, as well as officials, in a number of other nations. The Organization of American States, had particularly attacked the new government. Chavez ally: suspended priest and former Sandinista leader Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann, controversial president of U.N. (United Nations) General Assembly since September 2008, has also condemned the takeover.

The Catholic church in the country, publicly states that the takeover was legitimate, and claims that the takeover was in accordance with a court order. Zelaya, who claims that the referendum was more of a poll, than a ballot- faces arrest, should he return to the country.

Americas: Carribean: Cuba: Second priest in five months killed in communist Cuba

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular; Independent; British) Monday 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [link] ; AP (Secular; Independent; American) Monday 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link] : Via Yahoo news; via AP Hosted ; Zenit News Service (Catholic; Independent; American) Monday 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link]: Spanish Language edition;  translation by Google of 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link] Zenit News Service Article ) c.f. French Translation: Amériques: Caraïbes: Cuba: Deuxième prêtre tués en cinq mois sous le régime communiste de Cuba

Article by Marc Aupiais

In a death, which is reported to not immediately seem connected to a similar incident within the last five months: a second (2nd) Roman Catholic Priest, has reportedly been murdered in Communist Cuba.

From first reports: it appears that Spanish Priest, Mariano Arroyo Merino, was reportedly found dead in one of the rooms of: the Nuestra Señora de Regla (Our Lady of Regla) parish, in Regla, by Havana Bay: in the Havana Archdiocese.

An automatic translation of Zenit's report on the issue, includes some details of the priest's life:

"Father Mariano Arroyo was born on February 20, 1935, in Cabezon de la Sal, Cantabria. He was ordained priest on April 17, 1960. Soon after, in 1962, left as a missionary in Santiago, Chile, where he remained until 1968. From 1969 to 1979 working again in Madrid, Spain, as a pastor and trainer of the seminar. In 1980 he returned to Chile, and served in several parishes in the Diocese of Copiapó."

(  translation by Google of 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link] Zenit News Service Article)

Arrayo, landed in Cuba, in the month of January (19th January), 1997, the same month as the Late Pope John Paul II visited the Caribbean Island in that year (AP (Secular; Independent; American) Monday 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link] : Via Yahoo news). In December 2004, Arrayo, was seemingly appointed rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Regla,  which is across from the Havana Bay. This is where he reportedly died (translation by Google of 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link] Zenit News Service Article).

As the February 14th death, of Rev. Eduardo de la Fuente Serrano, in a not very populous area west of Havana, is still under investigation, this second death has caught some attention. The Archdiocese of Havana, under Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, did not make any release about any suspicions involving who could have killed the priest. They did however comment on his life.

The meaning of "life" and "life alike"

(Journey in a Broken World) c.f. also in French Translation Le sens de la "vie" et "la vie même"

Article by Marc Aupiais

Ever tried to find a celebrity on facebook? Odd... Isn't it- how easily one finds a fraud!

It is just as hard to find any genuinely helpful book in the spirituality or religion section of a bookstore, or a genuinely religious bookstore for that manner. I have seen a soul lost due to a book I lent a person, from a trusted Catholic bookstore. A book which should never have been sold or published.

In reality, it is common to find people using another's reputation to profit, which is what those abusing religion, or shouting to the heavens from various valid causes can well do.

Jesus warns against this, in the first commandment, and yet; there is the utmost danger of ignoring the true person, of letting the liars, frauds and enemies prevent one from connecting with a real person. Evil is lack, so that a good man, who is ill equipped, is in a way physically evil. Those who usurp another's assigned place, can also be evil: as the good they do is less that the other is meant to, and would be doing!

This desire to use another's name is common in organizations for the common good: which uplift nobodies, with no intelligence, a rabid desperation and infinite self serving needs: to high rank: simply out of perceptions of need. In fact, such organizations attract these people.

And it is there that good and evil can tear each other apart as beasts do: but only should there be good, only should some individual take a stand.

It is therefore not surprising that the same can happen in the assigned Church.

This sinful reality- It is a just justification, and reason for just celibacy and poverty vows. Priests, Religious; these official servants must live as Christ did, least we see them as liars, as thieves and as Simonry's children.

It is their task to channel Christ; for which they must gradually lose their own need to be important: and in the place of this need, determine to become important: but below Christ as a factor of truth!

So, what is this deceptive vice which causes one to pretend, without true, just justification: to be what they are not? I say ... it is the depth of all evil: the original sin, which happened before pride, or in the pride of the first sinners, and is at the depths of the essence of pride.

We all desire meaning, purpose. It is common to all men, all mankind; to want to be important, even vital.

The sin is abusing that which is important for our own desperate desires and fears, and greed.

Let us not neglect that the situation is always desperate. We will always have the poor, weak, abused; until Christ comes again. The All Encompassing Church too, for thousands of years: has been infiltrated, with weeds among the good crop. Our enemies so often using the same trick as the Snake, that vile Serpent whom we read of in the story of Adam and his wife -Eve.

Evil uses the reputation of Good, the appearance of importance to do what benefits it and no one else; and deep inside, this aids -not even itself.

Should the whole Hierarchy fail, and fall into the depths of the currents of decay, death, sin and ruin: do not forget that the Sacraments and the Tradition of the Rock, and the Magisteriam will not fall.

As with the Old Testament truth bearing devices: or as Saul spoke truth of the Second Israeli human king, so the Magisteriam stays strong, should vile men call it to judge, or should good men invoke the procedures.

But know that to be important, good, vital, or needed; one must stare into the hallowed and fearful depths, to cleanse the soul and conscience with wise, connecting intuition: and become good.

Evil is lack, and disproportion. Good is proportion and fullness. To be good, is to be full, or fuller and seeking more. In our dark times, with bishops, perhaps cardinals, entire nations, and so many turning from their posts: their right level, their right place: to be good is the most important gift you have. Even unseen good affects all, and prayer is only one of the many ways we spiritually affect the world. Our every action is a prayer, a request ... To good or evil.

Even our inners speak, and venerate one or other!

To become good, we must stay in our proper place, we must train the soul, and spread the gospel. We must note how important personal responsibility is to Christ: that he command us to help ourselves before others.

Indeed ...he does not forbid us to take the deathly splinter out of our enemy's eye: rather; he demands that we firstly care for our own soul, before any other; least our judgement be wrong and evil!

It is why he speaks of the log and splinter when speaking of judgement. How can we save, if we are ourselves blinded. No, then we as blind men would lead others into the chasm of hades and hell. We must remove that log from our eye; and then we can remove others' afflictions. To be good is to ...to continuously strive even unto, even past every death to better your connection with the Intuitive Truth, which is, and which leads via the magisteriam, and to and in God! For that truth seeks life, and not death; even if it means dying in the quest!

For we should never perform evil that good may occur. In those times, to do evil is to pray to evil. Good is never wrong nor bad. It is always practical: even if it takes more wisdom or energy or less. To do evil, is to lose sight of the gospel. We all have done evil in small portions, and yet; this was surely of doubt, despair and distrust of God, that we betrayed him!

Let us never move our gaze from Christ... Least the water surround us in a drowing death!