Vatican Newspaper not a lame duck after all! Challenges Obama peace prize!

(See What We See News and Archive; c.f. Catholic News Agency [CNA] (Catholic; independent; American) 12 / 10 | October / 2009; CWNews (Catholic; independent; American) 09 / 10 | October / 2009)

[English; Afrikaans; français]

Editorial Article by Marc Aupiais

If a recent history of controversial articles has made L'Osservatore Romano a controversial paper, their latest decision certainly once again contradicts the Vatican Press Office (the famous head of the Vatican Press Office- Jesuit Fr Lombardi's statement congratulated Obama, on his peace prize). It may be noted of Lombardi, who had congratulated Obama, unlike L'Osservatore, that this is the man who neglected to bring to the Vatican's attention what a simple Google search would have informed him of- That one of the four SSPX Bishops, who had their excommunication lifted earlier this year, was a holocaust denier, then again, the same communications man did not bring to the attention of the media, that it was not even Benedict XVI who lifted the excommunications of those persons, but another Vatican official, acting on jurisdiction given by the papacy, with an important position.


At least this time, L'Osservatore Romano's differing with the Vatican Press Office, was in a good way. According to the Catholic News Agency (CNA), the paper has accused the Nobel prize committee (appointed by the Swedish Parliament), of attempting to force Obama's hand by the award, while attacking the awarding of Obama with the prize, who by the time votes were tabulated, had only been in office a few weeks:

"Rome, Italy, Oct 12, 2009 / 01:33 pm (CNA).- The semi-official Vatican daily, L’Osservatore Romano, has called the decision to award President Obama with the Nobel Peace Prize premature and more of an invitation to choose peace through politics. The award is also questionable because of his position on various bio-ethics issues, especially abortion.

The article points out that “the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Barack Obama has taken everyone somewhat by surprise, first and foremost the U.S. president himself.”

“During the last 90 years,” L'Osservatore noted, “the prize has never been awarded to a sitting U.S. president—when it was awarded to Jimmy Carter in 2002 he had been out of office already for some time—[but was] involved in politics and susceptible, therefore, to making a range of decisions related to peace.”

Perhaps for this reason, the newspaper said, “Analysts have almost unanimously interpreted his selection as a way of pressuring Obama to make pacifist choices as his administration continues forward.”

L'Osservatore also questioned the administratoion's actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying that the decisions seem aimed at trying to find a middle way between “fidelity to the pacifist statements made during the campaign season and a more realistic policy, which some have defined as a continuation of that of the ‘warmonger’ Bush.”

This back-and-forth policy, the paper observed, is very similar to the approach that Obama has taken to “the great bioethics issues, with abortion being first and foremost.” His way of doing things has generated great controversy among Catholics in the country, the daily added.

The Vatican newspaper also brought to mind Mother Teresa being honored with the Peace Prize in 1979, and said, “Obama ought to recall that in 1979 he was preceded by Mother Teresa, who had the courage to state in her acceptance speech that the harshest war with the greatest number of ‘fallen’ is the practice of abortion, legalized and facilitated as well by the international structures.”

Pointing out an inconsistency, L'Osservatore noted that Pope John Paul II was a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize for year but was never chosen for the award, not even in 2003 “after his condemnation of the war in Iraq.”"

(Catholic News Agency [CNA] (Catholic; independent; American) 12 / 10 | October / 2009)

Attention: la traduction française de cet article, se fait via une traduction automatique. La version française de cet article pourrait contenir des erreurs. La version anglaise a la préférence!

MARDI, OCTOBRE 13, 2009

Le Quotidien du Vatican n'est pas un canard boiteux après tout!Défis Obama prix de la paix!

Espace de référence: la Cité du Vatican 

(Voir ce que nous voyons Nouvelles et Archives ["See What We See News and Archive"]; cfCatholic News Agency [CNA] (catholique, indépendant; américaine) 12 / 10 | Octobre / 2009;CWNews (catholique, indépendant; américaine) 09 / 10 | Octobre / 2009)

Article par Marc Aupiais

Si une histoire récente d'articles controversés qui a fait de L'Osservatore Romano un document controversé, leur dernière décision certainement à nouveau en contradiction avec le Vatican Bureau de presse (la fameuse tête de la déclaration du bureau de presse du Vatican, le jésuite Lombardi a félicité Obama, sur son prix de la paix). Il est à noter mai de Lombardi, qui avait félicité Obama, contrairement à L'Osservatore, que ce soit l'homme qui a négligé de porter à l'attention du Vatican, ce que d'une simple recherche Google aurait dû l'informer de-Que l'un des quatre évêques FSSPX, qui avaient leur excommunication levée plus tôt cette année, a été un négationniste, puis à nouveau, le même homme de communication n'a pas apporté à l'attention des médias, que ce n'était même pas Benoît XVI qui a levé les excommunications de ces personnes, mais un autre fonctionnaire du Vatican, statuant sur la compétence donnée par la papauté, avec une place importante.


Au moins, cette fois, L'Osservatore Romano des différences par le Bureau de presse du Vatican, était en bonne voie. Selon Catholic News Agency (CNA), le journal a accusé le Comité du Prix Nobel (désigné par le Parlement suédois), de tenter de forcer la main d'Obama par la sentence, tout en attaquant à l'attribution d'Obama avec le prix, qui, par le temps votes ont été compilés, avait seulement été en fonction quelques semaines:

"Rome, Italie, Oct 12, 2009 / 01:33 pm (CNA) .- Le quotidien semi-officiel du Vatican, L'Osservatore Romano, a qualifié la décision d'attribuer le Président Obama avec le Nobel de la paix prématurée et plus d'une invitation de choisir la paix par la politique. Le prix est également contestable en raison de sa position sur différentes questions relatives à la bio éthique, en particulier l'avortement.

L'article souligne que "l'attribution du Prix Nobel de la paix à Barack Obama a pris tout le monde par surprise, d'abord et avant tout le président américain lui-même."

"Au cours des 90 dernières années," L'Osservatore noté, "le prix n'a jamais été attribué à un président américain salon quand il a été décerné à Jimmy Carter en 2002, il avait été au pouvoir pendant un certain temps déjà, [mais] impliqué dans la politique et susceptible, par conséquent, de prendre une série de décisions relatives à la paix. "

Peut-être pour cette raison, le journal a déclaré: «Les analystes ont interprété la quasi-unanimité sa sélection en tant que moyen de pression sur Obama pour faire des choix pacifiste alors que son administration continue à avancer."

L'Osservatore également mis en doute les actions du administratoion en Irak et en Afghanistan, disant que les décisions semblent visent à essayer de trouver une voie médiane entre «la fidélité aux déclarations pacifistes durant la saison de campagne et une politique plus réaliste, que certains ont défini comme une continuation de celle du «faiseur de guerre 'Bush".

Ce va-et-vient politiques, le document fait observer, est très similaire à l'approche que Obama a prises pour «les grands enjeux de la bioéthique, l'avortement étant d'abord et avant tout." Sa façon de faire les choses a suscité une grande controverse parmi les catholiques dans le pays, ajoute le journal.

Le journal du Vatican a également apporté à l'esprit Mother Teresa être honoré du Prix de la Paix en 1979, et dit: "Obama doit de rappeler qu'en 1979, il a été précédée par Mother Teresa, qui a eu le courage de dire dans son discours d'acceptation que le plus dur de guerre avec le plus grand nombre de 'Fallen' est la pratique de l'avortement, légalisé et facilité aussi bien par les structures internationales. "

Soulignant une incohérence, L'Osservatore noté que Pope John Paul II était un candidat pour le Prix Nobel de la paix pour l'année mais n'a jamais été choisi pour la récompense, pas même en 2003 "après sa condamnation de la guerre en Irak". "

(Catholic News Agency [CNA] (catholique, indépendant; américaine) 12 / 10 | Octobre / 2009)

Apologies- we are unable to upload the rest of our scheduled news tonight, due to prevailing weather conditions in the vicinity of our Gauteng Centre

Note from Editor: Marc Aupiais


Due to weather conditions in the proximity of our main centre in Gauteng Province, we have had to close down much of our posting of articles tonight.

It is purely due to this, that our last article does not contain a summary of stories at its top, and because of this that it is not translated into Afrikaans and French, as is customary for our service.

Our publishing of the first VIS news dispatch to be received in a while will not go ahead tonight.


As for the previous political article:

It dealt with:

- The changing of the Make-up of the Constitutional Court in the Republic of South Africa, which could see a change in legal climate and what the Constitution influences.

- The continued lack of Security in the Eastern DR Congo.

- The visiting of a Russian Orthodox Church's consecration by Russia's First-Lady.

- Barack Obama's latest endorsement of Gay Marriage, and his claims of this being a human right- both of his beliefs here- Homosexual "Marriage", and the concept of this as a "Human Right" are opposed by the Catholic church as evil.

- The Top Envoy to Afghanistan of the UN, has confirmed accusations of mass election fraud in the war-torn middle-eastern nation.

- The Top UN envoy to Iraq has raised concerns over election rules being in his view: vague.



Today, in a separate article- we also published a story on a Hawaian priest, who was reportedly sainted.

Political stories of some note today! Summary compiled 12 October 2009!

(See What We See News and Archive)

Article by Marc Aupiais

African Issues:

New Constitutional Court Judges for South Africa, could change the interpretation of law:


According to the office of the Presidency, of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma has appointed 4 new judges to the constitutional court, who were set to take office today, according to the release:

"President Jacob Zuma has in accordance with section 174(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa [This is their claim, not our service's, as with all the claims quoted here], appointed the following judges to the Constitutional Court:

· Judge Sisi Sibongile Virginia Khampepe
· Judge Christopher Nyaole Jafta
· Judge Johan Coenraad Froneman, and,
· Judge President Mogoeng Thomas Reetsang Mogoeng

The four retiring Justices are:

· Chief Justice Pius Langa
· Justice Yvonne Mokgoro
· Justice Kate O’ Regan
· Justice Albie Sachs

On the 1st of October 2009, President Zuma announced the appointment of Justice Sandile Ngcobo as the new Chief Justice of South Africa, Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo assumes office on Monday 12 October 2009.

[...]

The newly appointed judges assume office on Monday 12 October 2009.

ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY ON 11 OCTOBER 2009"

(The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa (Secular; Governmental; South African) 11 / 10 | October / 2009)

In South Africa, the Chief Justice is appointed by the presidency, the other judges are appointed by the President of the Republic from a list offered by the JSC (Judicial Service Commission), on which the presidency has a voice via proxy, on the body which also includes representatives of the legal profession. In South Africa, as elsewhere, the appointment of judges is seen as a political matter.



Refugees warned not to return to the DRC:

According to the United Nations (UN) News Center, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday warned 2 000 (Two Thousand) Congolese situated in Burundi, not to return to their home in the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo / DR Congo), reportedly due to security fears:

"The latest warning from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) follows an incident yesterday when more than 400 Congolese from the recently closed camp in Gihinga, central Burundi, were stopped from entering their country by DRC immigration officials.

“UNHCR has repeatedly urged the refugees not to go back to their native South Kivu province in DRC for the moment, stressing that that under the prevailing security conditions neither the Government authorities nor UNHCR would be in a position to guarantee their safety on return,” agency spokesperson Andrej Mahecic told a news briefing in Geneva.

DRC immigration services said their actions were based on security concerns for the group. The refugees had boarded 11 trucks provided by Burundian government yesterday morning, leaving behind another group of some 500 refugees waiting for their turn to go home. When they reached the border they found it closed and the Burundian authorities took them back to Gihinga.

The refugees are being provisionally sheltered at the former camp, in classrooms and a health centre, waiting for the outcome of discussions between the Burundi authorities and DRC officials, who were expected to arrive in Bujumbura, the Burundian capital, today.

The refugees are being cared for by the Burundian agency responsible, Office pour la Protection des Réfugiés et des Apatrides, which is distributing food and water provided by UNHCR and high protein biscuits provided by the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

The Congolese denied access to their country are those who earlier refused to relocate to the newly established Bwagiriza camp in eastern Burundi, claiming their security would not be guaranteed there. Bwagiriza camp is presently sheltering some 1,200 mostly Congolese refugees, including 599 who voluntarily transferred from Gihinga earlier this week."

(United Nations News Centre (Secular; United Nations; International) 09 / 10 | October / 2009 )

The Eastern Congo, remains a high alert area of the war torn Central African country.

Russian news:

Svetlana Medvedev, Russia's first-lady (The wife of President Medvedev), according to Russia's presidency, took part in the consecration of a Russian Orthodox church, that of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, situated in Sestroretsk which is in the Leningrad Region of Russia. Sestroretsk is reportedly situated nearby St. Petersburg.

Considering that the religious building was build nearby a spot, where Czar, "Peter the Great"/Peter I had launched what the presidency called his "lurking vessel", an early submarine vehicle, the Russian first lady used the opportunity to commemorate the deaths of sailers in Russian service. She also handed over a 18th Century icon of the two Apostles.

According to the Russian Presidency: Russian Orthodox Patriarch, Kirill, presided over the consecration of the church, which included a memorial to sailors in the wall. Also present were:

"[Russia's] Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, [... their] Commander in Chief of the Navy Vladimir Vysotsky, St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko, the leaders of organizations [... which donated] funds for the construction of the temple, as well as residents Sestroretsk."

(The Kremlin / Russia's Presidency (Secular / Associated with Russian Orthodox Church; Governmental; Russian - quote is a translation from the original Russian into English) 11 / 10 | October / 2009 : view English Google Translation)

The Russian Orthodox Church remains in a centuries old schism with the Roman Catholic church, despite warming of relations between the two recently, and speculation since the election of Kirill as Patriarch. While Russian Orthodoxy, is taught in public schools in Russia, Catholicism is not. Those Eastern Orthodox Christians not associated with the Roman Catholic Church, generally believe it is acceptable to make icons of saints, but not statues of them. The Russian Orthodox Church has in the past been perceived by some: of having close ties to the Russian government, something some hope Kiril may someday, prevent.

American News:

American President Barack Obama's press office has released their notes of his speech to what they note as an organisation promoting the interests of "gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender" persons. The US President claimed:

"For nearly 30 years, you've advocated on behalf of those without a voice. That's not easy. For despite the real gains that we've made, there's still laws to change and there's still hearts to open. There are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors, even loved ones -- good and decent people -- who hold fast to outworn arguments and old attitudes; who fail to see your families like their families; who would deny you the rights most Americans take for granted. And that's painful and it's heartbreaking. (Applause.) And yet you continue, leading by the force of the arguments you make, and by the power of the example that you set in your own lives -- as parents and friends, as PTA members and church members, as advocates and leaders in your communities. And you're making a difference. "

(White House / US Presidency (Secular; Governmental; American; Occupied by the left leaning "Democratic Party") released 10 / 10 | October / 2009 )

President Barack Obama was speaking to an organization called the "HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN", where he claimed that their mission was to promote "human rights".

Barack Obama supports Abortion, late Term Abortion (where a child is likely to live if extracted by Caesarian Section), and the prevention of medical resources for survivors of abortion. Prior his election, he is reported in media as having made several promises to Abortion firm, Planned parenthood. He additionally supports homosexual marriage. For his stances on these issues, many Catholics, including a large number of US (USCCB) Catholic bishops, are very concerned over his presidency.

Middle East / America's so-called "War on terror"

Top UN official notes that Afghanistan election was "fraudulent":

While claiming that there are mechanisms in place, to ensure the "will of the people", top UN (United Nations) envoy to Afghanistan, Special Representative: Mr. Eide, admitted to the existence of alleged widespread election fraud, alleged fraud long reported on by the like's of Britain's BBC (British; Governmental; Secular). The United Nations (UN) News Centre, notes that Mr. Eide, has been accused of showing bias towards encombant transition president: Hamid Karzai, this by the UN's own former Deputy Special Representative, Peter Galbraith, Eide's former deputy.

Eide is quoted by the UN News Centre as saying:

"“I have spent all my time over the last weeks for one purpose – and that is to bring this election process forward. That’s been a difficult process, marred by so many problems, not least, as you know, by widespread fraud. So it’s not been easy and that has been my only focus,”[...]

“It is important to bring this country through this process and to continue this process of installing democracy in Afghanistan,” [...]

“I believe that the institutional framework we have created – whatever its weaknesses and those are weaknesses we recognize – I understand well that these institutions would, in the end, be able to remove fraudulent votes and honour valid votes,” said Mr. Eide.

“We are now at a critical juncture,” he stated. “We have put very solid mechanisms in place to ensure that those steps are taken correctly, and that the result reflects the vote of the Afghan people.

“And I do believe, therefore, firmly, that when the result is being certified it will be a result being made on a solid basis and that should be acceptable to the Afghan people.”"

(United Nations News Centre (Secular; United Nations; International) 12 / 10 | October / 2009)

The UN itself did not count votes, this was done by an allegedly "Independent Election Commission" (IEC), set up for the task.


Hamid Karzai's government, has caused discontent among some, after his government passed a law- permitting men to deny their wives food, if they did not please them sexually. The United States of America, and its coalition allies, had been hoping that the election would feed legitimacy to their military campaign in the Middle Eastern nation. Requests for more troops by its top commander in Afghanistan, seem to suggest that their mission has yet to succeed in any substantive way.


Senior UN envoy to Iraq concerned over election laws:

"The senior United Nations envoy in Iraq has voiced concern about the country’s election laws, saying they lack clarity just three months before parliamentary polls are slated to be held.

Ad Melkert, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), issued a statement yesterday in which he called on Iraq’s Council of Representatives to revise the legal framework for the elections.

“Holding parliamentary elections on 16 January appears to be something that is strongly desired by the people of Iraq, will be a vital milestone for Iraq’s democratization process, and called for by the Iraq constitution,” he said, according to a press release issued by UNAMI in Baghdad."

(United Nations News Centre (Secular; United Nations; International) 12 / 10 | October / 2009)

The issue may cause concern, after the outcome of the Afghanistan election recently.

Pope Benedict Canonizes Five New Saints

Yesterday, Sunday October 11, 2009, in his homily Pope Benedict spoke of the newly canonized saints, “Their perfection, in the logic of a faith that is humanly incomprehensible at times, consists in no longer placing themselves at the centre, but choosing to go against the flow and live according to the Gospel,”.

I have always admired Saint Damien because of his overwhelming love and work to help people that were so badly treated by society in Hawaii. A Belgian 19^th century priest, who went to one of the Hawaiian Islands, Molokai, to help these people who were basically thrown there with leprosy and disregarded, treated less than human. Leprosy has the same stigma as that of the HIV/AIDS disease or reminds me of such.

This island is very primitive and almost a hidden secret from the outside world still today. The place I am speaking of is Kalaupapa which is tucked away on the nearly inaccessible, rugged corner of Molokai. Kalaupapa is a small peninsula jutting our 4.5 square miles on the island of Molokai. This is where Father Damien moved to and lived the remainder of his life helping these victims of the leprosy disease.

In 1865 this island was chosen by King Kamehameha V as an appropriate place to house or let leprosy patients live out their lives, they were literally just dropped off there and abandoned. Kalaupapa is best known for the work of Father Damien DeVeuster, known as “the Martyr of Molokai”. This serene place became a natural prison because of its high sea cliffs that surround it and near impossible accessibility in or out of it.

Father Damian who volunteered in 1873 to serve this leper settlement temporarily but once he arrived he remained. The people he encountered were desperate for help. He himself contracted leprosy in 1884 and remained in Kalaupapa. He died of leprosy at the age of 49, after spending 16 years of his life aiding the patients of Kalaupapa.

Patients who contracted leprosy, Hansen’s disease were immediately sent or taken from their homes for fear of spreading the infectious disease. In the 1800’s there was no medical treatment of it and patients were sent to the island of Molaki to live. They were treated as outcasts and ripped from their families.

Today many who visit Kalaupapa by plane, mule or boat are stunned with its beauty; there is little there, a store, a bar, a service station and a small post office, their homes and a hospital. Once all the lepers have passed away the National Park Service will take back this oasis and it will no longer belong to the State Department of Health. It is the right (law) of patients (leprosy) to remain there for their lifetime by Federal Law.

Since 1964, sulfur drug treatment has controlled leprosy also knows as Hansen’s disease and in 1969 patients were no longer confined to the settlement and were free to come and go as health permitted.

Also canonized Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, archbishop of Warsaw when Poland rebelled against annexation by imperial Russia in 1863. Exiled to Siberia for 20 years by the czar, he was “a shining example for all the church”, the pope said.

Dominican friar Francisco Coll Guitart, one of two Spaniards created a saint, preached in Catalonia in the 19th century and “reached the hearts of others because he transmitted what he himself lived with passion, which burned in his heart”, said the pontiff.

The other is Brother Rafael Arnaiz Baron who became a Trappist monk and died at the age of 27 in 1938. He “did not know how to pray” when he began monastic life but became an example “especially for young persons who are not easily satisfied”, the pope said.

France’s new saint is Jeanne Jugan, venerated as Marie de la Croix. She worked with the poor and elderly, shedding all her own material possessions to become “a poor person among the poor” until her death in 1879.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/pope-canonizes-five-new-saints/article1320170/

CISA: Congo Bishop forced to leave Special Synod for Africa... After a parish is burnt down, hostages taken

(South African Catholic; c.f. CISA [Catholic Information Service For Africa] (Catholic; Independent; African [Continental]) Friday 09 / 10 | October / 2009 ; Friday 09 / 10 | October / 2009 ; CNA [Catholic News Agency] (Catholic; Independent; American) 10 / 10 | October / 2009 )


Central African archbishop, withdraws from the Vatican hosted: Special Synod for Africa, due to hostage situation in his home archdiocese.

According to the CISA news service:

"VATICAN, October 9, 2009 (CISA) - The reality of political violence in [parts of] Africa hit the ongoing Synod in Rome in its first week when a Congolese bishop-delegate was forced to cut short his participation and return home following attacks at a parish where priests were taken hostage.

The Synod is discussing justice, peace and reconciliation in Africa.

Archbishop François Xavier Rusengo [Archbishop François-Xavier Maroy Rusengo] of Bukavu in the war-torn eastern DR Congo [Democratic Republic of Congo] told the [Special] Synod [for Africa] that uniformed men last Friday burnt down one of his parishes, attacked priests and took others hostage. The archdiocese had to pay a huge ransom for release of the hostages.

'Through these acts, it is the Church, remaining the only support for a terrorized, humiliated, exploited and dominated people who they would reduce to silence. Lord, may your will be done, may your kingdom of peace arrive', the Archbishop said on Tuesday.

The Synod issued a statement of solidarity with Archbishop Rusengo and the Christians of Bukavu, and expressed the hope that reconciliation and the Good News of the Gospel, as we are reminded during these days of Synod reflection, may be welcomed as the path shared by all to accomplish conditions of human life founded on the values of justice, reinforced by peace, which is a gift from God.

At the same time, the Synod called on the government to do everything possible to bring back order in justice to establish and guarantee peace, necessary for a normal life of the dear population."

(CISA [Catholic Information Service For Africa] (Catholic; Independent; African [Continental]) Friday 09 / 10 | October / 2009 ;)

Meanwhile, another archbishop, Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel of Addis Ababa, who is situated in the same city as the headquarters of the African Union (AU), suggested that the church appoint a permanent representative to the body, with the same credentials as an Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican Ambassador to a political power).

This suggestion was supported by the SACBC (Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference), but possibly not by SECAM (Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagasca), which Ethiopia is a member of- which is not mentioned as supporting the idea, but may well support it.

The Archbishop, however mentioned, that SECAM in particular, in his opinion: needed a representative on the AU for its mission, if not only an observer. He claimed that 50% of the AU members (possibly, this seems to refer to the representatives at the headquarters of the AU, as Africa is not 50% Catholic?) are Catholic, and that the Apostolic Nuncio in Ethiopia has been given permission to sit in on all meetings in Addis Abbaba as an observer.

It is unclear who the Archbishop would recommend for the job, which would happen in his proximity.

US Department of State, fears election violence in upcoming Mozambique election

(South African Catholic; c.f. US Department of State Website (Secular; Governmental; American) Updated Sunday 11 / 10 | October / 2009 ; News 24 (Secular; Independent; South African): articles by SAPS (Secular; Independent; South African) 29 / 09 | September / 2009 ; 07 / 09 | September 2009; 13 / 12 | December / 2004)

Notation by Marc Aupiais

The US Department of State, has warned their citizens to avoid Mozambique, due to fears of election violence, claiming:

"The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for violence in Mozambique in association with the October 28, 2009, general election. This Travel Alert expires on November 10, 2009.

The Embassy has received specific reports of localized civil unrest and violence in Gaza, Nampula, Sofala and Tete provinces. Past elections in Mozambique have featured violence in other areas of the country throughout the campaign season, the election, and especially in the days and weeks following the announcement of election results"

(US Department of State Website (Secular; Governmental; American) Updated Sunday 11 / 10 | October / 2009)

The 2004 elections, saw opposition party members refusing access to votes, stored in warehouses which required keys from both sides for access. The Opposition had accused police of chasing their election observers away from polling stations, and alleged that many rural voters had not been able to vote. The opposition at the time: Renamo, had been contesting Frelimo for the election, where only 30% to 40% of voters turned out. It had been declared free and fair.

Racist Bishops? Want black pope, call anti-life Obama a sign from God- that there's a need for a black pope!

Editorial Note by Marc Aupiais (Editor)

A number of African Bishops, from the region around Kenya, where Obama's father lives, have taken to treating the pro-abortion Democrat as though a sign from God, that the Catholic Church needs to repent and become more like America, and not the opposite, as some may have thought.

While the credibility of quotes by the Associated Press (AP), on issues involving Roman Catholicism, and American politics, has reduced significantly of late, with Pope Benedict XVI himself being directly and openly misquoted in favour of US president Barack Obama, their latest few, possibly out of context quotes, in their words, would seem hard to fake:

"Archbishop Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle of Accra, Ghana said on Wednesday that there was "a divine plan behind" Obama's election.

"It's like the biblical story repeating itself," he told journalists, citing the Old Testament figure Joseph who, after being sold into slavery in Egypt ends up becoming a top official.

"We believe God has his own plans. God directs history," he said of the US election. "We pray that it (Obama's presidency) brings blessings for Africa and the whole world."

[...]

"We [royal we, collaborators, Ghana's Bishops, the North/Central-African Bishops?] are definitely aware of it," Palmer-Buckle said[ referring to the concern of many of the US Catholic Bishops, over Obama's attempts to radically increase abortion funding, something the pope himself is concerned about- as seen in his recent greeting of the pro-abortion US ambassador to the Vatican.]. "But we feel it our duty to meet him and find out what are the things that unite us more than divide us."

Earlier this week, the Ghanian prelate leading the three-week meeting on the Church in Africa, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Cape Coast, Ghana, cited Obama's election in saying he didn't see any reason why there couldn't now be a black pope."

(AP [Associated Press] (Secular; Independent; American; Has had a tendency to misquote Catholic figures, including the pope: recently) 07 / 10 / 2009)

The Archbishop, who we have confirmed is an archbishop, appears clearly to not only be judging purely on race, but to be insinuating a black superiority in future, by comparing races to the 12 brothers. The Cardinal, being a Cardinal is a possible candidate for a future pope, if they were to judge by the criteria of being black, rather than on merit, and orthodoxy- he would be even more likely to have a good chance. Obama's ancestors themselves were never slaves, his father is a citizen of Kenya, his mother a white American.

Another Bishop,archbishop Monsignor Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has claimed:

""If the election of a black as head of the USA was a divine sign and a sign from the Holy Spirit for the reconciliation of races and ethnic groups for peaceful relations ... this synod and the universal church would gain from not ignoring this primordial event of contemporary history which is far from being a banal game of political alliances," he said in his speech.

Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria gave more tangible reasons for praise in meeting with journalists.

"Obama has the authority to talk straight to our bad leaders and tell them they are messing up our countries," he said. Besides, he added, "In Africa we are always happy when our brother is big.""

(AP [Associated Press] (Secular; Independent; American; Has had a tendency to misquote Catholic figures, including the pope: recently) 07 / 10 / 2009)

To attribute the election of Barak Obama to the Holy Spirit, is to place the responsibility for millions of additional deaths via abortion, on the shoulders of the Holy Spirit, a very serious accusation. That another claims that "we" are always happy when our "brother" is "big", seems to say that a white US president is not a brother to the bishop. Bush himself, a white man- focussed on Africa extensively.

Obama himself, has been seemingly racist, during his term in office- instantly taking the side of a black professor, over a white policeman in one event, and showing other activities which do not lend towards the perception the one bishop has of a uniter of men.

Fortunately, there are many many more bishops in Africa, the views of a few men do not constitute the views of multiple Bishops conferences. All of those involved seem to be from the same region, if not the same conference. All are from nearby Kenya, Obama's Father's country.

Further, the AP quotes are out of context, we cannot tell what the questions were, that said- they certainly contain words which mean something in any context. It would seem these bishops are saying that the colour of a man's skin is more important than whether an unborn child lives or dies, and than whether a political party has purposely misrepresented Catholic doctrine, dogma and Canon law on Abortion or not.

Send us your views!

Barack Obama "Wins" Nobel Prize

Note by Marc Aupiais

"He was not thought to be among the frontrunners but Barack Obama has won this year's Nobel Peace Prize. The surprise announcement was made by the Nobel Committee in Oslo.

[...]

The Committee's statement said: "Obama has as president created a new international climate, multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position with emphasis on the role that the UN and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are prefered as instruments for resolving even the most difficult conflicts".

[...]

But he is less than nine months into his first term, and has yet to score what could be considered a major foreign policy success. The decision has provoked a mixed reaction on the world stage." (EuroNews 09 / 10 | October / 2009)

While many people may still be hoping that the mainstream news got this story wrong- others are beginning to realise the reality of what has happened.

US President Barack Obama has won the Nobel Prize- for what you may ask, don't worry, we're asking the same thing: maybe for being elected?

Or is it that whole idea that he has ideas on the environment which haven't succeeded yet?

Oh- was that the international diplomacy environment? Oh? Has he succeeded there?

For a prize started by a man who created the explosive "dynamite", and started a prize in his own name after reading his own negatively written obituary in a newspaper due to a media error, this is hardly out of place. It does put to shame people who actually achieved their goals before getting the prize.

By the time Obama was voted in for the prize, prior public release of results, his only achievement was to expand abortion funding- that is according to Creative Minority Report, we haven't verified it. He'd also made a number of speeches, and promises he did not keep, or maybe kept in the same way the ANC promises people land (anyone heard of some US base in Cuba which was meant to close down?).

So remember- the Nobel prize is pretentious, wait- was that meant to be said: "prestigious"- did I make a media error- no, it was intentional, too bad for Nobel.

The person who gives a fair, reasonable explanation for why Obama deserves this prize over others who did something, may well deserve his prize.

The explanation which no-one should get a prize for- is that its for Obama's efforts to do things, like (failed) diplomacy.

For another source c.f.

CNN (a.k.a. Why am I watching this Channel- quick- change to BBC) [secular; "independent"; American]

09 October 09

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/09/nobel.peace.prize/index.html

Or

Euronews (Secular; Independent; French)

"Extraordinary efforts" win Obama Nobel prize - Nobel Prize : news ...

09 / 10 / 2009

http://www.euronews.net/2009/10/09/extraordinary-efforts-win-obama-nobel-prize/

1 in 4 human beings are Muslim- new study claims

[English; français; Afrikaans]

Note by Marc Aupiais

Called the most comprehensive of its kind, by the prestigious Pew Forum, a new study on the Earth's second most practised faith has found there are about 1.57 billion muslims. Islam, was once smaller than The Roman Catholic Church- which currently has 1.4 Billion followers, and is still smaller than the combination of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox- old guard Christian religions, and than Christianity itself- which is numbered at 2.1 to 2.2 billion followers.

That is to say- one in three people are Christian, with Catholicism accounting for over half the world's Christians, and nearly one in every four human beings. While about one in four people are Islamic in their religious affinity- with Asia holding the largest numbers of Muslims.

Only recently did Islam's religious sects, grouped together: surpass Catholicism, Christianity's largest grouping: in numbers- according to church statistics released by the Vatican prior this latest survey of population statistics. The size of Islam was then attributed to the difference in birth rates in the Western Culture, as compared that of Islamic norms.

It is notoriously hard to gauge the size of Islam, and even more so to separate voluntary followers, from those who are... let us call it "less so".

C.f.

AP [Associated Press] (Secular; Independent; American)

Hosted on:

News 24 (Secular; Independent; South African)

http://m.24.com/content/FullArticle.aspx?aid=49c75b03-e3cc-4c06-9920-79d9abd28bd0

Church alerted to pornography allegations against bishop 20 years ago ?

Evidence seems to be mounting against an ex-bishop who seems to have possessed pornography, child pornography of young teenage boys over twenty years ago that was witnessed in a catalogue.

Startling news about Bishop Raymond Lahey broke earlier this week, Lahey, the 69-year-old former bishop for the Antigonish diocese, is charged with the possession and importation of child pornography. He is staying at a monastery in Rogersville, N.B., pending his next court appearance Nov. 4 in Ottawa.

Apparently, a young man approached Rev. Kevin Molloy in Portugal Cove and told his story in his rectory and that story is not recorded anywhere.

Father Malloy supposedly spoke with the ex-bishop Lahey but it fell on deaf ears and the story quietly slipped away till reappearing some twenty years later.

Its not shocking anymore these stories, it happens. What are hurtful and shocking are who and what positions the people have in our society that does this. The shock and devastation is always higher when it occurs to come from someone we trust like a priest. A person whom the ultimate trust we expect, like parents, teachers, doctors etc., that’s what is so shocking or hurtful. We want to trust wholeheartedly. These are people we pour our hearts out to for advice. We are turning into a paranoid society of everyone whom we are expected to trust.

Trust is imperative in lots of things we do in our everyday lives, our family, our friendships; it’s earned over time, when lost its hard if ever to get back. Trust is one of the strongest qualities in any relationship. Without trust you have nothing. What’s even sadder in these cases is when people in authoritive positions abuse that trust; the devastation on its victims is horrendous.

The question is why, when this priest had so much respect and support would he be living a lie his entire career. The next question would be why didn’t this surface and why wasn’t it investigated all those years ago? How many lives have been destroyed for looking the other way because of this?

Infuriated and saddened parishioners spoke clearly about holding back during collections at mass to prove a point that they under no circumstance want to help our men in their defense for their sins in any type of legal or court fee's. To date Father Lahey has not requested assistance.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/church-officials-alerted-to-pornography-allegations-against-bishop-20-years-ago/article1313171/

No article today: Events beyond our control

(South African Catholic)

Notation by Marc Aupiais (Editor)

Events beyond our control have prevented posting this day- of any articles. Please accept our sincere apologies for this lack in service. We were unable to do so due to such circumstance as was beyond our control.

Marc.

Synod on Africa Opened!

(See What We See News And Archives; c.f. Radio Vaticana (Vatican Based; Structural; Catholic) 02 / 10 | October / 2009 [English] ; 03 / 10 | October / 2009 [ French] ; CTV /Vatican's YouTube Site 04 / 10 | October / 2009 ; BBC [British Broadcasting Corporation] (Secular; Governmental; British / UK Based) 04 / 10 | October / 2009 ; 04 / 10 | October / 2009 [Audio and Text]; AP [Associated press] (American; Secular; independent) 04 / 10 | October / 2009 ; also on Yahoo (Secular; independent; American) 04 / 10 | October / 2009 ;  AFP [The French Press Agency] (Secular; independent; French): Article hosted by Yahoo (Secular; independent; American) 04 / 10 | October / 2009  )


[English; Afrikaans; français]

Article by Marc Aupiais

Lamenting what he seemed to see as western exports to Africa, of relativism, and materialism, as well as what he saw as the export of religious fundamentalism, Pope Benedict XVI, today called Africa a "Spiritual Lung" for the world, during the modern day and age. Africa is likely one of the fastest growing theaters in Catholic Evangelization, the continent's Catholic flock having statistically grown to about three times the size it held three decades ago, in just that time. About 17% (About One Hundred and Fifty Million) of Africa's people are statistically Catholic. L'Osservatore Romano, a paper based in the Vatican, but not vetted by it, slated Africa's political elite, via an editorial, claiming that the resources of the resource rich continent were being unjustly plundered.


Pope: "Church in Africa, the leaven of reconciliation: "

	Pope: "Church in Africa, the leaven of reconciliation "The vocation of the Church, a community of people reconciled with God and each other, is to the prophet and leaven of reconciliation between different ethnic, linguistic and even religious" groups throughout Africa. That was the message at the heart of Pope Benedict's homily during mass to open of the Second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, held in the St. Peter Basilicas. In front of 244 Synod Fathers who from Monday October 5 until October 25 will compare notes on "The ...	From: vatican Views: 149 0 ratings
	Time: 01:33

"

While the English language Version of Radio Vaticana, has yet to cover the issue in the same depth, or else the article is not accessible, their French language version stated:

"Dossier : le laïcat, enjeu indispensable du synode pour l'Afrique

Quelque 250 prélats se réunissent, pour trois semaines, à partir de dimanche 4 octobre au Vatican. Ils participeront à la II° assemblée des évêques pour l’Afrique. La messe d’ouverture présidée par le Pape débutera à 9h30 dans la basilique Saint Pierre. Un premier synode sur l'Afrique en 1994 s’était attaché à définir la marche à suivre d’une Eglise en quête de maturité. Cette seconde assemblée entend refaire le point, apporter des réponses aux nombreux défis du présent. Le document préparatoire des travaux a été rendu public par Benoît XVI en mars dernier au Cameroun.

Barthélemy Adoukounou est secrétaire général de la CEDEAO (conférence épiscopale de l’Afrique de l’Ouest francophone). Il sera à Rome en tant qu’expert avec en main plusieurs propositions élaborées avec les membres de la CEDEAO. Parmi ces proposition, il y a l’attention indispensable à porter à la formation des laïcs, condition d’une Eglise « sel de la terre et ferment du monde »

Propos recueillis par Armance Bourgois"

(Radio Vaticana (Vatican based; Hierarchical; Catholic) 03 / 10 | October / 2009)

That is to say:

"File: the laity, vital issue of the Synod for Africa

Some 250 bishops are meeting for three weeks, starting from Sunday, October 4 at the Vatican. They will participate in the second synod of Bishops for Africa. The opening Mass presided over by the Pope, will start at 9:30 in St. Peter's Basilica. The first synod on Africa in 1994 had focused on defining the procedures of a church in search of maturity. This second meeting will repeat the point, answers to the many challenges of the present. The document preparatory work has been published by Benedict XVI in March to Cameroon.   

Bartholomew Adoukounou is Secretary General of ECOWAS (Episcopal Conference of West African Francophone). He will be in Rome as an expert in hand with several proposals developed with members of ECOWAS. Among these proposals, to gain the attention necessary to bring to the training of lay church provided a "salt of the earth and leaven in the world"  Interview by Armance Bourgois [French]"

According to the BBC [British Broadcasting Corporation] (Secular; Governmental; British / UK Based) 04 / 10 | October / 2009:

The pope considers evangelization in Africa, an urgent priority. The previous synod on Africa, unfortunately occurred around the eve of the Rwandan genocide, and the BBC claims it was an event with much talk, and little else. The BBC, seems to compare that previous event to the current one, noting that this synod has a specific focus on the problems of Africa.

The Associated Press wrongly suggests that Bishops are likely to bring up the Vatican's ban on the use of condoms. Local Bishops' Conferences such as that in Southern Africa have already dealt with this issue, with minimal dissidents known for disobedience to the Vatican having pushed for condoms.

The Catholic Church in Africa is familiar with the success of the Ugandan anti-AIDS program, which successfully reduced infection rates, in contrast to nations which focussed on condoms, such as South Africa, these being where HIV/AIDS has rapidly increased as condom distribution has increased.

Condoms, beyond being considered intrinsically evil in Catholic dogma, are also viewed negatively in African tradition.

Many of Africa's refugees are Catholics, even coming from war-torn regions. The Vatican has suggested teaching Catholics to encourage peace in their surroundings.

Pro-abortionist prominent Catholics, attend mass where Cardinal preached against abortion!

(See What We See news And Archive)

Notation by Marc Aupiais

According to the Associated Press (AP) [ Secular; Independent; American]:

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- An American cardinal on Sunday issued a plea for the rights of the unborn at a church service that included Vice President Joe Biden, six members of the Supreme Court and hundreds of members of the legal community.

Five of the six Roman Catholics on the high court - Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy and Samuel Alito - heard the homily by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo; the sixth, Justice Clarence Thomas, did not attend. Justice Stephen Breyer, who is Jewish, was there as well.

Speaking at the annual Red Mass the day before the opening of the Supreme Court term, DiNardo said that people represented by lawyers are "more than clients. ... In some cases the clients are voiceless for they lack influence; in others they are literally voiceless, not yet with tongues and even without names, and require our most careful attention and radical support."

As DiNardo spoke, protesters opposed to abortion demonstrated in front of the church.

DiNardo did not elaborate on the rights of the unborn, focusing instead on how the complexity of the law can have a dehumanizing effect on those who practice it."

(AP [ Secular; independent; American] 04 / 10 | October / 2009)

A number of these attendees are known for their support of legislated abortion. The Mass was what was known as a "red mass", and was hosted by a group of Chicago professionals.

According to AP:

"The Red Mass has been held since 1953 at the cathedral by the John Carroll Society, a group of Washington professionals who are Catholic.

The name of the service, which dates to the 13th century and is conducted to ask for guidance for those who seek justice, comes from the red vestments worn by the celebrants."

(AP [ Secular; independent; American] 04 / 10 | October / 2009)

Biden, and Sotomayer, are both known for their stance in support of, or in attempting to justify: America's Democrat's, and country's President, Barack Obama's pro-abortion stance and schemes. Sotomayer, believes that the Rode v Wade ruling is settled law, not to be disturbed. The Obama administration, has been accused, by multiple established services: of taking the Catholic religion out of context in order to manipulate voters. Many pro-Obama Catholic websites popped up prior the last US election.

According to CNN (Central News Network) [Secular; Independent; American], the disproportionate amount of Roman Catholics on the US supreme court, is due to the perception that a Catholic is neither right wing nor left wing, and that this perception has been abused by right and left wing in America.

Barbaric suggested changes to South African law give police with too much power already- more power

Editorial by Marc Aupiais

The Zuma administration, having failed to promote the justice system, and created the perception of a dual legal system in South Africa- now want to remove a section of legislation which prevents police from using deadly force against a fleeing suspect or similar circumstance. The SAPS (South African Police Service): is already more empowered then other police services- as relates when a warrant is needed for arrest, and when they can enter private property.

The ruling ANC deafly shut down the Scorpions, South Africa's organised crime unit, which had been investigating our current president on over 700 charges.

It is alleged that South Africa's prisoners are treated in a sub-human manner. The current chief of police, a political appointee- increased deaths in police custody locally in the province where he was premier.

The Scorpions were very successful at taking in criminals and locking these behind bars- due to organised, efficient, intelligent and well-trained investigatory work.

The Presidential "Corruption Hotline", and "zero-tolerance" actions advocated by ANC officials, certainly smell of a government covering up its own inadequacies.

It is my personal view, that this is just another reason to fear a government, which now also officially spies on its citizens- storing our phone and electronic communications in a database (RICA Amendment Act).

That three staunch Zuma buddies are now in charge of our intelligence force, and a man so willing to have people only suspected of crime- disregarded as worthy of a full trial before they are hurt, is in charge of police is certainly concerning.

The views expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views of this service. They are the views of our current editor.

Benedict XVI: To US Ambassador: The protection of life cannot be abandoned

(See What We See News And Archives)

[English; Afrikaans; français]

Notation by Marc Aupiais

Note from Editor:

Where America's Secular "Associated Press" got it wrong, possibly on purpose- given the odd way their article was written on the issue, the Vatican's CTV has placed the Pope's greeting of the American Ambassador in the proper category, basically saying he brought his concerns about the protection of conscience of healthcare workers, and about the state of the protection of life from conception to natural death- to the attention of the US ambassador.

The Associated press claimed that the pope seemed to endorse a National Health Insurance Plan a.k.a. ObamaCare- which local bishops opposed, and are extremely alarmed about, due to the perception that Obama plans to use this as a way to enforce universal funding for abortion in America.

The US president is connected with abortion firm Planned Parenthood, to whom he made a number of promises prior his election. Obama's "Democrats", recently voted against any clause excluding abortion from coverage in Obama's planned new healthcare scheme, which has been criticized extensively by conservatives, who claimed Obama was a socialist prior the election.

The Pope's statements about concern over abortion, directed specifically at the US ambassador, come at an ideal time for those opposing Obama's multiple attempts at liberalizing of America's abortion schemes.

The Pope also spoke to the ambassador to the Philippines, which is in a civil war against what the press has seen as Islamic Fundamentalists- where he advised strengthening peace initiatives.

To the Netherlands, the pope gave a message: asking that the Northern European nation focus on protecting the family.

In our experience, the pope often almost directly quotes local bishops, and his messages to nations or ambassadors, from examination via comparison of speeches has in the past been shown to be based on the views of at least one prominent local bishop in each nation he speaks to.

Benedict XVI: The protection of life cannot be abandoned: "

	Benedict XVI: The protection of life cannot be abandoned Peace, economic ethics and the role of religion in public debate were the themes that Benedict XVI addressed on Friday, October 2nd, in his speeches to the three new ambassadors to the Holy See: Mercedes Arrastia Tuason of the Philippines; Henriette Johanna Cornelia Maria van Lynden-Leijten of the Netherlands, and Miguel Humberto Diaz of the United States of America.Addressing the ambassador of the Philippines, the Pope noted that it is necessary to strengthen peace initiatives, commit to ...	From: vatican Views: 843 0 ratings
	Time: 01:19

"

October 02, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0fykEJNiz4&feature=youtube_gdata

Now what for Europe?

Sheila Gribben Liaugminas, an emmy award winning journalist, writing at InforumBlog, has an interesting view of the Irish Yes Vote to the Lisbon Treaty. InforumBlog is an independent Catholic initiative:

Now what for Europe?: "

The definitive Irish vote that wasn’t, the one last year on the Lisbon Treaty that didn’t turn out the way the European elits wanted, was forced again yesterday. Because of painful economic times, verbal promises that Ireland would maintain its sovereignty (it won’t) and a powerful campaign by the ‘yes to Lisbon’ forces…..the Irish seem to have agreed to it this time ’round.

“Anti-treaty groups were conceding defeat. “I’d like to congratulate the Taoiseach, who ran an absolutely masterful campaign,” said Declan Ganley, the leader of “no” group Libertas, referring to Ireland’s prime minister. “They know how to overturn a result that doesn’t suit them.”

So what will this mean for the future of Europe? Depends…

Maybe it will be enacted by the remaining holdouts, maybe not.

“In any case, the story of the Lisbon Treaty is far from over. Now that Ireland has agreed to it, Poland is almost certainly set to follow suit. But in the Czech Republic, the pact is being reviewed by the country’s constitutional court, and the president, Vaclav Klaus, is not a supporter.

If he is determined to block the treaty, Mr. Klaus could try to delay until Britain holds its next national election, which by law must be called sometime before next June. David Cameron, the Conservative leader, who is widely expected to be the next prime minister, has vowed that if the treaty has not yet been enacted when he comes into power, he will put it to a referendum.

Given the British public’s deep skepticism toward Europe, that vote would most likely end in the treaty’s defeat.

Should the treaty fail, the European Commission has warned, “there is no Plan B.”

As Europe re-shapes itself with new definitions of power and structure….and little reference to its own history….Pope Benedict keeps reaching out to its leaders and citizens with strong and clear advice.

From his book “Europe”, under the section ‘What is Europe?’, sub-section ‘3. The universalization of European culture and its crises’…

“I see here a paradoxical coincidence: with the triumph of the post-European technological-secular world, with the globalization of its way of life and its manner of thinking, one gets the impression everywhere…that the very world of European values-the things upon which Europe bases its identity, its culture and its faith-has arrived at the end and has actually already left the scene; that now tht hour has come for the value systems of other worlds…

“Europe, precisely in this hour of its greatest success, seems to have become hollowed out…”

It’s up to those who have the power to write its future to map it out from the reference point of where it began, and to recall its Christian roots.

"
03 / 10 | October / 2009
http://www.inforumblog.com/?p=2570

Ireland Votes Yes to Lisbon treaty

Notation by Marc Aupiais

After a vote on the issue, Ireland, with the support of a liberalising government, has voted "yes" to the Lisbon treaty, a second time around- the first time having voted against the treaty- which will see more centralised control, and reportedly streamlining of the EU (European Union).

Arabic news station Aljazeera, has suggested that the treaty creates the role of something of a European president, and suggested that dissident British Catholic, Ex-Prime Minister: Tony Blair may be suggested for the role.

Much of the opposition against the treaty was conducted by religious groupings, in a still largely statistically Catholic nation.

The recession, and strong political support of the treaty, have both been seen as reasons why this second time around: Ireland voted "yes", instead of no on the treaty.

The vote was reportedly decisive, according to Euronews.

The treaty still needs to be ratified by the president of the Czech republic, who has aired doubts about the treaty. And had gambled on the Irish voting against the treaty, having claimed he expected Ireland to make a "no" vote.

Dublin has reportedly gained guarantees from Brussels, protecting its military independence, and reportedly protecting its policies against abortion from European influence, according to Euronews.

Poland also still needs to ratify the treaty.

Ireland is the only European Nation, which has held a public vote on the issue, as was required in its Constitution.

The President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, said on Euronews, that those opposing the treaty are just as important as those voting "yes" to the treaty. He gave a message seeking to unite both sides.

The European Commissioner, and the Irish President have both welcomed the vote results as a good thing.

Those opposing the treaty, according to Aljazeera, could still succeed in quashing it after Ireland elects its next government- that is if the Czech president, (or Poland) delays ratification until that point. The Arabic news station, further claimed that the current administration has been seen as unpopular, and that a "yes" vote was important to them.

The Official Result to the Lisbon Treaty vote in Ireland was announced at Dublin Castle, at 16:44 local time today. (As this paragraph is being written).

67.1% of the "valid" votes made were for the treaty, turnout was 58% (Figure from EuroNews).

Ireland's nationalist party, had been noted as the political voice against the treaty. Other parties had pushed the treaty, including the current administration.

TheStar.com | sciencetech | Did apes descend from us?

TheStar.com | sciencetech | Did apes descend from us?

This has been in the news a while now, this is probably one of the best articles on it:

Apparently- them apes evolved from something a lot like us- not the opposite, it does not stunt the theory of evolution (as theories go- it is dynamic, and a theory after all- no missing link yet- but this seems to hint we were looking in the wrong direction lately!)- it does mean that what was accepted by many laymen in science may be wrong:

The Star (Canadian; Independent; Secular)

http://www.thestar.com/article/704293

We cannot guarantee the accuracy of third party sources!

Famous for "compassion" to victims of priestly sex abuse: Bishop of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, released on bail to faces charges of possession of child pornography

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f .Catholic World News [Catholic Culture News Brief] (Catholic; Independent; American) 01 / 10 | October / 2009; Rorate Caeli (Traditional Catholic; Independent) 02 / 10 | October / 2009 )

Editorial / Article by Marc Aupiais

Bishop Raymond Lahey, who was formally the Bishop of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, was famous for his "compassion" to victims of priestly sexual abuse, having just last week settled a settlement of $13-million, for victims of priestly abuse conducted in his diocese. He then resigned amid much speculation, it only being discovered later that the Canadian police wanted him in connection with child porn allegedly found on his computer, ciezed in a routine operation: September 15 at Ottowa airport

Writing Yesterday, prior the Bishop's surrender to police, when an arrest warrant had been issued, Catholic World News, noted the response of a local Archbishop:

"Archbishop Anthony Mancini of Halifax, Nova Scotia’s leading prelate and now apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Antigonish, said that he had not known why Bishop Lahey had resigned and that he was “shocked, hurt because it impacts on me as a leader who was trying to do my job.”

“So, honestly, part of my concern is, is there anyone left that we can believe?” he said. “I think many will see this as something that will make the Church less credible than we are. It certainly reminds us all that if ever we thought that we had a perfect Church, we certainly don’t.” Archbishop Mancini, who says that he spoke recently with Bishop Lahey by cell phone, appealed to the bishop to surrender to police."

(Catholic World News [Catholic Culture News Brief] (Catholic; Independent; American) 01 / 10 | October / 2009 )

Widely read Traditional Catholic Blog, Rorate Caeli, may well form part of the many, now more skeptical of the Canadian church, claiming:

"The now famous former Bishop of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, was released on bail to faces charges of possession of child pornography. Look at the picture of the bishop surrounded by his lawyers: isn't he the perfect poster boy for the Church in Canada?"

(Rorate Caeli (Traditional Catholic; Independent) 02 / 10 | October / 2009)

And calling the alleged possessor of child pornography:

"The face of the Church in Canada"

(Rorate Caeli (Traditional Catholic; Independent) 02 / 10 | October / 2009)

In the past, a number of the Canadian Bishops, have been criticized for supporting an ex facto pro-abortion protest in Canada, and, earlier this year a number of popular Catholic news services, claimed that the Canadian Bishops' humanitarian organization, Development and Peace, has used funding collected in parishes to fund pro-abortion advocates. The subsequent investigation into accusations, which was done by Canadian Bishops, was "facilitated" by the very group they were investigating, and therefore was accused of ignoring principles of natural justice.

One opinion of how this could have happened, is that:

Possibly, having been so involved in investigations of abuse, the bishop himself became tempted to make use of child porn, which always degrades children.

This particular case, is certainly being treated as a shock.

Editorially:

I would disagree with Rorate Caeli, this is not the face of the Church in Canada, Jesus Christ is- but their opinion is one read throughout the world, and certainly is one which many may unfortunately feel after this case. At least there is not another cover up, as long as the church chooses to be transparent on these issues, and let justice take its course, and take a stand against the abuse of pastoral authority, these terrible wounds in the short term, will certainly be noted, but then they will heal, justice having been done, as in the past.

Much of what I have read, is treating this case as ironic, the justice system being involved, the accusations of cover-ups from the days of John Paul II's pontificate, seem largely a thing of the past, under Benedict XVI, even as there are still cover up accusations, those in North America, seem to have quieted down significantly. The handling of this case by the church, is certainly notable this time.

We must note, that everyone, in the eyes of modern western secular law: has a right to legal representation. Without the Bishop involved having lawyers, how valid would a guilty finding be? At present it is only alleged that he is guilty, it is up to the courts to decide the case (or am I biased because I am studying law?).

According to Catholic World News:

"Bishop Lahey, 69, was ordained Bishop of Saint George’s (Newfoundland) in 1986 and transferred to the Diocese of Antigonish in 2003."

(Catholic World News [Catholic Culture News Brief] (Catholic; Independent; American) 01 / 10 | October / 2009 )

AP don't get it!

Note by Marc Aupiais

It seems the first pro-abortion Catholic in recent or any (if I remember correctly) history, Professor Miguel H. Diaz, to be America's ambassador to the Vatican, has finally entered his position. AP says that Benedict XVI complimented Obama, but knowing the speeches of this pope, we note- the "vibrant democracy" the pope complimented was the one he visited during the Bush era. The AP article also suggests that the Pope's support of basic healthcare is endorsement of ObamaCare, a pro-abortion health scheme which US Bishops have slated in droves. Basic healthcare is basic healthcare, in context the pope also reportedly said that he wants America to protect life from conception until natural death, and wanted the consciences of healthcare workers to be protected.


The offensively uninformed article is available here:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hF4M0igJr0CfSl3o_jBdxpzoQjrgD9B2VJMG0

Analysis, and background, detail

The BBC had previously speculated, that Diaz would not be accepted by the Vatican to his position, his appointment to duty was further oddly delayed. Many US bishops have openly criticized the pro-abortion Obama administration, especially its attempts to introduce a National Health Insurance initiative (ObamaCare), which would include funding for abortion. Some Democrats have claimed that claims this bill includes funding for abortion, are incorrect, but the Democrats refused to add any amendment which would prevent abortion from being covered in this federally funded scheme. Barack Obama recently removed 50 million US Dollars funding of successful abstinence focused sexual education classes, which had received funding under George W Bush. The US President is heavily associated with Planned Parenthood, an abortion and contraception firm which also provides contraceptive focussed sex-ed classes in US schools. Alarms started ringing in Catholic organizations during the US election, when Obama- who voted to prevent abortion survivors from getting medical treatment, made a number of press reported promises- to Planned Parenthood, involving abortion. Diaz, a Hispanic ethnically, has been a controversial figure, himself, among others: insuring that one particular advocate of abortion was given charge of America's Health and Human Services department.

Benedict XVI: The love of Christ is our strength

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Video noted by Marc Aupiais

The pope seems to say his visit to the Czech republic was a pilgrimage, that he was visiting what in history was a Christian nation, but that it was also a mission of faith to this once great nation, in which so many thousands came to hear him, and in which the Catholic faith is large as compared with other faiths. His message is beautiful, and this pope always has an effect when he speaks:



Benedict XVI: The love of Christ is our strength: "

	Benedict XVI: The love of Christ is our strength Benedict XVI: We must not be afraid of truth, because it is a friend of man and his freedom. Indeed, only by sincerely seeking truth, goodness and beauty can we truly offer a future to the young people of today and to future generations.During the General Audience on September 30th, which was held in St. Peters Square, Benedict XVI retraced with affection and gratitude the different stages of his 13th international apostolic visit that led him to the streets of Prague, Brno and Stará ...
	From: vatican Views: 812 Time: 01:14

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And yet it hurts so much... and yet... it does! Friendship, and truth- interconnected as they are!

(Journey in a Broken World)

Article by Marc Aupiais

I wonder at it, as its happening, as I watch it fall apart, and apart again.

I watch, not comprehending, hardly understanding... why again has it collapsed.

I still remember this emotion now, still feel it from memory, as understanding cradles what so often had occurred in my childhood friendships.

I understand now, that each friendship has its place if any at all, and its time. I understand and it no longer hurts should one end, or rather- it hurts greatly, yet is understood, and the pain is indeed even... comforting in a way- for it says that what I feel is true. The pain is good, in fact, true.

It is foolish to say our friends are our own, in fact we could not own them at all, and in my experience the closest of the "bestest" (those who promise most to remain friends forever) of friends may part for a reason or misunderstanding, or nothing.

Time changes man, and the souls or personalities or beliefs or ways which once fit, no longer do. Ultimately, we change, and change again as man. We do not stay static or the same.

Inside, pain moves, flows slowly or fast. We feel that our chest is tight, we want to cry or sink into oblivion, should a friend have been close. We pray and find no answer, or else simply want to cry.

The lesson I learnt after eventually losing some truly close friends was this- our friendships are governed by God, and are maintained while useful to him, while needed, or while we clasp onto them, as though they could even be eternal.

Once I felt pain as I lost a friend I had had for years, and anger also. Such fiery anger I felt, all that time ago. I wished justice against them, or something to show who they really had become. I prayed, and found I often then needed confession, or that is a sense I have felt of then.

Yet, goodness is fullness, and that which is good, is its fullness. That which is evil is where goodness lacks. Should it have been their goodness which hurt me, I would have been hurt, and yet better off for it. Yet, could I hold their lack to heart and feel pain for it? Surely not. For the person I cared for still was in memory, and indeed was my friend, yet what was before me was no longer them. I could cry for tragedy, but not feel anger now. For it was not their desire what occurred, but rather their misreading of this desire that lost me them to their thought of what was better apart from me, their once friend!

Sometimes, even I have found a person to be good as long as I needed them, to be perfect as a friend, the prayed for effect, as long as was healthy for my soul. I have found before that while a person was righteous as I knew them, they may lose their footing once I left- as though for my sake they had been kept true.

If our friendship does not fulfill God's purposes, we cannot expect him to keep it forever. I understand this now- and make sure I stand firm with friends in honesty, and yet in truth and love, and firm determination to seek what is best for them- which may well not lie with me. Perhaps only they and God may know.

Yes loss, whether in the relationship, or their very life- is hard, but the God of mystery is not a God who acts for no reason. A friendship may be restored, even stronger than before, or a death may save a soul.

Many things have their time and reason, and it is our place to always follow God, who speaks in conscience, logic and intuition- wherever this God of Sanity leads.

We should not fear the loss of friends by whatever means- even as we should pray they be not lost, in greater sense, we should ask this before we ask in lesser.

It is holding my tongue I have regretted most with friends, besides the occasional secret shared. To the true friend, the friend is more important than their relationship with their beloved friend, or friends.

And so, how do I view friendship- but as something as beautiful as snow, or a rainbow. True friends, I see as rare. But friends are human, fallible and breaking- 'cept those which do not break, or do not break any longer.

And so: we must know the truth- it is better to love than to be loved. This is the beauty Petrarch taught the world, even as it is better to love in reality than another kind of love.

A friend: someone entrusted to your love. A true friend, one who is entrusted back with you, and does.

Every temporary thing and way has its place, if at all, and its time- if at all. It is our place to serve, to do what is best despite our misreadings of our wants- which are much more vague than we'd tell the world, or maybe even our selves. Want and manifestation of want both play a role.

In friendship, we mimic God- who laid down his life for truth, and thereby his friends- but while laying it down- did not take his own life as a selfish man might.

May God bless us, as we entwirl in our many hopes and entangle with those friends who do good- yet let us rely first on Him, if not through them at times, and only then on them!

Benedict XVI: Christ saves us from the ills of the spirit

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Notation by Marc Aupiais

Pope's Homily on Sunday:

Benedict XVI: Christ saves us from the ills of the spirit: "

	Benedict XVI: Christ saves us from the ills of the spirit Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass on Sunday morning at Brno in Moravia, the second city of the Czech Republic. The central theme of the Mass was Christian hope. In his homily, the Holy Father emphasized the need to build on Christ, our life. The Pope said that although technical developments and the improvement of social structures are certainly important and necessary but not sufficient to guarantee the moral well-being of society. Before the Angelus, the Pope recalled that Moravia is a ...
	Time: 01:22

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