Agenzia Fides belongs to the Vatican?

(Tridentine South Africa)

Editorial by Marc Aupiais of South African Catholic and the Scripturelink.net news services

For ages now, I have been using Agenzia Fides for insight on Africa, its conflicts, its humanitarian problems. It was an on the ground news service, that I simply grew to love, despite its bad formatting and its programmers' poor programming skills.

Today by chance, I realized what I hadn't before, with all the hundreds of their articles I have read, Fides is the Vatican's official missionary news service, yes, I was as surprised as anyone could be. Vatican services are usually centered on the pope, out of touch, or plain boring, with a bit of snobbery, but not Fides, Fides, seems a genuinely expert service, the sort with goes with sources which are generally correct, and the right people to be speaking in the first place.

So the quesation emerges, we used to place Fides dispatches on our site, and they, like the dispatches we would place from Vatican Information Service, would get way higher ranking in Google results than Fides' own articles...

Should we do so again, what do you, our readers think- do you find Fides useful, as we do, as we find VIS useful also..? Or is it just a media thing?


On a different note, we have finally updated our Vatican Search site with a 21st hierarchical search engine. We have independently compiled:

http://vaticansearch.scripturelink.net/earthglobalbishops/

To search the world's Bishops' Conferences. While on the http://vaticansearch.scripturelink.net/ site, it is a separate search engine, as it does not search the Vatican itself, and is thereby disconnected from out main navigation on the site!

God bless, happy surfing.

Marc Aupiais

South Africa: Free speech concerns as government critic arrested

Note by Marc Aupiais

"The blogger-sphere was buzzing this week with claims that the South African police were clamping down on people critical of the government and crime. "

(Sunday Independent (Secular; Independent; South African) 08 / 11 | November / 2009)

The arrest of one critical blogger, on a warrant from 1993 (during apartheid) is the reason. His computers- were to be allowed to be taken by police via a seizure order, according to the Sunday Independent. That the charge allegedly was of fraud, but that the computer and organized crime unit, according to the Sunday Independent: conducted the arrest, is odd.

When I heard this from a right wing site on twitter, I hardly believed, I didn't in fact- but the Sunday Independent, is maybe South Africa's top paper.


The author of controversial zasucks was arrested by police on a charge from over a decade ago, and gun possession. He was then, allegedly (which the Sunday Independent; and our own service cannot verify) released, no charges being made for the fraud charge.

I do not read zasucks, and have nothing to do with the Afrikaans right-wing in South Africa, but claims that a blogger was arrested prior the 2010 world cup are worrying. China clamped down on free press prior the olympics.

South African Catholic- will continue to report honestly on South African politics, as, being Catholic, we are neither left nor right, and as we do believe there is good and bad about South Africa, even if the allegations of quieting free speech are right, we should not be in any danger. As far as the law is concerned, yours truly, our editor- doesn't even have one speeding fine!

Despite our government's connections with the Chinese communist party, and the far left- one arrest of an ultra-critical critic, is certainly no time to be alarmed. It does not seem sure whether the other arrests occurred either, or if the arresting of bloggers, is due to any clear motivation.

South African Catholic, has always remained within the law, and we will not change our style or work, simply because of some purported arrests, and one confirmed one, where the right wing, as quoted by the Sunday Independent, claims that no charges were laid.

Sunday Independent (Secular; Independent; South African) 08 / 11 | November / 2009

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Twitter&set_id=1&click_id=79&art_id=vn20091108075031683C639877

US health Insurance package passes- but most pro-abortion provisions excluded

Note by Marc Aupiais

________________________

Updated 11:49 AM; 12:02 PM Central African Time (CAT) (GMT+2)
________________________

This certainly is not an article, I do not have time for one right now: what I can say is that the US health insurance package passed, but that the Stupak amendment pushed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, was included in the package- meaning that its universal coverage of abortion has for now been largely "neutralized". Unfortunately, if an unborn child's mother had them with a close relative, or was raped, or carries some danger in bearing it, then the state can abort it. According to LifeSiteNews.com, the amended bill, also allows state sponsored Euthanasia.

The New York Times, is however reporting, that the Pro-abortion Democrats plan to get rid of Stupak in subsequent refining of the bill- to make it cover abortion universally.

(we linked to their article on our twitter: New York Times: US health care reform passes, but with abortion neutral amendment i.e. no universal abortion funding: http://bit.ly/1DabYM)

One anti-bill campaigner, Patrick Archbold, from Creative Minority Report calimed:

"I have mixed feelings. I am glad that the House stood up for life but this almost guarantees passage of the bill and abortion will likely make it back in in reconciliation."

(Creative Minority Report (Catholic; Independent; American; Pro-Republican) 08 / 11 | November / 2009)

The Hyde-like amendment seems to have been in order to please pro-life Democrat votes. The amendment: allows state funding of abortion in cases of " incest or if the mother's life is in danger" (CNN [Central News Network] (American; Secular; Independent; Liberal / left leaning) 08 / 11 | November / 2009)

Bishops cannot forbid taking communion on the tongue

Note by Marc Aupiais

While we at Scripturelink.net discourage taking communion during peak swine flu infection times, except in Easter season, when a precept of the church asks us to partake at least once of communion:

A report that Toronto, has forbidden taking communion on the tongue is disturbing to us. As ETWN has noted, the last judgement of the Bishops of the world- on the matter asks that taking on the tongue be the way Catholics take communion.

Taking on the hand, is largely tolerated, and in many dioceses- permitted by an exception, as what had been an abuse had become so widespread there.

Forbidding communion on the tongue, however- is what is known as an abuse, which is in direct disobedience to the church and canon law. While it may be wise to abstain from communion at present in Toronto, it is not a just cause to forbid communion on the tongue, but rather an abuse canonically speaking, of authority invested in one in the name of God, who judges teachers of faith more harshly. The forbidding of eating the flesh of eternal life in what is de jure the ordinary form, is certainly a serious action to take, one which is not generally acceptable according to the law of the church all priests are obligated to serve.

Accent learnt in the womb- German Study suggests- BBC

(South African Catholic; c.f. BBC [British Broadcasting Corporation] (British; Governmental: but acts de facto more independent; Secular) 06 / 11 | November / 2009; Inside Catholic (Independent; Catholic) 06 / 11 | November / 2009)

Note by Marc Aupiais (Editor)

This is just a note of another service's article, click the date below to read their full article:

The following will be a quotation from an article by the BBC (Secular; Governmental; British), as relates to a study by the German University of Wurzburg, a study which was lead by a Ms Kathleen Wermke. The BBC article on their page, has audio, where you can judge the crying yourself. The adoption of accent in crying, possibly is part of the child's instinct, to form a bond with its mother, crying is now thought important in developing language:

"Babies 'cry in mother's tongue'

German researchers say babies begin to pick up the nuances of their parents' accents while still in the womb.

The researchers studied the cries of 60 healthy babies born to families speaking French and German.

The French newborns cried with a rising "accent" while the German babies' cries had a falling inflection.

Writing in the journal Current Biology, they say the babies are probably trying to form a bond with their mothers by imitating them.

The findings suggest that unborn babies are influenced by the sound of the first language that penetrates the womb."

(BBC [British Broadcasting Corporation] (British; Governmental: but acts de facto more independent; Secular) 06 / 11 | November / 2009)

DefenceWeb | Iran tested advanced nuclear warhead: report

Note by Marc Aupiais

According to the South African weapons industry's Defenceweb, quoting Reuters (Secular; Independent; British):

"The UN nuclear watchdog has asked Iran to explain evidence suggesting the Islamic Republic's scientists have experimented with an advanced nuclear warhead design, the Guardian reported in today's edition.

The newspaper, citing what it describes as "previously unpublished documentation" from an International Atomic Energy Agency compiled dossier, said Iranian scientists may have tested high-explosive components of a "two-point implosion" device.

  The IAEA said in September it has no proof Iran has or once had a covert atomic bomb program.

  The Vienna-based IAEA was not immediately available for comment on Thursday. Iran's Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) were also unavailable for comment when contacted by Reuters.

  The IAEA statement in September followed reports from the Associated Press quoting what it called a classified IAEA document saying agency experts agreed Iran now had the means to build atomic bombs and was heading toward developing a missile system able to carry a nuclear warhead. "

(Paragraphing may have been changed)

Defenceweb (South African; Secular; Connected to the defence industry)

06 / 11 | November / 2009

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5091&Itemid=283

Committee develops plan for health insurance system

Committee develops plan for health insurance system: "

The Health Department says members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee will develop and implement a plan for the National Health Insurance System.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the members of the committee on Thursday.

It will be headed by the HSRC’s CEO Olive Shisana.

The department’s Fidel Hadebe said the 25 committee members have a major task ahead of them and will have to listen to public comments before advising the ministry on what to include in the final implementation plan.

"

America: House Republican leader: 'health plan will require monthly abortion premium'

External Article Made Note of by Marc Aupiais

Article goes through the sections. The act actually mentions abortion by name. The Catholic Bishops have directly and openly rejected PelosiCare as promoting Abortion.

See the link on passages which directly allow abortion and require all American taxpayers to fund it:

Catholic News Agency [CNA] 05 / 11 | November / 2009

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17613

War against hunger, global warming can be won on farmlands – UN report

(World Tainted Green)

Note by Marc Aupiais

A new UN (United Nations) report suggests that one of the best ways to combat global hunger, and "global warming", is by focussing on local agricultural projects in food insecure regions.

What follows will be a quotation of a UN News Centre article, and a link to the discussion paper, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. Obviously, reading from the source carries the danger of bias, we do not guarantee the accuracy of their views, nor necessarily endorse them:

War against hunger, global warming can be won on farmlands – UN report: "The world's farmlands can be the frontline for the fight against the impact of climate change and the battle to feed the mounting global population, according to a new report released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today."

UN News Centre (Secular; UN run; UN)

5 November 2009

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=32848&Cr=fao&Cr1=farm

Paper of the FAO:

ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/012/ak596e/ak596e00.pdf

Italian minister responds to European court: 'We will not remove crucifixes from the classroom'

Noted by Marc Aupiais

Italian minister responds to European court: 'We will not remove crucifixes from the classroom': "Italy’s Minister of Education, Mariastella Gelmini, has rejected the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in favor of removing crucifixes from public schools.  She stated, “Nobody, much less a European court that is steeped in ideology, will be allowed to strip our identity away.”"

(CNA [Catholic News Agency] (Catholic; Independent; American) 04 / 11 | November / 2009)

South African Presidency, confirms that alleged RSA mercenaries were freed to please RSA government

(South African Catholic; c.f. The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa (Secular; Governmental; South African) 04 / 11 | November / 2009)

Note by Marc Aupiais

Local press, is announcing that the release of a number of alleged South African mercenaries, by the government of Equatorial Guinea, is due to President Jacob Zuma (ANC: African National Congress) making it happen.

That the Presidency says the foreign government saw this a a gesture of good faith to South Africa, seems to lend credibility to these claims. The mercenaries were arrested when their plane landed in Zimbabwe, allegedly on South African intelligence, prior an alleged coup plot could be inacted, to take control of the north African state:

The following will be a quotation of a press release from the Office of the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa:

"The visit by President Zuma coincided with the release by the government of Equatorial Guinea of four South Africans imprisoned in the country for their part in an attempted coup in 2004. The government of Equatorial Guinea has indicated that this was a gesture of goodwill related to the visit."

(The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa (Secular; Governmental; South African) 04 / 11 | November / 2009)

Gautrain nerve centre unveiled, no, the train system won't be ready for start of 2010 World Cup

(South African Catholic)

News brief note by Marc Aupiais

The city of Johannesburg has released the following article, as it is from the City of Johannesburg, about the City of Johannesburg, don't take it at face value. It does mention the construction of a train simulator, and the Operational Control Centre (OCC), a safety and co-ordination centre, for Gauteng's Gautrain high-speed train project. Notably, the Gautrain will reportedly not be ready for the start of the 2010 World Cup, it was supposedly being constructed for:

Gautrain nerve centre unveiled: "THE Gautrain has puffed passed another milestone with the unveiling of its high-tech Operational Control Centre in Midrand.

[...]

Over the years, the budget for Gautrain has crept up. Starting at R7-billion when originally proposed in 2002, it shot up to R26-billion several years later. Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced in his mid-term budget speech on 27 October that an amount of R144-million had been allocated to the Gautrain. This is to be matched by the provincial government, contributing a further allocation of about R300-million to the construction of the train.

Despite the additional funding, the Gautrain will not be available for commuters on 11 June 2010, when the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ kicks off. Instead, passengers will be able to step aboard two weeks later, on 27 June. This means that the construction of the airport link to Sandton [A high class area in Gauteng], via Marlboro, is on target, as per the agreement signed on 28 September 2006, confirms Jensen.

The Rhodesfield Station at OR Tambo International Airport [Johannesburg's main International Airport] is almost complete.

"The Gautrain will be a bonus if it is ready for 2010," [When everyone wanted it to be ready by, hence the high spending!] emphasised Monkonyane.

[...]

Security
The security of the Gautrain will be guaranteed with 650 CCTV [Close Circuit Television] cameras, the SAPS [South African Police Service: national policing force] Railway Police and over 400 security offers at stations, car parks and inside trains [This is important, as average citizens often fear to use trains, due to high crime rates, whether it delivers safety is yet to be proven!].

Fencing will be constructed along the entire route, to prevent unauthorised access and vandalism of the Gautrain and its stations [As buses have been burnt to the ground in strike action before, this is not a bad idea!].

Mokonyane outlined the Gautrain's socio-economic development obligations record. Sub-contracting in the construction of the train had involved 490 BEE [owned by ethnic Africans / "blacks"] companies, to the value of R1,8-billion. A total of 90 new BEEs had been involved, to the value of R720-million. This meant that by the end of March 2009, 13 400 jobs would have been created, of which 92 percent were local and 70 percent were historically disadvantaged [Ethnic African / "non-white" / not Caucasian etc] individuals. More than 11 000 unskilled and semi-skilled people were trained, 1 400 of whom received training in management skills.

The first of nearly 50 train drivers have been trained on the simulator.

"Our Golden Train will become synonymous with people on the move, hungry to invest in new opportunities, seeking new investments and opening up new markets. Today we celebrate a giant step closer to that exciting reality," she concluded [Big promises for an over budget, slow finishing train, which Gauteng may or may not need, as compared Cape Town's Bus Rapid Transport focus!].
"

City of Johannesburg (Secular; Governmental; South African)
04 / 11 | November / 2009
http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/4498/266/

Gay "Marriage" Certainly Loses in Maine, USA

(South African Catholic; c.f. LifeSiteNews.com (Catholic; Independent; Canadian) 04 / 11 | November / 2009)

Note by Marc Aupiais

We had feared we had called it a bit early, this morning, which is why we noted that the No vote could still win. However, the Yes vote has won, in Maine- something which is sure to please many Catholic and conservative activists and others, who support heterosexual definitions of marriage, and wanted the homosexual-"marriage" law in Maine repealed:


"AUGUSTA, Maine, November 4, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Maine voters handed true marriage supporters a major victory Tuesday night after rejecting a same-sex "marriage" law that the state government approved six months ago.

[...]

Same-sex "marriage" has now lost in all 31 states in which the question has been put to a popular vote. It is the second time citizens have rejected same-sex "marriage" even after its legalization: one year ago today, 52% of California voters also upheld traditional marriage, striking down an activist state Supreme Court ruling legalizing homosexual "marriage" in May. "

(LifeSiteNews.com (Catholic; Independent; Canadian) 04 / 11 | November / 2009)

DA welcomes reports of NHI postponement

Note of a political release:

DA welcomes reports of NHI postponement: "
If the suggestion in the media today that the implementation of the National Health Insurance scheme is to be put on hold is correct, then the DA welcomes this recognition of reality. Should the minister indeed make this announcement tomorrow, then it would be an encouraging sign that he is able to see through all the misinformation that ANC careerists have spread, and identify the fact that the poor will not be served well by this scheme. "


This was a release the DA (Democratic Alliance), South Africa's Official opposition, made today.


The NHI has been criticised as impractical, impossible, and dangerous by the Hospital Association of South Africa. The South African government, if general analysis is to be believed, has wrecked what was once one of the best public health sectors in the world, with corruption, bad management, and policies such as previous AIDS denialism, and via not being able to maintain many skilled medical workers in the public sector. Plans for a NHI, were largely put forth to their ANC (African National Congress) allies by the South African Communist Party, and leftist union Cosatu.

Avveneur / Italian Bishops: True secularism, doesn't bar crucifixes from public classrooms!

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Avvenneur (Catholic; Italian Bishops' Paper; Italian) 03 / 11 | November / 2009 ; 03 / 11 | November / 2009 )



According to the Italian Bishops (Italian Episcopal Conference: IEC), quoted in their official paper Avveneur, the decision to bar crucifixes from spanish classrooms, made by the European Court for Human Rights, in Strasbourg, seems ideological in nature. According to the paper, the decision neglected what they claim to be the great significance of the crucifix, which they say is not only a symbol which is religious, but one which is cultural.

The Italian Episcopal Conference further notes their belief that the decision: "does not take into account that, in reality, the Italian experience of the Crucified exposure in public places is consistent with the recognition of the principles of Catholicism as 'part of the historical heritage of the Italian people' reaffirmed by the Concordat of 1984".
(Loose translation by Google)
(Avvenneur (Catholic; Italian Bishops' Paper; Italian) 03 / 11 | November / 2009)

The Italian Bishops claim to fear that the decision will forcibly separate the Italian National Identity, from its alleged cultural and spiritual mix. The Bishops, in their statement: claim that the form of secularism being promoted is that which is hostile to all forms of political and cultural religion, and to any religious symbol in public institutions.

The case was brought by a secular woman, who did not want her children to learn with crucifixes on the walls of the classroom, allegedly believing that the children would be influenced away from their secular upbringing. The decision, has sparked outrage among many in largely Catholic Italy.

Avveneur further quotes Monsignor Vincenzo Pagalia, of the IEC's Committee for Interreligious Dialogue, saying:

"Bishop Paglia, IEC responsible for Interreligious Dialogue, rejected the argument that the crucifix in classrooms represents an imposition. "I do not think - he said -. It is a reminder of what happens to humans when justice is not respected, and which shows a value of generosity that we all need faith in any apartment." "In this sense - he concluded - there is also a dimension of cultural and educational weight that it is irresponsible really want to delete."" (loose translation by Google, only acronym altered)

Avvenneur (Catholic; Italian Bishops' Paper; Italian) 03 / 11 | November / 2009 )

Maine- heterosexual marriage hasn't won yet

The Globe and Mail Article quoted, seems to say only 87 percent of precincts have reported. The gay activists could still win Maine, hopefully not- but it is possible!

Gay "marriage" loses in Maine- The Globe and Mail

In an article clearly empathetic with the gay activists, the Globe and Mail has announced yet another victory for heterosexual marriage in Maine, USA.

The Catholic church believes acting on homosexual urges, like masturbation, and use of condoms is a mortal sin, and intrinsic evil- in accordance with the bible condemning homosexuals to Hell in the new testament, having these urges but not endorsing them, is not morally evil. Gay marriage, is considered a danger to society itself. Statistics have shown that children need both mother and father, as those without both figures, are more likely to enter crime, especially those without a father figure. The church opposes homosexual marriage- which amounts to state endorsement of what it considers a shorter, on average, more dangerous life.

Globe and Mail article- an excerpt:

"Gay marriage has now lost in every single state – 31 in all – in which it has been put to a popular vote. Gay-rights activists had hoped to buck that trend in Maine – known for its moderate, independent-minded electorate – and mounted an energetic, well-financed campaigning 87 per cent of the precincts reporting, gay-marriage foes had 53 per cent of the votes.

"The institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine and across the nation," declared Frank Schubert, chief organizer for the winning side.

Gay-marriage supporters refused to concede, holding out hope that that the tide might turn as the final returns came in.

"We're here for the long haul and whether it's just all night and into the morning, or it's next week or next month or next year, we will be here," said Jesse Connolly, manager of the pro-gay marriage campaign. "We'll be here fighting. We'll be working. We will regroup.

"At issue was a law passed by the Maine Legislature last spring that would have legalized same-sex marriage. The law was put on hold after conservatives launched a petition drive to repeal it in a referendum.

The outcome marked the first time voters had rejected a gay-marriage law enacted by a legislature. When Californians put a stop to same-sex marriage a year ago, it was in response to a court ruling, not legislation.

Five other states have legalized gay marriage – starting with Massachusetts in 2004, and followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Iowa – but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote. In contrast, constitutional amendments banning gay marriage had been approved in all 30 states where they have been on the ballot.

"If we don't win, then Maine will have its place in infamy because no state has ever voted for homosexual marriage," said Chuck Schott of Portland, who stood near a polling place in Maine's biggest city with a pro-repeal campaign sign"

Globe and Mail (Secular; Canadian; Independent; Liberal)
http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/gay-marriage-foes-claim-victory-in-maine/article1350447/?service=mobile

“At the World Cup 2010, thousands of women will be taken to South Africa for prostitution,” spokesman from South African Bishops' Conference tells Fides. “We are working to assist the victims of trafficking in human persons.”

(South African Catholic)

Quotation of an article by Fides, by Marc Aupiais

Fides Service has the following article:


"AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - “At the World Cup 2010, thousands of women will be taken to South Africa for prostitution,” spokesman from South African Bishops' Conference tells Fides. “We are working to assist the victims of trafficking in human persons.”


Rome (Agenzia Fides) – “We are expecting to see a sharp increase in trafficking of women forced to be prostituted for the Soccer World Championships, which will be held in South Africa in 2010,” Fr. Chris Townsend, spokesman of the SACBC (Bishop's Conference of South Africa, Botswana, and Swaziland), told Agenzia Fides in a recent conversation.


“South Africa has become a sort of “hub” for trafficking in human persons,” says Fr. Townsend. “Criminal organizations throughout the world, from Nigeria, Italy, Lebanon, China, all send thousands of women to be used as prostitutes in our country, while others are sent from South Africa to Europe and the Persian Gulf, for the same purpose. The arrival of thousands of tourists and fans for the World Cup has become a great source of encouragement for various organizations that carry out prostitution and trafficking in human persons. Thousands of women from all over the world are arriving - not only from other African nations, but from Asian and European nations as well.”


The Catholic Church, along with other Christians communities and various non-governmental organizations, has started an awareness campaign for the people, so they can recognize and help the victims of trafficking. “The campaign is mainly in the parishes: we teach the people to be on the lookout and to indicate the presence of women that may be forced into prostitution. They know full well that there are women who prostitute themselves out of their own free will. It is difficult to intervene in their case, and convince them to get off the street. But there are thousands of women, however, who are forced into prostitution, by lies, threats against themselves and their families left behind in their countries of origin. Oftentimes, these women have no identification documents, have a hard time speaking English, and are afraid to contact authorities. With these people, the Catholic volunteers try to establish dialogue and help them to emerge from the nightmare that they have been thrown into by criminals. Our first task is opening our doors to these people,” the SACBC spokesman says. The campaign against trafficking is being led by the Counter Trafficking in Persons Desk (CTIP), a project started by the SACBC, and the Leadership Conference of Consecrated Life (LCCL) of South Africa, inspired by 6 religious congregations of sisters who have their general headquarters in South Africa.


The program for helping traffic victims is the most important aspect of the Catholic community's response to the FIFA (International Soccer Federation, which is organizing the World Cup) appeal to find at least 50,000 volunteers for the World Cup. The appeal has been widely accepted by South Africans, so much so that the number of aspiring volunteers is double the number required. To offer further information on the Church's activity surrounding the World Cup, the SACBC has launched a website: 2010 World Cup: Church in the Ball! - http://www.churchontheball.com.
“The Catholic volunteers wish to offer a spiritual and cultural support to the fans. In between the matches, there is so much to discover in our country and on the Christian presence. We hope the fans will not only think about going to the stadium to drinking and entertainment, but that they will also open their eyes to the reality of South Africa,” Fr. Townsend concluded. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 3/11/2009)"

[Paragraphing Added]

http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=25309&lan=eng

NOTE ON CELIBACY FOR ANGLICANS ENTERING CATHOLIC CHURCH VATICAN CITY, 31 OCT 2009 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office

(South African Catholic)

Quote by Marc Aupiais (Editor)

Note: we continue slow operation, but this is of note:

The Following is from today's VIS / V.I.S. [Vatican Information service] (Catholic; the official voice of the Vatican's apparatus; Vatican Based), as read in the dispatch sent to press and others in the English speaking world:

"NOTE ON CELIBACY FOR ANGLICANS ENTERING CATHOLIC CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, 31 OCT 2009 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. today released the following English-language declaration concerning speculations about the celibacy issue in the forthcoming Apostolic Constitution regarding personal ordinariates for Anglicans entering into full communion with the Catholic Church.

   There has been widespread speculation, based on supposedly knowledgeable remarks by an Italian correspondent Andrea Tornielli, that the delay in publication of the Apostolic Constitution regarding Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans entering into full communion with the Catholic Church, announced on 20 October 2009 by Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is due to more than 'technical' reasons. According to this speculation, there is a serious substantial issue at the basis of the delay, namely, disagreement about whether celibacy will be the norm for the future clergy of the provision.

   Cardinal Levada offered the following comments on this speculation: "Had I been asked I would happily have clarified any doubt about my remarks at the press conference. There is no substance to such speculation. No one at the Vatican has mentioned any such issue to me. The delay is purely technical in the sense of ensuring consistency in canonical language and references. The translation issues are secondary; the decision to delay publication in order to wait for the 'official' Latin text to be published in 'Acta Apostolicae Sedis' was made some time ago.

   "The drafts prepared by the working group, and submitted for study and approval through the usual process followed by the Congregation, have all included the following statement, currently Article VI of the Constitution:

   "1. Those who ministered as Anglican deacons, priests, or bishops, and who fulfil the requisites established by canon law and are not impeded by irregularities or other impediments may be accepted by the Ordinary as candidates for Holy Orders in the Catholic Church. In the case of married ministers, the norms established in the Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI 'Sacerdotalis coelibatus', n. 42 and in the Statement "In June" are to be observed. Unmarried ministers must submit to the norm of clerical celibacy of canon 277, para 1 of the Code of Canon Law.

   "2. The Ordinary, in full observance of the discipline of celibate clergy in the Latin Church, as a rule ('pro regula') will admit only celibate men to the order of presbyter. He may also petition the Roman Pontiff, as a derogation from canon 277, para 1, for the admission of married men to the order of presbyter on a case by case basis, according to objective criteria approved by the Holy See.

   "This article is to be understood as consistent with the current practice of the Church, in which married former Anglican ministers may be admitted to priestly ministry in the Catholic Church on a case by case basis. With regard to future seminarians, it was considered purely speculative whether there might be some cases in which a dispensation from the celibacy rule might be petitioned. For this reason, objective criteria about any such possibilities (e.g. married seminarians already in preparation) are to be developed jointly by the Personal Ordinariate and the Episcopal Conference, and submitted for approval of the Holy See".

   Cardinal Levada said he anticipates the technical work on the Constitution and Norms will be completed by the end of the first week of November.

OP/CELIBACY ANGLICANS/LOMBARDI:LEVADA             

  VIS 091103 (570)"
(Paragraphing may have been altered)

As expected, and reported on by our service, speculation is, according to the Vatican's voice: incorrect- the same procedure as always is being followed with Anglicans. No new rite of the Catholic church has been created, nor are celebacy rules, and regulations already applicable to all Catholic priests in the Western Rite being altered. Only, a prelature, like Opus Dei, is being made for Anglicans.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Italy school crucifixes 'barred'

Note by Marc Aupiais

Our service is still on slow operating: only important stories:

"The European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the use of crucifixes in classrooms in Italy.

It said the practice violated the right of parents to educate their children as they saw fit, and ran counter to the child's right to freedom of religion.

The case was brought by an Italian mother, Soile Lautsi, who wants to give her children a secular education. But the ruling has sparked anger in the largely Catholic country, with one politician calling the move "shameful". "

BBC [British Broadcasting] (British; Governmental | Independent; Secular)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8340411.stm

Have a Blessed Halloween

Note from Editor

We at Scripturelink.net would like to wish our news sections' readers a blessed All Hallows Eve- and then a Blessed All Saints Day- tomorrow.

All Hallows Eve, or Halloween- is the Eve (day before) of All Saints Day.

Both are good days to pray for the faithful departed!

Marc Aupiais

News - East Africa: US slams Uganda's new anti-gay bill

Editorial Note from Editor

News - East Africa: US slams Uganda's new anti-gay bill: "The US has said Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill is a setback for human rights, but the Ugandan government says it has told its critics to mind their own business."

Donor Nations, aren't happy? Sure, why not be grumpy, its not like those good African Nations who commit Genocide, at least its not a push by pro-lifers, then those Ugandan children would need to be sent away, after all, we can't get rid of the nuisance of people on Africa, they might even start righting our errors, or writing blogs and criticizing us. As it is, "donor nations" are unhappy- precisely why I don't donate to the UN or major charities, I'm unhappy- unhappy that they try reduce our populations by abortion, not over some law which compared to African Witchcraft legislation, is mild! Do I support the Ugandan law- no, I never could support what I see as a human rights abuse, but really, the USA has devalued Human Rights enough, no wonder Uganda, like the rest of us here, don't want to hear about America's version of human rights, even when they have a point!

I don't think gay people should be arrested, but I think there are plenty worse things than banning homosexuality, "Homosexual Marriage", is one of those on that list of worse things, especially due to statistics on children without Father and Mother figures, and crime. Africa already sees the west as interfering with its business, the Catholic church, now also does here. Perhaps, the west would have a stronger voice if they did not persecute pro-life countries, or those who ban homosexual "marriage" also, then maybe they would be a voice of reason, telling Uganda, not to arrest these people, as it is, America is very hard to please, and their consistent AID initiatives, have correlated directly with a rise in STDs in Africa, and a rise in the amount of starving people- wonderful to import the food aid... really, ingenious, and then flood our markets with untested, GM, and subsidized foods, keep us under your little finger while feeling charitable.

If America interfered more strategically, and in a less partisan matter, do you think Africa's leaders would listen, or do you think western ways have been forced on Africa for long enough that it wont make a difference, or do you think African leaders should be listening more to the west and have no excuse?!

Tell us your views, by twitter, facebook, or email.

Marc Aupiais

Italy: Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi may lose Catholic Vote!- Bloomberg

(See What We See News and Archive; Bloomberg (Secular; Independent; American) 29 / 10 | October / 2009)

[English; Afrikaans; français]

Note by Marc Aupiais


According to Bloomberg:

"Oct. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi may face the biggest challenge from Catholic voters since he entered politics in 1994 as his sex scandals alienate some values voters and opposition Catholic leaders unite.

“The Catholic vote had been dispersed, but it could carry more weight if they all get back together,” Antonio Noto, director of Rome-based IPR Marketing, said in a phone interview.

The Christian Democrats dominated politics in a country where more than 95 percent of the population is Roman Catholic until a corruption scandal led to its dissolution in 1992. The remnants of that party are now attracting other Catholic opposition politicians and values voters who are abandoning Berlusconi after a series of sex scandals."

(Bloomberg (Secular; Independent; American) 29 / 10 | October / 2009

The Italian Prime Minister's anti-abortion, anti-euthanasia stance has previously gained him Catholic support, but he has been accused by some of causing women to be treated more like objects in Italian society, and sex scandals, and an attack on an influential Catholic editor, the previous editor of the Italian Bishops' conference's l'Avvenire, by a paper, owned by his family, have not helped relations with the church.

ZENIT - Scholars Aim to Disprove Darwin

Note by Marc Aupiais

As editor of South African Catholic, I admit- I am an evolutionist, and the facts in this article, seem to be the same facts creationists have spewed out for years- motivated by some desire to prove a younger Earth- possibly. When the pope had discussions on Evolution, creationists were notably and seemingly purposely excluded.

The church has largely taken the side of mainstream science. Granted, it did that against Galileo- when his views contradicted those of the science of the time, but that was prior any solid proof- that the Greek system (not the biblical system) was wrong about the planets. As for me, I am still on the side of evolution.

Zenit, however, is a top news service, and of note. According to them, some members of what I personally consider the "other side", think they have disproven evolution.

Zenit writes:

"After a year of conferences celebrating the 150th anniversary of Darwin's 1859 book, "On the Origin of Species," a Nov. 9 conference is planned to provide empirical proof to debunk evolution.

Rome's Pope Pius V University will host the daylong conference that will present a scientific refutation of evolution theory.

Peter Wilders and H. M. Owen, organizers of the event, told ZENIT that the conference is aimed to "stimulate debate among scientists" and that it is particularly geared to university students."

Being young, they have less built-in resistance to new data that conflicts with establishment dogma," a statement from the organizers explained.

"Darwinian evolution has become the accepted paradigm of the scientific community," they noted.

"New research data that challenges that paradigm is automatically rejected for philosophical rather than scientific reasons.

"Results of recent empirical research published by scientific academies refutes the basic principles of the geological time-scale. It reduces the age of rocks and therefore the fossils in them.

The theory of evolution is undergirded by both the time-scale and the age of fossils.

"This evidence from sedimentology harmonizes with the latest findings in genetics, paleontology, physics, and other scientific disciplines. The implications of this research are fatal for Darwinism. [...]""

October 26th 2009 -
Zenit News (Independent; Catholic; American)

http://www.zenit.org/article-27351?l=english

I guess we shall see after November 5th- don't expect any miracles, I certainly don't. Then again I think evolution a miracle.

My comments here are of course opinion. I have often used Genesis in an attempt to debunk creationism, and have enjoyed seeing friends abandon the young earth theory. That said, anything is possible. This is a note, not an article. If it turns out creationism is scientifically correct, so be it. Evolution is only a good theory.

What are your views?!...

U.N. experts in Iran to inspect new nuclear site

Note by Marc Aupiais

Reuters (Secular; Independent; British) has an interesting article, on the most recent Iranian weapons proliferation scare, read the rest at the link below the short quote:


"By Hossein Jaseb

TEHRAN (Reuters) - U.N. inspectors have arrived in Iran to examine a nuclear site that has heightened Western fears of a covert program to develop atomic bombs, an accusation the Islamic Republic rejects.
(Paragraphing possibly altered)
"They arrived late last night for routine inspections," Ali Shirzadian, a spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, told Reuters on Sunday. He gave no further details.

The U.N. experts were due to inspect Iran's second enrichment plant, under construction 160 km (100 miles) south of Tehran. Iran hid the site for three years until last month, fanning Western suspicions.

Refined uranium can be used to fuel nuclear power plants and also to provide material for bombs if enriched further. Iran, which says it wants only peaceful nuclear energy, agreed to open the new site to monitoring at talks with six world powers -- the United States, Germany, France, Russia, China and Britain -- held in Geneva on October 1. But a second understanding struck in the Swiss city stumbled on Friday when Iran cast doubt on a plan to send abroad much of its enriched uranium reserve for processing into special fuel for a reactor used to create radioactive isotopes for medical purposes.

World powers regard the two steps as litmus tests of Iran's stated intent to use enriched uranium only for civilian purposes, and as a basis for follow-up talks on curbing enrichment itself, which would bring Iran trade and technology rewards in return. "

[Read on at source:]

http://mobile.reuters.com/mobile/m/FullArticle/CTOP/ntopNews_uUSTRE59O05V20091025?p=1

Why celebacy of the priesthood?

Note by Marc Aupiais

As a Catholic, one has three choices- Marriage, Single life, or consecrated life.

This is because Jesus said- some become enuchs for the sake of the gospel. This despite that becoming an enuch (the cutting off of a part), accompanied direct exclusion from Israel, as something wrong.

Saint Paul said that a man with a wife, must focus on her and God. He is her head (that is her support, not her mind, despite the regular misquote made), he is to please her, and God.

The priest must focus only on God.

Most of us plan to enter married life sometime in the future, but some choose single life, or consecrated life. The priest, like the single individual- has no place being anything but celebate. His hands hold God, and give us the Eucharist.

Mail and Guardian- wrong again!

Note by Marc Aupiais

The Mail and Guardian (Secular; Independent; South African; Liberal / leftist) is claiming that the Catholic church may need to evaluate the celebacy of the Latin Rite / Mainstream Catholic church after deciding to accept Anglican Priests into the communion, including married ones.

There are 23 rites in the Catholic church, 22 of them rejoined after leaving.

The practice of accepting the married Anglican priests into the Church is centuries long, not new, and last we checked over at South African Catholic- these married priests have to remain celebate in their marriages.

This is why one should rather read BBC [British Broadcasting Corporation] (Secular; Governmental; British; possible bias on environmental issues, slightly liberal) on Catholicism, or another more accurate source.

Even us independent Catholic news services, some of whom are more accurate, because of the specialisation!

Law exams

Note from editor

I personally am in the midst of examinations at the moment, so from my part of the service- I may not post or post timeously while my varsity exams are on. I apologise for the inconvenience.

Marc Aupiais

Anglicans may now join Church en masse due to Vatican document-NewsWires : euronews

Notation by Marc Aupiais

With both sides stressing that this was a good move, and the British Catholic church ("Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster and head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales") noting it was not a criticism of Anglicanism...

In what is being noted as a response to many requests- the Vatican has launched a new document- which will see more traditional Anglicans able to easily convert, keeping many structures, and their own bishops, while candidates for priesthood from that background, would be studying alongside mainstream Catholics, and priests would be being included by already current age-old traditions:

"VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Benedict on Tuesday took a major step to make it easier for disaffected Anglicans who feel their Church has become too liberal to convert to Roman Catholicism.

The move comes after years of discontent in some sectors of the 77-million-strong worldwide Anglican community over the ordination of women priests and homosexual bishops.

While both sides stressed the step would not affect dialogue between the two Churches, it was clear it was taken because of the growing number of Anglicans who want to leave their Church.

The Vatican said the Pope had approved a document known as an “Apostolic Constitution” to accept Anglicans who want to join Catholicism, either individually or in groups, while maintaining some of their own traditions.

It marks perhaps the clearest and boldest institutional step by the Vatican to welcome disaffected Anglicans into the fold since King Henry VIII broke with Rome and set himself up at the head of the new Church of England in 1534.

The new structure allows for the appointment of leaders, usually bishops who will come from the ranks of unmarried former Anglican priests, to oversee communities of former Anglicans who become Catholics and recognise the pope as their leader.

“In this way, the Apostolic Constitution seeks to balance on the one hand the concern to preserve the worthy Anglican liturgical and spiritual patrimony and, on the other hand, the concern that these groups and their clergy will be integrated into the Catholic Church,” the Vatican said. "

Euronews (Secular; Independent; French), article by Reuters (Secular; Independent; French)

20 / 10 | October / 2009

http://www.euronews.net/newswires/40473-pope-approves-document-on-anglicans-joining-church/

SAPA: Cape Town: Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, joins leftest protestors- calling for nationalization of food industries!

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. IOL's the Star (Secular; Independent; South African) story by SAPA (Secular; Independent; South African) 18 / 10 | October / 2009)

[English; Afrikaans; français]

Article by Marc Aupiais

According to the South African Press Association (SAPA):

"[...]about 50 protesters gathered outside Parliament's main gate in Plein Street, Cape Town, at noon on Sunday, calling for rising food prices to be checked.

Among other things, the group called for the nationalisation of basic food production, including milk and bread.

The protesters, from the Congress of SA Trade Unions, the Black Sash, the Children's Resource Centre and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, displayed posters proclaiming: "Fight hunger - demand food security for all".

[... the memorandum was] addressed to President Jacob Zuma and Agriculture Minister Tina Joemat-Petterrson [...]"

(IOL's the Star (Secular; Independent; South African) story by SAPA (Secular; Independent; South African) 18 / 10 | October / 2009)

The local Catholic church in South Africa, has often leant more to the left of the spectrum than to the right. Catholic dogma condemns communism as intrinsically evil. A government takeover of the agricultural industry in neighbouring Zimbabwe, resulted in agricultural collapse.

In South Africa, a government redistribution of land program, was recently blamed for an increase in the murders of Caucasian farmers, during a report, by investigative journalism program- Carte Blanche, which also criticized the program as unrealistic.

The South African government, is attempting to replace white, yet experienced farmers, with non-white citizens, in accordance with "transformation" policy. Unfortunately, many who receive land, do not know how to use it correctly, and make almost no profit. The government sponsored violent takeover of land in neighbouring Zimbabwe, is used as justification by the South African government, for its own project.

The government reportedly has plans in the pipeline to start forcing sales of land, rather than use the willing-buyer, willing-seller method. It is unsure why what seems prima facie to be an institution of the Archdiocese of Cape Town, has taken a decision clearly not supported by all Catholics in the country, that is- a decision to campaign to take the control of the agricultural industry, away from the farmers and companies which have sustained it.

Archbishop Buthi, of Johannesburg, the president of the SACBC (Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference), previously lamented the removal of former president Thabo Mbeki from office, claiming that ruling the ANC (African National Congress) had done a lot more in power than the world recognizes, he has also in the past claimed that government corruption is leading South Africa to sin and ruin. Both Cosatu, and the Black Sash, have often been affiliated with the pro-abortion, pro-homosexual-"marriage" ruling ANC.

The pragmatic "truth"

What is truth- is it real?

Article by Marc Aupiais

We believe what keeps us alive. We believe that politician will change it all, that judge is just, voting won't make a difference, we are better off than before?

We believe that they are altruistic, or that we did it all on our own. We believe what gets us high marks, what makes them our friend. We believe what we need to believe, what of truth?

We believe that news, because it has paid off to believe. We believe it Christ, because we must to survive?

Indeed, we must believe in Christ. But truth is not pragmatism.

I believe what I need to believe to survive, but not because I need to believe it, but because I know what we really need to believe.

Torture can aim to brainwash- in the Taming of the Shrew- the sun is the moon, the moon: the sun. A Man is a woman, for anothers voice says he is- and then he is what he was said not to be- it is so?

What we need to believe to live- is not that which others say to believe. What we need to believe is the truth, however harsh.

Truth has a sense within, deep inside- we know it is so.

I believe in God- because it is logical, in Christ- because it is so.

We need to believe truth to survive. Anything else we believe must not be out of fear. We must know and prepare for the consequences of no prior saying yes, and vice versa.

We may need to enter heaven as a little child may- but a little child hearing truth, and an adult hearing truth, true logic- both use all their wits.

This is why I preach intuition, dynamic conscience. If one believes, they must believe emotionally beyond cognitive recognition, if they desire to conquer sin and persevere. For this- they must know themselves, for in this we become close to the God who made our souls of truth.

To simply believe some priest or person, does not make it so. To believe what society says, does not make it so. To believe what we once thought but never knew..?

We must love God with heart, mind, body and soul- not in any wrong way- but with every yet every molecule.

To do this, we must know ourselves, our truth.

To truly know God- is to understand truth, self. Our soul- is the logical truth within the being which contain our destiny and connects us with God. Let us not destroy it. Rather- we must pray and find who we are before any other's identity matters.

We can only save others if we save our self first.

Obama continues health assault- calls insurance companies liars, lobbyists profit seekers

(Scripturelink Voter's Guide; c.f. White House (US Presidency; American; Governmental) 17 / 10 | October / 2009 )


[English; Afrikaans; français]



Editorial Article by Marc Aupiais


In a press release from the White House Press Secretary, dated 17 October 2009, Barack Obama once again has attacked the opponents to his health reform plan.

Many of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) member Bishops, have raised serious concerns over the health reform's seeming funding for universal abortion. Alarms at special interests allegedly held by those fronting the bill, were also raised: by the refusal of Obama's party to place any provision or amendment in the bill to remove universal coverage of abortion.

Others, opposed to the passing of this bill have raised concerns over care for the elderly, as well as over the inefficiency of similar systems to the proposed US one, which have been implemented in Canada, and in Great Britain. The press release also does not attempt to counter any claims of big government, or socialisism, thrown against this bill, by opposition members and nay sayers. Rather, the free press, and the industry the bill will affect most are attacked directly by Obama, who claims that he is fighting "big business", a claim not redolent of most capitalist leaders.

The long speech makes no mention of abortion, no mention of Great Britain, no mention of Canada, and no mention of the very real concerns opponents of the plan have voiced. Instead, those opposing the plan are linked by a conspiracy Barack Obama creates, with Health Insurance companies, and studies done are dubbed as deceptive. Barack Obama is known for his association with major abortion firm: Planned parenthood, to whom he made promises during his election campaign, as recorded in the media, which are much more direct than those he made to voters.

Here is a short quote of a summary given by the White House Press Secretary, follow the link (the date is a link) below to see the whole speech:

"WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Calls Hails Progress on Health Insurance Reform Despite Defenders of the Status Quo

WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Barack Obama praised the progress that has been made on health insurance reform, and spoke out against those who defend the status quo in order to score political points and protect their profits. With reform the closest it has ever been to becoming law, the insurance companies are rolling out deceptive ads, paying for misleading studies, and flooding Capitol Hill with lobbyists. Now, Washington needs to serve the American people, not the special interests."

(White House (US Presidency; American; Governmental) 17 / 10 | October / 2009 )

Obama has also been accused of attempting to act unilaterally, and of strict control of party ranks, editorially, I think this could be the case:

To give a short section of his long speech, and to demonstrate his attack on media, and all opponents to his bill:

"Of course, like clockwork, we’ve seen folks on cable television who know better, waving these industry-funded studies in the air. We’ve seen industry insiders – and their apologists – citing these studies as proof of claims that just aren’t true. They’ll claim that premiums will go up under reform; but they know that the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that reforms will lower premiums in a new insurance exchange while offering consumer protections that will limit out-of-pocket costs and prevent discrimination based on pre-existing conditions. They’ll claim that you’ll have to pay more out of pocket; but they know that this is based on a study that willfully ignores whole sections of the bill, including tax credits and cost savings that will greatly benefit middle class families. Even the authors of one of these studies have now admitted publicly that the insurance companies actually asked them to do an incomplete job.

It’s smoke and mirrors. It’s bogus. And it’s all too familiar. Every time we get close to passing reform, the insurance companies produce these phony studies as a prescription and say, "Take one of these, and call us in a decade." Well, not this time. The fact is, the insurance industry is making this last-ditch effort to stop reform even as costs continue to rise and our health care dollars continue to be poured into their profits, bonuses, and administrative costs that do nothing to make us healthy – that often actually go toward figuring out how to avoid covering people. And they’re earning these profits and bonuses while enjoying a privileged exception from our anti-trust laws, a matter that Congress is rightfully reviewing.

Now, I welcome a good debate. I welcome the chance to defend our proposals and to test our ideas in the fires of this democracy. But what I will not abide are those who would bend the truth – or break it – to score political points and stop our progress as a country. And what we all must oppose are the same old cynical Washington games that have been played for decades even as our problems have grown and our challenges have mounted."

(White House (US Presidency; American; Governmental) 17 / 10 | October / 2009 )

As one might have noted, the concerns of the opposition, are not really laid out, and one unnamed study is claimed to be fraudulent, without more information. Much of the opposition, is based on fears involving service, not simply costs, value, not simply price. It is usual for government to consult with industries when they are affected by a law, however, this US administration, has once again bypassed this practice. It is not a good sign either, when a government determines to attack the credibility of those reporting on it.

Notre Dame Pays Student Expenses to D.C. March for Gay 'Marriage'

(See What We See News and Archive; c.f. Cardinal Newman Society (Independent; American; Catholic; Watchdog Organization) 13 / 10 / 2009; See What We See News and Archive 12 / 10 / 2009)

[English; Afrikaans; français]

Article notation by Marc Aupiais

The Cardinal Newman Society has the following story about everyone's "favourite" United States university:

"

Notre Dame Pays Student Expenses to D.C. March for Gay ‘Marriage’

The University of Notre Dame gave financial assistance to five students to participate in Sunday’s national gay rights demonstration, which was organized in part to advocate homosexual “marriage,” a campus newspaper has reported.

The “National Equality March” on Sunday, October 11, in Washington, D.C., was sponsored by Equality Across America, which aims to build a national grassroots network asserting homosexual couples’ “right to marry” as well as other demands. The Catholic Church believes that marriage is possible only between a man and a woman.

“Faithful Catholics will ask whether Notre Dame has learned its lesson from the scandalous commencement ceremony last spring,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. “What university seeking to reassure families of its Catholic identity would pay for students to attack the family and oppose Catholic teachings on marriage?”

Students from Notre Dame’s Progressive Student Alliance (PSA) petitioned the Student Activities Office and were granted funding to travel to and participate in the demonstration.  The Notre Dame students marched two miles across D.C. and then joined gay rights activists for a Capitol Hill rally.

The president of the Progressive Students Alliance told The Observer, “The fact that we were University-approved was surprising but it was a wonderful surprise.  The University hasn't always been entirely receptive in the past.”"

(Cardinal Newman Society (Independent; American; Catholic; Watchdog Organization) 13 / 10 / 2009)

Notre Dame invited pro-abortion, pro-gay-"marriage" US president, Barack Obama as a keynote speaker and honoured him with an honourary law degree earlier this year, directly disobeying the United States Catholic Bishops in the process, who had forbidden the awarding of a person with the stances on important moral issues, that Obama openly holds.

More Recently, Barack Obama, has stated to a pro-gay-marriage grouping who he had been speaking to, known as the "Human Rights Campaign":

"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."

(See What We See News And Archive 12 / 10 / 2009)

Barack Obama also voted against giving medical treatment to abortion survivors, and treated George Tiller, a man who aborted babies late term (when they would have survived on their own via Caesarian Section), as a hero. His stances were already know when he spoke at Notre Dame. Many pro-life protesters who decided to walk onto the campus were arrested, and were shown no mercy, by Notre Dame head Fr Jenkins. Pro-Abortion demonstrators were not given this harsh treatment.

Notre Dame, is a French phrase meaning: "Our Lady", referring to Mary, the Mother of Christ, who is also patron of the unborn. Notre Dame University, in the USA, has consistently shown support for those whom Catholic Dogma most opposes.

Southern Philippines: elderly Irish Missionary kidnapped, rebels suspected!

(See What We See News and Archive; c.f. AsiaNews (Catholic; Independent; Asian) 13 / 10 | October / 2009; SkyNews (British / United Kingdom Based; Independent; Secular) 12 / 10 | October / 2009; 13 / 10 | October / 2009; BBC [British Broadcasting Corporation] (Secular; Governmental; British / (UK) United Kingdom) 12 / 10 | October / 2009)

[English; Afrikaans; français]


Article by Marc Aupiais

The Police in the largely Catholic Philippines, have announced the kidnapping of what SkyNews calls a 79 year old (turning 80 years old in December- but whom BBC says is 78 years old) Irish Roman Catholic Missionary, reportedly by Islamic separatist militants. Fr Michael Sinnott, was kidnapped on the evening (19h30 Local Time) of Sunday the 11th of October, by the six (6) gunmen who forced him from his home's private garden, near Pagadian City, on the island of Mindanao, in the Zamboanga del Sur Province, according to the Police Commissioner, Angelo Sumlao.

Fr Sinnott was taken away in a minivan or pickup truck, a vehicle which was later found to be burnt, after being abandoned by the hostage takers. They then allegedly fled in a small boat, likely a speed boat, according to eyewitness reports.

Major General Ben Dolorfino, claims that the priest has since (on Monday) been spotted by what is known to be a militant stronghold in the area of Lanao del Sur. Military personnel were not immediately dispatched to rescue the priest, who had- prior the kidnapping- been caring for children with hearing disabilities. Colleagues fear he will not survive the ordeal, due to his heart condition. He had a heart by-pass a few years ago.

The police suspect the Al Quaeda sympathetic group: Abi Sayyaf of the kidnapping, another suspect being the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The MILF however, has denied involvement and offered to try find the priest. The priest belongs to the Columban missionaries. Abi Sayyaf, founded in 1990, is one of the smallest, and most violent of the separatist rebel groups. According to the BBC, it is blamed for a recent bomb attack, an attack on a ferry- in which about one hundred human beings, died.

The Philippine government has long been in a bitter civil war, with separatist militants, who desire to create an independent Islamic state in the South of the Country. The area where the priest was stationed was not one of the safest in the Philippines. Kidnappings by rebels are common in areas of the country.

Archbishop Mgr Emmanuel Cabajar, of Pagadian, warned against speculation that the Islamic militants were responsible for the kidnapping.

According to the BBC,

"The Philippines director of the Columban missionaries, Father Pat O'Donoghue, said Father Michael was "robust for his age" but had undergone a heart bypass operation four years ago.

"The concern that I would have is that if he does not have his medication this would be very serious thing for him, especially given the shock," Father Pat told the PA news agency.

"It must be a very shocking thing to find yourself bundled into a car and taken away.""

(BBC [British Broadcasting Corporation] (Secular; Governmental; British / (UK) United Kingdom) 12 / 10 | October / 2009)

It is uncertain whether or not this priest in particular was targeted, or if he was targeted as a priest or not, it is though likely the kidnapping is for ransom.

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)