Another addition to the Papal wardrobe.It does seem to be a "country and western", though having just returned from Italy anything to get a bit of shades seems a good idea.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Another Bit of Papal Headgear
Another addition to the Papal wardrobe.It does seem to be a "country and western", though having just returned from Italy anything to get a bit of shades seems a good idea.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Pope: St Gregory the Great, model for politicians and Church pastors
Benedict XVI recalled the civic commitment and monastic roots of this great pope who, opening up to the “barbarians”, discerned the emergence of a new civilization.
Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – A pope as a model for public administrators? The suggestion came from Benedict XVI as he recalled the figure of St Gregory the Great, pope and Doctor of the Church (circa 540 – 604), whose feast is marked on the calendar today. As a universal parish priest, the pope continuously draws examples and teachings for modern society, beginning with the stories of the saints and of the Church. And thus, St Gregory the Great, who lived during a time of severe crisis in Roman society, becomes “an example to follow for both pastors of the Church as well as public administrators”. The pontiff explained that he “was in fact first Prefect and then Bishop of Rome. As an imperial official he distinguished himself for his administrative abilities and moral integrity, so much so that when he was only 30, he covered the highest civic post of Praefectus Urbis.” But his greatest contribution to the Church and society came when he entered Benedictine monastic life. “From that time, Benedictine Rule became the central structure of its existence. Even when he was sent by the Pope as his envoy to the Emperor of the East, he maintained a monastic lifestyle, simple and poor. Recalled to Rome, although he lived in a monastery, he was a close collaborator of Pope Pelagius II and when the latter died, victim of an epidemic of plague, Gregory was acclaimed by all as his successor.”
Benedict XVI emphasized the resistance of Gregory to becoming pope, perhaps also thinking back to his own election and, prior to that, his work in Rome as prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Gregory “sought in every way to avert his appointment, but at the end, he had to surrender and, reluctantly leaving the cloisters, he dedicated himself to the community, aware that he was carrying out his duty and of being a simple ‘servant of the servants of God’. ‘Neither is he truly humble, who understands how the good pleasure of the Supernal Will ought to bear sway, and yet contemns its sway. But, submitting himself to the divine disposals, and averse from the vice of obstinacy, it being already prevented with gifts whereby he may profit others also, he ought, when enjoined to undertake supreme rule, in his heart to flee from it, but against his will to obey’ (Pastoral Rule 1,6).”
Benedict XVI then outlined the commitments of St Gregory the Great in the field of liturgy, reform of the clergy, and efforts to integrate the Barbarian and Roman peoples: “With prophetic foresight, Gregory intuited that a new civilization was emerging from the encounter between the Roman heritage and the so-called ‘Barbarian’ peoples, thanks to the cohesive force and moral elevation of Christianity. Monasticism proved to be a source of richness not only for the Church but for the entire society. In poor health but of strong moral temperament, Gregory the Great undertook intense pastoral and civil activities. He left behind a vast body of correspondence, awesome homilies, a renowned commentary on the Book of Job and writings on the life of St Benedict, apart from numerous liturgical texts, famous for the reform of chant that was named ‘Gregorian’ after him. But his most celebrated work is doubtless Pastoral Rule, which for the clergy had the same importance as the Rule of St Benedict had for monks in the Middle Ages.”
Gregory the Great also inspired Vatican Council II: “The life of a shepherd of souls must be a balanced synthesis of contemplation and action, animated by the love that ‘rises wonderfully to high things when it is compassionately drawn to the low things of neighbours; and the more kindly it descends to the weak things of this world, the more vigorously it recurs to the things on high’ (II,5). The Fathers of Vatican Council II were inspired by this ever relevant teaching to describe the image of the Shepherd of our times.” The final prayer was to the Virgin Mary, “that the example and teaching of St Gregory the Great may be followed by Shepherds of the Church and also by managers of civil institutions.”
After the Angelus prayer, Benedict XVI greeted pilgrims present in several languages. He reminded the Germans that next week he will go on pilgrimage to Germany and he wished Polish youth the best for the new school year. He also greeted a group of youth involved in the Focolare Movement, who had come from several countries. The pope exhorted them to be missionaries among other youth. “Dear friends,” he said, “in the school of the most Blessed Virgin, be faithful disciples of Jesus and lead your peers to him”.
Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – A pope as a model for public administrators? The suggestion came from Benedict XVI as he recalled the figure of St Gregory the Great, pope and Doctor of the Church (circa 540 – 604), whose feast is marked on the calendar today. As a universal parish priest, the pope continuously draws examples and teachings for modern society, beginning with the stories of the saints and of the Church. And thus, St Gregory the Great, who lived during a time of severe crisis in Roman society, becomes “an example to follow for both pastors of the Church as well as public administrators”. The pontiff explained that he “was in fact first Prefect and then Bishop of Rome. As an imperial official he distinguished himself for his administrative abilities and moral integrity, so much so that when he was only 30, he covered the highest civic post of Praefectus Urbis.” But his greatest contribution to the Church and society came when he entered Benedictine monastic life. “From that time, Benedictine Rule became the central structure of its existence. Even when he was sent by the Pope as his envoy to the Emperor of the East, he maintained a monastic lifestyle, simple and poor. Recalled to Rome, although he lived in a monastery, he was a close collaborator of Pope Pelagius II and when the latter died, victim of an epidemic of plague, Gregory was acclaimed by all as his successor.”
Benedict XVI emphasized the resistance of Gregory to becoming pope, perhaps also thinking back to his own election and, prior to that, his work in Rome as prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Gregory “sought in every way to avert his appointment, but at the end, he had to surrender and, reluctantly leaving the cloisters, he dedicated himself to the community, aware that he was carrying out his duty and of being a simple ‘servant of the servants of God’. ‘Neither is he truly humble, who understands how the good pleasure of the Supernal Will ought to bear sway, and yet contemns its sway. But, submitting himself to the divine disposals, and averse from the vice of obstinacy, it being already prevented with gifts whereby he may profit others also, he ought, when enjoined to undertake supreme rule, in his heart to flee from it, but against his will to obey’ (Pastoral Rule 1,6).”
Benedict XVI then outlined the commitments of St Gregory the Great in the field of liturgy, reform of the clergy, and efforts to integrate the Barbarian and Roman peoples: “With prophetic foresight, Gregory intuited that a new civilization was emerging from the encounter between the Roman heritage and the so-called ‘Barbarian’ peoples, thanks to the cohesive force and moral elevation of Christianity. Monasticism proved to be a source of richness not only for the Church but for the entire society. In poor health but of strong moral temperament, Gregory the Great undertook intense pastoral and civil activities. He left behind a vast body of correspondence, awesome homilies, a renowned commentary on the Book of Job and writings on the life of St Benedict, apart from numerous liturgical texts, famous for the reform of chant that was named ‘Gregorian’ after him. But his most celebrated work is doubtless Pastoral Rule, which for the clergy had the same importance as the Rule of St Benedict had for monks in the Middle Ages.”
Gregory the Great also inspired Vatican Council II: “The life of a shepherd of souls must be a balanced synthesis of contemplation and action, animated by the love that ‘rises wonderfully to high things when it is compassionately drawn to the low things of neighbours; and the more kindly it descends to the weak things of this world, the more vigorously it recurs to the things on high’ (II,5). The Fathers of Vatican Council II were inspired by this ever relevant teaching to describe the image of the Shepherd of our times.” The final prayer was to the Virgin Mary, “that the example and teaching of St Gregory the Great may be followed by Shepherds of the Church and also by managers of civil institutions.”
After the Angelus prayer, Benedict XVI greeted pilgrims present in several languages. He reminded the Germans that next week he will go on pilgrimage to Germany and he wished Polish youth the best for the new school year. He also greeted a group of youth involved in the Focolare Movement, who had come from several countries. The pope exhorted them to be missionaries among other youth. “Dear friends,” he said, “in the school of the most Blessed Virgin, be faithful disciples of Jesus and lead your peers to him”.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Off to Italy
I shall be away for a week, back on the 9th September.
During that time comments rather than appearing automatically will be monitored and so will appear when/if I can get to a computer.
I am afraid blogs will depend on the my getting to blogging machine.
Why not send me any comment, thought, observation that you like, or don't like.
During that time comments rather than appearing automatically will be monitored and so will appear when/if I can get to a computer.
I am afraid blogs will depend on the my getting to blogging machine.
Why not send me any comment, thought, observation that you like, or don't like.
Church supports gay snub firemen
I feel uneasy about yet another Gay versus Catholic or Christian story but maybe that is not the actual issue. I am beginning to think that it is more about the influence and power of a particular group within society, I do not think that it is a gay mafia but rather a neo-socialist puritanism that infects declining New Labour. Last year the head of the Muslim Council of Great Britain, Sir Iqbal Sacranie was interrogated by the police because he said homosexual practices were "not acceptable" and civil partnerships between gays were "harmful". Phrases like "diversity training" which seem to be a euphemism for another euphemism, much favoured by Communist regimes, "re-education". and demotion are for people with religious convictions deeply worrying. It is saying our values, which formed western society are not just no longer acceptable but are actually punishable and therefore are in fact criminal. We should watch these developments within the UK with growing anxiety and foreboding.
All the firefighters have to undergo 'diversity training'. The Archbishop of Glasgow has given his support to nine firefighters disciplined for refusing to hand out leaflets during a gay rights march.
They have been sent on "diversity training" courses after refusing to hand out community safety leaflets at the Pride Scotia event in June.
Archbishop Mario Conti said they "had legitimate concerns about being the subject of taunts and jokes".
He said in some cases their religious sensibilities would have been offended.
Archbishop Conti said: "We have followed this case with concern. "There was no question of these officers' competency or commitment being called into question, nor was there any suggestion that they were refusing to come to the assistance of people in danger.
'Lampooning the Church'
"They were asked, while in uniform, to hand out leaflets during a demonstration where they had legitimate concerns about being the subject of taunts and jokes, and in which in some cases, their religious sensibilities would have been grossly offended by people dressed as priests and nuns lampooning the Church."
The Fire Service said it had a responsibility towards everyone
One of the firefighters involved was demoted from a watch manager to crew manager with a £5,000 salary cut.
The remaining firefighters were given a written warning, and all would undergo diversity training, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue announced on Thursday.
Archbishop Conti said the training was "alarming".
"The duty to obey one's conscience is a higher duty than that of obeying orders," he said.
The nine firefighters are based at Cowcaddens and were asked to distribute community safety advice to people attending the Pride Scotia festival in George Square on 24 June.
A fire service spokesman earlier said the firefighters' refusal was a "fundamental breach of their core responsibilities".
"Firefighters cannot, and will not, pick and choose to whom they offer fire safety advice.
"Strathclyde Fire and Rescue has a responsibility to protect every one of the 2.3m people it serves, irrespective of race, religion or sexuality," they said.
All the firefighters have to undergo 'diversity training'. The Archbishop of Glasgow has given his support to nine firefighters disciplined for refusing to hand out leaflets during a gay rights march.
They have been sent on "diversity training" courses after refusing to hand out community safety leaflets at the Pride Scotia event in June.
Archbishop Mario Conti said they "had legitimate concerns about being the subject of taunts and jokes".
He said in some cases their religious sensibilities would have been offended.
Archbishop Conti said: "We have followed this case with concern. "There was no question of these officers' competency or commitment being called into question, nor was there any suggestion that they were refusing to come to the assistance of people in danger.
'Lampooning the Church'
"They were asked, while in uniform, to hand out leaflets during a demonstration where they had legitimate concerns about being the subject of taunts and jokes, and in which in some cases, their religious sensibilities would have been grossly offended by people dressed as priests and nuns lampooning the Church."
The Fire Service said it had a responsibility towards everyone
One of the firefighters involved was demoted from a watch manager to crew manager with a £5,000 salary cut.
The remaining firefighters were given a written warning, and all would undergo diversity training, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue announced on Thursday.
Archbishop Conti said the training was "alarming".
"The duty to obey one's conscience is a higher duty than that of obeying orders," he said.
The nine firefighters are based at Cowcaddens and were asked to distribute community safety advice to people attending the Pride Scotia festival in George Square on 24 June.
A fire service spokesman earlier said the firefighters' refusal was a "fundamental breach of their core responsibilities".
"Firefighters cannot, and will not, pick and choose to whom they offer fire safety advice.
"Strathclyde Fire and Rescue has a responsibility to protect every one of the 2.3m people it serves, irrespective of race, religion or sexuality," they said.
Back to Bach as Benedict cancels Christmas pop concert
Italian and international pop stars will have to hold their Christmas concert in Monaco this year after Pope Benedict, who prefers Mozart and Bach, abolished the annual Yuletide event held at the Vatican every year since 1993."Pope Ratzinger prefers Mozart and Bach to 'pop' music and thus, after 12 years, the traditional Vatican Christmas concert comes to an end," the Italian daily La Stampa said according to an Agence France-Presse report.The event originated under John Paul II in 1993 and every year the late Pope either granted an audience with the performers or prepared a video-taped message.However, the 2005 edition was marked by the absence of Benedict XVI, who had been elected eight months earlier."It is impossible not to notice a change under the new pontiff," the ANSA news agency said. "Benedict XVI is a very sober Pope and is not inclined toward variety shows. He is more concerned about leading the faith of Catholics to its spiritual essence."La Stampa also suggested that Benedict XVI's reluctance to continue the Christmas concert tradition stems not only from the German-born Pope's preference for classical music, but also his desire to avoid a series of small scandals that have plagued the event.
Last year, Brazilian singer Daniela Mercury's show was cancelled by the Vatican because she had taken part in a public service campaign in Brazil promoting the use of condoms.
And in 2003, the American singer Lauryn Hill, ex-leader of the Fugees, suggested during her concert before 7500 spectators – including many Catholic prelates – that the Church ask forgiveness for crimes committed in the United States by pedophile priests.
And in 2003, the American singer Lauryn Hill, ex-leader of the Fugees, suggested during her concert before 7500 spectators – including many Catholic prelates – that the Church ask forgiveness for crimes committed in the United States by pedophile priests.
Cardinal challenges Muslims to defend persecuted Christians
Muslims must speak up for the rights of Christians in Islamic countries and work with Christians towards a "mutual witness" to the shared values of peace and justice, British Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said in Melbourne last night."This is a vital principle of sacred hospitality, and it is vital for the relationship between Christians and Muslims," The Age quoted the Cardinal as saying."Where Christians are being denied their rights or are subject to sharia law, that is not a matter on which Muslims in Britain or in Australia should remain silent," Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor added. "Where religious rights of minorities are disrespected in the name of Islam, the face of Islam is tarnished elsewhere in the world."Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor was speaking at the opening of the Australian Catholic University's new Asia-Pacific Centre of Inter-religious Dialogue - along with Mehmet Ali Sengul, honorary president of the Australian Intercultural Society.The whole point of interfaith co-operation was to uphold religious freedom, he said.The challenge for each religion was to keep its exclusive claims while overcoming ignorance and learning respect."What is good is growth towards mutual understanding, but also a mutual witness to values we share - peace and justice - and that's not insignificant."
A Cautionary Tale: walking on water
Evangelist preacher Franck Kabele, 35, told his congregation he could repeat the biblical miracle.
But he drowned after walking out to sea from a beach in the capital Libreville in Gabon, west Africa.
One eyewitness said: "He told churchgoers he'd had a revelation that if he had enough faith, he could walk on water like Jesus.
"He took his congregation to the beach saying he would walk across the Komo estuary, which takes 20 minutes by boat.
"He walked into the water, which soon passed over his head and he never came back."
But he drowned after walking out to sea from a beach in the capital Libreville in Gabon, west Africa.
One eyewitness said: "He told churchgoers he'd had a revelation that if he had enough faith, he could walk on water like Jesus.
"He took his congregation to the beach saying he would walk across the Komo estuary, which takes 20 minutes by boat.
"He walked into the water, which soon passed over his head and he never came back."
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