TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC FAMILY LOOKING TO ADOPT
I have agreed to help a family that is seeking to adopt a baby--they currently have children but are unable to have anymore. If you know of any situations involving a healthy, young, drug-free and alcohol-free couple who are looking for a good traditional Catholic family to adopt their child please email me ...realclearreligion@gmail.com. Depending on the number of responses we could potentially start an adoption matching aid for traditional Catholics through this site.
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THE MOST CHALLLENGING BELIEF OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH: THE EUCHARIST
01/06/08 13:15 Filed in: Body
and Blood of Jesus -Eucharist
Why is it that so many Christian denominations have no problem with belief in the mystery of the Trinity yet fail in faith to accept the words of Jesus regarding the mystery of the Eucharist? It is by far the most challenging belief in Christianity and was so even in Christ's day.
As described in the gospel of St. John "many of His disciples left Jesus when He told the multitude that they would have to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood to have eternal life. Christ wanted to make sure that His own apostles believed in the Real Presence. That is why He asked them if they too, wanted to leave Him." But it was Peter who gave the correct answer. "He told Jesus that the apostles also did not comprehend this mystery, but they relied on Christ's words because they believed that Jesus is the living God who can neither deceive or be deceived." Fr John A. Hardon, S.J. Catechism on the Real Presence.
Christianity needs the authority of Christ's Church because as demonstrated in the last 500 years-- left to itself the human mind goes wild in it's interpretation of God's word. This is seen in the fact that "Martin Luther who had been a priest for fifteen years, broke with the Catholic Church on October 31, 1517. By the year 1600, there were over 200 Protestant interpretations of Christ's words, "this is my body ...this is my blood." ibid .
The wise words of the Saints prove the intense faith required to believe Jesus difficult words on the Eucharist:
St John Chrysostom warned the faithful about questioning the mysteries of the Eucharist: "Let us submit to God in all things and not contradict him, even if what he says seems contrary to our reason and intellect; rather, let his words Read More...
ONCE A CAPITAL CRIME TO SAY MASS --SCOTLAND HAS BECOME A CATHOLIC NATION
25/05/08 15:45 Filed in: Hope
for Western Civilization
And they
cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord,
holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our
blood on them that dwell on the earth?" Rev
6:10
Scotland has become more Roman Catholic than Protestant. Scotland's Roman Catholic congregations now outnumber the Church of Scotland for the first time since records began. This in a Nation that once hunted down priests for the crime of saying the Mass. Although it is certain that God will one day avenge the blood of the martyrs, it is nevertheless nice to see temporal justice.
From Scotland on Sunday: "Figures compiled by the independent group Christian Research reveal that in 2005 the number of Catholics who went to Mass surpassed those who attended Church of Scotland services."
"The change is due to the huge numbers of Catholic Polish immigrants who are boosting church attendance, raising numbers by some 50,000 people since the last time figures were published in 2002."
This calls to mind a wonderful outspoken Scottish martyr of the Reformation, John Ogilvie, who made it his mission to restore the Catholic Faith to Scotland.
He was born into a respected Calvinist family in Keith, Banffshire c. 1579. He was exposed to the religious controversies of his day and became impressed with the faith of the martyrs. He decided to become a Catholic Read More...
Scotland has become more Roman Catholic than Protestant. Scotland's Roman Catholic congregations now outnumber the Church of Scotland for the first time since records began. This in a Nation that once hunted down priests for the crime of saying the Mass. Although it is certain that God will one day avenge the blood of the martyrs, it is nevertheless nice to see temporal justice.
From Scotland on Sunday: "Figures compiled by the independent group Christian Research reveal that in 2005 the number of Catholics who went to Mass surpassed those who attended Church of Scotland services."
"The change is due to the huge numbers of Catholic Polish immigrants who are boosting church attendance, raising numbers by some 50,000 people since the last time figures were published in 2002."
This calls to mind a wonderful outspoken Scottish martyr of the Reformation, John Ogilvie, who made it his mission to restore the Catholic Faith to Scotland.
He was born into a respected Calvinist family in Keith, Banffshire c. 1579. He was exposed to the religious controversies of his day and became impressed with the faith of the martyrs. He decided to become a Catholic Read More...
WHERE FAITH IS ALIVE IN EUROPE
13/05/08 07:37 Filed in: TRADITIONAL
CATHOLICISM
"This weekend’s annual three-day pilgrimage through northern France, which is in its 26th year, illustrates the appeal that the Tridentine Mass has for some young Catholics disenchanted with what they say is the lack of mystery, beauty and sacredness in the revised Mass.
Gregory Flash, 28, an investment banker from London, explains why he is taking part in the pilgrimage for the second year running: “The pilgrimage is a time of prayer, penance and fellowship. It’s great to be surrounded by thousands of Catholics around the same age who Read More...
DOES CATHOLIC PROPHECY REVEAL THAT ISLAM WILL CONVERT TO CATHOLICISM?
30/04/08 13:18 Filed in: Catholic
Prophecy
"He shall reform the Church of God." (St. Francis of Paola, 15th Century)
"He shall restore the apostolic discipline." (St. John of Capistrano 15th Read More...
WHY THE LATIN MASS?
20/04/08 22:16 Filed in: Tridentine
Latin Mass
-- Bishop Fernando Arêas Rifan of Brazil, on the Latin Mass quoted by Zenit.
THE GENERATIONAL BACKLASH AGAINST KUMBAYA CATHOLICISM
19/04/08 08:20 Filed in: TRADITIONAL
CATHOLICISM
Excerpts from washingtonpost.com:"Catholics don't argue about abortion or the death penalty nearly as much as they argue about what music is sung (or not sung, or used to be sung) at their local Sunday Mass. It was ever thus -- at least since the 1960s, when Sister first shortened her habit, strummed a G7 chord and, to hear some Catholics tell it, all heck broke loose.
"Among his more fastidious devotees, Pope Benedict XVI is valued most for the fact that he is not Casey Kasem, and Mass is no place for a hit parade, and church is most relevant when it is serious. ...Do not hold your breath waiting for "One Bread, Read More...
CHURCHES CRUMBLE IN FRANCE WHILE LESS THAN 5 PERCENT ATTEND MASS
14/04/08 11:46 Filed in: Culture/
Death of the West
Churches all over Europe are falling into disrepair. The populace lacks the faith to make their restoration a priority which in turn renders the sacred monuments to God and Europe's cultural heritage nothing more than a financial albatross.
Excerpts from iht: "Mayor Jean-Pierre Leger was married and baptized his children at Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens church in this village in western France. Not without sadness, he is now planning to bulldoze the 19th century building.
The dilemma of what to do with churches that have fallen out of favor — and into disrepair — is facing towns and villages across France and other European countries. Some communities have dynamited churches deemed too expensive to maintain. Others have taken a less Read More...
HELP A MAN PAY OFF HIS COLLEGE DEBT AND BECOME A PRIEST
08/04/08 16:07 Filed in: Hope
for Western Civilization
A reader of this blog has contacted me about his desire to become a priest with the Order of Basilian Salvatorian Fathers in Massachusetts - a semi-contemplative Melkite Byzantine order. The Melkite Rite is Catholic and under Pope Benedict XVI--it is one of the several Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church whose Divine Liturgy is Byzantine.
Unfortunately he has incurred $72,000 in school debt while attending the Franciscan University Of Steubenville over the last four years. This debt must be paid off before he can enter the Order. To further this purpose he has put together a website and has recorded an album of Catholic music.
Won't you please help a man become a priest. He can be reached at: neven7@hotmail.com
He has provided me with his conversion story and his journey to becoming a priest. Here it is :
Singing Towards Seminary
I’m a son of Croatian Immigrants who first emigrated to Italy and subsequently to America Read More...
GET OUT OF MY BUS-- SO I CAN PRAY
31/03/08 14:20 Filed in:
Creation of Eurabia and Muslim Invasion
From The Sun: "The white Islamic convert rolled out his prayer mat in the aisle and knelt on the floor facing Mecca.
Passengers watched in amazement as he held out his palms towards the sky, bowed his head and began to chant.
One, who filmed the man on his mobile phone, said: “He was clearly praying and chanting in Arabic.
“We thought it was a wind-up at first, like Jeremy Beadle.”
The 21-year-old plumber added: “He looked English and had a London accent. He looked like a Muslim convert, with a big, bushy beard.
“Eventually everyone started complaining. One woman said, ‘What the hell are you doing? I’m going to be late for work’.”
After a few minutes the driver calmly got up, opened the doors and asked everyone back on board.
But they saw a rucksack lying on the floor of the red single-decker and feared he might be a fanatic. So they all refused.
The passenger added: “One chap said, ‘I’m not getting on there now’.
“After seeing that no-one wanted to get on he drove off and we all waited until the next bus came about 20 minutes later. I was left totally stunned. It made me not want to get on a bus again.”
Yesterday the driver, who said his name was Hrun, told The Sun: “I asked everyone to get off because I needed to pray. I was running late and had not had time."
Islam is winning Western converts due to the nihilism and emptiness of our consumerist and hedonistic Western lifestyle. People who long to rebel against our pervasive and sick culture seek meaning and a radically new lifestyle that sets them apart. But rather than see devout Catholics who truly live their faith (and who are native to Europe)--they see Islam. Our apostasy has its consequences.
THE POPE, ISLAM, AND CATHOLIC PROPHECY FOR OUR TIMES
27/03/08 09:39 Filed in: Catholic
Prophecy
Pope Benedict has proven over the course of his brief pontificate that he does not shy away from the controversial for the sake of a false wordly peace. Prior to the recent baptism of Magdi Allam-- Osama bin Laden claimed in an audio recording that Islam will chastise the Pope and the European people for the publication of cartoons of Mohammed. I am certain that the recent baptism of Allam has solidified the position of Pope Benedict and the Church at the top of al qaeda's hit list.
As to bin Laden's threat against Europe-- so much of Western Europe is apathetic to the silent Read More...
ST FRANCIS AND THE CONVERSION OF THE MUSLIMS
24/03/08 11:45 Filed in: Islam
Rega has thoroughly researched Francis and stands on firm ground in his telling of the story of Francis and his attempt to convert the Sultan. The famous meeting begins when Francis accompanies the crusaders to Damietta, Egypt with the goal of having a private audience with Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil who was the Islamic ruler of Egypt.
Prior to the battle of Damietta, Francis received a prophetic vision that the crusaders would lose the battle. He hesitatingly revealed his vision which was dismissed. The battle went forward, and the crusaders lost.
The crusaders losses were many. As one chronicler wrote--John the Baptist gained many companions that day due to the great many beheadings. "This horror befell about fifty horsemen, of the Knights Templar, thirty of the Germans, and over twenty Hospitallers."
Remarkably it was the loss at Damietta that gave St Francis the opportunity to finally meet the Sultan face to face in an attempt to convert him to the Christian faith.
St Francis sought permission to enter the camp of the Sultan from the Papal Legate who was hesitant to grant permission since al Kamil had reportedly stated that "anyone who brought him the head of a Christian should be awarded with Byzantine gold pieces". Eventually when confronted with the insistence and persistence of St Francis, the Papal legate allowed Francis and one companion, Brother Illuminato, to go into the Muslim camp.
Early documents all agree that upon entering the camp Read More...
VATICAN IN SECRET TALKS TO BUILD CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN SAUDI ARABIA
17/03/08 19:28 Filed in: IslamCatholicism
The Vatican and Saudi Arabia do not have diplomatic relations. However, Archbishop El-Hashem said that moves towards diplomatic ties began after an unprecedented visit to the Vatican last November by King Abdullah. This would involve negotiations for the “authorisation of the building of Catholic churches” in Saudi Arabia, he said.
"But, speaking to the news agency Agence France-Presse, the Lebanese prelate, the Pope's envoy in the Gulf, added: "There are around three or four million Christians in Saudi Arabia, and we hope they will have churches."
At the Vatican, the Pope's spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said: "If we manage to obtain authorisation for the construction of the first church, it will be an outcome of historic dimensions."
The opening last Friday of the Read More...
BISHOP ACCUSED OF RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM
12/03/08 13:04 Filed in:
Killing Christian Religion & Loss of Religious
Freedom
So many today are blinded by relativism and religious indifferentism and are willing to lump a religion that seeks to dominate and destroy the West with the religion that founded Western Civilization. To these "enlightened" atheists all religions have become equally useless and loathsome. Because of this the Roman Catholic bishop of Lancaster, England is now forced to testify before MPs as to why he is imposing religious "fundamentalism" on Catholic school children. The charges stem from Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue's ban on "values-free" sex education in Catholic schools and his order to place crucifixes in every classroom.
He has been summoned to appear before the House of Commons committee on children, schools and families due to a 66-page document which held a strict line on sexual morality and which angered some MPs because of its .
FROM DAILYMAIL: In the document, called Fit for Mission?, Bishop O'Donoghue wrote: "The secular view on sex outside marriage, artificial contraception, sexually transmitted disease, including HIV and Aids, and abortion, may not be presented as Read More...
CATHOLIC MARRIED COUPLE FIGHTS FOR RIGHT TO BE REFERRED TO AS MARRIED
11/03/08 20:24 Filed in: Destruction
of Marrriage and Family
From Scotsman: A Devout Catholic couple who object to their marital status being listed alongside civil partnerships have won the first round in an employment tribunal action against Scotland's largest police force.
Lucille and Frank McQuade, who have been married for 26 years, claim that Strathclyde Police is guilty of religious discrimination after altering its civilian employee records to change their status from "married" to "married/civil partnership".
Speaking after an earlier tribunal hearing, Mrs McQuade, 46, who until recently worked as a CID clerk with the force, said: "The concept of homosexuality is not compatible Read More...
TOP VATICAN OFFICIAL FOR MUSLIM RELATIONS CALLS ROWAN WILLIAMS NAIVE ON SHARIA LAW
11/03/08 08:56 Filed in: Islam
ROME (Reuters) - The Vatican's top man for relations with Islam on Tuesday criticized the Archbishop of Canterbury as mistaken and "naive" for suggesting that some aspects of Sharia law in Britain were unavoidable.
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, in a wide-ranging discussion with reporters about Christian-Muslim relations, also said he was confident that a new, permanent body between the Vatican and Muslims would help defuse misunderstandings in the future.
"I think it was a mistake, a mistake because, above all, one has to ask what type of Sharia. And then, it was a bit naive," Tauran said in answer to a question at a breakfast meeting.
"One can understand his good intentions but it seems to me he did not take into consideration either them (the Muslims), the English juridical system, or the Read More...
THE UTOPIAN MESSAINIC STATE OF CALIFORNIA WILL EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN FOR CITIZENSHIP
08/03/08 08:59 Filed in:
Killing Christian Religion & Loss of Religious
Freedom
“Parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children,” wrote Justice H. Walter Croskey in a Feb. 28 opinion signed by the two other members of the district court. “Parents who fail to [comply with school enrollment laws] may be subject to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction, and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program.”
Yet parents have the right to kill their children under the extra-constitutional "right to privacy" which was created by liberal activist judges. We have the right to kill our children but we do not have the right to teach our children in accordance with the Faith despite the clear words of the constitution:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Prohibiting a parent from homeschooling their children according to their Catholic faith is an interference in the free exercise of one's religion and a violation of the constitution--but more importantly it is a violation of Read More...
COMMUNION IN THE HAND CONDEMNED--AS A BISHOP I CANNOT REMAIN SILENT
05/03/08 15:43 Filed in: Catholicism
Here is Auxillary Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda in Kazakhstan, who takes his vocation seriously. He has written a book with the purpose of re-introducing the Church to what takes place at the consecration and WHO we receive. He most importantly condemns the practice of Communion in the hand, and states that it was introduced against the laws of the Church.
Here is what Fr John Hardon had to say about Communion in the Hand: "Communion in the hand [came]...with the publication of the Dutch Catechism with nobody's permission except the bishops—in effect, in principle separated themselves from the Holy See. One country after another began then to ask for permission, which the Dutch Read More...
MUSLIM UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DEMAND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THEIR RELIGION
04/03/08 16:18 Filed in:
Creation of Eurabia and Muslim Invasion
More and more Muslim students are demanding accommodations for their religion on university campuses. If Catholic students demanded similar accommodations they would be laughed off campus. But for some reason the atheistic campus elite are oftentimes willing to give in to the religion of Islam. Why oh why?
Harvard Sets Women-Only Hours for Gym, Complying With Muslim Students' Request. Since Jan. 28, the Quadrangle Recreational Athletic Center has been open only to women from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays.
The change was prompted by a request from the Harvard College Women's Center, which was approached by six female Muslim students, said Robert Mitchell, communications director of Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
"It was done for religious purposes, but it's not closed to other Read More...
THE DEADLY SIN OF SLOTH AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT
21/02/08 15:07 Filed in: Catholicism
Since we are now in the midst of the 40-days of lent we may from time to time be tempted to succumb to sloth which can destroy one's spiritual opportunity to persevere toward a good and fruitful lent.
I recall a story about Fr. John Hardon, S.J. and his personal valet/bodyguard, Dan Burns, who travelled with him on numerous occasions. Mr. Burns once stated that "[Fr Hardon] took a vow in 1937 or so never to waste time, and I've never seen him waste time. The last motion picture he saw was in 1939."
According to Burns, just prior to the departure of a flight Fr Hardon went to confession. Upon his arrival at his destination he immediately stated to Burns that he needed to go to confession again. Burns mildly protested asking why it was necessary since he had just went to confession prior to the flight. Fr Hardon replied that he had wasted 15 minutes while on the plane.
This story among other things highlights the importance of avoiding sloth. Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins--which destroys charity in the heart and thus may lead to final impenitence and damnation. Sloth is the desire for ease and a reluctance to attend to duty. The slothful person is unwilling to do what God wants because of the effort it takes to do it. Thomas Aquinas said Sloth is "sluggishness of the mind which neglects to begin good... [it] is evil in its effect, if it so oppresses man as to draw him away entirely from good deeds."
And from one of my favorite books, The Sinner's Guide, (not a "how-to" Read More...
CATHOLIC LUXEMBOURG LEGALIZES EUTHANASIA
20/02/08 12:35 Filed in: Culture/
Death of the West
This reminds me of an interesting e-mail I received from Marshall who is considering the priesthood:
“It [the Third Secret] has nothing to do with Gorbachev. The Blessed Virgin was alerting us against apostasy in the Church.” ... Cardinal Oddi, quoted March 17, 1990, in the journal Il Sabato
“In the Third Secret it is foretold, among other things, that the great apostasy in the Church will begin at the top.”
... Cardinal Mario Luigi Ciappi, Pope John Paul II's personal papal theologian, quoted in the journal Catholic, March 2002
Well it began at the top and now we are witnessing the destructive effects at the bottom.
LUXEMBOURG (AFP) — Luxembourg lawmakers have adopted a bill legalising euthanasia, priming the Grand Read More...
DUTCH CATHOLICS RENAME LENT "RAMADAN" TO APPEAL TO MUSLIMS
15/02/08 11:55 Filed in: Catholicism
From Telegraph.co.uk: "Dutch Catholics have re-branded the Lent fast as the "Christian Ramadan" in an attempt to appeal to young people who are more likely to know about Islam than Christianity.
The Catholic charity Vastenaktie, which collects for the Third World Read More...
THE ENORMITY OF SIN AND THE NECESSITY OF THE LAMB OF GOD
02/02/08 16:00 Filed in: Body
and Blood of Jesus -EucharistCatholicism
"We ought to immolate to God the daily sacrifices of our tears, the daily offerings of His Flesh and Blood. For this Victim peculiarly preserves the soul from eternal death, as it renews to us in a mystery the death of the Only-Begotten; Who, although being risen from the dead He dies no more and death shall have no more dominion over Him, yet while in Himself He lives immortal and incorruptible, for us is immolated again in this mystery of the sacred oblation. For it is His body that is there taken, His flesh that it is divided for the salvation of the people, His blood that is poured, not as before into the hands of unbelievers, but into the mouths of the faithful. Hence let us estimate the importance of this sacrifice for us, which for our absolution ever imitates the Passion of the only-begotten Son. For what Christian can doubt that at the very hour of the offering, at the words of the priest, the heavens are opened, the choirs of angels are present in that mystery of Jesus Christ, the lowest things are knit with the highest, the earthly things are united with the heavenly, the visible and the invisible are made one." Pope St. Gregory the Great (6th cent)
ECUMENISM AND APOSTASY
25/01/08 09:32 Filed in: Catholicism
Just a reminder of the infallible teaching of the Catholic Church at the Council of Florence in 1438:
"The Most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews, heretics, and schismatics can ever be partakers of eternal life, but that they are to go into the eternal fire 'which was prepared for the devil and his angels,' (Mat. 25:41) unless before death they are joined with Her; and that so important is the unity of this Ecclesiastical Body, that only those remaining within this unity can profit from the sacraments of the Church unto salvation, and that they alone can receive an eternal recompense for their fasts, alms deeds and other works of Christian piety and duties of a Christian soldier. No one, let his alms giving be as great as it may, no one, even if he pour out his blood for the Name of Christ, can be saved unless they abide within the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church."
Maybe if we took seriously these words and stopped explaining away and undermining this infallible and unchangeable teaching we would not be in the current state of mass apostasy from the Faith throughout the West.
NO POPERY! POPE DENOUNCED AS ANTI-CHRIST OVER ROSARY ROW
23/01/08 14:45 Filed in: Protestantism
"This is holy Church, the one Church, the true Church, the Catholic Church, fighting against all heresies; she can fight but she cannot be conquered. All heresies are expelled from her as if they were dead branches pruned from the vine; she herself however remains fixed in her root, in her vine, in her charity. The gates of hell shall not prevail against her." St Augustine (4th cent)
I wonder what would have happened to this man had he condemned Mohammed as a messenger of Satan?
FROM INDEPENDENT.IE "An unholy row on yesterday's 'Joe Duffy show' began innocently enough, when the chief aide to Nigel Dodds, the North's Enterprise Minister, voiced his objections to the sale of Catholic rosary beads inside St Patrick's [Anglican] Cathedral, in Dublin.
"Wallace Thompson challenged the Anglican Dean of St Patrick's, Dr Robert MacCarthy, for selling rosaries not sanctioned in Holy Scripture, in the cathedral gift shop.
"The Dean explained that the beads were sold because the shop attracted visitors of all denominations, and revenue from the sales helped finance the cathedral's upkeep.
"During an hour-long phone-in, Mr Thompson castigated Read More...
THE CHRISTIANITY THAT SCATTERS RATHER THAN GATHERS
21/01/08 13:08 Filed in: Christianity
So many "Christians" have come to hold the view that it does not matter what one believes but rather that one is simply sincere and a "good person". But without a firm creed and an authority established by God Himself one is open to compromise with the world, the devil, and the flesh. Surely Christ will not abide with those who compromise and strip His word of all hard teachings--we must either accept or reject Him, we are either for or against Him. Compromise is incompatible with a firm faith that Christ is God, whose word is true and whose promises are as sure as God is sure.
Protestantism's rejection of authority has scattered souls by forcing them to fend for themselves to determine what the essential revealed truths of Christ are. Instead of confidently grasping hold of truth, Protestant Christians must agree to differ as to what truth God intended to reveal. Without the confidence that can only be found when authority is recognized, Protestants are inexorably driven to compromise due to the eternally endless divisions. How ironic it is that "bible believing" "sola scriptura" Christians are on the whole more unsure of truth and the requirements of salvation than prior to the Reformation. As a result Christians have never been so lax, and so lacking in faith.
Many Protestants have come to reject the ten commandments and even baptism as necessary Read More...
A MAJORITY OF FRENCH BIRTHS ARE TO UNWED MOTHERS
15/01/08 20:59 Filed in: Destruction
of Marrriage and Family
Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- France became the first non- Scandinavian country in western Europe to record a majority of out-of-wedlock births.
Of the 816,500 births registered in France last year, 50.5 percent were to unmarried parents, up from 48.4 percent in 2006 and 40 percent 10 years ago, according to a report today by Insee, the Paris-based national statistics agency.
``What's led the rise in out-of-wedlock births is that a lifestyle that was once confined to Paris is now the norm even in rural areas,'' Guy Desplanques, head of Insee's demographics department, said in a telephone interview. ``Marriage is no Read More...
A CATHOLIC HERO DEFENDS THE FAITH AND THE CRUCIFIX
14/01/08 16:36 Filed in: Catholicism
From Manchestereveningnews: A hospital porter was quizzed by police after a row over a crucifix being covered in a prayer room has denied allegations of assault.
Joseph Protano, 54, was interviewed on suspicion of religiously aggravated assault at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.
Mr Protano, a devout Catholic from Salford, was released without charge but was suspended four days after the incident and has now been at home for two weeks.
The row centres round a prayer room available to staff and visitors of all faiths at the hospital.
Mr Protano entered the room when three Muslims Read More...
"THIS IS BABEL"
30/12/07 16:51 Filed in: Catholic
Prophecy
We are all witnessing the growing persecution of the Church in what were once Christian nations. These nations are slowly taking on a fascist character that seeks to stamp out religion and religious expression. In Canada a so-called human rights commission is in hot pursuit of truth teller Mark Steyn for Islamophobia and Catholic Insight Magazine for homophobia. In Spain a Protestant is being investigated by the government for attempting to "cure" homosexuality while a Catholic cleric is likewise being investigated for comments that are seen as offending homosexuals.
The pace at which religious hatred is growing is alarming. But this was all prophesied by good and holy men and women throughout the centuries. They all hauntingly repeat that a great chastisement will occur due to the loss of the Faith. The Catholic Church in particular will have much to suffer. Islam is predicted to be used as one instrument of chastisement. But the enemies of Christ Read More...
POPE BENEDICT TO REVIVE EXORCISM TO FIGHT SATAN
28/12/07 14:49 Filed in: Catholicism
From Dailymail: "The Pope has ordered his bishops to set up exorcism squads to tackle the rise of Satanism.
"Vatican chiefs are concerned at what they see as an increased interest in the occult.
"They have introduced courses for priests to combat what they call the most extreme form of "Godlessness."
"Each bishop is to be told to have in his diocese a number of priests trained to fight demonic Read More...
A MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER IN OXFORD
26/12/07 11:01 Filed in:
Creation of Eurabia and Muslim Invasion
From dailymail: Muslim plans to broadcast a loudspeaker call to prayer from a city centre mosque have been attacked by local residents who say it would turn the area into a "Muslim ghetto".
Dozens of people packed out a council meeting to express their concerns over the plans for a two-minute long call to prayer to be issued three times a day, saying that it could drown out the traditional sound of church bells.
But a spokesman for the Central Mosque said that Muslim's also have the right to Read More...
ENGLAND HAS BECOME A CATHOLIC NATION
23/12/07 07:39 Filed in: Catholicism
With statements such as the one made this past week by Rowan Williams, the leader of the Church of England, that Christmas is merely a legend-- is there any wonder why the death of this church is near? When the leaders of a church have lost their faith in the word of God, and invite homosexual leadership into its ranks --death is inevitable.
FROM Telegraph: "This means that the established Church has lost its place as the nation's most popular Christian denomination after more than four centuries of unrivalled influence following the Reformation.
"The statistics show that attendance at Anglican Sunday services has dropped by 20 per cent since Read More...
CATHOLIC MAGAZINE UNDER INVESTIGATION BY CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OVER COMPLAINT FROM HOMOSEXUAL
22/12/07 00:31 Filed in: Radical
Homosexual Agenda
From Hilary White via LIFESITE : "Toronto's Catholic Insight magazine has reported they stand accused in an HRC complaint of "targeting homosexuals".
"Catholic Insight is a Catholic political and cultural general interest magazine that regularly and accurately expounds orthodox Catholic teaching, based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, on homosexuality as well as harmful consequences to individual persons and society of the active homosexual "lifestyle".
"The magazine now reveals that Rob Wells, a homosexual activist associated with the Pride Read More...
RELIGION AND POLITICS DO MIX
11/12/07 20:52 Filed in: Catholicism
"It would be a grave error...to say that Christ has no authority whatever in civil affairs, since, by virtue of the absolute empire over all creatures committed to him by the Father, all things are in his power...Thus the empire of our Redeemer embraces all men. To use the words of Our immortal predecessor, Pope Leo XIII: "His empire includes not only Catholic nations, not only baptized persons who, though of right belonging to the Church, have been led astray by error, or have been cut off from her by schism, but also all those who are outside the Christian faith; so that truly the whole of mankind is subject to the power of Jesus Christ."
"...[A]ll men, whether collectively or individually, are under the dominion of Christ. In him is the salvation of the individual, in him is the salvation of society. "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved." He is the author of happiness and true prosperity for every man and for every nation. "For a nation is happy when its citizens are happy. What else is a nation but a number of men living in concord?"
"If, therefore, the rulers of nations wish to preserve their authority, to promote and increase the prosperity of their countries, they will not neglect the public duty of reverence and obedience to the rule of Christ..."With God and Jesus Christ excluded from political life, with authority derived not from God but from man, the very basis of that authority has been taken away, because the chief reason of the distinction between ruler and subject has Read More...
YOUTHS REJECT RELATIVISM FOR TRUTH AND CATHOLIC DOGMA
06/12/07 15:10 Filed in: Hope
for Western Civilization
While the world grapples with the depths of sin and darkness, God is pouring His grace upon the earth to restore and transform His Church. It is the only thing that is capable of transforming the world from a death seeking suicidal culture to one that reveres light, life and truth. The last 50 years have seen the Bride of Christ beaten down by scandals, divisions, and disobedience-- leaving her often-times beyond recognition. But the tide has turned. The truth in all its splendor is irresistable in dark days. And the truth contained in the Latin Mass will be a beacon in the world where nothing remains sacred and everything is empty and mundane.
ZENIT recently conducted an interview with David Hartline, author of "The Tide is Turning Toward Catholicism".
"Instead of turning away from the faith and embracing the relativism of society, more and more youths are actually embracing the teachings of the Church, says Catholic author David Hartline."
"Many have asked me since the release of my book earlier this year if this tide of good news will continue or if it just a temporary cause for joy.
"The answer is that this tide continues to gather strength. Good news is abounding in the Church."
"When the young gravitated toward Pope John Paul II," said Hartline, "many skeptics said this was only temporary. When Cardinal Ratzinger was elected Pontiff, many said the young would leave.
"However, just Read More...
POPE GETS RADICAL IN ORDER TO BEGIN THE CATHOLIC REFORMATION
15/11/07 20:38 Filed in: Catholicism
Here is a very interesting article from the Times Online about Pope Benedict and his ambitious commitment to reform and liberation of the Latin liturgy. This, despite attempts from many bishops including those in England and Wales to halt the reform. It seems his pontificate is having a tremendous impact on many break-away groups including the conservative Traditional Anglican Communion.
"Two and a half years after the name "Josephum" came booming down from the balcony of St Peter's, making liberal Catholics weep with rage, Pope Benedict XVI is revealing his programme of reform. And it is breathtakingly ambitious.
The 80-year-old Pontiff is planning a purification of the Roman liturgy in which decades of trendy innovations will be swept away. This recovery of the sacred is intended to draw Catholics closer to the Orthodox and ultimately to heal the 1,000 year Great Schism. But it is also designed to attract vast numbers of conservative Anglicans, who will be offered the protection of the Holy Father if they covert en masse.
The liberal cardinals don't like the sound of it at all.
Ever since the shock of Benedict's election, they have been Read More...
THE WAR ON THE CATHOLIC CONSCIENCE--PORTUGUESE GOVERNMENT ISSUES ULTAMATUM TO DOCTORS WHO REFUSE TO PERFORM ABORTIONS
15/11/07 14:50 Filed in:
Abortion, Infanticide --Killing Babies
From Rueters: LISBON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Portuguese doctors have rejected a government ultimatum to remove an ethical ban on performing abortions after this deeply Catholic country approved Read More...
CHURCH OF IRELAND PARISHES SEEK TO BECOME ROMAN CATHOLIC
24/10/07 17:26 Filed in: Hope
for Western Civilization
"A
federation of Christians is inconceivable in which
each member retains his own opinions and private
judgment in matters of faith.
Pope Pius XI.
From Independent Catholic
News via Michael
Kelly,
Deputy
Editor The Irish Catholic: "Three
Church of Ireland parishes have asked to be
received into full communion with the Catholic
Church The Irish Catholic newspaper reports this
week.
The
parishes, in counties Down, Tyrone and Laois are
members of the 'traditional rite' within the Church
of Ireland.
The Irish Catholic newspaper, has learnt that the
members of these parishes, along with traditional
Anglicans from twelve other countries, have signed a
letter to the Vatican seeking "full, corporate,
sacramental union" with the Catholic Church under the
authority of the Pope. The dramatic move would see
the entire parish communities received in to the
Catholic Church.
While only a few hundred
Anglicans
POPE CONDEMNS HATE AND VIOLENCE IN THE NAME OF GOD AND RELIGION
21/10/07 15:07 Filed in:
Christian Religion Persecution by Islam
"To
hate no man."
St Benedict, Rule No 4
"No
religion is from God which contradicts our sense of
right and wrong"
Card. Newman
NAPLES,
Italy, OCT. 21, 2007 (Compiled from various news
sources):
Pope Benedict
XVI urged the world's religious leaders not to allow
God's name to be used to justify violence.
"Faced with a world lacerated by conflicts," the Holy
Father said, "where at times violence is justified in
the name of God, it is important to re-emphasize that
religion can never be a vehicle of hate; never, in
the
ABOMINATION AND DESOLATION IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD
10/10/07 22:34 Filed in: Catholicism
Betrayal Blasphemy and Sacrilege: San Francisco Catholic Archbishop George Niederauer Gives Communion to Blasphemous ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’
"He who has dipped his hand into the dish with Me is the one who will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." Matthew 26:23-25
CATHOLIC STUDENTS FORCED TO WEAR THE ISLAMIC VEIL
18/09/07 17:51 Filed in: Islam
"The increasing numbers of local laws inspired by Sharia...are threatening the religious freedom of non Muslims, forced to wear Islamic clothes.
"The latest episode reported by a Catholic family in Padang north Sumatra is worrying: Stefanus Prayog Ismu Rahardi has 3 children, 2 of whom attend state school; recently the teachers asked them to wear the Islamic veil or in Indonesian; jilbab. “It’s the first time that it has happened – says the father – and my daughters are scared, I tried to make them see the veil as a simple accessory, but they clearly understand that the problem goes well beyond Read More...
CATHOLIC STUDENTS FORCED TO WEAR THE ISLAMIC VEIL
18/09/07 17:51 Filed in: Islam
"The increasing numbers of local laws inspired by Sharia...are threatening the religious freedom of non Muslims, forced to wear Islamic clothes.
"The latest episode reported by a Catholic family in Padang north Sumatra is worrying: Stefanus Prayog Ismu Rahardi has 3 children, 2 of whom attend state school; recently the teachers asked them to wear the Islamic veil or in Indonesian; jilbab. “It’s the first time that it has happened – says the father – and my daughters are scared, I tried to make them see the veil as a simple accessory, but they clearly understand that the problem goes well beyond Read More...
A MUSLIM WHO STANDS AGAINST EURABIA AND THE ISLAMIC CULTURE OF DEATH
10/09/07 12:54 Filed in: Hope
for Western Civilization
Allam's mother sent him to a Catholic boarding school in Egypt, where he began studying Western culture and civilization. He later immigated to Italy.
He has supported a ban against building new mosques in Italy and has sought to expose underground relationships between Italian mosques and international terrorist groups. His writings and opinions have led to numerous death threats and have necessitated him to be under constant guard.
But as recently as 2002 Allam was espousing a more liberal mindset that Islam is compatible with democracy and pluralism. But in recent years Allam has had a change of mind and heart that is reflected in his latest book entitled, "Long Live Israel - From the Ideology of Death to the Civilization of Life: My Story", in it Allam argues that Israel represents a culture of life, while Islam’s represents a culture of death.
In a recent interview with an Israeli news agency, Allam was asked about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. His response: “I hope that someday Israel will capture Ahmadinejad and force him to live the rest of his life Read More...
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THOSE WHO SOUGHT TO USURP HER
22/08/07 19:04 Filed in: Catholicism
A relative of mine began attending the tapings of the show "The One True Faith" at St Michael's Media in Detroit and has truly enjoyed them. Here is a sampling of their work. They are committted to the Church and seem dedicated to re-evangelizing the fallen away.
