The Venerable Father Jerzy Popielszko

Today we visited the church of St Stanislaw Kostka in Warsaw to pray at the burial place (pictured above) of Fr Popieluszko.


Here are a couple of shots of the church of St Stanislaw Kostka in which he served.



You can read a short biography of Fr Jerzy by clicking on the following photo.

We had hoped to visit the nearby museum but it was closed. However, you can find out more by visiting the museum's website and if your Polish is as non-existent as mine, you can run it through the Google translator which renders a reasonably comprehensible result.

I have discovered another holy example of a priest for this Year of Priesthood. Fr Jerzy was not a healthy man, sometimes fainting during Mass. He also feared violence and persecution. But he was ever faithful to the truth. Whilst his last prayer in public was for peace and that the people be spared violence (violence which he was to experience only hours later) he said that our lives are worth nothing if we are not faithful to the truth.

Fr Jerzy was thrown into the boot of a car which was driven into the Vistula. It took several days to discover his body.

I was very moved by the following photograph which was part of a display behind the choir and reredos in the church. See the grief of his father at the funeral:

Fr Jerzy's mother is still alive. According to rumours, it might well be that she will live to see her son's beatification...

Prayer for beatification of Venerable Father Jerzy Popieluszko (as in the English booklet bought at the church - clearly not a perfect translation):

Endlessly good God,
you have granted Venerable Father Jerzy Popieluszko
with the grace of faithful vocation,
which led him to his martyr's death.
We ask you through the words of Pope John Paul II
"May this death give rise to Good
just as the cross gives rise to resurrection."

Lord,
Father Jerzy was a steadfast defender
of human and God's rights.
He was given to our Homeland and the whole world
as a sign of victory over love and hate.
We pray that he be exalted
to the dignity of sainthood.

Merciful God,
I ask you through Father Jerzy
to grant me the grace I crave for.
May the sacrifice of His life
and His intercession with you
promote the Christian faith,
unity and peace in the world.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Ann Winterton Early Day Motion censuring the BBC

I have received the following from a correspondent:

Ann Winterton MP has tabled an early day motion in the House of Commons complaining at the supposedly impartial BBC's blatant bias in attempting to have assisted suicide made legal.

The Motion is called Early Day Motion 787. It is very desirable that pro-lifers should call on their own M.P. to sign it.

The motion says:

That this House notes that over the years there have been numerous complaints by hon. Members regarding the persistent bias of the BBC on matters relating to euthanasia and other life issues and on the manner in which the BBC have misused public funds to promote changes in the law; further notes the bias of the Corporation applies not only to news programmes but to drama, with thinly-disguised plays and soap operas being used to promote the use of euthanasia and misrepresentation of pro-life activists in the UK as people of violence; further notes that these presentations have culminated in the last weeks with a multi-million pound campaign featuring Mrs Kay Gilderdale in Panorama and the fantasy fiction writer, Sir Terry Pratchett, given centre stage to present this year's BBC Richard Dimbleby lecture calling for euthanasia and supported by the BBC website; further notes that as usual the BBC have ignored the rights of the disabled, despite the fact that every disability rights group in the UK is opposed to the legalisation of assisted suicide and euthanasia on the grounds that from experience they know it would undermine the right to life of the disabled; and calls on the Government to make it clear to the BBC that public funds will be withdrawn unless they abide by the Charter and ensure that all programmes on issues of public interest are treated impartially, and that in particular broadcasters must bear in mind the human rights of the disabled.

Me and Max are real good friends!

Max is one of the two dogs owned by the parents of Fr Piotr who kindly gave us lunch yesterday. They warned me to stay clear of their other dog.

The Tablet's Homosexual agenda

John Smeaton of SPUC draws our attention to the editorial in the latest edition of The Tablet.

The editorial is entitled "Deepest Human Desire" and, as John Smeaton illustrates, exposes - if it was not clear enough already - that it completely dissents from the Catholic Church's teaching on the sinfulness of homosexual relations in

argu(ing) that "the Church [should] move on with confidence, if not doctrinally then at least pastorally" on the subject of homosexuality". Among other things, it:

* implies that the Church is open to the charge of "anti-­homosexual prejudice, even bigotry"
* says that the Church should "move beyond a sterile state of dis­approval" of homosexuality, lest it "lose the sympathy of wide sections of the public"
* criticises "the Church's inability to comprehend and value [homosexual persons'] emotional lives [and] their relationships"
* implies homosexual love "is to be treasured and respected"
* insists that homosexuals must be defined "positively ... by their affections"
* claims that there are homosexual couples who "demonstrate a constancy and a stability in their partnerships that, rather than causing scandal, set an example to their heterosexual friends and relations"
* questions whether homosexual men or women are unsuitable parents
* questions whether homosexuality is unnatural, and implies that homosexuality is innate rather than acquired.

In asking the Church to show more understanding, it is difficult to know what more the Church can do.

In 1986 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persions in which it stated among other things:

It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church's pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law.(n.10)

The characteristic concern and good will exhibited by many clergy and religious in their pastoral care for homosexual persons is admirable, and, we hope, will not diminish. Such devoted ministers should have the confidence that they are faithfully following the will of the Lord by encouraging the homosexual person to lead a chaste life and by affirming that person's God-given dignity and worth.(n.13)

But the Church will always remain true to Her teaching on this matter which derives from natural law. If there is anything that the Bishops must learn from the intolerant outcry of the secular humanists to which I referred earlier, it is that there are certain elements outside the Church, but more particularly within the Church, who will not listen. They fall within the dissent that Pope Benedict asked them to recognise for what it is when he said in his ad limina speech to our Bishops:

In a social milieu that encourages the expression of a variety of opinions on every question that arises, it is important to recognize dissent for what it is, and not to mistake it for a mature contribution to a balanced and wide-ranging debate.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

Last Sunday (31st Jan) I spoke in my homily about the Government's proposed equality legislation and the question of the possible employment of 'gay' people in civil partnerships as headteachers or for other leadership posts in Church establishments, following on from the comments of Bishop McMahon mentioned in an earlier post. In making my position clear as identical with the Church's position, I also said that I have accepted invitations to have dinner with homosexual couples and I would not avoid associating with people known to identify themselves as experiencing a homosexual orientation, as long as it would not cause scandal. I have also learnt much from others whose children find themselves in this situation. I think we must go a long, long, way to show understanding and love to these people, never rejecting them. But also maintaining the truth, derived as it is from natural law, about the need for grace to deal with an orientation which is not, in itself, rightly ordered.

I don't see how The Tablet's argument can square up with this and wonder how can any faithful Catholic priest could allow The Tablet to be sold in his parish?

St Maximilian Kolbe and the City of the Immaculate - Niepokalanow

One of the places we visited today was Niepokalanow, the City of the Immaculate set up by Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Together with a few franciscan friars he established this chapel in 1927.

We all know that St Maximilian died a martyr's death at Auschwitz. In the chapel are paintings reminding us that other beatified Franciscans were also prisoners in the death camp. Here are two of them:



Adjacent to the chapel is St Maximilian's cell (pictured below with some of the Christmas Crib artefacts in temporary storage):


together with a display of some liturgical artefacts which he would have used:


A friar was suitably on hand for a photo as he was making rosary beads:


The friary grew to contained huge printing press from which the Friars carried out an effective printing apostolate. Near the chapel is a museum, principally about the life of St Maximilian but also about the missionary activity of the Franciscan Friars.

A series of paintings describe the story of Maximilian's life in Aushwitz:

being beaten by the works 'Capo' who was of course a prisoner himself, so the Nazis set prisoner against fellow prisoner

Maximilian asking the Nazis to take him instead of a man who had a wife and family

Maximilian being poisoned to death having lived longer than expected through starvation in solitary confinement.

This candle, donated from Holland, is a particularly impressive work of religious art in memory of St Maximilian.

Here is a detail from the centre of the Cross which contains the face of the crucified Christ.

Below the Cross is a representation of grapes that are crushed to become wine and the Blood of Christ in the Chalice beneath the Cross. Jesus' Body was crushed so that we might be saved by the shedding of His Blood which we receive in Holy Communion, and as a martyr's body is crushed and his blood shed:

The word 'Credo' in blood red wax and dripping remind us that we must be prepared to declare our faith even to the shedding of our blood. It is only thus that our saying 'Credo', 'I believe', can truly be sincere.


A summary of the life of St Maximilian (click to see it enlarged):


Nearby is the Basilica in honour of Our Lady Immaculate:


As you can see it was cold. Fr Piotr on the phone with plenty of snow on the ground:

The car thermometer records the outside temperature:

In this year of priesthood, we can ask St Maximilian to give all priests - and, indeed, all religious men and women - the grace of putting themselves at the service of others. Their celibacy enables them to offer their lives in sacrifice, after the example of Christ Himself, and to espouse themselves most especially to the Virgin Mary.

O Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, faithful follower of St Francis of Assisi, inflamed by the love of God you dedicated your life to the practice of virtue and to works of the apostolate. Look down with favour upon us who devoutly confide in your intercession.

Having consecrated yourself to the Immaculate Virgin Mary, you inspired countless souls to a holy life and various forms of apostolate in order to do good to others and to spread the kingdom of God. Obtain for us the grace by our lives and labours to draw many souls to Christ.

In your close conformity to our Divine Saviour you reached such an intense degree of love, that you offered your life to save that of a fellow prisoner. Implore God that we, inflamed by such ardent charity, may through our living faith and our apostolic works witness Christ to our fellowmen, and thus merit to join you in the blessed vision of God. Amen.

Crisis talks at the Pontifical Academy for Life

Archbishops Fisichella and Cardoso

Many pro-lifers were shocked and scandalised a year or so ago when Archbishop Fisichella published an article condemning the declarations of excommunications made by Archbishop Cardoso of Olinda and Recife, thereby appearing to condone those who conspired to abort the twins being carried by a nine year old girl from Recife in Brazil. The pro-abortion lobby certainly saw the significance of Fisichella's statement: Catholics could, after all, co-operate in abortion in these 'hard' cases.

This year's annual congress of the Pontifical Academy for Life of which Archbishop Fisichella is president is to be held behind closed doors rather than in public.

For the Academy to survive surely there is only one solution, and that is for Fisichella to stand down or, as sometimes happens in the Vatican, to be 'promoted' out of the Pontifical Academy for Life to some other post where he can do no harm.

See Lifesitenews for more.

Pope's remarks on equality 'misunderstood' - Lombardi

According to Zenit, Pope Benedict's remarks to the Bishops of England and Wales concerning proposed equality legislation in Great Britain have been misunderstood. I think the secularist humanists have understood Pope Benedict perfectly as contradicting their pro-homosexual rights, pro-abortion and pro-anything-that-goes-against-religious-practice-and-freedom positions. And they are unwilling to enter into the 'respectful dialogue' that the Holy Father proposed in his ad limina address to the Bishops.

The Zenit article says:

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press service, noted in the most recent installment of the Vatican Television program "Octava Dies" that "assuring equal opportunity to all members of society is a noble objective."

"Nevertheless," he added, "in certain cases one tries to achieve it with laws that impose unjust limits on the freedom of religious communities to act according to their own convictions."

"If then these laws contradict the natural law, one undermines the foundation that guarantees equality and therefore the right to enjoy equal opportunity," the priest explained.