Bill O'Reilly on Media bias against Christianity

The Oslo and Utoya killer Anders Breivik leaving a courthouse on Monday.

Following last week's murderous rampage by a crazed Norwegian terrorist the New York Times front page headline ran:

"As Horrors Emerge, Norway charges Christian Extremist."

Fox News' Bill O'Reilly naturally asks:

But why would the Times brand Breivik as a Christian?

And goes on:

The killer is not attached to any church, has no history of Christian activity, has openly criticized the Protestant philosophy, and has committed acts counter to all Christian teaching.

Defenders of the headline point to a Norwegian police officer describing Breivik as a Christian and the maniac's desire to be a member of the "Knights of Templar," a medieval society that avenged anti-Christian behavior.

Perhaps The New York Times might watch out for the Knights.

O'Reilly also opines about the liberal press' agenda:

The left well understands that Christian opposition to things like abortion, gay marriage, and drug legalization makes those liberal causes more difficult to achieve.

Read the full column at Ventura County Star.

The column also appeared in today's print edition of Marquette's Mining Journal, which is how I came across it.

Recent events at St Anthony's

Making my Profession of Faith and taking the Oath of Fidelity

I was installed as parochial administator last Sunday July 24th by Father Ronald Browne, Moderator of the Curia. Thanks to all who helped in any way to make it such a joyous occasion. (Photos of the installation Mass taken by Kelly Matthews.)

Before the Mass

Father Browne adds incense to the thurible.

Entrance procession.

Father Browne incenses the altar at the start of Mass.

Before Holy Communion.

Reverencing the Cross after Mass.

Our servers.

On Wednesday July 27th we had a Youth Pizza Evening in the rectory so the youth of the parish could meet their new pastor.

My thanks to Len McKeen, our parish DRE, and all the other adults who came with food, cooked, and showed their support for the youth in so many ways. You can see more photos at my facebook page.

And yesterday, the baptism of Philip Joseph Winkler, ninth child of Denyl and Michael Winkler (who appears above with the dark glasses) which was celebrated in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. So he is well protected from the devil.

Philip Joseph in the arms of his godmother Dr Catherine Kroll and with godfather, Catherine's husband Michael Prokopowicz. Parents Denyl and Michael Winkler at either end (with one of their daughters).

Election of Prioress at Holy Cross Carmel, Iron Mountain

Entrance to the Monastery

Today Father Ronald Browne, Moderator of the Curia, and I accompanied His Excellency Bishop Alexander K. Sample as he presided over the election of a Prioress at the Monastery of the Holy Cross, a monastery of discalced Carmelite nuns at Iron Mountain, MI. Father Browne and I acted as "scrutators". Basically our job was to ensure that all was carried out in accordance with the Code of Canon Law and with the constitutions of the monastery.

The chapel (with Bishop Sample just visible at the sacristy entrance.)

Bishop Sample presided at the Mass of Ss Joachim and Anne and gave the required pre-election exhortation. Following the singing of the Veni Creator Spiritus, prayers were said in the "grate room" and the election took place. Mother Maria of Jesus was re-elected for a second term as Prioress. After the burning of the ballots, and the acceptance by Mother Maria of her election, a prayer of thanksgiving was said and all the nuns processed back to the chapel all the while singing the Te Deum. The bishop then led final prayers in the chapel, following which we were given a very fine lunch.

Closer view of the sanctuary.

The bishop stressed a number of times how much of a jewel the Carmel is in the crown of the diocese, a real powerhouse of prayer. The nuns intercede espcially for priests. It's good to know we have such holy intercessors pleading on our behalf here on earth.

View of the grate behind which the nuns attend Mass and sing in choir.

Apstolic Nuncio to Ireland recalled to Rome

From the Vatican News Service:

The recalling of the Nuncio, a measure rarely used by the Holy See, denotes the seriousness of the situation, and the desire of the Holy See to deal with it objectivity and with determination, as well as a certain note of surprise and regret regarding some excessive reactions.

Complete news item:

On Monday the Vatican Press Office released a statement announcing that the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, has been recalled to Rome for consultations.

The press release states : “Following the publication on 13 July, of the Irish government’s Commission of Inquiry Report into allegations of abuse of minors by clergy of the diocese of Cloyne, otherwise known as the ‘Cloyne Report’ and, in particular, the reactions that have followed, the Secretary of State has recalled the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, HE Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza for consultations”.

In response to journalists questions, Fr. Ciro Benedettini, vice director of the Vatican Press Office outlined the following points:

• The recalling of the Nuncio is intended primarily to allow the Secretary of State and other Dicasteries involved to consult with those working on the ground in order to prepare the official answer of the Holy See to the Irish Government following the Cloyne Report.
• The recalling of the Nuncio, a measure rarely used by the Holy See, denotes the seriousness of the situation, and the desire of the Holy See to deal with it objectivity and with determination, as well as a certain note of surprise and regret regarding some excessive reactions.
• The recalling of the Nuncio should be interpreted in line with the Holy See’s desire for a serious and effective cooperation.

Some good questions about the Ordinariate

From Damian Thompson (Holy Smoke).

I too wonder why Ordinariate priests are being appointed to diocesan parishes in the UK. Does the Ordinariate yet have its own curia? Does it have the services of experienced Canon Lawyers? Is the Ordinary being afforded every opportunity to actually be an Ordinary with full authority over his clergy and people?

With 60 newly ordained clergy ready to start their Catholic ministry, morale is high in the Personal Ordinariate of our Lady of Walsingham. The launch of the Pope’s new ecclesial structure for ex-Anglicans has been less traumatic than anticipated – though there is an urgent need for money: visit the website of the Friends of the Ordinariate to find out how to support this prophetic venture.

I say “prophetic”, but we can’t take it for granted that the prophecy will be fulfilled. Every day brings fresh inquiries from Anglicans wanting to join the second wave of Ordinariate converts – but some of them are worried that the independent structure envisaged by Benedict XVI is coming together rather slowly.

I think the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is in charge of the setting up of Ordinariates worldwide, needs to ask some tough questions.

Why is it taking so long to provide the Ordinariate with a suitably imposing church to serve as its permanent headquarters?

Are Ordinariate priests being used to plug gaps in dioceses rather than being helped to establish permanent communities of their own?

Are some diocesan bishops treating Ordinariate priests as “their” priests, just because they ordained them? That is not how the Apostolic Constitution works.

Do some bishops see the Ordinariate as a half-way house to full diocesan integration for the new faithful? Again, that is not the purpose of this new structure, whose Anglican patrimony is supposed to be a lasting gift to the Church.

I’ll leave it there for now. But Cardinal Levada should be advised that, in this as in other areas, he must not assume that the Bishops of England and Wales will implement the Holy Father’s plans with any particular urgency or imagination.

Meanwhile: the abuse of children that almost every State on earth perpetrates

Esther in her coffin at the service at which pro-life activists honored her body and her life.

From LifesiteNews.com:

Orlando, FL, July 25, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – On this past Thursday, July 21, Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, preached at a memorial service for an aborted baby girl.


The child was intact and her body was retrieved after a late-term abortion. The memorial service, organized by Operation Save America, was held outside of City Hall in Orlando.

“We are here because this baby was killed in the darkness, and we come to honor her in the bright light of day,” Fr. Pavone declared in his remarks. “The abortion industry wants to hide the violence done to these children, but we must be committed to expose it. Therefore we need to hold many more of these services, with tens of thousands of people looking at these children and recommitting themselves to end abortion.”

During the service, the name “Esther” was given to the child.

Fr. Frank invited any pro-life activists who obtain the remains of aborted children to be in contact with him to arrange for a proper wake service and burial.

It’s not the first time that aborted babies are afforded funerals.  In 2008, Detroit Bishop John Quinn offered a funeral for 18 aborted babies whose bodies were discovered in dumpsters at the Woman Care abortuary.  Later that same year, Fr. Pavone offered a funeral for three aborted babies at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament that EWTN’s Mother Angelica built in Hanceville, Alabama.  In 2010, Michigan Bishop Earl Boyea celebrated a funeral mass for 17 aborted children.

Legislation on the matter was passed in 2001 in the Czech Republic when President Vaclav Havel signed into law a bill regarding funeral arrangements which included a clause ensuring that the remains of aborted babies receive a proper burial.  In 2010, in Michigan a bill was proposed to protect the remains of aborted babies from being simply discarded as biohazardous waste.

Pray for the good and suffering priests of Ireland

God knows it must be hard being a priest in Ireland right now.

I have little to add to my previous posts (here and here) about the whole sad affair but would refer readers to my good friends Fr Timothy Finigan (Thoughts on Ireland), Fr Sean Finnegan (500 and 500b) and Fr Ray Blake (Fr Hoban's pain and a possible solution). Their posts are perceptive and the comments they have provoked enlightening.

There appears to be little sympathy amongst commentors with the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland who are making a lot of noise about the scandal. They have had a liberal agenda involving dissent and disobedience and now blame the bishops and the Pope! See my friends' posts and the comments and draw your own conclusions.

I have some good friends who are faithful priests in Ireland. Please pray for them.

An open invitation to any Irish priest who wants to rest and relax and recharge spiritually: contact me. I am currently in a parish and diocese where the people have nothing but love and respect for their priests. Be assured of my prayers for you.

Pro-life day of silent solidarity - October 18th 2011

I have just heard that some fantastic young people of my parish are taking part in this day of silent solidarity. If others can join in this without experiencing any serious consequences for their education, I would very much encourage them to do so. The campaign is specifically targetted at school kids. Schools have all sorts of "awareness" days. I bet very few have abortion "awareness" days. So good for our youngsters who are making a stand. The young are the pro-life generation.

More details at silentday.org. (Really cool music in the pop-up!)

Belated tribute to Bishop Michael Evans RIP

Bishop Evans died on July 11th and his funeral Mass was celebrated last Wednesday 20th. (I have received criticism for not referring to this before now.)

As I mention in my reply to that criticism, I have taken a break from blogging and simply felt that the news would have been already widely known by any readers of mine who would have been interested.

Bishop Evans was a good bishop, a faithful servant of the Lord, a witness for the truth (e.g. his stance on Amnesty International when the latter adopted the position that access to abortion was a right every woman should have) and of courageous acceptance of suffering. He was also one of those who interviewed me on my selection conference at Wonersh and I remember the kind and thoughtful manner of his conversation. In his time as parish priest at Tunbridge Wells he was also well known for his commitment to the youth.

It was while he was already sick that I met him accompanying his diocesan group at World Youth Day in Cologne.

Archbishop Peter Smith of my home diocese of Southwark made the following statement:

Bishop Michael will be very much missed by so many people in the Archdiocese of Southwark and the Diocese of East Anglia - family, friends, laity, religious and clergy. As a priest of the Archdiocese, Michael was totally committed to his priestly ministry both as a pastoral priest and Professor of Theology for many years at St. John’s Seminary.

Having known him as a fellow student, a friend and brother priest involved in the formation of future priests, I was delighted when he was appointed as the third Bishop of East Anglia. There Bishop Michael continued that dedication, emphasising the Bishop’s role as a teacher of the faith and spending himself in building up the Diocesan family of East Anglia. He was unstinting in using his time and great talents in the service of the clergy, religious and people of the Diocese.

Even during his long period of ill health, although increasingly restricted in what he was able to do he refused to give up. I have no doubt that he will be greeted by the Lord he served so faithfully, with the words: “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the Kingdom prepared for you.”

Archbishop of Southwark
12th July 2011

An obituary may be read at the East Anglia diocesan website.

I have offered Mass for the eternal repose of his soul. Requiescat in pace.

"Who knows what's down the road?"

Vatican Spokesman's Statement on the Cloyne Report

Given the vitriolic statements from the Irish Prime Minister and other Irish Government ministers, it is worth drawing readers' attention to the following measured response from Father Federico Lombardi SJ, director of the Vatican Press Office, as published by Zenit on July 20th:

The Report by the Irish Commission of Inquiry into cases of child abuse committed by clergy in the diocese of Cloyne, published July 13, as with the previous report on the Archdiocese of Dublin, has once again highlighted the gravity of the facts which have occurred, this time in a rather recent period. In fact, the period covered by the new report goes from 1.1.1996 to 1.2.2009.

The Irish authorities have forwarded a copy of the Report to Rome by way of the Nuncio, requesting a response from the Holy See. It is to be expected, therefore, that the Holy See’s response and considerations will be forthcoming in the most appropriate time and manner.

For my part, however, I believe it opportune to say a few words on the Report and how it has been received, while underlining -- as I have already mentioned -- that these considerations do not in any way constitute an official response from the Holy See.

First, it seems only right to recall and renew the intense feelings of grief and condemnation expressed by the Pope during his meeting with the Irish bishops, summoned to the Vatican on December 11, 2009, precisely to deal with the difficult situation of the Church in Ireland in light of the Report into the Archdiocese of Dublin, then recently published. At the time, the Pope openly spoke of his "shock and shame" at the "heinous crimes" committed.

We must also remember that following this meeting, and a subsequent one from February 15 to 16, 2010, the Pope published his well-known and wide-ranging letter to the Catholics of Ireland, the following 19 March, which contains the strongest and most eloquent expressions of his participation in the suffering of victims and their families, as well as a reminder of the terrible responsibility of the guilty and the failures of church leaders in their tasks of government or supervision.

One of the concrete actions that followed the Pope's letter was the Apostolic Visitation of the Church in Ireland, divided into the four visitations of the archdiocese, the seminaries and religious congregations. The results of the visitation are at an advanced stage of study and evaluation.

Therefore it is only right to recognise the Holy See’s decisive commitment in encouraging and effectively supporting the efforts of the Church in Ireland towards the "healing and renewal" necessary to definitively overcome the crisis linked to the dramatic wound of the sexual abuse of minors.

It is also important to recognize the efforts made by the Holy See in the normative field, with the clarification and the revision of the canonical norms concerning the issue of sexual abuse of minors. A milestone in this regard -- as noted -- was the 2001 Motu proprio, which unified all competencies under the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and subsequent updates until the promulgation of the reformulated norms in July 2010.

As for the more distant past, in recent days a Letter dated 1997, 14 years ago, has had particular resonance. Mentioned in the new Report, but already published last January, it is a letter addressed by the then Nuncio in Ireland to the Bishops Conference, which emphasises that, according to information received from the Congregation for the Clergy, the document "Child Sexual Abuse: Framework for a Church Response" lent itself to objections, because it contained aspects that were problematic from the point of view of compatibility with universal canon law. It is only fair to remember that this document was not sent to the Congregation as an official document of the Bishops Conference, but as a "Report of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Advisory Committee on Child Sexual Abuse by Priests and Religious," and that its foreword stated: "This document is far from being the last word on how to address the issues that have been raised". The fact that the Congregation raised objections was therefore understandable and legitimate, taking into account Rome's competence with regard to the laws of the Church, and -- although one can argue about the adequacy of Rome's intervention in relation to the seriousness of the situation in Ireland at the time -- there is no reason to interpret that letter as being intended to cover up cases of abuse. In fact, it warned against the risk that measures were being taken which could later turn out to be questionable or invalid from the canonical point of view, thus defeating the purpose of the effective sanctions proposed by the Irish bishops.

Moreover, there is absolutely nothing in the letter that is an invitation to disregard the laws of the country. During the same period, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, then Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, in a meeting with the Irish Bishops stated: "The Church, especially through its pastors, should not in any way put an obstacle in the legitimate path of civil justice ... while, at the same time she should move forward with her own canonical procedures" (Rosses Point, Sligo, 11/12/1998). The objection the letter referred to regarded the obligation to provide information to civil authorities ("mandatory reporting"), it did not object to any civil law to that effect, because it did not exist in Ireland at that time (and proposals to introduce it were subject to discussion for various reasons in the same civil sphere).

Therefore, the severity of certain criticisms of the Vatican are curious, as if the Holy See was guilty of not having given merit under canon law to norms which a State did not consider necessary to give value under civil law. In attributing grave responsibility to the Holy See for what happened in Ireland, such accusations seem to go far beyond what is suggested in the Report itself (which uses a more balanced tone in the attribution of responsibility) and demonstrate little awareness of what the Holy See has actually done over the years to help effectively address the problem.

In conclusion, as stated by several Irish bishops, the publication of the Report on the Diocese of Cloyne marks a new stage on the long and arduous journey in search of truth, penance and purification, of healing and renewal of the Church in Ireland, from which the Holy See does not in any way feel extraneous, but in which it participates in solidarity and with commitment in the various forms that we have outlined here.

I think it is also worth reminding ourselves that the Catholic Church is not a corporation with its HQ in Rome. Each bishop has full authority in his diocese to take action in accordance with Canon Law whenever credible allegations are made against a priest or any other office-holder in the Church. It is the failure of bishops to exercise their authority in this matter that has in great part led to the current situation. It is not all Rome's fault!

Prayers requested for the US Apostolic Nuncio, gravely ill

Archbishop Pietro Sambi, papal nuncio to the United States, “has been placed on assisted ventilation” since experiencing complications after he underwent “a delicate lung surgery” two weeks ago, according to the apostolic nunciature in Washington.

So reports the Catholic News Service blog.

The ventilation is necessary “to attempt recovery of his lung function,” the nunciature said in an announcement released in the early evening July 22.

“The apostolic nunciature and the nuncio’s family kindly ask that bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful offer sacrifices and prayers for the health of the apostolic nuncio,” it said.

A veteran Vatican diplomat, Archbishop Sambi was named as papal nuncio to the U.S. by Pope Benedict XVI in December 2005. At the time of his appointment he was the Vatican’s representative to Israel and Palestine, where he helped arrange Pope John Paul II’s historic pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2000.

After he arrived in the U.S. Feb. 24, 2006, he said in an interview with Catholic News Service in Washington that that he is impressed by the vitality of U.S. Catholicism, the level of weekly Mass attendance among U.S. Catholics and their generosity toward others.

As a papal diplomat “I travel a lot throughout the world,” he said. “It is difficult to find a part of the world where the charity of U.S. Catholics did not reach the poor or sick people.”

The archbishop is known for his warm and affable manner, sense of humor and being open and ready to listen to people.

During Pope Benedict’s April 2008 visit to the U.S., Archbishop Sambi accompanied the pope and during the pontiff’s stay in Washington hosted him at the nunciature, where the pope had a historic private meeting with five victims of clergy sexual abuse.

(EARLIER)

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops this evening posted the following advisory from the apostolic nunciature on the condition of Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Vatican representative to the U.S.:

The Most Reverend Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio, underwent a delicate lung surgery two weeks ago. Unfortunately, there have been post-surgery complications. Currently he has been placed on assisted ventilation to attempt recovery of his lung function. The Apostolic Nunciature and the Nuncio’s family kindly ask that Bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful offer sacrifices and prayers for the health of the Apostolic Nuncio.

Let us offer our prayers for His Excellency.

Larger families are the answer to the economic crisis,

 This is not just the view of the President of the Vatican bank Ettore Gotti Tedeschi but also that of Steven Mosher, the head of the Population Research Institute based in Virginia.

If Americans averaged three children, the Social Security Trust Fund would be solvent forever, without recourse to raising taxes, postponing the age at retirement, or reducing benefits. America would possess a more robust economy and our standard of living would be higher.

See CNA Daily News for their report.

One of our families in Gwinn is certainly doing its bit for the nation. The Winkler family has recently welcomed into the world their ninth child Philip Joseph whose baptism we will be celebrating very soon.

I have also had the joy in recent weeks of being at a birthday party for three children from two large and related families, and dinner with another one. It's such a joy to witness life in abundance, for that is what Christ came to give us.

Irish proposal to legislate against the seal of confession will be rejected by the Church

Not The Irish Parliament or Dail (see combox)

No State authority can mandate the breaking of the seal, no matter what the subject of the confession. As the following CNS report concludes, if the Irish State legislates for a possible 5-year imprisonment sentence for a priest who does not communicate the confession of child abuse to the State authorities, what abuser will go to confession? And the possibility that someone with this on his/her conscience taking that first step in confessing his/her sin will be shut off.

Furthermore, priests are very likely going to be subjected to false confessions, perhaps by journalists of the News of the World type or private investigators, to see how they might react when someone confesses child abuse.

The Irish State should stay out of this. The confessional is not the problem.

I would however add the following suggestion, which may or may not be fair: had the bishops of Ireland observed canonical norms and recognised a crime for what it was, a crime, and dealt with the individuals against whom allegations were made by conducting the required investigations, and acquitting where the priest or other person is found innocent, and punishing those found guilty, the Church (in Ireland) would not have lost its respect. As it is, the justice system of the Church (Canon Law) is perceived to be no better than that of a banana republic (a correspondent of mine might recognise this as his description, which I protested against). Cardinal Burke has spoken many times on the anti-canon law attitudes of bishops and other ecclesiastics over the past few decades. The Church and her members, particular the bishops, must show the utmost respect for Canon Law and ensure its observance for the sake of the salvation of souls.

Irish priests reject suggestion that they break seal of confession

By Michael Kelly
Catholic News Service

DUBLIN (CNS) -- The group that represents Ireland's Catholic priests says the secrecy of confession must be protected, despite government indications that confessions would not be exempt from rules on mandatory reporting of child abuse.

"The point is, if there is a law in the land, it has to be followed by everybody. There are no exceptions, there are no exemptions," said Irish Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

Father P.J. Madden, spokesman for the Association of Catholic Priests, insisted that the sacramental seal of confession is "above and beyond all else" and should not be broken even if a penitent confesses to a crime.

Father Madden said he would strongly urge and appeal to the penitent -- whether a priest or anyone else -- to confess a crime to the police and have the civil aspect dealt with, but that he did not approve of the idea of reporting what was said.

"If I'm breaking the law then somebody has to find a way to address that for me ... but in my own right as a priest what I understand is the seal of confession is above and beyond all else," he said.

"The seal of confession is a very sacred seal for lots of different reasons way beyond this one single issue, however serious this one single issue is," Father Madden insisted.

The Irish government said it would introduce legislation that makes it mandatory for priests to reveal details of child abuse, even if they become known in the confessional. The offense is punishable with up to five years in prison.

The announcement came after a judicial commission investigating the Diocese of Cloyne revealed July 13 that allegations of abuse were being mishandled and withheld from the police as recently as 2008.

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said July 14 that canon law would not be allowed to supersede state law.

Fitzgerald said the government was not concerned about "the rules governing any body."

"This is about the law of the land. It's about child protection. Are we saying ... if a child is at risk of child sexual abuse that should not be reported? We cannot say that. The law of the land is clear and unambiguous," she said.

Bishop John McAreavey of Dromore told Catholic News Service that the bishops would await the publication of the legislation before assessing it. However, he said, he felt it was "unreal to suggest that the seal of confession has prevented the reporting of the abuse of children."

The new legislation is not expected to be published this fall, and sources close to the Irish bishops' conference expected that a heavy lobbying campaign will get under way to ensure that a suitable exemption is considered.

David Quinn, director of the think-tank the Iona Institute, called the proposal "unprecedented."

"This would make us the one and only country in the Western world to have such a law. Even revolutionary France in the days of its worst violence against the church did not pass a law requiring the breaking of the seal of confession," Quinn told Catholic News Service.

He said the government "is clearly missing something that every other government can see, which is that, at a minimum, such a law is very unlikely to lead to a single conviction and, at a maximum, will be counterproductive and will make society less safe, rather than more safe."

"No child abuser will go to a priest in confession knowing the priest is required to inform the police. But cutting off the avenue of confession to a child abuser makes it less likely that he will talk to someone who can persuade him to take the next step," he added.

END

Hello World

The last time I posted was a few days after arriving at my new parish of St Anthony in Gwinn, MI. I have been very busy getting acquainted with parish and parishioners. I have to inform my readers that I am extremely happy with the appointment. Parishioners have been most welcoming. My predecessor, Father Ron Timock, has left the parish in a very good state spiritually. Under his stewardship this somewhat modern church was reordered according to a much more traditional line. There are many statues, a fine tabernacle (which used to be at St Peter's Cathedral Marquette) centrally positioned, "Benedictine" arrangement of crucifix and candles on the altar, and the people are accustomed to a liturgy celebrated with dignity and reverence.

I am still wondering when I shall have my first battle. So far it all seems plain sailing in that people are just so willing to promote evangelisation, faith formation for the young and adult, etc. There is all day Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Mondays from after the 10:00am Mass until 10:00 pm. I was very pleasantly surprised by the number of people who came for Benediction at 9:45pm last Monday.

As with so many parishes here in the US there is a memorial to the victims of abortion in the lovely grounds:

You can see the very nice rectory in the background.

I am also responsible for St Joseph's Mission in Northland some 25 miles away. I go there every Sunday for Mass at 9am. Again, there is a wonderful group of parishioners, all committed to the welfare of the parish and accustomed to a reverent and respectful liturgy.

During the past week at St Anthony's there was a Vacation Bible Study for young children. As well as the Bible they had the opportunity to learn something about the saints who were celebrated during the week. Here's a slide show of photos taken on the feast of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks:


You can read our parish bulletins here. My first two issues are 10th July and 17th July. I am working on renewing the presentation but you'll get a flavour of how things are.

I hope to start posting on more serious topics now that I have my feet under the desk. There are so many troubling things going on: the excommunication of the newly ordained bishop in China, the continuing fallout from the abuse scandal in Ireland, to name but a few. Wheat and cockle (this Sunday's Gospel) come to mind. I hope to give some comment. But first I must inform myself. I have hardly looked at a blog for the last fortnight (two weeks for my American readers).

Every Knee Shall Bow - Flash Mob in Preston UK

This is quite a moving display of witness to the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist. It is somewhat unconventional and, if you go to the National Catholic Register website, after many very positive comments some reservations are expressed about the apparent lack of reverence shown in carrying the Blessed Sacrament in a mere hold-all or duffle bag and that the Bishop's permission was not sought.

I sympathise wholeheartedly with such comments. It would have been much better if the friar had carried the Blessed Sacrament on his person, concealed beneath his habit, and then donned stole and humeral veil and placed the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance, and even have arranged for a canopy or at least an ombrelino to be held over the monstrance, and some people holding candles either side of him.

Nevertheless I think the event is typical of the lack of convention that the mendicant orders have often shown in the past and, overall, is to be commended. The fact that people did kneel in public before the Lord was a powerful testimony to faith. Also, the fact that the friar paid did not delay to speak with the young woman who touched his shoulder was clear sign that he did not want to engage in any conversation while carrying the Blessed Sacrament. It has certainly made me think ahead to next year's Corpus Christi. I hope we can have a procession through the streets of Gwinn.

Check the NCR page for a transcription of the titles given to Our Blessed Lord by the narrating friar.

SOLT Statement on Father Corapi

Many good Catholics have been drawn away from respect for their lawful superiors, the bishops, by Father Corapi's actions. It seems important, therefore, to read carefully the following statement from Father Gerard Sheehan solt, Regional Priest Servant Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Robstown, Texas (with thanks to Diane):

July 5, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: Rev. Gerard Sheehan, solt Regional Priest Servant Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Robstown, Texas

Fr. John A. Corapi submitted his resignation from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity ("SOLT") early in June. SOLT is a Society of Apostolic Life of Diocesan Right with its regional office in Robstown, Texas.

While SOLT does not typically comment publicly on personnel matters, it recognizes that Fr. John Corapi, through his ministry, has inspired thousands of faithful Catholics, many of whom continue to express their support of him. SOLT also recognizes that Fr. Corapi is now misleading these individuals through his false statements and characterizations. It is for these Catholics that SOLT, by means of this announcement, seeks to set the record straight.

A woman, well known to Fr. John Corapi, mailed SOLT a signed letter detailing allegations of Fr. Corapi's sexual activity with adult women, abuse of alcohol and drugs, improper sacramental practices, violation of his promise of poverty, and other wrongdoing.

After receiving the allegation, SOLT formed a three person fact-finding team to ensure that it handled this matter in accordance with canonical norms. The team included a priest-canonist, a psychiatrist, and a lawyer. Two were members of religious orders, and one was a lay Catholic. Two were men, and one was a woman. All three have national reputations and substantial experience in ecclesiastical processes related to priest disciplinary issues.

As the Society was engaging this team, Fr. Corapi filed a civil lawsuit against his principal accuser. He contended that she had defamed him and breached her contract. The contract, according to Corapi's lawsuit, contained a provision binding the woman to silence about him. He offered the woman $100,000 to enter this agreement.

SOLT's fact-finding team subsequently learned that Fr. Corapi may have negotiated contracts with other key witnesses that precluded them from speaking with SOLT's fact-finding team. Many of these witnesses likely had key information about the accusations being investigated and declined to answer questions and provide documents.

When the fact-finding team asked Fr. Corapi to dismiss the lawsuit, to forbear from foreclosing his mortgage, and to release her and other individuals from their contractual obligations to remain silent about him, he refused to do so and, through his canonical advocate, stated: "It is not possible for Father Corapi to answer the Commission's questions at this time."

SOLT's fact-finding team has acquired information from Fr. Corapi's e-mails, various witnesses, and public sources that, together, state that, during his years of public ministry:

He did have sexual relations and years of cohabitation (in California and Montana) with a woman known to him, when the relationship began, as a prostitute; He repeatedly abused alcohol and drugs; He has recently engaged in sexting activity with one or more women in Montana; He holds legal title to over $1 million in real estate, numerous luxury vehicles, motorcycles, an ATV, a boat dock, and several motor boats, which is a serious violation of his promise of poverty as a perpetually professed member of the Society.

SOLT has contemporaneously with the issuance of this press release directed Fr. John Corapi, under obedience, to return home to the Society’s regional office and take up residence there. It has also ordered him, again under obedience, to dismiss the lawsuit he has filed against his accuser.

SOLT's prior direction to Fr. John Corapi not to engage in any preaching or teaching, the celebration of the sacraments or other public ministry continues. Catholics should understand that SOLT does not consider Fr. John Corapi as fit for ministry.

Father Sheehan will not be available for comments as he is attending the SOLT General Chapter from July 5-23

Let us pray that this statement will bring those who are being led astray by Father Corapi back to respect the authority of his superior and that of the diocesan bishop.

Honduras with the Sirvientes de Cristo (2)

Guy Hoenke with one of the HIV/AIDS orphans at the Missionaries of
Charity's house in Comayaguas.

Further to my previous post, I doubt that I shall get round to writing in any detail about our trip to Honduras or posting lots of photos. So here are links to two facebook pages with most of my photos. Hopefully they speak for themselves.