Saturday, November 15, 2014

Pope Visit in November 2015 to Paraguay -- No Visit to Ciudad del Este

Marian Shrine in Caacupe in Paraguay
(Rome / Asuncion) Pope Francis will visit Paraguay on 15 November 2015. The date has not yet been confirmed by the Holy See, but seems to have been agreed with by the Episcopal Conference of the South American country. The Pope doesn't want to visit his native Argentina till  2016. A visit to the Diocese of Ciudad del Este, whose outstanding diocesan Bishop, Rogelio Livieres. whome the pope deposed at the end of September, is not provided for.
The pastoral visit to Paraguay was made known by the Mayor of Caacupé, Roberto Franco, who appealed to Bishop Catalino Claudio Giménez Medina. The Bishop of Caacupé and chairman of the Paraguayan Episcopal Conference had just returned from a visit with Pope Francis in Santa Marta. According to Mayor Franco, Pope Francis told the bishop   he wants to visit the great Marian National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de los Milagros de Caacupé on 15 November.
Bishop Giménez has not yet confirmed the Pope's visit to journalists about the exact date. The trip will take place, "the date is not sure yet, because the final step took place with changes that require only familiarization."  An allusion to the description made by Pope Francis a week ago in a reshuffle of the Vatican State Department. The former "foreign minister", Msgr. Dominique Mamberti was appointed Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura and Msgr. Paul Richard Gallagher as the new "foreign minister". Msgr. Mamberti is succeeding Cardinal Burke, exiled in a papal retaliation from the Roman Curia. 

Visit the Ruins of a Jesuit Reduction - No Visit to the Diocese of the Deposed Bishop Livieres

Even the ruins of Trinity Church still impress
According to Ultima Hora  scheduled destinations besides Caacupé are the cities Villarrica and the capital Asuncion. In addition, Pope Francis wanted to visit the ruins of the Jesuit reduction Itapua and thus show reverence to the Jesuit Missions of the reductions of the 17th and 18th centuries. Probably he would visit the former  Reduction of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná (Holy Trinity of Paraná), which was declared a UNESCO World Culture Site of mankind.
Moreover, the Pope is expected to visit an indigenous community in the Rio Pilcomayo in the Chaco. No visit is planned in the Diocese of Ciudad del Este, which was an exception among the dioceses in Paraguay until recently.  Although only ten percent of Catholics in the country belong to Ciudad del Este,  the priest candidates of its diocesan seminary outnumber by three times all of the other dioceses together. The 2004   Bishop Rogelio Livieres Plano of Opus Dei was appoited by John Paul II, who created a diocese that was flourishing in many respects in ten years. A flower that was based by a return to the unabridged Catholic doctrine and its proclamation. Bishop Livieres also promoted the traditional form of the Roman Rite, which is celebrated in almost all parishes next to the Novus Ordo.
On September 24, 2014, Pope Francis deposed the Bishop  without specific allegations. From the brief explanation by the Press Office of the Holy See it was deduced that the other bishops had urged the removal of the bishop, because he had obviously disturbed the "unity" among the bishops (see Pope Francis sets from Bishop Livieres - intrigues against faithful bishops continues ).
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Portal Guarani / Wikicommons
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG




The Homoheresy in the Church Today -- Benedict XVI. Established a Clear Ban for Their Ordination

Dariuscz Oko Warns Against Homoheresy and Homomafia
in the Church
(Rome) Two years ago, the Polish Catholic journal Fronda published a long essay, which was also taken up by the German Catholic journal Theologisches. The subject of the review was the "Homohäresie" and the existence of a "gay mafia" in the Catholic Church. The author described the existence of a network of homosexual priests at all levels of the Church hierarchy, including the Roman Curia, who cover for  each other.
The author of the explosive essay is the Polish priest Dariusz Oko, assistant professor of philosophy at the Pontifical Theological Academy of Cracow and the Pontifical University of John Paul II. of Krakow and pastor at St. Hedwig's parish in this city. In his essay, Oko recalled that more than 80 percent of the so-called pedophilia cases of clerics in the US are in reality cases of ephebophilia and are aimed at male adolescents. The numbers coincide with those of the CDF, which speaks of 90 percent,  facts that had been systematically suppressed in public. "Factual investigations show that the extent of the problem in the Catholic Church is still the lowest. Why then is she the one mainly spoken of? According to research,  in a thousand cases of pedophila or ephebophilia there is only one is related to  the Catholic Church in the United States, about 3-5 per  ten thousand, says Oko in Theologisches (42) 9-10 / 2012 .
However Oko also showed the difficulties of priests and seminarians, who oppose the homosexual network in the church: "If the rector or other supervisor try to expel one, then it may be that they theselves are expelled and not the homo-cleric. Or should a vicar try to defend young people from the parish from a priest who commits sexual assault, he is harassed, disciplined and treated and not the priest, "because the decisions makers to whom they refer, are themselves part of the gay lobby.
"If some indiscretions are verified, which is leaked  from the Vatican palaces, it would be an international network with hundreds of clerics of all rank levels," said the Vatican expert Marco Tosatti. Tosatti conducts an interview with, Dariusz Oko on this subject.  The  pontificate of Benedict XVI  was kept under continuous bombardment with the pedophile scandal.  With the new pontificate it  was "completely forgotten", says  Tosatti.

Homoheresy is the Rejection of the Church's Teaching on Homosexuality

Marco Tosatti: Two years ago you had mapped the situation in the Church in your thorough study. Has something changed since then?
Dariusz Oko: Certainly my study has touched on a widespread problem that exists almost everywhere. Only in this way can it be explained that they made the rounds around the world within a few weeks. In many countries, translations were made: from English to German, Italian and Czech, Slovak and Estonian ... It seems to me that the problem is addressed in my study is perceived more consciously.
Marco Tosatti: You talk in your work of Homoheresy. What are their characteristics?
Dariusz Oko: The Homoheresy is a rejection of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church on homosexuality. The representatives of Homoheresy do not accept that the homosexual inclination is a personality disorder. They doubt that homosexual acts are unnatural. The defenders of Homoheresy are for the ordination of homosexuals. The Homoheresy is an ecclesiastical version of homosexualism.
Marco Tosatti: In 2005 the Congregation for Catholic Education published  an important document by Pope Benedict XVI. that prohibits the ordination of homosexuals. Why this document?
Dariusz Oko: Since the 70s of the 20th century, a new type has entered in many seminars and monasteries around the world, who view human sexuality contrary to the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church on homosexuality. The consequence  was that it started on all continents in so many diocesan seminaries and monasteries, to represent the idea that there are two equivalent sexual orientations: a heterosexual and a homosexual. Thus, it was that clerics were only chaste, to be understood as abstaining from unclean actions, and demanded the ability to live celibacy, without further  asking about their sexual orientation or their inclinations. In this way, it became necessary to define homosexuality as an inclination and personality structure explicitly as an objective obstacle to the ordination.
Marco Tosatti: Was this requirement from 2005, which prohibits the priesthood for homosexuals, used to your knowledge?
Dariusz Oko: I am not responsible for training at seminaries. Therefore, I do not know how this ban is handled in different countries. This question should be directed to those responsible for the formation of future priests.
Marco Tosatti: Since you have published your survey, the Pope has changed. Do you see any difference in attitude between the two popes in connection with the problem?
Dariusz Oko: It is difficult to speak of any difference. Fundamentally, the Magisterium of the Catholic Church does not change and the forbids the ordination of homosexuals. The Magisterium in  force led to a contrast to previous distinction between active and passive homosexuality a distinction between a temporary homosexual inclination, which occurs in late puberty, and the deep-rooted inclination. Both forms of homosexuality and not only active homosexuality represent an obstacle for the priesthood. Homosexuality is incompatible with the priestly vocation. Therefore, not only the ordination of men with homosexual inclination (even if only temporarily) is strictly forbidden, but  their admission to the seminary as well.
Introduction / Translation: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Corrispondenza Romana
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Pope Francis Names New Bishop for Ciudad del Este in Paraguay

Edit: these news reports from Catholic Snooze Network are so sterile and mindless, but the particulars are generally accurate. More later as details about the successor arise.
VATICAN CITY, 15 Nov. 14 / 10:11 a.m. ( CNA / EWTN News ) .- Pope Francisco has today named as the new Bishop of Ciudad del Este in Paraguay, Father Heinz Wilhelm Steckling, who so far has served as rector the major seminary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Missionaries in the capital.
The Bishop succeeds Bishop Rogelio Livieres, who since last September 25 was removed from office by the Pope after an Apostolic Visitation held at  his diocese in July this year.
The controversy that led to the apostolic visit of Spanish Cardinal Santos Abril y Castelló began in early June this year, when the Archbishop of Asunción, Msgr. Pastor Cuquejo announced an investigation into alleged pedophilia against Argentine Carlos Urrutigoity priest, incardinated in the Diocese of Ciudad del Este from the United States, and named by Mons. Livieres as Vicar General.
In response, Mons. Rogelio Livieres supported the innocence of Father Urrutigoity, saying that "there were no criminal proceedings" against the priest "or civil justice in the United States, or in the Church ." Mons. Livieres also accused the Archbishop of Asuncion of being gay. [False, as usual for EWTN and their tentacles. This is one of the real reasons he was removed. It had nothing to do with Urrutigoity.  He even went to Rome to appeal to the Holy Father, but the doors were locked.]
Until today, the Diocese of Ciudad del Este was in charge of the Apostolic Administrator appointed by the Holy See , Mgr. Ricardo Jorge Valenzuela River.
Father Heinz Wilhelm Steckling was born on April 23, 1947 in Werl (Germany), and was ordained a priest on July 20, 1974, incardinated to the Congrgación of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
He is Consultant for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
New Bishop for Diocese of Incarnation
The Pope Francis also appointed a new bishop for the Diocese of Incarnation, Father Francisco Javier Pistilli Scorzara, after accepting the resignation age limit of Msgr. Ignacio Gogorza Izaguirre.
Father Francisco Javier Pistilli Scorzara born in Asunción (Paraguay) on May 26, 1965, and was ordained a priest on May 10, 1997.
Scorzara Pistilli is Father to the Regional Superior date of the Secular Institute of Schoenstatt Fathers for the 'Region of the Father', which includes Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Nigeria.
The Holy Father also accepted the resignation because of age of the Auxiliary Bishop of Incarnation, Msgr. Silvero Claudio Acosta.

Link to CNS, the Spanish original...

Pope Francis Allows Uniate Churches Worldwide the Ordination of Married Men

Eastern Churches United With Rome May Now
Ordain Married Men Worldwide and Put them in
Parishes
(Rome) While, according to indiscretions  the Congregation for Clergy have considered a dispensation from celibacy for the Brazilian Amazon dioceses, Pope Francis has given married clergy,  hitherto unnoticed by the media, a considerable rise.
It is now official. The Congregation for the Oriental Churches has published  new provisions approved by Pope Francis  that effectively allow the ordination of married men and married priests the pastoral care of   Eastern Catholic Churches outside their historical territories. So far, there were for historical reasons and due to old union contracts requiring special provisions in the clearly defined historic areas of the Eastern Churches united with Rome. Specifically, these were the Middle East and parts of Eastern Central Europe.

"Gravissimum scandalum"

Any further application was rejected by the Latin Church since the Eastern Orthodox practice contradicts the Latin understanding of the priesthood. Especially great were the resistors in America but also in Europe, such as reported by the Vatican expert Sandro Magister. The presence of married priests in the Latin areas would be a "Gravissimum scandalum" and would cause confusion. So far.
In "exceptional concrete cases" although there were sporadic approvals, but were limited by  Benedict XVI in 2008. But now Pope Francis has allowed  the Uniate Eastern Churches principle to be used and without any territorial limitation, to perform ordinations and married priests in the pastoral care of the faithful of the Uniate Churches. The document published by the Congregation of Eastern Churches  is entitled Pontificia de Praecepta clero Uxorato ORIENTALI and was published a few days ago in the issue 6/2014 of the Acta Apostolicae Sedis (pages 496-499). The document was already signed  last June 14 by the Argentine Cardinal Prefect Leonardo Sandri.

Prohibition Repealed in 1890

The question did not arise, as long as the faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches lived in their historical settlement areas. That changed in the late 19th century. In the new document it states that there existed a problem of pastoral care of married priests there, who emigrated since  in the 1880s, thousands of Catholic Ruthenians in the Lower Carpathian regions of Austria-Hungary and from the Western Ukraine in the USA. There was fierce opposition from the Latin Bishops against the establishment of married priests who adopted Congregation of Propaganda Fide on October 1, 1890 with the approval of Pope Leo XIII. a prohibition against the presence of married Ruthenian priests in the USA.
This prohibition was extended to the other Eastern Churches united with Rome and to all areas outside of America and Europe that did not belong to the catchment area applied to ​​these historic churches.
The result was, according to  the Congregation of Eastern Churches that an estimated 200,000 Ruthenian believers were converted to the Orthodox. If there were exceptions since then, it was so only after consulting the competent Episcopal Conference and with the approval of the Holy See. Since 2008, every decision was solely to the Holy See.

Reference to Anglican Personal Ordinariates

In the now published global permission, it is recalled that the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus of 2009, the married former Anglican clergy were also de facto approved for areas that   the Uniate married clergy were previously denied.  That this is merely a transitional arrangement for the returning to Rome of Anglican clerics with family, while for the "Anglican" Personal Ordinariates, no married men can be ordained priests, was not mentioned.
The document lists the new provisions granted by Pope Francis that "provide competent ecclesiastical authority the power to allow the pastoral ministry of the married oriental clergy  outside their historic areas" and also assume the ordinations  there.

Three Possibilities

First, where Uniate Eastern Church administrative units with their own hierarchs (Metropolitan, Eparch, Exarch) exist, they are directly granted the power to decide. They are allowed the competence to ordain as married priests, Eastern Rite candidates. The only condition is to inform the competent Latin bishop about it in  the place of residence. 
Second: In the diocese of the Eastern Rite faithful  without their own hierarchs, the same jurisdiction is transferred to the Latin Ordinaries. As support, they have to inform the competent episcopal conference. Pope Francis himself was in his time as archbishop of Buenos Aires, also an Ordinarius of the faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches of Argentina.
Thirdly, in the areas such as Italy, where the faithful of the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches are without territorial administrative units and their pastoral care is transferred to the Latin bishops, the previous rule applies. Special permits are reserved after hearing the competent Bishops' Conference of the Eastern Churches' Congregation.
The measure has had no impact on the Latin faithful. A crossing of the Latin rite in a Uniate Eastern Church is actually not provided for because they are ethnically and culturally linked to a particular people. One might consider the new rules as a practical facilitation for the Uniate churches, whose diaspora extends through migration, and extends across more countries. Nevertheless, beyond purely functional considerations, the question of meaning and justification of such unqualified accommodation for a practice that is explicitly  rejected by the Latin Church.  It is normal as it arises from an exemption  and is to a certain extent, self-evident. Since the pressure of progressive circles for Pope Francis to the waiver of  priestly celibacy has abruptly increased, these circles will in any case consider the measures  as grist to the mill.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Settimo Cielo
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG
























































Friday, November 14, 2014

Suspicion of Sexual Abuse Against Viennese Pastor

Edit: if they have pornography, it should be a done deal.  Some will remember Father Fabian Vordermayer  who was sentenced to four years in prison. The accused priest's name isn't mentioned here.  Further inquiries will be made.

Archdiocese puts clergyman on leave from duty as "precautionary measure" till clarification

Vienna (kath.net/KAP) A priest engaged in pastoral ministry in Vienna is under investigation for sexual abuse. According to a report on derstandard.at it is alleged to be the result of the sexual assault of a young person. Nina Bussek, spokesman for the Vienna public prosecutor's office, confirmed the report Wednesday on APA. The man will also accused of possessing child pornography images. In a search on Friday a week ago, several media were seized, which are now be evaluated, says Bussek.

The Archdiocese of Vienna has published a statement on its website. Thus the priest was placed on leave from duty "as a precaution" pending clarification of suspicion by the state authorities. This service exemption was no prejudice. This corresponds to the guidelines of the Austrian Bishops' Conference for measures against abuse and violence, maintains the Archdiocese. It is hoped that eventually the respectability of the priest will be facilitated by governmental investigations and point out that he is presumed innocent. The priest also rejects all accusations.

All concerned have been offered professional guidance by the archdiocese, it said in the statement. The parish will be led during the leave of absence by the relevant dean and other priests. Copyright 2014 Catholic Press Agency, Vienna, Austria All rights reserved.

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Kathnet...
AMDG

Is the Bundeswehr Preparing for a Civil War? -- Schönborn: "Concerned" About Arming Against Their Own People

(Berlin) Is the Bundeswehr preparing for the suppression of uprisings in the interior? One is amazed and rubs his eyes. Where is the threat? Who is the enemy? Politics and the media draw a very different picture. And yet, from the 20-22nd October the second International Urban Operations Conference (IUOC) was held in Berlin with more than 400 representatives from 40 countries participating. For three days   the crackdown on civil wars and rebellions in urban areas was discussed. And the media do not report it?
The conference was organized by the German Association for Defence Technology (DWT). The meeting was directed by Major General Erhard Drews, commander of the Office of the Army Development begun in 2013 chaired by the Bundeswehr. The DWT was founded on the initiative of the Federal Ministry of Defence in 1957 and serves the defense industry lobbyist to government and parliament. Accordingly, the meeting was financed by defense contractors. The sponsors are described on the Conference website. At the meeting, new weapons and other products were introduced.

"From a demonstrations of power to street fights" in urban areas

The conference program states: "In today's world, urban areas are key areas". It follows: "The maintenance and the production of stability and security in urban areas is one of the challenging tasks of today's security forces. [...] The scenarios can quickly and suddenly change. From routine help or a show of force to full blown street fight " And further: "The risk of riots, terrorism and guerrilla wars can only be countered with the best intelligence technology, the best education and best monitoring systems. "
The International Urban Operations Conference defined their goal as follows: "Presentation of solutions for the above challenges. It provides a platform for the exchange of experiences from current operations and will provide an overview of the new military concept of the Bundeswehr for urban operations." And also: "Representatives of the industry have  the chance to present their ideas, visions and solutions to senior representatives of NATO and introduce other military officials."

The Picture Signed by politicians and the media does not match conference theme

Even if one takes into account that the meeting was primarily lobbying the German armaments industry on the foreign market, or, the  Bundeswehr preparing for more and more combat missions anywhere in the world, it is amazing that the  focus is yet on an internal threat. It is diametrically opposed to the drawn between politics and media image. For a long time there has been no lack of critical voices that warn of the danger of civil war like conditions in the interior, as occured in the French banlieues  or Swedish cities. In both cases, the authors of the violence came from  the predominantly Muslim immigrant districts. Still, politicians don't   want to hear the policy about that.  At the same time, however, an  International Urban Operations Conference is held for a second time, and to the exclusion of the public This raises questions. Not that the organizers have kept the matter secret.  Not at all. However, if all major media are silent about it, this can hardly be assumed to be random.
But where does the danger really come from within? Is there  preparation against a possible Salfist uprising? Or even equipping the state against its own citizens? The Office of Conference Chairman Major General Drews was entitled "Perspectives of the German Army in Urban Operations". The Israeli Reserve General, Rami Ben Efraim, spoke about the defense contractors "Rafael and the urban challenge", the British Brigadier General Bob Bruce on 'land forces in an urban environment ", the British Colonel Mark Kenyon on "Urban combat - Report of a Battalion Commander" and, truly amazing, a Member of Parliament and Chairman of the German Association Reservists Roderich Kiesewetter on "Political and strategic challenges of urban operations". As far as the first  presentations go.

In Accordance to Announce the End of Military Restraint against Outside and Inside?

A total of 60 papers were presented. Speakers were military officials, scientists, arms lobbyists and politicians. A representative of the company Securiton about talking about "Mobile monitoring - urban reconnaissance and control."
Last spring, the German federal government announced an end to the military restraint. At the same time established a Bundeswehr reform, which is focused on operations against external enemies. The Bundeswehr "only" prepares for combat operations anywhere in the world  and  fighting there in urban, densely populated areas? Or they also equiped against internal enemies? And if so, which ones? Combat operations in urban areas can affect Afghanistan or the Middle East. You might as well mean German cities, in view of the events in France, Sweden and most recently in Greece, and related  social tensions. The causes can be varied from  migration to national bankruptcy.
Present at the Berlin conference are commanders with combat experience in Afghanistan, Iraq and Israel / Palestine, who provide examples for the Bundeswehr to base its preparation.
In the conference report in 2012 it stated: "Today's crisis operations are increasingly characterized by inserts and fighting in densely populated areas and partially also in cities. This is difficult and for many NATO countries, the new approach of the classic battle fields towards crisis operations in urban areas is off base in a fundamental restructuring of their own armed forces. The Bundeswehr follows with its realignment exactly these changing conditions."

Cardinal Schönborn's "concern" about upgrading the States against its own citizens

In the Rheinische Post from last August 12th, Archbishop Christoph Cardinal Schönborn of Vienna made ​​a surprising statement. In the midst of an interview, which mainly revolved around Pop;e Francis, the Cardinal suddenly spoke of his "concern" for an arming  of governments against their own citizens. In his own words, the Archbishop complained that "too little" talk about that will be  "directed inward, with more and more with a view to possible uprisings in their own countries' military and defense strategies. This development was "appalling" and the drama illustrative of the present situation, because - as the Cardinal - will expected "with a growing discontent among the population" ". The Church had allegedly "to remember in this situation because there is still time to repent." The surprising statements were made ​​by the Cardinal were not elaborated.  What does the cardinal  know that the public?
Text: Andreas Becker
image: IUOC (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD

Bruno Forte Defeated After Synod in Bishops' Conference

Archbishop Bruno Forte: Defeated in
Bishops' Conference
(Rome) The Italian Episcopal Conference has elected a new Vice President last November 11th. It was a surprise, at least for Archbishop Bruno Forte, the author of the homophilic parts of the controversial interim report of the Synod of Bishops on the Family.
The president of the Italian Episcopal Conference is  the Pope himself, but he does not exercise this function, but a person of his confidence. The Office is still held by Archbishop Angelo Cardinal Bagnasco of Genoa, whom Benedict XVI. appointed. However, the new strong man is Bishop Nunzio Galatino, whom Pope Francis unexpectedly appointed as the new Secretary-General on 23 December 2013. So far, the Secretary General was appointed on the proposal of the President. Cardinal Bagnasco found out about it from the media.

Archbishop Bruno Forte "for all" and Homosexuals

The Vice President is elected by the General Assembly of the Bishops' Conference, however. Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, a pupil of Carlo Maria Cardinal Martini, whom Pope Francis designated to the Special Secretary of the Synod of Bishops on the family, was a candidate for this office. Archbishop Forte made ​​under Benedict XVI. a stubborn resistance to an improved translation of the words of consecration pro multis. Instead of "for all" which was used with the introduction of the vernacular,  "for many" was to be used as truer in its theological dimension. The new Missal is in Italian but not yet published.
At the Synod of Bishops, Archbishop Forte was a significant author of the controversial Relatio post disceptationem, around which there has been intense debate within and outside the Synod Hall. Fortes authorship was attributed by relator Cardinal Erdo especially the most controversial passages on homosexuality. The paragraph in question was finally rejected in a revised version of the synod.

The "duel" in the Bishops' Conference

The Archbishop was not so very popular. Besides Forte, Bishop Meini of Fiesole ran for the office of  Vice President. For the more famous Forte, the "duel" should have been  a walk. Especially since it is known that he is in the favor of Pope Francis.  No bishop could seriously doubt that what Forte had written in the interim and final report of the Synod, was not approved by the Pope. Nevertheless, it was a different outcome. In the first ballot no candidate reached the intended quorum. In the runoff election the more famous Forte was being sidelined was  abundantly clear. Only 60 votes were cast for the bustling Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, but 140 for Bishop Mario Meini of Fiesole. Only 30 per cent for Forte, 70 percent for his challenger but are a smooth result.
Had the Archbishop wanted to get the office of Vice President and with the favor of the Pope to return as the successor of Cardinal Bagnasco's  position, the attempt backfired. The electoral defeat makes his papal appointment as chairman of the Bishops' Conference almost impossible .

Bishop of Fiesole Meini

Bishop Meini, with 68 years, is   three years older than Archbishop Forte from Tuscany, where he is also a bishop. He earned his doctorate at the Gregorian University in Rome. The ordination he received in 1971 for his home diocese of Volterra. In 1996 John Paul II appointed him  bishop of the Diocese of Pitigliano-Sovana-Orbetello. In 2010  Benedict XVI appointed him as bishop of the larger Diocese of Fiesole, near Florence.
It is clear  that Bishop Meini is responsible for the family in the Bishops' Conference of Tuscany. He published in 2005, a remarkable letter to his priests under the title Ut Carne carnem liberans ...
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: MiL
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Three Medieval Philosophers Show Up at Class...What do we talk about?


Last term my medieval philosophy professor gave us the option of answering a very creative question on the exam. Please find my answer below. I received an A for my efforts.

6.2. If, per impossibile, St. Bonaventure and any two other Latin thirteenth century philosophers of your acquaintance were able to return for a philosophical conversation with our class, what topic, according to your imaginative construction, would we and they discuss and how would the conversation develop? Feel free to select any of the authors whose writings we have studied in the course, e.g., Alexander of Hales, Richard Rufus, or Robert Grossteste, but also consider including one of the following: St. Albert the Great, St. Thomas Aquinas, Roger Bacon, Siger of Brabant, or William of Auvergne. You may use either an essay or dialogue format in answering this question.

So Bonaventure and Albert unexpectedly arrive with Thomas chowing down on a double beacon cheeseburger from Five Guys. Of course, only three students and our professor can speak to our distinguished guests, because only the four of us can speak Latin. Nevertheless, after Bonaventure, Thomas, and Albert are brought up to speed on modernity and Thomas has finished his introduction to the delights of contemporary cuisine, their words can be accurately rendered in English like this:

Bonaventure just begins to shake his head. “I knew this would happen! Under the influence of the Muslims, the integral Aristotelians, earlier called the Straussians, took over, but what is worse their descendants do not see any positive value in religion at all! Although Averroes thought that the philosopher strictly speaking did not need any form of revealed religion, he at least admitted that religion was absolutely essential for most people. Now people act like they don’t need it at all! And all because the hyper-Aristotelians won!”

Albert and Thomas then contemplate the matter and after some thoughtful reflection discuss how the loss of illuminationism and the rediscovery of Aristotle have enabled an unbelievable amount of natural philosophy or “science.” Albert especially is crazy interested in cellular biology and is eager to look into microscopes. Once he and Thomas are finished learning Arabic and Greek well enough to read through the whole philosophic corpus, in due time they would like to turn their attention to biology and physics.

When physics comes up, the conversation then turns to astronomy. Because he rejected Ptolemy’s astronomy which was proven to be significantly more correct than Aristotle’s, Aquinas develops some heartburn from that burger. All three are utterly shocked to find out that what they knew as the cosmos is really just one tiny solar system among many. And the sun is just another star! At the mention of the Big Bang, Aquinas and Bonaventure argue about whether God could have created a beginningless universe. “I KNEW IT HAD TO HAVE A BEGINNING!” Bonaventure screams, but then Albert and Aquinas point out that the Big Bang may in fact have not been the beginning absolutely speaking, merely a critical juncture that is not fully understood. But when the loss of Aristotle’s celestial spheres sinks in with all their perfection and order, the three philosophers get just a slight sense of how incredibly small and unimportant modern man feels. Indeed, a universe of this magnitude may just make the Incarnation significantly more difficult to believe.

To abstain from controversy for a while, things turn to other contemporary developments. Because all three are ordained priests, they are surprised that our liturgies are so short and that priests actually want to face the people at Mass. They also dislike contemporary church “music.” Given the monastic and clerical origins of the university, all three are also stunned that married laymen without aristocratic parentage are allowed to study philosophy and theology. After the class explains that this is now ok, Albert says, “But surely the marital act even in wedlock must impede the right use of the intellect in the highest sciences?” After Albert expresses incomprehension at the thought that marital relations might be compatible with the most exalted forms of human knowing and at the thought that men might actually be able to learn something profitably from women, Bonaventure and Thomas express satisfaction that humans bathe more often than we used to and consequently do not stink like barn animals. This, they say, is a real improvement in civilization. 

Returning to philosophy, Aquinas expresses regret that he so badly misunderstood Aristotle as to attribute to him a doctrine of the immortality of the soul. “If only I had been able to read Aristotle in Greek! But then again, I’m more culpable than that. Robert Grosseteste himself warned us about making Aristotle a Catholic!” Albert for his part wants to read some Meister Eckhart. Bonaventure and Albert are also glad to be relieved of the duties of serving as church administrators for awhile. They had not fully realized all that Aquinas had been able to accomplish for philosophy and theology by refusing to become a bishop.

After listening to their remarks about nearly everything, the class is stunned. The Thomists of the strict observance are astounded when Thomas expresses dismay and chastises them for only wanting to study him and Aristotle. Plus, he disagrees with some of the syntheses they have put together of his own works. For penance, he demands that they memorize the whole Vulgate psalter and read the Platonic corpus in Greek. 

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Aachen Cathedral as Intermediate Storage for Baked Goods

Baked Goods in Aachen Cathedral
Edit: Your fathers did eat mana in the desert and are dead.
(Aachen) with a rather questionable action, the diocese of Aachen these days attracts attention. So in short, as it says  on the website of the Diocese not without pride, 1,200 tunnels of the old established bakery in Aachen "Nobis gingerbread" will rise for three weeks in the Great Cathedral in Aachen. The limited edition Dom loafs can be purchased for 20 euros by prior reservation at the feast of St. Nicholas. A quarter of the steep price, ie five euros will be donated to a children's garden. The press release of the Diocese of Aachen states: "With this money a gaming device with slide, climbing net and hanging rope will be financed, at which the tots daycare can play soon."
A representative of the Bakery "Nobis gingerbread" commented on the "publicity stunt" - the motto - as follows "attention at all costs!" "We are delighted that we do this event in the Aachen Cathedral and with the money from the Nobis initiative also do something for the children of Aachen. We also want to thank the Aachen cathedral chapter for its support, to whom we also donate 6,000 euros for the Aachen Cathedral." A little bit of money, in other words, this is reason enough for the cathedral chapter, to turn the House of God - and with such outstanding importance at that - contrary to the desire of the Lord, to make it  a den of thieves.
Canon Hans-Günther Vienken said according to an article by the Diocese of Aachen: "Not only does the Aachen Dom need help, but it also supports other like initiatives.  Ss Martin, Nicholas and Christmas immediately remind us of the solidarity parts. We remind ourselves that we are there for each other. That's also  what the Aachen Cathedral stands for. I thank the bakery combany,  'Nobis Gingerbread' for their generous support, both for the nursery as well as the cathedral."
Quite recently there were  headlines about the Vatican  when the Sistine Chapel was made ​​available to the German carmaker Porsche, for a concert. "Der Spiegel" wrote:  " The UK Telegraph 'reported that it was the first time ever that a Pope released the Sistine Chapel for the commercial event of a company. But how does this fit in Francis' promise that he wanted above all a Church that was for  the poor? Very suitable   said the Executive Director of the Vatican Museums, Monsignor Paolo Nicolini. For companies such as Porsche would be asked in return for the use of the Sistine Chapel for a donation.  This is an initiative to support the papal charities ', said Nicolini to the Telegraph'.  The service is aimed at large companies, which can thus make a contribution to charity. '"
And for the  "Süddeutsche Zeitung"   Catrin Lorch commented on the subsequent dinner at the concert in the Vatican Museums: "So far,  the code has been kept by which one keeps out the aroma of roast  from air-conditioned rooms and  uncorked champagne before masterpieces. But  even if the Vatican flouts its riches,  directors in Ghent, Duisburg and Prague are making arguments against the assaults of the accountants and exploiters. Just as the Pope, who sees himself as contemporary,  has a responsibility to treat the legacy that has fallen to his Church from a bloody, brutal history, with democratic respect, instead of silver plating it. "
Text: Benedict M. Buerger
image: Wikicommons
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Hezbollah is Recruiting Christians Against "Islamic State"



The Shiite Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, according to a newspaper report, have recruited volunteers of all faiths for resistance brigades against the "Islamic state", even Christians have applied.

Beirut (kath.net/KNA) The Shiite Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, according to a newspaper report, have recruited volunteers of all faiths for Resistance Brigades against the "Islamic State". Several young men were trained directly by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the Lebanese newspaper reported, "An Nahar" (Wednesday). Also a number of Christians had applied.

According to Hezbollah, they have not posted any of the new fighters to Syria, but are preparing for a spillover of the Syrian civil war or an invasion of extremists in Lebanon. In the past, Hezbollah militias have supported Syria's President Bashar al-Assad against the majority Sunni insurgents. Assad belongs to the Alawite religious community, which emerged from the Shiite Islam. (C) 2014 Catholic News Agency KNA GmbH. All rights reserved.

Link to Kath.net... Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com AMDG

Francis, Cardinal Hummes and the Amazon -- "Workshop" of a New Priesthood?

Hummes Future Vision
(Rome) Last November 7, Cardinal Claudio Hummes was received in Santa Marta by Pope Francis. The former Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Clergy is today delegate of the Brazilian Bishops' Conference for Amazonia. Is it only the "long friendship" (Vatican Radio, German Section), both of which can meet so regularly, or  is something  up in the Amazon?
Hummes was Archbishop of Sao Paolo from 1998-2006 and it was he who himself suggested  the name of Francis   to him - according to a statement by the Pope.  The new pope wanted him at any rate on the central loggia at his side when he was first shown to the world. Cardinal Hummes is counted among the inner circle of the  Pope makers of this pontificate.

Yes to "Gay Marriage" and Priestesses - No to Celibacy and "Preconciliar Priest Image"

Hummes is known, however, not only as pope whisperer, but also because of his heterodox views. Last July 27, the Cardinal spoke in the Brazilian newspaper Zero Hora in favor of "gay marriage", women priests and the abolition of priestly celibacy. Likewise, he himself resisted the proposal of Benedict XVI., to make the  Curé of Ars as a model of the priest. A "preconciliar priest  image", which Hummes flatly rejects. In June 2010, the Brazilian could only marvel, shaking his head at the 17,000 priests from around the world who came to Rome with Benedict XVI. to participate  the off-hook representation of St. John Mary Vianney on the facade of St. Peter's  in the Prayer Vigil and the Pontifical Mass concluding the Year for Priests.

The Pope and the Interest for the Amazon Basin

Kraeutler (left) with Hummes (3rd from left)
Kraeutler (left) with Hummes (3rd from left)
Vatican Radio (Italian editors) spoke with the Cardinal, who reported on the audience. Hummes reported that he visited 56 dioceses and territorial prelacies in the vast but sparsely populated areas. "I have come again to the Pope to tell a bit what you do there, of which there are many things to tell about this beautiful, vibrant church, which still has big needs.There is a great lack of missionaries, missionaries and also material needs, as they do not have what is necessary for the most basic structures."
He continued: "We know how much he [Pope Francis] estimates the matter of the Amazon basin  and how attentive he is that the Church in Amazonia is a huge responsibility."  
Although the cardinal said nothing about it,  yet "it seems unlikely that on this occasion, they didn't discuss about priestly ordination,  the great shortage of missionaries, and even the approval of viri probati, " said Secretum meum mihi .

Negotiations on ordination for viri probati ?

Ten days before the Hummes-audience with Pope Francis  the Vatican expert Marco Tosatti reported  of a communication from Brazil that  would be  "a veritable revolution in the Church" would be. The Brazilian Bishops' Conference with the lead established by Pope Francis new leadership of the Congregation for the Clergy is in talks about the ordination ad experimentum for viri probati to resolve the shortage of priests in the Amazon region.
"Conversations" with the congregation, Cardinal Hummes leads, who has been commuting back and forth for the last one and a half years between Brazil and Rome. Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, who rejected the ordination of viri probati, was dismissed by the new Pope as Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy on his 69th birthday. In his place sat Francis his confidant, the diplomats Beniamino Stella, which he created last February, also a cardinal.
Cardinal Hummes said in an interview with Vatican Radio, the Pope lay the Amazon "very important" as the regular audiences would show.

The Amazon Basin as a "Workshop" for a New Priesthood?

"The Amazon could be the first region of the world where there are priests with a family in the Latin rite," said Marco Tosatti.  The Amazon basin as a "workshop" for a new priesthood?
Hummes had already tried as Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy under John Paul II., to advance the ordination of viri probati, but failed in his intention and it was due to his deficient understanding of the priesthood that  Benedict XVI. replaced him. Unlike his successor, Francis, this  the the German pope did not do brusquely, but in each case after the end of a regular passage of time.
Besides Hummes, there is primarily the Austrian Mission Bishop Erwin Kraeutler CSSP of the Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Xingu, as an advocate of broad-based ordinations. Bishop Kraeutler, in Austria,  is a favorite of the left spectrum, at home makes a good job of anything in the media, which could strengthen his self-portrait as a liberal (in the North American sense), open-minded, socially engaged bishop.
Pope Francis intensified the retirement provisions for bishops in early November. A new regulation, which was called for in no time by Cardinal Sardi, in order to facilitate the deportation of Cardinal Burke to the Order of Malta. Bishop Kraeutler, who has completed his 75th year on July 12, however, is not on the list of papal Pensionabili . [!]

No to Prayer for Vocations - Yes to Structural Reforms

75th birthday of Bishop Kräutler
75th birthday of Bishop Kräutler
Xingu is the area's largest diocese in Brazil. In an area that is as large as the Federal Republic of Germany, but where  only just  400,000 people live. In the Prelature, there are 800 "base communities" and 27 priests. Their pastoral care has been, since the establishment of the Xingu in 1934 as Apostolic Administration, then is entrusted as a territorial prelature  of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (CPPS). Before Erwin Kraeutler took over  the territorial   prelature in 1981, it was   already headed by his uncle, Erwin Kraeutler.
Last April 4 Kraeutler was received by Pope Francis. The missionary bishop urged attention to the ordination of viri probati to ensure the pastoral care of the faithful. These were suggested by Kräutler to the pope before, "decouple celibacy and Eucharist". That a Eucharistic celebration should depend on  a celibate priest is something "I don't do," Kraeutler said at the time to the Austrian daily newspaper Die Presse .
Would that Kraeutler knows something of Church history, he would know that the current situation in the Amazon is no different, as it was sometime in each area  newly Christianized. In the Early Middle Ages and High Middle Ages, the location itself in his native Austria was exactly the same.
About the Pope the Austrian missionary said, he wanted "a process set in motion" because "this process was not previously allowed. Benedict XVI. has said, we pray for priestly vocations. This pope is different ". Now the doors may open.
Leftmost canting, Bishop Kräutler can not do anything with prayer for priestly vocations, but relies on structural reforms.
So what's in the bush in the Amazon basin? With Cardinal Hummes and Bishop Kräutler  the question is being dragged by two men  in the same direction and Pope Francis is eagerly keen  about information on the  Amazon.  You will see why.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: padrescasados ​​/ Noticia da terra / Prelatura Xingu
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD

Cardinal Kasper: Francis was an "Intelligent Conservative" -- Synod 2015 Will Bring a "Broad Consensus"

Walter Kasper: Francis Pope is an "intelligent conservative"
(Rome) The Cardinals Walter Kasper and Francesco Coccopalmerio are certain:  a "broad consensus" will be found In the Synod of Bishops in 2015 on the family.
The two Cardinals took part yesterday at an event titled: "With Pope Francis on the Synodal Way of the Family. A Test of the Reform Papacy." An event  for the "reformers"  themselves For the German Cardinal, Pope Francis  is an "intelligent conservative."  Invited were the Cenacle of  Friends of Francis (Cenacolo di Amici Francesco), who appeared for the first time in public. The meeting took place in the Catholic Russian Ecumenical Centre in Rome (Centro Russia Ecumenica).
The Ordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family, which will take place in October 2015 in connection with the Extraordinary Synod last October will bring a broad consensus "on all points". The German Cardinal Walter Kasper is convinced of  the voice of approval for the remarried divorcees to communion. Of the same view is also the Italian Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, the President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts . The admirers of the late Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini and the German theologian, know each other well. Coccopalmerio has been a member since 2007 of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity .

Pope Francis is an "Intelligent Conservative" - ​​The Gospel is a "Process"

At the meeting, both cardinals also responded favorably to the synod, which was attended by both. Cardinal Coccopalmerio ex-officio, and Cardinal Kasper on personal appointment by Pope Francis.
"How can one describe Pope Francis?"  Cardinal Kasper asked in his speech. "I would say that an intelligent conservative is a good description for him. Paul VI. and John XXIII., were also conservatives, but intelligent, because they knew that the gospel isn't like a precious object behind a glass case of a museum, but must be passed on from generation to generation, it is a process."

Benedict XVI. and his "less intelligent followers"

Cardinal Kasper took the opportunity before the like-minded audience handing out a swipe against his opponents. Benedict XVI., the German theologian, had also already been "open" in any case "something more than his less intelligent followers".
Kasper was very pleased about the really "free" discussion at the Synod. "This in not to the detriment of the Church, which is not a totalitarian institution. I am sure that we will end up with a broad consensus." What this "broad consensus" said the cardinal, who is of the party in question, clearly between the lines.
In the circle of "friends of Francis" also Pope Francis' "big speech" he addressed to  the Marxist "popular movements", is  "open in the most unexpected of ways."
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: MiL
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD