Ecclesia et Mundus

2004-06-26T02:56:00.000+09:00

Please go to:
Katolik Shinja

I've decided to merge this blog with my previous blog which, as I write, has been banned by the South Korean Government and forced underground because some other foreign blogger posted a link to the Kim Sun-il beheading video.

All the links have been transferred to my other blog and I will continue to post on the same topics, and much, much more.

Psychologically, it has been just to much work to keep up with two blogs. So, for those of you who have bookmarked this page, please update accordingly.

Thank you and God bless.

2004-06-26T00:03:00.000+09:00

Banned in Korea!

My other blog has been banned by the government of the Republic of Korea (South Korea, not North!). To find out why, click Katolik Shinja if you are outside the Korean peninsula or Katolik Shinja if you are within it.

2004-06-24T22:48:00.000+09:00

Good Points on the "Wafer Watch"

THE BISHOPS AND THE POLS

2004-06-24T22:40:00.000+09:00

Norn Iron

Pope 'may visit Northern Ireland': A Catholic bishop has said he is hopeful the Pope will visit Northern Ireland later this year.

2004-06-23T05:40:00.000+09:00

Islam and Beheadings

Re: Reviving a symbol of terror: Historically, beheadings have been used to punish dissenters and display power

The article tries to downplay the link, but the fact that beheadings continue in the Islamic world from Suadi Arabia to the Phillipines cannot be glossed over.

2004-06-23T05:23:00.000+09:00

Kim Sun-il, Requiescat in Pace

Re: Militants in Iraq Kill S. Korean Hostage

Kim Sun-il, may your souild rest in peace, may your family be comforted, and may your murderers soon meet justice, both human and divine.

(NB: For more background and updated information on this tragedy from a Korean perspective, see my other blog, Katolik Shinja.)

While in the post below I express sympathy with the view that the Iraq War was perhaps not justified, the wider War on Terror must be waged and the enemy given no quarter. It is truly a war between civilization and barabarism.

2004-06-22T23:01:00.000+09:00

PJB on Iraq

The Wrong War by Patrick J. Buchanan

2004-06-22T22:47:00.000+09:00

In Buffalo, We Call Them Chicken Wings

Re: The Buffalo Chicken Wing Turns 40

All my Korean students know about "Buffalo Wings." In Malaysia at an outdoor food stall I heard waiters shouting orders for "Ayam Buffalo." It is the one contribution that my beloved hometown has made to global cuisine. I'm just waiting for Beef on Weck to be next.

2004-06-22T14:57:00.000+09:00

Another Western Christian Blogger in Asia

Fides, Cogitatio, Actio

2004-06-22T10:14:00.000+09:00

All-male Priesthood

As pre-Catholics, my wife and I were married by a female Lutheran pastor. Thus, I found this article all the more interesting: Former Lutheran Pastor Debunks Women's Ordination (Part 1): Jennifer Ferrara Was Won Over by the Pope's Theology of the Body.

2004-06-22T03:38:00.000+09:00

Buckley on Stem Cells

THE STEM CELL AHEAD

2004-06-22T03:35:00.000+09:00

¡Ay, España!

Pope Criticizes Spain for Gay Marriages

2004-06-22T03:22:00.000+09:00

Torture Under Saddam

Here are some of the tortures, listed in New video reveals real torture scandal: Saddam's daily horrors make America's Abu Ghraib abuses seem almost trivial (WARNING: Graphic Images):

Medical experimentation

Beatings

Crucifixion

Hammering nails into the fingers and hands

Amputating sex organs or breasts with an electric carving knife

Spraying insecticides into a victim's eyes

Branding with a hot iron

Committing rape while the victim's spouse is forced to watch

Pouring boiling water into the victim's rectum

Nailing the tongue to a wooden board

Extracting teeth with pliers

Using bees and scorpions to sting naked children in front of their parents

2004-06-21T23:05:00.000+09:00

A Reactionary Renegade

I just started reading The Devils by Fyodor Dostoevsky. So far, like all of Dostoevsky's major works, it's been an enthralling read. Before starting, I was intrigued by my edition's back cover, which described the novel like this:

"A political drama, it has been both hailed as a grim prophecy of the Russian Revolution and denounced as the work of a reactionary renegade."

2004-06-21T22:54:00.000+09:00

Some Thoughts on the Spanish Civil War

I just finished reading The Spanish Civil War by High Thomas, a very fair and balanced account. While atrocities were undoubtedly committed by both sides, it seems popular mythology has forgotten those of the Republican side. The Nationalists, largely because of the aid they received from Nazi Germany, have been condemned. The Nazis were fair-weather allies, however, and Hitler detested Franco's Catholicism as much as the Republicans' Soviet allies did.

The Republicans burned churches and celebration of the Mass was proscribed under most of their rule. Anarchists among them dug up the graves of nuns and danced with their corpses. Thirteen bishops and 6000 priests were murdered by the Republicans. Why has this been forgotten?

2004-06-21T17:40:00.000+09:00

God Rest his Little Soul

From Three-Month-Old Baby Ali Dies in Iraq:

2004-06-21T16:05:00.000+09:00

Blessed Mother Teresa Tribute

From TRIBUTE TO MOTHER TERESA by BRUNI:

2004-06-19T23:32:00.000+09:00

Buffalo, No. 4 after New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Upstate New York City defeats Santa Fe, San Francisco for arts

2004-06-19T09:51:00.000+09:00

Anger in the Kingdom over Beheading

From Shock Turns Quickly Into Anger:

"'We are ashamed that fellow Muslims have done such an inhuman and repulsive act,' said Abdul Rahman Al-Shahari, a journalist."

2004-06-19T09:44:00.000+09:00

A Muslim Cleric (Finally) Speaks

From US hostage deadline in Saudi looms:

"Prominent Saudi cleric Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah al-Humaid, in a sermon at Muslim Friday prayers in Mecca's Grand Mosque, denounced hostage-taking and murder as grave sins under Islam, the most senior Saudi cleric to do so.

"'Killing a soul without justification is one of the gravest sins under Islam, it is as bad as of polytheism,' the state-appointed cleric said at Islam's holiest shrine.

"'Whoever kills any person under our protection will not go to heaven. The blood of people under our protection is forbidden... they are on par with Muslims,' he added."

Paul Marshal Johnson, requiescat in pace, and may God give comfort to your wife Thanom and your family.

2004-06-19T09:40:00.000+09:00

As Long As You're a Victim, Anything is Okay

"When Palestinians refer to Jews as 'descended from apes and swine' or encourage support for those who 'kill Jews,' they do so with the reasonably justifiable self-image of victim and persecuted, not of victimizer and persecutor."

-Scott Alexander, associate professor of Islam at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, quoted in Seminary Head Regrets Prof's Seemingly Anti-Semitic Remarks.

Sadly, these statements were made at a Catholic institution. It shows how far the anti-Semitism and moral relativism of the Left has come.

2004-06-19T09:36:00.000+09:00

"How Dare You?"

"To take the years of oppression enforced on the black community and trivialize it because you want to justify your sinful actions, how dare you?"

-Brendan Saunders, a church planter at Freedom Church in Baltimore, decrying the "claim that same-sex 'marriage' is the 21st-century equivalent of African Americans' 19th- and 20th-century struggle for civil rights," quoted in Black Southern Baptists decry homosexual claims.

2004-06-18T10:09:00.000+09:00

"Pro-Abortion. No Communion."

Catholic bishops, demonstrators say Kerry is wrong

2004-06-17T18:26:00.000+09:00

Joy, Happy First Birthday!

God Bless You!

2004-06-17T13:20:00.000+09:00

From Iraq

Chaldean Bishop: daily life in Baghdad goes on
Attacks against foreigners and Iraqis are originating from outside Iraq

2004-06-17T13:01:00.000+09:00

An Honor

Archbishop Pell ranks Reagan on a par with Churchill

2004-06-15T15:54:00.000+09:00

Today's Memento Mori

Taking Life's Final Exit

2004-06-15T15:18:00.000+09:00

Michael Moore's Ethical Problem

Mr. Moore, as quoted in Documentarian kept quiet after filming U.S. soldiers abusing Iraqis:

"I had it months before the story broke on '60 Minutes,' and I really struggled with what to do with it. I wanted to come out with it sooner, but I thought I'd be accused of just putting this out for publicity for my movie. That prevented me from making maybe the right decision."

2004-06-15T14:56:00.000+09:00

Ethnic News

More Blacks Run As Republicans in South
Hispanic, Asian Populations Keep Growing

2004-06-15T14:44:00.000+09:00

After 400 Years...

El Greco's Virgin of the Immaculate Conception

El Greco altarpiece and saints together for first time

2004-06-15T14:40:00.000+09:00

The Dems and God

From Who will bless the Democrats?:

"[W]hat self-respecting Catholic pastor or evangelical preacher can appear to bless the party of partial-birth abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and gay marriage?"

2004-06-15T14:35:00.000+09:00

Moral Clarity from William F. Buckley, Jr.

DID WE COMMIT WAR CRIMES?

2004-06-14T23:33:00.000+09:00

A Great Blog

Basia me, Catholicum sum is an incredible blog focusing on Catholic arts by an eighteen-year-old. I wish I had had my head on as straight when I was that age (or even now); I hope and pray my daughter does seventeen years from now.

2004-06-14T18:33:00.000+09:00

Ladino (Judeo-Spanish)

Israelis Hoping They Won't Hear the Last Word on Ancient Dialect: Ladino, derived from Spanish and spoken by Sephardic Jews, is being preserved in academia as well as song, story.

2004-06-13T09:48:00.000+09:00

Another Reason I Won't Be Voting for Sen. John Kerry

Kerry Calls on Bush to Reverse Stem Cell Policy

2004-06-12T10:35:00.000+09:00

Cuba Recants Its "Reagan Never Should Have Been Born" Comments

Cuban Radio Addresses Reagan Editorial

2004-06-12T10:30:00.000+09:00

NY Times Op-Ed on Reagan

For Reagan, All Life Was Sacred
How Reagan Beat the Neocons

2004-06-10T12:31:00.000+09:00

I'm Outta Here

Postings might be fewer and farther between for the next few days, as I'm going to Seoul with my family to celebrate the 94th birthday of my daughter's great-grandmother. This amazing woman, born in the same year as Ronald Reagan, helped us immensely after Joy was born. She spent several days with us, and at 93 she could squat down to give a baby a bath better than I could at 33.

She regularly eats lunch at a Protestant church in her neighborhood, but I'm not sure if she's been baptized yet. So if you can, please say a prayer for Joy's great-grandmother.

2004-06-10T12:29:00.000+09:00

Pray for Brian Savio O'Connor

From Saudis Fail to Respond to Indian Episcopate's Plea: Church Appeals for Release of Brian Savio O'Connor:

"The Indian bishops' conference have received no reply from the Saudi Arabian Embassy here regarding an Indian citizen being tortured and imprisoned in the Mideast kingdom for his faith."

2004-06-10T12:22:00.000+09:00

An Inside View on Outsourcing

I haven't yet made up my mind on this issue, but this article presents an interesting perspective: Indian priest highlights destructive role of call centres

2004-06-10T10:55:00.000+09:00

"It's a funeral. Put on a shirt!"

The first thing I noticed watching the coverage of the President Reagan's state funeral this morning (Korea time) was some joker in the background not wearing a shirt!

I don't care if it's summer and you're a tourist having a good time in the capital, show some respect and decorum!

2004-06-10T00:33:00.000+09:00

More on President Reagan

Serge at A conservative blog for peace has been posting a lot of great material about the late Ronald Reagan. Check it out.

I've come to realize, much too late, that in the 1980s I was sold a bill of goods. The media told me President Ronald Reagan was a fool. Reading interviews with the man, I'm struck by his wit, intelligence, and inherent goodness. My teenage pride didn't allow me to see this when he was President.

But better late than never. At least I've grown up. Ted Rall hasn't. He's still stuck in the hardcore punk 1980s. In his offensive REAGAN'S SHAMEFUL LEGACY, he still can't get over what he calls Reagan's "clown-like dyed hair and rouged cheeks." Get over it, Mr. Rall.

2004-06-10T00:11:00.000+09:00

On Not Communicating

Fr. Jim Tucker of Dappled Things has a great post entitled Staying in the Pew at Communion Time. In it, among other things, he discusses the differences between Anglos and Hispanics when it comes to receiving the Eucharist. I noticed the same thing he describes last year visiting Chico, California; at and English-language mass almost 100% of the people partake of the Eucharist, while at a Spanish-language mass at least a third stay in the pews. In Korea, where I live, I'd say about a fourth don't receive. We Anglos seem to have forgotten what sin is. A priest I met at a monastery in Vina, California told me that people don't want to confess anymore during the Sacrament of Reconciliation; rather, they seek advice and affirmation.

Oprah and Chopra have already taken over the airwaves and the mass culture; we can't let them take over the confessionals.

2004-06-09T12:25:00.000+09:00

Cancel my Subscription!

The title of this article, El Salvador Fertile Soil for the Gospel of Christ, Missionary Says, from AgapePress© News, has prompted me to cancel my online subscription to their "Free Daily Updates." The article begins like this:

"A Mississippi resident who has served as a missionary to El Salvador for nearly 20 years says residents of the Central American nation are hungry for the true gospel."

El Salvador, named after the Savior, is a Christian country, already possessing the "true gospel." The nation has produced fine Christians, like the Archbishop Óscar Romero. It has no need for Evangelical missionaries from the U.S.

2004-06-09T09:43:00.000+09:00

Why Abortion is Worse than Capital Punishment

Church opposes abortion, death penalty -- but experts see difference

2004-06-09T09:41:00.000+09:00

Final Farewell

Reagan funeral: Schedule of events
Thatcher Arrives Tuesday for Last Meeting

2004-06-09T09:38:00.000+09:00

No Sex Please, We're Catholic

Anyone familiar with the Holy Father's "Theology of the Body" knows the above for the myth that it is. Here's further evidence: Spreading the Pope's Message of Sexuality and a Willing Spirit

2004-06-09T09:01:00.000+09:00

A Courageous Move for a Courageous Bishop

Bishop Belo's new mission in in Mozambique

2004-06-09T07:35:00.000+09:00

Vive Le Roi!

From French Royalists Stage Funeral for Relic:

"SAINT-DENIS, France - French royalists staged a pageant-filled funeral Tuesday for a tiny, rock-hard relic they hailed as the heart cut from Louis XVII, who died at age 10 in a filthy revolutionary prison."

2004-06-09T07:32:00.000+09:00

JP2 on the Gipper

Pope Lauds Reagan's Commitment to Freedom

2004-06-09T00:08:00.000+09:00

Wow!

If you do a search for Pope's condolence message to Reagan on Dogpile, this is the first site you'll come up with.

2004-06-08T23:00:00.000+09:00

Biased Headline

Re: Reagan Legacy Has a Dark Side in Central America

While Daniel Ortega and the Sandinistas unsurprisingly have nothing good to say (but nothing as bad as what the Cubans said below) about the passing of president Reagan, we do read these words from the above article:

2004-06-08T22:56:00.000+09:00

Sour Grapes

Re: Cuba: Reagan Should Never Have Been Born

He was in large part responsible for the demise of their sole benefactor after all.

2004-06-08T22:49:00.000+09:00

The Iron Lady

Re: Thatcher, both presidents Bush to eulogize Reagan

Dame Thatcher, another giant of the Twentieth Century, is coming out of her retirement from public life to eulogize her fellow cold warrior, whom she once called the second closest man in her life.

2004-06-08T22:41:00.000+09:00

A State Funeral

At the risk of sounding overly morbid or even perverse, I'm looking forward to the funeral of President Reagan. (See Down to the Last Detail, a Reagan-Style Funeral.) It's not often that we Americans, usually so informal and adverse to ceremony, have a chance to participate as a nation in something as somber and solemn as a state funeral. It will be a sorely needed opportunity for reflection on something greater than ourselves.

2004-06-08T22:35:00.000+09:00

President Reagan's Faith

Reagan was ‘very devout’ & a ‘man of prayer,’ others say

2004-06-08T09:20:00.000+09:00

Welcome Home!

Paul Schenk, Buffalo's most prominent pro-life activist, has become a Catholic!: Schenck, now a Catholic, wants to join priesthood (Thanks to Mark Shea of Catholic and Enjoying It! for the link.)

2004-06-08T09:16:00.000+09:00

Similar Thoughts on Reagan

Kathy Shaidle of relapsed catholic has a nice posting detailing her thoughts on the passing of Ronald Reagan, which are very similar to my own: I'm sorry I used to hate you. (Thanks to Mark Shea of Catholic and Enjoying It! for the link.)

2004-06-07T12:28:00.000+09:00

Non-PC Translation

Here's my translation of a politically correct op-ed headline:

Original: HOMOPHOBIA AMONG BLACK CHURCHES IS TAKING DANGEROUS TOLL

Translation: TRADITIONAL VALUES AMONG BLACK CHURCHES IS PROVIDING HOPE

2004-06-07T10:43:00.000+09:00

Buchanan Interviews Nader

Ralph Nader: Conservatively Speaking: The long-time progressive makes a pitch for the disenfranchised Right.

2004-06-07T10:40:00.000+09:00

Reagan on Rushmore

President Ronald Reagan's Farewell Address

2004-06-07T10:33:00.000+09:00

Ronald Reagan's Faith

The Intellectual Origins of Ronald Reagan's Faith

2004-06-07T08:13:00.000+09:00

Requiem Mass for Aborted Babies

Foetuses spark Kenya abortion row: Thousands of Kenyans have attended a requiem mass in Nairobi for 15 foetuses - believed to have been illegally aborted - found dumped on a roadside last week.

2004-06-07T08:11:00.000+09:00

Padre Pistolas

Priest in Mexico packs pistol and builds a following, roads

2004-06-07T07:34:00.000+09:00

From Pakistan

‘Murder of Samuel shows height of religious intolerance’

2004-06-06T22:55:00.000+09:00

Nostalgia for the Reagan Years

In addition to the joy of being confirmed by the Archbishop of Daegu, South Korea with over 1000 other people, today has been filled with nostalgia for the 1980s due to the news of the death of Ronald Reagan. He was president during my formative years; I was ten when he assumed the presidency and 18 when he left it.

My grandmother raised me to be a Truman Democrat; therefore, even at ten I was disappiointed at the election of a Rebublican to the presidency. I even wrote a letter of condolence to outgoing President Jimmy Carter. The signed photo he sent me was one of my prized childhood possessions.

The height of the Cold War coincided with the onset of puberty for me. There were many sleepless nights in 1983, when I thought that a nuclear war with the Soviet Union would end any chance for me of finding a girlfriend. To cope, I began buying survivalist magazines and frequenting army surplus stores.

I also spent many cold Buffalo nights listening to Radio Moscow on my shortwave radio; I'll never forget the perfect English of Vladimir Posner. The QSL card from Moscow was another of my prized childhood possessions. Still, I was no commie; I had a sticker on my wall that depicted a muscular American Eagle with the inscription, "Don't Mess with the U.S.!"

Later, with a few more years under my belt, and with Gorbachev, Perestroika, and Glasnost, I was able to relax a bit. But I fell into a less than upstanding teenage lifestyle. Ronald Reagan became a symbol of what I wanted to rebel against. I admired the high school classmate who wore a t-shirt with the slogan, "Reagan Hates Me." "Reagan Youth" and "Jodie Foster's Army" were names of two of the many hardcore punk bands I was familiar with, in addition to the more well-known "Dead Kennedys" and "Black Flag."

We ridiculed his wife Nancy and her "Just Say No" campaign as being simplistic. But I'd later come to realize that like many true ideas, hers was simple; it was an individual decision that was at the heart of the drug problem.

Now, 20 years after "Puberty in 1984," I am able to look back with a bit more perspective. Ronald Reagan was in many ways a great man. He was not a saint, but he was a man of ideas, many of which I now know to be true. He was a man of principle and conviction. And he left the world a better place. With Dame Thatcher and the Holy Father, he helped end what was truly an "Evil Empire."

I now look back and miss those troubled years, even if I'd live them differently now. Ronald Reagan towered over that decade. I miss the man and wish I had been a better citizen and given him the respect he was due. He exemplified leadership, something that has been sorely lacking since. God rest his soul and give comfort to wife and family.

Here are some photos and links:

Pope John Paul II Pays Tribute to Reagan

Pope learned of Reagan's death with sadness

2004-06-06T07:46:00.000+09:00

"Rebbe With a Cause"

No Soul Left to Sell: We are indeed in a crisis of soullessness, says Rabbi Shmuley. But there is a way back.

2004-06-06T06:54:00.000+09:00

Ronald Wilson Reagan, Requiescat in pace

Re: Former President Ronald Reagan Dies at 93

I guess this story puts the one below into poignant context. I didn't fully appreciate the Gipper as a young punk in the 80's, but I've grown to appreciate him as a man of conviction. God rest his soul.

2004-06-05T21:24:00.000+09:00

The Holy Father's Message to the Gipper

Phil Lawler, editor of Catholic World News, in his latest newsletter, has some nice speculation about the Holy Father's message to Ronald Reagan. Here are the Holy Father's words:

UDIENZA AL PRESIDENTE DEGLI STATI UNITI D’AMERICA, S.E. IL SIGNOR GEORGE WALKER BUSH , 04.06.2004

Here is Mr. Lawler speculation:

2004-06-05T15:33:00.000+09:00

Was Tolkien a Proto-Granolacon?

Yes, convincingly argues Mark Shea in Tolkien and the Sacrament of Nature, which says this:

"[I]t is very hard to speak about the sacredness of nature without instantly earning the reputation of a "tree-hugger" or a Gaia-worshiping pagan from many conservative Catholics. And yet, Tolkien was nothing of the kind. He was simply a Catholic who took seriously the sacramental character of the created world while steadfastly refusing to worship it."
Conservationism was initially a conservative issue. It had a chance of succeeding because it was philisophically correct in viewing man as the crown of creation. Environmentalism is doomed to fail because it incorrectly understands man as just another animal.

2004-06-05T00:58:00.000+09:00

On Liberalism, Modernism, Postmodernism, Antihumanism, and Much, Much More

Supremely Modern Liberals: The Unhappy & Abusive Marriage of Liberalism & Modernism by James Hitchcock

2004-06-05T00:37:00.000+09:00

Darwinian Paradox

From Of Pandas & Men: Roberto Rivera on Darwinism & Why We Let the Pandas Live:

The Beginning of Wisdom: Reading Genesis

2004-06-04T23:22:00.000+09:00

JP2 & W

Pope Appeals for Return of Iraq's Sovereignty

2004-06-04T22:56:00.000+09:00

Novena Prayer to the Holy Spirit

In order to prepare myself for the Sacrament of Confirmation this upcoming Sunday, I've been praying this Confirmation Preparation Prayer: Novena Prayer to the Holy Spirit:

Come, Spirit of Wisdom, dispose our hearts to know and value the things of heaven above the things of the earth and show us the way to salvation. Come, Spirit of Understanding, enlighten our minds to the mysteries of salvation and grant that we may come to a fuller knowledge of you. Come, Spirit of Counsel, guide us in the way of your commandments. Incline us to do good. Keep us from evil and bring us to everlasting life. Come Spirit of Courage, strengthen us in every trail and help us in our struggle against evil. Never let us be parted from you. Come, Spirit of Knowledge, help us to see beyond the passing joys of this world to the glories you have prepared for us. Come, Spirit of Piety, stir up our hearts to true holiness and love of you. May we always seek you in spirit and in truth. Come Spirit of the Fear of the Lord, teach us ever to set the Lord before us and to avoid whatever is displeasing to you. Bring us all one day to the fullness of your love. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

2004-06-04T13:51:00.000+09:00

Confession

I just got back from the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) to ready myself for this upcoming Sunday's Sacrament of Confirmation.

I love Confession! Rather than being a burdon, as I thought it must have been before my conversion, Confession is fantastically liberating. Contrary to the assertions of many Protestants, it is explicitly biblical (see John 20: 19-23), whereas "accepting Jesus into your heart" or "as your personal Lord and Saviour" cannot be found anywhere in the Bible.

Dave Armstrong, in his blog Cor ad cor loquitur, recently provided some valuable Thoughts on Confession by Karl Adam, Karl Keating, and G.K. Chesterton.

2004-06-04T00:40:00.000+09:00

"Miss Modesty"

More girls push for modest fashion

2004-06-04T00:21:00.000+09:00

One God

Re: Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? (Thanks to Gerard Serafin of A Catholic Blog for Lovers for the link).

Possibly, concludes author Jon D. Levenson, professor of Jewish studies at Harvard University. The CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, however, is quite clear in Paragraph 841 that

"The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

2004-06-03T23:32:00.000+09:00

“One day they came and asked me to speak with Muslims, that is, to do the impossible.”

from Enemy Islam. An Interview with the Bishop of Rumbek, Sudan

2004-06-02T17:01:00.000+09:00

From Pluralism to Terrorism

While the following article makes some leaps of logic, it does make a plausible assertion, that a lack of clarity in teaching and doctrine can lead to disastrous consequences: Pluralism personified.

2004-06-02T16:56:00.000+09:00

"Undue Burdon"

Re: Judge strikes down partial-birth abortion ban, says law places 'undue burden' on women

The judge apparently has nothing to say about the "undue burdon" the placed upon the baby when he or she is murdered. This ruling is a victory for consumerism and the "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" mentality of the West.

2004-06-02T09:39:00.000+09:00

Infanticde

From Judge: Bush Abortion Ban Unconstitutional:

"[U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton] agreed with abortion rights activists that a woman's right to choose is paramount, and that it is therefore 'irrelevant' whether a fetus suffers pain..."

2004-06-02T09:36:00.000+09:00

Samuel Masih, Resquiat in Pace

Pakistani Christian dies after prison beating

2004-06-02T09:35:00.000+09:00

Repent!

Anglican Leaders Applaud Primates for Bold Stand Against ECUSA

2004-06-02T09:26:00.000+09:00

"If you continue to arrest innocent Malays, we will continue to kill innocent Buddhist Thais."

Thai Muslims call for calm after Buddhist beheaded

2004-06-02T09:21:00.000+09:00

"If suicide is a legal choice, then it is a moral option."

From ASSISTED SUICIDE GIVES MEDICAL CREDENCE TO SELF-DESTRUCTION

2004-06-01T22:53:00.000+09:00

A Truly Disturbing Sign of the Times

ABORTION SOARS IN QUEST FOR PERFECT BABIES:

2004-06-01T00:10:00.000+09:00

Unspeakable Tragedy in Buffalo, My Hometown

Re: Arraignment Delayed for North Buffalo Mom Charged with Murdering Daughter and N.Y. mother accused of killing baby had asked for help

Baby Melissa Vanderlinde-Berst, God rest your soul. Kirsten Vanderlinde, Lord have mercy on you.

2004-05-31T17:29:00.000+09:00

Prison Abuse at Home

America's Abu Ghraibs, an editorial from today's New York Times, details the routine sexual humiliation that prisoners are subjected to in U.S. prisons. It does not even mention the well-known fact that guards often turn a blind eye to the rape and sexual slavery that occurs there.

Why all the outcry over chain gangs a few years ago but relatively little about this state of affairs? Could it have anything to do with the homosexual nature of the crimes committed in prison?

Eliminate the televisions and gyms found in prisons and instead provide inmates with labor, books and, more importantly, security from each other.

2004-05-31T16:52:00.000+09:00

Fátima

Serge, of A conservative blog for peace, has an extensive post On the interfaith Fátima débàcle, in which he provides some insightful commentary.

Hindus and Muslims should be encouraged to go to Fátima. Mary and Jesus are a part of the faith of all Muslims and many Hindus. Going to Fátima will only bring them closer to the way God wants them to worship Him.

It seems that worries about Fátima becoming an interfaith shrine stem from the alarmism of some radical traditionalists (see the ZENIT News Agency's articles What Is Happening in Fatima? from January 1, 2003 and Fatima's New Church Moves Ahead from May 13, 2004).

2004-05-31T09:07:00.000+09:00

Ridiculous Quote of the Day

Gay activist Greg Van Hyfte, 27, as quoted in Catholic Gay Activists Denied Communion in Chicago:

"Who is the church to say who can and cannot get communion?"

2004-05-30T09:29:00.000+09:00

His Apostolic and Imperial Majesty Charles I To Be Beatified

Beatification for Emperor Karl, Anne Emmerich

For more, read Charles of Asburg: The last Catholic Emperor.

2004-05-29T19:12:00.000+09:00

Famous Catholics

Thanks to the Granola Conservative for this list: FAMOUS CATHOLICS

2004-05-29T18:22:00.000+09:00

The Dayaks

Re: Borneo: A new Church is born among the Dayak

I knew a few devout Christian Dayaks while living in Kuala Lumpur. It was interesting to meet people a few generations renmoved from cannibalism. It seems rather than losing their culture, they have found it in Christianity, just like so many peoples before them. Here's an extensive quote from the article:

"Father Christopher Laden, of the diocese of Kuching (the capital of the State of Sarawak), explained why the Dayak are becoming Christians: 'It is because Jesus Christ and the Church explained who God is and promised eternal life. We Dayaks believe in God the Creator, but we don’t know who he is: if he is good or bad, if he loves us or cares at all for us. Our belief is that after death there is nothing. Christianity gives us hope. The second reason is sociological. By becoming Christians, we enter into a community that helps us and creates brotherhood, whereas the old tribal community is disappearing. We Dayak refuse Islam because it is too far from our mentality and does not fit in with our beliefs.'"

2004-05-29T18:17:00.000+09:00

One More Reason for Abstinence

Study Says Condoms Contain Cancer-Causing Substance

2004-05-29T18:15:00.000+09:00

Looks Like an Interesting Read

The Satirist Is Sincere: Tony Hendra talks about the monk who saved his soul.

2004-05-29T17:25:00.000+09:00

A Few Thoughts on Bill Cosby

Re: Cosby's Comments Bring Applause From Black Conservatives

Bill Cosby was the only comedian the sons of the conservative Lutheran minister I grew up next to were allowed to listen to. In his latest comments, he uttered some painful truths. I'm reminded of a white friend who descibed himself as "a black conservative."

2004-05-29T17:22:00.000+09:00

God Bless You, JP2

Re: Relativism Demands Credible Witness of Church, Says Pope: "Word of God Must Not Be Chained," He Tells a Group of U.S. Bishops & Pope worries about 'soulless' life in America

The Holy Father has really been hitting the target with his latest exhortations.

2004-05-29T17:19:00.000+09:00

La Virgen de Guadalupe

Here's is a nice article on an apparition of the Virgin whose shrine I visited twice, both tinmes as a non-Catholic: What the Virgin of Guadalupe Meant for Latin America: Interview With Historian Father Fidel González Fernández.

2004-05-28T16:19:00.000+09:00

The Logical Progression from Contraception to Abortion to Gay "Marriage"

FIRST-PERSON: Full circle, to same-sex marriage

2004-05-27T07:39:00.000+09:00

Pro-life Democrats

Re: Pro-Life Democrat Says He's a Christian First

On the local level, for example in my hometown of Buffalo, NY or in Tennessee, where the above story is from, it's entirely possible to be a pro-life Democrat. Why is not possible on the national level? I guess this is because the abortion issue is not decided locally.