Day 12 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

May the King of the Universe, who entered this world as a helpless infant, give us the humility to be healed.

Scripture:

My power is made perfect in weakness.

--2 Corinthians 12:9

Reflection:

The great mystery of the Humility of God is very near and dear to the mission of those serving in pro life and in a special way, post abortion ministries across this nation. For those wounded by their participation in abortion, the door to healing often feels like crossing an abyss of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being torn apart by the pain, by self hatred and rage at those who hurt and abandoned you, and manipulated you in your time of temptation. For men in particular, entering the unknown waters of emotional vulnerability, so necessary to healing calls for a different kind of courage that feels deceptively like weakness.

The door to healing is humility. It is born in the inability to no longer control the pain, to live with the consequences of that tragic decision to reject life. The hearts cries out, "I have committed a grave offense against my Creator and I am consumed by regret, grief and sorrow!"

During these forty days let us pray for all who have participated in abortion and with love call them to healing and reconciliation. With healing these women and men can become as John Paul II proclaimed in the Gospel of Life, "the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life."

Jesus proclaimed, "I am the Vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5). To bear the greatest fruit, the branches must be pruned. Each level of pruning of the vine requires a deeper level of humility so that we can abandon ourselves to His will. This is not a lofty theological concept as much as it is an earthy experience of pulling weeds, tilling rocky soil, pruning and healing the vines. "If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in my footsteps" (Matthew 16:24).

Prayer:

Lord, during these forty days, we ask that with each day of this sacred vigil, everything in us that separates us from your perfect will would be pruned from our hearts and souls. In this blessed freedom may we experience a powerful anointing of your Holy Spirit. Filled with confidence and trust may we proclaim with the mother of Jesus, "Let it be done to me, according to your Word."

Kevin Burke
Executive Director, Rachels Vineyard Ministries

40 Days For Life

Day 11 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times we represent Him.

Scripture:

I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love.

-- Ephesians 4:1-2

Reflection:

When a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, Carol Everett, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she replied, "It was unconditional love" shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the facility where she worked.

He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to "get out" of their bondage and sin.

In his book, "Fishers of Men," Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Christ, the King of Kings:

* God has chosen us (John 15:16)
* We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
* Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
* We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
* Know our purpose -- to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
* We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
* Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)

Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. It is a calling much higher and grander than our finite minds can imagine.

We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us onto those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name of Christ who is worthy, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" Talk Show

40 Days For Life

Day 10 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

Let us affirm the unborn by our language.

Scripture:

Anyone who says to his brother, "Raca," is answerable to the Sanhedrin; anyone who says, "You fool!" will be in danger of the fire of hell.

-- Matthew 5:22

Reflection:

Before the schoolyard bully beats up his victim, he calls him names. This is a way to dehumanize the victim, and therefore make it easier to justify attacking him.

In this verse from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that using dehumanizing language is sinful. "Raca" was an Aramaic term of contempt. The respect and love we are called to have for other human lives is not limited to action alone; it also has to manifest itself in language.

Professor William Brennan, in his book Dehumanizing the Vulnerable: When Word Games Take Lives, traces the dehumanizing language used to oppress various groups of people in history, such as our African-American brothers and sisters, or our Jewish brothers and sisters in the Holocaust.

He then shows that the same kind of dehumanizing language is used against the unborn, who have been called "parasites," "tissue," and "medical waste," among other things.

What are we to do instead? We are to affirm one another, including the unborn, with ennobling language that inspires respect and love. The unborn are precious children, they are our brothers and sisters, they are the image of God. Let us multiply the language of affirmation, as we hasten to the day of their protection!

Prayer:

Lord, we ask your forgiveness for any times our words have dehumanized our brothers and sisters. We also ask you to send your grace to those who speak and write in degrading terms about the children in the womb. Convert those who do not see the dignity of these children. Loosen the tongues of those who do not know how to acknowledge the humanity and sacredness of these tiny lives. Keep us all aware of the power of language, and help us to use it rightly in the cause of life and justice. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life and President, National Pro-life Religious Council

40 Days For Life

Day 9 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

May we grow in joy, knowing we serve a living God.

Scripture:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

-- John 1:14

Reflection:

The Word of God came to us in human form in Jesus Christ. Every time I contemplate this fact I get chills! And I think it is something that we, as Christians, tend to gloss over. I can only imagine how the first disciples felt when they were looking into the eyes of the one and only Almighty God who created them.

The first disciples developed a close relationship with Him as they daily walked and talked with Him. They ate with Him, prayed with Him and rested when He rested. As they listened to the Word of God, who was and is Jesus….they believed and "beheld His glory."

Today, this is something we can still do because we serve a living God. Remember, Jesus died on the cross but rose from the dead in victory! Jesus is every bit as real and alive for all of us as He was to the first disciples. He wants us to develop a close relationship with Him in the very same way. Jesus wants us to know Him personally. He wants us to walk with Him and talk with Him on a daily basis.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love and saving grace in Christ Jesus. Help us to realize every day the great blessing we have in our Savior. I pray that we will rise every morning with excitement and zeal, looking forward to walking another day in your footsteps fully knowing that you continue to dwell among us. Amen.

Day Gardner
President, National Black Pro-life Union

40 Days For Life

Day 8 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

May the spirit and example of the Good Samaritan fill the hearts and minds of all our citizens.

Scripture:

Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

-- Luke 10:30-37

Reflection:

Here Jesus commands us to show mercy to the victims of the culture of violence and death.

But why did the priest and Levite fail to show mercy? Perhaps they feared that the robbers were hiding just around the next corner to attack them. They asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?"

The Samaritan, however, reversed the question, and asked, "If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

In working to save the unborn, let's not worry about what will happen to us if we act; let's worry about what will happen to the unborn if we don't.

Prayer:

Father, we are moved by the lesson of the Good Samaritan, who allowed compassion to influence him more than fear. Give us the same heart. Grant that we may never count the cost of standing up and speaking out for the unborn. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

40 Days For Life

Where Do Catholics Find The 'Beef' ?

Remember those 'Wendy's' commercials asking "Where's the beef"? Catholic prolife writer Suzanne Fortin has an answer for Canadian (and other) Catholics:

Serious Catholics have come to trust blogs and websites – and not the church elite – because they deliver the real goods: the spiritual heritage of the Church, a heritage that most priests won’t touch: The encyclicals, the Fathers, the Doctors, the Councils, and the razor-sharp insights of St. Thomas Aquinas, whose philosophy is essential in properly understanding Church teaching. When Magisterial Catholics are challenged on what they say, they prove with authority. What they say does not rest on their opinion, but on the doctrine of the universal Church....

...The Church’s efforts to convert souls and to ultimately establish the culture of life will always be undermined by the culture of dissent that is permitted to flourish in the chanceries, in the seminaries, in the offices of pastoral animators and in official church publications. As the Bible says, the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. When the elites contradict divine precepts, they’re not being righteous. Their prayer for a growing church and the right to life will be hampered by their own spiritual alienation. If the Church wants to grow, it must stop treating the Word of God as if it’s tentatively true. It must embrace it, and then live by it, and act like the salvation of souls is at stake. So long as it does not take its primary job seriously – that of Guardian of Truth – it will never be able to come out of its spiritual crisis. And Catholics who want the meat of true faith will continue to ignore them as credible sources of Catholic doctrine.

(h/t SoCon Or Bust)

Canadian Prolifers Disappointed By CCCB - Again

I am 48 years old. Since I was 8 or 9, I have known that UNICEF supports the promotion of abortion. My children have known this all their lives. Why does the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops not know this?

The CCCB has reaffirmed their support of UNICEF, in spite of the Vatican's example, in spite of good information about UNICEF's abortion promotion activities, in spite of the good work of many of their parishioners to battle abortion in Canada,perhaps just in spite, decided that they have the special ability to 'earmark' funds given to UNICEF. Everyone else knows this is not really possible. The CCCB is clearly not concerned that it is collecting funds that ultimately kill babies.

This is not to say that Canadian Bishops should all be tarred with the CCCB brush. Some Bishops know their responsibility to their flock, and they do not rely on the non-authority of the CCCB . Perhaps these good shepherds could find a way of stifling the ill caused by the CCCB as it digs a deeper and deeper hole for itself with backwardness and dissidence.

The only way I can think of to respond, is to never put a dime into a 'second collection' that the CCCB would get their hands on. My donations go directly to reputable groups.

Day 7 - 40 Days For Life

Intention:

May we have a heart and a zeal to save the poor and release the oppressed.

Scripture:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

-- Luke 4:18-19

Reflection:

This passage is a very familiar one. It has been preached on many occasions, even made popular in books and songs. Though the quote is about Jesus, all Christians take this commission seriously as a directive on how to reach the world with the gospel. We, like our Savior, are to bring the good news to the poor, the broken hearted, those in captivity, those who cannot see, and the oppressed.

The commission given to us in this passage is clearly a charge to care for those for whom God cares the most. I wonder though, whom do we look for to be touched by the Holy Spirit as we go out into the world?

Who are the poor, if not those unborn children who have been abandoned by their parents before they ever leave the womb? Who are the broken hearted, if not those unborn children whose only example of love is having their mother take them to an abortion clinic to be destroyed, or the mother of a child who has been deceived by everyone around her into believing that what she is doing is best for her and her child? Who are the captives, if not those unborn children who are bound over to death by the "choice" of abortion? Who is more blind than an unborn child in the darkness of a womb that has become a waiting room for their death? And who is more oppressed than those unborn children whose oppression has been legitimized by their government, their church and even their family and loved ones.

Prayer:

Lord, You empower us with Your Spirit to do your will in the earth. Send us to the poorest, the most broken, the most captive, the most blind and the most oppressed in the world, the innocent pre-born children in their mother's wombs that are scheduled for destruction. Help us to bring them healing, liberty, sight and justice through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Fr. Terry Gensemer
National Director, Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life

40 Days For Life

Day 1 - 40 DAYS FOR LIFE

Intention:

That we may use these 40 Days for Life to plead for God's mercy and grace upon all those involved in the sin of abortion.

Scripture:

Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation. Assemble the elders; gather the children and the infants at the breast… Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare, O Lord, your people."

-- Joel 2:15-17

Reflection:

The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded in abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and fathers of these millions, as well as the grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living shattered.

It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in the midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection - His victory over death that opened the gates of heaven to those who believe in and follow Him.

The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me… Give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing spirit sustain in me… O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14, 17).

We are called to be God's messengers; or as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). That is the true message to all we encounter at the abortion centers and in our communities who have been deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring condemnation; we bring God's good news.

Prayer:

Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom, determination and stamina to carry out this mission according to Your will. Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your truth, always doing so with a spirit of love and compassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, amen.

David Brandao
Communications Director, 40 Days for Life

"The EU Loves Control..."

Coir is a grassroots volunteer organization campaigning to educate people about the power lust of the EU and the risk to democracy and Irish independence in a vote for the Lisbon Treaty. You may recall that the Irish already, recently, voted against this treaty. Apparently the 'new age' democracy is little more than 'vote until you get it right'!

Of special note on Coir's webpage is an article explaining the threat to Irish independence regarding abortion.

Americans know the power of grassroots movements, and everyone knows how the Irish love a cuppa...

GO IRISH!

College Bound Catholics

The new Newman Guide is out . Those going to college and seeking an authentic Catholic environment need to read this list. Just because a college has a history of being Catholic doesn't mean its current incarnation is faithful. Many universities have a Catholic 'tradition' yet they promote secular philosophy, even anti-catholic dogma, while marketing themselves as 'Catholic'. Buyer beware!

For the young college bound Catholic, Matthew Warner has some very sensible tips at 'Fallible Blogma'.


Here are a few suggestions for participation on campus. Of course, each group is only as good as its members...

The Cardinal Newman Society

College Student Prolife Websites

Catholic Campus Ministry

Heroes in Our Neighbourhood

The poster (shown left) that Jim Pouillon was holding was an affirmation of Life. Mr. Pouillon held human life to be sacred, in even measure for everyone. He was a hero from our neighbourhood, someone known and respected for his persistent loving message of our own value. He valued us ALL. He quietly gave his life in the hope that we would value ourselves and each other. A neighbourhood Hero.



We all need to be 'neighbourhood heroes' in our own way. We need to know our own value and that of every other human life, and defend it. A great opportunity to do so is just around the corner with this season's '40 Days For Life'. This fall's campaign from Sept 23 - November ,will be carried our by 'neighbourhood heroes' in at least 212 cities internationally.

More than 200 cities in 45 American states, 5 Canadian provinces ... plus Denmark ... are poised to launch 40 Days for Life campaigns... [David Bereit, 40 Days for Life's national director] "Last fall's campaign was conducted in 177 cities. This shows that support for the pro-life message is spreading — and that 40 Days for Life continues to have a positive international impact."

Find a way to reaffirm the value of LIFE. EVERY life. ALWAYS.

Intolerance at SMU Re-Dux

The students' union at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, hosts a 'society fair' each fall, the purpose of which , is to give their members the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the various student groups on campus. This year's event was marred by the theft of ALL the materials from the 'Students For Life' display.

It may seem like a small thing, but looking around society today, I'm pretty sure its indicative of an underlying problem with veracity. Liars are intolerant. The truth is an inconvenience they cannot bear.

Here is a letter from a student regarding the unfortunate disruption of the student event :

Crime & Drama at the Fair - Students For Life:
Last Thursday at the SMU Society Fair, one small display was targeted. Someone secretly watched the table, and at the first opportunity, tore down the sign, and stole clip-boards sign-up sheets, pens, and personal documents. You might be thinking... what could possess someone to go to such extreme (not to mention illegal) lengths to prevent students from seeing, hearing or thinking about something? It’s a mystery to me, and I was manning the display, but maybe it was the name that set them off...
Name: “Students For Life”.
Right... the same as the name of the article, and since you’re reading this it doesn’t seem to be as offensive to you as it was to the thief. On the other hand, maybe it was the idea behind the group that was so terrifying and offensive...
Founding Principal: “Every human life has equal value”

Uh... that’s pretty much of the foundation of civil society. Not scary stuff. Maybe the society was planning dangerous and offensive activities of some sort. What is the society going to do?...

Planned Activities: 1. Come together as a group.
2. Provide volunteer opportunities.
3. Discuss value-of-life issues.

I take it you’re still reading, and have somehow managed to avoid destroying and /or stealing anything. You may even want to consider participating in some way down the line. We aren’t completely up and running, but if you send an email with your first and last names to smu.studentsforlife@gmail.com we’ll give you a heads-up when we’ve got something on the go. Students are busy people, so participation will be on an event-by-event basis. Show up when you can, and make Saint Mary’s University (and the world) a better place.

Note: Students who have already signed up are asked to re-submit their names by email.

Thank you for your time,
Paul Mullen
SMU student & member of Students For Life

The usual suspects (see this post on SMU's 'free-speech' travails last winter) were reminded by campus police ahead of time to follow 'rules of good behaviour', sat themselves directly beside the 'Students For Life' table, and left as soon as the display had been stolen. Witnesses say that as soon as Paul Mullen had stepped away a few feet to the trashcan, a man in a 'hat' came and took everything and left. Apparently he had been waiting for his chance!

Mr. Mullen has a very good point in his letter. What exactly is so disturbing and scary about 'Students For Life'? Can it be that the mere idea that everyone have access to the truth, is so threatening to some that they can't allow it? Can people really be rationalizing their actions this way? Knowing that a group exists that cares whether babies, elderly, handicapped and...well, everyone, lives or dies, is REALLY a threat to ...whom?

To liars. Only those protecting their own lies are threatened by the truth.

Father McBrien, Notre Dame and Eucharistic Adoration

My daughter's birthday shares Our Lady's feast on September 8. In dismay I read Fr. Richard McBrien's gift to Our Lady in the form of an article in the National Catholic Reporter. In dismay I read that not all the commentors are dismayed by his article! Such is the state of the Catholic church in America today. Dissident, incorrect and heretical priests are given forum in a magazine put forward as Catholic.

Lukewarm Catholic? American Catholic? Not quite Catholic?

(Anyone looking for a more reliable source of faithful Catholic articles might try National Catholic Register.)

Ah well. Someone else to add to my prayer list, to offer up to the mercy of God during Mass and before the Blessed Sacrament.

I am grateful for those faithful Catholic universities that never compromise Truth for expediency or popularity. Places like Ave Maria University in Florida, Franciscan University in Ohio, and Our Lady Seat of Wisdom in Ontario. They are welcome respite from confusing and confused institutions with questionable leadership and mixed loyalties. (Yes, I mean Notre Dame)

I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to worship, pray, think, find peace in the Real Presence of God. Many Americans share this wonderful opportunity.

I am thankful for all the faithful priests and bishops, their many hours of prayer and devotion on our behalf, their inspired instruction and their faithful service to Christ in the Eucharist.

God help those who work against Him.


More at Te Deum

Words To Live By : Ted Kennedy

Of course, Edward Kennedy did not actually live by these words, and these words contain only a portion of the Catholic belief in the sanctity of life.

While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life. Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized - the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old.

On the question of the individual's freedom of choice there are easily available birth control methods and information which women may employ to prevent or postpone pregnancy. But once life has begun, no matter at what stage of growth, it is my belief that termination should not be decided merely by desire....

When history looks back to this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its responsibility to its children from the very moment of conception.

(Ted Kennedy, April3,1971)

HT Jill Stanek

Ah Yes...'Catholic' Charities!

Fresh from battle with the inconsistencies of Canadian Catholic charity, Development and Peace, Catholics may feel weary and discouraged. I do. Everywhere we turn, news breaks of one or another Catholic charity or institution supporting distinctly un-Christian endeavors.

American Life League

Three of the top lay Catholic organizations have divorced themselves from Catholic teaching by supporting the Obama health-care plan, which would foster a culture of mandatory abortion coverage, contraceptive services, and permissive sex education, euthanasia and eugenics.

Catholic Charities USA, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Catholic Health Association are joining together to push the current version of the plan through Congress.

"There is no social justice in rationing charity," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League. "Millions of taxpayers will be forced to subsidize abortion, contraception, euthanasia and bureaucratic denial of health care to the poorest of the poor."

Many Catholics are used to trusting these institutions as being ACTUALLY charitable, full of the substance of God's love, along the lines of Pope Benedict's latest encyclical. If only those making decisions for Catholic charities WOULD read 'Caritas Veritate' , and take its core message to heart. The entire fullness of God's vision is our goal...not to be traded off time and time again for temporary relief in one area or another.

THE WHOLE TRUTH . Working to uphold the whole truth, we can TRUST GOD to ameliorate our temporal sufferings in a way that benefits us eternally.

ETERNITY. Something Catholics believe in, and Catholic institutions should have in their sights.


(h/t Catholic Fire)

STOP OBAMA FROM PUSHING ABORTION WITH YOUR MONEY

'No health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for or participate in the destruction of human life' (USCCB)

36,000 life advocates came together online Thursday night to participate in a "Stop The Abortion Mandate" webcast, to discuss the urgency of stopping President Obama's abortion promotion, contained in his 'healthcare reform'.

Summary of the event by LifeSite News.

Audio of the webcast

Action Guide

Obama's Anti-Life Record

USCCB Statement on Healthcare Reform

The WholeTruth in Caritas Veritate - Michael O'Brien

Lifesite News carries an article by well known Canadian Catholic author and artist, Michael O'Brien, in which he comments on the 'Development and Peace' scandal in the context of Pope Benedict's latest encyclical Caritas in Veritate. In "Split In Conciousness - Split In Conscience" O'Brien goes to the root message of the encyclical, the necessity for a fuller understanding of truth in global economics and governance. He also comments on some other reviews, notably that of George Weigel....

The presence of irritable unwarranted phrases in Weigel’s commentary is symptomatic of something; it may mean something naïve or dumb, but on the face of it, it is impossible to know what exactly Mr. Weigel means. At the very least one can guess that he is not happy about this encyclical. He does not find it helpful. But helpful to what and to whom?

He concludes:

“Benedict XVI, a truly gentle soul, may have thought it necessary to include in his encyclical these multiple off-notes, in order to maintain the peace within his curial household. Those with eyes to see and ears to hear will concentrate their attention, in reading Caritas in Veritate, on those parts of the encyclical that are clearly Benedictine, including the Pope’s trademark defense of the necessary conjunction of faith and reason and his extension of John Paul II’s signature theme — that all social issues, including political and economic questions, are ultimately questions of the nature of the human person.”

A nod towards Benedict’s gifts does not ease the overall effect of Weigel’s critique. It is, in fact, condescending and patronizing. How does he know that the encyclical is a “duck-billed platypus” made to placate in-house tensions at the Vatican? Perhaps he has not considered the possibility that the Pope actually believes what he is writing, and is opening up the paradigms, cracking the templates, expanding the range of vision and dialogue so that something more truly just and humane may develop, may have what he calls “breathing-space” in the current world situation. As it stands, Mr. Weigel has said, in effect, “We love Papa, he is a sweet old soul. He is very good on religion but, alas, muddled on economics.”

It brings to mind the objections that arose after the publication of Centesimus Annus in 1991. From numerous neoconservative commentators we heard, “Oh, yes, John Paul II is a great personalist, a great pope, but, well, he is no economist.” Correct. He was no economist. And Benedict is no economist. Neither was Paul VI nor John XXIII, nor Pius XI nor Leo XIII. But they were men of vast understanding, and they expressed the Mind of Christ on these matters in terms of first principles, the context in which truly human economies can develop. So let’s put our coloured editorial pens back into the inkwells for a bit, and let’s give it time and give it thought—especially let all men of good will engage their rational intellects with the spirit of humility, and see if there is something to be learned from the Vicar of Christ —something new and yet something old because it is something eternal.

Caritas in Veritate is lucid, anointed, prophetic. It is a sign of contradiction, a challenge to every system of government and economics. It is a call to truth and charity for all human beings. Minimizing the real import of this encyclical is symptomatic of perceptual as well as intellectual difficulties.

It behooves us all to take the time to read the whole encyclical with O'Brien's comments in mind. The encyclical was not written to please a secular, political world. It was written to expand all our visions towards God's ultimate vision for us. We need to be open to that expansion of heart, mind and soul if we are truly interested in the welfare of mankind.

Are we?

As a social and mostly fiscal conservative, who puts a lot of stock in personal freedom and responsibility, I have to read the encyclical first with a complete openness to hear an expanded perspective. I have to read it secondly with the purpose of finding my personal responsibility in the Pope's message of Truth. Thirdly, and perhaps least important, I must read 'Caritas In Veritate' with a practical mind - how do I fit the Truth, my personal responsibility, and an expanded vision of humanity into my day to day life on earth.

Quite a challenge!

Strong And Free ?

Steven Crowder's guerilla-style documentary on socialized health-care in Canada

(h/t Kathy Shaidle)

"LIFE - IMAGINE THE POTENTIAL part 3"

Happy Birthday Canada

2,889,679 Canadians have been 'therapeutically' eliminated via abortion from 1970 - 2005. (Stats Can)

Share the Love. Make abortion your 'area of interest' and inform your MP. He needs to know you care whether Canadians live or die.

Truth Seekers And Obfuscators

Many Catholics worldwide have been following the scandal, broken by Lifesite News earlier this year, of Catholic charity Development and Peace funding groups that are involved in abortion promotion. Particularly disturbing is the breach of trust between the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Canadian Catholic sitting in the pew, donating to 'a good cause' .

One reaction to the news coverage and investigation by Lifesite News, the many letters from concerned Canadian and international Catholics, the pleading of Bishops whose efforts to stop abortion in their own countries are being undermined, and the just decision of some Canadian Bishops to discontinue support for Development and Peace, might have been for the CCCB to take steps to end the duplicity of a Catholic charity funding groups who participate in direct opposition to Catholic social justice.

Instead, and shamefully, they have chosen to whitewash and deny, maligning Lifesite News in a published report that perpetuates a misrepresentation of the facts. Also maligned publicly by President of the CCCB, Archbishop James Weisgerber ,are the Catholics in the pew who take enough interest in their church to keep up to date on Catholic news, good and bad.

One wonders why an organization such as the CCCB, with no 'church' authority itself, would take it upon itself to chastise the honest and forthright efforts of regular Catholics to understand, share, and follow the Catholic faith.

Then again, this is the same organization which produced and has yet to regret the Winnipeg Statement. Thank God for those Canadian Bishops who are faithful shepherds. Canada needs all the help it can get.


LifeSiteNews Detailed Account

Some letters from Catholics in the pew...

letter from Archbishop Jose Eguren of Peru, to Archbishop Weisgerber

update on the Winnipeg Statement

Tiller Death

The murder of George Tiller has, in spite of the fact that his killer acted alone, encouraged a vitriolic condemnation of all who have opposed abortion and abortionists. Seems the 'culture of death' is not above using the death of one of its own as a catapult for pro-death hysteria. No doubt an increase in abortion friendly money, elections and legislation is in the future. The red-herring of 'pro-life terrorism' will be haunting us for a while.

Father Frank Pavone has some guidance for those of us who continue to insist that EVERY HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED:

The biggest danger right now to our movement, in the light of the killing of Dr. Tiller, is the enemy within. I'm talking about the fear, the self-doubt, the little voice inside of us that makes us feel guilty now for saying that abortion is murder, that might make some people feel guilty for being too aggressive in the effort to stop the killing of children, maybe make them afraid of going out in front of the abortion facilities to intervene peacefully for the lives of those children. The enemy within that would make some people believe what the other side is trying to say, that somehow we in the pro-life movement are responsible for this violence because of our violent rhetoric and because of our decades of efforts to expose the reality of what abortion is.

Because I am a believer in the loving mercy of our Lord, I am including Dr. Tiller in my prayers. If he made it to purgatory, we can use his prayers also!

'Oh my God, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of thy Mercy.'

Amen

Notre Dame - A Clash Of Cultures

I love how the media keeps trying to frame the scandal as 'Catholics against intellectual discourse'. With the help of President Jenkins , of course.

Commencement speeches are not 'intellectual discourse'. They are an honour bestowed upon the speaker by the university. So is an honorary Doctorate of Laws (laws made and to be made against life by Obama?). The Catholic disgust and shame comes from the honour bestowed on the man who stands out as being most radically opposed to Catholic doctrine and teachings on the inherent value of every human life . You'd think the value of human life would be obvious to all (humans, anyway!) but it isn't. Some humans only recognize value in human lives that are not inconvenient, needy or unloved. This way of living, thinking, believing, is the antithesis of Christianity. The ANTI CHRIST.

That's what the BIG DEAL is folks. It's not about a speech, and its more important than a president. I am grateful for those who risked ridicule and jail to stand up for truth today. So few universities are engaged in the pursuit of truth these days, that there really should be a new name for most post-secondary institutions. Perhaps we could call them politically correct finishing schools - where one goes to complete the process of numbing the spirit.

And could Notre Dame please change its name to 'Sebelius U.'? Our Lady deserves better.

Scott Richert has excellent commentary on the 'speech' and link to the text.

What's Up?

Regular readers may have noticed I haven't been posting much lately. It's not for a lack of interesting things to post about! A lot is happening, everywhere - including here!

For the next month or so I will be mostly occupied with finishing the school year and traveling up to PEI for the summer season. Right now we are getting ready to drive up from Tampa, with a short stop in Panama City. We will be settled in Miscouche by June 8 and staying until about Sept 20, when we will begin our journey southward again!

You may have noticed the long column of links on the left. Try a few. Nothing helps the culture of life more than sharing our lives with others.


Here is a little fun sharing. Locals (in Cayman!) found an ambitious snake trying to swallow a green iguana. (I'm not sure how the snake convinced the iguana to crawl in there...)