Exhausted in the Vatican
The first sentence of the the article should have been "Welcome to Fantasy Island..."cuz that's what the resources to this article seem to be from. All Anonymous...
Showing posts with label b16. Show all posts
Showing posts with label b16. Show all posts
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Der Spiegal: Attempt to Rival Dan Brown
Well, just read an interesting piece over at Der Spiegal entitled:
cuz that's what the resources to this article seem to be from. All Anonymous...
cuz that's what the resources to this article seem to be from. All Anonymous...
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
B16 : The Common Good
My eyes are slowly being opened to a new vocabulary, at least for me, that I read in the comments, talks and speeches that Benedict XVI uses when addressing the public.
Here's his latest:
Benedict made the comments as he traveled to Madrid for the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day, a weeklong Catholic festival that is taking place against a backdrop of the European debt crisis and social unrest among the young that exploded recently in the riots in Britain.
MORE
It's not that the vocabulary is new, it's just that I'm now becoming more aware of it through my read of Brian Benestad's book 'Church, State, And Society - An Introduction To Catholic Social Doctrine'.
I'm doing some studying on Catholic Social Doctrine. It seems to me that so many people, in the media especially want to tell us (Catholics) what Catholic social justice, social doctrine is or should be, that it's confusing the heck out of Catholics in the pews. And let's face it not many of the pew dwellers want to take time to do a little studying or at least looking into what the Church actually says.
I haven't run across too many homilies either that explain this teaching. Granted 10 minutes at mass isn't enough time but B16 gives some wonderful brief talks during his weekly audiences. You can find these talks compiled in books if you've missed them. He's talks on the Church Fathers in one of my favorites.
I'm finding it a little difficult myself with 10 hour work days, a 3 to 4 hour commute to and from, two grandchildren vying for attention, and my wonderful patient wife waiting her turn to catch a few minutes with me. So I can empathize with finding enough time. I know my schedule doesn't compare to some out there with even busier life schedules.
But let's face it, as Catholics our knowledge of our faith doesn't end in CCD. I've heard so many fallen away Catholics say "I have 12 years of Catholic education under my belt and I'm still not convinced the Catholic Church is the true faith".
Let's be real about this. They're talking about elementary, middle and high school education in the Catholic school system. Along with the essentials of an education (math, reading, writing, science) they may teach a few prayers or the basic tenants of the faith, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
They may teach "Love God with all your might, all your strength, with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself". But my guess is they didn't go into a deeper understanding of these two golden rules into the realm of 'Common Good' in regards to Catholic Social Doctrine.
I myself attended the Minor Seminary for four years and I only began to start studying my faith with any substance until I left the Seminary life for my calling as a husband and father; ten years into married life. I'm still only scratching the surface after 29 years of marriage.
And I'm loving every moment of my continued study of the wonderful Catholic faith.
So when I picked up this book by Benestad it really is giving me a better understanding of Catholic Social Doctrine.
With regards to Pope Benedict's point of "morals and ethics must play a greater role in formulating economic policy in the future", it's beginning to make perfect sense.
So many times we are told that we must give the 'instrumental' needs to the poor and needy. Instrumental meaning food, shelter, clothing etc., but not much emphasis is given to the true definition of Catholic Social teaching and that along with the instrumental giving there must be 'substantive' (Benestad, Church, State and Society, pg 82) part of that giving. Substantive meaning the promotion of "virtue in the lives of every individual, while preserving or establishing good mores and institutions"
This is what B16, I believe is talking about. He sees the tragic happenings throughout Europe and especially Great Britain with regards to the riots and recognizes that there is NOT this promotion to virtuous living.
The State can not just give the food shelter, jobs, clothing and whatever else without an instruction to it's citizens to live virtuous lives.
The Raider/ 49er melee this weekend is just another example of the loss of virtue in our society. This picture says it all. Everyone carrying beers, looks like an infant or toddler being held in the crowd and no one cares.
Here's his latest:
Pope Demands Greater Morals & Ethics in Global Economic Policy
MADRID (The Blaze/AP) — Pope Benedict XVI denounced the profit-at-all-cost mentality that he says is behind Europe’s current economic crisis as he arrived in hard-hit Spain on Thursday, and said morals and ethics must play a greater role in formulating economic policy in the future.
MORE
It's not that the vocabulary is new, it's just that I'm now becoming more aware of it through my read of Brian Benestad's book 'Church, State, And Society - An Introduction To Catholic Social Doctrine'.I'm doing some studying on Catholic Social Doctrine. It seems to me that so many people, in the media especially want to tell us (Catholics) what Catholic social justice, social doctrine is or should be, that it's confusing the heck out of Catholics in the pews. And let's face it not many of the pew dwellers want to take time to do a little studying or at least looking into what the Church actually says.
I haven't run across too many homilies either that explain this teaching. Granted 10 minutes at mass isn't enough time but B16 gives some wonderful brief talks during his weekly audiences. You can find these talks compiled in books if you've missed them. He's talks on the Church Fathers in one of my favorites.
I'm finding it a little difficult myself with 10 hour work days, a 3 to 4 hour commute to and from, two grandchildren vying for attention, and my wonderful patient wife waiting her turn to catch a few minutes with me. So I can empathize with finding enough time. I know my schedule doesn't compare to some out there with even busier life schedules.
But let's face it, as Catholics our knowledge of our faith doesn't end in CCD. I've heard so many fallen away Catholics say "I have 12 years of Catholic education under my belt and I'm still not convinced the Catholic Church is the true faith".
Let's be real about this. They're talking about elementary, middle and high school education in the Catholic school system. Along with the essentials of an education (math, reading, writing, science) they may teach a few prayers or the basic tenants of the faith, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
They may teach "Love God with all your might, all your strength, with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself". But my guess is they didn't go into a deeper understanding of these two golden rules into the realm of 'Common Good' in regards to Catholic Social Doctrine.
I myself attended the Minor Seminary for four years and I only began to start studying my faith with any substance until I left the Seminary life for my calling as a husband and father; ten years into married life. I'm still only scratching the surface after 29 years of marriage.
And I'm loving every moment of my continued study of the wonderful Catholic faith.
So when I picked up this book by Benestad it really is giving me a better understanding of Catholic Social Doctrine.
With regards to Pope Benedict's point of "morals and ethics must play a greater role in formulating economic policy in the future", it's beginning to make perfect sense.
So many times we are told that we must give the 'instrumental' needs to the poor and needy. Instrumental meaning food, shelter, clothing etc., but not much emphasis is given to the true definition of Catholic Social teaching and that along with the instrumental giving there must be 'substantive' (Benestad, Church, State and Society, pg 82) part of that giving. Substantive meaning the promotion of "virtue in the lives of every individual, while preserving or establishing good mores and institutions"
This is what B16, I believe is talking about. He sees the tragic happenings throughout Europe and especially Great Britain with regards to the riots and recognizes that there is NOT this promotion to virtuous living.
The State can not just give the food shelter, jobs, clothing and whatever else without an instruction to it's citizens to live virtuous lives.
The Raider/ 49er melee this weekend is just another example of the loss of virtue in our society. This picture says it all. Everyone carrying beers, looks like an infant or toddler being held in the crowd and no one cares.There seems to be more violence and disregard for “love thy neighbor as thyself” and more a “love myself more than my neighbor” mentality today.
That ‘love myself’ mentality is flowing into every niche of society. Even in the way we think of Catholic Social doctrine. There seems to be more of an emphasis on the ‘instrumental’ side and less of the ‘substantive’ side of the teaching.
Sometimes we may think that in giving only, we can solve the problems of poverty or injustice. And while I agree that we should give as much as we can, there should also be the other side of that coin in that those that receive have their ‘duties’ to perform.
We hear so much about ‘rights’ and not enough about ‘duties’.
As I study more on the Churches social doctrine and the Common Good, I see that the “political community, the institutions of civil society, and individuals both [have a duty] to restrain evildoers and remedy unjust situations, and to promote the practice of virtue in the lives of every individual, while preserving or establishing good mores and institutions” (Church, State and Society- Brian Benestad, pg 83)
I think it most important to know what Catholic Social Doctrine is and what it's not. With the elections coming up it's no secret that political Left as well as the political Right will once again try to convince Catholics that they know the faith better than we do.
We as Catholics should be aware that we are Not Left or Right, Liberal or Conservative, Democrat or Republican. We are members of God's family through baptism and we must be the light in the world we are called to be.
That means to know your faith and able to explain it without fear at all times.
Living here in California is not an easy place for doing that. The thought here is 'keep your faith on Sunday', and I mean at church not at the football game or at the office and definitely not in the voting booth.
Some have lost the will to battle the forces against the church. Especially when we seem to be battling our fellow Catholics who have their own ideas on what the Catholic Church is.
Catholic Social Doctrine is one of those subjects that is raging in many parishes today.
Political groups are infiltrating our parishes. At my parish a group called UCIC has been invited into our Youth Group by the pastor, endorsed by the Bishop.
It's a group bent on defining Catholic Social Doctrine on their own terms for their own means with a definite political agenda.
That's why it's important to study your faith. That's why I'm studying what the Church teaches on Social Doctrine. One must know the vocabulary and terms and teachings. Through the encyclicals, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Church Doctors and saints.
I think it most important to know what Catholic Social Doctrine is and what it's not. With the elections coming up it's no secret that political Left as well as the political Right will once again try to convince Catholics that they know the faith better than we do.
We as Catholics should be aware that we are Not Left or Right, Liberal or Conservative, Democrat or Republican. We are members of God's family through baptism and we must be the light in the world we are called to be.
That means to know your faith and able to explain it without fear at all times.
Living here in California is not an easy place for doing that. The thought here is 'keep your faith on Sunday', and I mean at church not at the football game or at the office and definitely not in the voting booth.
Some have lost the will to battle the forces against the church. Especially when we seem to be battling our fellow Catholics who have their own ideas on what the Catholic Church is.
Catholic Social Doctrine is one of those subjects that is raging in many parishes today.
Political groups are infiltrating our parishes. At my parish a group called UCIC has been invited into our Youth Group by the pastor, endorsed by the Bishop.
It's a group bent on defining Catholic Social Doctrine on their own terms for their own means with a definite political agenda.
That's why it's important to study your faith. That's why I'm studying what the Church teaches on Social Doctrine. One must know the vocabulary and terms and teachings. Through the encyclicals, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Church Doctors and saints.
For a great intro into Catholic Social Doctrine, Brian Benestad's book is a good place to start.
Keep studying your faith.
Keep studying your faith.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Followup: Pope Benedict and Marriage
Insight Scoop's Carl Olsen has a post on Pope Benedict speech on marriage.
This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received the dean, judges, promoters of justice, defenders of the bond, officials and lawyers of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, for the occasion of the inauguration of the judicial year.
Benedict XVI: There "is only one marriage ... a real juridical bond between a man and a woman."
Vatican Information Service reports on a strong address given earlier today by Pope Benedict XVI regarding the true nature of marriage:
This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received the dean, judges, promoters of justice, defenders of the bond, officials and lawyers of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, for the occasion of the inauguration of the judicial year.
In his address the Holy Father examined the juridical aspect of marriage which, he said, "is inherent to the pastoral activity of preparation for and admission to marriage".
Monday, January 24, 2011
Pope Benedict : Marriage
I don't have the context of the entire speech of Pope Benedict on Saturday, but the message according to this post (see below) was on Marriage.
From what the article says the Pope says more work as to be done in conveying to those that are seeking annulments that a bigger emphasis must be focused on reconciliation between the couple to save the marriage. Also something about Marriage not being a Right.
Like I said, I haven't found the entire content of the speech yet. Surprising to see my usual Catholic blogs haven't commented on it yet.
But here's the post anyway.
Pope: Marriage is not an Absolute Right.
From what the article says the Pope says more work as to be done in conveying to those that are seeking annulments that a bigger emphasis must be focused on reconciliation between the couple to save the marriage. Also something about Marriage not being a Right.
Like I said, I haven't found the entire content of the speech yet. Surprising to see my usual Catholic blogs haven't commented on it yet.
But here's the post anyway.
Pope: Marriage is not an Absolute Right.
Pope Benedict XVI told priests Saturday to do a better job counseling would-be spouses to ensure their marriages last and said no one has an absolute right to a wedding.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Barron on Benedict XVI Christmas Speech
Creative Minority Report has the link to Fr. Barron's analysis (video). That's where I found the story.
Pope Benedict XVI speech:
Pope Benedict XVI speech:
Sala Regia
Monday, 20 December 2010
Monday, 20 December 2010
Dear Cardinals,
Brother Bishops and Priests,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Brother Bishops and Priests,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It gives me great pleasure to be here with you, dear Members of the College of Cardinals and Representatives of the Roman Curia and the Governatorato, for this traditional gathering. I extend a cordial greeting to each one of you, beginning with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, whom I thank for his sentiments of devotion and communion and for the warm good wishes that he expressed to me on behalf of all of you. Prope est jam Dominus, venite, adoremus! As one family let us contemplate the mystery of Emmanuel, God-with-us, as the Cardinal Dean has said. I gladly reciprocate his good wishes and I would like to thank all of you most sincerely, including the Papal Representatives all over the world, for the able and generous contribution that each of you makes to the Vicar of Christ and to the Church.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Fr. Baron on B16's New Book
Saw this first on Creative Minority Report. Visit their site, lots of good articles
Fr. Barron on B16 new book.
Fr. Barron on B16 new book.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Pope B16 and ObamaCare
Does the Pope endorse the Obama Heath Care Law?
Some would like to twist his recent message on health care, however let's see what he really said. Thanks American Papist for the article.
Liberal Catholics are salivating over Pope Benedict’s message to the 25th international conference of the Pontifical Council for Health Care ministry, using his words to imply Vatican (and church teaching) endorsement of the recent health care legislation passed by the Democrats and President Obama.
Some would like to twist his recent message on health care, however let's see what he really said. Thanks American Papist for the article.
Liberal Catholics are salivating over Pope Benedict’s message to the 25th international conference of the Pontifical Council for Health Care ministry, using his words to imply Vatican (and church teaching) endorsement of the recent health care legislation passed by the Democrats and President Obama.
Monday, September 27, 2010
B16, Queen Elizabeth and the Reformation
National Catholic Register has an article on Pope Benedict's visit to England and his visit with Queen Elizabeth
Did Papal Visit Signal an End to the English Reformation?
Did Papal Visit Signal an End to the English Reformation?
Monday, September 20, 2010
Last Week of Sept. 2010
Last week in September and I'm kind of look forward to the cooler weather and the feeling of the holiday spirits.
The grocery stores are the first to react, Halloween candy and ornaments throughout the isles.
So here we go...have a great week.
Surprising Primary Wins for Pro-Life Women - Catholic Register
Pope Benedict's Historic Voyage to Britain - Catholic Register
Fr. Barron & Stephen Hawking - Work on Fire
Three Lessons from Newman - InsightScoop
Spartacus (the Movie) - American Catholic
The grocery stores are the first to react, Halloween candy and ornaments throughout the isles.
So here we go...have a great week.
Pope Benedict's Historic Voyage to Britain - Catholic Register
Fr. Barron & Stephen Hawking - Work on Fire
Three Lessons from Newman - InsightScoop
Spartacus (the Movie) - American Catholic
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Message From B16 on Blogging!
Cool, The Holy Father knows the power of the internet in spreading the Gospel.
The need to give the Internet a soul and humanize the dynamics of the digital world was at the heart of Pope Benedict XVI’s message Saturday to participants in a conference on modern means of mass communication.
The need to give the Internet a soul and humanize the dynamics of the digital world was at the heart of Pope Benedict XVI’s message Saturday to participants in a conference on modern means of mass communication.
… “Without fear we must set sail on the digital sea facing into the deep with the same passion that has governed the ship of the Church for two thousand years. Rather than for, albeit necessary, technical resources, we want to qualify ourselves by living in the digital world with a believer’s heart, helping to give a soul to the Internet’s incessant flow of communication”. (Vatican Radio)
Monday, April 12, 2010
Pope Attack Continues..
Looking for the smoking gun... even if they have to 'plant the evidence' or make it up, twist it, falsely interpret, building straw man after straw man and, well, call a spade a spade, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie.
The Associated Press is the latest transgressor.
The Associated Press is Lying (CMR, Phil Lawler)
Most of you have heard the news that the Pope (then Cardinal Ratzinger) delayed in defrocking a pedophile priest in California in 1985. The Associated Press, and the rest of the media bandwagon, have heralded this report as 'the smoking gun.' Only, one problem. It's a lie.
MORE
The Associated Press is the latest transgressor.
The Associated Press is Lying (CMR, Phil Lawler)
Most of you have heard the news that the Pope (then Cardinal Ratzinger) delayed in defrocking a pedophile priest in California in 1985. The Associated Press, and the rest of the media bandwagon, have heralded this report as 'the smoking gun.' Only, one problem. It's a lie.
MORE
Sunday, March 28, 2010
B16: Keeping the record straight...
Great article on the Crisis in the Church. John L Allen Jr puts things back in perspective about the assault by the media on the Pope and the Catholic Church.
Creative Minority Report has the post.
I wanted to post a clip of the article but CMR should get the credit for bring this to my attention.
Let's all offer up this Sunday's mass for our Pope Benedict and the Catholic Church.
We are under attack
WCC
Creative Minority Report has the post.
I wanted to post a clip of the article but CMR should get the credit for bring this to my attention.
Let's all offer up this Sunday's mass for our Pope Benedict and the Catholic Church.
We are under attack
WCC
Monday, March 15, 2010
Benedict XVI Under Attack
Well, the media never ceases in it's attempt to discredit the Catholic Church and I would take one more step and say 'destroy the Catholic Church'
The headlines reading 'The Pope Knew......bah, bah, blah!"
All ridicules, however the continued attempts.
Vatican officials defend pope on abuse
The headlines reading 'The Pope Knew......bah, bah, blah!"
All ridicules, however the continued attempts.
the effort to implicate the Pope
the trail that doesn't lead to the VaticanVatican officials defend pope on abuse
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Jesus of Nazareth Part 2 - B16
I can hardly wait. I have the first volume on CD, now on my iPod.
Pope Finished With Vol. 2 of Jesus of Nazareth
...
Neusner was almost at a loss for words to express the joy of that visit: “We spoke of our books, and he told me that he’s finished writing the second volume of his work on Jesus.”
...MORE
Pope Finished With Vol. 2 of Jesus of Nazareth
...
Neusner was almost at a loss for words to express the joy of that visit: “We spoke of our books, and he told me that he’s finished writing the second volume of his work on Jesus.”
...MORE
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
B16 - “Jesus in fact is not contented by a merely superficial or formal belonging; an initial and enthusiastic adhesion is not enough for him,”
Benedict XVI on the 'Paradox of Faith'.
“On the one hand, there are philosophies and ideologies, but also on an increasing scale, ways of thinking and acting that extol the freedom of man as the only principle, as an alternative to God, and thus transform man into a god, whose system of behavior is of an arbitrary nature,” Benedict XVI explained. “On the other hand, we note the saints, who, practicing the Gospel of love, make reason of their hope, show the true face of God who is love, and at the same time, the true face of man, created in the image and likeness of God.”
Substituting God for an ideology of 'Man can do anything', that there is no longer a need for God and man can control his own destiny, his own greatness is false.
It will only lead to his demise.
“Jesus in fact is not contented by a merely superficial or formal belonging; an initial and enthusiastic adhesion is not enough for him,” he said. “On the contrary, we must take part in ‘his thinking and his will’ throughout our entire life.”
At the same time we can't just belong to the Catholic church without living the faith. We can't just pick and choose what teachings we want to follow and ones we don't.
We need to use the lives of the saint as an example of how to live out our faith in our daily lives.
Benedict nails it again. What a teacher.
Benedict and the Paradox of Faith
“On the one hand, there are philosophies and ideologies, but also on an increasing scale, ways of thinking and acting that extol the freedom of man as the only principle, as an alternative to God, and thus transform man into a god, whose system of behavior is of an arbitrary nature,” Benedict XVI explained. “On the other hand, we note the saints, who, practicing the Gospel of love, make reason of their hope, show the true face of God who is love, and at the same time, the true face of man, created in the image and likeness of God.”
Substituting God for an ideology of 'Man can do anything', that there is no longer a need for God and man can control his own destiny, his own greatness is false.
It will only lead to his demise.
“Jesus in fact is not contented by a merely superficial or formal belonging; an initial and enthusiastic adhesion is not enough for him,” he said. “On the contrary, we must take part in ‘his thinking and his will’ throughout our entire life.”
At the same time we can't just belong to the Catholic church without living the faith. We can't just pick and choose what teachings we want to follow and ones we don't.
We need to use the lives of the saint as an example of how to live out our faith in our daily lives.
Benedict nails it again. What a teacher.
Benedict and the Paradox of Faith
Monday, July 27, 2009
Caritas In Veritate - A Summary
Having trouble interpreting B16's new encyclical?
Want to seek a good understanding of the encyclical from a trusted source?
Dr. Jeff Mirus of Catholic Culture has put together a summary, highlighting Benedict XVI thoughts on the church's social teaching.
I'm sure there are other great resources for interpreting this 3rd encyclical, but this is well worth the read.
Benedict's Third Encyclical: A Summary
Want to seek a good understanding of the encyclical from a trusted source?
Dr. Jeff Mirus of Catholic Culture has put together a summary, highlighting Benedict XVI thoughts on the church's social teaching.
I'm sure there are other great resources for interpreting this 3rd encyclical, but this is well worth the read.
Benedict's Third Encyclical: A Summary
Thursday, July 09, 2009
NewsWeek: Obama represents Catholics better than Pope
This is jounalism at it's worst. It seems that you can say anything without any facts and print it in this useless magazine.
Kennedy-Townsend in NewsWeek: Obama More Catholic than Pope
Newsweek took their criticism of Pope Benedict XVI to the next level on Thursday- not only did guest columnist Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend affirm that the pontiff could learn from President Obama (something Newsweek and their partners at the Washington Post agreed upon back in April), but also blasted the Bishop of Rome and the Catholic hierarchy for their supposed “disdain” towards women and homosexuals.
MORE
Kennedy-Townsend in NewsWeek: Obama More Catholic than Pope
Newsweek took their criticism of Pope Benedict XVI to the next level on Thursday- not only did guest columnist Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend affirm that the pontiff could learn from President Obama (something Newsweek and their partners at the Washington Post agreed upon back in April), but also blasted the Bishop of Rome and the Catholic hierarchy for their supposed “disdain” towards women and homosexuals.
MORE
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