Tag Archives: Christianity

Catholics in the People’s Republic of China

I hope that this NY Times Article shows that there is a genuine improvement in the condition of Chinese Catholics. There is a crying need for education about the Church there: many Chinese reportedly think of Catholics and Protestants (who seem to be on slightly better terms with the government, probably since the Vatican is a sovereign nation) belonging to completely different faiths. Oh yeah, and perhaps their prayers and example may do something about a government notorious for its callousness to the human person.

God willing, things may ease for the Catholics, but in the meantime we should not forget those who are still suffering. Check out the Cardinal Kung Foundation to see what is still being done to Christians, nearly 2000 years after the Roman persecutions.

Scandal Time

Much ink has been spilled over the abuse scandals in the Church, and Father Neuhaus (editor of my favorite magazine, First Things) has so far produced the most balanced assessment of the situation. Here are the links to his ongoing “Scandal Time” editorials in the past few editions of First Things.

Scandal Time I

Scandal Time II

Scandal Time III

All three of these articles are rather lengthy, but well worth the effort in order to untangle this critical, delicate issue.

Diversity My Foot

It’s funny how diversity education never includes tolerance for orthodox religious views.

Bible-Reading Prison Workers Win Minnesota Lawsuit

“ST. PAUL, Minn. (Reuters) – Two prison employees reprimanded for reading their Bibles in silent protest of an employer-sponsored training session on homosexuality have been awarded $78,000 in damages by a federal jury, their attorney said on Friday. “

Missing the Point

Vatican Bars Seven Ordained Women

"Less than a month after the Vatican called the ordination of women to priesthood "an affront to the dignity of women, whose specific role in the Church and society is distinctive and irreplaceable," seven women priests were excommunicated for failing to repent by the Church-issued July 22 deadline."

These women who were "ordained" as Roman Catholic priests are, to a large extent, missing the point of being Catholic at all. We Catholics must have faith that the Holy Spirit is guiding our leaders' decisions. Obedience is not a dirty word. If they have no intention of listening to the pope's instructions, why do they want to appeal their excommunication? Why not just join a Reformation church, such as the Lutherans or Episcopalians, who allow female ordination and lack a clear and consistent hierarchical governing structure? If they were really as intent on changing the Church as they claim, they would do so from within and remain obedient to the Peter's successor. Catholic faith includes faith in Sacred Tradition and the guidance of our clerical superiors. The Catholic Church is not a democracy, nor should it be. Just look at what party politics has done to our country to see why.

Cathedral Ruination

This cathedral’s so-called “renovation” is an abomination. On top of the that, the archbishop who authorized it is downright insubordinate and disrespectful of the Vatican’s authority.

Weakland’s Cathedral Renovations
Modern iconoclasts continue turning artistic treasures into pagan atrocities

Last week, Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland began a $4.5 million renovation of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Despite numerous and repeated protests from thousands of local Catholics and formal instruction from the Vatican to halt the renovation plans, workers began dismantling the high altar and crushing the surrounding marble columns.