Monday, March 24, 2008

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change

See Web Site

Awhile back we reported on this new Coalition. Well we stumbled back across their website today. Check it out!

“Remedies are very complicated. … We’re in a mode of listening and learning.” —Dan Misleh, Executive Director

Since its launch in 2006, the Coalition has focused its work on providing a forum to explore the issues and faith implications of climate change through hosted hearings around the country.

They have partners!

“This kind of serious discussion … is not intended to settle these questions, but rather to lift them up and focus them so we can make wise and necessary choices.”
—Bishop Thomas Wenski, Diocese of Orlando

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

* Social Development and World Peace/Environmental Justice Program More
* Catholic Campaign for Human Development More

National Religious Partnership for the Environment More

Other Partnering Organizations

* Catholic Relief Services More
* National Council of Catholic Women More
* Catholic Health Association of the United States More
* Catholic Charities USA More
* National Catholic Rural Life Conference More
* Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities More
* Franciscan Action Network More

Good Stuff indeed and we are glad to see this site up and running!

U.N. Security Council Must Act Preemptively – On Climate Change

Climate Change is one of many issues Catholics should examine before going to the polls. See the U.S. Bishops' "Faithful Citizenship"

Everyone is responsible for caring for environment, says U.N. nuncio

The United Nations tackled the task of troubleshooting climate change last month. Between holding General Assembly meetings at headquarters in New York, bringing 100 environmental ministers to Monaco in the largest meeting of ministers since Bali, and launching a Climate Neutral Network to highlight best practices in tackling global warming, the UN appears to be doing what it can to ensure that climate change does not fall off the political radar. Yet, it still isn't enough. A concerted international strategy, on a par with the seriousness and scope of a Security Council resolution, is what's needed to counter this climate crisis.

More from the Christian Science Monitor.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Easter Message - Pope denounces 'scourges of humanity' - Encourages the Common Good


In a speech at the end of the Mass in St. Peter's Square, Benedict said that on the joyous day of Easter, "in particular, how can we fail to remember certain African regions, such as Darfur and Somalia, the tormented Middle East, especially the Holy Land, Iraq, Lebanon and finally Tibet, all of which I encourage to seek solutions that will safeguard peace and the common good."

Benedict denounced "selfishness, injustice, hatred and violence" between individuals and peoples.

"These are the scourges of humanity, open and festering in every corner of the planet, although they are often ignored and sometimes deliberately concealed, wounds that torture the souls and bodies of countless of our brothers and sisters," he said, speaking over the sound of heavy rain in the square.

Mission Accomplished??


Five years into the Iraq war, much of America's focus has been on the nearly 4,000 U.S. soldiers who have died, the $600 billion in tax money spent, and the projected tab of $3 trillion. Those figures are a staggering reminder of how much the war has cost us in blood and treasure. But often lost in our debate and fading news coverage is the toll the U.S. invasion has taken on the Iraqi people.

More from the Philadelphia Inquirer

Thursday, March 20, 2008

George Weigle trips over his tongue

It has been long thought around here that George Weigle (Wingnut) may have hit his head at tender age - and now it is confirmed....

Recently, the Archdiocese of Denver run by the Politically active, very Republican uber neo conservative Archbishop Chaput, ran an article by Weigle in its diocesan newspaper. Apparently Weigle could not get this mean spirited attack on the Jesuits printed any place else. We do feel sorry for the good Catholics of Denver. How sad it must be to be a member of such an oppressive Diocese. We found the piece to be highly offensive and have decided not to sully this blog by listing it here. If you want to read it - click here. (make sure you have not recently eaten lunch)

Now the response to the attack piece, we found to much more in line with Catholic Teaching and found it to be quite charitable. We would expect nothing less from our Jesuit friends. We do hope somebody will direct Weigle to a confessional.

Attack on Jesuits out of place
( Ed. note: Following is a letter to the Archdiocese of Denver in regard to a column by George Weigel carried in the Feb. 20 Denver Catholic Register. Written by University of San Francisco President Jesuit Father Stephen A. Privett, the letter was forwarded to Catholic San Francisco in anticipation of the newspaper carrying the Weigel column on this page. )

I write in response to George Weigel's column attacking the Society of Jesus and to register my disappointment that the Archdiocese of Denver saw fit to publish this piece [Feb. 20] and offer it for syndication.

It is difficult for me to understand how the Church is well served by such a mean - spirited assault on a religious order that has served the Church, not perfectly but well, for almost 500 years. The blood of Jesuit martyrs seeded Christianity in the Americas and Asia and more recently witnessed to the Church's preferential love for the poor in El Salvador. We Jesuits have been the subject of malicious attacks for our entire history, but rarely in an official archdiocesan newspaper. We deserve better.

Let me address some specific concerns I have regarding the accuracy of this column. Mr. Weigel falsely claims that Father James Keenan, SJ testified in 2003 before the Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Commission on the Judiciary that Catholic social thought "demanded" gay marriage. He did not do so. Father Keenan testified against unjust discrimination against gay couples. He did not testify in support of gay marriage or approve homosexual activity. Mr. Weigel is free to argue with Father Keenan's position, but he is not free to put false words in his mouth.

Mr. Weigel's stunningly sweeping statement that Jesuit Father Robert Drinan "did more than anyone else to convince Catholic legislators" on the issue of abortion lacks any supporting evidence. Further, attacks on Father Drinan, who has been out of Congress for more than 25 years and dead for two, strike me as singularly unfair, much like similar attacks on Pope Pius XII or Father Marcel Maciel, neither of whom are alive to defend themselves. Judgments on such complicated persons and situations are best left to qualified historians and only after a thorough review of all relevant archival materials, not to 700 - word columns by opinionated pundits. The Church would be better served if we all followed the Catholic adage, dic nihil nisi bonum de mortuis ( of the dead speak kindly or not at all ) .

On a more philosophical point, I disagree with Mr. Weigel's reduction of abortion to a "civil rights" issue. It is that, but only by extension and secondarily. The right to life is not simply a "civil right" conferred by the 13th or 14th amendments to our Constitution or by any civil authority; it is a God - given right constitutive of the dignity of every human being at every stage of life. Mr. Weigel would seem to minimize the importance of abortion by mischaracterizing it as "the great civil rights struggle" rather than "the pivotal moral issue" of our time.

Mr. Weigel's reference to Jesuit novices in "gay drag" refers to a photo taken at a Halloween party seven years ago at the novitiate. The novices were in costumes that Mr. Weigel chose to characterize as "gay drag" while disingenuously implying some sort of sybaritic happening. ( I hope no one unearths the fifth grade photo of me dressed as a nun in the 1952 All Saints Day parade at St. Mary Magdalen Grammar School in Los Angeles! ) The photo in question of two novices was never "featured" by the California Province website; it was mistakenly put on - line and immediately taken off for fear it would be malevolently misinterpreted by the likes of Mr. Weigel.

"Will Father Nicolas demand that Jesuits observe their vows of chastity. " This is a classic "When did you stop beating your spouse?" question. I am not a literalist, but I saw no evidence whatsoever from Weigel that Jesuits do not observe their vow of chastity. Mr. Weigel has apparently not read the document on chastity published in 1995 by General Congregation 34 which thoroughly discusses the significance of the vow of Chastity in Jesuit life. Mr. Weigel asks, "Are there no consequences for those who violate those vows?" without producing a shred of evidence that Jesuit superiors do not hold members accountable for fidelity to their vows. They do.

To refer to Catholicism as "vestigial at best" on Catholic college campuses indicates an animosity toward and ignorance of Catholic universities. Just one example: USF has a Catholic Studies program; a Catholic focused - curriculum in the Theology and Religious Studies Department; a Master's Program in Catholic Theology for which those who teach in Catholic schools receive a 50 percent tuition reduction; the Lane Center for Catholic Studies and Social Thought; a Catholic theology emphasis; an endowed faculty chair in Catholic thought; the McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good; a graduate Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership that has prepared countless Catholic school administrators across the country; a residential student learning community, the St. Ignatius Institute, whose common curriculum is comprised of classic texts from Augustine and Aquinas to John Paul II; a partnership with the Archdiocese of San Francisco to support Catholic grammar schools in the Mission; USF has honored Cardinal Levada and Archbishop Niederauer with honorary doctoral degrees and both archbishops have lectured on campus and met with University trustees; USF has a flourishing university ministry program with retreats, liturgies, lectures and prayer groups; USF students participate in international papal youth day.

Pope Benedict XVI expressed his feelings for the Society of Jesus in an address (the entire talk is worth reading) to members of the current General Congregation when he said to the assembled Jesuits, "The Church needs you, counts on you, and continues to turn to you with confidence, particularly to reach the geographical and spiritual places where others do not reach or find it difficult to reach." The pope asked that Jesuits "make the face of the Lord known to so many for whom it remains hidden or unrecognizable."

Mr. Weigel began his column by citing Father General Nicolas' chiding of those who "create rifts and an artificial tension" between the pope and the Society of Jesus. It appears that Mr. Weigel himself has authored a "not so helpful" piece that appears to question Pope Benedict's confidence in the Society of Jesus. The readership of Catholic diocesan newspapers deserve more civil, balanced and professional fare than that served - up and passed around by the Denver Catholic Register. One cannot build - up the Body of Christ by tearing down its members.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Pope on Iraq: Enough With the Bloodshed

I wonder if any of GWB's "Catholic" advisors made him aware of B16s remarks? You think Deal Hudson may have sent him a note?


Urges Citizens to Rebuild Nation After 5 Years of War

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 16, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI made a strong appeal for peace in Iraq today, in the wake of the kidnapping and death of the archbishop of Mosul.
The Pope led the praying of the midday Angelus in St. Peter's Square after he celebrated Palm Sunday Mass. He began his pre-Angelus address with a tribute to Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul.

The 65-year-old archbishop was kidnapped Feb. 29 after leading the celebration of the Way of the Cross. His two guards and driver were shot and killed.

After nearly two weeks with no news of the prelate's whereabouts, his kidnappers called Wednesday to say he was dead and disclosed where his body could be found.

On Thursday, his body was retrieved from a shallow grave near Mosul, showing signs that the archbishop had been dead for a few days. He was buried Friday in a celebration led by Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans.

"At the end of this solemn celebration in which we have meditated on Christ's Passion," the Holy Father said today: "I would like to recall the late Chaldean archbishop of Mosul, Monsignor Paulos Faraj Rahho, who tragically died a few days ago.

"His beautiful witness of fidelity to Christ, to the Church and his people, whom he did not want to abandon despite numerous threats, moves me to cry out forcefully and with distress: Enough with the bloodshed, enough with the violence, enough with the hatred in Iraq!"Lift up your heads.

The Holy Father went on to plea for an end to the upheaval caused by the war in Iraq, which began five years ago this week.

He said: "And at the same time I make an appeal to the Iraqi people, who for five years have endured the consequences of a war that has provoked upheaval in its civil and social life: Beloved Iraqi people, lift up your heads and let it be you yourselves who, in the first place, rebuild your national life!


"May reconciliation, forgiveness, justice and respect for the civil coexistence of tribes, ethnic groups and religious groups be the solidary way to peace in the name of God!"

On Monday, Benedict XVI will preside over a memorial Mass in the Vatican for Archbishop Rahho. Vatican Radio will broadcast the service.

CATHOLICS CONDEMN MURDER OF ARCHBISHOP RAHHO; URGE END TO IRAQ WAR










Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good sent out the release below yesterday. I am sure though that GWB will make no mention of the loss of the Archbishop as he takes to the airwaves today to tout success in the war he declared "Mission Accomplished" in FIVE YEARS AGO.


Today Catholic social justice organizations from across the country joined together to issue the following statement regarding the murder of Chaldean Archbishop Paul Faraj Rahho. His body was found on March 13 in a shallow grave near Mosul , Iraq .

The brutal murder of Archbishop Faraj Rahho is another tragic reminder that “war is always a defeat for humanity.” - Pope John Paul II, Jan. 23, 2003

Today, we join with other Catholic, Jewish and Muslim leaders around the word to express our profound sorrow at this loss and denounce this callous act of terrorism against a true prophet of peace.

From the depths of grief, we find hope in Archbishop Rahho’s tireless commitment to his country and to building a world where the children of God will never again kill each other in the name of religion, tribe or ethnicity. Together in solidarity with the people of Iraq and the United States , we recommit ourselves with more determination than ever before to help end the horror of this unjust war.

As people of faith called to be peacemakers, we must express our moral outrage at our own government’s role in perpetuating violence and death in Iraq . As we approach the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq tomorrow, we again urge our political leaders to seek a responsible withdrawal of troops. Political, diplomatic and economic solutions to rebuilding Iraq must be emphasized over a failed policy of endless war.

We join with Pope Benedict XVI, who said on Palm Sunday: “Enough with the bloodshed, enough with the violence, enough with the hatred in Iraq .”

Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities

Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good

Catholics United

Conference of Major Superiors of Men, Justice and Peace Director

Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd

NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

Pax Christi, USA

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas , Institute Justice Team

The Joan and Ralph Lane Center for Catholic Studies and Social Thought, University of San Francisco