Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Demons aren't Dull

First, some really bad and sad news.

Evil in the School

Yesterday afternoon Samuel Hengel, a high school sophomore, shot a movie projector. Then he insisted on everybody in the classroom staying there. Later he shot himself.

Now, despite being taken to a hospital, he's dead.

No pressure: but everyone concerned could use prayers. Including prayer for the soul of Samuel Hengel. Suicide's a very serious matter, but we can hope. (January 28, 2009)

Assumptions: Conventional and Otherwise

Today, we're told that it's the fault of guns - and if only there were tougher "gun laws," this wouldn't have happened. (WTAQ) Maybe so.

It's fairly easy to make assumptions about an incident like this - particularly if most or all of the folks you know make the same sort of assumptions.

I can think of quite a few more-or-less goofy explanations for why the young man killed himself. Some of the more colorful include:
  • Bullies made him do it
    • Do I think bullying in schools is a problem?
      • Yes
    • Do I think that's a contributing factor here?
      • I've no idea
        • Maybe yes
        • Maybe no
  • The Devil made him do it
    • I'll get back to demons and free will in a bit
  • Global warming overheated his brain
    • This explanation is probably too weird for even a committed activist to use
      • But you never know
  • Movies about Greek myths cause carnage
    • I'll get back to that
  • Public schools drove him to despair
    • Pressure to succeed
    • Rigid schedules
    • Gym class
    • I doubt it
  • Technology's to blame
    • This here newfangled stuff -
      • Internet addiction
      • Violence on television
        • Like the Road Runner cartoons
      • Violent video games
    • I doubt it
      • Cain got the job done long before television (Genesis 4:8)
I think those explanations are silly. Or, rather, are a trifle over-simplified.

He Shot the Projector?!

This hostage/suicide incident has a - strange - angle to it.

I've seen a few 'educational movies' and videos that could have been done better - but I've never felt an urge to lash out at the projector. Maybe some 'expert' could come up with a very psychological explanation of a Freudian nature - substituting "mythology" for "sex."

Come to think of it, Oedipus was an ancient Greek drama.

Anyway, here's a strange detail from an otherwise tragic series of events:
"...Officers who were outside the Marinette High School classroom said they heard three gunshots shortly after 8 p.m. Monday and busted through the door, Police Chief Jeff Skorik said. The 15-year-old male gunman then shot himself....

"...student Zach Campbell said he and his classmates had been watching a film about Greek myths at the end of the school day when the hostage-taker pulled out a gun and shot the projector...."
(Associated Press, via FOXNews (November 30, 2010))
He shot the projector?!

We may never know why: since now he's dead.

Demons, Free Will, and Getting a Grip

I don't know how many people say 'the Devil made me do it' these days: but fobbing responsibility off on something other than oneself doesn't seem to be all that uncommon. Think about all the weird excuses made by defense attorneys in American courts in the late 20th century. And that's another topic.

'The Devil made me do it,' and its more fashionable equivalents, seem to make the tacit assumption that people don't have free will. I've written about our ability to make choices before:Okay, so I don't think 'the Devil made me do it,' or its psychobabble equivalent, is a good excuse.

That doesn't mean that I assume that there are never extenuating circumstances. Or that people can't be overwhelmed. I'm a practicing Catholic, so simple, one-size-fits-all answers aren't always an option. (January 28, 2009)

Also, my rejection - in general - of 'the Devil made me do it' as a legitimate excuse also doesn't mean that I think devils or demons don't exist. Again, I'm a practicing Catholic:
"DEVIL/DEMON: A fallen angel, who sinned against God by refusing to accept his reign. Satan or the devil, the Evil One, and the other demons were at first good angels, created naturally good, who became evil by their own doing (391, 1707; cf. 2851)."
D, Glossary, Catechism of the Catholic Church
Demons? Angels? How can any reasonable person believe that? It isn't "scientific."

Or, rather, acknowledging the existence of fallen angels is not consistent with the preferred reality of Victorian-era English secularists. I've written about this sort of thing before, too:I don't expect to change the mind of a committed 'religion is stupid' secularist: or of a 'science is the work of the Devil' Bible-thumper. And I've long since stopped trying to affect the beliefs of fanatics.

Moving along.

Demons, Epilepsy, and the Pope

Since I'm interested in science, I 'obviously' must believe that those ignorant religious people are wrong. Because:
  • Demons don't exist
  • The 'unclean spirit' in Mark is a bunch of malarkey
Or, since I'm one of those religious people, specifically, a practicing Catholic, I 'obviously' must feel that:
  • When Jesus evicted Legion, it wasn't epilepsy at all because it couldn't have been
    • It says so in the Bible
      • So disagreeing with me is disagreeing with God
      • So there!
In both cases, it may be 'obvious' in some circle: but that doesn't make either set of assumptions true.

Happily, I'm Catholic: so I don't have to accept the science-or-religion dichotomy.

I've said this before - I'm just "some guy with a blog." Let's see what a Pope had to say about that Mark 5:8 thing. This is John Paul II - not Benedict XVI. We've had 265 popes since Peter was given the job. 266, including Peter. And that's yet another topic.
"...With the same key one can explain that special category of Christ's miracles, the driving out of demons. According to Mark's Gospel, Jesus ordered, 'Unclean spirit, come out of the man!' when Jesus met the man in the territory of the Gerasenes who had an unclean spirit (Mk 5:8). On that occasion we witness an unusual conversation. When that unclean spirit felt threatened by Christ, he cried out against Jesus, ' "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!" Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "Legion is my name. There are many of us" ' (cf. Mk 5:7-9). We are therefore on the margin of an obscure world involving physical and psychical factors which undoubtedly play their part in causing pathological conditions. The demonic reality is inserted into that world. Variously represented and described in human language, the demonic world is radically hostile to God and therefore to man and to Christ who had come to free him from the power of evil. But in spite of himself, in that clash with the other presence, even the unclean spirit burst out into that admission coming from a perverse but lucid intelligence, 'Son of the Most High God.'

"In Mark's Gospel we also find the description of the event usually described as the cure of the epileptic. The symptoms narrated by the evangelist are characteristic of this disease ('foaming at the mouth, grinding his teeth, and becoming rigid'). However the father of the epileptic presented his son to Jesus, describing the boy as one possessed by an evil spirit. The spirit would throw him into fits of convulsions and cast him down on the ground. The unfortunate youth would then roll about foaming at the mouth. It is indeed possible that in such a state of illness the evil one might insinuate himself and play a part. But even admitting that it was a case of epilepsy from which Jesus cured the youth reputed by his father as possessed by a devil, it is significant that Jesus effected the cure by ordering the 'mute and deaf spirit' to 'Come out of him and never enter him again' (cf. Mk 9:17-18). It is a reaffirmation of his mission and of his power to radically free the human person from spiritual evil...."
("Miraculous Signs Reveal Christ's Power," John Paul II, General Audience (November 25, 1987))
For what it's worth, my opinion is that the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20) probably had epilepsy. I'm no doctor - but the symptoms seem to fit pretty well.

On the other hand, that was a really chatty case of epilepsy. (Mark 5:6-7) I could try explaining the demoniac's actions in Freudian terms - or use some more up-to-date pop psychology.

Or, I could take the account at face value. I think it's a sort of Occam's razor situation. (Occam's razor: see Another War-on-Terror Blog (April 4, 2008)) By the way, wouldn't you know it? William of Occam was a Franciscan friar. We Catholics pop up everywhere. Sort of like mushrooms. Wrong metaphor? Yet again another topic.

I'm strongly inclined to think that epilepsy was involved - and that Legion was just what he said he was - a crowd of demons.

Demonic Possession and Theology in the Movies

I think one reason that I don't feel funny about believing that demons exist is that I didn't learn my theology by watching the movies.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Catholic News Service does movie reviews, by the way. Including these:
  • "The Exorcism of Emily Rose"
    Catholic News Service, Media Review Office, USCCB
    • "Sober, theologically oriented thriller based, in part, on true events...."
  • "Ghost Rider"
    Catholic News Service, Media Review Office, USCCB
  • "Hellboy"
    Catholic News Service, Media Review Office, USCCB
  • "Legion"
    Catholic News Service, Media Review Office, USCCB
    • Not the Mark 5 one
    • "Theologically skewed apocalyptic horror outing...."
Like I said, I didn't pick up my beliefs by watching those things. I've enjoyed a few 'supernatural' flicks - but take them seriously? Still another topic.

Playing With Unclean Spirits?

Demons, though: I do take fallen angels seriously.

Which is one reason that I won't repeat a stunt I pulled while in high school. There was this Ouija board, and I volunteered to be one of the two people at it. The other kids were really impressed - until I explained how I'd twitched the marker into place. It's a matter of patience and fair-to-middling eye-hand coordination.

If they'd thought to put an effective blindfold on me - good grief, I'm wandering off-topic again.

Or, maybe not so much. There's no way I'd 'open my mind' to whoever happened to be around. I have enough trouble with the the "sparks fly upward" aspect of our lot (Job 5:7), without inviting a fallen archangel in for tea.

Not that every bunch of kids who play with a Ouija board are going to get possessed. On the other hand, I think that playing with matches and gasoline would be comparatively safer. I've done that, too, by the way: and I don't recommend it. At all.

Exorcism: That's Real, Too?!

Exorcism in the movies is, I gather, an occasion for over-the-top special effects and overacting. The real thing is generally - not like in the movies.

And yes, exorcisms are real:
"When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing.178 In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism. The solemn exorcism, called 'a major exorcism,' can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop. The priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.179"
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1673)
Those last three sentences are, I think, important. Breaking them out as a bulleted list:
  • "Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church."
  • "Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science."
  • "Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.179"
I've got major depression, and ADHD-inattentive, diagnosed not all that long ago. (November 11, 2010) So, did I ask the parish priest to start the process of getting an exorcism authorized? No. These are recognizable - and treatable - medical/psychiatric conditions. I'm on medication.

Do I feel guilty, not shopping around for somebody to 'exorcise' 'Demon Depression?'

Hardly.

Like I've written before, we're called to holiness: not stupidity.

It's not that I don't think I could have some sort of run-in with demons at some point - which I sincerely hope doesn't happen.

In the case of ADHD and depression, though: these were quite clearly medical/psychiatric issues.

Getting Into Trouble On Our Own

Finally, and this is just my opinion: I think human beings don't need help to get into trouble. It's like that 'sparks' thing in Job: Where it comes to trouble, we seem to be self-starters.

Somewhat-related posts:In the news:
If the title of this post sounds familiar: you may be a Danger Mouse fan. (Demons Aren't Dull (1983))

Brilliant, Talented, and On Medication

Be warned: I'm writing this post in a hurry, dashing off a few thoughts I had. If it looks like it was slapped together over lunch break - you're very perceptive.

Taking a shower today, my mind wandered - nothing unusual there. I've got ADHD-inattentive, diagnosed recently, which goes a long way towards explaining the long excursions my attention takes. Sort of like walking a large, skittish puppy. Except this puppy is inside my head, and a metaphor for wandering attention, and "wandering" in this case has little to do with Yeats' "The Song of Wandering Aengus" and apple blossoms.

Anyway, I remembered a sitcom I'd seen recently, definitions for nerd, Ouija boards (that's for another post), and God's decision to make humanity male and female.

I've discussed being male, female, and sensible, before. Mostly in terms of what sort of clothing's appropriate. Bottom line, about that:
  • Women dressing like men and vice versa is a no-no
  • Customs have changed a bit since Abraham's day
  • Minnesota isn't the Middle East
    (September 26, 2009)
I'm part of the male half of humanity. My wife's part of the female half. And that's yet another topic. (August 7, 2010)

I know I had a topic for this post. It was here a minute ago.

Ah! There it is!

Like I said, I'm a man. It's in my genes. I also have lush, wavy hair and hard nails. Or, rather, had: male-pattern baldness took over in my teens, and my hairline's now on a relentless march down the back of my head.

I'm also brilliant and talented. No bragging: that's what the standardized tests show. Besides, my brain is equipment I was issued: same as my eye color and blood type. My contribution to the mix was deciding to do something with what I was given.

Wandering again.

Or, not so much.

Take nerds, for example. The stereotype sitcom nerd is a little under average height; scrawny; and has an odd, high, nasal voice. I've seen actors do a good job of playing characters like that.

Not all nerds are created equal, though. I've got some 'nerd' in me - but I also wanted to interface with other people. Which is quite a trick, since I'm inclined to use words like "interface" when others would say "communicate." Or, more often, "talk."

Add a 'natural' habit of vocal inflection that has me sounding a bit like a stereotype interior decorator - and that's yet another topic. The point is that, early in my teens, I decided to work on how I talk. Vocabulary and syntax, as well as infleciton.

Ever notice how, in the upper Midwest anyway, folks often say "a nordinary guy," instead of "an ordinary guy?" Yet again another topic.

But, nerdy interests and 'artistic' vocal inclinations aside: I'm a man. If I'd been born a woman, I'd be somebody else: not me. Probably someone like my oldest daughter, who's a commercial artist and finished another job before sliding off the Interstate yesterday. And that's definitely another topic.

She's okay, by the way.

What, If Anything, is This Post About?

People are individuals. We're not supposed to all be alike. Cultures aren't all alike, either.

Some religious groups seem to assume that liking the sort of music they don't like, not wearing the sort of clothing they prefer, and not abhorring the same things they abhor: offends God. Because, apparently, they feel that God is one of them.

The Catholic Church doesn't operate like that. We've got some rules and principles that have applied to everybody for the last two millennia, and won't change. On the other hand, we're literally "Universal." And we're expected to all bring something from our own cultures and individual gifts. (August 26, 2010)

Related (?) posts:

Monday, November 29, 2010

"Only Say the Word ..." - Impressive Faith

Last Sunday, I wrote about the penitent thief: " 'Jesus, Remember Me, When You Come Into Your Kingdom' " (November 21, 2010). Not "if" - "when you come into your kingdom." Now that's faith.

Today's Gospel reading includes part of another of my favorite accounts in the Bible: and this one involves faith, too. You'll probably recognize this:
"4 When he entered Capernaum, 5 a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, 'Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.' He said to him, 'I will come and cure him.' The centurion said in reply, 6 'Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, "Go," and he goes; and to another, "Come here," and he comes; and to my slave, "Do this," and he does it.' When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, 'Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel 7 have I found such faith. I say to you, 8 many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven, but the children of the kingdom will be driven out into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' And Jesus said to the centurion, 'You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.' And at that very hour (his) servant was healed."
(Matthew 8:5-13)
There's a stereotype I've run into, that folks who are 'religious' are just simply dripping with faith and spirituality. That's okay, as far as it goes.

Faith, and Wandering in a Daze

A problem, I think, is that symptoms of what many folks in America think is 'being religious' are nearly indistinguishable from those of being stoned.

I don't think cheap religious art helped any. There's this one particularly egregious example - probably intended to be a copy of Giuseppe Ghedine's "Assumption of the Virgin" - that set a sort of low-water mark.

This made-for-mass-production drawing was on a prayer card - a quite nice little aid for personal devotions. That picture, though! The Virgin Mary looked like she'd just been sapped, but hadn't fallen down yet. It was the eyes, chiefly. Mary's eyes were rolled up - and she was walleyed. I've written about that before. (August 9, 2010)

Don't get me wrong: Prayer cards can be a fine way to stay reminded of a particular prayer. I've used the things.

And there's nothing wrong with being a vague, dreamy, 'spiritual' person. If that's what the person actually is like. But it doesn't look like we're all supposed to 'spiritual' like that. I've written about unity, diversity, and being Catholic before. (August 26, 2010)

The dreamy types, who don't seem too well attached to the space-time continuum? They can be fine people. Although I think they do better if there's someone around to make sure they eat and sleep.

But, and this is important: religious faith isn't just for vague, dreamy types.

A Vague, Dreamy - Centurion?!

We don't hear about centurions much, these days, apart from a few Bible passages. A Wikipedia article says that a centurion in the Roman imperial army was an officer whose rank was roughly between today's captains and colonels. (Centurions, "Roman Legion," Wikipedia) Although I don't necessarily take assertions in Wikipedia articles at face value, this is one of the articles with citations. And the 'captain to colonel' assessment agrees approximately with what I've run into elsewhere.

Like Footnote 5 in that bit from Matthew:
"[5] A centurion: a military officer commanding a hundred men. He was probably in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee; see the note on Matthew 14:1."
Bottom line? A Roman centurion was an officer in one of the best armies around at the time. He certainly didn't gain and hold his rank - and his life - by living in a vague 'spiritual' haze.

Look at the sort of faith he had. The centurion understood authority - and its implications. What's more, he recognized Jesus as someone with the sort of authority it takes to say 'be healed,' and have it be done: even if the person to be healed wasn't nearby.

Dreamy? No. Faith? Yes.

Not-entirely-unrelated posts:

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Oh, For the 'Good Old Days?'

Back in my 'good old days,' the late 1950s and the 1960s, cantankerous old coots who were around the age I am now sometimes bewailed the state of the world. Back in their day, apparently, all was right with the world. Children were all well-mannered, youth diligent in preparing for a hard-working adulthood, and - well, you get the picture.

Some of my 'good old days' were the sixties - and I am not going to get off-topic.

The point is, I think there's a tendency to think that there was a sort of 'golden age,' when folks were more sensible, and didn't question whatever a cantankerous old coot - like me? - doesn't want questioned.

I'd say that Eden was like that - but I've read about what went down there. (Genesis 3:24)

Like it says, a little over 20 books later:
"2But man himself begets mischief, as sparks fly upward."
(Job 5:7)

Cromwell: A Johnny-Come-Lately

The notion that a place of worship should have all the visual appeal of a packing crate's interior isn't anything new. The idea was around long before Oliver Cromwell smashed his way into English history. I've discussed the Lord Protector before. (November 19, 2010)

Where was I? Images. Places of Worship. Sensory deprivation as an aesthetic ideal. Right.

Dealing With Iconoclasts: Been There, Done That

St. John of Damascus' feast day is coming up December 4, I read in a CNA article. He's not one of the well-known Saints in this part of the world: Like St. Francis of Assisi, or Father Damien - now Saint Damien of Molokai. (May 11, 2010)

St. John of Damascus lived over a dozen centuries ago. An excerpt from today's CNA article:
"Arab Christian theologian to be celebrated Dec. 4"
CNA/Catholic News Agency (November 28, 2010)

"Catholics will remember and celebrate the life of the great Arab Church Father St. John of Damascus on Dec. 4.

"Eastern Orthodox Christians and Eastern Catholics, whose tradition has been particularly shaped by his insights, will celebrate the saint's feast on the same day as the Roman Catholic Church.

"Among Eastern Christians, St. John (676-749) is best known for his defense of Christian sacred art, particularly in the form of icons. While the churches of Rome and Constantinople were still united during St. John's life, the Byzantine Emperor Leo III broke radically from the ancient tradition of the church, charging that the veneration of Christian icons was a form of idolatry.

"John had grown up under Muslim rule in Damascus, as the child of strongly Christian parents. His excellent education - particularly in theology - prepared him well to defend the tradition of sacred iconography, against the heresy of the 'iconoclasts,' so-called because they would enter churches and destroy the images therein...."
(CNA)
It's possible that whoever smashed statues at the Mother Cabrini shrine (November 25, 2010) that he (or maybe she) was being the hammer of God, smashing heathen idols.

Come to think of it, Colorado was in the news last month, with religiously-inspired vandalism. ("Crowbar for Christ in Colorado?" (October 7, 2010)) And that's another topic. Almost.

Art and the Catholic Church: Statues, Yes; Idolatry, No

The Catholic Church has a word to say about practicing idolatry: Don't. (April 10, 2010)

We do not worship statues.

Another point: Just as all statues are not idols, not all idols are statues. (February 22, 2010)

The Catechism has a good definition of what idolatry is:
"...Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc...."
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2113)
The 'don't do idolatry' rule is important. So is art. The Catechism has a bit to say about what art is - and why we create it. (2501-2503, for starters)

Smashing Statues, Talking Sense

About 13 centuries ago, St. John of Damascus pointed out that sacred art is okay.

In a way, not all that much has changed. About four centuries back, Oliver Cromwell made a name for himself destroying statues - and people. Earlier this month, someone smashed statues in a Colorado shrine.

And, more to the point, the Catholic Church is still here, carrying out the orders we were given on that mountain in Galilee. (Matthew 28:16-20)

Related posts:In the news:

Vespers for Life - I Missed It

After almost 2,000 Christmas celebrations, the Catholic Church's celebration of our Lord's birth has settled into something of a predictable routine. Each year, around the world, we do pretty much the same things in the same order. There's a little variation: over time, as new centuries bring new customs; around the world, as different cultures bring their own customs to the Church.

St. Francis of Assisi, for example, introduced the creche about eight centuries back. (December 24, 2009).

Today's America made decorated evergreen trees a part of the Christmas celebration. It's a 'natural part' of this midwinter celebration - for folks whose cultural roots are largely in Europe. Catholics elsewhere have their own ways. (January 10, 2010)

Something New for Christmas

Like I said, after almost two millennia, Catholic celebrations of Christmas are a bit on the predictable side. Even the matter of the Pope encouraging Catholics to pray for some particular thing: We sort of expect that.

This year, there's something "highly exceptional:"
"Pope Benedict XVI heralded the beginning of Advent this year with an unprecedented worldwide pro-life vigil. On Saturday night at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, he urged respect for human life and warned against adult 'selfishness' and the 'darkening of consciences' in modern society.

"On Nov. 27, St. Peter's was the center of global focus, as dioceses around the world joined the Pope's invitation to prepare for the season of Christmas by joining in a special Vespers service for the unborn.

"Although it is common for the Pope to encourage prayer for particular intentions, the request for a coordinated worldwide vigil – to be held on the same date and approximately the same time, in all dioceses – is highly exceptional...."
(CNA/EWTN News)
I recommend reading the rest of that article: I think that Catholic News Agency does a pretty good job of understanding what Catholic officials say - and reporting what's said without too much distortion. Understanding Catholicism helps, I think.

Vigil For Life: 'Missed It By This Much'

I quoted the old Get Smart comedy in another blog on Friday, which may explain that "missed it by this much" thing.

I was on the road with my wife and a daughter when the vigil happened. In short, I missed participating in that Vespers service - centered in Rome and followed around the world.

Can't say that I'm pleased about that - but I'm not going to tie myself in knots over it, either.

I put together a sort of 'better-late-than-never' resource list. The Advent link page at the Holy See's website is a pretty good resource for anyone who uses English and wants a framework for preparation and worship this Christmas season. My opinion.Somewhat-related posts:In the news:

First Sunday in Advent

Readings for November 28, 2010, 1st Sunday of Advent 2010:

1st Sunday of Advent

By Deacon Lawrence N. Kaas
November 28, 2010

In Scouting we are taught to always be prepared, and it is surely a good thing to keep in mind as we go daily about our many activities. Especially being as how we live in central Minnesota. We should be prepared when we go out into the cold, by listening to mom when she says, "bundle up, it's cold outside." Why should she have to remind us? Well at the moment we may be very worm and as we may have the habit of living in the moment we may very well get into trouble when the unexpected moment comes about and we may be freezing. Do you suppose that some of us really live that way? Ask any mother and she will tell you stories.

Years ago when I was on ambulance calls and we would come to some of these car crashes and find in the dead of winter people dressed as if it was summer. Ask Father Statz, he'll tell you it gets cold in Minnesota. Be prepared, for you do not know from one moment to the next what will happen to you. You know how we are so careful because it is icy outside, well the other day I fell in the shop. I was most assuredly not prepared as I should have been.

The central theme for this week end is, "you must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

One day, my daughter called and was concerned because some of the people she worked with thought the end of the world was eminent. How could they know that when, even Jesus said He didn't know? Plus the fact that 2nd Peter said that a thousand year is to God as a single day. So we're not 3 days old as Christians yet so don't worry about it." How Merciful is God to give us all this time.

Did you ever Thank God for TIME? Time is what God has given us to keep everything from happening at once. We've all had those moments when it seems as if everything is happening at once. But on the other hand, time is unpredictable. We must be constantly prepared for both the best and worst of times.

In today's lesson Jesus talks to His disciples about the future in time. Throughout Matthew 24, Jesus instructs His disciples concerning two future periods of crises and change, painful changes. Prior to today's Gospel reading Jesus speaks of something that will happen very soon and that is the destruction of the Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70. Then Jesus speaks of an ultimate future or of the LAST THINGS, the PAROUSIA, the coming of the Son of Man in Glory! This then marks the end of an earthly age and is the beginning of a heavenly age that for us is yet to come. Jesus warns the disciples of many dangers that will characterize the period before the final end. There will be worldwide chaos and wars between nations. Messianic pretenders will confuse the people, each insisting, "I am the Christ." False prophets will also arise and lead people astray. But the gospel will be proclaimed throughout the world before the end comes. I wonder sometimes if that be the case in our day being that we have EWTN broadcasting all over the world by TV and shortwave radio. Is that part of what Jesus is telling us, happening in our day, in our time. Yet we are told that it is those who endure to the end, that - they will be saved!

Stay alert, be prepared, for you do not know when the Son of Man will come to share with us what eye has not seen, ear, heard or the mind of man conceived what God had prepared for those who Love Him.

For these last few moments I want to take you back to my homily of a month ago: I said then and want to repeat that each of you are to stand before a full length mirror, daily, and pray, "Lord, God, You made me in you image and likeness, to know You, to Love You, to Serve You and to be Happy with you forever in Heaven." I said then and remind you again that that is were you get your self esteem. I don't care how smart you are, how many degrees you have or how many titles, for that matter, you must come to know who you are in Christ Jesus. For if you gain everything that the world has to offer and lose your Faith you have nothing. Why do people worry about the end times or when they are to die, or when they are to stand before Jesus Christ as Judge? Because they have place their self-esteem in the things of the world and not in Christ! I beg you with all that is in me, turn to the Merciful Savor for your self-esteem. Whether you are very old or very young, you may very well, in the future look back at this Advent as the most important of you Life. God Bless You!
'Thank you' to Deacon Kaas, for letting me post his reflection here.
More reflections: Related posts:

Friday, November 26, 2010

Partners in Education and Mr. Grimes: A Melodrama For Today

Melodramas have been out of fashion for quite a while: Although tales of Dudley Do-Right and Snidely Whiplash were a sort of revival-as-spoof.

These days, folks aren't supposed to take villains in opera capes and dashing heroes seriously. Although "Uncle Tom's Cabin" seems to remain on the 'approved' list. Which is another topic.

Or, not so much.

I ran into a tale of deceit, poor-but-honest folks, and slavery in today's news.

Grimes and Shepherd are some of the names involved. The events read like something in a none-too-plausible melodrama. It's all real, though. There's even a sort of "and justice prevailed" ending.

I'm not sure whether "slavery" will be among the charges Mr. Grimes faces: but what he did was pretty close to keeping slaves.

"Faith-Based:" What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

I'm a practicing Catholic, and a convert. I tend to pay closer attention when a Catholic charity asks for money. My household has given to charities run by Protestants, too. And sometimes we've give to outfits that weren't particularly 'faith-based.' But, when we have money to give - we check out the organization before cutting a check. "Due dilligence" isn't just for businesses.

Actually, I'd probably a bit more careful about an outfit that claimed to have support from the Pope. And that's yet another topic.

Quite a few folks apparently assumed that ITT: Partners in Education really was a "faith-based" project that gave kids from Zambia a chance to get an education while raising money for their families back home.

Part of that was true. Keith Grimes' operation raised money. Quite a lot of it.

After Mr. Grimes collected a dozen boys in Zambia, he had them sing in churches, schools and shopping malls. Sometimes several times a day. He pulled in upwards of $1,000,000 USD that way.

The folks back in Zambia never saw the money. Neither did the boys whose singing was making Mr. Grimes rich.

Blaming the Parents? Not Gonna Happen

I'd better make something clear: I think the families who gave their sons a chance at an American education and a paying job had the right idea. Mr. Grimes lied to them, as he lied to folks living in this country. Folks in Zambia aren't necessarily smarter or wiser than Americans - and everybody assumed that Mr. Grimes was telling the truth.

But - I can imagine the argument going - how could anyone even conisder giving their children a chance at a better life in a foreign land?

I'm a descendant of immigrants: my ancestors pulled up roots and moved to a foreign country for pretty much the same reason. With a few exceptions, they were able to bring entire families along - but I'm not going to criticize a family who had to make a hard decision.

Zambia is better off than, say, southern Sudan or Somalia: and the country as a whole is doing a bit better than back in 1993, when 86% of the folks living there were below the poverty line, or 2000, when unemployment was around 50%. ("Zambia," CIA World Factbook (last update November 9, 2010)) My guess is that Zambia isn't an African Beverly Hills or Vail, Colorado. Not yet, anyway.

Enter the Hero

So far, I've introduced the poor-but-honest folks who were deceived by the despicable villain - Mr. Grimes. I mean to say, "Grimes?" What story written in the last few generations would have a villain named "Mr. Grimes?" Which is yet again another topic.

Now, it's time for the hero of this melodrama.

Or, more accurately, heroine. Sandy Shepherd.

She's connected with a Baptist church - and had also been doing volunteer work for Mr. Grimes' ITT outfit. Looks to me like Mr. Grimes didn't like to pay people.

Anyway, Shepherd smelled a rat, as we say in this country, and shared her suspicions with Federal authorities.

I don't assume that being with the United States government means that folks know what they're doing - putting it mildly. This time, though, the Feds got it right.

Here's part of what CNN's article had to say about what happened after the alert Sandy Shepherd called for help:
"...Orrantia removed the members of the choir from Grimes' custody, but was concerned they would have to spend a night in juvenile detention, so he began looking for other options.

"He called Colleyville Baptist Church and asked to meet with Sandy Shepherd, a former TTT volunteer, who had previously complained to federal authorities about the treatment the boys were receiving.

"Shepherd said: 'I got a phone call from one of the members of the church who said Immigration has just called the pastor and said that he has seven boys that he's just picked up from Whitesboro, and he doesn't have any place to put them and he wants to know if he can house them here.'

"Shepherd agreed and went on to help many of the boys find foster families. Some returned to Zambia. When she couldn't find Kachepa a permanent home, she took him into hers, where he's been ever since.

" 'To me, he's just like my other children. He's the son that God never gave me before and he's the son God brought into my life after the three daughters.'..."
(CNN)
One of the boys featured in the CNN article has a double masters degree in international banking and international finance. He plans to work with organizations like the World Bank or International Monetary Fund.

The lad Shepherd took into her family just graduated from high school and got some college degree. Sort of like me. We can't all be high-power international financial experts, you know.

The school that Mr. Grimes promised, but never delivered?

Back to the CNN article:
"...And the school once promised by Grimes has been built thanks to Shepherd and church fundraising -- and is expanding. Earlier this year a new science block was opened.

" 'The school was started for the boys who went back to Zambia. As they graduated their siblings began to go to the school. My dream is to buy the property next door for two new classrooms and a library-computer lab,' Shepherd said...."
(CNN)
'And so, justice and charity triumphed once again?' In this case: It looks like things eventually turned out okay.

Obviously, we don't always see 'happy endings.' And I'm sure that the people involved in Mr. Grimes' deception are none too pleased about what they went through.

On the other hand - this is a case in point for the idea there are jerks in this world. Also good folks, who care enough to do something about the mess made by the occasional villain.

Adoption and being Catholic

Children are a gift - but are not property. I don't 'own' my children. My wife and I were blessed with six - of whom four survive. For this I am thankful - and somewhere between humbled and astonished at the trust implied with this sort of gift.

The Catholic Church is pretty clear about children not being property. And that nobody has the "right" to have a child. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2378, 2379, for starters)

As for why my wife and I didn't go out and adopt lots and lots and lots of kids? I've never let my family go hungry, and we've always been able to sleep in a weathertight building. But I'm not particularly wealthy, by American standards. Raising the children we'd been entrusted with - and leaving it at that - seemed to make sense.

Folks who get a 'call' to adopt? That sounds like a good idea. Sometimes the call is a literal telphone call - as in the case of the Shepherd family. Sometimes it's more of a metaphor.

And that's still one more topic.

Slightly-related posts:More:

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Smashed Statues: An Opportunity for Prayer and Charity

This could have been a lot worse.

Nobody was hurt, that we know of; nobody was killed; a regional television station posted a 'donate' link; and the county sheriff is treating vandalism at the Mother Cabrini shrine in Golden, Colorado, as a crime.

It could be better, too. As of November 22, 2010, Jefferson County law enforcement says there are no clues and no leads.

And, of course, it'd be nice if somebody hadn't smashed those statues.
"Vandalization at Mother Cabrini shrine in Colorado causes frustration, grief"
Marianne Medlin, EWTN News (November 23, 2010)

"A spokesperson from the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, Colo. said the local community is frustrated and grief-stricken over the shrine being vandalized the night of Nov. 14.

"Jeff Lewis, administrator at the Mother Cabrini Shrine, reported that four statues were damaged Nov. 14 in an attack that has offered no possible suspects or motivations.

" 'Our maintenance guys found the broken statues on Monday morning, Nov. 15,' he told EWTN News via e-mail. 'I closed the gate the night before, making sure everyone was off the property before the gate closed, and everything looked fine.'

"It was discovered the next morning that a three-foot tall statue of St. Bernadette was knocked off its pedestal and broken in half, a three-foot statue of Our Lady of Grace was found toppled over with its head broken off, and a five-foot statue of Mother Cabrini had its 'face smashed in,' Lewis recounted on Nov. 22.

"He also said a large crucifix at the bottom of the Shrine's Stairway of Prayer was damaged, with a broken face and toes. Someone 'must have beaten' it 'with force,' he said...."
Note about the language: In American English, "guy" doesn't have the connotations it does in England, after the 'Guy Fawkes' thing. I'll be getting back to that.

There's more about the statue-smashing, from a secular American point of view, at a Denver ABC station's website:They're the ones with a link to the Mother Cabrini shrine's website: www.mothercabrinishrine.org.

Guy Fawkes, Oliver Cromwell, and Smashing Statues

I mentioned Guy Fawkes a little earlier. He achieved lasting fame for not quite succeeding in blowing up the British Parliament. He and the other conspirators were Catholic, the Parliament was largely Protestant, and this is not the way to leave a good impression.

The BBC had a pretty good backgrounder on the matter, earlier this month:Before reading that, I suggest recalling that Thomas Percy, Guy Fawkes, and the rest of that lot were not the only Catholics left in England in 1604. Also, that there's little reason to assume that Catholics in England were all involved in the effort to whack Parliament.

There's another discussion of the Gunpowder Plot in a Catholic Encyclopedia article at New Advent. It's not exactly complimentary, in reference to Fawkes and company.

Then there's Oliver Cromwell. I've discussed the Lord Protector before.

My take on killing people you don't agree with, smashing statues, burning books, and claiming divine authority for doing so? The 'kill a commie for Christ' attitude isn't new, isn't limited to American Protestantism, and isn't a good idea. At all.

Moving on.

What are Those Cabrini People Up To?

Skipping lightly over 'Cabrini' not being a 'regular American' name - I think most folks in this country have come to terms with the idea that America isn't predominantly Anglo-Saxon anymore - the Mother Cabrini shrine's website has a mission statement on the home page:
"At Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, Colorado, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and their lay collaborators strive to bring the love of Christ to pilgrims, visitors and friends through a hospitable and prayerful presence. The Sisters, founded by St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, direct all programs and ministries at Mother Cabrini Shrine. The staff, religious and lay, seek to bring God to people and people to God."
(www.mothercabrinishrine.org)
There's a description of the 'Stairway of Prayer,' too:
"Activities at Mother Cabrini Shrine"
Mother Cabrini Shrine, Golden, Colorado

"...Stairway of Prayer

"In 1954 a twenty-two foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, carved by an Italian artist was mounted on an eleven foot base and erected above the Heart of Stones. ... The stairway follows the path Mother Cabrini, the sisters and the children took to the top of the mountain. This stairway following the Saint's footsteps is also symbolic of the pathway Christ took on His sorrowful way to His crucifixion and death, through the stations of the Cross...."

Statues, Prayer, Stations of the Cross, and Hate

With my background, I can see how that Stairway of Prayer would infuriate some folks. Between what some academics feel is the "self-satisfied ignorance" of religious belief (Another War-on-Terror Blog (August 5, 2008)), and what Catholic-haters may think is idol worship - well, there's a lot of hate in this world.

There are a lot of good folks, too - and it seems that a fair number are helping the Mother Cabrini Shrine clean up the damage. As I've said before, money isn't everything: but it sure helps get things done.

Just a thought.

Prayer's a good idea, too. For the folks running the shrine. And, perhaps more importantly, for whoever smashed those statues. With that much anger leaking out, I think it's likely that someone could use help.

So could we all, for that matter. And that's a whole bunch of other topics.

Related posts:More:

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Michael Brae, a Dead Body, Freud, and Prayer

I suppose I have to say this: What Michael Brea is accused of doing isn't typical Christian behavior. The Catholic Church, for example, doesn't teach that we're supposed to scream "Repent! Repent! Repent!" And then kill our mothers.

That isn't a nice thing to do, and we're not supposed to do it.

My guess is that Freemasons frown on this sort of thing, too.

From today's news:
"TV actor in 'hack slay' of ma"
Rebecca Harshbarger, Jamie Schram, Larry Celona, New York Post (November 24, 2010)
"B'klyn 'Bible' madman's sword frenzy: cops

"A crazed bit actor wielding an ornate Freemason sword hacked his mother to death early yesterday in their Brooklyn apartment while screaming out Bible passages and Masonic references, police and witnesses said.

" 'Repent! Repent! Repent! Michael Brea, screamed at his 55-year-old mother, Yannick, during his bizarre meltdown and the subsequent bloodbath at their Prospect Heights apartment, neighbors said.

"Brea, 31, ... was heard repeatedly through the door shouting about the 'architect of the universe,' a term used by Freemasons to refer to a supreme being. Longtime family friend Sylvan Benoit confirmed that Brea was a member of the Freemasons and had been to a meeting earlier in the evening....

"...When cops broke down the apartment door at around 2 a.m., they Tasered and arrested Brea, and charged him with murder.

"He was taken to Bellevue Hospital for psychiatric evaluation, and allegedly blurted out, 'When I looked at my mother, I saw the devil.'..."

The Devil and Sigmund Freud

I've gotten the impression that Sigmund Freud didn't think much of religion. Considering the nutjobs he dealt with, professionally, I suppose I can see why. Someone whose stock in trade were slices from humanity's fruitcake selection might, hearing the umpteenth lunatic muttering about being the hammer of God, get the impression that all religious people were like the basket cases one collected.

With a situation like Michael Brae's, involving a sword, religious references, and some guy's mother, my guess is that Freud would have had a field day making up a psychological analysis of the situation.

'Freudian symbolism' may be out of fashion now: but the notion that smart, realistic people aren't, by definition, 'religious' doesn't seem to be.

Me? I don't think acknowledging that God exists, and is smarter than I am, means that I'm stupid or crazy: but I'm 'one of those religious people. And, in the 'better' circles, 'everyone knows' what they're like.

Can't argue with logic like that.

Which reminds me:

'She's From Haiti: And Everyone Knows What That Means!'

The last paragraph in that New York Post article says that Yannick is from Haiti. Don't worry: I'm not going to go all 'Pat Robertson' about this. (January 16, 2010)

On the other hand, Haiti being predominantly Catholic, having the sort of culture it does, and chronic attitudes towards immigrants being what they are: I thought it'd be a good idea to bring the point up.

I'll grant that it's remotely possible that some arcane ritual unleashed dark forces in Brooklyn. Remotely.

It's also possible - and, in my view, considering the last few decades of America's history, much more likely - that there's a more pharmaceutical explanation to Mr. Brea's outlandish behavior.

But that's all speculation. Right now, all that law enforcement people in Brooklyn have to work with is Mr. Brea, a dead body, quite a few witnesses, and some amount of physical evidence. Happily, I don't have the job of trying to sort all that out.

Hating People: Not a Good Idea

Hating people is a really bad idea. I've written about that before. (January 22, 2010)

Killing Someone Because You Don't Approve is Wrong

I've written about that before, too. (August 1, 2009, July 24, 2009)

Human Life is Important

Why all this fuss about human life? I'm a Catholic. It's in the rules:
"Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person—among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.72
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.73

"My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.74"
(Catechism 2270)
Depending on the topic at hand, my respect for human life may identify me as one of those
  • Hate-filled, uncaring conservatives
    • Who don't support abortion
  • Bleeding-heart, irresponsible liberals
    • Who don't support capital punishment
The fact is, I'm a practicing Catholic. Sometimes that looks "liberal," sometimes it looks "conservative." I've discussed that before, too. (November 3, 2008, October 2, 2008)

Prayer for Yanick Brea - and Michael - Couldn't Hurt

As a Catholic, I believe that when a person dies, that is not the end. Which is why, all this month, we've been recalling the people in our parish who died during the past year - and praying "Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her." Or, "Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him."

Yanick Brea's son, Michael? From the sounds of it, he needs prayer, too. And not the sort of 'kill the guy I don't like' thing you hear now and then. (April 13, 2010) From the sounds of it, Michael Brea needs help: legal; possibly psychiatric; and certainly spiritual.

I do not, emphatically, hope that Michael Brae goes free - assuming that he killed his mother. If he committed that act, it's not safe to let him run around loose.

This is going to sound corny: but I hope and pray that Michael Brae gets his relationship with God straightened out. No 'holier-than-thou' stuff going on. The same could and should be said for all of us.

Somewhat-related posts:
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Advent: Hazardous Road Conditions, Holiday Shopping, and More

Advent starts next Sunday.

It's an important time of the year, in several different ways.

Here in central Minnesota, it's the time of year when thunderstorm watches and tornado warnings give way to blizzard warnings and winter weather watches. We've got a Winter Weather Advisory tomorrow, by the way: no big deal; just sleet, freezing rain, and snow.

Where was I? Advent. It's important. Right.

Here in America "black Friday" is an 1869 financial catastrophe - that happened in September of that year. It's also what quite a few folks call the Friday after Thanksgiving - I thought it was because it was when retail businesses tended to start showing profit for the calendar year. Turns out, a Philadelphia businessman says Philadelphians invented the term to describe bad traffic. I've gotten off-topic again.

If this Advent season goes like many others, we'll be counting down the shopping days left until Christmas. Which is culturally and financially important - but isn't what the Holy See is primarily concerned with just now.

It's not that the Pope is against capitalism. Quite. (July 17, 2009)

Advent (finally I get to the point) is the season when Christians get ready for Christmas. That's what we're supposed to be doing, anyway.

Catholics can get some help with Advent, online:I haven't decided what my plans for Advent are - apart from shaking this cold, or whatever it is I have. There's an Advent booklet that the Christian Mothers in our parish made available. I've glanced at it - and it looks promising.

I'm pretty sure we won't have an Advent wreath in our household. I've nothing against the things - it's just that it's not part of what we do. There will be a Nativity scene, though.

What's important, if I understand this correctly, is to get ready for Christmas: when Christians celebrate the birth or our Lord.

Which may not have happened at or near the winter solstice. That I may write a post about, before the year is up.

I may even do a rant against crass commercialization and media distortions of whatever. Not that I think there's anything intrinsically wrong with tinsel and bright colors.

The fact is, I sort of like glitz. Or, to be more hoity-toity, I go for baroque: I even dig rococo.

And I've gotten off-topic again.

Beyond the pre-Christmas sales, the charities sending out personalized stickers, and Minnesota's winter weather, there's an act of generosity that got this whole Christmas thing going:
"For God so loved the world that he gave 7 his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life."
(John 3:16)
Not-quite-unrelated posts:

Monday, November 22, 2010

New Missal Coming: This is Going to be Interesting

During Mass yesterday - or, rather, in the announcements - we heard about the new Roman Missal. Again.

Change Happens

So, how do I 'really feel' about the first serious change in how we celebrate the Mass since I converted to Catholicism?

It doesn't matter how I feel: there's a change coming, and I expect that I'll have some learning to do.

First, to learn how to participate under the new procedures.

Second, to learn why the changes were made.

For what it's worth, I think that the changes are important: and have been seriously considered. For that reason, I welcome them.

Not-So-Little Changes

One of the changes involve the first-person pronoun used in the Nicene Creed. The way we've been saying it is this:

"We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen...."

Soon I'll be saying "I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible...."

Another change is "seen and unseen" to "visible and invisible." There is a difference, by the way.

The priest in Sauk Centre's 'other' parish (St. Paul's) has been writing a series of short articles for our bulletins. I haven't been paying as close attention to those as I think I should - and I'm getting off-topic.

New Missal: This isn't 'Sudden'

The old curmudgeon in me may totter into the control room of my mind when these changes take effect, mostly to complain about the folks who are complaining about the new Missal.

Maybe I'm 'borrowing trouble,' but I'm pretty sure that there will be complaints. That:
  • 'Nobody told us' about the new Missal
  • Mass was better in the 'good old days'
    • Post-Vatican-II 'good old days'
  • The new Missal should have brought back Mass 'just the way it was'
    • In the pre-Vatican-II 'good old days'
Oh, well: that's human nature.

I may find something to complain about, myself. But I hope that I'll have the good sense to figure out why I'm bothered - and learn why I need to accept what the Church is teaching.

That's no great virtue on my part. Before I became a Catholic, I did a lot of thinking about Catholicism, the Catholic Church, my Lord, and the last two millennia of the great commission. (Matthew 28:16-20) I've got a pretty good idea of why I believe what I believe.

There's "tradition" - and "Tradition"

I also know that there's a difference between the sort of nostalgia that's sometimes meant when folks say "tradition," and the Tradition of the Catholic Church. (October 2, 2008) And that's another topic.

Mostly for my own convenience, I put together a cluster of links to some of the pages at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website, that deal with the new Missal. It's not that I think the regional offices are more important than the Holy See. I live in this country, and it's simple good sense to take guidance from the bishops who deal directly with the cultures of my homeland.

USCCB:Related posts:

The Pope and Condoms: It Made a Good Story

In case you've been off the planet for the last few days, the Pope said that condoms were okay.

'Everybody' seems to know this.

Except for the Pope, Vatican Radio, and quite a few other folks who bothered to find out what the fuss was about before writing about it.

Exciting Headlines, Boring Facts, and Getting a Grip

I picked a few headlines from today's news and views - some of which are 'tomorrow's,' thanks to the International Dateline:It's 'obvious' that the Pope is finally getting "enlightened" and realizes that people can't be expected to keep their zippers up. For folks who only read some of the headlines, anyway.

I can't get inside the heads of the folks who write that stuff - but I think it's okay to speculate that there's some degree of wishful thinking going on.

I remember when condoms, contraceptives, and the right to force your sex machine to get an abortion liberated men from the tedious responsibilities of supporting the children they father. At times, it must have seemed that one of the very few remaining obstacles to making the world one big Playboy Mansion were the old fuddy-duddies in the Vatican. All that talk about human dignity, women and babies being important: why, you'd think they didn't want anybody to have any fun.

Which is another topic.

Several, actually.

Since this 'condom' story doesn't seem to be going away, I thought it might be a good idea to collect a few statements.

I'll grant that I deliberately picked sources that are either in the Vatican, or which drew their information from the Holy See. This may seem 'biased,' but I think it makes sense: I expect Vatican officials to know what the Catholic view is on topics.

But then, I'm 'one of those Catholics.' And 'everybody knows' what a credulous lot we are - almost another topic.

Since online resources have a way of disappearing after website reorganizations, I've taken the liberty of lifting some very large blocks of text. I'll be back after the excerpts with part of my take on old-school news media.

I strongly recommend following the links to the sources of these extended quotes: to check up on me, if nothing else. If the source decides to 'improve' their website? At least we'll still have these copies:
"Clarification on remarks on AIDS and condoms"
Vatican Radio (November 21, 2010)

"The head of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, has issued a statement clarifying passages of the book Light of the World, in which Pope Benedict discusses AIDS and condom use.

"The statement says Pope Benedict states that AIDs cannot be solved only by the distribution of condoms, and, in fact, concentrating on condoms just trivializes sexuality, which loses its meaning as an expression of love and becomes like a drug.

"At the same time, the Pope considered an exceptional situation in which the exercise of sexuality represents a real risk to the lives of others. In this case, the Pope does not morally justify the exercise of disordered sexuality, but believes that the use of condoms to reduce the risk of infection is a 'first step on the road to a more human sexuality', rather than not to use it and risking the lives of others.

"Father Lombardi's statement clarifies Pope Benedict XVI has not reformed or changed the Church's teaching, but by putting it in perspective reaffirms the value and dignity of human sexuality as an expression of love and responsibility."
"The Pope and Condoms: a note from the editor"
Phil Lawler Editor, CWNews, via CatholicCulture.org (November 22, 2010)

"Thousands of secular media outlets-- and more than a few Catholic news services-- are leading their coverage today with headlines about Pope Benedict's statement on the use of condoms. CWN is not linking to those stories because, with rare exceptions, they are inaccurate.

"Our news service exists to give Catholics (and others who are interested in the Church) an accurate guide to coverage of stories that affect the Church. Often we feel obligated to link to stories that contain some inaccuracies, because informed readers should be aware of what is being reported. But we never intentionally carry, or link to, stories that are entirely misleading. Most headline stories about the Pope's remarks fall into that category.

"Pope Benedict did not alter, amend, or call into question the Church's teaching on contraceptive use.

"Pope Benedict did not say that condom use is sometime morally acceptable.

"Pope Benedict did not back away from his earlier statements, in which he had argued that condom distribution is an ineffective way to fight AIDS. On the contrary, he made his latest controversial remarks in the context of a conversation in which he was defending that argument.

"Ordinarily CWN links to secular news stories because our readers can increase their understanding by perusing those stories. Today, a reader who wants an accurate understanding of what the Pope actually said would be better served by ignoring the secular media coverage.

"For a more extended treatment, see my In-Depth Analysis of this controversy and of how it arose."
"Vatican insists: Pope has not changed Catholic teaching on condoms"
CWNews, via CatholicCulture.org (November 22, 2010)

"Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, has issued a statement on Pope Benedict's remarks on condoms in Light of the World, the book-length interview granted to journalist Peter Seewald.

" 'At the end of chapter 10 of the book "Light of the World," the Pope responds to two questions about the battle against AIDS and the use of condoms, questions that reconnect with the discussion that followed some statements that the Pope made on the theme during the course of his trip to Africa in 2009,' Father Lombardi said.

"He continued:
"The Pope again clearly stresses that at that time he had not intended to take a position on the problem of condoms in general, but wanted to affirm with force that the problem of AIDS cannot be solved simply by distributing condoms, because much more needs to be done: prevention, education, help, counsel, being with people both to keep them from getting sick and in the case that they do get sick.

"The Pope observes that even in the non-ecclesial context an analogous awareness has developed, as is apparent in the so-called ABC theory (Abstinence -- Be Faithful -- Condom), in which the first two elements (abstinence and fidelity) are more decisive and basic in the battle against AIDS, while condoms appear in the last place as a way out, when the other two are not there. It should thus be clear that condoms are not the solution to the problem.

"The Pope then broadens the perspective and insists on the fact that focusing only on condoms is equivalent to banalizing sexuality, which loses its meaning as an expression of love between persons and becomes a 'drug.' Fighting against banalization of sexuality is 'part of the great effort to help sexuality be valued positively and have a positive effect on man in his totality.'

"In the light of this broad and profound vision of human sexuality and the contemporary discussion of it, the Pope reaffirms that 'naturally the Church does not consider condoms as the authentic and moral solution' to the problem of AIDS.

"In this the Pope does not reform or change the Church's teaching, but reaffirms it, placing it in the perspective of the value and dignity of human sexuality as an expression of responsible love.

"At the same time the Pope considers an exceptional circumstance in which the exercise of sexuality represents a real threat for the life of another. In that case, the Pope does not morally justify the disordered exercise of sexuality but maintains that the use of a condom to reduce the danger of infection may be 'a first act of responsibility,' 'a first step on the road toward a more human sexuality,' rather than not using it and exposing the other to risking his life.

"In this, the reasoning of the Pope certainly cannot be defined as a revolutionary change. Numerous moral theologians and authoritative ecclesiastical figures have supported and support analogous positions; it is nevertheless true that we have not heard this with such clarity from the mouth of the Pope, even if it is in a informal and not magisterial form.

"With courage Benedict XVI thus offers us an important contribution of clarification and reflection on a question that has long been debated. It is an original contribution, because on one hand it maintains fidelity to moral principles and demonstrates lucidity in refuting an illusory path like that of the 'confidence is condoms'; on the other hand, however, it manifests a comprehensive and far-seeing vision, attentive to uncovering the small steps -- even if only initial and still confused -- of an often spiritually and culturally impoverished humanity, toward a more human and responsible exercise of sexuality."
There's a set of links at the end of the CWNews/CatholicCulture.org article:

'What I Want to Hear,' 'What was Really Said'

I do not think that mainstream media outlets deliberately distorted their coverage of the Pope.

I do think that old-school news services, in America at least, operate at a terrible disadvantage when it comes to covering news that involves the Catholic Church and Catholic beliefs.

I've made a comparison like this before, but I think it bears repeating. Let's say that a reporter who was top-rate at covering professional boxing was assigned to cover the Lace and Periwinkle Society's Butterfly Exhibition. The resulting story might not be quite as nuanced as one written by a person more familiar with lepidoptery.

And the expert on French flutes of the Baroque era sent by this doomed news agency, to cover the world heavyweight championship? Again - the story might miss some of the finer points.

Hearing What We Expect to Hear

It's all too easy, I think, to hear what we expect or want to hear, rather than what's actually said.

I prefer to assume that the clueless coverage I've gotten used to over the decades is a matter of reporters and editors not - with some exceptions - knowing enough about the Catholic faith to understand what's being said.

And, worse, not realizing that they don't know.

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Marian Apparition: Champion, Wisconsin

Background:Posts in this blog: In the news:

What's That Doing in a Nice Catholic Blog?

From time to time, a service that I use will display links to - odd - services and retailers.

I block a few of the more obvious dubious advertisers.

For example: psychic anything, numerology, mediums, and related practices are on the no-no list for Catholics. It has to do with the Church's stand on divination. I try to block those ads.

Sometime regrettable advertisements get through, anyway.

Bottom line? What that service displays reflects the local culture's norms, - not Catholic teaching.