I can hear a guy saying to a clumsy character, “Do me a favor and get off my back, OK?”
I mean, come onnnn . . .
via Spectator USA
Month: January 2020
In China, the “patriotic” formation of Mindong priests
Getting organized, Communist style. Background for previous story about bishop evicted etc. five months later.
Members of the Party and [its agency] United Front, university professors and patriotic [state-approved] bishops have transformed formerly “underground” priests into perfect “state officials”. A report by the Patriotic Association.
Reaction:
Rome (AsiaNews) – “Is this still the Catholic Church?”: This is the reaction of a young Chinese man to the text we publish below today in full translation, concerning the “formation courses” held in Beijing for the priests of the diocese of Mindong (Fujian) who joined the [government’s] Patriotic Association.
As already reported Mindong – which was to be the “pilot project” for the Sino-Vatican agreement – was given a new ordinary bishop, Msgr. Zhan Silu (formerly excommunicated, reconciled by the pope) while the underground bishop Msgr. Guo Xijin [later evicted] agreed to be demoted to auxiliary bishop at the request of the pontiff.
Despite this, [Guo] was never officially recognised by the government because Beijing requires him to formerly adhere to an “independent” Church. Many priests – mostly from the underground branch – have not agreed to sign.
However, a few dozen have. From July 21 to 27, the Party, together with Msgr. Zhan Silu [“patriotic”] organized an “internship” in Beijing for these men, where Party members, professors, and United Front cadres introduced them to the work of priests who have to carry forward socialism, sinicize the Church, love their country first and then religion, to develop “an independent, autonomous and democratic Church”. [Italics added throughout]
A captive church, expected to leave Jesus out of it, to go by the government’s report, as here:
What is most striking is that the Gospel is mentioned only once, the word “Jesus”, never. As many experts have highlighted in recent months, the Party and the United Front are transforming the official Catholic Church into a State Church and the priests into “officials”.
Is this what Francis had in mind?
Read the rest here: In Beijing, the “patriotic” formation of Mindong priests.
Chinese bishop evicted from his quarters, will sleep on the street. Several priests and elderly also made homeless
At least five parishes have been closed, with electricity and water supplies cut off. . . . . “Fire safety” measures were given as a justification, an excuse for persecution. Some priests have been kicked out.
A home for the elderly kept by the nuns is also closed. Of the thirty guests, some are hosted by relatives, others are homeless.
Official [government-approved] bishop Zhan Silu [excommunicated until rehabilitated by Francis] was [transformed] by the [party vehicle] United Front.
Some priests speak of Holy See’s having “too lightly” signed to the agreement.
Ruthlessly, for the sake of God knows what.
Former IPRA investigator accused of providing information about police shooting to victim’s family, then seeking attorney referral fee – Chicago Sun-Times
Homer nodded . . .
In the middle of a complex but well organized story, this:
Poulos fatally shot a suspected burglar near a former Lincoln Park bar owned by he and his family in 2013. The man was unarmed, and Poulos was cleared in the shooting.
By he?
No no no no.
Who read the story after the writer sent it?
Senate Passes USMCA Trade Deal, Sending it to Trump for Signature | TrumpTrain
He does not fiddle while distractions abound . . .
While House Dems scurried about with their impeachment business, the chief executive and his helpers got this done.
The Senate has passed the new NAFTA titles USMCA sending the trade deal between the US, Mexico, and Canada to Trump’s desk for a signature.
This marks another major victory for Trump this week after signing “Phase One” of the China trade deal on Wednesday.
Something to keep in mind in the next few weeks as same House Dems take over the Senate business with what they are really interested in.
ALTHOUGH, worth noting, presidential hopefuls Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar supported the Mexico-Canada deal.
Ratzinger/Sarah Book: Francis Loses Battle, Resorts to Smear Tactic – gloria.tv
Popes also lose, as when facing a recalcitrant publisher:
The first edition of the Ratzinger/Sarah Book is already printed and the French publishing-house Fayard will not change anything.
Francis was not pleased, Was “Furious,” Wanted A “Total Defeat”
When the Ratzinger/Sarah book [arguing against removing
the celibacy requirement for priests] became known, “all hell broke loose in the Vatican,” Bergoglio [Francis] was “furious,” writes Francis critic Antonio Socci (FaceBook) referring to anonymous sources.
Why? Because:
Such an authoritative pronouncement from Benedict XVI prevents him from smashing priestly celibacy, as had been his intention to do in the forthcoming Post-[Amazon] Synodal Exhortation.
Details are messy indeed, with Francis personally calling and giving orders to Benedict’s spokesperson.
A Faithful Catholic Condemns Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York: Anti-American Oaf
This homily set untoward thoughts in motion . . .
Last Sunday, to pep up his homily, a visiting monsignor regaled our Long Island congregation with an anecdote about how he had recently learned, at the cost of bruised ribs, just what a firm-grippin’, bear-huggin’ guy good old Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops, actually is.
The Church previously did not inflict such incontinent showmen on America. All Americans deserve better. American Catholics need shepherds, not sellouts.
From monarchs to showmen in, say, 75 years.
Former Pope’s name removed as co-author of book on celibacy
Stormy weather at Vatican . . .
An unholy mess involving (some) holy people.
Pope-emeritus Benedict has requested that his name not be listed as the co-author of a new book defending the Church’s tradition of celibacy, after the release of excerpts from the book triggered a fiercely partisan reaction.
The book has an essay by Cardinal Sarah and another by Benedict, each in agreement with the other. But leave the latter off the cover!
Well look, it happens all the time in the wild world of book publishing. It doesn’t?
Meanwhile as happens often in the current papal incumbency, the cat has the Big Man’s tongue. By no means is he inactive, however. We may be sure of that.
So. Consider this by way of analysis by the veteran careful observer at Catholic World News:
The intemperate reactions to the appearance of a written work by the former Pope, and the embarrassing sequence of public statements…
View original post 53 more words
Former Pope’s name removed as co-author of book on celibacy
An unholy mess involving (some) holy people.
Pope-emeritus Benedict has requested that his name not be listed as the co-author of a new book defending the Church’s tradition of celibacy, after the release of excerpts from the book triggered a fiercely partisan reaction.
The book has an essay by Cardinal Sarah and another by Benedict, each in agreement with the other. But leave the latter off the cover!
Well look, it happens all the time in the wild world of book publishing. It doesn’t?
Meanwhile as happens often in the current papal incumbency, the cat has the Big Man’s tongue. By no means is he inactive, however. We may be sure of that.
So. Consider this by way of analysis by the veteran careful observer at Catholic World News:
The intemperate reactions to the appearance of a written work by the former Pope, and the embarrassing sequence of public statements by Church officials, highlights the tensions that now prevail at the Vatican.
It seems clear that intense pressure was put on Pope-emeritus Benedict, Cardinal Sarah, and Archbishop Ganswein [Benedict’s spokesman, and former secretary] to the lessen the impact of the new book.
Tight little island, full of jockeying for position.
A Bombshell Book. Ratzinger and Sarah Ask Francis Not to Make an Opening for Married Priests – Settimo Cielo – Blog – L ’Espresso
It will be a serious problem, in fact, for Francis to make an opening for the married priesthood and the female diaconate after his predecessor and a cardinal of profound doctrine and of radiant holiness of life like Sarah have taken such a clear and powerfully argued position in support of priestly celibacy, addressing themselves to the reigning pope almost in the words of an ultimatum, through the pen of the one but with the full agreement of the other.
Speaking up, they rise to the occasion.
Blithe Spirit 