Claims that Pontiff supported gay civil unions disputed
Pope Francis gives a thumbs up as he makes his way around St. Peter's
Square before his Mass of inauguration. CNS photo / Marcin Mazur,
Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
The director of the Catholic News Agency of Argentina (AICA) has told CNA that claims of Pope Francis supporting gay civil unions when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires are not true. Catholic News Agency reports:
Miguel Woites, who works directly with the Bishops' Conference of Argentina, the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, and the Apostolic Nunciature, dismissed statementes made by Sergio Rubin, the author of an interview with Cardinal Bergoglio titled "Over Heaven and Earth."
Since Pope Francis's election March 13, media reports have circulated Rubin's claim that the future Pope had supported homosexual unions as a possible political compromise in Argentina. Rubin has been the only source used by the media for this claim.
Environmental issues and student debt receive little attention
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty after he released the 2013 federal budget.
Ray Pennings, Cardus research director, says "it's a budget that's focused
on jobs and overall economic management." (Photo: CCN)
Some critics say the federal budget, released March 21, does some good for jobs and the economy, but little for other important areas like family. Deborah Gyapong reports from Ottawa:
“This budget did not offer too much for families,” said Institute of Marriage and Family Canada executive director Andrea Mrozek. “We didn’t see anything particularly exciting.”
The institute has called for income-splitting to provide tax relief for families with a single income earner. They are taxed at a much higher rate than dual-earner families with the same income. This promised measure has been put off until the budget is balanced, Mrozek said.
Father Nguyen, director of vocations, has been chosen as the new vicar general.
"I will try whatever I can to serve our Church out of love for the Church," he said.
The archdiocese of Vancouver has a new vicar general! Father Joseph Phuong Nguyen, director of vocations, was chosen by the archbishop to take on the task.
"I don't think I'm worthy to take this role. I don't think I have the gift to take this role. But the bishop trusts me," said Father Nguyen, not without tears in his eyes.
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, phoned Father Nguyen at the beginning of March and asked if he would be vicar general.
Father Nguyen was so overwhelmed that he asked for some time to make the decision. He spent five days and nights thinking, praying, and talking to good friends and his spiritual director.
Kidnap victim in Argentina clears Pope of accusations
Domenico Giani, head of the Vatican police, in glasses behind Pope
Francis, looks on as the newly elected Pontiff greets people after
celebrating Mass at St. Anne's Parish within the Vatican March 17. Pope
Francis's style of breaking away from his security detail and diving
toward the crowds means his protectors have had to do a quick rewrite of
strategy, sometimes on the spot. CNS photo / Paul Haring.
Clarifying previous comments, a priest who was kidnapped during Argentina's dictatorship in the 1970s is emphasizing that Pope Francis was not responsible for his detainment. Catholic News Agency reports:
In a statement published on the official website of the Jesuit order in Germany, Father Francisco Jalics said that while he once believed his 1976 kidnapping was due to a denunciation by then-Father Bergoglio, he realized some 20 years ago that this belief was incorrect.
After the election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio to the papacy March 13, several media reports attempted to connect the new Pontiff to the Argentine dictatorship of Rafael Videla. At the time of the dictatorship, Father Bergoglio was provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina.
Father Jalics, who is now retired in Germany, issued a statement sending his best wishes to the new Pope and offering assurances that the two are on good terms.
Spiritual poverty threatens world peace, Pope states
Pope Francis greets a diplomat during an audience with the Vatican diplomatic corps in the Apostolic Palace's Sala. CNS photo / Tony Gentile, Reuters.
Catholic News Agency reports that Pope Francis invited the diplomats accredited to the Holy See to join him in fighting both material and spiritual poverty, which both contribute to lack of peace in the world.
"Fighting poverty, both material and spiritual; building peace; and constructing bridges: these, as it were, are the reference points for a journey that I want to invite each of the countries here represented to take up," Pope Francis said March 22.
The Pope met in the Regia Hall of the Apostolic Palace with representatives from more than 180 countries, sovereign orders, and international organizations that have formal relations with the Vatican.
Pope Francis greeted kiosk owner, asked for his prayers
Pope Francis gives a thumbs-up gesture (Photo by Paul Hanna, Reuters)
In his new role, the Pope will no longer require a morning newspaper delivered to his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He surprised the owner of a local kiosk when he called and cancelled his subscription himself:
Around 1:30 p.m. local time on March 18, Daniel Del Regno, the kiosk
owner’s son, answered the phone and heard a voice say, “Hi Daniel, it’s
Cardinal Jorge.”
He thought that maybe a friend who knew that the former Archbishop of
Buenos Aires bought the newspaper from them every day was pulling a
prank on him.
“Seriously, it’s Jorge Bergoglio, I’m calling you from Rome,” the Pope insisted.
Prominent American politicians Catholic but pro-abortion, pro-contraception
Joe Biden (centre with sunglasses) at Pope Francis' installation mass, March 19. (Photo by Riccardo De Luca/AP)
Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi received Communion at Pope Francis' installation mass on March 19. The Washington Times has the story:
Vice President Joseph R. Biden and House Democratic leader Nancy
Pelosi both received Communion during the Mass to celebrate the
installation of Pope Francis in spite of their pro-choice position on
abortion.
The vice president’s office confirmed Tuesday night that
both he and Mrs. Pelosi took Communion during the Mass at St. Peter’s
Square in Rome.
Some Catholics argue that politicians whose
positions on abortion and contraception conflict with church teachings
should not receive communion.
MP Mark Warawa's Motion 408 against sex-selection abortion was deemed
non-votable March 21. Warawa says an appeal process has already begun.
Various pro-life and pro-family groups are unimpressed with a parliamentary committee's decision to make Motion 408 unvotable. The motion, brought forward by MP Mark Warawa, aims to protect girls by condemning sex-selection abortions.
Warawa reacted on Twitter to the surprise decision: “Members of PMB Sub-Committee broke rules today deeming #M408 unvoteable. Were they forced and by who? An appeal process has begun.”
"Canada prides itself on freedom of speech and elects men and women to parliament who have the courage to bring forward issues of concern to the Canadian people," said Campaign Life Coalition president Jim Hughes.
"This is anti-democratic and a violation of MP rights to be heard in parliament."
The Pope's cross portrays Christ as the Good Shepherd.
The Vatican released its official portrait of Pope Francis yesterday morning, Pacific time.You can find the Vatican news release from its official Facebook page here.
An elderly Delaware woman was attacked outside an abortion clinic last week while filming the transfer of a woman for an abortion injury:
Earlier in the day Rae Stabosz had been praying outside the Planned
Parenthood clinic when a woman and her mother came to the clinic. Rae
learned that the woman was suffering complications to an abortion she
received on March 8. Rae persuaded them to go to St. Francis hospital
where it was discovered that aborted baby body parts, including a leg
and foot, had been left behind by the abortionist. The woman required
additional surgery and was referred to legal counsel.
You can read the rest of the account here and watch the video, embedded above. (Warning: video contains violence and profanity.)
Jesuit archbishop describes the Society of Jesus' traditions
Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, SJ, says "that the cardinals would have chosen one of us - we were speechless." (Photo: CCN)
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, SJ, explained that it is natural for Jesuits to care about the poor. Deborah Gyapong reports from Ottawa:
“Pope Francis, in a way, embodies the best of what our tradition is about,” said Archbishop Prendergast.
The spiritual disciplines of the Society of Jesus’ founder St. Ignatius of Loyola helps one determine “what God is calling me to do in this particular circumstance at this particular time,” the archbishop said.
“As a Society, we need to let the Holy Spirit guide us in a way that is unique to each one of us. The way God speaks to me is unique to me, as distinct as my fingerprints, my DNA, and the iris of my eyes.”
Women react at Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 13 after the election of new pope. The world's cardinals, meeting in conclave at the Vatican, elected as pope Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, who took the name Francis. (Photo: CNS)
Monsignor Pedro Lopez-Gallo writes about the successes of the past few popes and the joy many found in welcoming the newest one: Pope Francis.
The election of a new Pope is always a reason for hope and confidence. Take, for instance, the proclamation of St. Pius X in 1903. Instead of being exultant, he refused, twice, to accept the vote, until the third ballot showed him that it was the will of God.
Weeping, he accepted the job of Successor of St. Peter, and what a great and holy Pope he was!...
Today we have another Moses who will guide the people of God to the fertile land of holiness. With calm and paternal persuasion, Pope Francis will continue the fervour and aspirations of Benedict XVI in this Year of Faith.
Everything about his nomination is symbolic and encouraging, beginning with his name Francis, taken from the beloved saint from Assisi. By a stroke of genius, a learned Jesuit has united himself with the austerity of the Franciscans.
Pope's Holy Thursday celebration to be with youth in detention
Pope Francis embraces Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of
Constantinople, spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, March 20. CNS
photo / L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters.
A Catholic News Agency story reports that Pope Francis will celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper at a youth detention centre rather than the traditional Basilica of St. John Lateran.
On March 28, Holy Thursday, Pope Francis will celebrate the Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the morning, but then go to the Casal del Marmo youth detention centre rather than the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
This is the new Pontiff's tradition from his days as Archbishop of Buenos Aires. During that time, Cardinal Bergoglio would celebrate Holy Thursday Mass in a hospital, prison, or shelter for the poor.
Pontiff's clothing crafted in discreet Italian shop
The Gammarelli's storefront in Rome, near the Piazza Navona. The tailor has designed clothing for Pontiffs since 1922. Until a week ago, three different-sized sets of white vestments were displayed in the window. (Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic)
Who gets the fantastic opportunity of making the Pope's shoes and vestments? The B.C. Catholic's Alistair Burns writes from Rome:
Inside the shop, four men were bent over placing brown pattern pieces on
a beautiful bolt of deep green brocade spread on a large countertop in
the middle of the store. Once in a while they would glance at each other
through horn-rimmed glasses and chat quietly in Italian.
The men were surrounded by bolts of brightly coloured materials
stretching from floor to ceiling. Only one humble reminder showed the
profound dedication that Gammarelli's has had, clothing the past seven
Pontiffs, since 1922.
In a corner, small official portraits hang next to each other of Popes
Pius XI, Pius XII, Blessed John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, Blessed
John Paul II, and Benedict XVI.
Moira Noonan speaks out against the New Age movement. "Psychic gifts are not from the Holy Spirit," she said during an Edmonton conference. (Photo: Western Catholic Reporter)
Moira Noonan was a former New Age practitioner who now warns Christians against the movement. She spoke at a conference in Edmonton last week. Chris Miller from the Western Catholic Reporter writes:
Speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, wisdom, music and reverence are gifts of the Holy Spirit which are aimed to uplift and encourage the Christian community, said Moira Noonan.
People are predisposed to receive these gifts if they have such virtues as docility, humility and modesty, Noonan said.
“These gifts are very different from a New Age practitioner who practises as a metaphysician, one who is trained in secret knowledge and esoteric ways of receiving knowledge, from master to disciple, not through docility, but through power and control and domination,” she said.
Small-screen premiere draws 1.05 million Canadian viewers
A ten hour, five part epic television mini-series based on the Bible called "The Bible" debuted on March 3 to high ratings on the History Channel. The series, produced by Catholics Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, is based on the New International Version and New Revised Standard Version translations of the Bible. Two episodes are aired each Sunday at 8 p.m. with airtime of an hour each; the first five cover the Old Testament and the rest follow the Gospels. The series was developed with consultation from a wide range of multi-denominational advisors including Tom Peterson of Catholics Come Home and a Catholic cardinal.
Reception for the series has been mixed although viewership ratings were high. In Canada, the series premiere drew 1.05 million viewers while in the United States it drew 13.1 million. Viewership in the States has hovered around the ten million mark since then.
You can watch the series trailer above and catch the last four episodes on March 24 and 31 at 8 p.m. on the History Channel, just in time for Palm and Easter Sunday.
Prints
of Pope Francis are seen for sale at a religious goods store near the
Vatican in Rome March 20. CNS photo / Lauren Colegrove.
When Pope Francis was installed as Bishop of Rome March 19, the two major symbols of the authority he received were connected to previous Popes. Catholic News Agency has a story:
The inauguration ceremony began with Pope Francis visiting the tomb of St. Peter. He then processed out to the square, with the patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches carrying the Book of the Gospels, his pallium, and the fisherman's ring.
As the procession made its way, a choir sang a special litany of the saints that included those Popes who have been recognized as saints. In addition to these echoes of previous Popes, the papal ring and the pallium, the circular stole of white wool that archbishops wear, are connected to Popes Paul VI and Benedict XVI, respectively.
Stephen Woodworth shouted down at University of Waterloo
MP Stephen Woodworth was only one-third of the way through a talk about human dignity when pro-abortion extremists shouted him down. (Photo: Catholic Register)
"I wasn't going to engage in a shouting match with them," said MP Stephen Woodworth after he was stopped mid-way through a presentation by shouting pro-abortion extremists March 13. This was not the first time he faced such opposition.
“My concern is there are these extremists who are so pre-occupied with the single issue of abortion that they are unwilling to listen to anyone else and they are willing to throw aside every other democratic value like freedom of speech and respectful dialogue,” Woodworth said.
These extremists seem to think “there’s a virtue in hatred and disrespect,” he said, noting he was speaking of the universal and equal dignity of every human being.
A misunderstanding of beauty is one of the leading causes of abortion
James Borkowski and Ross Labrie discuss pro-life issues at the North Shore Pro-Life Society's
annual general meeting March 6. (Photo: Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic)
James Borkowski, executive director for Signal Hill, believes an oversexualized culture allows for abortion because it destroys human beauty, dignity, and life.
"Young people are being objectified, pressured, and oversexualized, not only earlier than ever, but more often than ever," he said at the North Shore Pro-Life Society's annual general meeting March 6. "There are a lot of people at risk if human worth is not intrinsic."
The outrageous calls from culture to be more attractive, successful, and powerful are destroying women's views of beauty. Borkowski called it an epidemic, saying the sexual pressure put on 13-year-old girls today is equivalent to the pressure put on 18-year-olds a generation ago.
Pilgrim at Pope's Mass: 'Today everyone feels Argentinian'
Pope Francis greets people in St. Peter's Square before celebrating his
inaugural Mass. CNS photo / Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo.
A Catholic News Agency story says everyone felt a little Argentinian and extremely happy today, according to members of diverse religious orders who attended the Pope's Mass and installation the morning of March 19, the feast of St. Joseph.
"Today everyone feels Argentinian, or at least us Latin Americans do," said Peruvian priest Father Jose Tola in St. Peter's Square. "I'm extremely happy and excited," he told CNA during the inauguration Mass of Pope Francis which officially began his pontificate.
American Cardinal William J. Levada described it as "a wonderful and exciting day." "It's a beautiful day here: Saint Joseph's feast day, installation of the new Holy Father, so I'm all excited and we pray for him, " said the cardinal, who is prefect emeritus of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.
Posts and comments to The Busy Catholic must be marked by Christian charity and respect for the truth. They should be on topic and presume the good will of other contributors.
Discussion should take place primarily from a faith perspective. We reserve the right to end discussion on any topic any time we feel the discussion is no longer productive.
