Catholic perspectives on ethical oil versus Canada's oil sands

Church says to protect the Earth but not at the expense of human life

http://www.ethicaloil.org/

The national debate over the Alberta Oil Sands has heated up again, this time for ethical reasons. Several Canadian media outlets are following the work of Alykhan Velshi and his organization's website Ethical Oil.org. Velshi, a lawyer and a former communications director for Canadian Immigration, is leading the charge defending Canada's oil sands for ethical practices versus those of foreign oil providers.

It has been common public knowledge that the majority of the world's oil comes from places like Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. Countries not known for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, often the subject of violations of human rights. Much of the profits those countries make from their oil supply go to repress its own people, and find its way into the pockets of a select few. All this while having no regard for the physical environment.

http://www.ethicaloil.org/

In contrast to the obvious human rights issues of these conflict oil countries is the environmentalists trying to shut down and demonize Canada's oil industry. While these groups are justified by the mass amounts of destruction oil can have on the surrounding environment, the alternative does that as well. Also allowing consumers to be blind directors of genocide.

But what about the Catholic say on this issue? Does God not condemn the possible destruction of his earth? Would Jesus want us using a substance that is not only bad for the environment but people's health? But most importantly, would Jesus be on board with the Western World's oil consumption through the means of conflict oil?

"Our wasteful consumerist lifestyle, combined with political and industrial short-sightedness and neglect, are damaging our air, land, and water," said Bishop Luc Bouchard of St. Paul in Alberta, in a 2009 letter addressing the Alberta Oil Sands posted on the website http://www.oilsandtruth.org/. Bishop Bouchard didn't exactly mince his words about the environmental destruction. Comforting words to those who want to keep the Earth green for generations to come.

http://www.ethicaloil.org/

However the bishop went on to say "the oil sands plants have a deserved good reputation for fostering team work and innovation, promoting safety awareness, encouraging positive race relations, supporting the involvement of aboriginal entrepreneurs, advancing the role of women in the work place, and financing research and development in the environmental sciences."

Encompassing the bishop's address was the view to protect God's created environment. Overall the bishop was quick to talk about how proud he was of the Fort McMurray community, and the work of two of its biggest employers Syncrude and Suncor. But he was skeptical of the industries commitment to environmental care. However since his address was written, oil companies have taken steps to follow the desired environmental regulations.

Even James Cameron, director of Avatar and a prominent oil sands critic, told Peter Mansbridge during an interview in late 2010, that he thought both options (oil sands vs conflict oil) were "bad choices." However he was impressed with the amount of work and the open discussion going on with the oil sands companies about the environmental impact.

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) says we as human beings must be wise to the actions of the World Leaders. Making sure to uphold economic justice while also maintain a preferential option for the poor and marginalised.

The solution from all parties on this debate between the merits of the environment impact versus the treatment of human beings is not easy. However well off countries like Canada, the US, and Britain need to understand the obligation and privilege of defending the exploited living in these conflict oil nations.

As Pope John Paul II the Great said in regards to the CST, “political leaders and citizens of rich countries, especially if they are Christians, have the moral obligation to take into consideration in personal decisions and decisions of government, the interdependence which exists between their conduct and the poverty and underdevelopment of so many millions of people."

Fr. Rosica Reflects on WYD

A conversation with Fr. Thomas Rosica re his thoughts on World Youth Day from Love and Life: A Home for English-speaking Pilgrims

Q: When talking about World Youth Day, conversations tend to focus on, well, the youth. But what impact do you think World Youth Day has on the rest of the global Church – those above the age of 35 who don’t make the pilgrimage?

A: World Youth Days are a pretext and a lens: a pretext in that the events, though primarily for the transformation and faith formation of young people, exist for the renewal of faith of the entire Christian community. In the wake of sexual abuse scandals that have captivated the media for far too long, and presented a church wracked with controversy and scandal, World Youth Days are really an indicator of a rebirth that’s taking place in the Church. It’s a rebirth that is happening as the world turns upon us. World Youth Days offer us lenses of hope through which we look at the Church, the world and the future.

[Read more...]

Jesus is more political than you think, says priest

Christ may have been put to death for more than perceived heresy

Father Stanley Azaro, OP

It is popular in society to say Jesus is a wise religious figure. People call him a teacher, philosopher, healer, or martyr. But a political figure? That perception is not widely viewed.

According to Father Stanley Azaro, OP Jesus is more political then one thinks. Giving a talk at St Mary's August 2 in Vancouver called "Is Jesus Political?", Father Azaro painted Christ as a controversial, dangerous, and political foe. Not exactly the loving Lord and Saviour perceived by Christians and society as a whole.

Father Azaro didn't say Christ meant to be a political, but according to one's definition of the word, Jesus was and is very politically active.

Father backed up his point by first giving a little history lesson. Using both biblical and historical facts, he spoke about the political situation in Israel/Palestine at the time. The Roman Empire was in control and had a difficult time controlling the Jews. While it is not stated in the Gospels directly, Father Azaro asserted that Christ's crucifixion had to be for more than just for heresy. The Romans may have feared the political will within the Jewish people, and with Jesus as their leader an uprising against the Empire could take place. Also the Romans controlled the Jewish Religious leadership at the time. So it wasn't inconceivable to think that maybe Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor, had more reasons to send Jesus to his death than just mad cries from the crowd.

Father Azaro also pointed out Jesus' disdain for the rich and compassion for the poor as a possible politically motivated teaching. At the time of Christ's Ministry, there was a huge gap between the rich and the poor. Most were wealthy by manipulating their own people and siding with the Roman Empire. Therefore, not only were the super rich manipulating and oppressing their own people, but also turning their back on their customs, traditions, and most importantly God.

Today Jesus is viewed outside of politics. According to Father Azaro, the separation between Church and State in the Western World has made it very hard to adapt Catholic Moral Teaching into today's political spheres. When asked about how a Catholic could bring more of the Faith and Morals into politics, he referenced Msgr John A. Ryan, who was lobbyist in Washington. He also said to talk to one's representative and be vocal about disagreements.

Father Azaro also said to research the choices given by political parties. He was unable to speak specifically of the Canadian Political situation as he is an American, but was able to convey that any political decision is difficult and will not be perfectly balanced with Catholic Moral Teaching.

A Dominican Priest, Father Azaro is highly educated on the political subject matter, attending among others Harvard University. He also teaches theology in New York, where he also resides.

2011 Pilgrimage to Mission Grotto

The annual Marian Pilgrimage to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Mission will be Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011.

Come one and all to Fraser River Heritage Park (east end of Fifth Avenue in Mission) to pray and celebrate in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes. The main celebrant will be Most Rev. Ken Nowakowski, Bishop of the New Westminster Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy. All are most welcome!

Confessions will start at 10 a.m., with Mass at 1 p.m. A procession will follow with Rosary at the grotto. 

• Confession: 10:00 am
• Mass: 1:00 pm
• Pilgrimage: Immediately following Mass

A reminder to all who come: please bring your own chairs and a picnic basket.

Free bus service provided by the Order of Malta for the handicapped and elderly from Central Vancouver. To reserve a seat, please call 604.264.1790.

Guess it's wrong for Catholic families to adopt

Catholic Charities to fight for adoption rights for Illinois Government

Catholic Charities have taken the ACLU to court, asserting
its right to define parents (a man and a woman) as the
only adoption choice.

Catholic Charities is fighting with the state of Illinois to reinstate dropped adoption contracts. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ACLU) cancelled its contracts with Catholic adoption services because it believed the charities expressed a religious objection to Illinois' civil union laws. In other words the refusal to allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children through Catholic services.

The ACLU said, during a preliminary hearing Monday, the state government's cancellation of the contracts was validated because of the harm it causes children in the state's Department of Children and Family Services.

"Catholic Charities has maintained the same policies for decades on the placement of children with unmarried couples," said Catholic Charities legal counsel Peter Breen.

"To assert that Catholic Charities is now suddenly not acting in the best interest of children means the civil liberties group is either disingenuous or the ACLU has been asleep at the switch for the last 20 years."

"Catholic Charities is not preventing a single parent from adopting," Breen, who is also the executive director of the pro-life legal firm the Thomas More Society, said. He said there are over 40 state licensed adoption agencies both secular and religious.

Catholic Charities is arguing the lawful right to operate under the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act. It allows same-sex couples to adopt while also protecting faith-based organisations. This effectively should allow Catholic Charities to run according to its own faith.

Breen feels Catholic Charities has a good case asserting the dropped contracts violate the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This law protects religious groups from the burdens countering one's religious beliefs.

"Word Made Image"

Paintings on the life of Christ on display during World Youth Day in Madrid



Fourteen masterpieces on the life of Christ are currently on display in the Prado Museum in Madrid. The exhibit includes Caravaggio's The Descent (also known as The Entombment of Christ and The Deposition), loaned by the Vatican to the Prado Museum for World Youth Day.

The Descent by Caravaggio

The exhibit will open from July 21-September 18. Museum admission is free for all pilgrims who present their World Youth Day accreditation at the entrance from August 16 to 21. The museum will also open the two main floors of their collection on the nights of August 16, 17 and 18 from 8:30 p.m. to 12 midnight. (Catholic News Agency).

"I am sure that tens of thousands of young people will be able to not only enjoy the aesthetic beauty of these images of Christ on display by the Prado, but many of them will also have a profound experience of faith." - Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid

Archbishop Miller admits "going over the top" on stewardship

Vancouver's head priest shares his enthusiastic views on the "spirit of gratitude" 

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB has been preaching the message of stewardship around the Archdiocese of Vancouver for sometime now. In a message written for the International Catholic Stewardship Council website, he admits to being an excited new convert to the stewardship way of life, and maybe a bit over the top about it.

"Everyone knows how (new) converts are: enthusiastic, sometimes failing to understand why others don’t share their new-found treasure – whatever that treasure may be," the archbishop wrote in his address. "It is such a wonderful gift for renewal that touches the heart of Archdiocesan life. Putting God first in our lives by practising stewardship deepens our faith in a way that we never dreamed possible."

The seemingly never understated archbishop also stated the challenges true stewardship can impose on the modern day Catholic family.

"Individuals and families who practice stewardship struggle as all of us do: to make a living, to juggle income with expenses and to respond to the increasing demands placed on our time and talent."

Although challenging, Archbishop Miller said that by cultivating a spirit of gratitude one can be liberated from want and care. He also reminded the reader that good stewards giving just a bit of their time, they will receive a hundredfold from the Lord. 

17 tents to contain Blessed Sacrement during WYD 2011

Pope to continue tradition of ending the Catholic youth gathering with Adoration

Pope Benedict XVI is a no nonsense kind of kind of guy, which might be why during his first World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany he ended the festivities with Eucharistic silence instead of a big, loud musical number. In 2008 in Australia adoration also ended the event.



Adoration Mass at WYD 2002 in Toronto

 "The point is to highlight that the central person of World Youth Day is Jesus Christ, and the Pope is coming to proclaim him," said Madrid co-coordinator of the liturgies Father Javier Cremades.

WYD 2011 in Madrid will also have adoration close out the festivities. The Pope will lead the adoration and Benediction, with adoration and prayer to go throughout the night.

To help with the massive amounts of people congregated on the edges of the Cuatro Vientos military airport, there will be 17 tents erected as chapels.

WYD will not be all silence and prayer though.

"We'll wake the young people with mariachi music," Father Cemades said as a wake up call for the Pope's arrival that day.

Pope Benedict's predecessor Blessed John Paul II was known to take a more energetic approach to World Youth Days. The beloved Holy Father would rally the thousands gathered, making the experience more of a concert like atmosphere.

The current Pope has a reputation for being a bit more subdued, to the point some Catholics are surprised he's as extroverted as he has been during his papacy. This demeanor lead the Pope to be a bit surprised at how ready the young attendees of World Youth Day's of the past were able to contain their energy, remaining in silence before the Lord in adoration.

"These youth days have actually turned out to be a genuine gift for me," the Holy Father said in an interview.

"It was quite simply the common joy of faith that carried us through and that made it possible for hundreds of thousands of people to remain in silence before the sacrament and so to become one."

What our pilgrims will be packing

So what is today's fashionable pilgrim wearing? Well, now we will have some idea what our WYD pilgrims will be carrying around Spain in the coming weeks:

The official World Youth Day Pilgrim’s Backpack is now public!!!

The bag itself features the official WYD colours: Red, Yellow and Orange. The bag will contain the official Pilgrim T-Shirt, a hat, a fan – because this IS Spain and and it IS summer. The bag also contains a copy of the YouCat Catechism book, a copy of Magnificat with which to follow the liturgies, the Pilgrim Guidebook the outlines the schedule of week and contains useful information about Madrid and WYD services. The bag also contains a transit pass, with which pilgrims can ride metro, bus and trains all week.

Pilgrims who are registered for housing and meals will receive the backpack upon arrival at their check-in location.

By Alicia Ambrosio - Salt and Light

More Masses required by priests in U.S

Bigger parishes and more ministries becoming the norm

This Mass seemed to have no problem attracting a number of
priests. But in the U.S, priests and religious are down 41
percent according to CARA report.

There are more Catholics in the United States celebrating Mass, at fewer parishes, by a dwindling number of priests according to a report. The report called "The Changing Face of U.S Catholic Parishes" says Catholic life is becoming "supersized."

"Bigger parishes, more Masses and ministries in languages other than English are becoming the norm," says the report released June 18.

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), the authors of the report, found slight increases in family attendance at parishes around the country. While still down from the height of Mass attendance in the 1950s, CARA believes the numbers have been steady over the last decade, and with a growing Catholic population the need for more sacrament availability will be necessary.

The report also pointed out the decline of priests and the Religious. Since 1980 there has been a 41 percent decline in Religious vocations. However there has been sharp increases in ministerial staff at parishes climbing an estimated 790 of new staffers a year. Also these ecclesiastical ministers are employed for 20 hours a week or more.

Australian Catholic hospitals apologise for forced adoptions

Adoptions forced on unmarried mothers

The Catholic Church has apologized for it's involvement in forced adoptions between the 1950's and 1970's in Australia. Mothers deemed unfit to raise children by the Catholic run hospitals were allegedly drugged, and unable to view their child during labour.

"We acknowledge the pain of separation and loss felt then and felt now by the mothers, fathers, children, families and others involved in the practices of the time," the Church said in a statement. "For this pain we are genuinely sorry."



Most of the women were young, mostly teenagers with unplanned pregnancies. They were allegedly not told of single parents benefits or the right to revoke the adoption. The newly born babies were whisked away after delivery to families more "fit" to care for them.

The Western Australian Government has also apologized for its involvement in this embarrassing practice.

"The evidence that's come forward really speaks to a shameful and regretful time in the history of healthcare in Australia," said chief executive for Catholic Health Australia  Martin Laverty. "It wasn't just a small number of hospitals. We now know that there were many hospitals across Australia."


On top of the apology, the Church also called on the Australian government to establish "a fund for remedying established wrongs," and a national program to help mothers and children affected by the abusive practices.

Christ is always the best psychiatrist

Catholic Family Services hosts mental health workshop



Jake Khym (left), Peter White (right), and Catholic Family
Services Director Pavel Reid (center)

 According to Jake Khym and Peter White, psychotherapists in Vancouver, a healthy mind involves Jesus. The two gave a workshop last Friday through Catholic Family Services detailing Christs importance in the mental health field.

The day long workshop started at 9:30a.m with an introduction called "adequate anthropology" (a true understanding of human nature). This is the understanding that we are rooted in Jesus mentally. The first session also explained the human yearning for Christ, and how it leads to a true life. Khym and White say this is the answer to true mental wellness.
In session two the therapists brought up how secular counsellors focus on the "whatever is right for you, unconditional, positive regard" mindset. They countered this saying this mentality doesn't offer freedom and the fullness of life to their clients. Instead of trying to give what is right in what an individual perceives, they give an objective truth of humanity through Christs teachings.

The workshop went on with two more sessions following a lunch. Session three dealt with Jesus as the "indispensable art of mental health." And session four reminded mental health workers of the importance of Christ to the mental health field.

Pro-Life, Pro-Funk

Former Commodores guitarist in Abbotsford

Thomas "Mr. Brickhouse" McClarly, a founding member of funk balladeers the Commodores, will be performing a house concert Aug 5 hosted by Abbotsford Right to Life.

Tickets are $50 with all proceeds going to Abbotsford Right to Life.

McClarly was the Commodore's lead guitarist during their hit-making heyday in the 1970's and currently has a solo gospel album out.

His nickname comes from one the Commodores' biggest hits, but maybe he should change it to "Mr. Machine Gun," since he's likely to blow the audience away.

Tickets can be purchased by emailing iamaperson@shaw.ca or phoning 604-832-6311.

The performance is at 37720 Dawson Rd. in Abbotsford.

Nuns rush the show

Catch the Nunsense before it closes

There are only a few more chances to see the Fighting Chance Productions staging of Nunsense at the Coast Capital Playhouse in Whiterock.

The awarding-winning theatre company tells the story of five zealous nuns with show business backgrounds who put on a variety show to raise money for the burials of four of their order, the Little Sisters of Hoboken.

The show closes July 23.

Alex Browne from The Peace Arch News says Fighting Chance Productions "seems to redefine community theatre with every show it attempts" by continually raising the bar.

If this play looks a bit too irreverent for you, just remember 60s oddity that was Sally Field in The Flying Nun.

The "Father" of genetics turns 189

World celebrates the accomplishments of the priest and scientist

Google's company named spelled above the search bar
honouring Gregor Mendel's pea experiments that led
led to the science of genetics

If you search anything on Google today, you will notice that above the search bar is the company letters spelled out in peas. These are not just any peas, they are the symbol of one of the greatest scientists of all time Gregor Mendel. Who just happened to be a Catholic priest.

Mendel was born in the Austrian Empire in 1822. He grew up on a farm where he would garden regularly, which would serve him well in the future. Mendel was a very bright man who was dedicated to his studies in philosophy and physics at the University of Olomouc.

Father Gregor Mendel went on to
become the Abbot for the Abbey of Saint
Thomas in Brno. Unfortunately the
administration duties took him away
from his studies.

He went on to study as a priest and, at the recommendation of his physics teacher, entered the Augustinian Abbey of Saint Thomas in Brno. There he went on to father the science of genetics. Mendel conducted multiple experiments on pea plants between 1856 and 1863. He concluded the different plants had three different characteristics: recessive, hybrid, and dominant alleles. In other words, the characteristics of an organism's offspring will carry on depending on the genetic make-up of the mates.

Mendel wasn't initially recognized for his work among the scientific community. Many scientists favoured the blending inheritance theory by Charles Darwin. This idea was that a random set of circumstances to determine how a species would develop. This was debunked in the 1900's when Mendel's theories were combined with Darwin's theory of natural selection.

He went on to teach at the Abbey as well as become the Abbot before he died in 1884.    

Cloverdale on guard at Swangard

Surrey school dominates at CISVA track meet

Surrey's Cloverdale Catholic School had a stunning first place finish at the June 8 track meet for the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese.

This success at Swangard Stadium was the culmination of the team's incremental improvement over the past few years.

The competition is the largest of it's kind in B.C., with almost 35 schools and well over 1,000 athletes taking part.

Two of the event's brightest stars were Cloverdale's Maria Palmegiani, 12, and Raquel Pinto, 11, who won the “aggregate” awards for best female athlete in their age groups.

Civil and Catholic law gather for Red Mass

B.C's legal professionals come together for spiritual guidance

Catholic Lawyers hope to uphold God's law
as good as Saint Thomas More

Donning the red vestments Archbishop J. Michael Millar, CSB is hoping the symbol of the tongues of fire will breathe truth into B.C's legal community. Lawyers, judges and other legal professionals are invited to join in B.C's first Red Mass Sept. 22 at 5:10p.m at Holy Rosary Cathedral.

Since it's inception in Paris in 1245, the Red Mass has brought together Catholic legal workers guiding towards the goals of faith and justice. One of the largest gatherings takes place every year in Washington, D.C. before the start of the U.S Supreme Court's annual term.

Al Pacino from The Devil's Advocate. Lawyers like this will
not (hopefully) be attendance for the Red Mass

After the Mass there will be a reception and dinner with guest speaker Father Raymond Desouza at the Vancouver Club. Dinner starts at 6:30p.m.with tickets available for $130 and $1000 for a table of eight.

Holy Rosary Cathedral is located on the corner of Dunsmuir and Richards. The Vancouver Club is located at 915 W. Hastings Street.

Death by appointment?

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition announces action

Gloria Taylor

EPC director Alex Schadenberg says his organization is seeking intervenor status on two cases - one involving an elderly grandmother named Kay Carter who went outside Canada to end her life at a Swiss clinic and another of ALS patient Gloria Taylor who has asked to terminate her life in this country.

The B.C. Civil Liberties Assoc. is trying to change the laws through the courts, said Schadenberg, because the euthanasia lobby has failed to pass a euthanasia bill  in parliament.

Mark Pickup

Disability activist Mark Pickup, who happens to suffer from the same condition as Kay Carter, says wants to make sure that his life will not be terminated in case he finds himself despairing and meets up with people who are pushing for the courts to approve physician assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Confessing the confession

People will have to cross the Channel for confession, just like abortion

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny

Ireland's government is saying it will introduce legislation that will force priests to reveal what they learn in the confessional about child abuse.

"The point is, if there is a law in the land, it has to be followed by everybody. There are no exceptions, there are no exemptions," said Irish Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said July 14 that canon law would not be allowed to supersede state law.

Father P.J. Madden, spokesman for the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland, said the seal of confession is "above and beyond all else." He said in confession he would try to persuade a penitent to also confess the crime to police.

David Quinn, director of the think-tank the Iona Institute, said the government "is clearly missing something that every other government can see, which is that, at a minimum, such a law is very unlikely to lead to a single conviction and, at a maximum, will be counterproductive and will make society less safe, rather than more safe."

"Cutting off the avenue of confession to a child abuser makes it less likely that he will talk to someone who can persuade him to take the next step," he said.

He pointed out that the issue would rapidly become moot: "No child abuser will go to a priest in confession knowing the priest is required to inform the police."

Pope calls for "info-ethics" in journalism

Vatican weighs in on phone hacking scandal


The mushrooming press-political-police voice mail hacking scandal which is threatening to dismantle communications baron Rupert Murdoch's grip on British newspapers and broadcasting has led to calls from the Vatican for journalistic integrity.

Father Jose Maria Gil Tamayo 

The media, said Spanish media specialist Father Jose Maria Gil Tamayo, writing in L'Osservatore Romano, needs to introduce "a real code of ethics that respects the authentic natural and inviolable dignity of the human person."

Pope Benedict, said Father Tamayo, considers it "essential" that social communications "assiduously defend the person and fully respect human dignity."