Two Views on Vatican II

After the Council: Living Vatican II




The Second Vatican Council: Why Would Pope John XXIII Weep

What's Your Opinion?

More Kerry Ineptitude

He was in Wisconsin the other day, pretending to be a regular guy, and was asked what kind of hunting he preferred. "I'd have to say deer," said the senator. "I go out with my trusty 12-gauge double-barrel, crawl around on my stomach... That's hunting."

Source

More funny pictures.

Msgr. Livio Melina

Here's good interview with one of best moral theologians out there today.

Learning the Bible with Legos

This is absolutely hysterical and brilliant (although slightly irreverent and sarcastic). Anyone who loved Legos as a kid will love this.

Thanks to Saintly Salmagundi.

Politicians continue to Thumb their Noses at the Church

 

In Associated Press interviews with more than 75 such politicians, none said that they are abstaining from the sacrament over the issue, and many said they believed voting for legalized abortion did not jeopardize their standing with the church.

"I am very comfortable with my status, and quite frankly, my relationship with God is direct and personal and the church is merely a guest in that relationship," said U.S. Rep. James Langevin, a Democrat from Rhode Island, the state with the nation's highest percentage of Catholics.

Source

Saint Gianna

Good article on Saint Gianna Molla

Bravo Bishop D'Arcy

 

The church must look for men whom children can respect -- ''men who would be good husbands, men who would be good fathers."
 
''If we ordain men with pathologies and difficulties, they will draw the same kind."
 
''Don't just pray for priests, pray for priests of good quality."
 
Source
 
A Saintly Salmagundi points out that the Holy Father echoed this sentiment in his General Audience May 5, 1982.

The renunciation (of marriage for the sake of the kingdom) is possible only when one admits an authentic knowledge of the value that is contained by the nuptial disposition of masculinity and femininity to marriage. In order for man to be fully aware of what he is choosing (continence for the dake of the kingdom) he must also be fully aware of what he is renouncing.

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I tried to make the same point also here.

Bravo Bishop Vasa

"I answer to the Holy See, I don't answer to the USCCB." Source.

Also see Bishop Vasa's Pastoral Letter requiring lay ministers to make a Profession of Faith.
 
In addition, Bishop Vasa is one of the few bishops that has gone to great lengths to steer clear of abortion and contraception coverage in Church sponsored health insurance plans. See article.

Arthurian Revisionism

 
I was originally excited about this movie, but thanks to Open Book I found this review which has given me some pause.
 
The reviewer sarcastically writes:

And so we have it. It wasn't noble Christian British knights who sat around Arthur's round table and forged the legendary Camelot. It was the combined ingenuity of pagan Woad face-painters and Central Asian cavalrymen. It was not a refined queen who embodied the ideal medieval Lady, but an arrow-slinging Goth chick. And for good measure, don't forget, it was the technologically advanced barbarians who brought sophisticated artillery into battle, not the Romans. I'm sure glad that Hollywood has set the record straight. I was worried we were being fed a bunch of rubbish.

If you've seen the movie, please comment.

Full Review

Micro-Finance: Capitalism or Distributism?

There is a growing business trend called micro-finance that is based on the premise that poor people need business opportunities, not hand-outs. When given the chance, the poor can start their own businesses, save money and repay their loans. Often this means getting loan of only $50 to $300. The cost of giving out such loans is higher than loans in developed countries, since the financial infrastructure is usually not present. But local borrowing options for the poor usually involve something dangerous. Even with the interest, the evidence has shown in many different countries that small loans can be hugely successful for poor families. The default rate for micro-loans is only about 4%.

This is really a fascinating business development. Yes, micro-finance can be a very profitable venture. In fact, profits are what has driven the trend. But it is interesting that distribution of wealth is what leads to profitability and prosperity. Distribution is really the driving factor.

I think Chesterton and company would be very pleased with this global trend.

Read more about micor-finance here and here.

Archbishop Chaput is Sweet

"If you don't accept what the Church teaches on issues of faith and morals you can't claim to be a Catholic."

"There are Catholics who don't understand that and think they're Catholics… We believe that if you don't accept what the church teaches in the grave matters of faith and morals, and we know what those are in the Catholic Church, then you're not in communion with what the Church teaches and therefore you shouldn't go to communion. Communion isn't about personal worthiness, it's about faith, what you believe."

Listen to the complete interview.

Marriage Amendment Dies in Senate

Find out how your senator voted.

Balestrieri Radio Interview

Listen to a radio interview of Marc Balestrieri on Cresta in the Afternoon. Marc does a great job of explaining and defending his heresy case against John Kerry. He deserves all the support we can give. Join the canonical complaint at De Fide.

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Girl with a Pearl Earring turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Based on a novel, which is based on a painting by Jan Vermeer, the movie tells a fictional story in broad colorful strokes and tones much like the Dutch artist's famous masterpiece. I originally thought the movie would focus on a conjectured affair between Vermeer and the family maid. However, the movie remained very tasteful and captured an interesting story with many subtle and sophisticated elements.

* * *

Jan Vermeer himself was an interesting figure in the history of art. Vermeer converted to Catholicism only as a condition of his marriage to Catherina Bolnes. However, two of his works suggest his own developing theological alignment with the Roman Church.

A Woman Holding a Balance
Some have suggested that the woman holding the balance in front of a painting of the Last Judgement is actually the Virgin Mary. The woman is obvious pregnant, thereby revealing Vermeer's view of the Virgin as the vessel of justice and salvation.

The Allegory of Faith
The woman in this painting is often thought to be a depiction of Eve, because of the apple on the floor. But many suspect that Vermeer wanted to depict the New Eve, because the serpent on the floor whose head has just been crushed.

Marc Balestrieri defends his canonical case against Kerry on Foxnews

Emperor Charles of Austria to be Beatified October 3, 2004

The Church is about to confirm the holy life of a vastly misunderstood ruler. Today World War I is often seen in light of World War II. The tragic effect of WWI surely set Europe on the path to WWII, but the causes to WWI were nothing like the causes of WWII. In fact, no one can put to blame for WWI squarely on one side or the other.

Charles von Hapsburg of Austria was perhaps naive and ill-equipped to deal with the overwhelming geo-politics of the day. However, there is also no question that he sought the best for his people and his valient efforts for peace and the integrity of his Catholic lands were sabotaged by those who claimed they were is allies and his close advisors.

Charles and his family were wrongly stripped of their family holdings and exiled. Charles died in poverty. Through it all the former ruler never lost his faith nor his desire to serve.

This website has a lot of good information and a lot of great photos.
* * *

Joanna and James Bogle have written a great book on the subject. Here is an excerpt from the forward by Otto von Hapsburg, the oldest living heir of the Hapsburg Dynasty.

In World War I Emperor Charles of Austria, King of Hungary, tried desperately to end the bloodshed with a constructive peace. Many are the reasons why he could not succeed. It staggers the imagination if one considers what would have happened had this man of peace been successful in his endeavors.

The principles for which he stood are still valid in our day. After his death he was considered by many an unlucky ruler, a marginal figure of history. Nowadays, more than a half century after his death, judgement concerning him is changing, particiluarly in the light of what happened after the First World War and especially of Yalta and its consequences.

In this sense historians have been turning their attention to him and to his spouse Empress and Queen Zita. Many of the lies which were told concerning them have been proven to be false. This is important, since the present generation has the task to rebuild a European Community, the fulfillment of the ideals for which Emperor Charles had stood.

You can find the book at Angelus Press. Chateau du Meau does not endorse the schismatic tendencies of the distributor.

Joanna and James Bogle also have a series on EWTN.

Two Party System Gets Us Nowhere

Does anyone think there's is a real difference between Republicans and Democrats?

Does anyone think that the Republicans are truly doing all they can to stop abortion?

Does anyone think that George W Bush is doing all he can to stop abortion?

Michael Peroutka of the Constitution Party has a plan to stop abortion. He's not going to get elected, but no one else is really serious about ending abortions. Let's face it; Republicans will never get us anywhere. We need to find some kind of alternative.

Peroutka's own words.

Constitution Party website.

One more example of continuing GOP support for abortion.

List of 48 House Members Who Challenged the Church

Here's the list of the 48 House Members who challenged the Church. The letter they wrote received some attention, but all their names were not well publicized. They all should be known for their stance against Church authority.

Rosa L. DeLauro, D-CT
Ed Pastor, D-AZ
James P. McGovern, D-MA
Ciro D. Rodriguez, D-TX
Nick Lampson, D-TX
Raul M. Grijalva, D-AZ
James P. Moran, D-VA
Silvestre Reyes, D-TX
Linda T. Sanchez, D-CA
Bill Pascrell, Jr., D-NJ
Bart Stupak, D-MI
Michael E. Capuano, D-MA
Betty McCollum, D-MN
Anna G. Eshoo, D-CA
Carolyn McCarthy, D-NY
John D. Dingell, D-MI
Peter A DeFazio, D-OR
Stephen F. Lynch, D-MA
Edward J. Markey, D-MA
Jose E. Serrano, D-NY
Madeleine Z. Bordallo, D-GU
Tim Ryan, D-OH
Lane Evans, D-IL
Hilda L. Solis, D-CA
Michael F. Doyle, D-PA
John B. Larson, D-CT
Maurice D. Hinchey, D-NY
Loretta Sanchez, D-CA
Mike Thompson, D-CA
Robert A. Brady, D-PA
Diane E. Watson, D-CA
Jim Langevin, D-RI
Joe Baca, D-CA
Charles A. Gonzalez, D-TX
Nydia M. Velazquez, D-NY
Martin T. Meehan, D-MA
William Lacy Clay, D-MO
Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ
George Miller, D-CA
Karen McCarthy, D-MO
Dennis A. Cardoza, D-Ca
Xavier Becerra, D-CA
Grace F. Napolitano, D-CA
William D. Delahunt, D-MA
James L. Oberstar, D-MN
Luis V. Gutierrez, D-IL
Dennis J. Kucinich, D-OH
Nancy Pelosi, D-CA

Text of the Letter to Cardinal McCarrick
Washington Post Article

I Joined the Canonical Complaint Against Kerry

The hypocrisy of John Kerry knows no bounds.

I just sent my joinder to canonical complaint against John Kerry via registered mail to the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Anyone can join this canonical complaint as a third party. We all need to support Marc Balestrieri and De Fide. You can find out how to join the suit at De Fide's website.

Laypeople should take the initiative in guarding the Church against saboteurs. Next on the list should be Francis Kissling. Read about her latest attack against the Church.

Kerry Sued in Canonical Court for Heresy

"I am inviting all baptized Catholics who feel injured by Kerry to join the suit as third parties" by reading the document on the Web site and then sending a certified letter of agreement to the Boston Archdiocese.

Canonical Complaint
Washington Times