Saturday, September 18, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Journey to the UK: September 18, 2010

This is an ongoing roundup of news, commentary and articles. It will be continuously updated throughout the day as content is made available.


What Happened Today?

London
  • 09:00 - Meeting with the Prime Minister in the Archbishop's House (City of Westminster)
  • 09:20 - Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister in the Archbishop's House (City of Westminster)
  • 09:30 - Meeting with the Opposition Leader in the Archbishop's House (City of Westminster)
  • 10:00 - Mass in the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (City of Westminster): Homily and Greeting of the Holy Father
  • 17:00 - Visit to St Peter's Residence for the elderly (London Borough of Lambeth): Address of the Holy Father
  • 18:15 - Prayer Vigil on the Eve of the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, Hyde Park (City of Westminster): Address of the Holy Father
Pope Benedict XVI conducts a mass in Westminster Cathedral in London, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010. Source: Associated Press

Addresses of the Holy Father (and Others)
Pope Benedict XVI addresses pilgrims gathered in Westminster Cathedral Piazza, in central London. Source: Reuters

Coverage of the Day's Events
Pope Benedict XVI visits St Peter's Residence for Older People during the third day of his State Visit on September 18, 2010 in London. Source: Getty Images

Blogging the Papal Visit
Pope Benedict XVI attends the prayer vigil at Hyde Park during the third day of his State Visit on September 18, 2010 in London, England.. Source: Getty Images

Additional Articles of the Day
Posted by Christopher Blosser at 1:18 AM 0 comments

Friday, September 17, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Journey to the UK: September 17, 2010

This is an ongoing roundup of news, commentary and articles. It will be continuously updated throughout the day as content is made available.

What Happened Today?

London
  • 08:00 - Private Celebration of Mass in the Chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature in Wimbledon (London Borough of Merton)
  • 10:00 - Meeting with the world of Catholic Education in the Chapel and Sports Arena of St Mary’s University in Twickenham (London Borough of Richmond): Greeting and Address of the Holy Father | Video
  • 11:30 - Meeting with Religious Leaders in the Waldegrave Drawing Room of St Mary’s University College in Twickenham (London Borough of Richmond): Address of the Holy Father | Video
  • 16:00 - Courtesy Visit to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace (London Borough of Lambeth): Address of the Holy Father | Video
  • 17:10 - Meeting with representatives of civil society, academic, cultural and entrepreneurial world, diplomatic corps and religious leaders at Westminster Hall (City of Westminster): Address of the Holy Father | Video
  • 18:15 - Ecumenical Celebration at Westminster Abbey (City of Westminster): Address of the Holy Father
A school girl holds a decorated crucifix and a Papal flag as she watches Pope Benedict XVI at The Big Assembly gathering at St Mary's University College. Source: Getty Images


Addresses of the Holy Father / Others Coverage of the Day's Events
The Achbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams supports the arm of Pope Benedict XVI as he leaves after addressing a meeting of Anglican and Roman Catholic Diocesan bishops of England, Scotland and Wales at Lambeth Palace . Source: Getty Images

Blogging the Papal Visit
The pope arrives to attend a service of prayer at St Mary's University College chapel in Twickenham. Source: Toby Melville. Reuters

Other Articles of The Day
Posted by Christopher Blosser at 8:00 AM 0 comments

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Journey to the UK: September 16, 2010


This is an ongoing roundup of news, commentary and articles. It will be continuously updated throughout the day as content is made available.

What Happened Today?

Rome
  • 08:10 - Departure from Ciampino Airport for Edinburgh
Edinburgh
  • 10:30 - Arrival at Edinburgh International Airport | Video
  • State welcome at Edinburgh International Airport
  • 11:00 - Welcoming Ceremony in the Palace of Holyroodhouse
  • Courtesy Visit to Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, in the Palace of Holyroodhouse | Video
  • 11:40 - Meeting with State Authorities in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse Address of the Holy Father | Video
  • 13:00 - Luncheon with Papal Entourage at the Archbishop's House
Glasgow
  • 17:15 - Mass at Bellahouston Park: Homily of the Holy Father | Video
  • 20:00 - Departure from Glasgow International for London
London
  • 21:25 - Arrival at Heathrow International Airport (London Borough of Hillingdon)
Addresses of the Holy Father / Others
Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Benedict XVI (R) walk through the gardens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland. Source; Getty Images

Coverage of the Day's Events
Pope Benedict XVI's kisses infant Maria Tyszczak of Poland, as he arrives for mass at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Source; Reuters

Blogging the Papal Visit
Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful upon his arrival at Bellahouston park to celebraste an open-air mass in Glasgow, Scotland. Source; Associated Press

Other articles of the day
Pilgrims sing as hundreds of people wait for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI outside the Vatican's Apostolic Nunciature in London where the Pope is staying during his visit to Britain. Source: Associated Press
Posted by Christopher Blosser at 6:36 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Anticipating Pope's Visit to the UK - Roundup (September 14-15, 2010)

  • Religious Showdown: Papal Aide Drops Out of Visit to 'Third World' UK, by Nate Jones (Time September 15, 2010):
    Cardinals aren't allowed to make fun of Britain! Only Americans are allowed to make fun of Britain!

    In an interview with the German Magazine Focus, a close advisor to Pope Benedict XVI minced no words in criticizing the United Kingdom, site of an upcoming visit by the Pope.

    "When you land at Heathrow [airport] you think you are in a Third World land," Cardinal Walter Kasper told the paper. He also implied the Christians were at a disadvantage in Britain due to a system of "aggressive atheism" in the country, saying "If you wear a cross you are discriminated."

    [...]

    Today, Kasper backed out of the trip with the Pope. Vatican officials stated that this was due to illness.

    Papal spokesman Frederico Lombardi sought to put Kasper's remarks in the best light, while others distanced themselves (The Guardian):
    Lombardi said Kasper "had meant to refer to the fact that from the moment of arrival in London airport – as happens in many big metropolises of the world today, but in London particularly because the unique role played over time by the UK's capital – you realise from the outset that you are in a country in which many human realities of the most diverse provenances and conditions meet and mingle; a crucible of today's humanity, with its diversity and problems".

    Lombardi added that, in speaking about atheism, the cardinal "was obviously referring to the positions of certain well-known authors who put themselves forward particularly aggressively and dress themselves up in scientific and cultural arguments, but who do not in fact have the value they show off".

    Last night the Catholic church in England and Wales distanced itself from the cardinal's comments, which a spokeswoman said "do not represent the views of the Vatican, nor those of bishops in this country".

  • "Pope Benedict XVI is the worst enemy of Britain's vicious secular elites" - James MacMillan, reknowned Scottish Catholic composer, goes to bat for the Pope in an editorial for the Telegraph (September 15, 2010):
    When he was elected Pope in April 2005, it was not just musicians who were cock-a hoop. Many had known about this distinguished academic theologian for decades. My first encounter with his ideas and writings was as an undergraduate at Edinburgh University when the then Catholic Chaplain and Dominican, Fr Aidan Nichols was talking about his influence. In those days many young Catholics like me were seduced by the cul-de-sac political romanticism of “Liberation” Theology. It was a huge mistake, and it took the power and charisma of John Paul II to shake us out of our self-indulgent, irresponsible reverie. Joseph Ratzinger too, was a potent voice in warning the Church of its dangers. ...

    [T]he Left, having lost the economic arguments are now channeling all their energies into “reforming” our culture, institutions, public manners and ethical norms. Ratzinger saw this coming when he was exposed to the rabid intolerance of the left-wing 68ers at Tubingen University, ... As has been well documented since, these campus Marxists have ascended to power and influence all over western Europe, and now form the secular elites who control governments, universities and what we read, see and hear in our media. This is why the reception of Pope Benedict in this country has been so vicious, one-sidedly negative and unfriendly. They sense their worst enemy! Literally.

  • Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark has warned Catholic families that “crackpots and lunatics” could still disrupt the papal visit (Catholic Herald September 15, 2010). Coincidentally, as if to validate his fears, The Edinburgh Journal reports that the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland and the Humanist Society of Scotland (HSS) have organised protests to coincide with the Pope’s visit.

  • Edward Pentin (Catholic Herald), on why the Pope’s address in Westminster Hall is one of his most important ever:
    Freedom of conscience, faith and reason, and the positive contribution to society of the faith are the expected themes of the speech the Pope will deliver in the ancient chamber, perhaps most famous for being the place where St Thomas More was tried and condemned in 1535.

    Westminster Hall has also been the site many other historical events, highly significant to British Catholics and to the nation as a whole. Originally constructed by William II (Rufus) in 1097, it was the venue for the coronation banquets of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Elizabeth I. Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot conspirators were tried there, as were Charles I and Sir William Wallace.

    More recently, it was where Edward VII, George V, George VI, Queen Mary, Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother all lay in state. It is also reserved for the most important addresses: Charles de Gaulle delivered a speech in the Hall on a visit to Britain in 1960, and Nelson Mandela did so in 1996.

    For the government, Westminster Hall will be a crucial event, ...

  • David Cameron has offered a “warm welcome” to Pope Benedict XVI and said his visit would be a “great honour” for Britain (Catholic Herald September 15, 2010) | Video

  • More than 50 public figures have added their names to a letter in the Guardian newspaper opposing the Pope's visit (September 15, 2010). Signatories include "Professor Richard Dawkins, Ken Follett, AC Grayling, Stewart Lee, Claire Rayner, Lord Foulkes, Lord Hughes, Professor Steve Jones, Sir Jonathan Miller, Lord Taverne, Peter Tatchell and Baroness Turner." (Any of those ring a bell besides Dawkins?) -- At any rate, they wish to "reject the masquerading of the Holy See as a state and the pope as a head of state as merely a convenient fiction to amplify the international influence of the Vatican."

    By way of Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, The Catholic League responds to those lecturing the Pope:
    Philip Pullman, of "The Golden Compass" fame, signed the letter. A few months ago, he said, "I hope the wretched Catholic Church will vanish entirely." Atheist fanatic Richard Dawkins, known for charging that the Catholic Church is "the greatest force for evil in the world," signed it as well. Gay activist Peter Tatchell, an organizer of "Protest the Pope," has said, "Several of my friends—gay and straight, male and female—had sex with adults from the ages of nine to 13. None feel they were abused. All say it was their conscious choice and gave them great joy."

    There you have it. The pope’s leading critics are imbued with hate and even associate with advocates of child rape. And they have the nerve to point fingers at the pontiff.

  • As Pope Benedict prepares for his visit to the United Kingdom, speculation abounds as to what he might say. According to William Doino of First Things, clues can be found in a previous speech he delivered, which has been surprisingly overlooked:
    In 1988, the-then Cardinal Ratzinger, travelled to England to give the annual Fisher Lecture at the Catholic Chaplaincy at Cambridge University. The Times of London said it was one of the best-attended theological lectures ever in contemporary England, and for ample reason: it was classic Joseph Ratzinger–Ratzinger at his scintillating best.

    Addressing what he called “the characteristic signs of our time,” he names them: an overwhelming sense of gloom, paradoxically alternating with a naïve sense of “progress;” a spiritual emptiness finding expression in sexual excess and drug abuse; a secular conformism which forbids serious criticism of social immorality (“whoever dares to say that…is put on the sidelines as a hopeless obscurantist”); and—most prophetically—a false and fanatical search for “liberation,” which spurs terrorism: “a real prevention of its root causes has not yet taken place….and, as long as this is so, it can erupt anew at any time.”

    Against this nihilism, Ratzinger proposes the Christian world view, ingeniously invoking that most British of British Christians ... more]

  • On the eve of the Pope's visit, news of a possible second Newman miracle -- Cindy Wooden reports for the Catholic News Service:
    Catholic officials are investigating claims that a severely deformed baby was born in a perfectly normal condition after the child's mother prayed to Cardinal John Henry Newman for a miracle.

    Andrea Ambrosi, the Vatican lawyer in charge of Cardinal Newman's cause for canonization, has revealed in a BBC program to be broadcast Sept. 18 that he hopes the inexplicable healing may be the miracle needed to canonize Cardinal Newman as Britain's next saint. ...

  • Francis Campbell, U.K. ambassador to the Holy See, speaks with ZENIT at length about the expected impact of the pope's visit -- the first state visit of a Pope to the United Kingdom (September 14, 2010).

  • "The expectations and interest of British society is growing," despite some "noisy but always marginal manifestations of dissent" -- that's the word of Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, in an editorial in the weekly program "Octava Dies" of the Vatican Television Center. (Zenit. September 14, 2010).

  • The Popemobile has been displayed ahead of the state visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the UK - and it's a Mercedes. (Metro.co.uk September 14, 2010).

  • Tyneside teenager Declan Stokle will be addressing a crowd of more than 80,000 people during the Papal visit to the UK (BBC News, September 14, 2010).

  • The man who was in charge of ensuring Pope John Paul II's safety during his visit to the UK in 1982 recalls his experiences to the BBC (September 14, 2010):
    Being tasked with the role of keeping the leader of the Roman Catholic church safe, just over one year on from an assassination attempt in Rome, he was well aware of the responsibility on his shoulders.

    "In 25 years in the Special Branch it was the one morning that I got up and thought 'I don't want to go to work today,'" he said.

    "It was the morning of the start of the Papal visit and I thought 'hell, what have I volunteered to do' because if it goes wrong it's down to me. ...

    (Please pray for those who occupy the same shoes providing security in the coming days).

  • Breaking news from the Richmond and Twickenham Times -- Richmond’s LGBT forum has launched a last-minute campaign to demonstrate anger at the visit of Pope Benedict XVI (September 14, 2010):
    “We hope that the Challenge HomoPopia campaign will allow all of those who are unable to attend the various physical demonstrations being organised to add their voices to the challenge and, simultaneously, to make a small donation, leaving a tangible legacy to help the victims of HomoPopia.”
    HomoPapia?!?
Posted by Christopher Blosser at 7:03 AM 0 comments

Monday, September 13, 2010

Getting acquainted with John Henry Cardinal Newman

It goes without saying that the opportunity to personally beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman was a major enticement for the pontiff's journeying to England at this particular time. What follows is a brief selection of links to get better acquainted with the Cardinal (more of which can be found here).

Introductions Articles and Commentary
  • Who was John Henry Newman? - An Interview with Father Carleton Jones, O.P. The Dominican Province of St. Joseph. August 25, 2010. (Father Carleton Jones, O.P., wrote his Doctoral Dissertation on Newman while studying at the Angelicum University in Rome. Fr. Jones is also a graduate of Yale University. After fourteen years in the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Father Jones became a Roman Catholic in 1982, entered the Dominican Order, and was ordained in 1987).
  • Feast day for Cardinal Newman has ecumenical implications, by John Thavis (Catholic News Service):
    When Pope Benedict XVI beatifies Cardinal John Henry Newman in mid-September, he'll announce the new blessed's feast day as Oct. 9 -- not the date of his death, which is typical for feast days, but the date of Cardinal Newman's passage from Anglicanism into the Catholic Church.
  • Cardinal Newman: The Victorian celebrity intellectual who brought Benedict to Britain, by Christopher Howse. The Telegraph September 11, 2010.
  • Beyond the Beatification of Cardinal Newman , by C. John McCloskey III. Wall Street Journal September 10, 2010:
    Newman died in 1890 popularly considered a saint. Over a century later, the Church is vindicating this judgment of the people of the U.K. and the whole English-speaking world. Pope Benedict's decision to preside over Newman's beatification reflects his love and respect for a fellow theologian whose work he has studied from his seminary days, and whose influence on the Second Vatican Council made him perhaps the most influential theologian on the council, even though it was meeting more than 70 years after his death.
  • Conrad Black (National Review) on Honoring Cardinal Newman: "... in the 120 years since his death, Newman has carried the British colors in his spheres of endeavor with a brilliance, panache, and durability that has put him in, or close to, the company of history’s most distinguished Englishmen, the exalted realm of Shakespeare and Churchill." September 7, 2010.
  • Newman on "the danger of accomplishments" Aaron Pidel, SJ (Whosoever Desires) blogs on a single sermon that Newman preached—while still an Anglican—on the Feast of St. Luke: “The Danger of Accomplishments.” ("It might be aptly retitled today, 'The Danger of Higher Education.'") September 4, 2010.
  • What could a soon-to-be-beatified 19th century English cardinal and Catholic convert possibly have to say to people living in modern Australia? - Father Rod Strange has the answer. Catholic Leader August 22, 2010.
  • Newmania! - Joseph A. Komonchak (Commonweal): "as a preparation for the beatification of John Henry Newman in September, I might send in from time to time favorite excerpts from his writings, in the hope also of attracting new readers to the man who saved my intellectual soul when I was in college."
  • James Martin asks "Whose saint is Cardinal Newman?" Boston Globe May 7, 2009:
    Admired by conservatives and liberals, cradle Catholics and converts, as well as anti-clericalists and gays, Cardinal John Henry Newman is destined to be a popular but controverted saint. Who is the "real" Newman? It's a bit like the popular quest for the "historical Jesus." Which one you find depends a great deal on which one you're searching for.
  • Cardinal Newman: Doctor of the Church? - Father Ian Ker on the Priest’s Cause, Teachings Zenit News. October 22, 2008.
  • Cardinal John Henry Newman Faithfully Celibate Oxford Professor Ian Ker Responds to Media Rumors. Zenit News. September 4, 2008. An article by Ian Ker, an Oxford University professor, regarding rumors circulating in the British press about Cardinal John Henry Newman. The article by the Newman scholar appeared Sept. 3 in L'Osservatore Romano.
John Henry Newman: His Inner Life
Father Zeno O.F.M. Cap. (Author). Ignatius Press; Second edition (January 2010)
This book is a culmination of Father Zeno's life work. With the cooperation of the Oratorian Fathers, he was given full access to all of Newman's letters, diaries, and complete published and unpublished sermons. From all this he has drawn together the interior struggles Newman faced from childhood until his death. Zeno allows Newman to speak through his work and writings, an exceedingly rich source. This is a landmark work considered one of the best spiritual biographies of John Henry Newman ever written.

Purchase in the USA | Purchase in the UK

John Henry Newman: A Biography
By Ian Ker. Oxford University Press, USA; Reissue edition (August 2009)
This full-length life of John Henry Newman is the first comprehensive biography of both the man and the thinker and writer. It draws extensively on material from Newman's letters and papers. Newman's character is revealed in its complexity and contrasts: the legendary sadness and sensitivity are placed in their proper perspective by being set against his no less striking qualities of exuberance, humour, and toughness.

This book attempts to do justice to the fullness of Newman's achievement and genius: the Victorian 'prophet' or 'sage', who ranks among the major English prose writers; the dominating religious figure of the nineteenth century, who can now be recognised as the forerunner of the Second Vatican Council and the modern ecumenical movement; and finally, the universal Christian thinker, whose significance transcends his culture and time.

Purchase in the USA | Purchase in the UK

Posted by Christopher Blosser at 10:38 PM 0 comments

Pope Benedict XVI in the UK - Daily Roundup - 9/13/10

  • Peter Tatchell congratulates himself on his journalistic integrity in his documentary on the Pope:
    Early on, I decided to deviate from what might be expected of me. Instead of a ruthless Christopher Hitchens-style evisceration of Benedict XVI, I opted for a more subtle approach – and a degree of open-mindedness. I was ready to confound my own preconceptions. And I did, in some respects. I discovered that when he was plain Joseph Ratzinger ...
    Although judging by Fr. Jeffrey Steele's review, Tatchell's performance was somewhat wanting:
    After watching the channel 4 programme tonight by Peter Tatchell all I could think about with my children who viewed it with me was that Tatchell became the best apologist for the Catholic Faith and our present Holy Father than I could have ever dreamed about. To see and hear my older children argue with the ignorant on the screen was priceless to me. It brought laughter from the children at how ridiculous and lacking in logic Tatchell is. My 13 year old daughter asked, 'how can you stand to watch any more of this rubbish?'
  • The Catholic Herald provides a name-by-name introduction to "the seguito" -- the papal entourage of Vatican diplomats, secretaries, and curial officials accompanying the Pope (September 13, 2010). See also John Thavis's profile of "the mini-Vatican" (Catholic News Service. September 10, 2010).

  • The BBC News profiles Jack Sullivan, who credits John Henry Newman with a "miracle cure" (September 12, 2010):
    Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Robert Banco explained the back and leg pain was due to severe stenosis, or compression of the spinal cord and nerves.

    The Boston doctor later told Vatican investigators it was "a miracle itself" his patient had been able to walk pain-free, let alone complete his religious studies, during the previous nine months.

    He recommended a laminectomy to remove a part of the spinal bones that was causing the problem.

    Although successfully performed in August 2001, this operation left Mr Sullivan in immense pain and he was warned he might not be able to walk properly for months.

    Having taken an excruciating few minutes, with a nurse's help, to get his feet to the floor, he said he leant on his forearms and recited his prayer to Newman. ... [more]

  • Now for a bit of history. Robert Barr (Associated Press) takes a look at the repression of Catholics in England centuries after the Reformation (September 12, 2010):
    In the turmoil and persecution that followed the break between King Henry VIII and Rome, noble families such as the Stonors clung to their faith, "in spite of dungeon, fire and sword," as the Victorian hymn "Faith of our Fathers" put it.

    "We're just stubborn, really," says Ralph Thomas Campion Stonor, the seventh Lord Camoys, a title bestowed on an ancestor for valor in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

    Pope Benedict XVI will recall the years of persecution during his upcoming tour of Britain Sept. 16-19. He will visit Westminster Hall, the medieval chamber within the Houses of Parliament where the Catholic Thomas More was tried and convicted of treason in 1535. More refused to swear an oath accepting the annulment of King Henry's marriage, thus becoming one of the first of the legion of English Catholic martyrs.

    The Stonor family's history mirrors the vicissitudes of Catholics, both noble and humble, who defied the law and risked death to preserve their faith through times of persecution until they regained full legal rights in the 19th century. ...

    On the other hand, the Guardian's Stephen Bates takes a look at significant strides in England's reception of Catholics in the past 50 years ("In the 1960s, when I was serving as an altar boy at mass, to be a Catholic was to be an outsider, a group outside the mainstream of British life, separate, slightly alien. ... How different today").

  • Some more history -- Victor L. Simpson considers Pope Benedict's visit next week with the experience of his predecessor:
    The Falklands war was in full swing and John Paul II was in London as the first pope ever to set foot on English soil.

    Even as he snubbed Margaret Thatcher and prayed for peace in implicit criticism of Britain — whose troops were battling Catholic Argentines — the pontiff received a rapturous welcome and was described in glowing terms by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

    His successor, Benedict XVI, can expect a far cooler — if not at times downright hostile — reception in his upcoming state visit.

    It all underscores the contrasting public fortunes of the two leaders of the church. John Paul was an international superstar who could send a thrill even through non-Catholics and made many people forget how at odds he was with their personal views. Benedict seems to step into crisis and controversy at every turn when he ventures abroad on bridge-building missions. ... [more].

    The Catholic Herald reminds us, "One fact that hasn’t so far emerged from the first ever state visit by a Pope to Britain is that it follows two state visits to the Vatican by the Queen."

Benedict XVI asked Catholics of the whole world not to abandon him during his difficult trip to the United Kingdom. September 13, 2010.
  • In a speech to political and religious leaders in Westminster Hall, Pope Benedict is expected to defend the religious freedoms of Christians against encroaching secularism (The Telegraph September 12, 2010):
    Senior Roman Catholic sources said his message would be seen as a criticism of the introduction of equality laws that have impinged on the freedom of religious groups, although he will not directly refer to government policy.

    A number of Christians have lost their jobs or faced disciplinary action for practising their faith at work by wearing a crucifix or sharing their views on biblical teaching.

  • Almost six in 10 Catholics say that their faith is not "generally valued" in British society, according to a poll commissioned by the BBC. However, the BBC reports, "70% of British Catholics polled expect the Pope's visit to help the Catholic Church in the UK." (September 12, 2010).

  • "Seriously, don't these folks ever get tired of writing the same ol' stuff?" Carl Olson (Insight Scoop) asks the BBC. To save them the trouble, he generously provides a template (which can be tweaked here and there, of course, depending on your level of laziness and bias) to be used in writing about Pope Benedict XVI:
  • Prominently mention that young Ratzinger served in the Nazi army. Don't provide any context—just let the association be made. After all, it's pretty hard to dig out of that hole!

  • Immediately follow up with mention of the sex scandals. Imply that it is somehow the Pope's fault that certain priests are perverts and certain bishops are pathetic, or worse. Make it sound as though molestations and abuse are happening right now, rather than pointing out that vast majority took place over thirty years ago.

  • Have plenty of quotes from those openly opposed to the Pope, as well as unnamed Catholics who question, doubt, or dislike the Pope and "his" positions. Anonymous priests, bishops, and nuns are best.

  • Be certain to mention that as prefect of the CDF, Cardinal Ratzinger was the head of an office that is "the successor to the Inquisition." Let it hang out there, knowing it's a wonderfully negative (and misleading) buzzword. ...

  • Midst the barrage of ridicule, a refreshing call to tolerance from The Telegraph:
    In 1940, the British people fought not only to resist conquest but also to preserve their tolerant values. Today, this country permits and even celebrates many things of which the Catholic Church disapproves. But it should be stressed that this Pope, perhaps more than any other, is an admirer of British democracy. As a devotee of Cardinal Newman who speaks our language fluently, he appreciates our tradition of civilised discourse with people whose views we do not share.

    In recent months, that tradition has been threatened by the anti-religious rhetoric of "defenders of the Enlightenment", who display an intellectual intolerance almost worthy of the Inquisition. That is a shame. By all means, let critics challenge the Pope's teachings while he is here. But this four-day visit is not an invitation to drown out the voice of the leader of a billion Christians with sneering and mockery. Visitors to these shores as well as British citizens have the right of free speech. Our distinguished guest must be allowed to exercise it.

    For the Catholic Herald, the moment has come for English Catholics:
    The reception that Pope Benedict receives as he drives through our streets will tell us much about our society. If the faithful fill the streets and greet the Pontiff with applause and cries of support then the watching world will see that the faith of those who gave up their lives hundreds of years ago is alive and well in Britain. It is easy to fall into the trap of blaming others for the difficulties of the Church. But we will only have ourselves to blame if the Popemobile speeds through thin crowds next week.

    We are confident that this will not be the case. We believe that, despite all the mishaps and difficulties along the way, Britain’s Catholics will rise to the occasion of the papal visit and give Benedict XVI the warm welcome he deserves.

  • Zenit news provides further detail on the Scottish Tartan designed to commemorate the papal visit (September 13, 2010):
    As with every tartan, colors will play a symbolic role in the St. Ninian plaid dedicated to Benedict XVI.

    Newsome explained: "The white line on blue field draws upon Scotland's national colors while the green reflects the lichens growing on the stones of Whithorn in Galloway. It was there that St. Ninian first brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Scottish shores over 1,600 years ago.

    "The white lines are also accompanied by a pair of red lines, reflecting the colors of Cardinal Newman's [who will be beatified by the Pope] crest. And finally, the thin yellow lines in the tartan, together with the white, reflect the colors of the Vatican."

    "In terms of the weaving, each white line on the green contains exactly eight threads, one for each Catholic diocese in Scotland," he continued. "There are 452 threads in the design from pivot to pivot, representing the number of Catholic parishes."

In Brief

Posted by Christopher Blosser at 7:13 PM 0 comments

Are you ready for the Pope's next gig?

Preparing for Pope Benedict's journey to England and Scotland later this week, Catholic bishops have likened the Pope to the headline act at a series of gigs in a ‘cringe-worthy’ guide, exposing the Church to new heights of ridicule.

The Daily Mail reports (September 12, 2010):
In a list of ‘useful terms’ in the official booklet, the three open-air Papal masses – the most solemn occasions of the historic trip – are referred to as ‘shows’ or ‘gigs’, terms normally associated with rock concerts.

The document also compares the clergy who organise services – known as liturgists – to ‘performers’ or ‘artists’ ...

The unusual glossary raises fresh questions over the handling of Pope Benedict XVI’s four-day visit, which starts on Thursday and has already been mired in controversy.

The Church is distributing thousands of copies of the glossy, eight-page booklet produced by the Papal Visit Team, overseen by Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols. Its cover carries the official slogan of the visit – the first to Britain since 1982 – Heart Speaks Unto Heart.

Insiders said the pamphlet is aimed at workers from companies arranging events, police officers, broadcasters and journalists who may not be Catholics and are unsure about the Church’s rituals and beliefs.



Thomas Peters (The American Papist) puts the Bishop's phrasing in the most charitable light
Read more »
Posted by Christopher Blosser at 6:05 PM 0 comments
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