Punditry

A very special ‘touring’ exhibition is on view in the western Polish city of Poznan. The city’s trams are displaying images of ‘modern martyrs’ who, it is claimed, have died at the hands of Muslims or in Muslim nations. Is this a good idea in the light of the ‘cartoon controversy’ that has swept the world this month?

Among those depicted on the posters are the Italian priest Andre Santoro who was killed by a young Muslim fanatic in Turkey four weeks ago and a Polish nun who was mortally injured three years ago in a church in the Congo capital of Kinshasa. The captions on the posters describe their ‘road to Calvary’ and invite the residents of Poznan to take part in the Stations of the Cross service this coming Friday. Piotr Pilarczyk of the Saint Benedict Foundation.

“The posters show martyrs of our time, Christians who died in the last three years in Pakistan, Egypt, the Congo, Indonesia and Turkey. The Stations of the Cross are dedicated to Christians who suffered for their faith. We want to express solidarity with them and want to pray for the martyrs of the 21st century.”

Representatives of Poland’s small Muslim community, which numbers around 30 thousand people, called the exhibition a ‘provocation’. Their view is shared by professor Janusz Danecki of Warsaw University, a prominent expert on the Islamic world.

“This is a sort of provocation which can cause a reaction from Muslims. I’m not certain if Polish Muslims will react in a vehement way but I’m sure that some groups outside Poland might react. This would be the beginning of a new phase of conflict of opinion. There’s always a danger that it would change into a real open conflict.”

Professor Danecki argues that what makes the poster display in Poznan so controversial is first and foremost its timing, soon after a massive wave of protest following the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

This is not to say, he adds, that we should not talk about the Christian martyrs of our time.

“It should not be presented now. We know about these facts and we remember about the tragedy of a Catholic priest who was killed in Algeria a few years ago. There was a lot of discussion also in Poland. This is a subject to be discussed, not to be presented in public without the participation of the Muslims. Why don’t we present our grievances to the Muslims and ask them to explain why it all happened, because they have their own views. In this way, they are asked to react in a similar way which is absolutely unacceptable.”

The organizers of the exhibition say their initiative has nothing to do with the recent events. They condemn the publication of the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed. Piotr Pilarczyk again.

“We don’t show those who are guilty of persecution but focus on martyrs. There are many political regimes and groups all over the world which persecute Christians. We don’t refer directly to any of these groups. We show the truth, real people who suffered for their faith so I don’t think it can offend anyone.”

And besides it is just a coincidence that this happened in Islamic countries. Though I wonder what was the last time you heard of a Catholic youth shooting an inman in the back and walking away shouting “Hail Mary” or “John 3:16?”

MONTREAL — In an unusual public dissent with their leaders, 19 Quebec Roman Catholic priests published yesterday an open letter taking issue with the church’s opposition to both same-sex marriage and the ordination of active gays into the priesthood.

Does the church "have the last word on the mysteries of political, social, family and sexual life?" the 980-word letter asks. "In these matters, the official teaching of the Church has shown itself more than once to be wrong."

One of the authors, Father Claude Lefebvre of the Saint-Étienne parish in Montreal, said the letter stemmed from a discussion group of Quebec priests who felt uneasy about the church’s official discourse.

"We don’t want people to believe that everyone within the church thinks the same way," he said in an interview.

Well at least this puts them out in the open and you only wonder if thier bishop will do anything about it. The majority of priests that signed a similar letter in the Diocese of Phoenix last year are no longer in ministry, though I would be surprised to see that happen here.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – A nearly 50-foot tall cross erected last week next to a church hasn’t delighted some of its neighbors, who see the towering cross as a distraction.

The cross, made from a bridge I-beam and a 35-foot crossbeam and letters 3-1/2 feet tall which spell out "Jesus Saves," was erected last Monday outside Cross Tabernacle along U.S. 41.

Members of the church on Terre Haute’s north side see the cross as a symbol of their religious mission, and concede that it dominates the local landscape.

"It is in-your-face evangelism," said Keith E. Taylor, pastor of the 1,400-member church. "I couldn’t preach a better sermon than what that cross is doing."

The cross was erected after gaining the approval of city zoning officials to exceed a 15-foot height restriction.

Mike Dowell, a co-owner of JJ Smith Flower Shop and Gardens, which owns land next to the church, said he wishes someone from the church had talked with him before the cross was built.

"It overpowers our property that we are trying to sell and our business that has been there over 150 years," he said. "It is good to have some type of religion, as religion is good for the human soul, but I don’t like people trying to shove their religion down my throat. That is overkill."

Tolerance has turned our nation into a group of intolerant wimps. A cross with a message is now shoving religion down your throat. I wonder if this guy has ever vacationed in Rio de Janeiro?

Online cartoons depicting Jesus cause stir at Radford University
vs.
Violent Clashes Continue in Nigeria; Death Toll Tops 120

I think a stir is one step up from a pouty face.

From the first article

While he said he would "fight tooth and nail" for Keesee’s right to publish his cartoon, he describes it as crude.

We often hear somebody saying that while they might dislike the content of something that they would fight to the death for their right to say it. At least there we have something in common with the jihadist who would also fight to the death for the right to kill you for saying it.

And speaking of Jesus cartoons here is a promising new blog inspired by the irrepressible Angry Twin’s blog.

… continues to impress.

BEND — We live in an age which places a very strong emphasis on tolerance, mutuality, and acceptance. I have heard repeatedly over the years that “Jesus never judged, condemned or excluded anyone.” I wonder if Peter would agree as the words of Jesus, “Get behind me you Satan,” rang in his ears. I wonder if the Scribes and the Pharisees would agree as they rankled at being called whitened sepulchers or broods of vipers. I wonder if those who heard Jesus say, “Whoever leads one of these little ones astray, it would be better if he had a millstone tied around his neck and be cast into the sea,” nodded approval and said, “He is so tolerant and accepting.” This verse is included, virtually verbatim, in each of the three Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. I certainly have no qualms about the image of Jesus as kind and gentle, or with Jesus’ own description of Himself as “meek and humble of heart.” I see and appreciate the great appeal of one of the most recent devotions fostered so powerfully by our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, that of Divine Mercy. Each of these attractive and reassuring aspects of Jesus needs to be remembered. These are aspects of Jesus that we cannot afford to forget and to which we can and must cling. At the same time we do well not to forget that the Lord is also a “God of power and might.” Jesus stood up to the guards who came to arrest him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He stood courageously before Pilate. He bore His cross with noble, unflinching determination. He is not a God of weakness. He is strong and He defends His people. This accounts for the strong language used when the “little ones” of His flock are put at risk.

In our “compromising age” we are loath to name something too strongly. If we do, we are accused of harshness, judgmentalism, perhaps arrogance, certainly intolerance and possibly pharisaism. While it is always necessary to speak the truth with love, the Church also believes and teaches that it is also necessary to speak the truth with strength. It is necessary to defend truth and not be too quick to rationalize, justify or excuse misleading teachings or teachers. There is a point at which passive “tolerance” allows misleading teachings to be spread and propagated, thus confusing or even misleading the faithful about the truths of the Church. There is a very strong word, which still exists in our Church, which most of us are too “gentle” to use. The word is “heresy.” We perhaps think that heresy is a thing of the past. We think perhaps of the Arian heresy or the Pelagian heresy or the Manichaen heresy. We might even maintain that there are no longer any heretics because that conjures up images of inquisitions and burnings at the stake. I do not, in any way, seek to validate or justify any kind of “vigilante” theology, but we do need strong words to combat erroneous and fallacious teaching.
[Via AMDG]

One of the great modern errors is via the conduit of tolerance to avoid calling a sin a sin. That this should be done with prudence and great love is a given because true love of neighbor requires it of us. Truth shouldn’t be used as a blunt instrument to pound, but as a scalpel delicately used to remove damaged tissue. The Parable of the Good Samaritan could be retold today along these lines. If the man had fallen in with a bad crowd as he journeyed from Jerusalem to Jericho and was in objectively grave you can easily imagine the situation.

Now by chance a progressive priest walked by and when he saw him he tolerated his sin and walked to the other side. So likewise a theologian in a Catholic university saw him and he did the same in the name of tolerance. Another man disgusted by the man’s sin also walked to the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and rebuked him for his sin and then prayed for him and preached the Gospel and the redemption of sin. Through his love he helped to bind his wounds and lead him to a Church for confession so that the wounds would not remain mortal. Which of these, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers of eternal life with God?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Here is an excellent in depth article on the hypocrisy of Catholic politicians saying that the President and other Republicans are above the law, while at the same time consider themselves above canon law.

In recent weeks, Carlson admits he has ruffled feathers by enforcing church guidelines set by the Vatican forbidding lay ministers from preaching at Mass celebrations.

The preaching "controversy" is one of a number of protocol issues Carlson is bringing back in line with Rome dictates. Other areas of concern include how Communion bread is prepared and when parishioners will kneel and stand during worship services.

"It’s the most controversial thing I’ve done, according to what I’m hearing, because it impacts women," the bishop said.

"The thing is, Rome has clearly said that the only people who can preach the homily at the Eucharist are priests, deacons or bishops — (ordained) people who can consecrate the elements. I don’t have the authority to allow a lay minister, whether that person is a male or female, to preach.
[Via Amy Welborn]

First off bravo to Bishop Carlson. Looking at the reporting in the article we have "(ordained) people who can consecrate the elements", not quite – deacons don’t fit in that category. The correct distinction is those with Holy Orders. I wonder if reporters have ever referred to government regulations as "dictates? like the EPA issued a dictate today. Yet anything coming from the Vatican they don’s like always fits in that category. Nice objective reporting and of course the objective is to bash the Church.

CIUDAD REAL, Spain, February 17, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Bishop Antonio Algora, of the Spanish diocese of Ciudad Real, has likened Spain’s prime minister to Gaius Caligula, a megalomaniac first-century Roman emperor who was convinced of his own divinity and set himself up as a god.

“If Zapatero wants to become Caligula, it’s up to him, but without doubt people will have to learn who Caligula was and what customs he imposed on Rome, it’s as simple as that,” Bishop Algora told Spanish newspapers.

His comments on the prime minister were triggered by the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in Spain. Caligula is notorious for having committed acts of wild depravity during his short and disastrous rule.

Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has been at the forefront of a push to liberalize Spain’s social structures. Gay “marriage” was made legal in Spain in June of last year, despite a public outcry of opposition to the move.

Zapatero also legalized embryonic stem cell research and the use of abortifacient birth control, and has moved to increase access to abortion. As well, he has worked to eliminate mandatory religious education in the schools in what is seen by Catholic leadership as an open attempt to break with Spain’s history as a Catholic nation.

On the heels of the false Michael Jackson singing the words of Pope John Paul II story we have another story hopefully as false.

Malayalam director, T. Rajeevnath, who was searching for a suitable actress to play Mother Teresa in his film on the Nobel Peace laureate, has decided to ask American actress Paris Hilton to play the Saint.

According to sources, the director was impressed when he read a report that the hotel heiress had refused to pose nude in Playboy magazine and decided then to shortlist her. The movie will be mostly shot in West Bengal and several foreign countries.

Jeffrey Overstreet says it isn’t a joke though the part that makes me dubious was when they actually called her an actress. Now normally I don’t care about the personal lives of those who star in movies as a requirement for them to play a part. There was some talk lately on this subject about one of the actors in the movie End of the Spear (which I had hoped was a documentary of the end of Britney Spears career). But this is definitely a case of what were they thinking? Anti-type casting, though at least she won’t have to worry about being locked into this type of role.

ROME (AP) – The conservative Roman Catholic group Opus Dei said Tuesday it had no intention of calling for a boycott of the upcoming film "The Da Vinci Code," but said it hopes the much-awaited film could still be changed so that "there aren’t references that would hurt Catholics."

In a statement released in Rome, Opus Dei said Sony Pictures still had time to make changes that would be appreciated by Catholics, "particularly in these days in which everyone has noted the painful consequences of intolerance" – an apparent reference to violence in the Muslim world sparked by the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. [Source]

That is a rather silly hope since if you remove the parts that would bother somebody who actually believed Jesus was say for instance God there wouldn’t be enough movie left to insert as a subliminal message. They would have to show the title and then immediately show the credits.