10-24-06
Greetings!
The word "Pontiff" one of the titles for the pope means "bridge builder". A little known detail is that the Church/Pope typically send greetings and warm wishes to other religious groups on their holy days. This past Sunday, Pope Benedict sent greetings to Muslims around the world as Ramadan came to an end. On Oct. 16th, the Vatican sent greetings to Hindus celebrating their Feast of Diwali. And two weeks ago, Pope Benedict met with the Dalai Lama.
There is no risk of syncretism (all religions are the same) here. There is however great potential toward common cause issues, ranging from working for peace to the defense of human life. And indeed such cordial greetings will certainly aid those efforts.
Note also this is not a new endeavor, but one that has been going on for roughly the last 40 years under the auspices of the "Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialog." Below are the Pope's words this past Sunday.
Pope Greets World's Muslims at End of Ramadan
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 22, 2006 (
Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI greeted the world's believers in Islam as the end of Ramadan approached, and wished them peace.
"I am delighted to send cordial greetings to Muslims throughout the world, who during these days are celebrating the end of the month of the Ramadan fast," the Pope said today at his weekly Angelus meeting at St. Peter's Square. "I wish all serenity and peace!"
Last Friday, Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, presented a message for the end of Ramadan, entitled "Christians and Muslims: In Confident Dialogue Aimed at Solving Together the Challenges of Our World."
ZE06102208
Phil's Tidbits:
An encouraging victory in the culture wars. Part of Madonna's "performance" includes a mock crucifixion. The event will still take place, but at least this particular scene will not be shown on television.
Victory for Pro-Family Groups as Pressure Forces NBC to Cut Madonna on the Cross Mockery
NBC received millions of complaints from Christians protesting planned airing of blasphemous concert.
By John-Henry Westen
LOS ANGELES, October 20, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - LifeSiteNews.com readers who joined in the efforts of hundreds of pro-family groups over the past month to stop NBC's proposed airing of pop singer Madonna's mocking of the crucifixion have reason to celebrate. NBC has announced to its affiliates that the Madonna special set for November 22 will not portray her mockery of the crucifixion wherein she wears a fake crown of thorns and appears with arms stretched out on a glass cross.
NBC received millions of complaints from Christians protesting the planned airing of the blasphemous concert. The American Family Association alone was responsible for 750,000 emails to NBC.
To have a truly Christian marriage is to be countercultural.
The Christian family says divorce is not an option. The Christian family says they will remain open to life amidst a contraceptive culture. The Christian family says children are the most important thing, not personal fulfillment. These are counter-cultural stands. I'm seeing more young people take this stand. In fact, at one recent wedding, the couple chose the Gospel reading where Jesus condemns/forbids divorce. Not your typical wedding Gospel! And I have no doubt, with their marriage founded in Christ that they will succeed.
Pope Extols Families That Go Against the Current
Angelus Address Focuses on Jesus' Teaching on Marriage
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 8, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The world needs families that go against the current of cultural fashions inspired by hedonism and relativism, says Benedict XVI.
Before reciting the midday Angelus from the window of his study today, with thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope also appealed to leaders of public life to support the family.
The topic chosen by the Holy Father for his address was inspired by the Gospel passage of the day's liturgy, in which Jesus gives his vision on indissoluble marriage: "What God has joined together, no human being must separate."
"May Christian spouses, aware of the grace received, build a family open to life and capable of facing together the numerous and complicated challenges of our time," exhorted Benedict XVI. "Their testimony is particularly necessary today.
"Families are needed that do not let themselves be drawn by modern cultural currents inspired by hedonism and relativism, and that are willing to realize their mission in the Church and in society with generous dedication."
Amid the applause from those in St. Peter's Square, he quoted Pope John Paul II who described Christian spouses as "authentic 'missionaries' of love and life."
At the same time, Benedict XVI invoked divine assistance for families, "especially those going through difficulties."
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I'm curious how anyone could think this would've been a good idea?
School Trip to Abortuary Triggers Calls for Firing of School Administrator
Students wore vests used by abortion escorts to take women in for their abortions
By Gudrun Schultz
NEW HOPE, Pennsylvania, October 17, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The National Pro-Life Action Center (NPLAC) in Washinton D.C. is calling for an investigation after a private school sponsored a field trip to a nearby abortuary, triggering outrage in the local community.
More than a dozen high school students from Solebury School, near Philadelphia, were taken by bus to the Planned Parenthood location in Warminster, Catholic News Service reported, where they spent several hours touring the clinic. According to CNS the students wore vests used by abortion staff when escorting women into the building.
Jason Gordon, social science teacher for the school and the trip organizer, said the outing was part of an "activism class."
Read full coverage from The Catholic Standard & Times:
http://www.cst-phl.com/061005/second.html
How encouraging….
"The Court of Appeals in Gota, Sweden, has reversed the conviction of Pastor Ake Green who had been sentenced to a month in jail for preaching a sermon in which he quoted Bible passages highly critical of homogenital sex. In its majority opinion the court noted that Pastor Green's words were 'no worse than the Bible texts themselves.' Defenders of religious freedom were encouraged that Sweden is not yet prepared to ban the Bible." (Source: First Things, June, Fr. Richard John Neuhaus)
Eat dinner as a family! J
"A study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that teens who regularly eat dinner with their family have ½ the risk of abusing drugs and alcohol. A surprising finding of this study was that eating together as a family was more predictive of good behavior than either church attendance of school grades."
-"Legacy" by Steve Wood
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