Pope Appoints George Lucas Archbishop of Omaha

*snicker*

Pope Appoints George Lucas Archbishop of Omaha

(03 June 09 - RV) On Wednesday Pope Benedict appointed George Joseph Lucas Archbishop of Omaha in the United States of America.

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I'm Tired of the Pope's Trip Already

3 or 4 days into his trip and everyone is mad. The Muslims are mad. The Israelis are mad. I knew they would be, but I'm tired of it already. He should have stayed home, or better yet he should come visit here again. He can crash at my place, we'll make room.

Happy Birthday Papa!

Viva il Papa!

Pope's poll numbers plunge in France

Pope's poll numbers plunge in France

PARIS (AP) — A newspaper poll shows Pope Benedict XVI's popularity has plunged in heavily Roman Catholic France.

Le Parisien daily says its survey found 57% of respondents have a negative opinion of the pontiff. That's up from only 25% in a similar poll shortly before his visit to France last September.

Twenty-three percent expressed a positive opinion, down from 53% six months ago. The remainder had no opinion.

The survey of 1,012 adults was conducted Wednesday and Thursday and published Saturday. It gave no margin of error.

I wonder how many of those surveyed are mass attending Catholics?

The Pope's worst enemies are Catholics

The Pope's worst enemies are Catholics
Posted By: Damian Thompson at Mar 20, 2009 at 15:11:43

It's payback time for Pope Benedict XVI's most dedicated enemies, who are not militant secularists, hate-crazed Muslims, diehard Protestants or the liberal media. The people who most dislike the Pope are Catholics, or people who have the nerve to describe themselves as such.

The Pope needs to be protected from Catholics

We learned this morning that "Vatican insiders" consider Benedict XVI "a disaster". It's true. They do think that. He's a disaster for them, and their determination to turn the Catholic Church into a touchy-feely forum in which uncomfortable teachings and traditions are "modernised" to impress non-Catholics. Until the Williamson affair, the media weren't sufficiently interested in attacking Benedict XVI to be useful. But now, after that own goal... YES!!!

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You can always sense it as its coming from a liberal or unorthodox Catholic. Bill O'Reilly is the best at doing this. "I'm Catholic but..." and then insert something contrary to Catholic teaching. I generally like Sean 'Did you know I studied Latin' Hannity but he is guilty of it too. They use their pretense of being Catholic as cover when they attack the Church, the Pope, or teachings of the Church.

The Pope Is Not Alone

Berlusconi defends Pope's comments

Russian Orthodox back Pope Benedict on condoms/AIDS

Harvard AIDS Expert Says Pope is Correct on Condom Distribution Making AIDS Worse

Prominent Ugandan AIDS Activist Thanks Pope for Opposition to Condoms

Media Shocked That Pope Is Still Catholic

French Guy: This Pope is becoming a real problem

New York Times, others blast papal comments on condoms

Dutch condemn Pope's condom policies

Spain fires another shot across the Vatican's bow

Spain, in response to Pope Benedict's message that condoms are inadequate in fighting HIV/AIDS, is sending a million prophylactics to Africa.

Writer calls for Pope's impeachment: a punishable canonical offense?

German bishop warns against making a condom taboo

Sally Quinn Showcases Bigotry

Pope Ignites Condom Debate

World Leaders, Condom-Promoting Forces Attack Pope Over Condom AIDS Remarks

This Pope is Becoming a Real Problem - Good!

I take this as a good sign.

Former Prime Minister Alain Juppé (UMP), interviewed Wednesday by France Culture concerning the words of Benedict XVI denouncing condoms, said that "this pope is becoming a real problem" because he is living “in a situation of total autism."

“This Pope is becoming a real problem”

If the world were too comfortable with the message of the church and the Pope, we would be in trouble.

Year of the Priest

Pope declares year of the priest to inspire spiritual perfection

By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI declared a year of the priest in an effort to encourage "spiritual perfection" in priests.

The pope will open the special year with a vespers service at the Vatican June 19 -- the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day for the sanctification of priests. He will close the celebrations during a World Meeting of Priests in St. Peter's Square June 19, 2010.

The pope made the announcement during an audience March 16 with members of the Vatican Congregation for Clergy.

He met with some 70 participants of the congregation's March 16-18 plenary assembly, which focused on the missionary identity of the priest and his mission to sanctify, teach and govern.

During this jubilee year, the pope will also proclaim St. John Vianney to be patron saint of all the world's priests. At present he is considered the patron saint of parish priests.

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Rabbi to Pope: Please Don’t Wear Cross at the Western Wall

Rabbi to Pope: Please Don’t Wear Cross at the Western Wall
By Randy Sly
3/18/2009
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

The Rabbi of the Western Wall has indicated that it would be inappropriate for Pope Benedict to wear a cross during his scheduled visit to the area in May. During his 2000 visit, Pope John Paul II wore his.

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*** Added

Israeli ambassador confirms Pope Benedict may wear cross at Western Wall

Rome, Italy, Mar 18, 2009 / 02:13 am (CNA).- Contrary to comments attributed to an Israeli rabbi, Pope Benedict XVI will not be barred from entering the holy area of Jerusalem’s Western Wall while wearing a cross.

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Rumors: Pope to make official UK visit

Pope to make official UK visit
Vatican indicates that Benedict XVI is ready to accept an invitation from Gordon Brown to make the first state visit

THE POPE is preparing to make a historic official visit to Britain. Sources at the Vatican have indicated that Benedict XVI is ready to accept an invitation from Gordon Brown to come to the UK. It would be the first state visit by a pope to Britain and could take place as soon as next year; September 2010 is considered the likeliest date.

Unlike John Paul II’s ground-breaking visit in 1982, which was “pastoral” and did not involve going to Downing Street or meeting the prime minister, the event would be a full state visit, with the pontiff addressing both houses of parliament at Westminster.

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I know it would be a lot to ask for, but I'd love it if he came back to the United States. I loved it when he was here last year. I was teasing my sister that I was going to write him a note inviting him back and telling him that it would be cool if he wanted to crash at our place, I can sleep on the couch. Although can you imagine the amount of cleaning you would have to do if the Pope was coming oveR? I don't think I could make it.

Dolan to New York

Milwaukee archbishop promoted to New York archdiocese
February 23, 2009 5:11 AM

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI this morning named Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan as the new archbishop of New York.

He succeeds New York Cardinal Edward Egan, 76, who is retiring after nine years as the city's archbishop.

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Pope Meets with Pelosi

I was talking to Mom yesterday about the Pope meeting with Nancy Pelosi. I was a little upset by the meeting because I know all Nancy really wants in meeting the Pope is to get a nice photo of her doing so. I know the Pope has to be pastoral and meet with people with whom he disagrees with, because how can he influence them if he never meets with them sort of thing, but Pelosi? A photo with him would just enable her to continue her anti-life, and anti-Catholic policies. Mom remarked that if the Pope was smart he would meet with her in some closet, away from the media. That way she can get her meeting, but no photo. Well, it looks like Mom is a smart cookie, I saw an article this morning detailing the meeting sounding very close to that.

Pelosi could not immediately be reached after the 15-minute meeting, which was closed to reporters and photographers. The two met in a small room of a Vatican auditorium after the pope's weekly public audience.

And the Vatican released a statement on what the Pope told Nancy which included

The Vatican released remarks by the pope to Pelosi, saying Benedict spoke of the church's teaching "on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death." That is an expression often used by the pope when expressing opposition to abortion.

Benedict said all Catholics—especially legislators, jurists and political leaders—should work to create "a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development."

Well now that she's had time to ram through a massive stimulus bill and meet with Pope Benedict, maybe she will find time to meet with her Bishop, which she seems to have put off for several months.


Since there is no photo of this meeting, I'm just adding this one in because I find it funny. It looks like Monsignor Gaenswein is going to catch it in his hand.

Dolan to New York?

Vatican watcher: Pope has chosen Archbishop Timothy Dolan for New York

Rome, Italy, Feb 13, 2009 / 02:30 pm (CNA).- The eagerly anticipated appointment of the new Archbishop of New York appears to be just around the corner. The well-connected Italian journalist Paolo Rodari, who writes for Il Reformista, is reporting that Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee will soon be announced as the new head of the most important U.S. diocese.

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Obama: Messiah and Pope?

Hans Küng seems to think that Barack Obama would make a pretty good Pope. But it leads to the question, can one be both Pope and Messiah?

An Open Letter to Pope Benedict XVI

Perfect.

An open letter to Pope Benedict XVI

Most Holy Father,

It's been a tough couple of weeks. You did what you thought was the right thing in reaching out another helping hand to fellow Christians who have left the Church. Then, detractors within seized the opportunity to accuse you of abandoning the teachings of the Council, critics without called you an anti-Semite, and many asked that you step down as Pope.

There was no doubt in our mind that you disagreed with Bishop Williamson's comments. We, too, found them reprehensible. To be sure, we're angry at him for all the trouble and grief he has caused for you and the Church. We're angry at his arrogance and ignorance. We have witnessed the furor caused by his remarks and we've felt the tremors as old, anti-Catholic fault lines quaked.

But we want to make one thing clear. We support you, we appreciate your efforts in bringing about unity, and we hope you won't be fazed by those who are angry at you. Who are we?

We're the millions of faithful Catholics who fill the pews at Mass every Saturday evening and Sunday morning. We're the Catholic families who send our children to parochial schools, who follow the Church's teaching on contraception, and who continue to support the Church financially during this difficult time.

We're the young people who give up promising secular careers to enter a life of service to our Holy Mother Church. We're the sinners who go to the confessionals seeking God's forgiveness. We're the Church Militant who seek the prayers of our brothers and sisters in the Church Triumphant. Most importantly, we are the people who pray for you, our Holy Father, every day.

The enemies of the Church, both within and without, don't speak for us. We embrace a return to Tradition. We want to be part of a counter-cultural movement that affirms life and love in a world set on death and utility. We welcome a return to Catholic culture and identity. We appreciate the "hermeneutic of continuity."

While others hurl insults at you because you challenge them, we will cling to our lifeboat, the unsinkable Bark of Peter and continue to pray for your health and ministry.

Respectfully yours,


Faithful Catholics around the world

Support the Pope

Fr. Trigilio put this up on his blog.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The recent 'demand' of German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Pope Benedict XVI make an 'adequate' clarification on the Vatican's position on the Holocaust in light of Bishop Richard Williamson's unfathomable and unconscionable remarks is equally as unfathomable and ludicrous. The Holy Father already stated UNEQUIVOCALLY that he and the entire Roman Catholic Church express FULL AND INDISPUTABLE SOLIDARITY with Jews and warned against ANY DENIAL of the horror of the Nazi Holocaust. She is merely pandering to the press for publicity.

Liberal Catholic theologian Hermann Haering was even more outlandish and uttered this incredible (as well as horribly offensive) statement:

"If the pope wants to do some good for the Church, he should leave his job," as told to the German daily Tageszeitung. (We know who SHOULD leave, or rather should be thrown out, and it ain't B16, that's for sure)

This GERMAN Pope made a visit to a synagogue in Germany and the USA; he has reiterated the total condemnation of the Shoah (Holocaust). But there are those who have another agenda. One seeks to derail the reconciliation of the SSPX (Society of Saint Pius X) with Rome, the other seeks to discredit anything and everything Pope Benedict does and says, regardless of the issue. Bishop Williamson may have intended this to happen, I do not know. His offensive remarks went beyond imprudent, they were reprehensible. If he calculatingly did this after the excommunications were lifted in order to sabatoge the reconciliation, then he is more cunning than anyone suspected. If, however, he was just stupid, then someone else is taking advantage of the faus pax and cranking it up to thermonuclear proportions. There is more than meets the eye here, to be sure. We know that dissidents who hated Cardinal Ratzinger also loathe Pope Benedict for the same reasons: orthodoxy. Restoring the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Missal angered many liturgical-nazis and ultra-liberal ideologues who perverted the documents of Vatican II to advance their own agenda. These lefties would love to discredit B16 AND the SSPX in one fell swoop and ride the wave which they hope would also eliminate the Fraternity of Saint Peter and the Institute of Christ the King.

I say it is time for all loyal Catholics, whether you like the Ordinary or Extraordinary Form, Latin or Vernacular, Oriental or Roman Rite, to stand up and be counted. UBI PETRUS IBI ECCLESIA. WE STAND WITH PETER. The sad reality is that the far left and far right have something in common: their dislike and disobedience for the Holy Father. And they say politics makes stange bedfellows.

Posted by Padre Giovanni Trigilio at 8:53 PM

Well, Fr. Trigilio can comment on this so much better than I can that I even bother if its worth me writing at all. But I will say that I am so sick and tired of things being blown out of proportion and context. So many of my friends are non-Catholics or non-practicing Catholics and when the media makes up outlandish claims about the Pope that is what they hear about. There are plenty of people on this planet who deny the holocaust, and hate the Jewish people, so I have no idea why so many would rather focus on a man and a church that does not.

H/T to Esther

Pope Benedict lifts excommunication of bishops ordained by Lefebvre

Pope Benedict lifts excommunication of bishops ordained by Lefebvre

Vatican City, Jan 24, 2009 / 09:20 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI has lifted the excommunication of the four bishops from the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) ordained by Marcel Lefebvre in 1988 in a decision he hopes will lead to “real and final unity.”

A press release from the Vatican reveals that after dialogue between the Holy See and SSPX, represented by its Superior General, Bishop Bernard Fellay and his request in a letter on behalf of the other three bishops in the Society, Most Reverend Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Most Reverend Richard Williamson and Most Reverend Alfonso del Gallareta, the Holy Father has decided to lift “the excommunication in which they had incurred twenty years ago.”

The statement, released in Italian, recalls that because the Episcopal consecrations of June 30, 1988 were performed by Marcel Lefebvre without pontifical mandate, “the four aforementioned Prelates had incurred the excommunication latae sententiae, formally declared by the Congregation of Bishops on date July 1st 1988.”

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Two Professors

Pope Benedict XVI (R) greets British professor Stephen Hawking during a meeting of science academics at the Vatican October 31, 2008.
REUTERS/Osservatore Romano (VATICAN)

H/T AMP

Zune

I bought a Zune for myself. I really wanted a pink one, but the pink only comes in the 4 or 8 gb now. The 80 gb comes only in black or red. So I bought a 30 gb one in pink used online, since the 30 gb has been discontinued. I've already begun the process of making it my own as you can see.