Monday, November 22, 2010

Notes: Saturday-Monday, November 20-22, 2010

1. More Russian developments

http://www.smh.com.au/world/russia-pledges-a-new-era-of-cooperation-20101121-182nd.html?skin=text-only
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/russia-baulks-at-full-shield-role/story-e6frg6so-1225957956414
http://angelqueen.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34791

2. Mr. Fitzgerald on, among other things, drug and alcohol 'harm minimisation'

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/close-the-doors-early-on-teenage-binge-drinking/story-e6frg6zo-1225956404275

3. Mr. McCauley on the teachings and disciplinary (in)actions of John Paul II.

http://angelqueen.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34787

4. More on so-called gay marriage

Article:
http://www.smh.com.au/national/gillard-would-lose-poll-held-now-20101121-182mf.html?skin=text-only
(latest Herald/Nielsen poll results)

Opinion/analysis:
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/support-for-gays-offers-a-way-out-for-gillard-20101121-182mq.html?skin=text-only
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/gay-marriage-demands-should-be-left-on-shelf/story-e6frg6zo-1225956787304
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/same-sex-marriage-should-be-put-to-a-referendum/story-fn558imw-1225957968965
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/gay-marriage-a-union-by-any-other-name/story-fn558imw-1225956825872
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/marriage-not-for-gays-and-maybe-not-for-anyone/

Related (if All Love Is Equal, then might not some Loves be more Equal than others?):
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/three-is-the-new-two-as-couples-explore-the-boundaries-of-non-monogamy/story-e6frg6zo-1225956410108

4. "Vic priest expects dismissal for public support of women priests"

http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=24248

5. Fr. Ford on the morality of extra-marital condom use

http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=24255

6. H.H. The Pope and Cardinal Bertone on religious liberty

The second and fourth paragraphs are, from the perspective of Tradition, the most encouraging pronoucements to come from the Vatican on religious liberty probably since before the Second Vatican Council (unsurprisingly, though, given the publicity over other recent Papal remarks, these remarks have, as far as I know, gone as yet unreported, or at least under-reported, by both the mainstream media and Catholic media):

CONSISTORY BEGINS WITH A DAY OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION

VATICAN CITY, 19 NOV 2010 (VIS) - As part of the consistory during which the Holy Father will create twenty-four new cardinals, the College of Cardinals is today meeting in the Vatican's New Synod Hall to hold a day of reflection and prayer.

The meeting began at 9.30 a.m. with a greeting from the Pope who focused his remarks on the two themes of the morning session. Considering the first of these themes, he noted that the Lord's command to announce the Gospel implicitly embraces the need for the freedom to do so, although, over the course of history, it has encountered various forms of opposition. The relationship between truth and freedom is essential but today faces the great challenge of relativism, which seems to complete the concept of freedom but which actually risks destroying it and becoming an authentic 'dictatorship'. We are then, he suggested, facing a difficult period in our commitment to affirm the freedom to announce the truth of the Gospel and the great achievements of Christian culture. The Pope also recalled the essential importance of liturgy in Church life, being the place of God's presence with us.

The cardinals then turned their attention to the two chosen themes: the situation of religious freedom in the world and new challenges, with an introductory talk by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., and the liturgy in the life of the Church today, with a preliminary contribution from Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Cardinal Bertone presented a panoramic overview of current attempts to restrict the freedom of Christians in various parts of the world, inviting people to reflect on the situation of religious freedom in Western States. We are witnessing, he said, a process of secularisation accompanied by attempts to remove spiritual values from social life. The Cardinal Secretary of State also elucidated the situation of religious freedom in Muslim countries, recalling the conclusions reached during the recent Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. Finally, he explained the activities the Holy See and local episcopates make to defend Catholics, in both East and West. On this subject he also recalled the great efforts made by the Holy See in the international arena to promote respect for the religious freedom of believers.

For his part, Cardinal Canizares Llovera focused his remarks on the importance of liturgical prayer in the life of the Church.

In the course of a broad-ranging debate, eighteen cardinal arose to speak of the great difficulties the Church has to face today in defending values founded on natural law, such as respect for life and the family. Another question examined was that of inter-religious dialogue, in particular with Islam.

Two further contributions are scheduled for the afternoon session. The first, to be delivered by Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, will focus on Holy See norms for welcoming Anglican priests and faithful who request to be admitted to the Catholic Church, and for defending victims of child abuse by members of the clergy. The second contribution, by Archbishop Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, will serve to recall the validity of the Instruction "Dominus Iesus" on Jesus Christ our only Saviour, published ten years ago.
OP/ VIS 20101119 (570)

I've pasted the whole V.I.S. bulletin item, but, as I indicated, it's the second and fourth paragraphs in which I'm interested:

The meeting began at 9.30 a.m. with a greeting from the Pope who focused his remarks on the two themes of the morning session. Considering the first of these themes, he noted that the Lord's command to announce the Gospel implicitly embraces the need for the freedom to do so, although, over the course of history, it has encountered various forms of opposition. The relationship between truth and freedom is essential but today faces the great challenge of relativism, which seems to complete the concept of freedom but which actually risks destroying it and becoming an authentic 'dictatorship'. We are then, he suggested, facing a difficult period in our commitment to affirm the freedom to announce the truth of the Gospel and the great achievements of Christian culture. The Pope also recalled the essential importance of liturgy in Church life, being the place of God's presence with us.

[...] Cardinal Bertone presented a panoramic overview of current attempts to restrict the freedom of Christians in various parts of the world, inviting people to reflect on the situation of religious freedom in Western States. We are witnessing, he said, a process of secularisation accompanied by attempts to remove spiritual values from social life. The Cardinal Secretary of State also elucidated the situation of religious freedom in Muslim countries, recalling the conclusions reached during the recent Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. Finally, he explained the activities the Holy See and local episcopates make to defend Catholics, in both East and West. On this subject he also recalled the great efforts made by the Holy See in the international arena to promote respect for the religious freedom of believers.

Not perfect, but nevertheless refreshing in its focus on the only legitimate 'religious liberty': The liberty of the Church of Christ, namely, the Catholic Church, to preach the Gospel, i.e., Catholicism. Any other 'liberty' is really just licence.

Reginaldvs Cantvar
Feast of St. Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr, A.D. 2010