A Long Series of Frustrations

Since one of my cousins is a priest in Hong Kong, I have great interest in the Church in China and in Hong Kong.

Catholic News Service is reporting that Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong says that Chinese rule is affecting life in Hong Kong.

For people in Hong Kong, the first 10 years of Chinese rule has been "a long series of frustrations," said Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun."

On the surface, everything is like before," Cardinal Zen told Catholic News Service in Washington May 30. However, he added, Chinese government authorities "are not keeping their promises."

For instance, he said, although universal suffrage is contained in the Basic Law, the miniconstitution that governs Hong Kong until 2047, Chinese officials ruled out direct elections of the Hong Kong chief executive in 2007 and the special administrative region's legislature in 2008.

Read the complete article here.

Widow Complains About Unaccomodating Priest

Anyone who has worked in parish ministry for long enough has had to deal with people who don't want to follow Church rules. You know the drill...no secular music, no dancing girls, only scriptural readings, etc. I am sure you can add plenty more to the list.

I bet you haven't run into anyone quite like Margaret McClusky. My comments are in red.

From the Daily Record:

A devastated widow took out an advert in a newspaper to slam the priest who carried out her husband's funeral.

Margaret McCluskey, 66, blasted Father Timothy Brosnan for his "cold and impersonal" handling of the service.

She said yesterday: "I've been very upset over this and had to see my doctor.
"He told me what the priest did has added to my grief."

Dad-of-three John McCluskey, 65, of Bellshill, Lanarkshire, died earlier this month after suffering an aneurysm.

The retired engineer's requiem mass took place at St Gerard's Church in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, on May 10 in front of 250 friends and family

But raging Margaret, 66, was so upset by Father Brosnan's conduct, she felt she had to lambast him publicly.

Her advert in her local paper, the Bellshill Speaker, said: "John was a quiet and unjudgemental man and I apologise for the very cold and impersonal ceremony by Rev Brosnan on John's Requiem Day.

"God knows John deserved better. I knew him so well."
Yesterday, Margaret, who had been married to John for 40 years, revealed the catalogue of complaints about Father Brosnan that had sparked her public dressing-down.

She said: "John wouldn't have hurt a fly but Father Brosnan made it clear he didn't want him in the church.

"We wanted four of John's favourite hymns at the funeral but he told us we couldn't sing them." (Something tells me they weren't liturgical hymns and probably weren't hymns at all)

The family had also arranged for a local choir to sing at the service but we were told they wouldn't be allowed into the church. (My guess is that they were either not a liturgical choir, or the organist required a bench fee which she didn't want to pay.)

"We had a picture of John and placed it on his coffin before the service - but the first thing the priest did was take it off and place it on the floor face down. During the service, he hardly mentioned John or any of his family - it seemed very strange."
Margaret was so furious, she said she threw Father Brosnan out of a car she'd hired for the funeral. (Ok, it shouldn't have gone on the floor, but pictures do not belong on caskets during. Also, the homily isn't a eulogy. The focus during a funeral Mass is supposed to be on God, not on the deceased)

She said: "After the church service, we went to Holytown Crematorium and Father Brosnan came. He said a few words and then marched out and went and sat in my funeral car. (What did she want, a song and dance number?)

"I said I didn't want him in the car and he got out - I think he got a lift back from someone else at the funeral."

Father Brosnan said he didn't want to discuss John's funeral service.
He added: "I really don't know why Mrs McCluskey would say something like that. I won't be contacting her as I think this is something that is best left alone." (Wise decision!)

Read the article here.

People in grief can do strange things which are completely out of character for them. The only information I have is what is in this article and I can't see what the priest did wrong, except for maybe his handling of the photo. There had to have been a better way to get it out of the way. Perhaps placing it on a small table away from the sanctuary or at the entrance of the church would have been a better solution. However, I don't see the problem with the other complaints. We all want a priest who is warm, compassionate, and takes his time, but circumstances are what they are. Maybe he wasn't feeling well, was tired, or just having a bad day. Maybe she imagined a completely personalized me-centered Mass.

The personal life of the priest shouldn't interfere with his ministry, but he is human. I have bad days too and while I try to not let it interfere with my work and my dealings with other people, we are only capable of so much.

I pray that Mrs. McCluskey finds the love of Christ in her heart and forgives Fr. Brosnan for whatever slights she feels he committed.

Papers Please

Here is a weird article I found today.

Apparently rumors are circulating that Pope Benedict forgot a very important piece of paper when he traveled to Brazil.

From the International Herald Tribune:

Even the pope needs a passport.
But did Benedict XVI forget his when he flew to Brazil this month for his first papal visit to the world's largest Roman Catholic country?

A respected Brazilian newspaper columnist insists the pope didn't have it with him when he landed in Sao Paulo, and high-ranking officials from the Vatican to Brazil's presidential palace aren't commenting.

Merval Pereira, who writes for Rio's O Globo newspaper, reported Tuesday that the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, also showed up in Brazil without his passport.

The two were allowed to enter the country, but Pereira said the government found a way to penalize the oversight without causing a stir. It quietly fined Italian airline Alitalia SpA for allowing the two foreigners to travel without documentation to Brazil.

Read the complete article here.

Taking the Faith into the Streets

When I was a child, the parish feast was one of the most anticipated events of the year. My home parish is Espirito Santo (Holy Spirit) and the parish feast is help each year on the last weekend in May.

This feast is more than a parish festival. It is a celebration of faith, family, friends, and food. The church parking lot is transformed into a carnival type atmosphere with food booths, games, and live music.

But the big event takes place on Sunday. The feast Mass is the biggest event of the three day period. The principal celebrant is usually either the bishop of the diocese or a bishop from Europe. Since Espirito Santo is a Portuguese parish, a bishop from Portugal usually attends.

After the Mass, there is a procession through the streets of the city. All the parish groups are represented in the procession and the streets are lined with people.

At Espirito Santo, the procession begins with a large red banner which reads, "Vinde Espirito Santo" translated means "Come, Holy Spirit". All the large statues from the church are carried in the procession by men of the parish. The smaller statues are carried by the children from the parish school. Each statue was preceded by children and teenagers who dressed as the saint portrayed by the statue and many other children dressed as angels.

Here is a slideshow of photos from the procession. For photo captions, click on the white square on the lower left corner of the picture.

The Best Seller

Pope Benedict's new book, "Jesus of Nazareth" is currently #6 on the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover non-fiction.

So much for people not being interested in Pope Benedict. Record audience crowds and a bestselling theology book. Gotta love the pope! I pray that his book will rise to the #1 position and boot the atheist book out.

First Communion

I received the Eucharist for the first time 19 years ago today. I was so excited...not because of the dress or the party after, but because I was finally going to receive Jesus. Yes, I was in love with church stuff even back then.

What a Great Day

Today can't get much better. The semester is finished. I got an A in my philosophy class, I don't know about the others yet since I just submitted my term papers today.

When I got home, I had a wonderful package in my mailbox. Pope Benedict's new book, Jesus of Nazareth. By the way, it is now listed at #14 on Amazon.com

Thanks for your patience with the pause in blogging. Blogging will be light as I take some time to relax before summer classes begin. I will be reading the new book.

Have a great week.

Pope Benedict Answers Questions on Romero, Liberation Theology, Abortion, and Evangelization

During the course of his flight to Brazil yesterday, the Holy Father held his traditional press conference for the journalists accompanying him.

"I love Latin America very much," said the Pope expressing his joy at having the opportunity to visit the "continent of hope." The aim of this journey, he said, "is specifically religious: to give life in Christ and to [help people become] disciples of Christ."

Answering a question about liberation theology, the Holy Father recalled that "with the changing political situation, the position of liberation theology is also radically different. It is clear that simplistic forms of millenarianism promising immediate and real conditions of a just life were mistaken. The question now is how the Church must be present in the struggle and the reforms necessary to guarantee conditions of justice. It is precisely on this point that theologians are divided."

Benedict XVI also spoke of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero of San Salvador, murdered in 1980 as he was celebrating Mass. Describing him as "a great witness of the faith," the Pope expressed his conviction that the late archbishop "merits beatification, although his memory must be liberated from the ideological deformations of those who have sought to appropriate it for political reasons."

Going on to consider the proliferation of religious sects in Latin America, the Holy Father said "they are a sign that people thirst for God. The Church must respond to this need with a highly concrete plan and in the awareness that, apart from announcing the Christian message, it is important to help people achieve just living conditions."

Replying to a question concerning the Mexican parliament, which has just approved a law in favor of abortion, the Pope highlighted "the need for Christian politicians to remain coherent to their principles." The Church, he said, "announces the Gospel of life; life is a gift and not a threat."

For his part, Holy See Press office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. made it clear that "the Mexican bishops have not excommunicated those politicians, and neither has Benedict XVI." However, he added, "legislation in favor of abortion is not compatible with participation in the Eucharist." Upon being asked whether this meant that the politicians were effectively excommunicated, Fr. Lombardi said "no, they exclude themselves from communion."

In his replies to journalists, Benedict XVI had declared that "such excommunication is laid down in the Code, it is not arbitrary, it is simply written in the Code of Canon Law. The death of an innocent, of an unborn child, is inconceivable. It is not arbitrary, and the Church express appreciation for life and for the individuality of life from the first moment of conception."
VIS

John Allen has translated the complete text of the press conference into English, or you can access the Italian version here.

To Brazil

The Holy Father is on his way to Brazil. He left Rome's Fiumiocino airport this morning and should be arriving in São Paolo around 5:30 est.

While in São Paolo, he will be staying at the monastery of São Bento (Saint Benedict).

Here is a link to the schedule for this trip.

As a person of Portuguese descent, I am delighted that Pope Benedict has chosen to visit Brazil.

Pray with me for him and the people of Brazil:

Avé Maria, cheia de graça, o Senhor é convosco.
Bendita sois vós entre as mulheres;
bendito é o fruto do vosso ventre, Jesus.
Santa Maria, mãe de Deus, rogai por nós, pecadores,
agora e na hora da nossa morte.
Amen.

What Kind of Catholic are You?

h/t to the Ironic Catholic: You scored as Traditional Catholic. You look at the great piety and holiness of the Church before the Second Vatican Council and the decay of belief and practice since then, and see that much of the decline is due to failed reforms based on the "Spirit of the Council". (Yes, some of it is) You regret the loss of vast numbers of Religious and Ordained clergy and the widely diverging celebrations of the Mass of Pope Paul VI, which often don't even seem to be Catholic anymore. (Yes, I do. Don't take this to mean that I don't like the Paul VI Mass. I think it contained some much needed changes. I just don't like what some people have done to it.) You are helping to rebuild this past culture in one of the many new Traditional Latin Mass communities or attend Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy. You seek refuge from the world of pornography, recreational drugs, violence, and materialism. You are an articulate, confident, committed, and intelligent Catholic. Well, not really. However, I am trying to keep the celebrations of the Paul VI Mass in line with the GIRM and Catholic teaching. But do you support legitimate reform of the Church, and are you willing to submit to the directives of the Second Vatican Council? Will you cooperate responsibly with others who are not part of the Traditional community? Absolutely! I do not think a return to a Pre-Vatican II Church or liturgy is the solution, but we do need reform. http://saint-louis.blogspot.com - Rome of the West Traditional Catholic 81% New Catholic 79% Radical Catholic 60% Neo-Conservative Catholic 38% Evangelical Catholic 24% Liberal Catholic 12% Lukewarm Catholic 5% What is your style of American Catholicism? created with QuizFarm.com

Remember The Sack

480 years have passed since the sack of Rome.

Here is an excerpt from my posting from last year.

May 6, 1527, the day of the sack of Rome, marks the greatest day in the history of the Swiss Guard. That morning, Captain General Bourbon launched a series of attacks on Rome. During one of them, at the Torrione Gate, while leading the assault of the walls, he himself was mortally wounded. After just a moment's hesitation, the Spanish mercenaries broke through the Torrione Gate, while the lansquenets invaded the road of Borgo Santo Spirito and St. Peter's. The Swiss Guard, standing firm at the foot of the obelisk (now in St. Peter's Square, but then near the German cemetery within the Vatican close to the Basilica), together with the few remnants of the Roman troops, resisted desperately. Their Captain, Kaspar Röist was wounded, and later killed by the Spaniards in his quarters in front of his wife, Elizabeth Klingler. Of the 189 Swiss Guards, only 42 survived, the ones who, when all was lost, under the command of Hercules Göldli guarded Clement VII’s retreat to safety in Castel Sant’Angelo. The rest fell gloriously, massacred together with two hundred fugitives, on the steps of the High Altar in St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Clement VII and his men were able to escape to safety, thanks to the "Passetto", a secret corridor which Pope Alexander VI had built along the top of the wall connect­ing the Vatican with Castel Sant’Angelo.

Across the Sisto bridge the lansquenets and Spaniards fell on the city and for eight days committed every sort of violence, theft, sacrilege and massacre, even the tombs of the Popes, including that of Julius II, were violated in search of spoils. There were as many as 12 thousand dead and the booty amounted to ten million ducats.

Viva il Papa! Viva Ecclesia!

Photo by Domini Sumus.

Bloggers Choice Awards

Remember, there is still time to go over and vote. While you are over there, I would appreciate a vote too!

Another Good Shepherd

The New Bedford Standard Times has published an article about the Bishop George W. Coleman and his leadership of the Diocese of Fall River.

Having worked with Bishop Coleman on several occasions both before his ordination to the episcopate and afterwards, I can attest that he is an shy, gentle, and softspoken man. However, don't let his demeanor fool you. This bishop is no pushover.

He was not what the people expected.

The diocese that produced two cardinals in the past 35 years was accustomed to a larger-than-life leader — one who speaks the languages of all their forebears or wears simple monk's robes and sandals or deftly handles scandalous troubles swept under the rug for centuries. They wanted him to wade through a room with the ease of a Hollywood press agent and make them howl with laughter at his quick, ironic wit.

The diocese of Cardinal Humberto Medeiros and Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley awaited another superstar.

Instead, native son the Most Rev. George W. Coleman was elected diocesan administrator by his peers and shortly after was named the seventh bishop of Fall River by Pope John Paul II.

Bishop Coleman may not be what the people anticipated, but four years into his stewardship, the diocese is staying its course.

During one of the most volatile periods in American Catholic Church history — the clergy abuse scandal ignited in 2001 — the Diocese of Fall River has run without the vitriol that has plagued the Boston Archdiocese. Last year, the Catholic Charities Appeal, which funds diocesan agencies and ministries, missed its goal by a slight margin, reaching a total of $3,936,578, a decrease of 3.3 percent from that of the previous year.

At the helm sits a bishop who is still amazed, four years later, that he is the leader of 350,000 parishioners.

"Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think this would happen," he told The Standard-Times in an interview a few days before his ordination on July 22, 2003.
Granting one of the few interviews he has sanctioned during his tenure, the bishop sits at a conference table in his Fall River office. He seems at ease. He is warm and engaging, and he laughs often.

"I don't know if I can describe my leadership style," he said. "I don't want to be the person who accomplishes something. It's the church that accomplishes something good."

Years ago while talking with then Msgr. Coleman I said, half joking and fully serious, that he would be a bishop someday. There was something about him that looked episcopal. His response was, "Please, don't do that to me!"

If there was ever a bishop who didn't want to become a bishop, it was Bishop Coleman. However, this native son of the diocese, who my great-aunt used to baby-sit, is fitting into this cathedra quite well.

Read the complete article here.

Also, a question and answer transcript from the interview.

Photo by Domini Sumus

Diversity to be Anything but Catholic

At my lovely institution of higher education, which just happens to be one of the few Catholic colleges in the U.S. which is Catholic in more than name only, a debate is brewing over "diversity". The diversity which some students desire would mean diluting or dissolving the Catholic identity of the school and changing it into a college "in the Catholic tradition" or worse, in the "Dominican tradition".

After arguing that Providence College should offer classes in other religion, Jackie Kramer, a writer for the college newspaper, The Cowl, wrote this in a recent article:

It is a big deal. Another girl in the class noted that she was not Catholic and she has had to drop two theology classes. She ascribes this to the fact that, because the core curriculum requires two theology classes, she had to take classes in Catholicism. She mentioned that she thought the professors gave the impression that the students should believe these teachings, otherwise they would go to hell. She withdrew from both classes and this action will stay on her transcript permanently.

Care to know my thoughts on this issue? Of course you do. If you didn't you wouldn't be reading this blog. If you don't want to learn about Catholicism, don't attend a Catholic school. I can't imagine attending a Protestant or Jewish college and complaining that Catholicism wasn't taught. Providence College doesn't hide the fact that it is a Catholic institution. The habited friars and sisters, the crucifixes in every classroom, the large chapel and several smaller chapels on campus, where the Eucharist is reserved, right down to meat not being served in the cafeteria during Lent, Providence College is a Catholic place.

Not all the theology classes at PC are based in Catholic theology. There is a class on World Religions, Basic Judaism, Hebrew Scripture, and Old Testament Prophets. Yes, there is a Catholic slant to most of these courses, but it's a Catholic school! There is supposed to be a Catholic slant.

This week another article appeared in the Cowl. This time a rebuttal from Andrew Sparks. Here is part of what he wrote:

One consideration that needs to be taken into account is the fact that both of those colleges [Boston College and Holy Cross] are Jesuit institutions; since the Jesuits are a primarily a teaching order, it seems appropriate that they should have wider spectrum of courses. Contrast this with our own beloved Dominicans, who are a preaching order, formed to fight heresy and spread the Catholic faith. Indeed we have dozens of Dominican friars on campus that daily devote themselves to living and preaching the Catholic faith, such a school attracts a certain kind of faculty and fosters a distinctly Catholic identity. In fact, this identity is apparent all across campus, as the main gate reads "Providence College" and "Dominican Fathers" quite clearly. Also, the campus tour, led by a Friar Club member, makes it a point to go past the newly renovated St Catherine of Siena building, housing the theology and philosophy departments; and even takes a detour inside of a practically brand new campus chapel, which is situated right across from the new center of Catholic and Dominican Studies. Buyer beware: This is a Catholic school.

Moreover, if the school was forced to cater to every single faith and denomination present on campus, we would be forced to stop serving alcohol at McPhail's, lest we offend the Muslims and fundamentalist Christians on campus. Also, going without meat on Fridays would pale in comparison if Raymond Cafeteria catered to the Muslim population by refusing to serve lunch every day during the month of Ramadan. We could go to the other extreme, however, and not offer any religiously based customs. This would mean removing the crucifixes from classroom walls (a spineless act performed at Boston College), providing condoms at the stores on campus, and prohibiting any in-class prayer often offered by our Dominican professors. If such an unfortunate series of events were to occur, the Catholic majority on campus would be denied their right to a Catholic education. Such measures have been carried out in other schools to avoid agitating sensibilities of students of other faiths. However, the religious minorities on campus expressed deep offense that those schools would presuppose their having any problems with a Catholic school's expression of its heritage.

Read both articles in their entirety here: Kramer and Sparks

I leave you with this warning, if you don't want Catholic theology, don't attend a Catholic school. However, if you want Catholic theology, be careful where you go. Not all colleges that claim to be Catholic really are.

That Catholic Show

Ok, I am probably one of the last bloggers to check out Fr. Roderick's addition to SQPN. The first installment of "That Catholic Show" is embedded below. Check it out! It's a great catechesis on liturgical postures.

More Italian Anti-Catholicism

In a declaration released yesterday afternoon on TG1 (the television news of RAI, the Italian State broadcaster), Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. affirmed that "the irreverent comments directed at the Pope and the Church during the May Day concert were clearly an act of irresponsibility. It is right to say so, and the trade union representatives were right to disassociate themselves" from those comments.

Fr. Lombardi was referring to remarks made by one of the presenters of the concert, which is traditionally held on May 1 every year in the center of Rome. The presenter, Diego Rivera, said, among other things, that "the Pope does not believe in evolutionism," because "the Church has never evolved."

Yesterday's edition of the Vatican daily newspaper, the "Osservatore Romano," described the comments by saying "it is a contemptible and terroristic act to throw stones, this time even against the Pope, while feeling protected by cries of approval from an easily excitable crowd."
Speaking on TG1, the Holy See Press Office Director made it clear that, as both Giorgio Napolitano, president of the Italian Republic, and Cardinal Secretary of State Tarciso Bertone S.D.B. had pointed out, "it would be as well for all of us to seek to diffuse tensions and to re-create conditions for serene dialogue in our society. In this way, it is right that what was an evident act of foolishness should not become a tragedy and an opportunity to re-ignite huge conflicts."
VIS

Catholic World News expands on the official release here.

One of the most unfortunate things to note is that this concert was held in front of the Basilica of St. John, Lateran. That means that this disrespect toward the Pope was committed in front of his own Cathedral.

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title

This has been around the blogosphere for quite a while, but I haven't tried it yet. I am not sure if my title is flattering, but here it is.

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Eminence the Very Viscountess Domini Sumus the Spurious of Much Bottom Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Support for Archbishop Bagnasco

Pope Benedict XVI has given strong public backing to Genoese Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco, the head of the Italian Bishops Conference, who has been threatened with death after having strongly condemned proposals to permit homosexual civil unions. The Vatican made it public that Pope Benedict personally telephoned Archbishop Bagnasco yesterday urging him not to give in to intimidation.

Later in the day, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, sent an official telegram to the Archbishop signed in the name of the Pope urging Archbishop Bagnasco to "continue in his work for the common good, defending and promoting those human and religious values without which it is impossible to build true, free and stable democracies". The pope, said Cardinal Bertone expressed "his profound and painful shock" at the "grave and despicable events which aim to disturb the serene coexistence of the civil and ecclesial community".

In the latest in a series of threats against the Archbishop, a letter was sent to Bagnasco Friday containing his photo with a swastika carved into it, and accompanied by a bullet. Police bodyguards were assigned to protect Archbishop Bagnasco several weeks ago, after threatening graffiti appeared on his cathedral and other buildings across the city. "Death to Bagnaso" and "Shame on you, Bagnasco" were spray painted, along with insults against the Pope and Cardinal Camillo Ruini, previous head of the bishops' conference. Other disturbing attacks included pornographic images of the Virgin Mary portrayed as a bisexual that was left in pamphlets in the cathedral at the end of the Easter Vigil Mass.

The threats against Archbishop Bagnasco began after he issued a strongly-worded condemnation of the proposal to give legal rights to unmarried couples, including homosexual couples, comparing such measures to also giving rights to other sexually radical behaviours such as incest and pedophilia. "Why not say no to various forms of living together, to the creating of alternative forms of the family?," asked the Archbishop. "Why not say no to the incest of a brother and a sister who live together and have children in Great Britain? Why not say no to the party of pederasts in Holland?"

To counter the governmental proposal for civil union legislation, pro-family groups with the support and encouragement of the Italian Bishops Conference and the Vatican are sponsoring a "Family Day" on May 12, where it is hoped many thousands will demonstrate in favour of protection for the traditional family.

Responding to the official Vatican telegram, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano wrote Cardinal Bertone saying, "I wish to assure you that Italy will not leave Archbishop Bagnasco alone to face the present threats."

Source: LifeSite News

Death Threats Against Archbishop Bagnasco

Standing for Catholic values can still bring martyrdom or at least threats.

Homosexual activists mailed a bullet to the office of Genoese Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco Friday, in the latest threat against the senior church official over his opposition to same-sex civil unions.

Police bodyguards were assigned to protect Archbishop Bagnasco several weeks ago, after threatening graffiti appeared on his cathedral and other buildings across the city. “Death to Bagnaso” and “Shame on you, Bagnasco” were spray painted, along with insults against Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Camillo Ruini, previous head of the bishops conference.

Pornographic images of the Virgin Mary portrayed as a bisexual were left in pamphlets in the cathedral at the end of the Easter Vigil Mass, Catholic News Agency reported April 11.

According to a Herald Tribune report, a local newspaper said a photo of the archbishop accompanied the bullet, with a swastika scratched into the image.

Archbishop Bagnasco was recently elected as head of the powerful Italian Bishops Conference. Since his induction into that role, the archbishop has led a campaign against the government proposal to legally recognize homosexual civil unions.

The threats against Archbishop Bagnasco began after he issued a strongly-worded condemnation of the proposal to give legal rights to unmarried couples, including homosexual couples.

“Why not say no to various forms of living together, to the creating of alternative forms of the family?” Archbishop Bagnasco said, warning that legalization of homosexual unions would make it difficult to prevent the further breakdown of family life and sexual morality, reported Spero News.

“Why not say no to the incest of a brother and a sister who live together and have children in Great Britain? Why not say no to the party of pederasts in Holland?”

The Communist symbol of the hammer and sickle accompanied the death threat scrawled on the cathedral, along with the five-pointed star of the left-wing Red Brigades terrorist group.

Carlo Arcolao, spokesman for the archdiocese, told Vatican Radio the threats came from “very small and psychologically weak fringes.”

Source: LifeSite News

Prayer Intentions

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for May is: "That, following the example of the Virgin Mary, all Christians should allow themselves to be guided by the Word of God and always remain attentive to the signs of the Lord in their own lives."

His mission intention is: "That in mission territories there may be no lack of good and enlightened teachers in the major seminaries and in the institutes of consecrated life."

Hope For the Future

Want to be inspired? Read this story from USA Today.