The news out of Costa Rica is totally crazy. The catholic Church has lost it's right to choose who will teach Catholic children about their Catholic faith. "Intrusion " says the state, "Loss of jobs" says the state. Hey, of course I don't want a man who lives a loose lifestyle to teach my children their faith. What kind of example is that?
Being Catholic is not a subject choice. The teacher does not just have to be technically proficient. He or she has to be someone who lives the faith.
If that were to happen in Trinidad, I would be on the streets protesting. I wonder what our neighbours in the Caribbean sea, Costa Rica are doing about it?
Rise People Rise. It's the new Catholic thing. It's what we do now. Rise!
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Open letter to God
Man! You rock. Thanks for everything you have done for me. Thanks for everything thatyou have done for man. Thnaks for the lessons and the good things. Thanks for the challenges and the joys. Thank you for loving me.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
the Married Priest ??!!
This imterview appeared on Zenit:
Interview With Theologian on the Foundations of Celibacy
By Carmen Elena Villa
ROME, MARCH 9, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Married priests are an exception and the Church is increasingly convinced that they must remain so, according to a spiritual theology professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.
Father Laurent Touze explained the foundations of priestly celibacy when he spoke at a two-day conference held last week at Rome's Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. The conference, "Priestly Celibacy: Theology and Life," was sponsored by the Congregation for the Clergy as an event for the Year for Priests.
ZENIT spoke with Father Touze about the exceptions to priestly celibacy and the future of celibacy for the Church.
ZENIT: Is celibacy a dogma of faith or a discipline?
Father Touze: Neither one nor the other. It isn't a dogma of faith because we see married priests in the Church today such as, for example, some [priests] of the Eastern Catholic Church. Not all but some admit married priests. Or as has been reminded recently in the Holy Father's motu propio "Anglicanorum coetibus," published last Nov. 4: Among the ex-Anglicans who want to return to communion with the Catholic Church, there will be married priests admitted.
ZENIT: With this measure, do you think that one day, celibacy might become voluntary also for priests of the Latin rite?
Father Touze: No, because the Church is understanding more and more the relation between priesthood, episcopate and celibacy. It is something that could be likened to the revelation of a dogma, though it isn't so at this time; one tends increasingly to understand that a practice must be promoted among all priests and also among Eastern Catholic priests which is truly similar to the one lived in the first centuries.
ZENIT: But in the first centuries there were many married priests, including the Apostles?
Father Touze: Studies have convincingly shown that this must be questioned: Celibacy of all clerics wasn't lived, but from the moment of inclusion in the priestly order these men had to live continence with the permission of their wives, because this was a commitment of the couple.
ZENIT: Why, then, are exceptions made?
Father Touze: Historically because there has been a manipulation of texts and I believe a bad translation that the Eastern Church, which has separated from Rome and has recognized that what they had declared contrary to tradition, could be accepted. In this connection there truly are some exceptions. The Church discovered that she had the possibility of admitting exceptions but that these should be understood as such. Respectably, as the Second Vatican Council stressed, there are very holy married priests in the Eastern Catholic Churches who have contributed much to the history of the Church and to the faith in times of persecution, but they are truly exceptions and must be understood as such.
ZENIT: However, these exceptions are not made with bishops. Does episcopal celibacy have a special meaning?
Father Touze: Undoubtedly. It is very different, both theologically as well as historically. What's more, with the constitution "Lumen Gentium," Vatican II defined that the episcopate is the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders. It is necessary to discover the specificity of the episcopate and, hence, episcopal celibacy. And it can be demonstrated with the fact that for the celibacy or continence of a bishop an exception has never been made.
This is something studied by the Church on which the Roman pontificate has had to reflect more recently in contemporary history on two occasions: after the French Revolution, where some bishops, or better, former bishops, asked to marry.
This has been studied and it has been said that it is impossible, that this had never been done, that at stake was the dogmatic issue. Or still recently with the ordination of married men and married bishops that were effected in former Czechoslovakia by imposition or with the pressure of the Communist Party in power. There also the Church affirmed on the fact that the bishop must always be celibate or if he had married before his ordination because he would have to live continence from the moment of his episcopal ordination.
[Translation by ZENIT]
Interview With Theologian on the Foundations of Celibacy
By Carmen Elena Villa
ROME, MARCH 9, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Married priests are an exception and the Church is increasingly convinced that they must remain so, according to a spiritual theology professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.
Father Laurent Touze explained the foundations of priestly celibacy when he spoke at a two-day conference held last week at Rome's Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. The conference, "Priestly Celibacy: Theology and Life," was sponsored by the Congregation for the Clergy as an event for the Year for Priests.
ZENIT spoke with Father Touze about the exceptions to priestly celibacy and the future of celibacy for the Church.
ZENIT: Is celibacy a dogma of faith or a discipline?
Father Touze: Neither one nor the other. It isn't a dogma of faith because we see married priests in the Church today such as, for example, some [priests] of the Eastern Catholic Church. Not all but some admit married priests. Or as has been reminded recently in the Holy Father's motu propio "Anglicanorum coetibus," published last Nov. 4: Among the ex-Anglicans who want to return to communion with the Catholic Church, there will be married priests admitted.
ZENIT: With this measure, do you think that one day, celibacy might become voluntary also for priests of the Latin rite?
Father Touze: No, because the Church is understanding more and more the relation between priesthood, episcopate and celibacy. It is something that could be likened to the revelation of a dogma, though it isn't so at this time; one tends increasingly to understand that a practice must be promoted among all priests and also among Eastern Catholic priests which is truly similar to the one lived in the first centuries.
ZENIT: But in the first centuries there were many married priests, including the Apostles?
Father Touze: Studies have convincingly shown that this must be questioned: Celibacy of all clerics wasn't lived, but from the moment of inclusion in the priestly order these men had to live continence with the permission of their wives, because this was a commitment of the couple.
ZENIT: Why, then, are exceptions made?
Father Touze: Historically because there has been a manipulation of texts and I believe a bad translation that the Eastern Church, which has separated from Rome and has recognized that what they had declared contrary to tradition, could be accepted. In this connection there truly are some exceptions. The Church discovered that she had the possibility of admitting exceptions but that these should be understood as such. Respectably, as the Second Vatican Council stressed, there are very holy married priests in the Eastern Catholic Churches who have contributed much to the history of the Church and to the faith in times of persecution, but they are truly exceptions and must be understood as such.
ZENIT: However, these exceptions are not made with bishops. Does episcopal celibacy have a special meaning?
Father Touze: Undoubtedly. It is very different, both theologically as well as historically. What's more, with the constitution "Lumen Gentium," Vatican II defined that the episcopate is the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders. It is necessary to discover the specificity of the episcopate and, hence, episcopal celibacy. And it can be demonstrated with the fact that for the celibacy or continence of a bishop an exception has never been made.
This is something studied by the Church on which the Roman pontificate has had to reflect more recently in contemporary history on two occasions: after the French Revolution, where some bishops, or better, former bishops, asked to marry.
This has been studied and it has been said that it is impossible, that this had never been done, that at stake was the dogmatic issue. Or still recently with the ordination of married men and married bishops that were effected in former Czechoslovakia by imposition or with the pressure of the Communist Party in power. There also the Church affirmed on the fact that the bishop must always be celibate or if he had married before his ordination because he would have to live continence from the moment of his episcopal ordination.
[Translation by ZENIT]
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Talking to God!
I always feel uncomfortable just before the distribution of Communion at Mass. There I am kneeling, thanking God for the Oportunity to recieve His body, and suddenly I discover that I am repeating myself. I have said what I had to say. I meant it. Now I am just being repetitive. I mean, God knows the thoughts of my mind. He has heard me. Why do I have to rant and go on.
It is not that God doesn't answer my prayers. He does. And I pray the same way each time. I'm not saying that I have the full and final solution in prayers. I am just saying that I feel uncomfortable repeating myself.
Father, you know the thoughts in my mind. Hear my prayer and bless me. All praise and Glory and Honour to you forever and ever Amen.
It is not that God doesn't answer my prayers. He does. And I pray the same way each time. I'm not saying that I have the full and final solution in prayers. I am just saying that I feel uncomfortable repeating myself.
Father, you know the thoughts in my mind. Hear my prayer and bless me. All praise and Glory and Honour to you forever and ever Amen.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Who is Sylvester of Assisi?
Sylvester of Assisi, as you may have guessed was a follower or St Francis of Assisi. He was also the father of St Clare. Today (Saturday)is his feast day. Great and wonderous things happen in small ways with saints, but God's love is always manifested through these great people.
There is a story on americancatholic.org that shows God working through Sylvester:
Praise God for such men who inspire us to want to be better.
There is a story on americancatholic.org that shows God working through Sylvester:
Once in a city where civil war was raging, Sylvester was commanded by Francis to drive the devils out. At the city gate Sylvester cried out: "In the name of almighty God and by virtue of the command of his servant Francis, depart from here, all you evil spirits." The devils departed and peace returned to the city.
Praise God for such men who inspire us to want to be better.
Friday, 5 March 2010
Faith in Public Office
One of my favourite news sites "Lifesite" published an article about Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput speaking about John F Kennedy's speech about faith. This is a speech that Kennedy made about 50 years ago. He was speaking to a group of Protestant Ministers. He said that he would not let his Catholic faith would not affect public policy decisions.
Archbishop Chaput says that Kennedy was wrong to make such a statement. “Real Christian faith is always personal, but it’s never private,” Said the Archbishop. To be a man of Public office and to be a Catholic is one and the same. You cannot be a Catholic, have Catholic views, and do things that are not Catholic just to please the masses. We please God first.. then man.
I found this article interesting in the light of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and the church building scandal. The Prime Minister has tried on many occassions to keep his faith private. He has been exposed in the most awful of ways. First with Benny Hinn, who called his spiritual advisor a charlatan and now with the church scandal, where the same spiritual advisor seems to have gotten land (and Money) and govenment connections to get labour to build this church.
I feel sorry for the Prime Minister. How does one who is the leader of a country and a world personality seek to serve God? Surely this should be his first priority. Perhaps he should take some of his own money and seek out the Pope. Then he may not feel bad that the man of God who he sits with is indeed more powerful, known, respected and loved than this man from a small caribbean country.
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Ira Mathur & God who IS Trinidadian
Wow! Some people can be so touchy. I returned to the blog world today to see a message from someone who took offence at my "God is a Trinidadian" post of February 25th. Since very few people read the comments of past posts I thought I would give the writer credit by posting his/her concern. Here it is:
Dear anonymous writer,
I first wish to apologise for offending you. I get the impression that you think that I am attacking or insulting Ira Mathur. I am not, that is, unless you think that challenging her opinion is to insult or attack. It was also never my intention put down the fact that she was not born here. In fact I welcomed her to Trinidad. Perhaps you know many xenophobic people. I am not one.
It would seem that in your passion to defend a point, you completely misunderstood what was written. Let me say it again, and perhaps you could refer to the February 25th post for verification: God is a Trinidadian. He is also American or Indian, or Chinese.
I am very familiar with Ira's writings. At one time she was my favourite local writer (Sorry Basil). As I mentioned on the 25th of February, I think she is entitled to her opinion. You are entitled to have an opinion too. Having said that, I think that I am entitled to mine... and I still think she is an alarmist. Chile has always had huge earthquakes. That does not vindicate Ira.
There is a site that I often check that shows earthquakes from all over the world. At the time of this posting there were 25 earthquakes on the 4th of April (today).Check it out if you are adventurous:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php
However, stand firm, because Jesus loves you and does not want you to be afraid... and yuh done know! He is a Trini!
I think Ira Mathur has been vindicated by the earthquake in Chile. Do you STILL think she is an alarmist? Why is it that we Catholics who claim to be people of God become so unaccepting of people who were not born here? And why should you assume that this reporter doesnt believe in God or doesnt come from Gods land? We need to be more charitable in our thoughts and words.
Dear anonymous writer,
I first wish to apologise for offending you. I get the impression that you think that I am attacking or insulting Ira Mathur. I am not, that is, unless you think that challenging her opinion is to insult or attack. It was also never my intention put down the fact that she was not born here. In fact I welcomed her to Trinidad. Perhaps you know many xenophobic people. I am not one.
It would seem that in your passion to defend a point, you completely misunderstood what was written. Let me say it again, and perhaps you could refer to the February 25th post for verification: God is a Trinidadian. He is also American or Indian, or Chinese.
I am very familiar with Ira's writings. At one time she was my favourite local writer (Sorry Basil). As I mentioned on the 25th of February, I think she is entitled to her opinion. You are entitled to have an opinion too. Having said that, I think that I am entitled to mine... and I still think she is an alarmist. Chile has always had huge earthquakes. That does not vindicate Ira.
There is a site that I often check that shows earthquakes from all over the world. At the time of this posting there were 25 earthquakes on the 4th of April (today).Check it out if you are adventurous:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php
However, stand firm, because Jesus loves you and does not want you to be afraid... and yuh done know! He is a Trini!
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