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John W:
Same-sex
marriage: two elephants in the (men's) room
On
the issue of same-sex marriage, I see two elephants in the men's room that no
one wants to talk about. The first one is taboo and is rarely mentioned in
same-sex marriage discussions. The second one is on the way to becoming a taboo topic.
By tabooing these topics, we are not doing the gay community or the general
community a favour. On the contrary, we are putting both at risk
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This website's kind
bloggers
(past and present)
with archives of articles:
Bakhita
Hazel
C
Daniel Daring
Inigo Joachim
Brian Lewis
Judith Lynch
Martin Mallon
Chris McDonnell
Bill
Mulcahy
Des
O'Donnell
Darlene
Starrs
TASMAD
David
Timbs
Peter
Wilkinson
Harry Winter
John
Wotherspoon
More
bloggers, more tank
people, wanted from all parts of the world, to take a stand against
tanks from
the left and from the right Please
email:
jdwomi@gmail.com
Weekly Archive
of
main page menus
Previous
archives
2013 2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
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Pope
Francis: Say
yes to life, not death
"All too often, people do not choose life, they do not accept the
‘Gospel of Life’ but let themselves be led by ideologies and ways of
thinking that block life, that do not respect life, because they are
dictated by selfishness, self-interest, profit, power and pleasure, and
not by love, by concern for the good of
others.” (+
blessing of 1,400 motor-bike riders!)
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Paul
Harris: I
have watched Barack Obama transform into the security president
In 2013 – amid drones, assassinations, mass spying, secret courts and
tapping journalists' phones – it seems that Obama's race matters less
and less, while his inner character is shining through for judgment. It is
sorely wanting
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William Dalrymple: In
Afghanistan, we never seem to learn our lessons
In the eyes of many Afghans, we are on the verge of
losing our Fourth Afghan War. It seems to prove Aldous Huxley’s adage
that the only thing you learn from history is that no one learns from
history
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Interactive
Bible Quiz - Judges
Based on the actual words of the Bible.
How
many times you can get 3/3 ?!
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Reading,
Reflection, Prayer for today, June 17 (comments
welcome):
- Even when they tried to kill him,
Jeremiah didn't give up
- Another name for our beautiful world: "Remember the Creator"
- When anyone/anything replaces God ....problems
- a link between faith and healing -
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(click to enlarge)
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Vatican
II Reflection 122
It is in the face of death that the riddle a human
existence grows most acute
John
W - Blog - June 17
Yesterday - three encounters with illegal drug users/sellers |
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Joseph Girzone:
Just
knowing that God is near, makes us realize there is no reason to fear
It is very difficult these days for people to avoid falling into
depression. There is so much chaos and confusion, and the media collect
garbage from all over the world and dump it in our minds day and night.
I have found a way to keep calm in the midst of all this chaos and
cynicism
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Pray-as-you-go.org
Daily prayer with
beautiful music
Jackie
Evancho
- To Believe
Bishop
Geoff Robinson
and Bishop Bill Morris:
Petition to Pope Francis
to stop sexual abuse
and to reform Church
- & calling for a new
Ecumenical Council !
(John W has signed petition)
Brian
Coyne (Catholica):
Support
this petition
--------------------
Engagements
of Pope Francis
------------------
Many
thanks for checking
this website each day
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Darlene Starrs - Canada
Sunday blogger
Saints,
Sinners, and the Corrupt Sliding Down the Road of Corruption
I have heard many a profound, hopeful, and inspiring word emanate
from Pope Francis, but, his words need to address the corruption as it is
associated with the CDF and the rest of the hierarchy
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Pope
and Archbishop of Canterbury find common ground at talks in Rome
Full
texts
Such were the apparent points of commonality that, when
it was announced that the archbishop would be making a more official
return visit to the Vatican in December, Welby felt moved to clarify:
"We're not planning on spending Christmas together. I do have a day
job in England."
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To understand the
decline of Christianity in Europe and the Middle East, this book is
essential:
From
the Holy Mountain: A Journey among the Christians of the Middle East
by William Dalrymple
YouTube
interview with Dalrymple re From the Holy Mountain
Dalrymple's website
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Amnesty Witness:
Peaceful
Protest in Turkey's Taksim Square
The atmosphere of possibility in Gezi Park was
contagious. People handed out free food and water, built a library, set up
a yoga space. As one friend told me, “If the quiet, stay-at-home yogis
are protesting, you know it’s big!”
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Vatican
court denies latest appeal from US Scituate group not to close
church
c.f.r. Vatican
tells US bishop to re-open churches
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This
week's smile - two offerings for Father's Day + one extra
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Reading,
Reflection, Prayer for today, June 16 (comments
welcome):
- adultery and
murder confronted
- adulterer/murderer asks forgiveness
- external observance of laws
is important, but more important is observance in the heart
- forgiveness and love go together
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Vatican
II Reflection 121
Real freedom is freedom from selfishness and
sin
John
W - Blog - June 16
Father's Day reflection |
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John W:
Pope
Francis and Gnosticism
Christianity is a mud-on-the-boots religion, a down-to-earth
practice,
not a
pie-in-the-sky theory like much "New Age" thinking |
Sacred
Space
Daily prayer online.
Available in 19 languages
-----------------------------
Please encourage more
people to see 1-10
re Bishop Bill Morris:
1:
Judge's conclusions
2: Canon lawyer's report
3: Radio interview with judge
4: "The Age" file of letters
5:
Summary re Rome
6:
Frank Brennan's update
7: ABC radio Fr Frank Brennan
8. Update from Frank Brennan
9. Vatileaks & Bp Bill Morris
10: Tablet letter - Frank Brennan
After
reading 1-10, check the "Pravda" report of CNA
Google "Morris" at top of this page for many articles re
Bishop BM, the most recent being talk of March 26, 2013: Reclaiming
the Spirit of Vatican II
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And see here
for a most interesting comment from Michael re the article "Pope
Francis and Pelagianism"
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Ireland: Money-lenders
increase grip on poorest
When a money-lender knocks on the door of a poor family and offers
immediate cash,
the family out of desperation accept the loan ....but then can't pay it
back |
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Comment from Tuesday Ireland blogger Martin Mallon:
The poorest of Irish families are having to resort to moneylenders. This
is a result of the government bailing out the banks,
then permitting the same banks to crucify Irish citizens and adding to
citizens’ financial problems by introducing austerity measures to pay
for the bank bailout. Thank God for the St Vincent De Paul Society, but
why are the bishops not condemning the governments’ policies
vociferously and often; it would certainly help the poor as Francis
keeps demanding
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Pope
Francis: God doesn't belong to any particular people
Jesus doesn't tell the Apostles and us to form an exclusive group of
elite members
Perhaps we are a little upset with someone. So let's say
to the Lord: 'Lord, I am angry with this person. I will pray to you for
them.' Praying for those we are angry with is a good step in this law of
love. Shall we do it? Let's do it today!”
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| Tablet: Letters
Extra
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Time for a rethink on clerical celibacy;
women deacons; it's time to rethink the papacy
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John
and Francis: two of a kind
When Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Church arrived on an
official visit at Domus Sanctae Marthae, the guest house where Pope
Francis has chosen to remain rather than moving into the papal palace, the
Pope himself was at the door to greet the Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria.
I am told reliably that this was another first
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Legislating
to counter grog fuelled violence
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Why
is the Pope so popular? I
see Pope Francis respected because he reminds us of Jesus, which
unfortunately is a bit of a surprise when seen in public religious
leadership
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Rome
Reports
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On Sunday morning, Pope Francis will
celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Square, with movements and associations that
promote the defense of life. It's all part of Gospel of Life Day (.... c.f
title of John Paul II's encyclical re the Church's stance on
life)
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Clothes
and the man: how popes communicate through clothing
Francis has already established himself as a pope of
images,
and dress has proven to be an important part of his vocabulary
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Reading,
Reflection, Prayer for today, June 15 (comments
welcome):
- a leader not interested in God's
word
- loving God is like loving our parents
- a list of people for whom we pray each day
- "Of course I want to heal you" was Jesus' healing policy
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Vatican
II Reflection 120
God's voice in our hearts: our conscience
John
W - Blog - June 15
The downside of Pope Francis becoming a super-star |
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Pope
at Mass: The grace not to speak ill of others
“There is no need to go to a psychologist to know that
when we denigrate another person it is because we are unable to grow up
and need to belittle others, to feel more important."
“I would ask the Lord to give us all the grace to
watch our tongues, to watch what we say about others." “It is a
small penance, but it bears a lot of fruit."
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Homeless Jesus
Humble photo
Barefoot man in cold and rain
St Peter's Square 2013-03-12
praying for conclave
Pope
Francis:
Thank
you Holy Spirit
This
site's full statistics
for May 2013
If you find a broken link in this website, please let me know: jdwomi@gmail.com
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Next Dalai Lama might be a woman, says His Holiness
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Joseph Girzone
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Why
should Eucharist be treated differently
from the Jesus who walked the streets of Jerusalem?
Is Holy Communion a reward for holiness and theological correctness,
or is it medicine for the sick and troubled?
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In the red
corner: Pope
Francis’s Economic Examination of Conscience
If link having problems...try this:
http://www.acton.org/global/article/letter-rome-pope-francis%E2%80%99s-economic-examination-co
In the blue corner: Pope
Francis & The Modern Economy
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For
Chinese readers
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YouTube: A
New Commandment (in Cantonese)
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A
'gay lobby' in the Vatican: what is to be done about it?
c.f.
Elephant in the room: homosexuality in priesthood and religious life |
That
Eureka moment
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Reading,
Reflection, Prayer for today, June 14 (comments
welcome):
- unfaithfulness may not necessarily
cause problems, but faithfulness certainly brings blessings
- YouTube: How Great Thou Art
- First ever letter to Roman Catholics
- The more rugged your job, the greater your need for food. The more
rugged your ministry,
the greater your need for prayer
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Vatican
II Reflection 119
The future of the world stands in peril unless wiser leaders are forthcoming
John
W - Blog - June 14
"BP"
stands for "Blood
Pressure"
and "B _ _
L _ P
_ A _ _ " ! |
Click to enlarge
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Smile: That
awkward moment when you realize everyone else got the “Friday Is Dress
Like A Swiss Guard Day” memo and you didn’t…
- from The
Deacon's Bench via this
site dedicated to Pope Francis
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To publish an article on this site please contact
Fr John Wotherspoon omi: jdwomi@gmail.com
Taking a stand
Next pope:
load of rubbish
Navigation Aids
Standing
up to bullies
Bible plan
2012
Near
Death Experiences
John's other sites: www.jesustower.com
www.riccicenter.com
www.doctorjesus.org
www.simplebible.info
China
Library
- essential reading for anyone interested in China's Christian
history
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Daniel Daring
Thursday blogger
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"I
have something to tell you" - Reflection
on next Sunday's readings:
To the surprise of Simon and all his guests, Jesus disregarded
the concept of purity and its customary laws. He allowed the woman to
‘defile’ him, and instead of advising her to go through the purity rites, he
announced that she was free from her sins. What a challenging action! What a
shock to all religious leaders present at that dinner! What a relief to the
woman!
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John W:
Pope
Francis and Pelagianism
To what extent are some restorationist groups displaying a "Pelagian
current"?
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The
man who grows rosary beads
How does a man go from being a larrikin to a
maker of rosary beads?
It’s a long story for 83 year old Harry Power of Newcastle,
NSW
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The
archives of Iona College, Brisbane, are available
here (using
Archive Browser)
A lot of work has
been done to make these archives available,
for which past students like myself should be very, very
grateful
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Yesterday June
12 was
World Day
Against Child Labour
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Pope Francis'
statement
to mark the day:
"There are millions of children, mostly girls, who are victims of
this hidden form of exploitation that often involves abuse, mistreatment
and discrimination. This is a real form of slavery.
It is my heartfelt hope that the international community will initiate
still more effective measures in addressing this authentic plague"
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Reading,
Reflection, Prayer for today, June 13 (comments
welcome):
- "Crazy" Jeremiah buying
property in war zone
- the Divine Artist
- till his dying day, Paul proclaimed Jesus
- 2,000 year healing business still going strong
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Vatican
II Reflection 118
Not "Brother Ass" but
"Brother Honorable"
John
W - Blog - June 13
Prayers please for some special people |
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Hans
Küng: Letter to
bishops
Revolution
to stop authoritarianism
Fr Joseph Ratzinger:
Writings
on Vat II
(link gone...anyone
able to find it?)
Robert
Mickens:
Vatican
Implosion
Nicholas Lash:
Vatican II:
Of
Happy Memory - and Hope?
Robert McNally:
Crisis
& Criticism in the Church
Ron Schmit: 1962
Mass a condemnation of Vatican II
Priests
9 Masses a day - need to ordain married men
The
evil of compulsory celibacy
Link between compulsory celibacy and sexual abuse
Why
are women not being ordained to priesthood?
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Chris
McDonnell
UK Wednesday blogger
A meeting place
Every so often, some event,
some person, some meeting reinvigorates us, and the sun shines. Francis
has had that effect on the Church since his election in mid-March. He has
shown us another way of doing things. He is a person who respects people.
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In an
unprecedented gesture, Pope Francis spoke for an hour with the
Leaders of the Confederation of Latin American and Caribbean Religious (CLAR)
June 6
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Reports re Francis' Frank
words on hot topics:
Open
doors, open doors
Francis,
Unplugged?
Rorate
Caeli - groaning....
(I wonder how accurate all the quotes are. Also wonder
did Pope know he would be quoted? jw)
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George
Monbiot: Corporate
Carve-Up
Under the pretext of preventing hunger,
the rich nations are engineering a new scramble for Africa
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Pope's
message for blind and visually handicapped people |
Pope's
June 11 homily: Poverty and praise of God are the two key signs
of an evangelical and missionary Church. A rich Church becomes an old,
lifeless Church, it becomes an NGO that neglects the true treasure of
God's free grace
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Benedict
XVI in declining health
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Well known is the "Edict of Milan"
of AD 313 issued by Constantine, by which Christianity was recognised as a
legitimate element of Roman society. Less well known is the Edict
on Christianity of 1692 issued by the Emperor of China by
which Christianity was legitimised in China.
See page
176 from Ross: A
Vision Betrayed
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Reading,
Reflection, Prayer for today, June 12 (comments
welcome):
- "I will restore you to
health"
- all creatures are cousins!
- pray for safe traveling
- Pope Francis and the Devil
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Vatican
II Reflection 117
Downloaded eternal life needs to be
installed
John
W - Blog - June 12
Happy Dragon Boat Festival! |
