June 30

Healing power of a handshake Jo Berry (Tablet)
Jo's father was killed by the IRA. A moving article

A welfare reform too far Tablet Editorial

Ten Steps to a Healthier Church: How to Fix the Vatican Fr Michael Kelly SJ
 (CathNews USA) - see comment by John W

Good for goose, good for gander Fr William Grim, Tokyo (ucanews)
Ultra-traditionalists aren't the only ones in need of papal 'solicitude'
- see comment by John W

Council is starting point for Orthodox-Catholic unity Luca Rolandi (VI)
Reader:  Benedict may fear the Greeks bringing gifts. 
They might be the half of Catholicism he has chosen to ignore out of fear.
c.f. Patriach's beautiful words here

June 29

A Mother's Plea by "A Cracked Pot"
"Let us open our doors of God’s church and welcome everyone without discrimination; 
let Jesus do the rest. Let’s help Our Lord’s kingdom come, so that His will can be done.
Let Him feed, medicate, nourish and love. 
Let Him be the potter.  If the clay is not of good quality, then let Him decide"

Reminder about when to genuflect and when to bow Elizabeth Harrington (Leader)
Altar not for teddy bears

Priest who changed words of liturgy is changed by bishop (ACS)

Promoting priestly vocations Alessandro Speciale (VI)
"Fragile personalities not suitable"     Paul: choose mature married men

Queen & IRA leader shake hands (Guardian)
Queen a true model of reconciliation

The threat to freedom of speech is in your own backyard
Antony Loewenstein (ABC)

June 28

Learning from India's greatest poet Jon M. Sweeney (America)
Tagore: India's Shakespeare

Australia's 20 year search  for the right asylum policy
Frank Brennan (Eureka Street)

SSPX says "No":
Vatican Insider  Andrea Tornielli  
NCR Alessandro Speciale
Reader:  SSPX give brick walls a bad name

Details of Pope's June 23 meetings Sarah Delaney (NCR)
Why Card Pell went to Rome...

Book review: Fr Robert Barron
Yves Congar: Diary from Vatican II
see comment by John W ( may not get published): agreed with comment by Tim Spalding
...that 2nd half of article gives a one-sided approach to VII. 
To say VII was just a static event from which we move on
is like saying Pentecost was a static event,
 just a one-off phenomenon with no relevance to time that followed.
Put "barron" into Google at top...

Israel's treatment of Palestinian kids Harriet Sherwood (Guardian)
Reader: Shame, Israel, Shame     John W:  injustice breeds terrorism

June 27

Investors'  meeting in London:  How to buy land in Africa Rupert Neate (Guardian)
"They are displacing farmers, up-rooting communities and food production
 and destroying ecosystems on a massive scale. They are increasing hunger and poverty"

"I hope they'll listen to me" Andrés  Álvarez (VI) Vatican's new media advisor
Reader: Having worked for the Legion controlled National Catholic 'Register' and Fox News,
the crowd that features Bill O'Reilly and promoted the delusional Glenn Beck, 
Burke will be able to provide all the spin and defensive strategies the Vatican media arm wants/needs.

Why ignore15 million black Baptists? Karen Sue Smith (America)
c.f. there are currently 3 million black Catholics in the U.S. (2 to 3 percent
 250 black priests &16 black bishops

Egypt: Christians hoping Islamic president will keep promises Gerard O'connell (VI)
A Christian vice-president?

Thank you "The Swag" for giving v2catholic a plug in April issue

For Chinese readers - this HK site: Ut Abundantius Community and its seasonal magazine

June 26

Italy - Religious Illiteracy:  Need for adult education  Sandro Magister (Chiesa)
Reader: Lots of interesting things to say about faith, culture, various forms of indifferentism, 
clan/tribal faith and inculturated practice. It also highlights what is most alarming for B 16 and the Curia
namely the sharp decline in female practice. The study also proposes that an almost exclusive focus
of Church resources on the youth is unwise and ultimately ineffectual. Where have they been? 

Vic sex abuse inquiry: Hell on Earth (The Age) Michael Short, Judy Courtin
Reader: The disaster grows  in scope and magnitude

Book Review - John W Mary Laven: Mission to China Matteo Ricci and the Jesuit Encounter with the East
Dr Laven's treatment of Ricci is like B16's treatment of Vat II

Melbourne: Next Mass July 1 Inclusive Catholics

June 25

Fortnight for Freedom Richard Rohr:  US bishops are like  "Republican Party at prayer"

Suffering lays out path to new life for Church  (NCR) Fr George McLean OMI
"A quite new level of cooperation between a set of leading Catholic research clusters
promises to be a reason for hope for all in the church"

US priests' June assembly "Vatican II lives!"

June 24 

Feast of Birth of John the Baptist Elizabeth Harrington (Leader) 

Are church investigation procedures really just? (1998 Doctrine & Life) Fr Ladislas Orsy SJ (ACP)
"The judicial procedures of the Regulations are entirely of human composition. 
They are not rooted in any  tradition: they are the product of post-Tridentine defensive policies"

Good News story: Theology behind bars Kerry Weber (America)
Not "bars" as in "pub" but as in "prison"!

What Assisi has lost Austen Ivereigh (America)
Why Assisi III fell flat.  Pope & Curia avoided term "Spirit of Assisi" because this term is now in same
 "needs re-interpreting" folder  as "spirit of Vatican II"

China's Hilarion Gianni Valente (VI) Russian Orthodoxy in China

Rio 2012 snuffs out Rio 1992 George Monbiot (Guardian) Just like B16 snuffing out Vat II !

Vatican's transparency test John Allen (NCR) Anything to do with Gospel?

Philadelphia priest in prison after trial Maryclaire Dale (Huff Post)

June 23  

Opportunity for Irish renewal Tablet Editorial
Reflection on Eucharistic Congress

Doesn't anyone around here know how to run a church?
Eugene Kennedy (NCR)
Eugene's take on the Vatican's welcoming of SSPX and unwelcoming of LCWR

Meet one of the most influential Catholics in the world Robert Mickens (Tablet)
Full article from the Tablet

Letters Extra (Tablet) Usual very interesting letters

When smaller isn't better Ken Briggs (NCR) No good circling the wagons

Jesus had brief nervous breakdown Jill Hamilton meets  Fr Jerome Murphy-O’Connor OP
(Catholic Herald UK)

Paul the Pastor Fr Jerome Murphy-O’Connor OP How to pastor from a distance

Vatican anti-money laundering law Andrea Tornielli (VI) Reader: Vat 'transparency laws'?

Vatilileaks: too many quetions unanswered dear Bertone Marco Tosatti (VI)
Strong article by experienced hand

The Perilous Pill Dr Lanfranchi (Life Issues) Latest side-effects update

June 22

Communion for the remarried James Roberts (Tablet Blog)
-see comment by John W

G20 is also about food security Jack De Groot (Eureka Street)
A billion people hungry every day

UK Nuncio: lay involvement is the answer to vocations crisis
(Tablet) Yes... then go just one step further and ordain those lay leaders
(Nuncio might get into trouble  for straying from the party line?)

A new candidate for next pope John Allen (NCR) Fernando Filoni (HK 1992 - 2001)
c.f. Interview re China Andrea Tornielli (VI)

South Sudan refugee crisis Medecins Sans Frontieres
I have sent a donation

Herranz an experience inquisitor (Chiesa)
Reader: It’ll be a race to see who gets a book out first, Dan Brown or George Weigel! 
Either way, the product will be doggerel

June 21

APC slams Dolan report Dolan report getting APC & Irish bishops to embrace?!
And see comment No. 26:
Dolan's seminary ordained only one diocesan priest  this year, and his first Mass was a traditional Latin Mass

Update re Dolan report reaction David Gibson (NCR)
Maybe Pope should get "wheelchair detectives" to check who leaked what re Dolan report?!
The way to lobby in today's Church: l e a k ! 

Syria expels Italian Jesuit Deborah Amos (NPR)
"I will stay faithful to nonviolence, but I won't be astonished that violence brings violence in reaction"

Churches should be more ecologically sensitive (ACP)  Fr Sean McDonagh SSC
Reflection for current Rio Summit  
c.f. Alternative Summit website and The Mendacity of Hope George Monbiot 

Preparatory document for the next Synod of Bishops Alessandro Speciale (VI)
Reader: Addressing secular relativism on the outside is fine as long as the internal version is examined first.
 This is not happening

"Celebrating" World Refugee Day Kevin Clarke (America)
World's largest refugee resettlement agency is US Bishops' Conference
   
HK: 15th Anniversary not happy (Ucanews)
And a more serious reason !
John W (in June 20 Ming Pao)
   
In praise of Singapore and Asia Mungo Maccallum (ABC)
Europe, America, Japan, Australia  are in decline .... victims of   a long bout of overindulgence

June 20

The Good Sisters and Schism Nicholas P. Cafardi (America)
A brilliant comparison between the Vat's jilted lover’s pursuit of SSPX  & Vat’s treatment of LCWR
See John W's comment

Vatican, LCWR & Dialogue Sr Clare Condon SGS (Good Oil)
Follow Paul VI & St Benedict

Letter to Church from a Gen X-erAlice Priest (Good Oil)

Sex sells, but sells out our children
 Melinda Reist  Please click  Good Oil  to access this article

Vatileaks: Bertone says "No dispute between clerics"Andrea Tornielli (VI)

The Mendacity of Hope George Monbiot
Rio earth summit a tragic failure

3 Commission cardinals all 80+ Alessandro Speciale (VI)
Reader: "Wheelchair detectives"

Cardinal's outfit: cost list (Catholica) Model: Card R. Burke 

The Subversion of Vatican II Bro Louis De Thomasis FSC
(Huff Post)       See John W's comment
"those of us who believe in the vision of Vatican II cannot back down from speaking the truth as we see it"

Good news story: A little for some is a lot for others Chris Hansen (CAM)
Would that every parish did this...

June 19

Pope's message to Congress Irish Times

The Irreversible Vatican II Francis Clooney SJ (America)
But the small instances I have recounted suggest that there is no going back: 
the Council, the work of the Spirit among us, 
opened windows in the Church that no one will be able to close again

Pope: Respect rights of refugees (Vatican Insider)
With reminder that Wed  is World Refugee Day

Card Dolan's negative report on Irish College in Rome
Gerard O'connell (VI) Reader: "Rather disingenuous 
when Tim should have a look at many of the US seminaries:
 large subculture of (.........)  enclosed in the bubble of clericalism"

Four Irish archbishops slam Dolan Patrick Counihan (Irish Central) 
This is a big development:  The Irish bishops are now standing up to the Vatican!?
....after receiving "Bill Morris" treatment from Card. Dolan 
(= decision made before inquiry)

"Lead us not into temptation"Richard Rohr
(another possibility: "Save us in time of trial and protect us from evil")

Freedom led to starvation, disease  for millions of black Americans
Paul Harris (Guardian)

Chinese economy -  Aust. politics Stephen McDonel (ABC)

To prepare for university: Monash College, Melbourne
Recent advt on HK metro caught the eye of this former
Monash University student 

June 18

White wine ok to use at Mass Elizabeth Harrington (Cath Leader)
And home-baked bread is best

Church must leave aside privileges and dedicate itself to the poor
Giacomo Galeazzi (VI) Yes, let's take Gospel seriously!

List of deposed/fired bishops Sandro Magister (Chiesa)
Comment from reader:
Maybe the giving of this info to the press  is just an attempt by the protective Curia 
to isolate the Pope from any suggestion that episcopal dismissals
 such as that of +Bill Morris might be contrary to due process.
 So this article stresses the extremes  to relativise less ‘spectacular’ cases

 Jacques Dupuis’ Theology  of Religious Pluralism
Fr Ambrose Mong Ih-Ren OP 
This essay examines the shift from church-centered to Christ-centered
 to God-centered thinking, and also the issue of interfaith dialogue

If, in January, you enjoyed this you will also like this update George Monbiot

Australian horse at UK's Ascot Chris Cook (Guardian) Black Caviar to race June 23

June 17

Dismissal of Bishop Bill Morris Letter to The Tablet Fr Frank Brenna SJ

New interview with Bp Pat Power ABC TV

A warning to Catholic extremists Martin Marty (America, 1968!))
Revolutions in the media, in education, in human relations, in self-understanding
—one can only begin the catalogue—have established the climate of churchly reform.
This is not a time for a “New Conservatism” in Catholicism or Christianity in general
c.f.  Fr Harry Winter OMI (USA) Dividing or Strengthening? Five ways of Christianity (full text here)

Ireland: ACP rejects Dolan's report ACP vs Vatican: gloves coming off 

British historian: Church has not learned from abuse in past centuries Jonathan Luxmoore (NCR)
Historical link between compulsory celibacy and sexual abuse by clergy

Interview: Card Levada re LCWR John Allen (NCR)
Even if one disagrees with his ideas, he comes across here as human!

Card George Pell: Our man in Rome Jane Cadzow (SMH)
Continuing to lobby for Vat job - c.f. 2010 story and 2000 story

US bishops: we need PR help Mitchell Landsberg (Seattle Times) reader says: "running on empty"

Reviving the Sacred Heart James Martin SJ (America) See comment by John W (no. 10)

Final battles of Pope Benedict XVI (Spiegel Online) Vatican imploding

June 16

Bp Bill Morris - new NCR article: Firing a bishop doesn't end story
John Allen (see John W's comment)

Getting dialogue going in a parish A story of frustration & disappointment in Ireland (ACP)

Hong Kong media taking on Beijing re death of activist Li Wangyang
20 times put in a "coffin" container,  each time for 1-3 months.
President Hu due HK July 1 .... stand by for big protests

Hong Kong: Pilgrimage to Lourdes by Chi Fu parish group
Fr Stephen Ip, PP A parish begun by MEP

Meditation on death of a friend Eugene Kennedy (NCR)

Rome Notebook (NCR) John Allen

Congress turns its back on the poor Tony Magliano (NCR) 

 Fr Harry Winter OMI (USA) 
Dividing or Strengthening? Five ways of Christianity (full text here)
"What is certain is that all five have never existed together
 as they have since 1950-2000, in the English speaking world"

Poll figures: how much trust do you have in these institutions?

SSPX: personal prelature? Andrea Tornielli (VI) Reader's comment: "good grief!"

South Korea: Darwin banned from school text books (VI)Marco Tosatti

For Chinese readers: Joy of Life website (HK)

June 15

Photo of Lenticular cloud Today's new word: lenticular !

Melbourne - June 17: Inclusive Catholics next Mass Hong Kong -June 27: Oxfam:  China's  investments China - June 29: Another controversial consecration? Gerard O'Connell (VI) Canada - Sep 27-29: Vatican II Anniversary Conference

St Bernard's Four Loves Fr Richard Rohr OFM

Eucharistic Congress, Dublin: Cardinal meets abuse victims Gerard O'Connell (VI)

In April this site published Vatican II as I experienced it  by Dr Michael Costigan, Australia Today, 2 more memory articles,  by Fr Harry Winter OMI (USA): Oblates who influenced Vat II      Seminarians at Vatican II If anyone would like to publish other  memory articles,  to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vatican II, please send to jdwomi@gmail.com

The above Fr Harry also recommends this article to explain OMI spirituality:
Praying with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (Cath. Digest)
by Fr Louis Lougen (Sup Gen)

June 14

Logos versus Ethos: a critical examination of Joseph’s Ratzinger’s understanding of Ecumenism
Fr Ambrose Mong Ih-Ren OP (reader: "Fr  Mong's stuff  is superb")

Bp Morris & Abp Hunthausen: Compare their treatment by Joseph Ratzinger (a reader)

Opposition to reform disappointing Bp Pat Power (Lateline)  Abuse crisis & lack of priests the top issues - Bp Pat Power   Barney Zwartz (Canberra Times) Church in serious trouble Bp Pat Power story  Barny Zwartz (The Age) Bp Pat Power's website

Eucharistic Congress, Dublin: Disappointing opening crowd Miriam Lord (IT)

The best way to find healing  when overcome with despair John Dear (NCR)

The Church's greatest problem Gary Everett (CathBlog) The enemy is ....us

USA bishops vs Obama: Atlanta meeting on now Mitchell Landsberg (Kansas CS)

Vatican-Israel relations Andrea Tornielli (VI)
A terrible mix of Ottoman/ British/ International/Israeli/Jordanian and Canon Law.  It's a minefield

Vat vs USA nuns: Nuns must promote church teaching Nicole Winfield (AP)

June 13

Deus ex machina Fr William Grim, Tokyo (ucanews)
What Google Translate tells us about the state of the liturgy 

Denmark same-sex marriage law: Catholics exempt (CC) 
Put "same sex marriage" into Google at top of page - many articles this topic

June 12

Bishop Bill Morris: further analysis, having regard to the Pope's notes 
Fr Frank Brennan SJ

Retired bishop criticises Vatican Lexi Metherell (ABC)
Bishop Pat Power says "keep pressure on Vat to reform"

Forgiveness Richard Rohr Don't put cart before horse

Fr Ambrose Mong Ih-Ren OP, Hans Küng’s Humanum and the Quest for the True Religion The Liberal Spirit of John Henry Newman (page 5 of this PDF)

June 11

Dublin: Eucharistic Congress opens Gerard O'Connell (VI)

Power of dying hierarchy an illusion Joe Orso (NCR) See comment by John W

The Body and Blood of Christ Elizabeth Harrington (Leader)
Can we ignore Jesus' invitation? c.f.r.  No more chalice !

Guidelines for talking about Church Melissa Nussbaum (NCR) A lot of food for thought here!

Catholicism Now Series in Irish Times

New missal: spot the (clumsy) difference in these prayers Elizabeth Harrington (Leader)

Bp Pat Power's resignation James Robertson (SMH)
Hey, James: - Bp resigned, not exited/left! - A bishop is not "Mr"!
Bp Pat: movement away from Vat II "a great disappointment"

Vatican Hegemonism Sr Charlene Ozanick & John Churchman (Catholica) Telling it as it has been

Pope has "pruned dead branches" (AsiaOne) Pope's secretary now an Abp?! 

Classroom exercise re next pope Sandro Magister (Chiesa)

June 10 

Woman-man polarity in Church c.f. this review by Christine Cargill

Benedict in Milan, Vatileaks, LCWR and Farley John Allen (NCR)

The Ego's 4 splits: The 4th split:  Acceptable Self  from Unacceptable Self
Fr Richard Rohr OFM Finding God at the bottom...

Abortion & breast cancer link Jerry Novotny OMI (LifeIssues)

Letter to Tablet re call to action by 7 UK priests Chris McDonnell, UK

Germany: Communion for divorcees Alessandro Speciale (VI)

Bethlehem Basilica bunfight  Giorgio Bernardelli (VI)

Congar - a great mind of Vat II Stefan Gigacz (CathBlog)
Australian launch of My Journal of the Council. 
For previous  articles on this topic, put "Congar" into Google search at top of this page

Fr Robert Barron to be  in charge of Chicago seminary (Chicagoland)

As a straight parent, I feel I'm being made to feel like (....) (Catholica) and this second post

Black Caviar arrives in England ABC Has won 21 straight races ...and never been hit with a whip

June 8 

Our sickness must grow worse Richard Rohr (ACP)
"We are clearly in a very strategic period of history
 where people are grabbing for power because they do not know how to heal, restore, or bring life"

A recent article on website of the Association of Catholic Priests (Ireland)
had a most interesting article from Sean O'Conaill. See menu of yesterday, June 7.
More such articles  can be found at Sean's website

USA: why is Church veering right? Dr Don Fausel (Catholica) A disturbing article....

What gay parents are worth Frank Brennan (Eureka Street)

Butler quizzed re Pope's documents Nick Squires (The Age)

Atheism to defeat religion by 2038 Nigel Barber (Huff Post)

Webpage of Future Church Many articles re current issues
by US group which won fight to prevent church from being closed

June 7

Must-read:   Vat II history re the debate on birth control
from Robert  Kaiser's book  The Politics of Sex & Religion (Catholica)

What exactly was  "the spirit of Vat II" ? Sean O'Conaill (ACP)
Magisterium  betrayed Lumen G See John W's comment

Reflection re All Hallows meeting Martin Murray (ACP)
We need more, not less, discontent

Vatican assault coming in October John  Sivalon, M.M.
See 2 comments by John W

Philadelphia trial has fully exposed Catholic leadership worldwide
Gerald Slevin (Bilgrimage) A depressing but important story

Vatileaks: Cardinal George's role in politics Manya Brachear
(Kansas City Star)

Good news story: Dr Mary Glowrey JMJ Gabrielle McMullen (CathBlog) 
Australian nun who worked in India for 37 years - someday a saint?

June 6

Challenging the Church ABC Radio interview (55 mins) 
with Dr Phyllis Zagano  and Brother Louis de Thomasis 

What is it to be "born again"? Dr Andrew Kania (Catholica)
Revisiting thoughts of Yves Congar

The Ego's 4 splits:  The 3rd split: body from mind Fr Richard Rohr OFM
Last paragraph contrasts "sins of the flesh" and "sins of the spirit"

HK: June 9 talk on Matteo Ricci
Historian Gianni Criveller PIME   will share the most recent research on Matteo Ricci and Xu Guangqi, 
the founders of Chinese Catholicism, whose exemplary story of friendship transcends boundaries

June 5

Vatileaks:

No respite for Pope Tom Kington (Guardian)
What's all this got to do with him who came to serve, not be served?

Comments by Abp Savio Hon SDB Andrea Tornielli  Curial Confucianism?!

The butler was (evidently) not alone Dr Robert Moynihan

June 4
see Remembering June 4, 1989

Comment on elephant/ministry! John N. Collins More comments wanted! 

Church is more than just  what happens inside the Vatican! Giorgio Bernardelli (VI)
 World Family Meeting, Milan

A call to action Statement by group of English priests (ACP/Tablet)

This site's statistics for May 2012 Number of readers increasing DG!

June 3

Vatileaks & Bp Bill Morris John Allen (NCR)
Source article also has lots of disturbing info re Cardinal Bertone

The hunt for thieves in the Vatican Sandro Magister (Chiesa)
Not sure whether to laugh or cry....

Christian Correction America Magazine Editorial

How a bishop stood up to the Pope Peter Leithart (ucanews) ....and won!

The Ego's 4 splits:  The 2nd split: life from death Fr Richard Rohr OFM

Vatican vs USA nuns: All roads lead to Rome? Ken Briggs (NCR) Deepening Communion Abp Peter Sartain (America) Worth reading for 1st paragraph At Cross Currents? Christine Hinze (America) A response to Abp Sartain

What Ryan missed Gerald Beyer (America) Solidarity & subsidiarity mean?

Lament for laicized priests Tom McMahon (Catholica) More than 100,000 since 1965

June 2 

New missal makes women invisible Astrid Gajiwala, India (The Tablet)
See comment by Dr Mark Coley:
I wonder which country will be the first to stop using this new translation? .. a lot of flood water is building up..
Dear Dr Mark...please send me an email...I'd like to invite you to write an article for v2catholic!
John W: jdwomi@gmail.com 

Vatican vs USA nuns: Vat has caused "scandal & pain" Joshua McElwee (NCR)

An "umbrella" organisation for laity (Ireland - ACP) The way for every country to go?

June is environment month: www.ecocongregation.org 
How churches & community centers can become greener

The elephant in the room: ministry Fr Michael Kelly SJ (Eureka St) Elephant is not celibacy...

The billionaires we love & hate Rachel Jacobs (SMH) Wealth ok, but not greed

Origin of calling people "vegetables" Dr Dianne Irving  (Human Life Matters)
c.f. this article re "delayed hominization" at start of life, and "de-hominization" at end of life 

Petition for Royal Commission into sex abuse in Church & NGO's (Change.org)

June 1

A good news story from India: Ascetic nun lives among lions Binu Alex (ucanews)

USA: 82% of Catholics say that contraception is "morally acceptable" Patrick Craine Life Site News
 - same site has Interview with blind  Chinese activist now in US "My suffering was unimaginable"

Pius XII and the Jews:
A new address by Dr Paul O'Shea (Catholica) Excellent summary of complex topic

The ego's four splits - part one Richard Rohr (Word Press) 

Melbourne: Inclusive Catholics Click for details of June 3 Mass