July 31       

Dreaming of Olympia Tim Byron SJ 
Relationship with Church of Olympic founder Pierre de Coubertin

Olympic liturgy ! Pádraig McCarthy (ACP)
The opening ceremony  was striking for its liturgical rites and allusions

Olympic torch should shine on athletes not nations Michael Mullins (Eureka Street)
A permanent city for Olympics?

16 year old Chinese girl swam faster than best men (Guardian)

July 30

Syria: case for "Just War" ? Gerard Powers (HuffPost)
Three problems with JW analysis

Another Redemptorist in firing line! Brendan Butler (ACP)
Brendan a member of  We Are Church Ireland

"Ratzinger Prize" winners Andrea Tornielli (VI)
Reader: RP for agreeing with him

Patience with God Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI
God is never in a hurry !

LCWR: promoting new theology? (CathNewsUSA)
Reader: Shameful bit of bullying

July 29

Bertone's ideas for a Vatican national football team (Wikipedia)
When will it go to Olympics?!

The Church and the Olympics (Tablet)
See here for Catholic activities in London during Olympics

Olympic article: Joy is the prize Vladimir Felzmann (Tablet)
Good summary of benefits of sport

Catholic Church in China - many reasons for hope Cardinal Keith O'Brien 
 Homily of 21 July (Tablet)

Wadsworth wrong re Dublin Mass Letters to Editor (Tablet)

Words of Consecration: "For the multitude" not "For all" ? Andrea Tornielli (VI)
c.f. Some, Many, Most, All? David Timbs

Today's Gospel: loves and fish - A true story:  The miracle of the rubbish dump

Lots of interesting items at website of Claretian Publications (Macau)

Pope's new book: Jesus' Infancy Andrea Tornielli (VI) Child in crib has secret to life
(Obvious marketing target:  A Christmas release!)

Pope to Lebanon Sep 14 -16 John Allen (NCR) Update re Lebanon & Syria

A legal and moral dilemma Tablet Editorial iscussion re liability for child abuse

July 28

Gold "fever" impoverishing Peru Luca Rolandi (VI)
Reader: New Conquistadores  with American accents

Now available as an e-book The Documents of Vatican II (America)

July 27

Church is too Western/European
Articles calling for the Church to be less Western/European 

New turn for the worse: Mainland activists jailed in China for taking part in HK march!
(Global Media Post)

Creative fidelity in religious life (CRIB) Consecrated life will continue to flourish.  However, this will happen only with a huge divesting of the accretions of time and culture Being compassionate is right way (CRIB) Transforming institutional Church

Australia Diary II Fr Francis Clooney SJ (America)
Experiences in Sydney & Melbourne

Two priestly actions during Mass Elizabeth Harrington (Leader)
History of "fermentum" something I never knew or had forgotten

Ordination of women  "Shall not be mentioned" topic Brendan Butler (ACS) Quoted priest to bishop re LCWR: I stand by what I said Michael Crosby OFM Cap NCR

Interview with CDF new head Andrea Tornielli (VI)
Reader: So far, understandably,   the 'party line'.

Psalm of Peace: Psalm 85 John Dear (NCR)
Reflection on Batman movie killings

Wife fears for missing husband who was abuse victim
Joanne McCarthy (Newc. Herald)

July 26

Alcohol advts barred in Russia (BBC)

As October Synod approaches does anyone know if B16 ever got round to publishing final report of 2008 Synod on Bible?! List of  2008 proposals submitted  to B16 John Allen (NCR) Note no. 17:   Allow women to be lectors

Climate change: real & dangerous Tony Magliano (NCR)
Mentions how group from Pontifical Academy issued sobering report
on reality of climate change

Goes with above story: yesterday 
 I bought a couple of items from  Green Towel which has a stall at HK's Central Ferry Pier

Argentina: hierarchy  was in bed with dictator Tom Hennigan (Irish Times)
A powerful article...In contrast to the  hierarchy in Brazil,
which denounced that country’s dictatorship and provided sanctuary to victims, 
Argentina bishops co-operated with and defended  regime

Beijing's 3rd airport will be busier than Heathrow (Daily Mail)
Maybe it will have nine runways and be twice as big as Heathrow.
But...doesn't anyone remember: Beijing might have to be moved in 20 years time! (serious!)

Egypt: Coptics voting for Pope! Giorgio Bernardelli (VI)
Reader: Way to go for the RCC?

Vat was tempted to exit the Euro Andrea Tornielli (VI) 
Reader:   God: 0 - Mammon: 10

US priest jailed for abuse cover-up (BBC)

Uniting global Palestine movement Dr Paul Larudee (Pal Chronicle)
May it always use peaceful means

For Chinese readers: HK Government internet plan "I learn at home"

July 25

Why no tighter gun laws in USA Chris McGreal (Guardian)
 Bullets sold in supermarkets 

Pakistan: Hollywood making things worse with The Last Resort (Ucanews)
"Trailer sent chills up my spine"

The" three conditions" of SSPX Andrea Tornielli (VI)
 Note B16's words:
“Church’s magisterial authority cannot be frozen in time in 1962".
Reader: Very interesting B16  insists  Vatican II contains whole tradition.
 No mention of "development"

Child abuse dobbing laws Fr Frank Brennan SJ (Eureka St)
Reader: Has universal application

Vatileaks: "3 not fired" (VI) 3 were not "poison pen" writers

July 24

Program gets 7,457,274 viewers in China! Stephen McDonell (ABC)
Foreign Correspondent goes viral

A new conversation about Church sex abuse (Eureka Street) Fr Peter Day
See comment from Gary Eastman:
This is the best article I have read on the sexual abuse crisis

Africa's wealth being devoured by tyrants and vultures Nick Dearden (Guardian)

 

Reflections on US gun culture Dennis Phillips (ABC)  Watch the gun lobby try to  shoot down articles like this Australia a safer place after Howards' gun buy-back (Age) Professor Simon Chapman In 12 years after John Howard's new laws, no mass shootings Why gun control is religious issue Fr James Martin SJ (America)

US Justice Department on warpath with former HSBC chief  George Eaton (New Statesman)
 Serving God? Serving Mamon?

Italians go four goals down (Chiesa) Latest Curia appointments

A jolting message Fr Richard Rohr OFM My group versus your group thinking

July 23

Study finds faith matters among Asian Americans (Naharnet)
Asian Americans make up 5.6 percent of the total U.S. population

For this time of Ramadan: Seeing Muslims as God sees them Catherine M. Odell (NCR)
Fascinating article, with much  background info re the movie "Of Gods and Men"
"I knew all of them personally, but the one dearest to me was the medical doctor, Brother Luc" 

East Africa food crisis one year on Oxfam  Crisis far from over

July 22

Peru university no longer "Catholic" Andrés Alvarez (VI)
Some current spin and weasel from Rome, protecting 'identity' & 'brand.'

Damascus "Apocalypse" Kevin Clarke (America)
A moving report - let's keep Syria in our daily prayers

This post by Brian Coyne (Catholica) is a good follow-up to article on yesterday's menu
"I call you friends", but not on Facebook by Eugene Kennedy (NCR)

When exactly does Ramadan begin ! Rabia Chaudry (Patheos)
Most HK Muslims are "calculators"!

A little office that reaches a continent Michael Sean Winters (NCR)
To educate about Africa and to advocate for just relations between the U.S. and the peoples of Africa.

Vatican financial transparency John Allen (NCR)
Reader: The sooner the church gets out of big business, the better 

Will the Catholic Church be still standing in a few generations? Bill Tammeus (NCR)
"Church must return to its Center"

July 21

New article re HK schools opposed to nationalist course (Ucanews)
John W's comment:  Beijing's brainwashing of students' minds to equate love of China with love for the Party,
and to have that love "even if Party is wrong" is like glorification of the papacy, right or wrong

Ecumenism -Vat II's  rejected child Dr Draskko Dizdar (CathBlog)
- (editor did not publish comment by John W)

LCWR new reply to Vatican Maria Pederiva (VI)
Reader: VI's image bank is limited & selective.  LCWR would be amused.

Syria update from Christian view Gianni Valente (VI)
Reader: A difficult time for the Christian minorities. They fear the installation of a fundamentalist government.
The assassinated Defence Minister, Gen Dawood Rajhad, was Greek Orthodox

Celibacy for priests has to die Fr Michael Kelly SJ (Hoopla)

Challenge to Beijing Francis Wong (Tablet) New low in Sino-Vat relations

Jesus said "I call you friends", but not on Facebook Eugene Kennedy (NCR)

Psalm 34, a psalm of peace John Dear (NCR)

July 20

Bishop Bill Morris: Truth and Reconciliation in Toowoomba
Andrew Hamilton (Eureka Street) See comment by John W

HK Church schools say no to use of "National Education" (RTHK)
With good reason:  see here & here

From Melbourne (America) Fr Francis X. Clooney SJ
Haven't seen kangaroo or koala yet 

Religious India Bulletin: 220 young religious meet in India First ever paperless meeting Messengers, not  missionaries  Paradigm shift 2010 - 2020  Strategy for refounding Rel. Life Virtual parliament of religious Meeting was telecast live  c.f.r. almost no reports from:  Priests meeting Australia Confession "seal" sacred Clare Quirk (The Standard)

 Mgr Gerald Ryan - New York's oldest working priest Sharon Otterman (NY Times)

Video of how Cardinal Burke wants Mass to be like
Robert McClory (NCR) This article has been added to 
Agenda of Reform of Reform file - bye bye all the changes since Vat II

Definitions of liturgical terms Elizabeth Harrington (Leader)
A woman may not be an acolyte

Fair Trade website: Just Earth (Australia)

MP blasts Church re abuse probe Barney Zwartz (The Age)

Danger of lifelong story line Richard Rohr  Many people living a pretend life

Alarm over unsafe Ramadan food (Ucanews)

July 19

HK Catholics rally for Bishop Ma (Ucanews) Surprise large turnout

Australia: Council of Priests  meeting Companionship, not sex, at heart of celibacy debate Clare Quirk (The Standard) On Facebook link of The Standard by Lisa Owen I have appreciated your coverage on the priests' conference. The problem with the Church is that it is top heavy. Rome dictates and the minions (fewer now) must obey. Recently the Vatican changed the wording of the Mass. The changes made little difference to the people except to disempower us and to remind us all that we are indeed powerless and have no representation within our church. The church's hierarchy gives us lip service and then rules according their own desires. The Church has become extremely authoritative, right wing, defensive and protective. This was the problem with the abuse scandals... The Church has done many many good things but this particular mistake or sin has almost brought it undone. The Church needs to open up it doors and windows and again let in the fresh air of the Vatican 11 conference. Let these good priests go to the Vatican with the 'body of Christ' laity and help the Church heal its terrible brokenness with acceptance, openness and unconditional love. Christ came to change the burdensome rules of the Pharisees and brought a new rule, to love one another. The Church's hierarchy are our modern day Pharisees

Bp Pat Power's retirement speech (Catholica) A good bishop!

Ramadan  this year is July 21 to August 19. It's good to wish Muslim friends  "Happy Ramadan" 

Whose radical is right? Garry Everett (CathBlog)
Oh for a leadership that could cut across the trajectories we see emerging in this dispute!  

July 18

Communion from the Chalice  should be given at every Mass
Fr Bernard Cotter (ACP) for the sake of coeliacs  (as well as liturgical reasons)

Australian sisters inspired 
by  US scientist
Dr Larry Edwards (Good Oil)
“I came away realising how stupid and illogical racism of any kind is. 
We are all related; we are all connected; we’re all family”

Is a new wave of violence eroding civilised society?
Sr Clare Condon SGS (Good Oil) TV news full of violence

Vatican II: a view from outside Rev. Garth Read (Good Oil)
As one comment says, the first story makes you cringe

Reading and the spiritual journey Sr Joan Sexton SGS (Good Oil)
Our new self, born of reflection from reading, may seek greater intimacy with God and others

Too much of a good thing Olivia Mottershead (Good Oil)
Speech by Year 8 student !

SSPX update: no parallel Church Andrea Tornielli (VI)
Reader:  Fellay is now between  a wedge and a hard place

July 17

Religious groups need to back off partisanship to shore up confidence
Matthew Brown (Deseret News)

To understand the world we must understand religion
US Vatican ambassador (VI)

Vat finances: Europe Report Philip Pullella (Reuters)
Reader: The shock of joining the real world

Bp Bill Morris Catholica thread  keeps growing.  This recent post will give you a smile,
and Brian Coyne's new post on the issue is perceptive

War on drugs: Honduras report Stephen Sackur (Guardian)
John W: this is an issue we all must care about. It affects the whole world.
I'm up close to it in HK and its not nice. It is evil

US priests' association calls for reassessment of new translation
Fr Anthony Ruff OSB (Pray Tell)

Enough of reaction to reaction Sherry Anne Weddel (Siena)
We can end the cycle of reaction    See comment by John W

Legion of Christ needs new identity Alessandro Speciale (W. Post)
Reader: Time has come to give them more than a new identity

Pope's visit commemorates Council Giacomo Galeazzi (VI)
Reader: Which Council?!

Pope to visit Poland 2015? Marek Lehnert (VI)
Reader: Continuity name of the game      John W: which pope?!

Putting back what's missing: the entrance rites 
Fritz Bauerschmidt (Pray Tell)
Reader: It's important to let folks know that creative disturbance continues in many parts of the world
John W: a can of (dead) worms !

July 15

Let married deacons be priests Brian Eyre, a Catholic married priest in Recife, Brazil, 
argues that bishops should ordain mature married men to the priesthood  (ACP)

Come Lonely One Terrance Klein (America)
Robert Kennedy the prophet

VatiLeaks: A Space and  Information Age effect Eugene Kennedy (NCR)

Real war on religion  and a ticking Vatican PR bomb John Allen (NCR)

July 14

West Africa desperately needs help with its food shortage Tony Magliano (NCR)
This made me use my Visa card

Syria's Churches and the future prospects of a tormented country Paolo Zanini (VI)
Reader: Another Golden Bowl full of scorpions?

July 13

Removed US priest now banned (ICN)
Reader: "Given +Braxton's less than impressive record in two dioceses,
 it's no wonder he needs deflection and diversion. It's the game plan for the whole USCCB"

Will China ban new bishop? Gerard O'Connell (VI)
Reader: More politics from two totalitarian regimes

Egypt: fight to avoid Sharia Law Giorgio Bernardelli (VI)
Reader: The 'Beards' need to be  kept out of this entirely

Message from UK blogger Chris McDonnel:
"As to the Wadsworth piece, check out Pray Tell June 29, 118 comments there!
See also the furore that Cardinal Raymond Burke has raised July 6th and July 9th Pray Tell
My posting (n09 July 9th)"

Boat people un-Christian? Wrong, Mr Abbott Julian Burnside (ABC)
This art has over 1,000 comments!

South Sudan - three reports:
Promising anniversary (CathNews)  Refugee crisis (MSF)  "Hell on earth" (UEG)

Another item to go on file "Agenda of reform of reform":
Concelebration to be restricted? (CathNews)   c.f. Zenit article 2012-03-05

July 12

Answers to several liturgy questions Elizabeth Harrington (Leader) OK to use "old" Our Father??

Psalms of Peace: Psalm 45 John Dear (NCR)
I can testify that I have seen the God of peace at work to end war
-- in El Salvador, Iraq, Northern Ireland, the Philippines, Nicaragua,
 Colombia, Palestine, Mexico, Egypt, India, US

Rediscovering Vatican II Lectures  Catholic Theological Union Chicago

Top church historian  sees Catholic schism ahead Jonathan Luxmoore (NCR)
Catholicism faces a division over attempts by popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI
to "rewrite the story" of the 1962-65 Vatican II Council

July 11

Ohio churches spared by Rome look to revival....People power... Thomas J Sheeran (Newark Adv)

Nothing sacred about celibacy Adele Horin (SMH)
"It is hard to avoid the conclusion that the unique factor of a celibate, all-male priesthood
has contributed to the church's woes, and to the woes inflicted on its victims"

China: new bishop "taken away" (RTHK) c.f.  Tues menu: Shanghai's new courageous bishop

Melbourne - July 15 - 5pm Mass Inclusive Catholics

July 10

What it means to be a leader Sr Joan Chittister (ACP)
explores what leadership means  in an address at Stanford University. 
“Two-thirds of the hungry of the world are women”, she writes. 
“Two-thirds of the illiterate of the world are women. 
Two-thirds of the poor of the world are women.
That can’t be an accident; that has to be a policy. Where are the leaders who will change these things?”

Update from Sudan Dan Sullivan  (just returned from South Sudan)
"The situation is dire and is only growing worse.
“Hell on earth,” was how one aid worker described the conditions at one of many temporary refugee camps"

Politics in the pulpit Aloysious Mowe SJ (Eureka Street)
"Where are the voices in the Australian Church that will boldly  and authoritatively
speak the truth  about asylum seekers?"

Abp used immunity in civil suit James Robertson (SMH)

Columban Fr Sean McDonagh an ecological voice (BBI)
“Today, the church that could give a voice, that could give leadership, is just not into it,”

Evil of compulsory celibacy This file now permanently  at bottom of this page

Shanghai's new courageous bishop (old one also very, very courageous) Gerard O’Connell (VI)
May he have a double portion of the spirit of his mentor - the 96-year old Jesuit Bishop Aloysius Jin
(whom I visited in 1989)

Beyond Belief:  The Sexual Abuse Crisis David Yallop (Catholica)
What a sickening article ...if you have the stomach  to read some of it. Lord, Have Mercy!

The Politics of Sex and Religion Robert Blair Kaiser (Catholica) Comment by Brian Coyne 

July 8

Bishop lived teachings of "Lumen Gentium" for 37 years William McDonough (NCR)
"Ratzinger's position  is a remaking of the council"

July 9: Pope to visit SVDs Alessandro Speciale (VI)
Return to place where, as Fr JR,  he worked on "Ad Gentes" in 1965

Helping children understand earth's peril Sharon Abercrombie (NCR)
Kids are aware of earth's plight

A Psalm of Peace: Psalm 33 John Dear (NCR)
According to the 2012-2013 budget, U.S. military spending will exceed the military spending of all other countries in the world -- combined. More than half of this year's budget (54 percent) goes to the Department of Defense - $686 billion. China  spends $114 billion; France, $61 billion; the United Kingdom, $57 billion; Russia, $53 billion; Canada, $20 bill

Mutineers on Barque of Peter Sandro Magister (Chiesa)
Reader: S. Magister continues with the Ratzinger/Benedict apologias

Extroverts and Introverts Francis McNutt (Healing Line)
"Extroverts have their batteries charged by being surrounded with people, 
while introverts feel their energy drain away when they are with people too long"

Hotel replaces printed Bibles  with Kindles Heather Kelly (CNN)
In 2011 Gideons distributed 84 million Bibles

Church's fight against paedophilia goes global (VI)
Reader: That civil society is actually run by the rule of law seems to be getting through to this lot

Called to account - Ethics of British banking Paul Moore (Tablet)
"only a mass movement of social renewal can address the root causes of the (banking) crisis".
This has to be one of the most important articles written this year. Should be read by everyone who has a bank account

"Misunderstandings and irregularities" in post-Vatican II liturgy
Mgr Andrew Wadsworth (Tablet)
Groan...what a depressing article! Mgr wants us to join SSPX? See comment by John W

Why Marxism is on rise again Stuart Jeffries (Guardian)
"The proletariat (Chinese workers),  far from burying capitalism (USA),  are keeping it on life support"

New man to deal with SSPX Robert McClory (NCR)
What's import in this art is statement by Bp Di Noia on how to read docs of VII.  See Tablet art 

Vatican in the red Giacomo Galeazzi (VI)

July 6

India: land of plenty and hunger Ivan Fernandes (ucanews)
Too much food, but children hungry

Pope to Bertone: keep going Andrea Tornielli (VI)
"Criticism of you was unjust"

To bless or not to bless Elizabeth Harrington (Leader)
Preparing children for Communion

Bearing fruit and making friends Deacon Gary Stone (Leader)

Crisis of trust in the Vatican Andrew Hamilton (Eureka Street)
See comment by Aurelius: "let some talented lay people  truly lead the church this century"

Saints died for views on marriage Patti Smith (Leader) Time to support true marriage T. Kelleher & L. McCormack (Leader)

Russian arms trade to increase Miriam Elder (Guardian)
Russia 24%; USA 30% (note the pun: Putin "sticks to his guns"

July 5

Prophetic Mission of Religious Joseph Mattam SJ (CRIB)
"The Church as it is now, is not following what Jesus had wanted"

East Germany's Angel of Peace Donna Mulhearn (Eureka Street)
DV this beautiful story will someday be made into a movie

"Wojtyla power" slowing Ben XVI reform in Curia Giacomo Galeazzi (VI)
This will make your head spin. Next pope has much xxx to clean up

USA Fortnight for Freedom  based on outdated theology Edward J. Ruetz (NCR)
Bishops not following Vatican II

The spiritual meaning of America Drew Christiansen SJ (America)
A reflection on  Jacob Needleman's The American Soul

(NCR) Looking back on Dublin International Eucharistic Congress
2016 Congress to be in Philippines

NSW Church abuse issue: Calls for Royal Commission Tom Allard (SMH) 

The words of this article are beautiful, yet also sad,  since the "D" word within the Catholic Church has been largely deleted c.f. the appeals for dialogue from the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland ...to which the Irish bishops won't respond. c.f. the unwillingness of bishops around the world to hold a synod in their dioceses -even though Vatican II called for the holding of such synods. c.f. the censorship that goes on when a rare synod is held ...many hot topics are put on the  "you may not talk about this" list - Vat II Reflection 192, above

July 4

Happy USA Independence Day! But....This July 4, don't ignore America's dark underbelly
Tony Magliano (NCR)

Vat II compromised by modernity This item, from Tablet, was on yesterday's menu. 
Above link is from CathNews and has many comments. See espy comments by David Timbs

Speaking to Power Graham Downie (Canberra T)  Interview with Bishop Pat Power

 Good news story: 12 Catholic women under 40  making a difference Zoe Ryan (NCR)

Portrait of new head of CDF Andrea Tornielli (VI) Reader: Maybe some light. Maybe
c.f. John Allen's portrait (NCR)

Into the Future Nancy Sylvester (America) The journey of women religious  since Vatican II

False Summit - No Oil Shortage George Monbiot
Problem we face is not that there is too little oil, but too much

Firmness & transparency needed to clean up Church Giacomo Galeazzi (VI)
 Journalist interviewing a journalist

India: reports of miracles John Newton (ICN)
"Do them again in our day, Lord!"

What's happening at Medjugorje? Howard Kainz (Crisis)
No wonder JPII would not go there

July 3

Pope fires another bishop John Allen (NCR)

Müller to succeed Levada John Allen (NCR)
Bishop Gerhard Müller of Germany to  head Congregation for D & F

 October Vatican Synod: HK's Card Tong key role (RTHK)
One of three chairmen

Vat II theologians "dressed up faith with fashionable packaging"
Professor Tracey Rowland (Tablet)
 - ALL theologians?? - note title of conference ..an anti-Vat II show

Newly ordained married priest a rarity in local diocese
Steve Spearie (SJ-R)

July 8 - Hong Kong: Protest march against USA drone attacks in Pakistan.
For more info re drones, put"drones pakistan" into search of John Dear's website

"A Living School" Richard Rohr Details of July 21 live broadcast 

Guardian report on HK march Vaudine England HK's new leader sworn in/at (Guardian) 14 telling photos (Guardian) Video of the march (SCMP) Note the number of young people

Excommunicated Chinese bishop ordains four priests
 Gerard O'Connell (VI) "Sacrilige" - Abp Savio Hon

July 1

10 years of ordaining women (NCR)

An American moment in Vatican John Allen (NCR)

Pope speaks of papacy's weakness Andrea Tornielli (VI)
Reader: End of days' reflection?

Fr Robert Barron video commentary on the meaning of Vatican II
- a very eloquent explaining away of  Vat II.    But faulty logic:
 does having a meeting really mean "all your rules are up for grabs"?
Put "Barron" into Google at top for v2cath articles re RB

US bishops re health care decision Alessandro Speciale (VI)
Reader:  USCCB is now between a rock and a hard place.
 They positioned themselves by their own dogmatism and collective foolishness

Opus Dei, gendarmes win 1st round (Chiesa)
Reader: The Chiesa link above resembles a trend in that journal to reflect the party line.
This time round it has all the colour of a promo for Opus Dei.
They seem to be running the shown inside HQ at the moment, the de facto government, 
while BXVI finishes his latest tome and Vat II is further diluted to a soft drink