November 8, 2007
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** DAILY READINGS:
First Reading:
Rom 14:7-12
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/reading.php?n=2423
Psalm:
Ps 27:1bcde, 4, 13-14
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/reading.php?n=2424
Gospel:
Lk 15:1-10
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/reading.php?n=2425
** SAINT OF THE DAY:
Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=649
** TOP STORIES:
- Congressman attacks Olympics Bible restrictions, admonishes President Bush
** MORE HEADLINES
- Pat Robertson's endorsement of Giuliani stuns social conservatives
- Vatican and Mozambique discuss Church and society
- New president of French bishops: Law on bioethics must respect human dignity
- Uruguayan bishops react to legalization of abortion
- "Milagros," movie on mother who prays to John Paul II wins film festival
- "Prosperity gospel" preachers under investigation by the Senate
- Vatican bioethics conference to examine the human embryo
- Pontifical academies: A culture worthy of human life
- More than half of Christians have fled Iraq since 2003
- Spanish archbishop addresses protection of juveniles and immigrants
- Visitors to Beijing Olympics advised: take no more than one Bible
- Man dressed as clown disrupts Mass and destroys baptismal font
- Chavez should "bite his tongue" and stop attacking the Church, archbishop says
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TOP STORIES
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Congressman attacks Olympics Bible restrictions, admonishes President Bush
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10916)
WASHINGTON DC, November 8 (CNA) - Congressman Thaddeus McCotter(R-MI), Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, denounced a reported Chinese ban on Bibles during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. He introduced a Congressional Resolution condemning such government restrictions on Christianity and all religions.
"As the world stumbles toward the communist propaganda extravaganza labeled the Beijing Olympics, somewhere Chairman Mao is looking up at us and laughing," he said.
In a Wednesday speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives the Congressman cited a Catholic News Agency report.
"According the Catholic News Agency Bibles and all other religious symbols are among Communist China's list [of] athletes' prohibited objects due to security concerns."
CNA initially reported that Bibles would not be allowed into the Olympic Village. A later report revealed contradictory policies in place. The Chinese Olympic Committee made a slight change to its total ban on religious items. It declared that "devotional objects" will be allowed in compliance with Chinese "freedom of religion" laws, but "religious objects meant to propagate a cult" would not be permitted.
The official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games also recommends travelers to take no more than one Bible into China.
This recommendation was a specific target of Congressman McCotter's critical remarks, in which he also admonished President George W. Bush.
"Since the leader of the free world, President Bush has articulated his eagerness to attend the Communist China's Olympics; I am compelled to ask three questions," the congressman said.
"Mr. President how many Bibles will you be taking to Beijing? Will you visit the 5 bishops and 15 priests imprisoned for opposing the Communist regime's official church? And will you tell China's Communist tyrants this fundamental truth, 'No good government denies God's presences'," he continued.
Congressman McCotter also called upon the Chinese government to allow the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom or other international human rights organizations unrestricted access to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games to "ensure the protection of Christians and other religious persons."
In September 2007 Congressman McCotter, joined by several colleagues, authored a letter to President Bush urging him to reconsider his attendance at the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Congressman's floor speech is viewable on-line at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3sR6WZVPKs
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MORE HEADLINES
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Pat Robertson's endorsement of Giuliani stuns social conservatives
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10923)
WASHINGTON DC, November 8 (CNA) - Pat Robertson, televangelist and founder of the Christian Coalition, on Wednesday endorsed the socially liberal Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.
"It is my pleasure to announce my support for America's Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, a proven leader who is not afraid of what lies ahead and who will cast a hopeful vision for all Americans," Robertson said during a news conference with Giuliani in Washington.
Giuliani, former mayor of New York, supports abortion rights and homosexual rights despite the Republican Party's official stands against such issues.
Robertson, who made an unsuccessful presidential bid in 1988, is also the founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, the Christian Coalition and Regent University. Shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Robertson claimed in a statement that the attacks occurred because Americans had insulted God and lost the protection of heaven by "allowing abortion and rampant internet pornography."
Robertson did not mention his differences with Giuliani on social issues in Wednesday's statement.
Senator John McCain, another Republican presidential candidate, was asked about Robertson's endorsement at a news conference with Senator Sam Brownback in Dubuque, Iowa. He said: "Every once in a while, I'm left speechless. This is one of those times."
Some social conservative organizations were also taken aback by Robertson's endorsement.
"We are stunned and extremely disappointed," said the Republican National Committee for Life in a Wednesday notice. The committee suggested voters contact Robertson to ask him the reason for his decision.
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Vatican and Mozambique discuss Church and society
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10929)
VATICAN CITY, November 8 (CNA) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI received Armando Guebuza, the president of the Republic of Mozambique, in an audience at the Vatican today.
"The good relations existing between the Holy See and Mozambique were noted with pleasure, as was the convergence of ideas and intentions on the contribution the Church can make to the good of the entire nation, according to the Holy See's Press Office.
The Pope and the president discussed further collaboration "in the field of healthcare, and education of the young generations who are the hope of the nation." Benedict XVI also emphasized the Church's commitment to strengthening and developing her presence in the university sector.
Mention was also made of the Rome Peace Agreement, the 15th anniversary of which was celebrated on October 4, and both parties agreed on "the need to achieve full national reconciliation." "Finally the resumption of talks was proposed, with a view to an Agreement between the Holy See and the Republic of Mozambique."
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New president of French bishops: Law on bioethics must respect human dignity
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10928)
PARIS, November 8 (CNA) - Commenting on the country's law on bioethics, the newly elected president of the Bishops' Conference of France, Archbishop Andre Vingt-Trois, said this week that it should uphold "respect for human dignity" without exception.
The Archbishop of Paris made his comments during an interview on the Catholic television program "Le jour du Seigneur" (The Day of the Lord), in which he said, "We must be on the alert. I think that with regards to respect for human dignity, we must be very aware of the way in which men and women are treated."
The archbishop's election as head of the bishops' conference comes as he was also chosen by Pope Benedict XVI to be elevated to the College of Cardinals on November 24. "I am amazed at the trust my brothers have placed in me in electing me so quickly. I feel like I am beginning an adventure about which I do not know the details," he said.
"I think that because of my 20 years of experience as a bishop, I have an important primary mission, which is to help my brother bishops to work together with each other" so that "their different sensibilities and tendencies can be expressed within the Bishops' Conference," he said.
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Uruguayan bishops react to legalization of abortion
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10924)
MONTEVIDEO, November 8 (CNA) - Bishop Pablo Galimberti denounced the legalization of abortion by the Uruguayan Senate, saying it violates "the first human right." Meanwhile the Bishops' Conference of Uruguay opened an emergency meeting on Wednesday to draft an official response.
Although the norm must be approved by the country's House of Representatives, the press reported that the bishops have not ruled out collecting signatures to nullify the law in case Congress has enough votes to override a promised presidential veto.
Shortly after his election in March of 2005, President Tabaré Vásquez said he opposed abortion and promised he would veto any attempt to make it legal.
The bishops are meeting in the city of Florida, 60 miles north of the Uruguayan capital Montevideo, in order to discuss the situation.
Bishop Galimberti told the daily Spanish "El Pais" that the vote "does not do honor to so many professionals, politicians, and Uruguayan defenders of the rights of minorities and of human rights who have raised their voices in international forums."
He also explained that "there is much confusion on the part of many who think this right is defended only by religious arguments and that is not the case."
"I think biology has shown that, from the first moment, the first cell already contains within it the equivalent of two to six encyclopedias put together," the bishop said.
He said he was hopeful the president would veto the measure. "His position is very commendable, very healthy and very hopeful."
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"Milagros," movie on mother who prays to John Paul II wins film festival
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10927)
MADRID, November 8 (CNA) - The short film "Milagros," produced by Spanish director Juan Garcia del Santo, won the top prize at the international religious film festival, "Religion Today," held in Rome. Among the members of the jury that selected the winners were Cristoph Zannussi and Enzo Sisti, producers of Gangs of New York and The Passion of the Christ.
According to the Spanish daily "La Razon," "Milagros" recounts the experience—based on a true story—of Ana, a paraplegic girl whose father (played by the director) is an atheist university professor. Her mother is a woman of profound faith who prays to John Paul II for the healing of her daughter, "which leads to a marriage conflict because of the father's skepticism."
Speaking about his character, Del Santo explained that he is treated as someone who "wonders about the meaning of life, between the rational and the spiritual." The film was financed by Del Santo, who said "Milagros" is a personal initiative in which Spanish director Javier Figuero of the University of San Pablo also collaborated.
The film, he said, seeks to show "the grandeur and beauty of the mystery of faith and of spirituality," as well as "to explain the inexplicable" through real characters, using the example of Pope John Paul II and the miraculous healing of the French nun Marie Simon Pierre.
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"Prosperity gospel" preachers under investigation by the Senate
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10921)
WASHINGTON DC, November 8 (CNA) - A top Republican on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee is investigating the finances of televangelist preachers after allegations of corruption, the Associated Press reports.
The investigation by Senator Church Grassley of Iowa is a response to reports of extravagant spending by preachers, whose purchases include Rolls Royces and a $30,000 conference table. Senator Grassley said in a statement he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations, which enjoy tax exemptions.
Those under scrutiny include faith healer Benny Hinn, Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar, and one of the nation's most prominent women preachers Joyce Meyer.
Most of the organizations under investigation adhere to a variation of the "prosperity gospel" which teaches that God will reward faithful followers with material wealth.
Earlier this week Senator Grassley sent letters to a half-dozen Christian media ministries requesting answers by December 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including the use of expensive cars and private jets.
"I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code," Senator Grassley said.
Some ministries are already reporting that they are cooperating with the investigations.
Joyce Meyers Ministries issued a statement claiming that the IRS has already determined that they have not violated their tax-exempt status.
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Vatican bioethics conference to examine the human embryo
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10920)
VATICAN CITY, November 8 (CNA) - The Vatican is organizing a bioethics conference on the origin and development of the human embryo.
The conference will take place November 15-17. It is part of a program called "Science, Theology and the Ontological Quest." A Vatican teaching and research program involving six pontifical universities, the endeavor was created in 2003 to further explore the relationship between science and faith.
The conference is a response to current debates about embryonic stem cells, cloning, genetic manipulation, and assisted fertility treatments. These debates often overlook the crucial origin of organisms.
"The study of human life from the point of view of its individual origin acquires a particular interest in today's world," said the Reverend Rafael Pascual, dean of the philosophy department at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, the university hosting the conference.
The head of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi, was asked if in the scope of its research, the Vatican would entertain scientific views that differed from its own regarding the origin of life.
He said that in research, there must always be respect paid between two sides but at the same time each side must hold fast to its beliefs without compromise.
Catholic teaching has long condemned abortion, and in recent decades has spoken in defense of the ethical treatment of human embryos as technologies advance. Taking into account considerable scientific evidence and theological considerations, Catholic teaching holds that human life begins at conception.
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Pontifical academies: A culture worthy of human life
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10918)
VATICAN CITY, November 8 (CNA) - Today, the pontifical academies held their twelfth public session under Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, president of their coordinating council. For the occasion, Benedict XVI sent a message to the archbishop, stating that the session will give an opportunity for the academies to "harmonize their various initiatives, all of which have a precise objective: promoting, both in the Church and the world, a culture worthy of human life, fecundated by faith, capable of proposing the beauty of Christian life and of providing an adequate response to the ever more numerous challenges of today's cultural and religious context."
The pope also emphasized the theme chosen for the session - "Witnesses of His love (Sacramentum caritatis, 85). The love of God as shown by martyrs and by the works of the Church" - expresses "the fundamental link between the celebration of the divine Mysteries and the witness of life, between the experience of encountering the Mystery of God ... and the dynamism of a renewed commitment that causes us to be 'witnesses of His love'."
"It is more necessary than ever to re-present the example of Christian martyrs, both those of antiquity and those of our own time, whose lives and witness, even to the spilling of their blood, are the supreme expression of love of God."
The Holy Father concluded his message by mentioning "the works of charity that have flowered down the centuries through the efforts of generous faithful" who "have striven to create and promote charitable initiatives and institutions to meet the needs of the poorest, thus giving concrete expression to the close and indissoluble link between love of God and love of others."
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More than half of Christians have fled Iraq since 2003
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10919)
ROME, November 8 (CNA) - The Latin Rite Archbishop of Baghdad, Jean Benjamin Seleiman, said this week that of 700,000 Christians who were living in Iraq up until 2003, more than half have been forced by the violence to leave the country and take refuge in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
The archbishop also explained that Christians live amidst fear but that they are encouraged by ecumenical solidarity. He also warned that in regions like Bassora and Mosul, the faithful live with "daily terror."
Commenting on the country's new Constitution, Archbishop Seleiman praised the new elements such as freedom of conscience, but he criticized other aspects such as the declaration that "any law that contradicts Sharia (Muslim law) is null."
"Iraq is anthropologically structured in a tribal manner and this a great difficulty for the practice of human rights, because these presuppose the existence of free persons," he warned.
According to local sources, more than 2.3 million people, mostly women and children, have fled the violence in Iraq.
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Spanish archbishop addresses protection of juveniles and immigrants
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10917)
VATICAN CITY, November 8 (CNA) - At the 28th Conference of European Ministers of Justice, Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro called for the rights of juveniles and immigrants to be protected and discrimination against them to be "eliminated." The apostolic nuncio to Spain participated in the conference as the Holy See delegate.
The archbishop indicated that "European statistics show how such people, in one way or in another, suffer forms of exclusion and inequality of treatment in the workplace, in education ... and in healthcare. ... Moreover exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse, which affect juveniles and immigrants - especially women - raise many moral and legal questions."
"The Holy See delegation considers such situations to be in patent contradiction to the fundamental values which are rooted in European culture and inspire the process of integration among the peoples of Europe."
"As for the situation of political asylum seekers and refugees, it must be noted," Archbishop Monteiro continued, "that legal procedures are generally limited to authorizing their entry into the country," without considering "the reasons that bring such people to escape from their native countries."
"Therefore, alongside humanitarian commitment, it is necessary to promulgate norms and procedures that translate the typical forms of European solidarity into legal terms, recognizing that, by reason of their dignity and the rights deriving therefrom, people must not be subject to discrimination."
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Visitors to Beijing Olympics advised: take no more than one Bible
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10915)
CNA STAFF, November 7 (CNA) - Last week CNA published a report from the Italian daily "La Gazzetta dello Sport" stating that Bibles will not be allowed into the Olympic Village at the upcoming Olympic Games. Since then, CNA has learned that a contradictory set of policies has been put in place regarding the possession of the Bible at the international sporting event.
Making a slight change to its total ban on religious items, the Chinese Olympic Committee has decided, "devotional objects" will be allowed in compliance with Chinese "freedom of religion" laws, but "religious objects meant to propagate a cult" will not be permitted.
"La Gazzetta dello Sport" cites the Chief of Security Fu Qiang who said that he can't specify what objects are included under the item "propaganda" but can assure that personal religious items are permitted.
However, on the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, a page titled "Entry and Exit: Entry" credited to the Beijing Tourism Administration reads:
"Any printed material, film, tapes that are 'detrimental to China's politics, economy, culture and ethics' are also forbidden to bring into China."
This is immediately followed by a caution about Bibles:
"Note: Each traveler is recommended to take no more than one Bible into China."
Chinese officials did not address the redefinition of the Bible as "propaganda" once the number of copies exceeds one.
The Cardinal Kung Foundation explains Chinese policy towards religion on its website: "The Chinese government views religion as a threat to its power. As a result, it restricts religious activities to government-sanctioned organizations and registered places of worship. It also seeks to stamp out those religious activities that are not government-sanctioned."
The Foundation labels as false the Chinese government's promise of freedom of religion, saying "China continues to commit serious violations of religious freedom and belief. The Chinese government severely and systematically persecutes members of China's spiritual communities, including Roman Catholics, Protestants, Evangelical Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims, and members of the Falun Gong movement."
The Cardinal Kung Foundation also protests that Olympic prestige is diminished by the Chinese government's injustices, writing that "the noble name of "Olympic" is being severely tarnished by its association with the evil spirit of religious persecutions and human rights violations in China. This is about the time for the Olympic Committee to consider canceling the games in China in order to preserve their good name and spirit."
Currently in China five Catholic bishops and fifteen priests are in prison for opposing the state-sponsored Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church.
To read the original story on the Olympic Village ban on Bibles click here.
To visit the policy on Bibles on the official website for the 2008 Beijing Olympics click here.
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Man dressed as clown disrupts Mass and destroys baptismal font
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10911)
MADRID, November 7 (CNA) - On Sunday a man dressed as a clown interrupted Mass at the Church of Corpus Christi in Granada, Spain and destroyed the parish's baptismal font.
Father Lauro, who was celebrating Mass at the time, said, "This young man is not the only one who comes around here. There are many who, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, enter the church daily. This kid has been showing up for the past week and he has even received Communion on a few occasions."
Although the police were able to track the man down after he fled from the church, the Augustinian Fathers who operate the parish asked that charges not be pressed, saying, "After all, there are so many on the streets, and we won't gain anything." However, he said he hoped police would keep them away from the church.
Isabel Lopez, 80, who was present at the Mass, said the disruption was "like a bomb." "We were very frightened. We didn't do anything because we were praying the rosary [before Mass] and we shouldn't disrespect the Lord, even in those circumstances. So we just kept praying," she said.
Lopez said every evening two or three people enter the church and disturb people who are praying.
The baptismal font, which dates to the 19th century, was completely destroyed.
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Chavez should "bite his tongue" and stop attacking the Church, archbishop says
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10914)
CARACAS, November 7 (CNA) - The vice president of the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Roberto Luckert said this week President Hugo Chavez's attacks on the Church are due to his dislike of opinion polls that show the public does not support his proposed constitutional reforms.
The archbishop said Chavez should "bite his tongue" and stop being "rude" and "degrading." He recalled that for several years he has criticized Chavez for his "belligerent aggressive attitude" and for "picking a fight with everyone." "You can't govern like this," he said.
Archbishop Luckert said Chavez's aggressive attitude was because his is bothered by the polls that show little support for his reform. "Nobody likes this reform," he said, "and even his supporters are afraid to go to vote."
The archbishop noted that Chavez himself invited Venezuelans to suggest ideas, "and the bishops simply expressed their opinions and judgments about what they consider the consequences of this reform would be."
Chavez, he explained, wants to center everything on himself and not on the proposal of constitutional reform.
(END)
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