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Events that happened Today in Church History
Today is the 954th anniversary of the date when the German king Henry III, as the Holy Roman Emperor, forced Pope Gregory VI, the 148th successor of Peter, to abdicate his Papal Throne during these Dark Ages when secular monarchs used the Popes for their benefits. The same fate had befallen Gregory's predecessor Pope Benedict IX. Though Gregory did abdicate at the Synod of Sutri on this date, he did not go quietly, personally taking the reins of his own army to protect himself from Henry's troops and become the first Pontiff to form a Pontifical Army. He died of lukemia late in 1047 in Cologne, Germany while Henry was hearing arguments by those who were encouraging Gregory's reinstatement as Pope.
For other events that happened this day in Church History, see MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
 Totalitarianism is the scapegoat of irresponsibility
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".
"Perhaps it is the very burden of responsibility which flows from free choice that makes so many human beings ready to surrender their great gift of freedom. This also explains the search for someone to whom they can commit their choice, who will do their thinking for them and relieve them of the awful burden of the consequences of their free decisions. This search for someone to whom neurotic minds can commit themselves explains the comparatively facile surrender of so many to totalitarianism in our day and age."
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