In today's editorial we examine real life and reel life, using the newly released "The Truman Show" as a backdrop for an excellent example of how we are manipulated as sheep by the master manipulators whose strings satan is pulling. However if we have the courage of a Truman Burbank and dare to believe in the Truth, and turn our backs on the manipulators, we can be freed from the shackles of temporal things and seek Him Who is "...the Way, the Truth, and the Life.". For today's commentary titled "The Human Show," click on the Tuesday CATHOLIC PewPOINT.

     Sadly the impressive papacy of Pope Nicholas III came to an end with his death and most of what he accomplished came unraveled during his successor's regime when Pope Martin IV, a French Pope and puppet pontiff of Charles of Anjou in Sicily where they had enough of the French influence and revolted on the end of March in 1282, slaughtering thousands of French troops in an ambush known as the "Sicilian Vespers," made famous in an opera by Verdi and made infamous in the annals of Church history when the Pope failed to heed their pleas, forcing the faithful away from Rome. For the problems that beset the Church in the late thirteenth century and the 189th successor of Peter in the chapter entitled "Pope Martin IV: The bitter tones of the Sicilian Vespers," click on THE HISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH

     That is the advice Jesus imparts to us in emphasizing the HOLY VIRTUE OF OBEDIENCE in His 89th Lesson/Meditation to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart which is one in a series of 100 Meditative Lessons imparted to her. Today's feature Lesson stresses the importance of Obedience, which is a fulcrum to heeding all the other virtues. It is by far one of the most difficult of virtues, for it means suppressing our own will in all things and adhering totally to the Will of God. It really isn't difficult once we understand and practice it, but getting there can be difficult. Yet Our Lord lays out the perfect blueprint for attaining this virtue. Click on THE HIDDEN WAY

Vatican issues strongest denouncement yet on Iraq embargo, but it's in no way an endorsement of Saddam.

     In an effort to bring peace to the mideast, Cardinal Roger Etchegarary, the head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (not: peace and justice!) traveled to Bagdad, Iraq where he echoed the hopes of Pope John Paul II that the stiff embargo against Iraq be lifted. While chastising the U.S. and U.N. for their strict measures, he made a point to distance himself and the Holy See from the weapons build-up and the possible nuclear or chemical-warfare chess game Saddam Hussein is playing with U.N. inspectors. The trip, in conjunction with an international ecumenical conference, is part of the planning to lay the groundwork for the Holy Father's possible trip there in the Jubilee Year. For more, click on No to embargo

Red China showing their true colors with another arrest of Catholic Bishop

     Never trust the Red Chinese for they continue to ignore religious freedom and choose to persecute the underground Chinese Catholic Church which remains loyal to Rome, while the state-approved Patriotic Chinese Church does not recognize the Holy Father. China, presently courting Bill Clinton speaks lie after lie, promising one thing and doing another as evident from the fact-finding tour of three religious leaders a few months ago where they covered everything up. Now it is becoming all too evident they meant to deceive from the start. For more, click on Red China ruse.

Banned in Boston stands as Cardinal defrocks pedophile priest. It's about time!

     For the first time ever in the Archdiocese of Boston, a priest has finally been defrocked for violating his vows and bringing shame and scandal on his Church. It's about time and hopefully Cardinal Bernard Law, head of the eastern seaboard see, has set a precedent that other bishops will follow in ridding the church of this cancerous disease of pedophilia. By the Church taking action it will hopefully stem the tide of lawsuits agaisnt the Church for past abuses where the suspect priests are jockeyed to another parish and the people and diocesan administration that inherits the problem are forced to face the consequences. For more, click on Banned in Boston

Holy Father stresses nourishment of the lay ministry to U.S. bishops during ad limina visit

     Reiterating his words from Pentecost weekend when 200,000 lay persons gathered for an international conference at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II reinforced the need to foster lay movements, especially in the United States as he spoke to bishops from the upper midwest during their ad limina visit. He strongly urged the bishops to follow the lay initiatives released by the Vatican last fall which, for the most part, have gone unnoticed. He emphasized the necessity of obedience and knowing the teachings of the Church so the flock will not be mislead. For more, click on emphasis on laity.

For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site. CWN is not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

Events Today in Church History

     For events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on TIME CAPSULES: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

To review past articles in textonly format, click on Archives.