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New venture by Pope: CD music to reach the masses through just released "Abba Pater"

      It's not the Swedish group "Abba" but the Vatican is hoping the new CD "Abba Pater" - the first music CD to embody the voice of Pope John Paul II released yesterday will rise in the charts and reach the non-churchgoer in the new place of evangelization: Blockbuster Music, the Warehouse, Musicland, Sam Goody and other music stores the world over. It is music of hope and redemption for the new millennium reflecting the wisdom and compassion of one of this century's greatest spiritual leaders. For more, click on Platinum Pope

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Cardinal Roger Etchegary, the chairman of the Vatican committee preparing for the Jubilee, has introduced a new CD recording by Pope John Paul II, saying that it is "not the result of a commercial operation, but a new means of service to the mission of the Church."

      The new CD, entitled "Abba Pater," is a collection of the voice of Pope John Paul, set against the background of music composed by two Italian musicians, Leonardo De Amicis and Stephano Mainetti. Produced by Vatican Radio and St. Paul editions, the CD is being distributed by Sony Music. One million copies have been produced by worldwide distribution.

      The Pope's words are taken from his homilies, from traditional prayers, and from readings of the Gospel and the Psalms. They are chanted or spoken in five languages: Latin, Italian, French, English, and Spanish. The entire CD contains 11 different items, lasting a total of 50 minutes.

Zemin's demands might be too much for Vatican to stomach if they keep Chinese Roman Catholics suppressed

      It looks like Chinese President Jiang Zemin is trying to play hardball with the Vatican by issuing ultimatums before he even sets foot in Italy. In order to establish diplomatic relations Zemin is demanding the Vatican break ties with Taiwan; something the Holy See has already agreed to. But the second might be more difficult considering China's dismal track records with religious rights and that is that the Church cannot "interfere" in China's internal affairs. On the surface this would seem agreeable but if China maintains the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association which is in the minority with 3 million compared to the underground Roman Church's ten million it will be difficult for the Vatican to acquiesce to Zemin's unrealistic terms. This next week should foretell a lot. For more, click on Crafty Chinese.

      ROME (CWNews.com) - The leader of Communist China told an Italian newspaper on Thursday that conditions for diplomatic relations with the Holy See remain unchanged.

      As Chinese President Jiang Zemin prepared to arrive in Italy on Saturday, he told the Milan newspaper Corriere della Serra that the Vatican must agree to two conditions in order to secure relations. "We are willing to improve relations with the Vatican. But on two conditions. The first: their breaking of relations with Taiwan and recognizing China as the only legitimate government," he said. "The second: China's internal affairs cannot be interfered with, using religion as a pretext."

      Recent reports have said the Holy See and China were prepared to initiate formal diplomatic ties with the Communists recognizing papal authority over Catholics in China as the result of secret talks. The report said the Holy See was already prepared to sever relations with Taiwan. China's government mandates that all Catholics belong to the state-sanctioned Catholic Patriotic Association, which eschews any connections to the Vatican. The association has an estimated 3 million members while there are an estimated 8-10 million underground Catholics.

      Jiang is expected to meet with Vatican officials during his visit to Rome. He will also travel to Switzerland and Austria before returning to Beijing.

Detroit's Cardinal Maida asserts that we must convert hearts before we can change culture

      Following on the heels of Cardinal John J. O'Connor and Cardinal Francis E. George, OMI speaking out strongly for the Sanctity of Life and human dignity last week, another United States cardinal has spoken out this week - Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit. He spoke to law students at the University of Detroit Mercy echoing the same need as the other cardinals for Catholics to get involved in all aspects of society to make a difference. For more, click on Laws and culture.

      DETROIT, 18 (NE) "I propose to discuss the way religion can help shape public policy and the world of law, especially in the current debate about the dignity of human life," said Cardinal Adam Maida in a recent lecture given March 16 at the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. The Cardinal's conference highlighted "The voice of religion in shaping culture and law."

      The Archbishop of Detroit emphasized interaction between law and culture: "Laws reflect society and culture", he stated, "but they form our values as well". Affirming that "laws alone cannot give us freedom, or preserve human rights and dignity", the Cardinal highlighted that "we need to go to the root of all culture...our very self transcendence itself, our ability to reach out to God and our undeniable need for God."

      "The voice of religion," said Michigan's Archbishop, "helps all people realize that there will be no freedom without truth and no genuine human rights unless people acknowledge the origin and source of all human rights: God Himself."

      Cardinal Maida urged to "first convert hearts, then you can change culture." He also added that, "Our Holy Father Pope John Paul II himself has exemplified this very pattern in his writing and in his preaching: we best proclaim the Gospel of Life by committing our time and resources to all efforts that affirm and uphold the dignity of human life from the first moment of conception until last natural breath. Consistency, clarity and conviction in the civil discourse will eventually win the day. Our voices may seem small but they can become powerful if joined together in prayer and action."

San Francisco Archdiocese and gay activists embroiled in controversy over Easter Parade

      Gay demonstrators are demanding that they be allowed to mock the Catholic Church with a sacriligeous display on Easter Sunday, proclaiming they are not pagan but there to educate and celebrate. What are they celebrating? Trying to condone sin. Who are they educating? Naive youth who are being brainwashed to accept this abhorrent lifestyle. Is it pagan? What else would it be? The Archdiocese is not going to stand for this abrasive assault on all that is holy and have asked Mayor Willie Brown and the City to revoke the gays' permit to march. For more, click on Sad situation in Sodom.

      SAN FRANCISCO (CWNews.com) - The Archdiocese of San Francisco called on the city on Wednesday to revoke the permit for a group planning a street party on Easter featuring men dressed as nuns, mocking the Catholic Church and her teachings.

      The group, known as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, planned to celebrate their 20th anniversary on Easter with a street party in the Castro District, which has a large homosexual population. Allowing a group that "mocks the Catholic Church" to close a public street on Easter is comparable to "allowing a group of neo-Nazis to close a city street for a celebration on the Jewish feast of Passover," said archdiocesan spokesman Maurice Healy.

      A spokesman for the mock-nuns said the party will be held despite the opposition. "We're really appalled at the insensitivity of comparing us to neo-Nazis, which totally invalidates the Jewish struggle against Nazis," the spokesman said. "The Catholic Church should be ashamed for promoting such absurdity. There are no pagan rituals. The goal is education and celebration."

For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site at the CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales. Both CWN and NE are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

Daily Dose of curious contents of the Church

    This encompasses the Third and Fourth Commandments of the Church - "To confess our sins at least once a year" and "To receive Holy Communion druing the Easter Time." This term "Easter Duty" means one is obligated to receive Holy Communion at least once between the First Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday. This is also according to Canon Law 920 and, in compliance with Canon Law 989, all are required to confess serious sins at least once a year as well. (source: My Catholic Faith, My Mission House Publishers; Catholic Encyclopedia, Thomas Nelson Publishers; Code of Canon Law, Benziger Brothers Publishers)

     With CD's so popular today and the release of the Pope's "Abba Pater", we feature this weekend a very special site which offers unique CD's of traditional, inspirational holy cards like you probably have never seen. The site is ANTIQUE HOLY CARDS owned by a devoted, vivavious soul named Professor Julie Ann Brown who lives, eats, and sleeps her faith with total dedication to doing God's Will. The site is designed and maintained by Alex Gray, also known as Angel Alex. The CD's are very affordable, unique, and promise to provide hours of edification for Catholics of all ages. Check out the special collection of holy cards featuring Saint Joseph this weekend.

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March 19-21, 1999 volume 10, no. 55   DAILY CATHOLIC