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TUESDAY February 15, 2000 vol. 11, no. 32 SECTION TWOSee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
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On this date two Popes were elected, one 855 years ago in 1145 when Blessed Pope Eugene III became the 167th successor of Peter and was remembered for dispatching a Crusade and completing the College of Cardinals. He also began construction of the Papal Palace at the Vatican. Also 225 years ago the Sacred Conclave chose as the 250th in the line of Peter, Pope Pius VI whose 24 year pontificate was frought with contending with Napoleon Bonaparte and being arrested and humiliated by the little general. The Pope was force to pay the French despot tremendous sums from the Church coffers as well as surrender priceless works of art. For other time capsule events that happened in Church history on this date, see MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
273 A.D.
Death of Saints Castulus, Lucius, Magnus and Saturninius, martyrs who were followers of Saint Valentine. They were all put to death for their faith on this date.
530 A.D.
Death of Saint Severus of Androcca, a holy parish priest who is said to have brought back a man from death so that he could confer the last rites on him.
1040 A.D.
Death of three Benedictine monk martyrs - Saints Sunaman, Unaman and Winaman, all nephews of Saint Sigfrid of County Wexlow. These Irish monks received their martyrdom in Sweden when they were decapitated by by pagan tribes. Their heads were tossed into the river and retrieved by their uncle.
1045 A.D.
Death of Saint Sigfrid of Wexlow, missionary bishop who retrieved the severed heads of his three martyred nephews and used that as incentive to convert and baptize countless pagans in Sweden including King Saint Olaf. He traveled throughout Scandinavia bearing much fruit and is considered the "Apostle of Sweden."
1145 A.D.
Death of Pope Lucius II, 166th successor of Peter. Born in Bologna, he was elected on March 12, 1144. During his one year papal reign he had to govern during the disorders caused by Arnold of Brescia. With the rise of the communes in Italy began the end of the Middle Ages. While he was trying to prevent an extremely grave riot in the streets he was struck by a stone which caused his death a few days later on this date.
1145 A.D.
The Cistercian Abbot Bernardo Pignatelli is elected the 167th successor of Peter on the same day his predecessor died. He took the name Eugenius and is known today as Blessed Pope Eugene III. His pontificate would last eight years and he would be forced to flee Rome several times. He would also send the previously declared Crusade on its mission and complete the institution of the Sacred College as well as begin construction of the Papal Palace at the Vatican.
1775 A.D.
Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Braschi is elected the 250th successor of Peter and chooses the name Pope Pius VI. His pontificate would last 24 years during which he would celebrate the 19th Jubilee, and be forced to break with France for which he would have to pay a large sum of money and donate many works of art. It was during his papacy that Napoleon Bonaparte would conquer Rome and arrest the Pope. Pius VI would also have the great bell of St. Peter's cast, a massive metal casting that measures two meters in diameter.
Historical Events in Church Annals for February 15:
121 A.D.
Death of the brothers Saint Faustinus and Saint Jovita, Martyred preachers from Brescia who had their heads severed from their bodies during the ruthless reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian. It was the emperor himself who ordered the decapitation when they steadfastly refused to become apostates.
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".
"The latent power of blood and sweat and tears in our American youth will be captured within the next generation by one of the other forces: either by some political crackpot who will turn that desire for sacrifice into something like Nazism, Fascism, or Communism, or by our leaders, political, educational and moral who will first show self-discipline and moral courage in their own lives and thus give an example to others."
While Israeli officials might not welcome the news, everyone else should. That is the news that His Holiness John Paul II will make a side trip to a Palestinian Refugee Camp near Bethlehem to comfort those who were forced to flee during the Arab-Israeli war over fifty years ago. The announcement was made by Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michael Sabbah at the close of the Synod of Bishops from the Eastern Rites in union with Rome. The Holy Father will be in the Holy Land between March 20th and March 26th. continued inside
BETHLEHEM, 14 (NE) Upon concluding the Synod of the Catholic
Church in Holy Land, which gathered Catholics from the different
rites present in this region, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Michel Sabbah announced that Pope John Paul II will visit a
Palestinian refugee camp during his pilgrimage to Holy Land. In
a press conference on Saturday, Patriarch Sabbah said the the
Pope will visit Dheisheh refugee camp near the West Bank city of
Bethlehem.
Patriarch Sabbah said as well that during his visit, to take
place from March 20 to 25, the Pope will assure refugees in
Dheisheh that they "have the same dignity as all human beings,
and your pains and suffering are part of the general sufferings
and pain we carry in our hearts". Thousands of Palestinians were
driven out or fled in 1948 due to the Arab-Israeli war. "All
refugees who were expelled from their homes have the natural
right to return to their homes and land", the Patriarch further
emphasized.
During the final declaration of the synod, issued after closing
the assembly which gathered 300 Bishops, priests, religious and
lay people, the Catholic Church in Holy Land called to peace and
equal rights for all the inhabitants of this region. The meeting
was the final phase of the Synod, which began five years ago.
Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Valera, Archbishop of Madrid, is about to get reinforcements from Rome in the campaign to reject the abortion agenda being pushed in Spain. That help is the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who will be in Madrid tomorrow for the start of a special two-day conference highlighting the Pope's most recent encyclical Fides et Ratio. He will speak before a panel of experts and the public in general in upholding the Holy See's views on Faith and Reason. continued inside.
MADRID, 14 (NE) Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, Archbishop
of Madrid, reaffirmed in recent declarations the rejection of
the Catholic Church in Spain to the "culture of death."
Recalling the distribution of the abortive pill 'RU-486', which
began last week in Spanish hospitals, the Cardinal encouraged
that there be "a reaction of many social groups to begin to
recognize the wickedness" of all pro-abortion legislation and
abortion techniques.
Underlining the graveness of attempting against an innocent and
defenseless life and the violation of the human dignity that it
supposes, he reminded that abortion is a sin "reserved to the
ordinary," that is to say, that its absolution can only be
administrated by the bishop or whomever he designates. He also
remembered the value of repentance and the necessity of
reconciling, for which this Holy Year presents itself as a
providential opportunity.
Regarding this issue, Madrid's ABC daily interviewed several
Spanish bishops, who pointed out that "the position of the
Church in Spain regarding the defense of life -in accordance
with the Magisterium of the Universal Church- either of that
unborn or that of a terminally ill person, has not changed."
Therefore, "all the declarations of bishops or Episcopal
statements concerning this matter should be seen in harmony with
the documents approved by the Spanish Bishops' Conference, and
with the sentence of the Supreme Court of 1985, in favor of the
right of the unborn to be protected by law."
Meanwhile it was announced that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, will attend this week in
Madrid a congress organized to reflect about Pope John Paul II'
encyclical "Fides et ratio". The International Theological
congress will be carried out in the Council Seminar of Madrid
from the 16th to the 18th of this month. Cardinal Ratzinger will
give a conference on "Faith, truth and culture," to take place
Wednesday evening. The Cardinal's conference will be held in the
Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions of Madrid, and will be open
to the public in general.
The congress of theology, directed mainly to philosophers and
theologians, expects to gather more than 300 professors and
experts coming mainly from Germany, Italy, United States,
France, Mexico and different countries of South America and
Africa. As members of the organization committee announced, the
congress will aim to deepen into the relation between Christian
faith and reason in the light of Pope John Paul II' the last
encyclical, published in October 15, 1998. The Archbishop of
Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, will close the event on
the 18th of February.
Even though the British House of Lords passed Section 28 much to the delight of Catholics, moralists and Scotland's Cardinal Thomas Winning, who had campaigned long and hard for decency and morality to be upheld, their celebration was very short-lived with the sudden, shocking news that the Scottish Parliament was going to do their own thing and regardless of Britain's mandate, reject Section 28, thereby opening the door for the devil by promoting homosexuality in Scottish schools. A sad day indeed in the highlands. continued inside.
EDINBURGH (CWNews.com) - Two days after the British House
of Lords voted to retain Section 28 which bans the
promotion of homosexuality in schools, the Scottish
Parliament yesterday voted to scrap the legislation north
of the border.
The Scottish Executive argued Section 28 prevents teachers
from preventing homophobic bullying and MSPs backed the
repeal by 88 votes to 18, with three abstentions.
MSP Michael Matheson told the BBC: "Some of our people are
gay. Some of our children will be gay. Whether as a parent
or as a concerned citizen, it is our duty to care for, to
nourish, and to support all our nation's children."
But Anne Allen, convenor of the Church of Scotland's Board
of Social Responsibility, said statutory safeguards were
vital. "In 12 years since this act was in place we don't
appear to have had any problems, any worried parents or any
issues, simply because there has been a sanction and there
has been legislation in place," she said. "If you remove
that legislation what are you left with -- guidelines that
are going to be toothless?"
The Scottish Executive has announced a working party to
review what pupils can be taught about homosexuality. The
group comprises representatives of parents, churches and
teachers and includes John O'Keane, head teacher of
Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, North Lanarkshire,
and John Oates, representing the Catholic Education
Commission.
Meanwhile in London, Britain's Parliament voted
overwhelmingly in favor of reducing the age of consent for
homosexuals from 18 to 16. The legislation was passed in
the House of Commons by 263 votes to 102.
The bill now goes to the House of Lords, where it is bound
to be opposed but the government has signaled that is is
ready to use special powers to force the change through
Parliament.
The sexual offenses (amendment) bill will end the anomaly
that heterosexuals and lesbians can consent to sex at 16
while homosexuals have to wait until 18.
Opening the debate, Home Secretary Jack Straw said lowering
the age would create a more tolerant society. "For me the
issue raised in this bill is one of equality," he said, "of
seeking to create a society which is free from prejudice, of
one where our relationships with others, including with
strangers, are based upon respect and not upon fear."
But Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe, a Catholic,
described the bill as "a dangerous move," sending the wrong
signals to teachers, parents and young people. "It is wrong
that a young person of 16 should be free in law to embark
on a course of action that might lead to a lifestyle which
would separate him, maybe permanently, from the mainstream
life of marriage and family," she said.
The government is introducing the move after a ruling that
the existing law was a breach of the European Convention on
Human Rights. The House of Lords has twice rejected the
proposal since 1997.
Though the special main Jubilee celebration for artists will be held in Rome on Friday, it is also being held in various other places including Chicago where the Archbishop of the Windy City Cardinal Francis E. George, OMI is encouraging artists to express their creations the way God intended illustrating in their own inimitable way the beauty God created and cultivating the "artistic 'inspiration'" that "gives insight into the action of the Holy Spirit, Who 'is the mysterious Artist of the universe." continued inside.
CHICAGO, 14 (NE) Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago,
recently emphasized the special role of artists in the
transmission of faith. "The Church needs art in our age as in
every age. Believers in the Incarnation desire to see the faith
made visible and hear the faith expressed", the Archbishop
wrote. "The faith -further added Cardinal George- has inspired
great works of art through the ages in every medium: painting,
sculpture and architecture; music and chant and polyphony;
poetry, sermons and prayers. Art inspired by faith and serving
the faith moves people to adore God".
Recalling the proximity of
the Jubilee of the artists, to be celebrated also in Chicago,
the Archbishop stressed that "artists as well, like every man
and woman, fashion their own lives through moral actions which
shape a person's character". "Through their own lives given
especially to the creation of beauty, artists can enjoy a
privileged insight into God's act of creating. Artistic
'inspiration' gives insight into the action of the Holy Spirit,
who 'is the mysterious Artist of the universe," the Cardinal
wrote.
The bitter battle for senator of New York has begun with candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rudolph Giuliani trading barbs and the one launched by the latter could come back to haunt the first lady who is now carpetbagging for the Democratic seat in the Senate from New York. The current mayor of the big apple has accused Clinton of hypocrisy in her stance on religion, citing many instances that belie her words for actions speak much louder, but it is possible that Giuliani - a cafeteria Catholic - has found her achilles heel and is trying to stomp on her. At the same time he should examine his own Catholicism and embrace the culture of life no matter what is politically expedient. continued inside.
NEW YORK, FEB 13 (ZENIT).- Hillary Clinton, now formally a candidate for
the position of Senator of New York, this week accused New York City's
mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, of unduly introducing the theme of religion
into the elections. According to the "New York Times" on Feb. 10, Mrs.
Clinton declared that she was scandalized by a Giuliani fundraising
letter in which he made references to her hostility toward the country's
religious traditions. The same letter also contained allusions to
"liberal judges" who have prohibited displaying of the Ten Commandments
in schools.
Giuliani termed the comments of Mrs. Clinton as mere political
propaganda and added that the issue is not new: the letter was sent in
October, during the conflict about the Museum of Brooklyn's
reprehensible "art" exhibit. Mrs. Clinton made her declaration during a
press conference and returned to the same theme at a speech to 1,500
students and professors in the University of Syracuse. Giuliani has not
yet presented himself as the Republican candidate to challenge Mrs.
Clinton's bid for the Senate position, but it is expected that he will
do so shortly.
Only a few days earlier, Hillary Clinton declared that if she were
elected to Senate, she would vote against all candidates for the Supreme
Court who are anti-abortion, saying that she "couldn't imagine herself
voting to confirm a candidate like that." Giuliani has supported the
"right" to abortion in the past despite presenting himself as Catholic,
but commented that he would not dismiss the possibility of voting in
favor of a pro-life judge.
ZE00021325
Once again there is overwhelming evidence of the prejudices of the Clinton administration against pro-life organizations and those promoting a Christian culture of behavior and standards for his administration has refused to investigate the liberal organization Americans United for their intimidating tactics in trying to get non-profits and churches to back down from speaking out against the injustices and immorality in America. This intimidation has benefited the Democratic ticket by these neo-Nazi tactics and conservative Republican leaders want to know why attorney general Janet Reno has steadfastly refused to delve into these wrongdoings while feverishly going after conservatives. continued inside.
WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - The Clinton administration
Justice Department last week refused a request by
Republican senators to investigate a left-wing group that
attacks involvement of religion in public life.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Keeney said in a
letter that the department found no voter intimidation
involved in efforts by Americans United for Separation of
Church and State to warn churches they were jeopardizing
their tax status by participating in Christian Coalition
voter registration drives.
Last July, six Senate Republicans, including Sens. Jesse
Helms of North Carolina, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, and Paul
Coverdell of Georgia, asked Attorney General Janet Reno to
launch a criminal investigation into whether Americans
United had violated citizens' rights to vote by
"intimidating people of faith into not participating in the
political process."
The Clinton administration, including the Internal Revenue
Service, the Justice Department, and the Federal Election
Commission, has not hesitated to investigate numerous
conservative groups that disagree with administration
policies. The Christian Coalition, the Rutherford
Institute, and other groups have been the targets of
investigation and administrative judgements.
